Can we talk religion?

[Sir Perceval of Daventry]

I remember hearing that C9 would go into the ideas of religion, science and the like....As such and also given that we are mostly mature here--All of us being adults or almost adults--I was wondering if we could have a respectful discussion of religion. Not a debate or a quarrel--but a discussion on theology and various belief systems and the like? I am a Catholic by birth, though I am a seeker of truth and thus open to all ideas. I believe firmly in the existence of God, but I am not sure what interpretation of Him/Her/It is correct for there are so many--That is just my personal belief.

[Fierce Deity]

I am a seeker of truth as well, but without evidence, I am limited to my imagination. I was born into a family that didn't put too much pressure on religion. My father is Jewish and my mother is Catholic, but they never found a balanced view of the two faiths that I could partake in. The two religions were far too contrasted. I don't want to pick a fight, and certainly don't want to debate, but I would be more than happy to discuss what I feel is true and even indulge in what others believe. Although, I wouldn't know where to start. It's hard to dive into a topic so vast, but is there anything you personally wanted to discuss Perceval?

[waltzdancing]

I don't see the harm but if it starts to get out of hand we will have to rethink it.

I agree with you Percival. I think God and his message is different for everyone. It comes down to your background and what you think. I believe in god and the message of heaven but as a scientist I am suppose to question, hence I have come up with my own ideas and stories. Creation is one story that I have my own about but I have also maintained many of the originals, like the rustication and birth of Christ.

It just boils down to you as an individual and what you think. I hope that helped

[Cez]

I had this discussion with Katie recently, actually.

In the past, rules forbid talking of religion and politics just because those always tend to get out of hands. But, with C9, it would be truly hypocrite to prohibit that since the heart of C9 lies in the diversity of religions and how religion clashes with science.

That said, that C9 story would probably take a while before materializing. I'm even considering a simpler story to start the series, with those elements in it but downplayed, because I need more time with the original story to really merge all those ideas I have going in a way that it's not a disaster.

But, even that, C9 seems to be even more far away than expected just because of how things have been playing for us. Still, it is something that we will definitely release one day and it does explore religion at its core, how diverse yet similar things can be in all religious systems, and how they affect our lives.

I'm too a believer of God, but find it hard to believe in religion no questions asked. I've always found myself torn by this, and it's this internal battle exactly what made me come up with the concept of C9.



Again, it would be really hypocrite from us to forbid a discussion like this, but keep it civilized, folks.

[Big C from Cauney island]

If you are interested in new thoughts and perspectives about this, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading the book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman.  They made a movie out of it 3 years ago, which was very good, simply called "Peaceful Warrior".  You should also read Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now".  This changed my whole perspective on things, and really got me thinking. I hope these will be as helpful to you as they have been for me.  I've heard these things described as New Thought, or New Age.  If you don't have time to read the books right now, just rent the movie. This should spark some interest.  It is amazing how crazy our thought processes can be, and how we can actually work against ourselves.  The concept of "God" is also covered in these.  It really changed my thinking around.  If you want any more info or books about this, let me know.  I have found some really interesting stuff.   

(Posted on: October 04, 2011, 09:54:10 AM)

I also started out Catholic, but over time wanted to search out more ideas.

[Sir Perceval of Daventry]

One faith, if "outdated" I'm becoming very interested in as of late is Gnosticism.

[Lambonius]

Historically, religion has always been a means for the few to control the many.  I don't think it is any different today.

[KatieHal]

That was a rule I was glad to get rid of! Talk about it all you like, just no starting religious e-wars

Myself, I was raised Catholic, and technically still am, but I only ever go to church for Christmas & Easter, and the occasional wedding, and only then because my family goes. There are too many things I disagree with the Catholic Church's stance on to really feel like I belong there.

I'm not big on religion as an institution overall, really. I believe in God, but I don't feel like I need a third party to facilitate my relationship to God.

[Cez]

If you are interested in new thoughts and perspectives about this, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading the book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman.  They made a movie out of it 3 years ago, which was very good, simply called "Peaceful Warrior".  You should also read Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now".  This changed my whole perspective on things, and really got me thinking. I hope these will be as helpful to you as they have been for me.  I've heard these things described as New Thought, or New Age.  If you don't have time to read the books right now, just rent the movie. This should spark some interest.  It is amazing how crazy our thought processes can be, and how we can actually work against ourselves.  The concept of "God" is also covered in these.  It really changed my thinking around.  If you want any more info or books about this, let me know.  I have found some really interesting stuff.   

