Religion versus evelution and then their is Prometheus

@ Spartacus Where the hell did I mention the bible? I spoke only on the subject of God, not the bible. Aside from the reasons above why I don't believe in God... The reason I don't believe we were created by any other sentient race is quite simple. 1. There is no evidence. 2. The universe is so large that it's more than likely guaranteed for intelligent life (if there is even such a thing) to spring up on it's own out of pure chance. 4. If we were designed then it was probably accidental considering how insignificant we are in comparison to the universe. Incredibly unlikely that we were given a purpose, whether it be for their sake or something else. If we were actually given a purpose then it would probably be to take their place and beyond as their successors, just as machines someday will be our successors.

@Spartacus I never mentioned the bible once in my post. The bible is a documentation of fantasy stories and information while god on the other hand is a fictional figure, two completely different things. As for the topic on other sentient races creating us for a purpose, I don't believe that for several reasons. 1. There is no evidence. 2. We're too insignificant for anything more advanced than us to have use for us. 3. If we were created and we were given some type of purpose then it would more then likely be to take their place and beyond as their successors, just as machines someday will be ours. This suggest that we would be superior to them if this were the case. 4. The universe is so large filled with more stars than grains of sand on all of the beaches of the earth that the chances are stupidly high for life to spring up out of pure luck, even intelligent life like ourselves (if there is even such a thing). I don't doubt for one race to have the capability of creating another, what I doubt is the reason behind it, there is nothing to gain from it other then to replace you.

The "religion has been bad, bad, bad" sentiment ignores a couple of fundamental, realities. 1: The development of religious belief was intimately bound together with the development of agriculture, and therefore, [i]all[/i] civilizations. 2: An overwhelming majority of the greatest, most significant art and architecture produced by every cutlture throughout the globe has been directly or indirectly inspired by religious beliefs.

Very interesting and fascinating debate....so glad i started this thread!

I don't get religion...i never could even as a little kid.....I hated and despised the mere thought of going to church...all that talk of brimstone and fire and how for eternity u would suffer in the pits of hell...at the hands of sadistic demons and fire pits and maggots eating your flesh for eternity.... As I grew up and realized that i was a gay man.... I really started to question the scriptures.....how can a god condemn and view any of his own creations as a "abomination"...i was always the way i am now and so was all the other gay people I have befriended over the years...it's when i started to put everything into perspective that i started to lose my religion..... It was also then that I started to do my own little bit of research.....I am so glad i have....cause i don't feel the guilt and shame anymore...The bible is a fairytale...pure and simple...I think that "The lord of the rings" is more plausible.....no disrespect to "the lord of the rings trilogy!" I do however believe in a higher power...or a God!....but he or she is not in any way anything like the judgmental, narrow minded, psychotic, possessive and monstrous figure the bible depicts !!..

Well regardless of what religion you are or aren't, we walk upon this rock with a mind numbing amount of space over our heads: the freedom of the greatest gift of will to choose and to search for the your own answers. Our souls will all be united one day in rapture of the great singularity of a black hole. Here are three pillars to that up hold religion: A.) Outer expression 1.) Testimony to the belief of what ever you believe 2.) Body movements that express worship to that belief 3.) Acts of kindness and generosity 4.) Methods of purification of spirit such as fasting 5.) A pilgrimage to a holy site to which all your beliefs or not began B.) Inner expression of the heart 1.) Belief in a Creator or God and attributes that represent that God (all encompassing wisdom and knowledge) 2.) Spirits or Angels that serve the creator 3.) Holy books and writings brought for guidance 4.) Messengers/Prophets who receive the word 5.) Good and Evil through out the universe 6.) Destiny for Good and Evil C.) Spirituality Ecstacy and Humility through the constant realization that one can not encompass the creator but you are fully encompassed Passing the Peace Pipe! Cheers

As to 'who or what pushed the first domino?' when it comes to what started the Universe (or possible MULTI-verse, if you prefer)...I don't happen to believe that what we generally regard as an 'all-knowing, all-powerful GOD entity' that will 'judge us' one day is necessarily the 'answer' whatsoever, no matter what the 'religion'. While it's fun to speculate that an advanced 'Spacejockey'-type 'alien' race 'seeded' the Earth in the distant past, and equally fun to speculate that some kind of prior advanced 'alien' race could have done the same for them eons before...I'm happy to believe that the ACTUAL 'starting point' for 'everything' that eventually formed into what we currently know of, was caused by some kind of 'unthinking', 'unknowing', simple 'naturalistic' process or fluctuation that kicked off EVERYTHING... If an 'all-knowing', 'all-powerful' GOD somehow existed at the 'start' of all things, then this the begs the question of how 'HE', SHE, or 'IT' could have come about in the first place too...considering 'HE', 'SHE', or 'IT' is such a 'complex system' to begin with too... Nope, rather than believe in a complicated 'unknown', 'supernatural' answer...I'm content to believe in a simple 'unknown', 'naturally-occurring' answer to EVERYTHING. ...but I'm looking forward to whatever 'storyline' this PROMETHEUS movie comes up with, regardless.

Nice point, Juxtapose. Are we arguing against the existence of God (and I capitalize it because I'm referring to what people commonly refer to as God, not polytheistic gods) or are we arguing against the terrors of religion? Can God exist without religion? If so, does God judge us? Who decides what is right and wrong? Does he punish the murderers, abusers, pedophiles, and rapists or is there no justice?

