Why Should I Believe? (moral, choice, myth, bible, POV) - Page 3

FatMan · #21 07-20-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguino

Not really. I read a lot on the internet about religion and i've havent come across this explanation. Doesent make sense. Atheism isnt a religio0n either. The whole point of atheism is anti-religion, or anti-god, so saying atheism is a religion doesent work.

Religion is a belief system. I was educated very early on to this point. In one work, the Nature of Doctrine, religion is not referred to as a belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, the author (who I believe is Lindbeck) defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions.

Too many people get caught up in tracing religion back to God. In it's most basic question, the purpose of religion is to help explain where we came from and where we are going. God does not have to be part of that equation.

and by the way, for a Friday - it is a drag to have to act scholarly. I just wanted to stay a cut-up

Nanda · #22 07-20-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguino

The whole point of atheism is anti-religion, or anti-god, so saying atheism is a religion doesent work.

A small point, but an important one: Atheism is not "anti" religion or god, it is "without" god. I can't be against something I don't believe in. I don't believe in Santa, either, but I'm certainly not anti-Santa!

Don Penguinoini · #23 07-20-2007, 03:05 PM

God does have to be part of that equation. As far as i have seen all religions pray, to who though? God. They all pray to a god. For some god may be a different thing. For some it may be that they think god is love, not a person. Maybe too someone God is an emotion of some sort. But there is ALWAYS God when it comes to religion.

I cant be scholarly. 12 year olds havent had much time to read scriptures.

Don Penguinoini · #24 07-20-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanda

A small point, but an important one: Atheism is not "anti" religion or god, it is "without" religion or god. I can't be against something I don't believe in. I don't believe in Santa, either, but I'm certainly not anti-Santa!

Sorry i posted a bad post. When i said anti i did mean not beliving in, not like hating. Sorry for that.

Nanda · #25 07-20-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguino

Sorry i posted a bad post. When i said anti i did mean not beliving in, not like hating. Sorry for that.

It's all good.

FatMan · #26 07-20-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguino

God does have to be part of that equation. As far as i have seen all religions pray, to who though? God. They all pray to a god. For some god may be a different thing. For some it may be that they think god is love, not a person. Maybe too someone God is an emotion of some sort. But there is ALWAYS God when it comes to religion.

Not all religions pray. In fact one can have a personal religion since all religion does not have to be organized.

I think you are too wrapped up in the definition of a traditional religion.

Don Penguinoini · #27 07-20-2007, 03:08 PM

True, maybe. But a personal religion cant be taken into account. What about the millions who belive in mainstream religions.

This is the first time ive had a debate with anyone about god (am i any good?)

UnTheist · #28 07-20-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor

Because very little of what we know is "direct". We believe biologist, doctors, etc. on a daily basis. We believe that a man named George Washington existed. We believe our husband or wives aren't cheating on us. The list is endless...

And all those have evidence to back them up. Faith is not the same as trust. We know biologists are reliable, and doctors are reliable. The fact is that they have demonstrated that faith is not required to believe what a biologist says about biology.

FatMan · #29 07-20-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguino

True, maybe. But a personal religion cant be taken into account. What about the millions who belive in mainstream religions.

I'm not discounting ANY religions. All I made was the simple statement that by definition, religion does not need to include a god. Nothing more. Nothing less. I was simply refuting the incorrect statement that religion needed god.