Methinks Charlie is trolling. But yeah, Christians have their fair share of crime, and they have KKK. Main difference is that KKK didn't go for suicidal attacks.
Funny thing, despite the trolling and all, Jesus said (supposedly, you know how this works) he wasn't there to bring peace, but to create conflict. Anyone following him had to break with their family if they didn't come along and 'updated' their belief.
Relevant bible quote Matthew 10:34 following.
said:
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35For I have come to turn
“ ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’c 37“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Crime shouldn't be mixed with religion. Every religion has people that commit crimes.Criminals are just criminals. Terrorists are terrorists. We shouldn't blame a religion because some sh!theads committed crime. Islam or every Muslim should not be blamed just because some Muslim committed genocide. Christianity should not be blamed when a christian does something similar. Although the world only views the Muslims as terrorist. Religion is only stated when a Muslim does something bad. When someone or some group from another religion does something bad then their is no discussion about religion. This double standard is one major thing this makes the world a terrible place.
Funny thing, despite the trolling and all, Jesus said (supposedly, you know how this works) he wasn't there to bring peace, but to create conflict. Anyone following him had to break with their family if they didn't come along and 'updated' their belief.
Hmmm - so there was that one reference but in context. Its been a while since I read that tbh.
If I recall, it was meant as saying to follow god (Jesus) and not others. verses 37,8,9 points to that.
Anyone who followed him at that time (still occurs in Muslim dominated nations), would have some kind of persecution.
Hmmm - so there was that one reference but in context. Its been a while since I read that tbh.
If I recall, it was meant as saying to follow god (Jesus) and not others. verses 37,8,9 points to that.
Anyone who followed him at that time (still occurs in Muslim dominated nations), would have some kind of persecution.
And out of his mouth goes forth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Where he saves those who follow him and for the rest... after brutally cutting them down, he summons flocks of birds to eat their flesh.
And the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
We shouldn't blame a religion because some sh!theads committed crime. Islam or every Muslim should not be blamed just because some Muslim committed genocide.
That's going a step too far. I don't think any sensible person blames every Muslim for the crimes of radicals. However, the connection between terrorism and Islam isn't an accident. And while it might be sacrilege for some, for me, no religion is beyond criticism when it comes to things like this. The Catholic church isn't beyond criticism when they insitutionally condone the abuse of thousands and thousands of children. Jews aren't beyond criticism when it comes to circumcision, and Israel isn't beyond criticism either when they act as if scripture is more important than international law.
Those are the loving parts of "god" that we all love and adorn?
Its like saying be with me or ima smite yo - arse. In most moderen terms - Jesus says "ride or die".
I do recall some of the the revelations part - where he is supposed to judge the nations, etc.
Although - I vaguely recall it was locusts or something of the like to eat flesh but whatever (but my childhood memory could be wrong here). In the supposed "end of days" all the "impure" will have a bad hair day to say the least. In the end times he is supposed to come as a judge, with sword and smite everyone that has bad hair and don't wash, etc. Unclean, followed Satan, etc.
So I looked up the luke reference since you got me curious and seems that part was from a parable.
And it was a direct reference or cross references to something in the old testament.
1 Samuel 11:12
The people then said to Samuel, "Who was it that asked, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death."
But in short, yes. Follow Jesus and be saved in / from that end times.
Btw, what does Revelations have to do with anything at all? Like why...was something that from what I heard is filled with some weird stuff, in a book that is supposed to be a moral guide?
Btw, what does Revelations have to do with anything at all? Like why...was something that from what I heard is filled with some weird stuff, in a book that is supposed to be a moral guide?
'Cause it tells you what to expect will happen to you if you don't follow the commands of the all loving god.
I wouldn't consider it particularly moral to punish those who don't follow you, love you, worship you, and do exactly what you say... but perhaps that's just me...
It puts forward the notion of 'follow these laws or thou shalt be punished' rather than 'follow these laws because they are the best laws to follow'.
That's going a step too far. I don't think any sensible person blames every Muslim for the crimes of radicals. However, the connection between terrorism and Islam isn't an accident. And while it might be sacrilege for some, for me, no religion is beyond criticism when it comes to things like this. The Catholic church isn't beyond criticism when they institutionally condone the abuse of thousands and thousands of children. Jews aren't beyond criticism when it comes to circumcision, and Israel isn't beyond criticism either when they act as if scripture is more important than international law.
