Religion is...

[steelart]

I have to confess, I'm totally befuddled. It sounds like what you're saying is "I don't really believe this shit, but I'm scared that i might wake up before my god after I die and have to say, "Oh man, in college they said all this stuff was a crock!" Cowboy up! If you are a true believer, you should remember the admonishions of the O.T. You kill all the infidels, men, women and children. There are even instructions to "dash out the brains of the infants on the city walls". Don't go pussy on me man! If you're gonna be a christian, get out there, in the finest tradition of the church, and kick some heathen ass!

 

[BrianH]

I have to confess, I'm totally befuddled. It sounds like what you're saying is "I don't really believe this shit, but I'm scared that i might wake up before my god after I die and have to say, "Oh man, in college they said all this stuff was a crock!" Cowboy up! If you are a true believer, you should remember the admonishions of the O.T. You kill all the infidels, men, women and children. There are even instructions to "dash out the brains of the infants on the city walls". Don't go pussy on me man! If you're gonna be a christian, get out there, in the finest tradition of the church, and kick some heathen ass!

LoL...I didn't think you would get it. Big suprise.

Oh I see, so I'm supposed to follow the strict guideline of what "YOU" think is what a Christian should do. LOL. What a dumbass. And the only pussy here, is the porn on your computer you've got in the other window. You sound really "educated" in the Bible.

As fas as me, I don't give a donkey turd what YOU think about why I belive in God. You obviously don't have the brain capacity to understand what I'm talking about. Did I say that I'm believing in God because "why not?" NO. What I did imply, is that it's stupid for individuals, such as yourself, to go around acting like you're smarter than everyone and attempting to disprove the existence of God based on your own retarded interpretation of History. Because based on your belief, is it really going to matter when you die? NOPE.


As far as bashing the brains out of babies, I suppose you're refering to the Chronicles verse where in 969 B.C. Egypt sacked Gezer?? Hardly instructions dumbass.

 

[steelart]

You're obviously speaking with the love of Christ.
I rest my case.

 

[BrianH]

You're obviously speaking with the love of Christ.
I rest my case.

I suggest you read the Bible a little more before assuming what being a Christian is about. Let's not forget that Christ died on the cross for everyone's sins. Something I'm obviously committing by calling you a dumbass and not
speaking with the love of Christ....but tat the same time, I forgive you for being a dumbass.

It's funny that you seem to think that every Christian turns the other cheek, and doesn't cuss, and doesn't get mad. What an Artard.

As far as your "case"...WHAT? You had no case. You brought up a case about seeking truth...not about how I act, or am supposed to act as a Christian. What a real nut-case. Shogun brought more to the table than you, and actually makes sense.
Why don't you go back, read your post, and try to figure out what "case" you were trying to make. You made one post about seeking truth, then another about dashing infants' brains out, and then one about resting your case. LOL.

Then again, it's what I expect from a pompus windbag who things he's the knower of all things. lol Hope you have fun seeking truth, maybe they'll mention it at your funeral. lol

 

[steelart]

I forgot to add. I am "educated". I have a Masters in Divinity from Duke University and a PhD in religion from UNC. And by the way, you're a fucking idiot.
Yours in Christ, Steelart

 

[BrianH]

I forgot to add. I am "educated". I have a Masters in Divinity from Duke University and a PhD in religion from UNC. And by the way, you're a fucking idiot.
Yours in Christ, Steelart

Oh ok, so when all else fails, throw out credentials right? lol. The real sign of a dumbass.
What it sounds like, is that you have a Masters in Bullshit, with a PHD Shitty Opinions.
Having a degree doesn't mean you're educated. Anyone can cheat their way through a MAN-MADE institution like college. lol. Which I've also attended, but don't gloat about to everyone else because I think I'm smarter. Keep up the crappy work.

 

[steelart]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

 

[Father Time]

My take on religion (for what it's worth).

Religion is man-made, FAITH is not. So as far as "religion" is concerned, it's understandable that there would be problems, considering the Bible mentions nothing of one "right" religion.

As far as atheists and agnostics go, here's how I see it.

Atheist---beleives that when you die, you rot in a box in the dirt and nothing happens.

Christian--- belives that you die and either spend an eternity in Hell or an eternity in Heaven based on how you live your life.

Now, if Atheists are right, and there is no God, then it really won't matter. Christians will die and rot in a box along with everyone else and not much will happen.

