Atheists are more interested in Religion than most Religious People - General

[QUOTE=AK'z;32569746]To an extent, but you are jumping the gun with that conclusion. I don't think people are dim-witted enough to be "brainwashed". Unless you mean that the whole concept of Religion is to brainwash people, which is illegal. Someone chooses to walk into a church or ask around for advice. The only aspect of "Brainwashing/Indoctrination" is from childhood. Now the only way to solve that, is for the person to think and make their own choices once they have matured.[/QUOTE] Ok I understand that not everyone falls into the scope of this but: if a child were born in a Christian family that raised him to believe the lord, he will believe in the lord because children at a young age are leaning, if you plant a seed in their head it will grow. Once they become older that seed would have grown into a tree, now this is where it gets tough. A child will find it hard to [I]let go[/I] of his previous beliefs (evolution does not exist, gays are bad, women are inferior) because to him it's a fundemantal part of his knowledge, he grew up learning stuff like that so trying to convince him otherwise would be nearly impossible. Eventually the child will procreate and he will place all of his "knowledge" into the head of his child, and the cycle goes on. You see, i'm not saying that Religious people are idiots (in a sense) because if it were me in the situation I too would probably fall for the same trick. In my opinion, it's fine to have a religion but ONLY if you: - don't let it affect your relationship with others - come up with the idea on your own (don't get forced by your parents) - don't let it go against your morals, if your religion says that gays are bad and you don't think so then just ignore it and don't believe it.

[QUOTE=Goodthief;32570365]Ok I understand that not everyone falls into the scope of this but: if a child were born in a Christian family that raised him to believe the lord, he will believe in the lord because children at a young age are leaning, if you plant a seed in their head it will grow. Once they become older that seed would have grown into a tree, now this is where it gets tough. A child will find it hard to [I]let go[/I] of his previous beliefs (evolution does not exist, gays are bad, women are inferior) because to him it's a fundemantal part of his knowledge, he grew up learning stuff like that so trying to convince him otherwise would be nearly impossible. Eventually the child will procreate and he will place all of his "knowledge" into the head of his child, and the cycle goes on. You see, i'm not saying that Religious people are idiots (in a sense) because if it were me in the situation I too would probably fall for the same trick. In my opinion, it's fine to have a religion but ONLY if you: - don't let it affect your relationship with others - come up with the idea on your own (don't get forced by your parents) - don't let it go against your morals, if your religion says that gays are bad and you don't think so then just ignore it and don't believe it.[/QUOTE] I was brought up religiously. Now I've had time to think it through, but I still respect the faith of people and still attend family stuff because it's actually enjoyable. So evaluating my point of view, all your points have now become redundant. Edit: no, I like your last opinions

Respecting faith is silly.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32570550]Respecting faith is silly.[/QUOTE] Is symbolism silly too?

[QUOTE=Robbobin;32526362]I've had very many debates on religion, and afterwards I often feel more educated and fulfilled as a direct result of them.[/QUOTE] what did you gain from that that led to this feeling ? More awareness on the topic in hand or the fact you felt you crushed someones belief in their religion ?

[QUOTE=AK'z;32570413]I was brought up religiously. Now I've had time to think it through, but I still respect the faith of people and still attend family stuff because it's actually enjoyable. So evaluating my point of view, all your points have now become redundant. Edit: no, I like your last opinions[/QUOTE] like I said not everyone fits this but many people have this hammered in their head at school and at home, making "thinking it through" difficult

Crushing someone's happiness is an example of a poor human choice.

It's not a matter of crushing somebody's happiness, it's that they're not evaluating information properly.

[QUOTE=Goodthief;32570645]like I said not everyone fits this but many people have this hammered in their head at school and at home, making "thinking it through" difficult[/QUOTE] True, the parents/teachers have been cruel which creates a certain fear in them that takes a lot to die out. That's why we should feel sympathy for ones who have had this done for them. It's not religion itself to blame, but the people. [editline]1st October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Jookia;32570676]You don't deserve to be happy if you ignore reality. [/QUOTE] You can edit it quickly, but not quick enough. Well done on proving yourself.

[QUOTE=AK'z;32570662]Crushing someone's happiness is an example of a poor human choice.[/QUOTE] Ohh of course its pretty disturbing if you "get off" on something like that. I was brought up as a roman catholic, I dont currently practice that religion but my close family still practice it with christenings and church based weddings. I of course dont know half the words that are spoken but I go out of respect to my family.

So essentially Jookia, if people don't agree with you, they should be miserable, lovely to know.

Well since Jookia has mentioned that nobody deserves to be happy, I'm thinking of giving up this discussion.

