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#1 Ultimar235

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Posted 16 January 2004 - 10:50 AM

Theres always that question of, how come im me and your you?

Thats about the only thing i reckon scientists or just a bit of deep thinking can never workout.

#2 Mastermind

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Posted 16 January 2004 - 03:57 PM

*see Monty Python's running bit of Catholics vs. Protestants in the Meaning of Life for future reference

That was one of the best parts of that movie. Religion is usually a 3rd rail topic, touch it, and die. Too many people have too many different viewpoints. I'm amazed that a topic like this hasn't gone to flame wars. But I still stand by my views, that you can believe whatever you want, just don't try to force it on me. I have my views, and I will keep them, and you can have your views as well. I just don't like people that try to push religion on you.
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Well, when it comes to writing an expository essay about counter-insurgent tactics, I'm of the old school. First you tell them how you're going to kill them. Then you kill them. Then you tell them how you just killed them.

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#3 MagicGangsta

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Posted 16 January 2004 - 01:55 PM

There is no right and wrong. The winner's right the history books and decide what's right.

really? we all know the history books are accurate heh

that means that Hitler and Stalin were right... and even Genghis Kahn when he led the mongol invaders to topple the Chi dynasty.

wow, no wonder catholic priests can molest little boys... must be nice to have no sense of any wrong doing.

*see Monty Python's running bit of Catholics vs. Protestants in the Meaning of Life for future reference

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#4 MuDsHoVeLeR

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Posted 14 January 2004 - 10:33 PM

Before I start, I intend for this to be a mature, well organized, non-flaming, OBJECTIVE thread discussing one's views on religion. I expect for any and all replies to be well though-out, have an actual point, and constructive. Moderators, if you feel this is inappropriate please feel free to delete this thread with no harm done, but after some varying posts about Christianity in the 'Thinking of Freedom' thread, I wanted to see some people's views on religion. Here's mine:

I consider myself a Christian, a Methodist actually. I was born and raised this way, and like most children, was a 'blind' follower until about a year or so ago when I started questioning things. Doubts arose in my mind concerning my faith for one reason or another. My biggest thought, was an argument I conceived for why there is no heaven or hell.
Now, as most Christian's believe, in order to gain acceptance into heaven, one must accept Jesus Christ as their savior and lord. Good deeds are always a plus, but when it comes down to it, one can always be forgived. My thoughts turned to children and adults in the Middle East/Africa who are never exposed to Christianity, and never even allowed to educate themselves about other religions. With this in mind, how can they possibly be accepted into heaven? They haven't accepted Christ, and they've practiced their religion (whether voluntarily or not) rather than Christianity.
On the other hand, it's not like they can be sent to hell for not doing this, because they never even had the oppurtunity! You can't hold that against them! So where do they go after death? My friend pointed out to me that they would be allowed into heaven by the mercy of God. All I could say, frankly, was "For what!?" They were allowed to live their lives however they wanted, never once thanking God for the life they had, and bam- they're in? No, that doesn't make sense. He later mentioned to me that those people would be viewed as 'children' in God's eyes, meaning people who weren't old enough to recognize their lord (or had the oppurtunity to, in this case. ) But, there is a verse in teh book of Kings (I believe) in the Bible, which tells of an old man leaving a city. Outside the city, a group of kids harass and make fun of him for being bald. God, angered at their disrespect, sends a bear out of the woods that mauls-- MAULS-- 42 of the kids to death. And these are children! Children who supposedly are too young to recognize the truth yet... oh I'm so confused.

Please post your views, reactions, or input. I won't attack anyone for what they say, so please don't assault me. I'm just curious to see what y'all say...

#5 Mastermind

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 01:18 AM

This is one of the big dillemas with organized religion. How do we know we are right? And, those in the middle east do acknowledge the same god that we do, but by a different name, and with a different holy book. The Koran is their version of the bible, and if anything, preaches a stricter version of Christianity than we practice here in America. The kids in your story might not necessarily be the same as the definition of kids today. Definitions and meanings change over time. I, as a christian, have not tried to reconcile the heaven hell debate, I just accept that, and let it be. I'm more interested in the science of the bible, and how we can make theology and modern science work together. I do believe that organized churchs have some problems, but that is to be expected with any human institution. I'm not an active christian, but I do accept the church. What I don't like are all the people attempting to force religion on you, and making you believe and attend. But, really, this is your dillema to solve. We can offer our ideas, but ultimately, each person must resolve their own feelings about religion for themselves. The best way to enlightenment is to understand your limits, and sometimes, accept things you don't know.
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Well, when it comes to writing an expository essay about counter-insurgent tactics, I'm of the old school. First you tell them how you're going to kill them. Then you kill them. Then you tell them how you just killed them.

