Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[deb1]

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I have been told that Japan is not a very religious society and they seem to somehow teach morality to their children. Granted, I know very little about Japan so I could be wrong.

 

[thaiturkey]

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My impression of the organised churches, Christian or otherwise, is that they do not promote or support the rights of the individual. They support the cause of the 'Greater Good', as does communism. Members are asked to improve themselves as individuals but by following another person's interpretation of the scriptures, moral code or whatever it might be. To be saved you have to follow someone else's rules, not your own instinctive ones. Isn't it OK for people to follow their own interpretations? Is that a threat to the power of some other person or organisation? Perhaps it is.

If you live by the simple creed that 'one's own happiness or rational self-interest' are paramount then one day there will be a problem if you also respect the rights of others. We sometimes, but not always, have to subjugate our own interests for the sake of those of others', our children for example. Perhaps it's a matter of judgment rather than rigid universal rules.

Now, that raises an interesting question. Bearing in mind the teachings of the bible, if you were told that you had to put god before your child's life, what would you do? What should a religious person do? Would you save your soul by sacrificing your child?

 

[thaiturkey]

Quote:

I have been told that Japan is not a very religious society and they seem to somehow teach morality to their children. Granted, I know very little about Japan so I could be wrong.

This link might help:

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/religion.htm

This is interesting too:

http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thailand/thailand-religion.htm

Note how newly adopted religions have merged or sat alongside existing ones in much the same way as Christianity adopted pagan festivals and the old Mediterranean mother-son religions. In Britain the early Christian churches were even built deliberately along ley lines which were give the names of saints such as St. Mary. That might have been a ploy to subjugate the older religions but it does show a degree of flexibility.

 

[maryk117]

A definition in Miriam-Webster dictionary for Religious- 3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful. Faithful to what...depends on your view. I say I that I am not religious, yet I am "scrupulously and conscientiously faithful" to trying to live a moral and value filled life. I am not sure if I believe in God in the way that some (doctrines/people) portray him. Someone asked what morals everyone thought were important. For me it would be what a lot of people already stated: honesty, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, among others. I can be/do/live those things without going to church or calling myself "religious" in the way that this forum was originally intended. So I guess I am religious about my beliefs, being that they are what I perceive to be moral and equitable. I also think the Golden Rule is a great guide! I don't think my view of "religious" is what most down here in the Bible Belt would label as "religious " so when asked I generally tell people what most on here have said...I am not religious, but I am spiritual.

Taking it a step farther; A definition in Miriam-Webster dictionary for Spiritual1 : of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit. A definition in Miriam-Webster dictionary for Spirit 6 a : a special attitude or frame of mind. Now I like that one! Those of us who say we are not religious, but spiritual are relating to our special frame of mind! Special I think because most quote unquote religious people find it hard to explain those of us that would question religion...

P.S. I don't think Miriam-Webster is the definition of everything, just using it for reference sake

 

[EweSheep]

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No, I could not. My daughter's life is paramount nor would I sacrifice her to save my soul. It just irks me and the mothering instinct in me to keep my daughter's life intact overrules God's word. I just can't. Sorry about that.

 

[thaiturkey]

Time for bed in Thailand and to add my prayers to my wife's and the neighbours' for rain to fall soon on our gardens and the rice farms. I don't know what Buddha would think about people praying to him but he was quite open minded and probably wouldn't mind. A pray can't do any harm, can it? We desperately need the rainy season to start, just as soon as the new coop has a roof on it.

 

[j.luetkemeyer]

I haven't had a chance to read every post in this thread; however, what I have read tells me there is some confusion of what Christianity really is. I have found much hippocracy in the christian churches these days because of this confusion. I would like to make some clarification simply for informational sake, not to try and stir anything up. Morality is totally seperate from Christianity, in fact it is seperate from all religion. You can be non-religious and have high moral standards. Christianity is the belief of salvation through acceptance of Jesus Christ as ones savior. There is a relationship between the Christian and Christ. This is where I seem to find a lot of hippocracy in the Churches. Many go to Church and take the pastor's/preacher's word for it instead of reading the Bible and more importantly establishing a relationship with Christ. Many times some people will think and act as if they are holier, or have higher moral standards, because they attended church. They do not realize they are not a true Christian unless they have accepted Christ as their savior and undertand salvation while maintaining a relationship with Christ.

Again, I wanted to only point this out for informational purposes. This is very basic information so if any Christians do read this I know it is not a complete and full detailed description; however, I only wanted to point out the not-so-obvious aspect of Christianity for those who are not sure of the difference.

 

[thaiturkey]

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No, I could not. My daughter's life is paramount nor would I sacrifice her to save my soul. It just irks me and the mothering instinct in me to keep my daughter's life intact overrules God's word. I just can't. Sorry about that.

No need to apologise, I feel the same even although I'm a father rather than a mother. But I don't think that there is any circumstance in which a god worthy of the name would ask that of you, despite what his self-appointed mouthpieces might say.

 

[1stepcloser]

Quote:
No, I could not. My daughter's life is paramount nor would I sacrifice her to save my soul. It just irks me and the mothering instinct in me to keep my daughter's life intact overrules God's word. I just can't. Sorry about that.

I think much of the religous literature out there is not meant to be taken literally. To me, I think putting a relationship with God first means being centered and living from a place of truth, not making excuses when opportunties for situational ethics pop up. In that case, putting God first is a touchstone sort of like "to thine own self be true". I mean, I know people who lie for their kids to cover up their own stupidity. I know people who won't punish their children when they are holy terrors in public....maybe I am being too simplistic but hell, look at Casey Anthony's parents. They are lying their butts of to cover for their murdering daughter. If they had their priorities straight, they wouldn't be doing that. KWIM?

 

[thaiturkey]

j.luetkemeyer :

I haven't had a chance to read every post in this thread; however, what I have read tells me there is some confusion of what Christianity really is. I have found much hippocracy in the christian churches these days because of this confusion. I would like to make some clarification simply for informational sake, not to try and stir anything up. Morality is totally seperate from Christianity, in fact it is seperate from all religion. You can be non-religious and have high moral standards. Christianity is the belief of salvation through acceptance of Jesus Christ as ones savior. There is a relationship between the Christian and Christ. This is where I seem to find a lot of hippocracy in the Churches. Many go to Church and take the pastor's/preacher's word for it instead of reading the Bible and more importantly establishing a relationship with Christ. Many times some people will think and act as if they are holier, or have higher moral standards, because they attended church. They do not realize they are not a true Christian unless they have accepted Christ as their savior and undertand salvation while maintaining a relationship with Christ.

Again, I wanted to only point this out for informational purposes. This is very basic information so if any Christians do read this I know it is not a complete and full detailed description; however, I only wanted to point out the not-so-obvious aspect of Christianity for those who are not sure of the difference.

I agree that there is confusion - and it's not surprising!

I must go to pray to Buddha now! My plants are dying. Thank everyone for a great discussion!