[will2survive]

Simple question. I don't know what to think. I can go on and on about it but I won't. Maybe a higher power but I'm skeptical about the rest.

[v1y]

which one?

[stevenash]

In a word, yes.
If one doesn't that fine also.

[Full Time Hobo]

I believe in a higher power.

[Dutch]

I believe we have no true concept of what/where/how we are.

To me it's absurd to claim there is an all knowing being.

[pronk]

Simple question. I don't know what to think. I can go on and on about it but I won't. Maybe a higher power but I'm skeptical about the rest.

Will, have you ever read the Bible? Can you find some time to read it on daily basis (1 chapter from old testament & 1 from new)? Trust me, your doubts will fade away for good.

[will2survive]

Will, have you ever read the Bible? Can you find some time to read it on daily basis (1 chapter from old testament & 1 from new)? Trust me, your doubts will fade away for good.

I'll do that, Pronk. I wish that I had answers. I still don't understand why bad things happen to good people.

[pronk]

I'll do that, Pronk. I wish that I had answers. I still don't understand why bad things happen to good people.

Will, what's good is gold if it's not purified by burning fire.

Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalms 66:10

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people? Jeremiah 9:7

This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" Zecharia 13:10

[JohnGalt2341]

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/saloon/507...-religion.html

The funny thing about the bible is... I actually encourage people to read it if they are a Christian or even if they are unsure. The more they read it.. the more likely they are to become an Atheist. Start from Genesis 1. The first few pages are incredibly hilarious. It's literally some of the funniest stuff I've ever read in my entire life. Btw.. there are a few contradictions in the bible.. here are just some of them:

[JohnGalt2341]

Religion is like a Sports team. Whichever team your friends and family grew up liking it's very likely that you will support that team too. In other words... whatever you were born into you will likely believe in. There is usually very little harm done with this type of thinking when it comes to sports. But when it comes to religion... it can be very harmful. Just my opinion of course. Anyone that truly follows the bible is either dead or is in prison. This might explain why over 99% of the prison population believes in god.

[zam77]

Yes

[TheCentaur]

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/saloon/507...-religion.html

The funny thing about the bible is... I actually encourage people to read it if they are a Christian or even if they are unsure. The more they read it.. the more likely they are to become an Atheist. Start from Genesis 1. The first few pages are incredibly hilarious. It's literally some of the funniest stuff I've ever read in my entire life. Btw.. there are a few contradictions in the bible.. here are just some of them:

God would kick ur ass at hexiversi

[4uk4life]

Absolutely do

[LordVodka]

I believe we have no true concept of what/where/how we are.

To me it's absurd to claim there is an all knowing being.

This is probably the best answer on here. I would consider myself spiritual in a sense but don't believe in God. I tried DMT last year and I realized that if there is anything we are not equipped to understand it.

[LordVodka]

Will, have you ever read the Bible? Can you find some time to read it on daily basis (1 chapter from old testament & 1 from new)? Trust me, your doubts will fade away for good.

Just talked to a muslim guy who told me to read the Quran? Who do I believe? You or him?

[chipper]

I believe... I'd rather believe and find out there isn't a God, then to not believe and discover there is...

[thezbar]

I believe... I'd rather believe and find out there isn't a God, then to not believe and discover there is...

Most gamblers are willing to hedge their bets now and then. Sharp post.

[stig99]

no way

[thezbar]

It's a ? that goes back to ancient times. For me the answer is yes.

[will2survive]

Will, what's good is gold if it's not purified by burning fire.

Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalms 66:10

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people? Jeremiah 9:7

This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" Zecharia 13:10

Thanks Pronk--Good post--- Now, I'm a little more educated thanks to you, and I never knew about this. Seems very interesting. I'll have to read some more.

[raydog]

I'll do that, Pronk. I wish that I had answers. I still don't understand why bad things happen to good people.

because there is nothing to stop it... to me, its beyond common sense... and no, 2yr old kids dont die of cancer because "god" has a special need for them with him

just my .02c

[no gnu taxes]

No, I believe we all originated in an unexplained way from some primordial goo, and then evolved in some kind of way that's not exactly understood, but otherwise undeniable, and all it will take is further fossil digs to prove this already proven truth.

