Why do the God-haters persist?

[sealybobo]

The Buddha regarded soul-speculation as useless and illusory. He once said, 'Only through ignorance and delusion do men indulge in the dream that their souls are separate and self-existing entities. Their heart still clings to Self. They are anxious about heaven and they seek the pleasure of Self in heaven. Thus they cannot see the bliss of righteousness and the immortality of truth.' Selfish ideas appear in man's mind due to his conception of Self and craving for existence.

 

[Montrovant]

The Buddha regarded soul-speculation as useless and illusory. He once said, 'Only through ignorance and delusion do men indulge in the dream that their souls are separate and self-existing entities. Their heart still clings to Self. They are anxious about heaven and they seek the pleasure of Self in heaven. Thus they cannot see the bliss of righteousness and the immortality of truth.' Selfish ideas appear in man's mind due to his conception of Self and craving for existence.

That's nice.

Why did you quote my post here?

 

[PostmodernProph]

B: If you don't understand how humans are more special than a mosquito or ape, I can't help you ... humans have far exceeded any other species on the planet.

and when left in a cell with a hungry Lion, what will you do ? - no ( spiritualist ), it was your God that put you in there.

.

have a fight with a lion.....

 

[Boss]

B: If you don't understand how humans are more special than a mosquito or ape, I can't help you ... humans have far exceeded any other species on the planet.

and when left in a cell with a hungry Lion, what will you do ? - no ( spiritualist ), it was your God that put you in there.

.

have a fight with a lion.....

Which prophet was it who the Pharaoh put in the den with the hungry lions? Daniel?

 

[Boss]

You are trying to convince me of something you have no concrete proof of. In some ways you are even worse than Christians and Muslim because at least they believe this god once came and talked to their ancestors. You know that isn't probably true and yet still you believe. So you are the most annoying of all because you are the future of religion. When I talk to you, I see the future before people completely give up on the idea of god but after christianity and all the other organized religions have died out.

You too missed a very good point I was trying to make. I want to know what happens to a young baby that is born prematurely or is aborted. Does it have a soul too? And without the organized religions, how do you know this? Are you just another imbred knockoff of christianity? Cherry picker?

I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I don't need to convince you or prove anything to you. I don't understand any other way to describe what I connect with personally besides "spiritual energy" or "God." You can call me stupid, inbred, hick... whatever, I still know that I am making a connection with something real. You can hate me, you can denigrate me, you can insult me, but it doesn't change what I know that I am connecting with.

It's not in my head, it's not imagination, or I would not feel a very real benefit from it. You can claim it's my imagination or try to explain it away with speculatory bullshit that science does not support, but I still know that it's real because I connect with it and gain benefit from it. You can let that bother you, and it can get under your skin, but I can't change what I know. It can eat at you so much that you feel compelled to spend days and weeks here in this forum spewing the same debunked nonsense over and over again, rejecting what I say, denying the points I've made, refusing to accept my testimonial and the testimonials of others, and it still does not matter to me one iota. You can keep this up for another year, ten years, twenty, fifty... doesn't matter, won't matter.

There is literally NOTHING you're ever going to be able to do that will make me think otherwise. And I bet that I speak for just about anyone who believes in God here. All you are succeeding in doing is proving the point of my OP. No one who didn't believe in God would spend this much of their time trying to refute God.

Think about this in some context other than God for a moment... You may think Elvis is the greatest, I may think the Beatles are the greatest... we can argue back and forth, both making our points and countering each other's viewpoints, but at some time we're both going to eventually conclude the argument is pointless because we're not changing the other person's mind, and we're going to find something better to do. It doesn't mean we changed our mind, or the other person "won" the argument, we just have better things in life to do than repeat the same argumentative points over and over for no reason. We agree to disagree.

So I have to assume there is more to this than you not believing in God. It's as if you are on a mission to change people's mind about a God that you fully understand is real. That's why this is SO important to you. This means you can't abandon the argument and agree to disagree, because your motivation is not forthright. You believe in God, you know this God is real, and as long as people believe in this God, you can't get to do all the fun stuff you want to do. And that is what this is all about in a nutshell. You won't admit this, of course, but I believe that is the case here. Nothing else can rationally explain why you've continued on and on like this.

