So, HJ, you choose your religious belief based on whatever is cool at the time?
Catholicism is cool ALL the time. Except when they're being intolerant, during which times I go into the cofessional, hang my head, and weep. Then I come out for more beer, wine, and bingo.
I'd appreciate the Catholic Church more if they weren't so wishy-washy. Bring back Latin Mass! Laymen don't need to understand the word of god, only FEAR IT!
It would be a lot less flip-floppy and hypocritical than the stances they take now.
Meh, I'm Greek Orthodox Catholic mostly out of tradition and culture. It's not so bad.
That is kind of a crummy reason to align yourself with a particular ideology.
Meh, I'm Greek Orthodox Catholic mostly out of tradition and culture. It's not so bad.
Deciding your religious affiliation solely based on the fact that other people that lived before you did is crummy. Why affiliate with something that goes against your own morals and ideals just because your Mommy or Grandpappy was affiliated with that institution? One of the reason these churches have so much clout is because they have a ton of people that sign up for them. Go and sign up with a church you actually agree with and stop bolstering their numbers.
HJ, there are tons of religions that utilize alcohol, gambling, and a number of other revelries that don't actually hate gay people. Those are far cooler by any standard.
HJ, there are tons of religions that utilize alcohol, gambling, and a number of other revelries that don't actually hate gay people. Those are far cooler by any standard.
I'd appreciate the Catholic Church more if they weren't so wishy-washy. Bring back Latin Mass! Laymen don't need to understand the word of god, only FEAR IT!
It would be a lot less flip-floppy and hypocritical than the stances they take now.
Meh, I'm Greek Orthodox Catholic mostly out of tradition and culture. It's not so bad.
HJ, there are tons of religions that utilize alcohol, gambling, and a number of other revelries that don't actually hate gay people. Those are far cooler by any standard.
List, please?
Most pagan religions. If you really like to party, rasta is the way to go.
Of course I know, fuck those hippy Roman Catholics.
Deciding your religious affiliation solely based on the fact that other people that lived before you did is crummy. Why affiliate with something that goes against your own morals and ideals just because your Mommy or Grandpappy was affiliated with that institution? One of the reason these churches have so much clout is because they have a ton of people that sign up for them. Go and sign up with a church you actually agree with and stop bolstering their numbers.
Because my Mommy and all my relatives are affiliated with it. Do I really need any more reasaon? It's part of our family traditions, I don't let it completely rule my life. So why don't you worry about yourself and stop telling others how they should choose their religious affiliations.
Because my Mommy and all my relatives are affiliated with it. Do I really need any more reasaon? It's part of our family traditions, I don't let it completely rule my life. So why don't you worry about yourself and stop telling others how they should choose their religious affiliations.
I do worry about myself and the society I live in. That society is heavily influenced by the religious beliefs of those around me. As such, I would certainly hope that people take great care and consideration before they sign themselves up for a religion that they don't actually agree with. These churches do hold clout and it is their large following that gives them that clout. If their following doesn't actually agree with the what the church is saying, then the followers are giving strength to an organization that is going against their own moral beliefs. People certainly have the right to join any religion for any reason. That does not mean that they are going about it in a responsible, well reasoned manner. Their choices have consequences that go beyond themselves.
Don't you get upset when people just blindly follow political beliefs without examining them or join parties that they don't actually support? Why should religion be any different?
As a Catholic I am very dissapointed, but then again I dissagree with many things that they think. I am mostly Catholic because of the "Tradition".
That is kind of a crummy reason to align yourself with a particular ideology.
Well, "The Traidition" is something that is part of me. Something that I grew up with. My association to the Catholic Chruch comes mostly from my life experiences and I can't dissasociate myself from them from one day to another. I personally do not care whether someone does ot does not believe in God/Gods. As long as you have a good heart and you don't try to force your believes into others you are a cool person to me. I am a weird Catholic :P
Okay, but all that says to me is that you would rather follow tradition than follow your moral convictions. In all seriousness, if you remain a part of an institution that goes against your moral doctrines for the sake of tradition, then your moral convictions must be fairly weak.