If you do not believe this without question, it is an an undeniable fact you also believe the world is flat.

[Snowball]

I believe... I'd rather believe and find out there isn't a God, then to not believe and discover there is...

that's a mouthful.

[JohnGalt2341]

God would kick ur ass at hexiversi

If a member of a cult and or church told me that they were the reincarnation of Jesus and they could prove it by beating me at Hexversi... if they beat me 5 games in a row I would probably believe them.

[xraygord]

Sorry but there are no gods. I view an adult who tells me they beleive in god, no differntly then if they told me they believe the tooth fairy.

[leafs_ducks]

Short answer. Yes

[Lookingtostart]

No, there is no god, never will be and never was. Society in general likes to put a personality/entity to something which they can not explain.

[Swinging Johnson]

While we all have reservations and doubts, some more than others, I cannot help but smirk at the snarky, arrogant posts of the self-professed atheists. The bottom line is that they have no more proof that God does not exist than those who believe in Him. The devout would conjecture that they do have proof as written in parables while the skeptics would dismiss any and all claims based on lack of hard evidence.

While I respect a person's right to believe or disbelieve anything they choose, I am always fascinated at the pompous nature of the non-believers. If religion provides solace and comfort to one's fellow man then why take such glee in taking that away? Many of the atheists like Mr. Galt take even more joy in ridiculing the fire and brimstone, born again evangelicals because they are so certain and resolute in their faith and denounce those who don't believe. Kind of seems to me like you are doing the same thing, doesn't it? Pot meet kettle.

As for why bad things happen to good people. We are given free will by God, and if Mother Theresa chose to step in front of a train, she would perish like anyone else (yes, I know she's deceased). God does not intervene. Free will is what we have been granted and we are simply not meant to understand this life. It's bigger than all of us whether you believe or not.

In short, respect other people's choices and if you disagree, be kind because the fact is, you too may be wrong.

[TheRifleman]

without question. GOD IS GREAT!

[xraygord]

While we all have reservations and doubts, some more than others, I cannot help but smirk at the snarky, arrogant posts of the self-professed atheists. The bottom line is that they have no more proof that God does not exist than those who believe in Him. The devout would conjecture that they do have proof as written in parables while the skeptics would dismiss any and all claims based on lack of hard evidence.

While I respect a person's right to believe or disbelieve anything they choose, I am always fascinated at the pompous nature of the non-believers. If religion provides solace and comfort to one's fellow man then why take such glee in taking that away? Many of the atheists like Mr. Galt take even more joy in ridiculing the fire and brimstone, born again evangelicals because they are so certain and resolute in their faith and denounce those who don't believe. Kind of seems to me like you are doing the same thing, doesn't it? Pot meet kettle.

As for why bad things happen to good people. We are given free will by God, and if Mother Theresa chose to step in front of a train, she would perish like anyone else (yes, I know she's deceased). God does not intervene. Free will is what we have been granted and we are simply not meant to understand this life. It's bigger than all of us whether you believe or not.

In short, respect other people's choices and if you disagree, be kind because the fact is, you too may be wrong.

So according to your logic, pixies, werewolves, unicorns, the easter bunny may very well exist?

edit: it has been proven that the earth has been around for longer than 6000 years. And no I won't be nice to people who have been cramming religion down our throats for years.

[Swinging Johnson]

Sn according to your logic, pixies, werewolves, unicorns, the easter bunny may very well exist?

The thrust of the post was to respect your fellow man and the choices they make so long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else. I have my own faith but if unicorns, pixies and bunnies float your boat then why should I disparage you or your beliefs?

The irony is that atheists pride themselves on living in the physical world and are ruled by the laws of nature where the cold facts reign supreme and not some hypothesis about the supernatural. Yet they themselves have no evidence that only blackness exists once we take our last breath.


As absurd as the bible thumpers can be as they allow no room for discussion, debate or respectful disagreement, atheists are equally intractible only in a far more imperious way. They get a peculiar kick out of mocking the faithful for their lack of incontrovertible evidence yet it was that same line of thinking that the "intellectuals" of centuries ago declared that the world was flat. Imagine their surprise if they could open their eyes today?

