Support NeoGAF

[Tschumi]

I'm a confirmed roman catholic but i moved to Beijing when i was about 15 and when i was confronted by the breadth, complexity, variety and depth of the real world, i realised religion was a sideshow. I'd lived in four countries before then, but they were all western, and i was too young to choose about attending church.

.. i don't have anything against religious people, they'll never touch my theory-of-existence thought processes, and if they try to imply that they're right about stuff that is clearly speculative they won't get much agreement from me, but i know and love many religious people and don't care about their personal beliefs.

I think, in brief terms, that religion is the same thing as science, it just uses a less sensible system for explaining the universe.

 

[Blade2.0]

Raised Catholic. Now agnostic-atheist. I'll believe in a God or gods when they are proven to exist. Not before. No religion of earth has proven a being like described in their books exists, therefore as of right now I have no reason to believe any of them are real. But bust out some undeniable proof and I'll believe in the deity or deities that are proven.

 

[BadBurger]

I was raised by a Catholic father and Protestant mother - but neither were very religious either way. We even worshipped at a Methodist church for a short while.

I'm not religious myself now as an adult, no. I was actually heavy into the skeptical movement for a while until I lost interest in that as well. I am agnostic now.

 

[nkarafo]

Atheist here but i wish i was religious, life and death would be more tolerable.

Cannot lie to myself though. The truth isn't what makes us feel more comfortable. Sometimes it's harsh.

 

[Ionian]

I grew up Catholic, had no choice. Forced to study the bible, was just part of the school ciriculum. You had to.

Also forced to go to mass until my late teens.

Hated it, was done with it. Same droning stories again and again.

However I did witness some spectacular things in those with faith. My GrandFather for example set himself on fire when making breakfast. I think he dozed off or had a stroke, his burns were absolutely horrific. Burnt flesh, charred bones. I also do not say this lightly.

His faith saved him. Real or not it was to him and he fought to live another day.
There is nothing wrong in believing in something once you don't hurt someone else.

When I got older (referring to being a kid) I asked my Father if he did (pray before bed), he said "No". I felt so cheated. So then I stopped.

But the strength it can give people is undeniable and more power to them.

 

[Ionian]

Raised Catholic. Now agnostic-atheist. I'll believe in a God or gods when they are proven to exist. Not before. No religion of earth has proven a being like described in their books exists, therefore as of right now I have no reason to believe any of them are real. But bust out some undeniable proof and I'll believe in the deity or deities that are proven.

Not how belief works, good luck getting your deity bro!

Not like religion hasn't existed before Catholism.

How to prove a God? Easy, be one.

 

[Amiga]

That's a human problem in general. You can just as easily label that tool "religion", as historically religion has been used as an excuse many times in many cultures to hold dominion over others.

That is my point, anything can be abused. so it's not a good measure to point at the wrong cause. the bad events miss-associated with religion happen many generations after the 1st. and usually amongst illtreat societies that lost the deep knowledge of the true teachings, making room for exploiters to twist religion for their own purpose.
another thing is that after some time the religion becomes an identity. and evolves into nationalistic attachment that distorts the original unifying message. the identity persists and drives conflict even after the establishment of secular society.
the Lebanon civil war erupted in the most secular country in Middle East at the time because of religious identity amongst non religious people. same can be said about the Northern Ireland conflict.
ignorance can be methodically manufactured also. after the the collapse of Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan, many regions got under militia control. they isolate communities and indoctrinate the children. and de-legitimize the senior mainstream scholars in the Muslim world.

Ask 100 religious people what "ultimate truth" is, and you'll get 100 different answers.

actually will give more common answers than you think. about half the planet believe in the God of Abraham. and even more believe in the one will.

On the other hand, 5 +5 will (almost) always equal 10.

"studies have shown 15% of a .001 % sample will probably" is what gets pushed as science today. hardly (5+5) arguments. and people who point that out are proclaimed science heretics. it is being used as the tool now because people are mostly less religious today.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Raised Roman Catholic, went through an edgy atheist phase during the teenage years, am now religious, or rather spiritual, again. Really enjoy reading the Bible, though my interpretation of it is not canon among my fellow Catholics.

 

[manfestival]

Raised non-denominational Christian. Been in a life limbo since I reached adulthood. I guess if I had to claim something then agnostic would be where I have been for a good chunk of my life. Never went atheist, just have always been convinced that there has to be a higher existence.

