Lunatock

And Islam is losing the poll 4 to 8. The idea of Ron Perlman, Oded Fehr, Evan Seinfeld, or merely imfamous Mensch & Maidles like ZF, Big Ross or Moya giving me a "HA HA!" is almost enough to make me vote.

leib10

I can agree that 99% of the disagreeable aspects of most organized religions come from man. For example, many people criticize the Catholic faith for the confession of sins to priests, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and the saints, etc. when none of those things was ever mentioned in the Bible. All of those practices were created by men, who are fallible and not all-knowing.

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"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man

PubFather

I can understand this PoV and certainly dont disregard that people of all major religions have contributed hugely to human understanding and to moral philosophy more generally.

I do think there is a difference between faith in the rightness of a goal, and faith in the teachings of a religion. For eg, religious faith implies (in my view) that a doctrinally difficult part of a religion just needs to be accepted by a true believer, in the hope that the rationale for it will be revealed later. My view is that if I am unable to accept that view, then it needs to be rejected.

Part of what jaundices my view of religion was my own Calvinist/Baptist upbringing which was very doctrinal and rigid. I do realise not all Christians/Jews etc have such a rigid approach and that is healthier to society. It also renders the religion itself almost meaningless, if you pick and choose what you believe.

A case in point would be Christians claiming to follow old Testament laws (belief in the whole Bible) - but eating shell-fish and pork, for eg. Yet Christians will quote OT laws in condemnation of homosexuality....

Religious teaching's ultimate authority does derive from "revelation", and that is what concerns me most. Many of the conclusions of the religions are laudable and I agree with much of the idealism of the Christian faith (and Buddhism especially too). I do think we need to seperate those beliefs from the religion - and they do not need the religion to make them stand.

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Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - Scottish Motto

"They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion” Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan

PubFather

Which is another of my major concerns about religion - most are warped so far from the original ideal that they would probably be unrecognisable to their original founder's intent.
Once a religion becomes organised - it becomes much more corruptable

-{SpoonmaN}-

Jews and Muslims not eating pork comes from real-world practicality, since a hunk of pork might just kill you in ancient times. The whole 'no booze' thing in Islam comes from rampant alcoholism in Arab communities before Mohammed came along, and I guess suicide being a sin could be attributed to the concern that everyone who believed in heaven might kill themselves to get there sooner.

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"I have this to say to the people of Australia: Kick me, I'm different."

HistoricalDavid

Unless you genuinely believe in the supernatural, then all of it comes from man.

ColonalStriker

Wrong but i think peoples opinions should be heard.

nabilfannoush

are you KIDDING?? This poll is ridiculous and serves absolutely no point except inducing fights between people who don't know any better. Besides its not the religions but the indivdual people who follow them are what makes the deceiving impression that one religion is 'better' than another. Please people there's no need for this kind inflammatory 'vote'. the morons of the world dont need the help

Mekstizzle

Wait, who was it that invented the Karma Sutra again?

Parihaka

Agreed

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In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Parihaka

Agreed

Parihaka

Agreed

Parihaka

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