8 replies to this topic

[Kerry Thorn]

"God is in my fingers, god is in my head. God is in the trigger, god is in the lead. God is freedom, god is truth. God is power, god is proof. God is fashion, god is fame. God gives meaning, god gives pain." - Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree.

What does the word 'God' mean to you? A higher being, a person, an object? Do you believe in god? Why? Is god not more of a code than an actual being? The whole idea of god is to keep people in line, to treat each other as he would have himself treated. My opinion is exactly this. God is just a word fashioned into a whip. If you believe that god is non-existent, believers will attempt to rectify you, because that is the way that they are programmed. The Christian faith, for example was initially founded as a rough law for people to abide by, and they needed something to keep people from straying, and therefore becoming technical lawbreakers. So they introduced an almighty figure of power that we cannot comprehend, and that is omnipotent, and omnipresent, so that they would never stray.

The idea of god became well known, all over the world, and was created by different people in different ways. Some faiths have many gods, some have gods that are the ground, wind and fire. Some faiths worship stars and planets. But almost every faith has a god. A higher power that judges them, protects them, and makes them behave. God is a word of power. Hearing provokes reckless thoughts, some of which are hard to think about. There are many words of power. Some more examples are : Police. Government. You will notice that these are words most people associate with fear, and repression. An interesting idea to ponder.

Personally, I find it hard to think about. I keep asking myself what the purpose of mortal existence is. An easy answer is that we are here for a reason, and that we don't have to worry, because there is a plan, ready made for us. This is false, however you wish to look at it. If we abandon all religion, we would advance technologically and mentally at an incredible rate, but we would probably be driven insane with the thought that there is no goal in the universe, that we have no purpose. That is the reason of god. That is why god exists. To give us a reason to keep living, to power through the day, as if it means something in the minuscule blip of time we spend in the universe, and the tiny fraction of space we occupy. And on top of that, it gives us the strength to put on a mask, a veil of false emotion, so that our fellow man may continue to wallow inside their own personal shroud of misery, without having to accept that it exists, that everyone has it, somewhere. They might not know it, but that I am sure is true. God is an excuse to exist.

Now, I am going to go to sleep, wake up tomorrow, and continue with life, with the comfort of the illusion of purpose.

Thanks for reading, even if you don't reply.

Kerry ♥

[NeppyNepNep]

While I myself am not a religious person, I respect those that are and do not judge them on that fact. However I would only ask to be treated with the same respect. So I hope no one is going to rag on me for my opinions and views in this post >(

I find myself agreeing to many of your points. God is nothing more than a figurehead of power and fear. I used to be a Christian, as a child, however as I got older I began asking my Christian teachers questions about this mysterious being. However they never fully answered my questions. They always avoided them. One thing that always annoys me, is that most religious people demand that you worship this "good" and "all-powerful" God, pushing their religion into your face as they attempt to convert you. They ramble on that if you don't accept you in your heart, then you're going to hell. Even if you're the kindest, sweetest person in the world, you would go to hell even if you didn't believe in God. What "good" and "all-powerful" being would punish someone just for not believing in them? Why does this "all-powerful" being need to judge, by lesser being standards, a person on their beliefs. Surely they should be judged on their strength of character, and kindness? If I were to believe in a higher being, then they have to be truly omnipotent and not judge anyone on their beliefs or any other quality [Since I have even heard people say that people of a certain sexual preference and race would go to hell], but on the sum of their kindness towards others.

I tend to find that people use this God being as a way of escaping, or as a way of control. The Catholic Church I know, take money from their worshipers and have done for hundreds of years. But they don't use the money for good. They use it to make themselves rich. And the thing is, religion is protected against certain taxes and laws so I see them more as a scam than a viable source of laws and morals. How can you tell people not to judge and be good to people when your own God goes against those very values?

