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"I practise my religion but wouldn't say I'm very religious. It balances me with all other demands in life. And yes I believe in a higher being. Unfortunately it's harder to sat publicly in Ireland today. People talk about respecting views of others. Doesn't always extend to religion though" How often do you feel the need to say it publicly?  | |||
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"If I were to put a label on myself, it would be "spiritual pantheist" but primarily influenced by Buddhism. I make the distinction between spirituality and religion. Spirituality being more focused on practice and philosophy, while religion tends to be more ritual and dogma." That's a very interesting distinction, I'd say a lot of ritual (baptism, communion and confession) are still a bit popular in Ireland. I don't think many practice anymore. | |||
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"Full time atheist. However, there are parts of religious texts that should help with everyday life. Eg, many of the ten commandments make sense. Things like ' casting the first stone' for example, and many of Jesus's sayings should be engrained in our day to day lives. " I think in some circles there is a push to take the more lighthearted and less dogmatic views forward and to leave the rest in the past. There's certainly some good ideas in most religions. | |||
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"Non religious here. Spiritually I think if god is anything it's likely to be everything. And that includes us." #Pantheism  | |||
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"If I were to put a label on myself, it would be "spiritual pantheist" but primarily influenced by Buddhism. I make the distinction between spirituality and religion. Spirituality being more focused on practice and philosophy, while religion tends to be more ritual and dogma. That's a very interesting distinction, I'd say a lot of ritual (baptism, communion and confession) are still a bit popular in Ireland. I don't think many practice anymore." I think baptism, communion etc. are thriving today as much as ever. But primarily because it's seen by many now as a family day. For us, I see it as a great opportunity to get all our families together for one day, which is often difficult to do. | |||
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"Full time atheist. However, there are parts of religious texts that should help with everyday life. Eg, many of the ten commandments make sense. Things like ' casting the first stone' for example, and many of Jesus's sayings should be engrained in our day to day lives. I think in some circles there is a push to take the more lighthearted and less dogmatic views forward and to leave the rest in the past. There's certainly some good ideas in most religions." Someone mentioned the word 'spirituality ' above. I can see spirituality in many religious texts. And yes you are right. Its the light hearted, good hearted things that appeal. | |||
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"I think in some circles there is a push to take the more lighthearted and less dogmatic views forward and to leave the rest in the past. There's certainly some good ideas in most religions." My sister, one of the last people I expected to become religious, likes the idea of being part of the community. | |||
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"I think in some circles there is a push to take the more lighthearted and less dogmatic views forward and to leave the rest in the past. There's certainly some good ideas in most religions. My sister, one of the last people I expected to become religious, likes the idea of being part of the community. " I volunteer are an independent Christian group. The community part is interesting. Absolutely no chance of joining or going to any service. But the community part is an really encouraging part to witness. | |||
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"I think baptism, communion etc. are thriving today as much as ever. But primarily because it's seen by many now as a family day. For us, I see it as a great opportunity to get all our families together for one day, which is often difficult to do." Apart from just being a cultural artefact, a lot of it probably has to do with school places. Kids who are baptised get preferences for places in many/most  secondary schools.
