| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/3/2006 8:02:36 AM | Many people are moving away from their religion these days. They find one concept they don’t agree with and they feel the whole religion is unsubstantiated and unjustifiable. They fail to realize that their ancestors could have come up with wrong explanation or wrong interpretations regarding that ONE particular notion.
When a religion emerged from a society – their existing myths, cultural setbacks, traditional influence played a heavy role in creating false innovations during the advancement of that religion. No religion has been able to shake this influence off. These false innovations somehow get entangled with the true teachings of a said religion and in the long run after centuries - have repeatedly created massive confusions among its practitioners.
Every time God send a prophet and corrected these confusions - soon people would create more and then God send another prophet to fix those once again. This went on until IMO God decided - “enough is enough, no more help for the mankind”!
This life of ours is our second chance – so how much more help can we expect? However, I believe that God didn’t leave us blind. He did provide us with the basic info regarding how to get back to heavens. Now it is our job to sort out the different doctrines and figure out what is “true” and what is “false”. We became intelligent enough to be given that challenge. Now we can read and research any doctrine we want to. It is our choice to do that and this task is not that difficult to accomplish. Now we have internet!! Not to mention all those public libraries!! Hundreds and thousands of years ago - a farmer or a shepherd or a carpenter didn’t have that choice. This is why God send so many prophets back then.
When tradition supersedes God’s directives then a religion loses its true face. 
In my opinion there are widespread erroneous misconceptions in all of the religions these days due to reasons like “traditional influence” based on preexisting ideas and practices.
Many people feel that their religion is right and the true one. However they base their opinion and faith on information gathered and preserved by their predecessors. They fail to take into account the traditional influence or any other unjustifiable influence on any of their religious beliefs or practices. Many of these people decide to believe in what is handed over to them “blindly”. While there are many others – who find something wrong with their religious teachings and discard their entire beliefs altogether or at least stop acknowledging even the things that make sense. In other words they become totally unreligious! I think both these peoples are wrong. The ONLY way one can have firm and true faith – is by researching and seeking for the truth everywhere. If you are content with what you were handed down with - without even investigating other doctrines then - IMO you are just fooling yourself and possibly taking the easy way out. Many people who grew up with a religion with many holes and confusions (after realizing that they couldn’t be representing a true faith) decides not believe in anything anymore.
There is room for many kinds of doubts in all religion these days. The answers regarding different topics and scenarios are not always very clear in many of these religious doctrines. For example --- if you are a woman – the position of woman in your religion can create a doubt in your mind. You might start pondering over this question and contemplate whether or not God created woman in the way your particular religion implies.
Chances are – if you ask a priest or a Rabbi or an Imam about “women’s rights” – you will get crazy answers. BUT the reality is - their explanation would have NOTHING to do with the position of the real God IMO. In my opinion their explanation will be wrong because all known famous religions are corrupted by the traditional influence of a said timeframe when that particular religion made its debut.
Women’s right is just one example but there are many examples out there that the so-called religious people got it wrong. I already opened a new thread regarding women’s position. I want to hear – what  you think is a widespread erroneous misconception in your religion or a religion you stopped practicing. If you have true opinion regarding another religion then please share that too. | |
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kaje
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Joined: 12/19/2005
Msg: 2 | |
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AK338
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Joined: 3/14/2006
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/3/2006 1:09:05 PM | Good Morning Shadow....You bring up many points of discussion in your topic. Yes. many people do leave their particular religion for various reasons. To keep the thread as close to your queries, I will try to stay focused on the topic. Many years ago, I became aware of inconsistencies and fallacies in the teachings of my childhood church. Keeping in mind that I hold the Bible as the true source of truth, the doctrines and practices of that church , (like you mention can and does happen), was following traditions/rules/practices
that contradicted what the Bible show to be true. Worth mentioning is that if one doesn't have a standard by which to deem truth by, then anything goes and truth becomes relative. You mention that God doesn't leave us blind and that He has provided us with the means to get back to heaven. Many writings claim to be words from God as related and written by a prophet, but I can think of only one book that claims to be God-breathed /Holy Spirit inspired; the Bible. Do I assume this is what you mean by the "means" He has given us? If so, then it is up to every individual, to prayfully search out the scriptures for themselves and test what your church is teaching with the truths found in the Bible. If the Bible indeed be your standard, it is made clear by Paul in Galatians 1:8, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you that that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." As if saying it once wasn't enough, Paul emphasized it again in the next verse, "As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." I have seen many "other" testaments and bibles that claim to be from God but we have been warned not only about these writings, but also about false Christs and saviors.