Unfortionately for the religious, the world is changing. People are becoming more open minded and more accepting than others. Homosexuals used to be punished as being "evil" and "corrupt" and now in most countries they're being accepted for who they are and not for their sexual preferences. I agree with you saying that if we got rid of religion then we would move forward as a civilisation towards great technological achievements. Religion stopped the development of Science for hundreds of years! If people set their goals to exploring this vast and wonderful Universe, advancing themselves to better thinking would be helping themselves and their entire race. They don't need God to tell them how to act or think. As a race, our goal should be about getting into headache by kissing some unknown beings arse. It should be about moving forward as a species, to open our minds to endless possibilities. Who knows, maybe we can ascend like Ancients in Stargate xD

I hope that made sense. Kinda didn't to me xD But for those who didn't bother reading it all. It's my opinion that God doesn't exist xP

[Tripp]

I've been critised a lot before for my specific religious views, such as it is now that I'm in a position of owning a community and I don't want to represent everyone like that... Knowing how things can be taken out of context so easily. On the internet. My views/opinions in this thread from hereon are NOT the views and opinion of EcchiDreams as a whole. I'm an Atheist, I don't rub people's faces in it, I don't critise others for their religions, I could with how crazy one or two are (No names, no lawsuits). I say: Live and let live, everyone has the right, in my eyes, to their own choice of religion or lack of. Individuality is what makes the world go round!

There is an image posted on George Takei's facebook fanpage that better explains the points of view that I share:

That's a question I was asking myself since I was eight years old, which lead me on to thinking more and more, by the time I came to before my 12th birthday where I promised myself that, starting on my 12th birthday I would become an atheist and commit my time to ways I can better myself. Sure, I've made big mistakes and I've made advancements, I truly feel since denouncing my religion at the time (Again no names, no lawsuits) I've really flourished in terms of who and what I am. However that works for me. I'd never tell anyone to do that, as I also believe in what works for me, might not work for anyone else.

It's a very touchy subject. And I'm sorry I had to bulk my words out with what feels like "Political Sweet Talking Crap" I just hate having my words taken out of context. u_u

[NeppyNepNep]

I saw that image as well, and pretty much sums up what I think. I just don't think that "God" would be so petty as to allow us into "Heaven" based on some views, beliefs and sexual orientation of an individual person.

[Kerry Thorn]

Good point guys. The idea of god was at first thought in good intention, as a mere guiding light that would support you no matter who you were or what you did, however the modern idea of god seems to be that he wants us to be just like everybody else, because apparently, everything that differs from the norm is wrong.
I'm a pantheist myself, I don't believe in any gods myself, but I believe in all of the morals that they suggest.

[PsychoticMuse]

As others have said already, Being a member of staff here on the forums I do not wish my words to be misrepresented and as such in this thread, do not reflect the opinions or backing of Ecchidreams and or it's affiliates. I am posting here as a MEMBER and there for are expressing MY OWN thoughts NOT the thought of the COMMUNITY.

With this being said here we go.

I am a self proclaimed Witch, there for, I have been the subject of ridicule and backlash from everyone including my own family and close friends. I was kicked out of a faith structure (no names) that very much resembles the basis of the belief of “GOD” that has been portrayed in every post thus far.

I hold no grudges against those who have done so, and while they follow the telling of a man created faith, based around a man written book, and I while find this to be inherently wrong when they proclaim it is the “word of god”. That is a lie and thus the entire religious bases is a lie.

And that here is the problem most people hold; A problem with religion.

In this instance, while there has been statements that lead me to believe that faith was crushed by the in acceptance of the greater population of the faith/religious structure and environment the posters originated from. That doesn’t change the fact that this is about what MY belief of what GOD is.

Kerry Thorn mentioned how some faiths have more then one god, and while this is true, that does not follow the bases of the question. What does the word GOD mean to you.

To mean the word god is simply that a word, comprised of three letters mean to place meant to give structure to an invisible figure.

“So then how are you a witch then?” You may ask, well that is simple. A witch is not what is depicted in the movies, with the bubble, bubble toil and trouble, it’s not curses or hexes.

The very practice of witch craft originated in pagan religious circles (Pagan being the belief of more then ONE god) In witch craft while the deities are used and accepted, they are merely-from my perspective as there is no set rules in which to base it off of( though others would disagree highly with my findings.) They are simply a stand in for what they represent.

I’ll explain. As stated in the first post, by Kerry; GOD has turned in to a power word much like Police and government.

Love is also a power word, Aphrodite is a goddess of Grecian origins who is representation of Love goodness and fertility.

Well in Witch craft instead of using the power words for each desired effect, (in this example Love goodness and fertility.) You would then welcome the energies produced when using the POWER WORD, Aphrodite.

Does this mean that I beliefe that Aphrodite is infact a spirtual being who decended from on high? NO.

So in short, what does god me to me.

God means the same thing as Goddess to me.

God= The masculine energies, presence, and strength of a Male forum. Depending on which god you at talking the properties are endless to the power that can be drawn from that single word/title.

