What ACTUALLY gives you hope for humanity?
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It does indeed seem we've got similar views, I agree that religions (from your definition) can be harmful to the world at large. However I feel that religion and culture are so closely linked that I see a people as well as an ideology. There are many groups of Christians with wildly different views, some are more tolerant and open than others. I feel the information that can be obtained from religions is not innately harmful, but there are most certainly groups that push the boundaries and cause problems.Imperator_DK said:
In my life I have never experienced religious extremism, but I live in a wealthy country where everyone has education, electricity, unrestricted access to information, freedom of speech, etc.
It makes me sad to hear about how the taliban train suicide bombers (as children), it makes me sad seeing small children enthralled and crying in an evangelical church lecturing them on how abortion is wrong. It's information control. Social control is the (old fashioned) purpose of religion, it unites people to a cause, and causes are important to get people to work together. Religion should not be the dominant force in anyone's life. Religion should be there to remind people what they're doing and why. For me I know what I'm doing and why, I don't need to imagine a better place for me when I die to do what I do.
The difference is that (in the wealthy parts of the world) the individual has power over themselves, they have the right to access information, the right to education, and the right to equality. I feel these problems are the more basic problems underlying religious extremism.
There is hope for humanity yet, the trick is getting humanity to help itself.
Culture, Religion and Language are the big barriers. They're linked to each other, if we can overcome all 3, we're saved.
At the moment, Gulab Jamin (Thanks india!) and pre made D&D adventures. If these things always exist, humanity will be ok for a while.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w&playnext=1&videos=zRNs-v4Cbm8
This video. Despite the common perception that Americans hate Football (soccer), this video shows that something as insignificant as a bloke kicking a ball into a net can bring thousands of people together. Football itself, as it bring millions, maybe billions of people together.
List of other things that restore hope in humanity:
Videogames
Hugh Laurie
House MD
You guys (all together now: AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW)
This video. Despite the common perception that Americans hate Football (soccer), this video shows that something as insignificant as a bloke kicking a ball into a net can bring thousands of people together. Football itself, as it bring millions, maybe billions of people together.
List of other things that restore hope in humanity:
Videogames
Hugh Laurie
House MD
You guys (all together now: AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW)
Ah, I didn't think that I would find another one who thinks like that!ryo02 said:
And thanks for giving me the proper term, I've described that so far as "mechanization of the human body"... what is probably clumsy /inaccurate / wrong.
OT: The possibility that we can enhance our bodies and minds in the future, abandon democracy and unite.
Oh yeah, because religion and Christianity have never caused problems in history.Digikid said:
I stopped myself with the other guy, but if you're going to make fucking stupid comments like we need some guy to come down and save us (newsflash: it's not gonna happen) because we're such an awful bunch then I won't.
Humanity is "pretty f-ing stupid" when it spends it's days waiting for someone else (a magic man to descend from the sky, no less) to come and "save" us, and then proceeds to ignore all the good stuff that real, living people do.
Do you know what news I saw today? These two stories:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100811/twl-breath-test-to-detect-most-common-ca-3fd0ae9.html
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100810/tuk-scan-could-diagnose-autism-in-15-min-45dbed5.html
These things are achieved through people at their best. We don't need saving, we need help in advancing, and it's never going to come from your way of thinking.
Mostly at the fact that humanity started with nothing, and look how far we've gotten today.
All of you live in different parts of the world, yet you can get this message in under a second.
All of you live in different parts of the world, yet you can get this message in under a second.
A lot of things actually. I always say I hate humanity and that we are all a bunch of monkey that are going to blow each other up someday, but I do believe we are stronger than ever. Here are the two main reasons why:
1) History: One of the reason's I am such a history buff is that I love to see how far we've come. We used to believe that the Earth was at the center of the universe and other nonsense. We used to die of diseases that no one today even thinks about anymore. The fact that we constantly improve and persist as a race even in the darkest of times, such as the Cold War and the Crusades, makes me feel like we can keep going no matter what.
2) Those small stories of charity and goodwill you read or hear about in the news. Like the man who quit his job and now works as a Guard at the "Suicide Bridge" in China. He tries to convince people that live is worth living. That man's dedication, courage, and good will make me remember that humans do have the ability to do good rather than just destroy.
1) History: One of the reason's I am such a history buff is that I love to see how far we've come. We used to believe that the Earth was at the center of the universe and other nonsense. We used to die of diseases that no one today even thinks about anymore. The fact that we constantly improve and persist as a race even in the darkest of times, such as the Cold War and the Crusades, makes me feel like we can keep going no matter what.
2) Those small stories of charity and goodwill you read or hear about in the news. Like the man who quit his job and now works as a Guard at the "Suicide Bridge" in China. He tries to convince people that live is worth living. That man's dedication, courage, and good will make me remember that humans do have the ability to do good rather than just destroy.