I dunno. I've seen a lot of people view Muslims in a negative way. I've seen people cracking insulting joke at a girl just because she was wearing hijab, and everyone enjoyed it. And I don't think Islam tells it's followers to do act of terrorism. There are extremist in every religion. But eventually every religion tells you to do god thing.
Anyway, what do you guys think about the existence of god?
I really want to believe in god's existence. Because, if god doesn't exist then life doesn't really have much significance. Imagine yo born live your life and die. Then nothing happens. How is it fair to everyone? Some born in a rich family with full of resources and some born in poor family. Some live their life lavishly and some find it hard to meet their basic needs. What is the fault of poor people? What is the fault of kids born with defects? I believe that's why the concept of heaven and hell is necessary. A lot of people can do wrong but decides not to because they fear hell and some don't care and do as they wish. What's the difference between them if heaven or hell is just a myth?
But then again it's hard to believe in god in our time as well. Every religion has flaws. At least the ones I know a bit about have.And some of the teachings of religions does not make much sense in current world. There are good people in every religion. Yet not all of them can go to heaven. Because if one religion is true the rest becomes false automatically yet you cannot say which one is true anyway. Also there discoveries like evolution puts religions in some disbelief. I guess religious texts say earth is 6000 years old not 5 billion years old and it is flat not round. All of these things makes it hard to believe in religions as well.
Anyway, what do you guys think about the existence of god?
I really want to believe in god's existence. Because, if god doesn't exist then life doesn't really have much significance. Imagine yo born live your life and die. Then nothing happens.
I am of the belief that if there was one (or more) deities, then they are not personal in nature. I'd rather liken them to the laws of physics.
Amoral, impersonal, controlling forces.
It makes little sense for them to care about you, or me, as an individual - and the idea of them being 'all loving' or 'evil' doesn't really fit with me. It seems that applying human characteristics to a non-human entity would be the same as applying the notion of immorality to a goldfish.
On the topic of 'life's significance', I don't see how the existence (or lack of) any divine beings actually changes this question in any way. Significance certainly doesn't rely on one existing forever.
Your dead body could become a significant resource for numerous microorganisms - and then, they would be a resource for other organisms, and so on, and so on...
How is it fair to everyone? Some born in a rich family with full of resources and some born in poor family. Some live their life lavishly and some find it hard to meet their basic needs. What is the fault of poor people? What is the fault of kids born with defects?
I don't see how 'fairness' has anything to do with the question of the existence of any god either. The fact that a divine being, who can do whatever they wanted, and make you do whatever they wanted, seems hardly fair for someone lacking those powers. Also, how 'fair' is it to the mosquito, to not be born a human? Is fairness only important amongst homosapians?
If fairness was a good reason for the existence of a god, then why should people die anyway? Why wouldn't an all powerful being just make an existence where everything is equal, has everything they ever wanted, can do anything, be anything...
Seems that for any god to exist, things need to be unfair.
This is especially true when any afterlives are involved - some people, by nature of being born into a religious family, get to experience bliss for ever, whereas others, perhaps not being religious/growing up in poverty and having to steal to survive, get to burn for all eternity...
Also, what about the kids who are never born at all - do stillbirths suffer from original sin? Do they burn forever? Or are they saved through God's grace?
If so, as he knew what would happen to them (before they were even conceived) then why have them form in the first place - and not just appear magically in heaven? Why have the parents suffer for something which need never happen?!?
I believe that's why the concept of heaven and hell is necessary. A lot of people can do wrong but decides not to because they fear hell and some don't care and do as they wish. What's the difference between them if heaven or hell is just a myth?
I don't see why the only reason why someone shouldn't murder/rape/steal... is due to the fear of burning for all eternity afterwards.
That seems a pretty shitty reason for not wanting to do something - rather than not wanting to do something because it will lead to suffering for others.
To use the example of an atheist, they don't believe that people should do any of these things - and certainly not because they fear eternal damnation.
I am of the belief that if there was one (or more) deities, then they are not personal in nature. I'd rather liken them to the laws of physics.
Amoral, impersonal, controlling forces.
