Although I'm certain that the majority of the people who post here have played videogames to some extent, this is not necessarily a poll of gamers.

Rather, I was wondering whether or not people really are confident about and completely faithful in their religion.

To avoid finger-pointing, I ask that you DO NOT attempt to argue your stance. This is simply a tally. If you would, however, like to argue points for or against religion, feel free to make a video on youtube, or just email Richard Dawkins. But I won't tell you what I believe!

Sith Lord!

See, I don't like your poll option 'I'm Agnostic... I just don't know enough'. For some reason, I get the idea you believe that Agnostic people are too stupid to follow a religion, or not believe in religion. Of course, I'm not saying you did that intentionally, or at all (I may have just read it wrong), but, yeh, I've got a beef with how the option's worded.

And, as you should be able to tell, I'm Agnostic.

drawthreecards:
To avoid finger-pointing, I ask that you DO NOT attempt to argue your stance. This is simply a tally. If you would, however, like to argue points for or against religion, feel free to make a video on youtube, or just email Richard Dawkins. But I won't tell you what I believe!

I don't see the difference between arguing your stance on religion and arguing points for or against it.
Personally, I try to be agnostic, as it's the most logical conclusion from what we know, but I tend towards atheism because the idea of a grand intelligent being- free from all the restraints of existence that we know- seems impossible to me.

Saskwach:
Personally, I try to be agnostic, as it's the most logical conclusion from what we know, but I tend towards atheism because the idea of a grand intelligent being- free from all the restraints of existence that we know- seems impossible to me.

Thing is, I think the whole 'life-force' thing was agnosticism. Seems I got it wrong...

PS: By life-force, I'm talking about, say, the Lifestream from FF7. A force that is the beginning and end of life.

Edit: Whoops, I typed atheism instead of agnostic. Changed.

Saskwach:

I don't see the difference between arguing your stance on religion and arguing points for or against it.
Personally, I try to be agnostic, as it's the most logical conclusion from what we know, but I tend towards atheism because the idea of a grand intelligent being- free from all the restraints of existence that we know- seems impossible to me.

I used the terms interchangeably, noting that it's not a good idea to really debate religion on a message board. People tend to become alienated and the wrath of the mods rains upon the thread (irony?). That said, I'm sure youtube is a better place to try reasoned argument.

stompy:

Thing is, I think the whole 'life-force' thing was atheism. Seems I got it wrong...

PS: By life-force, I'm talking about, say, the Lifestream from FF7. A force that is the beginning and end of life.

Atheism is the belief that there is no god or gods.

The origin of life is a different topic.

I used to be a staunch atheist and would turn my nose down on religious people as morons. Then, I found out my favourite teacher (who taught me in grade 5/6 gifted program) was a Christian and I was very surprised. This was a catalyst for me to reevaluate my attitude towards religion. I've gone from believing that religion caused a huge number of atrocities throughout history to realizing those atrocities were caused by stupid people and not by the ideas themselves. Almost any idea can be warped by zealotry and be used to advocate the persecution of certain people or justify horrible acts. It's the people who use it to these ends that are wrong, not the religions themselves.

Now, I count myself as an agnostic. I don't know what happens and I think it's relatively unimportant to how I live my life. I feel as if when I die, I'm dead. There's nothing else after that. Therefore, I want to make my life and the life of others around me the best they can be because this could be our only chance.

My girlfriend is a Christian and I love and support that part of it, though I don't feel the spark of belief for it that she does.

I have my beliefs, but I usually keep them to myself because I think it's unseemly to trumpet them to everyone who will listen.

I wish more religious types would keep it a personal matter between themselves and the beings they believe in.

Ok, what in the fuck is with this recent spat of religious probing. All the forums I visit and all the ones my friends frequent have been bombarded with a sudden spurt of threads about faith.

Anti Organized Religion, and damn proud of it. Pray I never reach a position of power, because when I do, churches, mosques, and the like are all being shut down. Attempting to convert someone to your faith will be a crime punishable with a minimum of 10 years in max sec, and religious texts will be burned on sight.

I have my own set of beliefs basically based on the lifestream theory however like the movie Dogma says beliefs are good thigns but religions are just stupid.
Last time I tried to explain it in full to someone tho it turns out they were christian and called my thoughts stupid and pathetic. So I took great pleasure in tormenting her and insulting her religion for months on end.

