I started this thread in order to learn more about other people their beliefs and religion. So this what I want to know: In what country do you live and what do you consider yourself (atheist or a believer)? Reason why would be nice too . What is your religion like or what was your former religion like? Share your beliefs with us. Keep of the religious intolerance and national intolerance. Feel free to ask any questions.
In what country do you live and what do you consider yourself (atheist or a believer)? I live in the US and I consider myself spiritual not religious. Reason why. Religion in my opinion is just a way to control the mases with a higher authority that in many religions punishes and leave other human beings outside of the so called salvation. I think in a way they are good to instill some values but overall I just think religion is just another of man's inventions to explain ceratin things to their convinience. What is your religion like or what was your former religion like? Share your beliefs with us. I do beleive we are spirits or energy inhabiting this earth to experience and at the end we go home not necessarily heaven or earth but to a place based on our beliefs on earth.
I live in Indonesia, i am not to religious but i am really believe about that, My reason ... Well it's was happen to me, when i am on damn poor live nobody help me, they just say "bring your ass man, you are poor guy and just dreamming!". Many people say to me like that also my fucXXX best friend...what can i do?, i was married and have 2 cute child at that time. But only have $50 for a month, but i never give up to do what i believed on it (make money from internet) and then pray and pray. Then something happen to me, we can call that "miracle" , all change now...i believed this is from "God " . What is your religion like or what was your former religion like? Share your beliefs with us. i believed that when we do some good such as help other people, give some money to other people (some people can't eat and some people don't have home to sleep) on my language it's call "Sedekah" i don't what that word on english...i believed if we do that, we will get more and more. Nice thread dude...
About me... Well I live in Serbia, it's a small country in Europe and I consider myself an Agnostic. Why am I agnostic? I don't believe that there is a God, but again I can't say that there isn't one. I just don't really know, and I take best from two of the worlds, both atheistic and theistic. About my former religion. Like 90% here I'm born as Christian, an Orthodox Christian. Basically Orthodox Christianity is same as Catholic one. Similar values, and quite conservative, with some differences. Orthodox have some pagan customs, unlike Catholics, and they vary from state to state, from town to town. Now about my beliefs. I respect Christianity, and all the good Christians, but one thing bothers me. Here people are quite judgmental when it comes to religion. When I first said that I'm doubting if there is a God people looked at me like I was "a devil worshiper" or something. Anyway, religion here is quite abused and it has been a lot of violence because of the religion here, even civil wars and such. This is why I've turned to be a Agnostic or Atheist at some point, because I do not feel the "love of God inside of me". They teach us that God is love, love for your family, people you know. Well since there has been so much violence because of God, is this your love? Is this is how you respect your God? Sorry but I won't be a part of it. I hate extreme movements, both atheistic and religious, and I think that every religion can be beautiful if you believe in it with your heart and your mind, and you're not blinded and manipulated like most of the people. Every religion has a purpose to set some moral values and to teach us to be good people like you guys said before me. Anyway, that's about it, it's all hypocrisy to me, except few believers that really touched me and opened my eyes.
English atheist. I'm An atheist because there is no good reason to be anything else. Mental, if you don't believe in a god you are an atheist. Everyone besides those who believe in a god are atheists.
I'm a Brahmin Hindu(i am supposed to be at the top of the caste system, which ,seriously is becoming a disadvantage because of the preference given to backward classes in educational and for job seeking...so no point calling myself an Elite ) I try to take in what I've got but I respect other religions (except Islam), especially Sikkhism and Buddhism; I like some of their principles of serving in the people, feeding them(Sikkhism- Kar Seva) rather than just sitting at home and chanting away hyms and prayers comfortably. I also do have arguments against few methods and principles in my religion as well, which i feel had been transferred over hell lot of generations without waiting to see if those still apply to the situation and time we are in...in one word-unnecessary
he can do whatever he want, btw what can you expect from people that worship elephants, snakes, monkeys, rats etc.
let them get mad. People shouldn't be afraid of saying what they think just because Muslims get outraged and shouty at the drop of a hat. In the words of the great Stephen fry; "you're offended. So fucking what"
If one sees God in an idol, why not animals? But anyway, seriously- Is there a rule to worship a human incarnation only? What if I don't give a rat's fart to that!! (rat's fart- Courtesy J.K.Rowling )
luckily, I don't see god in an idol, that another stupidity. fell free to worship animals, trees, god reincarnation, who cares. btw, i just eat your god in a steak, tasty. i will stop by again this weekend.
