As a Pittsburgh-Area native... No.
Philadelphia delenda est.
But, for humanitarian reasons, it can wait until after Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
What religion/faith are you?
- Thread starter PhaserLightShow
- Start date
Philadelphia delenda est.
But, for humanitarian reasons, it can wait until after Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
well if a thread must be resurrected why not religion.
anyway respectfully I must disagree with one statement on this. I can't speak for Christianity or Islam, but proselytism is forbidden in the Baha'i faith. At the same time conversely, teaching is incumbent upon Baha'i individuals. Essentially the door is open, teaching is available but it is forbidden to actively try and convert or to make someone feel like they have been pressured in any way. This does not mean some individuals might be exuberant and overstep that prohibition, but in general that kind of faith out teach is limited to spirituality classes that tend to be rather ecumenical.
The National Spiritual Assemblies that would ultimately focus on how their countries will provide that kind of teaching and material will vary in their decisions. They're democratically elected and not professional clerics. So results are going to vary. I would hope no one would proselytize but again, exuberance happens. I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to clarify that.
You resurrected the thread to add your own significant contribution, to clarify a point, and did so in a respectful manner, so it's all good.
Speaking of resurrection... haha
Gotta rep for the Christians.
Gotta rep for the Christians.
wouldn't Easter have been a more fitting date for a resurrection? 
XCV, thanks for that resurrection, though. While I am an atheist and intend to remain one until I meet some deity in person, I nevertheless try to be well informed. I had not heard of Baha'i before and had to google that religion. At a first glance it seems to me to be a very good religion, as far as ethics and tolerance are concerned. However, from what I read between the lines of that Wikipedia entry, there seems to be a lack of equal rights for women and homosexuals, though not as extreme as for example in the catholic church or in the islam.
Without meaning any offense to religious people, I fail to understand how in the 21st century anyone can believe in gods of any sort. In the dark ages when people didn't know how natural phenomena or deseases work they invented stories about magic, spirits and deities as an explanation for what they couldn't understand. But surely nowadays mankind is beyond that necessity. We know that thunderstorms aren't demons fighting and that floods are caused by atmospherical imbalances that lead to lots of rainfall, not caused by some god in a bad mood who wants people to drown. We know that killing our children on some altar stone or under a burning thornbush won't fulfill our wishes, make the weather better or the days getting longer.
So, without the need for gods, shouldn't we finally put them away? They are already in storage anyway.
XCV, thanks for that resurrection, though. While I am an atheist and intend to remain one until I meet some deity in person, I nevertheless try to be well informed. I had not heard of Baha'i before and had to google that religion. At a first glance it seems to me to be a very good religion, as far as ethics and tolerance are concerned. However, from what I read between the lines of that Wikipedia entry, there seems to be a lack of equal rights for women and homosexuals, though not as extreme as for example in the catholic church or in the islam.
Without meaning any offense to religious people, I fail to understand how in the 21st century anyone can believe in gods of any sort. In the dark ages when people didn't know how natural phenomena or deseases work they invented stories about magic, spirits and deities as an explanation for what they couldn't understand. But surely nowadays mankind is beyond that necessity. We know that thunderstorms aren't demons fighting and that floods are caused by atmospherical imbalances that lead to lots of rainfall, not caused by some god in a bad mood who wants people to drown. We know that killing our children on some altar stone or under a burning thornbush won't fulfill our wishes, make the weather better or the days getting longer.
So, without the need for gods, shouldn't we finally put them away? They are already in storage anyway.
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I’m not religious. I was raised among Christian customs, values and assumptions, but I never consciously believed. That said, I have preyed in times of desperation and the results have ranged from ‘go on then’ to ‘sod off’.
There is a need for god, even today. In those moments when we feel at our most insignificant, powerless, defenceless to events beyond our control and understanding, god gives us hope. Hope of relief from dire circumstances, hope that the suffering we endure was for a good reason, hope that wrong doers will ultimately pay for their wrongs, Hope that some of this means something.
I can’t buy in to any of the religious narratives, but I can’t say that I consider death to be the end. I don’t think science can answer the ultimate questions, not without the stars going out. To me, God is a placeholder, and a locked door.
There is a need for god, even today. In those moments when we feel at our most insignificant, powerless, defenceless to events beyond our control and understanding, god gives us hope. Hope of relief from dire circumstances, hope that the suffering we endure was for a good reason, hope that wrong doers will ultimately pay for their wrongs, Hope that some of this means something.
I can’t buy in to any of the religious narratives, but I can’t say that I consider death to be the end. I don’t think science can answer the ultimate questions, not without the stars going out. To me, God is a placeholder, and a locked door.
