If I choose to believe in god, and you choose not to, and we both die, If you're right we both lose. if I'm right, you still lose, but I win.

So thus, you can conclude that the only logical thing to do is believe in God.

But which religion to choose?

Well, There's no point in choosing Hinduism, because you if you choose another religion and get it wrong, then you get to be reincarnated and try again. Plus I do believe that Hindus accept all gods?

What about Buddhism? Well, they have reincarnation as well, so no point in choosing this one.

Islam?

Well, When people try to explain Islam as a religion of peace (which if you've ever read the quran, it's not), like to say that Islam accepts all monotheistic god-fearing religions. So what's the point of choosing this one if you can just be monotheistic and still be covered?

Sikhism?

Sikhs believe in a single, Formless God, with many names. The goal of Sikhs is to build a close, loving relationship with God. They also believe in reincarnation. So again, no point, if you get it wrong you can just come back and fix it.

Wiccan?

There is no streamline belief of wiccans, which we can assume is because it's bull shit that angsty teens make up and vary along the way so they can fit into a clique.

Confucianism?

It's not actually a religion, it's just an ethical system.

Shinto?

Again, it's not so much of a religion, it's more like a cross between Confucianism and Buddhism. Most Shintos follow other religions as well. There are many deities, but none are omnipotent or omni-presencet. So you really have nothing to lose by not being Shinto.

Bahai'i?

Well, my cousins are bahai'i, and I think they're full of shit. bahi'ism stresses the oneness of humanity, and they believe in pretty much everything, that Adam, Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, The Bab, and Baha'u'llah are all correct. So if their all right, then there is no wrong choice. you're free to believe something else.

Zoroastrianism?

Well, for starters, they don't accept converts. They believe that their god is the only god, and that you'll either go to heaven or hell. However, after the apocalypse, they believe everyone in hell will be released and live happily ever after. So what's the point of believing if in the end you'll live happily ever after anyway?

Jainism?

Similar to Buddhism and Hinduism, in that there is reincarnation, so what would be the point of choosing this? Also, you're judged on karma, or your good acts, not necessarily belief. So If you're a good person then you're covered.

Christianity?

Well, in Christianity, there is only one way to heaven, and that is by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity stresses that it is the only true religion. So considering that all other major religions have loopholes which let you believe other things, you're covered for all of them if you're Christian.

But it's more than that. No other religion can bring you the personal joy and satisfaction that Christianity can.

Well, that was an interesting and pessimestic view. I don't understand why there's no point to the religions. You seem to make statements and then follow them up with something like 'there's no point to follow that religion' and it doesn't make sense. A lot of religions believe in similiar beliefs. You choose the one religion not because it's completely different, but because of the little things that are different in it.

I guess I just don't get your reasoning.

Cheers,

Lost

IMO, you should get more information about religions mentioned and decide from there. From what I read in your post, I gathered that you only looked at the general overview, without understanding the core teaching of a specific religion and thus your opinion on these religions are generally biased. (No offense http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif))

Try to do more reading (Library, Internet) and researching further about these religions, either by visiting religious centers or talking to someone knowlegeable about the religion.

I also believe that people tend accept the underlaying propaganda and manipulation of certain religions, creating a false impressions on these religions even more reinforced by the media's POV.

All I'm saying, get facts not opinions. Choose the religion that is relevent in your everyday life and your basic core values as a person.

Sorry for my ramblings.Forgive me if anything here is inaccurate.

P.S I'm a Buddhist

quote:If I choose to believe in god, and you choose not to, and we both die, If you're right we both lose. if I'm right, you still lose, but I win.

i dont think its a convenience thing. i doubt god would look at you any better than me (an atheist) because you believed in him only because you though it would avoid you some punishment.

besides, picking a religion because you like it is like deciding which boogie monster your going to believe in from tommorow onwards. you should pick a religion - if thats what you want to do - by what you feel and believe rather than what you like.