29% of Americans say religion 'out of date'

Ha, I think we need a new and improved god too. Maybe a generic god and religion would work better, a one size fits all superstition, complete with a whole new line-up of omnipotent super heroes. Instead of god, picture a new spook, Ming the merciful. Or, just use Santa, he still seems to be popular with the majority. Them churches could bring in a lot of revenue from commercial endorsements with a Santa in charge. I can see big bucks in merchandising too if there are THAT many people still into this superstitiousness.

They better get to work on revising those 10 commandments too (or was it 15?) to fit with modern time. Few of us have neighbors these days with cows to covet. And heck, everybody looks at their neighbors wife/wives these days. What's god gonna do, gouge everyones eyes out for looking? And stealing, heck, you can't have socialism with THAT commandment still on the books.

Yup, that old moldy christianity (as well as most all of those other antique religions) sure could use a fresh coat of paint. And change the day too, having to go to church on a Sunday can ruin an entire two day weekend. Hold it on Tuesday at noon or something, when I'm already up and dress and out and about. Don't make me haul my butt out of bed on a day off, folks just won't go if it's too much of an inconvenience. Better yet, replace all those haunted houses with church kiosks, that would allow for a lot more flexibility. You can walk up, press a button, get a quick sermon, be forgiven for all your crimes since your last visit, and then it can automatically tithe my bank account (or billed me next fall with no interest).

Oh, churches could also issue something like the frequent flier points too, that might bring it forward. You can use those points to pay for old sins, or upgrade to a better virgins upon your arrival in heaven. And rebates on tithing, some folks might go for that too. An occasional sales on penitence would be keen, maybe print some coupons in the local papers. "20% off on your next sin." Oh, and that music .. dread. Get some youngsters involved in THAT department. PLEASE. When was the last time any of those tunes were on the top ten list anyhow?

Sounds like some of you have had negative experiences with Christianity. I am sorry you haven't experienced the True Christian Church...many of you that deny Christ know the Bible better than so many that profess Christ. I suggest you read Matthew 5-6-7...Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
You speak of religion as "controlling." How so? My faith leads me to be true to my wife, to help my fellow man despite faith, love my family, to be charitable, loving, giving, forgiving, trusting, to strive for morality and ethics, all good ideals weither you believe or not.
If you feel I'm iggnorant or backwards for Jesus and God being the basis for my faith and actions...so be it.

Originally posted by The Blind Eye
I see the poll as a good sign, that we are evolving, little by little free thinking will replace mindless dogma... and all of humanity will benefit from this transition.

"Free thinking" is a loaded term, full of meaning and dogma.
Hmmm?
But, if the phrase polls well, consider the PTB will start using it.

The end of religion as we know it -
will be the beginning of mankind's true spiritual self.

Originally posted by iamcamouflage
Are you threatening me? You last sentence is quite ominous and harsh. I'm sorry you wish to cast judgment upon me and others who do not believe the same thing you believe in.

What makes you so certain that you and your religion of choice are correct. Maybe you were just born in the wrong country. Someone elses god is disappointed in you and is certain that you are going to find out how terribly wrong you are.

Threatening you? No! And as far passing judgement - not my job either. There's a higher power who does that.

They are all basically the same God, just different interpretations, customs, tenets, beliefs etc... of the Ultimate Creator. Do you honestly think that God can't recognize the flaws and limitations of man and account for it? God forgives those who seek forgiveness.

I am referring to the 29% that do not believe in the existence of God - THEY will learn how terribly wrong they are when it is their time. And God will forgive them if they wish His forgiveness.

Reply to post by Chevalerous

Like every politician.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

I don't get it?

If Bush had an approval rating of 29% he gets slammed for it, yet Christianity gets a 29% disapproval rating, it is praised?

If anything has an approval rating of 78% it is not a bad thing!

Considering that 30% of the population are just plain whackos!

reply to post by AlreadyGone


A Represenative Republic in which we live, can only work for a citizenship that believes in Christian God.

Look at the societies which do not have a majority of its citizens believe in God. Totalarian dictatorships, and other substandard governmental regimes.