Indeed (especially that last one lol) but if all we are is some insignificant insect that lives for 70(ish) years whats the point of that? In the grand scheme of things we are absolutely nothing, the universe existed for billions of years before us and will continue to do so afterwards. There will absolutely no trace of anything, we'll just cease to exist. No matter what you do, none of it matters. It really is quite depressing.
Even more reason to enjoy our time in the universe while it lasts.
Representing Christians. After reading this thread I want to apologize, on behalf of Christians, for the way some of you in have been treated by others of this faith.
You ask why I'm Christian? Well, I was raised in church and my family is deeply religious BUT that's not why I'm a Christian, I came to know God after enduring several trials in my life where I almost renounced my religion (and hitting rock bottom in my personal life). I came to it genuinely after asking deep questions about God, existence, the world, and myself. I searched and found the answers on my own - I never took someone elses word for it. I look at what I have with God as a relationship and not a religion. Here are some facts about me that you may find interesting because of my faith, and there are others out there like me:
- I believe in evolution (theistic evolution specifically)
- I believe in scientific explanations for the natural world
- Some things in the bible are allegorical, some are literal, I do not believe in biblical inerrancy
- I like to drink in moderation (and drank way too much when I was younger - like under 30)
- I love and support ALL people of ALL faiths
- I don't talk about my faith unless someone asks, it's very personal and private to me
- I fully support LGBTTQQIAAP and want everyone to know that Jesus loves them and if it's love they have in their hearts then they are NOT wrong for being who they are, Christianity is for everyone. People who say differently need to go back and look at the original biblical manuscripts and their translations
- I believe in the full seperation of church and state - religion should not be dictated through politics
- I don't believe that God pulls strings like some magic person in the sky, our actions are what shows who we are - God works through us to make a positive influence on the world
- God doesn't make the bad things happen - people and the natural course of events do. God doesn't give people cancer, sicknesses, etc.- this is a result of the physical world in which we live unfortunately. Cancer, sickness, death, genetic mutations, etc are all a part of the world we live in
Yeah, I'm a Christian. I like to party too much, I like to drink too much, I like to have sex too much, I curse too much, and I can be an asshole sometimes. I'm selfish, far from perfect, and full of mistakes. But I will NEVER look down on a fellow person nor judge them for who they are - my job is to support and uplift others. I embrace the negative parts of myself and admit to them in order to try to become a better human being by following the teachings of the bible/Jesus. All I can say is that this approach has worked for me as I've come a long way over the past 15 years or so (I'm much less of an asshole now, yay!), but I'm not there yet and will never be but I strive to get a little better every day.
You ask why I'm Christian? Well, I was raised in church and my family is deeply religious BUT that's not why I'm a Christian, I came to know God after enduring several trials in my life where I almost renounced my religion (and hitting rock bottom in my personal life). I came to it genuinely after asking deep questions about God, existence, the world, and myself. I searched and found the answers on my own - I never took someone elses word for it. I look at what I have with God as a relationship and not a religion. Here are some facts about me that you may find interesting because of my faith, and there are others out there like me:
- I believe in evolution (theistic evolution specifically)
- I believe in scientific explanations for the natural world
- Some things in the bible are allegorical, some are literal, I do not believe in biblical inerrancy
- I like to drink in moderation (and drank way too much when I was younger - like under 30)
- I love and support ALL people of ALL faiths
- I don't talk about my faith unless someone asks, it's very personal and private to me
- I fully support LGBTTQQIAAP and want everyone to know that Jesus loves them and if it's love they have in their hearts then they are NOT wrong for being who they are, Christianity is for everyone. People who say differently need to go back and look at the original biblical manuscripts and their translations
- I believe in the full seperation of church and state - religion should not be dictated through politics
- I don't believe that God pulls strings like some magic person in the sky, our actions are what shows who we are - God works through us to make a positive influence on the world
- God doesn't make the bad things happen - people and the natural course of events do. God doesn't give people cancer, sicknesses, etc.- this is a result of the physical world in which we live unfortunately. Cancer, sickness, death, genetic mutations, etc are all a part of the world we live in
Yeah, I'm a Christian. I like to party too much, I like to drink too much, I like to have sex too much, I curse too much, and I can be an asshole sometimes. I'm selfish, far from perfect, and full of mistakes. But I will NEVER look down on a fellow person nor judge them for who they are - my job is to support and uplift others. I embrace the negative parts of myself and admit to them in order to try to become a better human being by following the teachings of the bible/Jesus. All I can say is that this approach has worked for me as I've come a long way over the past 15 years or so (I'm much less of an asshole now, yay!), but I'm not there yet and will never be but I strive to get a little better every day.
