[sandorski]

lily lily:

sandorski sandorski:

Seems like Spiker went on a rampage. All posts deleted or heavily modified.

Anyway, nice to see that Religion's hold on Canadians is waning. It's not so much that Religion is "bad", but more like many Religions have been jumping the shark for awhile and the time has come for some of them to enter the phase of Historical Curiosity. Christianity and Islam are the 2 main Religions that should cease, mainly because they are the most belligerent, but there are others whose tiime has passed.

And why would that be?

Maybe he's just a hothead?

Which part in particular did you have in mind?

[Zipperfish]

Religion has been around pretty much as long as we have. I wouldn't count on it leaving any time soon. Besides, in the profound words of great spirtualist George Micahels "You Gotta Have Faith," and like Bob Dylan said "You Gotta Serve Somebody."

[sandorski]

westmanguy westmanguy:

The media has really misrepresented this...

75% of Canadians still believe in God and 25% don't...not a big surprise, but I wouldn't say "many" Canadians, its only 1 in 4, and hardly a majority.

Whats happening in Canada and Europe (and the USA to a slower degree) is organized religion is collapsing in on itself because of it's hypocrisies and people are moving to more of a personal inner spirituality and moving away from the structure of the church.

I still believe in God and Christ, but don't subscribe to any denomination or set structure of it.

Umm, "many" just means large number, not trying to imply "majority". It's not being misrepresented.

[sandorski]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Religion has been around pretty much as long as we have. I wouldn't count on it leaving any time soon. Besides, in the profound words of great spirtualist George Micahels "You Gotta Have Faith," and like Bob Dylan said "You Gotta Serve Somebody."

I agree. Even if all of Todays Religions cease, new Religions are likely to come into existance. I just think Religion will eventually boil down to a much less pervasive and rigid form than what we have now. It will become more of a personal thing where "followers" will use it as a way to structure their own lives, rather than try to impose it on others.

That will be much different than what most Religions are today. Things like "Creationism", Anti-Abortionism, and "X Moralism" will cease. People will separate the Chaff from the Wheat as it were.

[Brenda]

lily lily:

Brenda Brenda:

lily lily:

You didn't read the article, did you?

Actually, I did. It is a dull written article, so it didn't really go that deep.

What is your point anyway?

Just that the "definition" of "god" was covered in the article.

Well, I might have missed that part. Like I said, it is a dull written article, so I might have fallen asleep where you didn't.

My sincerest apologies for my screw-up. I am not gonna read it again, and see if you are right or not...

[kenmore]

its 23% so not really any change in some years.. when you take into account the # of people now living in Canada that have other beliefs this isnt too bad..

[westmanguy]

Are you seriously suggesting that religion is for the poor and uneducated and those in the upper class and who are more educated "know better"?

Give me a break...

Higher education means people have more disposable income, which means they fill their needs and desires through monetary means, which skews their theism/atheism numbers more towards atheism.

Lower educated means less disposable income, and just enough for the essentials, which means they fill their needs and desires through the belief in a supreme deity which skews their theism/atheism numbers more towards theism.

I'd think the number of believers of God would go up considering the revolving door, come one come all, immigration system the Liberals have set up in this country, you'd think more immigrants from Africa, Arabia, etcetera would raise the number of believers.

[Brenda]

Yeah, and everybody with a high income is born well educated... And well educated people are born rich... [/sarcasm]

[sandorski]

lily lily:

sandorski sandorski:

lily lily:

And why would that be?

Maybe he's just a hothead?

Which part in particular did you have in mind?

As you well know - being well Educated and all - I was referring to your 2nd paragraph.

Still a few different points, but I'll try.

1) Belligerent Religion: Islam is fairly simple to see in this regard, given recent History especially. Christianity is a little more difficult to see as Belligerent, but it certainly was Historically and even today the belligerence remains, it's just more well hidden. Islam and Christianity are both very large and diverse Religions though, so the Acts of some don't really represent the whole, however the few still are ultimately inspired by the basis of the Religion. The worst forms of bellierence on the Islamic side are the Al Quedas of the world, while on the Christian side you have the Jerry Falwells who don't actively resort to violence, they just encourage it both in public words, but also in advice to those in positions of power.

Any Religion which seeks to Convert others and claims exclusivity is going to be belligerent, for they've already justified to themselves that they are only doing "God's Will". Such an atitude leaves no room for sympathy, empathy, or even respect for other's opinions/beliefs.

2) Waning Religion is good: Mainly because outmoded rigid World views are ridiculous to maintain. Especially when those views keep on hitting the wall of Reality. When outmoded thinking hits Reality, some rather bizarre things can happen. When an old Accepted idea is proven false, one needs to either shed that idea or begin the mental gymnastics necesary to maintain it. I think most choose the right thing and just toss disproven old ideas aside. For those who don't, and as more of the old ideas get disproven, their positions begin to put them into a conflicted adversarial role with those disproving the old ideas.

Fundamentalist Christians and Science are a good example of that process. It starts with Evolution vs Creation, but that conflict quickly balloons from just that subject to Fundamentalism vs Science. The Disproven attack the Disprovers in order to protect the old idea. As time goes on the explanations get more bizarre, the attacks do likewise, and we get things like "Creation Science" and Intelligent Design which are so far removed from the Religious teachings, but deemed necessary by those refusing to accept Truth. Such rigidity becomes increasingly dangerous and disruptive.

[sandorski]

lily lily:

I was going to reply to each point individually, but I can sum it up in one...

Most religious people aren't extremists. Most are peaceful.

I agree.

[sandorski]

lily lily:

sandorski sandorski:

lily lily:

I was going to reply to each point individually, but I can sum it up in one...

Most religious people aren't extremists. Most are peaceful.

I agree.

Then why should we "cease"?

Your time has passed. Time to move on.

[RUEZ]

sandorski sandorski:

lily lily:

Then why should we "cease"?

Your time has passed. Time to move on.

LOL, shouldn't that be up to the people involved. Not some arbitrary decision based on your perception.

[travior]

I've been a member of a few Christian denominations: Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist and have been to the services of Methodist, Penticostal, Church of God, etc.

Yes, I believe in God. Christ said that the Gospel will sound "foolish to the wise."

I belive that one reason that fewer people belive in God has a lot to do with the liberal media and insitutions of higher education. Now that we are no longer allowed to talk about God in schools, the teachers that still believe are not allowed to express their beliefs in class. Slowly, the faculties at colleges have been becoming more liberal in their viewpoints. Therefore, our children are ever more being exposed to the idea that there is no God and that they are in sole control of their destiny and that there are no reprocussions for their choices and actions.

Funny how there has been no study to cmopare the elimination of religion from schools to the increase in crime for the generations that no longer hear about God in school.

The only reason that Chriatianity will cease is because we have been browbeaten to keep our mouths shut. Any time we speak up we get slapped down as being intolerant to other beliefs or viewpoints. Never mind if our beliefs and viewpoints get trashed.

[Red_Eye]

Nope I don't agree. Contrdictions are one. Many hve used the bible to their advantage in so many ways. Cross refference wit5h history , things don't stand up.
As for crime versus lack of religion I doubt that very much. It has no bearing.

[ShepherdsDog]

I used ours to help level out a hutch we picked up at an estate sale before repairs were made. So I guess that was an advantage.