Are all religions just one big con trick?

[Victor]

Why is this in Financial to start?
These discussions always forget the social reasons for joining places of worship.
In free nations, no one is forcing you to join.

 

[gruntlabor]

Well technically, you couldn't be born into the Shaker religion (now extinct) since they didn't believe in sexual intercourse. All devotees were converts.

Hold on! Science thinks it can beat that problem pretty soon

 

[gruntlabor]

, we are the first human generation of average persons able to study so much.

Yes! and isn't it wonderful!

 

[gruntlabor]

L'm of the opinion that our brother apes and chimps behave in a more honest social structure and behaviors than we humans?

That may be so, but I would not want to be a girl chimp or gorilla

 

[Don M.]

In most churches, the Most Important part of the service is the passing of the "collection plate".

 

[MarkD]

which still leaves us with the age old question " is everyone just making it up"? the truth of the matter is us humans are hurtling around the universe on a planet and can't find anyone else remotely like us and are s.......s.......that we are truly alone and so we make up " fairy stories' to convince ourselves we're not?

You are determined to believe meaning is a farce. So go ahead and believe that. Just believing whatever you like is possible but not what most of us would choose. Why is it so important to you to get others to agree with your perspective. I think it is an indication that your position is flawed. But only you can decide what matters to you.

 

[gruntlabor]

You are determined to believe meaning is a farce. So go ahead and believe that. Just believing whatever you like is possible but not what most of us would choose. Why is it so important to you to get others to agree with your perspective. I think it is an indication that your position is flawed. But only you can decide what matters to you.

.. or an indication that OP smiley wants, needs to be enlightened.

 

[smiley]

you are both presenting your own farces now without understanding it all - and have not presented sound reasonings at all??

 

[Nathan]

Well technically, you couldn't be born into the Shaker religion (now extinct) since they didn't believe in sexual intercourse. All devotees were converts.

Yea, I can see why they went extinct.

 

[MarkD]

.. or an indication that OP smiley wants, needs to be enlightened.

You may be right but I didn't pick up on that. I think he isn't having a great time being a humbug cynic but prefers that hair shirt to what he assumes is the view through rose colored glasses. His call but he could be less aggressive about disparaging what other people hold dear if he even cares about our community.

 

[Nathan]

Are all religions just one big con trick?

No. But there are religious organizations that do exploit their power and control over members, for profit and/or for less than honorable causes.

 

[TinaM]

Religion doesn’t dictate morals. We have morals despite religion and some of the worst offenders in history were extremely religious.

 

[gruntlabor]

I would say partially innate and partially learned.

Tiny children that are well loved exhibit compassion but little children who are starved of love, or worse, actually illtreated will probably develop antisocial characteristics as a means of self defence.

The 'learned' part is Ethics, a deeper subject than simple right or wrong. For Ethics we need a professor, God help us.
Tiny children may be thinking only of want, NOT thinking of right or wrong when they steal baby sister's cookie. But they know it is wrong.

 

[Paco Dennis]

So is this thread about all religion being a "Big Con Trick"? OK, Tell me this...Are all con tricks religious? A con is present to take something that you own by by force or deceit. Every con trick is loaded with deceit. Religion takes a hard stance on deceit.
You see when you attempt to deceive others you have only deceived yourself. ending up in doing
what your trying to avoid. All tricks are cons. We don't want no more.
.

 

[gruntlabor]

you are both presenting your own farces now without understanding it all - and have not presented sound reasonings at all??

(shamefaced) In our defense, it was only an indication, a possibility, nothing written in stone.

 

[Who_so_ever]

some of the worst offenders in history were extremely religious.

Interesting thought.... Not sure who you are thinking of, but at any rate - if someone is a worst offender, were they religious at all; or just claiming to be? Also what was their 'religion'? Some actually preach violence to those whose belief does not line up with theirs.

I have to agree with someone on here that posted, "religion is man-made". The traditions, rites, ceremonies, etc are all made by man. Unless it is stated in KJV holy scripture. While I belong to a denomination that is closest, IMO, to Biblical teachings, doctrine and precepts.... I don't see that as reason to judge anyone else's religion.

I also do not force my belief on others. It is a part of me, not something that I can take off or set aside when having certain conversations, when voting or whatever the case may be. For me, it all stems from my biblical beliefs. Unbelievers need to learn that when people say something that points back to God, it isn't us trying to force Him on anyone, but simply that He is a very large part of who I am. I cannot separate Him or my faith from myself.

 

[Who_so_ever]

you are both presenting your own farces now without understanding it all

If I understood it all, I would be God, and I can assure you that I am not.

- and have not presented sound reasonings at all??

Who decides what is "sound"? You? Me?

 

[TinaM]

Interesting thought.... Not sure who you are thinking of, but at any rate - if someone is a worst offender, were they religious at all; or just claiming to be? Also what was their 'religion'? Some actually preach violence to those whose belief does not line up with theirs.

I have to agree with someone on here that posted, "religion is man-made". The traditions, rites, ceremonies, etc are all made by man. Unless it is stated in KJV holy scripture. While I belong to a denomination that is closest, IMO, to Biblical teachings, doctrine and precepts.... I don't see that as reason to judge anyone else's religion.

I also do not force my belief on others. It is a part of me, not something that I can take off or set aside when having certain conversations, when voting or whatever the case may be. For me, it all stems from my biblical beliefs. Unbelievers need to learn that when people say something that points back to God, it isn't us trying to force Him on anyone, but simply that He is a very large part of who I am. I cannot separate Him or my faith from myself.

Okay so I’m thinking of all the pedophile priests, Hitler, the crusades, Salem witch trials. Many many many examples of religious leaders who committed terrible things. Youth pastors who rape young girls. Ministers caught in hotels with prostitutes. I could go on.

 

[Who_so_ever]

Okay so I’m thinking of all the pedophile priests, Hitler, the crusades, Salem witch trials. Many many many examples of religious leaders who committed terrible things. Youth pastors who rape young girls. Ministers caught in hotels with prostitutes. I could go on.

Okay, for those people, I would put forth that they are not truly 'religious'. Wolves in sheep's clothing.

 

[TinaM]

Okay, for those people, I would put forth that they are not truly 'religious'. Wolves in sheep's clothing.

So do we really need religion?

 

[Who_so_ever]

So do we really need religion?

IMO, no. We need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. BUT with that said, we (Christians) are told to not forsake the assembly; go to church with like minded believers. It helps us and them.

 

[MarkD]

So do we really need religion?

I’d say no but some do, and there isn’t just one religious tradition that will do the trick for those who want the structure.

 

[smiley]

Interesting thought.... Not sure who you are thinking of, but at any rate - if someone is a worst offender, were they religious at all; or just claiming to be? Also what was their 'religion'? Some actually preach violence to those whose belief does not line up with theirs.

I have to agree with someone on here that posted, "religion is man-made". The traditions, rites, ceremonies, etc are all made by man. Unless it is stated in KJV holy scripture. While I belong to a denomination that is closest, IMO, to Biblical teachings, doctrine and precepts.... I don't see that as reason to judge anyone else's religion.

I also do not force my belief on others. It is a part of me, not something that I can take off or set aside when having certain conversations, when voting or whatever the case may be. For me, it all stems from my biblical beliefs. Unbelievers need to learn that when people say something that points back to God, it isn't us trying to force Him on anyone, but simply that He is a very large part of who I am. I cannot separate Him or my faith from myself.

where is your God then???

 

[Who_so_ever]

He gave us free will. He is not the controlling dictator that some would have you to believe.

 

[smiley]

yes but where is he? and don't tell me 'in your heart'??