Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[deb1]

Quote:
So what would you consider moral ?

If you think about it, most morals really do help us function better in society. Humans are pack animals, we need one another. In order to work together, we have to follow rules. Evolution can explain most of what we consider right and wrong. Its to the advantage of our species that we have morals.

 

[pamperedpoultry]

I've kept up with this thread and I'll have to say I'm impressed. Talking about religion normally gets people heated!! And so far everyone the religious and the non-religious have kept things civil. Shows what a great group of people we have here on BYC. Everyone has been able to express their views on things and no one has blew up over it or tried to stuff the other persons point of view down their throat, or at least if they have I've missed it. I honestly thought when I seen this thread that it would only be a few days before it was locked or deleted. I hope I didn't jinx it now that I've talked about how well everyone has treated each other. Sorry to interrupt but thought I'd just say how impressed I was......... Now back as you were....LOL

 

[redux]

Well, the moderators have been very quick to remove any trolling comments. And the vast majority of the people who have posted here really just want a place to talk about what they believe. They have no desire to change anyone else's views. Non-religious people tend not to be dogmatic.

 

[mom'sfolly]

It is hard to be dogmatic if the farthest you're willing to go on religion/belief is "there might be a god, but it created and left". There is no great holy book for non-believers, no common path to non-belief, although rationalism seems to be involved, and no one way to express your disbelief. Some are former members of a faith, some are not. I think we tend to be a questioning bunch, so philosophical questions have been spun off and discussed.

I've been pleased to find like minded people on this thread. Being non-religious, on BYC I've often felt that I'm in a not very well liked minority.

 

[redux]

I have always felt the same way, Mom'sfolly. That is why I am so grateful for this thread and all the people who have participated. I feel so much less lonely than I did before.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

add me to that list! I didn't feel like chickens and non-religion went together, and I felt that same lack of belonging in that regard, although BYCers are a great group of people. It was such a breath of fresh air to come here and be allowed to express and discuss this viewpoint.

Now, I think I can go back and add to my "Which BYCers do you want to meet?" entry. All of you!

I'm meeting SunnyDawn today! and I've already met eastbaychicks. (hope she is doing okay.)

 

[deb1]

Here is an interesting post from an atheist blogger who I enjoy reading. As a former pastor's wife, sometimes she has an interesting perspective on religion.

She writes: After giving an interview to James yesterday, one of the questions he asked stuck out in my mind. He asked me something along the lines of why did I think Christians were so judgmental. I said something about the dichotomy of Paul’s teachings (ie, “expel the immoral brother!”) vs. Jesus’ teachings (ie, “Judge not lest ye be judged”), and how they really aren’t reconcilable.

I thought that was an excellent point and because the post is short, that some of you might want to look at it.




http://www.redheadedskeptic.com/2010/04/20/love-and-acceptance/

 

[deb1]

Does anyone know where the Christian concept of hell arose? According to an online Jewish friend, Jewish people do not believe that there is a place of eternal torture.

Sheol might have been an early idea of hell but it was only supposed to last for a year, so it doesn't quite line up with Christian beliefs.

I was wondering how did such a harsh version of the afterlife arise among Christians if it wasn't always believed?

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
In Genesis???????

It probably depends on how one would interpret Hell....they would think fire and flames or the self image of distruction.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I think the New Testament only mentions hell a few times. I think the concept of hell as a burning place of eternal torment is a construction from the later church. I think it combines elements from the Islamic version of hell with some from Greek and Roman mythology. This goes along with much of the early Christian church co-opting things from the religions people were most comfortable with. I think the middle ages had some refinements of Hell, and Dante's Inferno added to the concept of hell. There are also analogies in the New Testament that sinners are like weeds that are thrown on the fire.

I think most modern Christian theologians vision of both heaven and hell are very different. I think most feel that heaven is the eternal connection and life with God, and that hell is the separation from God, which provides its own torment. I think most modern theologians don't believe in a physical heaven and hell, and this may be very different from the average Christian's belief.

As for EweSheep's comment about Genesis, one could argue that the separation of darkness and light is the creation of heaven and hell.

I can't be sure of any of this though. It is just the perception I've gleaned from some of my reading. I'm certainly not a theologian or an expert on the history of Christianity.