Screw your religion, I'm a Jedi.

But seriously, I used to be an agnostic until I realized that it was pretty much avoiding the question. No one actually says they are agnostic towards the existence of Santa Claus, so I figured it would just make more sense to be an atheist.

Khell_Sennet:
Ok, what in the fuck is with this recent spat of religious probing. All the forums I visit and all the ones my friends frequent have been bombarded with a sudden spurt of threads about faith.

Anti Organized Religion, and damn proud of it. Pray I never reach a position of power, because when I do, churches, mosques, and the like are all being shut down. Attempting to convert someone to your faith will be a crime punishable with a minimum of 10 years in max sec, and religious texts will be burned on sight.

Pararaph 2 is the answer to Paragraph 1, Khell. Personally I don't find any trouble with any Religion as long as it doesn't try and impose on me. Equally, I'd fight anyone who tries to destroy them; because that's just replacing them.

Just because some dick says they're doing it coz God told them does NOT mean they're doing it because of Religion.

I don't like your poll. Not enough options, and poorly phrased. Most people are not sorry they're atheists for example.

In case you want to know, I picked the 3rd option. Anyone who's been on the forums for a while will know why, as this question seems to come up all the time.

Khell_Sennet:
Anti Organized Religion, and damn proud of it. Pray I never reach a position of power, because when I do, churches, mosques, and the like are all being shut down. Attempting to convert someone to your faith will be a crime punishable with a minimum of 10 years in max sec, and religious texts will be burned on sight.

lol you said "pray". ;)

Seriously though, this point of view is terrible. Imposing atheism on the population is no better than the extremely religious countries like Saudi Arabia where citizens can be put to death for going against the laws of Islam. Not to mention you'd be overthrown almost immediately.

For the record; I'm a non-practicing catholic. Though I have read the bible a few times.

Actually, a quick question: Why have a separate option for spirituality and for agnosticism? By spirituality, do you mean people believe in ghosts and related items? Sorry, but I'm a little unclear.

Oh, and this:

drawthreecards:
The origin of life is a different topic.

How exactly is the origin of life and religion not related? Aren't religion people and scientists who believe in the Big Bang at each other's throats? Doesn't anyone remember the persecution of Darwin, when he published 'On the Origin of Species' from Science?

I will have to agree Larenxis on the lack of options. There is no option for religeons a little more...Unorthadox shall we say.
Now, I am a religeous man, and unless you have never read my posts before, you'll know whom I follow. And I am true to it. I don't just take my religeon as being a way to, 'rebel', or be 'cool' among those who might share my similar views.
The "alternative" to my religeon is very, shall we say, hypocritical and unrewarding to me. (Not in viewing, in the results it has had on my life when I subscribed to such faith) It works for others, and I accept that, and they receive my blessing every day, but it did not work for me.
Religeon, is like the roses for a brides bouquet. They are delicate, and when handled wrong, will be destroyed. But when taken, and used properly, are properly taken care of, they are the single most beautiful item a person could have. Whether right, or wrong.

I will join the people who think there are a lack of options in this poll. I was going to answer it until I read the four choices, since I don't fit any of them.

To answer your other question, though... yes, I'm very confident about the things I believe in.

avykins:
I have my own set of beliefs basically based on the lifestream theory however like the movie Dogma says beliefs are good thigns but religions are just stupid.
Last time I tried to explain it in full to someone tho it turns out they were christian and called my thoughts stupid and pathetic. So I took great pleasure in tormenting her and insulting her religion for months on end.

I actually had to register just to reply to this. I think its ridiculous that you're stupid enough to say you insulted her religion (christianity) when your beliefs are blatently based upon the fact that you liked FF7. Ridiculing anyone for their beliefs in anyway in my opinion is disgusting, but to do it because you feel you're superior due to your beliefs based on crap you've absorbed from pop culture is both disgusting and simply prooves you're an idiot.
I personally am quite undecided on the religious matter, I like to keep an open mind.

Atheist due to my behaviouristic, nihilistic view on life. I do respect other people for their religion, though, and am quite interested as to how they live different compared to me. Perhaps because they cling onto something hopeful, whereas I believe in the pointlessness of life.

mightysteve:

avykins:
I have my own set of beliefs basically based on the lifestream theory however like the movie Dogma says beliefs are good thigns but religions are just stupid.
Last time I tried to explain it in full to someone tho it turns out they were christian and called my thoughts stupid and pathetic. So I took great pleasure in tormenting her and insulting her religion for months on end.

