What are your religious views?

Brilliant link, Rebecca!

The fact that he mentioned the Fritzl case helped to illustrate his point about God not answering to praying beautifully. The woman in Austria was raped by her own father for over two decades and perennially gave birth to his offspring and endured a miscarriage. As if the incestuous sexual abuse wasn't enough, he'd physically assault her.

Where was God in her time of need?

*"It is a horrible idea that there is somebody who owns us, who makes us, who supervises us... waking and sleeping... who knows our thoughts, who can convict us of thought crime... THOUGHT CRIME(!)... just for what we think(!)... who can judge us while we sleep, for things that might occur to us in our dreams - who can create us sick (as apparently we are) and then order us on pain of eternal torture to be well again. To demand this, to wish this to be true, is to wish to live as an abject slave. It is a wonderful thing that we now have enough information, enough intelligence, and, I hope, enough intellectual and moral courage to say that this ghastly proposition is founded on a lie, and to celebrate that fact." *

"I think it will one day be admitted with shame that it might have been in error to say that AIDS is bad as a disease, but not quite as bad as condoms are bad - or not as immoral in the same way! I say it in the presence of his grace and I say it to his face: the preachings of his church are responsible for the death, suffering and misery of millions of his brother and sister Africans and he should apologise for it! He should show some shame!"

"If you want to get good people to do wicked things you need religion..."

"You are better off thinking for yourself"

• Christopher Hitchens

'Nuff said.

Science is more of a process than a religion.

Okay, firstly, I agree with Rebecca about how science is a tool for human survival. That, I acknowledge and accept. Science has done wonderful things for human civilization, in the way we do everything, almost. I do think science plays a vital role in this world, to an extent. I meant science being a religion only to the extent that people believe what they're told without questioning the validity of so-called facts. Certain religions are the same in that respect. People are told there is a God, and they believe it. Like when science tells us anything, the greater part of the planet believes it. In that respect, science is like a religion that covers more people. Science is based on science, there is nothing wrong with it, to an extent.

As for these people still going on about "God", I figured I explained this rather clearly. (Before I begin, I'd like to tell you that I opted out of the YT video, after reading summerlander's post, figuring I'd hear another biased opinion. Besides that, I understand this man is a human, as I am, so he cannot say anything that would triumph over my belief.) As for religion, I don't like religion, I never have. I think this world would be better off without it. I personally don't believe in "God", who He is portrayed to be, but I believe that there is a god, one who we know nothing about, and one that no religion holds. These people keep trying to deny the existence of this "God" by saying He wasn't there when He was needed. How He doesn't ease the suffering of these people. What we fail to understand is, we, as humans, can only know what we learn as humans. We are not gods, nor will we ever be, as humans. We don't know how a god would think, act or feel. Or if a god has any, of what we call, "emotion", because as science explains it, "emotions" are simply released chemicals flowing though our bodies. Do you think a god would have a human body? I think not.

I think people harp on this idea, that, since "God doesn't help people, He doesn't exist" because it's the only way, the only chance they have of disproving His existence. (Note: I capitalize the "H's" out of respect for the religious people). Science relies on The Big Bang Theory to further try and disprove there was any conscious hand in the development of our universe by saying "there was a period of expansion and cooling... uh, yeah, accept it." If that is true, what caused this rapid expansion and cooling? Nothingness? Simply random? My only problem with science is that it tries to make sense out of things we could never hope to understand. I would go so far as to say it's arrogant. Science does well in the form of a tool for human survival, I'll admit that. I just find the "explanations" science gives us, as a way to think we know what's going on. A human nature, to need to be in control. That's all fine and OK, until people take it as fact (especially folks who aren't scientists) then mock others for believing in a god.

Summerlander wrote: I understand what you are saying and I wouldn't laugh at you for your beliefs. But I am just trying to understand how can someone so readily accept something that was exposed to them as an unquestionable truth when the so-called evidence is not solid enough and is so scientifically dismissed.

Sorry, seemed to miss this post.

Another example of what I'm talking about. Science dismisses the existence of God, so He does not exist. Science exposes us to "unquestionable truths" everyday. People take them as facts, and stroll along. Another example of why science and religion aren't so different.

