Axe Elf
Prophet
I'm a big guy.
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Why there is no way back for religion in the West
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
I'm a big guy.
No matter what one may think, the least one can do is acknowledge that the founders of the worlds great Faiths lived their lives to their opinions and sufferd at the hands of men that did not see the need to change. One can acknowledge the good that has resulted despite the obvious events based in human error, associated with some of the followers.
In that regard, those that have given a message of love, peace and justice are of the greatest people that have ever lived. What most people call hero's.
To belittle what they have done because of a predudice is not heroic, not clever and not Just.
Any that think God and Faith is dead, or will not recover from the errrors of the past, know little about their own selves and what day they now live in.
Regards Tony
What is formed from this earth returns to this earth, we are all not so big.
Do you suggest you are big enough to revive Faith in God, as that is the power given to the I Am?
Regards Tony
Axe Elf
Prophet
I think you are reading too much into my claim that I am careful what I ask for.
Axe Elf
Prophet
What devotion in God?
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
And a big claim requires a lot of supporting evidence.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
I can understand why a nonbeliever would say that, but as a believer I believe that religions are revelations from Messengers of God. They are not people, they are mysterious and ethereal Beings who have a twofold nature; the physical, pertaining to the world of matter, and the spiritual, which is born of the substance of God Himself.
Dave Turner
New Member
Well it certainly can't be an objective truth because it would take place in the future, and I'm not a gypsy fortune teller with prescient knowledge. As far as being a "belittling verse," this subjective conclusion is no doubt based on your objection that religion is used as a crutch. Now to me, a crutch is anything that helps a person get along, and why would they need help in getting along? Could it be because they're too weak to cope on their own? I think it is. Of course you may disagree, but that's your choice; define crutch however you like.
[H]ere are the top 10 reasons given by Americans who attend religious services at least once a month, according to Pew. Survey respondents were allowed to give more than one reason. The percentage refers to people who said this was a "very important" reason for their decision:
To become closer to God. (81%)
So their children will have a moral foundation. (69%)
To become a better person. (68%)
For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66%)
They find the sermons valuable. (59%)
To be part of a faith community. (57%)
To continue their family's religious traditions. (37%)
They feel obligated to go. (31%)
To meet new people or socialize. (19%)
To please their family, spouse or partner. (16%)
source
Please note the reason I've highlighted in red. This is the "crutch" I was talking about, and according to the Pew poll it's the fourth most popular reason people have for going to church. Now you're certainly free to disagree and conclude that you can see religion being eventually stripped of all its written dogma and physical artifacts, and simply surviving on those few notions that bring comfort to the few who require it. It will be "Religion: the way to get closer to god."
OR
"Religion: the way to continue one's family's religious traditions."
OR
"Religion: the way to please one's family, spouse or partner.."
OR
"Religion: a reason to get out of the house."
I don't. I happen to see it ending up as being "Religion: a means of comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. The crutch of the weak."
As for "many religious people belittle others and see themselves as superior." This is almost a given, although I'd change the "many" to "a few." And this is fine with me. I appreciate the opinions of those I respect, and pretty much to hell with all the others. And just to be clear, I start out appreciating the opinions of everyone until given reason not to.
.
