The duality of organizer religion is that it gets some shitheads to do great things for humanity because of an obligation or guilt and it emboldens other shitheads to treat people like garbage and divide people. Good people are generally good either way.
I agree with this, do what you got to do in order to make it through life. It’s when that religion is used to hurt others that really pisses me off.
I grew up Methodist. But ever since I was about 22, I've considered myself a humanist. I even joined the American humanist association and used to do some work with them, but I've gotten too busy for that as I've gotten older. Still believe in the overall principles though. If anyone is interested, here's a more in-depth explanation of humanism: Spoiler Humanism and Its Aspirations: Humanist Manifesto III, a Successor to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933 Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity. The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance. This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the following: Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence. Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known. Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility. Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty. Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all. Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life. Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner. Thus engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone. Humanist Manifesto is a trademark of the American Humanist Association © 2003 American Humanist Association
Ohh definitely. I absolutely hated church until I found this one. Being around generally good humans whose main mission is to help people the best they can has made me get back into it. I’ll never go back to a large church.
Grew up catholic. Saw what it did to people close to me who were otherwise extremely caring and empathetic people. Became very not religious around high school. I think many people look to religion for the wrong reasons.
The problem with organized religion is that so many of them stress missionaries and converting others in order to "save" them. Most religious people that I've encountered live and let live. But technically, that philosophy goes against the doctrine of most religions. At the core of most religions, it's nearly impossible to not get fanatical sects that insist that everyone think as they do.
what the fuck does his faith have to do with you? Why be a douche bag over what someone else believes? If his faith isn’t infringing on you why care?
it’s almost like millions of people haven’t died in the name of your god. You serious with this shit?
We just got done raising money for African American kids in the community attending a nice magnet school in the area but couldn’t afford the mandatory clothes. We were able get outfits for 100 kids. Last weekend the church had a project repainting the inside of classrooms and cleaning the outside of the school so the kids will have a safe clean area to play outside. It’s quite inspiring to have pastors who only care about helping as many people as possible and will throw back a couple of beers with you afterwards.
Old Testament God is a vengeful spiteful dickhead who cares about one group of people even if they are killing others people. You’re talking about New Testament turn the other cheek God.
r/atheist types are the wooooorrsssstttt speaking as per that chart an agnostic atheist who also has parents who grew up in fire and brimstone catholics who now go to hippie churches that are like the one Lawnole23 said
Correct me if I am wrong but “atheist” don’t believe in a “god” right but if their god is satan how can they be atheists? If I am wrong that’s cool.
Who gives a fuck though. If the Easter bunny makes some treat others better then go ahead and believe in that fluffy fucker all you want. Religions have fucked up a lot a shit, but there are a lot of modern day people who live good life’s and help because of it.
Does that make it true? If not I’m just lying to myself. personally/selfishly I hope I get to live this life over and over, because it has been wonderful thus far
i should say equally as bad as those that require proselytizing or prosperity gospel types or religious extremists etc
No idea. Ain’t going to sit here and state there is definitively a god or what the right one is. If it makes you want to be a good person and help others then it’s probably the right one.
i really don’t care if anyone is religious as long as they’re not in my face about it, but do people actually believe the shit happened that’s written in the bible?
Hard disagree. Hitch was at least genuine in his beliefs/lifestyle. The mega televangelists are some of the biggest hypocrites that society has to offer.