I understand exactly where you are and what you feel and think because I use to feel the same way. I just woke up.

I'll give you an example. Emotion. Lets say crying. One time I had a woman on top of me and I was sitting indian style and she was grinding me and I came and I cried. It felt so good tears streamed out. I didn't "boo hoo" cry or sob but I cried. It felt that good. The physical/emotional aspects of life are amazing I will give you that. But that emotion wasn't the devil or hell.

Anyways, I get it. It's hard to believe there is no god. But really, you have a soul but a bear doesn't? How arrogant. And you never answered me about a baby stillborn or aborted. Does it live forever too? Does it grow up to be 18 at least?

And debating with you isn't my favorite thing to do. I get it that we will just have to agree to disagree. That's why I love every once in awhile I find someone else on USMB who gets it. There are a lot more of us out there than you know.

And no. No alterior motive other than I love spreading the truth, the gospel as much as I can. I feel it's important to the survival of our species that we evolve beyond this childish thought.

No, you obviously don't understand what I feel. If you did, there would be no question in your mind about God's existence. I have answered all your questions. I told you that I don't know if bears and babies have souls.

Grow up to be 18? The age of 18 is a physical notation of time passage, what does that have to do with spiritual energy that isn't physical? Grow up? You mean in a physical state of existence? No, there is no "grow up" when the spirit is timeless. Do they get to have sex or get drunk? You mean the physical things you do in a physical state of existence? Why would they need to do this? Why are you having such a hard time understanding the differences between physical and spiritual existence? I thought you believed as I do a few months ago? Sounds like you believed in some imaginary physical fantasy world to me.

 

[PostmodernProph]

and when left in a cell with a hungry Lion, what will you do ? - no ( spiritualist ), it was your God that put you in there.

.

have a fight with a lion.....

Which prophet was it who the Pharaoh put in the den with the hungry lions? Daniel?

Daniel yes, Pharaoh no.....it was the king of Persia, Darius....

 

[BreezeWood]

have a fight with a lion.....

Which prophet was it who the Pharaoh put in the den with the hungry lions? Daniel?

Daniel yes, Pharaoh no.....it was the king of Persia, Darius....

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ... the same for those two above as the other one.


* (Hint) - Blade and Proph, not sure about yours but for the Almighty, its all or none to the end.

.

 

[sealybobo]

I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I don't need to convince you or prove anything to you. I don't understand any other way to describe what I connect with personally besides "spiritual energy" or "God." You can call me stupid, inbred, hick... whatever, I still know that I am making a connection with something real. You can hate me, you can denigrate me, you can insult me, but it doesn't change what I know that I am connecting with.

It's not in my head, it's not imagination, or I would not feel a very real benefit from it. You can claim it's my imagination or try to explain it away with speculatory bullshit that science does not support, but I still know that it's real because I connect with it and gain benefit from it. You can let that bother you, and it can get under your skin, but I can't change what I know. It can eat at you so much that you feel compelled to spend days and weeks here in this forum spewing the same debunked nonsense over and over again, rejecting what I say, denying the points I've made, refusing to accept my testimonial and the testimonials of others, and it still does not matter to me one iota. You can keep this up for another year, ten years, twenty, fifty... doesn't matter, won't matter.

There is literally NOTHING you're ever going to be able to do that will make me think otherwise. And I bet that I speak for just about anyone who believes in God here. All you are succeeding in doing is proving the point of my OP. No one who didn't believe in God would spend this much of their time trying to refute God.

Think about this in some context other than God for a moment... You may think Elvis is the greatest, I may think the Beatles are the greatest... we can argue back and forth, both making our points and countering each other's viewpoints, but at some time we're both going to eventually conclude the argument is pointless because we're not changing the other person's mind, and we're going to find something better to do. It doesn't mean we changed our mind, or the other person "won" the argument, we just have better things in life to do than repeat the same argumentative points over and over for no reason. We agree to disagree.

