Atheist, are you one??

[Jeff Vader]

Originally Posted by billybunter

Reading Jeff's post above reminds me of when my homework went walkies. The guy in dog collar ignored the letter my dad wrote, and placed his hands on my shoulders and started to shake me. He had a west of Ireland accent and shouted "shake the devil out of you my child" evil bastard

That is probably something that many people would have seen, a priest or nun verbally abusing a child in school. I would like to emphasise that most of the religious people I've dealt with were just fine, but some of these did whatever they liked and got away with it due to wearing a crucifix. The chaplain that I dealt with was fine, quite understanding to be honest, his predecessor was a right-wing nutter, pretty fundamentalist really who wanted to revert to the Latin mass, probably weekly crucifixions as well. This might seem exaggerated to those of you who didn't grow up in a similar environment, but in Ireland, certainly in the rural small towns they had a very pronounced influence.

Oh and Howerd - can you switch bold font off - please ? You come across as someone shouting, which takes from your points. Thanks.

[billybunter]

Thanks Keef I did say when I opened this thread to play nice, or it will be trashed. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree.

BB

[uli12345]

I do love porn....................

but I am a christian................

Best regards
ULI1234

[TCO95]

So is there a perfect or nearly perfect religion?

Say for whatever reason you had to join a religion or church which would it be? My knowledge of Buddhism is limited, but what I do know seems appealing. I have never heard of Buddhist terrorism or violence of any sort. They seem to preach, and more importantly practice, peace and tolerance. Their emphasis on self realization and growth is also attractive.

What of Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite? They believe in a simpler life, free of violence and focused on family and community. They are ,for the most part, completely self sufficient for food, clothing and shelter. The most strict adherents have none of the modern world. They use no electricity, radio, television or powered vehicles. Some Hutterite sects have loosened the ties to the point they drive trucks and tractors, trade furniture and food with the outside world and even live outside the commune. Some of this I know from personal experience as I had the pleasure to attend college with some Hutterites and they were the nicest, least pretentious students at school.

I know there are a myriad of others, Hinduism, Shamanism, Rastafarian, et al. I'd be interested in hearing what other members think. When you became dissatisfied with your given religion did you investigate alternatives? What qualities would a religion have to have to entice / attract you or have you had your fill and nothing will suffice?

[pechorin]

I have just recently accepted the Atheist worldview myself (in the past month) and I have the internet to thank for the enlightenment. Oh, I was already moving in this direction when I was younger( about thirty odd years ago) because of the constant hypocracy of those around me who considered themselves Christian.

I have no problem with someone believing as they do, it is their life after all, but when those views are forced on others, then I have a problem. For example, in North Carolina they are about to vote on a marriage amendment that defines it as one man and one woman, all because the bible says so. In my opinion, the bible has too many errors to be the word of dome all-knowing and all-powerful being.

Just throwing my two cents in.

[General Halsey]

perfect religion?

that is not possible as most religions came from some old cultural needs (most of them) or were created by some too power hungry individual (mormons, scientology,..)

From my point of view as non believer (is that the same as atheist?) you could believe in what you think is best for you. Be it God, Ra, Spirits of the past, Big floating meatball, The Force.
I had friends that were from around the world (muslims, christians (roman catholic and other variations) and atheists. And there were no problems talking about all things including religinons. All you need is to have open mind and be polite to others.

For me the closest "faith" would be pre-christian gnosticism or some old greek philosophical school.

[cylnzz]

Atheist are you one.. Sorry, I dont believe in atheism....

[dbailey]

Originally Posted by General Halsey

perfect religion?

For me the closest "faith" would be pre-christian gnosticism or some old greek philosophical school.

Try this one...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism

The oldest monotheistic religion, pre dating Islam, Christianity and Judaism

I have personally known 2 people of this faith, both genetic Persians but from close to Bombay in India.

The most famous ones I can think of are Freddie Mercury of Queen (Farooq Bulsara) and Zubin Mehta

[RowanMooreFan]

"May whatever god you believe in have mercy on your souls" Q in Star Trek The Next Generation.

"Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist"

I thought that is the point of being an atheist.

So if I follow this reasoning, in order to keep an open mind you have to believe in God, because people who do not believe in God, atheists are among them, don't have an open mind. That's some very dangerous reasoning and reminds me of "Wer nicht mit uns ist, ist gegen uns und wer gegen uns ist, ist unser Feind, und unsere Feinde vernichten wir."

Atheists do not believe in a superior being, at least not unconditionally, but I guess belief or faith has to be unconditional.

No one is born with faith or belief, which leads me to assume it is culturally shaped or defined.

I believe the moral values that are part of Christianity are largely the same values cherished by atheists, but without the need for a god.

I also think atheists are very tolerant and broad-minded, a true atheist will not condemn someone for his or her religion, they respect that religion, but do not adhere to it.

"Imagine no religion, nothing to kill or die for".

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by TCO95

So is there a perfect or nearly perfect religion? Say for whatever reason you had to join a religion or church which would it be?

Once or twice, I've thought it would be fun to start something new, rather like the late Lafayette Ron Hubbard (not that I think his movement has ever been a proper religion).

I might be tempted to call my new religion The Holy Order Of Roswell (THOR) that would attract member of the UFO fringe and add some mysticism.

Does anyone know if there's any official requirement to justify a new religion and can you turn your home into a place of worship and get full exemption from Council Tax?