Originally Posted by AtifSajid
First, thank you AtifSajid for remembering some of the past discussion and recalling it as 'good conversation'.
I dont mind intelligent disagreement, I even welcome and appreciate it as a springboard to greater personal understanding, but often these topics only lead to retarded responses and/flame offs. I appreciate your responses being other then that!
Secondly, Hulud has stated a fairly decent description of who/what I am. I belong to no organized religion. I am not here to 'covert' anyone to any church...just get people to study and think for themselves...if thats possible. Much of my commentary has been directed at so called Christians from their own Book...rather then 'others'. That being said, my beliefs could be described as "christian" in the sense that they often coincide with Biblical teachings.
I have spent a considerable time studying that book from a historic, scientific, and logical perspective, comparing it to what I have observed in life...so I have some knowlege of it. I do believe in Creation and a Creator because scientifically and logically that's what makes the most sense to me and what I see the most physical evidence for.
There are many teachings and principles in the Bible that I find no solid argument against...at least an argument that makes sense....there's always argument.
My life is busy enough currently that I have not the time needed to intelligently discuss religion here. And its my old fogie opinion that if I have no time to discuss something intelligently then I say nothing much.
As for the topic...organized religion...in general I believe organized religions to be mostly a complete failure. The reason is that the organizations are of men, controlled and designed of men, and not controlled by a God or Creator...which is mans fault, not God's. In every religion there are those that see things the way they want it, rather then how it actually is. The most obvious examples are Christian, Jewish, & Muslim extremists who persecute and kill people they disagree with. No religion is without blemish in this department. Much is made about Muslim extremists and given the current world situation and happenings thats understandable...but if one is completely and historically honest, the largest quantity of crimes against humanity have been perpetrated by Catholic/Christian entities. Of course, in reality no action excuses the other.
If one investigates the real underlying principles of some religions one will find that SELF, the works of man, are the real center of the focus, even if disguised with rituals and other 'religious' hype. I find such religions mostly worthless and nothing more then mankind admiring himself....but I will not name them here, so dont ask! LOL
Its true that many follow only traditions and the words of pastors, ministers, teachers, priests, gurus, 'holy men' and the like...without much honest personal study, understanding, or growth. That being said, there are "God-like" decent people in every religion, who actually LIVE the principles.
On a side note...
As for science and religion being exact opposites...thats hardly the case. Much (not all) of mankinds science, especially evolutionary science, violates its own basic principles and takes huge amounts of faith to believe. In fact, many scientists have way more faith in unsubstantiated nonsense and theories then Christians, Jews, or Muslims have in their religions.
Okay...back to my cars and parts...I'll leave the serious stuff to you folks. Have fun!
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