Why do so many religious people care what others believe?

[Shadow Wolf]

My sister is the same way. She lives in Georgia, Southern Baptist, proud of the confederate flag as though it's not a veritable symbol of hate. I don't know where she went wrong.

My sister isn't even a Christian. She just encourages me to "pick a god, any god, just believe in something." It bothers her way more than anyone else in the family that I have no religious faith, and she makes these silly pleads that have to believe in god so she doesn't spend eternity in Heaven without me. (I guess you could call her an amalgamation of every religious and spiritual book she's read, regardless of source, authenticity, accuracy, and credibility).

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

That we can factually and truthfully know anything that exists beyond our incredibly limited human senses.

I never said otherwise, and in fact I believe we know absolutely nothing either way.

Hope in what? Something that can only ever be taken on faith? If you need hope in a better life after this one, you have some serious problems going on. And it seems to me such a mentality may be why we still have the suffering we do, as people become conditioned to just accept this life as it is because the next one will be better.

Hope is derived from the void, the complete absence of knowledge of what's beyond the limits of this universe. You keep defending against the theists, but I'm not arguing their case, anything but. And the suffering, at least the man caused suffering, is a function of society and government. Socialism it the new blind faith religion. And what do you tell ALL the sufferers, "Sorry but, this is it. Too bad, so sad."

 

[Deidre]

is this a belief you are selling to others? (take this post as a light hearted joke - people are too serious here sometimes, I agree)

Lol!! Maybe

 

[SalixIncendium]

I care deeply. Otherwise I wouldn't do this discussion thing.

1. You should reread what I wrote. I didn't imply anyone wasn't caring.

B. If you really cared as much as you said, you would have used the quote function properly so others could follow the conversation.

 

[robocop (actually)]

I am an atheist but I care very deeply what other people think and do (though I grant them their autonomy) and here's why:

We live in a social world. The world does things in unison. If I'm going to vote for a candidate, I can get 100 votes instead if I influence 99 people to vote my way. If we care about the things we stand for getting done by people, why not encourage others to do them as well?

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

Whoa, wait a minute. I'm not shaming anybody to do anything. We teach. You either believe or you dont.

And yet you made your comment about Jesus commanding you to share the gospel, apparently in direct reply to the OP. Your statement was NOT backing the OP, or agreeing with it in any way. It wasn't, exactly, in opposition either... however, that's simply your choice of words allowing you to back-pedal out of the situation quickly if anyone called you on it... which you did immediately when confronted.

You can deny it, and you can even make yourself believe that you didn't do what I am claiming. But I know how the situation looked to me. Perception is reality, and my reality now includes this little tidbit. And before you say it, I know you "don't care", which is completely fine. I will continue to paint my picture of you, however much, or little you care about the picture. That's the way the world works for the both of us.

 

[Kemosloby]

But, the point is...when I hear that the US was founded on Christian principles, it's sort of embarrassing that slave ownership, the slaughtering of American Indians, women not being permitted to vote, etc...is part of the history that runs parallel to ''Christian principles.'' What were these Christian principles? It seems to me that only a certain group was privileged (not a word I like, but it fits here) while others...like African Americans, native Americans and women were not treated equal. I can't see Jesus in any of that, you know?

The dream is Christian, all men are created equal. Then they ask "now who will do the digging?" nobody raises their hand, so they begin to write the secular law.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I never said otherwise, and in fact I believe we know absolutely nothing either way.

Why then have hope if you cannot know? Why not just admit you don't know and move on?

And what do you tell ALL the sufferers, "Sorry but, this is it. Too bad, so sad."

We also tend to ask "how can we improve things?" Hope is nothing more than a dream. A "security blanket," of sorts. And hope for a good afterlife has often directly stagnated and balked progress towards giving relief to the suffering masses in this life.

 

[DavidFirth]

And yet you made your comment about Jesus commanding you to share the gospel, apparently in direct reply to the OP. Your statement was NOT backing the OP, or agreeing with it in any way. It wasn't, exactly, in opposition either... however, that's simply your choice of words allowing you to back-pedal out of the situation quickly if anyone called you on it... which you did immediately when confronted.