Too cute! | Server Status: If you can read this, it's up |

#6 Detail

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 10:05 AM

one's views on religion


I gained my own belief when i was about 16:
The world is in balance. A balance between Good and Evil. The tide would go out on one beach, but on another the tide would rise. There’s still the same amount of water, it’s just in a different place. This is my way of explaining why everything has its ups and downs. The water is just flowing around bringing Good to some and leaving others with Evil.

#7 Ultimar235

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 10:52 AM

Deep thoughts here,

But i believe that life is just something that happens when the conditions are right, there is no purpose it just happens. Like when something heats up it moves faster, etc. I dont believe that god made us, etc. for many, perhaps even obvious reasons.

And thats why no one has worked out the meaning of life, because there is no meaning it just something that happens when the conditions are perfect like here on earth.

#8 Detail

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 11:33 AM

I know my meaning. Many people have worked out there own meaning of life. Those who say there is no meaning have yet to find theres. I suppose there have been some who have never forund there meaning.

#9 MagicGangsta

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 02:43 PM

i have no religion. i do not believe or disbelieve.
there are many things at work in the universe and no one truly knows what it means.
is there really a heaven or hell?
are we just a scientific experiment by some advanced superior alien race?
is it that we are nothing more than entertainment by some great deity?

i dont know and could care less.
i live each day to its fullest and try to be good to the people around me.

religion, to me, is a joke. more than not, it is a money-making scheme and a travesty to the human condition.

when i die, i hope i leave this world with a piece of mind and take the greatest journey that no living being has taken... the journey beyond death.

who knows where it leads? reincarnation? afterlife? blackness and nothingness? or do we wake up like stirring from a bad dream?

...one day we will all know the answers, until then...

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#10 MuDsHoVeLeR

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 07:41 PM

haha I liked that last line MG =)

Chantillas, that was a very interesting point you made in #2... about us being in a Fallen World. I haven't really considered this before, probably because I didn't consider Christianity an established religion until far after the 'garden of eden' incident.

That brings me to another point though... how can one 'establish' a church. Or better yet, once Christianity was established, do y'all realize just how drastically it has changed over the centuries? That's personally why I think Catholocism is a little off on their practices (no offense), because 'The Church' has changed its ideas, practices, and what is/isn't allowed hundreds of times throughout history. One shouldn't be able to CHANGE how a religion is structured, that doesn't make sense.

Oh and on another note, and this may sound blunt, but I really don't mean it to be: Why do people wear head covers/refuse to eat beef or pig? If they do this because they view it as disrespectful or unholy, I'm extremely confused. If you ask me, you shouldn't take anything you have for granted, and be thankful for what you get. God wouldn't have put hair on our heads if he didn't want us to-- well, I was going to say 'show it off' but I just realized it grew out of necessity to keep us warm, so scratch that. But he wouldn't have given us cows/pigs if he didn't want us to eat them. "Hey guys, I'm going to provide you with this excellent source of iron that goes well with just about any meal, but I'm afraid you won't be allowed to actually CONSUME it, only sacrifice it. Oh, and if you ever touch it, you're unclean."
I don't know, I imagine I only think this way because this isn't something I was exposed to much as a kid, but it just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

#11 Agile

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Posted 15 January 2004 - 11:04 PM

one's views on religion


I gained my own belief when i was about 16:
The world is in balance. A balance between Good and Evil. The tide would go out on one beach, but on another the tide would rise. There’s still the same amount of water, it’s just in a different place. This is my way of explaining why everything has its ups and downs. The water is just flowing around bringing Good to some and leaving others with Evil.

There is no right and wrong. The winner's right the history books and decide what's right.

I'm catholic, and I believe in almost everything everything taught in our faith.
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