A New Religion

I have a colleague, who is a really good guy – which makes a change for techies, and he felt embarrassed about his religion which is Catholicism. In this liberal age I felt bad for him; after all why should he not believe in what he wants to, and be able to express those beliefs freely?

The problem is, is that most people are embarrassed to be ‘religious’ People find that a so-called tolerant society is far from that. So could I set up a religion, which people wouldn’t be embarrassed about?

First of all we need to figure out what constitutes a successful religion? I reckon the following have to occur: Eden, Original Sin, Collapse Of Morality, Doomsday. If you have all four you have the makings of a good religion, and the chance to make loads of money.

So this is what I did . . .

I painted a picture of a clean earth. A better place, where people are close to nature, and air is clean, and the sunsets are redder. You drink from the waterfall and know that it’s all good wholesome water. The meat that you eat is fresh – because you just caught it – and no ones ever heard of genetically modifying anything. This is my Eden.

Then, out of a green and pleasant land, an evil man decided that he could use steam engines, and mass produce stuff. The idea caught on. The industrial revolution happened, and spread throughout the world. This is my original sin

Since the industrial revolution happened - it’s got worse. Pollution from factories, cars, trains, planes and just about everything else is destroying the planet that we live in. We are literally gradually destroying the planet and not doing anything about it. This is my collapse of morality

Now the pollution is far more onerous than just the above. The planet will eventually overheat, and a runaway greenhouse effect will happen just like it did on Mars. We will all day horribly of cancers, skin disease, heat-waves and goodness knows what else. This is my doomsday.

Any takers?

[Idea from Crichton’s remarks to the Commonwealth club]

Isn't this already a religion? (Druidism)

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

Any takers?

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Nope.

The runaway greenhouse effect happened on Venus, btw.

Why setup a religion one isn't 'embarassed' about? If a person is embarassed about their beliefs, then that represents an insecurity, doesn't it? (Hypocritically, if a person isn't insecure, they're often labelled fanatics)

If you believe in something, it shouldn't matter what others say or how much they make fun of it (like we do). Just go on believing, as long as your mind is satisfied.

Every religion has it's problems. My one is that followers will believe that Mars had a runaway greenhouse effect ;)

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

First of all we need to figure out what constitutes a successful religion? I reckon the following have to occur: Eden, Original Sin, Collapse Of Morality, Doomsday. If you have all four you have the makings of a good religion, and the chance to make loads of money.

[Idea from Crichton’s remarks to the Commonwealth club]

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Makings of a good religion? If you take those four things in that order, you have My Life So Far!

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

I have a colleague, who is a really good guy – which makes a change for techies, and he felt embarrassed about his religion which is Catholicism. In this liberal age I felt bad for him; after all why should he not believe in what he wants to, and be able to express those beliefs freely?

The problem is, is that most people are embarrassed to be ‘religious’ People find that a so-called tolerant society is far from that. So could I set up a religion, which people wouldn’t be embarrassed about?

First of all we need to figure out what constitutes a successful religion? I reckon the following have to occur: Eden, Original Sin, Collapse Of Morality, Doomsday. If you have all four you have the makings of a good religion, and the chance to make loads of money.

So this is what I did . . .

I painted a picture of a clean earth. A better place, where people are close to nature, and air is clean, and the sunsets are redder. You drink from the waterfall and know that it’s all good wholesome water. The meat that you eat is fresh – because you just caught it – and no ones ever heard of genetically modifying anything. This is my Eden.

Then, out of a green and pleasant land, an evil man decided that he could use steam engines, and mass produce stuff. The idea caught on. The industrial revolution happened, and spread throughout the world. This is my original sin

Since the industrial revolution happened - it’s got worse. Pollution from factories, cars, trains, planes and just about everything else is destroying the planet that we live in. We are literally gradually destroying the planet and not doing anything about it. This is my collapse of morality

Now the pollution is far more onerous than just the above. The planet will eventually overheat, and a runaway greenhouse effect will happen just like it did on Mars. We will all day horribly of cancers, skin disease, heat-waves and goodness knows what else. This is my doomsday.

Any takers?

[Idea from Crichton’s remarks to the Commonwealth club]

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This sounds more like a theory than a religion. Although, some people do consider religion a theory ;)

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Originally Posted by System_Error

This sounds more like a theory than a religion. Although, some people do consider religion a theory ;)

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That, as they say, was the general point. Just thought it was an amusing extrapolation . . .

The theory has it's roots in anthropology. Recurring human patterns and all that . . .

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Isn't this already a religion? (Druidism)

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Yes, but it's not Druidism: it's called environmentalism.

how about Yen Buddhism

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

Yes, but it's not Druidism: it's called environmentalism.

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Does it matter? All religions are pointless and a waste of time anyway

I agree: religion, which I define to be an organisation and not a faith, is abhorrent. They are (generally) designed to extract money and services from those who can least afford to give them. And they are based on principles of fear.

If, however, you define religion to be equal to faith then I think that you are utterly wrong.

By the way, air polution will create the redder sunsets. The most spectacular sunsets come from having large amounts of particulate matter in the air. Therefore, a part of your eden is polluted.

As I've said before: no religion is perfect. Mine has flaws, and controversies; this will help it to get into the news.

BTW dust will do the same job as pollution. My Eden's just a little more dustier.

;)

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Does it matter? All religions are pointless and a waste of time anyway

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Heh-heh. Tell that to my sister, with 4 kids in parochial school.

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Does it matter? All religions are pointless and a waste of time anyway

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Apart from yours, of course.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

As I've said before: no religion is perfect. Mine has flaws, and controversies; this will help it to get into the news.

BTW dust will do the same job as pollution. My Eden's just a little more dustier.

;)

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My particular eden would be one that required less vacuuming. ;)

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

I agree: religion, which I define to be an organisation and not a faith, is abhorrent. They are (generally) designed to extract money and services from those who can least afford to give them. And they are based on principles of fear.

If, however, you define religion to be equal to faith then I think that you are utterly wrong.

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Hmmm. I think I quoted the wrong thread last time concerning the cost of parochial schools. Sorry. VB ;)

No worries :D

Isn't this interesting though. The dictionary defines parochial as:
# Of, relating to, supported by, or located in a parish.
# Narrowly restricted in scope or outlook

says a lot about religion doesn't it.

I do not have a religion yrywddfa, i am agnostic

Agnosticism only states whether or not you believe in God. Being 'agnostic' means you are saying you are unable to determine whether God exists; essentially you are not committing to one camp or the other - simply sitting on the fence.

Religion, I think - but some will disagree, is an organisation that collects people of an agreeing faith. Religion is not, in my opinion, synonomous with faith.

So having no religion really doesn't mean that much at all, really. Perhaps you meant to say 'I don't go to church'

Or did you mean 'I do not believe in anything'