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Buddhism has a lot of similarities with stoicism. The conclusions are a bit different, but basic ideas are pretty much the same -- with desire being the cause of suffering and all that. It's also somewhat related to taoism, with the idea that there is a natural order that one should strive to be one with.
What sets it apart is the explicit focus on formalized thought and logic.
Hey look, Japan made a movie about me!
Quite the concept I must say. Can't say that I can completely understand it, but I get the big picture.
If I had to put on a survey what I believe in, I would say Deism. I believe that the whole miracle fiasco is a lie. I am however not all read on Deism so saying that I am a Deist would make me sound retarded.
Hey im catholic.Ya religious conflict leads to war but the morale religion teaches makes most people peaceful. I know that two people even of the same religion let alone a different one will argue on simple matters and not speak to each other because of it simply because they perceive readings in different ways. Thats why i like to follow the ethics and how to treat humanity kindly, like the golden rule. basically morale of religions and guidelines are the only thing that can really bring peace.
This hand of mine glows with an awesome power. Its burning grip tells me to defeat you
Now here I go. Shining Finger!!!!
There's not much to say. Do you believe in a distant god that doesn't manipulate the universe? If so, congratulations you're a deist. It's a rather succinct philosophy, like atheism or agnosticism.
Excuse me a second while I blow your mind...Originally Posted by Ai no nai
Last edited by Manhattan_Project_2000; 01-16-2009 at 09:28 PM.
Ehhh, I dunno if I'll stick around. We'll see.
The List of Hate, My self-indulgent journal-thing.
Last Post: Video Vomit 05/11/11
People believe what they want. I don't think making it go away will really solve anything...?
Sorta Kinda Off Topic:
There are religions devoted to Star Wars and Star Trek.
I want to join a Harry Potter cult. How fun would it be to go to church called Hogwarts. Harry will be like Jesus. And Voldemort will be Satan (who didn't see that coming?)
Hey look, Japan made a movie about me!
That is actually a very fine argument, and I really like the way you refuted my argument.
But you do mention that moralily is an aspect of cultural ideas and values. I have to disagree on this point. Most religions become the foundation of culture, so religion may play an indirect role in morality. Just take a look at Indias "Sacred Cow". Those people would rather endure hunger for long periods of time rather than kill their own cattle.
But the god-part of a religion (what makes it a religion as opposed to just a philosophy) has no connection to this process, as I can see it. Yes religions in general has a profound effect on a society, but it is not because they are religions they have such an effect, but because they are wide spread. You see the same thing with political ideologies.
I can't find anything that would prevent a philosophy that is not theistic from accomplishing the same. If you do find such an obstacle, please do share it with me.
Last edited by Eris; 01-16-2009 at 11:52 PM.
Hey look, Japan made a movie about me!
I'm still waiting for an answer to my question.
Name one moral value that is had by religious doctrines that could not be had by non religious people?
Any takers?
I think the morality that actually keeps humanity going(not killing, stealing)
could easily be had without religion.
If someone can name me one legit great moral or doctrine of kindness that religion holds that a non religious person could not hold I will give you a positive rep.
Last edited by OmegaAlpha; 01-17-2009 at 12:54 AM.
The more I go about reading this thread, the more I suspect OP just wanted to say "religion sux amirite?"
It saddens me that there are so many people responding with the basic concept of "lol u r rite" instead of, you know, NOT equating faith with a fatal disease.
Organized religion in and of itself is no more harmful or detrimental to society than a knife. The problem is when it's used to harm rather than help.
Visit the Toy Dungeon Studios Store and buy a shirt or zipper pull, damnit!
Ahhh....exactly. Well done. You will be rewarded with cake.
In response to OmegaAlpha's question, I think that there are plenty of moral values that can be taught to person without religion being attached to it. You do not have to be Christian to understand that stealing something from someone is bad, because they may need that thing, that its against the law, etc.
However, a few laws are...complex, enough that some type of spirituality would be involved in their planning. For example, taking the life of another person is against the law but why is that? For a religious person, it is because life is sacred and taking the life of another person can lead to not only punishment in the physical realm (going to jail for the rest of your life or sentenced to death) but also in the spiritual realm (going to Hell, reincarnated into something horrible/hated, etc). But why should an atheist worry about the spiritual consequences of killing someone? Sure, it is against the law, but that does not stop people from doing other things that are illegal. So why is killing someone so bad, so hated, such that it has some of the harshest punishments on a person who commits such a crime?
*That is just a philosophical question; I am really looking for an answer.*
This is my war face.
This is what happens to trolls who mess with me.
On the other hand, since religion teaches us that murderers and other criminals will be punished in the afterlife by God, why should society seek to punish them in life?
Centralized power of any sort is incredibly prone towards corruption and misuse. It attracts power grubbing sociopaths like files are attracted to excrement. Any and all organizations that follow this pattern, be they religions, corporations or unions, are inherently detrimental to society.
Last edited by Eris; 01-17-2009 at 01:13 PM.
Hey look, Japan made a movie about me!
Do I really have to answer that question? Because I'm not sure if I can do it without being condescending.
Now if you mean "Why would an Atheist disapprove of killing someone," then the answer is enlightened self-interest and/or genuine sentiment. It does not benefit anyone to live a a society where vendetta killings are going on left and right, because society would quickly break down. I think you're confusing Atheism with Nihilism. The ethical code the vast majority of atheists follow is secular humanism, so I suggest you read that article (although keep in mind that humanists have no dogma, so they are likely to disagree over many points).
Last edited by Manhattan_Project_2000; 01-17-2009 at 01:23 PM.