 

[Blade2.0]

Not how belief works, good luck getting your deity bro!

Not like religion hasn't existed before Catholism.

How to prove a God? Easy, be one.

I just find it crazy that no god can defend themselves. Always needs humans to do it. if that isn't a dead giveaway...

 

[Dark Star]

I believe in a higher power that isn't the monotheistic god or whatever. Like Pantheism. We are all from the same "source" and we are god/gods, the universe observing itself. I think humans can learn from mushrooms and natural life, but instead we chase money and materialistic shit that doesn't help us. We have lost connection to the source, people are brainwashed.

 

[Omega Supreme Holopsicon]

i honestly haven't read a lot of the bible yet. very little infact as i hardly knew where to start. i did start at genesis but was quickly overwhelmed so jumped to Matthew in the New Testament.

the things that i'm conflicted about so far are how men seem to be treated more important than woman which i don't think is fair. i get it eve was created from the rib of adam so get the bible's argument that men are superior as they are meant to be created in gods image. there also seems to be a lot of focus on geneaology. that doesn't bother me but it is a bit tedious/confusing. the thing that i'm really struggling with is if i can believe in god. for most of my life i've been questioning everything and keeping an open mind but i feel like to believe in god i need not question many things and just trust in him. at this point it feels like a book is wanting to tell me how to life my life. not god. maybe i can learn to have faith in god but im so conflicted and confused.

There are 3 Abrahamic religions, there's Judaism, there's Christianity and there's Islam. If you decide you're going to follow the God of Abraham you should check the information of those in favor and those against each, and see what you think is right. You may choose one or you may choose none.

I'm currently checking out arguments in favor of Judaism. For example the youtube channel of Rabbi Tovia Singer, comments on some of the reasons Jews remained Jews and don't follow Christianity. It is very interesting.

the problem is people with ambition and lack of sympathy deliberately using any tool to dominate other people. that tool could be labeled "science/reason".
seeking comfort for comforts sake is self delusion. true religion is about ultimate truth. practicing religious people give up a lot of pleasures and comforts in life and put up with misconceptions of people about them.

Thankfully the 3 Abrahamic faiths have some claims about End Times, and I do believe we are near end times, iirc. Right now it seems we are entering the collapse of civilization due to climate change and peak fossil energy. There's a small chance of technology saving the world, but it seems collapse is likelier. Clearly, if civilization collapses never to recover(most of the easy fossil fuel sources consumed, most of the easy to mine good ores consumed), and kills most humans with only a few random tribes remaining, all the prophecies would not be fulfilled. Now there's the possibility of miraculous intervention, but barring that it does seem like the prophecies would depend on technology saving man from utter destruction. This is excluding that ecological collapse could even result in the extinction of humans.

If the prophecies can still occur a religion can claim to be Truth, but if the prophecies prove false, the religion will prove false.

 

[lukilladog]

Nah, first time I realized something was wrong was back when I started reading the bible as a child and telling my Grandmother (still hardcore catholic) that there used to be people that lived 900 years, she gave an affirmative response but I noticed she was not convinced. Anyway, I grew up in that enviroment with everybody telling me that I had to believe (at school, house and church), as if it was some kind of duty, until the point I started to realize that I was trying to convince and validate myself as a believer a bit too hard, and you know, that´s not how a true belief works... so, looking for true belief, I started to dig a bit more and came to the conclusion that the bible is evidence yes, but of yet another man made myth, theistic moral systems don´t work, and naturalism better explains the world.

 

[dr_octagon]

The 4 things I don't talk about are my beliefs, politics and maths ability.

 

[farmerboy]

Spiritual and of faith? Yes.
Religious, as in church religious? No
Does God exist? Not in the way we think.

It is much bigger than that.

I just feel like there is an undeniable connection between ALL things. That connection, that collective conscience? That is where God exists. There is a source to all that exists, and we'll eventually return to that source.

 

[Ionian]

I just find it crazy that no god can defend themselves. Always needs humans to do it. if that isn't a dead giveaway...

Never said I believed, I did until I didn't.

Was forced on me.

However believe in it for the sake of those it helps.

Truly does help some people.

 

[Halo is Back]

I am a very proud and happy atheist, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Fundamentally I believe it's a huge mistake to build your outlook on life around a non-existent god (of any denomination) because you are giving yourself a foundation for life that is on very shaky ground. It's like trying to build a house on air.

