My religious beliefs: (smite-free thread)

[trendie]

History is a continuum of advances, each step being better than the last.
Religion, unusually, relies on “oldness” as its pre-eminence,

Consider, people used to believe the world was at the centre of the universe.
Then, people believed the world was a planet, like any other.
No-one suggested that the “older texts” stating the world was at the centre of the universe were “truer” by virtue of being older.
As an intelligent species, we discarded outdated concepts for newer ones, as it simply made more sense.

Ancient peoples believed illnesses were caused by an imbalance of the 4 humours. And re-balancing, cured diseases. For example, by blood-letting.
We now believe in micro-organisms, viruses, etc, and have better, more effective cures as a result.
No-one suggests that the 4 humours is “truer” because it was written longer ago.

Religion, requires no advancement. In fact, it relies on accepting ancient beliefs over newer, better paradigms.

I submit, therefore, that NEWER religions reflect the current paradigm BETTER, and are nearer to the truth than older ones.

I therefore submit the FSM commandments, as the latest, and better values to live by.
Discuss.

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
http://www.venganza.org/

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/The_Gospel_of_the_Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

The Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts"

1. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Act Like a Sanctimonious Holier-Than-Thou Ass When Describing My Noodly Goodness. If Some People Don't Believe In Me, That's Okay. Really, I'm Not That Vain. Besides, This Isn't About Them So Don't Change The Subject.

2. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Use My Existence As A Means To Oppress, Subjugate, Punish, Eviscerate, And/Or, You Know, Be Mean To Others. I Don't Require Sacrifices, And Purity Is For Drinking Water, Not People.

3. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Judge People For The Way They Look, Or How They Dress, Or The Way They Talk, Or, Well, Just Play Nice, Okay? Oh, And Get This In Your Thick Heads: Woman = Person. Man = Person. Samey = Samey. One Is Not Better Than The Other, Unless We're Talking About Fashion And I'm Sorry, But I Gave That To Women And Some Guys Who Know The Difference Between Teal and Fuchsia

4. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Indulge In Conduct That Offends Yourself, Or Your Willing, Consenting Partner Of Legal Age AND Mental Maturity. As For Anyone Who Might Object, I Think The Expression Is Go F*** Yourself, Unless They Find That Offensive In Which Case They Can Turn Off the TV For Once And Go For A Walk For A Change.

5. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Challenge The Bigoted, Misogynist, Hateful Ideas Of Others On An Empty Stomach. Eat, Then Go After The B******.

6. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Build Multimillion-Dollar Churches/Temples/Mosques/Shrines To My Noodly Goodness When The Money Could Be Better Spent (Take Your Pick):
1. Ending Poverty
2. Curing Diseases
3. Living In Peace, Loving With Passion, And Lowering The Cost Of Cable
I Might be a Complex-Carbohydrate Omniscient Being, But I Enjoy The Simple Things In Life. I Ought To Know. I AM the Creator.

7. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Go Around Telling People I Talk To You. You're Not That Interesting. Get Over Yourself. And I Told You To Love Your Fellow Man, Can't You Take A Hint?

8. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You If You Are Into, Um, Stuff That Uses A Lot Of Leather/Lubricant/Las Vegas. If The Other Person Is Into It, However (Pursuant To #4), Then Have At It, Take Pictures, And For The Love Of Mike, Wear a CONDOM! Honestly, It's A Piece Of Rubber. If I Didn't Want It To Feel Good When You Did IT I Would Have Added Spikes, Or Something.

 

[Mr. Charts]

:clap::clap::clap:
Richard

 

[elitejets]

Not trying to convert anyone on the eve of probably the most meaningful of Christian celebrations but if you are so inclined please check this out.
Come join the slowest-growing religion in the world, it only requires that you abide ...

http://dudeism.com/

Turns out I have been a dude for some time and didn't know

 

[Splitlink]

History is a continuum of advances, each step being better than the last.
Religion, unusually, relies on “oldness” as its pre-eminence,

Consider, people used to believe the world was at the centre of the universe.
Then, people believed the world was a planet, like any other.
No-one suggested that the “older texts” stating the world was at the centre of the universe were “truer” by virtue of being older.
As an intelligent species, we discarded outdated concepts for newer ones, as it simply made more sense.

Ancient peoples believed illnesses were caused by an imbalance of the 4 humours. And re-balancing, cured diseases. For example, by blood-letting.
We now believe in micro-organisms, viruses, etc, and have better, more effective cures as a result.
No-one suggests that the 4 humours is “truer” because it was written longer ago.

Religion, requires no advancement. In fact, it relies on accepting ancient beliefs over newer, better paradigms.

I submit, therefore, that NEWER religions reflect the current paradigm BETTER, and are nearer to the truth than older ones.

I therefore submit the FSM commandments, as the latest, and better values to live by.
Discuss.

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
http://www.venganza.org/

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/The_Gospel_of_the_Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

The Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts"

1. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Act Like a Sanctimonious Holier-Than-Thou Ass When Describing My Noodly Goodness. If Some People Don't Believe In Me, That's Okay. Really, I'm Not That Vain. Besides, This Isn't About Them So Don't Change The Subject.

2. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Use My Existence As A Means To Oppress, Subjugate, Punish, Eviscerate, And/Or, You Know, Be Mean To Others. I Don't Require Sacrifices, And Purity Is For Drinking Water, Not People.

3. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Judge People For The Way They Look, Or How They Dress, Or The Way They Talk, Or, Well, Just Play Nice, Okay? Oh, And Get This In Your Thick Heads: Woman = Person. Man = Person. Samey = Samey. One Is Not Better Than The Other, Unless We're Talking About Fashion And I'm Sorry, But I Gave That To Women And Some Guys Who Know The Difference Between Teal and Fuchsia

4. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Indulge In Conduct That Offends Yourself, Or Your Willing, Consenting Partner Of Legal Age AND Mental Maturity. As For Anyone Who Might Object, I Think The Expression Is Go F*** Yourself, Unless They Find That Offensive In Which Case They Can Turn Off the TV For Once And Go For A Walk For A Change.

5. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Challenge The Bigoted, Misogynist, Hateful Ideas Of Others On An Empty Stomach. Eat, Then Go After The B******.

6. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Build Multimillion-Dollar Churches/Temples/Mosques/Shrines To My Noodly Goodness When The Money Could Be Better Spent (Take Your Pick):
1. Ending Poverty
2. Curing Diseases
3. Living In Peace, Loving With Passion, And Lowering The Cost Of Cable
I Might be a Complex-Carbohydrate Omniscient Being, But I Enjoy The Simple Things In Life. I Ought To Know. I AM the Creator.

7. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Go Around Telling People I Talk To You. You're Not That Interesting. Get Over Yourself. And I Told You To Love Your Fellow Man, Can't You Take A Hint?

8. I'd Really Rather You Didn't Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You If You Are Into, Um, Stuff That Uses A Lot Of Leather/Lubricant/Las Vegas. If The Other Person Is Into It, However (Pursuant To #4), Then Have At It, Take Pictures, And For The Love Of Mike, Wear a CONDOM! Honestly, It's A Piece Of Rubber. If I Didn't Want It To Feel Good When You Did IT I Would Have Added Spikes, Or Something.

I think that those rules are fair enough. If we all took notice of them there would be no trouble with our Maker afterwards, I'm sure (fairly sure, anyway).

It is all a matter of our own beliefs in what is right, not those who try to impose their beliefs on us mainly for their own reasons.