Sciforums religion survey 2014

Discussion in 'Religion' started by James R, Dec 21, 2014.

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What do you believe? (Select all that apply.)

Poll closed Jan 11, 2015.
  1. I don't believe in God now, and I never did.

    12 vote(s)
    26.1%
  2. I don't believe in God now, but I used to.

    15 vote(s)
    32.6%
  3. I believe in God now, but in the past I did not.

    4 vote(s)
    8.7%
  4. I believe in God now, and always have.

    5 vote(s)
    10.9%
  5. I have no opinion on God/do not wish to select one of the above options.

    6 vote(s)
    13.0%
  6. I don't believe in God, but I believe there is a higher power, life force or similar.

    4 vote(s)
    8.7%
  7. I don't regard myself as religious, but I am a spiritual person.

    7 vote(s)
    15.2%
  8. I believe that human beings have a soul or life force which remains after the death of the body.

    5 vote(s)
    10.9%
  9. I believe in reincarnation.

    4 vote(s)
    8.7%
  10. I describe myself as a follower of a recognised religion.

    3 vote(s)
    6.5%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    Only good comes from God so that is why I thank Him when something good happens.
     
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  3. Seattle Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,849
    Let's call "Frank" Mohammed, people got killed in horrific ways back then and to this day. Jim Jones and his Kool Aid drinkers believed as well.
     
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  5. Seattle Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,849
    You have faith for you beliefs. Many of us have evidence that we base our beliefs on. You are just trying to use the word faith to mean belief.

    You can use whatever word you want to but the difference between thinking that the crossing button is going to work and think that God is going to stop traffic for you is there there is much evidence for one and none for the other.
     
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  7. cluelusshusbund + Public Dilemma + Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,985
    Where does "bad" come from.???
     
  8. Cris In search of Immortality Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,199
    I do not see any merit in admiring anyone who sacrificed themselves trying to convince others that their fantasy of the supernatural is true.

    No we do not need to ban religion. Society does not develop by restricting it. If religion is bad then education is needed to explain the issue so that all can make valued judgments.

    What does free thinking mean? If you mean being able to consider many alternatives then isn't your single minded view of your belief the opposite of free thinking? I am not against the idea of the existence of a god if someone can show how one is possible and what evidence there is. I'd also consider parallel universes, bubble universes, infinite universes, alien influences, etc, etc. To me there are no restrictions on what I would consider, but I would not go to the point of being convinced of a particular hypothesis without some factual indicators. To me this is fact based open mindedness - free thinking with merit. You on the other hand represent the epitome of closed mindedness - you have closed your mind to all other alternatives other than your particular god concept. You do indeed represent someone who has their belief system holding them back - you only have the single minded perspective of your beliefs.

    And what do you think my "belief system" is? The only sovereign I allow to rule is reason.
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2014
  9. Cris In search of Immortality Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,199
    Please don't take it that way. It is a common mistake made by many - i.e. the distinct meanings of the term "faith". Over my some 15 years here the topic has come up countless times. Please take it as useful information and move on, I don't mean to belittle you.

    Yes of course. And no there is no point to life. The value and meaning you place on your own life is entirely up to you. If you see no value then feel free to end it (and no I am not encouraging suicide), as many do. But most people have a sense of survival otherwise our species would have died out eons ago. We constantly strive to stay alive and the idea that at some point we might cease to exist is a primary reason religions were invented - they give that false hope that the real ugliness and finality of death is instead a magical wonderful gateway to an endless paradise - that is the real evil of religious indoctrination - false hope. This is the fundamental principle of Christianity - the bible states -> Jesus said believe in me and you shall have everlasting life. This is the entirety of Christianity - that single false promise to cheat death. Everything else is just the dogma and rules that must be followed to achieve the goal of immortality.

    But the real value of life is life itself and you are entirely free to do with it whatever you wish. The alternative to life is cessation of existence - something that is not attractive. I would like to extend my life for as long as I can - life is good. I see no reason to attribute my existence to any magical beings, or feel that I must fulfill some unique purpose to justify my existence. Life is simply life - it is a phenomenal experience, and entirely priceless - enjoy it while it lasts.

    Once you realize that life has no hidden meaning or purpose then religions cease to have any attraction and you can experience freedom to follow your own desires, be they good or bad.
     
    zgmc, cluelusshusbund and Seattle like this.
  10. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    God.
     
  11. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    What have I closed my mind to Cris?

    The only person here with a closed mind is you, and you continue to post like a very bitter old man, why not try being civil, break the mold. This place is the same, all non believers acting like pricks who completely disrespect fellow humans based on people's belief. What would the world be like if it was full of these pointless atheists if their closed minds?
     
  12. Randwolf Ignorance killed the cat Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,201
    Does this mean you curse God when "bad" happens? Do you even complain to God when "bad" happens? Why not? - You thank God for good...
     
  13. Cris In search of Immortality Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,199
    It is not a personal attack - think it through. You have chosen a specific religious belief and as a result are rejecting everything else that conflicts with that single position. To be accurate you are single minded in your perspective. It also accurately means you are closed minded to any alternatives other than your own.

    What you seem to be saying by calling me closed minded is that I won't follow your single minded position. But I will follow your position if you can demonstrate any factual basis for it. Otherwise I am entirely open to any and all rational positions. How is that being closed minded?

    As for being civil - have you considered it for yourself rather than throw accusations and ad hominem at everyone.
     
  14. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    Yes I do curse at Him.
     
  15. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    Ditto.
     
  16. cluelusshusbund + Public Dilemma + Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,985
    Why.???
     
  17. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    I celebrate my good fortune with Him, why wouldn't I give Him stick for bad fortune? It's called a relationship.

    I admit I have a close relationship with God.
     
  18. cluelusshusbund + Public Dilemma + Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,985
    Do you thank God lets bad/sad thangs hapen in you'r life for no good reason.???
     
  19. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    There is always a reason in this great cosmic soap opera.
     
  20. cluelusshusbund + Public Dilemma + Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,985
    Has he ever told you why he let someptin bad/sad hapen in you'r life.???
     
  21. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    No.
     
  22. Seattle Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,849
    That doesn't sound like a close relationship then.
     
  23. davewhite04 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,233
    It's not like a typical human relationship. I have full trust in God's plan for me, I know there will be ups and downs, just like everyone else.
     

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