HJ, there are tons of religions that utilize alcohol, gambling, and a number of other revelries that don't actually hate gay people. Those are far cooler by any standard.
List, please?
Most pagan religions. If you really like to party, rasta is the way to go.
I'm way too euro to be rasta, and I just can't imagine doing the Wiccan thing. Those Wiccan ceremonies are looong and duuuullllll. At least Mass is over quickly.
Mass is quick? When I went it was over an hour. Moreover, Wiccan isn't the only pagan religion. It sounds like you would rather just have a party, so why not just do that?
...Those Wiccan ceremonies are looong and duuuullllll. At least Mass is over quickly.
I'm calling shenanigans on that. I'd rather see people dance around a camp fire naked. Then listen to monotoned geriatrics bellow out hymns. Wiccans also get to play with knives and it will save you a lot of money on your wedding day. (You get married naked. That's hot!) Some ceremonies even include time for "the joining of a man and a woman." Where do I sign up???
Okay, but all that says to me is that you would rather follow tradition than follow your moral convictions. In all seriousness, if you remain a part of an institution that goes against your moral doctrines for the sake of tradition, then your moral convictions must be fairly weak.
I follow the basic principles of "The Tradition" which for me is to love life and humanity. I really don't care much of all the papal doctrines if only because I don't believe that the Pope can be infallible since he is human.
Okay, but all that says to me is that you would rather follow tradition than follow your moral convictions. In all seriousness, if you remain a part of an institution that goes against your moral doctrines for the sake of tradition, then your moral convictions must be fairly weak.
I follow the basic principles of "The Tradition" which for me is to love life and humanity. I really don't care much of all the papal doctrines if only because I don't believe that the Pope can be infallible since he is human.
But you ascribe to a religion that clearly and unequivocally accepts papal infallibility. You lend credence to this belief by joining and continuing to patronize this organization, even though you say you do not agree with it. Can you not love life and humanity without allying yourself with a Church that incorporates dogmatic rules that go against your own moral beliefs? Moreover, they - in your name and the name of your god - exert their clout (provided by you and other members of their Church) to pressure world governments to create or continue laws that go against your own moral beliefs and yet you still throw your lot in with them.
Okay, but all that says to me is that you would rather follow tradition than follow your moral convictions. In all seriousness, if you remain a part of an institution that goes against your moral doctrines for the sake of tradition, then your moral convictions must be fairly weak.
I follow the basic principles of "The Tradition" which for me is to love life and humanity. I really don't care much of all the papal doctrines if only because I don't believe that the Pope can be infallible since he is human.
But you ascribe to a religion that clearly and unequivocally accepts papal infallibility. You lend credence to this belief by joining and continuing to patronize this organization, even though you say you do not agree with it. Can you not love life and humanity without allying yourself with a Church that incorporates dogmatic rules that go against your own moral beliefs? Moreover, they - in your name and the name of your god - exert their clout (provided by you and other members of their Church) to pressure world governments to create or continue laws that go against your own moral beliefs and yet you still throw your lot in with them.
Here's the problem and why I'm telling you to mind your own business. When someone gives you an answer that you don't like you attack it. You've pretty much reacted exactly like I thought you would. You want people to think for themselves, provided they think in a completely fair, atheist way.
When someone gives you an answer that you don't like you attack it. You've pretty much reacted exactly like I thought you would. You want people to think for themselves, provided they think in a completely fair, atheist way.
Attacking ideas you don't agree with is pretty much the primary function of this forum. If you don't want it subject to criticism, don't say it.
When someone gives you an answer that you don't like you attack it. You've pretty much reacted exactly like I thought you would. You want people to think for themselves, provided they think in a completely fair, atheist way.
Attacking ideas you don't agree with is pretty much the primary function of this forum. If you don't want it subject to criticism, don't say it.
