Scientology is something I'll never be able to wrap my mind around. It seems like it's just kind of weird for the sake of weird. Sorry if I offended any scientologists out there.

To me, it is Christianity (yeah yeah, ok Christians, downrate me now!) And to be honest, I don't even think it is the religion, more the people that are ridiculous. They are so unwavering, so single minded, do adamant that they are right that I am truely astounded. And they always bring their religion into all sorts of things! why?! However, of course this does not apply to all, there are some truely fabulous Christians out there, many of which are on this site. However, some of you just tick me off! Well, I have had my say, so let the down ratings begin!

I think they all are really. Let's face it folks, putting everything in your whole life/world and that of your spouse, children and others into something that is still JUST a unproven theory, mostly from written matter & word of mouth, that has been "managed" and promoted by people that have nothing at all to do with you and most people (and never will have) and that no-one can ever prove any of it, has got to be pretty ridiculous. I am sure lots of invented "proof" can be offered, which could convince some, especially if it is couched in the softly-spoken tones, terminology and "reverence" of serious-looking people with fancy robes and hats. It’s like sexy scantily-clothed women appearing in typical male-oriented adverts, like for power tool and the like, telling men in, husky, whispery voices, that they can drive that drill deeper and harder than any other drill. It’s still just a piece of metal that you’ll probably end up paying over the odds for - it’s just marketing. Just because most religions have been followed for hundreds/thousands of years (foolishly), doesn't give them any more credibility than they did from day one. Everything we know must stand up to scrutiny and to credibility in our world - why not religion and god? The longevity card has been used for other aspects of our lives, but few things ever stand the test of such claims. For example, take very old, large or established companies (like Barings) and institutions that are too old or established to lose popularity or go out of business. Longevity is no guarantee of validity. All inventions are susceptible to the weakness inherent in the inventors. Question: Why should we slavishly and unquestionably believe/follow written doctrines for our whole lives, that are supposed to have come from god, when that same god has given every person that ever lived, a very powerful brain that can provide everything a person needs for their lives? Spirituality is an invented trick that many have been persuaded they need. Far too many people appear so ready and willing to believe that something else is in control of everything and just willingly hand over their lives, actions and acquiesce in complying and adhering to mostly BS, even if deep down, some people instinctively feel and know it just can't be true. I appreciate that many people have and do lose faith in human beings, but I believe not enough effort, time and trust has been invested to developing ourselves. If it had been, we would most likely see a different kind of world today. Example/Question: I raised a question with an old acquaintance of mine who was living in very squalid university accommodation at the time and who is a diehard orthodox christian. On the walls of their bedroom, between the wall and wallpaper, cockroaches used to scurry around all the time. When she thought she could be quick enough, my friend would take off her shoe and hit the cockroach as it ran inside the wall, thus killing it. I asked her if she believed in god and religion, is she not going against the teachings and word of god by killing one of its creations? What takes priority: your health or the life of another living thing, even if we don't find that life appealing? Aren't all gods’ creatures sacred? What does religion or the bible say about this? This event took place almost 6 years ago - and I am still waiting for an answer. Like the cigarette analogy - if we tried to invent the cigarette today, the laws wouldn't allow it because when we know better, we do better. The same applies to religion. We should love, respect and accept that which we can see, experience and understand. Put faith and trust and our energy into humanity and not to something that is the source of so much negativity, death and evil in the world. Imagine a world were religion was a minuscule or far fetched idea, like UFO's - we wouldn't be fighting and devising against each other like we do know. We would just regard it in the same way we regard UFO sightings – curious and perhaps interesting from time to time, but nothing more than that. Example: Israel & Islam - If they were both told that what they both believed in and were killing each other in the name of, is just plain & simply false, a colossal deflation of anger, rage, pain, vengeance, and death would take place – and all the other benefits of peace would take over.

I don't think it is possible not to offend someone when trying to explain why thier entire faith system is bunk. I put my faith into science, I value things that can be proven, things that have undeniable truth behind them (like the fact that water is wet). No religion can be proven and therefore, I choose to beleive it is all bunk.

