FabSwingers.com forum: Those of you who aren't religious

By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

god is within us , and its how you treat people , that you expect to be treated in return . Guardian Angels help and protect you

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

Nope

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"god is within us , and its how you treat people , that you expect to be treated in return . Guardian Angels help and protect you "

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By *entfootloverMan
over a year ago

Sevenoaks

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

Yes, I do. Life would be much easier if I still believed in the tooth fairy.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I pray to god less people died in the name of god...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

nope, that would be awful

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No it is the basis of most wars.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

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By *eryBigGirlWoman
over a year ago

East Yorkshire

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today....."

I agree its causes more conflict than peace

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By *B4everCouple
over a year ago

Erdington

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

Yes! I often say this to J, how much easier life might be if I was religious. I was raised catholic but by my teens my brain just couldn't let me believe all the stories and the idea of God the creator seemed as real as Santa to me! But I admit to being a little jealous of those who can believe.

B xx

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By *B4everCouple
over a year ago

Erdington

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

I agree its causes more conflict than peace"

I also agree with this x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not in the slightest.

I base my 'beliefs' on scientific evidence.

I also don't (personally) celebrate religious festivals such as Christmas - but do kinda go along with it at a minimalist level so as not to upset family and also don't want to deprive my kids of the joys of christmas - they're still quite young - although they do understand my position. I also don't impose my 'beliefs' on others - unlike most religions that try to brainwash us - so my children are free to believe in the sky pixie or whatever they choose

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Not in the slightest.

I base my 'beliefs' on scientific evidence.

very very true

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

Surely if you wished to be religious, it can't be that hard to buy a bible,go to church & attend prayer meetings etc. Me, I'll stick to being an Agnostic ta very muchly

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No, i dont find that religion has anything to offer me that i cant find elsewhere(family, friends etc)

I also find it arrogant when religious bodies claim moral or ethical behaviours as their own when these are universal values.

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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

"Surely if you wished to be religious, it can't be that hard to buy a bible,go to church & attend prayer meetings etc. Me, I'll stick to being an Agnostic ta very muchly

If you simply don't believe it, yes it's impossible to be religious.

I'd sure love to be able to pray for strength recently and have a sky fairie help me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

People seek comfort in many different ways. Religion is just one. Unfortunately as well as giving comfort it also provides some with an excuse to fight which is so totally ironic its unreal

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!""

People called romans they go the house?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I am not religious, but find programs like most haunted, a haunting interesting

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By *xycoyotecplMan
over a year ago

Loughbourgh

I agree to most on here religion is the downfall to the planet it was understandable in the ancient times when different countries we're taking and claiming others so they all could follow the head of the civilisation but nowadays us humans have evolved so much intellectually that we don't need to have a so called greater power to look to

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

I am god, you are god, the grass is god. In fact god is life and therefore all life is god.

I believe that life does not die, it is like energy all it does is change form.

Some day some clever person will work it all out and find the answer to life the universe and everything and it will be 42!

Keep banging them stones!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Everybody needs something to get them through their darkest days, be it religion, alcohol, sex or even finding comfort in food.

I prefer to seek solace in the love and company of friends and family, who are helping me through a tough time atm.

I wonder how much help I'd be getting from the Gods above if I was relying on prayers.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

People called romans they go the house?"
All right... all right... but apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order... what have the Romans done for us?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

People called romans they go the house?All right... all right... but apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order... what have the Romans done for us?"

Brought peace?

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

are you the Judean people's front, because I want to join...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

Brought peace?"

Oh....peace.....yes....shut up

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

are you the Judean people's front, because I want to join..."

F€ck off... we're the peoples front of Judea!

Splitters...

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

"Historic means of controlling the masses with imaginary reward/punishment if the don't do what the church tells them.

Bloody Romans started it.

"Romanus Eunt Domus!"

are you the Judean people's front, because I want to join...

F€ck off... we're the peoples front of Judea!

Splitters..."

