Thread: Religulous

Originally Posted by Rawaz

I agree totally with you on this, but what I'm talking about is not that violence occurs for political reasons rather than religious. Even though for instance the Koran legitimises violence etc. What I'm talking about is that many of these figures say something to an outsider while within the Muslim community he says or acts something else, basically this is hypocrisy. And that is what I dislike.
About women's rights I do not look at the Taliban as an example here, but generally within Islam. For example according to the Sharia (Islamic law) a testimony of a woman or a non-Muslim is not equal to that of a Muslim man. As you say I do not wish to engage a debate about this at this point, but this was an example.
Hope I made things clear rather than stir things up again

Hmm agreed about not stirring things up. This is not my intention either but I think we are hijacking this thread and a razor forum is not where I want to get into a religious debate since most of the ones I've seen don't end well. I'll just say that explanations about each of those things, and pretty much any question, are on google through countless other forums (if you stay away from the anti sites).
As for religious figures... well there are no religious figures. There is no religious hierarchy. Ie. no head, or pope, or leader to speak for all followers of the religion. The people you are thinking of are either heads of state or heads of some organization. Both these types of people have an agenda which is unlikely to be based on religion. I guess what I'm saying is don't paint everyone with the same brush.

Originally Posted by MisterZadir

Hmm agreed about not stirring things up. This is not my intention either but I think we are hijacking this thread and a razor forum is not where I want to get into a religious debate since most of the ones I've seen don't end well. I'll just say that explanations about each of those things, and pretty much any question, are on google through countless other forums (if you stay away from the anti sites).
As for religious figures... well there are no religious figures. There is no religious hierarchy. Ie. no head, or pope, or leader to speak for all followers of the religion. The people you are thinking of are either heads of state or heads of some organization. Both these types of people have an agenda which is unlikely to be based on religion. I guess what I'm saying is don't paint everyone with the same brush.

I never said any such thing, I know very well that there is no head of the Islamic community. There are some figures that certainly have an authority within the community, or rather communities, but not like the pope or the curia or Ponifex Maximus.
I think you misunderstood me my friend, or perhaps I wasn't clear enough.

I am usually very clear to say that Islam is very diversified and we cannot say "Muslims this or Muslims that" as the term Muslim is not referring to a homogeneous group. (you can see this in my other posts on this forum about Muslims). Also here I do not mean all muslims naturally, but I was only criticising the "nice-Islam" that is often brought forth by some to outsiders but then later when cameras are turned off they say something else.

Look Ma, I'm keeping my mouth shut!!!

I am loathe to wade into the murky depths that is religious debate, particularly as I have not seen the movie referred to in the OP. However, the good Lord gave us minds with which to think, so I will add my two cents.

IMO religion is a man-made construct specifically designed to garner power and influence using man's inherent spiritual questioning as a rather cynical (yet frustratingly effective) bait. Each religion has its own individual differences, but the common denominator is there.

I believe your spirituality is between you and your chosen God. It is personal. We are each individual, and I believe one of the reasons we (as a group) embrace the communal religion offered by other men is that it lets us off the hook somewhat from that person spiritual experience. We do not need to make a personal effort when someone else offers to do the hard work for us.

Anyway, they are some of my thoughts on Religion. Feel free to have a differing view.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

IMO religion is a man-made construct specifically designed to garner power and influence using man's inherent spiritual questioning as a rather cynical (yet frustratingly effective) bait. Each religion has its own individual differences, but the common denominator is there.

James.

well reasoned. couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I am loathe to wade into the murky depths that is religious debate, particularly as I have not seen the movie referred to in the OP. However, the good Lord gave us minds with which to think, so I will add my two cents.

IMO religion is a man-made construct specifically designed to garner power and influence using man's inherent spiritual questioning as a rather cynical (yet frustratingly effective) bait. Each religion has its own individual differences, but the common denominator is there.

I believe your spirituality is between you and your chosen God. It is personal. We are each individual, and I believe one of the reasons we (as a group) embrace the communal religion offered by other men is that it lets us off the hook somewhat from that person spiritual experience. We do not need to make a personal effort when someone else offers to do the hard work for us.

Anyway, they are some of my thoughts on Religion. Feel free to have a differing view.

James.

For all of our apparent differences we really don't think all that differently do we old friend?

Originally Posted by sicboater

Maher asks interesting question with a valid concern
Interviewee answers question to the best of their ability
Maher humiliates interviewee in a disrespectful manner

Rinse, Repeat.

I found Maher to be respectful to the people who deserved respect. Like the guys at the truck stop in the beginning. He showed no respect to the Pastor saying Jesus was a rich man. Judging from that particular pastors arrogance it was justified.

He wasn't respectful of the guy saying he's the second coming of Christ. Again, not entirely unjustified. You say you're the son of Gawd, then ya gots to expect someone will give ya a little hell for it.

So all in all I thought it was pretty balanced, but with a lean toward entertainment.

Now everyone can correct me if I'm wrong. Because at the SRP one should never be too resolute in their beliefs. As, someone, will always be a little smarter than I am here.

And I mean that in a good way. I like knowing the truth even it's not what I think it is.


That's a good thing.

Originally Posted by JMS

For all of our apparent differences we really don't think all that differently do we old friend?

lol! No, I guess we do not.

James.

Originally Posted by joscobo

I found Maher to be respectful to the people who deserved respect. Like the guys at the truck stop in the beginning. He showed no respect to the Pastor saying Jesus was a rich man. Judging from that particular pastors arrogance it was justified.

He wasn't respectful of the guy saying he's the second coming of Christ. Again, not entirely unjustified. You say you're the son of Gawd, then ya gots to expect someone will give ya a little hell for it.

So all in all I thought it was pretty balanced, but with a lean toward entertainment.

I sort of weighed these in with the fact that he didn't go to a regular church with a congregation closer to the paradigm. Truckers, a guy who thinks he is the second coming, a theme park, talked to some fringe pastors, some vatican scholars, etc. I can see your point, but he does hand it to some people who don't deserve it like the guy who was in the book store. I would watch it again, don't get me wrong. I just won't expect any real enlightening information.

-Rob