Summerlander wrote:

*"It is a horrible idea that there is somebody who owns us, who makes us, who supervises us... waking and sleeping... who knows our thoughts, who can convict us of thought crime... THOUGHT CRIME(!)... just for what we think(!)... who can judge us while we sleep, for things that might occur to us in our dreams - who can create us sick (as apparently we are) and then order us on pain of eternal torture to be well again. To demand this, to wish this to be true, is to wish to live as an abject slave. It is a wonderful thing that we now have enough information, enough intelligence, and, I hope, enough intellectual and moral courage to say that this ghastly proposition is founded on a lie, and to celebrate that fact." *

"I think it will one day be admitted with shame that it might have been in error to say that AIDS is bad as a disease, but not quite as bad as condoms are bad - or not as immoral in the same way! I say it in the presence of his grace and I say it to his face: the preachings of his church are responsible for the death, suffering and misery of millions of his brother and sister Africans and he should apologise for it! He should show some shame!"

"If you want to get good people to do wicked things you need religion..."

"You are better off thinking for yourself"

• Christopher Hitchens

'Nuff said.

Don't you think having Christopher Hitchens speak for you is the same as not thinking for yourself?

Hi, Ty8200,

The Big Theory is supported by the discovery of cosmic background radiation. This is explained as radiation left over from an early stage in the development of the universe. There was definitely a big explosion which accounts for the local known universe. You must have missed the Big Bang theory discussion earlier.

Science is a method of observing and studying reality. Religion is not like that. It is a doctrine that people just accept without question. Science is all about questioning reality. Why is this? why is that?

God is a concept. Nothing more. You wouldn't have such concept if you had been taught, from an early stage in your life, that there is no creator and that everything is random. I believe the god concept stems from, and is a reflection of, our desire for power - to be on top of things - to be looked after, to feel safe etc. It is also the easiest way to explain things (which is not really explaining).

Think about this for a second: "God created the universe" ... pfft... the ultimate copout, if you ask me.

The word God is used to define the creator of everything, a supreme spiritual being who has power over nature and holds the highest moral ground. The "god" you speak of shouldn't be called "god" then, but something else. You still seem to allude to this mighty thing (whatever you want to call it) as though is is conscious and thinks and sees and hears everything! If He is not a person, does he somehow have a brain, eyes and ears to perceive everything? Where is your evidence of such a thing because so far, science has only been able to demonstrate cause and effect and that the universe in motion is most likely random or a deterministic one. Quantum theory even suggests a probabilistic framework at a fundamental level. If you have discovered something that nobody else has, and this can be proved, please do share!! :?

Why is it that God or intelligence behind what happens in nature is not scientifically mentioned? Because it is not evident, that's why! Not because science is the enemy. Not because it rejects god because the idea of it may sound absurd to some scientists (and I believe you are putting all your eggs in one basket there as you seem to make an attempt to tarnish the best and most productive method that we have)! The truth is that science cannot comment or give validity to that which is not evident in anyway!

On your Christopher Hitchens comment there. Quoting someone, even if it's verbatim, is not having someone think for me. To insinuate that is very prejudgemental and narrow-minded on your part. Quoting happens all the time in coursework, dissertations, books, and even in scientific theory (scientists of today may quote Einestein for instance). It is not a crime to quote others even if that means that it's going to help you express your views.

After all, people can resonate with one another. Commenting on a link that somebody else has posted and agreeing with it does not make someone incapable of thinking for themselves - unless, of course, in your mind, that is your best attempt at undermining me because you don't like my views?

At the end of the day, we are all born empty-minded. In the course of our lives we are exposed to many ideas and concepts. Today, I'm old enough to have formed my opinions (whether they are original or not). I'm an artist and I also write music. Sometimes I find that somebody else has already come up with what I thought was mine. But hey, who cares!

It's not my fault that zillions of people were born before me and that some joe has got there first! LOL! To be fair, most of the things we do, have, in all likelihood, been done before. :o

It would have been narcissistic of me to state that my ideas and beliefs are original but I never claimed anything to be mine or coming from my head anyway. I am merely stating here what I agree with after assessing and thinking about what has been exposed to me. I could also state that I have added to what Sam Harris has said on the subject but in fairness, my adding has probably been thought about by somebody else in the limelight already.

