Wink
Bluelighter
Why is it that all you atheists have attacked only christians? Hmmm I wonder....I'd like to see you walk into a room full of muslims and tell them their full of shit, or jews for that matter. You people are so fucking fake.
A very dark topic...Read at your own risk.
- Thread starter NecroTrance
- Start date
- Status
Stasis
Bluelight Crew
Wink, oh I have, many times. Do you think I'm new to this? Did you even read all the posts? If you had you would have noticed that I'm typically referring to Christianity AND religion itself. Christianity is great to use as an example because most people are familiar with it. It's not the dominating worldwide religion, but it is here in the states. It's also the one that most of us that have posted here were raised with. It's not that we're just targeting Christianity, we're focusing on religion itself.
One of my best friends was born and raised in Egypt. Yes, you guessed it, Muslim. We discuss religion quite frequently. He was controlled by his religion when he was growing up far worse than people are here in the US. He was able to see religion at its worst. His parents expect him to do all kinds of crazy shit that he doesn't feel is right. He is one of the most intelligent and caring people I know. And, he's religionless... wow.. amazing.
So, before you start "attacking" us for your assumption that we are just "attacking" Christianity, take a second and think about what has been said here. It applies to ALL of it.
Oh, and just how many Muslims did you see post on this thread?
We are affected a thousand times more by Christianity than we are Islam (unless you count terrorism).
You think I'M picking on Christianity?
I'll be glad to point you to some hilarious Christian parody:
Why don't you take a second and take the Bible quiz? Take a bong hit and look at this site... it will have you rolling on the floor. http://www.bettybowers.com
Believers and nonbelievers alike will get a "kick" out of it.
Once you're done with that, take a look at this parody site: http://www.landoverbaptist.org
If THAT doesn't make you laugh, you are lacking a sense of humour.
"Christian Fundamentalism: The doctrine that there is an absolutely powerful, infinitely knowledgeable, universe spanning entity that is deeply and personally concerned about my sex life." - Unknown
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
One of my best friends was born and raised in Egypt. Yes, you guessed it, Muslim. We discuss religion quite frequently. He was controlled by his religion when he was growing up far worse than people are here in the US. He was able to see religion at its worst. His parents expect him to do all kinds of crazy shit that he doesn't feel is right. He is one of the most intelligent and caring people I know. And, he's religionless... wow.. amazing.
So, before you start "attacking" us for your assumption that we are just "attacking" Christianity, take a second and think about what has been said here. It applies to ALL of it.
Oh, and just how many Muslims did you see post on this thread?
We are affected a thousand times more by Christianity than we are Islam (unless you count terrorism).
You think I'M picking on Christianity?
I'll be glad to point you to some hilarious Christian parody:
Why don't you take a second and take the Bible quiz? Take a bong hit and look at this site... it will have you rolling on the floor. http://www.bettybowers.com
Believers and nonbelievers alike will get a "kick" out of it.
Once you're done with that, take a look at this parody site: http://www.landoverbaptist.org
If THAT doesn't make you laugh, you are lacking a sense of humour.
"Christian Fundamentalism: The doctrine that there is an absolutely powerful, infinitely knowledgeable, universe spanning entity that is deeply and personally concerned about my sex life." - Unknown
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
Shai'tan
Bluelighter
I really really wish there was some sort of an afterlife...because the thought that my conciousness will one day cease bothers me to no end. But I have an innate joy for life I wouldn't if I felt this was only a testing ground of my morals or whatever.
Plus, I don't have any reason to believe anything beyond the scientific explanation for existence.
Bryan
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The only way to stay sane is to embrace insanity.
Plus, I don't have any reason to believe anything beyond the scientific explanation for existence.
Bryan
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The only way to stay sane is to embrace insanity.
sickpuppy
Ex-Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2000
- Messages
- 5,306
Yeah, I guess everyone thinks about death and the afterlife sometimes.I never really thought about it until I saw this fucked-up shit. About 2 years ago one of my friends rode up on a head on collision. Couldn't have happened 1-2 min earlier.We got out a walked over to the first car,the other car was in the ditch about 50 yards away,to see if we could do anything. I swear I can still see the mans face. His eyes were open and he was still breathing very shallow.But you could tell by his eyes, something was gone.Well to keep this short, the EMTs told me he was brain-dead when he got to the hospital.Weird.