Now, if Christians are right, and there is a God, all of the Atheists are screwed and spend an eternity in Hell, "where there will be wailing and knashing of teeth." (As opposed to rotting in a box)

It doesn't take a rocket-scientists to figure out which place you'd rather go. So, IMO, why not believe? If you're wrong, then you'll just rot in box. If your right, then the end result is SOOO much better.

Aye but there are a ton of religions that say 'believe in our God or suffer'. Which one are you going to pick?

 

[KittenKoder]

My take on religion (for what it's worth).

Religion is man-made, FAITH is not. So as far as "religion" is concerned, it's understandable that there would be problems, considering the Bible mentions nothing of one "right" religion.

As far as atheists and agnostics go, here's how I see it.

Atheist---beleives that when you die, you rot in a box in the dirt and nothing happens.

Christian--- belives that you die and either spend an eternity in Hell or an eternity in Heaven based on how you live your life.

Now, if Atheists are right, and there is no God, then it really won't matter. Christians will die and rot in a box along with everyone else and not much will happen.

Now, if Christians are right, and there is a God, all of the Atheists are screwed and spend an eternity in Hell, "where there will be wailing and knashing of teeth." (As opposed to rotting in a box)

It doesn't take a rocket-scientists to figure out which place you'd rather go. So, IMO, why not believe? If you're wrong, then you'll just rot in box. If your right, then the end result is SOOO much better.

There is only one reason why this argument falls flat ... christianity isn't the only religion, and even then not all christians adhere to the same beliefs. If you pit religious myth against atheist science you will fail all the time because of this. You are pitting one fact against thousands of possibilities. There is more chance that one fact is true than thousands of possibilities, that's just math.

Now, here's the logic behind the math. If you have a 50/50 of atheists being correct, then you have less than .01% chance of christianity being right, since you have made it religion versus non-religion you have to divide the chances of any one religious belief being correct by the number of differing beliefs. This is why atheists are growing in number and also why the rest of our religions keep getting forgotten in spite of us all having the same chance of being truth.

 

[Father Time]

My take on religion (for what it's worth).

Religion is man-made, FAITH is not. So as far as "religion" is concerned, it's understandable that there would be problems, considering the Bible mentions nothing of one "right" religion.

As far as atheists and agnostics go, here's how I see it.

Atheist---beleives that when you die, you rot in a box in the dirt and nothing happens.

Christian--- belives that you die and either spend an eternity in Hell or an eternity in Heaven based on how you live your life.

Now, if Atheists are right, and there is no God, then it really won't matter. Christians will die and rot in a box along with everyone else and not much will happen.

Now, if Christians are right, and there is a God, all of the Atheists are screwed and spend an eternity in Hell, "where there will be wailing and knashing of teeth." (As opposed to rotting in a box)

It doesn't take a rocket-scientists to figure out which place you'd rather go. So, IMO, why not believe? If you're wrong, then you'll just rot in box. If your right, then the end result is SOOO much better.

There is only one reason why this argument falls flat ... christianity isn't the only religion, and even then not all christians adhere to the same beliefs. If you pit religious myth against atheist science you will fail all the time because of this. You are pitting one fact against thousands of possibilities. There is more chance that one fact is true than thousands of possibilities, that's just math.

Now, here's the logic behind the math. If you have a 50/50 of atheists being correct, then you have less than .01% chance of christianity being right, since you have made it religion versus non-religion you have to divide the chances of any one religious belief being correct by the number of differing beliefs. This is why atheists are growing in number and also why the rest of our religions keep getting forgotten in spite of us all having the same chance of being truth.

Or we can think of it as a roulette wheel

Numbers are Labeled with every religion, atheism, plus a ? for 'religion that man has not been exposed to'. Will it land on your God or not?

Oh and do not paint your beliefs as facts as it stands every religion remains uncertain.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

Why is it that religion is always being attacked? Attacking religion has become a popular sport.

Maybe people get tired of societies being built around delusions of ancient people with NPD?

By the way, where is the proof that anything supernatural exists at all, let alone gods?

My take on religion (for what it's worth).

Religion is man-made, FAITH is not. So as far as "religion" is concerned, it's understandable that there would be problems, considering the Bible mentions nothing of one "right" religion.

As far as atheists and agnostics go, here's how I see it.

Atheist---beleives that when you die, you rot in a box in the dirt and nothing happens.

