There are 8 choices, 12 votes for Kazrith's debate

A Need to Believe

I was looking at the list of recently active topics, what the topics where and found this. out of 25 topics 14 directly refrence religion.

Why is it that religious people seem to need others to believe in the exact same thing they do? they force their beliefs on other people and expect them to believe the same thing but get defensive when they (person who doesn't believe) do not believe in the religion.

why do people need the comfirmination of all others when it comes to faith?
  • Kaz
    Just because the topics are God related does not mean they are FORCING it upon you it just means that on this website there is a lrger majority of folk who wish to discuss God. You choose to see it as force because you do not wish to discuss and feel threatened by its very presence. Or maybe i should ay His very presence. Relax if you dont want to read it....dont.

    What is curious to me is why you do.....
    33%  Voted for by mudgod, Applehead, Xelgaroth, Makessenseright.
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  • Both
    In spite of the iffy connotations religion tends to have--a history of contradiction, violence, brainwashing, and narrowmindedness--religion influences your mindset. In fact, some even go to religion because it suits their mindset. There is much value in most any major religion. Much inspiration to be found.

    The real problem is the lack of a "show me" mentality. Instead of describing how inspirational it could be, and showing how peaceful and giving a person religion has made you--many simply preach with fervor. Sure, you'll hear a couple "And then my life was changed forever!". But that's not the same. That's "tell me", not "show me". And it often implicates "And if you DON'T do this, your life will be wayward and miserable--not to mention that burning in hell deal. Sorry fellas!"

    I SEE Buddhists breathe in peace. I see them walk with such contentment. I see them smile bigger than most anyone I've ever seen, with such a sense of fulfillment, as they apologize for being "in the wrong" when some angry drunk bumps into them. Happiness with little possessions. I could not look at this and not be inspired to look into their religious perspectives. I did not convert and WOULD not convert. I like that God guy. Plus a lot of my hedonism conflicts with most Buddhist perspectives. But I did take pieces of it with me and feel more fulfilled with what I learned.

    Watching my Hindu friend "worship" the sun and others through fluid dance was soothing just to see. It seemed to make her happy. It was from SEEING the goodness that comes that inspired me to learn that they don't believe the sun or anything is a deity with will and superpowers. Just that there are natural properties that are beautiful, and that to have those properties in themselves would be something that would fulfill them and make them better. They idolize them. IDOLS. Not some horrible thing we should condemn--idolatry. They are emulating that which is beautiful and life sustaining and powerful yet peaceful. Again--the religion in itself is not my cup of tea, and I am pretty attached to my own religious perspectives. But there are wonderful aspects to it, and having an understanding with other cultures is important to a peaceful unity.

    Breathing, fluid movements, meditation, spirituality. However you achieve it, it seems almost undeniable to me though "improvable". And I have no desire to insist any of it real or not real. I am content with feeling, and with showing.

    While almost all religions have their ups and downs--seeming harshness out no where when compared to the rest of what they preach--it hurts the most when the downs are from my own religion. I feel ashamed when the "show me" of my own religion seems to be dominated with "Gays are evil", or even "Everyone is loved, but you're a sinner for being gay". We are better than this.
    16%  Voted for by Kazrith, Weydon.
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  • Because
    Bible says to convert the lost or otherwise they face 'weeping and gnashing of teeth'. That's about it for me. Otherwise, I couldn't really care less.
    Voted for by TeChNoWC.
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  • The Point of the Debate: To Clarify
    for starters, i did not find these topics attacks. when i saw the number of them, it started to make me think.

    no more, no less
    Voted for by Kazrith.
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  • Religion can be a powerful tool for control.
    The Catholic Church's doctrines were decided upon by a group of men all with political gain to try and achieve. Men. But they got enough people to believe their doctrine that it became the largest religion in the world. And are the richest and most powerful organizations in the world. If we just let everyone run around willy nilly thinking for themselves, we couldn't really keep them under any kind of control. I mean, is it really beneficial to the species for people to learn to think for themselves when clearly the bible thumpers are there to tell us what is right and wrong, what is beneficial to the species?
    Voted for by maddyblue.
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  • They need others to believe...
    because without others who believe like you, your belief becomes socially irrational. The more of a following of a belief you have the easier it is to justify that belief without looking or feeling like a nutcase.
    The belief doesn't become 'true' alone but together. There is power in numbers and when you feel this power it can sweep you off your feet enabling anything to become 'true'. The mind is a powerful thing.
    Distinguish between what really is, and what is created through numbers to find truth.
    It's all about feeling belonging and organized religion is just another means to satisfy this need.
    Voted for by dollar.
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  • Just thought I should point out
    Quite a portion of religious topics are critisizing doctrine not only supporting and or pushing it.
    Voted for by Applehead.
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  • Your choice
    Don't take this too far.
    The answer's you've been given are... not to the point.
    Everyone in every religion wants others to join them, not because they need more people in the church, but because essentially they want you to be in "Heaven" with them. Whether or not you agree with them is up to you, and there's no reason to be angry at someone who really just wants you to be happy in the after-life, whatever it is. Believe or don't believe, they just fear for your soul, if you have a soul. Everything is your choice, don't forget that.
    Voted for by Just Paper.
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