Phaazoid
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I meant to use that post to diffuse the religion discussions, but I'm a sucker for arguments, so here goes.
There are some things I don't like about your post. I'm not offended in any way, don't worry, I think there are just some misconceptions I think you have.
First of all, I want to preface this with the fact that I am in no way religious, I am completely agnostic.
You say evangelism is a big part of many religions. While this is true, I think today many people argue this in a skewed way, and it easily gets out of hand.
The point of evangelism is to try to convert someone else to your religion. Lets think about that for a second. Your religion - your beliefs of right and wrong, human morals, order in the universe, the truth about life and death - someone is going to try and completely change your views on all of that at once. For most people, probably the views they have had their entire life. That takes a lot of nerve.
In order for someone to try to change MY views on any of these things, they'd need A) - Proof. which no one has. or B) very good reasoning. Ancient texts of questionable origins don't count.
Now, personally, as an agnostic, my beliefs can change from day to day. I have certain values which I hold on to, regarding basic human morality, I'd like to believe in an afterlife (although I kinda doubt it), and I have no opinion either way on whether or not there is a god.
So someone's gonna knock at my door, invite themselves into my house, and ask me if I ever considered that everything about the world I know is wrong?
The problem with religion is, it stifles learning, curiosity, and understanding. Nobody has proof of anything after death, or hard proof on the creation of the universe, or the soul. Nobody knows, really knows about that yet.
This scares some people. They say, I want to know, I am scared of death. It's ok to be scared of death. The problem is, religion says, I know. I know what happens after death. I know what created everything. I know if you are good or evil.
This ends all thought afterwards. Being human, being rational, being curious, being able to learn and discover, all comes from being able to say "I don't know", and ask why.
A guy has a book he claims is really old and answers all of life's mysteries? That's the easy way out. Being able to face not knowing, being able to try to discover, that is strength.
I don't know if anyone will ever prove anything about life after death. But no one will ever know that if we blindly believe some guy with a book and a big hat. I don't mean this as an insulting way at all, but, I believe anyone who strongly subscribes to religion is weak willed. They either A) are that religion because their parents are, and don't question it. It became a culture and community for them, so rather than lose connection with their friends they decided to orient their views of the universe with a large group.- or B) had their foundations shaken, were too weak to put their life together, so they 'found jesus' who put their life together for them. They asked the universe 'why?' and did not get an answer. They asked the clergy 'why?' and they said Don't worry, God has a plan for everyone, and it's beautiful.
My foundation has been shaken many times. I've been both a cocky pompous asshole, and broken and suicidal. Being agnostic - it's not the lack of religion. It isn't easy. It can sometimes be very, very hard to not know. But i'd be killing part of myself if I pretended to have an answer. I'm not agnostic because it is easy, I am agnostic because it is hard.
So I'm walking to my class, and some guy is standing outside the library - a place of learning - and is telling me to accept the bible? He may not have it in mind when he's saying it, but he wants me to ditch my hard earned, carefully forged system of beliefs and thoughts on knowledge, life, and the universe? what nerve!
So, If you are a Christian, as you said, I don't mind that at all. If you have had long thoughts, considered different options, questioned individual rules, that's cool. If you want to discuss differences or similarities in what we believe, I'm all for that. I love arguing semantics. But if you go door to door asking if people have ever really thought about anything big ever, in my eyes, you're kind of a ****, and in the metaphor, this counts as 'waving it around in public'
I'm not going to bundle missionary work in that definition, because that's real charity work that wouldn't happen otherwise and makes a big difference in the world.
But religions don't even need evangelism. One of the oldest religions in the world, Judaism, specifically doesn't allow it. you can't convert to Judaism, unless you marry in, and even then, you're still not a jew by blood. They've endured (arguably) more hardship than ANY other culture, and they've survived. Why does Christianity need it so?
And I've seen corrupt churches in my day. My old high school used to share a building with a church, and they were the most penny pinching money grabbers I ever saw. I know this can't apply to all public preaching, but there's definitely a percentage of them that only do it for the money and power.
And don't get me started on hatred. Too many religions hate gays. This kind of bigoted ego completely turns me off to ANY group of people. There is NO validation for hatred of someone do to their skin color, gender, or sexual preferences. Catholicism still doesn't allow women preachers. Dark ages anyone?
Ok, I got a bit off track in my anti evangelism rant there. went kinda anti religion.
I sounded harsher than I mean to be, I apologize if I offended anyone. I only offered a mixture of opinions and facts. If you wanna discuss religion further, feel free to pm me, I really don't wanna flood the brawl boards with more religion talk xD. (I do love discussing religion with people, however, so anyone, please, hit me up on that xD)
(disclaimer - I don't hate religion, I believe it does a lot of good in the world in terms of charity and community. I'm just not part of it)
RIDLEY SM4SH
