chickentribs

Just want to jump in quickly with 1 or 2 short observations. There are a lot of ideas being tossed around that easily warrant their own threads, like the particulars of given religions, what are morals, God and Satan shaking hands and making up (huh?), etc...

What I took from Jaded's first post that really stuck with me is why is it that smart, rational people have to toss logic out the window in order to go to church on Sunday. If you are somebody that is compelled to find answers, to continue to learn new ideas in your life, work, and relationships - to evolve as a human race - how do you quit asking questions and accept carte blanch the story you were told and justify it with "faith"? Faith kills learning and pursuing new ideas out of fear that something may come up that won't jive with the all important story that's been told.

Could their really be a God that would judge people based on us questioning the very essence of spirituality? I mean come on, if he does exist his self-esteem has GOT to be better than that, no?

I respect religions, and do think when all is said and done they probably have done at least as much good for people as the bad they toss into the world in the name of themselves. But I can't respect faith. It is a cop-out and says "stop asking questions". And you can say we risk becoming "only worm food" for pursuing truth, I would wager you have sold your human spirit out for your story.

For what it is worth, I have read some of the most intelligent and logical arguments for religion and Jesus here at TFP. There are some very strong people with theology backgrounds who show up in the Philosophy Forums, and it's pretty interesting to read through the arguments. Cool. Thanks for the time.

__________________
Oft expectation fails...
and most oft there Where most it promises
- Shakespeare, W.