How Many People Here Are Religious, And How Many Not?

[A Vestigial Mote]

You have just as much in common with each other as homosexuals, heterosexuals, blacks, or any other minority.

I suppose this is true. Though my main thoughts when saying what I did were that we have no core doctrine of any kind - or if one wishes to consider that we do, it has only one statement in it.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Is there also an element that liberal atheists are more computer literate than other groups.

I doubt it. This forum has had people who work with computers and IT of all sorts of religious affiliations.

 

[Skwim]

I've concluded that Christians just aren't up to defending all the challenges thrown at them. While they believe X, Y, and Z, few know the ramifications of their belief, and are therefore vulnerable to the challenges by non-Christians who do know them. So, having been beaten or at least stymied in their arguments they become disheartened and quit posting.


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[Vinayaka]

I leave that up to the individual. If you would like to expand on why you are or are not religious by your own definition that would be great.

The term 'religion' in my understanding is a western construct, namely Abrahamic. The way of life of the eastern paths, in order to have some common ground. adopted this term 'religion', or were forced to take it on by outsiders with little, if any understanding of us. It makes little sense to the eastern mind. Therefore, I am most certainly not religious.

 

[Earthling]

The term 'religion' in my understanding is a western construct, namely Abrahamic. The way of life of the eastern paths, in order to have some common ground. adopted this term 'religion', or were forced to take it on by outsiders with little, if any understanding of us. It makes little sense to the eastern mind. Therefore, I am most certainly not religious.

Then why list anything as your religion? More importantly, how would you define religion? What makes the Abrahamic paradigm religious while not the Eastern Paths? A deity? I don't believe there needs to be a deity to be religious. The choice is yours, but I'd be interested in the logic underlying your conclusion.

 

[Vinayaka]

Then why list anything as your religion? More importantly, how would you define religion? What makes the Abrahamic paradigm religious while not the Eastern Paths? A deity? I don't believe there needs to be a deity to be religious. The choice is yours, but I'd be interested in the logic underlying your conclusion.

This is the first definition I found:

"the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods."

Since I don't believe in a superhuman controlling power, I couldn't possibly be religious.

 

[Vinayaka]

Hindus aren't conventionally religious?

Depends on the definition you're using. Since this thread dosesn't have one, who knows? Some of us Hindus are atheist to the Abrahamic God, but theist to our own concept of God. That's what you get when one paradigm tries to interpret another paradigm by its terms.

 

[osgart]

My religiousity for most of the week has dwindled except for my persistent stubborn refusal to be a nihilist. Other times im a spiritual naturalist, and on an off day there is a god and this is god's purgatory/hell for rebellious creatures.

It all hinges on this presupposition,' for intelligent life of high functionality to come into being intelligent life must preexist to form and create it.' Iow from chaos and chance comes nothing of any significance. The human being isnt a garbled output of haphazard things. That is all fact to me.

 

[paarsurrey]

I'm curious to know how many people here are religious and how many are not. I realize that only a small percentage of people who post regularly on the forums will answer, still. I would like to hear from the religious why they think the non religious post here and I would like to hear from the non religious why they do so.

Is it an interest in religion? The discussion on the science forums? Does it allow you to express frustration of living in a spiritual world? Or something else?

An interesting thread.
I understand labels do nothing. A wrong done by an Atheist or done by a believer does not become good with the label one puts on on the forehead. An act of virtues done by an Atheist or done by a believer will bear fruit. Right, please?
I have not ticked any of the boxes, please.
I am an Ahmadiyya peaceful Muslim.

Regards

 

[Sir Doom]

I'm curious to know how many people here are religious and how many are not. I realize that only a small percentage of people who post regularly on the forums will answer, still. I would like to hear from the religious why they think the non religious post here and I would like to hear from the non religious why they do so.

I'm not religious in that I do not assign myself to any particular faith or church or religion. I don't worship anything, I don't preach anyone else's schtick, I don't place any special consideration on any holy books or writings or anything else like that.

I'm no atheist, though. That label comes with too much douche-baggage. That is I don't want to be associated with the overwhelming level of douche-baggery I see from those that self-apply the label.

I don't really like the term agnostic either but I'd bet its the closest to what I am.

