Question about religion and proselytizing

[NFS4]

So, I was watching Lost in Translation last night and it got me thinking about religion since the United States is a mostly Christian country.

Christians feel that there religion is the end-all be all. Reasoning? They grew up that way, were either taught it by their parents/family, and went to church and read the Bible, etc.

Now, if I lived over in Iraq or something, I would have grown up most likely in a Muslim family and learned the Muslim ways and would have been reading from the Koran. And again, that would be what I grew up with...what I knew. And of course, that religion would be the end-all be-all to me.

Then, let's say I was born and raised Japanese as learning Shinto or Buddhism.


I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we all see things according to the way we were brought up or raised (for the most part) and quite likely if we were of a different culture and lived in a different part of the world, we wouldn't likely be practicing the religion we do now. So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

 

[orakle]

religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

edit: This is just my opinion. Calm down.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: orakle22
religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

Congrats. Did you decide that sitting on the bus one day?
Or did you do deep research or something to debunk thousands of years of thinking?
I just love how you state it as fact.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: NFS4
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we all see things according to the way we were brought up or raised (for the most part) and quite likely if we were of a different culture and lived in a different part of the world, we wouldn't likely be practicing the religion we do now. So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

The fact is, I was brought up how I was, and not in a different way. I believe what I believe, the reason why doesn't matter. If the situation was different, I may believe something else, but that wouldn't necessarily mean that I would be correct. I would THINK I was, sure. But because of the way I was actually brought up, I believe that I would be wrong to believe something else even if that was my upbringing. I doubt that made any sense though.

NFS4, you just love flamefests, dontcha?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: NFS4
So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

You cannot. This is why the only logical position to take is agnosticism.

 

[MonkeyK]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: NFS4
So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

You cannot. This is why the only logical position to take is agnosticism.

Or Deism

 

[Wuffsunie]

Every religion feels it's the end-all be-all. They have to. It's part of any religion. What do you think would happen if they admitted otherwise?

 

[Wag]

Every religion feels it's the end-all be-all. They have to. It's part of any religion. What do you think would happen if they admitted otherwise?

Buddhism does not do this, not exactly. It's quite interesting, and I suggest reading a little about it if you haven't.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: MonkeyK

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: NFS4
So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

You cannot. This is why the only logical position to take is agnosticism.

Or Deism

Deism assumes the existence of a deity, and therefore is illogical.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: orakle22
religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

Congrats. Did you decide that sitting on the bus one day?
Or did you do deep research or something to debunk thousands of years of thinking?
I just love how you state it as fact.

Hah... you think he thought that up on his own? He's just repeating what he's heard countless other people say.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: NFS4


I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we all see things according to the way we were brought up or raised (for the most part) and quite likely if we were of a different culture and lived in a different part of the world, we wouldn't likely be practicing the religion we do now. So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

You learn about other faiths and use reason to discern.
Then, you take a leap of faith and believe.
Always keep your mind open, and look for a religion that allows for reason and questioning.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: glen

Originally posted by: NFS4


I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we all see things according to the way we were brought up or raised (for the most part) and quite likely if we were of a different culture and lived in a different part of the world, we wouldn't likely be practicing the religion we do now. So how is it that we can know for sure that OUR religion is the end-all be-all?

You learn about other faiths and use reason to discern.
Then, you take a leap of faith and believe.
Always keep your mind open, and look for a religion that allows for reason and questioning.

glen - if you haven't read Kierkegaard you should - he uses the same ideals in his writing (the leap of faith, among other things)

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: orakle22
religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

Congrats. Did you decide that sitting on the bus one day?
Or did you do deep research or something to debunk thousands of years of thinking?
I just love how you state it as fact.

Hah... you think he thought that up on his own? He's just repeating what he's heard countless other people say.

that's what religion is.

 

[Gurck]

Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

 

[Wuffsunie]

Originally posted by: Wag

Every religion feels it's the end-all be-all. They have to. It's part of any religion. What do you think would happen if they admitted otherwise?

Buddhism does not do this, not exactly. It's quite interesting, and I suggest reading a little about it if you haven't.

I have and you're right. Of course Buddists tend to be the most chill of all religious people, especially their fundamentalists. Look at some of the other major religions, they're busy killing each other for not worshipping the right god. What does a buddist terrorist do? Goes in the middle of the street, takes some gas, *woosh* self BBQ. People killing in the name of god are going "WTF are you doing?!" "Making you deal with your sh!t."