In short, keep your mind open no matter what you believe, respect other's beliefs even if you don't share them and remember nobody knows for sure.

[JohnGalt2341]

The thrust of the post was to respect your fellow man and the choices they make so long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else.

If only that's what religion actually taught then I would find it more believable.

You are correct that nobody can prove that god does not exist. However, the burden of proof lies within the person making the claim. When a woman kills all of her young children because god told her to should the jury just say "Well... we certainly can't prove that god didn't tell her to do it so... we should just let her go scott free." I'm glad that we have advanced enough in today's society where we do question things like god or a person's sanity(not to mention GUARANTEED LOCK threads). If not believing in god and finding the bible amusing makes me arrogant in your opinion than so be it.

Speaking of arrogance... if the bible is true and the god of the bible is real then god is the most arrogant creature of all time by a MILE! Think about it... the first 5 Commandments are basically "WORSHIP ME!! DON'T WORSHIP OTHERS! WORSHIP ME AND ONLY ME! AND DID I MENTION... WORSHIP ME?" It's painfully obvious that his biggest concern BY FAR is that people worship him. And he'll kill you on a dime if you don't worship him according to the old testament.

If the bible was as nice and fluffy as everyone pretends it is I would have no problem with christianity or religion at all. But when wars are being fought constantly over who's god is the "right" one... it makes me want to hate it.

[thezbar]

Another man's thought's on this topic.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jknyn...feature=fvwrel

[Swinging Johnson]

If only that's what religion actually taught then I would find it more believable.

You are correct that nobody can prove that god does not exist. However, the burden of proof lies within the person making the claim. When a woman kills all of her young children because god told her to should the jury just say "Well... we certainly can't prove that god didn't tell her to do it so... we should just let her go scott free." I'm glad that we have advanced enough in today's society where we do question things like god or a person's sanity(not to mention GUARANTEED LOCK threads). If not believing in god and finding the bible amusing makes me arrogant in your opinion than so be it.

Speaking of arrogance... if the bible is true and the god of the bible is real then god is the most arrogant creature of all time by a MILE! Think about it... the first 5 Commandments are basically "WORSHIP ME!! DON'T WORSHIP OTHERS! WORSHIP ME AND ONLY ME! AND DID I MENTION... WORSHIP ME?" It's painfully obvious that his biggest concern BY FAR is that people worship him. And he'll kill you on a dime if you don't worship him according to the old testament.

If the bible was as nice and fluffy as everyone pretends it is I would have no problem with christianity or religion at all. But when wars are being fought constantly over who's god is the "right" one... it makes me want to hate it.

I have no problem with anything you said. I understand the holier than thou attitude of the radical sects immersed in the literal interpretation of their scripture. During the Middle Ages it was the Christians and we called them Inquisitors, today it's the Muslims and we call them terrorists. Even the far right evenagelicals can be difficult to stomach.

It's their arrogance that they know better that really irks you...and me. But think about it. You and yours mirror the same arrogant, pompous attitude that you claim to loathe. If someone believes and it is a big part of their life, why disrespect their beliefs? At the very least I am willing to admit that my faith has been tested and I stumble more than I would like. I am certainly willing to consider the possibility that this astral plane is simply a product of a random cosmic event.

But atheists never want to consider that there may indeed be a higher power. Oh I know, you will tell me you have weighed the merits of the arguments and determined they're specious and laughable. That's fair but why reflect the arrogance that you hate so much back on to those that want a spiritual base in their lives? That's my biggest bone of contention. If you want to say you don't believe, that's fine but why ruin someone else's day? I believe but I wouldn't want anyone to die over my beliefs. I wouldn't question others who believe differently or make fun of them. Why must you?

[SportsPedagogy]

I believe in God, I believe in intelligent design, i believe in Jesus, i believe he came back after dying and I believe in his teachings.... after that I think alot of it is B.S. I think most of the bible was man made. People say that you can not doubt the Bible because God would not let it get altered, but there are so many interpretations and different versions that even if one was correct, hundreds have been altered. I think most was man made. Remember, back in Martin Luthers day, the Bible was in greek and very few people could read it.