(October 23, 2016 at 11:37 am)mh.brewer Wrote:

(October 23, 2016 at 11:24 am)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: FYI: "mores", not "morays"

And you're being generous. If a person who was NOT religious had an imaginary friend would you be so kind? 

Thanks for the correction, spellifying ain't my thing. I saw that but it just didn't look write. 

Society says not insane. Imaginary friend, healing crystals, humans reincarnated in pets, alien contact .............. I'm sure you can think of others. Quirky or delusional - yes, insane - no.

You think "society" is sane? 

(October 23, 2016 at 1:28 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote:

(October 23, 2016 at 11:37 am)mh.brewer Wrote: Thanks for the correction, spellifying ain't my thing. I saw that but it just didn't look write. 

Society says not insane. Imaginary friend, healing crystals, humans reincarnated in pets, alien contact .............. I'm sure you can think of others. Quirky or delusional - yes, insane - no.

You think "society" is sane? 

Yes, for the most part. But then sane is subjective. Do I like it all and think it's a utopia, no.

I'd have no problem with theists claiming that "religion doesn't need any empirical evidence", provided they did not wish to make any empirical claims on the basis of those beliefs.  For the most part, I don't really care which bat shit crazy beliefs bat shit crazy people hold.  Might just as well be mad at fish for swimming in water.  But at least the fish doesn't ask you to grant the same dignity to its ridiculous belief as you do any belief for which there is actually some foundation

(October 23, 2016 at 4:57 am)purplepurpose Wrote: Religion survives with all its corruption only because its postures itself as a guide on how to become less greedy and lustful and become a more compassionate person. Its the core. If you think that your living a noble/right/caring life, then what religious doctrine is behind it and especially scientific evidence dont matter at all. Because your living a "perfect life".

In conclusion, blind faith is supported in average sane religious person by noble motives, which legitimize the whole doctrine. And I agree with sane believers, compassion is really painful to accept and "sin" is what keeps me going.
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Religion as an institution is corrupt like all our other institutions such as government, police, schools, military etc. Your reasons given for belonging to religions could probably be included on the list of reasons people join religions. I think that mostly they are dissatisfied with the other options available to make sense out of life. They're looking for what's missing in their lives and religion fills that empty space.

For me the universe just being here for no reason leaves me empty and leads me to to believe it's all part of something bigger with a definite purpose. Is material existence infinite? If so it shares a supernatural characteristic with God. Is it not infinite? What is out there beyond it? The main reason why I remain follower of Christ, though is that God's Spirit is in me. I can't deny what I experience. Someone telling me that God doesn't exist falls flat when I experience him daily. After I had a mountain biking accident in which I flew a good distance and broke six bones, I was still dealing with much pain after a couple years. I began a daily program of static stretching , which has relieved most of the pain. Recently, I've been reading articles stating that static stretching doesn't really help. In fact, some recommend not even doing it. I'm not going to discontinue my stretching routine because, no matter what they say, duh, I know it helps. So I attend a religious institution where I can worship God and interact with other believers.

(October 23, 2016 at 12:12 pm)Minimalist Wrote:

Quote:Let us suppose that, after operating costs (salaries, admin, idiotic hats), the Catholic Church could free up $10 billion to help poor people - not an unreasonable figure, I think.

You also have to deduct the settlements paid to the victims of pervert priests.  That eats up a lot of their budget!

I found a figure of $4 billion paid out to abuse victims so far. A drop in the pontifical bucket.

But I take your point - just think how many of the hungry and homeless could be fed and housed with 4 billion USD.

Boru

So this is where all the athiest come to have there opinions validated, lol.

Yes, validate me oh noodley one for the internet is vast and full of dip-shits.

(October 23, 2016 at 4:57 am)purplepurpose Wrote: Religion survives with all its corruption only because its postures itself as a guide on how to become less greedy and lustful and become a more compassionate person. Its the core. If you think that your living a noble/right/caring life, then what religious doctrine is behind it and especially scientific evidence dont matter at all. Because your living a "perfect life".

In conclusion, blind faith is supported in average sane religious person by noble motives, which legitimize the whole doctrine. And I agree with sane believers, compassion is really painful to accept and "sin" is what keeps me going.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions ... and the bones of nonbelievers.

On the one hand, religions don't need evidence, because they are not experts in reality.

Its for that reason that religious leaders aren't called to the stand during a trial and asked "can you ask god who killed the victim."

On the other hand, that doesn't stop religions from trying to gain power in government in one form or another- whether its countries that uphold sharia law, or religions in the U.S. that lobby congress relentlessly. So evidence or no, they want people to believe their mythology anyways.

(October 23, 2016 at 4:17 pm)Soldat Du Christ Wrote: So this is where all the athiest come to have there opinions validated, lol.

No, it's where we gather to actually discuss stuff.

Why are you here, and what do you add to the mix?