Hmm, it's nice and all to agree with people about what your beliefs are, but personally, I don't really think you should be saying things like 'blah blah blah are RIGHT end of convo' and stuff, because quite frankly, no one knows the answer.
I personally do not wish to affiliate myself with any type of organized religion (I have my reasons...), but that doesn't make me not believe in a god. Of course, that doesn't make me believe in one either. I'm more of a scientific person than a religious person really.
Here's one thing I have to say regarding that quote and this whole topic. In almost every country or culture, there is belief of a higher being. Now if there was no higher being (God), then where would this idea come from? That idea had to be put in there heads somehow and the only way it could be there is if there is one higher being. God created everything and we are just beginning to notice how great everything has been designed for us.
Well, I have a few points on this one, take them how you will. First, let's say you are the leader of a nation way back when. What's an excellent way to control the people, and bring order to your nation? Introduce the people to a concept that solves something unknown, with a benefit for believing in it. No one knows about the after life; maybe no one ever will. But introducing a working solution will get people to listen, to obey, because there's a reward at the end- an afterlife (in most religions). The promise of a wonderful life after life, in a lot of people's minds, is worth the trouble of giving money to the church, praying every so often, and following the guidelines written in a 'holy scripture'. Think about the Ten Commandments for a second. Wow, what a great way to not have people maim eachother in your society. No killing, no stealing, basically a ban on anything deemed evil, right? Hmm, interesting. The threat of a horrible afterlife if the rules aren't followed is another incentive to do the right thing. And the best part is, once people believe in the religion, others can be converted, so the beliefs spread throughout the world. Another interesting note that I'd like to bring up in regards to the quote is the number of different religions that have formed. Maybe it's just me, but when I see differing religions that have qualities ranging from monotheistic to polytheistic, from belief in afterlife to belief in reincarnation, it makes me think that there's something astray. Why isn't there one set religion, one that everyone agrees on? Which one is right? Just some questions to be pondered.