Christian--- belives that you die and either spend an eternity in Hell or an eternity in Heaven based on how you live your life.

Now, if Atheists are right, and there is no God, then it really won't matter. Christians will die and rot in a box along with everyone else and not much will happen.

Now, if Christians are right, and there is a God, all of the Atheists are screwed and spend an eternity in Hell, "where there will be wailing and knashing of teeth." (As opposed to rotting in a box)

It doesn't take a rocket-scientists to figure out which place you'd rather go. So, IMO, why not believe? If you're wrong, then you'll just rot in box. If your right, then the end result is SOOO much better.

Your take sounds like Pascal's Wager. Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Since there have been many religions throughout history, and therefore many potential gods, some assert that all of them need to be factored into the wager. This would lead to a high probability of believing in the wrong god, which destroys the mathematical advantage Pascal claimed with his Wager.

Suppose there is a God who is watching us and choosing which souls of the deceased to bring to heaven, and this god really does want only the morally good to populate heaven. He will probably select from only those who made a significant and responsible effort to discover the truth. For all others are untrustworthy, being cognitively or morally inferior, or both. They will also be less likely ever to discover and commit to true beliefs about right and wrong. That is, if they have a significant and trustworthy concern for doing right and avoiding wrong, it follows necessarily that they must have a significant and trustworthy concern for knowing right and wrong. Since this knowledge requires knowledge about many fundamental facts of the universe (such as whether there is a god), it follows necessarily that such people must have a significant and trustworthy concern for always seeking out, testing, and confirming that their beliefs about such things are probably correct. Therefore, only such people can be sufficiently moral and trustworthy to deserve a place in heaven — unless god wishes to fill heaven with the morally lazy, irresponsible, or untrustworthy

Richard Dawkins argues for an "anti-Pascal wager" in his book, The God Delusion. "Suppose we grant that there is indeed some small chance that God exists. Nevertheless, it could be said that you will lead a better, fuller life if you bet on his not existing, than if you bet on his existing and therefore squander your precious time on worshipping him, sacrificing to him, fighting and dying for him, etc."

Pascal's Wager doesn't seem convincing to me, and I am incapable of knowingly lying to myself it seems.

You're obviously speaking with the love of Christ.
I rest my case.

I suggest you read the Bible a little more before assuming what being a Christian is about. Let's not forget that Christ died on the cross for everyone's sins. Something I'm obviously committing by calling you a dumbass and not
speaking with the love of Christ....but tat the same time, I forgive you for being a dumbass.

It's funny that you seem to think that every Christian turns the other cheek, and doesn't cuss, and doesn't get mad. What an Artard.

As far as your "case"...WHAT? You had no case. You brought up a case about seeking truth...not about how I act, or am supposed to act as a Christian. What a real nut-case. Shogun brought more to the table than you, and actually makes sense.
Why don't you go back, read your post, and try to figure out what "case" you were trying to make. You made one post about seeking truth, then another about dashing infants' brains out, and then one about resting your case. LOL.

Then again, it's what I expect from a pompus windbag who things he's the knower of all things. lol Hope you have fun seeking truth, maybe they'll mention it at your funeral. lol

lol... read the Bible? I've read it and I agree with this: God is Imaginary - 50 simple proofs

http://www.godisimaginary.com/video10.htm

Home site is amusing too: God is Imaginary - 50 simple proofs

 

[tigerbob]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

Just to recap

So, when it comes to religion, you have
- a Masters in Divinity from Duke University
- a PhD in religion from UNC

When it comes to being tough an manly you
- are a retired Marine

An unusual combination, but what the hey. I'm looking forward to your next qualification with great eagerness. Hopefully you'll post about martial arts next and claim to be a ninja. I don't think we've had a ninja on the board before - what fun!

It is usual that when someone suddenly arrives here and starts throwing this kind of stuff around they are eventually shown up as bullshit artists. There are plenty on this board who will soon ferret out whether you were a Marine or not. Maybe you are what you say, but it would be the exception. Perhaps you would care to provide some background (i.e. the dates of these careers and qualifications)?

Keep posting. Fascinating stuff.

 

[KittenKoder]

LOL Tiger ... though give Steel a chance, he could be 120 years old ... you never know.

 

[BrianH]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

LoL.........

While I appreciate your service to our country, unless you plan on cyber-kicking me in the berrries, then your retarded threats have no warrant with me. Why even make an anolgoy of bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight when quite frankly, this isn't a fight. And quite frankly, I'm not arguing the existence of God. It really doesn't matter to me whether or not I prove to you why I believe what I believe.

