Religion: Outlawed

[Phoenix]

Well worse things has happened in history where one group puts down another group extremely and now since Religion's power is so called weakening then it would make it more vulnerable to such a thing.

If religion is not a threat, nobody will ban it. It would gain them nothing, and risk a lot.

[Memory Master]

Here is how I see it. One religion has to be the true religion on a basic level.I beleive that christianity is the closest to being correct about things. I think muslims, jews, and christians all worship the same God even though they may not know it. But the ideas and stories of how things happened have been twisted and such. But the basic concept of there being a God is true. I also believe that Jesus was the son of god, and Satan is the source of all evil. But on a basic level all 3 of the major religions are the same. I just think christianity is the closest to being correct.

Now Science will try to disprove God but science itself has holes in it that can only be filled in by God. One example would be the big bang theory. Scientist believe the big bang created the universe, but they don't know what triggered the big bang. Now what if it was God who triggered the big bang? And the first five days of creation were not 24 hour days but they were actually billions of years. That would fit the bible and science together to where they don't contradict eachother.

If science and religion would start working together and match things up like a puzzle it would make alot of sense and it would become obvious that there is a God. I have done this and I am convince beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God.

Anyways, the thing is Religion does'nt need to be banned but it needs to be looked at in a different manner. This would cause religion to be more widely accepted by people and it would help them understand things in a better manner. This is how I see it IMO.

[ikkuh2]

BS. The god of the gaps was used before, the more we come to understanding, the less use it has. They used tons of gods in ancient times, for lightning, earthquakes etc. and were are they now, i ask you. If the theory of a god would have evidence i would agree, no evidence means no validity in science. Why would there have to be a cause for the BB or the universe per se, that's most humans error in thinking, that everything needs a cause. The fact that time is not one way makes it possible for an event to come before the cause. But if we are to ask about who or what creates that god, then there suddenly is no cause.

Nothing personal, but do not rape ratio and use it for your own good.

[Memory Master]

Originally Posted by ikkuh2

BS. The god of the gaps was used before, the more we come to understanding, the less use it has. They used tons of gods in ancient times, for lightning, earthquakes etc. and were are they now, i ask you. If the theory of a god would have evidence i would agree, no evidence means no validity in science. Why would there have to be a cause for the BB or the universe per se, that's most humans error in thinking, that everything needs a cause. The fact that time is not one way makes it possible for an event to come before the cause. But if we are to ask about who or what creates that god, then there suddenly is no cause.

Nothing personal, but do not rape ratio and use it for your own good.

Ha, whatever. If you want to go through life believing that this existence is all there is than have fun. But I will enjoy knowing that time, physics, anything mathematical does not apply to God.

[ikkuh2]

That's the easy way out, and the weakest too.

[Forever Atlas]

Originally Posted by ikkuh2

That's the easy way out, and the weakest too.

Easy way out is believing that there is no God that we have no one to answer to but ourselves. Doing what we please is pretty easy. Following what other people say, especially if we don't want to isn't easy.

[Ahi Mahi Ono]

Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. So in aspect, Darwinism and all that jazz is considered a religion. I honestly don't see Religion being banned anywhere at all unless Mao takes office of the world.

The laws of countries are built off of their religions and so forth. Our ancestors decided what was wrong by what the Bible (or other spiritual book) depicted as such.

To ban religion would be an absolutely ridiculous thing for any leader and/or nation to even fathom the thought of it happening. Even if it is banned, there will be people who worship. You can't just ban something and expect everyone to comply. It's a part of everyone's life, whether they believe in creationism or Darwinism.

[ikkuh2]

Evolution as well as other science isn't a religion or belief, how hard is it to get that in your head. Evolution or any other theory part of science is either right or wrong, based on what is observed. Religion or belief means unconditional trust in a hypothesis even when there is no evidence for it whatsoever.

[New2Ya]

Originally Posted by Forever Atlas

The other day, a group of my friends and I were discussing a topic that related to something we heard in a congregational/religious meeting. The topic was, religion being banned.

Now, though people's faith can't be just "taken away," there are many ways that governments or authorities could ban or prohibit the practicing or gathering of organized religions. This concept might seem a bit far fetched, still, I believe it can (and eventually will) happen. In the Bible, Babylon the Great, what my group interprets as all the religions we see around us (especially that of Christendom), will be destroyed. Revelation speaks of the wild beast turning on Babylon and destroying her in the future.