It makes little sense for them to care about you, or me, as an individual - and the idea of them being 'all loving' or 'evil' doesn't really fit with me. It seems that applying human characteristics to a non-human entity would be the same as applying the notion of immorality to a goldfish.
On the topic of 'life's significance', I don't see how the existence (or lack of) any divine beings actually changes this question in any way. Significance certainly doesn't rely on one existing forever.
Your dead body could become a significant resource for numerous microorganisms - and then, they would be a resource for other organisms, and so on, and so on...
A basic trait of god is God has always existed and created everything. Gave humans free will. And humans will be judged according to what they did in their earthy life using their free will. If we accept that, we don't need to worry about where we came from. And it also gives us a guideline on how we should live. We shall be judged fairly according to every religion, right? Now if god does not exist, then naturally some question arises. Where do we come from? There is a nice theory called big bang which tries to explain that. But it arises more question than it answers. Like what was there before big bang? What is that "nothingness"? How did big bang happened out of this "nothingness"? What was there before that? And before that? Also before that? It could be an infinite loop.
Our dead body could become a significant micro-organism. But what's the point? The sun won't shine forever and the Earth won't last forever. What difference does it make whether the dead body becomes a valuable resource or not? Religions says there is an afterlife after our life on earth which is eternal. If you do good in your earthy life then you'll have a better eternal life. Which makes the life on earth significant. To me at least.
I don't see how 'fairness' has anything to do with the question of the existence of any god either. The fact that a divine being, who can do whatever they wanted, and make you do whatever they wanted, seems hardly fair for someone lacking those powers. Also, how 'fair' is it to the mosquito, to not be born a human? Is fairness only important amongst homosapians?
If fairness was a good reason for the existence of a god, then why should people die anyway? Why wouldn't an all powerful being just make an existence where everything is equal, has everything they ever wanted, can do anything, be anything...
Seems that for any god to exist, things need to be unfair.
This is especially true when any afterlives are involved - some people, by nature of being born into a religious family, get to experience bliss for ever, whereas others, perhaps not being religious/growing up in poverty and having to steal to survive, get to burn for all eternity...
Also, what about the kids who are never born at all - do stillbirths suffer from original sin? Do they burn forever? Or are they saved through God's grace?
If so, as he knew what would happen to them (before they were even conceived) then why have them form in the first place - and not just appear magically in heaven? Why have the parents suffer for something which need never happen?!?
God can do anything they wanted. God can make us do anything he wanted. But does he? We are given free will. And we can chose to live without believing in him. We can curse him. Say bad things about him. God can do anything. What does he do when we do these? Maybe he can't do anything if he does not exist. But if he does then god not doing anything means that we'll be judged for this later.
Why does people die? I wouldn't want to live forever, I think. Not in this world. Again the life in world in meant to be temporary on which basis you shall be judged. Also humans have free will. Mosquitoes don't. If I were born as a mosquito than it probably would feel unfair to me. But If I were a mosquito then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bothered about these things.
About people born in religious family and some in not religious family....I wish I could answer that. This is one of the reason I find it hard to believe in god's existence. But I believe if god exists and he is kind and merciful then god will take consideration to every individual's situation before sending him/her to heaven/hell. But I don't get that part, if you're not christian, if you're not Muslim if you're not Jew/Hindu/Buddhist/etc you'll go to hell no matter how good person you are.Blah...blah....
I don't see why the only reason why someone shouldn't murder/rape/steal... is due to the fear of burning for all eternity afterwards.
That seems a pretty shitty reason for not wanting to do something - rather than not wanting to do something because it will lead to suffering for others.
To use the example of an atheist, they don't believe that people should do any of these things - and certainly not because they fear eternal damnation.
Let's say you have a lot of money. And you can steal a lot more and not get caught. Why wouldn't you do that? Doing that would be absolutely fine since no one will hold you accountable for this. Why not make your life better? You have the chance. Why not take it. It doesn't really matter anyway, right? And a lot of people do that. Murder, rape, stealing still happens. So you want the family of murdered person to believe that there is no punishment for murder if the murderer is not caught? How would you tell their family who desires for the murderer's retribution to let go of it?
--- Double Post Merged, , Original Post Date: ---
Also, Thanks Zimby for answering my post so elaborately.
A basic trait of god is God has always existed and created everything. Gave humans free will. And humans will be judged according to what they did in their earthy life using their free will.
That is certainly a basic trait assigned to what people believe God to be.
However, I fail to see how free will could ever exist – this doesn’t depend on the existence of a divine being or not.
It is made even less likely to exist when there exists a being which knows what you will do before you do it – knows what you will think and also why you did/didn’t do it also.
That being can judge you for thought crimes – judge you before you even committed the crime of thinking that which displeased the god.
God’s very nature enables him to judge someone for doing something he knows they are bound to do before they were even conceived (before their mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother… ever was conceived).
Hardly sounds like he is a fair judge if we allow him to have the powers we have assigned to him.
Also – by what standards does he judge people?
If we accept that, we don't need to worry about where we came from.
Not if each religion has separate guidelines over how their god supposedly wants us to live. Following one path to enlightenment/heaven may equally lead one to ruin/damnation by a different set of standards.
This is compounded when we consider rules that pertain to believing in one specific divinity – or taking no other divinity but them.
Sins like those tend to be the ones which lead to instant damnation.
Now if god does not exist, then naturally some question arises. Where do we come from? There is a nice theory called big bang which tries to explain that. But it arises more question than it answers. Like what was there before big bang? What is that "nothingness"? How did big bang happened put of this "nothingness"? What was there before that? And before that? Also before that? It could be an infinite loop.
Well, for you – probably none (unless you cared about the environment, man)
But for the micro-organisms, probably quite a lot. It means an increased chance of survival and a much easier life.
The sun won't shine forever.As the Earth won't last forever. What difference does it make whether the dead body becomes a valuable resource or not?
As I said, little difference for you, but perhaps a great difference for others which will rely on the resources contained in your decaying remains.
If you mean, what use before the eventual heat death (or whatever happens) of the universe – well, why should a system not have an end to have a use?
Why should a system even have a specific ‘use’ in the first place – other than the specific ‘use’ which it gives to those contained within the system?
Religions says there is an afterlife after our life on earth which is eternal. If you do good in your earthy life then you'll have a better eternal life. Which makes the life on earth significance. To me at least.
I don’t think that an afterlife gives significance to the life – if the life is not significant before the afterlife, at which point does it gain its significance?
What ‘significance’ is gained by the system, purely through its ongoing existence?
God can do anything they wanted. God can make us do anything he wanted. But does he?
If one accepts the existence of divine beings, then this is a really, really, important question.
We are given free will. And we can chose to live without believing in him. We can curse him. Say bad things about him. God can do anything. What does he do when we do these? Maybe he can't do anything if he does not exist. But if he does then god not doing anything means that we'll be judged for this later.
But why?
Why should he judge people badly for not believing in him?
Why should he care about people insulting him?
He already knew that they would do these 2 things – if he really did care, why create them in the first place?
Surely, if he knew that you’d do these things, and knew it would hurt his feelings, why would he allow you to do/think like this?
Does this make God a masochist?
And more importantly, are these 2 ‘sins’ really worth burning forever over?
Do you care if someone doesn’t believe in your existence?
Sure, you may be upset if someone insults you, but I hope you are not the kind of person who wishes upon that person an eternity of pain – that would make you a much worse person than the person who said something mean about you…
If you were God, and you ‘loved’ the people you created, why should this be any different?
Why does people die? I wouldn't want to live forever, I think. Not in this world. Again the life in world in meant to be temporary on which basis you shall be judged.
Why not?
Sure, heaven is supposedly a wonderful place, but why shouldn’t the earth also be one?
Perhaps I am being somewhat idealistic, but if humanity really wanted to, surely we could make this world a much better place than it currently is...
Also, judged according to a set of rules which are not only impossible to follow (as who knows which rulebook you are actually meant to be following in the first place), but also heavily biased and weighted towards your misery.
Also humans have free will. Mosquitoes don't. If I were born as a mosquito than it probably would feel unfair to me. But If I were a mosquito then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bothered about these things.
Why?
How can you say that?
Well, you can say that mosquitoes don’t have ‘free will’ if you also agree that humans don’t have ‘free will’.
On that topic, what is your definition of ‘free will’?
Also, why should it matter if your are conscious of the fact – if fairness is gained through the existence of God (as without him things are suddenly, somehow, less fair), then why shouldn’t the mosquito also find fairness?