Turbo Monk
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 4, 1999
- Messages
- 739
Trancendance -
That post originally had quote from someone else's post in it, which I thought was a bit anal for the point I was trying to make.
Many scientific theories of the same event.. how can there be more than one truth?
God became one of us in Christ to show himself. All a Christian is is one who believes the latter. One misconception everyone has about Christians is they are perfect - far from the truth. They simply believe that Christ was sent from God to show man how to live.
One of the most convincing points the Bible documents is the non-believers attitudes towards believers, it's too accurate to not be true. Persecution to the point of crucifixion.
That post originally had quote from someone else's post in it, which I thought was a bit anal for the point I was trying to make.
Many scientific theories of the same event.. how can there be more than one truth?
God became one of us in Christ to show himself. All a Christian is is one who believes the latter. One misconception everyone has about Christians is they are perfect - far from the truth. They simply believe that Christ was sent from God to show man how to live.
One of the most convincing points the Bible documents is the non-believers attitudes towards believers, it's too accurate to not be true. Persecution to the point of crucifixion.
Trancendance
Bluelighter
Yes, Wink, I too have argued alot with Muslims. Like Stasis said, most people on this board are familiar with Xianity, so that's what we discuss.
Many of you keep accusing atheism of being a negative belief system. But it's not. It's very, very positive. Read that Sartre essay, dammit!
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Many of you keep accusing atheism of being a negative belief system. But it's not. It's very, very positive. Read that Sartre essay, dammit!
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Stasis
Bluelight Crew
Turbo Monk, you have GOT to be kidding.
"One misconception everyone has about Christians is they are perfect"
This statement itself is a misconception.
With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.
Christians are like snowflakes, there are NO two alike. I don't care if you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Pagan, every person on this planet differs in their belief in some way. There are 6 Billion people on this earth and thus there are 6 Billion different religions.
I don't understand how Christians expect the world to believe that there is this God that has nothing better to do than to sit there and judge people as they enter the afterlife on nothing more than whether or not they believe that Jesus died on the cross.
It's also a shame that few of us can actually see the absurdity in this.
You obviously have no idea about the hatred that is spawned by Christianity. Or, you do, and choose to ignore it.
Why don't you take a second and read this essay titled Hatred, Violence and Christianity and learn a little bit about your beloved religion. http://atheism.about.com/religion/atheism/library/weekly/aa102198.htm
Since you and I both know you wont bother reading I'll include a small section from it:
"Fear of God is promoted in the Bible, and Church Fathers such as Tertullian and St. John Chyrsostom paraded fear as an important virtue - which indeed it was, both to the secular as well as the church leadership, since it was essential in maintaining order. Promotions of fear continue down to this day, as people like Pat Robertson tell whole cities that they should fear the "wrath of God" for daring to not discriminate against gays.
After Christianity gained dominance in the Roman Empire, it became clear that they regarded their God as very authoritarian in nature - and as a result, they proceeded to imitate their God and become exceptionally authoritarian themselves. Controlling society, they ruthlessly exterminated other religious beliefs, with only Judaism being permitted to co-exist with their own One True Faith."
If you truly understood your religion I seriously doubt you'd be Christian.
"The Bible is a great source of inspiration, for those who do not understand it." - George Santayana
"One misconception everyone has about Christians is they are perfect"
This statement itself is a misconception.
With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.
Christians are like snowflakes, there are NO two alike. I don't care if you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Pagan, every person on this planet differs in their belief in some way. There are 6 Billion people on this earth and thus there are 6 Billion different religions.
I don't understand how Christians expect the world to believe that there is this God that has nothing better to do than to sit there and judge people as they enter the afterlife on nothing more than whether or not they believe that Jesus died on the cross.
It's also a shame that few of us can actually see the absurdity in this.
You obviously have no idea about the hatred that is spawned by Christianity. Or, you do, and choose to ignore it.
Why don't you take a second and read this essay titled Hatred, Violence and Christianity and learn a little bit about your beloved religion. http://atheism.about.com/religion/atheism/library/weekly/aa102198.htm
Since you and I both know you wont bother reading I'll include a small section from it:
"Fear of God is promoted in the Bible, and Church Fathers such as Tertullian and St. John Chyrsostom paraded fear as an important virtue - which indeed it was, both to the secular as well as the church leadership, since it was essential in maintaining order. Promotions of fear continue down to this day, as people like Pat Robertson tell whole cities that they should fear the "wrath of God" for daring to not discriminate against gays.
