Free Thought Group forming in Norton

[1inStripes]

Good post yb. If you are in a church that is just talking about other churches, I would run fast. That is not the purpose of a church.

[Milk3]

No kool-aid, local churches go through it pretty quickly.

Glad somebody got a laugh out of it with me as well.

[centennialdawg]

Some fella one time once wrote 'my own mind is my own church'

people should spend less time debating which is right, my church, your church or no church and focus more how it affects or is it effect, anyway that single person. Atheist, Hindu, Scientologist or Member of the Holy Altar of Kelly Clarkson, letting someone else sway you in your belief is a tragedy.

Well, God gave us free will and the freedom to choose. I have searched all religions and denominations and have found that picking the right church must be a choice of what you actually believe and which one will most closely align with your own thoughts and perceptions of what a "supreme" diety(sp) really is.

If this "free thought" group wants to form, then I really see nothing wrong with it. It; however, would not fit in with my faith toward my God. That is something that will never be shaken as I am not the least bit threatened by this group's existence.

My grandfather always said, Religion and politics is something that is better left to yourself and in your mind, only to be discussed with like minded people and then, only to the point of agreement with each other because when you start to argue, you lose all perspective in either one. Let us all lead by example and not "brow-beat" each other into submission.

[Biggin]

because free thinking is "FREE".
people go to church as a common bond, with whatever religion, whatever god, whatever denomination etc. You dont see Catholics going to Old Regular Baptist meetings.

To me an atheist and an agnostic is much along the lines of a Muslim and a Jew. (or any two religions, I chose those due to the similarity (belief in god) and the glaring difference (the god they believe in)
Those are two very different ideas, with one thing (and thats a stretch) in common. Disbelief in GOD, however an agnostic with, some ... "proof" could change their mind, whatever proof that may be, to each person that would and could be diff. An atheist just says no, thats it. Many say "organized religion" is the problem, a united atheist group is laughable to me, its like the band "the lone rangers" if you can understand what that means.

Many times people who dont believe in god are much like my beloved metal bands, in the sense "hey we dont like the rules that come with your god". I get it, but then you have people like the Norwegian bands and their beliefs. "Hey we dont want your beliefs, we had ours..."

But its whatever.

I dont agree at all.
I dont see how atheism and Islam/Buddhism/etc... have anything in common, since one gives out specific guidelines on how to live a life, and the other has absolutely no guidelines at all.
Muslims have to pray to Mecca, Catholics have to eat crackers and wine. Atheism in itself is the complete opposite. Its not a denomination. Its the exact opposite of the denomination. Atheism is the most self-centered decision you can ever make. Its all about yourself; it has nothing to do with following cultural norms associated with atheism, its all about the individual decision not to believe in a deity.

Belief and non-belief are not the same. I dont have "faith" in atheism, thats the exact opposite meaning of atheism. Faith indicates there is something out there you have to believe without knowing, without being able to make a rational decision based on facts. and I do not believe that situation exists.

and I kinda resent the last part. Its kind of insulting to insinuate that most people who are atheists only do it because they do not like a church's rules. Myself, the decision was made on a factual, logical decision. I cant speak for anyone, and im sure there are a ton of people who are atheists just for teh sake of atheism, which is what you are describing, but not all of us are just petty kids mad because someone is trying to tell us what to do.

I chose the path I chose because it seems to me that all religions are the same, its the explanation of where we came from and what happens after we die; i believe religions are just man-made creations to try and soothe the human mind. Death is a very , very scary demon, and if theres nothing to look forward to after death, no afterlife, then death is even scarier to some. Some believe life is worthless without the afterlife, I believe the exact opposite. Life IS heaven, and death is permanent.

but I do believe in a weird spirituality, that the Earth is the center of the universe and our conscience is the soul, and that nature itself, the Earth, is the governing body of our universe.