Peter said in Acts 4"12 "neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(referring to the risen Christ -verse 10) Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."(John 14:6) If this indeed be the way of personal salvation, then graven images cannot save (Isaiah 45 vs.15-22) and traditions cannot save (Mark 7 vs. 6-9) Many prophets and false Christs did, are and will continue to rise in the world and its churches and one needs to be discerning and test their teachings with the gospel message presented in the Bible. (see Mark 13: vs. 21-23) "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." The Bible is clear
we are not to follow
a mortal man or traditions of men to find our way to heaven. Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me": And I give unto them eternal; life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 11 vs 27:28)
 Eccles. 12:13...."Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man". My childhood church fell short of preaching and following the commandments of God , only eight of them , to be specific, and
I have since found a church of believers who have respect to all 10 of the commandments and hold the Bible as authority according to the word of God. There are no graven images, (for many churches violate, if not obliterate the 2nd commandment regarding idols and graven images). Many churches violate the 4th commandment regarding the 7th day Sabbath and worship on a man-made/church tradition day, such as Sunday, and many violate the 9th commandment regarding bearing false witness, by their misguided, unknowing/ ignoring of the true teachings presented clearly in scripture. There are no hidden ceremonies in God's church. John 18:20 "Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing". You also mentioned that this is our second go at life here, so am curious as to where you have come to bellieve that, as the Bible speaks nothing of this, but we could discuss that in another thread if you wish. So there it is, hopefully along the lines of the things you were asking. We all have been given free will and choice as to what we believe. We can avoid religion, or go to churches that are
tradition based, we can go to a feel-good churches, we can pray to idols and dead people, we can even put our faith in another man or prophet, but in the end, we need to ask ourselves as did the prison keeper in Acts. 16:30 ,31 "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they[Paul and Silas] said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thous shalt be saved, and thy house.". If one believes in a heaven, is there really any other way to get to
there? Do we ignore all of it and just hope that we will get there? Do we abandon all faith because of false teachings or people who have wronged us in a church? Do we put our trust and salvation in prophets who add or take away from the teachiings of the Bible, or present us with a new bible? Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." It is up to each person to seek out the truth, and to test what you hear, see and even what you experience with the Words that God has given us. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." You are absolutely correct in saying that God didn't leave us blind. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world [satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." God bless you in your search for His truth and the gift and reward of His heaven that is freely given to those who accept the free gift of eternal life through the sacrificial and saving blood of our High Priest forever, Jesus Christ. ........Chipits | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/3/2006 1:16:13 PM | | Sorry Shadow and moderators...... I guess ak338 hadn't signed out of POF on this computer and I didn't notice that his name was the one responding to your thread (I am not the most versed in computer literacy and use)....... I am responsible for the above message and I will be more alert to this next time.... Sorry for any confusion, it was unintentional......Chipits.... | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/3/2006 2:21:53 PM | I know a major pet peeve in my religious community is the wide-spread misconception that witches worship Satan. Satan has no place in traditional wicca or paganism. Simply not an important figure. And it offends most if not all of us when people accuse of being Satan worshippers.
Also, we don't eat babies!!!
I realize the rationale for the Satan worshipping thing is the assumption that anyone not on the 'straight and narrow' is being deluded by Satan. It's ok for you to think that, believe whatever you want to. Just don't scream it in our faces. If you have differences discuss them in a civil manner. Having an outsider tell you what you believe before you even explain your particular beliefs is offensive whatever path you walk.
I mean, think about it. If I were to go up to every Christian and accuse them of practicing vampirism (drink this wine) and cannibalism (eat this bread) to appease a guy that's been dead for 2000 years, I'd anger a few fair people.
