How would one go about creating a fictional religion and system of beliefs? I've always loved the idea of creating an amazing world of fantasy, but the actual writing required to make a book out of it seems like too big of an undertaking.
Religion, or what we often call religion, is our set of beliefs, especially regarding the biggest questions of life: -Why are we here? -How should we treat others here? -What/where is here? -Is there another here? -What happens after here?You would want to define how your fictional faith answers these and similar questions. That would be the basics, so your plot may be enhanced by some more detail as well. In your pre-writing, you're probably best advised to have this more defined than you're likely to even use in the story.Then, note that when a religion is adopted by a people, or transported from one culture to another, it is highly influenced by the existing cultural norms and customs. You will want to have that defined for your fictional society as well and imagine how the two aspects of culture affect each other.Finally, most religions have a variety of adherents, such as: -Fervent but honest followers-Fervent but overboard followers-Some along for the ride just because they were raised that way-Abusers proclaiming false faith for power or prestige (hypocrites)-People in between. Your plot may need characters for most or all of these positions.(Note: This list is the part that many authors who make up a religion get wrong. They tend to make up a religion and have every character follow that religion the same way, usually hyper-zealots. This probably comes from that misunderstanding that non-religious authors have about religion, viewing their religious characters as a monolithic entity where everyone is blindly following the faith and all interpreting it the same way. This is not how real people adhere to religion.)
Is the Christian god just a big hypocrite and bully?
Well he's supposed to be perfect and the final judge...blablah... So god tells us to love thy neighbor, thou shalt no kill, ect But yet he tells us to stone people he doesn't like. He also kills millions and hates certain races. Your god just sounds like a big bully who doesn't follow his own rules. Now you might say that god is ultimate or some **** but we can see that rule of law makes much more sense than law of rank. If humans with higher rank could just not follow their own rules then we would all be screwed back into the dark times. It is this precise attitude that caused the dark times. Anyone else thing there is a connection between Monarchs making up the bible and god being the ultimate Monarch?
What turns you off about Christianity?
I think most people don't understand christianity. My thing is I dont like to be labeled, also the pressure of CHOOSING a religion is too overwhelming sometimes. Just because you cant see the faith and the light in everyone doesn't mean that it is not there. I don't attend church on a regular basis, I dont feel the need to prove to other people that I believe, it is personal and something to be cherished- each of us in our own way. Some just want to 'worship' or pray with other believers and that is fine. Occasionally I do so as well, but not everyone wants someone telling them how to pray or when to pray, when to ask for forgiveness, and no there is not ''LOGICAL'' evedince. God is not about logic, God is about LOVE.
Why is it that Christians think its ok to say "You're taking the words from the bible out of context"...
I agree with you however i feel there are more Christians takeing the Bible out of context than anyone else and many of them give a poor argument. The bible says that the tonge is like the rudder of a ship ,so small yet it guides the whole vessel.And its not what goes into the mouth that defiles aperson but what comes out of it that does.I feel there is alot of hypocrocity on both sides however i would agree with the quotes ive made no matter what book they come from. Science is a wonderful thing that is trying to unlock the mysteries of the world and all things start with a theory and if it was not for logical debate theorys would have no direction In all honesty both sides have much to learn from each other Not all science has benifited mankind nor has all religion. As a Christian i feel that we should work togeather and use the truths from both sides to benifit mankind , is that not the pupose of both sides?It bothers me to see both sides make make foolish attempts to ridicule the other.there are points that would benifit us all if they were given in sincerity and careing for mankind .
Is it hypocritical for religious people to ignore and not act on the violent passages found in their holy books while being aware of them?
No, it is not hypocritical. It is intelligent and reasonable because holy books are flawed and imperfect and do not convey the unadulterated Truth of God. Intelligent religious people understand this and act accordingly.Thus not all scripture should be read, and certainly the whole of it should not be taken at face value, for not all of it is inspired by God. In fact, most of it is not inspired by God.Scripture has been written by men who have sometimes been touched by God in the process of their writing on the religious history of their people and on their own personal spiritual experience, if any.Therefore, only what is written in scripture which actually leads Soul to God can be considered to be inspired by God. The rest is human construction and reconstruction and has nothing to do with Divine Inspiration.Intelligent religious people understand this and know how to leave aside what is unacceptable in scripture and take only what is truly Godlike from it.I hope this helps.
How to deal with my self righteous christian cousin?
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:5-6) In other words, the worst way to show that you're a Christian is to wave it around like a banner. Jesus intended for our faith to be between us and God and that is the only way to maintain it and be sure we don't worship out of vanity. Nary a fundie realizes this somehow.
Anyone else seem to realize that christians are the most aggressive and hypocritical people around?
**Mmm... I feel bad for not being as specific as I wanted. Catholics, I like. They tell me I'm going to hell and leave me alone. "American Christians," (baptist, in particular) though, tell me to go to hell and try to make me join their church. creativechild: 7/16ths of an inch is all you have to move your pinky to keep from looking stupid. Truly, though, most christians are so narcissistic that they blame others for their own faults. And caps-lock is simulated shouting. Don't shout at me! It's aggressive and makes me cry.