Religion

[jagger916]

How is what he said off-topic?

[Rose312]

What the hell is your problem with me? If you wanna handle it Let's not do it in threads. Don't fucking accusing me of spam when you can't even stay on topic, ya talking about my thread. Seriously, back the hell off me.

[Lilith]

Alexia has just warned you earlier about getting spammish/off-topic. I'd follow what she says if I were you.

Hey, why don't you stop bothering rose and saying everything he posts is spam?! Other people comment like that all the time and you don't bitch at them. Jeez.

[Karui]

You're going to turn this thread into a flame war. Chill. It'd be shitty if it was locked fot flaming and it wasn't even about religion.

[WeskerIncarnate]

Religion, religion...

I don't even know where to start. I'm a Christian, but I'd say I don't belong to any denomination.

I'm lost, really. I'm absolutely sure there is a god, and I believe in Jesus, but I don't know. I use to a Catholic. Gave it up years ago in finding new found beliefs which conflicted with it, such as their treatment of the virgin Mary.

[Lilith]

Religion, religion...

I don't even know where to start. I'm a Christian, but I'd say I don't belong to any denomination.

I'm lost, really. I'm absolutely sure there is a god, and I believe in Jesus, but I don't know. I use to a Catholic. Gave it up years ago in finding new found beliefs which conflicted with it, such as their treatment of the virgin Mary.

Well you could always just decide to be a nondenominational christian. However, I'd like to ask. By saying you're sure there is a god, do you necessarily mean a christian god, or just a higher being? And by believing in Jesus, do you mean in the strict christian sense or that he existed? I mean I don't consider myself a christian, but I do think Jesus probably existed and preached a good message. I also think there could be a god, though not necessarily the one described in the bible.

[WeskerIncarnate]

I think I might be that then. A non-denominational Christian.

And yes, I mean the Christian god, and Jesus in the strictest sense that he performed miracles and things like that.

[Darkmoon]

For clarity, my happy little forum monkeys, post about your real religious views and discuss those of others. So unless you happen to truly be a Jedi (in fairness, I do know a Sith...) or a Cultist of the Old Ones, leave them out of the conversation.

And before someone asks, yes, I really know someone who bases his life philosophy on the Sith from Star Wars, and no, I'm not telling you any more. So need to ask or comment.

[Alexia_Ashford]

Nothing that's currently alive, including slicing a bit off and eating it. You've seen me eat kebabs before. Although whether that was ever alive is...questionable.

That's why I was baffled. About eating living stuff and I've seen you eat meat stuffs. I don't know anyone who eats anything that's STILL alive anyway though, that'd be cruel.

@ Rose

I didn't say beliefs aren't religion, the "still nothing really to do with religion" comment was aimed at the fact that when I asked you to get back on topic, you talked about a problem you had with Facebook, which is again, not much to do with religion and or religious beliefs. And just to re-iterate what Darkmoon just said, this topic is about religion and the religious beliefs of others, and it was made clear early on in the topic that we have to respect others religious beliefs - so a comment like "Fuck you Jesus", jokingly or not, could offend. So again, let's get back to discussing religion.

[Karui]

I think I might be that then. A non-denominational Christian.

And yes, I mean the Christian god, and Jesus in the strictest sense that he performed miracles and things like that.

I am too. Denominations and organised church is ruining it imo. It makes no sense why holiness people persecute baptists while they're worshipping the same god. It's oxymoron. It's the same god, but a different method of worshipping.

[Sina]

Yeah, facebook... See AA and Darkmoon? See how boring religious topics are when noone fights?

As for me, I practice no religion.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!

But to add to the mature and civil discussion, in the opinion of ye faithful, what is the difference between a cult and a religion?

[Karui]

A cult worships an idol or something tangible while a regular religion does not. I think.

[Stu]

A cult worships an idol or something tangible while a regular religion does not. I think.

Perhaps go think again? Is God (or whatever variations people choose) not an idol?

[Lilith]

I think I might be that then. A non-denominational Christian.

And yes, I mean the Christian god, and Jesus in the strictest sense that he performed miracles and things like that.

Thank you for clarifying and satisfying my curiosity.

As for the difference between a cult and a religion, honestly? The number of followers, its social acceptability and status with national governments. Legally, religions have to be accepted at least here in the US, and noted as an official religion by the federal government. Then the organization can get tax exemptions and be treated like a not for profit organization. Normally, official religions have to have a member or number requirement and be socially acceptable. For example, Wiccan has some bad connotations, at least here, and it only recently was recognized as an official religion. So going by this definition and concept, all present religions began as cults. The ideas that cults are all 'bad' or 'evil' is also a misconception, although indeed some do practice animal sacrifice, hedonism, or satan worship.

[Lilith]

Perhaps go think again? Is God (or whatever variations people choose) not an idol?

As he mentioned in his post 'tangible'. God, at least in the Christian sense in not tangible, at least not any more. If Jesus can be construed as God, then he was tangible at one point, yes.

These are all acceptable definitions for 'idol':

"a material effigy that is worshipped"

"someone who is adored blindly and excessively"

"paragon: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept"