The Atheism Thread - Part 6

[KRYPTON INC.]

THE EVOLUTION OF GOD by Robert Wright

It has some interesting ideas about how Yaweh goes from being most likely one war deity in a pantheon that had similarities to other pantheons in the region at the time, to sort of merging with El, the high god, whom again was the head god of the pantheon.

 

[Wams]

I personally will never understand why anyone wants to come to a site all about movies and comic books and superheroes....and argue religion.

Because Movies and Superheroes have the very same human stories and archetypes the Bible does (Superman is the Moses and Christ story,Glactus and Sliver Surfer is the story of God and Satan in reverse.V for Vendetta is about Satan. And the list goes on...) and it speaks to a universal Truth in all of us...
and all the arguing is to get on the same page and to see the same Truth.
It won't happen this side of Heaven...
But that's why....
Listen and hear where Jack Kirby got some of his inspiration for some beloved characters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUH15Ke_Hzc

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Mythological thinking seems to be a feature of the human psyche for better or worse. Still, I can see Lee's point. However the internet is something that mirrors what any given person is thinking at any given moment, so... Yeah the subjects are going to be all over the place. I don't envy the job the mods have here in the least.

 

[Alex_Spider]

I dont think people think that deeply about it. If a family member survives something serious they consider it a blessing. They dont ask the question why God chose to save them and not someone they dont know. And if they do think about that they just say it was God's will.

Its just a natural thing with humans. Look at the way Americans ask God to take our side in wars. Why are we more worthy of God's blessing? We might not be, but people have a natural bias towards their own group.

Yeah, I get why they 're thinking that way. And that's why I am opposing to religion. Because it makes a certain group of people think they 're special and were picked up from god for a reason and that's when problems start and people die.

 

[The End]

On a slightly off topic note... Has anyone else noticed the great voice cast that they've put together for COSMOS' animated sections? I noticed Carey Elwes and Sir Patrick's voices immediately.

Neil deGrass Tyson's Cosmos has been amazing.

The point was very strongly made that the literal belief of a 6000 year old universe would turn off most of the lights in the night sky; a 6000 year old universe would be tiny and its just not what we see when we look up. Their god is too small!

The story that science can tell us is so much more fulfilling than anything religion offers.

 

[Dr.]

Does anyone know of any books or documentaries that claim that the Abrahamic religions were based on earlier religions?

Well, Christianity and Islam derive from Judaism. That answers part of your question. The origins of Judaism extend much farther back into antiquity, so the historical details are more ambiguous. Judaism emerged out of a Near East/Babylonian context - where Yahweh started out as a more limited/provincial deity, vying for dominance against rivals (e.g., Baal, Astarte/Ishtar). Notwithstanding Judaism’s (eventual) monotheism, it seems clear from the OT that the existence of other gods was acknowledged, was the pretext for many wars and was a source of frustration for Yahweh (“You shall have no other gods before me.”)

 

[C. Lee]

Because Movies and Superheroes have the very same human stories and archetypes the Bible does (Superman is the Moses and Christ story,Glactus and Sliver Surfer is the story of God and Satan in reverse.V for Vendetta is about Satan. And the list goes on...) and it speaks to a universal Truth in all of us...
and all the arguing is to get on the same page and to see the same Truth.
It won't happen this side of Heaven...
But that's why....
Listen and hear where Jack Kirby got some of his inspiration for some beloved characters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUH15Ke_Hzc

I guess I didn't explain myself well enough......I feel that discussing religion as it pertains to specific instances of imagery or plot in a comic book related movie is one thing.....but going out of your way on a site devoted to comics and movies to create threads to discuss religion (pro or con) is in my opinion just someone looking for an argument.

 

[chaseter]

You just now realized that a thread devoted to worshipping Jesus on a superhero forum wasn't going to work out?

 

[C. Lee]

You just now realized that a thread devoted to worshipping Jesus on a superhero forum wasn't going to work out?

No....I have always said it should not be allowed because all it does is cause arguments and infractions. I have talked several times in the mods area that such threads should not be allowed on here. I feel the Hype is for comics movies superheroes and the like...I feel that religion as well as the "here's another thread about semi naked women" stuff does not need to be on here. If you want to talk religion or lack there of or want to look at naked pictures....there are plenty of other places on the net to get your fix. We have people on here ready to kill others and acting like complete idiots over such things as HIS SUIT WAS NOT THE RIGHT SHADE OF GREEN or MY CHARACTER CAN PUNCH YOUR CHARACTER OUT.....does anyone thing that those type can discuss religion civilly?

