atheist and non-believers, are you offended?

[clem]

^maybe not always negative to be religious but sometimes it is

The heaven or the hell must be huge to put everybody after death
( billions of people )
to answer that question, I wouldn't be offended if somebody told me that I
was going to hell, I don't believe this

[jayjaya29]

Syder, you just prove my point further, religion helps people have stable lives becuase they have something to look forward too. I realized this while learning about the middle ages, religion was a huge part of their lives back then becuase they had nothing to look forward too. Same applies to today, religion gives the common man a reason to keep on going, a cushion if something bad happens (like a death), and a motivator to do good in life so he or she can "goto heaven".

The reason why I don't believe in a religion is becuase there are other things that can be looked upon to get motivation.

Whatever happens on this Earth happens becuase it does, not becuase "God" said it had to happen. If that didn't make sense, what I am trying to say is that "God" does not control everything in the universe (although some people believe this is the case). It is not feasible for one supernatural being to control every aspect of everything. This is a hard topic to write about, but religion doesn't cut it for me, and that is why I don't believe in it.

[justin syder]

Syder, you just prove my point further, religion helps people have stable lives becuase they have something to look forward too. I realized this while learning about the middle ages, religion was a huge part of their lives back then becuase they had nothing to look forward too. Same applies to today, religion gives the common man a reason to keep on going, a cushion if something bad happens (like a death), and a motivator to do good in life so he or she can "goto heaven".

Yes but then if religious ppl are doing it to be good Chrisians/Muslisms/Jews etc then there cant be a negetive aspect of being religious, other than those that are fanatical about religion which a minority in comparison. If anything, religious ppl live our life trying to be good with each other and living purposefull lives to then die and nothing happens. We die then no heaven or hell but our lifes were lived to try to make the world a better place.

Its not like there is a dumb/bad reason to being religious. It basically comes down to do you believe or not.

You dont, I do, that's the way it is. Im reminded of one story I heard years ago about an infant that was crawling on the balcony of a hotel room where the mother was away for a min or so and didnt see the infant crawling on the edge. The baby slipped and fell off and landed on the ground, 5 stories I think it was, uninjured.

You would say to yourself that is impossible and more so to what I will say next. The kid, older, was interviewed and said he saw angels holding his arms as he fell. Some scientists or doctors concluded that somehow the baby safely landed and one claimed that the diaper the baby was wearing acted as a parachute.

It would be hard to believe that angels held the arms of the baby or that the kid made up the story but this is just one of many incidents where science can't explain certain things. It doesnt outright make religion or God true but should give a possibility that there is something greater than ourselves. A person of faith would believe that story to be true and someone that doesnt believe would just call it luck or chance or an incredible probability.

As I said, it comes down to those that have faith and those that dont believe. Some do, some dont.

[jayjaya29]

You drive a hard bargain and I like that.

Anyways you prove a point that I was unable to type out before. How science can't explain everything. I believe thats where religion comes in, religion gives answers and explanations to things that hard science just can't prove, yet.

Also, since scientific explanations can be quite hard to understand by the common person, religion offers up a more easily digested explanantion of somethings.

In my opinion, I think that religion will start to become less and less popular as years go on, as the human's knowledge and understanding of the world increases, the amount of people believing in the supernatural will decrease. Of course this will take a very long time, most likely not for hundreds of years, but who knows.

[justin syder]

jayjaya-

Anyways you prove a point that I was unable to type out before. How science can't explain everything. I believe thats where religion comes in, religion gives answers and explanations to things that hard science just can't prove, yet.

I actually think that we can use both science and religion to explain things. Im open to thinking that there was a big bang but that God created it, just an example. I learned from austronomy that the universe is constantly expanding so it does support some theory as to the universe being small then exploding but we can also say that God started that and created the universe that way. We can try and bring two theories together because one isnt more correct over the other. There is still alot to learn in terms of religion and science.

jayjaya-

In my opinion, I think that religion will start to become less and less popular as years go on, as the human's knowledge and understanding of the world increases, the amount of people believing in the supernatural will decrease. Of course this will take a very long time, most likely not for hundreds of years, but who knows.

Interesting you say that as today in church the pastor spoke about the lower number of men in the priesthood. The fact that my church would close someday due to a lack of available priests was something he told us.

Quite possibly science could one day prove that there is no afterlife or God or conversly, the apocalypse will be upon us proving there was a God all along. Only God knows, or rather, only time will tell.

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by justin syder

Quite possibly science could one day prove that there is no afterlife or God or conversly, the apocalypse will be upon us proving there was a God all along. Only God knows, or rather, only time will tell.

Where is the faith in that paragraph Justin? It almost sounds as if you aren't quite sure what you believe. I think that we can know that God is real. I have no doubt becasue I have experienced many miracles in my life that cannot be explained any other way.

I personally believe that science and religion go hand in hand. God set all of the laws of physics and matter into motion, which is why it all works the way it does. For all of universe to function by mere chance just doesn't seem possible. What is the possiblity that the earth would support life all on it's own in a balanced ecosystem without being formed by a Creator? Oxygen, the sun, water, reproduction: for all of this to have been set up on its own is just impossible.

