Poll: Does God exist?

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Originally Posted by malice2501

odd, from the satanic people ive talked to (very few, im not into supa evil and whatnot) they dont have orgies, but they do kill stuff as an afront to god. They tend to know the bible from front to back, and they dont do human sacrifice because they would get locked up. Maybe the one i talked to was just some satanic oddball though. :\

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Originally Posted by Soeru

Satanists get all that bad rep because they chose such a silly, attention-grabbing name for their belief, and the ones who claim that they truly worship Satan/Beelzebub/Hades/other infernal-like gods are either posing or are downright mad(particularily those that actually do violent shit).

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And by "violent shit" I was referring to sacrifices and drinking blood. If they really do such things then they're either posing, have nothing better to do, or are downright mad. :wacko:

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Originally Posted by malice2501

Also, how can it be satanism if youre not following satan?

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This is why I've said so many times that "Satanism" was a bad choice for a name for the belief, because Christians will associate it with worshipping the devil and being ill-natured, but the real goal of Satanism is to lead a happy life under your own control, in fact to a certain extent many might not even believe in spirituality or supernatural beings at all but they use mythology as an aid in explaining their own existencialism. (forgive my poor word choice in this paragraph). A real Satanist wouldn't say "Hail Satan" unless he or she was joking around or to provoke people(I do that at times because it's funny to see some people's reactions). ISatanists are just Christians that became fed up with the Church and want to find their own existence without religion(like atheists) but they take a provocative approach towards Christianity -mostly for fun- which in turn makes them blood-soaked, criminal-like Satanists.

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Originally Posted by malice2501

There are satanists out there though. They pray to satan for power on earth, and favor in death. Sick puppies :cry:

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Yes, there are Satanists out there, but the true Satanists don't promote genocide, ill-natured activity, and all that nifty violent stuff we love to see in the movies.

Here's something interesting I came across:
http://angemorbide.free.fr/mp3/trey5.mpga

It's Trey Azagthoth -the guitarist and main creative force of the band Morbid Angel- who is a firm follower of genuine Satanism. Note how he defines Satanism. I think it should be renamed as "unChristian Positivism", to avoid non-Christian folks that love life from being associated with criminals. It just makes no sense.

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Originally Posted by Omega Weapon

I think you may be referring to hemophilia.

Very informative post BTW.

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Yes, hemophilia is what the king of Spain suffers from. And thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by malice2501

And so far hemophelia is incurable. Its a genetic disorder much like sickled cell anemia. The only prospects for a cure right now lay with gene therapy, which is a long way off. Drinking blood would not do anything for this condition, so i think it was more along the lines of just some superstition, like blood letting.

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Originally Posted by Soeru

The disease caused by a gene that is linked to another disease that prevents the blood from clotting properly, the king of Spain suffers from this disease but I forgot the name as well.

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I clearly said that the king of Spain does not have this vampiric disease, he has hemophilia, which is a totally different disease. They're both blood deficiencies however. The king is not a vampire. :wacko:

Drinking blood does not aid hemophiliacs but it helped the ones suffering from the other disease, of which the name I forget. It also had some effect on the skin, making it very sensible and tender, due to the lack of that certain platelet in the blood their bodies do not produce.

Edit: Doesn't it feel bad that we've made monsters out of people who had that disease? Most died from it, yet we like to fictionalize the victims of the disease as being hideous madmen with pointy teeth.

Getting away from Satanism for a moment, here's a good quote.

�Religious fundamentalists alone are a huge popular grouping in the United States, which resembles pre-industrial societies in that regard. This is a culture in which three-fourths of the population believe in religious miracles, half believe in the devil, 83 percent believe that the Bible is the �actual� or the inspired word of God, 39 percent believe in the Biblical prediction of Armageddon and �accept it with a certain fatalism,� a mere 9 percent accept Darwinian evolution while 44 percent believe that �God created man pretty much in his present form at one time within the last 10,000 years,� and so on."
-Noam Chomsky

In the immortal words of George Carlin, I have to say that Noam knows his s**t. If some of his observations don't scare you, may I give you a chance to clear your conscience? There is something devine in this universe. But its name ain't God, YHWH, Allah, Vishnu, Ameratsu or any that mankind has seen. Humans are just as alone today as they were 7,000+ years in the past huddled in caves and trying to survive.

