This "religion" really speaks to me. I am agnostic, but after researching them, i think I finally think I found a religious group that I would feel comfortable in.
You cannot prove over all thoughts and minds, without doubt that there is such a thing as gravity. You can show that when you drop the apple it does, you can show that there are forces at work causing weight and all the things that come with it. But... its a theory, just like black holes, just like the center of the earth, just like the human soul.
We mearly experience things that our senses allow so who is to say that any of us are correct.
Mind you, I do believe the spin of the earth causes gravity and there prolly is molten metal for the center of the earth and I do believe that we have a soul, although we wont get into this just now. Basicly I have agnostic tendencies towards this information. I believe in gravity, yet I can also doubt it and the people who actually studied physics at a quantum level to find a theory (and sometimes, I really do).
So I believe what I believe, but Im agnostic towards that belief.
On the other hand I could actually believe god creates gravity, not by spinning the earth but by his will alone. I could be agnostic about this and doubt it or I could be gnostic and have no doubt. I think you are gnostic towards the theory of gravity, whereas Im agnostic towards the theory. Yet we both think its true. Same belief, different way of thinking about it.
Gnosticism (Greek: γνῶÏÎ¹Ï gnÅsis, knowledge) refers to diverse, syncretistic religious movements in antiquity consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that the material cosmos was created by an imperfect god, the demiurge with some of the supreme God's pneuma; this being is frequently identified with Yahweh, (as opposed to the Gospel according to the Hebrews) and is contrasted with a superior entity, referred to by several terms including Pleroma and Godhead.[1]
Ah, so now you want to make a post that contributes to the thread. i don't mind people being biased or such(the only reason why i am considering going to a UU church is because it includes everybody, atheists as well.)But really,
Religion is dumb
Show some damn respect. I dont care if you are atheist are not, I Im not here saying YOU ARE GOING TO HELL HURR DURR. I am going to this church to keep an open mind, and to learn. I will probably stay agnostic period, eve while going to the UU church(that's if I stay). And yes, meeting new people will be a plus, especially if the church isnt just adorned by Crosses like the what MageGrayWolf said was at the church he visited(which would suck). And when religion is practiced my GOOD people, its a good thing. It's only "dumb" if dumb people practice it. UU only interests me because it's trying to do something most people have been to stupid to do for since religion was started.
"OMG HEY SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT YOU CUNT BAG DOUCHEBAG COMING IN MY THREAD AND ALL TALKING SHIT BOUT RELIGION WTFFF. IN FACT YOUR SUCH A DOUCHE IM GONNA POST THAT YOUR A DOUCHE IN YOUR PROFILE AND TELL YOU TO BACK OFF MY THREAD. THIS ISNT THE INTERNET, THIS IS SRS"
"OMG HEY SHOW SOME ****ING RESPECT YOU **** BAG DOUCHEBAG COMING IN MY THREAD AND ALL TALKING **** BOUT RELIGION WTFFF. IN FACT YOUR SUCH A DOUCHE IM GONNA POST THAT YOUR A DOUCHE IN YOUR PROFILE AND TELL YOU TO BACK OFF MY THREAD. THIS ISNT THE INTERNET, THIS IS SRS"
Bit overstating there aren't we? You really represent the community greatly.
And when religion is practiced my GOOD people, its a good thing.
What makes religion good in this case? Presumably it's the fellowship and motivation to remain a moral person that can make religion worthwhile. I just wonder why it has to be religion at all that instills a desire to be a good person. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a group of atheists or agnostics gathering to discuss morality, volunteer their time, and motivate one another. Then again, just because it's hard to picture doesn't mean it can't happen.
And when religion is practiced my GOOD people, its a good thing.
The way I seen is it that the religious folks tend to be the intolerant ones. This goes all the way back in history with the Church, the popes, and the states. Religion has been such a cause of sorrow and intolerance that it has single handedly thrown humanity back countless years in social development.
How does "good" people practicing religion make a difference. The religion itself is reactionary, consisting of many backward themes and sentiments such as racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. "Good" people following religion would only make them worse.
Non-religious folks tend to be the much more liberal ones, who are tolerant of homosexuality, abortion, race, etc.
[quote] I just wonder why it has to be religion at all that instills a desire to be a good person.[quote]
Maybe it's because it's the "moral codes" already set in place, but every religion differs in that, and also depends on the church quite a bit. It is also presumably because of the fact that(comparing to an atheist) someone religious may believe in the "final judgment," which i don't really believe in, but some people may just want to be their version or moral just so they can stand in front of god so to speak. But my problem isn't my morality personally, it's i just don't know what to believe. I would welcome being exposed to multiple religions, just to see. I have read about Wicca, i just would like to actually meet one first, before I maybe take it up.
The way I seen is it that the religious folks tend to be the intolerant ones
like in the south of the U.S., and other parts of the world. Not using the amount of UU churches as a sure way to measure anything, but there are alot more UU churches in the northern states. I lived in California, before, and I never saw much religious bias. granted, i wasn't much into religion at the time, or even the concept of it.
Religion has been such a cause of sorrow and intolerance that it has single handedly thrown humanity back countless years in social development.
You know Egypt? And Rome? etc? religion made those empires, and yes there was religious violence a plenty back then, but people werent so nice as it was...And I stress the fact, that It's the people that cause problems, not religion it self. get tolerant people, and you will see tolerable acts. the problem is that there is so few...
The religion itself is reactionary, consisting of many backward themes and sentiments such as racism, homophobia, sexism, etc.
keep in mind that, religion does move in with the times. During earlier times in history, homosexuality, female rights, other races,were frowned upon period.
Non-religious folks tend to be the much more liberal ones, who are tolerant of homosexuality, abortion, race, etc.
That is changing, especially with race. Homosexuality is being welcomed in a lot churches now. Abortion not so much, but i can see why anybody would be against.
Also, my own arguments are only based on what i've seen in the U.S., it's probably different in some other countries, but still, its also about how people interpret religion. Like the bible. i don't read it, but from what i can concur, its all symbolism. Nothing should be taken literally from that book.
You know Egypt? And Rome? etc? religion made those empires, and yes there was religious violence a plenty back then, but people werent so nice as it was...And I stress the fact, that It's the people that cause problems, not religion it self. get tolerant people, and you will see tolerable acts. the problem is that there is so few...
What? Religion developed empires? No, the autocracy did.
"Tolerant people" aren't just born, they are shaped into being so by the environmental factors.
Religion has been a cause of intolerance.
keep in mind that, religion does move in with the times. During earlier times in history, homosexuality, female rights, other races,were frowned upon period.
That's not true at all. Homosexuality wasn't at all looked down upon in Ancient Rome and Greece.
Nonetheless, the Church has been a moving force in using religion as a way to uphold these reactionary beliefs.
That is changing, especially with race. Homosexuality is being welcomed in a lot churches now. Abortion not so much, but i can see why anybody would be against.
Has it? Nonetheless, even if it is, religion still has its fault.
During earlier times in history, homosexuality, female rights, other races,were frowned upon period.
In fact... they were running around banging everything they could, men, women, slaves, animals...
Religion has moved with the times, well, more like tagged behind the times. If the UUA church doesnt involve prayer and welcomes those with no belief then perhaps its a step in the right direction.