Thinking for yourself boils down to questioning the nature of things instead of blindly accepting them. And it goes without saying that people are better off thinking for themselves. If what you come up with turns out to be truly original and your ideas are revolutionary, then you have earned the "genius" label and whatever else people may choose to call you.

Summerlander wrote: The Big Theory is supported by the discovery of cosmic background radiation. This is explained as radiation left over from an early stage in the development of the universe. There was definitely a big explosion which accounts for the local known universe. You must have missed the Big Bang theory discussion earlier.

Science is a method of observing and studying reality. Religion is not like that. It is a doctrine that people just accept without question. Science is all about questioning reality. Why is this? why is that?

God is a concept. Nothing more. You wouldn't have such concept if you had been taught, from an early stage in your life, that there is no creator and that everything is random. I believe the god concept stems from, and is a reflection of, our desire for power - to be on top of things - to be looked after, to feel safe etc. It is also the easiest way to explain things (which is not really explaining).

Think about this for a second: "God created the universe" ... pfft... the ultimate copout, if you ask me.

The word God is used to define the creator of everything, a supreme spiritual being who has power over nature and holds the highest moral ground. The "god" you speak of shouldn't be called "god" then, but something else. You still seem to allude to this mighty thing (whatever you want to call it) as though is is conscious and thinks and sees and hears everything! If He is not a person, does he somehow have a brain, eyes and ears to perceive everything? Where is your evidence of such a thing because so far, science has only been able to demonstrate cause and effect and that the universe in motion is most likely random or a deterministic one. Quantum theory even suggests a probabilistic framework at a fundamental level. If you have discovered something that nobody else has, and this can be proved, please do share!! :?

Hello, SL

I get where you're coming from. But you still seem to miss my point. Perhaps I should have called the god I believe something else. As I mentioned, I don't believe the religious definition of God. And as I mentioned, I don't believe this god would have human perception. You said

"You still seem to allude to this mighty thing (whatever you want to call it) as though is is conscious and thinks and sees and hears everything! If He is not a person, does he somehow have a brain, eyes and ears to perceive everything?".

If you go back and read my post, I said pretty much the opposite of what you're saying I said. I said I don't believe he has a human brain, human consciousness, human feelings or ears, eyes and any human connection whatsoever. A connection to the Big Bang... Perhaps. You see, the thing is, I'm not trying to tell you this "almighty being" created the universe, I'm simply holding it open to possibility. I think that's the freest way to think. I don't submit to science, no matter how much so-called evidence they have, because there's always a possibility of it being flawed, like anything. Somewhat off topic, The Big Bang Theory is just that, a theory. Even scientist don't say that this Big Bang even happened, as you do. They created the model to explain what might have happened. It may be the most scientifically accepted model to date, but it doesn't make it true. There are many flaws with this theory that even scientist admit to. So it seems you're putting all of your eggs into the science basket :)

The one thing that I like about science compared to religion is they admit they are trying to fill gaps with best understanding at the time and when they are wrong they are happy to admit this as they then move forward in understanding instead of getting all bent and twisted trying to defend something.

Bingo, Peter. Not only does science try to fill in the gaps and admits to not having the answer to everything, it has helped civilisation massively. Science has many theories which it doesn't cling to but tries instead to test their validity and applicability. To date, the Big Bang THEORY (as I mentioned before, Ty8200) is the best and most accepted explanation we have and the cosmic background radiation fits the theory perfectly. Until something else is discovered that will contradict the Big Bang idea, I think it is safe for any scientist and layman to say that is probably how it happened.

Sciestists are quite prepared to admit that their whole standard model of particle physics is wrong if they fail to find the missing piece of the puzzle: the Higgs boson - without it, the universe is like a cart running without wheels.

Still, this does not mean that magic is at work to maintain reality. It just means that there is something more to discover and they will find it. Although quantum theory is not fully understood and implies that reality on a quantum scale follows rules that defy the way we are used to look at things, it has helped us technologically. Although not fully understood yet, it works.

