I promised myself to stay out of this one, but to keep the good name of Gamebanshee forums (angry mob of people who disagree with each other no matter what . com ) let me respond.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but at the rare occasions that we have an active moderator, ain't religion-mocking posts removed immediately, and only constructive criticism left alone? Not-too-easy questions can also be a way of criticizing a religion without insulting it. A few examples from the top of my head :
- Bible on many occasions states that only god is saint, both in old and new testament. How come now we have Saints for every day of the year, every profession, dish and emotion? How come the faithful even acknowledge something that contradicts their Holy Book? Are words of the pope (who bears the tittle of "Holy Father" while god is just "Father") more important than these of god?
- God is supposedly the Justest and at the same time the very definition Merciful. Just ruler would send everyone of us, sinners and disbelievers to hell, while the most merciful would forgive everyone and invite them to heaven. He would invite only those that seek forgiveness? Really? We had some examples of more merciful people in our history, not to mention every single mother would do that for her child.
- Life, such as we know it, is full of suffering. It's enough to mention only that each person was sentenced to death upon birth, but does not know the date of its execution. Nobody seems to be pleased. Similarly, everyone is doing everything in his power to defer the sentence, and if it was able to reverse it, would sacrifice everything they have.
Thus each religion promises an afterlife, as an answer to the problem that each one of us faces - unavoidable death.
No religion has fallen so far due to excess of promises. The current decay of religion is associated with the fact that people are asking for evidence. However the majority prefers to accept half-truths, and stories that aren't backed up by any evidence, than face the fact that there is no afterlife, and death is certain.
When you are bankrupt, in part, the best approach to the problem is to start again with no preconceived assumptions. Let's start doubting every statement. Let's find a way of subjecting every statement to an experiment. Is there even a grain of truth in claims of different religions?
The initial difficulty is the immense wealth of material to be tested. A critical test of all systems would be an endless task; list of certificates too long. Now, every religion is equally good, and each requires faith. So we reject this question. Better to check whether there is any question to which all religions are comparable: for if this is so, it might be worth examining.
It should certainly not be found in dogma. Legends concerning miracles are probably universal, but they lack eyewitness evidence to override common sense.
So what's the beginning of religion? How did it happen that so many unproven allegations were accepted by people of all kinds? Isn't that bordering on the miraculous?
There is however a kind of miracle which certainly happens, and it is the action of genius. You will not find its parallel in nature. It is unthinkable for a "super-dog" to transform the world of dogs, while in the history of mankind this happens with great regularity. Today we have many "super-men" who are at odds with each other. What is the connection between all the prophets, from Jesus to Muhammad? Is there something that unites them?
Great biographies of each of them were written by devotes and include something in common - silence. Each one of them embarked on a journey. Each of them, perfectly silent during his disappearance. Each immediately began to teach the new law upon returning. Coincidence?
No, but while each priest continues to preach, that heretics will suffer endless torments in one hell or another, there is no place for doubts in the heart of the faithful.
-.. No, not one more. It was supposed to be just an example.. :laugh:
I don't want to sound rude, but should someone be offended by above, maybe it is time to revise the strength of yar (piratey!) faith?
I am a disbeliever, a heretic and, as a True Christian would call me : Gay terrorist that eats children, but i understand the benefits that religion brings to the table. If you are faithful, dear reader, focus and for one minute imagine that there is no god, and there is nothing that awaits you after you die.. Your friends, family, will not visit heaven or Valhalla, and eventually you all will be forever forgotten.
Sucks, doesn't it?
It does. I admit.
Faith puts the mind at ease.
Would my ranting make you leave the forum? I'd rather have you (viewer) respond to it, perhaps educate me. A civilized, polite conversation i'd look forward to.
Now to adress the part :
Finally the moderators and posters at gamebanshee don't like the games anymore covered by gamebanshee.
That would be <deleted>, the rest of us likes the games covered by gamebanshee :laugh:
Lastly, my dealings with Wiki community were always brought down to "Hey, i've edited another page, that's #xxx, how fun".
I admire their commitment, but as a editor of few humongous entrances (WW2) i must say it's not a big deal. We all post, be it on wiki or forums, and not one of us is getting paid. Although editing wiki is somewhat more constructive.
P.S.
gamebanshee members are different types of people but I find them to have an affect for thinking they are the most intelligent people in the universe.
That's not true. I am also more intelligent than myself from other dimension. (translation : I wonder what made you come up with such ridiculous statement)
Kind regards. Truly.