Religion

I think it is comical when faith hating anti-religious people's number 1 complaint is that people of faith try to push their religious beliefs on others. We are living in a your world of 24/7 godless pop culture. Kids curse around old ladies, with no respect. No one even blushes anymore. Civility and decency is dead and you don't care or don't notice! Yet you cry like babies about us! Most of you have no clue what people of faith endure! We are living in your god hating world where vicious anti-religious, vile, Ralphthewonderlama's are socially acceptable. We live in your world where sex and violence in movies is the norm when in my grandmother's days the word damn was offensive. It is all about your music, your culture where you rule and you are winning!!!! In a retail store Rap music was playing obscenities, even the word mother f....ing was blasting on their radio within ear of every teen and child in that boutique. I asked them to turn it down, if looks could kill I would not ... Read more

Religion is important to me and to society as a whole. I could to on and on about the good influence that religion has had on history and culture, but you already know that.

I'm not the most Religious kid in the world. In fact, I've probably talked more about Religion on RIA, then, well, Ever. I try to make it to church on the Religious holidays, but don't always succeed at that. My view of God and Jesus, is that they do exist and they want us all to be relaxed and Groovy. If you don't want people to be dicks to you, then don't be Dicks to them. You get out of this life what you put into it. A recipe that will never make me rich, but will hopefully make me Honest and fair. I try to teach my boys to be Relaxed and groovy too. I don't want them to grow up to be intolerant Fuckheads. I would rather they treat everyone with respect and Fairness. I would even extend that to respect all Living things. If you can respect a mouse, then you can respect a person. If someone thinks that an "Invisible man in the Sky" is going to make them a better person and if that person tries and Succeeds in becoming a better person. Then why is that bad? And why is that anybody'... Read more

Since most Americans are at least nominally Christian,dis Jewbaw likes to encourage more Christianity...you're less likely to get mugged by someone coming from a Bible study class... Hitler,Stalin,Marx and Trotsky are pretty obvious examples of formal religions not being as evil as some dropout alternatives,the Europeon's not taking church attendance seriously - and Europe on its way to Islamicization of the worst kind......

Morality is important. So is rule of law. All understood. I taught my kids the meaning of being productive, caring, and law abiding citizens. If some guy in the sky dictates what is moral to you... cool. That's not the problem. The problem is when the self righteous are overly self righteous, ie...Torah Boy.

I have read some vicious Anti-Religion propaganda on this cite and am puzzled as to why people are so upset about what anyone else believes in? If they find some sense of peace, comfort or hope in their Religion and are not hurting or physically harming you what business is it of ours? People that cry loud for tolerance should extend it in every area, even to people that believe in their Religion and Deity. Books on the market by Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are extremely vicious and promote such hatefulness. l cannot imagine any other group being vilified like this with such acid venom/ Why is it legal and sociable acceptable to be a bully to someone who is Religious and harmless? Can we just live and let live EVERYBODY??

Excuse me if I come across as redundant but Christianity is about a Relationship not a Religion. Legalism and law is not what it is supposed to be about. The Law was played out in the Old Testament. Christianity centers on a person who came to save us and pay for our sins. So I would have to rate, no to Religion and yes to a Relationship with the Lord. Some people will not like this but do I tell you to put down your porn, drugs and wild women? I get naturally high on Jesus and my Church Choir. I don't wake up vomiting with a hang over. Unless I am personally physically harmful to others, would you be so kind as to not try to be the boss of me! I generally try hard to mind my own but if someone ask me what I think or rate I am unashame to say it loud. Our Church Choir did it again and jammed yesterday! Another New Year, thank the Lord!

Talking to an invisible man in the sky is extremely important. Oh wait...