For example, the mass of a proton and the values of the three constants of nature (Newton's gravitational constant, the speed of light, and Planck's constant) could have been used to calculate the mass of a white dwarf star by any scientist without them having to look at the stars. As Brian Cox pointed out, one can imagine an underground civilisation who has never been to the surface of the planet but has enough knowledge of physics to calculate the maximum mass of a giant sphere of gas such as a white dwarf. We can also imagine that, one day, one of their scientists travels above ground for the first time, looks up and confirms their scientific predictions (derived from logic and mathematics) were right: amongst the myriad dying stars in the sky there is not a single one that exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit in mass.

This sort of thing happens all the time in the scientific community. They calculate things that are later proved to be right through experiments and observations. Isn't it funny though, that religious people rely more on scientific mistakes to discredit the whole method and never mention what science has uncovered? Of course there is human error (whoopty do! :shock: ) but it is quickly rectified in these circles these days and there is always room for the potential productivity of error (of course, some individuals don't seem to grasp this concept ever)! :cry:

I've always been taught that we learn from our mistakes. Science does make mistakes, but, those mistakes have helped it to thrive and because of it, we are ever more prolific. Not to stereotype religious people, but some of them are off the mark when they say that if scientists make mistakes then the method is not reliable (it's making progress so how the hell is it not reliable?!!) or it is false (this proposition is even more absurd).

What has religion ever taught apart from stories founded on what people want to hear - well, at least the more religiously inclined. LOL! From where I stand, there is more beauty in a universe that has evolved as rich and as intriguing as it is without the need of a God then a world where we are made to feel guilty by what we do or say and which was supposedly created by a spiritual being with magical powers.

They love to perpetuate the so-called mystery of God and it is not surprising that some of their intentions are to do the opposite of what science is trying to do: to meet the questions with real logical answers (not the pathetic "God made the universe" - it's like saying "Santa got me presents" for goodness sakes!)

Then you get the ones who try to suppress scientific reasoning because somehow the intellectual jargon threatens their faith deep down...

As you rightly said, Peter: "...getting all bent and twisted trying to defend something." - But apparently me quoting you means I can't think for myself! :mrgreen:

For me, I personally believe that there is NO POINT in worrying about death. Death is a natural part of life. There is no avoiding it. We will all die, in time. If I worry about it, I just waste time living. As for religion, it and politics are usually no-no subjects. Best avoided. I don't think anyone here will change their mind off of what anyone says. Both science and religion are equally important: Science is human progress, while religion helps us do the right things. My church collects money to help the needy. I see that as a good, worthy cause.

hydraex2 wrote: As for religion, it and politics are usually no-no subjects. Best avoided. I don't think anyone here will change their mind off of what anyone says.

I think debate is important, and ultimately it can help people shape up their own views and question flaws in their philosophy. I'm certainly learning new things here. So if we all kept our heads under the sand, and held back from debating from fear of offending others (or just wasting our time) then we would never hear what others have to say and miss out on a potentially life-changing growth experience.

Of course, I never started this thread to make it a battle of words of religion vs science. I think people are being quite civilized about it and we are finding new ground between us. I'm glad we confronted this and hope we continue to encourage all sorts of opinions here. As long as people play nice (ie be respectful on a personal level) if should remain an open-minded forum to give and receive knowledge.

Debating about it is bad if you go in with the intention of simply trying to make people see your way. If you keep an open mind and actually listen to the other arguments then its worth doing.

In a debate, it is ideal to have both parties being reasonable and rational. Otherwise, there is no point. The ignorant will remain ignorant and the intelligent will become frustrated.

So if we all kept our heads under the sand, and held back from debating from fear of offending others (or just wasting our time) then we would never hear what others have to say and miss out on a potentially life-changing growth experience.

I'm in the right forum, then. 8-)

I used to identify as Christian up until like a year or two ago . Basicly im a man of science and i started thinking about the reasons early human came up with the idea of gods : " why are we here " " what is right and wrong " " why do things happen the way they do" then i realized that science answeres all these questions. It's like how morpheas describes the Matrix the idea was always there just a little idea in the back of my head but i never realy thought about it i just needed a shove .

