you constantly hear the argument that religion is fine if practiced "privately." it should just be a "private matter," and all will be well. many people believe in a "personal relationship with god," not organized religion. keep the heat off religion -- let people believe what they would like in the private of their own home and lives.

given what we know about beliefs and actions, what are your thoughts?

Matt 6: 1-8. Learn it. Live it.

For many, a major aspect of religion, especially organized religion, is the community aspect. I think that's great.

When I think, "keep it to yourself", I just don't want to be proselytized to or have to hear about God in every conversation on every topic.

Are you lurking on the board I use to keep in touch/debate with my old friends, CB? We had this same conversation today. Basically, one guy is really becoming a pain in the ass with how self-righteous he is. He comdemned us all for being sarcastic today because we are not "witnessing to Jesus Christ". The general consensus among everyone else was that there is a time and a place, and sarcasm among friends isn't really a religious issue.

A summary of my outlook on faith can be found in both Matt 6, 1-8 and the words of St. Francis: Preach the Gospel everywhere. Use words when necesary.

Most Christians incorrectly identify the great commission as being "go and baptize all nations," but in reality the direct translation from the Greek is "in your going..." So it's less of a 'sending off' than most think. Just, y'know, for what its worth.

But anyway, religion (or the big three, at least) is pretty much dead in a vacuum. You give birth to it yourself, but it can't grow without the help of others.

This guy sounds like a real nednick.

When talking about some of the other mistranslations in the Bible, most Christians tend to lean towards the idea that, if the original text were mistranslated, then its because God wanted it to be. Human error is God's version of peer editing.

I know we're getting slightly off topic here, but I was reading a book recently, "Where Shall Wisdom Be Found", and the author mentioned that the Greek text of the bible is actually a translation of the original Aramaic text. However, when the author questioned religious scholars regarding the whereabouts of the original Aramaic text, nobody knew. The caveat is that the topic of spirituality does not translate well from Aramaic to Greek. But I guess it was all God's intention...
Anyway, I think it was Tony Blair on the Daily Show who was saying that in England, faith is really more of a private matter, especially in politics.
I have met several people who are very religious but do not attend church.

honest question: do you go to church?

Most Anglicans, especially post-war generations, only ever go to church for funerals and weddings
It's also true of most Catholics in France...and I suspect most countries in Europe.

People, let alone politicians, who go on about religion or invoke god unsolicited are considered a bit weird...
Blair was firmly told by his advisers to shut up about God when he made the announce he was going to war anyway (apparently he wanted to mention God somewhere...like that would have gone down well with the large Muslim community that were already seeing Iraq as a crusade )

some community work is great, some is awful. is it the same in secular portions, too? i don't really know. are there secular community workers preaching the evils of condoms in areas like africa, where literally millions of people are dying? is it "great" when community work includes proselytizing?



david, i really don't see how this could fly. so you'd be OK with sarah palin's religiosity -- and i use this reference because we are so familiar with the actions she's taken based on her religious beliefs -- so long as she doesn't mention it in her speeches?

What a surprise.



Yes.

no.

well, that's easy enough. why didn't i think of that in the first place. lock 'er up.

Glad we could help.

Absolutely.

CB, anyone can practice religion in their own way. Unless someone is pushing something on you, it won't affect you unless you let it. There is nothing wrong with people believing in their faith and coming together on a regular basis to worship.

Some people want faith, some people need it. What is the difference between a religious person needing faith and someone like you who seems to have this need to disprove it? It seems like you're using this board to lead some sort of Atheist crusade. So tell me, how are you different than the religious man preaching to others? Neither side can prove anything beyond doubt. You've simply become the anti-Jehovah's witness.

hey, have you ever heard of richard dawkins' journal "thoughts on evolution"? it's said he has only OK'd its release after his death, but close friends have weighed in on what dawkins has hinted it contains, and apparently, right now, it is about 340 pages of mr. dawkins so eloquently writing "yes" over and over again. and i mean, really, what more needs to be said? you either agree or disagree, and that is that.

no. well, and yes. but no. and no. and a yes.

That is not true, because such a practice gives him physical and psychological anguish.



There is not one thing that does not impart some sort of injustice upon his existence.



See "anguish" above.



Preposterous!



You are going to make bunny cry.



If only he would knock upon my door.

You are either with us, or against us.