Being religious & horsey

[Onyxia]

Who could see the crazy design of the horse's/any mammal's eye, the arthritis-prone hock with completely unnecessary joints, and the paralysis prone vocal chord nerve that travels all the way down the neck, round the heart and back up to the throat again and believe in any kind of intelligent design?????

Only the creationists,and lets be honest those guys are a little beyound crazy
Personaly,I belive God created life and then evolution made the diversity we see today.

I envy people with a deep belief, it makes life so much less complicated

Really?
I would have thought feeling answerable to none but yourself,which would enable you to be as big an a hole as you wish would be much easier

 

[Onyxia]

Me for one ..... it's called evolution and not an imaginary man in the sky !!

Nothing like tollerance and mutual respect!

 

[FionaM12]

Really?
I would have thought feeling answerable to none but yourself,which would enable you to be as big an a hole as you wish would be much easier

I don't think it's the easier route. I feel that life is full of difficult moral choices, and it much be easier to follow the handbook (Bible, Torah, Koran etc) or ask your religious leader than work it out each time yourself?

Maybe it depends on how seriously you take life!

 

[Fellewell]

FATHER TED: TENTACLES OF DOOM (1996)

(Bishop Facks to Father Dougal McGuire)
“So, Father; do you have any doubts about the religious life? Is your faith ever tested? Anything you would be worried about? Any doubts you’ve been having about any aspect of belief? Anything like that?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“ Well.....you know the way God made us all, right? And He’s looking down on us from heaven and everything? And then His son came down and saved everyone and all that? And when we die we’re all going to heaven?
(Bishop Facks)
“Yes, what about it?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“Well, that’s the bit I have trouble with”

 

[FanyDuChamp]

I am not religious in any shape or form. To me believing in God is like believing in Father Christmas: I grew out of both both because I don't see any evidence of either! I think we're all capable of leading a good life, being kind to humans and the natural world and making sound moral choices without the handbook a religion provides.

But that's my personal view, I have every respect for other peoples' views. I notice so far in this thread there seems to be an assumption that "religious" means Christian. There are many other religions and I respect them all equally.

The YO where I keep Mollie is a devout Jehovah's Witness. If ever there was an embassador for that faith, it's him and his wife. Kind, gentle and sensible horse-lovers who never push their religious points of view on anyone. I only know about their faith because on a long hack with YO, I once asked.

OMG are you suggesting there is no Father Christmas?!

 

[Ladyinred]

Only the creationists,and lets be honest those guys are a little beyound crazy
Personaly,I belive God created life and then evolution made the diversity we see today.

Yes, that's the way I see it too.

 

[nikCscott]

FATHER TED: TENTACLES OF DOOM (1996)

(Bishop Facks to Father Dougal McGuire)
“So, Father; do you have any doubts about the religious life? Is your faith ever tested? Anything you would be worried about? Any doubts you’ve been having about any aspect of belief? Anything like that?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“ Well.....you know the way God made us all, right? And He’s looking down on us from heaven and everything? And then His son came down and saved everyone and all that? And when we die we’re all going to heaven?
(Bishop Facks)
“Yes, what about it?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“Well, that’s the bit I have trouble with”

As i said earlier I have faith (in something), but I struggle with the bible exactly like Father Dougal- must hunt out Father Ted on a sky channel not seen it for years! Thank you!!!!

 

[FionaM12]

OMG are you suggesting there is no Father Christmas?!

I'm sorry, but you were duped. It was just someone's dodgy uncle in a red suit whose knee you sat on.

Neither do I believe all my past dogs, horses and rabbits are waiting for me frolicking together at Rainbow Bridge. They do still exist, but only in my head.