I dont think science really gives answers as to what right and wrong are... however I also find it strangely immoral that people need a God to tell them what is right and wrong, I think people should be kind simply because they want to be, not because their religion tells them. Although I guess they could want to be kind and join a religion that matches their views...

Its also good to start thinking about why the arguments are put forward and not JUST judge them on their own merits. There is always some kind of underlying motivation that is actually more important than the idea itself. In my opinion life gets better when you no longer need to ask questions about God or Spirituality because you can find happiness in real things. I guess its all about letting go of the fear of death isnt it?

Jack - yes. When I truly stopped being concerned about death my world view changed and I have not looked back in all areas of my life. It was a moment of true freedom and an acceptance of self in the nicest way and all I had to do was look inside and find. It is one of the biggest reasons why I have no need for religion and find science interesting but also a work in progress so am more accepting of it over religion.

well i know it doesnt answer what is right and wrong thats because right and wrong is an idea created by humans. to think there is an omnicent being who decides what is right is naive . but otherwise you know what im saying science answers all other questions i can think of.

Summerlander wrote: We can be good to each other without having to believe in a God.

8-) Yes

LucidKey13 wrote: Trying to suggest that God was responsible for those incidents is completely the wrong way to look at it. My 12 year old cousin died from cancer and I do not blame it on god. In our world diseases and rouge cells are part of life, could you imagine a world where everyone is constantly free of burden and illness, people live forever and no challenges ever surface throughout their whole life? God gave us freewill so we can make our own choices and live freely. He did not foresee a world where such horrible people with such twisted, sad minds would exist.

“Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes like this, or he doesn’t care to, or he doesn’t exist. God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary. Take your pick, and choose wisely.

The only sense to make of tragedies like this is that terrible things can happen to perfectly innocent people. This understanding inspires compassion.

Religious faith, on the other hand, erodes compassion. Thoughts like, “this might be all part of God’s plan,” or “there are no accidents in life,” or “everyone on some level gets what he or she deserves” - these ideas are not only stupid, they are extraordinarily callous. They are nothing more than a childish refusal to connect with the suffering of other human beings. It is time to grow up and let our hearts break at moments like this.” ― Sam Harris

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Summerlander wrote:

Peter wrote:After a lifetime of LD and all manner of experiences I am yet to be convinced that anything is outside of our head, I have not said I agree of disagree but that I dont know and have no proof of anything. As for the debate that there just must be because... well no there does not need to be at all. I would like there to be and I dont know and dont really speculate on it too much.

As for the sentence on paranormal experiences, I don't see what experiencing them in a living body would matter.

It would matter if it is all in out head and if when the power is turned off there is nothing anymore and so no experience.

So many people start to believe after say one near death experience, I have had some of these and they are the same as an OBE but in real time and possibly a trick of awareness and nothing more, I dont know. I do expect that one experiences and sometimes the desperation of the moment will greatly sway an opinion and become fact in someones mind. This is a good thing but not for me

I've experienced both lucid dreams and OOBEs. I see no reason, so far, to disbelieve that they are only a type of WILD. As far as I'm aware, lucid dreaming can recreate any kind of experience. There is no going out of the body because you are your body. With the development of your body (especially your brain) came the development of your consciousness and sense of self. Hence why we have come so far since babyhood.

You need your brain to experience the world. You need a functional brain to have a sense of self. Everything, including your waking perception, happens in your brain. There is a simple analogy for the phenomenon of consciousness. Like dust comes together in space to produce heat and light (the birth of stars eventuated by gravity) so does consciousness arise and develop as a byproduct of biological systems as complex as the ones in the human cerebrum.

On NDEs... despite what you might have heard as regards to verification, it is all anecdotal evidence. they are traumatically induced OOBEs. Actually, I will go as far as to say that it happened to me once and here is an even better name for it that I propose: TILDs (trauma-initiated lucid dreams).

When they say the brain isn't active during such experiences... it is false. More appropriately, one can say that in certain cases there is no measurable brain activity. But it is only not measurable due to the equipment available. EEG is not enough to dig deeper. Someone like Michael Persinger, on the other hand, can measure what can't be detected in most hospitals. He will tell you that the brain is very much active beyond the EEG scope and in tandem with conscious experience in such trauma-induced states.

