UndergroundScene Forums - View Single Post - The non-thinking that is Religion.

Curate · 15th November 2007, 12:07 PM

That's a good point to an extent. Yes, it is theoretically quite possible for all forms of organised religion and human faith to be wrong and for there still to be a "god", but that tends to lead into a debate about semantics.

When any of us talk of "god", we all have a reasonable idea of what is meant by the god of most organised religions. Many "new age" (I hate that expression) types would use the word "nature" where perhaps a by-the-book Christian would say "god" and for me they are both basically referring to the same idea, just with their own perceptions/preconceptions applied.

I, for one, am a complete atheist. I don't believe in god, (no capitals here), I don't believe in religion, and I certainly don't believe in the hereafter. I also believe I and others who think the same are right. I know that sounds horribly smug, but I do despair at the way we still have this "god of the gaps" that is some untouchable recourse when science or humanity has yet to find an answer to a particular question. What allows an otherwise sensible person to allow people to say "because god" when they're put in a difficult situation? Why not "because broccolli", or "because alien lemons"?

The only way I can even try to understand faith is to remember how I felt when I believed in Santa and, to be fair, there was a good deal more in the way of tangible evidence for him...

Religion casts such a huge shadow over the world and has for so very long, but just because something is traditional does not mean it has inherent value or truth. Those who say that religion gives the guidelines for a good life are miles off. Leaving aside the obvious inconsistencies (anyone kill their kids today?) in that, I can't help but think that generally accepted good ways to live are apparent without relying on the big guy.

I just wish people would take responsibility for their own actions and mistakes, rather than hoping for some omnipotent nightnurse. I do honestly believe that there is something so sad about seeing people who are deprived and destitute finding solace in religion. I suppose the only consolation is that there won't be a "them" to reflect on their mistakes when they're dead.

Whoever said that if god didn't exist it would be neccessary to invent him was painfully correct.

15th November 2007, 12:07 PM	#707 (permalink)
Curate Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Leith Posts: 260 Band: Curators	That's a good point to an extent. Yes, it is theoretically quite possible for all forms of organised religion and human faith to be wrong and for there still to be a "god", but that tends to lead into a debate about semantics. When any of us talk of "god", we all have a reasonable idea of what is meant by the god of most organised religions. Many "new age" (I hate that expression) types would use the word "nature" where perhaps a by-the-book Christian would say "god" and for me they are both basically referring to the same idea, just with their own perceptions/preconceptions applied. I, for one, am a complete atheist. I don't believe in god, (no capitals here), I don't believe in religion, and I certainly don't believe in the hereafter. I also believe I and others who think the same are right. I know that sounds horribly smug, but I do despair at the way we still have this "god of the gaps" that is some untouchable recourse when science or humanity has yet to find an answer to a particular question. What allows an otherwise sensible person to allow people to say "because god" when they're put in a difficult situation? Why not "because broccolli", or "because alien lemons"? The only way I can even try to understand faith is to remember how I felt when I believed in Santa and, to be fair, there was a good deal more in the way of tangible evidence for him... Religion casts such a huge shadow over the world and has for so very long, but just because something is traditional does not mean it has inherent value or truth. Those who say that religion gives the guidelines for a good life are miles off. Leaving aside the obvious inconsistencies (anyone kill their kids today?) in that, I can't help but think that generally accepted good ways to live are apparent without relying on the big guy. I just wish people would take responsibility for their own actions and mistakes, rather than hoping for some omnipotent nightnurse. I do honestly believe that there is something so sad about seeing people who are deprived and destitute finding solace in religion. I suppose the only consolation is that there won't be a "them" to reflect on their mistakes when they're dead. Whoever said that if god didn't exist it would be neccessary to invent him was painfully correct.