Now, whether or not you think that interpretation is correct is irrelevant to the topic. My questions are: Do you see the destruction of religion as we know it today as a possibility? Even in our near future? Even in nations where "freedom of religion" is paramount to society?

What do you think the benefits or negative effects would be if religion was banned?

The fact that less and less people, especially in western regions, are religious these days might seem like it wouldn't matter. Churches are closing down, religious leaders are begging people to come back to their churches using scare tactics or enticing schemes. Reports from all around the world, especially many European nations and N. America show that while some people may believe in a higher being or power, less and less people practice any sort of religion. People these days are just too busy or too into themselves to have a religion. Not only that, the negative reputation religion has turns a lot more away from religion. Through the centuries countless atrocities have been in the name of religion. Corruption so high up the ladder. So why not just end it all?

Still there are billions worldwide that religion is a major and main part of their lives day to day. Not just that, many religions honestly and genuinely do good for many people around them.

So once again, do you see religion as possibly being outlawed? Yes or No and why? If it was outlawed, what do you think the effects would be on the world?

Discuss

That will never happen. You can't ban people's beliefs.

What would be a possiblity is that one day, we'll all believe in the same thing. Because we have proof of that belief, maybe.

As for why people believe less and less in a God, that doesn't have to do with being too busy or being too much in yourself. It's because we're more aware of the world around us and understand more of life.

In the past, people had no answers whatsoever concerning life. So to give a meaning to life, an understanding, people turned to a higher power. Something that can't be seen or heard, and thus can't be disproven either.

Nowadays we do have answers. We understand how physics work and how our cells evolve constantly and how different races have come to existence, regarding humans and animals. That's why people are walking away from religion. We don't want to be comforted with fairy tales (the way I see it) but we want the truth.

[The Conquerer]

Here is how I see it. One religion has to be the true religion on a basic level.I beleive that christianity is the closest to being correct about things.

Who's to say really? What if there is no true religion, and every other religion is just a spin off of another in hopes of individuality among worshipers? Anyone can go out and create a religion really.

People are going to believe in what they want regardless of what laws are imposed, if any. In more advanced countries there's no fear from the law, as long as the religions that are practiced does not break the norms of society's standards.

I do agree that people now a days pay more attention to what's directly affecting their lives now. That's why there is less focus on religion and more on a sense of actuality.

[Forever Atlas]

Originally Posted by New2Ya

That will never happen. You can't ban people's beliefs.

You can not ban a person's beliefs. However you can persecute them until they break and you CAN ban the practice of their religion.

What would be a possiblity is that one day, we'll all believe in the same thing. Because we have proof of that belief, maybe.

Oh I do believe that but I'm sure I'm thinking at the other side of the spectrum from you.

As for why people believe less and less in a God, that doesn't have to do with being too busy or being too much in yourself. It's because we're more aware of the world around us and understand more of life.

I didn't say less people believe in God, I said less people practice religion. HUGE difference there.

In the past, people had no answers whatsoever concerning life. So to give a meaning to life, an understanding, people turned to a higher power. Something that can't be seen or heard, and thus can't be disproven either.

Nowadays we do have answers. We understand how physics work and how our cells evolve constantly and how different races have come to existence, regarding humans and animals. That's why people are walking away from religion. We don't want to be comforted with fairy tales (the way I see it) but we want the truth.

How many more answers do we have today?

While yes, science has proven certain things, things totally unrelated to religion, things that have benefited mankind to a degree and other things that have greatly harmed mankind, they still haven't solved the major issues at hand, they have not answered the major questions.

Where do humans originate from? Sure they may have a theory as to where, there's a reason it is still called a theory and not scientific fact.

Why do humans grow old and die? The process of growing old and dying may be explained through science, but they WHY remains. Especially when science has also shown that our minds and other parts of our makeup are meant to survive much longer than we do.

What about crime, and war, hate?

Sickness? Sure many medical advancements have been made in the field of science but there are still numerous diseases and afflictions that spread and kill millions every year.

The list could go on. What we know today, our "awareness" does not attribute to a disbelief in a God.

[New2Ya]

Originally Posted by Forever Atlas

You can not ban a person's beliefs. However you can persecute them until they break and you CAN ban the practice of their religion.

Which breaks every law of humanity. Not going to happen. Unless you're the next Hitler, but I doubt you're anything like that.

I didn't say less people believe in God, I said less people practice religion. HUGE difference there.