After Christianity gained dominance in the Roman Empire, it became clear that they regarded their God as very authoritarian in nature - and as a result, they proceeded to imitate their God and become exceptionally authoritarian themselves. Controlling society, they ruthlessly exterminated other religious beliefs, with only Judaism being permitted to co-exist with their own One True Faith."
If you truly understood your religion I seriously doubt you'd be Christian.
"The Bible is a great source of inspiration, for those who do not understand it." - George Santayana
Trancendance
Bluelighter
The Bible is accurate? HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Let's see, just for a few things, it says the Earth is 6,000 years old, when it's actually 4.5 billion.
It also says the sun revolves around the earth. (In Exodus, one of the plagues was God stopping the sun from revolving around the Earth)
Also, pretty much everyone in Jesus' crew thought he would return within their lifetime. Paul explicitly says this.
Noah's ark? Come on!
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Let's see, just for a few things, it says the Earth is 6,000 years old, when it's actually 4.5 billion.
It also says the sun revolves around the earth. (In Exodus, one of the plagues was God stopping the sun from revolving around the Earth)
Also, pretty much everyone in Jesus' crew thought he would return within their lifetime. Paul explicitly says this.
Noah's ark? Come on!
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Trancendance
Bluelighter
Check out:
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/theism/christianity/criticism.html
and
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/theism/christianity/errancy.html
For great resources on the thouands of errors and inconsistencies in the Bible.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/theism/christianity/criticism.html
and
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/theism/christianity/errancy.html
For great resources on the thouands of errors and inconsistencies in the Bible.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Stasis
Bluelight Crew
If the Bible were accurate there would have been no need to persecute Galileo.
Want evidence of religious persecution?
"Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzio Galilei, of Florence, aged seventy years, were denounced in 1615, to this Holy Office, for holding as true a false doctrine taught by many, namely, that the sun is immovable in the center of the world, and that the earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion; also, for having pupils whom you instructed in the same opinions; also, for maintaining a correspondence on the same with some German mathematicians; also for publishing certain letters on the sun-spots, in which you developed the same doctrine as true; also, for answering the objections which were continually produced from the Holy Scriptures, by glozing the said Scriptures according to your own meaning; and whereas thereupon was produced the copy of a writing, in form of a letter professedly written by you to a person formerly your pupil, in which, following the hypothesis of Copernicus, you include several propositions contrary to the true sense and authority of the Holy Scriptures; therefore (this Holy Tribunal being desirous of providing against the disorder and mischief which were thence proceeding and increasing to the detriment of the Holy Faith) by the desire of his Holiness and the Most Emminent Lords, Cardinals of this supreme and universal Inquisition, the two propositions of the stability of the sun, and the motion of the earth, were qualified by the Theological Qualifiers as follows:
The proposition that the sun is in the center of the world and immovable from its place is absurd, philosophically false, and formally heretical; because it is expressly contrary to Holy Scriptures.
The proposition that the earth is not the center of the world, nor immovable, but that it moves, and also with a diurnal action, is also absurd, philosophically false, and, theologically considered, at least erroneous in faith.
Therefore . . . , invoking the most holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His Most Glorious Mother Mary, We pronounce this Our final sentence: We pronounce, judge, and declare, that you, the said Galileo . . . have rendered yourself vehemently suspected by this Holy Office of heresy, that is, of having believed and held the doctrine (which is false and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures) that the sun is the center of the world, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the earth does move, and is not the center of the world; also, that an opinion can be held and supported as probable, after it has been declared and finally decreed contrary to the Holy Scripture, and, consequently, that you have incurred all the censures and penalties enjoined and promulgated in the sacred canons and other general and particular constituents against delinquents of this description. From which it is Our pleasure that you be absolved, provided that with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, in Our presence, you abjure, curse, and detest, the said error and heresies, and every other error and heresy contrary to the Catholic and Apostolic Church of Rome."
1633 A.D.
Trance, you'll like this, ALL of the OT and NT's inconsistencies clearly documented online. Take a look, this is one of my favorite sites: http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
Want evidence of religious persecution?
"Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzio Galilei, of Florence, aged seventy years, were denounced in 1615, to this Holy Office, for holding as true a false doctrine taught by many, namely, that the sun is immovable in the center of the world, and that the earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion; also, for having pupils whom you instructed in the same opinions; also, for maintaining a correspondence on the same with some German mathematicians; also for publishing certain letters on the sun-spots, in which you developed the same doctrine as true; also, for answering the objections which were continually produced from the Holy Scriptures, by glozing the said Scriptures according to your own meaning; and whereas thereupon was produced the copy of a writing, in form of a letter professedly written by you to a person formerly your pupil, in which, following the hypothesis of Copernicus, you include several propositions contrary to the true sense and authority of the Holy Scriptures; therefore (this Holy Tribunal being desirous of providing against the disorder and mischief which were thence proceeding and increasing to the detriment of the Holy Faith) by the desire of his Holiness and the Most Emminent Lords, Cardinals of this supreme and universal Inquisition, the two propositions of the stability of the sun, and the motion of the earth, were qualified by the Theological Qualifiers as follows:
The proposition that the sun is in the center of the world and immovable from its place is absurd, philosophically false, and formally heretical; because it is expressly contrary to Holy Scriptures.
The proposition that the earth is not the center of the world, nor immovable, but that it moves, and also with a diurnal action, is also absurd, philosophically false, and, theologically considered, at least erroneous in faith.
Therefore . . . , invoking the most holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His Most Glorious Mother Mary, We pronounce this Our final sentence: We pronounce, judge, and declare, that you, the said Galileo . . . have rendered yourself vehemently suspected by this Holy Office of heresy, that is, of having believed and held the doctrine (which is false and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures) that the sun is the center of the world, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the earth does move, and is not the center of the world; also, that an opinion can be held and supported as probable, after it has been declared and finally decreed contrary to the Holy Scripture, and, consequently, that you have incurred all the censures and penalties enjoined and promulgated in the sacred canons and other general and particular constituents against delinquents of this description. From which it is Our pleasure that you be absolved, provided that with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, in Our presence, you abjure, curse, and detest, the said error and heresies, and every other error and heresy contrary to the Catholic and Apostolic Church of Rome."
1633 A.D.
Trance, you'll like this, ALL of the OT and NT's inconsistencies clearly documented online. Take a look, this is one of my favorite sites: http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
Trancendance
Bluelighter
Thank you Stasis, hours of entertainment await. What a great site!
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Gamecat
Bluelighter
The universe always was, the universe always will be you always were you always will be. Conversely the universe never was and the universe never will be, you never were you never will be. Thats sorta my view of the universe... If you think abot it, everything that is is made up of enery, matter is only energy vibrating at a certain freaquency... So really we are nothing more then a giant blob of energy with piecves vibrarting a various freaquencies... So when you die I think you just kinda return to the enrgy and part of you begin to vibrate in fdifferent ways... But really if you think about it theres no differenec between you and a rock... you're both energy. who knows.. guess I'll find out later huh? 
Turbo Monk
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 4, 1999
- Messages
- 739
Why haven't gay people attacked eminem as they have Dr Laura?
Eminem speaks of commiting violent acts towards "queers and transgenders", which would be prejudice, but that's alright?
*I am neither fan of eminem nor Dr Laura*
Eminem speaks of commiting violent acts towards "queers and transgenders", which would be prejudice, but that's alright?
*I am neither fan of eminem nor Dr Laura*
Trancendance
Bluelighter
What the hell are you talking about, Turbo? Gay people have come out (hee hee) against Eminem in a big way! There's a boycott, news stories, and even MTV did a feature about it.
Here's your problem - you keep throwing out straw man arguments. That will never get you anywhere.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
Here's your problem - you keep throwing out straw man arguments. That will never get you anywhere.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
NecroTrance
Bluelighter
Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Damnit!!!
Everyone's fighting now.
First off let me tell SurfinRaver to shut the fuck up because whther you'd like to believe it or not...Whiipits only last about 30 seconds!!! Holy shit go fucking figure!
And if you don't like my music(crap as you put it)try and do better, or stop d/ling it.
To CRiSiS...Thanks for backing me up no bitch like SurfinRaver will bring us apart. Lots of love! Hehe...
Back to the story...
I figured out why Christianity is the most popular religion(and if you think something else is more popular...shut up and keep it to yourself.). Christianity may have been made up like a lot of other religions, but Christians had a huge war to defend it, this was called the Crusades. Sure, other people have fought for their religious rights, but the Crusades was a battle between Christians and extremely powerful enemies...The result, people said, "Holy shit if they're fighting that strong about it(Christianity)...It must be true." Haha...What do they know?!