Goddess= The feminine energies Presence and Strength given to the female forum, Again depending on which goddess you are talking about.

It’s a balance to all things and they only thing/presence/spirit/power of this univers is the univers itself.

In this I do not believe in a Great God sitting on a throne made of light who tells anyone who doesn’t fit within that set religious grounds that they will not get eternal peace or tranquility in death.

I BELIEVE in Reincarnation of the soul.
I Believe EVERYone has the right to the after life of bliss and peace.
I Believe that you only find that when you soul has travelled this plane of existence as many times as it needs to or wishes to. However I will not dive too deeply on that comment as it would well take up more then a two page post.

So to wrap this up.

Do I believe in the stereo typed “GOD” ? No I do not.

Do I believe the word GOD has power. Yes I do, however it’s the power You personally give it that makes all the difference.

That’s my two cents for what it is worth.

[Kaalex]

I believe in god and don't

think about it, so many religions in the world, what are the odds any1 is right?

[NeppyNepNep]

PsychoticMuse, on 16 April 2012 - 00:33 hrs, said:

“So then how are you a witch then?” You may ask, well that is simple. A witch is not what is depicted in the movies, with the bubble, bubble toil and trouble, it’s not curses or hexes.

Oh... You just ruined the image that came into my mind when you said you were a witch D: Of you standing over a cauldron cackling while making a curse.

I'm only kidding xP I don't actually know that much about the Pagan faith, and I'm not going to judge you for it. Because that is what you believe in and I respect that you have that faith.

Kaalex, on 09 May 2012 - 13:59 hrs, said:

I believe in god and don't

think about it, so many religions in the world, what are the odds any1 is right?

Odds are, no one. No one knows whom is right, or wrong. Hell, maybe Atheists are wrong. We don't know. But this God being has never actively come down from the heavens and demanded us to worship him, even with the rising population of Atheists.

On paper, religion sounds like a good idea. A code of morals to abide by, otherwise you'll be tortured for an eternity. That was back when there was no real law. However in modern society, religion is beginning to loose it's hold. And a lot of people take advantage of religion as well. For example, the faith in Ireland has fallen with regards to the Catholic Church because their Priests were molesting children and the Church covered it up and just moved the priests from one village/town to another. These men, who were speaking the word of God, was destroying lives and taking advantage of the innocent. It's wrong. Like I said, it sounds like a good idea on paper. In practice? Not so much. I watched a documentary on BBC iPlayer about Ireland and their problems with the Catholic Church and it was appalling. These people had their lives destroyed, and the rape went on for years. What man of God would do such a thing? Why would God allow these men to get away with this? They were children, completely innocent. They didn't deserve that.

Most people make the claim that the hardships in life are a test, to see if we are good people. Fair enough... I guess. But why does that test have to depend on you believing in one set religion? Why do you have to do good, while blindly believing in this God? Is it not enough to be a good person by nature?

I thought Stargate had a pretty interesting view on religion. In the first arc, the "God's" were snakes in your head xD who dominated with force and fear. And the Ori. Who had the powers of what we might consider God, but they needed our worship to gain their power. They were evil. If you didn't accept their beliefs, then you were killed.

[PsychoticMuse]

NeppyNepNep, on 10 May 2012 - 13:14 hrs, said:

Oh... You just ruined the image that came into my mind when you said you were a witch D: Of you standing over a cauldron cackling while making a curse.

I'm only kidding xP I don't actually know that much about the Pagan faith, and I'm not going to judge you for it. Because that is what you believe in and I respect that you have that faith.

xDDD Well I could always do that just for you there Neppy ^-^; We are a roleplay forum after all ^-^ Oooooh evil yet slutty Witch who casts love spells all through out Thorndown xD I can see it now xD Valentines day here i come xDDDDDD Oh wait you said curses....

"I have a curse for you... May all your bacon burn" ~Calsifer from Howle's moving castle

NeppyNepNep, on 10 May 2012 - 13:14 hrs, said:

I thought Stargate had a pretty interesting view on religion. In the first arc, the "God's" were snakes in your head xD who dominated with force and fear. And the Ori. Who had the powers of what we might consider God, but they needed our worship to gain their power. They were evil. If you didn't accept their beliefs, then you were killed.

Hmmmmmm I think that is more or less a Specific *STAB STAB STAB HINT* at a select few more *ahem* zealous Religions. But yes, it`s good to know I wasn't the only one who found that not only amusing but also enlightening for so many people. >_> Save of course those very close minded people.