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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: kimberlymgiles on September 17, 2012, 03:55:54 pm
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No need for any atheist to attempt to debate with me about what I believe in. I BELIEVE IN GOD. I REFUSE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT. NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING I POST ON HERE ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND SERVE. I WILL ONLY IGNORE YOU. NO NEED TO ARGUE OR DEBATE ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE IN. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND LOVE..........
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You're able to believe in any specious religious superstitions you choose. Refusing to debate it is just a tacit admission of blind faith. Any member of FC who chooses to comment on a post made by another FC member is able to do so without your 'permission' required. Please do employ the ignore button provided by FC. That seems a common cop-out among religious blind-faithers.
No need for any atheist to attempt to debate with me about what I believe in. I BELIEVE IN GOD. I REFUSE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT. NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING I POST ON HERE ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND SERVE. I WILL ONLY IGNORE YOU. NO NEED TO ARGUE OR DEBATE ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE IN. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND LOVE..........
"Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel.
Scriptures, n. The sacred books of 'our holy religion', as distinguished from the false and profane writings on which all other faiths are based."
-- Ambrose Bierce
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Thank you Kimberly , You know there is always going to be those that don't believe, but just do as the rest of us do and ignore them, They will usually find something to argue about. Just going on believing.
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You know there is always going to be those that don't believe, but just do as the rest of us do and ignore them ...
Someone who mentions that they are ignoring others isn't actually ignoring them. This is nominally due to ignorance on the part of the non-ignorer and enough blind faith to nearly qualify for disability.
They will usually find something to argue about. Just going on believing.
By not definding their blind religious faith, the holders of such are tacitly admitting that it is too weak/empty to withstand questioning. The recommendation to continue having blind religious faith is as specious as the faith without substantive evidence remains.
“You can not convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it is based on a deep-seated need to believe.”
-– Carl Sagan
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When I question God I look in the mirror and see my smile and know why it's there. I am so happy with where I am in my life and that's thanks to God.
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The attribution is specious in that there is no cause & effect connection between the religious belief and the attribution. One may as well attribute a "smile" to 'invisible pink unicorns' just as speciously.
When I question God I look in the mirror and see my smile and know why it's there. I am so happy with where I am in my life and that's thanks to God.
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I believe in God to. There is tons of proof of him. And I am glad to know him. I feel sorry for those who don't know him and believe in him. Many different people have their own thoughts about God and religion. But the most important thing to me is to just be kind to one another. And to do unto others as you would have them do to you.
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I believe in God to. There is tons of proof of him.
If so, you'd be able to produce such "proof"/evidence. If you can, what does such evidence consist of, (besides invalid attributions)?
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Praise God for you believers, you help make the world a better place. Like the rest of you don't pay attention to the non believers just pray for them.
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Praise God for you believers, you help make the world a better place.
Just as the "believers" in the same religious superstitions 'helped' to "make the world a better place" through the inquistions, non-"witch" burnings/drownings/hangings and crusades against those who didn't 'believe' as they did.
Like the rest of you don't pay attention to the non believers just pray for them.
It it sanctimoniously-presumptuous to 'inflict' specious religious intercessory magical rituals upon others. These are summarily-rejected and much darker pagan intercessory rituals may or may not be 'offered' in exchange. To reiterate a salient point; one is 'paying' "attention to non believers" by mentioning them peripherally. It is only the ignorance of the blind faithers who 'ignore' by not ignoring such.
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Thats great. You have that right to believe in god. I personally don't, but that is my choice. I was raised catholic and went to catholic school. And from my experience, I have had bad, and I mean bad experiences. So I cannot believe in any religion where the ones you're supposed to look up to beat you and put you down. But thats me. At least you have a good outlook on it and probably had good experiences in your life.
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Praise God for you believers, you help make the world a better place.
I know totally, right?! Like those people who caused riots and killed our U.S. ambassador because a YOUTUBE VIDEO offended their god.
Get a grip. Religion makes the world a far worse place.
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It it sanctimoniously-presumptuous to 'inflict' specious religious intercessory magical rituals upon others. These are summarily-rejected and much darker pagan intercessory rituals may or may not be 'offered' in exchange. To reiterate a salient point; one is 'paying' "attention to non believers" by mentioning them peripherally. It is only the ignorance of the blind faithers who 'ignore' by not ignoring such.