I find Judaism hard to believe. If Jesus didn't satisfy the quota of God incarnate, what does? It's like they are waiting for something to happen, and even if it does happen, they won't believe it.

Atheism, though I wouldn't consider it ridiculous. Anyone can call religion wrong. It takes a strong-willed believer to take something as the truth and add it to their lives. Edit: I'm sorry to all those people I've offended, as I see that my answer is ignorant. Feel free to comment on my opinions...well...freely =)

Anybody who knows me would expect me to say Christianity in a heartbeat. And they'd be right! I'd like to explain my reasoning first but historically the church isn't much for reason and logic so I don't know if it'll make a difference. What the heck, I'll try anyways and I'll try not to step on anybody's toes. You have a Jewish carpenter who some people believe he is the son of God.Years after his death people write books about him. He is the son of God, so those books are added to the previous holy texts. So far so good. No problem. Many more years later more books are written by people who are so many generations removed from the events that their stories are basically fairy tales or legends. Well, I suppose we all need a good story to illustrate things. Those books are translated with questionable accuracy into a new language. There we start to have a problem; Hebrew isn't even in the same language family as Greek, Latin, or English so at least part of the message is garbled. Those of the Islamic faith never translate their most holy of scriptures for fear of misinterpreting The Word. The wheels start to come off. The greed and corruption of the Middle Ages lead to a more 'politically correct' version, The Inquisition and The Crusades happen, pagans get killed, the Church seizes land and money... basically bad things happen under the guise of Christianity. It's actually sad because the truly Christian among humanity, and probably a majority of Christians here on AB, do not condone this behavior but that is a separate issue. I should not and will not hold you accountable for the actions of your clergy, especially not the clergy of centuries past. The Bible gets re-translated again, this time into English. At least Latin and English are in the same language family so maybe the translation keeps the message fairly intact... or would had it not been mangled previously. The reason I find the religion ridiculous is that after all of these inconsistencies, there are those among them that refuse to believe that any of this could ever possibly happen. Apparently the bible was written in modern English over two thousand years ago and it specifically said (among other things) that same-sex marriage is bad even though it never says so in any of the scriptures. Most of the Christians I know personally are either ridiculously dogmatic or (more likely) lax and/or hopelessly disillusioned. Too bad we can't have more Christians like Glenn Blaylock; devout AND intelligent.

I like all religions although i kinda think some Muslim should respect other people and clean up their acts.Sorry if im offending any Muslims but its just the way i feel. Sorry again if i offended u although most muslims are very nice people just some arent

well in the opinion of an 18 year old highschool student here is mine. all religions are completely ridiculous. some are more publicized like mormons and scientologists but if you worship an invisible being, you need to stop talking to imaginary friends like i did when i was 3. i'm gonna go ahead and crack on all of them. 1. Scientology: they believe that there are aliens that have infected our bodies with souls called Thetans. you need an e-meter to measure these aliens and audit yourself to rid them away. That is the only way you can free yourself from the aliens...do i really need to explain why this is crazy??? 2. Mormons: Joseph smith was the founder who had a vision from god and said that jesus actually told him that every other faith is "an abomination". Mormons believe that god is an actual man who lives on a planet near a star called Kolob. He had actual sexual relations with mary and when jesus died he came to the americas and preached to the indians who are a lost tribe of jews. the garden of eden was in missouri and zion is as well. you need a secret password to get into heaven where you will be met by god, jesus, and joseph smith. dark skin is a curse from god but if you are rightous you can become light skinned. my favorite is of course they also believe that magic underwear can protect you from satan, knives, bullets, and fire. 3. Christianity: well they believe in a virgin birth. they believe in a talking snake in a garden. there are things in christianity that are not in the bible like popes and the virgin birth is only in two of the gospels. they also believe that a man lived in a fish for three days and that the world was flooded by a god who loves everyone...

only the ones that require you to disregard any sense of curiosity you have for the natural world and except ignorance as a noble virtue... sorry for the attitude but i live in Alabama and im starting to feel as though most organized faiths are just an insult to human potential. . .sigh i welcome any young kirk camerons who wish to comment XP