Eye contact also became really hard for me a few years ago, but now it's easy again. I used to be really insecure sometimes, and I think my brain was functioning like that of an ostrich. If I can't see them, they can't see me... or something. Oh, and random fact: It's easier for me to look into someone's eyes that are dark brown compared to someone with light-colored eyes. So strange.

Last time I was notified, you were under the idea that all religions, in any and all of their forms and incarnations, were bogus.

Furthermore, many (if not all) religions declare they are the one path.

The Raiseny man doesn't think that way. He's said one or two things that I was like umm.. hey, that's sort of generalizing Christians, but he's a good guy. Anywho, I think he was talking about individuals who declare their religion is the one and only path for everyone in that arrogant sort of way, not the religion itself. Most religions do say they are the one and only path, but the people don't have to go around shoving that down people's throats. I'm certain he wouldn't have a problem with someone just saying "Hey, this is what I personally believe." because I have done just that in the past and no one attempted to tear me apart. However, when someone goes around announcing "I'm right! You're wrong! You're going to burn in hell! Blah blah!", it can be a bit annoying to anyone. My religion says it's the only right path, I, on the other hand, do not have to go around saying it if someone believes something different.

Correct me, if I faulter, but:

I was providing the solution to his curious quandary . There is no crime or sin in such an activity as that.

It's not like that. I'm not shy or anything, I just can't look in there for more than a few seconds.

'It's not like that. I'm not shy or anything, I just can't look in there for more than a few seconds.'

It's because if you do they'll turn to stone!

Dammit! I'm mofo cool!

I'm also have fear from the deep seas.

Well there is a lot of creepy stuff down there. I heard that every single deep ocean trip that has been made EVER has discovered new species.

The Quakers don't declare that theirs is the only correct path. And I think the fact that so many religions do is what's really fundamentally wrong with organized religion. People should find their own ways to worship or meditate or whatever it is they need to do, or, if they don't believe in anything, that's fine too. But even if you are part of a religion that is declared to be the only correct religion by members of that religion, said members needn't go around forcing it down the throats of others, like Ambi says.

So. Yeah. I just wanted to set the record straight. I don't agree with all aspects of any one religion, particularly that aspect, but I'm not against those religions. Unless your religion is about forcing other people to join your religion. Then I'm against it.

How can you hate the deep sea ? All the mysteries and creatures we don't know about . Then again I'm obssessed with giant squids which makes me love the sea .

Just to clear things up, I wasn't commenting on the post in which you answered his question; it was the one after that.

I get a little nervous when I am below large amounts of water.

Does that happen often?

I am horribly afraid of my own mortallity. It used to bug me a lot, then I got over it for a while. Now it's back, with a vengence even.

It's just that I have no idea what will happen. I want to believe in an afterlife, reincarnation, but those seem like very difficult concepts to accept. But at the same time, I don't just want to rot in the ground.

God, I can feel my heart racing as I type this. I mean, this kind of fear is like "jolt up out of bed in a cold sweat and not being able to sleep again for several hours" material. It seriously freaks me out.

I gotta go get something to take my edge off.

Oh no, this thread is turning into another religious debate. I remember the last time this happened, and it destroyed like three threads.
And the time that me and that spoon MasterChieft did as well.
Ah... Good times.

Speaking of irrational fears.

I'm afraid that thread will turn into another religous debate. God help us all. Or my fear shall murder me.

Alcar...

Below large amounts of water? Like being in a submarine? Or scuba diving? Or um... walking through some tunnel under a tank in an aquarium?

What are you talking about? I'm saying I'm afraid of death, not bashing Jesus.

I mean, you guys console everyone else, but I put my heart on a f*cking platter and I get blamed for "Starting a religious debate."

Like in some aquariums where they have these huge tanks. I think the glass will break.

I have never forced anything down any individual's throat, much less religion.

Also, Christianity is, "a gift," to be accepted, if you will. I am most sorry if another member of my religion has attempted to force the aforementioned beliefs upon you, for they were incorrect to do as such.

Christians are to offer their beliefs. None of this, "Convert or Die," nonsense.

Dipstikk, Facsimile was not referring to your post.

Nepharski, I understand. I'm not saying Christians in general are like that today, nor even a large minority. But there was a time when that was a prominent practice, and I think there are a few who have yet to give up on it.

