What are some misconceptions about your religion?

[kotorfan04]

I'm an atheist, I think my belief, or rather the lack thereof makes up the majority of the people on the website.

I'd just like to take the opportunity to say that not every atheist out there is on a path to destroy and bash everyone's religious beliefs.
If you're religious, fine. That's good. Go ahead and believe in what you want. In fact, I'll encourage you to hold onto it if it really matters to you and it makes you feel good.
I personally hate it when atheists out there feel its their duty to destroy other people's religions.

Once again, not saying all of them do.
In fact, the ones that don't probably don't bring up religion at all, so you wouldn't even know if they are atheist unless asked. The problem is just that there are so many atheists going around, especially on the internet, giving the rest of us a bad name.

Also, there's this distinct problem having discussions in a mature manner and religion on the internet for some reason. So I wouldn't be surprised if this would turn into a good old bashing thread any time soon.

Okay, I kind of hate this. First of all I am not one of those missionary atheists, but amongst my group of roommates I am the only liberal in the group, and also the only atheist. The rest are a bunch of Christians (Who humorously enough are less "Moral" than I am) and the second they found out I was an atheist they all started trying to convert me, and when that didn't work the social ostracization began. Now normally I would ride this off as anomalous, but almost every non atheist I have encountered has freaked out, including my parents, particularly my mother who politely asked that I change my beliefs for her until I moved out. I didn't and asked her if she would conver to atheism for me, she found the notion offensive and then I pointed out how I found her initial argument just as offensive. So I suppose my biggest complaint is how every religious speaker gets free ride to profess their beliefs but as soon as I or another atheist start to espouse our beliefs we are suddenly attacking their beliefs. NO WE AREN'T! We are stating our beliefs and our belief is directly opposed to yours. It really bugs me when they ask me about why I am an atheist, and I point out that a majority of relgious texts are filled with a lot of lollore and plot holes and that beyond those "sacred texts" I found there to be little to no evidence to affirm a belief in a religious deity, and after going on that shpeal I am attacking their beliefs. It is all a load of double standard BS.

Really sorry for the rant, all I am asking for is a bit of an equal standard here.

Edit: Sorry for making two posts back to back but I found this second statement and felt compelled to respond.

 

[kotorfan04]

Then you are not atheist. Atheism is a complete rejection of the existence of God. If you're even open to it slightly, you are an agnostic...

No, not really. You're making it sound like atheists say "we believe there's no god, no matter what", which isn't the case. I dunno, I'm a very-very weak atheist, so maybe I shouldn't speak for them.

Actually, that is exactly what atheists say, only hopefully with better syntax. Sorry to break this to you, but you're not athiest at all, you're agnostic.
Try not to have an existential crisis, plz

Actually depending on how low he considers the possibility of a god's existence he is an atheist. For instance I think that although the existence of god is POSSIBLE, it is on such a low magnitude of probability that it is implausible and illogical to hold such a belief, and so I will proceed in living my life as if there is no god until the advocates of a supreme being can raise the level of probability up to a level sufficient to convict a prisoner, i.e. beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

[Rigs83]

Many people believe that you must be touched by the noodily appendage in order to be blessed but in truth you just need but gaze into his Holiness' warm meatball eyes and you shall know that you are blessed by merely being in his presence.

 

[Rigs83]

Then you are not atheist. Atheism is a complete rejection of the existence of God. If you're even open to it slightly, you are an agnostic...

No, not really. You're making it sound like atheists say "we believe there's no god, no matter what", which isn't the case. I dunno, I'm a very-very weak atheist, so maybe I shouldn't speak for them.

Actually, that is exactly what atheists say, only hopefully with better syntax. Sorry to break this to you, but you're not athiest at all, you're agnostic.
Try not to have an existential crisis, plz

Actually depending on how low he considers the possibility of a god's existence he is an atheist. For instance I think that although the existence of god is POSSIBLE, it is on such a low magnitude of probability that it is implausible and illogical to hold such a belief, and so I will proceed in living my life as if there is no god until the advocates of a supreme being can raise the level of probability up to a level sufficient to convict a prisoner, i.e. beyond a reasonable doubt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAF2NuAI9EU[/youtube]

 

[Cakes]

Then you are not atheist. Atheism is a complete rejection of the existence of God. If you're even open to it slightly, you are an agnostic...