I hope we live up to our potential, and discover whatever it is we're supposed to. This concept of "god" is flawed; no one should have to fear someone in order to get into Paradise. If mankind destory itself, it will be the fault of religion.

Time to start over.

I am never alone ;)

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Originally Posted by hardc0regamer

In the immortal words of George Carlin, I have to say that Noam knows his s**t. If some of his observations don't scare you, may I give you a chance to clear your conscience? There is something devine in this universe. But its name ain't God, YHWH, Allah, Vishnu, Ameratsu or any that mankind has seen. Humans are just as alone today as they were 7,000+ years in the past huddled in caves and trying to survive.

I hope we live up to our potential, and discover whatever it is we're supposed to. This concept of "god" is flawed; no one should have to fear someone in order to get into Paradise. If mankind destory itself, it will be the fault of religion.

Time to start over.

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This is pretty much my take on life and divinity. I agree that religion is only helping to distance humans from the real world and make them dream of a wonderful afterlife. I have a concept of "God" but it's not a person-like thing, so it's not something that judges me nor that I could possibly understand now, but I don't have to prove it anything because I believe in no afterlife. I could unconsciously honor "God's" existance by leading an enjoyable life, rather than waste the gift he gave me by giving him endless worship and causing suffering to others in his name..

Faith can help some people find strength in their lives but that's because they cannot find it within themselves. There's an old saying in Spain(but I'm sure it's common amongst most Christians): "Help yourself and God will help you."

Nice~ I can't help but have the tendency to doubt religion today, as most of them seem to be so engrossed in it that they toss the credit of everything to god. If god was so powerful, why did he not protect people from the naturally occuring disasters that are plaguing this earth? I take it that some of the teachings are meaningful, like buddhism, which advocates the usage of human virtues in the right way. I'm not saying I agree with buddhism today though. The mahayana buddhism practiced here in Singapore is tainted with taoism. Being a non-believer of god, I deny the existence of such spiritual claims also.

Soeru, I heard a similar phrase from my teacher, who is a catholic. He's not one who would constantly harass you to join the religion, but rather uses god as subtle reminders. What he said was "If you don't even help yourself, god cannot help you" Kinda makes sense... If you don't even try, there is absolutely no chance of a miracle ever happening.

My god... that Pure Silence website. I happened to have a look by accident. Never before have a been able to relate to and understand a philosophical text so deeply. That guy takes everything I've pondered about since birth. An abscence/Silence/Void is not scary at alL! I already thought this way previous to reading that site, but seeing how there's more people that think like me and are able to put it into comprehensible writing makes me very happy.

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Originally Posted by Xena

Lol. Y'know I go preaching :P

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For real? last time mormans came knocking on my door i had Jay Z lucifer playin in the background, Sis could not stop laughing, they also asked to mow the lawns..... we have a ride on mower....

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Originally Posted by Xena

Though yeah, even in my congregation there are some with wacky ideas. Mostly old folk. There is one guy who always starts off a conversation by saying, "Do you see angels? I do." Dear me. He needs help.

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True, there is a guy at home who tells you if you take his hand out it has a lolly that makes you live for ever, i took the hand out and complained i didnt get the lolly, he ran, well maybe cos we chased him.... which do you belive :wacko:

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Originally Posted by Xena

Probably so. Personaly I don't believe we go to heaven when we die, it isn't a bible teaching after all.

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Why do they come to the door asking if you would like to go to heaven then?

And read it again Dingy you spaz :P

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Originally Posted by Jase

For real? last time mormans came knocking on my door i had Jay Z lucifer playin in the background, Sis could not stop laughing, they also asked to mow the lawns..... we have a ride on mower....

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I am not a morman :P
But yeah, I have heard they go preaching too.

