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There is plenty of classical Islamic art with pictures of The Prophet. http://www.picturesfromhistory... http://www.religionfacts.com/i... http://www.zombietime.com/moha...

Here's just one quotation from many from the Early Church Fathers.

"All souls are immortal, even those of the wicked. Yet, it would be better for them if they were not deathless. For they are punished with the endless vengeance of quenchless fire. Since they do not die, it is impossible for them to have an end put to their misery." (Clement of Alexandria, c. 195; from a post-Nicene manuscript fragment)" -- Quoted from Christian Beliefs on Hell.

The New Testament seems to say and the early Christians certainly do explicitly say that the soul is eternal.

A fundamental Christian doctrine is that God created us as 3-fold beings: body, soul, & spirit. To be born again means to have your spirit reborn "from above"; then the Holy Spirit works via your reborn spirit to renew your mind to a more godly mindset. That is the Christian program, in a nutshell.

The Bible calls the unrepentant: "soulish". It is those who are driven by their lower natures, those who refuse to listen to the call of God, it is they who will spend eternity in Hell. You might not think that it is just for a person to spend an eternity in Hell, but that's just the way it works. God is not a bad god. He did everything in His power to educate you and help you to find Him so that you could avoid spending eternity separated from the primal source of joy and good things.

When's the last time you saw a swastika in a movie or a flier or a tattoo or a T-shirt, and it wasn't this bad boy or a reference to it?

The last time I saw a swastika, it looked something like this: http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/images/symbols/swastika-chinese-amulet-cc-rubicon-200.jpg

Let me try to list all the recent times I've seen swastikas:

- once, in a screenshot of 4chan trying to be funny
- three times, in a world history textbook, talking about the Third Reich
- at least fifty times, at the local Buddhist temple
- at least thirty times, in various good-luck charms sold at local flea markets
- once before every important exam I take in school, in a good-luck charm passed down to me from my mother (it looks a lot like the one I linked to)
- at least twice, in friends' houses, where they are said to bring good luck

Perhaps, wherever you live, swastikas aren't commonly used, and perhaps you have no interest in other cultures. There's nothing wrong with that. But to assume that your experience holds true for the entire world - and that the swastika universally no longer holds any meaning besides that which was ascribed to it by Nazi Germany - is laughable.

In Western Europe and North America, the swastika didn't have very much meaning before World War II, so after World War II, it became strongly associated with Nazism. But in Southeast Asia, the swastika has been a symbol of good fortune for thousands of years, and a fleeting decade-long regime in some far-off country did very little to change that.

Even in the West, such as in the United States, there are many immigrants from Asian countries. I am one of those people, and if someone showed me a swastika (and it wasn't enclosed in a white circle on a background of red), I would think "good luck" before I thought "Nazis", and I bet a significant number of other people in Western countries would, as well.

I'm not saying that banning swastikas in Xbox Live was a bad decision. It was probably the correct decision, especially if the majority of the Xbox Live users in question are American - though I agree with metrix007 that this guy could have had a better tone about it. I am, however, saying that the association between the swastika and nothing but Nazi Germany is far from universal.

Although something similar may be posted below, I'm feeling to lazy to read the entire thread. There are no commandments in the Qur'an that ban images of this sort:

Unlike the Hebrew Bible, and perhaps surprisingly, there is no commandment against making images of living beings in the Qur'an. But it does make clear that nothing should be honored alongside God:

"God does not forgive the joining of partners [Arabic: shirk] with him: anything less than that he forgives to whoever he will, but anyone who joins partners with God is lying and committing a tremendous sin" (4:48).
All the Islamic injunctions against making religious images come from the hadith, traditions recorded by various followers about what the Prophet said and did. Although not divine revelation like the Qur'an, hadith is considered binding when multiple trustworthy sources agree

"The outrage and violence occasioned by the infamous "Danish cartoon controversy" perhaps had more to do with disrespect for Islam than depictions of the Prophet"

Ref: http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/things/depictions-of-muhammad-in-islamic-art.htm

But Wikipedia isn't strictly accurate either. Buddhism is an accepted "religion" within scouting but is also nontheistic.

Mod parent insightful, not funny. Seriously though, Buddhism used the swastika (usually a mirror image though) . This was done up until Germany rendered it a vile symbol. Before that it meant good fortune and other positive things. Men give these symbols meaning. The geometry is indifferent.

You are wrong

"From a Buddhist point of view, [gay sex] is generally considered sexual misconduct." But he did note that this rule is for Buddhists, and from society's viewpoint, homosexual relationships can be "of mutual benefit, enjoyable, and harmless."

Note that he uses words such as "generally considered" and "harmless."