I didn't want to sell this stuff. It's only a job. I hate the Romans as much as anybody.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

I wouldn't say I wish I did because I don't, but I do sort of envy those that do, a faith and a belief in something and a place where all your loved ones go must be comforting, as apposed to just in the ground like I think

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 08/09/14 05:52:37]

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By *heOwlMan
over a year ago

Altrincham

No.

Got rid of that stuff at the age of 15 and never felt any need / desire for any of it to be in my life since. In fact rather the oposite, each day confirms why that stuff is one of the most dangerous and divisive material on this planet.

So for those who believe, that's your choice, but don't even think about attempting to convert me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

No Im happy being a non superstitious atheist I like reality

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I worked out it was total bolox before i'd left infant school and having worked on a couple of religious festivals, its fair to say 90% of the people i've encountered at that fanatical level are 'a bit strange'

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By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

No, I'm happy just the way I am...... thank god

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

I'm fine as I am.

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

"god is within us , and its how you treat people , that you expect to be treated in return . Guardian Angels help and protect you "

No gods within me or guardian angels however I'm still polite and kind and rather lucky x

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By * Busty HotwifeCouple
over a year ago

Bradford

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today....."

But you wouldn't dare say that outside a mosque.....

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By *trawberry-popWoman
over a year ago

South East Midlands NOT

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today....."

We're meant to be well out of the religious paradigm. But alas there are still many, many people in the world who 'believe'.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

I respect people whose are devoutly religious. But I have no respect for people who use religion to hate others or to feel superior or judge.

Personally I'm an aethiest, if I ever marry there will be no religious element and my funeral will be a humanist service. I'm living this life fully aware that it's not a rehearsal, fully accepting of my mortality and not kidding myself that I have a second chance

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

But you wouldn't dare say ythat outside a mosque....."

Why a mosque as opposed to a church or synagogue?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Yes, I do. Life would be much easier if I still believed in the tooth fairy."

You mean you don't believe?! What about all the other faery's in the woods?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I used to be a firm believer...

But since I started my last job... Ive become very sceptical! If he's up there, he sure as hell, has let a lot of young and also...good people go early!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I miss the spiritual side of things and sometimes regret that I can no longer "beleive"... though in a more pagan sense.

But I'm a realist and after all due personal scientific review, have to accept that there is no "god" - and that there is simply no place nor requirement in the Universe for one.

But I so wish that I could still talk to my nature spirits....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I miss the spiritual side of things and sometimes regret that I can no longer "beleive"... though in a more pagan sense.

But I'm a realist and after all due personal scientific review, have to accept that there is no "god" - and that there is simply no place nor requirement in the Universe for one.

But I so wish that I could still talk to my nature spirits....

I agree with you that there is no 'god' as such but nature is all around all encompassing and is the basis for all life and death. This is worth worshiping, nurturing and preserving. Get in touch with your nature spirits if you can and find your inner peace x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Neither of us are religious but how nice it must be to believe and have the utmost faith in something that can give people the sense of hope in dire times.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

Not at all!

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By *rneilMan
over a year ago

rochester and pembrokshire

If someone turned up proclaiming that he was God and he had returned to save us, what do you think would happen to them. ??

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Nope, I think you make your own way in the world and character counts for a lot.

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By *ozzy87Man
over a year ago

Crawley

Having spent a large part of my life in the church I can honestly say leaving it was the best thing I've ever done.

I feel like I could have done a lot more with my life if I hadn't been drawn into backwards superstition.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If someone turned up proclaiming that he was God and he had returned to save us, what do you think would happen to them. ??"

Three big "X" signs would light up over his head....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Im an aetheist thank god

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Nope. I often wish people would just abandon religion. Particularly the one mentioned in every news bulletin.

I can't get my head around certain religions being used as an excuse for extreme views and violence.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

But you wouldn't dare say ythat outside a mosque.....

Why a mosque as opposed to a church or synagogue? "

why a church or synagogue as opposed to a mosque??