LOL. The cow is not a god in Hinduism, it is just a symbol of plenty. By the way most hindus are not offended if you eat ac ow. Neither do I. Right, who cares.
In the USA. My upbringing was Presbyterian (Which I call the "what-ever" arm of Christianity). I still consider myself a Christian, but lean towards Gnosticism. However, I do not believe that there is any wrong religion. All paths are valid - it is what we do along our paths that may turn other people away, not the path itself.
what about this religion ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txZZDNQegv8 (warning: pretty gore ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghori http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9842124/from/RL.4/
how can people eat cow around you, if they can't find any? bill to prohibit cow slaughter. and what rats mean to you? your third mother?
Well I am not pulling your family into this so refrain from pulling mine. Also those bills are not even worth the paper they are printed on. Beef is openly available anywhere in India. Muslim Indian members can attest to this fact. Show me one person who was prosecuted and jailed for slaughtering cows in India. And keep your intolerance to yourself. Unlike you we are not brought up in India to think only our way of life is superior. We respect people's feeling and respect their way of life. By the way how do you like your Pork chops. I enjoy mine. And I feel clothing women in black coffin like garbs with only slits in front of their eyes and beating oneself bloody using chains and knives is pretty stupid too. Killing people due to their sexuality and stoning people just because the scriptures prescribe is also barbarically stupid and prehistoric.
Ok people, bit more of religious tolerance please, unless you want a Mod Squad to bash you I've just read about Agori and I'm about to watch the video, but any form of cannibalism or something is just stupid in my book. I don't know occult stuff makes me frighten a bit, yes I admit I have prejudges about cults and pagan religions, although Christianity started as a cult. People are being brainwashed by religion in other countries as well that much that it makes me sick. Atheism sounds like a way better solution now, you're responsible for your actions, your values are based on your moral fiber and you can't hide behind religion anymore.
i am agree, but my point is "just believed what you believed, different people will have different opinion"... (if you not understand that statement , don't force your self ) ... I don't want to talk much about religion, because for me my religion is the true one and for you your religion is the best. Let's think for a sec, how about you be me and i am be you (you born on my family and i born on from your family) . Did you will chose different religion from your family?. I guess not ... So, just do it mate no worries about what "people say"
I live in India and I'm a Hindu, I'm a believer (I guess I was born one ) I love being a Hindu because of it's inclusiveness of thoughts and no strict rule set to follow, cultural richness and for the fact that it teaches us even to love animals think about the monkey and elephant Gods (I know it doesn't make sense to many) Few facts about Hinduism - Is the oldest organized religion today, theoretically for us Hindus we believe it is the oldest religion as we believe that God made the first human sage Manu and passed on the knowledge which he accumulated which is known as Manu Smriti lot has been lost over the years though only a fraction of Hindu religious text has survived but still it is vast and takes ages to go through - There are Hindus who believe in the concept of one God and there are Hindu to believe in multiple God concept, the supreme God is Param Brahma for the people who believe in the one God concept he has no form nothing and for the people who believe in multiple God concept there are 3 major Gods Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the savior) and Shiva (the destroyer) and then the rest are incarnation of mainly Vishnu, the monkey and elephant Gods are mainly mythological characters from Hindu texts and are incarnations of the 3 major Gods - The main religious texts in Hinduism are Manu Smriti to begin with, The four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva Vedas), which religious scholars have compiled over the years, The Gita (Hindus equivalent to the Bible) it is the words of Lord Krishna (the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, we believe there will be 10) and then there are epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata - It is written in the Rig Veda that a Hindu should be a vegetarian and that 5 entities command big respect namely mother, land, cow, trees an I can't recall the fifth one and hence Hindus hold cows with immense respect - Hindus believe if you have the inclination you can see God in all his creations and abstract things namely stones, planets, monkeys, elephants....etc - Other religions like Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and others are offshoot of Hinduism but Hinduism tags personalities of importance as incarnations and not as prophets - Hindus believe there were four time phases or cycle that are going on SatYug, TretaYug, Dwapar Yug and KalYug. Today we are in Kalyug the last of the cycle and at the end of this cycle the 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Kalki) will descend on the planet I can go on and on but have to do some link building too