Also, from a Tibetan spokesman: "According to an Office of Tibet spokeman, "His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation. He urges respect, tolerance, compassion, and the full recognition of human rights for all." source
Could you show any evidence of a Buddhist leader publicly calling for, or actually enact the death of a homosexual? I searched a bit for it, but I could not find any substantiating article or evidence. Admittedly, I did not spend very long on it.

Taoism was only part of the religion/philosophy in place during Japanese Imperialism, and the broad term used to describe the religion (which covered bits of Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism) was (is) called Shinto. Sticking just with Taoism, the religion makes no claim against homosexuality, and that it is up to individuals. So no, Taoism does not call for the banning or killing of homosexuals.

Wicca is actually used to describe the followers of the writings of Scott Cunningham in the 1950's. It actively supports homosexuality. What you are referring to are various other pagan religions that are probably not practiced, or at the very least have a marginal population of followers.

Tried translating that, and sort of got the gist of it using an online translator here, though a little hard to understand at http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

I won't translate the whole thing, but I noticed this tidbit :

"The people's net - game channel country news General publications administration concerned people in charge on 21st in the evening pay attention to "Evil spirit Beastly World" on the society examine and approve the related question to accept reporter to interview."

World of Warcraft somehow translates to "Evil Spirit Beastly World" here - maybe that doesn't sound like much in western culture, but I'll bet that a lot of Chinese find the thought of a world of evil spirits terrifying, and not something to risk tampering with or provoking. Basing this off "In Chinese thought, the world is populated by a vast number of spirits, both good and evil. Such spirits include nature demons (kuei-shen), evil spirits or devils (oni), and ghosts (kui)." a couple of links I found here and here. Could be one of the factors in the delay.

It certainly does mention the resurrection! See the Book of Isaiah.

Some people would argue that.

• http://www.religionfacts.com/jesus/messiah.htm
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080703104854AAPRkMH
• http://www.moshiach.com/questions/topten/jesus_as_the_messiah.php

Many Kemetic Reconstructionists, including members of the large House of Netjer, define their form of polytheism as monolatry, a term coined by Egyptologists. This means that the many individual deities are regarded as parts of an ultimately unknowable self-created Oneness, known in ancient texts as Netjer, "being of divine power," or as Atum, "the complete one/the one who is not."
Kemetic Reconstructionism

The Zoroastrian concept of God incorporates both monotheism and dualism. In his visions, Zarathustra was taken up to heaven, where Ahura Mazda revealed that he had an opponent, Aura Mainyu, the spirit and promoter of evil. Ahura Mazda charged Zarathustra with the task of inviting all human beings to choose between him (good) and Aura Mainyu (evil). Zoroastrianism

Mithraism was a Roman mystery religion that flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Much is still unknown about this secretive sect, but it involved the worship of the ancient Persian god Mithras in caves, a communal meal, and initiation through seven stages of an astrologically-themed hierarchy. Mithraism

There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.Rastafari

Many Kemetic Reconstructionists, including members of the large House of Netjer, define their form of polytheism as monolatry, a term coined by Egyptologists. This means that the many individual deities are regarded as parts of an ultimately unknowable self-created Oneness, known in ancient texts as Netjer, "being of divine power," or as Atum, "the complete one/the one who is not."
Kemetic Reconstructionism

The Zoroastrian concept of God incorporates both monotheism and dualism. In his visions, Zarathustra was taken up to heaven, where Ahura Mazda revealed that he had an opponent, Aura Mainyu, the spirit and promoter of evil. Ahura Mazda charged Zarathustra with the task of inviting all human beings to choose between him (good) and Aura Mainyu (evil). Zoroastrianism

Mithraism was a Roman mystery religion that flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Much is still unknown about this secretive sect, but it involved the worship of the ancient Persian god Mithras in caves, a communal meal, and initiation through seven stages of an astrologically-themed hierarchy. Mithraism

There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.Rastafari

Many Kemetic Reconstructionists, including members of the large House of Netjer, define their form of polytheism as monolatry, a term coined by Egyptologists. This means that the many individual deities are regarded as parts of an ultimately unknowable self-created Oneness, known in ancient texts as Netjer, "being of divine power," or as Atum, "the complete one/the one who is not."
Kemetic Reconstructionism

The Zoroastrian concept of God incorporates both monotheism and dualism. In his visions, Zarathustra was taken up to heaven, where Ahura Mazda revealed that he had an opponent, Aura Mainyu, the spirit and promoter of evil. Ahura Mazda charged Zarathustra with the task of inviting all human beings to choose between him (good) and Aura Mainyu (evil). Zoroastrianism

Mithraism was a Roman mystery religion that flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Much is still unknown about this secretive sect, but it involved the worship of the ancient Persian god Mithras in caves, a communal meal, and initiation through seven stages of an astrologically-themed hierarchy. Mithraism