Boy howdy, you and me both. Except for the cursing. No such thing as cursing too much.
Religion is a personal thing, I myself "Belive" in a higher being, but don't subscribe to any particular religion.
Parents were Mormon, but had some type of "Falling out" or something when I was 5 and we stopped attending. So growing up in a religious environment, Parents never cursed or drinked or argued ( infront of the children) growing up.
Its a personal thing, seen somethings I can't explain, miracles even.
But alot of the faiths require proselytizing.. which I despise.. If I want to know more, I'll come to you and ask.
To me Atheism is a religion as well, religion is a belief system, belief in nothing is still a belief.
My thing is the Golden Rule, if your not hurting anybody, believe, do, anything that you wish, as long as your not hurting anybody. You can hurt yourself (smoking etc..) because.. its your body.. do what you want.
Now, I curse, I drink (moderatly), now if I had kids, I wouldn't do that, or not much in front of the kids, because thats the way I grew up. Keep the kids as innocent as possible for as long as possible
Parents were Mormon, but had some type of "Falling out" or something when I was 5 and we stopped attending. So growing up in a religious environment, Parents never cursed or drinked or argued ( infront of the children) growing up.
Its a personal thing, seen somethings I can't explain, miracles even.
But alot of the faiths require proselytizing.. which I despise.. If I want to know more, I'll come to you and ask.
To me Atheism is a religion as well, religion is a belief system, belief in nothing is still a belief.
My thing is the Golden Rule, if your not hurting anybody, believe, do, anything that you wish, as long as your not hurting anybody. You can hurt yourself (smoking etc..) because.. its your body.. do what you want.
Now, I curse, I drink (moderatly), now if I had kids, I wouldn't do that, or not much in front of the kids, because thats the way I grew up. Keep the kids as innocent as possible for as long as possible
FFS. Atheism is NOT A BELIEF. It is a conclusion that one has come to after weighing the information available . It's living in the world rationally and drawing logical conclusions about what is observed. I choose how to respond to occurrences based on the information presented and decide for myself what I value in my life.
I don't "believe" in gravity. When an apple comes off a tree, I don't "believe " that it will fall; I observe that it does.
I don't "believe" in gravity. When an apple comes off a tree, I don't "believe " that it will fall; I observe that it does.
I’m technically an atheist but it’s really more complex than that. Morally I’ve taken culturally Christian ideas and made them something secular.
And have you ever noticed, most Jewish and Hindu atheists usually identify as Jewish and Hindu, but Christian and Muslim atheists usually identify as atheist? Probably based on whether your religion focuses more on cultural heritage or strict theology.
And have you ever noticed, most Jewish and Hindu atheists usually identify as Jewish and Hindu, but Christian and Muslim atheists usually identify as atheist? Probably based on whether your religion focuses more on cultural heritage or strict theology.
wouldn't Easter have been a more fitting date for a resurrection?
XCV, thanks for that resurrection, though. While I am an atheist and intend to remain one until I meet some deity in person, I nevertheless try to be well informed. I had not heard of Baha'i before and had to google that religion. At a first glance it seems to me to be a very good religion, as far as ethics and tolerance are concerned. However, from what I read between the lines of that Wikipedia entry, there seems to be a lack of equal rights for women and homosexuals, though not as extreme as for example in the catholic church or in the islam.
Without meaning any offense to religious people, I fail to understand how in the 21st century anyone can believe in gods of any sort. In the dark ages when people didn't know how natural phenomena or deseases work they invented stories about magic, spirits and deities as an explanation for what they couldn't understand. But surely nowadays mankind is beyond that necessity. We know that thunderstorms aren't demons fighting and that floods are caused by atmospherical imbalances that lead to lots of rainfall, not caused by some god in a bad mood who wants people to drown. We know that killing our children on some altar stone or under a burning thornbush won't fulfill our wishes, make the weather better or the days getting longer.
So, without the need for gods, shouldn't we finally put them away? They are already in storage anyway.
As far as equal rights for women goes, in Baha'i faith, women have equal rights to men. Actually in situations where education for one's children has to be limited because of a lack of funds, the girls are to be educated first. There House of Justice does only have males elected. Interestingly when the House of Justice was planned, Abdu'l Baha was a champion for women's rights, stating that women were spiritually equal to men, and in other ways superior, and seems to have acknowledged that this arrangement would not necessarily make sense now but that it would in future times. I suppose everyone is waiting to figure out why this was the case. This is, as far as I know, the only part of the Faith where women's rights might be seen as lacking. The Universal House of Justice is itself elected from nominations from the National Spiritual Assemblies (Baha'is excel at beaurocracy, I'm afraid. We have no clerics so instead we have the trappings of a sort of republic), who are women and men elected from their own regions.