Of course Buddism is really more a philosophy with a lot of religious trappings to it. Still, on the other hand it is considered a religion, I suppose you're right. Any other similar examples, though?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

Yes, it's all about power. The Christians are going to form an uprising of converts from 3rd world countries to steal your breakfast cereal.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

I told you why there are Christian missionaries, I can't tell you why there are not missionaries from other religions (if that is even the case). I can see where you're coming from saying that they're manipulating people, but I have to disagree. The help they provide comes no strings attached, it just allows them to give something back to the community they are staying in.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

I told you why there are Christian missionaries, I can't tell you why there are not missionaries from other religions (if that is even the case). I can see where you're coming from saying that they're manipulating people, but I have to disagree. The help they provide comes no strings attached, it just allows them to give something back to the community they are staying in.

The help they give comes 'no strings attached' in the same way you're not forced to buy extended warranties at Best Buy. They can't actually make you do something, but they're going to push thier religion on you as much as possible, and then feed you and give you clothes to make you feel guilty if you say no.

 

[Mucho]

One of the lessons I've learned in my long life, is religions exist outside of the boundries of logic and common sense, thus any discussion between a religious person and a non beliver is pointless.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: orakle22
religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

Congrats. Did you decide that sitting on the bus one day?
Or did you do deep research or something to debunk thousands of years of thinking?
I just love how you state it as fact.

Why do we no longer believe in Gods of war, or wind, or the sun god?
We know how these things work.

We no longer believe in Egyptian gods. They were around for thousands of years, why debunk those years of thinking?
Why are they any wronger than thoughts of the "God" of the Bible existing?

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

I told you why there are Christian missionaries, I can't tell you why there are not missionaries from other religions (if that is even the case). I can see where you're coming from saying that they're manipulating people, but I have to disagree. The help they provide comes no strings attached, it just allows them to give something back to the community they are staying in.

The help they give comes 'no strings attached' in the same way you're not forced to buy extended warranties at Best Buy. They can't actually make you do something, but they're going to push thier religion on you as much as possible, and then feed you and give you clothes to make you feel guilty if you say no.

It's actually quite insidious. You accept their help and you accept their presence. Along with their presence comes their ideas and beliefs, as those foreign beliefs get reinforced, pretty soon your native culture gets corrupted and less relevant. Early Christianity even used existing pagan holidays and festivals, and corrupted them to its purpose (i.e. Christmas and Easter.. if those holidays were purely Christian in nature, we wouldn't have Christmas trees, nor would we have the concept of an Easter bunny.)

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Gurck
Why do only Christians do missionary work though? Not flaming, genuinely curious.

I can't tell you why other religions don't, if they don't. But I can tell you that Christians do, because they believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is one and only one way into heaven, and they want to share that with as many people as possible. Sort of debunks the belief that religion is all about money, because overseas missions work costs a lot of money, and there is no monetary "return on investment." Missionaries don't just go to some remote location and start converting people, they go to help the people. They bring knowledge and skills that people in undeveloped countries don't normally have access to.

I'd have to disagree, they're manipulating people using poverty for leverage. The help doesn't come unflavored by religion. It's not about money in this case; it's about power. That sort of sidesteps my question though.

I told you why there are Christian missionaries, I can't tell you why there are not missionaries from other religions (if that is even the case). I can see where you're coming from saying that they're manipulating people, but I have to disagree. The help they provide comes no strings attached, it just allows them to give something back to the community they are staying in.

The help they give comes 'no strings attached' in the same way you're not forced to buy extended warranties at Best Buy. They can't actually make you do something, but they're going to push thier religion on you as much as possible, and then feed you and give you clothes to make you feel guilty if you say no.

You know, I'm sure there are a lot of people who do this. I'm sure there are a lot more who don't. My girlfriend is in India right now working with the Missionaries of Charity. She is not there to convert anyone. She is there because she truly wants to help people. She isn't there to be a tourist. She isn't staying in a fancy hotel. She is living in a small dorm, going to mass every day at 6:00 AM and then spending her time looking after sick and dying people, etc. She isn't there to make people feel guilty. These nuns of Mother Teresa's convent give their whole lives to helping the less fortunate.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: orakle22
religion is just a cop-out for trying to explain things we can't explain

Congrats. Did you decide that sitting on the bus one day?
Or did you do deep research or something to debunk thousands of years of thinking?
I just love how you state it as fact.

Hah... you think he thought that up on his own? He's just repeating what he's heard countless other people say.

that's what religion is.

This is the most owned I have ever seen anybody get.......... oh man