Everyone's fighting now.
First off let me tell SurfinRaver to shut the fuck up because whther you'd like to believe it or not...Whiipits only last about 30 seconds!!! Holy shit go fucking figure!
And if you don't like my music(crap as you put it)try and do better, or stop d/ling it.
To CRiSiS...Thanks for backing me up no bitch like SurfinRaver will bring us apart. Lots of love! Hehe...
Back to the story...
I figured out why Christianity is the most popular religion(and if you think something else is more popular...shut up and keep it to yourself.). Christianity may have been made up like a lot of other religions, but Christians had a huge war to defend it, this was called the Crusades. Sure, other people have fought for their religious rights, but the Crusades was a battle between Christians and extremely powerful enemies...The result, people said, "Holy shit if they're fighting that strong about it(Christianity)...It must be true." Haha...What do they know?!
Trancendance
Bluelighter
No, using your logic, Nercotrance, Islam should be the biggest religion. They've had many mre holy wars. And who do you think the Christians fought in the Crusades, anyway?
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
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Trance and Dance: the enlightened path to Trancendence.
I think this whole question of whether or not there is a God is actually pretty useless. For one thing, you can't give 100% proof EITHER way, so you'll never be completely sure. Believing in God/not believing in God- it's all just personal preference. If the God/religion route works for you, then great, go for it. If not, then good for you too, you're no better or worse of a person for believing in God or not believing in him. It all adds up to- where do you put your faith? Some people choose material things, some put their faith in other people, and some choose to put their faith in God.
Personally, I put my faith in myself. I believed in God for awhile, but when times got tough and my faith was tested against the REAL problems of this world...well I'm sorry to say but it just didn't work for me. Nice idea in theory, BUT...
So am I an atheist now?? No, not exactly. Is there a God or isn't there? My answer: I DON'T CARE. If there is, he definitely doesn't give a shit about the pain and suffering some people are forced to go through. And in addition to doing FUCK ALL about the world's problems, he's going to send all of us unbelievers to hell when we die. Gotta love the God of Justice. Sorry, but I don't want to have anything to do with a God like that. So whether he exists or not is of no importance to me, because either way, he doesn't affect my life at all.
Ok, I know I'm a little bitter, but it's cuz I used to have such strong faith and blah blah blah long story. I DO believe that there is a higher power on this earth- but not a God-like figure. I believe that the earth has a lifeforce of its own, a kind of energy that gives life to everything on it. And everything that has life has part of this energy within them. There are forces of good and forces of evil, and there is both positive and negative energy within each person. The key is finding and maintaining the balance. I don't know what happens when we die, it scares me to hear people say we just stop existing. I think maybe our bodies die, but the energy within us that is unique to each person continues on, only in different forms.
I dunno, I could go on and on, that's just some of my thoughts. This is a really interesting topic btw.
Peace,
kimmy.
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We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we could only fly embracing each other.
Personally, I put my faith in myself. I believed in God for awhile, but when times got tough and my faith was tested against the REAL problems of this world...well I'm sorry to say but it just didn't work for me. Nice idea in theory, BUT...
So am I an atheist now?? No, not exactly. Is there a God or isn't there? My answer: I DON'T CARE. If there is, he definitely doesn't give a shit about the pain and suffering some people are forced to go through. And in addition to doing FUCK ALL about the world's problems, he's going to send all of us unbelievers to hell when we die. Gotta love the God of Justice. Sorry, but I don't want to have anything to do with a God like that. So whether he exists or not is of no importance to me, because either way, he doesn't affect my life at all.
Ok, I know I'm a little bitter, but it's cuz I used to have such strong faith and blah blah blah long story. I DO believe that there is a higher power on this earth- but not a God-like figure. I believe that the earth has a lifeforce of its own, a kind of energy that gives life to everything on it. And everything that has life has part of this energy within them. There are forces of good and forces of evil, and there is both positive and negative energy within each person. The key is finding and maintaining the balance. I don't know what happens when we die, it scares me to hear people say we just stop existing. I think maybe our bodies die, but the energy within us that is unique to each person continues on, only in different forms.
I dunno, I could go on and on, that's just some of my thoughts. This is a really interesting topic btw.
Peace,
kimmy.
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We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we could only fly embracing each other.
2sense-short
Bluelighter
***Hey Stasis***
I believe you are very intelligent.
I somewhat admire you.
