(October 23, 2016 at 3:03 pm)Lek Wrote:(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.
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.
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(October 23, 2016 at 8:36 pm)Soldat Du Christ Wrote:(October 23, 2016 at 7:37 pm)TheMonster Wrote: Yes of course, it is true in some sense.
Christians have such a false persecution complex in the west. This makes no sense as they are the majority and symbols and references to Christianity is everywhere. You are constantly reminded that this is a Christian country and that its values should be our laws.... cleverly masqueraded as "social conservatism"... an excuse to impose one's convoluted sense of morals based on theology onto others.
Atheists are indeed inconvenienced in this country and that is a fact. You have to believe in a God to become an elected official in some states (even though this is a blatant violation of the US constitution) . Prayer in schools, prayer in places of work... doesn't bother me but sure as hell weird and unwanted in a public institution run on tax dollars. Atheists are less trusted than rapists and pedophiles... so obviously being open about one's atheist views is detrimental as a whole. Discrimination is common and complaints are dismissed without much investigation. There are more atheists than Jews in America, but do we have a special interest group? Do politicians say anything good about us or at least pretend to represent our interests? No... what does that tell you?
So yes, it is nice for once to have a community where our views can be discussed without being judged by society. Validation of this nature is hard to come by in America, which is taken for granted by Christian folk.
Hmm. While i don't disagree that belief in a "God" is the standard of america, i'd hardly say it's Jesus that people look up too. The biblical Jesus anyway, not the strawman jesus to make people feel like they are good people. And i think you guys have been playing the minority card for too long now, athiesm is more than accepted at least here in north Cal.
Also, evolution is taught in schools, that requires more faith to believe in since we've never observed New DNA information being introduced through genetic mutation or any other method. Should be taught in a private school