The reason I post here is because I like to argue. I enjoy debating and discussing religious topics. People's ideas are fascinating. Its amazing to me how firmly people will hold on to what they believe. The mental back-flips they do to remain 'right'. Its the most entertaining topic to debate by a long shot.

 

[paarsurrey]

Then why list anything as your religion? More importantly, how would you define religion? What makes the Abrahamic paradigm religious while not the Eastern Paths? A deity? I don't believe there needs to be a deity to be religious. The choice is yours, but I'd be interested in the logic underlying your conclusion.

A good question.
Regards

 

[England my lionheart]

I'm curious to know how many people here are religious and how many are not. I realize that only a small percentage of people who post regularly on the forums will answer, still. I would like to hear from the religious why they think the non religious post here and I would like to hear from the non religious why they do so.

Is it an interest in religion? The discussion on the science forums? Does it allow you to express frustration of living in a spiritual world? Or something else?

I voted not religious, I joined 7 years ago ish, its been a learning curve of how the proselytising religions try to mesmerise others with there word spaghetti and what lengths they will go to give their pitch, the disappointing most just quote answers from their book of faith and not give their own.

Mostly though it's a good place to learn stuff you didn't know like bacon glazed cake, really though I just find it interesting and enjoy debate.

 

[paarsurrey]

What you call them is irrelevant. Its what they call themselves that's important.

That is true, everybody is free to declare one's own faith/religion.
Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

What my point was, as enumerated above, is that there are little groups of religious people, a smattering of Christians, a pinch of Jews, a flick of Baha'is, and then a whole dollop of atheists. Atheists make up the largest group on here.

"Atheists make up the largest group on here."

Right, please?

 

[osgart]

"Atheists make up the largest group on here."

Right, please?

Right

 

[paarsurrey]

I wish there were a religious forum with the same mix of religions here, that did not allow non religious posters, I didn't come here to listen to atheists, their lack of faith does not impress me one bit.

There is no harm if Atheism people also participate in debates/discussions. However , I request them that they should be committed to reason, if they don't mind, please.

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Someone (was it Dawkins?) once said of atheists and I paraphrase, "Getting a group of atheists to agree is like trying to herd cats"

What that means is they like to debate, discuss, argue and increase their knowledge in doing so.
Hence atheists like forums where they can discuss ideas with like and different people.

"Hence atheists like forums where they can discuss ideas with like and different people."

No harm, please.
Regards

 

[osgart]

Its better than philosophy forums where people talk all kinds of complicated rubbish to make obscure, fanciful points.

Here on this forum you can be more down to earth, and the rubbish is far more appealing.

Religion appeals, thats why atheists love it so much. A shooter needs a target to be happy.

Full tilt religious subjectivity and speculation keeps free speech alive and well.

 

[Earthling]

I'm not religious in that I do not assign myself to any particular faith or church or religion. I don't worship anything, I don't preach anyone else's schtick, I don't place any special consideration on any holy books or writings or anything else like that.

I'm no atheist, though. That label comes with too much douche-baggage. That is I don't want to be associated with the overwhelming level of douche-baggery I see from those that self-apply the label.

I don't really like the term agnostic either but I'd bet its the closest to what I am.

The reason I post here is because I like to argue. I enjoy debating and discussing religious topics. People's ideas are fascinating. Its amazing to me how firmly people will hold on to what they believe. The mental back-flips they do to remain 'right'. Its the most entertaining topic to debate by a long shot.

Is that Dr. Doom?!! It is! I haven't seen him since I was a kid. Does that bring back old memories!

Sorry, I got sidetracked. I can relate to your statement. In my heavy drinking days I used to go onto atheist forums just because I loved taunting them, arguing with them and occasionally having an actual meaningful debate. Overwhelming level of douche-baggery, huh? Can we say that?!

 

[Earthling]

An interesting thread.
I understand labels do nothing. A wrong done by an Atheist or done by a believer does not become good with the label one puts on on the forehead. An act of virtues done by an Atheist or done by a believer will bear fruit. Right, please?

I think that's right.

I have not ticked any of the boxes, please.

I am an Ahmadiyya peaceful Muslim.

Regards

Why not tick the religious box? No need to label. Virtue speaks for itself. Right, please?