People do just see it as a ritual though and an "excuse" to get together. | |||
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"If I were to put a label on myself, it would be "spiritual pantheist" but primarily influenced by Buddhism. I make the distinction between spirituality and religion. Spirituality being more focused on practice and philosophy, while religion tends to be more ritual and dogma. That's a very interesting distinction, I'd say a lot of ritual (baptism, communion and confession) are still a bit popular in Ireland. I don't think many practice anymore. I think baptism, communion etc. are thriving today as much as ever. But primarily because it's seen by many now as a family day. For us, I see it as a great opportunity to get all our families together for one day, which is often difficult to do." There are really great options for family get-togethers around communion / baptism time that dont involve hypocritically pretending you believe in something that you don't really believe. Family events are just centered on family members and celebrating our gratitude and love for each other,rather than some kind of pretendy supernatural/magic ritual. | |||
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"I think the undercurrent of religions are sound as people said the 10 commandments, the fables etc. What I don’t like is forcing/pushing or religion or the disbelief when I say I don’t follow/practice etc. I respect people’s beliefs but often others don’t respect that I respectfully decline religion. " In many religions is it hammered home by the leaders that spreading the word/evangelism/saving other people is a fundamental responsibility if you want to be part of the church. They will try and force members to recruit other members. If they are true believers then this makes sense because they are trying to save you from missing out on the 100 virgins/burning in hell/getting reincarnated as a slug etc. The goal of the religion is to grow its own power/influence/cash reserves and the path to that is increasing the membership. | |||
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"I think the undercurrent of religions are sound as people said the 10 commandments, the fables etc. What I don’t like is forcing/pushing or religion or the disbelief when I say I don’t follow/practice etc. I respect people’s beliefs but often others don’t respect that I respectfully decline religion. In many religions is it hammered home by the leaders that spreading the word/evangelism/saving other people is a fundamental responsibility if you want to be part of the church. They will try and force members to recruit other members. If they are true believers then this makes sense because they are trying to save you from missing out on the 100 virgins/burning in hell/getting reincarnated as a slug etc. The goal of the religion is to grow its own power/influence/cash reserves and the path to that is increasing the membership." Aye totally agree. | |||
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"I think the undercurrent of religions are sound as people said the 10 commandments, the fables etc. What I don’t like is forcing/pushing or religion or the disbelief when I say I don’t follow/practice etc. I respect people’s beliefs but often others don’t respect that I respectfully decline religion. " And must be said people don't always respect people who follow a particular religion. | |||
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"I think the undercurrent of religions are sound as people said the 10 commandments, the fables etc. What I don’t like is forcing/pushing or religion or the disbelief when I say I don’t follow/practice etc. I respect people’s beliefs but often others don’t respect that I respectfully decline religion. In many religions is it hammered home by the leaders that spreading the word/evangelism/saving other people is a fundamental responsibility if you want to be part of the church. They will try and force members to recruit other members. If they are true believers then this makes sense because they are trying to save you from missing out on the 100 virgins/burning in hell/getting reincarnated as a slug etc. The goal of the religion is to grow its own power/influence/cash reserves and the path to that is increasing the membership." I'd have to disagree, I've met people of many religions and while I have openly discussed their religion with them, they never once tried to "convert" me. Sure the big churches desire money and power above all else but you could say the same about any organization that grows past a community. The GAA, Trocaire, the Olympics, universities. Nothing escapes human greed. | |||
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"Unfortunately it's harder to sat publicly in Ireland today. People talk about respecting views of others. Doesn't always extend to religion though" Who or what is making it hard for you to say you're religious, out of interest? | |||
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"I would be religious. I would have brought my children up with religion and I brought them to church most Sundays. Now that they are adults and one nearly an adult, they can make their own choice. I don’t force my views on anyone, they can do as they wish. I find two things funny about some people; 1, that they get their children baptised and then First and Holy communion but say they aren't religious. Well why do you do that to your children or they say it’s to get them into schools, well you can send your children to an educate together school, even if that’s twenty or thirty miles away. If you’ve no religion, why do you expect a religious institution to provide your children with a school place. I suppose it’s to be hypocritical and so they can cycle or get the school bus coz it’s ‘handy’. 