So I have to assume there is more to this than you not believing in God. It's as if you are on a mission to change people's mind about a God that you fully understand is real. That's why this is SO important to you. This means you can't abandon the argument and agree to disagree, because your motivation is not forthright. You believe in God, you know this God is real, and as long as people believe in this God, you can't get to do all the fun stuff you want to do. And that is what this is all about in a nutshell. You won't admit this, of course, but I believe that is the case here. Nothing else can rationally explain why you've continued on and on like this.

I understand exactly where you are and what you feel and think because I use to feel the same way. I just woke up.

I'll give you an example. Emotion. Lets say crying. One time I had a woman on top of me and I was sitting indian style and she was grinding me and I came and I cried. It felt so good tears streamed out. I didn't "boo hoo" cry or sob but I cried. It felt that good. The physical/emotional aspects of life are amazing I will give you that. But that emotion wasn't the devil or hell.

Anyways, I get it. It's hard to believe there is no god. But really, you have a soul but a bear doesn't? How arrogant. And you never answered me about a baby stillborn or aborted. Does it live forever too? Does it grow up to be 18 at least?

And debating with you isn't my favorite thing to do. I get it that we will just have to agree to disagree. That's why I love every once in awhile I find someone else on USMB who gets it. There are a lot more of us out there than you know.

And no. No alterior motive other than I love spreading the truth, the gospel as much as I can. I feel it's important to the survival of our species that we evolve beyond this childish thought.

No, you obviously don't understand what I feel. If you did, there would be no question in your mind about God's existence. I have answered all your questions. I told you that I don't know if bears and babies have souls.

Grow up to be 18? The age of 18 is a physical notation of time passage, what does that have to do with spiritual energy that isn't physical? Grow up? You mean in a physical state of existence? No, there is no "grow up" when the spirit is timeless. Do they get to have sex or get drunk? You mean the physical things you do in a physical state of existence? Why would they need to do this? Why are you having such a hard time understanding the differences between physical and spiritual existence? I thought you believed as I do a few months ago? Sounds like you believed in some imaginary physical fantasy world to me.

There use to be no question in my mind too. I evolved out of that stage. Maybe someday you will too. Which brings me to my thought on the way in today. I've been asking friends what religion they are. Most of them, it seems like 90% of them hardly give a thought to god at all ever. Most of them say they were "raised" Catholic or "raised" fill in the blank.

They hardly give a thought to god. And this is the common man's understanding of god. They were told as a child the stories and no one ever even dared to ask them if they even believed in a god since they reached adulthood. Most of them, without giving it much thought will say sure they believe in god. They'll even claim to be christians. But how much do they really believe and are they really christians? The only thing that makes them christian is they were scared enough to say out loud that they believe Jesus is their lord and savior. They don't dare even question the stories or dare think maybe the whole thing is made up.

Seems a lot of people I talk to even admit that they don't believe in god. But I doubt they are being surveyed or claiming to be atheists. I think most people just want to fit in, so they go with the group. I'm a christian.

But really are they? Not enough people have had this adult rational conversation. Fine, if after all this you still believe in a god, what can I say? That's great for you. I bet that makes you feel special.

I feel special without the wild imagination or hope that a god talks to me and wants me to live forever when the sheeps soul just dies. Wishful thinking. But I'm sure none of these questions even shakes your faith a little. Scardy cat. Scared god's gonna punish you for doubting he is real. Or will you feel stupid all those years you were talking to yourself?

I remember driving around for a week feeling a little guilty not believing in god. I use to talk to him and suddenly I found myself talking to myself about what a fool I was to believe in a god. And he didn't strike me down.

PS. This isn't a karma thing. Its ok to not believe in god. As long as you don't turn into a dick thinking there are no consequences to your actions then it should be alright. I hope if you one day realize there is no god you don't start murdering, lying and raping. Would you? Then you don't need a god to keep you in line. Or maybe as a kid you did but grow up.

 

[Boss]

I understand exactly where you are and what you feel and think because I use to feel the same way. I just woke up.

I'll give you an example. Emotion. Lets say crying. One time I had a woman on top of me and I was sitting indian style and she was grinding me and I came and I cried. It felt so good tears streamed out. I didn't "boo hoo" cry or sob but I cried. It felt that good. The physical/emotional aspects of life are amazing I will give you that. But that emotion wasn't the devil or hell.

