Openly Interested in Religion

[The Sum of Awe]

Is it just me that is unease when the topic comes up in real life? I think it's just because I have so many thoughts on the matter that might not make sense to someone who likely doesn't have in depth interest in the topic.

Anyways - Anyone else sort of awkward with the topic?

Once I almost lost a girlfriend to determinism, lol

 

[Skwim]

Is it just me that is unease when the topic comes up in real life? I think it's just because I have so many thoughts on the matter that might not make sense to someone who likely doesn't have in depth interest in the topic.

My suggestion is, if either one of you can't hold up your end of any discussion then don't have one.

Once I almost lost a girlfriend to determinism, lol

Then it's a good thing you weren't fated to.

 

[Badran]

Is it just me that is unease when the topic comes up in real life? I think it's just because I have so many thoughts on the matter that might not make sense to someone who likely doesn't have in depth interest in the topic.

Anyways - Anyone else sort of awkward with the topic?

Once I almost lost a girlfriend to determinism, lol

I've never felt awkward about the topic, and i discuss it pretty openly when it's appropriate and when i feel like it.

The only problem for me which started early on was that the opinions i expressed were often not met with favor in my circle, and so rather than discuss more often than not it was debate. That wasn't a problem in itself, but sometimes those debates were awkward, because of the considerably different ways of thinking, rather than because i had a problem with the topic generally or felt uncomfortable discussing it.

Right now that problem is even more emphasized than it used to be because the opinions i've developed over the years have grown more and more alien to the community i'm in and the people i might talk to, so rather than awkward, it's just proving extremely difficult through time.

The more the common ground reduces, the nearer to impossible it becomes to have an intelligent conversation of any kind. So now, with the exception of my few close friends who are much more similar minded, i don't actually instigate the topic at all, but discuss it if it's brought up. Usually, when it's brought up, the result is fruitless. A few times, it's not, so i keep on discussing it when it's brought up for that reason.

 

[Sha'irullah]

I am very open when it comes to religious topics and love bringing them up especially with people who will disagree with me. When I took my philosophies course the final portion was on metaphysics and religion and I was the only one who could name every argument for or against the existence of god from the top of my head . It is just astonishing that people do not dive into religion but I guess this is because of fear

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I feel more awkward keeping an awkward silence than being open when it comes up. Eventually I realized that if people don't want to hear what I have to say (which is fairly common around here), then they shouldn't have brought it up or asked. I won't be held responsible if someone isn't strong enough to have their religious views dissected, questioned, and challenged. And at the other end of the spectrum, it can be a pleasant conversation when those involved don't take things personally.

 

[kashmir]

If one wishes to seek out god, just remember, it is their walk with god not anyone elses.

I feel that religion is man made, even if Jesus, muhammad or any other man said to be of god, was actually who they say they were, the holy books are written by man and there is zero way to know that it's actually word for word of their god.
God didn't give them the book and say "here, teach this"
The huge inconsistencies in the text, is a huge eye opener for me.
The many interpretations, seem quite odd, considering its the word of god, why would god leave so many unanswered questions within his teachings?

Plus, every new holy book, seems to refute the last set of scriptures.
"Oh, they were wrong, this is what god wants"....
I kind of, sort of follow what Jesus says, not so much because he said it, it just lines up with what I consider a pretty good world view anyway.
Cant deny the obvious, even if he was just a man and not Gods son.
Cant go wrong by loving everyone and feeding the hungry, not in my eyes anyway.

 

[Smart_Guy]

When it come to religion in real life, I only get puzzled!

I keep hearing people saying that Muslims are terrorists and Islam in the religion of hatred and terrorism, yet I, an Arab Saudi Muslim living in Saudi Arabia, the supposed country of terrorism, rarely see anything of what the media tells!

All people around me here are pretty much normal people that at worst cases have occasional differences that end up like nothing happened!

I do hear some incidents that happened to the people I know, but they are things that could happen all around the world!

Real life here in Saudi Arabia for Muslims is completely normal. All there is to it is having a different culture that people around the world see alien and think is bad simply because of what they hear and see cherry picked on the media!

Generalizing about Islam, Muslims, Arabs and/or Saudis is not fair. It is just not fair

 

[Desert Snake]

Is it just me that is unease when the topic comes up in real life? I think it's just because I have so many thoughts on the matter that might not make sense to someone who likely doesn't have in depth interest in the topic.

Anyways - Anyone else sort of awkward with the topic?

Once I almost lost a girlfriend to determinism, lol

Tbh I've never brought religion up in conversation like that . I think I might, now, depends on the subject perhaps? Hmm I have had others bring religion up, but not in thst context you're referring to, I don't think.

 

[kashmir]

When it come to religion in real life, I only get puzzled!

I keep hearing people saying that Muslims are terrorists and Islam in the religion of hatred and terrorism, yet I, an Arab Saudi Muslim living in Saudi Arabia, the supposed country of terrorism, rarely see anything of what the media tells!