[Rocky]

I have absolutely NO problem with atheism or agnostics. none at all, I am HUGE on freedom of beliefs and freedom of worship. I cant tell anyone to believe the way i do and i admire anyone for keeping their stance on their religious/non religious views. I was being serious about having people with a faith join some of the discussions because i want to know why people feel so passionately AGAINST something that i believe in so passionately. EVERYONE in my family preaches (some preach just to get money from the church or steal it from their mother *who is recently deceased* or their brother who poured his heart and soul into it) but thats neither here nor there. I have 3 uncles that preach and a sleugh of great uncles. I have my reasons for my own personal beliefs and they have theirs and you have reasons for yours. I can discuss religion with anyone and it not be heated because i am open to all beliefs, i wish that you believed in God but if you dont thats your perogative. The only thing i have a problem with is when atheists/agnostics complain about Christian type people (i wont say Christians) trying to force their beliefs when you constantly hear of A&A trying to remove things we believe in or get rid of a moment of silence. Some people are pushy, i go about a less direct approach..............

[R13]

The point of agnosticism/atheism has nothing to do with being "against" anything, most just see the shit religion causes and has caused since day one...also against religion being where it's not supposed to be with our gov. and schools. There's no real push for the moment of silence to be taken out by us, we're the reason there is the moment of silence actually. We're a pretty large percentage of the population, yet demonized for no reason whatsoever and forced to put up with religions like Christianity sticking their nose everywhere it shouldn't be.

[Rocky]

The point of agnosticism/atheism has nothing to do with being "against" anything, most just see the shit religion causes and has caused since day one...also against religion being where it's not supposed to be with our gov. and schools. There's no real push for the moment of silence to be taken out by us, we're the reason there is the moment of silence actually. We're a pretty large percentage of the population, yet demonized for no reason whatsoever and forced to put up with religions like Christianity sticking their nose everywhere it shouldn't be.

ummm, you are wrong on the moment of silence thing. there is another thread about that somewhere, the american atheist group wants the moment of silence gone as well.

[Rocky]

American Atheists | School Prayer FAQs


read it, i also have another question, if you want seperation of religion and politics then why do atheists put their nose everywhere too? this could go both ways man, if what you have is a claimed religion then why is it fair for you to express your opinion and make you happy but not make the christian community happy? there should be a fine line somewhere.

[R13]

ummm, you are wrong on the moment of silence thing. there is another thread about that somewhere, the american atheist group wants the moment of silence gone as well.

No I read it there and here. It doesn't say that they are trying to get it removed, like I said, there is no real push to get it taken out, from that one paragraph it just says they aren't thrilled about it...but since we're the reason there is the moment of silence, we're not all trying to get rid of it.

American Atheists | School Prayer FAQs


read it, i also have another question, if you want seperation of religion and politics then why do atheists put their nose everywhere too? this could go both ways man, if what you have is a claimed religion then why is it fair for you to express your opinion and make you happy but not make the christian community happy? there should be a fine line somewhere.

Do you mean when they try to make sure religion isn't where it's not supposed to be? That's not sticking their nose everywhere or forcing anything on anyone, it's not like they want things to be replaced with atheism, just that there is no one doing what they aren't supposed to. We also don't have some arrogant belief that our beliefs applies to everyone and it's what the nation was built on.

[Rocky]

No I read it there and here. It doesn't say that they are trying to get it removed, like I said, there is no real push to get it taken out, from that one paragraph it just says they aren't thrilled about it...but since we're the reason there is the moment of silence, we're not all trying to get rid of it.



Do you mean when they try to make sure religion isn't where it's not supposed to be? That's not sticking their nose everywhere or forcing anything on anyone, it's not like they want things to be replaced with atheism, just that there is no one doing what they aren't supposed to. We also don't have some arrogant belief that our beliefs applies to everyone and it's what the nation was built on.

did you ever, ever just once happen to stop and think that SOME of these religious people genuinely want to spread their word so you can have a chance at going to heaven? I know not all do boy do i ever, but some people really do care about their fellow man, not everything/everyone Christian (or christian-like, i hate that word so many throw it around loosely today) has an agenda to force their religion on everyone. They just want their religion known and to spread the word of their God. What you see as "forcing a religion" on someone is just missionary to others.