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Politics & ReligionWell Since every damn forum has one. Might as well leave it out there. This place is loosely moderated and should not be entered if you're weak of heart.
Any pastor worth his salt would have said something. Pastors are charged with the spiritual well being of their congregations, and as such, will and should take an active roll if they know someone they care about is committing adultery.
one more reason to avoid religion.
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"I dont see holy wars fought in the name of Satan"- Glenn Danzig
Actually it does not say that. More along the lines of good works alone will not get you into heaven.
This is a fairly sensitive topic because different New Testament verses can make people believe either way but I agree with your interpretation. Verses can be cited and cause a person to think that no works are necessary but I see verses like (KJV) Matthew 7:21 and John 3:5 and I have to believe that they more go hand in hand rather than one exclude the other.
As for the topic of churches, I look favorably on any religion that makes a person better by believing or living it's standards. If a person becomes a better human being by weekly attendance at a church than why oppose it?
I also recognize that some people feel church is not for them and I respect their decision. I don't consider it my business and to each his own.
They havea word for such insanity...i think its cult?
I did a portion of regular church attendance with an Ex years ago, and i've never got it. Its like a "community" where you do activities...that suck harder then if you did them without the church.
Like movies? yeah they do that, but its filled with god propoganda and demonizes all that is suggestive.
like music? Heck yeah they got that....except they spew god into every other sentence and the songs are pretty uncreative.
like stories? They got one book chalk full of fairytales...but they push it as real
like sports? Heck yeah they got that...except its always a pussified version of what you could do without church
Ill never get the nonsense that people use to try and justify the "chuch activity"
What the fuck is the point of a joining a community where you do meet people of varied beliefs and values?? But i suppose that just goes to show why religtards are always so narrow minded. Their entire community is based on group denial/bigotry.
Well, I don't doubt some churches are like you describe. And some aren't.
But Jeeze, you sound a little narrow minded yourself. Perhaps you have mixed up some of your feelings about your EX with religion.
You may be missing the point. Churches, for the most part, are communities.
You don't just go to church on Sunday morning. You join the community. Which provides, at least in theory, an opportunity to serve God, your fellow man and your community and be with like minded individuals.
I agree. Its a community and a place to join people of the same mindset. Kinda like we're here in SBN because we all have a common religion: Riding.
I'd say it's far easier to go through life convinced that you'll be reunited with lost loved ones and be rewarded with eternal life without pain in some heavenly place.
Easier than what? Look at the inverse. Is it easier to go through life wondering if you're doing the right things, worrying over missing church a couple weeks, believing that enjoying your bike constitutes worshiping a graven image (sorry stan, but that's a little out there)? Or to just say "I'm too smart to believe in God, because we all know man created himself?" Seems to me the cop-out is the easier route.
Easier than what? Look at the inverse. Is it easier to go through life wondering if you're doing the right things, worrying over missing church a couple weeks, believing that enjoying your bike constitutes worshiping a graven image (sorry stan, but that's a little out there)? Or to just say "I'm too smart to believe in God, because we all know man created himself?" Seems to me the cop-out is the easier route.
You're touching on a favorite argument of most Theists - that there can be no morality without religion. I too go through life wondering if I'm doing the right things, but I do so expecting no reward at the end. Who's ultimately more righteous, the one who does the right thing so he/she can get into heaven and be rewarded with eternal life, or the one who does it simply because it's the right thing to do?
To listen to most Theists, they talk of their devotion as if it's a job - it's hard work done to "earn a paycheck" (metaphorically speaking) of acceptance into heaven. Well, when the "paycheck" is eternal life without fear or pain in a heavenly paradise, the "work" would seem pretty easy to justify. Not so much so if you're expecting nothing at all.
As for the claim of Atheists being "too smart" to believe in god and supposedly knowing how man was created, that's a limited, and not entirely accurate, portrayal. Speaking for myself, while I lean towards the theory of evolution, that doesn't even begin to explain the existence of life in general or the universe itself, and I will spend my entire life wondering and trying to discover how they came about. That, to me, is more work than simply accepting a spoon fed explanation and following a few basic rules.
On the subject of judgment day (which I know you didn't bring up), consider how much of life and the universe is completely unnecessary to achieve salvation according to the church. That being the case, why then does it exist in the unfathomable vastness and level of detail that it does? I would argue that it's impossible to truly appreciate the creation if you believe in a creator.