It comes down to being polite and remembering that we don't know everything. | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/4/2006 12:23:25 AM | Actually Satanists don't even worship Satan, if Anton LeVey is to be believed. He said that they were more concerned with pursuing pleasure not worshipping the devil. Seems like they could have picked a better name to call themselves.
Incidentally, I don't know many Christians who think witches are serving the devil. Not intentionally anyways..... | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/4/2006 12:10:16 PM | Atheism isn't actually religion, but I'll answer the question anyway. Some common misperceptions abut Atheism:
1) Atheism is a religion: It's a religion like bald is a hair color.
2) Atheists deny that god(s) exist: Actually only some Atheists actively disbelieve in the existence of god(s). Most of us take a neutral stance, waiting for believable evidence and/or reasoning either way. Most Agnostics are actually Atheists.
3) Atheists are immoral: Most Atheists actually have a strict moral philosophy. It seems to me that the Theists are the ones who use god as an excuse for breaking their own moral precepts (e.g. mudering doctors who perform abortions).
4) There's an Evil Atheist Conspiracy: Actually, gettings Atheists to agree on anything is like herding cats.
5) Atheists are a bunch of commie pinko tree hugging liberals: Most Atheists agree that George Bush is a moron. That doesn't make us liberals. | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/5/2006 4:10:37 AM | I hear you rymseypagan.......anytime someone asks if I'm afraid I'll go to hell for being pagan, I sweetly remind them that hell is part of their belief system, not mine.
And I get really tired of saying "No, I'm not Jewish, it's a pentacle, not the Star of David".......
We don't eat babies, worship satan, have orgies under the full moon (maybe I've just never been invited  ) or fly around on brooms. D'you think if I could fly on a broom, I'd be using the unbelievably bad public transit system in this city? Or walking on a really hot day????
On the plus side, I have been able to inform people just by being who I am. Years back when I worked in a drugstore, one of the head honchos was in the store and said "Oh my God" about something ~ and the pharmacist grinned and said "Around here, it's more like Oh my Goddess" ~ and not in a smart ass way either.
Sorry ~ got a little off topic..... | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/5/2006 6:34:03 AM | When I was a teenager, my Baptist church went to El Paso Texas, (might as well be driving to Canada).... anyway, we went to help a new church with construction finishing. We teen girls were putting on a vacation bible school for the neighborhood kids. Introducing them to the church.
The new church pastor told us that we wouldn't get many kids, because, (he heard thru the grapevine) the local Catholic church told it's parishoners that if they went to the new Baptist church they would have to walk on the face of the virgin Mary (as in painted on the floor) and they would have to pay to get to leave.
Now, the Mexicans of old can be a superstitious lot. Naturally the young and old listen to their priest.
Thier priest prayed on their trust and their superstitions to keep his flock ($$) intact.
$$ rules even within chaste systems. So, Lies are told.... | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/5/2006 7:04:56 AM | By kaje:
“Almost everything in every religion is erroneous and untrue.”
So, is it safe to say that you are roaming the threads in this “religion section” because…
A) You want to tell all believers of different religions that they have been lied to
and they are not as smart as you are -to figure that out?
Or, B) Maybe you are looking for some tiny truth that may or may not exist in some religion?
If you are looking for that tiny truth – then good luck! Otherwise I am confused about your reasons to be here. Please enlighten us.
At chipits:
I enjoyed your post#3 (ak338). You did point out some traditional influence that made its way into many of the churches. It is a shame that even basic Ten Commandments can be fooled around with like that.
I am against idol worship (in any shape or form) not to mention any of the graven images. No one from our time has seen God or any of the prophets or their family members. To have a graven image or statue – is blasphemous in my book. IMO our prayers should be directed towards heavens to a God whom most of us haven’t or couldn’t have seen. Some people claims to have seen God in their dreams and some others claim to have died for a brief moment and visited God. I am not going to discount them – because I don’t have any proof that they are lying. I too had a dream once BUT I am NOT going to talk about that.
After Abraham’s dream I don’t believe God would allow Evil to impersonate him anymore in our dreams. So, if someone (now) sees a dream regarding God then – chances are – it would be a true experience. Even though portraying that dream into a graven image or a statue and start worshiping it – would still be a sin because I believe God asked us not to do that.