I think the Ba'hai (sp?) faith has it nailed. As I understand it, they believe that all religions are basically different paths to the same god. And it makes sense, doesn't it? When you consider that the Christians, Jews, and Islams all worship the same god and simply give him different names, it seems believable that, at their core, all religions are basically paths to the same place.

True...true. Thank you. That was indeed a fair assessment.

Um...The Christian and Jewish God are quiet different from the Islamic diety (who, as a side notice, does encourage, "Convert or die!"). As for those of the Christian and Jewish faith, our God is one and the same, but Jews deny the divinity of Jesus, thus separating us.

Just thought I might set you upon the right path.*





*of information.

Well actually during the middle ages Islam was much more pluralist than Christianity. There is a principle in Islam that Christianity, Judaism and Islam all worship the same god and as such Christians and Jews are considered good people, at least better than pagans. How well Christians and Jews were treated depended on the country and the ruler. For instance, during the Golden Age of Spain (fourteenth century), when the Moors were ruling that country, it was the only place in Europe where Jews could live freely. In fact the second in command to the King at one stage was Jewish.

Then Spain was reclaimed by Christians, Isabella and Ferdinand expelled the Jews and started the spanish inquisition to get rid of any who had stayed.


Now you may ask why Islam is so anti-west these days. Its a complicated answer but the quick version is to say that over the centuries the conservative stream of Islam has won out, helped by Britain's support of the Saudis after WWI. At the same time the western world has been going in the opposite direction - free-er and less conservative about many things that Islam holds fundamental.

Christianity and Islam originated from Judaism, the first religion known to teach the belief in one God. Islam took such a different path because of their Muhammad prophet guy, and Christianity did because of Christ, obviously. As for Jews, well, they're still waiting for their messiah. Therefore, they all have the same God, just totally different perspectives because of certain figures (or lack there of).

EDIT: Sorry for contributing to more religious talk in this thread. Last time, I promise-ish. :D

Thank you much, folks. I've been flipping through Genesis for a while now gathering information, but now I don't need it. I did kind of get distracted. The Bible can be pretty hilarious. There's somebody in the genealogy section of my Bible named Jobab. I cracked up hard at that. There are all these biblical-sounding names and ya know "So-and-so begat This Guy and lived for..." and then the name Joe Bob. Takes one by surprise.

So you see, Nepharski? Christians, Jews, and Muslims all worship the same god. They just have different names for him. In fact, one can trace the split back to Abraham, who begat two sons, one by his wife and one by his wife's handmaid. Abraham and his legitimate son, Isaac, and the men of the house of Abraham, would become the first circumcised Jews, and the other son, Ishmael, would begin the bloodline eventually leading, as I understand it, to Muhammed and the beginning of Islam.

EDIT: I actually looked something up in the Bible. That was cool.
EDIT 2: Deities don't speak directly, if at all, to their believers. Do you mean, perhaps, Nepharski, that Muhammed encouraged the "Convert or die!" mentality?

So much for not saying anything else religiousy; good thing I put an "-ish" after "promise". All three religions are supposed to believe the words in the Bible/Torah/Koran are the actual words of God. Personally, I think at least some parts are more indirectly his... but I don't really care.

Hmm, perhaps there should be a religious thread that's not meant to be a debate. Nothing more than a mature discussion about anything related to any religion.

good idea. Is it possible to take out all the religiousy posts from this thread and into a new one?

Unfortunately, I don't think an open thread about religion on these forums could not turn into a debate. Besides, maybe a little debate isn't so bad every once in a while. Debates help me see multiple sides of the same argument.

I love that one Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin is seeing every object from every possible perspective because he accidentally saw his father's side of an argument. High larious.

Irrational fear: that I'm going to get bombed someday by some foreigners who are really fed up with the U.S. Of course, if relations ever got that bad between the U.S. and the rest of the world, I would have already escaped to Canada. So I guess I'm safe.

Oh, I know it wouldn't last peacefully for long, but meh. Debating isn't bad, but usually people get so wound up in being "right" that they stop really listening to what the other is saying. That's what I meant by discussion, so no one gets too pissed off. Everyone could nicely discuss their views and points, but unfortunately, some people aren't mature enough for that.

Calm down mate. I was not directing at you, it's just so happens that we are allowed to respond to other posts in a thread, despite what the last post is about. I'm sorry for any confusion.
On your topic, however, I agree, death is frightning, so I try not to dwell on it too much.