I AM ANTI RELIGION OF ANY KIND...ANY TAKERS?

Well, I see you have concluded that I'm hostile. That's too bad...I was just playing and had hoped you'd understand that. So much for comprehending you. I get it...see you around.

OK.

Actually, what I said was, ". I just don't see any point to debating someone else's VIEW of religion."

...as in what they view as a religion vs. a philosophy of life. Their view of what a religion is doesn't harm anyone.

As for me being "The Administrator', it doesn't matter one way or another. I post and debate just like any other person & expect others to do the same with me as they would any other member. Disagreeing with me doesn't mean you'll be banned or reprimanded in any way. We don't operate that way here. As long as the Terms of Service are followed, all is well.

Your choice.

I'd like to interject a few points.

There is no such thing as a religious war. While religions may teach intolerance, it is those who seek riches and power who create wars. Religion is simply used as a recruitment tool and any intolerance taught by religions is the ally of power seekers.

We are supposedly created with "free will," yet many who believe in scripture assume they have the right to judge others. In so doing, they pick and choose scriptures to support their judgments. For example: In the US, it's perfectly alright to legislate against anyone in the LGBT community, yet there is no legislation against adulterers, people who work on the Sabbath, people who lie, people who are greedy or gluttonous, etc.

Jesus' message was "love." I fully ascribe to that message and do my best to live it daily. A question I often pose to Christians: What difference does it make whether or not one believes the stories in the Bible if one gets the message?

tnthomas, you said, "Logic is man-made, and is consistent with evaluating man-made situations and things. I like logic, and I like Earthly going's on to conform to logic.
"
I disagree. Logic is certainly NOT man made. Two plus two equals four. Man didn't make that up. That would be truth whether or not man ever existed. Logic is logic and definitive answers born in logic are irrefutable.

You also said, "Sure, faith can be flawed but logic is also flawed in regards to it's ability to examine the after-life.
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Logic is not flawed. It has examined "the afterlife" and it concluded it no more exists than God himself. That said, "energy can neither be created nor destroyed." Heat is energy and when we die, heat is dispersed into the atmosphere. If left up to nature, our bodies would be left as food for a variety of animals, perpetuating the evolutionary cycle. What's left would fertilize the soil - again, perpetuating the evolutionary cycle. What could possibly be better than that as our purpose?

I will say, I expect no more from religion than I expect from science. If scientists posed irrefutable proof that a deity created and controls everything, then I'd have no choice but to believe it. Science is continually looking for answers and the only answers science is willing to accept are those which can be proven through logic. When one scientist makes a claim, he/she has the entire scientific community to answer to and consequently, also must answer to the masses. Religions on the other hand, claim to have all the answers, but offer absolutely no logical proof of their claims. Instead they claim, one must have faith. Faith in what?...what someone else tells us? That's exactly why Trump maintains a 40% approval rating. All I ask for is proof whether it's science or religion.

I worship nothing. In a general sense, I love everything. I'm not perfect. Neither is my love, but I refuse to hate. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule, but from my point of view, the Golden Rule should extend throughout the Universe. I'm not a student of religions - rather, I am a homegrown student of philosophy. Religions never made any sense to me. I believe everything throughout the Universe is interconnected so everything should be treated with respect. We're interdependent. Evolution? Without question. We continuously witness it. I also believe that at least within humans, there is a kind of good and evil and the levels we have of one or the other vary greatly from one person to the next. I can't change that but I can control me, so there are some people who aren't allowed in my life. I don't hate them but I don't consider not liking them as a bad thing since I have a right to protect my own well being.

So that more or less sums up my position where religion is concerned. I just think everyone should try to understand all perspectives as much as possible - be kind, be accepting - or at least be tolerant.

I am fully aware others view things differently. I don't like it however when they attempt to impose their views on me. It's not something I do to others. I find it arrogant and disrespectful. As far as I'm concerned, people can and will believe whatever they choose. I can't change that either, nor do I try. I respect people's right to believe anything they want. That is also my right.

Did you not hear about the theory about Martians seeding life here on Earth causing Evolution.? This explains all the cave drawings and Earth drawings only visible from the sky.

Nkat