Anyways, I get it. It's hard to believe there is no god. But really, you have a soul but a bear doesn't? How arrogant. And you never answered me about a baby stillborn or aborted. Does it live forever too? Does it grow up to be 18 at least?

And debating with you isn't my favorite thing to do. I get it that we will just have to agree to disagree. That's why I love every once in awhile I find someone else on USMB who gets it. There are a lot more of us out there than you know.

And no. No alterior motive other than I love spreading the truth, the gospel as much as I can. I feel it's important to the survival of our species that we evolve beyond this childish thought.

No, you obviously don't understand what I feel. If you did, there would be no question in your mind about God's existence. I have answered all your questions. I told you that I don't know if bears and babies have souls.

Grow up to be 18? The age of 18 is a physical notation of time passage, what does that have to do with spiritual energy that isn't physical? Grow up? You mean in a physical state of existence? No, there is no "grow up" when the spirit is timeless. Do they get to have sex or get drunk? You mean the physical things you do in a physical state of existence? Why would they need to do this? Why are you having such a hard time understanding the differences between physical and spiritual existence? I thought you believed as I do a few months ago? Sounds like you believed in some imaginary physical fantasy world to me.

There use to be no question in my mind too. I evolved out of that stage. Maybe someday you will too. Which brings me to my thought on the way in today. I've been asking friends what religion they are. Most of them, it seems like 90% of them hardly give a thought to god at all ever. Most of them say they were "raised" Catholic or "raised" fill in the blank.

They hardly give a thought to god. And this is the common man's understanding of god. They were told as a child the stories and no one ever even dared to ask them if they even believed in a god since they reached adulthood. Most of them, without giving it much thought will say sure they believe in god. They'll even claim to be christians. But how much do they really believe and are they really christians? The only thing that makes them christian is they were scared enough to say out loud that they believe Jesus is their lord and savior. They don't dare even question the stories or dare think maybe the whole thing is made up.

Seems a lot of people I talk to even admit that they don't believe in god. But I doubt they are being surveyed or claiming to be atheists. I think most people just want to fit in, so they go with the group. I'm a christian.

But really are they? Not enough people have had this adult rational conversation. Fine, if after all this you still believe in a god, what can I say? That's great for you. I bet that makes you feel special.

I feel special without the wild imagination or hope that a god talks to me and wants me to live forever when the sheeps soul just dies. Wishful thinking. But I'm sure none of these questions even shakes your faith a little. Scardy cat. Scared god's gonna punish you for doubting he is real. Or will you feel stupid all those years you were talking to yourself?

I remember driving around for a week feeling a little guilty not believing in god. I use to talk to him and suddenly I found myself talking to myself about what a fool I was to believe in a god. And he didn't strike me down.

PS. This isn't a karma thing. Its ok to not believe in god. As long as you don't turn into a dick thinking there are no consequences to your actions then it should be alright. I hope if you one day realize there is no god you don't start murdering, lying and raping. Would you? Then you don't need a god to keep you in line. Or maybe as a kid you did but grow up.

Again, you DID NOT believe as I do with no question in your mind, not given the really stupid and dumb questions you keep asking me. You're a really lost puppy when it comes to understanding God. I pray that one day you know the spiritual energy that I am aware of, but I honestly don't think you have ever known it. It doesn't make me feel special. It is not about me feeling special. It's more about something I can't live without and have no intention of ever trying to. You don't have to believe it, I don't get any extra credit if you do. I wish I could say that I don't really care if you ever believe it, but as a human who understands the benefits, I really do hope that you one day find God.

I'm sorry that you've convinced yourself God isn't real, but that is something your soul will have to pay the consequence for in the end. I can't explain why other people you're in contact with don't believe or don't "really" believe, it's not for me to judge. All I know is, the world would be a much better place if everyone knew the connection to spiritual energy that I am aware of. It blesses you with something you can't get on your own and fills an empty void that nothing else can fill. I honestly feel sorry for people who don't know that peace and contentment of spirit.