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Originally Posted by Jase

True, there is a guy at home who tells you if you take his hand out it has a lolly that makes you live for ever, i took the hand out and complained i didnt get the lolly, he ran, well maybe cos we chased him.... which do you belive :wacko:

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Did you suck it and see? :wacko:

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Originally Posted by Jase

Why do they come to the door asking if you would like to go to heaven then?

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I can assure you I don't :P

I have never heard of anyone in my faith doing so either.

Soeru I'll read your post later on. ;)

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Originally Posted by Xena

I am not a morman :P
But yeah, I have heard they go preaching too.

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They fucking do it every sunday..... I have to wake up and get the door and i have a fucking hangover.....

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Originally Posted by Xena

Did you suck it and see? :wacko:

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No i wanted to thou, looked so big and jucie, i would of got it all over my face thou :)

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Originally Posted by Xena

I can assure you I don't :P

I have never heard of anyone in my faith doing so either.

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My mate Dean invites them into his house and like copies word for word what they say, its a lil bad habbit he has.... and there is always a line about heaven.

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I was speaking of the South African church, where they advitised such services I believe.

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Could you be more specific? There are lots of churches in South Africa. I also doubt the veracity of that event considering that animal sacrifice, or any form of ritualistic sacrifice, is not tolerated by the Church of Satan.

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In the Miami Herald the founder of the church of Satan mentioned the so - called seven deadly sins as being virtues. That is were I got this impression from. Deadly is what they are so called, might I emphisize.

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I am unable to locate the source for this information. Please post a URL. I have located information stating that members do indulge in these "Seven Sins" instead of abstaining from them; however, an indulgence and a virtue are two seperate things.

I have never heard them called deadly and I do not know why they would be considering 90% of mankind practices these at least once a day, and the species is still here.

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Originally Posted by aristotle73

Could you be more specific? There are lots of churches in South Africa. I also doubt the veracity of that event considering that animal sacrifice, or any form of ritualistic sacrifice, is not tolerated by the Church of Satan.

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I am afraid I cannot. All I know is the continent. Though, church of Satan? You have to appriciate it from my point of view. The church of Satan even without animal sacrifice, drinking blood and sexual orgies, how can this be something good? Is the name Satan just there for decoration? Soeru already explained alot. ;) You can follow what ever faith/belief you wish, but don't try to justify it with me, please.

So yeah, we will all have our difrences, and I can totaly understand you standing up for your belief, so I will accept mabye the information I used was out of date, though we will still have our diffrences. ;)

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Originally Posted by aristotle73

I am unable to locate the source for this information. Please post a URL. I have located information stating that members do indulge in these "Seven Sins" instead of abstaining from them; however, an indulgence and a virtue are two seperate things.

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I do not acturaly get any information about religeon from the internet, only from books. Though sometimes websites copy the information and didn't bother to mention the book they got the information from. (Which I also did sometmes.) This information I read in a volume book of the Awake! The information was publicised in 1971 & some in 1981. At the time the information was accurate.

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Originally Posted by aristotle73

I have never heard them called deadly and I do not know why they would be considering 90% of mankind practices these at least once a day, and the species is still here.

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A definition:

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Originally Posted by Awake!

The seven deadly sins are not evil acts but, rather, universal human compulsions that can be troubling and highly enjoyable.� Yes, gone along with sin is the feeling of guilt, for, after all, guilt is the very opposite of feeling good.

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During the middle ages, every town and village was isolated in England. Each area had a lord of the manner controlling the people of each area. He would make them do a large part of thier labour for him, leaving little time for work on thier small holdings. They lived in hovels or stone house which bolonged to the lord. Lacking education and thus being subject to great ignorance, the peasants were full of fear and superstition. The black death of 1349 didn't help much either. The church was also very oppresive.

The parish priests had little opportunity for learning, so were often as ignorant as the peasants. The frairs and monks, however, , controlled the spiritual lives of the people. They went among the people to preach the 'seven deadly sins' and to exact from them alms and donations for the enrichment of their monastery, which was exempted from taxes because of being viewed as belonging to the pope. They sold relics and pardons to the excusing of loose living. The expresion 'the seven deadly sins' is still used down to our day, like alot of other sayings that pre-date from centurys ago.