I know we won’t agree when I say – Jesus was just a prophet sent by God. So I believe worshiping any of his statues or images or praying to them is wrong. The real God won’t like that at all.
I believe – believing in Jesus deity – falls under “widespread misconception” – but I know you won’t agree. It is probably the biggest misconception in the great religion of Christianity. I also don’t believe Jesus died to wipe anyone’s sins - at least anyone from our time. Jesus found himself in a predicament that if God allowed him to live then MORE people would have started to believe in his deity. In a lockdown situation like that – there was no way out for him but for the real God to allow him to be put on the cross. This is exactly why Jesus told his disciples to back off and NOT resist when Romans came to arrest him. But when he complained to the real God about why he had to go through such excruciating experience – God took him away and thus created a mystery.
You asked about why I think this life is our second chance? Well it is a long story and I wrote a thread about this much earlier. It is still out there somewhere (on page 13 of this forum). The title of that thread is “Why God is silent?......” Be my guest if you want to read it.
By chipits:
“Many churches violate the 4th commandment regarding the 7th day Sabbath and worship on a man-made/church tradition day, such as Sunday”
I personally don’t believe that it makes any difference regarding which day to pick and follow as a “holyday”. In 325 A.D. (with the influence of a previously pagan emperor) they changed it to Sunday from Saturday. They wanted to give Christianity a different face from Judaism.
All God asked IMO – was to pick a day and spend it in remembering him and do good deed and try more to abstain from doing anything bad. Which day you pick to do that – doesn’t matter in my opinion. Any day you are off from work – is a good day in my opinion. Churches and synagogues made a specific day look more important than it really was IMO. However, I agree that – in a community full of same believers – it is better to have a same day. It is good to voice the prayer together and meet each other at a Godly house on a specific day of the week. However, Saturday or Sunday or Friday or Monday makes no difference.
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/5/2006 5:34:41 PM | Shadowdancing.......A misconception is by definition, "an incorrect conception; a belief in a conception that is objectively false.". As you mentioned in your post, "it is a shame that even the basic 10 commandments can be fooled around like that " . And you are right. Yet, as you also mentioned, the council changed the day from Saturday to Sunday to "give Christianity a different face from Judaism". Correct. The change also mingled pagan customs/sun worship with the traditional/Biblical Sabbath. (see
Daniel 7:25) Would this manmade change then now create a misconception? And by whose authority was this change made? God's? The Roman church? . The origin of Sabbath did not begin with the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Sinai, but goes back to creation week when Gen. 2:3 "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Sanctify means by definition, to set apart for holy use, to make holy by religious rites......The 4th commandment states Exodus 20 vs 8-11 "REMEMBER the sabbath day, to keep it holy,six days shalt thou labour,and do all thy work, But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:..........For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day , and hallowed it." (respect, honour, set apart).. The new testament is silent on any change of a worship day. Had Jesus proclaimed another day, the Jews certainly would have had contraversy with that. Jesus said in Mark 2:27 "The sabbath was made for MAN, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." The apostles kept the sabbath, (Acts 13:42,44, Acts 17:2,Acts. 18:4) See Isaiah 66:22, where sabbath shall yet exist in the new earth. This is but a quick outline as there is so much more to say about this, but if one is to believe that the 10 commandments are relevant (the first 4, our duty to God, and the last 6 our duty to man), then my question to you is why do think that only 9 are preached in the majority of churches today? And if they indeed teach a manmade concept then is this not also a violation of the 9th commandment about bearing false witness? Does it matter? Do we let others lead us down the wrong path? Do we really want to cede our salvation and hopes to a doctrine that is not from God? Despite what we may think or have been taught, if one is to follow the truth of the Bible, then conditions and changes that man has made, have no validity. Jesus didn't change it. The Jews didn't change it, if anything they corrupted the true meaning of sabbath. Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Like the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you want to do a bit of research on your own, then phone the churches in your area and simply ask why they worship on a Sunday. Guaranteed you will get many different responses. (and maybe even a misunderstood snippit of scripture to support their view, which doesn't hold much credence when compared with the other 148 references made to the sabbath)): Worship is good any day, as you say, but God has set apart one day specifically for our benefit and placed it in the heart of His laws. But it comes down to , what does the