I have noticed, whenever people convince themselves there is no God, as you have done... the first thing they usually begin to do is try and fill that void with pleasures of the flesh. Sexual promiscuity, drinking, drugs, etc. It usually starts off innocent enough, just a way to have a little fun on the weekends. But because you are subconsciously trying to fill the void of spiritual energy, you continue to follow a self-destructive path of addiction and dependence. This is going to eventually lead to problems with relationships, issues of trust, or even the ability to rationalize right from wrong. This never happens overnight, it takes years sometimes. You'll never meet an Atheist who isn't trying to fill that void in some way. And mind you, it's not always just Atheists, it can be so-called Christians or religious people as well. Just because someone claims they are a Christian doesn't mean they know God.

 

[Montrovant]

No, you obviously don't understand what I feel. If you did, there would be no question in your mind about God's existence. I have answered all your questions. I told you that I don't know if bears and babies have souls.

Grow up to be 18? The age of 18 is a physical notation of time passage, what does that have to do with spiritual energy that isn't physical? Grow up? You mean in a physical state of existence? No, there is no "grow up" when the spirit is timeless. Do they get to have sex or get drunk? You mean the physical things you do in a physical state of existence? Why would they need to do this? Why are you having such a hard time understanding the differences between physical and spiritual existence? I thought you believed as I do a few months ago? Sounds like you believed in some imaginary physical fantasy world to me.

There use to be no question in my mind too. I evolved out of that stage. Maybe someday you will too. Which brings me to my thought on the way in today. I've been asking friends what religion they are. Most of them, it seems like 90% of them hardly give a thought to god at all ever. Most of them say they were "raised" Catholic or "raised" fill in the blank.

They hardly give a thought to god. And this is the common man's understanding of god. They were told as a child the stories and no one ever even dared to ask them if they even believed in a god since they reached adulthood. Most of them, without giving it much thought will say sure they believe in god. They'll even claim to be christians. But how much do they really believe and are they really christians? The only thing that makes them christian is they were scared enough to say out loud that they believe Jesus is their lord and savior. They don't dare even question the stories or dare think maybe the whole thing is made up.

Seems a lot of people I talk to even admit that they don't believe in god. But I doubt they are being surveyed or claiming to be atheists. I think most people just want to fit in, so they go with the group. I'm a christian.

But really are they? Not enough people have had this adult rational conversation. Fine, if after all this you still believe in a god, what can I say? That's great for you. I bet that makes you feel special.

I feel special without the wild imagination or hope that a god talks to me and wants me to live forever when the sheeps soul just dies. Wishful thinking. But I'm sure none of these questions even shakes your faith a little. Scardy cat. Scared god's gonna punish you for doubting he is real. Or will you feel stupid all those years you were talking to yourself?

I remember driving around for a week feeling a little guilty not believing in god. I use to talk to him and suddenly I found myself talking to myself about what a fool I was to believe in a god. And he didn't strike me down.

PS. This isn't a karma thing. Its ok to not believe in god. As long as you don't turn into a dick thinking there are no consequences to your actions then it should be alright. I hope if you one day realize there is no god you don't start murdering, lying and raping. Would you? Then you don't need a god to keep you in line. Or maybe as a kid you did but grow up.

Again, you DID NOT believe as I do with no question in your mind, not given the really stupid and dumb questions you keep asking me. You're a really lost puppy when it comes to understanding God. I pray that one day you know the spiritual energy that I am aware of, but I honestly don't think you have ever known it. It doesn't make me feel special. It is not about me feeling special. It's more about something I can't live without and have no intention of ever trying to. You don't have to believe it, I don't get any extra credit if you do. I wish I could say that I don't really care if you ever believe it, but as a human who understands the benefits, I really do hope that you one day find God.

I'm sorry that you've convinced yourself God isn't real, but that is something your soul will have to pay the consequence for in the end. I can't explain why other people you're in contact with don't believe or don't "really" believe, it's not for me to judge. All I know is, the world would be a much better place if everyone knew the connection to spiritual energy that I am aware of. It blesses you with something you can't get on your own and fills an empty void that nothing else can fill. I honestly feel sorry for people who don't know that peace and contentment of spirit.

