Social Survey

[Bucky]

I'm curious to know how the religion of others affects them personally. This survey was not designed for atheists, but if you're an atheist and want to give it a go, by all means do so.

The Rules
[MUST READ BEFORE PARTICIPATING]

1. Please answer seriously, no fooling around or trolling through your answers.

2. Please answer honestly. Do not give in-depth philosophical answers if that is not truly how you view things. Be as honest and real with yourself as possible. And if you honestly don't know what to answer for a question, it's okay to say "I don't know."

3. Try to be somewhat brief in your answers. You can write more than 1 or 2 sentences, but don't give us a 200 word essay for every question.

3. Feel free to spark a discussion with other members who have answered, but do not be rude, oppressive, or harsh. Only comment on other users answers if you are serious about exploring their point of view.

4. Do not start a discussion for the sole purpose of proving your own point of view.




With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy the survey!





1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?


2. Do you worship God?


3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?


4. And if so, why do you worship Him?


5. What does your religion teach you?


6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?


7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?


8. Briefly describe your God.


9. Does your religion make sense to you?


10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?


11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?


12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?


13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?


14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?


15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?

 

[cantab]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?

In my opinion, there is no 'purpose of life'. Life is a phenomenon that has arisen on at least one planet in the vastness of the Universe - and it is an absolutely magnificent and remarkable one that must be cherished and valued above all else. Even the most mundane of bacteria has a complexity to rival or surpass that of planets, stars and galaxies. Life is not a means to some end - life is an end in itself, life is its own purpose.

 

[Zystral]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
There isn't one. Call my a cynic, but people only want a "purpose" when their own life sucks and they're too chickenshit to commit suicide. Of course, I'm not encouraging suicide, but if you spend too much time looking for a "purpose" then your life will have been wasted and you won't even have fulfilled your "purpose." Double-whammy negative.

2. Do you worship God?
No, but if he does exist I am willing to apologize for making jokes about him and using his name in vein on an hourly basis.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
[See above]

4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
[See above 2]

5. What does your religion teach you?
To be calm and to live peacefully. Balance is the best thing you can have.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
Occasionally I think before I say things and wonder if the other person actually deserves it or not.

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
I don't get into as many fights as I would. It also gives me 15 minutes to kill every day via meditation.

8. Briefly describe your God.
Siddartha Gotama was a prince in a province of what is now India. He got bored of his exquisite life and went out to find the truth of the world. He meditated a lot. He's a cool guy.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Until the point where 'you get enlightened if you meditate a lot'

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
The meditation pose kills your legs.

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
It doesn't, really. It was originally forced on me by my parents and family but I came to accept it since it wasn't so bad.

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
"Don't tell lies."

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
Not really.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
How some followers of other religions like to shove their own religion down your throat. But that's the followers, not the religion. I think most other religions are too hardline and not really enjoyable to follow.

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
It's too free in contrast to my above response. A lot more personal thinking is involved, and religion and faith are all about following and believing what is given to you, whereas Buddhism makes you seek the answer for yourself, and someone who used to being lead and used to following may not be so happy about going out and finding out themselves.

 

[Chomper The Sharptooth]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
The purpose of my own life, I don't actually know yet, for life in general I think a person's purpose is to create their purpose. It's really about finding your own definition of success and happiness and obtaining it.

2. Do you worship God?
Yes, but admittedly not as much as I'd like to.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
I worship him in the rare prayers and visits to church I make. It's a cop out as far as answers go, but I try to adhere to the teachings (though I'd probably act much the same were I an athiest or of a different faith)

4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
I worship him because I believe in him and because I'm not sure what to make of this existence if there's no higher power.


5. What does your religion teach you?
Catholic teachings are primarily that one should live a life with a clear conscience and dedication to God. My way of looking to accomplish this is living a simpler life, how far I'd want to take this has yet to be decided.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
My future career plans are philosophy professor or a vagrant street preacher, both seem acceptable means to 5's ends.

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
It really doesn't, most of my friends are atheist. Its not every day that I think about religion when things are eventful in the here and now.

8. Briefly describe your God.
This makes me feel dumb, but I don't know what to say here so this will have to suffice.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Not every detail, no.

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
The fanatics, it seems as if their only purpose is to make a mockery of the rest of us.

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
My religion gives me a certain something to strive for with this life, and at the moment this purpose is a huge motivation for being good.

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
Yes, such as how to interpret non-literal passages.

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
Almost every one, I'm very far from well versed in it.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
Other religions aren't actually intolerable to me, my biggest beef is with Atheists I think because I feel a belief in something is important but this is mostly because I don't understand.

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
The same people I deem intolerable, probably some principles too but I wouldn't know which.

I'm a Catholic

 

[Oddish On Fire]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
Procreation

2. Do you worship God?
Do I worship God? I don't believe in God. This question asserts the existance of God.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?