Exactly. I am not attacking. I simply do not understand and am sharing my point of view. I didn't insult him or say he is a terrible person, I am simply pointing out what seem to be inconsistencies. I am looking for clarification so that I can understand his view point for appearing to make a choice counter to his own beliefs. What is so wrong with that? This forum has done the same thing with political and religious beliefs before, so why freak out now?
This forum has done the same thing with political and religious beliefs before, so why freak out now?
My tolerance for stupid internet drama has been low lately.
Who is being dramatic? I am just typin'. Seriously, if there is drama it is only because you are projecting it on the situation. I would encourage anyone and everyone to truly examine their own choices and beliefs and fully understand the ramifications those choices and beliefs have on society at large. While I care about this issue, I am certainly not frothing at the mouth over this particular instance. I just see someone acting in a puzzling and slightly concerning way and I am asking about their choice to act in that way. That is all.
Jeez guys, way to get into a religious argument without me. I didn't even do anything yet.
You should take heart, then. We don't single you out. We're equal-opportunity assholes.
This isn't about believing in a deity/deities or not. This is about joining a religion that you actively disagree with when you have other options that are more in line with your beliefs.
I consider myself a member of the pre-John Paul II Roman Catholic church. The one that officially considered all religions equally valid and didn't stick its hands into JFK's presidency. But then again, I think Papal Infallibility is way sketch and I don't buy 80% of what the Church's agenda pushes nowadays, the 20% I do buy being the awesome radical-left collective-socialist Catholic Worker Movement, which remains untainted by the hand of Pope Benedict XVI. Our current pope iss a sort of Palpatine of religion, and I passionately dislike his decisions. The CWM, however, is far too in line with what I believe to give up the label entirely.
Jeez guys, way to get into a religious argument without me. I didn't even do anything yet.
You should take heart, then. We don't single you out. We're equal-opportunity assholes.
This isn't about believing in a deity/deities or not. This is about joining a religion that you actively disagree with when you have other options that are more in
Also, unlike political parties where you're going to get stuck with one or the other in government no matter what you do, you don't have to deal with the consequences unless you choose to affiliate yourself with a religious group. Unlike not voting, not backing any religious group at all is a perfectly good option - you can still believe whatever you want to believe.
Comments
Except for intolerance like this, of course.
But they have funny hats! That's pretty cool. Also, you get to drink and gamble at church functions. That's pretty cool too.
Also, papists and the whole overly ornate bag is sooo 15th century.
It would be a lot less flip-floppy and hypocritical than the stances they take now. Lolwhut? You know there was a schism, right?
Why affiliate with something that goes against your own morals and ideals just because your Mommy or Grandpappy was affiliated with that institution? One of the reason these churches have so much clout is because they have a ton of people that sign up for them. Go and sign up with a church you actually agree with and stop bolstering their numbers.
HJ, there are tons of religions that utilize alcohol, gambling, and a number of other revelries that don't actually hate gay people. Those are far cooler by any standard.
Don't you get upset when people just blindly follow political beliefs without examining them or join parties that they don't actually support? Why should religion be any different?
I am a weird Catholic :P
In all seriousness, if you remain a part of an institution that goes against your moral doctrines for the sake of tradition, then your moral convictions must be fairly weak.
It sounds like you would rather just have a party, so why not just do that?
Can you not love life and humanity without allying yourself with a Church that incorporates dogmatic rules that go against your own moral beliefs? Moreover, they - in your name and the name of your god - exert their clout (provided by you and other members of their Church) to pressure world governments to create or continue laws that go against your own moral beliefs and yet you still throw your lot in with them.
This forum has done the same thing with political and religious beliefs before, so why freak out now?
I would encourage anyone and everyone to truly examine their own choices and beliefs and fully understand the ramifications those choices and beliefs have on society at large. While I care about this issue, I am certainly not frothing at the mouth over this particular instance. I just see someone acting in a puzzling and slightly concerning way and I am asking about their choice to act in that way. That is all.
Oh, I'm also syncretic.
Unlike not voting, not backing any religious group at all is a perfectly good option - you can still believe whatever you want to believe.