All people around me here are pretty much normal people that at worst cases have occasional differences that end up like nothing happened!

I do hear some incidents that happened to the people I know, but they are things that could happen all around the world!

Real life here in Saudi Arabia for Muslims is completely normal. All there is to it is having a different culture that people around the world see alien and think is bad simply because of what they hear and see cherry picked on the media!

Generalizing about Islam, Muslims, Arabs and/or Saudis is not fair. It is just not fair

The only thing I do not like about the quran is the fact it lies about Jesus and parts of the Holy Bible, hardly the acts of a true prophet of god, to lie like that.
Most likely, years from now, a new prophet will show up and claim lies about muhammad too, that seems like the history of sacred text, deem the ones before it to be false.
Been happening since the beginning of man.

 

[Desert Snake]

The only thing I do not like about the quran is the fact it lies about Jesus and parts of the Holy Bible, hardly the acts of a true prophet of god, to lie like that.
Most likely, years from now, a new prophet will show up and claim lies about muhammad too, that seems like the history of sacred text, deem the ones before it to be false.
Been happening since the beginning of man.

Are you singling out Islam here? Your comments seem a tad forced or biased to another argument perhaps...

 

[kashmir]

Are you singling out Islam here? Your comments seem a tad forced or biased to another argument perhaps...

No, I was replying to someone here who brought up their religion.
The title says "openly interested in religion"
I didn't single anything out, I was replying.
I assume discussing religion is what we do here?
And how am I being bias?
muhammad did say it, do you think I am making it up?
It's in the quran.

Maybe you singling me out?
I said other stuff more important and you didnt even reply to it, you are nitpicking something else, for what reason?

 

[Smart_Guy]

The only thing I do not like about the quran is the fact it lies about Jesus and parts of the Holy Bible, hardly the acts of a true prophet of god, to lie like that.
Most likely, years from now, a new prophet will show up and claim lies about muhammad too, that seems like the history of sacred text, deem the ones before it to be false.
Been happening since the beginning of man.

My friend, you believe and opinion is that the Quran and Muhammad are evil. Believe me when I say that I don't mind you believing so. It is your belief, and I respect the freedom of opinions beliefs!

My post was about Muslims as humans. We have our beliefs too. I don't have a problem if others hate and condemn those of us that do evil acts, but it pains me to have that expand to generalizing that hatred to all Muslims around the world. That was my argument!

I need to ask you questions to get to my point better. Do you generalize that all Muslims are bad and terrorists? Do you hate me? Do you group me among those Muslim terrorists? I, as a Muslim, that happens to be Arab and Saudi in the same time, do I deserve to be hated and despised because of such a generalization?

 

[kashmir]

My friend, you believe and opinion is that the Quran and Muhammad are evil. Believe me when I say that I don't mind you believing so. It is your belief, and I respect the freedom of opinions beliefs!

My post was about Muslims as humans. We have our beliefs too. I don't have a problem if others hate and condemn those of us that do evil acts, but it pains me to have that expand to generalizing that hatred to all Muslims around the world. That was my argument!

I need to ask you questions to get to my point better. Do you generalize that all Muslims are bad and terrorists? Do you hate me? Do you group me among those Muslim terrorists? I, as a Muslim, that happens to be Arab and Saudi in the same time, do I deserve to be hated and despised because of such a generalization?

In the end, what I think, does not matter, it is what you think of you, is the only thing that matters, I do not know you, hate you, or think you are evil.

But about my perspective on holy books,
Jesus died a horrible death on the cross, so if a man denies that to deem himself the only true prophet, is has not gained my respect.

Lets also look at reality.
How many people did Jesus himself kill and promote killing?
None.
How many did muhammad himself kill and promote killing?
Lots.
When the men back then wanted to stone an adulteress, what did Jesus say?
"those without sin may cast the first stone"
None did and left her be and Jesus set the example of forgiveness.
What did muhammad say about that sort of punishment that still goes on today?
(stoning women to death)
I don't know, am asking.

This is not about hate, this is about the truth of our actual history and the only thing we really have to go on is the text written by man and in my opinion, Jesus's walk on earth showed nothing but pure love for mankind,
muhammad seemed to be self serving and appeared to kill for his own gains.
Married many women for their riches, including a child.
I have seen Muslims support those marriages as he needed to do it to grow his army.

I hate no one, just offering my perspective on what history says.
Will repeat that...

I don't exactly follow any holy book, but if I had to agree any ones teachings, Jesus would be my choice, but I do not need Jesus to tell me that love and forgiveness is good, and hate and destruction is bad.

Again, I hate no one, ones walk in life is their walk, not mine.
What ever their perspective says, is their choice, I do not claim to know everything.

If anything, the pregnant woman stoned to death just recently in islam, the one murdered by acid by her own parents, for simply looking at a boy, and all the woman that this so called honor killings that caused their horrible deaths, as well as the woman about to be hung, but flogged 100 time first, have every right to hate those who are going against the forgiveness that God is supposed to want us to have for each other and instead, murdering them over such trivial reasons.
By the hundreds every year, a few every week, according to what the news says.