[QUOTE=AK'z;32570679]You can edit it quickly, but not quick enough. Well done on proving yourself.[/QUOTE] Hmm? I edit it because that wasn't the correct text to represent my thoughts. I usually edit my posts a few times to get the exact wording. I remember one time I did it a dozen or so times on one post. [editline]1st October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=carcarcargo;32570755]So essentially Jookia, if people don't agree with you, they should be miserable, lovely to know.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=AK'z;32570773]Well since Jookia has mentioned that nobody deserves to be happy, I'm thinking of giving up this discussion.[/QUOTE] Haha.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32570775] Haha.[/QUOTE] Haha, you being cold-hearted.. that's hilarious.

There's a reason why I edited it: Because that post didn't represent what I was trying to say, nor how I feel. You can cling to my ten second post and ignore my actual response if it means you don't have to answer it, though.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32570821]There's a reason why I edited it: Because that post didn't represent what I was trying to say, nor how I feel. You can cling to my ten second post and ignore my actual response if it means you don't have to answer it, though.[/QUOTE] You typed it, therefore it shows your character and state of mind. Fair enough it's unfair to catch you out, but it's valid proof of your mindset.

It's fair to catch me out, but not in this case. It wasn't my mindset, it was me trying to work my thoughts in to text, which I suck at. Hence multiple edits on most my posts. I did originally write that, then went 'fuck that's not true', then wrote 'It's not a matter of crushing somebody's happiness, it's that they're wrong.' or something along the lines, but then 'wrong' was ambiguous, so my final edit was pretty much my thoughts.

Okay, I'll look at the final cut of your post. [QUOTE=Jookia;32570676]It's not a matter of crushing somebody's happiness, it's that they're not evaluating information properly.[/QUOTE] Elaborate, because I don't see how a "book or society" which makes people feel happy, being a wrong thing to do. It's like saying "Psychedelic/Experimental music is wrong to enjoy because it isn't structured/logical music like classical".

[QUOTE=AK'z;32570881]Elaborate, because I don't see how a "book or society" which makes people feel happy, being a wrong thing to do.[/QUOTE] Believing in things without evidence is not evaluating information properly.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32570955]Believing in things without evidence is not evaluating information properly.[/QUOTE] You are misinterpreting everything in that post. Watching a certain type of movie, makes you feel something. Reading a certain type of book, makes you feel something. These feelings are in essence, what a person can use to make beliefs. Now understanding this isn't hard, so if you watch something like Schindler's List... you will understand what it is to "feel" something when watching something artistic. I want more of those experiences, so I delve further in the world. People who are spiritual, go further to gain these feelings from different aspects of the world.

[QUOTE=AK'z;32571009]You are misinterpreting everything in that post. Watching a certain type of movie, makes you feel something. Reading a certain type of book, makes you feel something. These feelings are in essence, what a person can use to make beliefs. Now understanding this isn't hard, so if you watch something like Schindler's List... you will understand what it is to "feel" something when watching something artistic. I want more of those experiences, so I delve further in the world. People who are spiritual, go further to gain these feelings from different aspects of the world.[/QUOTE] Can you name a belief that doesn't require evidence?

[QUOTE=Jookia;32571043]Can you name a belief that doesn't require evidence?[/QUOTE] No, because then what I'd be saying would be meaningless.

[QUOTE=AK'z;32571176]No, because then what I'd be saying would be meaningless.[/QUOTE] My point is that all beliefs require evidence, and those without evidence are worthless beliefs as they aren't seated in reality.

I'm atheist but I'm still interested in other religions and their beliefs and ways and stuff. They are like mythologies to me, interesting to read about.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32571256]My point is that all beliefs require evidence, and those without evidence are worthless beliefs as they aren't seated in reality.[/QUOTE] Dude, you aren't looking at any aspect of religion. You are generalising it all that "There is a man upstairs watching down on you". You miss out significant aspects like symbolism, mythology and psychology. Do you have a reason for doing that?

[QUOTE=AK'z;32571329]Dude, you aren't looking at any aspect of religion. You are generalising it all that "There is a man upstairs watching down on you". You miss out significant aspects like symbolism, mythology and psychology. Do you have a reason for doing that?[/QUOTE] Religions' selling point is that it provides access to out of this world, at the cost of evidence.

[QUOTE=Jookia;32571348]Religions' selling point is that it provides access to out of this world, at the cost of evidence.[/QUOTE] How about read a little further instead of making me facepalm. Monks aren't psychic okay?

The way I like to see the whole, 'Religion gives people in a bad position something to look up to for help' is; Religion might provide comfort for a deadly disease, but science ultimately provides the cure. And if the money dedicated to religion in this day and age was put to science, we'd have that cure.

[QUOTE=Joppari;32571278]I'm atheist but I'm still interested in other religions and their beliefs and ways and stuff. They are like mythologies to me, interesting to read about.[/QUOTE] They pretty much are if you are looking at it just to gain insights into what people have thought.

[QUOTE=AK'z;32571381]How about read a little further instead of making me facepalm. Monks aren't psychic okay?[/QUOTE] I'm glad we agree on something.