Some lords began to substitute a rent for labor due, which meant the peasants had greater freedom, and thier lives were about to change completly, as the famous John Wycliffe was about to take his stand.

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Originally Posted by Xena

I am afraid I cannot. All I know is the continent. Though, church of Satan? You have to appriciate it from my point of view. The church of Satan even without animal sacrifice, drinking blood and sexual orgies, how can this be something good? Is the name Satan just there for decoration? Soeru already explained alot. ;) You can follow what ever faith/belief you wish, but don't try to justify it with me, please.

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Yes, the name is crappy choice for a belief, because Chrstians will associate it with something bad or ill-natured. It's more of a provocative title, but the goal of the belief is to be happy outside the restrictive bounderies of organized religion, in particular the Christian church.

To think that your religious or spiritual belief is "good" and others is "bad" is very inconsiderate and narrow-minded, and extremely bigoted as well when you have a poor understanding of the other religion and culture. In any case, Satanism is not much of a religion, it's a philosophy for the free thinker that wishes to leave the flock that is the Christian Church. It's not about going against the Church(as the provocative name implies), but rather to find strength in the self to step outside of what is considered acceptable. It is good and useful, because it teaches you how to be a loving indivudual, it does not indoctrine followers with ideas of hatred, phobia and superiority.

The philosophy is kind of outdated now, because atheistm, agnosticism, and dozens of religions are now recognized even by the most restrictive Catholic societies. They know other belief system exist, and if they have drop of common sense and human affection, they'll leave these "blasphemers" alone. Or do you pray for another inquisition?

Do realize that most of the followers of Satanism are citizens in a restrictive Christian society? They're tired with the falsehood they have to put up with so they find peace outside a belief that they consider is hypocritical and unrealistic(the title is used to poke fun, but it's actual followers are peaceful folks). Hence why it's all about the self. It's like a very grudgeful form of atheism, that would be another way to explain it.

It's funny how a quaint little belief that has been around for so little gets more bad rep than Christianity, which has over a millenium of blood-soaked history featuring events like inquisitions, bloody Crusades and violent missionary activity in places as far flung as Japan, the Philippines, the Americas, Africa. And yet there's more people following Christianity than anything else, even though when their ancestry was brutally slaughtered, persecuted and enslaved by Christians.

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Originally Posted by Soeru

To think that your religious or spiritual belief is "good" and others is "bad" is very inconsiderate and narrow-minded, and extremely bigoted as well when you have a poor understanding of the other religion and culture. In any case, Satanism is not much of a religion, it's a philosophy for the free thinker that wishes to leave the flock that is the Christian Church. It's not about going against the Church(as the provocative name implies), but rather to find strength in the self to step outside of what is considered acceptable. It is good and useful, because it teaches you how to be a loving indivudual, it does not indoctrine followers with ideas of hatred and superiority.

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Yeah I was always taught to be respectful to others beliefs. So sorry if thay offended you. When you have strong convictions that are your whole way of life 24/7 you will understand how someone feels about what is good, and what is bad. It comes like second nature. I am sure you feel some things are bad and some things are good too.

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It's funny how a quaint little belief that has been around for so little gets more bad rep than Christianity, which has over a millenium of blood-soaked history featuring events like inquisitions, bloody Crusades and violent missionary activity in places as far flung as Japan, the Philippines, the Americas, Africa. And yet there's more people following Christianity than anything else, even though when their ancestry was brutally slaughtered, persecuted and enslaved by Christians.

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That is true of christians I 100% agree. Did I tell you what faith I am? :wacko:

It's basically like if I were to tell you, Soeru, that Britney Spears is better to listen to than Slayer. That sounds pretty crazy to me too, actually, but yeah.

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Originally Posted by Xena

Yeah I was always taught to be respectful to others beliefs. So sorry if thay offended you. When you have strong convictions that are your whole way of life 24/7 you will understand how someone feels about what is good, and what is bad. It comes like second nature. I am sure you feel some things are bad and some things are good too.