2, people give out about other religions building their house of prayer, but a lot of ‘new’ religions to Ireland have a lot of followers’ for want of a word, who wish to practice their faith and they should be allowed to worship. I saw someone on FB recently having a rant about we will all become Muslims in Ireland in the next fifty years and it will be the number one religion in Ireland. However, these people are people who believe in their God and do pray daily and weekly. So it can’t be both ways. " 1) All public schools are funded by the government and are correctly not permitted to discriminate on admissions on the basis of religion. Parents can send their kids to whatever school they choose if they meet the selection criteria. A school is a taxpayer funded public service and should be open to all taxpayers children. Schools need to account for people of all religions and none. If you want religion instruction go to church. 2) Some religions are intimidated by the growth of other religions who might have a larger growth rate. Extrapolating a growth rate forward will give inaccurate results as growth rates will slow over time and obviously won't continue to 100%. Two religions worrying about this stuff is pointless. The joy of being an atheist means you can step out of the nonsense and leave them to it. | |||
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"I think the undercurrent of religions are sound as people said the 10 commandments, the fables etc. What I don’t like is forcing/pushing or religion or the disbelief when I say I don’t follow/practice etc. I respect people’s beliefs but often others don’t respect that I respectfully decline religion. In many religions is it hammered home by the leaders that spreading the word/evangelism/saving other people is a fundamental responsibility if you want to be part of the church. They will try and force members to recruit other members. If they are true believers then this makes sense because they are trying to save you from missing out on the 100 virgins/burning in hell/getting reincarnated as a slug etc. The goal of the religion is to grow its own power/influence/cash reserves and the path to that is increasing the membership. I'd have to disagree, I've met people of many religions and while I have openly discussed their religion with them, they never once tried to "convert" me. Sure the big churches desire money and power above all else but you could say the same about any organization that grows past a community. The GAA, Trocaire, the Olympics, universities. Nothing escapes human greed." I was approached by representatives of two different Christian religions last Saturday just walking around a small town centre. | |||
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" I was approached by representatives of two different Christian religions last Saturday just walking around a small town centre. " Have you been approached by a gym or a car insurance company? I totally understand that people are often zealous about their ideals but it's easy to be a cynic. I'm not big on religion but I envy those who can actually believe (not blindly) in something. | |||
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" I was approached by representatives of two different Christian religions last Saturday just walking around a small town centre. Have you been approached by a gym or a car insurance company? I totally understand that people are often zealous about their ideals but it's easy to be a cynic. I'm not big on religion but I envy those who can actually believe (not blindly) in something." Sure I don't mind someone telling me why their windows are better than someone else's windows. It's the religion that threatens people with burning in hellfire for all eternity that is a little more worrying to me. Id rather believe in the truth as I see it. As in the reality of our existence than choosing to believe something that is clearly nonsense if people could just engage rational thought like they do in other aspects of their lives. | |||
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" 1, that they get their children baptised and then First and Holy communion but say they aren't religious. Well why do you do that to your children or they say it’s to get them into schools, well you can send your children to an educate together school, even if that’s twenty or thirty miles away. If you’ve no religion, why do you expect a religious institution to provide your children with a school place. I suppose it’s to be hypocritical and so they can cycle or get the school bus coz it’s ‘handy’." Many would prefer if the majority of schools weren't run by religious institutions or didn't have affiliation with them. It's a legacy of the past that this is the case. Until such time as the state can offer sufficient school places then people will continue to "play the game" the system necessitates. | |||
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" I was approached by representatives of two different Christian religions last Saturday just walking around a small town centre. Have you been approached by a gym or a car insurance company? I totally understand that people are often zealous about their ideals but it's easy to be a cynic. I'm not big on religion but I envy those who can actually believe (not blindly) in something. Sure I don't mind someone telling me why their windows are better than someone else's windows. It's the religion that threatens people with burning in hellfire for all eternity that is a little more worrying to me. Id rather believe in the truth as I see it. As in the reality of our existence than choosing to believe something that is clearly nonsense if people could just engage rational thought like they do in other aspects of their lives. " In that regard, the best I can say is that I envy you having that much belief in yourself. | |||
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" I was approached by representatives of two different Christian religions last Saturday just walking around a small town centre. Have you been approached by a gym or a car insurance company? I totally understand that people are often zealous about their ideals but it's easy to be a cynic. I'm not big on religion but I envy those who can actually believe (not blindly) in something. Sure I don't mind someone telling me why their windows are better than someone else's windows. It's the religion that threatens people with burning in hellfire for all eternity that is a little more worrying to me. Id rather believe in the truth as I see it. As in the reality of our existence than choosing to believe something that is clearly nonsense if people could just engage rational thought like they do in other aspects of their lives. " Hasn't been proven to be nonsense tho | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. " You sound like Ricky Gervais | |||