No, not really. You're making it sound like atheists say "we believe there's no god, no matter what", which isn't the case. I dunno, I'm a very-very weak atheist, so maybe I shouldn't speak for them.

Actually, that is exactly what atheists say, only hopefully with better syntax. Sorry to break this to you, but you're not athiest at all, you're agnostic.
Try not to have an existential crisis, plz

There's probably no god. That makes me atheist. I don't know what he meant by "if you're even open to it even slightly", because that makes it sound like if we were presented with some solid evidence we'd reject it out of ass-hattedry.

 

[Nox......]

I was raised a cradle brethern (meaning I was taught the belief of that denomination but never went to church) then my father remarried and I started going to a catholic church and I remember my stepmom telling me that women were the source of all evil because eve ate the forbidden fruit and so on and so forth so that was the final nail in the coffin for my christianity because I believe that out of the 2 genders men would most likely be the source of evil being that war has to be a male invention but any way enough with the history lesson and on to the topic the biggest misconception about my religion is that im a satan worshipper im a pagan I believe in multiple gods and goddesses and like most pagan religions I worship on more than the others for the most similar to my needs (but im not a part of the Neo pagan movement)and some people still believe a medievil catholic belief that any thing against the churchs beliefs are satanic, my belief system involves evolution and the big bang i feel that the gods being all powerful wouldn't need to have a constant direct hand in shaping life

 

[cobra_ky]

my reply got really huge, so i'm going to split it into a couble post, one for questions and one for answers.

Well, believing in God isn't good enough, to be truthful. Demons believe in God too, as evidenced by Matthew 8:28-34. Acts 16:31 says that you must believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. (Also see John 14:6-Galatians 2:20) That's a whole different ball game. Example, Jews believe in God, but only Messianic Jews believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah they were waiting for (as opposed to a prophet of God similar to Moses/Elijah etc).

This has always bothered me. If you're a Jew who believes in the divinity of Christ, aren't you really just a Christian?

Not out of disrespect or anything other than pure curiosity, can somebody explain the whole 'Pork is evil and bad for your body' thing?

i vaguely remember my rabbi mentioning something about trichinosis. don't quote me on that, it was years ago and i doubt i'm remembering it clearly. for all we know there could have been a swine flu outbreak in Palestine 4000 years ago. there's no real reason not do it other than the bible says not to. that's good enough for some people but obviously not you and me.

 

[thewerebuffalo]

Atheism is spending your days plotting to overthrow all religion and herd all good christians in to the diamond mines so we can bath in our greed and godlessness.

Man it gets me so steamed when they say that misconception

 

[cobra_ky]

unlike most atheists, i have no problem with atheism being called a religion. just like any other religion, my atheism is a personal set of beliefs that i developed from years of learning and introspection. i also think my beliefs deserve the same legal protections as any other religion.

EDIT: oh, and by atheist i mean that i am open to the possible existence of God but i do not live my life any differently because of it.

Then you are not atheist. Atheism is a complete rejection of the existence of God. If you're even open to it slightly, you are an agnostic... At least I think so. I have a really bad habit of coming off as an expert on subjects I am, at best, averagely educated. But as far as I can tell, you're an agnostic.

as i'm sure you've seen from the responses you got already, there's a a lot of confusion over what these terms mean, which is why i went back and made it explicitly clear how i was defining atheism. to me agnosticism implies indifference or uncertainty on religious questions, whereas i have a very secure and precise set of beliefs, which happen to be identical whether god exists or not.

i think antitheism is a much better term for the complete rejection of deities. anti- implies opposition, while a- implies mere absence.

Actually depending on how low he considers the possibility of a god's existence he is an atheist. For instance I think that although the existence of god is POSSIBLE, it is on such a low magnitude of probability that it is implausible and illogical to hold such a belief, and so I will proceed in living my life as if there is no god until the advocates of a supreme being can raise the level of probability up to a level sufficient to convict a prisoner, i.e. beyond a reasonable doubt.

i don't know the probabilities and it doesn't really matter to me. if there is a god, i don't think he condemns us for lack of belief. therefore a live my life according to a moral code independent of god, but one i think would be in accordance with his will.