So you know a few big words, but I will continually pray for you.
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It it sanctimoniously-presumptuous to 'inflict' specious religious intercessory magical rituals upon others. These are summarily-rejected and much darker pagan intercessory rituals may or may not be 'offered' in exchange. To reiterate a salient point; one is 'paying' "attention to non believers" by mentioning them peripherally. It is only the ignorance of the blind faithers who 'ignore' by not ignoring such.
So you know a few big words, but I will continually pray for you.
So you're demonstrably not the sharpest 'spoon in the drawer'; I can have pagans intercede ritualistically for you but, it's probably too late now.
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I believe in a God that loves us all...whether we are believers or not it does not make us better than anyone else. We are all on this earth to perfect our souls and no amount of dogma can save us. I believe that the only hell is the one we are living in now and that the only devil is the one that resides in us all. Religion is great as long as you don't use it to look down your nose at other people because they don't believe what you believe or they don't follow the dogma of the church. I also believe in Jesus. But I don't believe that you have to believe that he is a savior in order to be "saved". If we bring forth the love that is inside of us we will find God. GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE IS GOD. He made all of us and I don't believe that he makes mistakes. :heart:
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No evidence has been presented to support contentions regarding the alleged supernatural entity in question. A religious belief is just that; faith without evidence.
I believe in a God that loves us all...whether we are believers or not it does not make us better than anyone else. We are all on this earth to perfect our souls and no amount of dogma can save us. I believe that the only hell is the one we are living in now and that the only devil is the one that resides in us all. Religion is great as long as you don't use it to look down your nose at other people because they don't believe what you believe or they don't follow the dogma of the church. I also believe in Jesus. But I don't believe that you have to believe that he is a savior in order to be "saved". If we bring forth the love that is inside of us we will find God. GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE IS GOD. He made all of us and I don't believe that he makes mistakes. :heart:
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So you believe in god? That's great. You can believe whatever the hell you want to believe. Now when you use religion to CONTROL other people by means of COERCION (You're going to go to hell if you don't believe) VIOLENCE (I am going to hit you if you don't believe.) or anything else that harms other people (I am going to use my religion to gain a political advantage). The problem with religion throughout history isn't that its a free choice and atheist are trying to keep you from practicing. The problem is actually the OPPOSITE. In all of history it was religion that kept others from choosing what they could believe in by the above methods (which where actually worse back then.) Now that humanity is gaining more freedom and we are able to choose what we believe in don't try to turn the tables and say atheist are keeping you from believing what you want to believe. That's just propitious. (Notice I didn't even try to disprove god at all in this entire statement.)
I also love how the op post a message basically telling everyone what he/she believes and then tells people not to respond that that they will not respond to anyone posting. Whats the point of even posting this thread then?
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No evidence has been presented to support contentions regarding the alleged supernatural entity in question. A religious belief is just that; faith without evidence.
I believe in a God that loves us all...whether we are believers or not it does not make us better than anyone else. We are all on this earth to perfect our souls and no amount of dogma can save us. I believe that the only hell is the one we are living in now and that the only devil is the one that resides in us all. Religion is great as long as you don't use it to look down your nose at other people because they don't believe what you believe or they don't follow the dogma of the church. I also believe in Jesus. But I don't believe that you have to believe that he is a savior in order to be "saved". If we bring forth the love that is inside of us we will find God. GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE IS GOD. He made all of us and I don't believe that he makes mistakes. :heart:
Does this make you a bad person for stating this??? My opinion is NO! It does not!
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No evidence has been presented to support contentions regarding the alleged supernatural entity in question. A religious belief is just that; faith without evidence.
I believe in a God that loves us all...whether we are believers or not it does not make us better than anyone else. We are all on this earth to perfect our souls and no amount of dogma can save us. I believe that the only hell is the one we are living in now and that the only devil is the one that resides in us all. Religion is great as long as you don't use it to look down your nose at other people because they don't believe what you believe or they don't follow the dogma of the church. I also believe in Jesus. But I don't believe that you have to believe that he is a savior in order to be "saved". If we bring forth the love that is inside of us we will find God. GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE IS GOD. He made all of us and I don't believe that he makes mistakes. :heart:
Does this make you a bad person for stating this??? My opinion is NO! It does not!
