Wow only read this post due to the, "big stir up."

But to quote teevee..

My fish know I'm god or wait maybe I'm the devil.

Dave

Don't know, don't care, couldn't affect me. I am successful and will continue to be, due to my lack of faith or in spite of it or whatever. I enjoy science, I enjoy reading about religion, but I do not have a set of beliefs beyond personal improvement. Be a good person, try to be better and things will fall into place for you, imo.

I fall into the category of "people who use the *Lord's* name in vain" though. Mostly because I don't care. "Oh my god" is a curse, not a religious phrase in my vocab.

Wow - Great Thread!!!

I voted #2.

I am from the Rep. of Ireland where more the 90% of he population are Catholic. Religion was never an option - It was a fact - the pubs used to open up early on Sundays just for the people who didn't really want to go but were afraid to ask! Just about everyone went to church on Sundays.

Setting the scene:
The Church and State were inseperable - Condoms have only become legal in Ireland within the last tweleve years - you could be prosecuted for possession :mrgreen: though I don't know of any successful prosecutions! PlayBoy magazine has only been allowed to sold in Ireland in t he last five years!

Catholic Church:
Name is now mud in Ireland - So many stories of abuse etc have surfaced in the past few years that I believe most of the population of Ireland who would have voted No# 1 in the poll might be lightly to vote differently. This isn't an exaggeration - The Principal of my school has been indicted and my cousin received the highest amount of money to date in Ireland in settlement of his case. In a population of less than 5 million, most people know someone who is affected.

My Parents:
Very religious people - became happy clappies for about 15 years but are now kinda disgusted with the catholic church and while they still go to church - they don't take the doctrine in the same way.
E.G.
The pope is always right - I argued at length on this point - What Church who teaches it people not to wear condoms in Africa and aids ridden nations can take the moral highground?
In previous encounters my parents were always on that pope's side - Now, they agree.

Sorry about the ramble.....

Brian

happy clappies.. thats classic :mrgreen:

Its the truth... I used to play guitar for them.

Lots of huggin, happy clappies but no exchange of bodily fluids.....to my knowledge!

Brian

thread
 

I thought this thread was closed, It has no place on a Hobby Aquarist web site, what does it have to do with aquarium keeping?

Re: thread
 

If ALL threads in the Lounge are to be aquarium related, I suspect 98% of the threads started over the last few years would have been closed.

To my knowledge this thread, while controversial in subject matter, was not closed due to the civilized conduct of those who responded.

If you find this thread of no use to you personally, such as the Lounge's current hockey thread I find of no interest and do not participate in, please simply refrain from participating.

That being said, MORE VOTES, PLEASE :biggrin:

Re: thread
 

Bev is correct. We've allowed this thread to continue due to the civil conduct so far...
New rules will however see religion threads removed.
That being said, given the choice between religion and hockey, I'd pick religion :razz:

I didnt vote, more accurately, I could not. I am more of an agnostic, and in my personal belief theres not enough evidence either way to prove or disprove an existance of a "God(s)"

Just the word God can mean so many things. Whoever named him/her/it should have settled on an easier designation, like Frank, or Joe. At least that way, you could somewhat wrap your brain around it. :biggrin:

^
That is obviously a joke to try and lighten such a potentially explosive subject.

Interesting topic, just caught it today.

I would have to vote #1

My education is actually in the religious field. I was a pastor/minister for 5 years.

I just can't fathom the universe not having a creator/God. Take a look at each little thing in your aquarium. Hmmm

I think hope gives me a huge reason to live life the way I do.

However, like AJ77, Canreef and my tanks take up a huge part of my day. I enjoy meeting people on this board though.

Anyway, hope you enjoy reading my babbling thoughts.

des

great topic
 

This subject is best discussed between close friends in front of a fire with a few beverages!
Have always believed there is a heaven and a hell, and we live it right here on earth. Totally our own choice which we get and when. Funny how all the mainstream religions ( and maybe some not so mainstream, I don't know) all have similar rules for life. Tell the truth, don't steal, don't kill, etc etc. Surely good rules to live by. Would be a shame if such discussions were dis allowed here, most people seem fairly respectful of one and other and their respective opinions. Certainly much more so than the general population. Interesting topic considering we all play God a little with our tanks. Hope God has a better plan for mankind than I do for my reef!!!

I am a #2 person as well. I grew up in the Catholic faith, around 14 I decided there was no God, tried Wicca for a while... decided that wasn’t the truth, and have slowly moved back into Christianity; although my beliefs don't seem to fit with any particular sect of Christianity. My father is an athiest, my mom calls herself a spiritualist, and my brother is a buddist.

I don’t hold much confidence in organized religion/the church, but my faith in a higher being is 100%.

I would hate to see posts like this disallowed. It is my opinion that it is not the controversy that makes a post turn bad, but the posters themselves. In this case, I would say we are a pretty liberal and understanding group.

Excellent posts, love all the opinions. Diversity, tolerance and love... sounds like the 60s all over again... and I remember them but I missed woodstock.

Doug

I don't want to go boring people to death like I did in the Baby Elephant thread :razz: , but I voted #1. I am really impressed with the comments in the thread. I was a philosophy major in university and really found "The Problem of Evil" fascinating. I do not believe that the atrocities/calamities in the world are evidence that there is no God. I believe that there is a purpose for why we are all here, more than just being a planet-sized aquarium. I don't believe God wants horrible things to happen but also believe that our personal free agency is vital to our own progresion as well as to what God's purpose is. Some people have done wonderful things with that agency and others have done horrible things. The holy texts from the different religions in the world, which I believe were inspired by the same Source, all seem to teach similar principles. I think God does as much as He possibly can to help us do what we should without 'making' us do what we should. JMO.

- Chad