Why do people believe in God ?

[PLAYER57832]

Oh do f*ck off you prick, this thread is for grown ups !

so says the "mature" voice in the crowd ....

[Haggis_McMutton]

Most Nations that have been built from religious believes have prospered.
The fanatics of this world preach a very different religion twisting the words of a holy book to suit their needs and reach into our society destroying what we all know and love.

More and more people do not believe in God and its a sad thing.

It`s true, about the fanatics, but unfortunately, the normal religious folk lend them credibility.
If i and a few friends would start doing criminal acts in the name of Moby Dick, or because some journalist disrespected Moby Dick, or because Moby Dick told us abortions are bad, we would immediately be labeled as grade A nutters and locked up in a place with soft walls.
Replace Moby Dick with The Bible, Allah, etc and suddenly it`s a different story.

But my main problem with the "mild" form of religion is the concept of faith. Saying "believe this even though we cannot offer adequate proof and you are righteous" is tremendously harmful and leads to a whole lot of other problems.

[b.k. barunt]

On the one hand i see a lot of wankers who profess to believe in the God of the Bible, but instead of really reading it, they attend various Christian clubs and clown shows (otherwise known as "churches") and let overpaid assclowns in clerical garb read it for them. They have no fooking idea what the Bible really says, and simply jump on whatever religious bandwagon that is convenient and comfortable.

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, without really giving it a whole lot of thought.

And finally, you have a small group of wankers such as myself, who have studied it out, found God to be an unequivocal truth and His scriptures to be an incredibly complex yet simple creation of incredible beauty. We however, have trashed our beliefs and flushed them down the toilet because of the mind boggling hypocrisy of the vast majority of those who profess to believe in such. Go fucking figure.


Honibaz

[Dancing Mustard]

Oh do f*ck off you prick, this thread is for grown ups !

so says the "mature" voice in the crowd ....

I can't help but notice that a smileystorm isn't exactly the most mature response on the internet...

Something about stones, glass houses, and people without sin choosing to throw them, perhaps?

[mpjh]

Well, Christians of all churches have truly shown who they are. They go to war and murder in god's name. They participate in a system of unjust economic distribution that keeps millions of children ignorant and in poverty. They pray for money. They pray for advantage over others. They blame economic and physical hardships on the victims. etc. etc.

Yeah, wonder why I don't believe in god. You guys convinced me.

Christians? Or humanity?

War and evils of all kinds are a part of ALL human history. Christians are not exempt. But, that some people happened to have used Christianity as their excuse does not mean the religion itself is the cause of those things.

As for the "keeping millions of children ignorant... and in poverty" specifically .. The protestant Christian ethic has long been attributed for part of the reason allowing for the scientific and Industrial revoliutions. Granted, they began on the backs of their Eastern and Greek predecessors, but took it forward.

AND, though bashing the US and Christianity has become quite fashionable, especially in Europe, the FACTS are that the US contributes more, per person, on an individual basis to world charities than any other nation in the world. Christianity is a big reason.

Are there people doing evil in the name of Christ? ABSOLUTELY!!! BUT they do NOT represent the true church.

Christ himself warned us that Saten would come in the guise of light. That is why faith and study ... forgiveness and love are the TRUE foundations of Christianity.

Is it not strange that the greatest charge made against Christianity is that which Christ himself put forward ... "you hypocrite!" and it is why Christ is about forgiveness rather than strict obediance! Humans are incapable of perfection.

Christians are just the most efficient of the god believers in causing pain and suffering, and wiping out the non-believers. It is not humanity that is the problem, it is belief in god that is the problem.

[joecoolfrog]

Oh do f*ck off you prick, this thread is for grown ups !

so says the "mature" voice in the crowd ....

Actually I think you will find that comic was attempting to steer the thread back in line, you and others are simply turning a potentially interesting discussion into a defence of Christianity.....boring ! I read the article and the related comments and there are some interesting points raised so how about a MATURE response yourself about the nature of belief instead of the infantile stuff you posted earlier.

[Simon Viavant]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

[Snorri1234]

Well, Christians of all churches have truly shown who they are. They go to war and murder in god's name. They participate in a system of unjust economic distribution that keeps millions of children ignorant and in poverty. They pray for money. They pray for advantage over others. They blame economic and physical hardships on the victims. etc. etc.

Yeah, wonder why I don't believe in god. You guys convinced me.

Christians? Or humanity?

War and evils of all kinds are a part of ALL human history. Christians are not exempt. But, that some people happened to have used Christianity as their excuse does not mean the religion itself is the cause of those things.

As for the "keeping millions of children ignorant... and in poverty" specifically .. The protestant Christian ethic has long been attributed for part of the reason allowing for the scientific and Industrial revoliutions. Granted, they began on the backs of their Eastern and Greek predecessors, but took it forward.