(Posted on: October 04, 2011, 09:54:10 AM)

I also started out Catholic, but over time wanted to search out more ideas.

The Power of Now was a book that inspired my fav band's last studio album, Marillion's "Happiness is the Road". The songs have some powerful lyrics in them.

[wilco64256]

I think in general whatever you believe in should be something that motivates you to be a better person.

[Blackthorne]

Religion is more fun as a historical study or as an observer of human curiosity.  To practice it is often an exercise in madness.


Bt

[wilco64256]

C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" is actually a really fascinating observation of religion.  Definitely worth a read.  He really understood quite a lot about why people behave the way that they do under religious influences.

[Lambonius]

Religion is like a  [censored].

It's fine to have one.

It's fine to be proud of it.

But please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around.

And PLEASE don't try to shove it down my children's throats.

[Deloria]

Religion is more fun as a historical study or as an observer of human curiosity.  To practice it is often an exercise in madness.


Bt

Some people can't deal with nihilism. I think it's good that those people have a different, more meaningful (in their eyes) worldview they can cling to. I don't need it though; I find that no religious doctrine I have examined makes sense to me and I feel more comfortable with nihilism and atheism.

[KatieHal]

Lambonius, unlike you, I don't need to spell it out.

One more violation and you're suspended.

[Sir Perceval of Daventry]

Religion is more fun as a historical study or as an observer of human curiosity.  To practice it is often an exercise in madness.


Bt

Some people can't deal with nihilism. I think it's good that those people have a different, more meaningful (in their eyes) worldview they can cling to. I don't need it though; I find that no religious doctrine I have examined makes sense to me and I feel more comfortable with nihilism and atheism.

If life is meaningless, why is it worth protecting?

[Deloria]

Religion is more fun as a historical study or as an observer of human curiosity.  To practice it is often an exercise in madness.


Bt

Some people can't deal with nihilism. I think it's good that those people have a different, more meaningful (in their eyes) worldview they can cling to. I don't need it though; I find that no religious doctrine I have examined makes sense to me and I feel more comfortable with nihilism and atheism.

If life is meaningless, why is it worth protecting?

It was made very clear that this isn't an ideological debate, but rather a place where people can explain their views.

[MusicallyInspired]

It's important to remember that religion and spirituality are often nowadays two completely different things. Religion has become something that instead of supporting spirituality, rather became the epitome of man-made tradition and ritual that completely destroyed the entire point of spirituality. It became more of a rulebook and rights and wrongs when all that completely misses the whole point.

And that's all I'm gonna say in this thread because religion threads aren't fun.

[Blackthorne]

It's important to remember that religion and spirituality are often nowadays two completely different things. Religion has become something that instead of supporting spirituality, rather became the epitome of man-made tradition and ritual that completely destroyed the entire point of spirituality. It became more of a rulebook and rights and wrongs when all that completely misses the whole point.

Well said, man.  Very true.


Bt

[Fierce Deity]

Religion is more fun as a historical study or as an observer of human curiosity.  To practice it is often an exercise in madness.


Bt

Some people can't deal with nihilism. I think it's good that those people have a different, more meaningful (in their eyes) worldview they can cling to. I don't need it though; I find that no religious doctrine I have examined makes sense to me and I feel more comfortable with nihilism and atheism.

If life is meaningless, why is it worth protecting?

Why would it not be worth protecting? Just because one is an atheist, doesn't mean they have to forfeit their right to live. Even as animals, humans have to sustain their well-being as a species. Even without an order governing over us, we shouldn't be like lemmings walking off a cliff, because life is meaningless. We've already come so far with technology, should we give that up because there's a possibility of a present state of nihilism in this world?

Just to affirm my intentions, I'm not debating, but I'd rather hear what someone thinks of nihilism and of the questions that I asked. They were not rhetorical questions.

(Posted on: October 05, 2011, 01:15:52 AM)

There are too many things I disagree with the Catholic Church's stance on to really feel like I belong there.

I'm not big on religion as an institution overall, really. I believe in God, but I don't feel like I need a third party to facilitate my relationship to God.

Amen!