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"I would be religious. I would have brought my children up with religion and I brought them to church most Sundays. Now that they are adults and one nearly an adult, they can make their own choice. I don’t force my views on anyone, they can do as they wish. I find two things funny about some people; 1, that they get their children baptised and then First and Holy communion but say they aren't religious. Well why do you do that to your children or they say it’s to get them into schools, well you can send your children to an educate together school, even if that’s twenty or thirty miles away. If you’ve no religion, why do you expect a religious institution to provide your children with a school place. I suppose it’s to be hypocritical and so they can cycle or get the school bus coz it’s ‘handy’. 2, people give out about other religions building their house of prayer, but a lot of ‘new’ religions to Ireland have a lot of followers’ for want of a word, who wish to practice their faith and they should be allowed to worship. I saw someone on FB recently having a rant about we will all become Muslims in Ireland in the next fifty years and it will be the number one religion in Ireland. However, these people are people who believe in their God and do pray daily and weekly. So it can’t be both ways. 1) All public schools are funded by the government and are correctly not permitted to discriminate on admissions on the basis of religion. Parents can send their kids to whatever school they choose if they meet the selection criteria. A school is a taxpayer funded public service and should be open to all taxpayers children. Schools need to account for people of all religions and none. If you want religion instruction go to church. 2) Some religions are intimidated by the growth of other religions who might have a larger growth rate. Extrapolating a growth rate forward will give inaccurate results as growth rates will slow over time and obviously won't continue to 100%. Two religions worrying about this stuff is pointless. The joy of being an atheist means you can step out of the nonsense and leave them to it." A public school is not a religious institution - it is an educational facility provided by the government for the children of Ireland, funded by taxpayers money. It is also a legal requirement for children to attend school until the age of 16 or complete the junior cycle of secondary school. Considering that the vast majority of schools in Ireland are under the "control of" the church, people who choose not to practice that religion aren't exactly catered for by the government - there's a huge shortage of school places without adding to the religious aspect of a school and the children attending it. I am not religious but I have faith. I was brought up in what is a religious minority and had my children baptised accordingly - for one, to follow tradition, lack of schools and school places in non-denominational schools and I was going to do everything in my power out of principle not to have to send my children to a Catholic school by default considering the history of abuse by members of the church in this country. I feel there is nothing hypocritical about my choice. I generally respect other people's choices because they usually have valid reasons for the choices they make. | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. " It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad | |||
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"I would be religious. I would have brought my children up with religion and I brought them to church most Sundays. Now that they are adults and one nearly an adult, they can make their own choice. I don’t force my views on anyone, they can do as they wish. I find two things funny about some people; 1, that they get their children baptised and then First and Holy communion but say they aren't religious. Well why do you do that to your children or they say it’s to get them into schools, well you can send your children to an educate together school, even if that’s twenty or thirty miles away. If you’ve no religion, why do you expect a religious institution to provide your children with a school place. I suppose it’s to be hypocritical and so they can cycle or get the school bus coz it’s ‘handy’. 2, people give out about other religions building their house of prayer, but a lot of ‘new’ religions to Ireland have a lot of followers’ for want of a word, who wish to practice their faith and they should be allowed to worship. I saw someone on FB recently having a rant about we will all become Muslims in Ireland in the next fifty years and it will be the number one religion in Ireland. However, these people are people who believe in their God and do pray daily and weekly. So it can’t be both ways. 1) All public schools are funded by the government and are correctly not permitted to discriminate on admissions on the basis of religion. Parents can send their kids to whatever school they choose if they meet the selection criteria. A school is a taxpayer funded public service and should be open to all taxpayers children. Schools need to account for people of all religions and none. If you want religion instruction go to church. 