I don't know why some religions get such a bad rap when others do not. Christianity, Islam, and Wicca for examples. Judaism can become fanatical as well, but most of the blame is put on Christianity or Islam as being fanatical. I think the bad reputation of Wicca stems from history when witches were tortured or burned. I'm Buddhist myself which I think is the least controversial of the world religions. I was however, raised Muslim but converted in my 40's. I don't mean to say anything bad about Islam, I just didn't have the same belief system as they did and always felt like an outsider now I finally feel free. It is my wish everyone would stop with this philosophy that something is "bad" just because it is not their own view. People do not realize how hurtful they are towards another. I see a lot of bumper stickers in my city and I have one too Coexist with religious symbols as the letters. Whatever form of God you believe in you should know he/she is the same God all around is my beliefs, so there is no excuse for one religion to make another feel bad or to show favorites. Because at the root, they all teach basically the same message.

well its because those religions are the most known world-wide, plus lots of political issues re based around Islam and Christianity(so it kinda gets mixed up between religions and politics), i know it does in my country. And i agree with you, but even lots of Muslims doesn't have the same beliefs ( traditions and stuff like that), its a shame that people just make a certain idea about Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Wicca, its not about impressions and defiantly doesnt revolve about certain ideas!

And that message is: Decide first, ask questions later.

Actually I was thinking the message was "Love God, Do Good, Shut up and go Home" They all say the same thing some add more to their rules or whatever, but that's the basic idea. I think we are confusing the "actual" message with the more "popular' message. You are right that does seem to sadly be the more popular message on most religions, but in the sacred texts whether it be The Bible, or The Qur'an, or The Torah, or the writings of Buddha their message is to Love God and do good for others.

Buddha never wrote anything down and supposedly didn't believe or 'disbelieve' in a god.

I agree with RoseCity . I always though Budhism was more close to philosophy then religion . And I believe it's the only religion that doesn't smell religion , that doesn't have the same sense of 'addiction' like religion do . And I always though that Budhism was very close to Atheism .

Well for me , Atheism is think for yourself . One that take the path of Atheist , instead of being labbeled a no-beliver . I like to think that Atheisme is the path of someone who choose science over spirit . Doesn't mean , the person doesn't have a sense of what's on the other side .

Right now Atheism is being almost like a religion and I don't like it lol

Budhism don't convert , and it is all about musing over what Budha said and what not .

Judaisme , well.....my roomate is Jewish and is part of Jewish Moderate(?) . In traditional Jewish they don't allow female Rabbi I think . And she say in Moderate they do allow it . And Jewish don't convert either , and Jewish have a paradise for those that don't believe in the same religion . While , in Islam I recall only one kind of Paradise and only one kind of hell . So as far as I can tell.....Judaisme kinda open on that side lol

And no , each God is different . To say we all have the same God , and only his name is different . Well that's wrong , because if it was the case that God is recognized as being the same one in all religion and only named differently . I think all these religions would have put their difference aside and fused together a long time ago .

I think , because it's a different God with a different messenger is what make...all this mess that's religion . Again that's just me

No, the "problem" is that each religion is so focused on its way and its prophet as being "THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE WAY!!!" (tm) that they can't see that all ways go to the same destination.

no, that's what people turned religion all about because it changed from a way to believe to just a style of life, you see your parents do something when you were a kid, so you have to do it and grow up doing so as they did.
and just take a look when clerics of any religion try to convert people or talk about their religion, they keep showing others the good things(merits) of it and so on

I didn't say anything about lifestyle, just epistemological (philosophy of knowledge and belief) sins. Faith is a commitment to a set of positions without sufficient evidence, it's a system of casually adopting prejudices about metaphysics.

i dont reject your idea,
its not just that, miracles and these stuff is not something major in the modern ideas and believes any more(As far as i know) its centred only around, believe of God and certain figures(depending on which religion we're talking about) and this has its own justifications and an evidence in life it self, starting from nature or whatever that counts as spiritual evidence or just an evidence that makes you start acquiring what that religion is all about and what comes next.

This thread has lain dormant for eleven months? Unacceptable! Come my minions, rise for your master, let your evil shine! Muhahaha!

What shall we discuss?

I always thought it seems more like: Decide first, no questioning allowed.

Within the context of 'European Churches' sure. However in places where people speak the language of their faith there are a lot of questions being raised and answered. In fact it is seen as a part of one's religious obligations to question and to explore in Islam, Judaism and the Christian faith.

Yes, but with the presumption that the questioning will lead to "Truth" - ie, not to truth of any kind, but back to religious claims about the world.

Those encouraging questions do so from the vantage point that religious myth is real stuff.

What conclusion those individuals, or groups arrive at is irrelevant. I merely wished to point out that questioning occurs, it might not lead to the conclusion you wish, but questioning happens. It's inherent to the system.