I actually had to register just to reply to this. I think its ridiculous that you're stupid enough to say you insulted her religion (christianity) when your beliefs are blatently based upon the fact that you liked FF7. Ridiculing anyone for their beliefs in anyway in my opinion is disgusting, but to do it because you feel you're superior due to your beliefs based on crap you've absorbed from pop culture is both disgusting and simply prooves you're an idiot.
I personally am quite undecided on the religious matter, I like to keep an open mind.

Well congratulations, you just made yourself out to be the dumbass hypocrit bastard you called this person.

If you payed any attention at all the poster said nothing about Final Fantasy 7, and only insulted the other persons beleifs after their own was insulted by that same person. So, had you actually read what was said instead of looking at one word, IE: Lifestream, you wouldn't have just made yourself out to be: "Derf, FF7 is da bst game evur and you sed a wurd in da geim you must likes its. :3"

SilentHunter7:
Seriously though, this point of view is terrible. Imposing atheism on the population is no better than the extremely religious countries like Saudi Arabia where citizens can be put to death for going against the laws of Islam. Not to mention you'd be overthrown almost immediately.

Oh I have nothing with someone worshiping God, Jehova, Allah, Vishnu, Kali, or any other god, so long as they do it privately. My stance is simple. Believe what you want, but believe it alone. Once you get a group of people together who all believe in the same deity, you run the risk of them doing stupid things in the name of their faith, things they rarely would do if they were unaware who around them shared their beliefs. Worse yet, once things progress as far as "churches" or their ilk, you add in a whole shitload more problems.

Definitely agnostic. Sometimes I wish I had a God I could believe in, though. It'd make life much easier.

TheNecroswanson:

mightysteve:

blahblah blah whiney bullshit

Well congratulations, you just made yourself out to be the dumbass hypocrit bastard you called this person.

If you payed any attention at all the poster said nothing about Final Fantasy 7, and only insulted the other persons beleifs after their own was insulted by that same person. So, had you actually read what was said instead of looking at one word, IE: Lifestream, you wouldn't have just made yourself out to be: "Derf, FF7 is da bst game evur and you sed a wurd in da geim you must likes its. :3"

Thank you TheNecroswanson. Its nice to see there are some literate people in the world.
As for mightysteve get your head out of your ass. I used the lifestream theory as its a easy way of describing it. It is because of people like you that I dont explain my beleifs in details because you are too close minded and dense to understand them. Not to mention that the gaia theory or oversoul theory are quite well known and my own thoughts are similar.
Plus who the fuck cares where someone gets their beliefs from whether it be some old butchered re-re-re-re-rewritten book, a movie, video game or anything else.

I don't know what I am really, my mother is a Wiccan, so to be safe I will say agnostic. I respect everyones beliefs as long as they respect mine.

Kaos Incarnate:
I don't know what I am really, my mother is a Wiccan, so to be safe I will say agnostic. I respect everyones beliefs as long as they respect mine.

Which is the stance people should have. Unfortunately, discussions involving organised religion have pretty much turned into Xbox Live matches; everyone is insulting the other, without making any real progress.

And this guy:

mightysteve:
I actually had to register just to reply to this. I think its ridiculous that you're stupid enough to say you insulted her religion (christianity)start when your beliefs are blatently based upon the fact that you liked FF7stop. Ridiculing anyone for their beliefs in anyway in my opinion is disgusting, but to do it because you feel you're superior start due to your beliefs based on crap you've absorbed from pop culture is both disgusting and simply prooves you're an idiot.stop

See, I agree with everything outside of the start/stop bolds. I believe it's not right, under any circumstances, to disrespect or ridicule a person's belief. If you think they're deluded, then just walk away :) But your attitude is terrible. Instead of preaching peace, you've pretty much said "You have no right to insult the person, not because it's not nice, or the right thing to do, but becuase your opinions are shit".

I'm completely against Organized Religion. The thing breeds ignorence. Ignorence creates hate. You can be as spiritual as you want but why are you pressured to do what a book writen by people so-many-years ago tell you.

