Why all religion is a waste of time!

[Brovion]

I'm not going to be a part of a binfest on this so this will be my last shout. But I think you have a slightly outdated/clouded view on modern religion. Certainly most Christian denominations (inc Catholicism) will now focus on the positives that can be taken from spiritual life, and I can genuinely say not since my school days have I heard a priest go all fire and brimstone.

Like you I'm not interested in this binfest but that's a good point. However I should point out that there ARE still Hellfire and Brimstone preachers around today touting a creed of death and damnation - but instead of the church nowadays they're found in the environmental lobby. "Repent and change your ways sinful humans!"

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I like the fact he went to Glastonbury, I wonder who was headlining back then.

Jesus and Mary Chain? Jesus Jones?

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Like you I'm not interested in this binfest but that's a good point. However I should point out that there ARE still Hellfire and Brimstone preachers around today touting a creed of death and damnation - but instead of the church nowadays they're found in the environmental lobby. "Repent and change your ways sinful humans!"

I think you're underestimating the ferocity of the christian right is the US (US of A, not Spielberg!). There are many fire and brimstone preachers over there.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Maybe because in real churches Bishops spend their time covering for Pedo Preists and glorifying a f***ing Nazi Pope.

Now, I can't beleve I'm saying this, I agree with this statement. There, I've said it.

Whatever anyone thinks or says this is fact. The current Pope was in the Hitler Youth so Looney is right to classify him as being a "Nazi" (at least at one time) and The Catholic Church in Ireland, the US and Australia have been proven demonstrably to have sheltered paedophile Priests.

Whether or not this makes religion per se a bad thing is another matter which I have my own views on.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

ah, so you're from the school of reading the bible selectivly, accept the nice bits, ignore the stuff you dont like. tell me, how do you know you picked the right bits?

This post needs to be explained a bit more.

You seem to be saying that your version of being a non-believer is all about not believing in the literal truth of every word in the bible? [In other words, you're an evangelical, protestant, possibly Calvinist, non-believer] Why's that?

Aren't people allowed not to believe in a more scholarly, mystical version of religion that has evolved over time, supported by contemplative meditation on the mysteries of life?

Martin Luther argued the case for Justification by Faith alone. You seem to be building your case against belief on the same flawed foundations that Luther based his creed on.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Now, I can't beleve I'm saying this, I agree with this statement. There, I've said it.

Whatever anyone thinks or says this is fact. The current Pope was in the Hitler Youth so Looney is right to classify him as being a "Nazi" (at least at one time) and The Catholic Church in Ireland, the US and Australia have been proven demonstrably to have sheltered paedophile Priests.

Whether or not this makes religion per se a bad thing is another matter which I have my own views on.

Probably just another example of the corrupting effect of power... apart from the Nazi bit, which is more down to peer pressure to conform.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

... apart from the Nazi bit, which is more down to peer pressure to conform.

Which was pretty much the defence at the Nuremberg trials.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Many religious people I know lead their lives trying to act as they believe Jesus led his life. They throw their eyes up at aspects of organised religion and the nutter fringes.

To describe people wanting to lead better lives as a waste of time is strange. And they also realise theirs is not the only path to leading a better life.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Which was pretty much the defence at the Nuremberg trials.

Yes ... but there's a difference between being actively involved in the extermination of millions of people and joining a local youth group.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Many religious people I know lead their lives trying to act as they believe Jesus led his life. They throw their eyes up at aspects of organised religion and the nutter fringes.

To describe people wanting to lead better lives as a waste of time is strange. And they also realise theirs is not the only path to leading a better life.

What about people wanting to live better lives by listening to self appointed "spokesmen" for God and encouraging people to prepare for the next life rather than just getting on with this one?

Jesus said he was the "son of man" so lets just get on with being just & good men rather than letting f***ing vampire piests poison our minds with their drivel.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Yes ... but there's a difference between being actively involved in the extermination of millions of people and joining a local youth group.

No, its just a question of where you are on the sliding scale actually.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

What about people wanting to live better lives by listening to self appointed "spokesmen" for God and encouraging people to prepare for the next life rather than just getting on with this one?

Jesus said he was the "son of man" so lets just get on with being just & good men rather than letting f***ing vampire piests poison our minds with their drivel.

That bears absolutely no relation to my experience of religion.

 

[wellquickwoody]

I like the fact he went to Glastonbury, I wonder who was headlining back then.

Pontius Pilate?

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

That bears absolutely no relation to my experience of religion.

Good for you mate.

You would have to have been taught by the Jesuits to walk a mile in my shoes.

 

[bhaexpress]

Jesus and Mary Chain? Jesus Jones?

Heaven 17, the Riteous Brothers, The Saints, Judas Priest.

 

[bhaexpress]

This post needs to be explained a bit more.

You seem to be saying that your version of being a non-believer is all about not believing in the literal truth of every word in the bible? [In other words, you're an evangelical, protestant, possibly Calvinist, non-believer] Why's that?

Aren't people allowed not to believe in a more scholarly, mystical version of religion that has evolved over time, supported by contemplative meditation on the mysteries of life?

Martin Luther argued the case for Justification by Faith alone. You seem to be building your case against belief on the same flawed foundations that Luther based his creed on.

The problem is though, many fundermentalist Christians (like Fundermentalist Muslims with the Koran) not only take the Bible quite literally but they also take it out of context to suit their agenda because 'it's the word of the Lord.

First of all it never was 'The Word of the Lord' as the New Testament was written by Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, all disciples. The old testement is the work of various prophets and the end product of both has been translated and translated several times through the ages with each contributer adding their own personal spin.

The bottom line is that many Fundermentlist Chrostians and Muslims believe that homosexuals should actually be killed despite the fact that both the Bible and the Koran say otherwise. That is just one example. Why do Jews and Muslims not eat pork ? Why do Catholics believe in Confession and so on.

 

[bhaexpress]

That bears absolutely no relation to my experience of religion.

Having been brought up a Catholic and lived in the American Bible Belt I tend to agree with Bevandean.

 

[Perry Milkins]

I have not read every single post in this thread.

I am not a religous person.

Why can we not all be free to follow whatver chosen belief lets us sleep at night and also provides comfort in times of worry and stress.

Why can we not live in harmony with our neighbours who practice a different creed. Why do we need to judge them according to our own beliefs?

Live and let live.

 

[bhaexpress]

I have not read every single post in this thread.

I am not a religous person.

Why can we not all be free to follow whatver chosen belief lets us sleep at night and also provides comfort in times of worry and stress.

Why can we not live in harmony with our neighbours who practice a different creed. Why do we need to judge them according to our own beliefs?

Live and let live.

Fair comment but it's when people of any religion try to enforce their beliefs on those of us who don't want to know. Granted in this country this is restricted tp Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons knocking on your door but in other states they have a very serious impact on the law.

For example, it wasn't that many years ago when a 15 year old girl was raped in the Republic of Ireland and got pregnant. She had to be literally smuggled over here for an abortion as the Catholic Chrusch made the government insist that she should not have that abortion. It's also true that ANY form of contraception was illegal there until recently. That is just one country.

 

[looney]

f***ing wanker.

Bit difficult to do both? Well maybe if the Priest is giving you a reach around but I'm quite straigt.