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Yes, but I never associate a culture or religion with being "bad". Humans' violent, oppressive, and narrow-minded nature is "bad". Being open-minded, considerate, loving, equalitarian, accepting, etc. is "good", regardless of your religious faith. With this I can accept and be affectionate to anyone regardless of belief, just personality and their individual self(which many people lack). But not everyone is as "good" as we make them out to be, hence why I'm skeptical about the majority of the human race.

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Originally Posted by Fate

It's basically like if I were to tell you, Soeru, that Britney Spears is better to listen to than Slayer. That sounds pretty crazy to me too, actually, but yeah.

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Doesn't really make sense to me... what are you trying to say?

Edit: Xena, I'm not offended, just rather annoyed by your concepts of good and bad, but I'm sure other people would take it as hateful.

I've routinely expressed my views on here, but I just want to take this opportunity to do it again. :)

I'm a Deist, most likely the only one on these boards.

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Originally Posted by CheezyMadman

I've routinely expressed my views on here, but I just want to take this opportunity to do it again. :)

I'm a Deist, most likely the only one on these boards.

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For shizzle?

I just read up a bit on deism and wow... that must be like the 4th established belief system that my beliefs can be applied to. So I'm agnostic, atheist, Satanic, Deist, Secular Humanist... You know what, I'd just rather be myself and not be bunched together with any group, because there are small differences I have with all of their doctrines.

same here. i'm a deist by definition, but i DO have a bt of some christian elements thrown in.

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Originally Posted by Soeru

Yes, but I never associate a culture or religion with being "bad". Humans' violent, oppressive, and narrow-minded nature is "bad". Being open-minded, considerate, loving, acceptable, etc. is "good", regardless of your religious faith. With this I can accept and be affectionate to anyone regardless of belief, just personality and their individual self(which many people lack). But not everyone is as "good" as we make them out to be, hence why I'm skeptical about the majority of the human race.

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If a whole faith promotes something that is wrong, than that would be considered "bad." Whouldn't you agree? The fact that they are promoting the wrong doing is the "bad."

Being open-minded, considerate, loving, acceptable, etc. is "good" - well just to go on the defensive, I didn't say it wasn't, in fact being loving, kind and self sacrificing is the main things my faith promotes.

As for acceptance in faiths, this is where we differ, there can be no "sitting on the fence." as it were, Jesus said: �He that is not on my side is against me, and he that does not gather with me scatters.� and I can say that while all religions may not be "bad." I do not believe all are acceptable to god.

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Originally Posted by Soeru

Doesn't really make sense to me... what are you trying to say?

Edit: Xena, I'm not offended, just rather annoyed by your concepts of good and bad, but I'm sure other people would take it as hateful.

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Since Xena is nice and convinced about her religious beliefs, she might have a harsh tone with opposing ones - not because she's attempting to make Satanism sound bad, but because she's just very used to something entirely different. And I could try counting the posts you've made where you go off about how bad pop music and what not is and then tacked on an "IMO" at the end, but I have to go to work tomorrow.

No offence intended or anything, just playing.

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Originally Posted by Xena

That is true of christians I 100% agree. Did I tell you what faith I am? :wacko:

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I figure you're Christian, from previous discussions on religion and since you call Satanism a bad thing. :wacko:

But calling Satanism a bad thing would be absurd not only for being discriminatory, but also because the belief is about opening the mind. So technically you'd be saying that believing in an open-minded philosophy is despicable. How's that for a mindfuck. :wacko:

Edit: Anyway, I don't have any problems with any culture, race or religion. Some I believe are flawed since they don't teach you how to live in the now, but I can still read a bible without the desire to burn it and crucify some bishops. ;)

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Originally Posted by Soeru

I figure you're Christian, from previous discussions on religion and since you call Satanism a bad thing. :wacko:

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Heh. read my other post. :wacko:

The promoting of wrong doing is what I thought was bad, bearing in mind the original issue that I brought up, you know, the one about sex orgies, blood drinking and animal sacrifices.

