General Chat

Some don't seem to try at all, John.

Thread does upset me quite a bit. Am so sorry that people feel that way.

Carol puts forward the commandments that are central - not only in religious countries but I would suggest all societies. If we steal or murder it is wrong in all situations.

On another thread Cynthia listed the only two commandments that Jesus felt were vitally important:
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart
2. Love your neighbour (even neighbours who despise you and abuse you) as you would want to be loved yourself by God.

Very simple commandments - but I doubt any Christian would say that they do more than try to achieve that level of human perfection. We can only set our compass and do our best.

lol no Errol, it's a home made one, no meat ;-)

Rose I hope you didn't buy it from Tesco!

Kay I could give you a long answer lol, but I'm eating a lasagne so I'll take a rain check :-)

Rose being an athiest is so carefree,,,,,,,,,try it.

Just trying to be a good human being for the good is far more worthy for ones sanity. than having to beg forgivness for ones actions. ;-) :-D

I read an article the other day that said research had shown that christians are less welcoming to "outsiders" and more so to their religious counterparts.
I will try to find the article.

I dislike evangelism, period.

Whether it is theistic or atheistic.

Rose & Guinevere

I find the same and agree with you both.

GinaS

Couldn't agree more, Rose.

If all Christians were like my dad was I'd respect them so much. Sadly they aren't and, like you, I find that some professed Christians put me off the whole religion. I'm pretty sure Jesus wasn't cocksure and arrogant, why are they?

The older I get the more non-Christlike Christians I seem to encounter.

sorry have to be off for a while,

my thought wasn't really about 'religion' or its role in wars or life per se...more that 'believers' seem to be the worst at 'making a good case' for the God that is ( supposed to be ) at the heart of their religion...as opposed to the dogma.

To use a very crude analogy, it's a bit like a double glazing saleman who comes to your home to sell windows, but then promotes the benefits of having the window openings bricked up!

Respect that view Rose.

Losing two brothers and my sister in 12 weeks on top of all the other crap we have been through as a family over the past couple of years made me do a 360.

It's hard enough dealing with grief and the unfairness of it all but then to be told it's god's will, whilst in the middle of a mental breakdown, was simply too much.

Cannot say anymore than that.

Sue,
Even if you believe in no God, war hurts people, as does neglectful parenting which is now classed as abuse.

In many cases wars have been started in the name of religion, but it was not for their God they fought but for the land & goods they would capture, or just as a bloodsport.

As for envy being a human condition, I think that is rather a generalisation.

Religion or a way of life?

Surely if we all tried to bring up our children with good morals, the fact that killing, stealing, telling lies and not being a faithful partner are very wrong, society would be a far better place.

That Apple and serpent have a lot to answer for :-D :-D

Tricky for an atheist to put god first I'd have thought :-D

morning ladies,

with respect would like to point out that most of the wars have in the past and present been the result of religious beliefs.
Also, in cases, why should parents be respected, if they have shown no love, care or anything else with their child.
Envy, is a human condition, not nice, but nevertheless now and again a normal feeling for a human being.
I could go on, ...........

Religion expects people to b e perfect, and human beings are very far from that.

Sue
:-) :-)

Rose, it is the people not the faith at fault. If all mankind lived by the basic laws:
Put God first

Worship your God only, not material things

Respect your parents

Do not hurt other people

Be faithful in marriage

Do not steal

Do not lie

Do not be envious of others

There would be no wars & we could all live our lives without having to constantly defend ourselves.

deeply ironic that, despite my years of having a (in truth rather simple, uncomplicated ) belief in God, which survived deaths of family, various trials etc, the people who have driven me closest to aetheism have all been preachers or the 'religious'... how sad is that? That dogma has 'defeated' God.

That men and women with a stated belief in God have shaken my faith more than any determined aetheist has ever done. :-(

Sorry I know it's 'yet another thread on the topic' but it's my thread and so I can whoosh it when I feel inclined, I'd prefer that to posting on someone else's.