For those that fear they might have 'picked' the wrong religion.

[RandomThoughts]

Why would it be allowed for there to be many religions and many 'ways' to be acceptable for some after life condition?

Any creator could easily make what is correct known to everyone.

Why would there be doubt, and why not one answer only? First if it was known for sure, then the person would not have to think and feel if it was correct.

But also having many religion, lets every person, including aethiest, be told they picked the wrong one. That is an interesting concept.

So if a person thinks they picked the wrong religion, in my view they might be thinking of it wrong, since how could someone pick the wrong one, when an all powerful God could explain it to them.

I think there is a trap in there.


Unfortunately, many never question if they are correct on their belief, and from that never actually think and feel about what they actually believe.

[demwing]

1. I had three sons. Though I treat them equally, I do not treat them as if they were all the same

They are not. They are individuals, and require my individual efforts. Likewise, they all have a slightly different relationship with me, and xee me through their own filter of love and experiences.

Why would any God offer any less?

[RandomThoughts]

2. I think God shows himself to people in different ways.

And although my beliefs are Christian, I don't think I should tell people what they have to believe, just share what I think, and if done with kindness, it will work out for the best.



I also think about the people that never heard or learned some belief, there would have to be a way for them to learn, so figure there is some work around on that whole issue, and figure, try to be nice, and know nobody is perfect.

I do worry about people that think they could have 'picked' wrong, since it really seems to be thinking more about 'whats in it for me' then about a relationship. If they can find a loving relationship with God, I don't know how they could have picked wrong.

Guess we will all find out someday.


Going to go back to working on correcting that lack of beer and travel money issue, thanks for the thoughtful response.

[cleanhippie]

12. Yeah, but they KNOW you actually exist

and when they have a question or need clarification from you, they can ask and can get a definitive answer and when someone tells them that you did not say or mean something, you can clear it up right away.

Why DOES god offer less?

[get the red out]

3. Religion is man-made

God is a pre-existing condition.

[safeinOhio]

4. Why ask questions that have no answer.

Ethical Culture is the only answer we have.

[safeinOhio]

5. What that is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_Culture

Ethical Culture, or the Ethical Culture Movement, is an ethical, educational, and religious movement that was established by Felix Adler in 1876. Individual chapter organizations are generically referred to as Ethical Societies, though their names may include "Ethical Society," "Ethical Culture Society," "Society for Ethical Culture," "Ethical Humanist Society", or other variations on the theme of "Ethical."
Ethical Culture is premised on the idea that honoring and living in accordance with ethical principles is central to what it takes to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, and to creating a world that is good for all. Practitioners of Ethical Culture focus on supporting one another in becoming better people, and on doing good in the world.

[demwing]

6. Because the question concerns religion, is asked in a humble way

and because since this is the Religion/Theology forum, it is absolutely the most appropriate place for such discussion.

[safeinOhio]

7. Ethical Culture

is deemed by the courts as a Religion, even thought there is no "God" to believe or not believe in. Please go to above link to find out more. I'm not trying to come down on any ones religion as that is your thing. There is a better way, without the dogma involved in traditional religion. "Deeds, not Creeds". When one focusses on the deeds, the other questions are no longer needed and conflict over beliefs is not such a problem.

[bowens43]

8. all religions are the wrong religion..........

I am so amazed that in this day and age so many still cling to ridiculous mythology

[demwing]

9. And I am amazed

that people still think it is acceptable to come into the Religion forum and insult the religious

[trotsky]

10. Of course it wasn't the religious, but religion itself that was insulted.

Pity that so many believers can't seem to understand the difference.

[demwing]

11. Really?

You think that the "I am so amazed that in this day and age so many still cling to ridiculous mythology" line wasn't a knock against people of faith?

Really?

[cleanhippie]

14. Really, yes. Thats an opinion based on observation.

Hardly an insult.

[demwing]

20. Your breath smells just like a used diaper

may also be an opinion based on obervation.

That doesn't disqualify it from being an insult.

[cleanhippie]

41. But THAT, my friend, IS a personal attack.

You are in no position to have observed my breath, therefore you made an inflammatory insult.

And your attempts to insult me while skirting the rules is noted, and alerted.


So who is disrupting now?

