Comments on: My religion http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:56:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Dan http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5102 Dan Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:31:32 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5102 For many years I was a recovering Catholic. Now I consider myself a moral person who no longer believes in the stereotypical god. The more I think about it the angrier I become that I was fed fairy tales as a kid under the guise of religion. My wife was Jewish, though non practicing. My children did not have any formal religious training even though they were exposed to both Christianity and Judaism. In my opinion, in spite of the fact that neither believes in a god (it's was their choice, not mine) they are good people. They are honest, care about others and they will stop to help a stranger in need. They are moral people without the baggage that religion brings with it. They are the kind of people of which this world could use a lot more. Look how many so-called religious people use their religion to spread hatred and bigotry in the name of god. Apartheid in South Africa was justified by many white clergy based on their selected versus from the bible. Many of the televangelist preacher tell us how we should hate homosexuals and lesbians, while sending in our money. So much for love and understanding. In my opinion religion for many has become a cloak behind which one can hide while promoting their own hatreds and bigotries. If there is a devil I expect that he would work behind the scenes to destroy good people. What better outfit to hide behind than the false garment of religion. Just my opinion. For many years I was a recovering Catholic. Now I consider myself a moral person who no longer believes in the stereotypical god. The more I think about it the angrier I become that I was fed fairy tales as a kid under the guise of religion.

My wife was Jewish, though non practicing. My children did not have any formal religious training even though they were exposed to both Christianity and Judaism. In my opinion, in spite of the fact that neither believes in a god (it’s was their choice, not mine) they are good people. They are honest, care about others and they will stop to help a stranger in need. They are moral people without the baggage that religion brings with it. They are the kind of people of which this world could use a lot more.

Look how many so-called religious people use their religion to spread hatred and bigotry in the name of god. Apartheid in South Africa was justified by many white clergy based on their selected versus from the bible. Many of the televangelist preacher tell us how we should hate homosexuals and lesbians, while sending in our money. So much for love and understanding.

In my opinion religion for many has become a cloak behind which one can hide while promoting their own hatreds and bigotries. If there is a devil I expect that he would work behind the scenes to destroy good people. What better outfit to hide behind than the false garment of religion.

Just my opinion.

]]> By: Stefan http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5032 Stefan Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:14:59 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5032 "What I am trying to say is that it’s possible to behave morally without religion" True, nobody denies that. But, these values were profoundly influenced by religious beliefs and passed on to us by generations. “What I am trying to say is that it’s possible to behave morally without religion”

True, nobody denies that. But, these values were profoundly influenced by religious beliefs and passed on to us by generations.

]]> By: Cesar http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5031 Cesar Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:44:21 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5031 "Our so-called morality is inspired by religion." I think it's the opposite: Religion is inspired by our natural morality and so it's taken as some "spiritual" good property. You are not considering all the biological implications. Elephants don't have religion but they do have some moral behaviors. The same is for dolphins and some other species. What I am trying to say is that it's possible to behave morally without religion. “Our so-called morality is inspired by religion.”

I think it’s the opposite: Religion is inspired by our natural morality and so it’s taken as some “spiritual” good property.

You are not considering all the biological implications. Elephants don’t have religion but they do have some moral behaviors. The same is for dolphins and some other species.

What I am trying to say is that it’s possible to behave morally without religion.

]]> By: Stefan http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5030 Stefan Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:23:19 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5030 "So being a good person doesn’t mean you’re following those old christian rules" No, but your parents were. Or your grandparents. Or your grand-grand parents. You fail to understand the impact that religions have on human societies. Our so-called morality is inspired by religion. “So being a good person doesn’t mean you’re following those old christian rules”

No, but your parents were. Or your grandparents. Or your grand-grand parents.

You fail to understand the impact that religions have on human societies. Our so-called morality is inspired by religion.

]]> By: Andreas http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5024 Andreas Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:53:19 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5024 Eugenia, "atheist christian" does not make sense. From the clarifications you give in your article and comments I believe that "atheist humanist" would be a more appropriate term. Eugenia, “atheist christian” does not make sense. From the clarifications you give in your article and comments I believe that “atheist humanist” would be a more appropriate term.