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i fell inlove with the greek mythological idea of the gods and goddesses when i was a kid

still love it if im honest

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

No. I admire those who have faith in something but I think it's a whole pile of shite. Contrary.

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

But you wouldn't dare say ythat outside a mosque.....

Why a mosque as opposed to a church or synagogue? "

Radical Christians and Jews don't debate theology in quite the same way as Radical Islamists, and with all due respect I think that you would find your local Constabulary moving in to remove you before the locals got restless. (For your own safety.)

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By *adgodCouple
over a year ago

Greensburg

Yes, sometimes, when I am searching for meaning. It passes though.

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By *xpresMan
over a year ago

Elland

Nope the whole religion thing is an ancient security blanket, now in the 21st century Dog is no longer needed. All you god bothers do is try to force your pathetic beliefs like holy drug pushers. Fuck you I want my Sundays shite free so I can watch tv dog free or go shopping without the crappy holy roller restritions...

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

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By *adgodCouple
over a year ago

Greensburg

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today.....

But you wouldn't dare say ythat outside a mosque.....

Why a mosque as opposed to a church or synagogue?

All radicals suck equally, in my opinion. The idea that some are worse than others is fostered by them, and crucial to their existence.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nope the whole religion thing is an ancient security blanket, now in the 21st century Dog is no longer needed. All you god bothers do is try to force your pathetic beliefs like holy drug pushers. Fuck you I want my Sundays shite free so I can watch tv dog free or go shopping without the crappy holy roller restritions...

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone"

The only time I seem to talk about god is at my service or in here. I can't imagine why they seem to pick you. In my everyday life I never come across anyone trying to force their beliefs on me. I find atheists like to talk about god a hell of a lot more than the religous.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

Atheism can be defined as a non-prophet organisation

I'm not an atheist, or any follower of any of the currently popular religions - I personally don't care if there's a god or not.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Religion doesn't work for some, but it works for others. I think so long as there is respect both ways, everyone is happy.

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

Atheism can be defined as a non-prophet organisation

I'm not an atheist, or any follower of any of the currently popular religions - I personally don't care if there's a god or not."

Atheist is not a belief or a religion there is no doctrine

It's an objective standpoint where non of the human invented creator concepts hold enough verifiable data to take a stance of belief

A = without

Theism =belief in creator

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

Atheism can be defined as a non-prophet organisation

I'm not an atheist, or any follower of any of the currently popular religions - I personally don't care if there's a god or not.

Atheist is not a belief or a religion there is no doctrine

It's an objective standpoint where non of the human invented creator concepts hold enough verifiable data to take a stance of belief

A = without

Theism =belief in creator

I'd also suggest

Agnostics reason a creator is plausible but don't have enough data to blindly hold to a belief

My atheist view point is based upon data to date, a creator is non plausible

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

Atheism can be defined as a non-prophet organisation

I'm not an atheist, or any follower of any of the currently popular religions - I personally don't care if there's a god or not.

Atheist is not a belief or a religion there is no doctrine

It's an objective standpoint where non of the human invented creator concepts hold enough verifiable data to take a stance of belief

A = without

Theism =belief in creator

I'd also suggest

Agnostics reason a creator is plausible but don't have enough data to blindly hold to a belief

My atheist view point is based upon data to date, a creator is non plausible

So your beliefs are that there are no gods? Belief in nothing is still a belief.

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By *bbandflowCouple
over a year ago

South Devon

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

I am an atheist, but I can still recite the Lord's Prayer, still remember the words of countless hymns, still remember the story of Adam and Eve, Sodom and Gomarrah, Moses and the Ark, parables, the Last Supper, the life of Jesus...as a child I had no choice, but to ingest a set of beliefs in effect forced on me.

And of course I was not alone.

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

Atheism can be defined as a non-prophet organisation

I'm not an atheist, or any follower of any of the currently popular religions - I personally don't care if there's a god or not.

