Experiences Of Religion

[nailit]

It seems to me that everyone who posts here in R&S is very knowledgeable re: religion, more so than the average man in the street. Understandably, posters like goodlife, Theland, Clanad, Keyplus et al would know their own religion but what has led the unbelievers here to be so informed?

My own experience was becoming a 'born again' evangelical christian in my teenage years. After reading the Bible (all of it) I honestly couldnt justify holding the beliefs that I did based on a sick and twisted tome. I left christianity behind when I was in my 20's. However, I retained an interest in all thing spiritual and looked into a lot of different religious viewpoints. All were found wanting although I'm still interested in alternative points of view.

Just curious as to how unbelievers here became so informed?
Its not as though the average man on the street reads the bible and koran is it?
Thanks.

[birdie1971]

nailit - "... Its not as though the average man on the street reads the bible and koran is it?..."

I agree, it isn't. More's the pity.

I suppose I'm unusual in that I'm an atheist who owns and has read both of these books and, in the case of the Koran, the accompanying Hadiths. I despair that more people haven't read these books because I truly believe that they should. Since the majority haven't, they are at the mercy of those people who deliberately tell lies about their faith in order to mislead the ignorant. This happens a great deal in the case of Islam as lying to non-believers is specifically sanctioned and encouraged in the Koran - practices known as Taqiyya (saying something that isn't true) and Kitman (lying by omission). To be fair, some Christians are rather economical with the truth too and routinely ignore their own ninth (or sometimes, eighth) Commandment.

In my opinion, this the single most important reason why people without a strong religious belief are almost completely ignorant of what these books actually say. They may know the gist of a belief (if such a thing can be said to exist) but for the most part they simply haven't got a clue about the details.

And we all know what's said to be in the details.

[naomi24]

I began questioning religion when I was given a book written by Erich von Daniken entitled ‘Chariots of the Gods’. In that book the author quoted numerous verses from the bible, and as a Christian who had, like most Christians, never read the bible in its entirety, I was shocked by what I was reading. In an effort to prove the author wrong – at least in my own mind - I read that book alongside the bible and carefully checked each reference I came across discovering, admittedly to my utter dismay, that, without exception, they were all entirely accurate. That was a long time ago but the study of religion and its history became my abiding passion. I now own a vast library of books that includes books on practically every religion known to man encompassing bibles in all flavours, the Book of Mormon, three versions of the Koran, as well as works by theologians, philosophers, and atheists. Don’t tell anyone but in one way or another I go to bed with God every night. ;o)

[birdie1971]

Naomi - "... I began questioning religion when I was given a book written by Erich von Daniken entitled ‘Chariots of the Gods’..."

I've read that one too. I starts well but then goes completely bonkers. His "theories" are, well, err, different to say the least! Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read.

I've read quite a lot of books in this genre (ancient civilisations and their origins/development). It's one that truly fascinates me. If you haven't read Graham Hancock's, "Fingerprints Of The Gods" I can highly recommend it. Again, some of the theories proposed by Hancock are highly debatable (yet he's far more credible than Von Daniken in my opinion) but the book taken as a whole is exceptional. You'll never look at the Sphinx nor the Great Pyramids again with the same eyes after reading this.

[naomi24]

Birdie, it fascinates me too, and ‘Fingerprints of the Gods’ is another that’s on my shelf - I have a whole pile of them. However ‘bonkers’ aspects of the theory may be perceived to be, I think that fundamentally there’s something in it. When taking into account tales from the Vedas, for example, and legends from South America, it certainly makes far more sense than the 'supernatural'.

[wildwood]

I believe that most of the informed 'atheists' on here are so because they have explored the ecclesiastical teachings and with common sense have rejected the prosperous suggestions for the existence of Life on Earth and the deity who is supposed to have create it all.

There are some beneficial results from believing, such as comfort at a time of Loss, eventhough it defies reasoning why their idol has allowed this to happen.

[atalanta]

Do you know why I read so much about religions ?
For Ammunition

[birdie1971]

Naomi - "... I think that fundamentally there’s something in it. When taking into account tales from the Vedas, for example, and legends from South America, it certainly makes far more sense than the 'supernatural'."

Agreed. It would appear that something very peculiar happened in our pre-history. Looked at individually, many of these stories could be dismissed as the tall tales of a simple people. What makes it truly perplexing though is the fact that similar stories from different peoples on different continents separated by vast oceans, are largely similar.

[Cloverjo]

I am very interested in religion, and about how and why people believe in their different gods. I went to Sunday school as a child and later grew dissilusionec with the Bible and the idea of the Christian god; I became interested in spiritualism, went to a spiritualist church, spent time with the people who believed in that, and I wanted to believe in it myself; I've invited Jehovah's Witnesses into my home to talk. None of it seemed creditable or right to me, much as I wanted to believe in a higher being.
Now, I truly believe there is no god.

[naomi24]

Birdie, //It would appear that something very peculiar happened in our pre-history. //

Yes indeed.

[Zacs-Master]

The only thing that has happened in our pre history and is common to,all,civilisations, is a desire to make sense of the world (and the heavenly bodies we can see from this Earth). Without science, the only rational explanation was the belief in a creator. It really is that simple. Suggesting something strange happened in our pre history belies a lack of understanding of basic human psychology.

[naomi24]

//It really is that simple.//

Belief in a supernatural creator is that simple.

[Zacs-Master]

In the absence of a scientific explanation, yes.

[naomi24]

Birdie and I aren't talking about a scientific explanation for the creation of the world.

[Zacs-Master]

So what is the peculiar pre history event you are referring to?

[naomi24]

No 'event'. Just suspicions. Birdie's posts go some way to explaining it.

[Zacs-Master]

Sounds like your on the road to believing in some of Danikin and his ilk's half arsed theories. I told you you needed a bit of time away.

[naomi24]

Zacs, I consider his half-arsed theories seriously before I take smart-arsed theories seriously. ;o)

[jomifl]

Carry on Zacs..doing well so far..

[nailit]

Thanks for replies. It always seems (to me at any rate) that the 'sceptics' on here are always so much more well read than the 'believers'.
I can't imagine many of the 'God Gang' on here reading Fingerprints of the Gods for example. So much safer to stick with works that only confirm your own beliefs, musnt read anything that might make you question eh?
I actually feel sorry sometimes for posters like goodlife when they get stick on here. In many ways he is himself a victim of a grotesque religion that imprisons his mind and wont allow him to question it. Ive known many JW's over the years like this and some have eventually managed to break away and lead a normal life again. Likewise I know many fundementalist christians from my own time as a believer over 30 years ago who have now left the brainwashing. Most are sorry that they ever got in to it in the first place and a few are horrified at how self righteous they used to be. (and...not unlike some ABers...are now widely read on religious themes).
Thanks again all for replies.