Facts are inherently neither 'good' nor 'bad'; they don't play favorites. The fact is that religious belief is faith which lacks supporting evidence, (that's why it's blind faith). There is no evidence substantiating blood sacrifices as a supernatural carwash for "sins" therefore, the concept is a irrational for the xtian religion a it was for the Mayans/Olmec/Toltec 'believers'. The latter didn't get better crop yields and the former don't get "saved" by some superstitous belief randomly connecting unfounded contentions to desparate hopes.
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I'M SO GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE ELSED ONLINE WHO IS NOT ASHAMED TO BOLDLY PROCLAIM THEIR BELIEF AND LOVE FOR GOD. BE BLESSED!
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"All religions, with their gods, demigods, prophets, messiahs and saints, are the product of the fancy and credulity of men who have not yet
reached the full development and complete personality of their intellectual (reasoning) powers."
-- Mikhail A. Bakunin
I'M SO GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE ELSED ONLINE WHO IS NOT ASHAMED TO BOLDLY PROCLAIM THEIR BELIEF AND LOVE FOR GOD. BE BLESSED!
Why would someone be glad about another's irrationality unless the glad one shares it?
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I have the right to post want I want. Just as any of you do. Responses are welcomed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All I'm stating is that I am a firm believer in God. I am often attacked by many atheist, and pagans. If you choose not to believe that is your choice. I choose not to argue with people about it, because only fools argue. What is the purpose of attacking me each and every time that I post something about God. Opposing me is not going to change my mind. Just because you don't believe in GOD doesn't mean that he does not exist. Common people have a hard time dealing with believing in an uncommon God. If there is no scientific proof then people have a hard time believing in something that they can't see. It is in our nature to not believe in the supernatural. Yet we believe in everything that we see on T.V. Some of us doubt that the Bible contains any truth. Yet most believe every article that they read in a magazine. It appears that we live in a world that believes in everything except God. I choose to be one of the few that is willing to stand up for what I believe in. Each and every living thing on this earth has a creator. There hasn't been a person that has been able to prove to me that the world was formed without a creator, or that humans were formed without a creator. Each and every one of us has a unique design. There are no two people in the world with the same fingerprints. Everything in the world has a purpose. There isn't a purposeless creature on this earth. It is evident that we were created, unless you believe that story about us actually evolving from animals. I choose to believe in a God that can't be seen. I believe that a virgin gave birth to a baby named Jesus to save humanity. I believe that Jesus was created to die so that we all can one day have eternal life. God revealed himself to me in a manner in which I could no longer deny him. Many will never believe, but one things for sure no fancy words, or philosophies could ever change my relationship with God.
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No evidence has been presented to support contentions regarding the alleged supernatural entity in question. A religious belief is just that; faith without evidence.
I believe in a God that loves us all...whether we are believers or not it does not make us better than anyone else. We are all on this earth to perfect our souls and no amount of dogma can save us. I believe that the only hell is the one we are living in now and that the only devil is the one that resides in us all. Religion is great as long as you don't use it to look down your nose at other people because they don't believe what you believe or they don't follow the dogma of the church. I also believe in Jesus. But I don't believe that you have to believe that he is a savior in order to be "saved". If we bring forth the love that is inside of us we will find God. GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE IS GOD. He made all of us and I don't believe that he makes mistakes. :heart:
Does this make you a bad person for stating this??? My opinion is NO! It does not!
Facts are inherently neither 'good' nor 'bad'; they don't play favorites. The fact is that religious belief is faith which lacks supporting evidence, (that's why it's blind faith). There is no evidence substantiating blood sacrifices as a supernatural car wash for "sins" therefore, the concept is a irrational for the xtian religion a it was for the Mayans/Olmec/Toltec 'believers'. The latter didn't get better crop yields and the former don't get "saved" by some superstitious belief randomly connecting unfounded contentions to desperate hopes.
Notice I did not say whether or not the facts were bad. I just don't feel that you are a bad person for stating them. I have had too many prayers answered to not believe that there is a higher power. That is my prerogative. It doesn't mean that others have to believe what I do. It definitely doesn't make me mad at them. I also believe that you need a great big hug, a good massage, and a whole lot of lovin'!! hahaha I have no proof of that. It is just something that I feel. Sometimes things don't always need an explanation or proof, it just is what it is. And we are just who we are. If being who you are makes you happy and brings contentment....than so be it! :peace:
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I have the right to post want I want. Just as any of you do.
