Can't you simply live your life without a religion?

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57
GoldenBirdposted 12 years ago
Are you myopic? Do you need your religion-glasses properly? No offence, I am indeed curious after watching the pious zeal around.
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1. 57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "to see properly?"
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2. 59
  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I left religion because I was not living my own life, I was living the life religion wanted me to. Religion only steepened the illusion and made it that much harder to climb out of myself. Religion can trap the mind and make us blind to the real world, in religion we are not ourselve's. Be no one's puppet for your body and mind are your's.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  What about it makes you your own slave?
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The problem is, that as westerners, we have been duped. We see only that which they want us to see and like perfect slaves we did exactly that.
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  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Any solution to that?
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  wilmiers77posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You were missing the personal seeking of Christ Jesus which would have resulted in a relationship only between you and Jesus. Religion simply suggests a few general subjects to begin seeking God's thoughts and developing a relationship between You and God only in private. The Son of God, Jesus, is that mediator between You and God. Jesus is that first form for your mind since all thoughts are based on matter and the Spirit from God who needs no matter.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Reality to the observer is an illusion of the mind. Even now is an illusion, for my mind is telling me that this is reality. So then, If I chose a God, it would be an illusion that I use to fit in with reality. Then also, this reality would be God for it is the creation of now. Tomorrow does not exist and now will not take me to the reality of tomorrow, for tomorrow will eventualy be now. Thus it will repeat every second of every minute of every hour, ad-infinitum.
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  wilmiers77posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
  
  Matthew 6:33
  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
  
  Seek a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus, who has God's Spirit. No church members or even pastor can do this for anyone....only U...
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I walked away from the church and the religion there of, because I was not learning anything of myself. I had learned that I should not cow tao to an idea that keeps me spiritualy hungry and yet I learn nothing of the real world from. I moved on because there is so much more to learn in the world then the emperical ideas of a people that are no longer living. I learned that I must live in the world and I have no choice but to be of it. I am part of this universe and Christianity only kept me from seeing it as it is. All else is an illusion and that illusion is comfortable, seems to be the running theme in religious circles.
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  parrsterposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Goldenbird, I think that religiosity is the natural progression from an acceptance that there is a supreme being and a desire to know him. Therefore, to ask if it is possible to live without religion, is to ask if it is possible to live without God.
  Is it possible to live without God? No, for we would not exist.
  Is it possible to live with God, but without seeking him? Yes, millions of people are doing that very thing.
  The more profound question might be, 'Is it better to seek God, or not, and why?'
  I like your question.
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  58
  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It is the acceptance of a BELIEF in a supreme being and the question is whether or not one can live without the belief, which is the same thing as if asking if one can live without mosquito bites. If any god existed, the acceptance to its existence would be evident and in agreement with everyone.
  
  Others have found things that were originally believed to be myths, but they were events few and far between and usually something physically real.
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  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Well, seriously, do you think most people have a choice?
  
  People have religious beliefs because they need them. They find value in there and they can't just shut it off and say 'I don't believe that any more".
  
  The other side is just as true. I always rejected religion as superstitious nonsense. I see the value and comfort that it can bring, but I can't just say "Oh, it would be helpful to believe, so I will".
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  58
  WD Curry 111posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Where I am from, we call this personal integrity.
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  92
  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No, that would be something different. For example, if I pretended to be religious to gain work or a contract, I would not have integrity.
  
  I had an interesting situation some years back where I was called in on a problem and the owner wanted to know if I was "saved" before I began working on the problem. I answered honestly and he didn't want to hire me because I did.
  
  I said I understood, but I didn't know of anyone else who could help without flying in from out of State at great expense and here I was, so why not let me fix it? He would only agree if he could have an hour to "save" me - and he'd buy lunch.
  
  I told him that wasn't going to change my mind, but if he paid for lunch, I'd listen. So I fixed his problem, he wrote me a check and we went to lunch. He preached Jesus for an hour and I then left, still unsaved. He was disappointed but took it well.
  