Good mental strength and resilience comes from a solid footing - and you get that by having a practical, sensible and realistic way of perceiving the world, which comes from eschewing religious doctrine, in favour of an actual understanding and appreciation of what's around you. There's more joy and awe to be had from understanding how a supernova functions, or why that yellow flower looks and smells so lovely, than there ever will be from reading two thousand year old books written by primitive humans.

Okay, it might not seem like a good thing at first to accept and understand that the universe has no plan for you, but it's actually ultimately very freeing and healthy to appreciate that the only thing in this universe you are beholden to is yourself, and the people around you.

The most grounded, sensible and calmest people I know are fellow atheists or sometimes agnostics. While nothing guarantees you happiness, I'd strongly argue that atheism gives you the best chance of achieving it through self improvement, brought on by the secure knowledge that only you are responsible for your life - nothing and no one else. There are no safety nets, shortcuts or easy ways out. If you feel like you are struggling with your mental health OP, I can heartily recommend leaving religious doctrine behind, and embracing the surety and security of a religion free life, where you'll stop looking outward for answers, and look inside yourself instead.





also you get to eat babies

I'm an atheist but I do recognize the importance and healing factor religion has on people and for that reason I respect it. I've seen people permanently kick their drug or porn addictions because of their newfound religious beliefs. Being a part of a religious community is a protective factor in itself. Everyone has the right to decide for themselves what they believe in.

 

[FunkMiller]

I'm an atheist but I do recognize the importance and healing factor religion has on people and for that reason I respect it. I've seen people permanently kick their drug or porn addictions because of their newfound religious beliefs. Being a part of a religious community is a protective factor in itself. Everyone has the right to decide for themselves what they believe in.

Contrary point: I’ve seen many people suffer mental health issues due to their religious upbringing. Also seen families broken up, bigotry, and intolerance due to religious beliefs. For me, the advantages of religion are far smaller than the disadvantages.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Contrary point: I’ve seen many people suffer mental health issues due to their religious upbringing. Also seen families broken up, bigotry, and intolerance due to religious beliefs. For me, the advantages of religion are far smaller than the disadvantages.

I tend to agree with this assessment. I have seen faith accomplish some amazing things, but I have also seen horrific acts that come from the same wellspring.
If you look at it through the course of human history, I feel like it has been a net loss for humanity.

 

[highrider]

I am a very proud and happy atheist, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Fundamentally I believe it's a huge mistake to build your outlook on life around a non-existent god (of any denomination) because you are giving yourself a foundation for life that is on very shaky ground. It's like trying to build a house on air.

Good mental strength and resilience comes from a solid footing - and you get that by having a practical, sensible and realistic way of perceiving the world, which comes from eschewing religious doctrine, in favour of an actual understanding and appreciation of what's around you. There's more joy and awe to be had from understanding how a supernova functions, or why that yellow flower looks and smells so lovely, than there ever will be from reading two thousand year old books written by primitive humans.

Okay, it might not seem like a good thing at first to accept and understand that the universe has no plan for you, but it's actually ultimately very freeing and healthy to appreciate that the only thing in this universe you are beholden to is yourself, and the people around you.

The most grounded, sensible and calmest people I know are fellow atheists or sometimes agnostics. While nothing guarantees you happiness, I'd strongly argue that atheism gives you the best chance of achieving it through self improvement, brought on by the secure knowledge that only you are responsible for your life - nothing and no one else. There are no safety nets, shortcuts or easy ways out. If you feel like you are struggling with your mental health OP, I can heartily recommend leaving religious doctrine behind, and embracing the surety and security of a religion free life, where you'll stop looking outward for answers, and look inside yourself instead.





also you get to eat babies

This is stunningly arrogant. You’ve never been beaten up have you? But fr, you can’t prove or disprove the existence of anything dude in regards to higher power, you’re as clueless as the rest of us, but I suspect that’s a hard pill for you to swallow.

 

[Amiga]

..Also seen families broken up, bigotry, and intolerance due to religious beliefs.

You will find the actual problem is that they have little actual knowledge of their religion.

 

[Ionian]

Contrary point: I’ve seen many people suffer mental health issues due to their religious upbringing. Also seen families broken up, bigotry, and intolerance due to religious beliefs. For me, the advantages of religion are far smaller than the disadvantages.

With respect, just do it.