Ehhh, I dunno if I'll stick around. We'll see.
The List of Hate, My self-indulgent journal-thing.
Last Post: Video Vomit 05/11/11
That did not quite answer the question I had because you didn't name a moral value that religious people have that non religious people cannot have. I would also add that if religious people are only good and not out killing and robbing people 24/7 because they want to avoid hell... that's pretty scary.
I'll answer your questions though.
"Why should an atheist worry about the spiritual consequences of killing someone?"
They should not worry about the spiritual consequences. They might worry about the legal consequences. Sitting in a jail cell forever is kind of a let down. Many religious people sit in prison for murder too, they are not exempt. If fear of the law isn't working, fear of God isn't working either.
"So why is killing someone so bad, so hated, such that it has some of the harshest punishments on a person who commits such a crime?"
Murder is "bad" and "hated". Killing for other reasons is accepted and practiced on all levels of life from the hunter to the military.
We did not need religion to teach us that murdering people is a bad thing.
It's "bad" because losing your life is no fun. People desire to live. This might seem simple but it's really not more simple than "we don't murder because God will be angry".
Humans are not these evil time bombs of terror. We don't generally murder because it's not very nice and it serves us no purpose. We like to be alive and we assume others like being alive too.
Last edited by OmegaAlpha; 01-17-2009 at 03:33 PM.
This is my war face.
This is what happens to trolls who mess with me.
In my eyes, religion is no more than an excuse for the weak to remain so. Having the ability to pawn off all of life's hardships, saying it's the will of a higher being, and not taking responsibility for your own errors, is religion to a T. Having an almighty, powerful god(s) or goddess(es) is another way for people to avoid taking ownership of their lives. Personally, I know it's my own doing everything bad or good in my life has happened, as it will be my own doing for anything that WILL happen. It's up to people, not some higher being, to change people. To change the world. To make good. To make bad. It is not "God's Will" that you have cancer. It's because you smoke ten ****ing packs a day. It's not god's will that you are a fatass, it's because you eat unhealthy food and don't go for a walk everyday. Having a "GOD" is a reason for you to say, oh well, out of my control. It's NOT out of your control, you alone have the power to lead your life, don't pawn it off to a non existent being that we thought up one day. "God" as however you feel it exists, is an idea merely meant for taking the blame. Sure, there are a couple religions out there that DO place the blame on ourselves, as it should. And to those FEW religions, if you can call them that, get my respect.
I agree with you 100%
open up your mind
and let some
thought inside
I don't know what type of religion you're thinking of, but in Christianity, Islam, Buhhism and such this is very far from true. True, some people will say that "it's God's punishment blahblah" but even if that's true then surely there are rules and guidelines one has to follow, meaning responsibility does exist.In my eyes, religion is no more than an excuse for the weak to remain so. Having the ability to pawn off all of life's hardships, saying it's the will of a higher being, and not taking responsibility for your own errors, is religion to a T.
So if you sat under a tree and an apple fell on yourhead it's your fault because you sat down? If everyone had control over what happened in their life without restriction the world would be in chaos.Having an almighty, powerful god(s) or goddess(es) is another way for people to avoid taking ownership of their lives. Personally, I know it's my own doing everything bad or good in my life has happened, as it will be my own doing for anything that WILL happen. It's up to people, not some higher being, to change people. To change the world.
True, it would not be in God's will that one would suffer. But while I might be underestimating the number of peple who use god as a scapegoat, you're surely overestimating it.To make good. To make bad. It is not "God's Will" that you have cancer. It's because you smoke ten ****ing packs a day. It's not god's will that you are a fatass, it's because you eat unhealthy food and don't go for a walk everyday. Having a "GOD" is a reason for you to say, oh well, out of my control.
What of the person who has terminal cancer or something? What power does he have to lead his life? What of the orphan child wandering the streets? Truth is everyone of us needs help from time to time, we've all been in situations where we are powerless to help ourselves.It's NOT out of your control, you alone have the power to lead your life, don't pawn it off to a non existent being that we thought up one day.
This is never the reason for God in any religion. There could be a god of war, or something, or an Omnipotent God, or a God who just created everything and left, but I don't recal there being a God for being a scapegoat."God" as however you feel it exists, is an idea merely meant for taking the blame.
Last edited by BestFly; 01-17-2009 at 07:11 PM.
Hmm. I suppose you could look at it that way. And I am somewhat biased, being raised in church. Hell, I'm VERY biased, I know that. I'm also jaded to the fact that I was raised being told that this wonderful being was here to help me with my problems, and to trust myself to him fully. And I did, for about four years. I didn't question anything, I was told to just accept it as fate, that it's god's will, and I have to power to change anything.
I left the church about three years ago, and my life has never been better. I took the reins of my own life, and never looked back. I didn't need a god to do it for me, he couldn't have.
Though I suppose I am also cursed with a fighting will. I can't just resign myself to the beliefs of others, without good reason. That he is almighty and awesome is not enough for me, and I assume not enough for the fellow thinkers.
I saw the giant hypocrisy in the church firsthanded, and several times. It is very easy to say one thing, and do another, as it has been done for a long time. Religion, in it;s infancy was a great thing, it kept people in check, it gave them hope, it woke them up in the morning. Which is good. But people should give people hope.
D: I'm at a loss for words right now. :P I'll post more once I figure out how to say what I'm thinking.
open up your mind
and let some
thought inside
Why does this even have to be brought up? I mean we all have our own beliefs and what not. No one will be able to change my or anyone else's mind. I believe 'just getting an opinion' is a very, VERY risky thing to do since some people are pretty protective of their religion.
~The One and Only~
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