The Religion Thread

[O Really]

Scenario: Suppose one day it was somehow proven that all religion is a lie; there's irrefutable evidence that God/gods don't exist and all religious texts are sham. What would be the overall impact on society?

There is historical evidence as to what would happen. God/gods come and go, and many once revered have been relegated to "mythology." Lots of religious texts have been shown to be sham. What happened? We created other gods in our image.

[JTA]

That much more time available for worshiping actors and athletes? I'm not being entirely flip, we seem to be hardwired for communal faith.

Whenever the scenario I asked about comes up, my first thought is always of my idiot former neighbor. The guy had been arrested on multiple occasions for small crimes like shoplifting, regular consumed copious amounts of boos, and liked to partake in recreational drugs quite often. Despite his crimes, he was a pretty religious guy and seemed to genuinely believe in God. I like to think that for him and others like him, his religious beliefs were one of the few things that kept his behavior (somewhat) in check. You can conceal stuff from the law, but you can't conceal your behavior from God or Santa Claus. Those guys are all knowing. You don't want to disappoint Jesus, do you?

This probably sounds familiar to the same argument many use when arguing about morality - "If there is no God then all morals will go away", while the other side may say "Religion is just a form of control!". I kind of agree with both I think - Religion is a form of control and maybe a somewhat necessary good/evil depending on your views. Some people in society may very well be able to do without religion, but what about those like my former neighbor? Do you think it keeps them in check? Is some form of religious devotion to some omnipotent entity that knows your every move necessary to keep certain segments in the population from becoming nihilists, losing their shit, and raping and pillaging the neighborhood? Would everyone be able to handle the great weight of discovering God no longer exists?

[neoplacebo]

I think the idiot neighbor only believes in God because the only people that are important to him do so. Religion has always been a constraint, whether in the suppression of knowledge or the general threat of hell and damnation. But it's also been a factor of cohesion for many varied groups and many varied reasons. So it's a mixed bag for sure. What I always thought was weird is that I got married in a church, but didn't have to go to that one, or any other one, to be divorced. I think it means the courthouse is the new church. Hard to tell. Everybody believes in the courthouse....

[Ombudsman]

The devil also believes in God, that does not make him a good person or a Christian.

No he doesn't. Although believing in the Christian devil is good evidence that one is a Christian.

[Ombudsman]

"You have a hard time not being a prick don't you? Why is that?"

Let me see if I've got this correctly......
You rarely post unless I post something in reference to Christianity....

No you don't have it correctly at all. You are an arrogant little dude aren't ya? I post when I see someone repeating utter bullshit. I don't believe you get any more of my attention than Roland, Homerfobe or an other wingnut who leaves their bubble long enough to post here. I don't respond to you when you don't say something stupid. Someone pointing out your factual errors and poor logic isn't "vehemently" doing anything. It seems that you're under the impression that your emotional reactions are shared by those who respond to you. Try not to be so emotional, then you won't need to project your feelings on others.

[rstrong]

The devil also believes in God, that does not make him a good person or a Christian.

No he doesn't. Although believing in the Christian devil is good evidence that one is a Christian.

If Satan punishes people who are bad, wouldn't that make him a pretty good guy?

[rstrong]

Washington Post: You give religions more than $82.5 billion a year

I disagree with the logic here. A tax exemption for a church is not the same as handing over money.

Except maybe for TV televangelist media empires. And the tax exemptions for Apple and large corporations notorious for $billions in profits and yet paying no tax.

[rstrong]

BTW, sorry that various hassles have meant that I haven't been around much lately. Stealing the opposing team's mascot is a time-honored tradition, but it turns out the Muslims think of that big black rock as more than just a mascot.

[JTA]

The devil also believes in God, that does not make him a good person or a Christian.

No he doesn't. Although believing in the Christian devil is good evidence that one is a Christian.

If Satan punishes people who are bad, wouldn't that make him a pretty good guy?

Quality Assurance.

[Mr.B]

"You are an arrogant little dude aren't ya?"

No, not really, but in sticking with my belief, I suppose you could say I'm "arrogant"; but I'm no more arrogant than you are when it comes to your unbelief.
Kinda puts us on an even keel, huh?

"When I criticize those who act maliciously in the name of the Lord, you criticize me....
....and you're calling me a prick? I guess that means you've never looked at yourself in the mirror, huh?
Something about that casting the first stone thingy comes to mind......."

Sooooo.....?

[Mr.B]

Mustn't offend the Muslims, Jews, & atheists.....??

Video

[Mr.B]

"I agree that it was a dumb move but you do know that Muslims and Jews believe in the "Lord", too, don't you?"
Yes, but not in the same sense Christians do.

(not sure if it's my AdBlock or not but clicking on the black bar gets you the video if it doesn't appear right away)

Try this link. I was having problems viewing it too; said I needed to download Adobe Flash Player;
I already have it. I checked my latest updates and found that Windows had installed IE11....I deleted it, all works OK now.
LINK

[Bungalow Bill]

Damn. I bet if they sang The Ballad of John and Yoko they'd leave out
Christ.

[Ombudsman]

Mustn't offend the Muslims, Jews, & atheists.....??

Video

LOL - You xtians really do love to be offended don't you? So they sing a song that is totally about the rapture but change one word to "O" which doesn't in any way change the meaning of the song and your people are all a twitter, literally.

And somehow you make it out like it was Jews, Muslims and atheists who were offended. Too damn funny.

[Boatrocker]

Damn. I bet if they sang The Ballad of John and Yoko they'd leave out
Christ.

You know, it ain't easy.

[Mr.B]

"And somehow you make it out like it was Jews, Muslims and atheists who were offended."

I didn't "make out like" no such a dunnit....you "made it like" you wanted it to appear "like". Go back and look at my post....
"Mustn't offend the Muslims, Jews, & atheists.....??" Notice the strategically placed question (??) marks?
I was asking a question.....as in why would they leave "Lord" out of the song, unless maybe their intent was not to offend someone,
such as maybe Muslims, Jews, & atheists.

Y'all done went and got your silky step-ins all in a wad over nothing. Lighten up.

[O Really]

Dang, I never knew they could change lyrics for a song! I'll bet that's never been done before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0X1peEgTqw

I'd have sung it as written, but think about it - if they were really anti-religious, would they have picked that song? Changing "Lord" to "O" doesn't really change it's religious tone and message, does it?

[Bungalow Bill]

The way things are going....

How about Will the Circle Jerk Be Unbroken?

My Sweet Oh.

[neoplacebo]

The way things are going....

How about Will the Circle Jerk Be Unbroken?

My Sweet Oh.

The Allman Brothers song "Whipping Post" would go ".....Oh, O, I feel like I'm dyin'."

[Crock Hunter]

One toke over the line sweet "O" .. ..
or
I said "O" Damn! "O" damn the pusher man.

Some people... ..? .. .