Religion? Really?

[MARS]

I believe in God but I don't believe in religion. I think Jesus was a moral teacher, but I still don't believe in religion.

I find the reason why many people become atheist these days is because religion turns them away. Either that, or science.

But I myself also believe in science.
Evil exists because of us. We were given free will, weren't we?

What are your views on this? If you're just going to preach Christian religion garbage to me, then please, stay away from the thread.

[bernee51]

Welcome Mars.

It is usual in these sub fora to express a question for debate.

This sub forum in particular is related to christian theology, dogma etc. perhaps you question would be better placed elswhere.

I believe in God...

Why?

... but I don't believe in religion.

Religion is an attempt to codify a personal spirtual experience. In a sense believers in religion are attempting to have a spiritual experience second hand, so to speak.

I think Jesus was a moral teacher, ...

The words attributed to him do have some moral impications - positive and negative.

I find the reason why many people become atheist these days is because religion turns them away. Either that, or science.

I think is is more than likely the lack of need or reason for, nor evidence of, any god.

However I admit that religious excesses can be a kicker

But I myself also believe in science.

Interesting - how does one 'beleive in' science?

Evil exists because of us.

That which many agree is 'evil' exists for a multitude of reasons

We were given free will, weren't we?

Were we? Given? By whom? How do you know we have 'free will'?

What are your views on this?

My basic view is quite simple. We are animals with a highly evolved level of consciousness which allows reflectivity. All our beliefs, thoughts, ideas etc are mental constructs.

If you're just going to preach Christian religion garbage to me, then please, stay away from the thread.

I'm sorry - you don't get to tell people when or where they can post.

[MARS]

Welcome Mars.

It is usual in these sub fora to express a question for debate.

This sub forum in particular is related to christian theology, dogma etc. perhaps you question would be better placed elswhere.

I believe in God...

Why?

... but I don't believe in religion.

Religion is an attempt to codify a personal spirtual experience. In a sense believers in religion are attempting to have a spiritual experience second hand, so to speak.

I think Jesus was a moral teacher, ...

The words attributed to him do have some moral impications - positive and negative.

I find the reason why many people become atheist these days is because religion turns them away. Either that, or science.

I think is is more than likely the lack of need or reason for, nor evidence of, any god.

However I admit that religious excesses can be a kicker

But I myself also believe in science.

Interesting - how does one 'beleive in' science?

Evil exists because of us.

That which many agree is 'evil' exists for a multitude of reasons

We were given free will, weren't we?

Were we? Given? By whom? How do you know we have 'free will'?

What are your views on this?

My basic view is quite simple. We are animals with a highly evolved level of consciousness which allows reflectivity. All our beliefs, thoughts, ideas etc are mental constructs.

If you're just going to preach Christian religion garbage to me, then please, stay away from the thread.

I'm sorry - you don't get to tell people when or where they can post.

I meant that if they're just going to post Christian propaganda, like saying I'll go to hell if I don't accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior, or something.

I also kinda believe in evolution. Maybe Adam and Eve evolved from animals?
I am definitely not trying to merge religion into every point of view of mine because i'm a religious nutcase, so don't think that.

But, isn't religion, when broken down, just a list of morals and rules and stuff? Things you can decide for yourself? I think people feel they need religion in their life to keep them governed from committing things that are "immoral". However, aren't your immoral actions based on your moral statures?

[McCulloch]

I have moved this to Christianity and Apologetics because it has more to do with whether Christianity is right than what is right for Christianity.

[McCulloch]

I believe in God but I don't believe in religion. I think Jesus was a moral teacher, but I still don't believe in religion.

What do you mean by religion? Without religion, how would you even know about Jesus? What about the Bible?

I find the reason why many people become atheist these days is because religion turns them away.

Yes, people become atheist because they turn away from a belief in the god that religion teaches about. Seems rather self-evident to me.

Either that, or science. But I myself also believe in science.

A good many have managed to accept religion and science. Usually a liberal type of religion.

Evil exists because of us. We were given free will, weren't we?

What do you mean by evil? Yes, certain evils are caused by humans, sometimes deliberately, sometimes not. Other evils are not caused by humans, viruses, cancer, acts of God and such. Free will?

What are your views on this? If you're just going to preach Christian religion garbage to me, then please, stay away from the thread.

Please re-read the rules. One overriding principle of this site, is that no matter what your view, you should show some respect for those who hold other points of view. Please refrain from referring to the Christian religion as garbage.

[Jester]

I believe in God but I don't believe in religion. I think Jesus was a moral teacher, but I still don't believe in religion.

I've heard this position, but have honestly had a hard time understanding it. Is this to say that you believe in the teachings of Christ, including those about God? Is it to say that you believe in his teachings on human interaction, but reject the things he said about God as wrong or irrelevant? Is it something else?
I tend to assume that this opinion comes from people who can't seem to square the good teachings of Christ with the horrible actions of Christians. If this is the case for you, then I can empathize. My personal position is that everything Christ taught is true, even the points about God and, perhaps especially, the places where he warns against the dangers of religion in the legalistic, self-righteous sense.
My favorite pastor has a tendency to contrast what he calls "religion" with Christ's teachings. With full admittance that he's not really using the proper definition of the word, it does illustrate some very good points. Quite simply, the horrible acts that we Christians undertake are done by twisting and ignoring what he taught.

I find the reason why many people become atheist these days is because religion turns them away. Either that, or science.

In general, I don't think it's common to find an atheist who didn't become that way after feeling angry at the actions of religious people.
As for science, I know that some see a contradiction. Personally, I do not.

Evil exists because of us. We were given free will, weren't we?

I'd say so. That, I believe, is the problem here: religious people use their free will far too often to put words in God's mouth. This has often resulted in great evil.

[MARS]

McCulloch stated that I'm trying to get the point across that Christianity is wrong. No, that's not at all what I mean. As well, I didn't mean that the reason why atheists become atheist is because religion teaches about God (obviously), but rather that people are so turned off by what religion demands from you and wants you to do and how it wants you to think.

[kayky]

McCulloch stated that I'm trying to get the point across that Christianity is wrong. No, that's not at all what I mean. As well, I didn't mean that the reason why atheists become atheist is because religion teaches about God (obviously), but rather that people are so turned off by what religion demands from you and wants you to do and how it wants you to think.

Religion practiced without understanding is at best worthless and at worst dangerous. While institutionalized religion is not the only way to God, many find in it a way to seek and express that experience.

[Jester]

McCulloch stated that I'm trying to get the point across that Christianity is wrong. No, that's not at all what I mean.

I do understand that is your position, and will be sure to bear that in mind.

As well, I didn't mean that the reason why atheists become atheist is because religion teaches about God (obviously), but rather that people are so turned off by what religion demands from you and wants you to do and how it wants you to think.

I can really empathize with atheists for whom this is true. There does seem to be a lot of demands made by religious groups about what we have to do and think. So, yes, I basically agree with you on that one.
My response would be twofold. First, that nothing I can say in rebuttal will let these religious groups off the hook for the wrongs they have done. There is a great deal about the way we tend to practice religion that should change.
Second, that while I cannot and will not defend religious institutions, I would defend the basic ideas of religion, or at least Christianity (though I would defend several others to a great degree). Demands that people not question their thinking, or accept certain political positions are demands of institutions. Christianity, that is Christ's teachings in the Bible, don't make these claims and are far more positive.
In short, condemn the negative behavior, but don't assume that believing in Christ means supporting such behavior.

[MARS]

Why do people take religious scripts so seriously? The bible is supposed to be taken in a metaphorical sense, not a literal one.