I am Jehovahs witness btw, we are christian :wacko:
Though we start about a century ago, just before the first world war (which we didn't participate in.) ;)

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Originally Posted by Soeru

Edit: Anyway, I don't have any problems with any culture, race or religion. Some I believe are flawed since they don't teach you how to live in the now, but I can still read a bible without the desire to burn it and crucify some bishops. ;)

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That is very good. :D

(ripped from an edit in my previous post)

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Originally Posted by Fate

Since Xena is nice and convinced about her religious beliefs, she might have a harsh tone with opposing ones - not because she's attempting to make Satanism sound bad, but because she's just very used to something entirely different. And I could try counting the posts you've made where you go off about how bad pop music and what not is and then tacked on an "IMO" at the end, but I have to go to work tomorrow.

No offence intended or anything, just playing.

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None taken. My only problem with pop music was the fact that it's only there to make money, not portray pure art. That's not really an opinion, it's just a fact that people don't realize. Listening to underground music is not the "good" thing, but listening to pop music without knowing of its commercial intent and brushing aside all other music is closed-minded, therefore "bad".

I know that the harsh tone towards alien beliefs is adopted subconsciously, because perhaps you're not accustomed to being around people of widely different faiths and cultures(but being British I'd figure it would be the contrary). All I ask of humankind is to be honestly respectful. It's easy to say "It's alright" but still have a hatred/phobia burning deep down inside you. I want to reach into people and rip this parasytical fear out, but it's proving to be a very diffucult task.

whats with all these god topics lately? i mean seriously..

30% believe in god
30% dont
40% don't care...

When does this poll close?

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Originally Posted by Top of the page

This poll will close on 7th-December-2005 at 21:50

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EDIT- Of course, I don't think not caring should be an option, you either believe or you don't. there is no gray area here. I don't care if there is or not, yet I don't believe there is a god. People should stop being so indecisive.

Maybe the "I don't care"s are Nihilists.


In which case, they're harmless.

So many names for the same belief with only a couple minor differences. What's the point?

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Originally Posted by Soeru

My only problem with pop music was the fact that it's only there to make money, not portray pure art. That's not really an opinion, it's just a fact that people don't realize. Listening to underground music is not the "good" thing, but listening to pop music without knowing of its commercial intent and brushing aside all other music is closed-minded, therefore "bad".

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Far more than just pop music is crafted with a commercial intent. The VAST majority of music is. That doesn't necessarily make it bad music, but, it is commercial.

And of course because something is underground doesn't mean that doesn't have commercial intent. It just means that it hasn't had commercial success. Of course those who willingly stay underground aren't commercial...

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Originally Posted by Xaenn

Far more than just pop music is crafted with a commercial intent. The VAST majority of music is. That doesn't necessarily make it bad music, but, it is commercial.

And of course because something is underground doesn't mean that doesn't have commercial intent. It just means that it hasn't had commercial success. Of course those who willingly stay underground aren't commercial...

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Actually I think they may be commercial. The underground has it's own appeal to posers who think listening to underground music makes them cool. Therefore, people staying underground get that fanbase going. That will result in more sales than being a mainstream band that plays the same music (Metal, rap, hard rock, punk are examples). How is that not being commercial if you turn down a mainstream contract because you will make more money by staying "underground" and not alienating your fanbase?

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Originally Posted by Omega Weapon

Actually I think they may be commercial. The underground has it's own appeal to posers who think listening to underground music makes them cool. Therefore, people staying underground get that fanbase going. That will result in more sales than being a mainstream band that plays the same music (Metal, rap, hard rock, punk are examples). How is that not being commercial if you turn down a mainstream contract because you will make more money by staying "underground" and not alienating your fanbase?

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Well if you truly were able to make more money staying underground then it would be commercial. I just assumed that that wouldn't be the case. But I could be wrong.

In the end, we all download our music from the net. We steal. There.

*Goes off to buy stuff, with MONEY!!!*

:P

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Originally Posted by Evans

In the end, we all download our music from the net. We steal. There.