When we look at a nice modern car, we see the complexity in the engine and the advanced layout of the electronics, we know that it was designed by a team of skillful people. It didn't form on its own, nor did it evolve from a matchbox car over a span of millions of years. It was designed and created through a thoughtful process. In a similiar way, our world didn't form itself. It was designed.

The brain itself is much more advanced than any computer that man has ever devised. We don't even fully understand how it works. Our computers were developed and engineered by very smart people. They didn't shape themselves from nothing. Likewise, our brains were built by a superior intellectual source: God.

I don't think it is possible to embrace both evolution and the Bible, since Genesis teaches that God created the world in just one literal week's time, not over billions of years. It mentions nothing about man evolving from apes. And I believe that true science backs that up.

This is what I believe, but I would never try to froce this upon someone else or scare them into accepting it. It seems that some people believe in God becasue they are afraid about what might happen if they don't. But love should be the motive, not fear.

[Z Draci]

I'm a Japanese "zen buddist." We're not religious at all, but are very spiritual.

I grew up in a small conservative Los Angeles suburb so I got a lot of pressure from neighbors to change our ways. At first, I was young so I got very offended and retaliated by bashing at THEIR views. I was 13 or so and obviously very stupid back then.

When I get those solicitations today, I reply:
All of my ancestors did not believe Jesus Christ was the Lord. They all passed away believing what I currently believe. If Jesus Christ was the Lord and Christianity is the only way to heaven, it would be very selfish of me to change my ways to go to a different place than where all my ancestors went.

I just really get offended when people put words into God's mouth. How arrogant can one be to do that!?

Religion is obviously a hot topic. It's one of the most popular reasons to start a war.

[justin syder]

justin syder wrote:
Quite possibly science could one day prove that there is no afterlife or God or conversly, the apocalypse will be upon us proving there was a God all along. Only God knows, or rather, only time will tell.


Where is the faith in that paragraph Justin?

lol. jeffy i was saying that for arguments sake. i know and believe there is a God but i said the other part of the statement because jayjaya would believe that to be true.

There have been view times in church where the priest would say something and it would be as if it was meant for me personally. That would seem to be a coinsidence to others but there are many instances where my faith has been reinforced by what others believe to be simple coincidences.

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by justin syder

lol. jeffy i was saying that for arguments sake. i know and believe there is a God but i said the other part of the statement because jayjaya would believe that to be true.

There have been view times in church where the priest would say something and it would be as if it was meant for me personally. That would seem to be a coinsidence to others but there are many instances where my faith has been reinforced by what others believe to be simple coincidences.

I got ya. I had a feeling that was that was the case

[jayjaya29]

Originally Posted by jeffy777

I personally believe that science and religion go hand in hand. God set all of the laws of physics and matter into motion, which is why it all works the way it does. For all of universe to function by mere chance just doesn't seem possible. What is the possiblity that the earth would support life all on it's own in a balanced ecosystem without being formed by a Creator? Oxygen, the sun, water, reproduction: for all of this to have been set up on its own is just impossible.

There are millions, even billions of planets in the universe, at least one will have conditions to support life. Even Mars has the capability to or has had the ability to support life. The Miller-Urey experiment proves that all you need to start life is water vapor, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen in a gaseous form and a spark to create the essential building blocks of life.

Originally Posted by jeffy777

The brain itself is much more advanced than any computer that man has ever devised. We don't even fully understand how it works. Our computers were developed and engineered by very smart people. They didn't shape themselves from nothing. Likewise, our brains were built by a superior intellectual source: God.

Evolution, evolution, evolution, evolution. I cannot stress this point enough, evolution is the driving force to a point to where humans are as complex as they are today. Of course we don't fully understand the full scope of how the brain works, but I believe that in a few decades or so we will know all about the brain.

You know, I have an idea for this world, and I wish I could make it come true. I think that everybody should take AP Biology in this world. You learn so much about life and yourself in general. I know that this may seem a bit steep to have the whole world to attend and learn this class, but you discover a lot about yourself as a human and as a living being. If everybody took this class, they would be able to see what I am talking about and maybe agree. After taking this class, you could surely still believe in religion 100%, but this class was the driving force for me changing my feelings on religion.

[roundhead]

one thing i've never understood about an interventionalist god... if such a being did exist, then why did the pope need a bulletproof cage on his range rover? we're talking about the holiest of people here... surely god would stop any bullet from hitting him right? wrong. the pope was shot in the early 80s. and after that he had a bulletproof cage.

he's not exactly showing a lot of faith in god protecting him is he?

[bone]

christianity it's full of contradictions

another one:
-you have to behave or you got to hell
-god forgives everyone for everything

anyone can explain?