2) Some religions are intimidated by the growth of other religions who might have a larger growth rate. Extrapolating a growth rate forward will give inaccurate results as growth rates will slow over time and obviously won't continue to 100%. Two religions worrying about this stuff is pointless. The joy of being an atheist means you can step out of the nonsense and leave them to it. A public school is not a religious institution - it is an educational facility provided by the government for the children of Ireland, funded by taxpayers money. It is also a legal requirement for children to attend school until the age of 16 or complete the junior cycle of secondary school. Considering that the vast majority of schools in Ireland are under the "control of" the church, people who choose not to practice that religion aren't exactly catered for by the government - there's a huge shortage of school places without adding to the religious aspect of a school and the children attending it. I am not religious but I have faith. I was brought up in what is a religious minority and had my children baptised accordingly - for one, to follow tradition, lack of schools and school places in non-denominational schools and I was going to do everything in my power out of principle not to have to send my children to a Catholic school by default considering the history of abuse by members of the church in this country. I feel there is nothing hypocritical about my choice. I generally respect other people's choices because they usually have valid reasons for the choices they make. " I think you might be misunderstanding me. I'm supporting the right of everyone to send their child to whatever school they wish. Two of my kids are in Catholic schools (due to them being the autism unit that we were offered) but we are opted out. The crime here as I see either is the suggestion that kids without religion should only go to non-religious schools. That's the comment I was replying to. | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad" Logic can deduce that not all religions can be correct at the same time. There is reality and then there is everything else. Most of that "everything else" is incorrect religions. | |||
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" It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad" Why would the burden of proof be with science or some swinger on a forum? 🙄 Anyways: Clearly, an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe after a night of drinking heavily. And no one has proven this to be wrong yet. So it must be true. M | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad Logic can deduce that not all religions can be correct at the same time. There is reality and then there is everything else. Most of that "everything else" is incorrect religions. " Also not all incorrect and calling them "nonsense" is quite offensive to those of a religious persuasion | |||
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"*don't have any choice at all." Completely agree. We had to go to a catholic one for the ASD class, but I'd absolutely defend the right to send a kid to a school of a different denomination (or none) based on any criteria they deemed important. Thankfully the government agrees with me. | |||
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" It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad Why would the burden of proof be with science or some swinger on a forum? 🙄 Anyways: Clearly, an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe after a night of drinking heavily. And no one has proven this to be wrong yet. So it must be true. M " Quite possible, definitely not nonsense  | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad Logic can deduce that not all religions can be correct at the same time. There is reality and then there is everything else. Most of that "everything else" is incorrect religions. Also not all incorrect and calling them "nonsense" is quite offensive to those of a religious persuasion " It quite literally makes no-sense to think that they are all correct. Nonsense therefore. If you find that logic offensive then so be it. | |||
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"Clearly most religions are nonsense. It's obvious. They can't all be right. There are thousands of gods. Even if there is one true religion then thousands of them are wrong. It's not obvious, science can't disprove God much less some swinger on a forum lad Logic can deduce that not all religions can be correct at the same time. There is reality and then there is everything else. Most of that "everything else" is incorrect religions. Also not all incorrect and calling them "nonsense" is quite offensive to those of a religious persuasion It quite literally makes no-sense to think that they are all correct. Nonsense therefore. If you find that logic offensive then so be it." Not what I said but ok | |||
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"I would be religious. I would have brought my children up with religion and I brought them to church most Sundays. Now that they are adults and one nearly an adult, they can make their own choice. I don’t force my views on anyone, they can do as they wish. I find two things funny about some people; 1, that they get their children baptised and then First and Holy communion but say they aren't religious. Well why do you do that to your children or they say it’s to get them into schools, well you can send your children to an educate together school, even if that’s twenty or thirty miles away. If you’ve no religion, why do you expect a religious institution to provide your children with a school place. I suppose it’s to be hypocritical and so they can cycle or get the school bus coz it’s ‘handy’. 2, people give out about other religions building their house of prayer, but a lot of ‘new’ religions to Ireland have a lot of followers’ for want of a word, who wish to practice their faith and they should be allowed to worship. I saw someone on FB recently having a rant about we will all become Muslims in Ireland in the next fifty years and it will be the number one religion in Ireland. However, these people are people who believe in their God and do pray daily and weekly. So it can’t be both ways. 1) All public schools are funded by the government and are correctly not permitted to discriminate on admissions on the basis of religion. Parents can send their kids to whatever school they choose if they meet the selection criteria. A school is a taxpayer funded public service and should be open to all taxpayers children. Schools need to account for people of all religions and none. If you want religion instruction go to church. 