4. And if so, why do you worship Him?


5. What does your religion teach you?
I do not have a religion. Atheism is the lack of religion.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
I do not consider myself to be part of a religion. For the purposes of this however, I will consider atheism a religion. But, my lack of a religion will not affect me in the "long term." Because, just like everyone else, when I die I will have no consciousness.

7. How does your religion affect you on a short term basis?
I can spend more time doing what I please instead of being at church. I can do perfectly moral things considered immoral by the bible.

8. Briefly describe your God.
Nonexistant.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Yes, much more than all the others.

10. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
It does not impose itself on me.

11. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
No.

12. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
No.

13. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
None.

14. What aspects of your own religion do you think might beintolerable to others?
Using logic.

 

[Raj]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
random occurrence without a purpose

2. Do you worship God?
no

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
yes, everything else sounds foolish. why would there be a god?

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
getting buggered by religious people

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
I know I'm right

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
no

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
no

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
they think they're right

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
I know I'm right

 

[popemobile]

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
Procreation

2. Do you worship God?
Do I worship God? I don't believe in God. This question asserts the existance of God.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?


4. And if so, why do you worship Him?


5. What does your religion teach you?
I do not have a religion. Atheism is the lack of religion.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
I do not consider myself to be part of a religion. For the purposes of this however, I will consider atheism a religion. But, my lack of a religion will not affect me in the "long term." Because, just like everyone else, when I die I will have no consciousness.

7. How does your religion affect you on a short term basis?
I can spend more time doing what I please instead of being at church. I can do perfectly moral things considered immoral by the bible.

8. Briefly describe your God.
Nonexistant.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Yes, much more than all the others.

10. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
It does not impose itself on me.

11. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
No.

12. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
No.

13. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
None.

14. What aspects of your own religion do you think might beintolerable to others?
Using logic.

this is more or less what I would answer for every question

 

[Oddish On Fire]

Oh boy. I misread number 13. My correct answer would be something about how religion is nothing but a system that controls and manipulates the masses.

 

[popemobile]

Oh boy. I misread number 13. My correct answer would be something about how religion is nothing but a system that controls and manipulates the masses.

yeah that too

also it promotes irrational thought as well as bigoted and abhorrent views

 

[Electrode]

I don't have a religion. I just have a lose collection of beliefs, so I'll try my best to answer everything without just a no.

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
To breed and be on top? Deeper purpose is a man made concept, so my "purpose" in life is to teach music at the best of my ability.


2. Do you worship God?
No, I don't think that God needs worship.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
[2]


4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
[2]

5. What does your religion teach you?
That everything is God. Life is a game.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
It really doesn't.

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
I get to sound weird when I describe my religious beliefs.

8. Briefly describe your God.
The universe and everything in it.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Yes, otherwise I wouldn't believe it.

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
Not that I can tell yet.

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
It makes me feel creative. I feel like I'm getting the best of everything.

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
Yes. I don't know a good amount of it, mostly because I don't know exactly what it is.

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
Yes. Anything that may make sense that I am currently not incorporating.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
Belief in blindness.

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
How wishwashy it is.

 

[lati0s]

I worship him because I believe in him and because I'm not sure what to make of this existence if there's no higher power.

belief does not imply worship, I believe in monkeys but I do not worship them. This doesn't answer the question



1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
There is not one.

2. Do you worship God?
No.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
N/A

4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
N/A

5. What does your religion teach you?
That god and an afterlife probably don't exist so just enjoy this life while you can

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
It doesn't really

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
It doesn't really

8. Briefly describe your God.
I do not believe in any god.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Yes. It is the only rational belief system I have heard of.

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
No.

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
It feels good to know that I am in the minority of people that have a belief system based in rationality

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
No.

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
No.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
Ignorant beliefs, attempts at controlling people by religious leaders, intolerance of other beliefs i.e. saying that everyone who doesn't believe in your god burns in hell.

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
Lack of an afterlife is quite depressing.

 

[Bucky]

@lati0s: You're right, it doesn't really answer the question, but it is acceptable.

@Chomper: If you want to, please justify your reasoning behind the acts of worship that you do. Just believing in God doesn't fully expose your reasoning behind why you perform certain acts of worship. For example, I pray because 1, my God commands me to pray, 2, I feel like it is a way of me showing gratitude to my Lord, 3 it brings me solace, and I could go on and on. But if you're satisfied with your answer, then it's okay, I don't mind.

 

[andrea]

yeah that too

also it promotes irrational thought as well as bigoted and abhorrent views

Irrational thought? Sheesh, I suppose all Christians out there must be complete idiots for following commandments such as not stealing, lying, killing, etc, etc.