[justin syder]

bone-

christianity it's full of contradictions

another one:
-you have to behave or you got to hell
-god forgives everyone for everything

Its not just "behaving", it is more like rejecting many of the things of this will which can consume you. Ill give you an example. A perfect case of a lost soul is Kimble, the Gumball rally guy. He has shit loads of money, can buy anything he wants or almost anything, is very intelligent but what does he have? He constantly pushes his life to the limit and has said that if he dies he will have lived a great life. It is clear he is not happy and he has let the things material of this world consume him. Can you say he is happy? I guess not really but why would someone want to push the envelope so much when they have money and things. It is to try and fill a void, he is not happy so he pushes his life to the limit just to feel alive when he really isnt. Do most of us think money or nice cars or million dollar homes will make us happy? Living for God makes me happy, may sound lame to some but If I dont ever get a Zonda in my life I wont be dissapointed. I like that car but it is not what motivates me. Maybe someday I may not even want to have that car, who knows.

God is forgiving because he loves all of his children. He'll forgive you but if you don't repent or change then you know pretty much where you go.

[Yayox]

I will feel sorry for the person its been obviously brainwash... I believe in god, but not in the men... and religion as we know it today... it has been created by men and for his own benefit.

I also question if the person will try to "save" me, because he really want to save me or just because he wants to be on god good side by preaching his "word"

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by bone

christianity it's full of contradictions

another one:
-you have to behave or you got to hell
-god forgives everyone for everything

anyone can explain?

That's not really accurate bone:

- You don't go to heaven for being good or behaving; you can go to heaven because God forgives you and covers your sin with the righteousness of Jesus. People will only be lost because they reject God's mercy.

- God only forgives people who ask for His forgiveness. He never forces anything on anyone. Only people who want to be in heaven will be there. If they chose that they wanted to live without God, then God respects that decision.

[Jostyrostelli]

Originally Posted by Jeffy

- God only forgives people who ask for His forgiveness. He never forces anything on anyone. Only people who want to be in heaven will be there. If they chose that they wanted to live without God, then God respects that decision.

I don't wanna offend anyone, but that really doesn't make sense.
That's why I believe there is no god. Those statements like "God only forgives people who ask for His forgiveness.". What surplus value (sp?) has that? A killer will ask for forgiveness and gets it, a little kid who stole candy asks for forgiveness, and gets it too.

How can you think that that is necesarry? And if a killer wants to go to heaven ("Only people who want to be in heaven will be there") he will get to heaven...how come you want to be in 'heaven' so bad, if killers can get in 'heaven' too?

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by Jostyrostelli

I don't wanna offend anyone, but that really doesn't make sense.
That's why I believe there is no god. Those statements like "God only forgives people who ask for His forgiveness.". What surplus value (sp?) has that? A killer will ask for forgiveness and gets it, a little kid who stole candy asks for forgiveness, and gets it too.

How can you think that that is necesarry? And if a killer wants to go to heaven ("Only people who want to be in heaven will be there") he will get to heaven...how come you want to be in 'heaven' so bad, if killers can get in 'heaven' too?

Because God has the power to change a killer's heart. A killer who truly repents and asks for God to change him will not be a killer anymore here, nor will he be in heaven. God has changed me from a being a thief and a drug addict; He can change anyone who is willing. No one can deny what God has done in my life and so many others. This is one of the major reasons why I know there is a God: He has given me power to change for the better, something I couldn't do before I turned to Him.

But the Bible teaches that you can't just keep abusing God's forgiveness and expect to be in heaven (like if someone kept killing people and asked God to forgive him, but went right on doing what he always does). God not only forgives sin, but He gives the power to turn from sin, which is a major part of repentance.

[justin syder]

Well said!

Its not that God forces you to believe, ultimately you have to choice to believe or not.

Yayox-

I will feel sorry for the person its been obviously brainwash... I believe in god, but not in the men... and religion as we know it today... it has been created by men and for his own benefit.

I have heard that all too often. I believe there is a God but not this or that. You can't pick and choose what parts of religion you like and dont like. Being a casual believer is the way God intended it to be. You have to be a bit more committed than that. Im not perfect or better than anyone else that believes but I do know that faith is much more than being a casual believer.

I also question if the person will try to "save" me, because he really want to save me or just because he wants to be on god good side by preaching his "word"

If someone wants to "save you" then what is bad about that? You could always say no or that you dont believe in God. "If someone wants to be on God's good side by preaching..." What does that mean? You dont get a discount at heaven or money for preaching you do it because you want to. You agree with the words of God and you want to share it with others, what is harmful about that?

Maybe Jehova's witnesses are a bit pushy, I have dealt with them on many occasions, but all you say is that you wish that they respect your decision not to be preached at. If you get mad or agry then they'll just come back, trust me. They'll think, man this person is full of rage and needs god. We have to try to reach him.

I realized that wasn't working and anger really gets me no where, just as it has when I debated sometimes with fierce comments and arrogant opinions. So one time they came over and I said, "I'm Christian as well but I just ask that you respect my religion and view and not come back. You would be wasting your time if you do." I said that in a polite way and they agreed and haven't been back since.