[Inter.spem.et.metum]

Again your opinion shows through. These are new times with old timers. The youth in this country are beginning to become religiously evolved, finding wisdom in all things. They are social absorbed and intellectually curious, which leads them to research and compilation. Most religious discussions lead to the molding of ideas. The belief system which forces one to turn a blind eye upon similarities is being questioned. We are beginnning to mold more and more. I find this evident in any city I visit, even in my home town of Augusta Georgia. And this town is traditionally extremely conservative, with the majority of christians being southern baptist. This close-minded part of society is dying.

Although I agree with your observations, I believe those who frown upon religion prevent themselves from observing any trends in religion. If your not looking, you won't find. And you can't rely on the media for information, I'm sure you can agree with that.

Also, you must understand that those who are striving for reconciliation aren't afraid to die. It is for the love of others, and it is not in vain.

Any suggestions?

By the way: 2+2=4 which is 1 concept:2+2=1 and the concept of dependency concludes (2+2=1)+(2+2=4)=5. Perception is everything.

[Garry Denke]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

I would be interested to know the general religious background of readers of this forum. I assume that most of you are intelligent reasonable people, else why would you subscribe to Hypography, and so your experience would be interesting.

I am a product of the Latter Day Saints religion (the Mormons) from Salt Lake City – Utah although I dropped out over fifty years ago. Since then, possibly because of my advancing age and acceptance of my own mortality, I have begun to investigate my old religion. To my surprise it is even more stupendously crazy than I thought so long ago. With age come reason.

What are your experiences?

Hello JamesBrown,

No religion here, was raised Atheist.
Tried to join LDS, failed, and gave up.

YouTube - American Atheists Update 10-02-2007

As Mad, from Pa, now Texas.
Sorry about your experiences.

Well back to work,

Garry Denke

--
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, then beat 'em.
-Madalyn Murray O'Hair
(1919-1995)

[rshanen]

They tell me that as a young child I was baptized in the Catholic church, I guess I believe them, makes no difference to me. I then spent most of my youth in the Church of God. I can remember sitting in church every sunday watching the preacher try to save us all from hell. But more than that I remember always thinking that something about this whole show never really rang true to me. I see a world full of religions that are hell bent on conversion. Once they convert you they want your total life which entails a good portion of your money and perhaps your life in some way, ie war. God didn't really mean, "Thou shalt not kill" along with a lot of other things that are in "His Word".

The more I looked into the real Jesus, I found someone who wasn't at all interested in converting the world to his beliefs. On many occassions he specifically says just the opposite. If you listen to many of the acclaimed ministers of the day, they are hell bent on conversion which I believe doesn't jive with what their God is actually saying. I kind of get this impression about some other religions too. Point is, I try to stay as far away from organized crime, I'm sorry, religion as possible.

[Mike C]

To All

I guess most of you should know me as the former New Science and now Mike C.
Nothing new to post, so I decided to check this thread out.

I was born and raised as a catholic. Later in life, I renounced that religion and have adopted NATURE as my religion.

Two important reasons for this is the popes opposition to abortion that is common in Nature since the land predators commit 'post abortion' and the 'food' chain in the oceans and seas is wholesale 'post abortion' where about 80% of the newborns are consumed as food. This to maintain some balance in the species.
Second - The popes opposition to 'volentary euthanasia' as the popes promoton of 'suffering'. There is NO sufferinmg in Nature.

In conclusion, the bible is mostly a 'big lie' and promotes the 'word' as gospel.

On the other hand, NATURE is a PICTURE that teaches much more than the word can do.

Sorry if I sound 'preachy' but someone has to tell the truth. That is my mission in life.

Mike C

[Pyrotex]

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

Again your opinion shows through.

So what? Your opinions show through, too. You say that as if its proof of badness or wrongness. Any time anyone takes a stand or a point of view, their opinion shows through. YOU are not exempt.

These are new times with old timers. The youth in this country are beginning to become religiously evolved, finding wisdom in all things.... This close-minded part of society is dying.

You miss the big picture. Trends toward conservatism, then towards a more liberal interpretation, rock back and forth like a pendulum over the generations. The last big cycle started in 1900-1920 with the birth of "similarity" religions, liberal interpretations, feel-good churches. Then around 1940-1950, the pendulum starting swinging back the other way, with hardcore fundementalism "separationist" religion taking the court. Back and forth. Your "new times" have been here before, and will die away, and then return some day.

Although I agree with your observations, I believe those who frown upon religion prevent themselves from observing any trends in religion....

I grew up in a very fundemental church, with lots of Bible reading and study. After reading the entire Bible straight through several times, I found myself with a global understanding -- and my faith evaporated. I have actually studied religious trends FAR more as an atheist -- as an unbiased observor -- than I ever did as a xtian. I have made an intense hobby of researching the origins and foundations of the xtian religion. Fun stuff! No really, I mean that. But increased wisdom, knowledge and understanding simply makes all that religious passion out there seem all the more naive and witless. Sorry.

Also, you must understand that those who are striving for reconciliation aren't afraid to die....

Be very careful what you wish for.

By the way: 2+2=4 which is 1 concept:2+2=1 and the concept of dependency concludes (2+2=1)+(2+2=4)=5. ...

You were doing so well -- and then you had to throw this gibberish in. Rather a shame, actually. I was beginning to enjoy reading your posts. Oh well. Try again.

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

Yes I am well aware of the fluctuations between realism and idealism throughout history. Renaissance, Baroque, the Enlightenment,, Neoclassical, romantic, realist, impressionist, expressionist, then into the modern arts. I mention the arts because they are a direct effect of the ideologies of the time. They are sometimes premature, and sometimes they come late, but the arts are still a good indicator.

I would agree with your interpretations of the cycles. But I would take it farther:

1900-1930's Idealism
1940-1950's Realism
1960-1970's Idealism
1980's Realsim
1990's Idealsim
2000-2005 Realsim
2007-present Idealism

There are plenty of studies trying to determine
the magnitude of each reaction to the prior period. And most of them find that the fluctuations are shortening, meaning that people are beginnning to fidn interest in both ideologies.

I would argue that people are finding a middle road. We are moving very close to a new age where people aren't blindly idealistic, and they refuse to be blatantly apathetic. This is all theory because you can't predict the future with any certainty, but the patterns can support the idea. Its what I, and hopefully an emerging population, can look forward to.

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

Yeah, you gotta love relative inumeration!

[Garry Denke]

No religions wanted me.

And that's that.

[Southtown]

Originally Posted by Mike C

To All

I guess most of you should know me as the former New Science and now Mike C.
Nothing new to post, so I decided to check this thread out.

I was born and raised as a catholic. Later in life, I renounced that religion and have adopted NATURE as my religion.

Two important reasons for this is the popes opposition to abortion that is common in Nature since the land predators commit 'post abortion' and the 'food' chain in the oceans and seas is wholesale 'post abortion' where about 80% of the newborns are consumed as food. This to maintain some balance in the species.
Second - The popes opposition to 'volentary euthanasia' as the popes promoton of 'suffering'. There is NO sufferinmg in Nature.

But his claiming to be god was somehow easy to swallow?
"The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth." Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, "Cities Petrus Bertanous". [source]

Originally Posted by Mike C

In conclusion, the bible is mostly a 'big lie' and promotes the 'word' as gospel.

Are you aware that 'gospel' means 'good news'? Perhaps you meant 'infallible'.

[Southtown]

Originally Posted by Garry Denke

No religions wanted me.

And that's that.

You cannot find what you are not seeking.