That's a very broad subject.I'd have to say if you define "Religion" as one of many spiritual dogmas,that is,as a specific approach to whatever one holds as divine,it causes a lot of trouble.All of the Religions have done some good for some people at some times and caused much misery and bloodshed at others.I respect anyones spiritual path as long as they don't see it as "the only way".Those who believe that they are the only righteous ones,and "God" is on THEIR side and everyone else is a "heretic" are assholes.The problem with Dogma is that once people decide that something is "the word of God",it is always interpreted by some,or twisted by others,to justify all kinds of atrocities,from female circumcision to war,terrorism and genocide.On the other hand,there are lots of very spiritual people who don't subscribe to any particular brand of belief.Religion is all too often used to manipulate the masses.I get a lot more out of a solitary walk in the woods than I've ever found in any chu... Read more

Will not go into my whole little speech...... but short and to the point. I believe in God, I believe in heaven and hell, I believe that Jesus died for our sins........ I don't believe in churches, I don't believe in some lust filled adulterer at the pulpit telling ME how to live my life, while he is seducing the alter boy. People always are so quick to assume that the pastor/priest/father is always right.... BS.

To religion, no. But if reading the Word, praying and meditating on it and try to apply the teachings in my daily life makes me an addict, then yes, I am guilty as charged.

I am not a religious person but I respect others who are religious!

I don't know about religion because you can be religious about anything. But I do take my Christianity very serious.

You can do whatever you want just don't force it on me...

. . .the more acute and prevalent generally the less formal education is present. . .as an addiction has lead to acts of violence to be sure. . .

Religious addiction seems to lead to intolerance and stupidity. Doesn't matter what religion, like it doesn't matter who packaged the crack.

If you don't do as your told, God will play a banjo in your face.

The be-it- and end-all, with peace of mind and fulfillment about things and people around you here, now and, hopefully, in the hereafter, as the measuring sticks.

The most insidious of disorders, as the befallen will often live a lifetime oblivious to the symptomologies involved. This addiction rarely confines itself within backwaters and byways, scourging even the most virgin strongholds with a torporous malaise whose efficacious half-life can be felt for generation after disillusioned generation. Usually starts as a childhood malady (a sudden familial exposure of "spiritual chicken pox", if you will) that clears itself up after a chorus of protestation and/or a self-administered innoculation of introspective clarity. However, the virus lies dormant within the subconscious, and can be triggered anew through a host of sources. Starts as a casual token gesture (a jangle of pocket change into a collection plate, a bake sale drop-off, etc.), but progresses into a robber of time and intellect, where the afflicted can no longer discern fervor from freedom. One-time friends, relatives, and co-workers are usually the first to lament the perceived outco... Read more

It depends on what is defined religion in the weblist maker's mind. If they are thinking specifically about Christianity, then this would definitely be a one star, because Christianity isn't a religion, it is a relationship. In the Bible, the only time religion is mentioned is when James says that true religion is helping the widows and orphans out. But religion that is all rules, law, judgment, intolerance is not true religion as far as God is concerned, it is legalism. I give this a two because I don't like religion and it is fanaticism that gets twin towers blown up by planes. I also admit, there are Christian fanatics out there like Benny Hinn. But those fanatics are considered as being an outcast by the general Christian society.

*Sigh*

People who take religion to the extremes are probally the most dangerous people out there.

I have nothing against someone who is religious and wishes to share and express their faith lovingly and defend it with the best interest at heart. What I am against are people who use their religion as a scape-goat and a facade to impose their hateful and prejudiced views on others. Wearing religious symbols around your neck, going to church every Sunday, quoting versus from the bible doesn't make you anymore religious than someone who goes to MacDonald's everyday claiming to be a hamburger. Your religous belief's alone speak volumes in your everyday actions and the way you speak and treat people.

I'm not sure how religion can be classified as an addiction in a geneal sense, although I agree with comments to the effect that there is sometimes a lunatic fringe that is obsessed with religion. If statistics I have heard recently are correct, then about 82% of Americans are addicted, as they believe in, or practice, religion. Maybe I should put it this way - if you truly are addicted to religion (i.e., are intolerant of anyone not of your particular faith, and can't see much of anything other than through the prism of religion and are judgemental about everything), then it's bad and I sure don't approve. If, on the other hand, you practice a religion whose precepts call for tolerance, understanding, compassion, etc., it's an addiction all of us ought to have.

