I find I can't entertain the same discussions about the super-natural that I used to be able to. There was a time when I'd go out of my way to argue with people about their religion but more and more I just don't want to hear any more of their crap. I'm getting close to the point where I honestly think anyone who believes in talking sticks and snakes and flaming bushes and demons and angels has a mental issue. I think I'm reaching my fathers position of passive atheism. He just agrees with anything so he won't have to talk about it.

Are any of the other nonbelievers reaching this point? (If you have you probably wouldn't be in the religion forum)

And by less tolerant I don't mean it in the "I want to take away your religious freedom then kill you" sort of way.

Yes, thats pretty much what I`ve been like for months now. The possablity is always there but giving the incredible completle certainy seems foolish to me. Although I dont hold it against them, wouldn`t change anything if I did.

I know the feeling, there just comes a point that there's no arguements left that you haven't tried yet...but it's easier for a believer because they are always defending their beliefs...and the voices tell me i have no mental disorders

I think the discussions are just getting old....like Jordyn said, at a certain point there is very little left you haven't said, or heard. Even though the opposite part is new, the conversation still gets repetitive.

That is a big part of it. I've heard the "can you see the wind?" and the "just look at how beautiful a mountain is" (non)arguments so many times...ever hear the "draw a circle representing all the knowledge in the universe then fill in as much as you think you have." arguement? Because I don't know that much it's supposed to prove god exists, although, as is typical in these arguments, the person I'm arguing with is blind to the reversableness of the argument, making it a very shitty argument indeed.

Or when they rely their entire religion on a book...wether it be dictated by the Big One himself or not, it is still written by men...

Because its a bit easier than just making it up as you go along like most of the others.

Hmm...are you referring to someone in particular there, red?

Majority of people who have to cut and paste from other religions or make up their own thoughts to suit their personality and wants.Might be better to do it that way or not but its not as easy.

So, in other words, organized religion is more or less the easy way out?

and possably the one that feels more stable, comfortable.

Clinging to their beliefs like a cripple to his crutch...I liked that analogy.

I like the mix and match method myself

It is easier, in a way...we don't have to compromize ourselves that much, and we can decide, more or less, our own rules, within a certain standard set, of course. On the other hand, it's not that easy to justify. We can't simply point to a book and say 'that explains it'.

Borrowing from different religions if you're not religious works fine, it's when you think Jesus is your savoir but you ignore some of the biblical crap and throw in some eastern religion that it seems contradictory. I actually prefer people who mix religions because it shows they're thinking, but on another level, it seems to negate the possiblity of them believing any one of them is really true.

I believe all religions hold a fragment of truth somewhere...the older ones, at least. The problem is to find that truth, and separate it from the lies, errors, misunderstandings and political agendas...

and you`re left with what you have already, your own opinion guided by others teachings.If it is in fact is the truth people will never know since its only a opinion on the truth.

Blind men playing with jigsaw puzzles heh, just put in whatever feels right to them even if it turns out to look a mess.

At least it would be my mess, not one created by others...

And I have great trust in my instincts...that is all I can do...We all need to believe in something, I have chosen this.

If someone came and showed people the way people would still want their own mess.Its moving from one comfort to the other still, giving yourself over to a rulebook or just what feels right.I`d think that its somewhere inbetween those two, a soild unchanging truth masked by desires of control and freedom.Mer I babble sometimes.

You do...but you have a good point...I just can't think of a good reply...damn you... :p