A question for aethiests

[paulos66]

Suppose we're wrong. which god/which religion would you hope was the winner- let's pick the best bits from them all. I'd consider rastafari as I can appreciate their gateway to the almighty - any thoughts?

[paulos66]

Jake, I'd forgotten about him (possibly due to aforementioned gateway) so done a quick google and the answer is no that's a cop out - question was more about long beards and fluffy clouds type of thing

[beryllium]

I'll go with a bit of Akan (gods for everything)....

A bit of Amish (like the furniture)...

Bit of Bantu.... (short life... long sleep...then fun afterwards)

Bit of Budhism...(nirvana) although that can also be reached through Rasta....

and definitely.......


Discordianism...... I could go on... but it's all nonsense....

[idly_enjoys]

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster! That would be so funny.

[jake-the-peg]

Can I have 3 sentences if they come from Albert Einstein?

It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I feel also not able to imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere. My views are near those of Spinoza: admiration for the beauty of and belief in the logical simplicity of the order which we can grasp humbly and only imperfectly. I believe that we have to content ourselves with our imperfect knowledge and understanding and treat values and moral obligations as a purely human problem�the most important of all human problems

[China Doll]

I like that :c)

[Octavius]

There is only one true religion, that which we find inside ourselves, the spiritual. How you choose to express that faith or worship is entirely your choice. The origins of most mainstream religions all have the same message particularly the Abrahamic ones and Buddhism which all have a common route and intention at the original heart. It is just that history has shown us men have hi-jacked and manipulated the interpretations to achieve their own goals and means, whether following the path of Christianity, Islam, Judaism or Buddhism.

If we were to ban all religions or create a �new one faith� then there would be world chaos and spiritual crisis. Man has demonstrated time and time again that he is a savage beast at heart and a leader need only find any common denominator or social fear to promote war and attrocities. Factions would form and divisions would evolve, the spiritual ideology would become a political tool and we would still end up with varying beliefs, practices, intolerance, ignorance and probably bloodshed if we are to believe that religion causes all wars.

[paulos66]

Octavius, is that a vote for the wine, the dope or the pasta then?

[paulos66]

Good point from Beryl though, we need to decide whether to have one or lots; I'll go for lots as it's got to be a tiring confusing job prioritising all those prayers

[beryllium]

Bless you hon ;)

I take it all from here lol xxx

http://www.godulike.co.uk/az.php

[China Doll]

A vote?? Why can't we have all three?

If we're not having all three I ain't joining. I've already got two of the three at home ready and waiting!

Religion does not cause wars but the name of God (Allah, Budda etc..) is usually invoked in whatever war is being faught. Which always confuses me as I thought most religions preached an idea of peace and loving thy neighbour.

I do like the idea being discussed on the below thread regarding a call for better understanding between religions. I agree with Octavius that there will always be divides within religion but I hope that a better understanding of each of them would promote more tolerence towards each other.

I still can't help thinking that something (religion) that causes so much division while at the same time advocating unification though surely must be fataly flawed in some way.

However, people have the right to practise whatever faith they see fit if they wish to do so long as it's not hurting anyone else. But I do reserve the right not to have religion shoved down my throat by the over enthusiastic. Of which there have been two knocking on my door the last two Sundays.

I must need saving.

[Octavius]

In my experience the name of �God� (I can�t recall an Allah or a Zeus bit that is not say it didn�t happen) is also invoked in some of the more intimate moments � an expression of delight (some say gratitude others say exultation). Can we therefore presume that God (Allah, Zeus, the Dalai Llama) also cause orgasms to occur?

[paulos66]

Let's call our god "Youfinishedyet"

[China Doll]

That rather depends on your opinion as to whether God is indeed everywhere Octavius.

As I said, religion does not cause war but I stand by my thought that God is usually perceived to be on both sides in any war.

Man uses the name of God to justify many things. In fact some of the things that are carried out in his name are disgusting. God as I understand it is a peaceful entity. Man it seems is not. I believe organised religion to be flawed.

Personally, if I was God I'd have given up on us a long time ago.

[paulos66]

Never thought of that China, we would be a constant reminder as to how bad a designer god actually is. But I don't want a quitter god - you don't get the job

[China Doll]

We'd be a constant reminder of what happens when you give something free will and choice.

But then if you created something you loved you'd not want them to not have free will now would you?

There is no way I'd apply for the job of God, far too many complaints and I'd unable to fix everything. If you thought having Bush with his finger as on the button (so to speak) was a nerve wracking business, as they saying goes, 'you ain't seen nothing yet.'

[paulos66]

I notice we are mostly keeping away from the mainstream religions here - have they got nothing but the wine to tempt us

[China Doll]

Cake or Death?

[paulos66]

What's in the cake?

[Octavius]

Because it is more of a common interest to pick holes and snub them?

Do you accept Haile Selassie as your god then Paulos? Should we explore as to why this may not be as an enlightened choice as you seem to believe?

[paulos66]

Oct, I've decided against it due to the poor quality of Jamaican herb, I'm now considering becoming a Saddhu