Khell_Sennet:

SilentHunter7:
Seriously though, this point of view is terrible. Imposing atheism on the population is no better than the extremely religious countries like Saudi Arabia where citizens can be put to death for going against the laws of Islam. Not to mention you'd be overthrown almost immediately.

Oh I have nothing with someone worshiping God, Jehova, Allah, Vishnu, Kali, or any other god, so long as they do it privately. My stance is simple. Believe what you want, but believe it alone. Once you get a group of people together who all believe in the same deity, you run the risk of them doing stupid things in the name of their faith, things they rarely would do if they were unaware who around them shared their beliefs. Worse yet, once things progress as far as "churches" or their ilk, you add in a whole shitload more problems.

Which is precisely the problem(s) organised atheism will create, with the added disadvantage that you don't have stylish chanting or symbols or ANYTHING. Your idea reminds me of the Fr. Revolutionary/Stalinist idea of the 'millitant godless', which was, frankly, a stupid idea. Besides, religion thrives on persecution. Not even Stalin could stamp out the orthodox Church in Russia, and I highly doubt your as efficent as him.

Khell_Sennet:

SilentHunter7:
Seriously though, this point of view is terrible. Imposing atheism on the population is no better than the extremely religious countries like Saudi Arabia where citizens can be put to death for going against the laws of Islam. Not to mention you'd be overthrown almost immediately.

Oh I have nothing with someone worshiping God, Jehova, Allah, Vishnu, Kali, or any other god, so long as they do it privately. My stance is simple. Believe what you want, but believe it alone. Once you get a group of people together who all believe in the same deity, you run the risk of them doing stupid things in the name of their faith, things they rarely would do if they were unaware who around them shared their beliefs. Worse yet, once things progress as far as "churches" or their ilk, you add in a whole shitload more problems.

Like feed and clothe the poor, and help drug abusers by giving them the hope of redemption, and a god to pray to?

stompy:
Actually, a quick question: Why have a separate option for spirituality and for agnosticism? By spirituality, do you mean people believe in ghosts and related items? Sorry, but I'm a little unclear.

Oh, and this:

drawthreecards:
The origin of life is a different topic.

How exactly is the origin of life and religion not related? Aren't religion people and scientists who believe in the Big Bang at each other's throats? Doesn't anyone remember the persecution of Darwin, when he published 'On the Origin of Species' from Science?

To be spiritual, but not religious, is to have your own unique view of the world. Or specifically, if you believe in a creator who is not the Judeo-Christian god or any other established god but merely your own, then you would be spiritual (Just one example, not all spiritual people believe that).

As far as the origin of life is concerned, religion (or your spirituality) can help you explain it, but it's probably not the reason you picked the religion you have. Similarly, you probably don't become an atheist because you think that God's explanation for life is inadequate. It is also important to establish that the Theory of Evolution and Darwinian Natural Selection does not attempt to explain the origins of life per se, but explains how marvelous complexity can stem from relatively basic life-forms.

For the posters who wish there were more choices:
What choices specifically? I was originally aiming for large clumps of belief sets. (Note: If you worship Darth Vader, that counts as spiritual.)

Note: Edited the choices to be less assuming of the attitude of the answerer.

SilentHunter7:

Khell_Sennet:

SilentHunter7:
Seriously though, this point of view is terrible. Imposing atheism on the population is no better than the extremely religious countries like Saudi Arabia where citizens can be put to death for going against the laws of Islam. Not to mention you'd be overthrown almost immediately.

Oh I have nothing with someone worshiping God, Jehova, Allah, Vishnu, Kali, or any other god, so long as they do it privately. My stance is simple. Believe what you want, but believe it alone. Once you get a group of people together who all believe in the same deity, you run the risk of them doing stupid things in the name of their faith, things they rarely would do if they were unaware who around them shared their beliefs. Worse yet, once things progress as far as "churches" or their ilk, you add in a whole shitload more problems.

Like feed and clothe the poor, and help drug abusers by giving them the hope of redemption, and a god to pray to?

(Sigh) People will never learn that atheism isn't a bad thing. Some people believe in god as much as they believe in captain planet. People saying that god id real, ala "giving them the hope of redemption, and a god to pray to" isn't helping your case. I don't believe in Cpatian Planet. Stop telling me he's real!