Do you believe in god?

[appolose]

The Ghost of RubangB said:

appolose said:

dtewi said:
I think right now I am leaning more to athiesm more than ever.

Like I have said, Religion is inspired by fear. People are afraid to be punished by God by breaking the commandments or commiting sins. They have a fear of hell. This causes people to be good. Their reward is heaven.

People cause their reality to be overshadowed. They are so desperate to overcome their fears or gain a reward that they want to believe in something that will make it true. But the thing that they want to believe in is without any proof.

Not all religions have the threat of hell, though; what terrors are there in hinduism (I really hope I didn't just stick my foot in my mouth with that), and probably tons of others?

The hell of Hinduism is being reincarnated as an untouchable or as a leper or a slave or an animal people hunt or eat or hate, like a tasty fish or an evil bear or snake.

It might not be the monotheistic concept of eternal damnation, but it sucks for a long time, and strikes fear into the hearts of men, to control them and make them do good.

 

Any religion that explains something that happens to you after you die and has anything good or bad after this life... is controlling people through fear.  Some people would argue that religions without that kinda stuff aren't even religions, but are philosophies.  Whatever.

I trump them all together and call it "Afterlifism" and I throw it out the window.  I'm only living once and I'm kicking ass at it here on Earth with the rest of the bums.

 

I wouldn't put it that way; I would guess at least some are being honest with themselves, and think they are providing a service to others.  It's not necessarily control.