The truth…and nothing but the truth…so help me…WHAT? For myself, I’m only interested in trying to make sure that whatever I learn and believe in…is in fact the truth. Whatever the subject, no matter how easy or difficult the information may be to accept or embrace, my endeavor is to seek out the actual truth…regardless of my personal comfort level or preconceived notions. This approach to life can be difficult and frustrating. However, this path is also often very peaceful, honest, and with less regret. So, how can I know the truth? Well, in my opinion, our society has been either lulled, seduced, atrophied or whatever…into a state of dangerous relativism. Nothing is really absolute for our current culture. Nothing is objective. Everything seems to be subjective… “How do you feel or think about said issue?” Fact is…there ARE absolutes. Like in physics, there is gravity…whether one likes it or not. A person could become dissatisfied with their own finitude and earthly limitations, and decide to jump out of the window of a 50 story building, in order to defy gravity and the laws of physics. Before long, the jumper would realize that he is not going to break the laws of physics…the laws are going to break him. An almighty God either exists, or it does not. If it does not…I hope to find or hear a compelling argument to convince me of that fact in my lifetime. Conversely, if a God does exist, I hope to find or experience convincing proof, arguments, and answers to satiate my personal profound (at least to me) questions regarding this issue. I’m not a very religious person, but I do find myself to be a spiritual person. Based on my personal research in world religions, science, and multicultural studies…I’ve come to believe that there IS an almighty God, who is the creator of all things. A large part of this belief and its formation grew out of the concept of “The Uncaused Caused” or “Prime Mover” concept included in Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica text…which I posted earlier in this same thread. This concept was also discussed and espoused by Aristotle "The Philosopher." I can’t get around the logic of that document. It makes absolute and complete sense to me. Going back to a “Big Bang” origin concept…which I’m sure occurred…How do you get something from nothingness? What or who touched off the big bang? So for me, it all starts there. The being, entity, force, event…or whatever it was…is what I call God. After that, for me it’s a matter of trying to acquire further knowledge of this God, and trying to forge a relationship with it…if possible. ~N

Perhaps humility is a universal law such as gravity? Either way at the end of time, all the souls will be screaming in unity at the rapture of the great singularity of a blackhole! Good and evil exist and are not equals. Each to their own destiny! The will to search and will to decide is a valued gift and it's freedom equaled to the amount of space above our heads.

In my humble opinion, good and evil…right and wrong, and freedoms only exist if there is an almighty God to serve as a benchmark or a criterion. Without that yardstick…all moral bets are off…right? I mean…how can a people have morals or mores without a common set of standards? Without a god…the “law of the jungle” prevails…correct? No god…natural selection is the only law…yes…no? Animals for instance…in my opinion, are not moral agents, they are neither innocent or guilty…they simply are. They can be the explanation for a killing…but are not guilty of murder. See what I mean? Why are we rational beings…while animals are not? Without God, no Heaven or Hell…no reward or punishment…what would be the moral impetus for a person to exercise charity or good will toward others. Why would a person exercise any restraint while attempting to reach his goals, except out of fear of a temporal punishment, such as imprisonment or death…by his society? N

Right on! Brother Neurion; Regardless of what society, race, religion, or language...the children of Adam have with in them the knowledge of that which was bestowed upon the first human...and a well defined moral compass. We all inherently know not to steal and murder but still need someone to tell us not do those things. Some will say it is bad to chop off someones hand for stealing out of greed but it the old west horse thieves were hung on the spot cause one would certainly die in the desert without a horse. Civilized societies can vary the interpret of punishments for the wicked but without civilization it's the law of the land. Ultimately bad deeds are the result of inward falicies such as greed, envy, lust, pride and selfishness.

I for one, without question- believe in God. That does not make me a right-wing, Bible thumping, hypocrite. That image is what the media combined with ignorance has created. And yes, the ignorance is most often demonstrated by those claiming to be religious people in the first place. There is a tremendous difference in belief and religion. All too often, religion is little more than an exclusive club. Their way, or you are bound for hell- according to them. I also don't believe the Bible is fiction or fantasy. I think it is often misunderstood by those not willing to read it with an open mind, which means both those reading it for the first time, as well as those who claim to have read it many times. Are there some ideas that seem outdated? Well of course there are, as it was written thousands of years ago, by human beings who lived thousands of years ago. Belief is about faith, pure and simple. I have no one here to answer to or prove my beliefs to. At the same time, I do not bash others for their beliefs. Many people say there is no proof of God or creation, but willingly cling to the possibility of aliens and other civilizations- life on other planets, without the first shred of proof. Only educated guesses about what may or could be. Do I believe that we are alone? I hope not, because it seems like an awful waste of space. The "Prometheus" concepts discussed here are intriguing, and quite simply fun to imagine and debate. Science fiction is exactly that- fun and exciting ways to imagine what could be, now or in the future. Does science fiction often preclude science fact? Of course it does, because of the human ability to design and build whatever they can imagine. But make no mistake, as much as I enjoy looking forward to a great and original story and film with outstanding special effects, I won't leave the theater questioning my beliefs. I will leave the theater hopefully feeling that I had an enjoyable experience, and perhaps have another Blu-ray to add to my wish list.