Atheist is not a belief or a religion there is no doctrine

It's an objective standpoint where non of the human invented creator concepts hold enough verifiable data to take a stance of belief

A = without

Theism =belief in creator

I'd also suggest

Agnostics reason a creator is plausible but don't have enough data to blindly hold to a belief

My atheist view point is based upon data to date, a creator is non plausible

So your beliefs are that there are no gods? Belief in nothing is still a belief."

No it isn't next you will say bald is a hair style

Ok 3 people tell me a pond is

3 meters 10 meters and 111 meters

Non of the people mentioned give me enough data to reason they are telling the truth

Thus I hold a position on the depth as no belief

Not because I hold a position of belief elsewhere

Now if I and 12 others measure the depth and the results are all within a tolerance I may declare I know within 10 cm how deep the pond is in a particular area

Objectively I rarely take a position of belief it's too vague n subject to error for my taste x

I don't believe all that is written about the so called big bang however we can all observe , measure and understand expansion which could indeed make the singularity plausible x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Think threads like this can be summed up by the word respect.

Lack of respect and intolerance!....

for me, is at the heart of the most horrible things throughout the world. Be it racism, homophobia, social conventions etc... Whenever these posts come up there's always people that show a bit of venom in the tone of their posts.

Live and let live.....or at least give it a try.

As long as you have hate, there will always be something to hate!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No I dont wish I were, I dont believe in fairys.i believe you make your own path in life and friends/family give real support

I respect other peoples beliefs and that it can help them through life and give them comfort, however religion can be reasons of conflict of which I dont support

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

"Think threads like this can be summed up by the word respect.

Lack of respect and intolerance!....

Live and let live.....or at least give it a try.

As long as you have hate, there will always be something to hate!"

Would you respect any organisation that preaches homophobia ?

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By *lanwoodMan
over a year ago

Alton

"I worked out it was total bolox before i'd left infant school and having worked on a couple of religious festivals, its fair to say 90% of the people i've encountered at that fanatical level are 'a bit strange'

What a clever fellow you are.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I used to respect religious people even when I had worked out that the boogie man in the sky doesn't exist. Now I feel sorry for them that they waste their lives praying to their gods. Keep your friends on the outside of your heads kids!

Drs x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

But aren't most fanatical people a little strange ? Be you fanatical about celebrity , TV or a particular band you are always going to come across as though you are slightly on the wonk.

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By *ratty_DamselWoman
over a year ago

Greater London

"I pray to god less people died in the name of god..."

I so agree with this. Damn people who use religion to kill.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"god is within us , and its how you treat people , that you expect to be treated in return . Guardian Angels help and protect you "

Evidence?

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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

" whenever these posts come up "

This wasn't meant to be a post about religion per se.

I wondered if non-religious people, when they need some strength and support, ever wish they had belief in a god of some sort to ask for help from, (and maybe gain strength from, even if only by the placebo effect).

I wasn't asking what people think of religion or whether they believe. In fact, the question was actually directed by its wording to those who don't believe.

I don't, obviously, mind hearing from people who are religious but the discussion was not supposed to be about who is religious and what people's opinions of religion are.

Thanks to those who answered the question.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Think threads like this can be summed up by the word respect.

Lack of respect and intolerance!....

Live and let live.....or at least give it a try.

As long as you have hate, there will always be something to hate!

Would you respect any organisation that preaches homophobia ?"

Good point!

But I can choose to not be troubled by others peoples/organisation ignorance.

Awareness is key!

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By *adgodCouple
over a year ago

Greensburg

" whenever these posts come up

This wasn't meant to be a post about religion per se.

I wasn't asking what people think of religion or whether they believe. In fact, the question was actually directed by its wording to those who don't believe.

I don't, obviously, mind hearing from people who are religious but the discussion was not supposed to be about who is religious and what people's opinions of religion are.

Thanks to those who answered the question."

Agreed. I thought it was a deep, thought-provoking post. I did not read it as an attack or a religion trap. It struck me, no doubt.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Our God is in each of us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

in my mind there is religion and there is faith and in that religion is "organised" faith. Once whilst working in the high mountains of Pakistan I walked along a river.

