Nope, the God I imagine would be one who we can understand and relate to. A being of science who created everything with science. Morality will still stem from previous books and will be deemed as books to prepare us for the future. To show us the morality needed inorder to truly understand and wield science. Also science is a tool only we humans use, why? Because science is the essence of the love God has for us. The being wants us to become all that we can. The difference between this diety and others is he is no longer around. There is no afterlife, we simply should do good for the sake of our children, family and friends as we would want others to not only treat our selves good but we would also want others to not consider harming those we love too. A simple treat others the way you wish to be treated rule. I don't want a religion that controls people with fear of hell or anything like that. I want people to idiolize this being, and aspire to ecome as great as this God through the means of science, self-awareness and to correct his mistakes of conditional love. To be more than the very being billions may look up to.

(December 15, 2014 at 1:45 am)The_greatest_river Wrote: There are many reasons why an Athiest like myself may dislike or even hate religion. Personally, I dislike the ignorance attatched to so many religions. The fear of searching for the unknown, the absence of empathy towards those who are different, and the blind trust so many have towards those who preach empty and ancient words that do not hold any real meaning in modern society. What I want more than anything is progress, but I do not want to leave others behind simply because they are different. I suggest that for who ever is interested, we create a religion, one that will promote science and individuality. I want to change the role of "God" because religion simply put is a river that leads towards an ocean of the things I listed above. Us humans are more complex than what religion allows for us to understand, but instead of trying to block the river off with facts and logic, why not create a new river that will transition masses into the concept of free though and ambition for higher knowledge. We can change the role of this God from being this male being that has power beyond into something more scientific. A being who created all that we know, through science. I will spare details for those who are interested in conversing. The goal of this is simple, I want to promote higher education, and have religion instead of hindering progress, play a new role and help scientific advancements so we may one day be all that "God" has wanted his children to become. Because like all good fathers (or mothers, I'm making it a male for simplicity), he only wants to see their children achieve greatness and to not only surpass him, but to also not make his same mistakes. Which will be what ties this religion with previous religions making it easier for people to convert. I'm open to criticism, suggestions, or any thoughts at all. Thank you all for reading.

I think your means and your goals are at odds with each other. How can you promote science by asking people to believe in something without evidence?

Rather than makeup up yet another god together with a whole new packs of lies, why not just promote secular humanism, which does virtually everything you're talking about without the god part?

(December 15, 2014 at 1:45 am)The_greatest_river Wrote: I suggest that for who ever is interested, we create a religion, one that will promote science and individuality.

You think that we should form a group in order to promote individuality?

You are not placing yourself in their shoes, Jenny. Science has disproved religion time after time, yet it still exists. Why? the answer is simple, because we are social beings. There are times where we need to feel loved when we're alone, some thing to care for us when no one else answers. God is there. People need this imaginary being to help them during tough times and it is not right to say they're stupid for wanting that. The majority of us are similar in that sense but we coup in different ways. Today 8 out of 10 people world wide affiliate themselves with a religion, regardless of the facts and logic that disproves their personal beliefs they will continue believing in this religion. Science will never beat religion, but instead of fighting religion, why not change it so those who emotionally and psychologically need it can also grow and become free-thinkers. A religion that can be treated like Christmas, where as a child you believe in Santa (this God) and as you grow older you realize (through promoted free thought) that Santa (God) is not real. You still give/recieve presents to/from friends/family even though you don't believe in Santa, so the principles remain after the imaginary being departs. It's training wheels to help humanity. Although yes there may be extremes, but when the ground rules are simple and sweet such as use the gift of doubt, create solutions to problems you may suffer if you were some one else, to treat others the way you wish to be treated, and a final question: if you won't be the change in the world you wish to see, who will?

I understand that I've contradicted myself, but you have to put yourself in their mindset and understand why they are religious. Not all of them are born into it, many choose religion as a cooping measure to help give life more meaning and structure.

(December 15, 2014 at 3:01 am)The_greatest_river Wrote: Where do convicts and drug addicts go when they seek help? They go to religion. There is clearly a very little separation of religion/state (in the US). I do not understand how you see someone using religion as a means to greater thinking can be bad. I'm simply trying to play by the silly rules and use the tools at hand.

No matter how it is put, organized religion is bad. It dumbs people down and stagnates progress. If someone wishes to believe in that myth, it would appear benign, but eventually they organize, create a religion and start doing what religion does best.

The "Inquisition" is a perfect example of religion's potential. There was a thread a while back that brought examples in the 20th century of numerous instances of 'Inquisition-like' behavior and not just the catholics. Just look at this muslim movement.

Religion is bad.

Tell me, since religion is all the same, which religion promotes doubt, knowledge, kindness, problem solving and violence?

It is not the individual or the ideals of the religion, it is the power structure that inevitably arises.

Yes, but what if that structure arises to something new, something better. Why should we not try simply due to the mistakes of past religions.

After 6000 years what do you think will change?

(December 15, 2014 at 3:40 pm)The_greatest_river Wrote: Yes, but what if that structure arises to something new, something better. Why should we not try simply due to the mistakes of past religions.

You still want to appoint yourself intellectual chaperone of mankind by making up and selling them a theology which you know is bogus. If you think you need to do this in order to save humankind from themselves, if you think you know better what's good for them, and that your mission trumps truth until your utopia has arrived, you are exactly replicating the pattern of every fanatic demagogue ever, without even noticing. You basically build something like the communist dictatorships and are one step shy of setting up 1984s ministry of truth - because you betray the principles of enlightenment in the first step.