What are your views on religion?

Religion is what guides our lives.

I think some people need religion to determine what's good and bad and just guide them overall.  It's easier to think someone else is in control and handles everything for them. I do, however, admire their strength and commitment.

Patina wrote:

well, this room seems tense *turns to leave*

I second that lol

That ii shouldn't be discussed on forums like this one.

Its an interesting concept that some people need religion to show them right from wrong when we can clearly see that atheistic countries like Sweeden have much lower rates of murder, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide. Whereas the US which is somewhat of an anomaly in western society for its clinging onto the delusion of god always seems to come out as the most dysfunctional.
Violence in countries is extremely closely related to religiosity, and so is IQ levels for that matter.

Annabelle Ablewood wrote:

Its an interesting concept that some people need religion to show them right from wrong when we can clearly see that atheistic countries like Sweeden have much lower rates of murder, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide. Whereas the US which is somewhat of an anomaly in western society for its clinging onto the delusion of god always seems to come out as the most dysfunctional.
Violence in countries is extremely closely related to religiosity, and so is IQ levels for that matter.

That's only partially true. I believe as of 2007 countries like Sweden, and Sweden specifically ranked higher than the US when it comes to suicide rates.

There's also countries like Mexico, Peru, etc where they've got their own religion and their own gods, and are 3rd world countries and their suicide rate is lower than most European countries.

clarabow wrote:

That's only partially true. I believe as of 2007 countries like Sweden, and Sweden specifically ranked higher than the US when it comes to suicide rates. .

lol sorry i wasnt just referring to Sweden and Sweden 

I was referring to secular vs religious countries in general.
Even so, suicide is far less of a crime than murder.

Annabelle Ablewood wrote:

clarabow wrote:

That's only partially true. I believe as of 2007 countries like Sweden, and Sweden specifically ranked higher than the US when it comes to suicide rates. .

lol sorry i wasnt just referring to Sweden and Sweden 

I was referring to secular vs religious countries in general.
Even so, suicide is far less of a crime than murder.

I know I get it, but still I'm saying that highly religious countries aren't exactly more dysfunctional (morally speaking, and specifically in terms of its society) than secular countries in general.

Annabelle Ablewood wrote:

Ah, yes views can be very different and people can have passion for what they are saying but unless people start resorting to ad hominems its not nasty. I love listening to different peoples viewpoints on this subject, specifically why so may people make the leap of faith to say there is a god but not only that, go even further and give attributes to this creation and still think its somehow less insane than believing in unicorns or the flying spaghetti monster.

You mean there really is no flying spaghetti monster?   
I thought that was a viscous rumor...
I accept all no stake challenges!
 

clarabow wrote:

Annabelle Ablewood wrote:

Its an interesting concept that some people need religion to show them right from wrong when we can clearly see that atheistic countries like Sweeden have much lower rates of murder, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide. Whereas the US which is somewhat of an anomaly in western society for its clinging onto the delusion of god always seems to come out as the most dysfunctional.
Violence in countries is extremely closely related to religiosity, and so is IQ levels for that matter.

That's only partially true. I believe as of 2007 countries like Sweden, and Sweden specifically ranked higher than the US when it comes to suicide rates.

There's also countries like Mexico, Peru, etc where they've got their own religion and their own gods, and are 3rd world countries and their suicide rate is lower than most European countries.

Ah, but isn't the swedish suicide rate mainly affected by the lack of light they get up there, not religion(or lack of it)?  They get sunlight for only the fraction that we do, loads of people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder)

Personally I have no problem with personal faith, ideas etc, I do get susspicious about organised religion, prescribed morals and hierarchial belief systems.  It's not 'religion' that's the problem, it's people and their abuse of power, which organised religion is so open to.

Incidently, did anyone watch 'jesus camp' a few weeks ago?

And by the way why cant this topic be discussed on a forum? It's not about arguments or the such it's just about views like anything else. It's about listening to other peoples views.

I personally believe that the human is a spiritual creature, that we need something to believe in...that does not necessarily denote one needs to believe in a spiritual realm (gods, angels, fairies, etc.), but that we do need something to rely on in times of strife (family, friends, patriotism, etc.).
My own personal religious conviction is that of Catholicism, however, although I do practice the faith, I consider my spiritual outlook that of a Unitarian Universalist.