This river was the milk blue of fast running clean water found at the birth of all such places and I stood by its banks admiring the strength within it, the ageless mountains that surrounded it and the life it supported.

An old man walked past and nodded to me, with prayer mat under his arm, he waded out to a large flat boulder, positioned his mat and prepared to pray, before settling himself he called to me in Urdu, asked if I would not join him.

I waded across the river, explained I had no mat. He turned and said. This is my mosque, no imam calls me to prayer, here in amongst the heart of the river we will demonstrate faith.

So as the river roared past us, the mountains towered above us and life continued around us, we each took a moment to be thankful. One man to his God and one man (me) to humanity.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"in my mind there is religion and there is faith and in that religion is "organised" faith. Once whilst working in the high mountains of Pakistan I walked along a river.

I waded across the river, explained I had no mat. He turned and said. This is my mosque, no imam calls me to prayer, here in amongst the heart of the river we will demonstrate faith.

So as the river roared past us, the mountains towered above us and life continued around us, we each took a moment to be thankful. One man to his God and one man (me) to humanity.

Nice story

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By *ensualtouch15Man
over a year ago

ashby de la zouch

"Our God is in each of us."

Professor!

You should know better than to use metaphor that's what Einstein did when he referred to god and dice xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes. It would be lovely, to actually believe in something. I have the god knockers at my door talking about me getting religious. So I think yes I could go to church, pray and what not. My soul will then go to heaven. But I would be a fake. Because I could go through the motions, but I just do not believe, let alone beyond all doubt.

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By *xpresMan
over a year ago

Elland

When your dead your dead.Get over it!!

Leave us normal people the fuck alone

And of course I was not alone. "

I went to church and a church school so I'm not just passing judgment on things I don't know about I just chose to believe in no mythical being With his finger on my fate.

I'm not an agnostic either.. if it's not living or breathing it's dead or never been

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By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago

Bristol

The bit of my brain that briefly as a teenager went 'go on, you know you want to suspend your disbelief and have a far easier life with someone to call on other than yourself in times of need' got overruled by logic and reason. It's never been back since. I am not anti-religious and I understand other people's need to believe but rationality trumps faith in my book and I can't avoid thinking that those who do believe in a god and/or gods have a capacity for self-delusion that I am lacking in my own persona.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was brought up a catholic, but after watching people go to church every sunday to show every one what good catholics they are. Then the rest of the week stab people in the back, and act totally the opposite of how they should do soon made me think what is religion a about.

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By *lanwoodMan
over a year ago

Alton

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone. "

Do you really attend a service each week? If so, do you feel any conflict between going to church and meeting people on here? Happy to receive a private answer, as I have a particular reason for asking.

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

I am very happy being atheist. It took a while - I worked my way through a fair amount of religions to get there, but now I'm just me, relying on me, and having faith in me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone.

Yes every week.

You're not a vicar are you ?

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By *lanwoodMan
over a year ago

Alton

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone.

Yes every week.

You're not a vicar are you ?"

No, not a vicar. So, do you feel a conflict?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone.

Yes every week.

You're not a vicar are you ?

No, not a vicar. So, do you feel a conflict?"

No , I'm very happy with the choices we've made.

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By *lanwoodMan
over a year ago

Alton

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone.

Yes every week.

You're not a vicar are you ?

No, not a vicar. So, do you feel a conflict?

No , I'm very happy with the choices we've made. "

Interesting.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No, not in the slightest OP

As my grandad told me - as someone who converted from Protestant to Catholic in Liverpool when it was the bad old days - Think for yourself.

Looked at what it meant to me, how it was with others and decided none of it is for me.

I make all my own decisions and stand by them, in that when I'm gone that's it so not making this life good for the next.

When some people 'let god decide' it's an abdication of their responsibility.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I grew up with religion, pretty much forced into it. Was confirmed at St Pauls Cathedral in 1991 and have been falling from grace ever since lol.

