[MTK]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

We can agrue about politics, sports and things of that nature all day long and I won't get bent out of shape. I've steered clear of religious discussions here because they can get quite divisive. We lost skinsguy because of the religion bashing so I'm stepping up and saying my piece. By posting this video I am assuming you agree with the message. The video is pretty damn offensive and I absolutely disagree with the video's message.

Everyone has a right to their beliefs and not to be ridiculed for them. Whether they believe in God through whatever religion or don't believe at all. I haven't seen any folks who believe in religion throwing up bible study info or pushing their messages on anyone on this site.

Many of the "facts" and "scientific studies" this guy throws out are flat out wrong and have no back-up documentation. I would love to see the "scientific studies" he mentions. There are actually scientific studies that strongly suggest there is a healing power of prayer. Since we're calling people who believe in God delusional, I would suggest the makers of this video are self-righteous idiots. Their opinion is the opposite of a vast majority of the world. The majority of the world believes in God, whether through the Jewish, Christian (Mormons are Christians), or Muslim faiths. The people who created this have only a "bird's-eye" view of each religion. Many books have been written on the differences between the religions. But all three religions have the same basic belief that God exists. Mormons believe in Jesus the same way other Christians do and Jews and Muslims believe Jesus existed. There is historical evidence that many events in the bible did occur. Isn't it possible that God reaches out to people in different ways? Because evil people throughout history have perverted religion for power or personal gain does that make the message of religion wrong? Throughout the bible it speaks of false prophets who would lead many away from the teachings of God.

Look at it this way, one side or the other is correct, either God exists or he doesn't. If the video is correct and religious people are delusional then what have I lost by believing in God? I have gone through life in a state of happy delusion, tried to live as best I can, and tried to help others (good for society). When I die, it's over, I'm gone, because I'm just a mass of organic matter and chemical/electrical impulses, no after-life to worry about. But what if God exists? The religious people who lived good lives will join Him in heaven. The people that were exposed to the teachings of God, from whatever method, rejected Him and will simply cease to exist or suffer in hell for eternity. Even looking at this from a completely rational position (which is obviously hard for us delusional Christians) taking the chance that God doesn't exist is a huge risk.

Quite honestly these comments about society being better without God are completely wrong. If there was no God I would be living a totally differnet lifestyle, with complete disregard for anyone else and only my personal self-interest at heart. I wouldn't hesitate to steal, or kill as long as I wouldn't get caught and it was in my self-interest.

This is what always irks me.

Why would God punish those that have questioned his/her existence?

To me, if there is a God, my idea of him/her would be one that is forgiving and loving of every creature that is on this earth.

Obviously I have not seen Maher's movie yet, but going by his religious rants in the past I think this movie is going to focus on religious zealots who believe 110% that they are right, everyone else is wrong, the existence of God should not be questioned or debated, and everyone that doesn't believe is going to burn in hell. To me, extremist views like that should be called out into the open.

I've never understood why some people can't handle talking about topics like this. It boils down to this for me, neither side can prove the existence of a God beyond a reasonable doubt. So it just seems odd to me that there should be any sort of hardcore belief on either side. But if you choose to believe without any doubts at all, that's fine. Just don't push your beliefs on me and tell me I'm going to hell for not being on "the right team".

Personally I'm not sure what I believe. It's something I go back and forth with all the time. And honestly I hope I never come to a hardcore conclusion either way. I do have a problem with organized religion. I think it's something that's become quite corrupted over time and originally it was something that was used as a method to control the masses through fear and guilt. But some of the basic principles I do find interesting and of redeeming value and I do think you can be a spirtual person without being a supporter or follower of organized religion.