I guess the word for what I am is Agnostic. Really interested in all the different history's of religion. That why I'm excited to start my Biblical Studies class in college this fall!

I have no religious beliefs, I've never had any use for them.

But if I had to choose, I would take the Norse gods in an instant.

I'm a Christian, but I'm not religious. If that makes sense. I don't really trust organized religion as a whole.

(07-02-2012 03:35 AM)Skyler Wrote:  I'm a Christian, but I'm not religious. If that makes sense. I don't really trust organized religion as a whole.

What does the bible say about church attendance?
The Bible tells us to meet together as believers and to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

(This is all a quote but my keyboard went all french and my quotemarks are És, ill make quotemarks after haha)

(07-02-2012 09:10 AM)Skarro Wrote:  

(07-02-2012 03:35 AM)Skyler Wrote:  I'm a Christian, but I'm not religious. If that makes sense. I don't really trust organized religion as a whole.

What does the bible say about church attendance?
The Bible tells us to meet together as believers and to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

(This is all a quote but my keyboard went all french and my quotemarks are És, ill make quotemarks after haha)

I understand that, but I don't think people in the church are as sincere as they should be. Sometimes it seems more about presentation and money than the message.

I'm generalizing, yes, but It's something I'm cautious about.

I want to believe in god, but it's incredibly hard, i'm a man of facts and evidence....

...And frankly there's no evidence of god....

My mom thinks i'm a monster.

(07-02-2012 11:10 AM)Arjahn Wrote:  namely unacceptance of other ways of life, teaching religion in schools, religious prosecution, and the concept of original sin (We're all evil unless we pray to HIM, sounds like a pretty standard scare tactic, eh?), and then there's the whole talking magical snake that sells fruit. Sorry, not trying to be offensive or anything, but you've gotta admit it's a little funny

All in all, I just don't really care about religion; I don't care about yours and I don't care about mine. I'll respect your beliefs unless they disrespect others.

Unacceptance of other ways of life: Christians are told to accept and love everyone, the minority who don't are the ones who make news stories, and aren't doing there job

Teaching in schools: It's only taught in CHRISTIAN schools, hence. why we all learned about the big bang and evolution

Religious Prosecution: Is a result of people abusing Christianity for personal gain, and are most likely not even religious themselves. Again, the few news stories.

We're all evil unless we pray to HIM: Atheists also believe man is naturally "evil" (human instinct of selfish want for protection formed society, society created morals)

scare tactic: Atheists seem to either say it's a scare tactic or a way of coping with death, which are opposite sides of the spectrum, A positive reinforcement and a negative reinforcement...

talking magical snake that sells fruit: That was earth beta, when god debugged man, anyone who says they talked to Satan or God directly after IRL was launched (Jesus' resurrection) is crazy.

respect your beliefs unless they disrespect others: This post seemed to be a first-strike initiative of disrespect. "you've gotta admit it's a little funny" "talking magical snake"

(07-02-2012 01:22 PM)Skyler Wrote:  I understand that, but I don't think people in the church are as sincere as they should be. Sometimes it seems more about presentation and money than the message.

I'm generalizing, yes, but It's something I'm cautious about.

Yes, yes you are haha. My local church asks for no money, half the members pass the plate without donating, My mother was in-charge of treasury, all of the money went to paying the building, the priests static income, then all else is donated to charities and programs.

As for sincerity, you can call your priest at any given hour and it's there job to come to your aid with guidance, at least that's how it works at my church.

edit: I exaggerated with half, probably about 10% don't donate. ..including me .. :l

I'm a "non-practicing" Catholic.

(07-02-2012 11:10 AM)Arjahn Wrote:  I'm going with a House quote here and replying to being asked "Are you an Atheist?"

Quote:On Christmas and Easter, the rest of the time it really doesn't matter

On a more explanitory note, I really never cared for a lot of major religious ideas, namely unacceptance of other ways of life, teaching religion in schools, religious prosecution, and the concept of original sin (We're all evil unless we pray to HIM, sounds like a pretty standard scare tactic, eh?), and then there's the whole talking magical snake that sells fruit. Sorry, not trying to be offensive or anything, but you've gotta admit it's a little funny

All in all, I just don't really care about religion; I don't care about yours and I don't care about mine. I'll respect your beliefs unless they disrespect others.

I'l respect your beliefs, but don't belittle mine man.

(07-03-2012 12:44 PM)cingchris Wrote:  

(07-02-2012 11:10 AM)Arjahn Wrote:  I'm going with a House quote here and replying to being asked "Are you an Atheist?"