Religion normally allows you to fall back on something when the going gets tough, as you can pray for help. Most religious people are good human beings. However, there is that extremist minority who try to force religion onto people and in the process makes religion look bad all-together.

People might be surprised to know that I'm not very religious per se. I'm more concerned with people using religions as a pass to pre-judge and mistreat others. I agree that anyone who speaks with passion about their faith seems to be getting short changed on RIA of late. Many reviewer comments that are favorable towards Mel Gibson's film have been rated unhelpful while the reverse is true for those that rate the movie poorly. What does that say? There is nothing wrong with being a proud Christian and expressing one's faith in postings. When religion takes over so that you can't think logically and dislike anyone who does not share your narrow world-view, then there might be a problem, but these people are fairly rare.

Based on my experience of having attended a wide spectrum of American churches, I believe religious services are more likely to promote loving neighbors than hating them. Some preachers are a bit of the opposite, and many of us are understandably sensitive toward religious leaders mixing Biblical verses with their own controversial agenda. However, I don't believe the actions of a few should be used to disparage the typical individual who is highly religious. Many souls simply want to dedicate their lives in the truest sense of charity. Two of my grandparents, rest their souls, were ordained Christian ministers who happened to be more progressive than most with their ideals. I see the same openmindedness and universal love in a cousin of mine who is nearing completion of her theology studies. In many cases, religious dedication can be a basis for the healthiest, most selfless kind of fulfillment which can be thought of as fully separate from any kind of politics that is less than... Read more

I have nothing against religious people at all. I just dislike when they have to form their opinions off of EXACTLY what the bible says! C'mon! What if the bible told you to shoot your mother, stab your dad, steal from the bank, and molest a one-eyed goat? Would you do it then?

While in moderation it makes some people better, a fanatical attitude invariably turns people into monsters. The most devastating general definition of religion that I know is the one by Ambrose Bierce: A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable. EXACTLY.

Religion itself isn't an addiction. Indeed, it offers substanence to a lot of people who would otherwise be lost without it. I believe that God does exist and He has a purpose for each and everyone of us. There is an order to everything that happens and it's no coincidence either. Issues arise when people start taking religious authorities words as heavenly inspired; indeed Christ warned against these false prophets who claim a messianic vision. Really this explains my aversion to organized religion; too many people in that realm have big ego trips. Many more have a personal agenda hidden behind a veneer of religious dogma. Even bigger problems arise when you link politics to religion; connect it to nationalism along with class conflict and you have an explosive situation on your hands. This is how religious extremism happens and history can attest to this; war is the final outcome. Finally when reading religious texts, you have to remember to put them into the context that they were ... Read more

I can think of people I know personnally who I would consider Religious Addicts. First of all I believe In God. I even pray at times. However some make religion their whole life. They preach the gospel to you whether you want it or not. they quote only the bible quotes that adhere to their beliefs. they can be very judgemental towards others and use the bible as an excuse to shun someone else. That can be very annoying.

Ignatius's comment really makes me really cringe! Is religion really an addiction? I mean, if there wasn't a God, we wouldn't be here. You base your theory's all on science/ And you can't prove that the big bang occured any more then I can prove God created the Earth in 7 days! I can accept your opinion though. But I'm telling you, there is a God, and he's alive and coming back. Anyway, getting back on topic, Religion is only an obsession if you make it one. You can spend your life in a church, saying oh ya I'm a Christian and you can be in church every Sunday, or everyday, but that don't make u a Christian. In Vernon's word , it makes you a C and E christian, which means, Christmas and Easter. But I go to church every Sunday, and Fridays for youth, and depending if I have worship or drama practise that week, I'll go back. But I love God with all my heart, but it's not the rligion aspect that I'm obsessed with, it's God I'm obsessed with. THe church building isn't going o get you any w... Read more

don't be obsessed with something that may or may not be real