I have noticed, whenever people convince themselves there is no God, as you have done... the first thing they usually begin to do is try and fill that void with pleasures of the flesh. Sexual promiscuity, drinking, drugs, etc. It usually starts off innocent enough, just a way to have a little fun on the weekends. But because you are subconsciously trying to fill the void of spiritual energy, you continue to follow a self-destructive path of addiction and dependence. This is going to eventually lead to problems with relationships, issues of trust, or even the ability to rationalize right from wrong. This never happens overnight, it takes years sometimes. You'll never meet an Atheist who isn't trying to fill that void in some way. And mind you, it's not always just Atheists, it can be so-called Christians or religious people as well. Just because someone claims they are a Christian doesn't mean they know God.

Of course, behavior you disagree with or consider immoral must be a lack of spiritual connection. Even amongst believers, they aren't REAL believers.

 

[HUGGY]

The idea of atheism being a religion is hilarious.

Picture this...

The atheist church doors open at 9 AM sharp.

Everyone files in and sits down in the pews ..9:05 AM

9:06 AM The "paster" walks up to the podium and asks out loud "Do you believe in a god?"

The atheists scream back as one..."NO !!!!!"... Still 9:06 AM...

The atheist congregation rises and files out of the atheist church.. 9:10 AM

 

[PostmodernProph]

Which prophet was it who the Pharaoh put in the den with the hungry lions? Daniel?

Daniel yes, Pharaoh no.....it was the king of Persia, Darius....

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ... the same for those two above as the other one.


* (Hint) - Blade and Proph, not sure about yours but for the Almighty, its all or none to the end.

.

I expect that was intended to communicate something.....not sure what, though......

 

[PostmodernProph]

The idea of atheism being a religion is hilarious.

Picture this...

The atheist church doors open at 9 AM sharp.

Everyone files in and sits down in the pews ..9:05 AM

9:06 AM The "paster" walks up to the podium and asks out loud "Do you believe in a god?"

The atheists scream back as one..."NO !!!!!"... Still 9:06 AM...

The atheist congregation rises and files out of the atheist church.. 9:10 AM

you do realize you confused "religion" with "worship service" right?.....it is possible to have one without the other.......

 

[Boss]

The idea of atheism being a religion is hilarious.

Picture this...

The atheist church doors open at 9 AM sharp.

Everyone files in and sits down in the pews ..9:05 AM

9:06 AM The "paster" walks up to the podium and asks out loud "Do you believe in a god?"

The atheists scream back as one..."NO !!!!!"... Still 9:06 AM...

The atheist congregation rises and files out of the atheist church.. 9:10 AM

I think this thread with over 5k posts serves as evidence that wouldn't be the case. See, you're missing the part where each Atheist is compelled to come before the congregation and pontificate on why God is not real, why people who believe in God are stupid, how this god belief got 'invented', various contradictions and out of context interpretations of scriptures, etc. After each Atheist had their turn at the podium, they would begin to repeat the process for days on end... at the end of the 30th day, one Atheist turns to another and says... "Oh yeah, this is why we don't go to church!"

 

[BreezeWood]

no matter what Huggy, et all may say, the Atheist has their place at the podium ... for as long as it may please them.

.

 

[Boss]

Of course, behavior you disagree with or consider immoral must be a lack of spiritual connection. Even amongst believers, they aren't REAL believers.

It's not a matter of what I consider immoral. I'm not going to spiritually judge your soul. Self-destructive behavior is what it is, and very few people are intentionally self-destructive. Meaning, most people can rationalize or justify their own self-destructive behavior.

Now, it's just my personal experience, but I have found that it's much more difficult to rationalize self-destructive behavior when you have a strong spiritual connection. I tend to be more aware of self-destructive behavior and recognize it as such. I am also less inclined toward it because I am not trying to fill a void. That said, like every human, I struggle with my weaknesses. A strong spiritual connection helps me to cope with those instead of falling into a more dangerous cycle of 'ignorant bliss.'

 

[HUGGY]

The idea of atheism being a religion is hilarious.

Picture this...

The atheist church doors open at 9 AM sharp.

Everyone files in and sits down in the pews ..9:05 AM

9:06 AM The "paster" walks up to the podium and asks out loud "Do you believe in a god?"

The atheists scream back as one..."NO !!!!!"... Still 9:06 AM...

