Zone1 do you believe in a god?

[Grumblenuts]

Both.

Or one or the other or neither. Whatever floats one's dinghy. There are far more pressing issues to worry about lately. Waste of time getting distracted and divided over stupid crap like this.

 

[alang1216]

Or one or the other or neither. Whatever floats one's dinghy. There are far more pressing issues to worry about lately. Waste of time getting distracted and divided over stupid crap like this.

I find the topic fascinating. It only divides people that KNOW they are right and others are wrong.

 

[Meriweather]

The stories of Apollonius were circulating in oral form before being written down, just like the Gospels. The fact that they are not widely known owes much to the filtering of history done by Christian scribes over the centuries. It is like the boy who kills his parents and then asks the judge for mercy because he is an orphan.

The true point is that they were very different stories with different philosophies.

 

[ding]

Both.

You don't really have a point of reference to make that claim. You only know what it's like to worship the created.

 

[alang1216]

The true point is that they were very different stories with different philosophies.

The true point is that they were different stories with many similarities. Apollonius exploits was the bar that Jesus had to best.

 

[alang1216]

You don't really have a point of reference to make that claim. You only know what it's like to worship the created.

I know people who worship the creator, so you are quite wrong.

 

[ding]

I know people who worship the creator, so you are quite wrong.

I know people who paint wonderful pictures but that doesn't make me a painter.

 

[Meriweather]

The true point is that they were different stories with many similarities. Apollonius exploits was the bar that Jesus had to best.

 

[Meriweather]

The true point is that they were different stories with many similarities. Apollonius exploits was the bar that Jesus had to best.

I am sure your story and mine have many similarities. I once read a satire where a man (a Jew) wrote a story where Jesus and a rooster had similar stories. What makes you and I unique, Jesus, Apollonius, and a rooster unique, are our differences. Perhaps you can tell us how Apollonius and a rooster have similar stories?

Let's talk about how your life would be different if you chose to believe in and to seek God. What changes and differences can you imagine there might be?

 

[Muhammed]

And your evidence and logic for that absolute certainty is what?

The hypothesis that supernatural beings exist is prima facie absurd.

It's just silly. Therefore, unless I am presented with some sort of evidence that supernatural beings exist, I will continue to be an atheist.

 

[alang1216]

I know people who paint wonderful pictures but that doesn't make me a painter.

I'm not a painter but I can appreciate the works of one.

 

[ding]

The hypothesis that supernatural beings exist is prima facie absurd.

It's just silly. Therefore, unless I am presented with some sort of evidence that supernatural beings exist, I will continue to be an atheist.

Good for you. I couldn't be happier for you to make that choice.

But what is YOUR perception of a supernatural being? You can't discuss something you have no perception of let alone look for it and find it.

 

[ding]

I'm not a painter but I can appreciate the works of one.

But that doesn't mean you know what it feels like to be one. So again... you have no point of reference to be able to make your claim. No amount of arm waving will dismiss this fact.

 

[alang1216]

I am sure your story and mine have many similarities. I once read a satire where a man (a Jew) wrote a story where Jesus and a rooster had similar stories. What makes you and I unique, Jesus, Apollonius, and a rooster unique, are our differences. Perhaps you can tell us how Apollonius and a rooster have similar stories?

apparently that has already been done.

Let's talk about how your life would be different if you chose to believe in and to seek God. What changes and differences can you imagine there might be?

I'd have less free time.

 

[alang1216]

But that doesn't mean you know what it feels like to be one. So again... you have no point of reference to be able to make your claim. No amount of arm waving will dismiss this fact.

The question is which leads to peace, joy and happiness. I don't have to be an artist to see if it leads others to peace, joy and happiness. I don't know what it feels like to jump out of an airplane, nor do I want to, but I know of people who love it.

 

[ding]

The question is which leads to peace, joy and happiness. I don't have to be an artist to see if it leads others to peace, joy and happiness. I don't know what it feels like to jump out of an airplane, nor do I want to, but I know of people who love it.

I already know the answer. I've traveled both paths. You haven't.

 

[Meriweather]

I'd have less free time.

First, how are you defining "free time"? Is that the time you spend doing nothing?

How do you see that "free time" being used then as opposed to how it is being used now?

 

[alang1216]

I already know the answer. I've traveled both paths. You haven't.

You know the answer for you and not for me.

 

[alang1216]

First, how are you defining "free time"? Is that the time you spend doing nothing?

How do you see that "free time" being used then as opposed to how it is being used now?

I was being flippant, my apologies. If I truly believed in a religion, I'm sure I look forward to their services and socializing with the congregation. Since I don't, I look forward to things like pickleball and socializing with family and friends, that would be my free time.

 

[ding]

You know the answer for you and not for me.

I know both answers for me. You only know one answer for you. Path not travelled and all.