You can deny it, and you can even make yourself believe that you didn't do what I am claiming. But I know how the situation looked to me. Perception is reality, and my reality now includes this little tidbit. And before you say it, I know you "don't care", which is completely fine. I will continue to paint my picture of you, however much, or little you care about the picture. That's the way the world works for the both of us.

Not sure what your beef is, but okay.

 

[Deidre]

The dream is Christian, all men are created equal. Then they ask "now who will do the digging?" nobody raises their hand, so they begin to write the secular law.

Oh, I think we know who did the actual digging. It wasn't who came up with the laws.

But, I digress. I think there is a lot of beauty in the Christian faith, but there are some things that are difficult. Same with Islam. Same with Judaism. Same with....(fill in the blank) And maybe because life is tough, and these religions help people to make sense of a tough life.

 

[MohammadPali]

I grew up in america, I had to sing christmas carols, hannukah songs, this wasn't a choice. I never cared. My parents even took me to see santa clause and took pictures too, it was nice. Today its slightly different. Today some people get offended by religious themes which don't make any kind of sense. If you don't believe in god or you are atheists why should you care if a christmas tree or ornaments are put up on public grounds or schools ? You don't believe in it so why are you bothered by it ?

But more important is why the hell are people telling me I have to like or respect a sexual preference ? Does this make sense ? I'm hetrosexual, and I am not exploiting it. But why the hell are you exploiting sexual preference for ? On tv, on the internet, on the radio, youtube, wherever it is. Its here everyday every minute why ? I know gay people, I work with them, but do I have to know that gay people have rights every day ?

Do I have to know you are gay ? Do I have to know you are straight ? or bi-sexual ? And how the hell are you suppose to explain to a child that 2 men like each other or 2 women ? Isn't that abuse ? telling them sexual perfernce at an early age is abuse. How the hell do I explain to a child that this man was born a man, but he was really a woman, so he changed to a woman. Come on. This is over the top.

So today we have to give up morals to justify immoral and sexual perversity because its the right thing to do EVERY DAY, ALL DAY.

It should be how religion can bring dignity to humanity, respect for for one self, RESTRAINT against abnormal temptations. Animals can be homosexual, that doesn't mean we are animals, we are humans, and we know better. Thats why we aren't animals duh ?

 

[Deidre]

I am an atheist but I care very deeply what other people think and do (though I grant them their autonomy) and here's why:

We live in a social world. The world does things in unison. If I'm going to vote for a candidate, I can get 100 votes instead if I influence 99 people to vote my way. If we care about the things we stand for getting done by people, why not encourage others to do them as well?

I understand, and I suppose if it for sure affects our lives, we should totally care. That's actually a good point.

 

[Mister Silver]

Do I have to know you are gay ?

With your attitude, darn tootin' you do.

 

[Deidre]

I grew up in america, I had to sing christmas carols, hannukah songs, this wasn't a choice. I never cared. My parents even took me to see santa clause and took pictures too, it was nice. Today its slightly different. Today some people get offended by religious themes which don't make any kind of sense. If you don't believe in god or you are atheists why should you care if a christmas tree or ornaments are put up on public grounds or schools ? You don't believe in it so why are you bothered by it ?

But more important is why the hell are people telling me I have to like or respect a sexual preference ? Does this make sense ? I'm hetrosexual, and I am not exploiting it. But why the hell are you exploiting sexual preference for ? On tv, on the internet, on the radio, youtube, wherever it is. Its here everyday every minute why ? I know gay people, I work with them, but do I have to know that gay people have rights every day ?

Do I have to know you are gay ? Do I have to know you are straight ? or bi-sexual ? And how the hell are you suppose to explain to a child that 2 men like each other or 2 women ? Isn't that abuse ? telling them sexual perfernce at an early age is abuse. How the hell do I explain to a child that this man was born a man, but he was really a woman, so he changed to a woman. Come on. This is over the top.

So today we have to give up morals to justify immoral and sexual perversity because its the right thing to do EVERY DAY, ALL DAY.

It should be how religion can bring dignity to humanity, respect for for one self, RESTRAINT against abnormal temptations. Animals can be homosexual, that doesn't mean we are animals, we are humans, and we know better. Thats why we aren't animals duh ?