[trotsky]

15. "ridiculous mythology"

Does that describe a belief or a believer?

[demwing]

24. "Ridiculous Mythology" refers to the Poster's views on issues of Faith

"I am so amazed that in this day and age so many still cling to ridiculous mythology" refers to the Poster's views toward People of faith.

[trotsky]

27. You didn't answer my question.

Does the phrase "ridiculous mythology" refer to beliefs or believers?

[demwing]

30. I think I did answer the question.

then clarified my point in relation to the bigger picture.

[trotsky]

32. Doesn't seem like you did.

Perhaps you could answer it clearly, once and for all. Does the phrase "ridiculous mythology" refer to:

A) religious beliefs
B) religious believers

Please pick one: A or B.

[demwing]

35. When isolated, the quote refers to the poster's views on religious beliefs

but the larger quote refers to the poster's views about believers.

Sorry if I am not making this clear. I am not trying to muddy the waters.

[trotsky]

37. But you ARE muddying the waters.

Well at least you agree that the phrase refers to beliefs, not believers.

The rest you are reading into the post, looking to be offended.

[demwing]

42. Despite my efforts, you seem to be purposefully misinterpreting my response

I DON'T agree with you. You are trying to crowbar me into saying "Z" when I clearly mean "A", and you know it. Nice.

[trotsky]

46. No, more importantly I know what you're trying to avoid saying.

Check the DU rules. Respecting beliefs is not required, and beliefs are the only thing that's been "disrespected" on this thread. If you want to whine about it, use the Alert feature. If the post doesn't then get deleted, it wasn't against the rules, and you can quit whining. Or not.

[cleanhippie]

13. FWIW, an opposite opinion is NOT insult.

How can one's opinion be any more or less insulting than yours? I can easily say that I find it insulting that you come in here and insult me with your irrational claims.........

[Nihil]

16. FWIW ...

... whilst staying out of your "an opposite opinion is/is not an insult"
discussion, I can't help noticing a teensy bit of irrationality in your comment ...

> I can easily say that I find it insulting that you come in here and
> insult me with your irrational claims

... considering that the "here" is the Religion & Theology forum (i.e., by your
own lights "a place of irrationality") and "here" is precisely the place to have
discussions on religion & theology ...

You would have had a point if/when religious discussions raise their head
in the Atheistic & Agnostic group but complaining about religious talk in
the one forum where such talk is unavoidable? Really?

:shrug:

[cleanhippie]

17. Thanks for telling me where I can and cannot post.

we need more upright DU'ers like you to keep the rest of us in line, thanks.

[Nihil]

18. I don't really give a shit where you post ...

... it's just that posting stuff like that in this particular forum
suggests that you are either blind to the hypocrisy involved or that
your desire to get another slam in overpowered your "rationality".

:shrug:

[cleanhippie]

19. Seems like you have a lot of anger there....

You sure are able to get a whole lot more out of posts than I do.

[demwing]

21. If there's anger, it because your instigated it

so congratulations, you disrupted successfully.

[cleanhippie]

22. I disrupted? Really?

Thats some crazy logic you have there. Please, tell me more.

[demwing]

25. You come to a forum dedicated to talk of Religion and Theology

then refer to said talk of religion and theology as irrational and insulting. You falsely claim people are telling you when and where to post, dismiss those same people as just trying to keep you in line, and when you get called on your actions, you pretend that the poster has anger issues.

Now you want to pretend that you're just trying to get along?

lol................

[cleanhippie]

26. Oh, I see, my mistake. I didn't realize you made the rules.

I was under the impression that this was a DISCUSSION board. What WAS I thinking, giving my opinion on a topic that is relevant to the forum. My bad, thank you for the correction.

[demwing]

28. You're welcome.

Glad I could clear that up for you.

[cleanhippie]

29. One quick question.

How is it you accuse me of disrupting when it was YOU that disrupted the discussion I was having with another poster. I guess that it goes along with your up is down logic.

[demwing]

31. Reread the thread. You responded (Post #13) to my post (Post #9)

And then you wrote back, etc...

I think you may be a little mixed up.

[cleanhippie]

33. Right, so my commenting on your comment is disruption?

But you accused me of disrupting even after a two post exchange with another poster? I don't get it?

