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Which religion is best?

By Patrick   Follow   Wed, 9 Nov 2011, 2:43pm   8,703 views   91 comments
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To kick off the acrimonious debate about eternal salvation, I propose Zoroastrianism as the best religion.

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1. manny Follow Befriend (1) 2 comments Sacramento, CA

   52   8:45pm Mon 21 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   This link will lead you to true religion: http://theoldpath.tv/ "seek and you will find;" Mat 7:7

2. chemechie Follow Befriend 98 comments Wheeling, WV

   53   8:51am Tue 22 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   monkframe says Do we need a religion? Are we so hard-wired to believe in the divine that we have to look up to something other than our predecessors? Religion is an instrument of control; we don't need any more of that. Yes, we do need religion - look at the bad things happen when we don't have it; for examples look to Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao, etc. Civil Society needs an external common moral reference to be sustained.

3. bdrasin Follow Befriend 6 threads 490 comments Alameda, CA

   54   9:28am Tue 22 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   chemechie says monkframe says Do we need a religion? Are we so hard-wired to believe in the divine that we have to look up to something other than our predecessors? Religion is an instrument of control; we don't need any more of that. Yes, we do need religion - look at the bad things happen when we don't have it; for examples look to Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao, etc. Civil Society needs an external common moral reference to be sustained. Yes, thats the same argument Adolf Hitler (lifelong Roman Catholic, at least publicly) made: "Secular schools can never be tolerated because such schools have no religious instruction, and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith." Nazi-Vatican Accord, 1933

4. Hysteresis Follow Befriend (2) 14 threads 648 comments

   55   12:10am Wed 23 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   i worship xenu! he rules all. next meeting at his spaceship, 3 stops past jupiter.

5. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

   56   11:32am Wed 23 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Protected   I'd prefer a religion who's central claims are actually true, rather than just wishful thinking or speculation about "mere possibility." To me, it's harmful to believe something that simply isn't true. Is there any way to verify the claims of the various religions? Or are they all just what philosophers call "technically meaningless" i.e. "not even wrong"?

6. bdrasin Follow Befriend 6 threads 490 comments Alameda, CA

   57   12:45pm Wed 23 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   wthrfrk80 says I'd prefer a religion who's central claims are actually true, rather than just wishful thinking or speculation about "mere possibility." To me, it's harmful to believe something that simply isn't true. Is there any way to verify the claims of the various religions? Or are they all just what philosophers call "technically meaningless" i.e. "not even wrong"? Good point. Here is some footage which might help: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/152270/abandon-all-hope

7. toppcat Follow Befriend 1 comments

   58   12:32am Fri 25 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Budhism is it.Budhists don't make war and live to improve the richness of thier spirit .all other religions spawn war pigs and control freaks.Americans are christian and eat babies for breakfast.Problem is they don't even grasp the contradiction so I say that there is something about christianity that drives people insane and out of touch with the boundries of good and evil.Just ask the 3 million dead vietnamese peasants.100,000 guatemalans,60.000 el salvadorans,30.000 Chileans,30.000 Nicarauguans.1.3 million Iraqis.etc...the most civilised countries have the least practicing religious populations and the best access to higher education so runner up to Budhism would be non religious agnostics or athiests perhaps.much richer in spirit.Empty your cup and I will fill it up.humble yourself before others to enrich your spirit.Charity .compasion .empathy etc...simple truths that organised religion can't get a handle on.I read the bible three times before I was 15 and I liked it but the same Knowledge is abundant in literature poetry and Philosophy in prechristian cultures.Maybe I should start a new religion.I could sure make one more interesting.

8. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

   59   5:47pm Fri 25 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Protected   Patrick says It is wrong to debate the merits of different religions? Nothing wrong with it. It's just pointless like debating which Teletubby would make the best president. The world would be better off with no religion, mysticism/spirituality, superstition, etc. Morality and social justice are sufficiently complex subject matters that there is no point in making them even more difficult by introducing random nonsense into the equations.

9. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

   60   5:48pm Fri 25 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   toppcat says I should start a new religion. We all want to make a new religion just for the tax benefits. Unfortunately, the government only allows for old religions. The only way to start a new one is to spend shitloads of money on lawyers like Scientology has. But then you need to fleece the stupid to support your religion's expenses.

10. Travis Bickle Follow Befriend (1) 9 threads 64 comments Anaheim, CA

    61   11:15pm Sat 26 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How about the Shakers. The only problem with them however is their strict adhearance to celibacy, for which I think they died out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers

11. ChristianGuy Follow Befriend 1 threads 10 comments

    62   11:33am Tue 29 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   To call this a debate is silly. Just a bunch of smug fools spouting off nonsense.

12. bdrasin Follow Befriend 6 threads 490 comments Alameda, CA

    63   2:02pm Tue 29 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   ChristianGuy says To call this a debate is silly. Just a bunch of smug fools spouting off nonsense. Ya think? Were you expecting something else from a discussion on religion?

13. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

    64   2:07pm Wed 30 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Protected   bdrasin says Good point. Here is some footage which might help: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/152270/abandon-all-hope Hilarious. But didn't the South Park guys also create an episode called "All About the Mormons?" that mocked Mormonism? "Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb..."

14. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    65   2:37pm Wed 30 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   One of my favorite Carlin quotes: there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more.

15. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,097 comments

    66   7:48pm Wed 30 Nov 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   try this ... draw a cartoon of the key figures of each religion that was mentioned ... Then, the ones that don't show up to chop off your head should get some extra credit, right? Might be helpful for picking a winner.

16. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

    67   8:18am Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Protected   Patrick says One of my favorite Carlin quotes: there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Carlin's a funny guy. And yes, most organized religion is corrupt to the core. Some "Christian" megachurches shamelessly use corporate language like "customers" and "product" when describing their "operations." The Catholic church at one time actually sold forgiveness of sins for money. Ironic, since Jesus himself drove out the money changers from the Temple in his day. Jesus also believed he was God (or, at the very least, the God of the Jews) and had the right to judge people and send some away for eternal punishment. That's why he was crucified...the charge was blasphemy, a capital offence in Judaism at the time. Regardless of whether or not we believe Jesus' staggering claims, we are left with an unsettling question: Why would a loving God mete out eternal punishment? It sounds absurd at first glance. But under further examination, we realize that a loving God must punish evil. If God rewards both good and evil, than how can we call God loving? Even the secular world realizes the need to punish wrongdoing. God is love AND justice. Or at least that's the Christian position.

17. bdrasin Follow Befriend 6 threads 490 comments Alameda, CA

    68   8:39am Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   wthrfrk80 says bdrasin says Good point. Here is some footage which might help: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/152270/abandon-all-hope Hilarious. But didn't the South Park guys also create an episode called "All About the Mormons?" that mocked Mormonism? "Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb..." The South Park guys (aka Matt Stone and Trey Parker) have produced enough Mormon material to fill a couple of South Park episodes and a Broadway musical as well. Basically, they think Mormons are great people with good values and strong, loving families who happen to believe some really crazy things.

18. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

    69   10:40am Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Protected   bdrasin says Basically, they think Mormons are great people with good values and strong, loving families who happen to believe some really crazy things. Maybe that's just the human condition. In order to have any hope or any values beyond "do whatever you can get away with", one has to believe some crazy things. Otherwise, I suppose, life is just a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and the fury, signifying nothing. Wasn't it Kurt Vonnegut, a humanist, who once said cigarettes were a "classy way to commit suicide"? I guess he didn't really believe that crazy idea that humans are basically good.

19. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    70   4:33pm Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   wthrfrk80 says Why would a loving God mete out eternal punishment? Another virtue of Zoroastrianism is that hell is temporary. You work off your debt, and you're done. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism#Renovation_and_judgment

20. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    71   11:28pm Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Patrick says Another virtue of Zoroastrianism is that hell is temporary. You work off your debt, and you're done. So, then hell is better than a Bank of America credit card? Less interest?

21. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    72   11:31pm Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Bap33 says try this ... draw a cartoon of the key figures of each religion that was mentioned ... Then, the ones that don't show up to chop off your head should get some extra credit, right? Might be helpful for picking a winner. I got a better criteria. List all religions that ever existed and then cross out each one that has led to murder. Will there be any left? If so, those are your contenders.

22. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    73   11:58pm Thu 1 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   This thread is official over. I have found the answer. The best religion is Hounen Matsuri. There is no debating this. You can read more about this awesome religion in articles from The Yamasa Institute and FarStrider.net and BlogSpot. I love this religion because I would be a god in it. Plus it's the one religion where it's ok to pay only lip service. Images follow… Kanamara Matsuri in Wakamiya Hachimangu Temple True reverence Respect Holy mask Holy relics Good, clean fun 420 friendly Everybody is so happy. I'll take two. Good treats Sweet You're never too old. And it's never too big. No racial or gender discrimination Comes on a stick Comes in many different colors Yet remains dignified and revered Handle with care Is a hands on religion

23. leo707 Follow Befriend (12) 10 threads 3,516 comments Oakland, CA leo707's website Premium

    74   11:05am Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Protected   Dan8267 says This thread is official over. I have found the answer. The best religion is Hounen Matsuri. There is no debating this. Sorry, but the case is not closed yet. 1. Hounen Matsuri is not a religion it is a festival. 2. Overly phallic, there is a lot more to life than the phallus. Only about 50% of people even have one. 3. Shinto is the religion that puts on the festival. 4. Shinto is not a peaceful benign religion. Seems like a pretty cool festival though.

24. leo707 Follow Befriend (12) 10 threads 3,516 comments Oakland, CA leo707's website Premium

    75   11:20am Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   toppcat says Budhists don't make war and live to improve the richness of thier spirit .all other religions spawn war pigs and control freaks. I think you are referring to American hippy/tree hugging buddhism. This may be hard to believe but buddhism has spread more than its fair share of misery and death. Please look into what Tibet was like under the rule of the dalai lama. Brutal iron handed cruelty meted out by an opulent theocracy just begins to describe it. The lama started talking about love and peace only after his CIA backed war plans did not pan out. Buddhists were also very supportive of Japan's war efforts during WWII.

25. leo707 Follow Befriend (12) 10 threads 3,516 comments Oakland, CA leo707's website Premium

    76   11:33am Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Dan8267 says Bap33 says try this ... draw a cartoon of the key figures of each religion that was mentioned ... Then, the ones that don't show up to chop off your head should get some extra credit, right? Might be helpful for picking a winner. I got a better criteria. List all religions that ever existed and then cross out each one that has led to murder. Will there be any left? If so, those are your contenders. I think we are down to just one... Jainism, so peaceful and benign, never the cause of a murder. While a follower of jain may have murdered at some time in history there is no way to cherry pick the dogma to justify murder. Let me once again make the argument for jainism: See, much more to life than just a phallus.

26. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    77   11:48am Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   OK, that's pretty compelling, though the woman in the last sculpture is definitely going to catch something. I even went into the Jain temple in Milpitas once just to see it, and it was very beautiful, all white marble. Though unfortunately next to a Taco Bell. And they were missing those lovely sculptures.

27. leo707 Follow Befriend (12) 10 threads 3,516 comments Oakland, CA leo707's website Premium

    78   1:23pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Patrick says I even went into the Jain temple in Milpitas once just to see it, and it was very beautiful, all white marble. Though unfortunately next to a Taco Bell. And they were missing those lovely sculptures. I have not been to the Milpitas temple, just in India. To be honest the erotic carvings in India are a small portion of the temple carvings. However I did see one tiny temple (probably about 20'X40' in size) that was totally covered with erotic carvings. With how prude the US tends to be I am not surprised that they skipped them here. Did you see any naked monks in Milpitas? The highest level of spiritual attainment in jainism is to rid ones self of all material items -- including clothing. I only saw the white robed monks in India.

28. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    79   1:41pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   No naked monks that I noticed. There was some festival going on, and I definitely stood out as the only white person there. But everyone seemed friendly and smiled at me, though no one talked to me.

29. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    80   4:35pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (3)   Dislike   Protected   leoj707 says Sorry, but the case is not closed yet. 1. Hounen Matsuri is not a religion it is a festival. 2. Overly phallic, there is a lot more to life than the phallus. Only about 50% of people even have one. 3. Shinto is the religion that puts on the festival. 4. Shinto is not a peaceful benign religion. To address points 1, 3, 4, I propose incorporating the festival of Hounen Matsuri into Jainism. As for point 2, the 50% of people with a phallus are more than willing to share with the 50% who don't. Now that's socialism I can get behind! (Although, not in front of.)

30. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 763 threads 7,706 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    81   4:40pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Wait, hold a second. According to the BBC, practicing Jains requires: Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of the world's resources. The other mahavratas are non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, and sexual restraint (with celibacy as the ideal). On the first point, I can't give up meatballs. On the second point, celibacy! That wasn't implied by your pictures!

31. leo707 Follow Befriend (12) 10 threads 3,516 comments Oakland, CA leo707's website Premium

    82   5:22pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Dan8267 says On the first point, I can't give up meatballs. On the second point, celibacy! That wasn't implied by your pictures! The no meat would be a deal breaker for me as well, and I think that total celibacy is only for the monks -- even then I think some monks will marry. No need to convert in order to agree that jainism is the best religion. It is more of who do you trust to not go around killing others in the name of their religion. If you must have a religious person next door, or a whole country of them on your border, who would you prefer?

32. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,097 comments

    83   8:18pm Fri 2 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Dan8267 says As for point 2, the 50% of people with a phallus are more than willing to share with the 50% who don't. Now that's socialism I can get behind! (Although, not in front of.) possibly the funniest thing ever wrote on here.

33. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    84   3:45pm Sun 4 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Bap33 says possibly the funniest thing ever wrote on here. Click the "Like" link!

34. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,097 comments

    85   7:06pm Sun 4 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   10-4

35. michaelsch Follow Befriend 21 threads 581 comments South Pasadena, CA

    86   5:05pm Mon 5 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says Why do you say this was a bad idea? I don't see it. It is wrong to debate the merits of different religions? First of all it's stupid. It is about as bad as 5 years olds discussing the sex life of their parents, most of those posting here have absolutely no idea about any religion.

36. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,188 threads 6,157 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    87   5:33pm Mon 5 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   I enjoy it, and the others seem to as well. You don't need to read it if you don't like it.

37. ArtimusMaxtor Follow Befriend (3) 803 comments

    88   6:15am Tue 6 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   They are all bullshit. However its a good place to socialize. If you like drinking I have recommendations of the best one where you can get free liquor. Otherwise its nice for dating. I consider churchs good place to find friends. Try to avoid the people that take it to seriously. I think the girl with the big ceramic penis in the photo is cute if anyone has her number. I would like to help her with any religous delusion she might have.

38. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

    89   8:03am Tue 6 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Dan8267 says So, then hell is better than a Bank of America credit card? Less interest? Hilarious!

39. ArtimusMaxtor Follow Befriend (3) 803 comments

    90   2:24am Wed 7 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   ARTIMUS MAXTOR INVESTIGATES SNEAKY JAPANESE RUBBER DONG CULT I meditated about this woman last night. Isn't this way more than this bite sized woman needs? Interracial fascination? Or just another tourist trap for the locals. Looking supiciously like something that could be dropped out of a Japanese Zero. She could be thinking "This is for you, Yankee boy". Also notice the man smiling in the right hand corner. "Way more than she needs hey smart ass?". I have to agree Japanese women are quite cute. Intelligent. Very unreachable even for a dreamer like me.

40. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,097 comments

    91   7:31am Thu 15 Dec 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   ah ha ... those are the two small fairies from the Godzilla flicks ... that expalins the scale issue.

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