Penn Gilette

i think he's right that the question is really "do you BELIEVE in a god?", but i don't think theism necessarily requires you to murder your children. especially if you believe in the judeo-christian-islamic god, and you know god has a history of not being serious about that sort of thing.

 

[Mad World]

So, you believe that if someone is a good person--but they only accept and worship God (not Jesus as their Lord and Savior)--they will go to Heaven? Don't Catholics and Christians believe that, in order to get to Heaven, you must accept that Jesus is God? I ask because some of the religions you've mentioned don't accept Jesus as God, and that He died on the cross to save humanity from their sins.

I'm not--in any way--trying to disrespect you. I'm merely curious.

Well, believing in God isn't good enough, to be truthful. Demons believe in God too, as evidenced by Matthew 8:28-34. Acts 16:31 says that you must believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. (Also see John 14:6-Galatians 2:20) That's a whole different ball game. Example, Jews believe in God, but only Messianic Jews believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah they were waiting for (as opposed to a prophet of God similar to Moses/Elijah etc).

(I'm just carrying on the topic. ^__^ )

Believing that works will get you to heaven is one of the big things Christians must contend with. Works don't save you. You work because you are saved and want to work, because those works will make God happy, and because you love God (hopefully?), you want to make God happy.

This is the reason why works won't save you. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Yes. Works definitely do not save people. I believe that the only way into Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Without Him, we have nothing.

 

[Cilliandrew]

Here's a common misconception about my religion.

That we really give a shit.

Catholics are about the most apathetic people you're likely to come across. You've got two brands, though. The totally apathetic and the plain ordinary pathetic. The pathetic ones still show up to church, still listen to the man in the collar drone on and still give when the collection plate comes around, despite having lost faith about the time they first learned about the non-existence of Santa Claus. The Apathetic spend their Sundays sleeping in, sin their arses off and enjoy every minute of God-given life they have, only putting down Catholic on the census forms because atheism is just too much effort.

This is why all the newer brands of Christianity hate us so much. We're having a much better time, despite technically clinging to an older out-dated belief structure. Also, because we have a Nazi Pope.

I have felt this way for years!

I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but lost any interest in practising it around the time I hit 8th grade..

In high school i transferred to a public school and was stunned A) by how there appeared to be more religion discussed there then there EVER was in Catholic school (people were seriously fanatical) and B) the amount of vile that all other branches of christianity held towards Catholicism, holding onto transgressions that had occurred during the Dark Ages!

My theory is that... because i attended a catholic primary school where religion is taught, our religion became "just another school subject" like math, or english. You just do what you do to get a passing grade, and you really don't worry about much else, ya know?

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

As a good rule of thumb, if you ever find yourself typing about a religion you don't follow, you're doing it wrong. Only type about your own religious beliefs.

That's a pretty lousy rule of thumb, since it implies that if you don't believe in the religion in question then you're not allowed to speak of it.

I know more about christianity and the bible than most christians do, yet by your reasoning I should refrain from saying anything about christianity.

That's a bit anti-intellectual, and therefor a lousy rule of thumb.

So did you mean this as an advice for this thread only, or as an advice in general?

 

[slipknot4]

Yes, that Atheism is a fucking religion!
How could a belief in something be the belief that there is nothing to believe in.
It's not a religion

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

Well, I wouldn't expect people on this site to think this, because I would like to think that most people here are at least of above average intelligence, but I'm going to speak real world misconceptions here.
Atheist=/=Satan worshiper It annoys the fuck out of me when religious nutjobs say that I'm the devil's follower and shit like that. The devil is as nonexistent to me as god is. You should at least have the decency to learn what an Atheist IS before you start hating them.

 

[NotAProdigy]

I'm a atheist Buddhist. A lot of people try to convert me, mostly the local church (and the Scientology church next to my dorm) with a promise of a greater afterlife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbNN9jXTQA

Just a little educational video.

 

[Galletea]

I'm with group who get annoyed when people lump atheism and anti-theism together.
I'm not out to destroy your religion, I'm just happy ignoring it thank you.