God of the Bible reveal about Himself and His laws? Are we by nature righteous or are we all sinners in need of a Saviour ? It is ultimately our choice, decision, and responsibility; and the path we choose has eternal consequences. John 3:16 sums it up well.."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not PERISH (one consequence), but have everlasting life."(the other consequence). (Notice that perish does NOT imply eternal torment in hell /purgatory,or cast out to some obscure corner of the universe as some preach erroneously) (another thread discussion perhaps?) . Misconception or comprehension, the choice is ours............As for the misconception, as you say, of the divinity of Christ, read the gospel of John for yourself.....then perhaps another thread??..........Chipits | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/6/2006 11:45:04 AM | Is not religion itself a widespread misconception? you ask, 2nd thoughts:::
Good question. SO many religions in the world teach that their way is THE way. With wide and varied doctrines, then truth becomes relative and ceases to be truth. They cannot all be truth if not agreeing of the same belief system. (objective) .......What's good for me may not be good for you. (subjective ) Believing in something doesn't automatically make it truth. (and conversely, not believing in something doesn't automatically make it false)Mankind is the only species capable of the act of worship, and understanding the concepts of such. ( I do not mean here the loyalty of a pet) We have a conscience and the ability to reason. Despite how we are raised and through our experiences, we do come to some sort of belief system, whether to believe in God or a god/s, or not to believe. Just because atheists and agnostics do not in their "religion",worship/gather as a congregation, does not negate what they as individuals believe. It is nonetheless a belief system. The concept of good versus evil, yin/yang etc. is prevalent in most of the worlds belief systems. This antagonistic struggle or theme is strikingly seen in the art therapy drawings of distressed/affected persons of varying religious backgrounds) . And interestingly enough is that their descriptive art work depicts the Christian contraversy of God versus Satan. (crosses, devils, serpent, angels) In summary terms, their drawings represents the conflict within their own souls, so to speak. In hard core rock music, the Chritian identities of the cross, Jesus, and God are mocked and denigrated, NOT so of any other god/shiva, deity, buddha etc...Christianity is not so much a religion of manmade devices, but teaches a restoration and reconciliation with the Creator. It is a relationship with Jesus/God, who came to the earth to not only bring truth , but by His sacrifice and resurrection, He has triumphed over the forces of evil and death that we may have eternal life, forgiveness, and the assurance of salvation.. He gives a person the Holy Spirit/God to dwell in one's heart and mind , as a helper, vindicator, discerner of truth/lies, the power to produce good and holy attributes and works. Christian theology
affirms man's sinful nature and our need for a saviour ,the Way/Jesus, by which we may be brought into fellowship with God. By His grace, we are given what we don't deserve, and by His mercy we are not given what we do deserve. This is the Christian religion. Understanding that there is a contraversy/adversary, then it reasons, becomes apparant and is made known that there is indeed an enemy of God's and ours. The Bible speaks quite plainly of this adversary. Misconceptions , false religions, erroneous teaching, denigration of truth and God , false prophets, false Christs, dissension, false Bibles, arise from the originator of these, that originator being Satan, the father of lies. He is the author of confusion, and hater of Jesus/God and all things good. A widespread misconception is that he doesn't exist, or is but a "force". His mission; to kill. steal and destroy. He is the antithesis of God in thought, word and deed, but not opposite in terms of being Divine. He never was divine, never was, nor ever will be God, and in his
heart was found pride and sin. He will mingle truth with error,he will misguide and misrepresent, and create misconceptions.....anything to bring vicarious worship to himself through false religions, and keep mankind from knowing the true conception and understanding of God. To do nothing to seek out truth suits him just as well, so long as he can keep us from knowing the truth. What misconceptions we believe can have eternal consequences: Life or death? The choice we make is vital.........Chipits | |
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tekrok
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Joined: 6/28/2006
Msg: 16 | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/6/2006 12:21:06 PM | Thank you for this thread.