AND, though bashing the US and Christianity has become quite fashionable, especially in Europe, the FACTS are that the US contributes more, per person, on an individual basis to world charities than any other nation in the world. Christianity is a big reason.

Are there people doing evil in the name of Christ? ABSOLUTELY!!! BUT they do NOT represent the true church.

Christ himself warned us that Saten would come in the guise of light. That is why faith and study ... forgiveness and love are the TRUE foundations of Christianity.

Is it not strange that the greatest charge made against Christianity is that which Christ himself put forward ... "you hypocrite!" and it is why Christ is about forgiveness rather than strict obediance! Humans are incapable of perfection.

That may all be true and stuff, but I think mpjh was more pointing out the hypocrisy in the general christian mindset. There is usually a lot of talk by certain christians that their religion is one of peace and love, and that people who don't believe in it aren't. What christianity shows is that it is in general (as a whole that is and not just a few persons) no better or worse than any other viewpoint.

The fact that bad shit still happens whether or not a nation is christian or not means that the organized religion itself isn't actually good. It's just a system that is as easily (or sometimes even easilier) corrupted and misused.

[hulmey]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

lol to you!!! you really have been brainwashed and most live a very closed life! I was baptized a Roman Catholic but never practiced. My father was CoE but never took me to Church! I've studied the main groups of religion (catholic, muslims and jehovah to name a few). Im not really a believer in religion but i do believe there is a GOD. Then again.

So it would seem im the one with an open mind here

[Haggis_McMutton]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

lol to you!!! you really have been brainwashed and most live a very closed life! I was baptized a Roman Catholic but never practiced. My father was CoE but never took me to Church! I've studied the main groups of religion (catholic, muslims and jehovah to name a few). Im not really a believer in religion but i do believe there is a GOD. Then again.

So it would seem im the one with an open mind here

Ok, I`ll bite.
So what has convinced you to believe in god?

[Snorri1234]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

lol to you!!! you really have been brainwashed and most live a very closed life! I was baptized a Roman Catholic but never practiced. My father was CoE but never took me to Church! I've studied the main groups of religion (catholic, muslims and jehovah to name a few). Im not really a believer in religion but i do believe there is a GOD. Then again.

So it would seem im the one with an open mind here

Ok, I`ll bite.
So what has convinced you to believe in god?

Bananas.

[hulmey]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

lol to you!!! you really have been brainwashed and most live a very closed life! I was baptized a Roman Catholic but never practiced. My father was CoE but never took me to Church! I've studied the main groups of religion (catholic, muslims and jehovah to name a few). Im not really a believer in religion but i do believe there is a GOD. Then again.

So it would seem im the one with an open mind here

Ok, I`ll bite.
So what has convinced you to believe in god?

lol... after learning about all the different religions (im not an expert) nearly all of them have the same main points but the way chosen to interpret is very different. Can it be that there is only one God and we all believe in the same good? Can it also be that more than 2000 years ago people were able to communicate over vast oceans and still tell the same tale and truths? now this is really simple because other wise it would go on for pages!

Furthermore, i have even read books were the author portrays GOD as an alien being (modernized much like ourselves today). The Aztecs built temples reaching into the sky to be closer to their GOD, who resembled a person in a spacesuit (drawings on walls)...The book is really interesting and a damn good read

To be honest i dont believe in religion! Just be a good person and live a good life and you should do fine

C

[KoE_Sirius]

On the one hand i see a lot of wankers who profess to believe in the God of the Bible, but instead of really reading it, they attend various Christian clubs and clown shows (otherwise known as "churches") and let overpaid assclowns in clerical garb read it for them. They have no fooking idea what the Bible really says, and simply jump on whatever religious bandwagon that is convenient and comfortable.

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, without really giving it a whole lot of thought.

And finally, you have a small group of wankers such as myself, who have studied it out, found God to be an unequivocal truth and His scriptures to be an incredibly complex yet simple creation of incredible beauty. We however, have trashed our beliefs and flushed them down the toilet because of the mind boggling hypocrisy of the vast majority of those who profess to believe in such. Go fucking figure.


Honibaz

A lot of truth in what you say,but I would not have put it the same way.To much wanking for a start.

[Gregrios]

Well, Christians of all churches have truly shown who they are. They go to war and murder in god's name.

Just because they claim to be doing it in God's name, doesn't mean that God has approved their actions. I don't care who you are, if you murder, you are no man of God. These individuals are either misguided or in a state of denial.

[Simon Viavant]

lol... after learning about all the different religions (im not an expert) nearly all of them have the same main points but the way chosen to interpret is very different. Can it be that there is only one God and we all believe in the same good? Can it also be that more than 2000 years ago people were able to communicate over vast oceans and still tell the same tale and truths? now this is really simple because other wise it would go on for pages!