The atheist congregation rises and files out of the atheist church.. 9:10 AM

I think this thread with over 5k posts serves as evidence that wouldn't be the case. See, you're missing the part where each Atheist is compelled to come before the congregation and pontificate on why God is not real, why people who believe in God are stupid, how this god belief got 'invented', various contradictions and out of context interpretations of scriptures, etc. After each Atheist had their turn at the podium, they would begin to repeat the process for days on end... at the end of the 30th day, one Atheist turns to another and says... "Oh yeah, this is why we don't go to church!"

Not so...It is the religists that must waste hours upon days pontificating why they believe in sky fairies.

Ask an atheist why he does not believe and the answer comes in two words.. "It's nonsense".

As atheists we all get it. There is no reason for us to attempt to convince each other.

The only reason for atheists to come to the pulpit and give/make witness would be if the congregation was full of christians that needed reasons to come out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light as here at USMB..

 

[Boss]

The idea of atheism being a religion is hilarious.

Picture this...

The atheist church doors open at 9 AM sharp.

Everyone files in and sits down in the pews ..9:05 AM

9:06 AM The "paster" walks up to the podium and asks out loud "Do you believe in a god?"

The atheists scream back as one..."NO !!!!!"... Still 9:06 AM...

The atheist congregation rises and files out of the atheist church.. 9:10 AM

I think this thread with over 5k posts serves as evidence that wouldn't be the case. See, you're missing the part where each Atheist is compelled to come before the congregation and pontificate on why God is not real, why people who believe in God are stupid, how this god belief got 'invented', various contradictions and out of context interpretations of scriptures, etc. After each Atheist had their turn at the podium, they would begin to repeat the process for days on end... at the end of the 30th day, one Atheist turns to another and says... "Oh yeah, this is why we don't go to church!"

Not so...It is the religists that must waste hours upon days pontificating why they believe in sky fairies.

Ask an atheist why he does not believe and the answer comes in two words.. "It's nonsense".

As atheists we all get it. There is no reason for us to attempt to convince each other.

The only reason for atheists to come to the pulpit and give/make witness would be if the congregation was full of christians that needed reasons to come out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light as here at USMB..

Witness of nothing?

 

[HUGGY]

I think this thread with over 5k posts serves as evidence that wouldn't be the case. See, you're missing the part where each Atheist is compelled to come before the congregation and pontificate on why God is not real, why people who believe in God are stupid, how this god belief got 'invented', various contradictions and out of context interpretations of scriptures, etc. After each Atheist had their turn at the podium, they would begin to repeat the process for days on end... at the end of the 30th day, one Atheist turns to another and says... "Oh yeah, this is why we don't go to church!"

Not so...It is the religists that must waste hours upon days pontificating why they believe in sky fairies.

Ask an atheist why he does not believe and the answer comes in two words.. "It's nonsense".

As atheists we all get it. There is no reason for us to attempt to convince each other.

The only reason for atheists to come to the pulpit and give/make witness would be if the congregation was full of christians that needed reasons to come out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light as here at USMB..

Witness of nothing?

Yup!

 

[sealybobo]

No, you obviously don't understand what I feel. If you did, there would be no question in your mind about God's existence. I have answered all your questions. I told you that I don't know if bears and babies have souls.

Grow up to be 18? The age of 18 is a physical notation of time passage, what does that have to do with spiritual energy that isn't physical? Grow up? You mean in a physical state of existence? No, there is no "grow up" when the spirit is timeless. Do they get to have sex or get drunk? You mean the physical things you do in a physical state of existence? Why would they need to do this? Why are you having such a hard time understanding the differences between physical and spiritual existence? I thought you believed as I do a few months ago? Sounds like you believed in some imaginary physical fantasy world to me.

There use to be no question in my mind too. I evolved out of that stage. Maybe someday you will too. Which brings me to my thought on the way in today. I've been asking friends what religion they are. Most of them, it seems like 90% of them hardly give a thought to god at all ever. Most of them say they were "raised" Catholic or "raised" fill in the blank.