There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.Rastafari

Many Kemetic Reconstructionists, including members of the large House of Netjer, define their form of polytheism as monolatry, a term coined by Egyptologists. This means that the many individual deities are regarded as parts of an ultimately unknowable self-created Oneness, known in ancient texts as Netjer, "being of divine power," or as Atum, "the complete one/the one who is not."
Kemetic Reconstructionism

The Zoroastrian concept of God incorporates both monotheism and dualism. In his visions, Zarathustra was taken up to heaven, where Ahura Mazda revealed that he had an opponent, Aura Mainyu, the spirit and promoter of evil. Ahura Mazda charged Zarathustra with the task of inviting all human beings to choose between him (good) and Aura Mainyu (evil). Zoroastrianism

Mithraism was a Roman mystery religion that flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Much is still unknown about this secretive sect, but it involved the worship of the ancient Persian god Mithras in caves, a communal meal, and initiation through seven stages of an astrologically-themed hierarchy. Mithraism

There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.Rastafari

Your right, Hinduism is a perfectly valid example of a mainstream religion in modern times that isn't monotheistic or bitheistic. I was specifically thinking of Hinduism when I chose the word typically. If you really wanted to blow me out of the water you should have mentioned Confucianism

You've got the right spirit, but almost every one of your facts are wrong.

• Remember that Saddam - Saddam has no more to do with this discussion than Hitler, patron of all Internet discussions. He wasn't even Shi'a (Bin Laden's demonination). Please stick to the point.
• But Islam ("Peace") - No, not "Peace". 'The word Islam means "submission", or the total surrender of oneself to God.' (Wikipedia).
• Islam ... has the exact same religious fundamentals as both Christianity and Judaism - Only if you ignore the fundamentals. :-) Let's take a quick look.
  • Islam teaches that salvation is earned by adhering to the Five Pillars and performing good works; addresses every aspect of life (religious, social and political); and guarantees salvation only to those who die in Jihad (otherwise you're in or not as a result of the final judgement by Allah).
  • Christianity teaches that salvation is a free gift of God to all who believe; addresses primarily religious and social (but not political) belief; and offers "eternal security" (you can know if you'll go to heaven based on Biblical promises).
  • Judaism is the national religion of the Jewish people, based on principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. It offers no consensus view of an afterlife at all.
  
  These three religions have Abraham and a moral world-view in common; only the fundamentals differ.
• Bin Laden is to Islam what a mafioso is to Catholicism - Well... no again. "The Sicilian Cosa Nostra is a loose confederation of about one hundred Mafia groups, also called cosche or families, each of which claims sovereignty over a territory." Their interest is primarily financial and the protection of family members; Bin Laden's is primarily "cleansing the lands of Allah" from non-Muslim influence through individual and organized terrorism. Bin Laden considers the Afghanistan Taliban to have been the only legitimate government in Arabia; mafiosi recognize (but operate independently of) the legitimate government of Italy.
• But this has NOTHING to do with Islam - Only to extent that the Crusades had nothing to do with Christianity. (Hint: They certainly did, though ultimately both the later Crusades and the current Islamic Fatwahs come down to power struggles in the originating political organizations.)
• As with most religions, the extremists/freaks attempt to redefine the religion in their own image... - I knew we'd find something on which to agree! :-)

At no point did I say or even imply that Bin Laden was representative of mainstream Islam. He's obviously not. The original poster, however, was asserting his theoretical "presidential administration" would base foreign policy on the goal of not encouraging Bin Laden (implied) to knock down any more buildings. Bin Laden is a radical, with his power rooted firmly is the radical fringe of Shi'a Islam. And he and his ilk will not be satisfied until Sharia law is the law of the land in the USA. Appease them not, or regret will be yours.

> What's next? Is Germany going to "copyright" the swastika, so they can cash in on WW-II flicks?

Too much prior art. India would sue them blue for Hitler's appropriation of the symbol then.

( http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/symbols/swastika.htm )

14th century? Islam was established in roughly 630 AD.

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/timeline.htm

An atheist believes Christians are wrong

No, I don't think Christians (or those of other faiths) are wrong in everything. Just that I don't believe in God(s), so I think they're wrong about God. Futher you are wrong in saying atheists believe Buddhists are wrong. If you want to extrapolate from a single belief to a set of beliefs, at least do it correctly, and it doesn't change the fact that a single belief ("there are no gods") isn't a system.

There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement Day. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being.

(The last point about Buddhism not strictly being a religion requires strictly definining religion as theism--I used a more reasonable definition that it is a system of beliefs held with faith.)

It does take "more than an atheist viewpoint to make a religion" but an atheistic viewpoint does not preclude being a religion.