Poll: Are you religious?

[Nobody'sHero]

Which religion do you belong to (if any), and how do you reason your thoughts of suicide with your religion?

I am Catholic and my suicide thoughts conflict a lot with my religion because it means the rejection of life itself. I kind of see it on the same level as murder (same rejection of life)... Also, I come from a Catholic background, but have taken it more seriously in the past few years. As a teenager I was an atheist and have increasingly leaned more into religion.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

I'm an atheist

 

[snwcolt]

Agnostic... can't believe this isn't a choice in the poll.

 

[MercenariesofMidgar]

Agnostic, my main spiritual inclinations is towards the idea of a sort of reincarnation... just a general possible continuation of consciousness.

Religions are generally moral guide books, telling the citizens of your city that's is okay to commit suicide is counter-intuitive to the growth and power of a city or nation. IIRC islam explicitly states that you will be punished for suicide, while in Christianity its much more open for debate arguably... though in my opinion smiting the poor fool agonizing themselves enough to end their life with more torture seems backwards.

 

[Nobody'sHero]

My bad, Just added the option <3

 

[Crow_88]

All is well on death. It's just to get there.

 

[Pluto]

 

[Darkover]

only a stupid person would believe in such beliefs as religion you have to be stupid to believe in miracles

 

[Still here]

I've always wanted to post religious topics on this forum but I was afraid coz I thought may be religious things aren't allowed here..... Anyways I am not sure of my religious standing...

 

[EvisceratedJester]

only a stupid person would believe in such beliefs as religion you have to be stupid to believe in miracles

While I don't like religion or spirituality in general, people aren't idiots for believing in those things. As much as I hate religion we shouldn't be looking down on those who practice it. Also, I hate to break it to you, but you aren't immune to stupidity. Everyone is stupid and you aren't above others.

For many, religion helps them cope and religion has played a role in advancing our species as well. The most notable example I can think of is the Islamic Golden Age. While I'm guilty of pointing fun at religious folk, even I understand deep down that people aren't stupid for believing in that crap. People are stupid, but not because they believe in religion.

 

[Nobody'sHero]

only a stupid person would believe in such beliefs as religion you have to be stupid to believe in miracles

 

[SomewhatLoved]

No, but I almost wish I was. I have even tried to "force" myself to accept a religion into my life, but I don't think I'm inclined to that way of thinking. Something that I felt I am missing in my life is meaning, and if there was some objective measure of morality or purpose I feel like maybe it would make me more happy because I would have something to work towards.

 

[Nobody'sHero]

I've always wanted to post religious topics on this forum but I was afraid coz I thought may be religious things aren't allowed here..... Anyways I am not sure of my religious standing...

I think what might not me allowed is proselytizing or just out right bashing. This thread is not intended to do either, religion is probably one of the most complex things we can get into and I certainly don't intend to try to change anyone's opinion or care for arguing about mine. I fully respect any religion and if it works for you I am happy. <3

 

[Darkover]

While I don't like religion or spirituality in general, people aren't idiots for believing in those things. As much as I hate religion we shouldn't be looking down on those who practice it. Also, I hate to break it to you, but you aren't immune to stupidity. Everyone is stupid and you aren't above others.

For many, religion helps them cope and religion has played a role in advancing our species as well. The most notable example I can think of is the Islamic Golden Age. While I'm guilty of pointing fun at religious folk, even I understand deep down that people aren't stupid for believing in that crap. People are stupid, but not because they believe in religion.

we are all stupid when something is outside of what we know, some people consistently make better judgments than others, if i don't see evidence for something, it makes sense not to believe in it, religion has also suppressed progress at times, religion also offers false hope, fear, guilt, people can believe stupid things within religion like rejecting medical treatment in favor of prayer or believing the Earth is 6,000 years old despite overwhelming evidence, religion can also harm people through indoctrination and instilling the belief in hell in young developing minds

 

[Praestat_Mori]

If there was an almighty god "religion" would be like an instinct that is the same for everyone - we would expect that everyone would believe in the same supernatural being that created everything. But the opposite is the case - there are many different religions and probably there were many more that are not practiced anymore even the very similar monotheistic religions are too different within themselves.

Religions are man-made - for most religious people they are most likely a coping mechanism to believe that if life is miserable here there will be sth better after we die. That's it in my opinion. Religions are also used or maybe were invented to control people and to obey their rulers who are rulers by the grace of God or claimed to be gods (godlike) by themselves - despite they weren't immortal!

In regards to the question about suicide and a god sending people to hell for this "crime": If their almighty, all-merciful, all-forgiving god makes their lives hell so that they see no other option but suicide then why doesn't he make their lives magically better? Well, maybe that god is a sadistic god and enjoys burning those people in hell ...

They are just my thoughts about that. Everyone is free in whatever they want to believe or not.

 

[divinemistress36]

I guess I'm a theist I think there is some sort of higher power(s) but not religious

 

[Tao]

I'm an atheist who feels drawn to Taoist philosophy.

 

[bananaolympus]

agnostic i think the existence of deities or the supernatural can't be proven or disproven

 

[Still here]

While I don't like religion or spirituality in general, people aren't idiots for believing in those things. As much as I hate religion we shouldn't be looking down on those who practice it. Also, I hate to break it to you, but you aren't immune to stupidity. Everyone is stupid and you aren't above others.

For many, religion helps them cope and religion has played a role in advancing our species as well. The most notable example I can think of is the Islamic Golden Age. While I'm guilty of pointing fun at religious folk, even I understand deep down that people aren't stupid for believing in that crap. People are stupid, but not because they believe in religion.

I love the honest your comment.......

