A question for all religion

[Andronicus]

Atheists, even though they spend more time than the average religious person looking through books on religion, still cite old testament passages and commandments as proof that Every form and branch of Judaism condones murder, genocide- you name it, but they do this knowing full well that the new testament nullifies nearly every jewish law in the old testament

Does this mean they should be ignored?
I'm honestly not trying to pick holes in your theory, or in christianity in general; I find this kind of stuff genuinely fascinating. I don't believe this stuff, but I am actually reading through the bible in an attempt to better understand the other side. Unfortunately, I started in the Old Testament and yes, it does seem to condone those sorts of things.

 

[Echo3Delta]

Atheists, even though they spend more time than the average religious person looking through books on religion, still cite old testament passages and commandments as proof that Every form and branch of Judaism condones murder, genocide- you name it, but they do this knowing full well that the new testament nullifies nearly every jewish law in the old testament

Does this mean they should be ignored?
I'm honestly not trying to pick holes in your theory, or in christianity in general; I find this kind of stuff genuinely fascinating. I don't believe this stuff, but I am actually reading through the bible in an attempt to better understand the other side. Unfortunately, I started in the Old Testament and yes, it does seem to condone those sorts of things.

Excuse me for jumping in here, but my opinion is: Yes. Unequivocally every single word of the Old Testament should be ignored. What it gets right is frequently contradicted somewhere else in the collection of books; What it gets wrong undermines Christianity and is corrected in the New Testament; And its seemingly historical telling of poetry and legend confuse people who don't understand that history as a genre was barely if at all practiced in that time.

Everything in the Old Testament is said better and without contradiction in the New. The 10 Commandments (the most valuable thing in those books I'd argue) all boil down to "Love God, and love thy neighbor as yourself." Honestly, I wish the Church would stop reading from the O.T. with the same reverence as the N.T. It only gives ammunition to the anti-religious.

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

I'm a firm believer in the "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" philosophy.
I can be very trusting, however i rarely make the same mistake twice. I'm also becoming more of a yesist. Saying yes to stuff i'd usually make excuses about. Altogether though, i don't have any set "religion" in the tradition sense. I suppose i'm an atheist, just not one of those twatty atheists that feels the need to enforce their views on everyone, much like religious fundamentalists.
Sorry, this is getting a bit extraneous. In my view, no god. Enjoy life.

 

[Izakflashman]

Psh, I'm not gonna tell you about my religion cause you don't trust anyone about anything. lol

 

[DeathsAmbassador]

I am technically Christian, but instead of following the letter of the "law", I prefer to follow the overlying guidelines. I believe in things that science can prove, i.e. evolution. My philosophy is being an overall good person, and I honestly don't care if people disagree with my beliefs as long as we can respect what we each choose to believe. So, I just try to be a respectful person to everyone, regardless of beliefs or what they think of my own. Sometimes I wish everyone acted like that all the time, myself included.

This pretty much sums up my beliefs as well. While my religion is rooted in Christianity there are a lot of things that I decide for myself, i.e. I think that the bible has many good values I also think that much of it is worthless. I don't mean to insult or anger anyone of course, just stating my opinion.

 

[Cpt. Red]

Respect those who seek the truth, but never trust those who find it.

Nice, I'll try to remember that one. The only thing i would like to add on the subject of truth is this: "Chase after truth like hell and you'll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat-tails." -Clarence Darrow

And now to other some of my other philosophical beliefs. I believe that the most important thing is that you do what you believe is right and that those actions will probably influence others to do the same. I also believe that "Those who think that they have the right to chose who lives and who dies, doesn't".

And now onto religion...
I can understand why some feel the need to believe in a religion but I think that its more trouble then its worth.

 

[Sonny B]

My philosophy

Is simply life is to be lived, I'm agnostic so I'm not sure of a god or not. Dont fuss around to much yeah, get a job and get money, then live it My personal way is to explore the world; travel and do everything at every oppertunity

 

[Chibz]

When I do good, I feel good.
When I do bad, I feel bad.