Yes but there's a connection. People don't practice religion anymore because they've lost their belief in God. Many young people leave the Church they were brought up with by their parents because they 'know better'. That though is a matter of opinion and belief.

Where do humans originate from? Sure they may have a theory as to where, there's a reason it is still called a theory and not scientific fact.

We can discuss it for ages, but fact of the matter is, we are closely related to apes. Since we can still see evolution happen at this day, we can assume that evolution is a fact, not a theory. There is scientific proof for this. We know that housecats and big cats like lions and tigers are descendants from the same animal. Etc.

Why do humans grow old and die? The process of growing old and dying may be explained through science, but they WHY remains. Especially when science has also shown that our minds and other parts of our makeup are meant to survive much longer than we do.

Well that is left for debate. Some scientists may believe that, but other scientists come to other conclusions.

What about crime, and war, hate?

Sickness? Sure many medical advancements have been made in the field of science but there are still numerous diseases and afflictions that spread and kill millions every year.

The list could go on. What we know today, our "awareness" does not attribute to a disbelief in a God.

Not for everyone. But there's a reason why less people practice religion. Many don't believe in a God anymore because they can fit the pieces without needing some higher spirit to fix the puzzle.

They know there's a missing piece, but they dont need to have a God to comfort them with it.

They don't need a God to know that everything will be alright when life is over, as long as they don't sin (read: don't react to lust or are homosexual -> bs sins, though lust has its boundaries of course)
All those fairy tales are less and less needed and thus believed in.

[ikkuh2]

Theory is as far as it can get, most ideas never make it past hypothesis. The word theory makes it no less usefull. Science uses models that are based on what can be seen, touch or heard, religion asks to stop using your brain. Where we came from you say, abiogenesis is the answer, if you mean the universe, don't go back further then the BB.
Crime and war are outcomes of human behavior, mostly ego. They don't have to do much with science.
And at least scientists are working on cures for diseases, what are the bishops doing? Inviting a holocaust denying idiot. At least doctors do something about it.

Bitch on science all you want, it won't make a damn difference. However, don't be a hypocrite and use technology. The computer, internet, cars and electricity are all virtues of science. If you don't like it and don't want to be a hypocrite, don't use any technology at all.

[Forever Atlas]

Originally Posted by New2Ya

Which breaks every law of humanity. Not going to happen. Unless you're the next Hitler, but I doubt you're anything like that.

Do you know how many lands in the world that religions are outlawed and people are persecuted for their beliefs every day? Look it up. It's a lot.

Yes but there's a connection. People don't practice religion anymore because they've lost their belief in God. Many young people leave the Church they were brought up with by their parents because they 'know better'.

I appreciate the use of quotes there.

That's all that needs to be said.

Originally Posted by ikkuh2

Theory is as far as it can get, most ideas never make it past hypothesis. The word theory makes it no less usefull. Science uses models that are based on what can be seen, touch or heard, religion asks to stop using your brain.

Name a major religion that tells you that you can not think for yourself or use your brain.

And at least scientists are working on cures for diseases,

Right beside the building where they are working on weapons to kill people too eh?

what are the bishops doing? Inviting a holocaust denying idiot. At least doctors do something about it.

Why must you classify ALL religion in one category because of the Catholic?.......

Bitch on science all you want, it won't make a damn difference. However, don't be a hypocrite and use technology. The computer, internet, cars and electricity are all virtues of science. If you don't like it and don't want to be a hypocrite, don't use any technology at all.

Use a little etiquette when discussing a topic in this thread and do not call me a hypocrite. WHERE DID YOU SEE ME HATE OR PUT DOWN SCIENCE?

Read my statement again and don't judge next time. My point is that science just like religion has done good AND bad alike for mankind.

[New2Ya]

Originally Posted by Forever Atlas

Do you know how many lands in the world that religions are outlawed and people are persecuted for their beliefs every day? Look it up. It's a lot.

And that makes it justified? Please.

I appreciate the use of quotes there.

That's all that needs to be said.

I doubt I need to explain, but I put the quote symbols in because it's left for debate. That is how THEY feel about it though. You can disagree. That's the beauty of free speech and free mind.

Name a major religion that tells you that you can not think for yourself or use your brain.

Religions that tell you how to live your life come hella close. Christian religion will let you think for yourself and use your brain, but they do tell you how to live your life in order for God to accept you. Which is big talk for a religion started by men.