*Goes off to buy stuff, with MONEY!!!*

:P

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Mun ee? Wait you mean that stuff people used before the internet? I thought that stuff went out of style? *Downloads*

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Originally Posted by Omega Weapon

Mun ee? Wait you mean that stuff people used before the internet? I thought that stuff went out of style? *Downloads*

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Hey, I have over 100Gb of music yet I still buy CD's from bands that I really really like. My collection is only up to 3 right now, as I refuse to acknowledge having ever bought a Limp Bizkit CD. Shut up. :P

But yeah, I usually show the most support to the most obscure bands that are really good.

Being commercial doesn't necessarily mean pop on the worldwide mainstream level, but it is pop music to the extent of the genre of music it is placed in. Ie: there are extremely commercial metal bands out there that put out garbage to make money, but is metal mainstream? No, there are popular trends within every music scene, so we usually associate certain kinds of music with the most popular bands or artists. So real metalheads get pissed when they're associated with the more popular bands, which are seen as half-assed bands.

Cradle of Filth, Slipknot or In Flames are now mainstream within metal. Metallica is an exception, they're pop on the world mainstream level, utter blasphemy for metal purists. :P

Ie: Everyone thinks of Nirvana when they think of alternative rock, but that's because they were overexposed my MTV and were made into a trend. People were playing that kind of music well before Nirvana even became popular(in fact Nirvana was not popular until their 3rd or 4th CD, which had significant commercial success).

All in all, commercialism in music is all about writing music specifically aimed towards a certain audience that will buy your records and merchandise. It's writing music that you don't personally feel attached to, but you hope that you're listeners will think it's cool. You don't have to be 50 Cent, Simple Plan, or Rancid to be commercial. The most pure music is the one in which the writers couldn't give a flying fuck about the listeners. :P Which in turn creates a small fanbase, and some bands decide to just please their small group of fans with what they want, but it's not even close to commercial. Ie: Notice how little Cannibal Corpse have changed in 15 years.

One aspect that I don't like is that religious people keep asking God to do things for them. They keep hoping and hoping and don't do anything themselves to achieve that goal. They keep expecting God to help them while he is just an imaginary thing.

There's also sites of holiness and such. There's always stories of such things in which people go there and are cured of disease after they drink some of the holy water or whatever. It's called a placebo. That's the only thing that is good in religions. People get cured because they believe they will get cured. A lot of times people cure themselves because of their mentality. They believe they will be cured and sometimes it will happen.

Well, as long as you bring this up, I've got a problem with the whole "if this works, then God is with me, and if it doesn't, then he has other plans for me" thing too.

As far as the placebo effect goes, it's somewhat true. Take that, sugar pills. :P

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Originally Posted by Evans

Well, as long as you bring this up, I've got a problem with the whole "if this works, then God is with me, and if it doesn't, then he has other plans for me" thing too.

As far as the placebo effect goes, it's somewhat true. Take that, sugar pills. :P

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Unless you're diabetic, then they don't work at all, and they will actually make things a lot worse :P

They are also made of flour, yet are called sugar pills. :damn:

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You can follow what ever faith/belief you wish, but don't try to justify it with me, please.

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I am not a satanist nor am I a follower of any faith. I am an atheist. I am not trying to justify any faith. I only wish to seek truth and I thus must be certain of the accuracy of the information used to uphold an idea.

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Originally Posted by Soeru

So I'm agnostic, atheist, Satanic, Deist, Secular Humanist...

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I think you are a bit confused. Secular Humanism is a moral philosophy as well as Satanism. However, agnosticism, atheism and deism are schools of thought and not moral philosophies. One cannot be atheist, agnostic and a deist at the same time (no matter how much some people claim they can). Atheism puts forth that one can know that God does or does not exist and therefore state God does not. Deism, a school of thought within theism, is not compatible with atheism because it puts forth the idea that a God does exist. Agnosticism posits that we do not currently know if God does or does not exist but also do not dismiss the possibility that God might. In simpler terms atheism, theism and agnosticism are mere points on a spectrum of views: God exists ---- Maybe Exists? Don't know. ----- God doesn't exist.

Also, I'm certain that any form of Humanism is not compatible with Satanism. I will have to check though.

He meant that he's primarily an agnostic, and if he weren't an agnostic he'd be an atheist, etc.