 

[Alex_Spider]

No....I have always said it should not be allowed because all it does is cause arguments and infractions. I have talked several times in the mods area that such threads should not be allowed on here. I feel the Hype is for comics movies superheroes and the like...I feel that religion as well as the "here's another thread about semi naked women" stuff does not need to be on here. If you want to talk religion or lack there of or want to look at naked pictures....there are plenty of other places on the net to get your fix. We have people on here ready to kill others and acting like complete idiots over such things as HIS SUIT WAS NOT THE RIGHT SHADE OF GREEN or MY CHARACTER CAN PUNCH YOUR CHARACTER OUT.....does anyone thing that those type can discuss religion civilly?

lol you got a point.

 

[Dr.]

In my experience, most message boards devoted to a specific theme (e.g., superheroes, Star Trek, chess, ocean kayaking,) often make room for off-topic subjects like politics, news, economics, philosophy, social issues, sports, music, relationships, hobbies, etc. Including these subjects, I assume, broadens the appeal of the site - potentially making it more popular (and financially viable, if not lucrative). I suppose an owner/admin could narrow the focus of the board, keeping it more “on topic.” But by that rationale, SHH should shut down all the “Community” forums.

 

[chaseter]

Let's not drag the semi-naked women into this.

 

[Hobgoblin]

Well, Christianity and Islam derive from Judaism. That answers part of your question. The origins of Judaism extend much farther back into antiquity, so the historical details are more ambiguous. Judaism emerged out of a Near East/Babylonian context - where Yahweh started out as a more limited/provincial deity, vying for dominance against rivals (e.g., Baal, Astarte/Ishtar). Notwithstanding Judaism’s (eventual) monotheism, it seems clear from the OT that the existence of other gods was acknowledged, was the pretext for many wars and was a source of frustration for Yahweh (“You shall have no other gods before me.”)

That is why I said "Abrahamic religions."

 

[Dr.]

That is why I said "Abrahamic religions."

You asked if the (three) Abrahamic faiths were based on earlier religions. And Christianity and Islam were based on (earlier) Judaism. That is why I narrowed my response to the latter.

 

[SV Fan]

I personally will never understand why anyone wants to come to a site all about movies and comic books and superheroes....and argue religion.

Because it's hard talking to people in real life why religion is a pile of BS without them getting offended.

Religion has a pretty good first rule that basically first rule of religion club is not to talk about religion club outside of the church.

Does anyone know of any books or documentaries that claim that the Abrahamic religions were based on earlier religions?

Why do we celebrate Jesus birth on the 3rd day after we have the least amount of sun in the northern hemisphere? Why is Jesus death celebrated on the first Sunday after a full moon in the spring? Think both those days have some special link with Jesus' life?

Notice Zodiac. It has a Sun in the middle and 12 other people, gee where did I see that kind of Symbolism before.

 

[regwec]

Why is Viggo Mortensen on that zodiac?

 

[Hobgoblin]

What this pastor says about the movie "Noah"....actually makes sense.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/03/25/should-christians-support-noah/

 

[regwec]

Yes, he's right. As I have said before, I rather like a number of biblical stories and, were I missionary, I would consider them to be one of the better ways of spreading the word.

The air of permanent disapproval, whining, repression, and thinly-disguised prejudice is what puts a lot of people off.

 

[redhawk23]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ack-down-on-political-dissidents-9228389.html

Saudi Arabian royal decree declares atheism as an act of terrorism. The irony is strong with this one.

 

[Marvolo]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ack-down-on-political-dissidents-9228389.html

Saudi Arabian royal decree declares atheism as an act of terrorism. The irony is strong with this one.

Not that I agree with the decree, but for a country so imbedded in its religion I can see why those in power would fear athiesm. If athiesm spread then it could undermine their authority.

 

[regwec]

They also consider most Islamist groups (that they don't secretly support) to be terrorist.

It appears that the only non-terrorist religion/non-religion for them is "the sort of Sunni Islam where you get really fat and secretly drink Scotch".

 

[Marvolo]

They also consider most Islamist groups (that they don't secretly support) to be terrorist.

It appears that the only non-terrorist religion/non-religion for them is "the sort of Sunni Islam where you get really fat and secretly drink Scotch".

That doesnt sound too bad actually.

 

[BestGirl]

Why do we celebrate Jesus birth on the 3rd day after we have the least amount of sun in the northern hemisphere? Why is Jesus death celebrated on the first Sunday after a full moon in the spring? Think both those days have some special link with Jesus' life?

Notice Zodiac. It has a Sun in the middle and 12 other people, gee where did I see that kind of Symbolism before.

That is a fascinating observation. I wish I had a time machine that would allow me to see the truth behind historical religious figures.

Why is Viggo Mortensen on that zodiac?

I was wondering that, myself. I know the internet is a repository of all things strange but damn.

The book next to him also looks photoshopped.

 

[Marvolo]

That is a fascinating observation. I wish I had a time machine that would allow me to see the truth behind historical religious figures.

After Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion he combined Christianity with Sun worship. A lot of modern christianity is nothing more than co-opted sun worship.

 

[regwec]

I thought the Roman pantheon was still quite diverse at that point.