Actually, you do not have any such "right" on FC as FC's Terms of Service and posting policies apply to their forums. Posting here is not a "right", it's a priviledge.
Responses are welcomed.
Apparently not, as you go on to indicate that those responses which dispute and refute yours are 'unwelcome'.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All I'm stating is that I am a firm believer in God. I am often attacked by many atheist, and pagans.
Challenges to specious religious claims, (those declarations of 'belief' without supporting evidence), are being inaccurately described as 'attacks', (when they are merely unanswered challenges to blind faith).
If you choose not to believe that is your choice. I choose not to argue with people about it, because only fools argue.
On the contrary, only "fools" make empty religious declarations of blind faith by refusing to support them with evidence or rational reasoning. That's what makes their faith blind and the faith-blinded, self-deluded.
What is the purpose of attacking me each and every time that I post something about God. Opposing me is not going to change my mind.
The purpose of opposing blind faith is to oppose the perpetuation of unsubstantiated superstious myths. In doing so, one supports awareness and not faith-blindness. Those who remain self-blinded by faith, (declare that reason is "not going to change" their minds), are lost to self-delusion.
Just because you don't believe in GOD doesn't mean that he does not exist.
That is not logical reasoning; neither 'belief' nor disbelief have any bearing upon the factual existence, (or non-existence), of something. Something either exists or, it does not. Religious adherents have consistantly failed to produce valid evidence of the existence of a supernatural entity vaguely designated a "g-d". A belief does not confer existence therefore, their religious claims are specious and without merit.
If there is no scientific proof then people have a hard time believing in something that they can't see. It is in our nature to not believe in the supernatural. Yet we believe in everything that we see on T.V.
No, "we" do not "believe in everything that we see on T.V.", (you may however, you aren't "we").
Some of us doubt that the Bible contains any truth.
“They say Jerusalem is proof Jesus walked on earth. I say the Empire building is proof King Kong scaled it."
-– Ben Rodriguez
Yet most believe every article that they read in a magazine. It appears that we live in a world that believes in everything except God.
Again, "most" do not "believe every article that they read in a magazine". Your non-reasoning is faulty to the point of dishonesty and definitely does Not support your contentions. That's the central problem with irrationality; illogic does not support the rational and logical does not support irrationality. This reasoning seems to elude blind faithers.
I choose to be one of the few that is willing to stand up for what I believe in.
On the contrary, there are millions just as faith-blinded who "stand up" to declare their irrational blind faith as if they were proud of their self-delusions.
Each and every living thing on this earth has a creator.
Yes, they have a mundane reproductive source, not a supernatural one.
There hasn't been a person that has been able to prove to me that the world was formed without a creator, or that humans were formed without a creator.
Conversely, (and instead of trying to 'prove a negative assertion'), there hasn't been a single faith-blinded religious adherent who has been able to prove the existence of a supernatural "creator" without resorting to unsupported attributions, (which fail to support their claims).
Each and every one of us has a unique design. There are no two people in the world with the same fingerprints.
I take it you are unfamiliar with DNA in general and genetics in particular.
Everything in the world has a purpose. There isn't a purposeless creature on this earth.
Take care not to confuse function with a religious "purpose".
It is evident that we were created, unless you believe that story about us actually evolving from animals.
No, it is not "evident" merely because you declare that it is; you've neglected to provide valid evidence to justify the contention. Vague and unsupported attributions do not constitute valid evidence in support of your claims. They constitute faith-based empty declarations, (because faith is belief without evidence). Evolution is a theory which proposes to account for processes which took, (and are taking), place over long stretches of time. Your non-theory of 'creationism' posits a supernatural entity performing instantaneous 'magic' instead. The more plausible explanation eschews such religious magic.
"Creationists make it sound like a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night."
-- Isaac Asimov
I choose to believe in a God that can't be seen.
Then there's no qualitive difference between belief in an "invisible pink unicorn" and whatever vague g-d concept you cannot see either. The point is that those making extraordinary claims, (such as for unseen g-ds), take on the obligation of the burden of proof. Of course, religious fanatics can, (and do), often shirk this responsibility and even try shifting it onto those challenging their specious claims, (by demanding that the challenger prove something 'isn't so' - which is an illogical and dishonest dodge).
... one things for sure no fancy words, or philosophies could ever change my relationship with God.
