Indeed.. The fact that the content of the questions which questions the bible was not suitable for a bible study thread is highly questionable. One might think justifying something comes with understanding it. I suspect the questions were simply too challenging to the beliefs of several posters so they objected thinking the act of questioning was blasphemy... Questioning begets learning;systems opposing these are untrustworthy. T T
Absolutely, stereotyping is a hazardous endeavour, and I attempt to consistently avoid the tendency. Although I am constantly searching for greater understanding and new knowledge/evidence to support beliefs and theories, what I find most distasteful is the approach that many employ to explain what is "right from wrong" when factual evidence to support their claims in lacking. Quite frankly, there are too many unknowns to clearly state that something is the way that it is. Personally, I refuse to use god as an answer for questions that I have no answers too. I respect you if you do, but question how and why? I think humans by nature need answers, we need the sense of security that comes form knowing.. We are curious and fearful of the unknown and of being alone. God or the existence of some higher force give us that security. Science and religion have danced through time with providing answers to questions facing humans, and while science cannot answer all of our questions, it does in fact answer many more than it did in the past. Religion on the other hand with its almighty powers, has the ability and comfort to answer all questions... I guess I am more comfortable with no answers than with answers to questions without sound factual evidence. And someone recently, commented that the quality of posts on bhod had dwindled!!! T
Try this again for you. Pascal's Wager says: If you are a Christian and are right about the existence of God, after your mortal death here on earth, your spirit goes on living in heaven for eternity. If you are wrong about death, when you die you will never know because there will be no conscious awareness from the moment of death. If you are an atheist and are right about God (the belief that there is no God), you will never know because once again there is no consciousness after death. However, if you are wrong you will have to stand before God to try and justify denying him while facing an eternity in hell. Which one has chosen the path of least eternal danger? The Christian or the atheist?
Iowa. I did look into pascals earlier on. However believing and trying to believe are things God would notice. It is best in his wager to believe, but you can't exactly truly believe in something you believe not to be true in order to hedge your bets correctly.
Also should take into consideration the tradeoffs of being a christian. Not being able to indulge in life's pleasure and all the time spent studying about God and going to church. Not believing to me is more beneficial since my time on earth is limited. I can't believe something I don't believe in order to try to get into heaven. I can however as a side project try to find answers.
True, if you go through the motions without true convictions, more important than God knowing that you are not sincere, you will know it. It is like when you take the a solemn oath, if you take it without the conviction of all your being, it means nothing. Unless it is done with blatant insincerity, no one will know but the person making the oath and God. However, if you take a vow or oath and mean everything you say, it does make a difference and a change. When I raised my right hand and repeated the oath of enlistment I meant every single word I said. Likewise, when I gave my life over to Jesus, I did so because I knew it had become unmanageable under my mortal and spiritual leadership, and he was much better qualified for the job. Pascal was trying to phrase his philosophy in a way that would encourage a lay person to consider salvation over damnation. Even today a variation of this is used in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and many other programs when the addict has to admit to themselves that their life has become unmanageable and turn it over to God as we know him. If done unconditionally and with sincerity, their lives become better.
Do you have a retirement plan you invest in? If so, does that not impede you from indulging in more of life's pleasures? Do you go to work to earn money for retirement and life's pleasures? Is that different than studying scripture and going to church? There is no difference than one is planning for your short time on earth and the other is planning for eternity.
The "fire insurance" argument aside... I think you did touch on an important concept/difference... where you (and some other atheists/agnostics) may see going to church and the guidance the Bible includes as a burden, a waste of time or of no benefit to you, many Christians see it just the opposite... I think this difference stems from the starting position/assumptions. There is or isn't a God. And perhaps the classic philosophic "purpose" of man question.
Also well said. If fear of some potential damnation is the cause of your belief then I would rethink your belief and the system for which you choose to believe in. A truly loving and forgiving greatness should recognize the search for the truth as opposed to deceit for which one hopes to achieve a place in eternity or heaven if they exist. The fact that the bible deters followers from searching for truth or learning about others speaks poorly of its intent. Let's not forget early biblical hierarchy officials were the scholars of the time... They were literate unlike the majority, and set rules and laws. It was in their best interest to have followers, as these followers fiscally supported them through taxation, land management and donation. Sounds like a wonderful analogy/study between religious officiating and politics could be made. T
I just went to go pee and the thought of damnation for not believing went through my head too. It's you believe this or else you go to hell. Not exactly free will in my mind
Free will is giving you the option to do whatever you want. My dad let me fall down the stairs so I would learn it wasn't safe. That doesn't mean my dad didn't want what was best for me. I understand why people don't believe. Personally being guilted into a safety bet belief is not true faith. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is all free will. You are not being forced to believe as some others do. Not all religions believe in heaven and hell.
I fully understand that there are people who do not believe. I also understand why people might question religion with all that goes on in the world. I do not proselytize others, but I am an apologist for Christianity.
Yes. Sorry I guess I shouldve written a good choice. There are two answers and only one is correct, his answer. Not exactly conducive to searching for one's soul or meshing with the kind of people he made us, inquisitive people. It's not much of a choice you have. Either do or die. Which is the same thing we see extremists doing around the world, convert or die. God is doing it no differently.
Unlike extremists in different religious communities, no one is forcing you to convert. A true atheist would not be phased about the beliefs of people of faith. The most common response I hear from people who are sure that God does not exist is believers are foolish, stupid or ignorant. There are those in this realm who try and get believers to question their conviction just as there are those of faith that will try and do the same to atheists and agnostics. An agnostic, who is unsure of the existence of God, will question religions and science trying to come to a decision on which way to go in their beliefs. I've walked that balance beam before and it was not enjoyable. If you are on that balance beam there comes a time when you have to quit looking with your eyes and look with your soul and take the first step. I hope and pray that you can come to a personal understanding that satisfies your inquisitiveness and gives you peace.
If I told all of you that I read in a book that we all came from a cell from space... Would you believe me? No... But why? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