That's all the "religion" anyone should need.

 

[LCM]

Technically I'm an Atheist but actively more anti-ignorance/arrogance rarely theism as these will cause any belief or lack there of to tragedy (Midevil Church=communist Khmer Rouge)which is why I share Ghandi's opinion on Christians said "I like your Christ your Christians are so unlike your Christ" and for atheist I think we should actually prove the saying "there are no atheist in foxholes" but not because of the dieing but because of the killing.

 

[Hyper-space]

i believe in Harvey Dent

 

[orifice]

My philosophy,
Ne tu confumi illigitimi!

 

[Andronicus]

And now onto religion...
I can understand why some feel the need to believe in a religion but I think that its more trouble then its worth.

Hmm, trouble, sometimes yes. But more than it's worth? I think there's a cultural side to religion here you're forgetting. There's a lot of personality in some people that can be attributed to religion. Let's not forget that religion has contributed quite a lot to civilisation over the centuries. Crusades and other religiously motivated conflicts aside, I can appreciate that this really is something that people consider worth fighting for. Food for thought.

 

[Bunnymarn]

I like buddhism, very insightful.

All sufferings come from desire, whether it be from you or those around you.

 

[Shadow5]

Why do you fight for god? the other guy will probably fight for god as well...

and all gods (if there are any) are the same, just with different names

Yeah, I have to agree with this, honestly most major religions hold common ideals.

There is a religion which believes each religion is just adifferent waay of seeing god but I can't remember what it is called

-edit- also I do like buddhism

 

[cuddly_tomato]

My philosophy?
Ahem. Atheists intentionally start threads based on religion/change the topic to religion so that they can troll religious people for being religious. They'll claim to want a logical argument, and even though they know full well that the basis for a religion is FAITH, not logic, they will troll said religious person for their highly illogical statements.

Atheists will pick the religion of a reply poster and blast it, citing every person ever killed in that religions name. Atheists will constantly claim that a huge majority of wars were caused for no reason other than religious difference.

Atheists will always try to convince religious people that their religion is wrong, even though they have nothing to gain from doing so.

Atheists, even though they spend more time than the average religious person looking through books on religion, still cite old testament passages and commandments as proof that Every form and branch of Judaism condones murder, genocide- you name it, but they do this knowing full well that the new testament nullifies nearly every jewish law in the old testament

Bit of a rant, but there you go.

They aren't atheists. Those are internet trolls and theophobes. At the moment, theophobia and religious bigotry isn't frowned upon in the same way as racism or homophobia, so it is "cool" to hate on religion in the same way it was "cool" to hate gays when I was a kid and "cool" to hate black people when my dad was a kid. It'll stop eventually, but you shouldn't really bunch atheists in with those idiots. Most atheists are happy to accept religion in other people and are mature enough to understand that one cannot blame religion for every little bad thing ever.

 

[Grimm91]

Well I simply think this. Life is a test, for what? Well thats not for us to know. I live my life trying to be the best person that I can be and to help others that need it.

 

[Locastus]

I always had difficulty with the modern Christian concept of an ever-loving God. The Bible makes it clear that God is capable of jealousy and wrath, which aren't very 'Christian' principles.

I think I prefer the pre-Christian concept of a fallible, capricious God. It makes more sense.

Personally, since reading the Norse Sagas I've developed an affinity for Thor. He's as strong and dumb as an Ox, but a good friend and he's fond of fighting, drinking and f*cking - what's not to like?

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Respect those who seek the truth, but never trust those who find it.

Now that is something I agree with, where did you hear it?

I honestly cannot recall, I heard it from a friend of mine and I'll see if I can figure out who said it.

Overall I find it to be a better message than "There is no god" or "There is so a god"

 

[Andalusa]

Make your life a story, or you'll just become a part in someone else's.

 

[LewsTherin]

My philosophy is just don't be a dick and help out where you can, cause everyone has their own weight to carry.