Furthermore, i have even read books were the author portrays GOD as an alien being (modernized much like ourselves today). The Aztecs built temples reaching into the sky to be closer to their GOD, who resembled a person in a spacesuit (drawings on walls)...The book is really interesting and a damn good read

Now we're back on the topic of this thread. If you want my theory on why people are inclined to be religious, see my post on the first page. As to lots of cultures being that way: You'll notice religions are very similar in the same geographic and ethnic regions, and not much like those elsewhere. For example, middle eastern religions are all monotheistic with an all powerful, all knowing god. Religions in the U.S. and Canada region are more shamanistic with beliefs in animal spirits and such. Central American religions are polytheistic with many powerful gods who have defined looks and personality. Hinduism/Bhuddism/Shintoism are centered around Karma and reincarnation and such. To name a few. You say people who never interacted all had some idea of a god. But there were only similar religions in the same geographic and ethnic regions where people interacted, and outside were completely different religions. Also, there would've been an original religion with the first humans in Africa, and as people spread out around the world, they still had beliefs based on that, but the beliefs changed to produce different religions.

[Iliad]

lol... after learning about all the different religions (im not an expert) nearly all of them have the same main points but the way chosen to interpret is very different. Can it be that there is only one God and we all believe in the same good? Can it also be that more than 2000 years ago people were able to communicate over vast oceans and still tell the same tale and truths? now this is really simple because other wise it would go on for pages!

Furthermore, i have even read books were the author portrays GOD as an alien being (modernized much like ourselves today). The Aztecs built temples reaching into the sky to be closer to their GOD, who resembled a person in a spacesuit (drawings on walls)...The book is really interesting and a damn good read

Now we're back on the topic of this thread. If you want my theory on why people are inclined to be religious, see my post on the first page. As to lots of cultures being that way: You'll notice religions are very similar in the same geographic and ethnic regions, and not much like those elsewhere. For example, middle eastern religions are all monotheistic with an all powerful, all knowing god. Religions in the U.S. and Canada region are more shamanistic with beliefs in animal spirits and such. Central American religions are polytheistic with many powerful gods who have defined looks and personality. Hinduism/Bhuddism/Shintoism are centered around Karma and reincarnation and such. To name a few. You say people who never interacted all had some idea of a god. But there were only similar religions in the same geographic and ethnic regions where people interacted, and outside were completely different religions. Also, there would've been an original religion with the first humans in Africa, and as people spread out around the world, they still had beliefs based on that, but the beliefs changed to produce different religions.

Or see my post that explained how religions originated and got to where they are today

[Simon Viavant]

Or see my post that explained how religions originated and got to where they are today

Yes, that's how it first originated, but it doesn't really explain how it continued when natural selection seemingly would favor that they'd just accept that they don't really know. I think my post explains more how it became a dominant part of society.

[Skittles!]

Or see my post that explained how religions originated and got to where they are today

Yes, that's how it first originated, but it doesn't really explain how it continued when natural selection seemingly would favor that they'd just accept that they don't really know. I think my post explains more how it became a dominant part of society.

What happens is after the tribes explained everything with gods is myths and legends were built upon these gods. There were stories that were passed down generation after generation and the gods got a personality. It reached the utmost depth with Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse pantheons. And then the idea that instead of many gods with domains on some parts of the world there is one god, all-powerful hit off.

[Iliad]

Or see my post that explained how religions originated and got to where they are today

Yes, that's how it first originated, but it doesn't really explain how it continued when natural selection seemingly would favor that they'd just accept that they don't really know. I think my post explains more how it became a dominant part of society.

What happens is after the tribes explained everything with gods is myths and legends were built upon these gods. There were stories that were passed down generation after generation and the gods got a personality. It reached the utmost depth with Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse pantheons. And then the idea that instead of many gods with domains on some parts of the world there is one god, all-powerful hit off.

Now this is embarassing. I just logged in to see whether he had any turns or games and forgot to log out

[john9blue]

On the one hand i see a lot of wankers who profess to believe in the God of the Bible, but instead of really reading it, they attend various Christian clubs and clown shows (otherwise known as "churches") and let overpaid assclowns in clerical garb read it for them. They have no fooking idea what the Bible really says, and simply jump on whatever religious bandwagon that is convenient and comfortable.

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, without really giving it a whole lot of thought.

And finally, you have a small group of wankers such as myself, who have studied it out, found God to be an unequivocal truth and His scriptures to be an incredibly complex yet simple creation of incredible beauty. We however, have trashed our beliefs and flushed them down the toilet because of the mind boggling hypocrisy of the vast majority of those who profess to believe in such. Go fucking figure.


Honibaz

QFT, this is worth repeating. Never thought I'd say that about a b.k. post...

You might want to add a fourth group of wankers, those who believe in God and are unsure of just about everything else. Then you have the non-wankers, who (not surprisingly) are the small minority.