The mos free thing in the world is FREE THINKING.
Many of you exercize FREE SPEECH as a lousy substitute for it,

Christianity in my mind is something that has been tainted and manipulated throughout the ages. The religion as it came from Jesus I would bet is something totally different then the religion as we know it today. Too often is religion used as a tool by man to control the populace. If only we know what the true untainted words of all the prophets are. Not just Jesus, but all of them from each religion. I bet they would be vastly different then what we see before us in the world.

I wish we had the untainted words of the prophets to live our lives by. Not the revised and new version that includes all the selfish and used for control changes made throughout history for every leader who it suited. I bet the religions would be much more about love and light, instead of what many have done, turning a beautiful word into a hateful we are better then you story.

I tried finding it to no avail... anyone know the number of people polled, gallup is a good source for stuff, just personal curiousity.

Without religion, we'll all start fighting, killing, and maiming, it'd be awful, when someone turns to atheism, they get possessed by demons immediately, then they start raping molesting and stealing, its terrible. That's only ok if a higher power asks/tells you to do it, you can't just willy nilly start doing that.

The above was sarcasm lol.

I wouldn't be upset if society one day voted a President in that was atheist, and didn't believe that soldiers will go to heaven so life is ok to end early, phew conscious is cleared. Although, with all i'd be weary of an atheist President too, just cause.... well i'm on ats, so obviously I have serious trust issues like everyone else here!



[edit on 26-12-2009 by Republican08]

Originally posted by fmcanarney
reply to post by AlreadyGone

 

A Representative Republic in which we live, can only work for a citizenship that believes in Christian God.

Look at the societies which do not have a majority of its citizens believe in God. Totalarian dictatorships, and other substandard governmental regimes.

The most free thing in the world is FREE THINKING.
Many of you exercize FREE SPEECH as a lousy substitute for it,

Ho Hum.....


Maybe I misunderstood, a society will only be good, if it accepts something as truth with no evidence (Believes).

Have you read any of Sam Harris' books blasting that arguement... i'm tired, if I get awake, I'll post the 'evidence' against that.

I'd say that every single gov't regime out there, is corrupt, and evil, or on the verge of evil... but hey that's just politics!

reply to post by RedGolem


Statistics lie as much as politicians do because it's so easy to 1) misinterpret them because 2) it's so easy to rig the numbers.

Take the word "average." There are 3 ways to calculate average: mean, mode, and median. And, based on those surveyed, which often excludes certain groups entirely, the results can be severely skewed.

For example, if I say 9 out of 10 Americans do not get enough fiber, does that include those with eating disorders such as anorexia? the homeless? those on liquid food diets? infants and newborns?

It's so easy to make statistics "work for you" if you know how to calculate the average to make it work in your favor. Meanwhile, Americans figure that 9 out of 10 means that if 1,000,000 people are in America, then only 100,000 are getting enough fiber. But, if using the mean to calculate how many get enough fiber, including anorexics wouldn't be fair: they barely eat anything. Not to mention the other groups I mentioned who are on special diets. You might say it's safe to assume those groups were not included, but what does someone trying to profit care?

It's so easy to "create" favorable results when the "rules for calculation" are not clear cut.

Another example would be that "most women wait a year before reporting rape." You could have 9 women report it immediately, and 1 woman wait 10 years. 10 women. 10 years reporting time. The average (mean)? 1 year, even though 90% reported it immediately...talk about a difference!

Beware of statistics...

reply to post by kozmo

I am referring to the 29% that do not believe in the existence of God - THEY will learn how terribly wrong they are when it is their time. And God will forgive them if they wish His forgiveness.

Well, I am part of that 29% so I am the THEY you speak of.

They are all basically the same God, just different interpretations, customs, tenets, beliefs etc... of the Ultimate Creator. Do you honestly think that God can't recognize the flaws and limitations of man and account for it? God forgives those who seek forgiveness.

So as long as you believe in some random higher power you are safe from the wrath and judgment of god? What set of rules from what god should I be following? Those different customs, tenets, beliefs can all amount to very different things and could allow for just about anything to be justified under their guise.

And I dont really think anyone can say what a god can and cant recognize. Sorry I'm a little confused by your posts.

reply to post by AlreadyGone


These religions stem from Paganism anyway. The son is the "light of the world" the "alpha and omega."

