Do you believe in God/a higher power?

[CuriousAboutWhatYouThink]

Not religion. I have no time for organised religion and the associated man made rules.

But do you believe in 'something'?

For context, my grandad was a CofE vicar but my parent rebelled against it and we were brought up broadly l in the religion (eg we celebrated main religious festivals like Easter and Christmas) but not as practising Christians and without a particular belief in God.

As an adult, I have friends of different faiths and none and it's something we have discussed from time to time. It's also something I used to discuss with my grandma who had a very strong belief in God but also believed the Bible until she became older when she still had a strong faith but admitted she thought the Bible was largely nonsense!

I suppose I've always felt that there is 'something' but I refer to it as the universe. I don't know, I always feel that there has been 'something' looking out for me.

That doesn't mean bad things have never happened because they have and religion/belief doesn't protect anyone from that. And it doesn't mean my life is anywhere near perfect because it's not. But the universe has always seemed to 'step in' when needed.

I don't know. I'm going through a tough time at the moment but I have a feeling everything will turn out to be OK because it always does.

Thankfully.

@Parker231

There doesn't have to be a point. If they exist (which is matter of opinion, of course, I believe they do), then they exist, there isn't necessarily a particular point.

But for pagan polytheists myself, the deities we choose to build relationships with can be sources of friendship and support.

And, for me, it's also good fun. In addition to being a pagan polytheist, I'm also a hedonist. A hedonist is someone who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life. So, since engaging with deities is fun (for me), it's something I like to maintain.

Where did the idea of doing the right thing come from? I suggest it came fro the Ten Commandments.

NO, absolutely not. Despite having being raised by observant parents and attending a religious school.
It is a made up construct, that has no significance or meaning for me

I follow the laws of the land - don’t kill, steal, etc but doing the right thing is something taught at home. As an atheist I ignore many of the Ten Commandments.

• You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
• Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Why do you think that?

Well, no. Someone had to think those things up first, and it wasn't God. It was a person. So the Ten Commandments didn't come up with it, a person did.

@Darner

I'm sorry the nuns in your schooling period were nasty.

My comment isn't really about people who "work" with religion so much. And it is just a private untested theory I'm developing. Lots of exceptions along the way but I'm still holding it up my sleeve.

The 10 Commandments were the law of God as given to Moses on Mount Sinai. They form the basis of Judeo-Christian culture.

The other laws that came along later were written by Jewish Elders as a guide for their people and are written in Leviticus.

No, some bloke thousands of years ago wrote the commandments.

Nope, they were thought of by a person who then wrote a book about their thoughts and ramblings.

So who was this "bloke" you refer to?

So who was this person you refer to?

Probably one who had some pretty strong delusions given he believed he was spoken to by some voice on a mountain somewhere.

I think we will agree to differ.

Yes, God.

?? 🤔

Following them is optional other than those with legal status - don’t kill.

I'm not arguing with you about their relevance today, so I don't see what point you're trying to make?

Some old beardy bloke, the same one who thought up the pervy story about a 15 year old virgin being impregnated by an angel and then giving birth

That's your opinion, which you are allowed to have.

Yep. The whole premise is so creepy when you actually put it into words.

And yet people base their lives on it. Bonkers.

People have the right of self-determination (as long as they stay within the law)

Do you have a problem with people having freedom of choice?

Yes I do believe

Of course not, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with their decisions.

You have the freedom of choice. I have the freedom to think you're bonkers.