]]> By: Alex Forster http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5023 Alex Forster Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:50:40 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5023 Agreed, completely. And in fact you'll find most atheists have the same core values and are in general good, level people. Agreed, completely. And in fact you’ll find most atheists have the same core values and are in general good, level people.

]]> By: Cesar http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5020 Cesar Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:57:58 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5020 Eugenia, you're an atheist just as I am. Our moral and ethical principles has nothing to do with Christianity. Some would say it is a genetic trait and I'm more inclined to think that's true (based on evidence and not beliefs). So being a "good person" doesn't mean you're following those old christian "rules". You're just proving that the evolution of altruism helps us [the society] as a whole. I like helping people out. I do it because it feels good to do so and not because "God" has reserved a nice place in heaven for those who does it :-) By the way, I enjoy reading your texts. Eugenia, you’re an atheist just as I am. Our moral and ethical principles has nothing to do with Christianity. Some would say it is a genetic trait and I’m more inclined to think that’s true (based on evidence and not beliefs).

So being a “good person” doesn’t mean you’re following those old christian “rules”. You’re just proving that the evolution of altruism helps us [the society] as a whole. I like helping people out. I do it because it feels good to do so and not because “God” has reserved a nice place in heaven for those who does it :-)

By the way, I enjoy reading your texts.

]]> By: Eugenia http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5016 Eugenia Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:24:25 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5016 Ah, I am not talking about the actual stories that are similar/same. We all know that the Old Testament is the only part that's similar for all 3 religions. I am talking about the CORE of what they *preach*. The Koran is preaching the same things the New Testament is, which is forgiveness and love -- although a bit twisted at times. The Old Testament does NOT. The OT is more about God's revenge rather than a morality guide. Thankfully the Jews have a strong culture so that morality guide is part of their culture rather than part of their religion. I don't like the Old Testament as you might understand. Ah, I am not talking about the actual stories that are similar/same. We all know that the Old Testament is the only part that’s similar for all 3 religions. I am talking about the CORE of what they *preach*. The Koran is preaching the same things the New Testament is, which is forgiveness and love — although a bit twisted at times. The Old Testament does NOT. The OT is more about God’s revenge rather than a morality guide. Thankfully the Jews have a strong culture so that morality guide is part of their culture rather than part of their religion.

I don’t like the Old Testament as you might understand.

]]> By: Thom Holwerda http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5015 Thom Holwerda Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:57:57 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5015 <i>but the Old Testament is not the same</i> It is exactly the *old* testament that is very similar to the Koran. Adam and Eve, eviction from paradise, Abel, Kane, Noha's ark... It's all the same stuff. Same for the Tora, of course. The New Testament is exactly the part that is different from the Koran. The Koran indeed speaks a lot about the life of Jesus, but in a completely different way. No wise men from the east, no Joseph, no stable (in the Koran, Jesus is born in the desert, Mary being alone), and, of course, no resurrection and such. Jesus does have disciples in the Koran. but the Old Testament is not the same

It is exactly the *old* testament that is very similar to the Koran. Adam and Eve, eviction from paradise, Abel, Kane, Noha’s ark… It’s all the same stuff. Same for the Tora, of course.

The New Testament is exactly the part that is different from the Koran. The Koran indeed speaks a lot about the life of Jesus, but in a completely different way. No wise men from the east, no Joseph, no stable (in the Koran, Jesus is born in the desert, Mary being alone), and, of course, no resurrection and such. Jesus does have disciples in the Koran.

]]> By: Eugenia http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5013 Eugenia Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:06:00 +0000 http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/06/my-religion/#comment-5013 The Koran and New Testament have quite of the same ideas, yes, but the Old Testament is not the same. A lot of "revenge" takes place there, so I wouldn't put it up together with the Koran/New Testament. The "important" part of Christianity is the New Testament, at least for Orthodox Christians. The Koran and New Testament have quite of the same ideas, yes, but the Old Testament is not the same. A lot of “revenge” takes place there, so I wouldn’t put it up together with the Koran/New Testament.

The “important” part of Christianity is the New Testament, at least for Orthodox Christians.

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