2) Some religions are intimidated by the growth of other religions who might have a larger growth rate. Extrapolating a growth rate forward will give inaccurate results as growth rates will slow over time and obviously won't continue to 100%. Two religions worrying about this stuff is pointless. The joy of being an atheist means you can step out of the nonsense and leave them to it. A public school is not a religious institution - it is an educational facility provided by the government for the children of Ireland, funded by taxpayers money. It is also a legal requirement for children to attend school until the age of 16 or complete the junior cycle of secondary school. Considering that the vast majority of schools in Ireland are under the "control of" the church, people who choose not to practice that religion aren't exactly catered for by the government - there's a huge shortage of school places without adding to the religious aspect of a school and the children attending it. I am not religious but I have faith. I was brought up in what is a religious minority and had my children baptised accordingly - for one, to follow tradition, lack of schools and school places in non-denominational schools and I was going to do everything in my power out of principle not to have to send my children to a Catholic school by default considering the history of abuse by members of the church in this country. I feel there is nothing hypocritical about my choice. I generally respect other people's choices because they usually have valid reasons for the choices they make. I think you might be misunderstanding me. I'm supporting the right of everyone to send their child to whatever school they wish. Two of my kids are in Catholic schools (due to them being the autism unit that we were offered) but we are opted out. The crime here as I see either is the suggestion that kids without religion should only go to non-religious schools. That's the comment I was replying to. " Apologies, I was replying to the original post but placed it after yours because I felt I was expanding on your opinion/argument  | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself." Yup, to disregard absolutely shows very low limitations | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. Yup, to disregard absolutely shows very low limitations " All the gods initially were around nature, food and survival. Somewhere along the way a few smarter blokes started to make it about themselves. The realisation that it could be used for control and power. Right time, right place, right people and you could make yourself a god! | |||
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"I go to church when my golf games allow and read once a month in a church of Ireland service. It’s more a community aspect rather than the fact I’m devout! There is faith - your spiritual belief And there is religion - how you choose to practice that faith. In my opinion. Then there’s compartmentalisation! Which I obviously practice religiously! 🤦♀️ Fancy a round of golf?? " | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself." I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... " That's a good point. We're only aware of what we are aware of until we learn or experience something new. As I said, I'm not religious, as science pretty much shows that our religions aren't the 'truth', but that's not to say that there isn't something going on that we're just incapable of understanding yet. Take chimpanzees for example. They're so close to us genetically, yet you couldn't teach them how something so simple as a lighter works. It's arrogant of us to think we are the pinnacle of understanding. God I could talk about this stuff all day | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... " I could imagine that being interesting to watch but there's a huge difference. In the former, cells are dividing and multiplying. In the latter, they're all dead and decaying. | |||
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"We definitely don't know everything there is to know, far from it. Science has a lot more to teach us and I'm excited with what new discoveries the future will being me and my kids. Religions work in the opposite way to this. Religions claim that they ALREADY KNOW the facts of what is true (even in the face of massive actual evidence and scientific testing). Believers are told they need to have faith that what they are told by the church is absolute fact, even if these ideas are contrary to observable and testable science. " Jeez Einstein, Newton, and Copernicus must have been sick on those days. The Islamic golden age must be a myth. | |||
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"Galileo was labelled by the Catholic church as a heretic for showing the movements of the sun, was brought to trial and was kept in house arrest for the rest of his life. Most men of science struggled to reconcile the religious upbringing with scientific observations that were in conflict with doctrine. " At first it was just a name I gave because I knew he was catholic and a scientist. It's actually a great example of a religious institution overstepping. However it's also a great example of how personal faith isn't the antithesis of science. | |||
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"It depends. Geologists for example attempting to reconcile the fossil record with young earth religious doctrine, or biologists attempting to reconcile vestigial limbs demonstrating evolution, with creationism would struggle. Others are simpler to fudge. The fact remains that "science" where you know the age of the earth already (because h bible says so) is bad science. It's arseways because they think they know the answers already and are desperately looking for anything to back it up. " Yeah I would say it depends. It's still been a very interesting conversation. It wasn't my initial goal with the post but I like different opinions. | |||
