:: My Opinion is Right ... In my Opinion ::

[xxdracomalfoyxx]

You know what?

I am bloody sick and tired of religions. I know that this post is going to loose me basically my entire 'Friend' list, but I could care less. The people who choose to un-friend me will only be proving my point. That point being that religion causes far more problems than it solves.

A religion is an opinion, so why the hell are

Comments

[arisato]

Religion is a load of rubbish; that much is true. It's just a prefabricated bedtime story that a bunch of suckers are willing to put their lives on the line for. Then again, in an academic slant, the development of religion is an absolutely essential part of the progression of culture. Especially in ages where the lack of an omniscient diety standing over one's shoulder wagging a finger ended up in mass clan-warring and bloodshed--and because of this there was little to no communication between settlements and cultures. With the rise of Judeo-Christian doctrines came a set of laws that encouraged its followers not to kill eachother, which allowed large groups to come together. Not to mention, as it was adopted into mainstream government, it became engrained into human ethics as well. So, I guess you could say that, besides being the great sociological and philosophical motivator, we have religion to thank for our ability to progress into the peak of our culture

[xxdracomalfoyxx]

Muggles just use him as an excuse.

[arisato]

They'll use the name of God to excuse anything; from wars on terror to wars on homosexuality. What other way is there to justify such a hideous race as humanity?

[skjeve]

'Heathens'? What a dated word. It borders upon quaint. I'd adore a definition from your point of view before I take exception to it.

[arisato]

Well, Webster's offers the technical, biblical definition of a heathen as a person who doesn't aknowledge the God of Christianity, Judeism, or Islam; but also includes in its definition "an irreligious person". I mean heathen in that sense, as many people on the internet are fully aware of the notion of monotheism, but choose to not follow these religions and instead refuse faith in a God. You see them every day: atheists, nihilists, teenie-wiccans, etc.

That would fall under the umbrella of "heathenism", don't you think? Dated term or not, why stop using it if it still means the same?

[skjeve]

I am concerned more with perceived connotation than with rigid definition, to be truthful, as that is what the majority of readers allow themselves to settle upon.

The connotations ascribed to the term 'heathen' tend toward the uncivilised; the maleducated; the somehow lesser. Adding to that side implications of paganism and the word's history of usage by the Christian church (particularly the more fundamentalist branches), and the word is a nicely packaged little slam against the entire community of people who have chosen to follow a path other than the Christian faith-- which is, despite the church's claims to the contrary, most of the world's population.

Being among that population, I found myself mildly irked by its use.

I am perhaps too sensitive.

[arisato]

Well, I was including myself in generalization, and as a person whose ego could sink ships, I hardly find it offensive. But I suppose it was insensitive of me to not consider how other people would take it--I meant it as a parody of how the church would use it (as a term to describe an irreligious person). Probably a bad word selection on my part.

But it's worth considering the irony of the connotations of such a phrase. Buddhist monks, who spend most of their religious lives in meditation, would be considered heathens. And personally, I'd rather be a buddhist monk than a God-fearing, conservative Christian.

[skjeve]

*G*

I can accept it in parody and as an item of irony, certainly. Given the rather sensitive topic of conversation, I imagine I was looking for something to snark about. You've my apologies.

[arisato]

And you've my apologies likewise. It is a sensitive topic, people are really going out on a limb talking about it. But never let it be said I don't love controversy.

I read your comment about faith, and it was very poignant. I'm glad to see people making sensible arguments rather than "Yuh huh! Yuh huh! Yeah God sux0rz!"

[skjeve]

It took me a while to realise the particular point I made. I was always confused over it: why do I enjoy my particular spiritual side, but not the religion that accompanies it? The answer was quite simple, and as such things do, took me a ridiculous amount of time to discover, but its result is posted below :)

I mislike sycophantic line-drawing and the mudslinging over that line that usually accompanies. This sort of discussion invariably distils into two opposing sides screaming obscenities at each other, and there is very little intelligent debate to be found.

It's irritating. I know humans are meant to be intelligent, so why in the world they so consistently fail to display such is entirely beyond my ability to comprehend.

I suppose it's just easier to find what someone else said and latch onto it.