+196 It's scary to think that the perspective, ideology or religion on which you form your worldview could be completely wrong, amirite?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

How can your view of the world be wrong? Everyone's is different.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

How can everybody be right? Especially when it comes to religious views, but with other things to. Do you believe in universal truths or do you think that there are no right or wrong answers?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I don't think you can be right or wrong when it comes to views on the world. Everyone's is different and nobody will ever know.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah, that's the scary thing. Nobody can know for sure, but SOMETHING has to be truth, doesn't it? And if I am wrong, where does that leave me? My whole life becomes meaningless

by Anonymous 13 years ago

why does that make your whole life meaningless? you already believe in something that could be among a number of wrong ideologies, but to you that gives your life meaning. In reality the meaning derived from your life comes from how you view it...not by how others do. Even if your faith is wrong, you can look back and say that you stood for something and accomplished something on earth.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah, I try to take it that way. I've said in the past that if I died with the fact that my faith was wrong, I would have no regrets about the way I lived. But if there really isn't a God, (I'm not entertaining other religions as truth atm) then doesn't life seem kind of pointless to you? We could live to love and help others, which is good. But if we die, and they die, and there is nothing else, then what on earth are we here for? To live for the day? to embrace the experience? Idk, it's hard for me sometimes

by Anonymous 13 years ago

" But if there really isn't a God, (I'm not entertaining other religions as truth atm) then doesn't life seem kind of pointless to you?" But to the religious, hasn't believing in God brought comfort to them? So even if there wasn't one in the end, it wouldn't be a complete waste since believing in God had still made them feel more comfortable with the life they had on earth?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Staunch atheists feel just as, if not more, comfortable with life on earth as staunch theists. Atheists feel they know the end, theists just hope they know the end.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yea, I know- I'm an Atheist and I have no doubts that there isn't a god. However if people believe in God and that makes them feel better, fine with me.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

"But to the religious, hasn't believing in God brought comfort to them? So even if there wasn't one in the end, it wouldn't be a complete waste since believing in God had still made them feel more comfortable with the life they had on earth?" I agree entirely with that statement. People can use religion for spiritual and moral guidance - and I fully support freedom to worship. I think the only criticism I have is if someone else's religion begins to negatively effect others.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Also Joe, I wanna say I like the way you think. I'm still unsure about religion myself, but I think doubt is a part of every faith, of every spiritual belief. But, the whole "if there's no God, everything is pointless", I disagree. If there was no deity, isn't there still family, isn't there still other people, isn't there still friendship, isn't there still the future, isn't there still education and entertainment, and hard work and rest and enjoyment?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Sorry, I know I'm commenting a lot on this post, but it really got me thinking. Can I ask anyone theist here a question (I'm assuming the majority of people are Christian, but anyone who believes in a deity) - If you found out today that there was no God (this is entirely hypothetical BTW), would you change anything about your life? Like, everyone has a rough future kinda planned out - travelling, University, occupations, marriage, etc. - what do you imagine about your future would change? I'm not asking to be condescending or anything, I really think this is an interesting topic and would like to know what people think.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

My first thought was that I'd commit suicide because the idea of a world without a caring deity is too freaking scary to contemplate. Then I realized the entire world wouldn't commit suicide, as in, I'd still have friends and family who love and care about me, so hell if I know what I'd do. Probably just go legally insane.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I would search for meaning and happiness in relationships, family, success, etc. Not that I don't already, hmmm......Well I guess the main thing that would change is that I would live life in the moment. idk...tough question

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Joe_Larson - I really like reading your posts and comments. Also, I think an individual shouldn't form their entire world view from one source only - even though one may be a devout Christian, Christianity is not the be all and end all of all opinions and perspectives, and it's important to use critical thinking in every situation. Kinda a "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" thing - if the basket breaks, your eggs are smashed. If you only consider one ideology, spirituality or faith 100% true and correct, despite all other evidence, then you're putting too much trust in it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I concur with the first statement. And everything else, but I wanted Joe to know that I think he's a solid poster, too.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Thanks guys =D Man, I've been struggling

by Anonymous 12 years ago

This is why I think religion should be appreciated for the morals it teaches you, like about being a good person. But as for facts on how it all came to be should just be one of those questions that no one will ever know

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Fuck religion.

by Anonymous 12 years ago