USA doesn't follow Christianity, India doesn't follow Hinduism and China doesn't Tao

[raildogg]

So then, what's the point of organized religion anymore?

These countries, and many more, are going the opposite ways of their respective religions. USA is a great warring country with the most lethal weapons ever devised, yet they claim to follow "God." India is the most corrupt country with terrible abuses of all kinds. China is destroying their land in order to become an economic powerhouse.

So is religion just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself?

 

[Jaepheth]

$$$

They're the original pyramid scheme

 

[Rakehellion]

Religion doesn't need to be sanctioned by the state.

 

[Red Storm]

Yet Another "America = The World" Post

 

[bradly1101]

So then, what's the point of organized religion anymore?

These countries, and many more, are going the opposite ways of their respective religions. USA is a great warring country with the most lethal weapons ever devised, yet they claim to follow "God." India is the most corrupt country with terrible abuses of all kinds. China is destroying their land in order to become an economic powerhouse.

So is religion just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself?

Religion absolves you, so you can do whatever.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Ah, a religion thread. Time for most of AT to bust out the lotion and vigorously start masturbating.

 

[Miramonti]

So then, what's the point of organized religion anymore?

These countries, and many more, are going the opposite ways of their respective religions. USA is a great warring country with the most lethal weapons ever devised, yet they claim to follow "God." India is the most corrupt country with terrible abuses of all kinds. China is destroying their land in order to become an economic powerhouse.

So is religion just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself?

Don't just make blanket statements...I want NAMES! We must expose these heathens and burn them at the stake!

 

[IronWing]

The point of organized religion is the organization.

 

[Miramonti]

Countries don't have faith, or lack of faith for that matter. Countries are just "regions legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography", according to the wikimaster.

However there are many individuals within such named countries who have and practice faith. Why don't you ask these people why they do, if you really want to know, instead of just assuming religion's "just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself."

 

[Gunslinger08]

Most first world countries don't have a state sanctioned religion and pass laws that aren't based directly on one specific set of religious morals. As time progresses, these laws tend to diverge more and more from the "traditional" morals defined by religions that aren't explicitly based on natural rights (life, liberty, property), as various religions and non-religions disagree.

The purpose of organized religion is (paradoxically enough) a very personal thing. If you're anti-religion, you probably view it as an opiate of the masses and a method of control. If you are a moderately religious person, you probably view it as a tradition and a way to meet like minded people. If you are an extremely religious person, you probably view it as a very large portion of your life that challenges you to receive a deeper understanding of your religion and to embody that faith in your daily actions.

 

[raildogg]

Countries don't have faith, or lack of faith for that matter. Countries are just "regions legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography", according to the wikimaster.

However there are many individuals within such named countries who have and practice faith. Why don't you ask these people why they do, if you really want to know, instead of just assuming religion's "just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself."

These countries are made up of the people supposedly following these religions. Most Americans are Christians, right? Many claim it was "founded" on these so-called Christian values. Yet, these same Christians have murdered how many people?

If many individuals actually are truly religious in USA, India and China and elsewhere, I seriously doubt the world would be as messed up as it is today.

 

[sdifox]

So then, what's the point of organized religion anymore?

These countries, and many more, are going the opposite ways of their respective religions. USA is a great warring country with the most lethal weapons ever devised, yet they claim to follow "God." India is the most corrupt country with terrible abuses of all kinds. China is destroying their land in order to become an economic powerhouse.

So is religion just a way to spend an hour or two a week to feel good about oneself?

China is officially Atheist.

 

[Colt45]

I don't seem to recall china claiming to follow anything except Mao, and they are doing a rather shitty job of that. :awe:

 

[Gunslinger08]

If many individuals actually are truly religious in USA, India and China and elsewhere, I seriously doubt the world would be as messed up as it is today.

I think that religion is too complex and controversial for this statement to be true.

A much easier statement to agree with is that if everyone followed the golden rule, the world would be a better place.

 

[raildogg]

China is officially Atheist.