  I guess we both acted with integrity.
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5. 71
  mathiraposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Religion is like food to me as it is essential for my survival.I have a crutch in my religion to lean on when I am in trouble.
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51
paarsurreyposted 12 years ago
That would be a very un-natural thing to do.
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1. 57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Indeed!
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paarsurreyposted 12 years ago
We should neither follow East nor the West; we should be with the Truth.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Ah ha! And it is as simple as seeing the truth. Be awake and the world is beautiful, follow the dream and there will be nightmares.
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2. 57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Some folks sold Truth for money.
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  51
  paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  We should refuse to follow them
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AshtonFireflyposted 12 years ago
The problem is that religion has become too much about ritual and not enough about lifestyle.
To me, religion=lifestyle, as defined by the teachings which later were organized into "organized religion" which nowadays is alot of times nothing more than a corporate business.
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1. 51
  paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I agree with you.
  
  Still one could find the truth and leave the garbage
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  AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Possibly, yes.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  And let paarsurrey make a solution for us
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  AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Solution to what? lol
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  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Finding a shortcut lane to escape from the garbage-land.
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  AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  lol garbage-land?
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  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Sounds like Disneyland!
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  AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  LOL. Except not as enjoyable.
  
  Unless you're a goat...
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  There are no short cuts, just a long road between the "Maternity ward and the crematorium".
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Birds can walk a little distance. They cheat their walking-capacity when they spread their wings and fly.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  But that is a bird and we have no wings and I have never been on a plain.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Really?
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  59
  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I have a car but I prefer to walk. I do not cheat the shoe leather express, still going since 2,000 b.c..
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Have you ever seen love?
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  59
  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  If you speak of imagination, I fly everyday. I am an adult yes, but I am still an 8 year old at heart. If you truly knew me, you would be happy to know me and I am sure it is the same for you. At least you seem cool enough from here.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I see love in the eyes of a mother holding her child and I too have seen God in this.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks! -"birds of a feather flock together" and those things. :-)
  
  Life is short and let us jump to friendship without much delay. I would have liked to have wine with you, but the distance does not permit that in near future. However, we have wings.
  
  Added to that what you have pointed, imagination, I also meant consciousness. As it is with love, we can not see consciousness.
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  59
  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Life is as intangible as the labels we give it.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  That's better than not ever realizing that some of life is indeed intangible.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The precepts that we live by are as intangible as the words themselve's.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Ok, you win! Let the bird fly, and find the theory of aviation afterwards.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I don't want to win, I only want to share an experience albeit, a personal experience. I like talking to you, you're very zen like and I appreciate the candour.
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  57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I am a poet, and writing poetry requires good memory and seeing the essence of things, which is what we call insight. And poets are good at deciphering hypocrisy, and perhaps for that they avoid that thing themselves.
  
  I would have loved the wine :-) I read about the dream you had, somewhere recently. I will tell you that dreams can often act like a key to a lock. What a man may not find through years, a dream may reveal that in seconds. It's a good practice to document profound dreams.
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  59
  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You are very wise. I will enjoy the time we spend together, even if we cannot enjoy that time in the same room.
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  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  When will you begin avoiding it?
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  Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I thought pride was a sin.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I like the moniker that you chose. It's kinda funny.
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51
paarsurreyposted 12 years ago
Search, struggle and pray to the Creator God to be steadfast on the truthful path; wherever it is, with whomsoever it is.
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1. 57
  GoldenBirdposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Are you asking "the Creator God to be steadfast on the truthful path"?
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  paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Yes, I do pray; one should not waver away from the truthful path
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Kyle Payneposted 12 years ago
I can live without it, but I would not be happy.
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58
WD Curry 111posted 12 years ago
GoldenBird - I am done with the Religion and Philosophy forum for awhile. I have more fruitful pursuits. Out of respect for you and your work, I will answer your question. I can only speak for myself. Faith and religion are not always synonymous. I cannot live without faith.

Yes, sometimes I have proven to be spiritually myopic, but Jehovah Gyra has proven to be patient with me. God bless you. You are a world class talent.
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1. 58
  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Yes, they are and yes, you can.
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melporposted 12 years ago
Of course you can live your life without religion. There are many people who are doing just that. Religion is just the thought or some form of hope people carry in their mind believing that there is something after this life once we die if you want to generalize it. One day we will find out when the time come.
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yolanda yvetteposted 12 years ago
Of course a person can live their life without religion. God gives us all freewill, right? And since He does why is it necessary for some people to oppose the right of each individual to choose their own way. Non-believers seem to spend an awful lot of time accusing believers of trying to convert them, yet fail to see that they're doing the same thing trying to convince us to disbelieve. Interesting.
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  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Interesting? How dishonest is that?
  