 

[Queen Michael]

I used to be a devout Christian, until I realized that personally, I never had much reason for believing in it other than my mum telling me it was true. But one misconception people used to hold about my faith is this:

People think we believe Jesus to have been born in a stable with lots of animals in it. But all we actually believe is that "She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Nowhere is a stable metioned, and it's just as likely that a married, childless couple took pity on them and let Joseph and Mary sleep in their house, and that, them not having a place for the baby to sleep in, used a manger.

Of course, many Christians believe a stable to be mentioned in the Bible.
But it isn't.

 

[Lady Nilstria]

This has always bothered me. If you're a Jew who believes in the divinity of Christ, aren't you really just a Christian?

i vaguely remember my rabbi mentioning something about trichinosis. don't quote me on that, it was years ago and i doubt i'm remembering it clearly. for all we know there could have been a swine flu outbreak in Palestine 4000 years ago. there's no real reason not do it other than the bible says not to. that's good enough for some people but obviously not you and me.

This is probably just semantics, but you usually don't see the average Christian celebrating Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, or other 'Jewish' holidays. So, in my mind, a Messianic Jew holds to Judaism and the things associated with it, but believe in the divinity of Christ and no longer have the need to sacrifice animals as a sin offering (or other such offerings as mentioned in Leviticus). That's just my opinion though.

And if you look at the animals that were outlawed in the Bible, such as crustaceans, pigs, and such, there is a reason behind that. All of those animals have the greatest chance of illness compared to ruminants such as sheep, goats, or camels, or bony fish. Now, any animal can make you sick if you don't prepare the meat properly (God did say to cook the meat until there was no blood left-eliminating the chance of internal parasites and most bacteria), but by in large, ruminants are rather clean livestock. I should know. I own them myself.

The animal laws were, therefore, basically set for two reasons. Obedience and health. Circumcision can be seen the same way. Being circumcised is an act of obedience, but it also contributes to the overall health of the male by reducing uncleanliness.

Make any sense, or am I really bad at explaining something?

Of course, many Christians believe a stable to be mentioned in the Bible.

That's because you usually see a manger in a stable or barn. Logical deduction follows that since there was a manger, they were most likely in a stable/barn, but you're right. The Bible doesn't actually say their precise location. Saying they were in a stable/barn is an assumption.

 

[cobra_ky]

This has always bothered me. If you're a Jew who believes in the divinity of Christ, aren't you really just a Christian?

i vaguely remember my rabbi mentioning something about trichinosis. don't quote me on that, it was years ago and i doubt i'm remembering it clearly. for all we know there could have been a swine flu outbreak in Palestine 4000 years ago. there's no real reason not do it other than the bible says not to. that's good enough for some people but obviously not you and me.

This is probably just semantics, but you usually don't see the average Christian celebrating Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, or other 'Jewish' holidays. So, in my mind, a Messianic Jew holds to Judaism and the things associated with it, but believe in the divinity of Christ and no longer have the need to sacrifice animals as a sin offering (or other such offerings as mentioned in Leviticus). That's just my opinion though.

as far as i'm concerned, theology determines religion, not what holidays you celebrate. my family celebrates christmas but we certainly aren't christian. Sacrifice in Judaism pretty much ended with the destruction of the Temple. Jews believe that sinning is an act, not a state of being, and that sins are forgiven through repentance and good deeds. the importance of good works over belief is another key difference between Judaism and Christianity.

And if you look at the animals that were outlawed in the Bible, such as crustaceans, pigs, and such, there is a reason behind that. All of those animals have the greatest chance of illness compared to ruminants such as sheep, goats, or camels, or bony fish. Now, any animal can make you sick if you don't prepare the meat properly (God did say to cook the meat until there was no blood left-eliminating the chance of internal parasites and most bacteria), but by in large, ruminants are rather clean livestock. I should know. I own them myself.

The animal laws were, therefore, basically set for two reasons. Obedience and health. Circumcision can be seen the same way. Being circumcised is an act of obedience, but it also contributes to the overall health of the male by reducing uncleanliness.

Make any sense, or am I really bad at explaining something?

yeah, that's what i was trying to get at it. well put.