I like your points. I think though when you look at the LGBT community as a whole, for a very long time, that community was discriminated and abused. They don't need to ''claim'' victim-hood, they were victims and some still are, of a homophobic society that cloaks itself in religion. They were oppressed. When you've been oppressed for a long time...you may want to be loud and proud about who you are, because now, you live in a world that doesn't mock you and laws are now supporting you. So maybe to you it seems so 'in your face,' but to them...it's a great day to be able to celebrate who they are without reproach.

But, I hear you. I'm glad I started this thread, because there are always two sides to every rant. lol

 

[Deidre]

I am an atheist but I care very deeply what other people think and do (though I grant them their autonomy) and here's why:

We live in a social world. The world does things in unison. If I'm going to vote for a candidate, I can get 100 votes instead if I influence 99 people to vote my way. If we care about the things we stand for getting done by people, why not encourage others to do them as well?

I just noticed your religion. Did you know a member here named Mequa? Not to derail the thread, but you are the only other person here with that religion, besides him, that I've noticed. He was very much into Epicurean philosophy. He passed away a few summers ago.

 

[Kemosloby]

Oh, I think we know who did the actual digging. It wasn't who came up with the laws.

But, I digress. I think there is a lot of beauty in the Christian faith, but there are some things that are difficult. Same with Islam. Same with Judaism. Same with....(fill in the blank) And maybe because life is tough, and these religions help people to make sense of a tough life.

I believe the Christian faith is talking about life in Christs kingdom, resurrection into God's rest and eternal life. It's easy to make sense of this life, people want the good stuff for themselves and someone else to do the work. So they make laws that help themselves. But Christ teaches the least in this world will be the greatest in the next. Not because it makes sense of this life, has nothing to do with this life, it has something to do with the next life. So if you believe Jesus you would give money to the poorer than you, rather than fight and claw for everything you can get out of this life, like some seem to do.

 

[Deidre]

I believe the Christian faith is talking about life in Christs kingdom, resurrection into God's rest and eternal life. It's easy to make sense of this life, people want the good stuff for themselves and someone else to do the work. So they make laws that help themselves. But Christ teaches the least in this world will be the greatest in the next. Not because it makes sense of this life, has nothing to do with this life, it has something to do with the next life. So if you believe Jesus you would give money to the poorer than you, rather than fight and claw for everything you can get out of this life, like some seem to do.

You're right. But the truth is, Christ isn't the only one who thought some of his beliefs. There are teachers before and after him who have taught similar things. The difference being, Jesus is the Savior of the world, to a believer. Which is powerful.

 

[MohammadPali]

I like your points. I think though when you look at the LGBT community as a whole, for a very long time, that community was discriminated and abused. They don't need to ''claim'' victim-hood, they were victims and some still are, of a homophobic society that cloaks itself in religion. They were oppressed. When you've been oppressed for a long time...you may want to be loud and proud about who you are, because now, you live in a world that doesn't mock you and laws are now supporting you. So maybe to you it seems so 'in your face,' but to them...it's a great day to be able to celebrate who they are without reproach.

But, I hear you. I'm glad I started this thread, because there are always two sides to every rant. lol

I totally agree, but people are also taking advantage of this gay and lesbian struggle. Bruce jenner for example, this is a man who became a woman, and for some reason still likes women lol. Everyone in america has the right to be whatever he or she desires, but im tired of liberal non-sense infringing on me. I usually am on the left, but alot of times, I agree with the right. I like a moral society.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Jesus commanded Christians to teach everyone the Gospel.

The problem isn't the command but to what extent do Christians (and other religious) would do and what do they mean by "teaching."

Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist are more extreme than Christians in my opinion. While Christians have their viewpoint, in my experience, no one told me to convert. Hinted yes. Said things over their shoulder. But nothing direct. Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist literally told me not to practice other religions specifically SGI and they are the True Buddhist.

So, it's not more the teaching but to what extent does Christ want you to teach and how.

 

[robocop (actually)]

I just noticed your religion. Did you know a member here named Mequa? Not to derail the thread, but you are the only other person here with that religion, besides him, that I've noticed. He was very much into Epicurean philosophy. He passed away a few summers ago.

Straw Dog is Epicurean/Cyrenian. I also want to be Raelian and consider myself syncretic.

 

[robocop (actually)]

I understand, and I suppose if it for sure affects our lives, we should totally care. That's actually a good point.

Yes it's always good to try to be trendy and trend-setting.