Of course this thread was inevitable. :P
Let's all behave now.

i'm sorry. i missed the thread in the RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY section. :blushing:

Alright mykalReborn, I'll bite. I am a bible-believing Christian. I came to faith about 17 yrs ago (I am now 39). I read and study the bible and believe that it is the inspired word of the God it describes. I believe that it is inerrant in the original texts. As for my thoughts on 'religion', I think we need to define that word better. If by 'religion', you mean the context and content of my faith, then I would refer you to my statements above. If by 'religion', you mean my religious activities (e.g. going to church, tithing, praying before a meal, etc), then my thoughts are that these are acts of faithful obedience and/or imitation of Christ that strengthen my relationship with God. This is to distinguish them from legalistic adherence to a set of rules that if not followed precisely condemn me to hell (the world's view of religion).

I thought everyone knew that historically, religion was just a political tool used to control the masses.

As for god, what's that?

Religion? Is that another word for cult? No, can't say I have many thoughts on those.

I'm 100% atheist. Religion started when people couldn't explain the world around them and needed an explanation.

And I'm absolutely OK with people believing what they want... If your happy and not hurting anyone else, then there's nothing wrong with it.

What I do have a problem with is when religion starts to blind science and politics...

Galileo was persecuted for claiming that the universe was NOT geocentric (he was right).

Darwin was persecuted for suggesting that genetics and evolution helped shape the life on earth (he was right). Modern science is still being persecuted for this despite vast evidence provided by science that genes do evolve and obvious links between species.

Modern science is SEVERELY hindered by religious infliction to this day.

Religion and politics have been a deadly combination throughout history. The number of wars triggered by religious differences is outstanding.

As for America, weren't we founded with the idea of maintaining separation of church and state? Why are our laws so obviously beginning to reflect Christian morality? The answer:

"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
-- (former American president) George H. W. Bush

So my opinion... Worship sticks and rocks if you want to. But stop trying to enforce your beliefs on others.

Science isn't an attempt to stamp out religion, science is about finding truth. If religion is the truth, then you have nothing to worry about.

I'm going to close this thread. There's nothing wrong with it, but as the OP noticed, we have a much larger one on the same topic. Let's all go over there.

http://socialdiscussion.com/religion...igion-why.html