The further I get from the god I was brought up with in life, the closer I get to my own; the meaning of my life and not what comes after it. Sounds selfish, but it actually isn't.

That's all we really have if we don't believe in any old shit. But not all of us are willing to become so intelligent, only to dumb ourselves down for the sake of being as content as the rest because we're suddenly afraid of old age and dying or being left out.

That's what religion means to me. It's a stepping stone of philosophy, one of the first and last in the journey of human reason and for every human that doesn't experience that lonely journey, it saddens me that they spent their whole lives with their eyes closed.

It doesn't matter what happens when you die, what matters is that we don't get stuck on those first stepping stones in life but keep moving further out until we reach familiar ground again.

And isn't that one of the greatest lessons of any religious text? Not losing our way when we're doing that balancing act of faith and intelligence out on the water, so we can find meaning in our lives and pass that down to others? So that humanity can evolve to a greater level of intelligence?

Sure, religion became the first true capitalism and the message was lost. People go to war with each other and the message is bloodied and buried. That's the world we now live in, whether you believe in god or not. It's like feminists wanting to smash everything that's sexist, yet they'll still take fashion tips from a woman's magazine designed to make women more appealing to men without showing their tits.

There's a reason I watch from a distance. I'm just hopping those stepping stones while people lose their minds and live their lives stuck in the same old ruts like broken records, waiting to see if anyone else gets it.

When I step back and look at the old religion debate, I just see the same archetypal human being arguing with itself on a matter that actually doesn't matter.

But if there is a god, it isn't one you'd understand with a human mind. And I don't think it's one you'd want to know. HP Lovecraft might have known something about that. But it might look more like a fleshy hoover bag coughing up star dust than the cephalopod-like Cthulhu.

Honestly, I wouldnt be surprised if we're all just electrical impulses fizzling away like yeast inside a giant bowl of bread dough, waiting to get baked because - just like the kids that keyed your car - existence itself just didn't need a reason for existing that day!

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I would love magic but that is the child in me. Better to appreciate what we have and do what we can to make life today and in future as great as it can be. No need for beliefs in the likely unprovable and improbable. We are not that far from times when various human species coexisted and nothing much was understood about the world or us. I think religion does not offer much for future life.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I just wanted to add that, for me, there is a HUUUUGE difference between 'organised religion', those stuffy old institutions and their books and creeds which tell us we're all sinners and need to drink the blood of some fictional deity in front of some randomly imagined icon in order to be saved, and 'religion', which is that feeling of awe and wonder that wells up inside us beneath the night sky and causes us to feel there is something more... or if not more... that we are in a profound debt to those creative forces which gave birth to us.

Yes, it would be nice if those of us who felt these religious feelings, but didn't belong to an organised religion, could gather and find strength in a community. But, that aside, everyone should feel completely free to recognise and celebrate their own religious feelings, without being belittled by others because they don't buy into some bullshit mythology or belong to some club.

I think the days of organised religion are numbered, partly thanks to a lot of the kind of people who've added to this thread

But I don't think we should replace it with another imposed dogma such as atheism, causing religious people to hide their faith in some kind of 21st century pope hole. Instead I believe that each person should be free to follow and develop their own religion... and that this personalisation and diversity should be celebrated and enjoyed

Real religion is like philosophy, poetry, or art... it comes from within... it comes from the heart... it isn't imposed. We don't let others stop us from being artists, poets, or philosophers just because we haven't joined some club or signed up to a raft of ridiculous assertions... so why let them stop you being religious?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sky pixie! Brilliant! (I shall be stealing this)

I reckon aliens created us and chucked us down here as an experiment anyway. Every other creature on the planet lives in harmony with nature but us... Well, the race of human beings acts more like a virus...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Think threads like this can be summed up by the word respect.

Lack of respect and intolerance!....

Live and let live.....or at least give it a try.

As long as you have hate, there will always be something to hate!"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We're religous and we attend a service every week. We're happy with that. And don't worry we won't try to convert anyone. "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The limitlessness of the human mind is so easily curtailed with the introduction of fear and control . Find your own spirituality in whatever corner of eternal infinity you see fit . ??

