Religious beliefs

[devilock76]

OK well at points it was. But then again by saying that all belief systems are a system of control. So where does that put "pagan" religions that often have no central authority?

In the modern world not so much, fact is not enough people believe to make it so. In antiquity it is debatable, I mean was it designed as such or happenstance due to most of the few educated and literate people where in the monastic service.

Ken

[lxskllr]

OK well at points it was. But then again by saying that all belief systems are a system of control. So where does that put "pagan" religions that often have no central authority?

In the modern world not so much, fact is not enough people believe to make it so. In antiquity it is debatable, I mean was it designed as such or happenstance due to most of the few educated and literate people where in the monastic service.

Ken

I'm focusing more on (quasi)Christianity, of which I combine Judaism, Islam, Mormonism and so on. There isn't enough of a difference between them to make a distinction. The names are changed, but it's the same old bullshit. Paganism? Much of that is lost to time, especially as it relates to the day to day life of the people. Imo you're largely correct in that they weren't originally created to enslave populations, but that power was recognized early on, and exploited.

[CzechCzar]

Umm, no offense, but that was an ignorant statement. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are extremely different, both in doctrine and theology.

I'm focusing more on (quasi)Christianity, of which I combine Judaism, Islam, Mormonism and so on. There isn't enough of a difference between them to make a distinction. The names are changed, but it's the same old bullshit. Paganism? Much of that is lost to time, especially as it relates to the day to day life of the people. Imo you're largely correct in that they weren't originally created to enslave populations, but that power was recognized early on, and exploited.

[texastorm]

Umm, no offense, but that was an ignorant statement. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are extremely different, both in doctrine and theology.

Wow no offense but that was an ignorant statement, a simple google search turned up pages of similarities.

No one said they did not have their differences too.

[OregonNative]

I was born & raised Christian (Lutheranism) and I follow that same belief system today.

I don't care what anyone believes. I don't shove my religion or values down anyone's throat. If they want to believe in Islam, Judism, Buddhism, Atheism, FSM, Scientology, and whatever else anyone wants to believe. It's not my place to insult others for their choice, as it is not their place to insult me or other religious people for their choice. The simple fact is, if you don't want to believe, don't believe. No one is forcing anyone to convert.

I come from a family that is mostly Christian, but the family that emigrated from Germany to Egypt, the younger generation is beginning to follow Islam. We have Athiests as well, and we don't seem to argue about it.

Cheers all, enjoy whatever it is that you believe.

[muddyfunkstar]

The only superstition I subscribe to is counting magpies. My parents did it, and so do I. I know it's ridiculous and means nothing, but it's sort of ingrained in my psyche.

I don't walk under ladders either, but that's just common sense.

[YfirBaggari]

Skillet summed it up nicely. Morality has nothing to do with there being a deity. Sure, there are some good things to follow in the Christian bible, as there are in the Torah, or in Buddhist sutras, or Sanskrit verses, and so on... But that alone doesn't prove a deity.

Word.

I'm a Atheist,and a man of science.