I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of...

1. That fact people who claim that faith leads to knowledge of the unseen and spiritual enlightenment can't agree what it is and every religion has divisions, is a major turn off.

2. The fact miracles were once part of the historical past according to most religions but are completely absent in today's time requires an explanation.

3. That interpretations of holy books are so vast that it seems a kid can write more clearly and decisively then God by the results.

4. The problem of...

can heaven be compatible with capitalism?
can self serving be compatible with peace; when self is profiting off of the needs of other as self?
can promoting division bring about harmony? can all ever be as one under such a state?

One, the argument from divine hiddenness.
Second, is why God does not talk to us.

Both of these, are stronger arguments than PoE in my view and there explanations are harder to justify. Yet to me, there is an explanation to both, and actually, to explain PoE, you have to explain these two anyways.

I have started quite a few threads about the PoE, but there is still more to talk about. Today I'd like to talk about this little issue: ostensibly, given the premises that God exists, that God is omnipotent, that God is omniscient, and that God created humans deliberately, then it is reasonable to conclude that God is responsible for our moral compasses: that evaluation that we perform when we feel something has morally good or morally bad implications.

For instance, perhaps this is the...

Have you ever found anything uncomfortable at your worship service? Is there anything you'd change, even? Or have you gone to a service you don't usually attend, such as a different denomination, and has anything made you uncomfortable or shocked etc.?

To a person who truly practice well and deeply understand the teaching the practice is really fun and amazing

The spiritual practice can be a life changing experience to the better.

Any thoughts?

I always used to think of religion as mildly amusing, if people want to live their lives believing in all sorts of weird and wonderful things, that is fine by me, why should I care?

Last night I witnessed a thread develop on here posted by a lady who believes she is being "visited" by a "presence" The lady told us she was already on tablets to stop hallucinations. The advice from many of the religious on this forum? not go and see your doctor as any responsible adult would do but talk of...

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day

Thats the first verse of a nice old song we sing like its some kind of poem or nursery rhyme, sometimes to children.

What if you quote the first line only?

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam

Then tell someone "Look at this song. Its telling you to live with buffaloes"..

It could be that the person quoting this line took it...

I have several questions:

1. Should God have created a world without suffering? If so, why? If not, why not?

2. How could God have created humans with physical bodies without engendering suffering?

3. How could God have created a material world without engendering suffering?

4. If God prevented suffering should God prevent all suffering or just some suffering?

5. If God prevented some suffering should God allow some people to suffer more than other people?

Thanks, Trailblazer.