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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

"No, not in the slightest OP

As my grandad told me - as someone who converted from Protestant to Catholic in Liverpool when it was the bad old days - Think for yourself.

Looked at what it meant to me, how it was with others and decided none of it is for me.

I make all my own decisions and stand by them, in that when I'm gone that's it so not making this life good for the next.

When some people 'let god decide' it's an abdication of their responsibility.

It's not about letting a god decide things. It's about those times you need a bit of support or strength to deal with making your own difficult decisions or to cope with difficult times.

When you can't turn to friends or family with something, where do you go for that support?

I don't, and can't, believe in a god, by the definition that most understand, but when I need a bit of help, I sometimes wish I could, so I could talk to them and ask for that help.

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By *adgodCouple
over a year ago

Greensburg

"I grew up with religion, pretty much forced into it. Was confirmed at St Pauls Cathedral in 1991 and have been falling from grace ever since lol.

The further I get from the god I was brought up with in life, the closer I get to my own; the meaning of my life and not what comes after it. Sounds selfish, but it actually isn't.

It doesn't matter what happens when you die, what matters is that we don't get stuck on those first stepping stones in life but keep moving further out until we reach familiar ground again.

When I step back and look at the old religion debate, I just see the same archetypal human being arguing with itself on a matter that actually doesn't matter.

Very well said.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

All Religions are man made social control mechanisms that serve, in the main, those men that seek to control the religion and its followers for their own purposes.

God or Gods will exist, or not, irrespective of the existence of a religion that supports them.

Human conflict is not caused by any God but by abuse of religion.

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By *lttattoocoupleCouple
over a year ago

Worcester

I always have johovas witnesses at my door, they know I'm agnostic but it's nice having a conversation about life choices. I can't explain it well here but Nevermind

Religion is to be used as a guide. Be good to outhers, etc etc

Shame monogamy is in the bible ay :p

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I always have johovas witnesses at my door, they know I'm agnostic but it's nice having a conversation about life choices. I can't explain it well here but Nevermind

Religion is to be used as a guide. Be good to outhers, etc etc

Shame monogamy is in the bible ay :p"

Whenever I get Christians of any sort at my door I always enjoy saying "I believe in God instead"

I'm absolutely positive it gets their goat more than any kind of atheistic statement ever could... as it suggests that they don't believe in God

Which they don't... they believe in Jesus instead. Of course they try to argue that Jesus and God are identical but I merely explain that if Jesus is their god's only son... then that god clearly didn't create the rest of us and, therefore, that god isn't actually THE God... but just some second rate single son creating god

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't. Quite a few things in life are what you make of it. That's what I believe at least

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Whenever I get Christians of any sort at my door I always enjoy saying "I believe in God instead"

I'm absolutely positive it gets their goat more than any kind of atheistic statement ever could... as it suggests that they don't believe in God

Brilliant. Confuse the hell out of them (yes, pun intended)

I love it!!

Actually, on the whole God / Jesus debate, while it is not possible to prove the existence of 'a' or 'the' god, historic evidence does actually prove that there was such a person as Jesus Christ.

Think we might need a TARDIS or a DeLorean in order to obtain DNA to prove the 'son of god' claim though

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Whenever I get Christians of any sort at my door I always enjoy saying "I believe in God instead"

I'm absolutely positive it gets their goat more than any kind of atheistic statement ever could... as it suggests that they don't believe in God

Brilliant. Confuse the hell out of them (yes, pun intended)

I love it!!

Actually, on the whole God / Jesus debate, while it is not possible to prove the existence of 'a' or 'the' god, historic evidence does actually prove that there was such a person as Jesus Christ.