[demwing]

36. Yes, I see that . You don't get it.

So let's leave it at that.

[cleanhippie]

39. Fine, we can leave it at that.

We are in agreement then that I do not get your up-is-down logic.


have a nice day.

[Nihil]

44. No anger (despite your attempts to provoke some)

A little bit of sadness over your world-view but no anger.

:shrug:

[cleanhippie]

47. I don't really give a shit where you post

Those are your words, and to me, it seems like you are angry.

Not sure how you come up with the idea that I am trying to PROVOKE you or anyone else, thats bunk.


If you think I am trying to provoke, just alert and let the mods decide.



Sadness over MY world view? Why is that?

[Nihil]

50. QED

>> I don't really give a shit where you post
>
> Those are your words, and to me, it seems like you are angry.
>
> Not sure how you come up with the idea that I am trying to PROVOKE you
> or anyone else, thats bunk.

No anger there when I wrote the above and still none whilst trying to
explain it to you. I was trying to avoid a confrontational position to
your previous reply but still you interpreted it as anger?


> If you think I am trying to provoke, just alert and let the mods decide.

Maybe I don't believe that mods are so bored that they should be involved
with every petty poster who comes into a forum to pick a fight yet who loves
to play the "who me?" card when called on it.


> Sadness over MY world view? Why is that?

Because (from your behaviour on this thread alone) you appear to be
so bitter, so determined to seek confrontation that you ignore all
else that is in front of you.

That's your nature and I am not going to try to change it (indeed I can't)
but I cannot help that I sometimes feel sad about such an attitude.

:shrug:

[demwing]

23. "In Here" ???

"Here" is exactly where I get to come to have safe, respectful conversations regarding religion and theology. Why does that have to be explained to you, and why do you care so little about respectful behavior towards ALL DUers, including people of faith?

[cleanhippie]

34. Respecting a persons right to believe

is in no way connected to a requirement to respect the beliefs.

[trotsky]

38. Hey - that sounds familiar.

Oh yeah, it's in the DU RULES!

[cleanhippie]

40. Funny how when explaining that I get accused of "disrupting".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=214&topic_id=260310&mesg_id=260377


Still scratching my head over this one.

[demwing]

43. Fail. I'm not even close to being a Christian.

Your limited world view is eclipsing your expansive self satisfaction.

Not all people of faith are Christian. Someone as sharp as you are should know that without being told.

[trotsky]

45. Oh I love those "Surprise! Gotcha!" posts.

You sure showed me! Oh wait, you didn't do a thing to counter anything I said. Oops.

[GliderGuider]

48. Here's a "Get Out of Jail Free" card on this

Our individual perceptions and interpretations create the reality in which each of us exist. So, in a sense we are each our own Creator. If you look deeply within and ask yourself the questions "Who am I?" and "What am I sure is true?" until you are certain you have answered them both, you can determine for yourself that this view is correct.

Once this has been done there is no further need for externalized, objectified, diminished, impotent and anthropomorphic gods. You cannot "pick the wrong religion" if you simply trust yourself.

[Pendrench]

49. Interesting question(s).

Here are just a few of my thoughts...

Perhaps there is only ONE correct path that God wanted us to follow - but that path isn't a specific religion, but rather adherence the concept of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

In my mind that means: Love and respect.

I would think that an all loving, all knowing, all powerful God would welcome anyone who practices love and respect, regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs.

The question then becomes, does my choice to practice or not practice a religion lead me on that "correct path" of love and respect?

Anyway, those are just my thoughts...thank you for asking the question.

Tim

[DeSwiss]

51. For those that fear they might have 'picked' the wrong religion.

RETURN POLICY: You may return most new, unopened religions provided by the God.com clearinghouse within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Eligible religioned may wait until their 18th birthday to return religions that were provided to them as infants. We'll also pay for any return shipping costs if you were religioned in another state or country. For other religious products, such as weddings and funerals we'll pay the return shipping costs if the marriage fails to withstand a divorce proceeding, or the religioned mistakenly ends up in purgatory or hell as a result of our religious error(s). Religions should be returned in their original product packaging. Just visit our online Returns Center, and we will guide you through the process and even supply you with a return mailing label you can print out.

Amen.

on edit: spelling