What makes homosapiens so special?
Let's say you have a lot of money. And you can steal a lot more and not get caught. Why wouldn't you do that?
Whether you get held accountable or not is irrelevant to if something should be done or not.
Bankers have managed to steal millions off of common people – led to a huge banking crash – and none of them were held accountable.
Is this a fine action?
Does the fact that they were not held accountable make their actions just?
No – just look at some of the support that people like Bernie Sanders have gained recently, with his talk about ‘holding Wall street responsible’. That shows that people don’t think these actions are fine.
Should the bankers suffer some punitive measures for their actions – perhaps…
Should they burn for all eternity – no, I don’t think so.
Why not make your life better? You have the chance. Why not take it. It doesn't really matter anyway, right?
Of course it matters if it leads to another’s suffering.
This notion that people who don’t believe in God, don’t believe in justice or morality is a ridiculous notion.
I’d argue that they are just as moral as religious people – perhaps even more so if they are doing it purely for altruistic reasons, rather than reasons of fear of divine retribution.
And a lot of people do that. Murder, rape, stealing still happens. So you want the family of murdered person to believe that there is no punishment for murder if the murderer is not caught? How would you tell their family to let go of it?
Let’s not for one minute try and avoid the fact that religious people also commit rape, murder, theft. The fact that they believe they may burn for eternity afterwards appears to do little to stop them committing these actions.
As for what punishment a murderer should receive, he should receive punishment in this life (and not only the next – if another life even does exist).
That is what the law is for.
The whole legal system is there to help deal with criminals who break the laws of the land.
Now, is this punishment enough?
Perhaps not… I am not sure that any punitive measures would ever be enough – outside of bringing back the deceased.
But if the victim is now in heaven, then I do not believe that eternal burning is a just punishment for the criminal.
Especially not when the murder wouldn’t have occurred in the first place had a divine being not created the murderer in the first place (knowing full well what he would do later on).
Also, Thanks Zimby for answering my post so elaborately.
That being can judge you for thought crimes – judge you before you even committed the crime of thinking that which displeased the god.
God’s very nature enables him to judge someone for doing something he knows they are bound to do before they were even conceived (before their mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother’s, mother… ever was conceived).
Hardly sounds like he is a fair judge if we allow him to have the powers we have assigned to him.
I don’t think that an afterlife gives significance to the life – if the life is not significant before the afterlife, at which point does it gain its significance?
What ‘significance’ is gained by the system, purely through its ongoing existence?
What is the use actually?
What gives life significance, according to you? I think people who do good things should be rewarded and people who do bad things should be punished according to the level of their crime. Now a lot of people who are good die without recieving any reward in this life. And many people who caused others sufferings die after having a great life. Should this be the way of life?
I mean freedom of choice. Animals do not have it as much as humans. Like I said, you can choose to believe in god and you can choose not to. But a mosquito cannot as it do not posses the intelligence to understand the concept. So a mosquito probably does not bother about the concept of god. Blame it on god or Evolution, your choice.
Also, why should it matter if your are conscious of the fact – if fairness is gained through the existence of God (as without him things are suddenly, somehow, less fair), then why shouldn’t the mosquito also find fairness?
What makes homosapiens so special?
But people are more likely to do something profitable for them as long as that won't result in a bad outcome for them? We're such a nice bunch, aren't we?
Whether you get held accountable or not is irrelevant to if something should be done or not.
Bankers have managed to steal millions off of common people – led to a huge banking crash – and none of them were held accountable.
Is this a fine action?
Let’s not for one minute try and avoid the fact that religious people also commit rape, murder, theft. The fact that they believe they may burn for eternity afterwards appears to do little to stop them committing these actions.
Those people that commit murder, rape, can we call them religious? I don't think any religion approves these. Anyway, even the religious people shall be judged.
As for what punishment a murderer should receive, he should receive punishment in this life (and not only the next – if another life even does exist).
That is what the law is for.
The whole legal system is there to help deal with criminals who break the laws of the land.
Law is to protect the rich. Law is to protect those people who wants to make their criminal activities legal. Also many good people suffers and many bad people get away in our wonderful law.
I hope god is not cruel. The murderer should only get punishment suited for his crime. If he murdered to save himself from getting killed, then he should receive no punishment.
