I am an Atheist and always have been.

[JustDave]

They were not influenced by the Bible, what influenced them? They were a simple people with the same basic needs we have still today.
I find these histories fascinating before The Word was ever introduced to them.

Humans, in spite of differences, have a great deal in common. If you believe Maslow, certain needs are universal to our species, and it seems to me that some needs, not necessarily on Maslow's list, can never be fulfilled. They can only be accepted, unless we introduce some sort of power that is beyond human control.

Religion is not the only thing that can be influenced by societies. People with commanding presence and an understanding of what people want, can verbalize and influence. So someone like that will always be there to come up with ideas that satisfy, and others will accept. If people are afraid to die, an influencer can fix that by proposing something beyond humankind's reality, and make people feel better. This is a good thing, especially for those who are not willing or able to accept their fate. Death might be the big one, but there are many other things that are beyond our control. Imaginative thinking can soothe those needs also.

This is why I see religion as an ego defense mechanism. We give ourselves a substitute for the control that we do not have, and we feel safe. We may even feel at peace with ourselves. Our feelings, good or bad, may not be well founded, but they are definitely real.

 

[IrishEyes]

Humans, in spite of differences, have a great deal in common. If you believe Maslow, certain needs are universal to our species, and it seems to me that some needs, not necessarily on Maslow's list, can never be fulfilled. They can only be accepted, unless we introduce some sort of power that is beyond human control.

Religion is not the only thing that can be influenced by societies. People with commanding presence and an understanding of what people want, can verbalize and influence. So someone like that will always be there to come up with ideas that satisfy, and others will accept. If people are afraid to die, an influencer can fix that by proposing something beyond humankind's reality, and make people feel better. This is a good thing, especially for those who are not willing or able to accept their fate. Death might be the big one, but there are many other things that are beyond our control. Imaginative thinking can soothe those needs also.

This is why I see religion as an ego defense mechanism. We give ourselves a substitute for the control that we do not have, and we feel safe. We may even feel at peace with ourselves. Our feelings, good or bad, may not be well founded, but they are definitely real.

I guess from this thread I realize we all have the same need to believe in something, whether it be God, Science, or It is what it is and nothing more. Others belief doesn't influence me on mine. It just helps me to understand them as an individual. You are happy in yours, allow me to be
in mine and we'll do fine. Just as there are numerous religions, so are there numerous theorists, scientists, etc. And honestly it's all too
confusing. Those speaking or writing about all these things to influence people one way or the other, to me it's like a contest to see
who can find that golden ring to convince the most people to their way of thinking. You know the seeking of the major breakthrough.
In the end we're all just humans in this world together and need to believe in something.

 

[JustDave]

You are happy in yours, allow me to be in mine and we'll do fine.

There are many that agree with you, but the influencers in that subset have not been able to fix it. I don't know how big that subset is, but I believe it is out there, maybe even growing in numbers, at least as the pendulum currently swings that way, but it is still a pendulum.

 

[Messy]

-

 

[Paco Dennis]

In the end we're all just humans in this world together and need to believe in something.

So far we don't know how existence "is". So that urges many of us to question where we came from, what or who made this existence, what is the purpose of life. Belief is what we do to fill in the " not knowing". I think we find something we feel is true, and then make up stories to fill in the gaps.

 

[IrishEyes]

Why do all these people want services? I am christian and I'm too lazy to go to a church because it's always so boring and it takes so long. Yesterday for the first time in months or maybe a year I listened to a preaching on youtube without getting bored or annoyed. But that was Reinhard Bonnke, who was a very enthusiastic evangelist, speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting and loads of miracles happening there. If they weren't killing all these christians there I'd want to move to Africa.

speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting this for me personally is a red flag, to boast about numbers
is not following the meaning of be humble and do good works, do not let the left hand know what the right is doing. It is a sales pitch and an ego builder for him as I see it.

 

[IrishEyes]

So far we don't know how existence "is". So that urges many of us to question where we came from, what or who made this existence, what is the purpose of life. Belief is what we do to fill in the " not knowing". I think we find something we feel is true, and then make up stories to fill in the gaps.

And in that "not Knowing" we make choices without assurance of what is or maybe coming. How much of free will is instilled in that alone, just be happy with your choice and live life as a kind person. Which I deeply think you do

 

[Messy]

speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting this for me personally is a red flag, to boast about numbers
is not following the meaning of be humble and do good works, do not let the left hand know what the right is doing. It is a sales pitch and an ego builder for him as I see it.

He spoke about a regular woman and a 17 year old boy who just started to preach and loads of miracles happened there.

 

[IrishEyes]

He spoke about a regular woman and a 17 year old boy who just started to preach and loads of miracles happened there.

I apologize for misunderstanding who was doing the preaching I don't think you mentioned that part.
I have attended a few churches that had lighted signs in the lobby advertising how many Baptisms had occured
in a months time Brightly lit signs, some flashing. We didn't need that, we could tell by how many more seats were
filled at service.

 

[gruntlabor]

There are many that agree with you, but the influencers in that subset have not been able to fix it. I don't know how big that subset is, but I believe it is out there, maybe even growing in numbers, at least as the pendulum currently swings that way, but it is still a pendulum.

Yes, the two sides. One, Irish Eyes' side, "You are happy in yours, allow me to be in mine ..."
And the opposite side, even apart from the religious zealots. They are the socially correct who have us conform, always conform. There is only one opinion --the approved opinion, and if we don't know what that is, we must take a middling attitude, walk the middle of the road, do not commit.
The second side prevails today in America, but nothing is forever.

 

[RambleTamble]

 

[Messy]

I apologize for misunderstanding who was doing the preaching I don't think you mentioned that part.
I have attended a few churches that had lighted signs in the lobby advertising how many Baptisms had occured
in a months time Brightly lit signs, some flashing. We didn't need that, we could tell by how many more seats were
filled at service.

Ah I see where you're coming from. A preacher once said that, that they had meetings where all these pastors came and you had to perform and be the best, get more people in your church and even more next year. It was legalistic, as if it was your own accomplishment.

Bonnke, the Newspapers said Bonnke has raised a man, but he said: Well it was nice that we got free advertising, but Bonnke didn't do anything. I didn't even know they brought him in. Jesus did it and the one who had faith for it was the man's wife.

 

[RambleTamble]

I like that many high-profile Christian leaders have publicly condemned U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s framing of the conflict with
Iran as a "holy war" or a divinely sanctioned mission. Critics argue that his use of "crusader" rhetoric and religious imagery to justify "overwhelming violence" is a dangerous form of Christian nationalism that contradicts traditional Christian teachings.

Key Leaders and Critiques
Faith leaders from various denominations have voiced their opposition, focusing on the "shocking and abhorrent" co-opting of religious language for military aggression.

• Pope Leo XIV: The Pope has issued several rebukes, specifically warning that God ignores the prayers of those whose "hands are full of blood" from war. He emphasized that "no cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood" and described the framing of the conflict in religious terms as a profanation of sacred places.
• Cardinal Blase Cupich: The leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago described the use of scripture to justify war as "deeply theological and deeply troubling". He stated that peace cannot be imposed by force and must be sought through diplomacy.
• Rev. Dr. Emma Worthington: A Chicago-area faith leader who called Hegseth’s rhetoric "antithetical to the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ," specifically condemning the idea of "wiping out an entire civilization" as being outside any legitimate Christian ethic.
• Brian Kaylor (Baptist Author/Editor): He characterized Hegseth's comments as a "Crusader theology" that most modern Christians would consider "heretical".