Some people grow up with it.

Edit: yeah but...

 

[Ionian]

With respect, just do it.

Some people grow up with it.

Edit: yeah but...

didn't mean you. misquoted my good man,

 

[FunkMiller]

This is stunningly arrogant. You’ve never been beaten up have you? But fr, you can’t prove or disprove the existence of anything dude in regards to higher power, you’re as clueless as the rest of us, but I suspect that’s a hard pill for you to swallow.

What’s arrogant about it? It’s what I think. And I think I’m correct.

This thread has so far been conducted very well, with people expressing their opinions without resorting to insulting others.

Maybe try that, instead of being such a douchebag?

 

[Ash Sparrow]

Christian, God has always been my happiest place and Jesus my closest friend.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Christian, God has always been my happiest place and Jesus my closest friend.

This but Satan instead for me.

 

[Fbh]

I consider myself agnostic.
Don't really believe in any of the religions but it's impossible to discard the possibility that there is some higher being or god. Though my personal belief is that if such an entity exists, humanity is way less relevant to it then we like to assume.

 

[kurisu_1974]

Life is already complex as it is, we hardly understand a fraction of our universe or even our own minds, why complicate it even further with adding another unexplained layer of supernatural beliefs.

Funny thing... Jehovah's Witnesses don't do that.

Thought you were talking about the child abuse at first, but yeah the money thing makes more sense.

 

[Peggies]

This but Satan instead for me.

I for myself welcome the dark lord with all his beauty and graciousness (and butter and dresses).

After all, who wouldst not like to live deliciously?

 

[Maiden Voyage]

I for myself welcome the dark lord with all his beauty and graciousness (and butter and dresses).

After all, who wouldst not like to live deliciously?

May fire and damnation always be with you, Sorceress.

 

[Peggies]

May fire and damnation always be with you, Sorceress.

 

[Ionian]

I for myself welcome the dark lord with all his beauty and graciousness (and butter and dresses).

After all, who wouldst not like to live deliciously?

Busted out laughing, please never ever change.

 

[Halo is Back]

Contrary point: I’ve seen many people suffer mental health issues due to their religious upbringing. Also seen families broken up, bigotry, and intolerance due to religious beliefs. For me, the advantages of religion are far smaller than the disadvantages.

That is a fair assessment but religion has its place and value in society. It's not all black and bad which is something I used to think of as. I've also met plenty of miserable atheists who do nothing but shit on other religions and act intellecticuly superior while doing it. It all depends on the person really and what they want to do with their life.

 

[Bartski]

Religion is an artefact of evolution born out of fear of death and the unknown. There is no point in arguing which bronze age book of fairytales is better.

 

[QuantumZebra]

I believe in a god-consciousness (the Baghavad Ghita talks of this - tangentially Hindu) that we are all a part of.

There isn't some space dude/lady watching you jerk off. We are literally in the celestial brain of god(dess) itself.

The analogy I give people for my philosophy is this:

"Imagine Iron Man in your head.... on a microcosmic level you have created an actual "Iron Man" in your mind... now extrapolate that across absolutely incomprehensible size/space/time... we are the imagination of a celestial being. Our entire existence could be a millisecond to this being, but to us it is eons."

My reasoning is simply patterns. From an atom to a universe - the pattern repeats - nucleus, surrounding bodies, etc. Our bodies themselves are hosts for millions of organisms that we can't even see.

 

[synchronicity]

I don't find that truth can be confined to a rigid "box". The dogmatism that tries to do so, both secular and religious, is the cause of much trouble.

 

[BigBooper]

I amuses me that people will make up their own meaning or philosophy while dismissing religions that are hundreds or thousands of years old as being made up. I wonder how much of Plato's thoughts he came up with while sitting on the toilet.

 

[FunkMiller]

That is a fair assessment but religion has its place and value in society. It's not all black and bad which is something I used to think of as. I've also met plenty of miserable atheists who do nothing but shit on other religions and act intellecticuly superior while doing it. It all depends on the person really and what they want to do with their life.

No doubt there are positives to religion, otherwise it wouldn’t have lasted this long. But, as stated, the bad seems to outweigh the good. At least for me.

Yes, there are too many miserable, negative atheists. I tend to find they are mainly disillusioned ex-religious folk who feel like something is missing from their lives now.

I want to a be a standard bearer for positive, happy atheism. It’s great!