Especially not when the murder wouldn’t have occurred in the first place had a divine being not created the murderer in the first place (knowing full well what he would do later on).
The murder chose to murder. God did not make him murder. God put him in this situation and what he did was on his own accord.
I don't know why you're thinking that I'm a obsolete religious being. I'm not. I find it hard to believe in many things that religious texts try to teach us. I said, a god who is fair to everyone would make our life in this world more significant than in a world where a god does not exist.
Eventually, Good people should get rewards and bad people should get punishment. I don't mean eternal burning. But something suited to their crime. And in our world often the good are punished and the bad are rewarded. That's why I want to believe in the existence of a god who treats everyone equally regardless they believe in him or not. But can't seem to find any in the prominent religious texts.
I really want to believe in god's existence. Because, if god doesn't exist then life doesn't really have much significance. Imagine yo born live your life and die. Then nothing happens. How is it fair to everyone? Some born in a rich family with full of resources and some born in poor family. Some live their life lavishly and some find it hard to meet their basic needs. What is the fault of poor people? What is the fault of kids born with defects? I believe that's why the concept of heaven and hell is necessary. A lot of people can do wrong but decides not to because they fear hell and some don't care and do as they wish. What's the difference between them if heaven or hell is just a myth?
God has nothing to do with lifes significance, frankly,why would you even think that?
And what makes you think that being born a pauper or having defect makes your life any less meanigful, than someone who is born rich?Granted society does try to force us into seeing a life full of material accomplishments to be the best one, but is that really true?
A pauper,may not have many riches, but he does have the freedom to do what he wants when he wants to do so, he does not have many obligation, unless he willingly takes them on, and is not put under the same responsibilty that someone who is rich who is put under.
A kid with defects may not be able to lead a normal life like someone else,but even here, the kid himself, can do things that no one else could, he can learn and read about many things that you will never come to know of otherwise, he will also get to spend a lot more time with caring and kind people which you may not normally encounter,.
I won't consider anyones life, even those who don't have money or live lavishly, any less significant and meaningful than anyone else, so if you can lead a meaningful life, even without being born rich, then seriously what does God need to exist according to you?
And heaven and hell does not make anyone a good person, or even encourage anybody to be a good person, fear is a good motivator to control someone, but when the object of fear is..so intangible and hard to imagine without someone giving you a vivid description, then obviously it is not going to affect anyone any which ways.
At the end of the day heaven and hell is just something that humans invented to deal with their death, because like so many such as yourself, death and leading a meaningless existence frightened them, and this helped them to deal with it.
Reincarnation is also the same, but I guess reincarnation is better, because there are no strict rules in reincarnation that will determine your next birth, all you need to do in your current life is to live how you feel is right and the consequences will be dealt with appropriately.
But then again it's hard to believe in god in our time as well. Every religion has flaws. At least the ones I know a bit about have.And some of the teachings of religions does not make much sense in current world. There are good people in every religion. Yet not all of them can go to heaven. Because if one religion is true the rest becomes false automatically yet you cannot say which one is true anyway. Also there discoveries like evolution puts religions in some disbelief. I guess religious texts say earth is 6000 years old not 5 billion years old and it is flat not round. All of these things makes it hard to believe in religions as well.
You shoudl really read a bit more about Hindhuism, and even Buddhism to a certain extent, Hindhuisms does not propound there being one way of reaching salvation, any way is acceptable as long as you reach salvation, in other words, if you are a Hindu as long as you allow others to find their own way of believing, no way is incorrect, at all and Buddhists, don't believe others are wrong or right for that matter, every ones life is sacred and by extension their beliefs are as well.
Now suppose Christianity or Islam is proven to be right(I don't think that Hinduism and Buddhism are religions in the same way these two are.), the effect that other religions have had on people are real, the way their lives has been shaped by other religions is real, it won't change even if these other religions are proven to be wrong.
Frankly, one of the biggest drawbacks of religion today is that it takes itself too seriously,and emphasizes on being right as a whole, but that is somewhat impossible,religions is a human construct, no matter what people may try to say about their divine origins, it is humans who wrote the texts, and it is humans who it is made for,and humans who make a religion,what it is, that should not be forgotten.