I have subscribed to your athesis magazine to try and better understand why you guys are so set on telling people God isn't real.
You know I could have been dead many many times, but for some strange reason I am walking and breathing with the rest of you. I really dont believe in fate...DO YOU?
I am lost for words...I cant understand why having no god is like candy to you guys. You all have excellcent points...Well most of you.
People this is a discussion not a fight. Please keep your mind open and learn something about other peoples beliefs. Just because you dont believe doesn't mean you are a bad person.
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If you are sad, only you can make you happy. Try and find out!!
I believe you are very intelligent.
I somewhat admire you.
I have subscribed to your athesis magazine to try and better understand why you guys are so set on telling people God isn't real.
You know I could have been dead many many times, but for some strange reason I am walking and breathing with the rest of you. I really dont believe in fate...DO YOU?
I am lost for words...I cant understand why having no god is like candy to you guys. You all have excellcent points...Well most of you.
People this is a discussion not a fight. Please keep your mind open and learn something about other peoples beliefs. Just because you dont believe doesn't mean you are a bad person.
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If you are sad, only you can make you happy. Try and find out!!
Stasis
Bluelight Crew
2sense, thank you.
And I admire you very much. Not only because you took time to read and absorb what was being said here, but because you aren't afraid to consider other ideas.
I wish more people could be like you, but not everyone has the mental power to actually step back and analyze what they've been told.
I also understand why you find it hard to accept that it's easy for us to live with the idea of no god. I used to be the exact same way. It's not easy just to drop what you have been taught. All it takes is just one shred of doubt for you to start questioning what you have been told. Once you succeed at dropping that shroud that keeps your mind from accepting new ideas, you will know what true freedom is.
My first suggestion would be to read a book called "Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist" by Dan Barker. Dan was a former Christian preacher who finally reached a point where he started to see what he was preaching for what it was. If you read one more book in your life, this is the one.
Here are a couple of quotes from his book:
"I never knew real joy until I regained possession of my own mind."
"The very concept of sin comes from the bible. Christianity offers to solve a problem of its own making! Would you be thankful to a person who cut you with a knife in order to sell you a bandage?"
"How happy can you be when you think every action and thought is being monitored by a judgmental ghost?"
"I have something to say to the religionist who feels atheists never say anything positive: You are an intelligent human being. Your life is valuable for its own sake. You are not second-class in the universe, deriving meaning and purpose from some other mind. You are not inherently evil--you are inherently human, possessing the positive rational potential to help make this a world of morality, peace and joy. Trust yourself."
"I do understand what love is, and that is one of the reasons I can never again be a Christian. Love is not self denial. Love is not blood and suffering. Love is not murdering your son to appease your own vanity. Love is not hatred or wrath, consigning billions of people to eternal torture because they have offended your ego or disobeyed your rules. Love is not obedience, conformity, or submission. It is a counterfeit love that is contingent upon authority, punishment, or reward. True love is respect and admiration, compassion and kindness, freely given by a healthy, unafraid human being."
"The longer I have been an atheist, the more amazed I am that I ever believed Christian notions."
[On prayer] "To think that the ruler of the universe will run to my assistance and bend the laws of nature for me is the height of arrogance."
http://www.infidels.org/org/ffrf/lfif/
Free your mind.
Stasis
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
And I admire you very much. Not only because you took time to read and absorb what was being said here, but because you aren't afraid to consider other ideas.
I wish more people could be like you, but not everyone has the mental power to actually step back and analyze what they've been told.
I also understand why you find it hard to accept that it's easy for us to live with the idea of no god. I used to be the exact same way. It's not easy just to drop what you have been taught. All it takes is just one shred of doubt for you to start questioning what you have been told. Once you succeed at dropping that shroud that keeps your mind from accepting new ideas, you will know what true freedom is.
My first suggestion would be to read a book called "Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist" by Dan Barker. Dan was a former Christian preacher who finally reached a point where he started to see what he was preaching for what it was. If you read one more book in your life, this is the one.
Here are a couple of quotes from his book:
"I never knew real joy until I regained possession of my own mind."
"The very concept of sin comes from the bible. Christianity offers to solve a problem of its own making! Would you be thankful to a person who cut you with a knife in order to sell you a bandage?"
"How happy can you be when you think every action and thought is being monitored by a judgmental ghost?"
