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[Jelle]

If it helps, I propose looking at the teachings of Buddhism

Buddhism is indeed one of the more awesome religions. While I think the whole rebirth cycle and nirvana thing is a load of nonsense myself, I do think the buddha's observation on human behavior regarding desire is profound. Worth looking into from an intellectual point of view at least.

[Helgoland]

You could become Catholic - we're much more chill about this stuff. No biblical literalism, not many things that are absolutely set in stone, and nobody's expecting you to listen to what the Vatican tells you anyway. Plus our churches look way better than the Protestant ones.

I'm half-serious about this, btw - Catholicism is pretty much the best branch of Christianity for an agnostic. Trust me

[Dutchling]

If you don't believe in God, you can at least believe in what He represents: a noble ideal, the "opposite" of Human nature. Where Humans are selfish, vengeful, and ignorant, God is altruistic, forgiving, and wise.

Err. This is one of the many things I'm glad I left behind when I stopped believing. I have no need of a system that relies on me being a useless piece of shit to function.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Yes, I certainly don't see why we would aspire to have a Supreme Fascist as our moral high ground.

[MorleyDev]

I kinda hold the Catholic Church as one of the worst examples of a religion. More specifically the hierarchy, the greed and politics that go on in the Vatican that allows for things like systemic child abuse to go hidden by it's highest and supposedly 'most holy' of members. If religion isn't a force for good in the world in my view, the Catholic Church is one of the most vile institutions out there.

Basically, for the greatest smackdown of the Catholic Church, Stephen Fry's speech here sums it up nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLtuD2CKY-U#t=1277

[T-Mick]

I kinda hold the Catholic Church as one of the worst examples of a religion. More specifically the hierarchy, the greed and politics that go on in the Vatican that allows for things like systemic child abuse to go hidden by it's highest and supposedly 'most holy' of members. If religion isn't a force for good in the world in my view, the Catholic Church is one of the most vile institutions out there.

Basically, for the greatest smackdown of the Catholic Church, Stephen Fry's speech here sums it up nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLtuD2CKY-U#t=1277

I'm a big fan of Hilaire Belloc, so I'll defer to him on this one.

"The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine — but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight."

Yeah, we aren't perfect. Even the Pope is a man, and he sins like everybody else. But we give it a shot, and, if we try hard, we might barely save our soul. Its quite thrilling.

[MorleyDev]

Problem being they can't claim to be fallible and that your word is gospel. Can't have it both ways, and regardless of issues members privately may wrestle with the official stance of the church is the latter. If the church actually claimed to be fallible and accept all they say are mere suggestions those you suggest to aren't duty bound to follow but still worthy of charitable aid, and that they could be wrong. Instead, you get practices like denying aid to people who need it just for following correct usage of condoms because it goes against the gospel word of the church.

Basically, you'd have a point if they didn't consistently claim to be correct and speak for 'God' but merely presented themselves as one interpretation of the world and word and acknowledge it may not be the correct one. If they admitted they could be wrong.

Then at least they would have a chance of being a force for good in the world.

[Jelle]

(Since this turned into a religion discussion, egh what the heck)

Corruption and perversion of morals is inherent to the human condition and by extension any human organization though. It's just that it's more glaring in religious institutions.

[Helgoland]

It's just that it's more glaring in religious institutions.

Yeah, the hypocrisy lets it stand out. Another point for the Catholic Church though: By now, everybody - even they themselves - know and acknowledge that hypocrisy. The Church forbids contraceptives, but that doesn't keep African bishops from handing them out - this sort of thing is practically built in.

And, MorleyDev: The Church does not claim to be infallible in the way you're claiming. There's the dogma of infallibility, but that only refers to purely theological disputes and has only been applied twice in the history of the Church; otherwise they're claiming to be right, but they'd have to do that, wouldn't they?
That doesn't apply to all religious groups, though, and especially the fringes like to claim infallibility. That's another reason I like Catholicism: We also have these radical currents, but they're kept in check by the organization as a whole, which slowly but surely moves in a more modern direction.

I guess it all comes down to the basic message of a religion. For many religions, it's "Do the will of God"; but I'd argue that for Catholicism it's "Don't be an asshole". The two overlap, of course, but the outlook behind these views is radically different.

[freeformschooler]

Plus our churches look way better than the Protestant ones.

Them's fightin' words.

[ChairmanPoo]

... if we live by temple-look rule of cool, we should all become aztec cultists.

So...blood and souls for Tezcatlipoca anyone?

[Lidku]

Guys I have found my new religion!

PRAISE THE NINE DIVINES! TALOS, AKATOSH, AND ECT!

(Lol just joking guys)

[Helgoland]

-snip-

Worship Santa Muerte and unite against the filthy heretics?

[nenjin]

-snip-

Worship Santa Muerte and unite against the filthy heretics?

Finally, all my time spent playing Mictlan in Dominions will pay off!

[mastahcheese]

Plus our churches look way better than the Protestant ones.

Them's fightin' words.

Have you seen some of the Mormon churches? Those things are friggin' huge.