And no evolution or science as a whole is not at odds with religions,Buddhists believe all life is sacred, doesn't evoluiton prove that?Look at how many species have become extinct, doesn't that make the ones that are alive today, even more special, isn't religion and evolution in agreement here?
Muslims are supposed to follow some five acts or something like that, what does that have to do with evolution? or any scientific theory for that matter, and no religion says that the world is flat, I think, at least Hindhuism or Buddhisim, does not try to define the shape of the world, and lol, Hindhusim divides the world into Kalpas which are even longer than 2 billion years
The sun won't shine forever and the Earth won't last forever. What difference does it make whether the dead body becomes a valuable resource or not? Religions says there is an afterlife after our life on earth which is eternal. If you do good in your earthy life then you'll have a better eternal life. Which makes the life on earth significant. To me at least.
Then be happy with that, why are you so bothered that things which may make your belief less true have any credibilty.
Though maybe I am being a bit insensitive, I don't really understand the existential dilemma, for starters even if the earth is not going to last and neither the sun, I am going to be long dead by that time.
In the meantime, the feelings of my appetite being met when I eat my favorite food is real, the feelings of attraction when I see an cute girl is real, and so are every other things in life which give me joy, even if life is utterly meaningless in the grand scheme of things and my existence won't make a difference,neither of these two will change the joy I feel when I do what I like or the feelings of triumphs over overcoming any struggle are real, overall it is not the world which gives your life meaning, rather it is you which give the world meaning.
After all, the whole world that you see around you is made by none other than you.
. If I were born as a mosquito than it probably would feel unfair to me. But If I were a mosquito then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bothered about these things.
About people born in religious family and some in not religious family....I wish I could answer that. This is one of the reason I find it hard to believe in god's existence. But I believe if god exists and he is kind and merciful then god will take consideration to every individual's situation before sending him/her to heaven/hell. But I don't get that part, if you're not christian, if you're not Muslim if you're not Jew/Hindu/Buddhist/etc you'll go to hell no matter how good person you are.Blah...blah....
Hindhus or Jews don't really believe that those who are not a follower of a religion are in any way bad, I mean Indias first PM was a self proclaimed atheist, and you should not really pay much attention to this kind of behaviour it has less to do with the religion itself and more to do with people judging you on their own double standards.
Why wouldn't you do that? Doing that would be absolutely fine since no one will hold you accountable for this. Why not make your life better? You have the chance. Why not take it. It doesn't really matter anyway, right? And a lot of people do that. Murder, rape, stealing still happens. So you want the family of murdered person to believe that there is no punishment for murder if the murderer is not caught? How would you tell their family who desires for the murderer's retribution to let go of it?
If I am not mistaken here, you are asking how will you hold this person who has done 'xxx' "bad deed" accountable for said bad deed, without religion/God?
Well firstly, I think that if someone can do a crime, he should be allowed to do it, what should also be allowed is for that person to be caught and judged according to a given set of laws concerning said time, region by laws set by humans.
See,morality and good behaviour is not an absolute thing and is made according to the time, God for better or worse, is quite a static concept(except in probably in Hindhusims or Buddhism and some other religions as well.), what you are asking here is how your sense of morality going to be maintained, well depending on God to do it, is a good answer if that gives you peace of mind, if it doesn't, then it is upto you to make your own kind of justice, which is where this question comes under, God has nothing to do with punishing people who do things that are considered morally wrong, people have to do that, this is out job and responsibilty and one that we should try to maintain without depending on God too much.
Well not really, in Rigveda, there are some lines which deal with the origin of God, and the world itself, I can't remember the exact wording, but it went something like this,
"Who know how the world came to be? Maybe our creator, but then doe he know who created thee?"
There is no direct mention of God always existing,though there are certain tribal myths in India which give various stories.
That's why I want to believe in the existence of a god who treats everyone equally regardless they believe in him or not. But can't seem to find any in the prominent religious texts.
Then believe in the exitence of God, reading your posts you seem to be someone who is worried about, how people who you consider to be good are not rewarded and those who you consider to be bad get to live properly(I don't know why being good needs a reward.), if believing in a God who is all love and sunshine, helps to calm your woes then do it, you don't need any organized religion to tell you this, and they have no right to stop you, at all.It is your life, beleive in the notion of God that you like and want to.