I'll fill out a complete survey later. ^_^

 

[popemobile]

Irrational thought? Sheesh, I suppose all Christians out there must be complete idiots for following commandments such as not stealing, lying, killing, etc, etc.

of course I wasn't referring to that, because that's common sense and doesn't require any set of beliefs to follow.

 

[andrea]

of course I wasn't referring to that, because that's common sense and doesn't require any set of beliefs to follow.

What about charity, in that case? Not supported/done by many people. Kindness is irrational? Would you also dub virginity as irrational?

 

[billymills]

Irrational thought? Sheesh, I suppose all Christians out there must be complete idiots for following commandments such as not stealing, lying, killing, etc, etc.

You're right.

What about charity, in that case? Not supported/done by many people. Kindness is irrational? Would you also dub virginity as irrational?

Charity is done by many people independent of religion.

Kindness for the sake of kindness is irrational.

Virginity is an irrational concept altogether. I don't understand your point here.

 

[mtr]

1) The purpose of life is to procreate and ensure that your genes are passed to the next generation, I guess.

2) Not really.

3) n/a

4) n/a

5) Now's probably a good time to mention that I'm nominally Hindu, but in reality I'm agnostic going on atheist. I never felt connected to organized religion or spirituality.

 

[popemobile]

What about charity, in that case? Not supported/done by many people. Kindness is irrational? Would you also dub virginity as irrational?

I assume you're referring to "no sex before marriage", and yes I think the concept of no sex before marriage is laughable and also leads to abstinence-only education and demonization of birth control, both of which cause a substantially greater amount of problems than they solve.

of course kindness and charity aren't irrational, but they are not specific to your or any religion, so I don't know what you're trying to say there.

 

[2gig]

Irrational thought? Sheesh, I suppose all Christians out there must be complete idiots for following commandments such as not stealing, lying, killing, etc, etc.

I'll fill out a complete survey later. ^_^

Your arguing makes me sad. Obviously any rational person would condemn stealing, killing, etc. You know this, and you say it anyway, not to make any sort of actual point, but to skew the argument. Quite frankly, I take this as an insult to myself and anyone else who wants to have an intelligent argument on the issue of religion. Pope obvious wasn't saying that every last bit of the bible is irrational, however, a decent portion of it is, not to mention that there are other religions to consider, which can be even worse. Not the irrationalities in the bible can be used as a tool for hate or just promoting general stupidity, but we shouldn't be promoting belief in irrational things anyway.

What about charity, in that case? Not supported/done by many people. Kindness is irrational? Would you also dub virginity as irrational?

As much as I wish it weren't so, charity and kindness are irrational. To give and not expect anything in return is irrational. However, humans are programmed to perform a sort of mock-charity, which is exactly what most religious groups do really. However, if you are going to associate religion with all the good that people do in the name of religion, then you must also associate it with all the harm that people do in the name of religion. Many religious people also like to argue that religion is necessary for morality, which is simply not true. Religion isn't even necessary for the false charity that religion inspires. As an agnostic, I've performed faux charity for various reasons, such as: impressing people, pressure from those around me, fear (I donate to find a cure for cancer because I could one day get cancer), and even that wonderful feeling I get knowing I did something right.

Sorry if my sentences feel detached from one another, but I don't feel like sitting here for the next two hours typing an eloquent, detailed argument.

Edit: Forgot about the virginity thing. I agree with Pope on everything, and would like to add that this false link between remaining a virgin until marriage and morality is a real strain on humanity as a whole. Everyone would be a whole lot happier and nicer if they were getting laid more, and didn't feel so damn guilty about it for no reason when they do get laid.

 

[tangramman]

I don't post here, but I do lurk quite a bit. Might as well start posting ...

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
To procreate. Other than that, there is none. We make our purpose.

2. Do you worship God?
No.

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
See 2.

4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
See 2.

5. What does your religion teach you?
Be mindful, helpful, and giving.

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
I don't really think about long term benefits to myself. I suppose that, through practicing my religion, I can benefit other people in the long term. I believe by showing compassion, sympathy/empathy and consideration, other people will show these feelings towards others. I only want the best for people. Why? Because it feels better than not doing it. Note that I didn't say it felt good.

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
It helps calm me. I don't get angry often, but my religion helps stabilize my thoughts.

8. Briefly describe your God.
I have none, if I were to really think about it. Everyone is or can be their own God. I am my own God, although I still need time to mature beyond my understandings. I realize this, but to practice it constantly is tasking; I still need time.

9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Of course. I was always in this religion, I just never realized it.

10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
I can't think of anything.

11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
My personal goal is to help others in whatever way I can. My religion only helps my own goal.

12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
I am, but I've very little idea as to where I can educate myself within my city.

