Religion and a Movie

Let the chaos ensue. I think we're a civilized bunch, so share your opinions, thoughts and hopes.

And I'm still curious about my question

erm oops .. lol

Just to point out... im not saying there beliefs are wrong.... i just dont aggree witht he method of expressing them.

/me wipes forehead

Alright. Prepare for the teenager response.

First off, I disagree with the part about religion not starting war. Except, the Crusades, all that about was the Pope wanting more control. So I agree with you there, but look at what's going on right now. Iraq, Iran, Pakistan. Sure, people do start it, but it started over an argument. About religion. So, religion can spark a war. It may not be the main cause of the war, but it can definitely spark one.

As for Ryan's question..hehe
Why should they be mad about it? It's just a movie. I mean, I bet there are tons of anti-American movies out there, or movies that are...similar to V for Vendetta but about America. They just haven't been released...because America's weird like that....and it was a good movie.

The thing with religion is it's about interpretation. Take the bible, for example, it's a great book and has sold over a billion copies so there must be something in it. But it still is argued over and debated. At the end of the day, some people believe that what is in that book are the exact words of god, others think they are pretty much what god said but paraphrased (imagine paraphrasing god, that would make you feel a bit special) and some believe it is allegory, metaphor.

Who is to say which is right and which is wrong. That's is the whole point of religion: faith. Religion is plagued by the fact that it can never be proven but that is where it's power lies. If it were ever proven right then the element of faith would be removed and the point of religion would become null and void. People believe in certain things, believe so strongly that they live their lives by a set of rules decided by someone they have never met, in a time they could never imagine. That is faith.

The argument over interpretation continues further, however. We look at the situation today and can only wonder what some people are thinking. I will not pass comment on the behaviour of some religious institutions around the world (I mean specific churches not whole denominations) because I am not going to judge something I barely understand. But the concept of good and evil is an interesting one, ask most western men and women what they think of suicide bombers. They may call them evil they will almost certainly say that it is wrong. It is all well and good giving your opinion on the matter but it is important not to force your own standards on others. Those men and women believe that they are acting for the greater good and we should remember that it was their faith that sent them down this path, and they travel that road with conviction. Can you say the same? I can't.

Let me be clear here, I find the taking of anothers life abhorrent, a crime against humanity. All life is sacred and no-one has the right to give or take it. That is my view, but what I'm trying to say here is that just because you think you are a perfectally rational person with reasonable views does not make someone who disagrees with you mad or any less civilised. Different cultures have different outlooks, some believe in destruction others in peace. I have yet to find one that believes in creation which is my personal philosphy, but perhaps I am just ignorant.

I didn't post this to start a massive argument, just to show that it's important to sometimes step outside of your own world. See things the way another sees them and you may be just as disgusted by what you see but it helps stop the hate.

I hate what some people in this world do, but sometimes when I find out their motivations and their philosophies, I find it very difficult to hate them.

Pete.

Sorry about that, it's quite long isn't it. I should have just wrote a book instead.

Pete.

Hmm....about the part about every life being sacred. It's true, but what do the lives of serial killers and the sort mean? They take life, so do they still have the right to live? Or do they just get locked up?

I was looking at it on a philosophical level. Many things do not quite operate that well on a practical level. But I said all lives are sacred and that is what I meant. I am not to judge who deserves to live and who deserves to die, no-one has that right. Perhaps things happen for a reason. I don't know, I probably never will. But taking a life, whether you think it is just or unjust, is not right in my opinion. But like I said earlier I won't hate you for it. I simply hate the act of killing itself.

Pete.

Religions were created by the human race to control the human race. Faith is what makes you believe what you are told by religion to be true. Nobody is right or wrong. No religion is better or worse than another.

The world would be so much more peaceful if everyone had the mentality as you, sannbe

Ryan,
I spent alot of years studying religions of the world trying to find one for me. And then I relalized they were the same story told in may differant ways and languages. God has many different names because he/she/it has many different faces. They each give a believer what they want...something to guide their daily life..rules of the road, as it were. My ethnic background is Heinz 57 so is my life and beliefs. I've said this before...give yourself a few years....you'll understand.

Or if no one was religious. Like myself.

Ahhhh, Religion. Life's biggest questions and answers are found on Religion! What interesting concepts you all have...maybe, just maybe...I will post my concept of Religion up here later..lol

Let's hear it Jacob!

Personally, I'm atheist. I've been on the receiving end of a lot of anger and aggression because I'm not spiritual. A lot of people seem to think that because I'm not religious, I have no problem killing people or something. I'm still a very moral person! And I believe everyone has the right to find his or her own beliefs.

It's really quite simple ......

Firstly, yes your right the current issues in the middle east were started due to disagreements over religion.

But it was people who dissaggree'd.... If you actually read any religious text in existance i very much doubt you'll find any that instruct violance or aggression.

Dissaggreementrs are fine ..... but people have to up it to the next level... fists... knives ... guns.... bombs

What the F**k is wrong with words for gods sake ?? !!

Anybody who feels the need to act violently in order to make their opinions heard is a weak willed sniveling waste of skin.

Shouting works perfectly well .... and what works better is to actually have a well thought out, and acceptable set of idea's presented in a way that interests and benefits people.

But hey.... some people are just jerks.

Well, I don't disagree with you, but I will point out that in the Koran it encourages muslims to wage a holy war on the infidel. And does so in those words. Is this saying attack and threaten all non-muslims until they convert to Islam? I don't think so, but my interpretation is no more valid than anyone elses.

If you read the religious texts, you begin to see the thought pattern of some people. I don't pretend to understand them, that would involve a life of study for each religion, and then some. But I am aware of why some people do the things they do. Religion is a hot topic at the minute, but we should be more cocerned with religious interpretation. After all a religion can do nothing, and cannot even exist if it has no-one to work through. It can be great and humbling, it can be destructive and disrespectful. But it can only be as good and bad as a person can be. If that person was not religious would they be the same but have no excuse for their actions? We may never know. But it is a person that tends to the sick, and it is a person that pulls a gun. Not a religion.

Pete.

pete.... that was beutifull... i think we are saying the same thing here.

I really really wish that everyone could just get along ...... i mean... is it really all that important what name(s) you give to god.

If god minded that much.... surley he'd do somethink about it.... fhe has before (allegedly).