The Concept of God and Freedom
By bestboy19
@bestboy19 (5478)
United States
8 responses
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
22 Jun 11
Just to have a concept of God and to be able to express one's own belief is an exercise of individual freedom and free expression in themselves. People who have a profound understanding of God and apply their belief in their day to day daily existence are the most "free people" having freed themselves from ignorance and shackles of unbelief. Nothing is more liberating. Unless of course, destroying freedom refers to the prohibitions many religions impose to their adherents. This is entirely a different matter. The concept of God trancends religious boundaries.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
23 Jun 11
This concept was voiced by Christopher Hitchens, a known atheist. I believe he was referring to God rather than religion. God gives us the right to choose, but being an atheist, he would not know that.
1 person likes this
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
22 Jun 11
I don't think so. I would suggest that most of us have the option not of be conned into believing some invented myth. Particularly in this day and age when we can explain lot of the incidents and events that our ancestors could not explain leaving them vulnerable to exploitation
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
23 Jun 11
Whether you believe in God or not, it's your freedom to choose and express that choice openly.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
22 Jun 11
Its not the concept of God, or a Supreme Being that has been damaging, but the concepts of Organized Religions. The fact is, Organized Religion is a Scam that has been collecting money for the Religious Heirachy for more than a thousand years. Religious Wars and Murders done in the name of God have killed millions, to say nothing of Religious Pedophiles who molest and sexually abuse children in the name of Jesus Christ!
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I have only been a part of a non-denominational Christian church, so I can speak to other religions. How is organized religion a scam?
@Gordano (795)
• United States
24 Jun 11
barehugs
you make the classic mistake of generalization, I'm a Muslim and while I belong to an Organized Religion, there is no priesthood in Islam and there is no Religious hierarchy in my religion.
in case of money this link explains:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakat
the amount of Zakat is given by you directly to the poor, it is highly recommended that you give the poor among your relatives first, then the poor among your neighbors, then the poor in your city and it is highly recommended that you give it secretly, How can you consider this a scam?
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Jun 11
The Organized Religions I was referring to are Organized Christian religions ( of which there are many hundreds). I'm sorry I did not make this clear! The old saying,"Money is the root of all Evil," certainly fits! The wealth stolen, and otherwise collected by The 'Holy Roman Church,' is beyond belief, so much so that no one alive today can even begin to estimate its value, and the Pope is by far the richest man who has ever walked this earth!
How could you not consider this a Christian Religious Scam?
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Jun 11
Hi bestboy, It depends on one's interpretation of a supreme being. In some religious teachings individual freedom and free expression has most certainly been destroyed, but not in all. When we realize that we are creating every experience that we have, we will know real freedom. Blessings.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
29 Jun 11
Hello Pose, can you explain what you mean, "...we are creating every experience that we have...?
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
28 Jun 11
Is it God who is restricting freedom or the religion of that country?
@Bhurishrava (696)
• India
2 Jun 12
Indioctrination in thename of God has destroyed a lot of freedom.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
25 Jun 11
Free will is the ability to choose for ourselves. It doesn't imply benefits or consequences for those decisions. I am free to decide if I want to ride a motorcycle or not. I accept the benefits that come with it.. but I also accept the reality of the consequences. The fact that riding a motorcycle means I could end up a grease stain on some highway doesn't take away my right to decide to ride.
Because we are basically spoiled brats, we have bastardized the meaning of the word "freedom". We claim to accept the benefits of the freedoms we enjoy, but we resent the fact there are consequences to the point that we consider any consequences a violation of our freedom.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
28 Jun 11
Some also resent the responsibilities that go along with freedom. I think those who resent consequences and responsibility choose freedom only for themselves, but hide behind their selfishness by blaming God.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I don't know that I agree that everyone wants to rule the world. I do agree that man is guilty of trying to destroy freedom and free expression.