I'm sorry but I am a very scientifically-minded individual and as far as I can tell, death is equivalent to the pre-birth state. The only way you can come back after death is if the universe stumbles upon the right coordinates in space that bring about your awareness (and you wouldn't necessarily be the same person).

I think what we need to understand is that there are no real facts. Facts are what we believe to be the truth, through experimentation, repeated tests, and observation. But what we see through our human eyes, is only true to our eyes. It may be true to our human eyes and ears, but there is still much we won't and can't ever know, through eyes, ears, or all of the technology in the world, which is based on these things.

We will never agree because we are too different. No matter how persuasive you or I could be, it won't change anything. We have our beliefs, and neither are right or wrong, true or false. Saying otherwise is beyond our human power, and beyond our human perception. We will believe what we want to believe, and that's it. With all of that said, it's still interesting to see the amount humans, being the same animal, can be so different. Thank you for the debate, guys.

P.S. Anybody watching the London 2012 Olympics?

good thread and like this sort of debate - cheers

Watching some of it and liked the road race - always nice when its a gutsy win and not driven by teams and controlled to much.

I'm catholic and I believe in god and the bible but I disagree with religious people who judge others because they don't believe in the same thing or because they do things that they don't agree with or atheists who mock religious people. Everyone has the right to believe in what they want to believe and we shouldn't judge other who don't. PS. So far as OBEs and Near death experiences, they may be just in or heads or not "who knows?".

I agree with that, my beliefs or lack off are merely my opinion and thats all and I am happy to debate this and dont expect to sway anyone or make any judgement on others. Theres room for all of us

Dreamer3456 wrote: I'm catholic and I believe in god and the bible but I disagree with religious people who judge others because they don't believe in the same thing or because they do things that they don't agree with yeah thats a good way to look at it , because after all if you do the right thing as a person does it matter what you believe in ?

Well yeah, because what you believe in defines what you think is the right thing.

Jack Reacher wrote: Well yeah, because what you believe in defines what you think is the right thing.

I think Graham simply means the general code of ethics everyone should follow. Don't intentionally hurt someone physically, emotionally, mentally, ect... In my opinion, it doesn't take a belief in anything to follow this.

In my opinion your general code of ethics is a belief.

I'm a proud LDS. :P People have some weiiird misconceptions about Mormonism. I've had someone ask me how many Moms I have.. (one, if you're curious.) Some people think that we're a cult of vampire slayers (thanks, Stephenie Meyer, thanks.) A couple of people think that we worship inanimate objects. I also embrace a few Buddhist beliefs.

though I consider myself atheist, at least in terms of this quiz, as I do not believe there is a "higher intelligence" watching over us, I do consider myself a spiritual person. I have recently found myself gravitating towards eastern philosophies, specifically Buddhism, because they seemed to be more concerned with elevating ones self as person, than worshiping a deity. I am also very interested in the dismatling of the ego in an attempt to become more in touch with the universe as a whole. I do believe there are things in the universe that are far too complex for our human minds to comprehend or fathom, which could be considered a "higher power". but I think that if any of these incomprehensible forces or aspects of the universe have "intelligence", that they wouldn't concern themselves with what we as humans are doing, at least not enough to be purposely "watching over us"

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Yeah if there is a higher power, it doesn't necessarily have to be an intelligent entity. Imo in the big picture life itself is just one drop in the bucket. Gets a little crazy beyond that. Drugs.

To me there is no God. Buddhism, uncorrupted (if you cut out the mystical BS that has been attached to some of its forms over millennia) resonates with me. I practice meditation and I truly believe that there was a Buddha who had a psychedelic experience that changed his perspective on reality forever.

He discovered, and rightly so, that it is all about the mind. It is where all experience occurs and hence why the Buddhist philosophy is the first one to acknowledge that no living creature can observe the world directly - it is all mental interpretations... in other words, what you see and feel from the world is a very elaborate hallucination that serves as your organism's best interpretation of what is going on outside. You think a fly experiences the world in the same way? Wrong!