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

I am infected by the idea that only my mind is sure to exist. Anything outside my own mind is unsure; the external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist outside my mind. As a working hypothesis I belief in natural science, falsifiability.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I used to think I was agnostic till I read the definition:

'A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.' (Quick Google search.)

That doesn't really cover it for me though. If Jesus suddenly made an appearance and started performing miracles, I'd certainly reconsider my belief/ non belief. How do I know if science can eventually discover proof of God and/ or, if God themselves will decide to make us aware of them? Either seem possible.

It frustrates me that there isn't an adequate term for people who just aren't sure. It seems like agnostic means we don't know and we are incapable of ever knowing. In a way- it's too closely tied to religion ironically. The whole idea that maybe God won't ever provide concrete proof they exist because- it nulifies the value of faith I suppose.

They really ought to though- I think. Imagine how many wars they could have prevented if only they'd made it clear which God they actually are!

The truth for me is, I simply don't know. I have plentiful doubts about orthodox religions certainly. But then, there is also so much mystery to this world. Perhaps it does have non theological causes but, nothing seems certain for me. I'd actually prefer to be an atheist though. I've liked a lot of the atheists I've met. But, if there is a God, I can't see them as being good. So, I'd actually prefer it if they didn't exist. I don't like the idea of being under the control of a narcissistic psychopath (I'd argue God exhibits both traits strongly.)

 

[Namelesa]

I grew up as a Catholic but now an atheist.

To me Christianity never made full sense to me as if God was all powerful, knowing and loving, there won't be so much suffering in this world. I didn't really care whether suicide was a sin or not as I always thought of it as a non-immoral choice and that religious texts shouldn't be fully trusted. When my life got really bad, I starting to believe God was evil for creating this world and us as why do so many of us suffer? No loving being would do that so I began to hate and not trust him at all. I felt like believing in a good God was a manipulation now.

I started becoming Agonistic from me thinking religious texts could be false and that I wanted to believe in non existence after death as I would rather that then to be in an after-life where I could regret my life and continue to feel or do things and I didn't want to be with a God who is evil. However I couldn't fully escape believing in the possibility of that happening after death but thanks to posts here from other atheist members, I have found reassurance that there probably isn't anything beyond death which made me not fear death at all and given me comfort that at some point my suffering will fully end.

 

[Silently Dying]

I was raised catholic gave that up and became christian. When my little girl was murdered and no one held accountable (the cops knew who did it) I lost all faith. god is nothing but a joke. religion is just something for people who are terrified to die or live. pastors/priests are in it for the money.

 

[FuneralCry]

No, anything to do with religion is fictional to me, I see it as being invented by humans, I personally see existence as the most terrible tragic mistake that just causes all this unnecessary suffering all for the sake of it, it's all just so cruel and futile to me and I'd never wish for any of this rather all I want is to not exist, I wish for no more pain and no more suffering rather I just want all to finally be gone and forgotten for me. Existing to me really is just waiting to die, I could never see a point to any of this and I see it as the most dreadful tragedy how this existence was even imposed at all, as long as I exist I really will just wish for non-existence, I'd always prefer to not exist than suffer so unnecessarily in this futile, torturous existence where there is no limit as to how much agony one can feel, to me existence truly is an abomination that just causes harm and suffering.

 

[LastRaven013]

Raised as a Catholic, but obviously not a very good one.

 

[JayJay]

Which religion do you belong to (if any), and how do you reason your thoughts of suicide with your religion?

I am Catholic and my suicide thoughts conflict a lot with my religion because it means the rejection of life itself. I kind of see it on the same level as murder (same rejection of life)... Also, I come from a Catholic background, but have taken it more seriously in the past few years. As a teenager I was an atheist and have increasingly leaned more into religion.

Old school Catholics would say CTB would be an instant ticket to hell. But modern Christians believe in that mental suffering plays a huge factor. If you were a believer, they figure He's not going to ditch you over one desperate move. The vibe's more "He gets it, humans screw up" than "Enjoy the lake of fire, loser." Of course, the real hardline types might still insist you've got a problem—maybe not eternal damnation, but some kind of cosmic timeout—but that's less common now.

 

[moonflow3r]

raised catholic but i never fell into their bs of religion. where the fuck is god when i need him

 

[Nobody'sHero]

raised catholic but i never fell into their bs of religion. where the fuck is god when i need him

I don't think it's about God serving your very specific needs, it's more like an invitation to follow an example that will lead you to a more peaceful, plain, happy life (change your ways). This does not mean that your life will be free of suffering...

Old school Catholics would say CTB would be an instant ticket to hell. But modern Christians believe in that mental suffering plays a huge factor. If you were a believer, they figure He's not going to ditch you over one desperate move. The vibe's more "He gets it, humans screw up" than "Enjoy the lake of fire, loser." Of course, the real hardline types might still insist you've got a problem—maybe not eternal damnation, but some kind of cosmic timeout—but that's less common now.

I'm more in line with real old school Catholicism and do not believe in changing teachings to accommodate the modern world, that completely defeats the purpose of religion... There might be some exceptions, but it's a slippery slope...

 

[Halfhourdays]

Zen: There is no God and He is always with me.

My religion is reasonable about suicide, but definitely would frown upon most of the reasons given on SaSu. I'm not sure what to think anymore, personally.

 

[snwcolt]

agnostic i think the existence of deities or the supernatural can't be proven or disproven

Same. Seems like there must be something more than just randomness that's responsible for everything. What gets me about religion is tho, is if there is a being who created the universe, why tf would it be so concerned with getting credit for it and want so badly to be worshiped by us humans that are so utterly insignificant considering the vastness of creation. And if getting credit is so damn important, why be so ambiguous about. Like wtf man just prove you're real and you'll get all the ass kissing you want.