The gay rights thing is far more touchy. Baha'i faith stresses unity and harmony as well as adherence to scripture. This prevents someone charismatic and changing it to their benefit or it breaking up into regional and schismatic squabbles, but at the same time, things can be rigid. I say this as someone who fully supports lesbian and gay rights and marriage. So for me I will admit, I do feel divided about it. Having said that the rule is that persons are not to be treated differently or badly for their sexual preference.
This is where that bureaucracy I mentioned earlier comes into play: non-marital sex is not permitted in the Baha'i Faith, as in most other religions. You wont get kicked out, you won't get damned eternally, but if you keep doing it, just like drinking, taking drugs, etc, you won't be able to vote. Gay persons can't get married in the Baha'i Faith. But herein I see a solution. Baha'i faith by its own rules, HAS To accept the laws of any land it is in. As far as I know this would mean that in countries where gay marriage is permitted, that should be the end of it right there. I don't know how that is proceeding. I'm not really active in my faith community. I'm more of a trekker
As far as not believing in God or Gods, or invisible man or whatever, I don't want to sway your opinion about it. I think of God, personally, more as the positive qualities, the best of our aspirations, the "invisible sun" to steal that from The Police lyrics. I'd much prefer a world filled with peaceful, happy atheists then one filled with angry dreadful deity worshiping butt heads. I think the biggest flaw is in personifying God. Could talk more about it, but my posts are way too long as it is.
Your definition fits people of faith, They weigh what information they have, what they've observed, and they decide on how to carry on with there life. Its just that people of faith see God in there world in many ways, and to them have come to the logical conclusion that there is a higher being.
Religion, noun,: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
Athiest have a belief that there is not a greater power, others have a belief that there is some type of higher power, in basics.. everybody has an opinion.
Based on my observations in my life, I belive that there is a higher power, not any particular religion, but I have a belief.
Now for the Mods, I'm not starting a war, just stated my opinion, and will not write more on it. Thanks!
The evidence for atheism is no more conclusive than the evidence for monotheism, polytheism, or pantheism.
I have, for some time, regarded atheism and fundamentalism as opposite sides of the same coin: both demand that a miracle, in order to qualify as a miracle, involve a gross violation of the laws of physics.
Which goes against a conclusion I came to, some time ago: the fact that physics has laws, and the fact that the laws of physics not only make life possible, but likely make it inevitable, is the greatest miracle of all.
So if a miracle need not be unexplainable in terms of any known laws of physics, then what is a miracle? Screenwriter Erich Collier said it best, in an episode of Quincy, M.E., when a priest, after Dr. Quincy had asked him how he defined "miracle," said (and I don't have the exact quote on hand) that it is an event that inspires faith. Which is why I say that the laws of physics are the greatest miracle of all, and why I also say that both fundamentalists and atheists are "looking for God in all the wrong places."
I have, for some time, regarded atheism and fundamentalism as opposite sides of the same coin: both demand that a miracle, in order to qualify as a miracle, involve a gross violation of the laws of physics.
Which goes against a conclusion I came to, some time ago: the fact that physics has laws, and the fact that the laws of physics not only make life possible, but likely make it inevitable, is the greatest miracle of all.
So if a miracle need not be unexplainable in terms of any known laws of physics, then what is a miracle? Screenwriter Erich Collier said it best, in an episode of Quincy, M.E., when a priest, after Dr. Quincy had asked him how he defined "miracle," said (and I don't have the exact quote on hand) that it is an event that inspires faith. Which is why I say that the laws of physics are the greatest miracle of all, and why I also say that both fundamentalists and atheists are "looking for God in all the wrong places."
I can't speak for others, but this atheist isn't looking for god/s at all. I don't believe there is no god/s, I simply lack a belief that it/they exist. (The same way I lack a belief in the tooth fairy) It doesn't take up a lot of my time.
Beat me to it. Yeah, it's the opposite of belief, and therefore definitely not a religion. It's atheism, after all.I can't speak for others, but this atheist isn't looking for god/s at all. I don't believe there is no god/s, I simply lack a belief that it/they exist. (The same way I lack a belief in the tooth fairy) It doesn't take up a lot of my time.
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