In Buddhism, there is no God nor fantasy. I have three young children and I get them to do a simple 5 minute exercise daily. I tell them to stare at a red dot and do nothing else. I encourage them to not think of anything as they do so. I tell them to imagine that there is only the red dot and nothing else. I say that the red dot is all there is... it has no worries, no wants, doesn't desire any toys or games, doesn't think and it is free. I tell them that we were once like the red dot, before we were born... it is where we come from kids. The red dot is free, it is bliss. As you can see, we've come a long way from the red dot and we got more complicated.

They took it seriously and now, especially my eldest who is eight, gets excited about the "red dot meditation". You know what it has done to them? They seem happier. They can enjoy things and know that they have the ability to not become attached. If they find themselves getting bored or when they want something they can't have, I tell them to remember the red dot... and they smile... no tantrums!!

The cessation of being is bliss. All you troubles end. I have taught them about acceptance. One should cultivate a healthy mind to that point. It is fine to enjoy life and the things you like... but if things sometimes don't go your way, strong is he who can still remain serene.

My kids also do a lot of sharing. :D

You don't need to threaten the kids with a wrathful god or with a Santa who won't deliver if they misbehave - my two cents.

Jack Reacher wrote: In my opinion your general code of ethics is a belief.

Sure, anything can be a belief. But whether you believe in something or not, it won't stop you from getting thrown in jail.

Summerlander wrote: To me there is no God. Buddhism, uncorrupted (if you cut out the mystical BS that has been attached to some of its forms over millennia) resonates with me. I practice meditation and I truly believe that there was a Buddha who had a psychedelic experience that changed his perspective on reality forever.

He discovered, and rightly so, that it is all about the mind. It is where all experience occurs and hence why the Buddhist philosophy is the first one to acknowledge that no living creature can observe the world directly - it is all mental interpretations... in other words, what you see and feel from the world is a very elaborate hallucination that serves as your organism's best interpretation of what is going on outside. You think a fly experiences the world in the same way? Wrong!

In Buddhism, there is no God nor fantasy. I have three young children and I get them to do a simple 5 minute exercise daily. I tell them to stare at a red dot and do nothing else. I encourage them to not think of anything as they do so. I tell them to imagine that there is only the red dot and nothing else. I say that the red dot is all there is... it has no worries, no wants, doesn't desire any toys or games, doesn't think and it is free. I tell them that we were once like the red dot, before we were born... it is where we come from kids. The red dot is free, it is bliss. As you can see, we've come a long way from the red dot and we got more complicated.

They took it seriously and now, especially my eldest who is eight, gets excited about the "red dot meditation". You know what it has done to them? They seem happier. They can enjoy things and know that they have the ability to not become attached. If they find themselves getting bored or when they want something they can't have, I tell them to remember the red dot... and they smile... no tantrums!!

The cessation of being is bliss. All you troubles end. I have taught them about acceptance. One should cultivate a healthy mind to that point. It is fine to enjoy life and the things you like... but if things sometimes don't go your way, strong is he who can still remain serene.

My kids also do a lot of sharing. :D

You don't need to threaten the kids with a wrathful god or with a Santa who won't deliver if they misbehave - my two cents.

Wow, you should write a book :) Getting kids to get along, share and even not throw tantrums? Even if we weren't ever really red dot, if it works for kids, why not use it? No sarcasm here, even if it sounds like it.

Buddhism is something I've always found interesting. If I were to be religious, Buddhism would be the closest thing for me (unfortunately, it is a religion). I read a quote from Buddha that I've lived by far before I read it. The exact words escape me now, but the general message was that you shouldn't believe something simply because a lot of people do.

Ty8200 wrote:

Jack Reacher wrote:In my opinion your general code of ethics is a belief.

Sure, anything can be a belief. But whether you believe in something or not, it won't stop you from getting thrown in jail.

...whats that got to do with anything?

Jack Reacher wrote:

Ty8200 wrote:Jack Reacher wrote:In my opinion your general code of ethics is a belief.

Sure, anything can be a belief. But whether you believe in something or not, it won't stop you from getting thrown in jail.

...whats that got to do with anything?

What do you mean? A general code of ethics is forced by law. They don't care if you believe it is right or wrong. If you kill or assault someone because you think they are a devil, you'll get thrown in jail whether you believe it's right or not. Belief means nothing in real life, is the point.