Yes many people have the misconception that the Celtics, Druids, Pagans, Wiccans my Celtic religion, the Brighid Druids specifically, think that we once did human sacrifices, which is totally wrong. The death penalty for murder, forced rape and theft leading to death or starvation was what the outsiders were seeing. It had nothing to do with our religion, it was our social justice system. | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/6/2006 2:18:59 PM | "Atheists deny that god(s) exist: Actually only some Atheists actively disbelieve in the existence of god(s). Most of us take a neutral stance, waiting for believable evidence and/or reasoning either way. Most Agnostics are actually Atheists."
got that a little backwards....the atheists who don't actively disbelieve but need proof are the agnostics. No agnostic can be an atheist because then he is acknowledging and denying the possibility of God's existance(which he cannot do by definition b/c it cannot be proved). To deny his existance, for an agnostic, would imply that some proof had been offered and rejected. God's existence cannot be proved and the agnostic believes that such proof would be beyond our comprehension even if it did exist. The agnostic is incapable of the leap of faith required to believe or disbelieve. The atheist simply has faith that GOd does not exist.
Clear difference between the two. They are not interchangable. | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/7/2006 11:07:10 PM | You falsely create the impressio that reigion has anything to do with church.
Churches are IMHO the antithesis of religion. They are are close relative of big government. They are corrupt and work hand in hand with big government.
I have not seen one church in this country even speak out against the stopping of prayer in schools. If that is not working hand in hand with evil I don't know what is.
Churches don't stand up for what is right or wrong.. Any attack on the bill of rights is an attack on god as those are his gifts to us. Churches seem to have forgotten this simple fact.
You can have your churches but I'll keep my beliefs. | |
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/11/2006 11:46:16 AM |
By chipits:
“And by whose authority was this change made? God's?”
To tell you the truth, my position on this is --- small harmless misconceptions most likely won’t annoy God. It is the big ones I am worried about.
We all know that – everything we do - can be classified into two groups, the good and the bad!
All bad things – we must avoid. However, the good things can be done in whatever shape or form or quantity we may like. The end result would still be good.
God asked us NOT to do certain things (i.e. murder, steal, lie, bearing false witness, adultery and so on). So we must avoid doing them. On the other hand, God also asked us to do certain good things (i.e. believe in him, help people, love one another, pray to him whenever we can and so on). These things - we can do to the best of our ability and availability. A true God will understand the manner in which we do “good” things. This is why – any day of the week can be holier than the other days. I don’t believe it matters - which day we pick to worship.
I must add here that - IMO - God’s certain minor directives were time specific and people specific. It doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone from every period.
Moses followers had to be told everything because it was still a growing way of life, a growing belief system, a growing philosophy, a growing religion. Also, filled with primitive ideas their way of thinking was poisoned. Many of them were full of doubts and confusions. So, IMO God asked them to do certain things in certain way and most likely picked a day for them for worship. So, IMO some of those directives were for those people only and they were time specific. God’s final directives were still taking shape. But now –a lot more information is available. People are more educated and less superstitious now. So, obviously our situation is different regarding matters like which day to worship.
If God had decided to send us any new directive now regarding which day to pick as a weekly worshiping day – I am sure it would tell us to pick just about any day of the week.
This is why – while I don’t agree with the churches on many MANY issues – I don’t worry my head over which day they picked as a worshipping day. Even if they are wrong regarding this particular notion – I believe, God will understand. What God may not understand – is where certain people got the idea that Jesus was more than a prophet. That, to me is a huge mistaken conception.
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| Are there any widespread misconceptions in your religion? Something erroneous and untrue!
Posted: 7/12/2006 12:42:11 AM |
The agnostic is incapable of the leap of faith required to believe or disbelieve. The atheist simply has faith that GOd does not exist.
Clear difference between the two. They are not interchangable.
I agree that there's a clear difference, but disagree on what that difference is. An Atheist lacks belief in god or gods. This doesn't require the Atheist to be one who maintains that god(s) doesn't exist, though that type of person is still an Atheist. An Agnostic is someone who believes that the question of god's existence is unanswerable. Agnosticism and Atheism are two different things. It's possible to be a Theist and an Agnostic, for example. Most people who claim to be Agnostic are actually Atheists. I blame All in the Family for confusing people about this. Agnosticism takes faith, Atheism doesn't. | |
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