P.S. Just so you know, I am "educated" as well. I have a Masters in Theology from Yale, A PHD in Religion, Another PHD in Philosophy, I'm lisenced to kill, I became a secret agent after serving 20 years in the British SAS, I took martial arts lessons from Chuck Norris, and the Pope is one of my "five".

You're brain is obviously not as big as your head.

As far as my take on religion. I've never even heard of Pascal's Wager and really do not care one way or another. And KittenKoder, it's not an argument. Just my take on religion. Didn't say you or anyone else had to believe it. It's my own rational on why non-believers should believe. Because degrees, certifications, and overall search for "truth" won't get them anything more than anyone else when they die.

As far as religions saying to believe in their God, that's why I made the distinction between man-made religion and faith.

 

[KittenKoder]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

In spite of the fact that I wasn't paying attention, anyone else notice the irony of someone who uses old ... and over used ... sayings calling themselves "witty"?

 

[LiveUninhibited]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

In spite of the fact that I wasn't paying attention, anyone else notice the irony of someone who uses old ... and over used ... sayings calling themselves "witty"?

Yeah.... If there were a 10 commandments for political forums, complimenting yourself would be one of the "thou really should nots."

 

[KittenKoder]

Jesus, my mind is slipping. I also forgot to say that I am a retired Marine who would happily kick your nuts up between your eyes, not out of religious fervor, but just because I have an extreme distaste for tight-assed little dogmatic assholes who presume to match wits with people who actually are witty. I know you are encumbered. It's like bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Stay in your league, pilgrim. Natter with other mentally handicapped folk.

In spite of the fact that I wasn't paying attention, anyone else notice the irony of someone who uses old ... and over used ... sayings calling themselves "witty"?

Yeah.... If there were a 10 commandments for political forums, complimenting yourself would be one of the "thou really should nots."

Methinks you missed the irony completely. Wit is the ability to think quick and catch people off guard, using old statements does neither. Here, bolding the really common and old ones for you in hopes it will be clearer. Then italic the ones that have been used on here over a hundred times. Lastly, underlining the odd one out, which well, if it's true he is seriously lacking in intellect and makes me wonder how he survived.

 

[N4mddissent]

As far as my take on religion. I've never even heard of Pascal's Wager and really do not care one way or another. And KittenKoder, it's not an argument. Just my take on religion. Didn't say you or anyone else had to believe it. It's my own rational on why non-believers should believe. Because degrees, certifications, and overall search for "truth" won't get them anything more than anyone else when they die.

As far as religions saying to believe in their God, that's why I made the distinction between man-made religion and faith.

It makes sense as a rationale, but it doesn't take into account that belief is not necessarily something one chooses. For example, could one choose to believe that some painting in their house is worth a fortune? You could protect it with security systems and tell everybody about it. But without any reason to believe it is worth a fortune, you will be less than honest. Can you will yourself to believe it is? Possibly. Some people convince themselves that strange things are true. However, I don't believe a rational person can truly choose to believe. A rational person reaches their beliefs based on considered deliberation of the data available. Whatever conclusion is then reached cannot be honestly denied for mere convenience.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

In spite of the fact that I wasn't paying attention, anyone else notice the irony of someone who uses old ... and over used ... sayings calling themselves "witty"?

Yeah.... If there were a 10 commandments for political forums, complimenting yourself would be one of the "thou really should nots."

Methinks you missed the irony completely.

You thought wrong, in this case. There was nothing ambiguous about how you thought the poster revealed their hypocrisy by claiming to be witty and saying trite phrases. Even if I had missed it before you had spelled it out. I just found it more compelling that something that should be generally known (shouldn't compliment yourself) would be more useful to prevent people from making asses of themselves.

 

[KittenKoder]

Yeah.... If there were a 10 commandments for political forums, complimenting yourself would be one of the "thou really should nots."

Methinks you missed the irony completely.

You thought wrong, in this case. There was nothing ambiguous about how you thought the poster revealed their hypocrisy by claiming to be witty and saying trite phrases. Even if I had missed it before you had spelled it out. I just found it more compelling that something that should be generally known (shouldn't compliment yourself) would be more useful to prevent people from making asses of themselves.

Meh ... perhaps, but not as funny to me. Difference of styles.