 

[FionaM12]

FATHER TED: TENTACLES OF DOOM (1996)

(Bishop Facks to Father Dougal McGuire)
“So, Father; do you have any doubts about the religious life? Is your faith ever tested? Anything you would be worried about? Any doubts you’ve been having about any aspect of belief? Anything like that?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“ Well.....you know the way God made us all, right? And He’s looking down on us from heaven and everything? And then His son came down and saved everyone and all that? And when we die we’re all going to heaven?
(Bishop Facks)
“Yes, what about it?”
(Fr. Dougal)
“Well, that’s the bit I have trouble with”

I'm with you there, Dougal.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I'm not religious but my mum is and quite a few of her church friends are horsey. I think most of them are parents so have to fit that in as well.

 

[tinuviel]

I don't think there is any conflict, would there have been any conflict prior to cars being invented when everyone relied on the horse? I'm very much in the aetheist camp. I just can not see how anyone can believe there is any sort of God, not that I think any less of people for believing but there is no logic in it for me. I reckon religion is a hangover from what early humans believed explained the world around them, nowadays science is busting alot of the myths. I get no comfort from the thought there is someone else deciding our fates, its actually just weird. Am happy with life as it is, faith/religion would not improve it.

 

[FionaM12]

I just can not see how anyone can believe there is any sort of God, not that I think any less of people for believing but there is no logic in it for me. I reckon religion is a hangover from what early humans believed explained the world around them, nowadays science is busting alot of the myths. I get no comfort from the thought there is someone else deciding our fates, its actually just weird. Am happy with life as it is, faith/religion would not improve it.

Sums it up for me.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

Some I know is. TBH I think some of their views are very niave and bordering on bonkers, but I would never say anything to offend, and as it's polite to listen, I let it go in through one ear and straight out the other

 

[wench]

Why would there be any conflict???

I am going to church concert this evening and looking forward to it

 

[Onyxia]

I reckon religion is a hangover from what early humans believed explained the world around them, nowadays science is busting alot of the myths.

And creating it's own.
Dark matter and dark energy are considered ot be "truth" without evidence, but hey- it makes Hawkings latest theorys work so much be right!
The very nature of science makes it a work in progress and it will never be able to explain everything.

I get no comfort from the thought there is someone else deciding our fates, its actually just weird.

Free will is at the heart of christian faith,it puts you as an indivual firmly in the driving seat of your life responsable for the good and the bad.
No one pointing a finger and deciding what does or does not happen to you here

The older I get the more I feel an understanding of the concept of God the father- as parents we set the rules, mark out the bounderies and the hope our children do the right thing.

I also become more sure that faith is not something that can be picked up and put down, the people (like myself) who leave their church at some point to come back later never lack faith in God, just faith in the men of the church.

 

[Onyxia]

I'm sorry, but you were duped. It was just someone's dodgy uncle in a red suit whose knee you sat on.

No, you are clearly wrong there.
In Polar Express Santa IS definatly REAL.
True,some could not hear the magic of the bells or see Santa, but that is because they do not belive in him.

I'm on the nice list.



Again.









AND BETTER STAY THERE!

 

[Ladyinred]

Santa is as real as the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Oh, and the naughty elves who hide things in your house.

 

[FionaM12]

Santa is as real as the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Oh, and the naughty elves who hide things in your house.

...and God?

 

[Ladyinred]

...and God?

Yes. Which possibly isn't the answer you wanted

 

[FanyDuChamp]

No, you are clearly wrong there.
In Polar Express Santa IS definatly REAL.
True,some could not hear the magic of the bells or see Santa, but that is because they do not belive in him.

I'm on the nice list.



Again.









AND BETTER STAY THERE!

This! He definitely exists I saw him when I was a little girl, and he was not my uncle because he has a Canadian accent! So I know he was real.
FDC

 

[cptrayes]

Only the creationists,and lets be honest those guys are a little beyound crazy
Personaly,I belive God created life and then evolution made the diversity we see today.

That makes much more sense than a view that says God created everything just as we see it today

I would have thought feeling answerable to none but yourself,which would enable you to be as big an a hole as you wish would be much easier

No, like horses most humans are happier following a strong charismatic leader, which is why, I believe, we have invented Gods since time began - so we can believe that we do not carry all the responsibility.