I don't hate you man. I hate when people criticize a religious persons beliefs and try to prove that a God doesn't exist. I don't hate you. It just frustrates me when people say that religion is pointless, or that God doesn't exist. I respect your decision. I just want you to have different view points on the matter. Plus, the examples about how religion has caused violence, Those are the extremists fault. Extremists should be shot and pissed on. They make all religions look terrible.Flimsii said:you hate me thats not very christian.what ever happened to love thy neighbour?Oh yeah we had a difference in views so you hate me apparently how VERY christian of you. and fyi that justin bieber thing was a jokeBurningsok said:I hate people likeFlimsii said:Steel Ronin, now I don't intend for this to become a flame war and I know you don't want it to be one either, but when I hear people hate on religious people because they "blindly follow a leader that probably doesn't exist." it makes me rage. Religion to me is something that you choose. It's a way of life, and it helps certain people get through their day. Also people saying religion is blind faith; Fuck... blind faith or not, it's still gonna help me get through my day knowing that even though something is unlikely, there is still a chance that everything will work out. That "leader that probably doesn't exist" doesn't exist... physically. God is a symbol of everything that is good in this world. He is the spirit of Christianity. LISTEN its NOT the ghostly kind of spirit. An example of what I'm trying to explain would be Santa Clause. Yes we all know he doesn't exist, but we call him the spirit of Christmas for a reason. We humans gave the spirit of Christmas a physical identity; he has a big white beard, big and jolly, wears a long red hat with a white fluff on top, His coat is of similar design, and he wears big black boots. With this identity, whenever people see a picture of Santa Clause they instantly think of Christmas. The only difference between Santa Clause and God is that God doesn't have an exact identity. Usually people believe he is an older looking version of Jesus, others believe he is bald, and some people believe he is black. But you know, that's the beauty of it all. We aren't suppose to know his identity. He is anonymous. Also I would like to point out that if God did exist physically, people would go fucking crazy, and all other religions would probably be wiped out because they would be pointless compared to a religion that is completely true in everyone's eyes. It wouldn't be a belief anymore, it would be fact. You wouldn't have the freedom to believe in anything else because what can beat the truth. God has to be anonymous, so that people have the freedom to believe what they want.Flimsii said:
Oh and the little part at the end. If we didn't have evil/sin, we wouldn't have the ability to make choices. All choices have both positive and negative effects. The violence you constantly hear about is the price we pay for the freedoms that we have been given. In exchange for having complete freedom, and the ability to think for ourselves; violence will always exist.
this is just my 2 cents on the matter. I hope I didn't come off as a douche bag to you. I'm not a very religious person, but I still believe in God. I'm fine with people who don't believe in God, but I do care when people don't understand why others believe. It's simple, all you need to do is believe. It's your choice if you want to believe or not. Nobody will hold your decision against you, at least the ones who have a brain and understand others. I'm happy with whatever you choose. Whatever gets you through the dayand I apologize if I came off rude.
What?Normalgamer said:
That being asked, many of the things you are referencing are more due to individuals or small groups who gained power and used their religious belief as justification. This does not mean that all Christians think the same way. Plenty of wars are started over things that are not religious, like resources.
This song and show
On an unrelated note, how about we stop with the stupid religion/atheist bashing and just share things that make us hopeful?
On an unrelated note, how about we stop with the stupid religion/atheist bashing and just share things that make us hopeful?
But how are we going get rid of the extremists if we cannot criticize their beliefs either. And anyways, why is it so bad to criticize other people's beliefs and say that they disagree and here's why. Hell, you can discuss everything from politics to morals and no-one gets usually frustrated. But when it comes to god/s, you're expected to shut up and be quiet.Burningsok said:
What gives me hope in humanity is the progress we have made, particularly in the past few centuries. We have landed on the moon, invented cures for many deadly diseases and we know hell of a lot more about the universe than ever before. I'm just hoping that we would progress more in social matters and make the world a more peaceful place to live.
After reading through every reply, I would have to say one of the things that gives me hope is that people like Skullkid(sorry if I messed up your name)are able to stand up and say what they believe in despite people telling them they're wrong. I myself am agnostic, but I believe not everyone is going to be agnostic/atheistic. I understand there will still be people who believe in God/Allah/any and all other religious deities. You know what? That's fine by me. It shows they're able to believe in what they choose to believe without wavering before the criticism of others.
We need less ignorant people and more people willing to accept others despite being different.
We need less ignorant people and more people willing to accept others despite being different.
That doesn't mean we can't say what doesn't give us hope doesn't it...well kind of but still look at that huge wall of text up there impressive isn't itSkullkid4187 said:
If you like.ReaperzXIII said:
I'll sum up my argument more clearly.
I do not believe in your god for the same reason I do not believe in Ra the Egyptian Sun God, or Zeus from Ancient Greece. The same reason I don't believe in any of the other 15 or so Gods that were Born of a Virgin mother, on Dec 25th, and rose from the dead (if you think this story is unique to Jesus, you are very mistaken, look it up).
Faith is not a valid argument for anything, its a cop-out, and avoids the argument completely. Its equal to me asking you what 2+2 is and you responding with "Cat".
As far as this comment:
Well, if I went around claiming the greatness of Hitler and Stalin and other such mass murderers, I think you'd have an itch to flame me about it. Religion is responsible for more deaths, murders and otherwise, than every war thats ever happened in recorded history.
Religion is a horrible, terrible, thing that is responsible for all the hate, greed, and fear we have in our world today, and the world as a whole would be VASTLY better if nobody believed in the magic sky man.
Hmm you do have a point. I think it's their actions that we should criticize first. Again you have a good point. What I should of said was that insulting someones religion shouldn't be tolerated. Now that I think about it, criticizing is in some ways a good thing. It makes people open up their minds and look at things from different view points. It doesn't mean though that you have to question yourself, but just knowing the other side of things gives you a better understanding overall. Unfortunately, some people don't take too kindly to criticism.Griz^^ said:
Oh and on your OP; That's a very optimistic way oh looking at humanity
I hope that our species in time becomes more willing to be social with others face to face. I wish we could at least be a little more respectful to our fellow citizens. A good amount of people are, but there are a lot of people who are frustrated with their lives and don't take the time to relax and calm themselves down. Their frustrations can cloud their judgment, and change their attitude. Everyday, a person should give themselves time to socialize with someone else, and have a good laugh or two. It will help relieve the stress from constantly working, and overall help them perform their work better.