I explained where I was after being quizzed by two people on why I would do something, and was met with "why are you still posting about it then". I'm not trying to be defensive (but I assume that's how you're going to read THIS post as well) but instead I'm trying to explain myself.

so heres a thought.
basic definition of religion is that its belief.
whether thats belief in something existing or not existing is besides the point.
yet knowing something does or doesnt exist falls outside the scope of religion, by definition of terms. ie, you know that apples are real.
(we wont get into a metaphorical discussion on whether anything is real or not or if we're all the dream of a eggplant, thats for another post)

therefore if you know something then it isnt religion.
because knowing something to be true deep in your core is quite different to beliving it.
and it doesnt matter how you know it, its the difference between knowing and beliving im talking about here.

in this way people can say their atheist, cathlic whatever and it does not fall under the scope of religion.
(example, apsham can say he has no religion if he KNOWS hes right, as compared to believing hes right, you follow?)
its the other things mentioned in the previous definition that would decide any further matter.

or im just nuts and no one knows what the heck i am talking about
either way, everyone gets a cookie for making an effort

Yay, cookie!

But yes, let us agree to disagree and just let it go, shall we?

technically, atheism directly means "without religion" so I have to go with him on this

If we're going to get technical...

atheism

Dictionary: a·the·ism (ā'thē-ĭz'əm) pronunciation

n.

1. Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
2. The doctrine that there is no God or gods.

And...

doctrine

Dictionary: doc·trine (dŏk'trĭn) pronunciation

n.

1. A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
2. A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.
3. A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.
4. Archaic. Something taught; a teaching.

Really? We can't drop this?

And for the last time, atheism does not mean without religion, it means without god. "Theos" is god in Greek, "a" indicates absence or negation, "ism" is a suffix forming nouns of action, state, condition, or doctrine. Therefore "theism" is being in the state of belief in a diety, as opposed to "atheism" which being is in the state of belief in no diety. Basic etymology, I don't know why this is continuing.

You can jumble around words all you want me thinks, but in the end wordplay means nothing when you look at what people want to believe.

Anyways I shall change the topic (or try to)

I'm a seventh day adventist.
But I've noticed that there are two different groups of 7th day adventists.

Group 1
1. Strict vegitarians
2. Always attend church/sabbat on saturday, no exceptions

Goup 2 (ME!)
1. You are allowed to eat meat as long as its not pig (also for islanders seafood that clean the ocean floor; ie. crabs, some fish, etc)
2. You can be exempted from sabbat and attending church only if you are in a medical profession (ie. a nurse, doctor, etc.)

Other than these differences all the rest are the same.
I think it's interesting looking at the the differences, of course I guess not everybody's interested

I had no idea that seventh day adventists were vegetarians.... it's really not a terrible lifestyle to live. Quite a bit healthier than the average North American diet.

As for the other one, I've always felt that as long as the reason is legitimate then it's not a big deal to miss church once in a while. Life happens sometimes and you just can't go. I'd rather that someone with a contagious cold/flu etc didn't come to church while they were sick personally.

Originally posted by geeogree

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As for the other one, I've always felt that as long as the reason is legitimate then it's not a big deal to miss church once in a while. Life happens sometimes and you just can't go. I'd rather that someone with a contagious cold/flu etc didn't come to church while they were sick personally.

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I agree with you there. Life can make it difficult to go to church. Also I would prefer it if sick people stayed in bed (for their benefit as well as ours).
I have been to church once where the guy in the back had a vomit bucket next to him. It was difficult to hear the pastor as the guy was making walrus impersonations (Vomiting for those who do not understand my weird and sometimes wacky sayings)

I have no problem with people and their religious views. I am into druidism,the more nature orientated side of things. I once was a baptist, but some things happened and i turned my back on it.

just curious, why do people try to convert others to their religion? It just doesn't seem right. Some people use scare tactics to convert people (saying you're going to hell if you don't join them and even if you believe it's true it's still similar to terroristic threats, like saying "I will kill you"). Others go to more primitive lands and only help the natives if they convert (which is wrong because it's not right to help people if it's not for the sake of doing the right thing). And others (my least favorite of all people) pretend to be one religion but really aren't to convince those of their untrue religion to join their true one (Jews for Jesus and Messianic Jews are not considered part of the Jewish community and are NOT REALLY JEWS).

Ziggy, I have a simple answer.

EVery human being have something that they think they're 100% correct about, so much that they'll try to give out this wisdom to others. Some trough religion, some trough sports teams, some trouch car models.

Personally I'm a little pushy when it comes to browsers and video game consoles (As you have noticed). It's nothing you can really do anything about. It just is that way.

And I'm sure you can find something yourself that you're very pushy and "converty" in.

Not really; I tend to be more pushy about telling people things that they shouldn't do/have etc...

oh yeah, and don't forget computer security systems (which you are completely right about, however)

I'm not religious. Not religious at all. I am a Christian though. I'm very spiritual. I do believe in God, Angels, Spirits, etc..

Not religious, very spiritual.

Ziggy: so wouldn't that mean that you are trying to convert people to your way of thinking?

Djin19: Are you just doing the Druid thing on your own or are you shelling out the cash for the Order of Bards, Ovates, & Druids classes?

not quite on the same level here...

Telling somebody not do something and providing a perfectly logical and accurate reason for it isn't the same as saying "Convert to my religion or go to hell"

but how can you argue that you are any different when people who follow these religions feel the exact same way that you do about their arguments. They feel like the have perfectly logical and accurate reasons for telling someone not to do something.

Seems pretty level to me

I'm not telling people how to live their entire life. I occasionally give people advice on things and say "well doing that is a bad idea here's why..." but they aren't on the same level. What I would be doing is isolated to only a couple things while religion covers virtually everything you can do. Also I don't threaten people to think my way

Which is exactly what most religious people do.

Also, stop being so narrowminded that you think that religion = fanatic.

Most people that are religious do not live 100% to their religion, and most aren't threating people to think their way.

Face it, you're acting exactly as the missionaries for religions.