You'd better believe the sun is the light of the world, the beginning and the end.

Without the sun (light of the world), there would be darkness and soon death.

Jesus was the "anointed" (oiled), so he "walked on water." That's funny, anointed means "oiled" and oil happens to float (walk) on water.

These religions stem from Paganism and are nothing but Sun worship.

That's why christians go to church on SUNday.

It's an elaborate story that stems from Sun and Earth worship.

Mother Earth, while the Father rains down on her, then she bears fruit (children). Talk about a sexual reference.

Religions stem from the ones before them, after they destroy them or try to. It's a means of controlling the masses, who are scared that this sick sad world is all there is.

I look down on anyone who blindly trusts such fantastical, magical thinking. Live for what you know you have already - the Earth and those around you. Be happy with what you have and stop the hating and wars. The major religious figures advocate peace but the corrupt use religion to justify hate, all starting with the fictitious stories they read in their 'holy texts.' Holy is right - full of holes.

Banish religion and bring back sensible respect and peace and unity!

Originally posted by AlreadyGone
You speak of religion as "controlling." How so? My faith leads me to be true to my wife, to help my fellow man despite faith, love my family, to be charitable, loving, giving, forgiving, trusting, to strive for morality and ethics, all good ideals weither you believe or not.

I've actually read a lot of the Bible and have taken away a lot from it, though probably moreso from the early Gnostic texts and Gospel of Thomas that were thrown out by the church...

But I also embrace many other philosophies and spiritualities, and I can see their merit as well, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, ancient Judaism, Taoism, Native American and ancient Celtic and other European traditions. And actually ALL of these cultures teach morality and ethics, to treat each other with respect, to be loving, generous, humble, and considerate of the things in the universe that are greater than one's self.

And that is where Christians usually draw the line. Not all, but the vast majority imo, especially the older generations, seem almost racist in their intolerance of other cultures and spiritualities, even saying all of these people are misled by Satan even though they are still very kind and generous/moral people and were raised believing as they do no differently than Christians in this country. At the heart of all these various traditions are the same general principles. And I look to them all equally and unite them in my own heart, here in the present moment in which I live.

reply to post by elysiumfire


Very well put. Even the ancient shamans knew there was an Almighty God they could not hope to harness or control. They worked with the lesser spirits as wholely inadequate intermediaries, sometimes to temporary effect, often to their own detriment.

This shamanism of self-fulfillment is again entering the Western culture to much the same temporary benefit and enternal risk. It is selfish rather than selfless.

There is no substitute spirituality manifest as religion, no matter what you call it, that can take the place of a personal relationship with the Creator God of the universe. It inspires, as you said, conscience and altruism.+

Is your location really Avalon?

reply to post by iamcamouflage


You are confused by my post because you don't have faith in God. If you did, it would be evident and clear. By the way, God is hardly "random"...

[edit on 26-12-2009 by kozmo]

You posters against religion and Chistianity in specific are some of the most rude, angry, judgemental and opinionated people on this boar.

The narcissism eeks from your pores.

Did you know that GOD loves you?
Each person is has sinned and errored in the eyes of GOD.
GOD desires that you surrender your will unto HIS will.
The evil spirit Satan is blinding your mind to the fact of the existence of GOD.

There are a lot of good human beings who will be going to Heaven after this life.

ELF=Everyone Lives Forever.
Where is up to you.

Our new religion is here and slowly creeping in by the way of electronic drugs IE T.V.. Has and is recreating all our mythology's in a since our gods are in the T.V.. Or quiet literally, think about people arranging there lives around the television, its actually called programing for a reason its programing you. So yes its not new, but there is an influx of programing, I remember the day when we had no cable not so long ago, we actually went outside and enjoyed our self. To me organized anything is quite literally a math equation that leads to greed. I was reading a comic called Sea Guy written by Grant Morrison, and one of the idea's to control there population was to control control the population through pills, and to film each house hold watching another house hold watching T.V.. To me that hit the nail on the head.


Cheers


[edit on 27-12-2009 by carney]

ONLY 29%? i thought we debunked christianity already. i guess we'll never really evolve. why can't we be buddhist like the japanese?