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
I only wish to learn more of my religion, in general. I get the gist of it, as ignorant as that sounds.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
Most ideas of most religions are sound at the core, it's the people and interpretations that are annoying. I only have a bare bones understanding of Christianity, but I don't like how Christians live for their God, and nothing else. Helping others is only a method for self salvation; living unselfishly for selfish reasons. It's insincere to others.

15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
The fact that there is no answer to existance after death, simply because it doesn't matter.

... yep.

 

[Jibaku]

I don't like posting here, but I'm giving it one more shot.

First of all, I'm a Catholic.

1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of life?
To accept it

2. Do you worship God?
Yes

3. If so, in what ways do you worship Him?
Daily praying and weekly visits to the Church


4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
I worship him because I believe in Him. Don't ask me to explain more than this.

5. What does your religion teach you?
"Catholic teachings are primarily that one should live a life with a clear conscience and dedication to God. My way of looking to accomplish this is living a simpler life, how far I'd want to take this has yet to be decided." - Chomper the Sharptooth

6. How does your religion affect you on a long term basis?
There is always someone to turn to when I've lost everything

7. How does your religion affect you on a daily basis?
Well, I pray every night. I feel some sort of peace after doing that...and just about everyday

8. Briefly describe your God.
Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent


9. Does your religion make sense to you?
Not every detail, obviously. Anyone who claims to know everything is likely a phony


10. Is there anything you don't like about your religion?
There are many questions left to be answered. There is also a certain level of ambiguity that can likely never be resolved in a person's lifetime.


11. In what ways does your religion fulfill you?
"My religion gives me a certain something to strive for with this life, and at the moment this purpose is a huge motivation for being good." - Chomper the Sharptooth


12. Are you ignorant in certain areas of your own religion?
"Yes, such as how to interpret non-literal passages." - Chomper the Sharptooth

13. Are there areas of your religion that you seek to learn more about?
Miracles, why certain things happen, etc. It's hard to define what exactly I want to learn more.

14. What aspects of other religions are intolerable to you?
Essentially none. However, I don't like the fact that several people consider an unborn baby not a living being.


15. What aspects of your own religion do you think might be intolerable to others?
The answer to #14 may be intolerable to others, but whatever >_>.

 

[popemobile]

4. And if so, why do you worship Him?
I worship him because I believe in Him. Don't ask me to explain more than this.

I won't ask about why you worship him, but I will ask why you believe in him in the first place.

 

[Jibaku]

I won't ask about why you worship him, but I will ask why you believe in him in the first place.

I believe there is a higher power, considering that there are many things in life are unexplainable by physical means. After all, things in the universe can't possibly begin by a random chance. Of course, the creator of God remains a mystery, and the creator of the creator of God, and so on, and so forth, but to me, believing in Him is a better choice than believing in nothing.

EDIT: Whatever -_-

 

[popemobile]

After all, things in the universe can't possibly begin by a random chance.

however, all available evidence suggests that this is, in fact, how the universe began, as well as how life began and evolved into what it is today.

There is no evidence to support an intelligent being creating anything

I don't want to single you out personally, but your statement is demonstrably false

 

[andrea]

however, all available evidence suggests that this is, in fact, how the universe began, as well as how life began and evolved into what it is today.

There is no evidence to support an intelligent being creating anything

I don't want to single you out personally, but your statement is demonstrably false

You've caught me at a lovely time... I've just finished up a paper on intelligent design.

I beg to differ that there is no evidence that a creator could exist. Irreducible complexity is quite the factor for proponents of ID. Take the human eye, for example. One factor goes missing, and you no longer have an eye. You can't reduce the function that it has and still expect the organism to survive as well as it could without sight.

There are also these fun little things called Anthropic Coincidences. Let me dig up a few of them for you... A change in the elliptical orbit of the earth around the sun by 2% or -2% would make it either too hot or too cold for life on earth. If the earth rotated a bit faster or a bit slower, temperature differences could be either too great for life or more weather effects (e.g. hurricanes) would occur. If the electromagnetic force was any larger, atoms would hang on to electrons so that none could be shared, and if it was smaller, atoms would not hold onto electrons at all. Etc etc etc... There are over 300 of these 'mere coincidences.' They are also all mutually exclusive. Only one of these would need to differ slightly to eliminate life on earth. It seems incredibly unlikely that life could have magically occurred exactly perfectly so that we could all flourish so freely on this planet.

Let's take a quick look at Robert Paley's thoughts on a designer... He uses the metaphor of a traveller walking along a beach and discovering a rock. The traveller, of course, would naturally assume that the rock had been there for quite some time before. But, let's say he discovers a watch further along the same beach. Would it be logical to say that the watch had always been there? Certainly not. The complexity of the watch implies designer. Now, why on earth would someone look at the incredible complexity of the earth and not see even the remotest need for a designer?

I do apologize for my previous posts. Hopefully this one is more 'up to standards' for the kind of discussion you would like to have.