As an Atheist, because I do not believe in the existence of god, I spend each day looking for an answer to why we're here and where it may lead. If I should find evidence that, to my satisfaction, proves the existence of god, I'll happily revise my position. But if I should find myself being judged, having lived my entire life not believing in god, my only failing will be not having been intelligent enough to find him. And since I still chose to do the right things despite that disbelief, and without any expectation of reward, I'm confidant my one failing will be forgiven.
__________________ Not all who wander are lost
Last edited by User Name : 08-07-2008 at 10:22 AM.
That's probably one of the better reasonings I've heard from an atheist. I'm not really a devout anything, I'm kind of the inverse of you. I believe in God, but mostly because I haven't found a better explanation for the creation of the universe. I don't go to church regularly (haven't been in about 2 years) and the hypocrisy that is present in most churches (and from most Christians) really agitates me. But, like you, until I find a better explanation that satisfies me and proves that what I currently believe is wrong, I'll just keep on my merry way.
You're touching on a favorite argument of most Theists - that there can be no morality without religion. I too go through life wondering if I'm doing the right things, but I do so expecting no reward at the end. Who's ultimately more righteous, the one who does the right thing so he/she can get into heaven and be rewarded with eternal life, or the one who does it simply because it's the right thing to do?
To listen to most Theists, they talk of their devotion as if it's a job - it's hard work done to "earn a paycheck" (metaphorically speaking) of acceptance into heaven. Well, when the "paycheck" is eternal life without fear or pain in a heavenly paradise, the "work" would seem pretty easy to justify. Not so much so if you're expecting nothing at all.
As for the claim of Atheists being "too smart" to believe in god and supposedly knowing how man was created, that's a limited, and not entirely accurate, portrayal. Speaking for myself, while I lean towards the theory of evolution, that doesn't even begin to explain the existence of life in general or the universe itself, and I will spend my entire life wondering and trying to discover how they came about. That, to me, is more work than simply accepting a spoon fed explanation and following a few basic rules.
On the subject of judgment day (which I know you didn't bring up), consider how much of life and the universe is completely unnecessary to achieve salvation according to the church. That being the case, why then does it exist in the unfathomable vastness and level of detail that it does? I would argue that it's impossible to truly appreciate the creation if you believe in a creator.
As an Atheist, because I do not believe in the existence of god, I spend each day looking for an answer to why we're here and where it may lead. If I should find evidence that, to my satisfaction, proves the existence of god, I'll happily revise my position. But if I should find myself being judged, having lived my entire life not believing in god, my only failing will be not having been intelligent enough to find him. And since I still chose to do the right things despite that disbelief, and without any expectation of reward, I'm confidant my one failing will be forgiven.
After careful review of your post I have decided it's ok with me for you to believe however you want to believe.
That's probably one of the better reasonings I've heard from an atheist.
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by snakesht
But, like you, until I find a better explanation that satisfies me and proves that what I currently believe is wrong, I'll just keep on my merry way.
For me, the discomfort of not having an answer provides continual motivation to keep looking for one. When you have nothing, you have no choice but to seek something. When you have something, it's easier to be content and not seek more.
For me, the discomfort of not having an answer provides continual motivation to keep looking for one. When you have nothing, you have no choice but to seek something. When you have something, it's easier to be content and not seek more.
I can respect that, but everyone has different motivators.
As an atheist, one of the most difficult things to deal with (for me) has been the idea that all of my relationships are temporary. It's tough to accept that my relationship with my wife, mother, shit even the dogs will end. However, I also can't accept that there's an afterlife just because it makes me feel better.
I also try to live a good life just because I know that it's ethical and moral, in spite of my belief that there will be no "paycheck" or punishment in the end. That's tough too, because there are times when it's easier to be a shitty person knowing that what goes around doesn't necessarily come around.
So I guess I'm saying that my life was easier when I was religious, because these things were defined for me.
I'm actually surprised that after 3 pages of religious discussion, there is no flame war going on. Finally, a civilized discussion on religion that I enjoy reading.
Though I am not Christian, I do believe in God and thus go to church every Sunday. I enjoy the camaraderie of people with good hearts and willingness to help. Not to say that anyone who doesn't go to church is not good hearted and unwilling to help. There are good apples and bad apples on both sides of the field. I just chose to go to church because I've found a good community of people. The church I go to are made up of people who are very supportive and will willingly offer their help; monetary, physically, emotionally or otherwise; without asking for any form of compensation. I find that very positive, choose to surround myself with people of such worth.
You don't need a building to praise God. As long as the people that gather under it are of sincere heart, exude compassion and are honorable, I will stand with them wherever they choose to gather, be it in a building or under a maple tree.
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<coffee> OMG OMG I HAF D GREEN FONT HERE! LUKZ @ ME! WHEEEEEE!
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