Think we might need a TARDIS or a DeLorean in order to obtain DNA to prove the 'son of god' claim though

To be honest I oscillate between believing the evidence that Jesus existed and believing the evidence he didn't. There was a documentary a few years back, produced by James Cameron, in which a tomb was found with coffins in it which related to the names of all of Jesus' family... including Jesus himself. So that suggests he was a real man who did not ascend. However, I recently went to a talk by a humanist outlining arguments that Jesus is a fictitious character, see the book 'The Jesus Puzzle' for a good overview of this subject. The mere fact that such a stance can be argued was an eye opener.

I guess, in the end, I see no reason why a rabbi called Jesus didn't exist at some point... but I think the vast majority of the stories contained in the bible probably relate to a set of other people or myths, rather than this Jesus. I find the whole field of biblical archaeology fascinating... with the whole Q manuscript thingy, dead sea scrolls, etc.

I blame it all on watching too much Indiana Jones when I was a kid

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The legends of King Arthur show how transcribing verbal to written "history" can introduce a few embellishments. Like the bible the story was written many years after the event from a bunch of folk tales and fragments of evidence. It was also written by a monk on commission from a believer.

Abraham in the Old Testament would have been 600 years old to have been at all the events described. But there again it was a common name and compiled from folk tales and sketchy evidence. Can't see why it's so hard to believe Jesus was also a composite

I do like to believe that there are people with good intentions / deeds that we can learn from, but have learned to be suspicious of those who wield the tales as a means of control.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I always have johovas witnesses at my door, they know I'm agnostic but it's nice having a conversation about life choices. I can't explain it well here but Nevermind

Religion is to be used as a guide. Be good to outhers, etc etc

Shame monogamy is in the bible ay :p"

I always greet the Jehova's brigade with a cheery "shalom"

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By *lligator3Man
over a year ago

Dundee

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?

Never

I still dont understand why religion is still in society today....."

Isn't it obvious...it's a security blanket reassuring you when you croak it you'll still be around some place.

While I don't share the same reasons for wanting to believe as you have to learn to generate your own strength I wouldn't mind my own cloud to invite people back to!

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By *rtemisiaWoman
over a year ago

Norwich

"Do you ever wish you were? That you could believe in a magical sky fairy who could provide strength if you pray for it?"

If you'll pardon the irony in the phrasing, Christ no!!!

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By *hite SnakeMan
over a year ago

leeds

"I pray to god less people died in the name of god..."

Hmm check the bible god kills over 2 million people but satan only kills 10.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I pray to god less people died in the name of god...

Hmm check the bible god kills over 2 million people but satan only kills 10."

Another believer. Welcome

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One question. Who is the better person, the one who does charitable works and is generally good to all others because that is what they are told to do in order to gain a place in a form of paradise and not go to hell, or the atheist who does the same because it is the right thing to do with no promise of any reward other than the pleasure of doing it?

No, I never ever wish I had a religious belief!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"No, not in the slightest OP

As my grandad told me - as someone who converted from Protestant to Catholic in Liverpool when it was the bad old days - Think for yourself.

Looked at what it meant to me, how it was with others and decided none of it is for me.

I make all my own decisions and stand by them, in that when I'm gone that's it so not making this life good for the next.

When some people 'let god decide' it's an abdication of their responsibility.

It's not about letting a god decide things. It's about those times you need a bit of support or strength to deal with making your own difficult decisions or to cope with difficult times.

When you can't turn to friends or family with something, where do you go for that support?

I don't, and can't, believe in a god, by the definition that most understand, but when I need a bit of help, I sometimes wish I could, so I could talk to them and ask for that help."

Without wanting to sound patronising or arrogant in writing - I've always made my own decisions - I find it hard to _xpress exactly what I mean but I weigh all the options and the answer presents itself.

Lots of my friends have a hard time understanding why one day I simply got on a plane to Oz and Nz on my own for 4 months but I'd never consult a 'God'.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"One question. Who is the better person, the one who does charitable works and is generally good to all others because that is what they are told to do in order to gain a place in a form of paradise and not go to hell, or the atheist who does the same because it is the right thing to do with no promise of any reward other than the pleasure of doing it?

No, I never ever wish I had a religious belief!"

I'd say one wasn't better than the other.