Hi, I am Archi. I believe in God. We are a part of God. So,If You discarded it You will never be Successor.Not only my religion but all religions have faith in him. That's why......we are moving in this beautiful world.

Hi, I dont believe in any god or being and am also doing fine in this world and am happy to share with you

Hi, I'm Ty. I believe we are all entitled to our own beliefs without ridicule or judgement. I believe no one has the right to try and make someone believe something they believe because that's what they believe to be true.

-Believe forever.

I agree but get irritated when a persons belief places a judgement on my life

The statement wasn't directed at anyone specifically, just my two cents.

All good as neither was mine - :D

I definitely believe in God. He has shown to me many times that he is listening and watching. I have full faith in God and I trust him with my life and always will. I believe everything that Jesus said and did, and ever since I started living for God my life has been so much better and very different in the way I act or understand things. I love God and I love all of God's children! (Meaning everyone. I don't care who you are or what you have done.)

One time I had a dream(non-lucid) that a loved one was taken over by some kind of demon (a dream character told me it was a demon), and I had faith in my dream and expelled the demon through Jesus Christ while I lightly pushed his chest. Afterwards we were both sitting there for a while, and I woke up. It was a strange dream, but the faith I had in the dream was as real as being awake it seemed.

Another time the word GOD was spray painted in blue on a brick wall above me when I woke up in a strange place in my dream. When I looked away and looked back the "O" was gone and it was replaced with a word that I forgot.

My religion has affected my dreams in a pretty weird way hahaha, but I always have really weird dreams so I guess it's just normal for me. XD

Whenever I can master lucid dreaming, I may ask my subconscious representation of Jesus if there is anything I need to change about my life. :D

Jack Reacher wrote: In my opinion your general code of ethics is a belief.

The general ethic code is a belief. An official and generally agreed upon belief. A belief nonetheless.

bluefrog75 wrote: One time I had a dream(non-lucid) that a loved one was taken over by some kind of demon (a dream character told me it was a demon), and I had faith in my dream and expelled the demon through Jesus Christ while I lightly pushed his chest. Afterwards we were both sitting there for a while, and I woke up. It was a strange dream, but the faith I had in the dream was as real as being awake it seemed.

Your dreaming mind was playing out your belief system and it did it very well.

Summerlander wrote: Your dreaming mind was playing out your belief system and it did it very well.

You are very right, but it is weird because usually my dreams make no sense at all hahaha Maybe it came from reading the Bible before bed sometimes XD

bluefrog75 wrote: Whenever I can master lucid dreaming, I may ask my subconscious representation of Jesus if there is anything I need to change about my life. :D

That sounds like a great idea. You should also try to go back in time and follow Jesus and the apostles throughout their journeys. (I will definitely try that sometime.)

Spirtual

I believe there is a divine force behind the Multiverse. I don't believe in one-certain religion. I kind of believe my own religion, which is a mix of Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Wicca and Buddhism. I believe you should be a good person, but if your not you deserve mercy, unless you have stained your hand with blood multiple times. I guess you could say my religion is Diplomacy: I forgive, but I sternly remind.

bluefrog75 wrote: I definitely believe in God. He has shown to me many times that he is listening and watching.

Please explain? :|

Mr.Lucid wrote: I believe there is a divine force behind the Multiverse. I don't believe in one-certain religion. I kind of believe my own religion, which is a mix of Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Wicca and Buddhism. I believe you should be a good person, but if your not you deserve mercy, unless you have stained your hand with blood multiple times. I guess you could say my religion is Diplomacy: I forgive, but I sternly remind.

You got my vote :D

Went to a catholic school etc. But at the moment my beliefs are up in the air.

The best thing to live by (IMO) would be to treat people the way you want to be treated. Makes sense right?

What does not make sense is that.. If their is A God with so called.. masterful powers, why has he not intervened in desperate times? And another good point that I heard just last night - humans where on earth.. for how damn long before Jesus appeared and all that jazz. And.. when Jesus 'the son of the all mighty god' did appear why in the random place of Bethlehem??

I don't know.. all a bit strange to be honest.

I see Religion some what of a way to live life. It comes across as something for people who want to know there is something more after life.