heres my view on religion..

[revolution2004]

religion is evil, christians are hypocrites, and most of them try to force religion down your throat. Please keep in mind that, I am not saying that all christians are bad people, just the ones I have come into contact with have been a-holes...Will someone please give me agood reason to be religious, religion is all bout "guilt" paying a supernatural debt, etc. right??
Well let me know your opinion..

revo

[ANDY-J2]

There are some positive sides to religion.For example if people suffer bereavement or go through a traumatic experience then faith can often be a source of comfort to them.For some people who would otherwise have empty,meaningless lives it can give a sense of purpose and hope.Not all religion is bad and it can be beneficial if you don't allow yourself to become immersed in meaningless dogma.

[revolution2004]

Interesting thoughts J-2..

Revo

[thespitfiredragon]

Sean...I won't lie to you...Christians are hypocrites, but then again EVERYONE is a hypocrite at some point in their life. I mean, can you claim that you've "kept it real" every second of your existance? I certainly can't. But I try every day to be a better person than I was the day before. I TRY not to be a hypocrite, but sometimes it's hard. Wouldn't you agree?

And I think I've told you this before, but organized religion as a whole isn't really what's going to matter. It's about the relationship you have with your creator...no matter what name you call him. And you'll never really know whether or not he's there unless you reach out to them with an open mind and an open heart.

I will agree with you that organized religion has done some pretty nasty damage to some people. But not everyone that claims they're religious are actually working for the glory of God. Some people are working for the glory of THEMSELVES...which can result in the leading away of people who actually need God. I'm talking specifically of these people that have turned you off from Christianity. Some Christians don't live the life. Whether or not that makes them ACTUAL Christians is not for me to say, but the scriptures wouldn't support them. 1 John 3:18 says, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth." That tells us that not everyone who "talks the Christian talk" actually "walks the Christian walk".

I wouldn't say that religion is about guilt...I don't feel that way at all. When I feel that I've done something wrong and I feel guilty about it it doesn't usually come from my religion...it comes from inside of me. I think everyone has a built-in compass (conscience) that tells them what's right and wrong. My specific religion (Christianity) gives me a "get out of jail free" card so-to-speak to get OUT of that guilt.

A "good" reason to be religious? Hmm...well, first of all, why the heck not? If a person lives according to their religion (loving everyone, helping people, etc.) wouldn't that just enrich their life and make them a better person in general?

[revolution2004]

Christianity has never enriched my ****ing life..

REVO2004

[thespitfiredragon]

Sean, if it hasn't enriched your life then someone isn't doing it right.

[revolution2004]

what do you mean by that, megan?