[jonesthecurl]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

lol to you!!! you really have been brainwashed and most live a very closed life! I was baptized a Roman Catholic but never practiced. My father was CoE but never took me to Church! I've studied the main groups of religion (catholic, muslims and jehovah to name a few). Im not really a believer in religion but i do believe there is a GOD. Then again.

So it would seem im the one with an open mind here

Ok, I`ll bite.
So what has convinced you to believe in god?

lol... after learning about all the different religions (im not an expert) nearly all of them have the same main points but the way chosen to interpret is very different. Can it be that there is only one God and we all believe in the same good? Can it also be that more than 2000 years ago people were able to communicate over vast oceans and still tell the same tale and truths? now this is really simple because other wise it would go on for pages!

Furthermore, i have even read books were the author portrays GOD as an alien being (modernized much like ourselves today). The Aztecs built temples reaching into the sky to be closer to their GOD, who resembled a person in a spacesuit (drawings on walls)...The book is really interesting and a damn good read

To be honest i dont believe in religion! Just be a good person and live a good life and you should do fine

C

Please please don't give me Von Daniken.
I thought that sorta nonsense was long gone.
Believe me it has been discredited over and over and over, give me a soddin break.

[CrazyAnglican]

No religion accepts us as the person we know ourselves to be.

Sure, what would the point be? I've taught many students over the years and accepted none of them for who they knew themselves to be. I had expectations for them to be better educated and they rose to my expectations. Likewise my Taekwondo instructor didn't accept me as who I knew myself to be and as a result I've reached a point that I'm an instructor. What's so great about accepting people as they "know" themselves to be? Pretty much all progress toward any ideal is made through this type of "intolerance", and it isn't by any means a bad thing nor is it even remotely unique to religion. If anything, Christianity (the variety to which I'm a member) is more laid back about this in terms that it's basically saying "Be like Christ. Okay we know that none of us can really do that so we're going to have to be a forgiving lot; just everybody in the church try to keep it up".

Rather, we are told that we are inadequate, unsatisfactory and helpless. We fear that this is so, and to give us hope we, like Ella, construct a fantasy about how we are superior to those who do not share our views.

Here's where the suppositions come in. Has it not come to anybody's attention that this is entirely based on observations of people who are suffering from some actual, diagnosed form of mental illness? I realize that some of folks would like to categorize religious belief as such, but this is really over the top. Psychoanalysis began losing ground for having precisely the same basis as this article.

On these grounds we feel entitled to force our views on non-believers, and, if they resist, to kill them.

Now we're really out there. Let's forget that this is the sin of pride, shall we? That Christianity and other religions specifically teach against this type of stuff? Shall we also forget the inconvenient truth that non-believers are actually at least as efficient at this type of thing? I'd provide as an example the following attempts at genocide (Stalin, Pol Pot, etc.).

[b.k. barunt]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

Actually i've examined most of the major ones, and found them all to be rather full of themselves. To call religion "irrational" is narrowminded to say the least. By doing so you are relegating some of the great thinkers of history to a status beneath yourself - forgive me for stating the obvious, but you don't seem that smart.


Honibaz

[Iliad]

On the other hand, i see another buncha wankers that have come to the brilliant conclusion that atheism = intelligence. These ass clowns feel smart and cocksure because they reject beliefs that they themselves have never really investigated thoroughly. Like the "Christians" who let others read the Bible for them, these self styled "free thinkers" glibly quote whatever atheistic babbler sounds good to them, withou

It's not so much atheist = intelligence. It's more like religion = irrationality. And how do you know we haven't examined the beliefs? It's usually people who HAVE examined religion closely who are atheists and religious people usually HAVEN"T examined their beliefs as closely. And maybe you should examine atheist beliefs before you get all stuck up and holier than thou about looking at all beliefs. If you'd actually closely examined any of these "atheistic babblers" maybe you would have a better understanding of it.

Actually i've examined most of the major ones, and found them all to be rather full of themselves. To call religion "irrational" is narrowminded to say the least. By doing so you are relegating some of the great thinkers of history to a status beneath yourself - forgive me for stating the obvious, but you don't seem that smart.


Honibaz

I would say that believing that the earth is flat is irrational. I do not however have a lower view of the great philosophers who in their time, thought the Earth was irrational. They did not have the means nor reason to believe otherwise. So I do not think they are irrational. In this day and age, with our scientific advancements, if someone says the Earth is flat I will have a much lower view of that person.

[mpjh]

Believing in god is not a question of higher or lower thought, it is a result of fearing the unknown. The biggest unknown is death, or more accurately what comes after death. Faith often calms these fears for subjective reasons. Science, to the contrary, likes the unknown, or rather sees a challenge in the unknown.

The more I think about it, fear is a big factor in much of what is screwed up in this world.