They hardly give a thought to god. And this is the common man's understanding of god. They were told as a child the stories and no one ever even dared to ask them if they even believed in a god since they reached adulthood. Most of them, without giving it much thought will say sure they believe in god. They'll even claim to be christians. But how much do they really believe and are they really christians? The only thing that makes them christian is they were scared enough to say out loud that they believe Jesus is their lord and savior. They don't dare even question the stories or dare think maybe the whole thing is made up.

Seems a lot of people I talk to even admit that they don't believe in god. But I doubt they are being surveyed or claiming to be atheists. I think most people just want to fit in, so they go with the group. I'm a christian.

But really are they? Not enough people have had this adult rational conversation. Fine, if after all this you still believe in a god, what can I say? That's great for you. I bet that makes you feel special.

I feel special without the wild imagination or hope that a god talks to me and wants me to live forever when the sheeps soul just dies. Wishful thinking. But I'm sure none of these questions even shakes your faith a little. Scardy cat. Scared god's gonna punish you for doubting he is real. Or will you feel stupid all those years you were talking to yourself?

I remember driving around for a week feeling a little guilty not believing in god. I use to talk to him and suddenly I found myself talking to myself about what a fool I was to believe in a god. And he didn't strike me down.

PS. This isn't a karma thing. Its ok to not believe in god. As long as you don't turn into a dick thinking there are no consequences to your actions then it should be alright. I hope if you one day realize there is no god you don't start murdering, lying and raping. Would you? Then you don't need a god to keep you in line. Or maybe as a kid you did but grow up.

Again, you DID NOT believe as I do with no question in your mind, not given the really stupid and dumb questions you keep asking me. You're a really lost puppy when it comes to understanding God. I pray that one day you know the spiritual energy that I am aware of, but I honestly don't think you have ever known it. It doesn't make me feel special. It is not about me feeling special. It's more about something I can't live without and have no intention of ever trying to. You don't have to believe it, I don't get any extra credit if you do. I wish I could say that I don't really care if you ever believe it, but as a human who understands the benefits, I really do hope that you one day find God.

I'm sorry that you've convinced yourself God isn't real, but that is something your soul will have to pay the consequence for in the end. I can't explain why other people you're in contact with don't believe or don't "really" believe, it's not for me to judge. All I know is, the world would be a much better place if everyone knew the connection to spiritual energy that I am aware of. It blesses you with something you can't get on your own and fills an empty void that nothing else can fill. I honestly feel sorry for people who don't know that peace and contentment of spirit.

I have noticed, whenever people convince themselves there is no God, as you have done... the first thing they usually begin to do is try and fill that void with pleasures of the flesh. Sexual promiscuity, drinking, drugs, etc. It usually starts off innocent enough, just a way to have a little fun on the weekends. But because you are subconsciously trying to fill the void of spiritual energy, you continue to follow a self-destructive path of addiction and dependence. This is going to eventually lead to problems with relationships, issues of trust, or even the ability to rationalize right from wrong. This never happens overnight, it takes years sometimes. You'll never meet an Atheist who isn't trying to fill that void in some way. And mind you, it's not always just Atheists, it can be so-called Christians or religious people as well. Just because someone claims they are a Christian doesn't mean they know God.

1. How you can be 100% certain about this god thing you talk about is beyond me. Just because the idea of god was planted into your head and you've grown attached to it doesn't make it real.

2. I really was just like you. I talked to god all the time. I didn't believe organized religion. My buddy who converted me to atheist and I were talking about all this last night. He agrees that society really is stupid for believing in god and/or religion. It really is holding us all back. Thank god for the 1 or 10% scientists of which 90% don't believe in god. All the great things they have done to move society forward while the 90% of us who do believe in god sit around like stupid sheep worrying about the afterlife.

3. We turned on one religious show and the guy was rambly mumbo jumbo about some guy who introduced John or Peter to Jesus. We were laughing at the people that were sitting at home truly watching and interested and taking heed of all the bullshit he was saying. Where was he going we didn't know. He was all over the place. I love watching those shows. Then I turn to the black religion channel and with one wave of his suit jacket the entire first 3 rows all collapsed from the holy spirit. Really boss?

4. We all have to watch this and see how the kid wins over the professor who makes every kid write an essay on how god doesn't exist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God's_Not_Dead_(film)