RELIGION

[Squeek]

I quit religion. So, as a non-religious superintelligent person, I say to those close-minded catholics (OMG LOWERCASE) that post here, "Think critically". I was catholic (AGAIN!) for 16 years. I realized last year that religion is purely based on speculation from some idiots who may or may not have lived thousands of years ago. My English (Why is THIS uppercase?!) teacher put it bluntly when he said we were going to analyze the bible (!!!) as part of a lesson, "This is a fictional story. Since it is fiction, we can analyze it in a Public School (wow) without having to succumb to the laws about religion in schools."

I was even in a youth group for 2 years and in a catholic school for 5. I had baptism and confirmation while in that school. But none of it had meaning to me. I thought something was supposed to change but nothing did. That was 8th grade; probably where I started to lose interest in religion. Since then, I've read articles and books by prestigious authors that proved to me the inability for religion to exist. I heavily delved into the scientific meaning behind the universe and that made much more sense than the bible's teachings. All of these things, when put together, basically told me that religion is based off of lies and I don't want to be a part of it.

Besides. How much sense does it make that some crazy higher being controls the way the universe works? None, yo.

Overall, theists are probably much happier on average than atheists.

Prove it. I gained about 90% more happiness when I discovered the fact that I didn't have to waste my time at a church every week. Once you realize there are so many better things to be doing than to be having subliminal messages within the church telling you that you suck and god rules, you'll see things the way I did.

Oh, right. About the subliminal messages. Well, put it this way. If a song you sing makes yourself sound like you are worthless (I QUOTE: "...That saved a wretch like me"), I do not want to be singing it or hearing it. Also, the things they make the congregation say basically sound to me like they're trying to get you to say it so many times that you start believing it. This is especially evident whenever they say the word "god". If you notice, you'll never see that word said (capitalized format) without some subtitle tacked on to it like "almighty" or "ever-forgiving". PSHH.

I think religion started as a way to unify the masses in order to gain power. The pope is now a major political figure even though half the people in the world don't even know his name.

Prove me wrong. Though, it's not like I'll convert. Keep your flyers to yourself and let me get to where I need to be.

~Squeek

[Nonexistent_One]

I said that they 'probably' are, because they live in ignorance (in my opinion). They can easily throw away any problem by saying "Oh, well, it's in the hands of God now," if they chose to do so. Whenever I discuss my beliefs about death--or even my beliefs in general--with Catholic friends, I usually get the reaction that my beliefs are 'depressing.' I'd assume that that reaction means that their beliefs are joyous and fulfilling. Sometimes, when I think about things too much, my emotions overcome me--I consider this a human weakness. I think that this weakness is responsible for the concept of a 'personal god.'

I am happy in a sense that I believe I'm not living in ignorance.

~NEO

[Squeek]

Ignorance is bliss.

What am I ignoring? Fiction? Fallacies? How can I ignore something that hasn't ever been proven?

Now, if I were ignoring gravity, you could call me on that. You can't ignore gravity. It exists here. It's proven. See?



~Squeek

[GuidoHunter]

Which debate to start? The fact that you can't prove anything (even the presence of gravity), or something on a religious basis?

Religion is completely based on faith. Nobody ever needs to prove anything religious; they just need to convince someone up to a threshold limit that will take care of all the rest. That threshold is the amount of faith a person has.

For people like Squeek who have little faith, that threshold is quite high. Pretty much nothing save God coming down from the heavens and bitch-slapping them will convince them that He exists. For people that place much stock in faith, all it might take is a Bible reference, an anecdote, or just the fear of living in eternal damnation for all of eternity.

I was reared Catholic, and I pretty much stopped believing in anything at sixteen. Fortunately (I believe), I'm getting my faith back. It's just something that happened.

NEO, faith-based beliefs are almost always joyous and fulfilling. I don't necessarily think contrary beliefs are "depressing", but Christianity is all about joy.

I can be of service if y'all want to debate against a faithful Catholic point of view. I may not wholeheartedly believe everything I say when I argue from there, but for the purpose of debate I'm just providing a service.

--Guido

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