  There wouldn't be accusations if believers weren't commanded to evangelize their religion and didn't put that into action.
  
  Non-believers are simply pointing out they don't want to be evangelized and can find out information on Jesus any time they want. They wouldn't have anything to do with convincing anyone of anything if it were not for the evangelizing of your religion.
  
  Try to be honest when you post such things. Interesting, indeed.
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  59
  lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  How are you going to cope when you realise that other people are being completely honest?
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  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The moment they actually are completely honest, and not before.
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Bill Yovinoposted 12 years ago
Religion exists because humans are aware that they will ultimately die, and need to create something to distract them from that eventuality.
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  Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Yeah, fear of hell
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paarsurreyposted 12 years ago
Can't you simply live your life without a religion

Truthful religion is very useful; so why live without it?
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1. 76
  Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I live in a bible belt town, you mean switch to Muslim, then I would be really living lonely as hell.
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BettyPetiteposted 12 years ago
Religion is a wide-spread accepted belief in a culture. There're many religions correspond to different cultures. So, living without a specific religion, sure. But I think, a belief system is necessary to establish at least some orders and gatherings, and traditions for a culture. This however shouldn't be so strict though. And I think many people find hope in religion. Bottom line, yes, living without religion (as so defined as these organized religions nowaday) but in a broader sense of a belief system, no, the society as a whole or a culture always needs a belief system (ex: one god/des, multi god/dess, universe, karma, etc...)
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  Bill Yovinoposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Religion is a wide-spread, accepted delusion.
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  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Well, self delusion maybe. But I think delusion is too strong. It's a comforting belief that never gets examined closely. I think most people are smart enough to know that their beliefs are confused and contradictory, but they don't care. They don't want to look too close.
  
  And really, that's ok. No harm, no foul.
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  wilmiers77posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Call religion a delusion if you must. But, the ones with faith is experiencing a confirmation continually in the natural world, seeing many signs of things predicted. So, it appears that delusions has the possibility of becoming reality!
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  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No confirmations except those that could come from self hypnosis.
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  wilmiers77posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No, confirmation received by born again Christians springs from their experiences and the way things are presently; it can be a sudden revelation with pure clearity, a new reality for all time. This is far from "fooling one's self".
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  History repeats itself, for we tend to live in the past. Then it appears as if something said is now becoming a reality. I can always guess the outcome and sometimes I will be right, this does not mean that it is divinely inspired. What is divine is the fact that there is now that we can exist in. Now is God, for now is a miracle as long as I am part of it. I woke up breathing and now that I am still alive is a miracle. The fact that this universe exists is a miracle and there is no way we can fully understand it, only be with it.
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  wilmiers77posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Living in the "now" could mostlikely have success for a small band of people, but once the group grows into the millions a more general belief sysem is needed. If the belief system is not expanded, than the energies of all persons interacting become like a pot of water on the fire which heats up, and if not allowed to expand explodes.
  
  Religion is a stablizer, a cohesiveness, and a vent for a continuing peaceful society.
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  mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  If it were the way you said it was, the second a person questioned it, the water would explode and the individual thinker would be cast out or killed. That is what happened in the past and it spans almost all religious belief. Religion is dangerous and it can lead to dangerous behavior.
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paarsurreyposted 12 years ago
Life won't be simple without the truthful religion
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1. 92
  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Really? I havent noticed any problem with my life.
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  paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Because it has been kept in safe limits by the Creator God; so everbody takes it for granted.
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  Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Oh, so I dont have to believe in nonsense for it to protect me?
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2. 58
  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Perhaps, some prefer a more complicated life rather than being simple.
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Cassie Smithposted 12 years ago
People do every day.
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Bill Yovinoposted 12 years ago
Religious people don't have a monopoly on morality. In fact, history shows that some of the least moral, least humane people who have walked this earth were very religious. Religion = discrimination, alienation, and persecution. Just say no.
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82
phillippeengelposted 12 years ago
I can live a life without a religion, but a religion cannot live without a life.
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