I need questions... the kind of questions that any religion should be able to answer.
I will not be answering these questions now... Their answers will be integrated with the new religion/philosophy/belief system I'm making.
I need these questions in order to bring things to light that I haven't considered yet; to fill in the skeleton of this infant religion.
The kind of questions I need:
-What's the meaning of life?
-What happens when you die?
-Is it moral to __________?
-What about ____________________________?
-I have everything I want, but I'm not happy... Why?
The kind of questions I DO NOT need:
-What does it say about Jesus?
-Do ________ go to heaven?
-Why haven't you answered me yet?
Once this philosophy is more complete, I'll be sharing it here for its first peer review... At that time, it will be forged by the fires of debate and questioning... and emerge leaner, stronger, and more self-consistent.
If you strongly disapprove of me making my own new belief system (because yours is so much better), please use the 'X' button on the top right of your browser now, and leave me alone.
Again, I will not be attempting to answer your questions.
If you must attempt to answer these questions, or if you feel you must comment about my new religion/philosophy/belief system, please do so in a new thread. Thank you.
Here are some justice related questions:
- Does freedom exist or is it illusory? Or, who makes choices, me or "fate"/the universe/a deity/whatever?
- If our actions are due to "fate"/the universe/a deity/whatever... or... due the fact that we are the way we are, which is out of our control (we can't control how we were created), then is punishment just?
- Who or what decides what is right/wrong, and how?
- How do you measure the value of personhood? (If a person is more "valuable" than a rock/a virus/a dog/a smart computer program/another person... how do you determine that?)
- How do you determine if/when it is just to consider the needs of the many over the needs of the few? (Or is it everyone for themselves?)
There's a start. Why must people suffer?
What is the purpose of our existance?
What values should a human possess and why?
Is there a higher being that looks over us?
I hope such questions qualify and don't make me look like an idiot. >.<
Once the system is released . . .
Does the new religion have a clear purpose, agenda or mandate. ie: promote peace, love, leadership, mind control?
Does it welcome new members with other ideas as well or is the system simply for one that is willing to adopt it?
Are all answers final or is revision possible, encouraged?
If incompatibility exists with other views will there be an attempt made to be diplomatic or to convert others into the new system?
If the new system is found to be lacking by government authorities, other religious groups or individuals will a reasonable effort be made to reconcile or is the belief strong enough to stand all ground till death if necessary?
Are you applying for tax relief?
Will the religion adopt titles? i.e.: father, minister, headman, mediator
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why does power corrupt?
Why is everything I like either immoral, illegal, or fattening?
Why does time only go in one direction?
Why is it that individuals can be smart, yet mobs do stupid things?
Why does my bread always land butter side down?
Why are some people kind and others cruel?
Why aren't there any green mammals?
| Jinx wrote: |
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why does power corrupt?
Why is everything I like either immoral, illegal, or fattening?
Why does time only go in one direction?
Why is it that individuals can be smart, yet mobs do stupid things?
Why does my bread always land butter side down?
Why are some people kind and others cruel? |
Oh... Those are good ones... I hadn't considered most of them very much... and I think when I figure out the answers, it'll help the rest out a lot! Thanks!
| JinTenshi wrote: |
Why must people suffer? |
Another good one... I've sort of got a theory about it... but it needs validation, reasoning behind it, and filling out.
| Indi wrote: |
# Does freedom exist or is it illusory? Or, who makes choices, me or "fate"/the universe/a deity/whatever?
# If our actions are due to "fate"/the universe/a deity/whatever... or... due the fact that we are the way we are, which is out of our control (we can't control how we were created), then is punishment just?
# Who or what decides what is right/wrong, and how?
...
# How do you determine if/when it is just to consider the needs of the many over the needs of the few? (Or is it everyone for themselves?) |
Also important questions... These ones I hadn't thought about at all, and will require some serious pondering to figure out. Thanks!1. Will this new religion offer rewards (e.g elevation to a higher more peaceful place when we die)
2. Will it condem wrong doers (people who transgress the ideals of the religion)
3. Will it be based on forgiveness or punishment
Peace and Love 
Will this new religion try to dehumanize society?
Do we have a spirit that passes on when we die, or is it just a simple matter of electricity switched off and end of story?
What is the purpose of living?
Is it really wrong to be selfish?
Why do some of us get satisfaction from doing good things for others, and others get satisfaction from doing cruel things to others, and why do we prosecute the latter and not the former?
Why are we born unequal with one another, i.e. some are born to lead, some born to be lead, some born to be wise, some born to just survive, some born with incredible gifts that get noticed, other born with incredible gifts that may never be noticed? Yet we advocate a desire for being equal.
Where do we come from originally?
Who created the universe? Or where did the Universe come from?
| JessieF wrote: |
| Will this new religion try to dehumanize society? |
What do you mean by dehumanize?
... sounds like you know me pretty well ^.^.
| deanhills wrote: |
...
...
Is it really wrong to be selfish? |
I've given this one a little thought, but it could use more.
| deanhills wrote: |
Why do some of us get satisfaction from doing good things for others, and others get satisfaction from doing cruel things to others, and why do we prosecute the latter and not the former?
Why are we born unequal with one another, i.e. some are born to lead, some born to be lead, some born to be wise, some born to just survive, some born with incredible gifts that get noticed, other born with incredible gifts that may never be noticed? Yet we advocate a desire for being equal.
|
More interesting questions... In particular, I need to put more thought into the nature of evil, and its place in the world.
| deanhills wrote: |
Where do we come from originally?
Who created the universe? Or where did the Universe come from? |
Of course! How could I miss such an obvious question?
I might figure out an answer for it... but I also might decide it doesn't need answering... It would be kind of interesting to have a religion that said it doesn't matter where we come from. That would also help it get along with other belief systems better... hm... | Jinx wrote: |
| Why is everything I like either immoral, illegal, or fattening? |
I just found this funny. Did you quote it from dilbert or something? HAHA. | ocalhoun wrote: |
| JessieF wrote: | | Will this new religion try to dehumanize society? |
What do you mean by dehumanize?
... sounds like you know me pretty well ^.^.
|
Religion tries to make sex a bad thing - or say it's only good in marriage. That drive is apart of being human. To take it away would be to dehumanize society. I'm sure there are other examples. =]
| deanhills wrote: |
Is it really wrong to be selfish?
|
I think this calls for an interesting discussion in another thread - that is if it hasn't been discussed yet. | JessieF wrote: |
| ocalhoun wrote: | | JessieF wrote: | | Will this new religion try to dehumanize society? |
What do you mean by dehumanize?
... sounds like you know me pretty well ^.^.
|
Religion tries to make sex a bad thing - or say it's only good in marriage. That drive is apart of being human. To take it away would be to dehumanize society. I'm sure there are other examples. =]
|
Ah, okay... I know the answer then... Though it is kind of a grey area.
| JessieF wrote: |
| deanhills wrote: |
Is it really wrong to be selfish?
|
I think this calls for an interesting discussion in another thread - that is if it hasn't been discussed yet. |
Go ahead and start another thread then... I may start discussions about some of these questions, but I'm not to that point yet... I'll try to figure it out on my own first.What is the basis of existence without the belief in god?
What is the basis of existence with the belief in god?
| JessieF wrote: |
What is the basis of existence without the belief in god?
What is the basis of existence with the belief in god? |
I'm afraid I don't understand those two questions... 'Basis of existence'? What does that mean?