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"The correct analogy would be two twins in the womb where one is telling the other that they know what is on the outside and that try need to believe everything they are telling the other and do exactly as they ask forever or they will die an agonising death." I understand what you are saying with regards to organised religion and it having been used as a control mechanism, still being used as a control mechanism. My point was that we just don't know, there are endless possibilities. For me it was more about spirituality or a belief in something we don't understand. I suppose everyone is different and some genuinely benefit from having a belief in something that's bigger than us, others don't and unfortunately many have been and are taken advantage of when following an organised religion that can be destructive. | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... I could imagine that being interesting to watch but there's a huge difference. In the former, cells are dividing and multiplying. In the latter, they're all dead and decaying. " But how do you know that when you don't really know what's next? The twins are moving from one world to the next - maybe we will be moving to another world because the decay of our cells leads to something else - from one form of life to the next, a different cocoon in every type of life...  | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... That's a good point. We're only aware of what we are aware of until we learn or experience something new. As I said, I'm not religious, as science pretty much shows that our religions aren't the 'truth', but that's not to say that there isn't something going on that we're just incapable of understanding yet. Take chimpanzees for example. They're so close to us genetically, yet you couldn't teach them how something so simple as a lighter works. It's arrogant of us to think we are the pinnacle of understanding. God I could talk about this stuff all day "But how do you know that science is the truth - it's just one theory based on another theory based on another etc - how do you know that science isn't just another "religion"? | |||
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"The difference is that science is happy to change its mind if there is reproducible evidence that something is wrong. That way it gets more and more accurate over time. Religions very very rarely change, and will gaslight their believers just because they don't want to ever be wrong. Their whole world would unravel as gods are supposed to know everything and can't get stuff wrong, so to admit to it would be to undermine the whole house of cards." And yet there are many different scientists with drastically opposing views clearly stating that they have reproducible evidence purporting to one "scientific fact" or another - and here again, you will have those following and believing one "fact" over those who follow the "fact" of the opposing view. | |||
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but have pondered on a few quotes from the Bible. Putting theology aside, there's some powerfully, provocative paragraphs in that book
For me, there's been way too many coincidences in my life for me to rule out the possibility of a hidden force . So I believe there is another level to this life that we each occasionally get a glimpse of if we're lucky  | |||
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"The difference is that science is happy to change its mind if there is reproducible evidence that something is wrong. That way it gets more and more accurate over time. Religions very very rarely change, and will gaslight their believers just because they don't want to ever be wrong. Their whole world would unravel as gods are supposed to know everything and can't get stuff wrong, so to admit to it would be to undermine the whole house of cards. And yet there are many different scientists with drastically opposing views clearly stating that they have reproducible evidence purporting to one "scientific fact" or another - and here again, you will have those following and believing one "fact" over those who follow the "fact" of the opposing view." If you reread my post you'll see I didn't use the word "fact" once. My point was science can change its mind if it gets stuff wrong. In fact it's positively encouraged to poke holes in a theory to weaken or strengthen it, or to suggest another answer that is more complete or has higher degrees of confidence In religion they think all the important stuff is known up front because god knows everything and is infallible. Evidence is unimportant and unnecessary and they are always right. Even when they aren't. | |||
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"The difference is that science is happy to change its mind if there is reproducible evidence that something is wrong. That way it gets more and more accurate over time. Religions very very rarely change, and will gaslight their believers just because they don't want to ever be wrong. Their whole world would unravel as gods are supposed to know everything and can't get stuff wrong, so to admit to it would be to undermine the whole house of cards. And yet there are many different scientists with drastically opposing views clearly stating that they have reproducible evidence purporting to one "scientific fact" or another - and here again, you will have those following and believing one "fact" over those who follow the "fact" of the opposing view." Science knows that it doesn't know everything. Otherwise, it would stop! The thing is scientists can say whatever they like. But it's never a fact unless it's peer reviewed. At which point they are told if they're talking bollocks, and the only ones that continue talking the bollocks is udually conspiracy theorists! | |||
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"The difference is that science is happy to change its mind if there is reproducible evidence that something is wrong. That way it gets more and more accurate over time. Religions very very rarely change, and will gaslight their believers just because they don't want to ever be wrong. Their whole world would unravel as gods are supposed to know everything and can't get stuff wrong, so to admit to it would be to undermine the whole house of cards. And yet there are many different scientists with drastically opposing views clearly stating that they have reproducible evidence purporting to one "scientific fact" or another - and here again, you will have those following and believing one "fact" over those who follow the "fact" of the opposing view. Science knows that it doesn't know everything. Otherwise, it would stop! The thing is scientists can say whatever they like. But it's never a fact unless it's peer reviewed. At which point they are told if they're talking bollocks, and the only ones that continue talking the bollocks is udually conspiracy theorists!" So there's the peer reviewed religion and the conspiracy theory religion - 2 different belief systems. Akin to a Catholic telling a Jew or vice versa his beliefs are bullshit. | |||