Quote:On Christmas and Easter, the rest of the time it really doesn't matter

On a more explanitory note, I really never cared for a lot of major religious ideas, namely unacceptance of other ways of life, teaching religion in schools, religious prosecution, and the concept of original sin (We're all evil unless we pray to HIM, sounds like a pretty standard scare tactic, eh?), and then there's the whole talking magical snake that sells fruit. Sorry, not trying to be offensive or anything, but you've gotta admit it's a little funny

All in all, I just don't really care about religion; I don't care about yours and I don't care about mine. I'll respect your beliefs unless they disrespect others.

I'l respect your beliefs, but don't belittle mine man.

I'd say if you really want to argue beliefs then do it via PM and go wild. We're here to learn and respect.

(07-01-2012 10:57 AM)cingchris Wrote:  (Also to people that have noticed I swear in some of my posts I'm not that great of a christian either)

Off topic from my last post defending you, but I totally missed this before.

I don't recall it being a sin to swear... another misconception is drinking...jesus turned peoples water into wine, yet people (including Christians) think drinking is a sin... letting yourself become addicted to something is however, and is probably why you should write-off drinking in this day and age.

(07-03-2012 12:54 PM)Skarro Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 10:57 AM)cingchris Wrote:  (Also to people that have noticed I swear in some of my posts I'm not that great of a christian either)

Off topic from my last post defending you, but I totally missed this before.

I don't recall it being a sin to swear... another misconception is drinking...jesus turned peoples water into wine, yet people (including Christians) think drinking is a sin... letting yourself become addicted to something is however, and is probably why you should write-off drinking in this day and age.

So...uhhh... what's your point?

I'm an Atheist, though generally to piss off theists I just say I'm a follower of the Cult of Sobek or something.

I am fine with the existence of religion and I really don't care about it, but I have a problem with religious fundies attempting to use their BS to govern the lives of people unaffiliated with them. Right now it's mostly just an issue of same-sex marriage and religious violence against gays where I live. I'm actually gay myself, so it's a big issue to me. It offends me that people use dated religious agendas to try and tell me what I can and cannot do. They use their perceived guarantee of afterlife (which I don't believe in) to ruin the PRESENT lives of the people around them. It saddens me, really.

I realize not all Christians are the "GOD HATES FAGS" type, and not all Muslims are the kinds of people who'd detonate a car bomb outside of the house of an outspoken member of faith. Not all Atheists are good people, either; Joseph Stalin was one and he wasn't a good guy. Religion when used to oppress and revoke the rights of other humans is a gross misuse of power and control. In an ideal world we wouldn't have religion attempting to lobby itself into legislature; we'd be free to explore the universe that birthed us and advance the standard of living of our collective species.

But maybe that's just me being starry eyed about a way of life I will never see in my lifetime.

(07-03-2012 12:54 PM)Skarro Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 10:57 AM)cingchris Wrote:  (Also to people that have noticed I swear in some of my posts I'm not that great of a christian either)

Off topic from my last post defending you, but I totally missed this before.

I don't recall it being a sin to swear... another misconception is drinking...jesus turned peoples water into wine, yet people (including Christians) think drinking is a sin... letting yourself become addicted to something is however, and is probably why you should write-off drinking in this day and age.

For the swearing part yes it is for some like for instance actual swear words "thou shalt not make false oaths" why do you think they call them swear words anyway but all modern swear words aren't swear words like the N-word for example, (although I don't say that very often and only to my group of close friends who know I'm joking) another would be hell, that's a place not a swear. As for the drinking thing and really everything as long as there are no blatant commands not to do it everything in moderation and it's all good.

(07-03-2012 01:06 PM)cingchris Wrote:  

(07-03-2012 12:54 PM)Skarro Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 10:57 AM)cingchris Wrote:  (Also to people that have noticed I swear in some of my posts I'm not that great of a christian either)

Off topic from my last post defending you, but I totally missed this before.

I don't recall it being a sin to swear... another misconception is drinking...jesus turned peoples water into wine, yet people (including Christians) think drinking is a sin... letting yourself become addicted to something is however, and is probably why you should write-off drinking in this day and age.

For the swearing part yes it is for some like for instance actual swear words "thou shalt not make false oaths" why do you think they call them swear words anyway but all modern swear words aren't swear words like the N-word for example, (although I don't say that very often and only to my group of close friends who know I'm joking) another would be hell, that's a place not a swear. As for the drinking thing and really everything as long as there are no blatant commands not to do it everything in moderation and it's all good.

Hell, "shit" is one of the oldest anglo-saxon words around. So, err... any religious arguments should be confined to PMs, yeah? Otherwise this thread is about learning.