10 minutes ago, Toastrel said:

"History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help. But, like dandruff, most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

 

I prefer Heinlein.

Too long to be catchy lmao

10 minutes ago, Toastrel said:

"History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help. But, like dandruff, most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

 

I prefer Heinlein.

Also, I'd say religion had a practical purpose for early civilizations, bringing people together and "explaining" unknowns to help alleviate fears. It's a completely useless weight nowadays.

18 minutes ago, Boogyman said:

Also, I'd say religion had a practical purpose for early civilizations, bringing people together and "explaining" unknowns to help alleviate fears. It's a completely useless weight nowadays.

The unknown of death is still one of the most terrifying concepts to the human psyche. I'm not sure anything that has transpired in the last few millenia has made it any more palatable.

That being said, you don't need organized religion to live a wholesome life. Altruistic virtues didn't start with religion, compassion and empathy are extremely difficult emotions for humans to suppress. It often takes a lifetime of conditioning to detach people from that, and ironically, this is where heavy-handed religious doctrine has been able to succeed for many.

13 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

The unknown of death is still one of the most terrifying concepts to the human psyche. I'm not sure anything that has transpired in the last few millenia has made it any more palatable.

That being said, you don't need organized religion to live a wholesome life. Altruistic virtues didn't start with religion, compassion and empathy are extremely difficult emotions for humans to suppress. It often takes a lifetime of conditioning to detach people from that, and ironically, this is where heavy-handed religious doctrine has been able to succeed for many.

I agree. I was saying for very early civilization, BC, religion was a driving force behind people grouping together and probably helped move society along. 

 

He also said:

We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.

3 hours ago, Toastrel said:

I don't worship the guy who washes hooker's feet...

and what's wrong with that??!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, we_gotta_believe said:

The unknown of death is still one of the most terrifying concepts to the human psyche. I'm not sure anything that has transpired in the last few millenia has made it any more palatable.

Meditation, mindfulness, and the Buddha has helped me with this as well as many other "fears.” 

2 hours ago, Boogyman said:

Too long to be catchy lmao

When I was fresh out of high school and still a young earth creationist type, an older co-worker said one time that "religion is a crutch for those who can’t accept the fact that this is it and there ain’t no more.” It was literally the first time in my life that I recall hearing something anti-religious like that.  Freaked me out at the time. 

51 minutes ago, Arthur Jackson said:

and what's wrong with that??!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing, wash all the hooker's feet you like. You can even worship them.

What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?

2 minutes ago, NOTW said:

What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?

2 hours ago, NOTW said:

What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?

Then He would not be God.

21 hours ago, Toastrel said:

I don't believe in Christ, so no hypocrisy. I don't worship the guy who washes hooker's feet and says the meek will inherit the earth.

I have morals, just not fake ones most US Christians pretend to have when it is convenient. "Love thy neighbor, but shoot to kill." Such a Christian attitude. "Build a wall, and put blades in floats across the river to kill immigrants, just like Jesus would have done."

Pretend Christians wear their hypocrisy like a war wound.

Written like the 15 year old going on 80 that you are.

The last page is like listening to a bunch of idiotic 15 year olds.  Well done, you scholars you 

1 hour ago, Mike31mt said:

Written like the 15 year old going on 80 that you are.

It is Fing uncanny how much like Jesus you behave.

mikey so mad. 

 

5 hours ago, Toastrel said:

It is Fing uncanny how much like Jesus you behave.

"It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs."

10 hours ago, Toastrel said:

It is Fing uncanny how much like Jesus you behave.

 

11 hours ago, Mike31mt said:

Written like the 15 year old going on 80 that you are.

I bet you're going to celebrate Christmas arenr you?  Why?? 

24 minutes ago, Mike31mt said:

 

I bet you're going to celebrate Christmas arenr you?  Why?? 

Because the Romans changed all the pagan holidays to Christian ones to help facilitate the transition to Christianity. 

 

Have your kids ever went trick or treating?

18 minutes ago, Boogyman said:

Because the Romans changed all the pagan holidays to Christian ones to help facilitate the transition to Christianity. 

 

Have your kids ever went trick or treating?

So Christmas isn't the celebration of the birth of Jesus?  Is that your final answer?   You guys are so smart and learned 

Just now, Mike31mt said:

So Christmas isn't the celebration of the birth of Jesus?  Is that your final answer?   You guys are so smart and learned 

 Not for me it's not. 

So have your kids ever trick or treated or not?

5 minutes ago, Boogyman said:

 Not for me it's not. 

So have your kids ever trick or treated or not?

Yes, they have. What the hell difference does that make? I'm not the one saying I don't believe in Jesus and then celebrating his birth.

I already know your point and it's irrelevant and dumb.  Nice try boogerman

1 hour ago, Mike31mt said:

Yes, they have. What the hell difference does that make? I'm not the one saying I don't believe in Jesus and then celebrating his birth.

I already know your point and it's irrelevant and dumb.  Nice try boogerman

Why?  Do you believe the divide between the living and dead thins that day, like the Celts did? Sounds like something a heathen would believe IMO.

 

Nive try anyway, Retardman.

 

4 hours ago, Mike31mt said:

 

I bet you're going to celebrate Christmas arenr you?  Why?? 

1 minute ago, Arthur Jackson said:

Talk about a stocking stuffer!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I'll leave 😐