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"The difference is that science is happy to change its mind if there is reproducible evidence that something is wrong. That way it gets more and more accurate over time. Religions very very rarely change, and will gaslight their believers just because they don't want to ever be wrong. Their whole world would unravel as gods are supposed to know everything and can't get stuff wrong, so to admit to it would be to undermine the whole house of cards. And yet there are many different scientists with drastically opposing views clearly stating that they have reproducible evidence purporting to one "scientific fact" or another - and here again, you will have those following and believing one "fact" over those who follow the "fact" of the opposing view. If you reread my post you'll see I didn't use the word "fact" once. My point was science can change its mind if it gets stuff wrong. In fact it's positively encouraged to poke holes in a theory to weaken or strengthen it, or to suggest another answer that is more complete or has higher degrees of confidence In religion they think all the important stuff is known up front because god knows everything and is infallible. Evidence is unimportant and unnecessary and they are always right. Even when they aren't." Indeed you did not. And you certainly have points I agree with. Religions are very rigid in their belief systems and teachings in that they don't evolve. It seems that science, as I said in a previous post, seems to have become a new religion - for some anyway. | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... That's a good point. We're only aware of what we are aware of until we learn or experience something new. As I said, I'm not religious, as science pretty much shows that our religions aren't the 'truth', but that's not to say that there isn't something going on that we're just incapable of understanding yet. Take chimpanzees for example. They're so close to us genetically, yet you couldn't teach them how something so simple as a lighter works. It's arrogant of us to think we are the pinnacle of understanding. God I could talk about this stuff all day
But how do you know that science is the truth - it's just one theory based on another theory based on another etc - how do you know that science isn't just another "religion"? "I don't think of science as the truth as it changes with new discoveries. But I can't discard up to date scientific evidence when theorizing about these things. Science has all but debunked religions, but it hasn't debunked that there could be something bigger going on. | |||
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"I'm not religious, and while I don't believe in a god, I find it interesting that every culture throughout history had/has their god or gods. As if on some deeper level we collectively know that there's some higher power, so to speak, and religions are just different interpretations of the same thing. But what that thing is could be incomprehensible to us so it's quite easy to disregard the notion of something beyond the physical. We could be just biological tools that the universe uses to experience and know itself. I've recently seen an interesting opinion where a chap talks about unborn twins having a discussion about "life after delivery" in the womb where one twin dismisses the idea of life after delivery, that it's a ridiculous notion and the other starts talking about the possibility of being able to survive without nutrition from the umbilical cord and being able to feel the presence of "mother" all around it and the possibility of something completely different to what they're experiencing in the moment, in the womb... That's a good point. We're only aware of what we are aware of until we learn or experience something new. As I said, I'm not religious, as science pretty much shows that our religions aren't the 'truth', but that's not to say that there isn't something going on that we're just incapable of understanding yet. Take chimpanzees for example. They're so close to us genetically, yet you couldn't teach them how something so simple as a lighter works. It's arrogant of us to think we are the pinnacle of understanding. God I could talk about this stuff all day
But how do you know that science is the truth - it's just one theory based on another theory based on another etc - how do you know that science isn't just another "religion"?
I don't think of science as the truth as it changes with new discoveries.
But I can't discard up to date scientific evidence when theorizing about these things.
Science has all but debunked religions, but it hasn't debunked that there could be something bigger going on." | |||
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"From the recent posts on the forums, there's been a bit of talk about religion. It got me wondering, is anybody here religious? Or do you believe in a higher being? " C'mon religion brings us together 😜 I only believe in kindness, I'm anti stereotypes and hopefully I don't get anyone upset....it doesn't really matter the religion when you feel good 😈🥵💦 Happy FABing everyone Xx | |||
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"From the recent posts on the forums, there's been a bit of talk about religion. It got me wondering, is anybody here religious? Or do you believe in a higher being? C'mon religion brings us together 😜 I only believe in kindness, I'm anti stereotypes and hopefully I don't get anyone upset....it doesn't really matter the religion when you feel good 😈🥵💦 Happy FABing everyone Xx" Excellent answer, I could only believe a god shaped that peach  | |||
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