Taoist influence supposedly is strong in China yet the country goes the opposite way of Tao. They are slavishly following the Western model while abandoning their entire culture that was supposedly based around Confucianism, Taoism and maybe even Buddhism.

So basically, religion means to identify with something "divine" but to not actually act upon it in daily life?

 

[raildogg]

Ah, a religion thread. Time for most of AT to bust out the lotion and vigorously start masturbating.

You're welcome to contribute to it if you wish. I would be very happy to talk about it with you if you wish.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Taoist influence supposedly is strong in China yet the country goes the opposite way of Tao. They are slavishly following the Western model while abandoning their entire culture that was supposedly based around Confucianism, Taoism and maybe even Buddhism.

So basically, religion means to identify with something "divine" but to not actually act upon it in daily life?

Cultures are based on a billion different things, and religious beliefs are just one of those things, albeit a major player. You're trying pigeonhole religion into one thing, when in reality its role is different for each individual.

 

[raildogg]

Cultures are based on a billion different things, and religious beliefs are just one of those things, albeit a major player. You're trying pigeonhole religion into one thing, when in reality its role is different for each individual.

What I'm saying is that organized religion has not helped in making people harmonious.

Anyway, if it was really an individual thing, I doubt there would be so many churches and temples all over the world. I heard the Catholic church owns a ton of property.

It seems more like a community get together that has little meaning.

 

[Red Storm]

What I'm saying is that organized religion has not helped in making people harmonious.

Anyway, if it was really an individual thing, I doubt there would be so many churches and temples all over the world. I heard the Catholic church owns a ton of property.

It seems more like a community get together that has little meaning.

Everyday there are tons of crimes committed in the world that have nothing to do with religion. Being human has not helped make people harmonious it seems.

 

[IAteYourMother]

What I'm saying is that organized religion has not helped in making people harmonious.

Anyway, if it was really an individual thing, I doubt there would be so many churches and temples all over the world. I heard the Catholic church owns a ton of property.

It seems more like a community get together that has little meaning.

How do you know that? You don't really have a good control for it.

In fact, while religion might be the cause of various wars (Crusades, Inquisitions), you might argue that they are a mechanism for population/herd control which would increase harmony within a society.

 

[raildogg]

Everyday there are tons of crimes committed in the world that have nothing to do with religion. Being human has not helped make people harmonious it seems.

Yes, exactly.

But please tell me, what do we do daily has anything to do with organized religion? Is it a factor in our daily lives or do we remember it a couple of hours a week?

 

[Red Storm]

Yes, exactly.

But please tell me, what do we do daily has anything to do with organized religion? Is it a factor in our daily lives or do we remember it a couple of hours a week?

Who is 'we' and why must 'we' all think alike? People are different. They have different cultures, different beliefs, different moral codes.

 

[raildogg]

How do you know that? You don't really have a good control for it.

In fact, while religion might be the cause of various wars (Crusades, Inquisitions), you might argue that they are a mechanism for population/herd control which would increase harmony within a society.

Well, I am not a scientist or anything so I can't conjure up a study. I have seen some things around me that I can base my views upon.

Are you saying religion is a good way to keep a population in line? To start trouble every now and then?

 

[sdifox]

Taoist influence supposedly is strong in China yet the country goes the opposite way of Tao. They are slavishly following the Western model while abandoning their entire culture that was supposedly based around Confucianism, Taoism and maybe even Buddhism.

So basically, religion means to identify with something "divine" but to not actually act upon it in daily life?

influence to the people has very little to do with the communist party.

 

[raildogg]

Who is 'we' and why must 'we' all think alike? People are different. They have different cultures, different beliefs, different moral codes.

Different culture, beliefs and moral codes. I wonder when and if people remember these things. Do they follow what they learned at church word by word or do they do things which are convenient for them?

Like for instance, our great politicians. They all talk about unity and the rest of the BS. They all even go to sunday church. Yet, is there any aspect of religion in what they actually do? What about the rest of the population? Is religion more than a few nice words?