"I have something to say to the religionist who feels atheists never say anything positive: You are an intelligent human being. Your life is valuable for its own sake. You are not second-class in the universe, deriving meaning and purpose from some other mind. You are not inherently evil--you are inherently human, possessing the positive rational potential to help make this a world of morality, peace and joy. Trust yourself."
"I do understand what love is, and that is one of the reasons I can never again be a Christian. Love is not self denial. Love is not blood and suffering. Love is not murdering your son to appease your own vanity. Love is not hatred or wrath, consigning billions of people to eternal torture because they have offended your ego or disobeyed your rules. Love is not obedience, conformity, or submission. It is a counterfeit love that is contingent upon authority, punishment, or reward. True love is respect and admiration, compassion and kindness, freely given by a healthy, unafraid human being."
"The longer I have been an atheist, the more amazed I am that I ever believed Christian notions."
[On prayer] "To think that the ruler of the universe will run to my assistance and bend the laws of nature for me is the height of arrogance."
http://www.infidels.org/org/ffrf/lfif/
Free your mind.
Stasis
[This message has been edited by Stasis (edited 21 July 2000).]
Turbo Monk
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 4, 1999
- Messages
- 739
[excerpt from previous post]
I wish people would understand the concept of spiritual warfare, the 3 battlegrounds being our minds, our hearts, and our mouths.
We need to understand that a bastion of demonic spirits has been sent onto this planet expressly to keep men's minds in darkness. "... the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Many of us have believed things in the past that we no longer believe. We were in a measure of darkness. Satan's job is to hide the light and blind us with falsehood. A constant barrage of lies is aimed at every person's mind. These spirits lie to us about God- that He doesn't exist, or that He is not good and loving. They give us wrong concepts about others. Or they tell us lies about ourselves, making us hate ourselves. This is all darkness.
Evolution's scientific credentials are also no signifigance from a spiritual warfare point of view. Rather than arguing over strata and fossils, we only need to look at the results of evolutionary theory in the hearts and minds of men. It is an anti-God philosophy, justified with ludicrous propositions, and cleverly disguised as science. No other philosophy vomited onto this planet has damned more souls than evolution. No competitor from the pits of hell has half of its artful deceit.
Two things that the powers of darkness abolutely hate in the lives of believers: humility and effective evangelism. Humility tears up the roots of pride and deception in the lives of those whom Satan rules. Satan was defeated by Christ's humility at the Cross. The powers of darkness also hate evangelism because it invades their territory.
--------------------------------
I do admit the Bible is somewhat comical, after all it is an account of man's spiritual journey and we were given a sense of humor.
Agreed, there is contradiction in Old Testament scripture and New Testament scripture, but look at it as such:
Old Testament is to CMOS as New Testament is to the OS.
CMOS, basic instructions, associations, etc.
OS, daily routines and applications
I'm finished, fire away.
I wish people would understand the concept of spiritual warfare, the 3 battlegrounds being our minds, our hearts, and our mouths.
We need to understand that a bastion of demonic spirits has been sent onto this planet expressly to keep men's minds in darkness. "... the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Many of us have believed things in the past that we no longer believe. We were in a measure of darkness. Satan's job is to hide the light and blind us with falsehood. A constant barrage of lies is aimed at every person's mind. These spirits lie to us about God- that He doesn't exist, or that He is not good and loving. They give us wrong concepts about others. Or they tell us lies about ourselves, making us hate ourselves. This is all darkness.
Evolution's scientific credentials are also no signifigance from a spiritual warfare point of view. Rather than arguing over strata and fossils, we only need to look at the results of evolutionary theory in the hearts and minds of men. It is an anti-God philosophy, justified with ludicrous propositions, and cleverly disguised as science. No other philosophy vomited onto this planet has damned more souls than evolution. No competitor from the pits of hell has half of its artful deceit.
Two things that the powers of darkness abolutely hate in the lives of believers: humility and effective evangelism. Humility tears up the roots of pride and deception in the lives of those whom Satan rules. Satan was defeated by Christ's humility at the Cross. The powers of darkness also hate evangelism because it invades their territory.
--------------------------------
I do admit the Bible is somewhat comical, after all it is an account of man's spiritual journey and we were given a sense of humor.
Agreed, there is contradiction in Old Testament scripture and New Testament scripture, but look at it as such:
Old Testament is to CMOS as New Testament is to the OS.
CMOS, basic instructions, associations, etc.
OS, daily routines and applications
I'm finished, fire away.
- Status