Incidentally, I have a theory that Religious Belief is itself a creation of Evolution. Religious societies tended to have a set of strict rules and were law abiding, not inbred etc etc This will have ensured a stronger tribe and longer life (and more reproduction) for those tribes that had religion, and Evolution would spread those genes ever wider. Now wouldn't that be the final irony - God is a creation of evolution and not the other way around?

 

[Enfys]

I always wonder if people who use the term Atheist when they actually mean Agnostic?

Ah, but I do mean atheist. What makes you think that those who say it don't mean it?

a·the·ist (th-st)n. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

That would be me then

The Theory of Evolution sits far better with me, logically, than Adam and Eve do.


The fence sitter... ag·nos·tic (g-nstk)n.
1.
a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
adj.
1. Relating to or being an agnostic.
2. Doubtful or noncommittal:

If there were a God, any God, why would such dreadful things happen to so many innocent people? I am not doubtful about my non-belief, I am quite certain, in the same way that people are quite certain of their belief.

It matters not a jot to me, I take people as I find them, regardless of creed or colour.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

If there were a God, any God, why would such dreadful things happen to so many innocent people? I am not doubtful about my non-belief, I am quite certain, in the same way that people are quite certain of their belief.

It matters not a jot to me, I take people as I find them, regardless of creed or colour.

Because God gave people free will so we could learn for ourselves and experience life. It's man who twists religion around to serve their own agenda, again, that is our free will. God could easily step in and wipe out all war, etc but then we wouldn't learn anything for ourselves. Kind of like parents letting their kids learn for themselves Being here on earth, is our "school" where we can cock everything up, learn, discover things, ride horses, etc.

 

[SophieLouBee]

WHO said santa isn't real?!!!?

How VERY dary you Especially this close, you won't get any presents now!

 

[tallyho!]

I think I'm a Hindu!!!!

Or.. buddhist. Maybe. Anyway, I don't know, all I know is that I exist, horses & cats exist... BLISS!!!!

p.s. I know many are referring to christianity but I'd like to remind folk that Moslems have to pray 5x a day everyday and they managed not only to ride and live in a desert (back in the day), but breed one of the most magnificent horses the earth has ever seen!!!!

This proves religion + horses = winner

 

[Enfys]

Because God gave people free will so we could learn for ourselves and experience life. It's man who twists religion around to serve their own agenda, again, that is our free will. God could easily step in and wipe out all war, etc but then we wouldn't learn anything for ourselves. Kind of like parents letting their kids learn for themselves Being here on earth, is our "school" where we can cock everything up, learn, discover things, ride horses, etc.

But how do you know that for sure?
How can you prove there is an entity in charge of everything?

You can't, anymore than I can prove there isn't.

Freewill happens regardless of whether there is anyone to give permission to use it or not.

 

[tallyho!]

But how do you know that for sure?

Free will happens regardless of whether there is anyone to give permission to use it or not.

Oww stop asking deep questions enfys my head is about to pop!!!!!!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I think there is a conflict, I have faith in there being a 'god' and we all have soles, our body is merely a home for the sole. The same goes for an animal.

I haven't read many different types of religious texts, but I can't think of many that include animals when they talk about kindness and compassion or that they have a sole.

I think my point is religion is very focused it has started

Actually there are endless writings from Religious who describe how precious animals are and what, as human beings, our duty to them is. Kindness and compassion feature highly to animals in many faiths such as Catholicism and Buddism.
Pope John Paul ll spoke in detail about animals having a soul and how an animal that serves/works should be cared for before the owner looks after himself at the end of the day.

 

[tallyho!]

Can everyone stop saying "SOLE"... that usually refers to the bottom of ones foot... or number of proprietors....

It is SOUL.

Sorry, it was doing my head in

 

[tallyho!]

Actually 5horses2catsandadog, religious text refers to animals extensively!!!!!

Bible, bhuddist texts, the hindus vehemently revere all animals even spiders, the chinese absolutely live by animals, and moslems think very highly of the horse calling it the "gift" to humans and should be revered!

Come to think of it, animals feature heavily in Darwinism and Religion so.... what does that say???