Am I missing something? Religion.

[ButterflyTable]

I will caveat this by saying there was a point in my life when I was religious. However I now just feel religion is created by men; about men for men.

I look at women around me who are friends and religious, and their religion oppresses them. Much more than men.

I want to believe in God, or a higher power. But nothing in this world leads me to think there is a God as such. Granted I think there is energy, something out there perhaps connected to our ancestors or the Earth.

Religion to me seems about control, rituals, even having spent time around people of multiple faiths, in their holy buildings - I feel something, I hear a hymn, a call to prayer, I’ve sang I a church congregation. I’ve sat in Temples, I’ve been in Muslim countries and heard the prayers, I’ve experienced and read about a number of faiths. To the extent they all say pretty much the same thing, but I cannot believe in God.

I also feel faith holds people back. I’ve seen a lot wrong done by very religious people.

I’m not truly interested.

I accept that others have their thoughts and faith but its causes so many wars and atrocities across the world. Religion has a lot to answer for

I can believe in an energy, but then I see and hear so much evil, I know there has to be a combination of energies at work in this world. I cannot (and will not) believe that God sent his son (or any other man be it Mohammed or anyone).

How are we to believe that?

Oh dear... - you do get you can study theology at university?

Theology is very much a (an academic) subject - like or not. And that's is why I often give up a discussion like this.

You bring one (!) intention to the table - to prove you are right. And at the same time make fun of others for not sharing your point of view. Great fun. Oh not really.

Also I don’t really know of religious people who are better than non-religious people. How much terror and pain exists in this world because of those that are religious. I don’t need a religion to tell me what’s right or wrong. I have my own basis of morality.

In my life religion has shamed me, when if I was of another religion I would have done no wrong. So why all these different constructs. Borne out of control and oppression.

@MumChp you can study a variety of subjects at University doesn’t mean a thing, there is a place to study whatever you want. From baking to dance, from theology to law.

How much terror and pain exists in this world because of those that are non-religious?

Just wondering tbh why pain and terror are paired up exclusive on religion.

The bible describes God as a spirit. Jesus is his son , the word sent down.

I understand. I wasn't always a person of faith in the God of the bible. I know a pagan druid and I know things about that to. Faith is choosing a belief. All the best.

I do hope you find what you’re looking for. All the best.

Whatever rocks your boat tbh..
It doesn't change that theology is an academic discipline taught at recognized universities worldwide on the basis of research at a high level without the involvement of personal faith.
You could kindly respect that as it is a fact. Since you most likely have no wish to do so I will say goodnight and sleep tight.

@MumChp you’re right! Plenty, however I find religion is the cause of so much more pain. I want to understand why your faith or belief in God is something you would die for or kill for.

Religion has negatively impacted women. It’s was the religious right in the US which pressured for the overturning of Roe v Wade. Churches discriminate by not allowing same sex marriages.

We can, but those of us who are non religious have suffered quite a lot. And there's a fair bit on here that is disrespectful of that. The non religious among us have very valid reasons to hate the church (not God) but there are so many here that can't/won't acknowledge that. So neither 'side,' is beyond reproach imo.

The national church I was ordained in does allow same sex marrige. And gay chaplains are a non issue. We all know one or trained with one.

My parents weren't Christians but I became a Christian when I was about 16. I've never felt oppressed by any man in any church I've ever gone to. If you read the new testament, you'll see that Jesus didn't oppress women either - He treated them with respect and compassion. Christian leaders should emulate Him.

Sorry but do you read the papers at all? The amount of shit perpetrated by those who are 'people of god' is horrendous. People who used their position as people of god to abuse innocent children? I have no issue with anyone who has faith, but someone who ignores the absolute torture that has been perpetrated by the church deserves no sympathy.

And so is the load of sh*t by non-religious people.

I'm delighted to hear about your experience. Let me tell you mine. My mother sang in the church choir for years. My father was a violent alcoholic, who used to beat her up and rape her. I sat in church, after she fled our home, while the priest prayed for my poor father whose wife left him after 32 years. He neglected to mention the rape, the violence, the starvation. It was yet another example of an entirely ignorant man pontificating about stuff he hadn't a clue about. To the detriment of my mum, who had been serving his church for years. I have zero respect for the institution, I'm sure they're not all bad yada yada, but no thanks. i will NEVER forgive or forget that.

Mmm. Are you sure about that? I'm thinking of life in North Korea under the atheistic government there. Then there's the Chinese Government and its atheistic government. Stalin was an atheist...

Seek Jesus, not a religion.

Have a look at the book Dominion. Before Christianity infanticide was normal and women and children were completely at the mercy of men. It was Christianity that introduced dignity for women, respect for life and monogamy which protected women. Most of our Western values, protecting the weak, valuing life, are founded on these principles.

Why - what would make my life better than it already is?

Sorry but wtf. What a load of absolute bollocks. People in general can be arseholes. That's fact. But it's pretty clear the church has abused its position for years. If you need some balance, look up the Tuam Babies.

I do somewhat disagree with this, yes we are shaped by our upbringing and culture. But societies are created based on what works best. All countries regardless of the main religion have murder as illegal, I do not believe this is because it stems from religion, but because it would be chaos and carnage if we could all just kill each other without consequence.

if religion had as strong a hold as you say then I think adultery would be illegal, taking the lords name in vain, eating pigs etc etc.

im not saying religion has had no part to play, but that we don’t need to hold religious views in order to have a strong moral code

Who talks about to die or kill?
Why exaggerate like that though but basically the answer is love.