Irony of religion

[Anahita]

Why do people feel so strongly for their religion? I don't understand. If you can tell me something new, please do.

I’m no expert in how people think in religious terms, but I do have a few questions and comments. These are my thoughts, only thoughts (not exactly beliefs), but interesting never-the-less, I think I’ll share them.

To those who are Christian who speak derogatory towards xxxish people: wasn’t’ Jesus a J-w?

To those who think Judiasm is the only right religion, doesn’t the god of the old testament admit there are other gods? I am a jealous god. Thou shall have no other, BEFORE ME.

Many other religions fight about God. Seems a bit ironic, to me. Given that in almost every text I know, that is not welcome. Ironic, NO?

Isn’t the Old Testament very clear that the ‘we’ is something that is not what is understood in current vernacular?

This is all very improv, so excuse my informality.


--IMAGINE, John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven,
it's easy if you try,
no hell below us,
above us only sky.
Imagine all the people,
living for today yu-huh.

Imagine there's no countries,
it isn't hard to do,
nothing to kill or die for,
and no religion too.
Imagine all the people,
living life in peace yu-huh.

You may say I'm a dreamer
but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us,
and the world will live as one.

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
no need for greed or hunger,
a brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people,
sharing all the world yu-huh.

You may say I'm a dreamer
but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us,
and the world will be as one. Imagine there's no heaven,
it's easy if you try,
no hell below us,
above us only sky.
Imagine all the people,
living for today yu-huh.

Imagine there's no countries,
it isn't hard to do,
nothing to kill or die for,
and no religion too.
Imagine all the people,
living life in peace yu-huh.

You may say I'm a dreamer
but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us,
and the world will live as one.

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
no need for greed or hunger,
a brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people,
sharing all the world yu-huh.

You may say I'm a dreamer
but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us,
and the world will be as one.

[TomServo]

Re: Irony of religion

Imagine there's no Lennon.
It's easy since he's dead.

[Anahita]

Re: Irony of religion

Imagine there's no Lennon.
It's easy since he's dead.

Funny, TomServo.

I actually said something like that (re: the song)... It is really easy to imagine, if you're dead! Still, though, there's another message. I think he's onto something, there.

What are your beliefs about God/god(s), Tom? Or anyone else...

[One-Way]

Re: Irony of religion

To those who are Christian who speak derogatory towards xxxish people: wasn’t’ Jesus a J-w?

Jesus was a Jew, but Jewish people don't accept Him as their savior. They believe he was just a regular man, and were the reason He was crucified. So when Christian's speak about Jew's in a negative way, it's because of this. We believe Jesus was God's son, they don't.

Also, religion gives people strength. It's a reason for them to be better people. They look to God for help, and through him, they become better people and have the strength to move on through life's struggles.

[One-Way]

Re: Irony of religion

And why is this thread in the "Jokes & Humor" forum?

[One-Way]

Re: Irony of religion

Here are some quotes from "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons" that I found interesting.


Robert: "Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical."

Sophie: "My friends who are devout Christians definently believe that Christ literally walked on water, literally turned water into wine, and was born a literal virgin birth."

Robert: "My point exactly. Religious allegory has become a part of the fabric of reality. And living in that reality helps millions of people cope and be better people."

Sophie: "But it appears their reality is false."

---

Vittoria: "Religion is like language or dress. We gravitate toward the practices with which we were raised. In the end, though, we are all proclaiming the same thing. That life has meaning. That we are grateful for the power that created us."

Robert: "So you're saying that whether you are a Christian or a Muslim simply depends on where you were born?"

Vittoria: "Isn't that obvious? Look at the diffusion of religion around the globe."

Robert: "So faith is random?"

Vittoria: "Hardly. Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some of us go to Mecca, some of study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves."

Robert: "And God? Do you believe in God?"

Vittoria: "Science tells me God must exist. My mind tells me I will never understand God. And my heart tells me I am not meant to."

---

Chartrand: "Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?"

Camerlengo: "Would He?"

Chartrand: "Well.. If God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncarring, or benevolent and powerless to help."

Camerlengo: "Do you have children, Lieutenant?"

Chartrand: "No, signore."

Camerlengo: "Imagine you had an eight-year-old son.. Would you love him?"

Chartrand: "Of course."

Camerlengo: "Would you let him skateboard?"

Chartrand: "Yeah, I guess. Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful."

Camerlengo: "So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes? But what if he fell and skinned his knee?"

Chartrand: "He would learn to be more careful."

Camerlengo: "So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?"

Chartrand: "Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn."

Camerlengo: "Exactly."

[Anahita]

Re: Irony of religion

Jesus was a Jew, but Jewish people don't accept Him as their savior. They believe he was just a regular man, and were the reason He was crucified. So when Christian's speak about Jew's in a negative way, it's because of this. We believe Jesus was God's son, they don't.

Also, religion gives people strength. It's a reason for them to be better people. They look to God for help, and through him, they become better people and have the strength to move on through life's struggles.

Here's how I see that... Was Jesus the God? Not as I know (but that gets into metaphysics). Jesus wouldn't even say that he was. He is an amazing, and 'god-blessed' person (for lack of better terms.) He, even if he was God in a body, spoke of the higher God. Maybe he was a reflection of God-ness on Earth. For CERTAIN, he had some great things to say and teach. I don't know about this whole idea of 'saviour' though. That idea seems to stem from later. But, to blame anyone now for what happened then (2000 years ago) seems very odd (how long can one hold a grudge! )

No image of. Jesus, I would think, would be sad about these images of pain on a cross in the name of love. That's a sad image. Not what I think of divinity.

[One-Way]

Re: Irony of religion

You should do a little research.

[Anahita]

Re: Irony of religion

You should do a little research.

Elaborate.

[One-Way]

Re: Irony of religion

Jesus was God's son. He was sent to Earth to do what he had to do. People didn't believe him, treated him wrong, and had him crucified. The Jew's are responsible for his death, and they don't believe He was God's son. That's basically it, to answer your first question.