Is USA or any country any better? never said they was.
Is the OT any better, never said it was.
But we lock up those who murder others today, we don't promote it as "honor killings"
Am I blaming you?
No, I don't know you.
I do blame the authority that allows it though, including all the nations that allow horrors brought upon the innocents, specially the children and it seems the female child gets it put on them the worst.

 

[Smart_Guy]

In the end, what I think, does not matter, it is what you think of you, is the only thing that matters, I do not know you, hate you, or think you are evil...........

Um, I only wanted to know direct answers for:

Do you generalize that all Muslims are bad and terrorists? Do you hate me? Do you group me among those Muslim terrorists? I, as a Muslim, that happens to be Arab and Saudi in the same time, do I deserve to be hated and despised because of such a generalization?

I seem to understand from your reply that your answer is "no" to all, and I thank you for it, but I kinda got confused with the big post. Would you kindly give me direct answers for them? Sorry for my weak understanding

As for the rest, even I agree with you in some of what you said. And for the parts I don't agree with you in, I don't wish to debate in it, as I respect having different opinions, even if I strongly disagree with!

And thanks for considering my post

 

[Draupadi]

In the end, what I think, does not matter, it is what you think of you, is the only thing that matters, I do not know you, hate you, or think you are evil.

But about my perspective on holy books,
Jesus died a horrible death on the cross, so if a man denies that to deem himself the only true prophet, is has not gained my respect.

Lets also look at reality.
How many people did Jesus himself kill and promote killing?
None.
How many did muhammad himself kill and promote killing?
Lots.
When the men back then wanted to stone an adulteress, what did Jesus say?
"those without sin may cast the first stone"
None did and left her be and Jesus set the example of forgiveness.
What did muhammad say about that sort of punishment that still goes on today?
(stoning women to death)
I don't know, am asking.

This is not about hate, this is about the truth of our actual history and the only thing we really have to go on is the text written by man and in my opinion, Jesus's walk on earth showed nothing but pure love for mankind,
muhammad seemed to be self serving and appeared to kill for his own gains.
Married many women for their riches, including a child.
I have seen Muslims support those marriages as he needed to do it to grow his army.

I hate no one, just offering my perspective on what history says.
Will repeat that...

I don't exactly follow any holy book, but if I had to agree any ones teachings, Jesus would be my choice, but I do not need Jesus to tell me that love and forgiveness is good, and hate and destruction is bad.

Again, I hate no one, ones walk in life is their walk, not mine.
What ever their perspective says, is their choice, I do not claim to know everything.

If anything, the pregnant woman stoned to death just recently in islam, the one murdered by acid by her own parents, for simply looking at a boy, and all the woman that this so called honor killings that caused their horrible deaths, as well as the woman about to be hung, but flogged 100 time first, have every right to hate those who are going against the forgiveness that God is supposed to want us to have for each other and instead, murdering them over such trivial reasons.
By the hundreds every year, a few every week, according to what the news says.

Is USA or any country any better? never said they was.
Is the OT any better, never said it was.
But we lock up those who murder others today, we don't promote it as "honor killings"
Am I blaming you?
No, I don't know you.
I do blame the authority that allows it though, including all the nations that allow horrors brought upon the innocents, specially the children and it seems the female child gets it put on them the worst.

Honour killing is cultural not Islamic. Secondly, a woman gets the money in marriage as dowry. The rest I can't say because I am a Quranist. But if it was true I will indeed be ashamed of it. By the way it is only the Ahadith that supports the killing of fornicators. The Quran only prescribes 100 lashes and commands that a woman deliver her child before she receives her punishment.

 

[Desert Snake]

No, I was replying to someone here who brought up their religion.
The title says "openly interested in religion"
I didn't single anything out, I was replying.
I assume discussing religion is what we do here?
And how am I being bias?
muhammad did say it, do you think I am making it up?
It's in the quran.

Maybe you singling me out?
I said other stuff more important and you didnt even reply to it, you are nitpicking something else, for what reason?

You were "responding" to another poster. I found that odd. If you want to condemn a religion or aspects of a religion, why not just start a thread and list your "problems" with said religion? It seemed sneaky to me.
What other 'more important stuff'?
And, no, not nitpicking at all, this happens on the forums, I find it leads to strawman arguments, making someone 'defend' a position they don't hold.

 

[kashmir]

You were "responding" to another poster. I found that odd. If you want to condemn a religion or aspects of a religion, why not just start a thread and list your "problems" with said religion? It seemed sneaky to me.
What other 'more important stuff'?
And, no, not nitpicking at all, this happens on the forums, I find it leads to strawman arguments, making someone 'defend' a position they don't hold.

I will not even bother to reply to the new posts then.
Why are you blaming me for something I did not start?
Shouldn't it have been the one who posted and asked questions about Muhammad be the one you should be replying to and scolding and not me?
You are saying things to me that others are guilty of doing.
I am just answering the questions they have asked.
Odd