Another Religious Arguement

[headcase]

Alright, I know I might be beating a dead horse on this religion thing. But in modern society, it's really the centre piece of philosophy and morality. So I'm just going to keep on going.

This idea was spurred on by an arguement I had with a Muslim friend about the merits of Islam versus Christianity. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that although Islam is the purer form of religion, in the context of modern society Christianity has become a better example of how one should be.

On top of that was the fountain of knowledge that is South Park. In particular, the episode about the Mormons, and the crazy shit they believe. Basically the whole episode took the piss out of the Book or Mormon, but ended on the idea that if Mormonism grants these people a good life and loving family, then maybe they're happy with that.

So then I started thinking about the three religions from a point of purity versus their real life application.

Islam: A big part of Islam is that the Qu'uran had never been changed or edited even the tiniest bit since it was written. It is the most pure from of religion. Yet in reality, it promotes hate, violence and prejudice.

Christianity: is the middle ground. The gist of it's the same, yet it's hardly pure (Council of Nice, and it was written from decades old word of mouth). It has it's positives, but it's also used as a scam, promotes prejudice and hate (homosexuality, televangelists).

Mormonism: Pretty much guarenteed to be gibberish. He read it out of a hat and the like. Yet from my little experience with Mormons, they seem a happy lot. I've never heard of Mormon extremists.


Given that all three were probably some randomers illusions of grandeur, doesn't that make Mormonism the best form of religion?

[Beyond]

No, they're just the least motivated of the bunch.

[headcase]

Possibly, but none the less they're happy and moral. Mission accomplished for religion in it's earthly carnation.

[Beyond]

Moral and happy according to their standards, I wouldn't be happy not being able to listen to rock n roll.

[headcase]

That doesn't matter. Happiness is a personal thing. If a person's happy and content staring at the floor, then why should they do anything but stare at the floor? We mightn't enjoy it, but surely that's our loss. We have to piss money away just to get the same feeling. If Mormons are just plain old happy, I'm jealous, even if I do have access to the world of modern media. I'm not getting any more out of it then them.

[Beyond]

I'm happy without religion, are you saying that religion-less people are happy and therefore have accomplished their mission?

Not all Mormon's are happy, not from what I've read/seen.

[headcase]

I don't mean it so personally. Looking at the broad generalities, if religion's earthly aim is to stimulate a happy moral life, then Mormonism achieved it's aim to a greater extent then the other two.

[Beyond]

I would think Scientology accomplishes it's aim greater.

[crzydan81]

Im christian and I am happy. have a merry Christmas. I hope that doesnt offend you. Actually I dont. Merry Christmas.

[headcase]

Originally Posted by Beyond

I would think Scientology accomplishes it's aim greater.

If it does, that that's even more bullshit then Mormonism, which would strenghten my arguement.

Although from what I hear, Scientology isn't all jumping on couches and being a dumbass. The lower levels are shit. Brainwashed slaves and the like.

[Beyond]

Originally Posted by headcase

If it does, that that's even more bullshit then Mormonism, which would strenghten my arguement.

Although from what I hear, Scientology isn't all jumping on couches and being a dumbass. The lower levels are shit. Brainwashed slaves and the like.

Bullshit how? I find our creation from aliens more plausible than from just a supreme being. Colonization if you will.

[headcase]

Originally Posted by Beyond

Bullshit how?

The whole "we're all covered with the ghosts of aliens killed a hundred million years ago by Lord Xenu and we have to reach OT level 3 and then pay $100,00 each to have the ghosts removed, hence allowing us to reach our full potential" thing. Oh and there are hundreds of ghosts and it's $100,000 per ghost.

[Beyond]

And that's anymore laced with bullshit than someone just made us happen, in 6 days, and just left us? Or Allah talked to a social reject/drunkard like Muhammad solely and spread his ideas? They're all pretty fucked up. It just depends on what part of them you want to pick apart.

[headcase]

There's a good chance Jesus and Muhammad meant well. They preached good things. So did Jospeh Smith.

L. Ron Hubbard stated his intention to start a religion to make money. Some years later, he started a religion that involved making huge compulsory donations. A feature that was aided by brain-washing.

While the others were religions that in some cases degenerated into scams, Scientology is just a plain old scam, instigated by a self-obsessed mad man.

Why scientology try to copyright their teachings.

[Beyond]

You don't get my implications.

Who's to say religion shouldn't be used for money? You're living according to mono-theistic doctrine, where good to others is good, period. Who's to say personal gain isn't better?

[Steve_TPF]

The catholic church has a ton of money, and they don't seem to do much giving to the poor.

[ninefingers]

HeadCase: "Mormonism" (LDS) is Not it's own "religion"; it IS Christianity, and Protestant. Go look at the sign on an LDS church, read what it says. Don't judge an American faith by only what you have heard on some TV show.

It is again, as said much, a moot point what you choose to believe. To scoff at Joseph Smith, then go to a Catholic church and worship someone born of a virgin, walking on water...get my drift? It is all faith; what one chooses to believe. One is no "crazier" than another; just one has been established longer--does that make it "righter"?

Yes, Steve, the Catholic church does help people--the coffer box is for the people. How Much; I don't know. Mormons sock away food in tins and bottles for emergencies; some is given to needy families; as well as money from tithings.

And, Joseph Smith used stones. Urim and Thummim, in Ex. 28:15-30, and other references of seeing, are in the bible.

The Few Scientologists I've met or heard about seemed brainwashed. Johnny Revolting didn't get help for his Autistic son right away, as he was too embarrassed to appear "less than perfect" to his fellow
Scientologists (?) So, the boy died. One S. I had to work with constantly proselytized about it, and got fired for talking, not working. I guess he rationalized That, somehow.

EDIT: No, I'm not trying to "convert" anyone--just clearing the air for some facts.

[headcase]

You dig up a two year old thread to make an irrelevant point you're already making elsewhere? Think before you post.

[ninefingers]

No, it;'s Not "Irrelevent". I did make it elsewhere, true. So, what? Not all saw it from thread to thread. This is a different thread, remember?

I knew I took a risk with an old thread, but there was no "warning" or "locked" on it.

How would you fare if you had a belief that was attacked by ignorance? I am not saying that other's don't have a Right to an Opinion, but facts are facts. EX: I don't say "Catholics all have sex with their mothers"; or slanderous lies and generalizations like that, now, do I?

I need to to clear the air on Facts:"Mormons" (:LDS) are Christians. We are Also Protestants, Period. We are not our own "Religion" but a faith. We believe in the King James' Bible.

Possibly we are a "cult", yes, but look up the Definition of cult: The Boy Scouts, Masons, Catholics, Methodists, etc, all have traditions and rituals, so, technically, very many people are involved in a "cult". No insult to anyone.

I needed to get you off this "South Park" parody and into the real world, if you wanted a serious answer.

Hope this is on topic enough for you.