Experiences Of Religion

[nailit]

It seems to me that everyone who posts here in R&S is very knowledgeable re: religion, more so than the average man in the street. Understandably, posters like goodlife, Theland, Clanad, Keyplus et al would know their own religion but what has led the unbelievers here to be so informed?

My own experience was becoming a 'born again' evangelical christian in my teenage years. After reading the Bible (all of it) I honestly couldnt justify holding the beliefs that I did based on a sick and twisted tome. I left christianity behind when I was in my 20's. However, I retained an interest in all thing spiritual and looked into a lot of different religious viewpoints. All were found wanting although I'm still interested in alternative points of view.

Just curious as to how unbelievers here became so informed?
Its not as though the average man on the street reads the bible and koran is it?
Thanks.

[naomi24]

As you say, nailit, many believers are unwilling to read material that questions the tenets of their faith just as many boffins are reluctant to seriously consider possibilities that are contrary to their current findings or to their preferred world view, but it makes no sense to positively decide upon a specific religion or a specific theory unless other options have been thoroughly examined. As a former Christian who subsequently did just that, I say this in retrospect.

[grasscarp]

Naomi, when you say "it makes no sense to positively decide upon a specific religion or a specific theory unless other options have been thoroughly examined. As a former Christian who subsequently did just that, I say this in retrospect"
Do you mean that when you were a Christian you had thoroughly examined all other religions before you started practising one religion?
If you had been so senseless what suddenly made you sensible?
It would take a long time to "thoroughly examine" every religion in the world before taking up one? How do you do this examination and how long did it take you?

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, //Do you mean that when you were a Christian you had thoroughly examined all other religions before you started practising one religion? //

No, I don't mean that. When I was a Christian I hadn't seriously considered any other religion, or investigated other religions to any great degree. However, having subsequently examined other options I now realise (in retrospect) that it makes no sense to align yourself to one philosophy when you have no idea what else is out there.

[Zacs-Master]

You've attempted to make the non existent conection between reason and religion.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, Sorry, I didn’t answer the rest of your question.

//If you had been so senseless what suddenly made you sensible?//

Reading everything relating to religion that I could get my hands on – including the bible.

//How do you do this examination//

Reading and investigating.

//and how long did it take you?//

Initially, the time it took me to read ‘Chariots of the Gods’ alongside areas of the bible I'd never read.

[grasscarp]

That's not really an answer to how long did this research take Naomi. Thank you for all the rest though.

[naomi24]

Many years - and it's on-going.

[Zacs-Master]

What are you hoping to achieve with your on going research Naomi? Eradication of the possibility that there's a religion which fits your ideals and philosophies perfectly?

[naomi24]

Further knowledge.

[Zacs-Master]

Fair enough. I just thought you may have a sneaking feeling that there might be a religion out there for you which drove your quest.

[grasscarp]

Fascinating that having decided that there is no God and that you are now a atheist that you continue to spend time on this research. Unless you think there is something you have missed why bother Naomi?

[Zacs-Master]

Exactly My point too Grasscarp. Seems like in utter waste of ones time and energy.

[RATTER15]

Grasscarp, //Fascinating that having decided that there is no God and that you are now a atheist that you continue to spend time on this research. Unless you think there is something you have missed why bother Naomi?// because it is actually an interesting subject, and religion still plays a part in our lives whether we like it or not, and some of us don't like it! So we continue to enlighten people that know little of their religion as to the truth behind it, not just the nice bits!

[grasscarp]

Ratter, so this research is to enlighten others. How kind. I was trying to find out why Naomi continues searching.
This morning she wrote "it makes no sense to positively decide upon a specific religion or a specific theory unless other options have been thoroughly examined"
If she decided upon Atheism having thoroughly examined other options there would be no need to continue searching.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp/Zacs, //Unless you think there is something you have missed why bother Naomi? //

I bother because the history, the philosophy, the psychology, and the impact that religion has upon society interests me - and there's always something more to learn. I trust that's alright with you two?

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, //If she decided upon Atheism having thoroughly examined other options there would be no need to continue searching. //

I am not 'searching' - I am learning - see my response above. Why does that bother you so much?

[RATTER15]

Grasscarp, that is not what I said at all, you twist people words to discredit them, that is very dishonest!

[naomi24]

zacs, //I just thought you may have a sneaking feeling that there might be a religion out there for you which drove your quest. //

I don't.

[grasscarp]

Ratter, I didn't twist your words and I am not dishonest. I didn't make up about enlightening people, you wrote it.
Naomi it does not bother me that you devote years reading up on religion. Interests me as to why, nothing more.

[naomi24]

Right.