What does it matter what people believe in?

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   goingcrazyposted 10 years ago

   What does it matter what people believe in?
   
   What does it matter what people believe if it doesn't hurt anyone else?

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   Snøwmanposted 10 years ago

   That's the point of freedom of religion. You can believe whatever you want as long as you don't hurt anyone.

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3. 59

   cjhunsingerposted 10 years ago

   going
   
   It does not matter what people believe. What matters is how that belief manifests itself in society or in a government. If one believes that a god exists and then tries to force others to believe through intimidation or law, that is where the problem comes in. If we are to have a freedom of religion, then there must be a freedom from a religious mandate. Historically and in current events those who believe in a god will (not all cases) want others to believe the same.
   Christians tried several times to enforce a religious mandate on the US making Christianity the State religion.
   Equally obnoxious would be the Atheist attempting to force Atheism. The US however, is founded on secular principles,  as in no State religion, no State sponsored religion.

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   1. 74

      lone77starposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well said, CJ.

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   LoisRyan13903posted 10 years ago

   I agree it shouldn't matter.  Actually I think HP should remove the Religion and Phiosophy section because lately it has been giving very negative vibes.  Your question is good but a lot of others have turned into big arguments

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   1. 74

      lone77starposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, shouldn't matter. But I disagree about removing. If it offends you, simply stay away. Easy. Big args will always exist so long as there is Ego (self-concern). You will get this on any topic that evokes strong feelings.

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5. 74

   lone77starposted 10 years ago

   Exactly!
   
   Love compels us to be concerned for others and to have compassion for their suffering. If we have a method to reduce or eliminate suffering in the world, if we are loving, we would want that for everyone.
   
   Ego, on the other hand, would want to force such changes on others. "We'll force you to stop suffering!" This is a bit oxymoronic -- self-contradictory behavior. Some Christians have done this. I would not want their brand of fake Christianity forced on anyone.
   
   As Christ said, leave those who do not want to hear the message. They're not ready and will continue to suffer. We have to feel compassion for them, but any attempt to reason with them or argue with them is only Ego getting in the middle of something that is meant to rid us of Ego and the suffering it causes.
   
   We are all moving toward spiritual awakening, but on our own time and at our own pace. The quickening will change all this. When Ego reaches a critical mass and polarization along all vectors of human activity have stretched to the breaking point, there will be such suffering the world has never seen. In that torturous melting pot we will be forced to face our beliefs and to weigh them against the measuring stick of Truth. With mountains of death and suffering, how can we cling to petty, childish things anymore?
   
   There is a way to reduce the near-inevitable suffering to come. Start eliminating self-concern in our own selves. Be altruistically loving. Take all the desires of Ego and convert them to desires for the benefit of others. Take loving responsibility for the acts of others -- even those against self. This makes turning the other cheek effortless and makes being a victim impossible.
   
   Belief and Truth are rarely the same thing. People can believe all manner of delusion. If it doesn't hurt anyone else, let them. The delusion will fall away when we are all one, again. That's what True Love does.

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