use one word to sum up your thoughts on religion in 2014.

religious

Bigotry. Hypocrisy works as well.

I think bigotry works better though as it highlights the way religious people go and use their religions to justify hate and to try and put themselves on some sort of pedestal because they believe in some dude looking down on them from above.

The idea of this "war on religion" here in the US is one of the most laughable things ever and it really highlights the tribal attitude of Christians that they think that them being unable to use their religion to hold down rights of others constitutes them as being "under attack".

Funny thing is these same people apparently aren't very familiar with the damn book they supposedly worship considering the bible makes it very clear that you are supposed to "love thy neighbor".

Religion in 2014 is much different than the traditional definition.

Disgusting, along with the other methods of control for the very evil beings at the top of the system who have succeeded in enslaving humanity, such as the religion of science, and new age BS. Designed to brainwash people, and keep the truth away from us as far as possible, I'm in the religion of truth, I have learned so much by looking outside the mainstream, and listening to people what the system would like to convince me they are crazy, when they are very sane and have a vast amount of knowledge to what is really going on. War is a ritual sacrifice, you won't get peace if you keep doing what the psychopathic leaders want you to do.

I'm not talking about the "personal religion" thing and the idea of "anything can be a religion". I'm talking mainly about the religions that have had a lot of history and culture, ala the Abrahamic trio.

Nowadays, a lot of liberal or progressive people in the west go "religion is personal to me", well congratulations. But the belief system you draw from had a history of oppression (with religious text to support it), amongst other things.

Much less annoying than atheists.

I would say religion is misrepresented.

There are billions of people worshiping some form of religion, and regardless of what your views on religious beliefs are, it is illogical and unfair to class everyone following religious beliefs to be homogenous in nature. Just because some fanatical Westbro Baptist Church member is homophobic doesn't mean that every Christian is homophobic and bigoted. Just because there is a suicide bomber of Islamic faith doesn't mean every follower of Islam wants to murder.

My belief is that religion can be a tool for both good and evil, and it seems that the people using it for evil acts get all the coverage. Numerous religious organisations (Salvos, Vinnies, etc) have helped millions.

Now I know you spent a lot of time and effort forming that opinion....most intelligent thing I've ever seen you post.....but I'm really not at all bothered by the close minded atheists here. Better luck next time.....;)

It's SOME religious people....as well as non religious people. Why generalize and stereotype everyone? Do you like it when people assume you fit a stereotype?

I don't, but when someone labels themselves as religious and ignore what that system has (actually) stood for, then I have a problem with that. It is obvious that when people personalize that belief system, they are changing it to suit today's societal standards.

Yeah how could you possibly be bothered when you know you have Old Grey Beard watching over you from above.

ohh emm gee what a closed minded thing for me to say!

Okay...then enlighten me. If I am wrong then tell me what you think it stands for? Because everything that I mentioned is supported by religious text. If you're going to say "well, religion is about peace and loving each other", then those aren't really central ideas in religion. Those have only become centralized because of secular philosophy and industrialization.

You really try too hard......shame.

ALLEGORICAL.
what was meant initially centuries ago to spread wisdom and understanding of our world, has become the sword of confirmation bias, and the fuel of our modern day tribalism.

Everything can be rationalized to make sense to reader in intellectually-safe and in intellectually-dangerous ways depending on the person.

It's allegorical because an intelligent person can derive all the parts of a text that hint at their personal shortcomings, faults, areas of improvement, while writing off any text that suggest ridiculous, untimely, manipulative or even socially taboo things.

R.E.M

Like I said "If you get offended by people pushing for secularism then you should really look closer at your own views." I didn't stereotype anyone, I was talking about a specific group of people yet you got offended anyway.

You're just insecure and think everyone is out to get you when the reality is that region is not under attack and most likely won't be for a very long time.

I'm not offended in the least. What you think doesn't matter to me. You really shouldn't read posts as personal dude. I mean you seem offended over my view of atheists I've encountered here. But notice that wasn't my objection to you. It was your black and white look at the issue.

True, but what stands out to me (because of the west, and middle east) are the 3 abrahamic religions. There is Taoism, Buddism, etc. But those don't get as much publicity as the other ones.

Inconsistent

SSDD

obtuse/stolid

Okay, then how is it any different than generalizing all atheists? It only seems we're close minded because we are responding to another extreme. And I go back to my original post where I said religion is obsolete. Everything that is today (progress) is a result of other things, not religion.

Broad, nuanced, fantastical.

@toast_burner:

Franco Zeffirelli (I respect this guy because he's a non bigot LGBT .... unlike some lgbt behaving in terror kind of manner)

@Master_Live: I know the author of this thread didn't specify, but I assume the poster meant REAL words when he made this thread.

What's wrong, I thought you atheists, (and I am assuming you are atheist because you just referred to religion as suckish) believed in the words of brilliant scientists like Stephen Jay Gould. Surely you can come up with a slightly more educated word than "suckish" I hope. I also hope you take philosophy seriously, mr. moderator.

And I think religion is necessary because with all of the problems in my life, I do not need to deal with the Existential Problem in addition to trying to find a job and finish college.

Religion

Boom
Now who's invalid

Yes because being public about your sexuality makes you a terrorist.

Complicated.

To speak of religion as a whole is difficult as not all religions and ways to practice those religions ought to be treated as equal. The Jihadist simply is not to be put in the same category as a missionary that helps provide well water for tribes in Africa. I support the latter.

lol

your post makes some atheist burning from the inside

Archaic.

People from thousands of years ago's guesses at how the world and universe came to be and their prejudices have no place in our modern-day society.

I understand fully how and why we have so many people still believing in them, and I would never put them down for it knowing those reasons. However, I still cringe at the thought of people using ancient books to keep women, LGBT people, etc. down. Humans don't need any more excuses to be prejudiced and spread their prejudices, and religion is the perfect excuse for them.

"Whatever." That is "who cares?" If people want to believe in whatever deity or doctrine that helps them get on with life, then let them. Who cares?

Useless

Crazy

A few nights ago , my mom was watching a show called "Five Wives" that's about this guy, his five wives, and his 24 (yes, 24) kids. I asked, "how dumb can you be to have 24 kids?" Then my mom got pissy and said "It's a part of his religion!" I didn't say anything or ask what his religion was. But I don't give a shit what the dude's religion is. If you're dumb enough to have five wives and 24 kids because some book tells you to, then you need to get your priorities straight. Their grocery bill ALONE is $4,000 a month. Because long live his religion and to hell with his financial security, right? And where is it legal to have five wives? It looked like it was taking place in the US; let me guess...Utah.

The last thing we need is people having fucktons of kids because some doctrine tells them to. The planet has 7.1 billion people. We don't need any more. In fact, we need a decline.

And finally, I don't care what religion you practice so long as you don't use it as an excuse to be an asshole.

Kind of seems like a bad idea to try to sum up religion in one word. Either you'll have to describe religion in an abstract sense, in which case you won't be able to say much that's meaningful, or you'll have to generalize about religion based on specific religions or religious sects. Either way seems like a bad idea.