Religion Thread - Beware

[Ryan H.]

It does all stem from the same meaning, in that Satanism is based on the Judeo-Christian archetype of Satan. Much like Christianity has branched out into different denominations, so has Satanism in that some people take more or less extreme views of the original concept. However, since all of those interpretations are based on a rejection of Christianity, I don't see how any of them can incorporate things like love for your fellow man.

Now, I'll be the first to say that you don't have to believe in Jesus or God (or any religion for that matter) to love your fellow man and lead a good and decent life. Atheists can be just as loving as anyone else. However, I don't see how anyone who truly claims to believe in Satanism can adopt an attitude of love and/or respect for their fellow man.

[svosen]

I can't understand how you can contend that the Bible is the only source for respect and value for your fellow man, which you've basically implied in your post.

edit: see post below.

~~~~~~~~~~~

By the way, I agree with you, Matt - Gabe's description of his beliefs seems more in like with an agnostic to me.

But I'm not going to tell him what to call himself.

As for Ryan's posts - I agree.

[svosen]

Since you brought it up, though:

I can't understand how you can contend that the Bible is the only source for respect and value for your fellow man, which you've basically implied in your post. I'm not trying to make a personal attack svosen, but I find it ignorant to follow that way of thinking.

"Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." -- James 1:17

Love for fellow man is clearly a "good endowment".


"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15


If, as you are saying, care for fellow man is "within us", even those of us not following God, then it is of the world. Which would mean that we should not love the notion of caring for others. That obviously contradicts the second greatest commandment of loving our neighbors.

In fact, God is with every one of us, whether we want him there or not. THAT is why we have a conscience, and THAT is why even an athiest or an agnostic can care for other people.

While this may not be an indisputable fact in the eyes of the world, it is a reality for Christians.

I appreciate your polite approach, Matt. Likewise, I will speak to you respectfully, if bluntly. I think it is ignorant of you, especially as a Christian, to believe any OTHER way. If you pick and choose which parts of the Bible you will believe, you weaken the legitmacy of your faith. This is precisely why I feel it is crucial for Christians to actively read the Bible.

[Prime]

I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe the Bible is fact. I believe I know where I am going when I die, and that being heaven. I go to church, and for many reasons. My pastor is the most brilliant man I know, I have many friends, and wow, are the girls in my highschool group hot, its like the hottest chicks from all directions in one room(like that at my friends church x10). *slaps self*

Anyway, with all seriousness in mind religion is hard and faith is easy(for me). I am anything but a blind believer. The bible teaches not to be. It says question everything, question from what your pastor teaches to what the liars blatantly lie at you. Never stop questioning.

If one person tells you 1+1 = 2 and another tells you 1+1 = 100 and you say to yourself 'who do I believe, maybe its in the middle, 1+1 = 51' then the liar wins, you believe a lie. I believe that is what a large portion of the world does, they decide they are Christians but dont believe there is only one God and one way to heaven. Or accept other religions. It clearly says in the bible that there is only one truth.

I tolerate and respect other people no matter their beliefs. I do not nessasarily respect what people believe.

[Matthew S.]

I don't believe I'm picking and choosing from the Bible. The only purpose of my post was to demonstrate that just because someone doesn't follow or believe in the teachings of the Bible, doesn't mean they can't follow the same principles as a Christian. It sounded as though you were saying it is impossible for a person to use reasoning if they aren't basing it on the teachings of the Bible.

[jumbo]

You people wanna know what I believe in? I believe in earning mad cash and living like a pimp. I believe that all religions are essentially the same. Here you believe in this God, there in some other God but they're both Gods and you serve'em and they reward you, make you happy, etc. I certainly don't believe that one can be their own God. If I were a God, I'd be driving pimped out ferrari and picking up honey$. Is that the case? No. I've been raised a Roman-Catholic but the only thing I truly believe in, is Reality. I believe that there's no real definition for "Religion" and "Faith." I believe everyone has their own defs. I define my religion as something that brings me happiness, the will to go on. Is that what a religion really is? No, like I said - everyone has their own defs. Could I live without it? No. I believe that the ultimate goal of every human is to die. You are born to die. You live to die. Some people even spice it up a bit and live all out to die happily. We die so that new people can take our place and the life cycle contiunes.

[lue]

Originally posted by Matthew S.


As I stated, all religion is based on a certain amount of faith. However, based on historical records, the life of a man named Jesus can be documented. His actions and death are accounted for, so there's very little dispute that he existed. Now, the obvious differing point is whether he is the Son of God. Regardless though, you are basing your belief system on a man that factually existed; this would be one form of evidence I would site. Also, the Bible is a piece of evidence documenting the belief system of individuals living at the time. Whether you believe it is fact or simply a set of loose rules is up to you, but it's something to base your faith on.

If there was no Bible, would you be a Christian? Would you believe in a man you never heard of? It basically sounds like you're saying your faith is centered on something that needs no logic, while I contend there should be some amount there. Why is Christianity any different than worshiping a statue of Elvis?

...see what I'm saying?

I see what you're saying. Thanks for explaining what you meant (and sorry I took so long to respond).

[Matthew S.]

It's cool. Here's a really interesting article I found researching the history of the Bible. These are more of the things I was hoping to come from this thread:

http://www.everystudent.com/features/bible.html

[Prime]

Originally posted by Matthew S.
I don't believe I'm picking and choosing from the Bible. The only purpose of my post was to demonstrate that just because someone doesn't follow or believe in the teachings of the Bible, doesn't mean they can't follow the same principles as a Christian. It sounded as though you were saying it is impossible for a person to use reasoning if they aren't basing it on the teachings of the Bible.

nononono. I wasnt talking about you. I was just giving my random view on the world and religion and stuff. Imma read over my post, I wrote it in haste(had to be somwhere).

[Voice]

I believe there is one truth...and that truth is faith.

Having faith in whatever you have faith in, as long as it's not "evil" is enough for god.

you don't have to call him god...and you don't have to be christian.

to preach acceptance of people....and then in the same breath say that the christian faith is the only one that gets you into heaven is extremely...EXTREMELY hypocritical.....

that's the main problem I have with organized religion...it's way too........ORGANIZED.