 

[lukilladog]

I tend to agree with this assessment. I have seen faith accomplish some amazing things, but I have also seen horrific acts that come from the same wellspring.
If you look at it through the course of human history, I feel like it has been a net loss for humanity.

I agree as well, I think this doctrine that teaches people that poverty is a virtue and key to heaven has created nations of misery. We need to let that go.

 

[Days like these...]

Tl;dr No, thanks I prefer the absurdity of my existence without the philosophical suicide of the leap of faith.

 

[RJMacready73]

I give you a year and youll be Ali ackbarring it for muhammajesus, I wouldn't wanna be sitting beside you on a plane...

In all seriousness with your mind in a fragile state I would be staying the fuck away from religion

 

[DeafTourette]

I agree as well, I think this doctrine that teaches people that poverty is a virtue and key to heaven has created nations of misery. We need to let that go.

You mean Catholicism? The poverty thing is exclusive to their priesthood and nunneries.

Catholicism isn't representative of any other Christian denomination or sect.

 

[lukilladog]

You mean Catholicism? The poverty thing is exclusive to their priesthood and nunneries.

Catholicism isn't representative of any other Christian denomination or sect.

Yeah, catholic preachers use scripture to teach people that wealth is the way to hell and poverty is a saint worthy attribute.

 

[West Texas CEO]

I'm a new age Scientologist.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

I'm a new age Scientologist.

NeoXenu will be my next username.

 

[Ionian]

I'm a new age Scientologist.

I once got dragged into hemeopathy. Visited a teacher in the middle if the hills. Feckin' had a massive hay-fever attack when banging her. (GF)

Back to the hemoepath for a dose of nothing. Could barely see going home.

Homeopaths, the more diluted the stronger. LMAO. err kinda no.

 

[DeaDPo0L84]

I have so many thoughts about this topic that I could drone on for hours but long story short, raised catholic (means jack shit) became pentecostal during my high-school years, got really into it, helped youth ministry as much as possible, got married, divorced, told I was going to hell by the very people I had been attending church with and considered family, haven't stepped foot in a church since and really don't hold myself to any religious beliefs.

At times I've said I'm atheist, agnostic, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't moments where I wonder if I'm making a mistake but I have no concern about the reality of eternity. I just don't like the entire religious structure regardless of what your faith is. Bunch of condescending cunts in my experience casting judgment on others through the eyes of love who whisper behind your back yet smile when they're in front of you.

Yea I have some bitterness towards church/religion.

 

[DragoonKain]

Never been religious. My family was when I was younger but even they’ve drifted away from it over the years, but when I was young they’d drag me to church and I never believed in it. I remember when I was really young being in a church when no one was in there and screaming fuck as loud as I could and when nothing happened to me I just laughed.

the concept and logic behind religion never passed my smell test, even when I was young. And I always thought nuns and pastors in my experience were mean. I remember when used to make up stories about our local pastor stealing from the church and it turns out he actually was and ended up getting arrested.

I always used to ask the question when I was young: if there’s a god and he loves us, then why do so many terrible things happen on this world. And the same response every time was “it’s all part of god’s plan.” All I ever wanted was some evidence or something that mad sense to me, but no one in my life ever offered anything.

 

[dorkimoe]

Yes. i am an Apatheist



An apatheist is someone who is not interested in accepting or rejecting any claims that gods exist or do not exist. The existence of a god or gods is not rejected, but may be designated irrelevant.

I simply do not care as it has no impact on my life

 

[Ionian]

Never been religious. My family was when I was younger but even they’ve drifted away from it over the years, but when I was young they’d drag me to church and I never believed in it. I remember when I was really young being in a church when no one was in there and screaming fuck as loud as I could and when nothing happened to me I just laughed.

the concept and logic behind religion never passed my smell test, even when I was young. And I always thought nuns and pastors in my experience were mean. I remember when used to make up stories about our local pastor stealing from the church and it turns out he actually was and ended up getting arrested.

I always used to ask the question when I was young: if there’s a god and he loves us, then why do so many terrible things happen on this world. And the same response every time was “it’s all part of god’s plan.” All I ever wanted was some evidence or something that mad sense to me, but no one in my life ever offered anything.

I busted up laughing at the start of your post.

The end hit home for me, sitting in an empty church. Waiting to do confession,

Having to make up lies to confess to the priest. Which is a sin in itself.