Your declaration of being permenently blinded by empty faith is acknowledged as your self-limitation and delusion. It's unforunate however, others retain the ability to oppose and reject such religious superstitions.
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Notice I did not say whether or not the facts were bad. I just don't feel that you are a bad person for stating them.
I don't see how that's relevant. A 'good' person can state "bad"/incorrect non-facts or, a 'bad' person may do so. Conversely, a 'bad' person can state factual information or, a 'good' person can. The subjectively-relative condition of the person stating a fact or non-fact is not relevant.
I have had too many prayers answered to not believe that there is a higher power. That is my prerogative.
Actually, that's your unsupported attribution of any 'results' to intercessory magical rituals, ("prayers"). Until unambiguous evidence can be produced to support such upernatural claims, they remain dubious and contentious.
It doesn't mean that others have to believe what I do. It definitely doesn't make me mad at them. I also believe that you need a great big hug, a good massage, and a whole lot of lovin'!! hahaha I have no proof of that. It is just something that I feel. Sometimes things don't always need an explanation or proof, it just is what it is.
Everything has a 'reason'; even the unreasonable. As it happens, I've had a hug, massage and a lot of loving thanks to my girlfriend. One can only conclude that you based your estimation/guess on assumptions and false attributions, (of an unsupported nature and therefore, "W.A.G."s - "wild-a**ed guesses").
And we are just who we are. If being who you are makes you happy and brings contentment....than so be it! :peace:
That's a very zen and un-xtian philosophy but then again, many xtians seem to be basically 'winging it' and characterizing such improvisations "xtianity". That happens in other religions too so, don't take it personally.
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Notice I did not say whether or not the facts were bad. I just don't feel that you are a bad person for stating them.
I don't see how that's relevant. A 'good' person can state "bad"/incorrect non-facts or, a 'bad' person may do so. Conversely, a 'bad' person can state factual information or, a 'good' person can. The subjectively-relative condition of the person stating a fact or non-fact is not relevant.
The fact that you see how it is relevant doesn't really matter. I just have more of a Gnostic view about things than most Christians do. I don't feel that following a strict set of rules set forth by the church is something that makes us better or above anyone else. The point that I was trying to make was that we are all equals no matter what we choose to believe or not to believe or how many reasoning's we have for what we feel to be true or not. No matter what words you put here or how many times you state what you feel are facts...the main fact is you are only a human being and so am I.
I have had too many prayers answered to not believe that there is a higher power. That is my prerogative.
Actually, that's your unsupported attribution of any 'results' to intercessory magical rituals, ("prayers"). Until unambiguous evidence can be produced to support such upernatural claims, they remain dubious and contentious.
It does not matter to me what you think about my prayers. I still have had experiences that have changed my life and the life of my family. Those experiences have brought forth love and that love is a powerful thing that changes how I live my life and how I feel about the situations that I find myself in. I find contentment in prayer and meditation. It is how I deal with the stress that life inevitably gives out.
It doesn't mean that others have to believe what I do. It definitely doesn't make me mad at them. I also believe that you need a great big hug, a good massage, and a whole lot of lovin'!! hahaha I have no proof of that. It is just something that I feel. Sometimes things don't always need an explanation or proof, it just is what it is.
Everything has a 'reason'; even the unreasonable. As it happens, I've had a hug, massage and a lot of loving thanks to my girlfriend. One can only conclude that you based your estimation/guess on assumptions and false attributions, (of an unsupported nature and therefore, "W.A.G."s - "wild-a**ed guesses").
I too believe that everything has a reason. That doesn't mean that we always have to have an explanation for it. It still will be what it is.
I owe you an apology for my "W.A.G"s (so sorry) :)
And we are just who we are. If being who you are makes you happy and brings contentment....than so be it! :peace:
That's a very zen and un-xtian philosophy but then again, many xtians seem to be basically 'winging it' and characterizing such improvisations "xtianity". That happens in other religions too so, don't take it personally.
I don't feel that I am a Christian that is just winging it. I just have a Gnostic view about people. I am a Gnostic Christian and I base my life, opinions, and feelings on LOVE.
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Notice I did not say whether or not the facts were bad. I just don't feel that you are a bad person for stating them.
I don't see how that's relevant. A 'good' person can state "bad"/incorrect non-facts or, a 'bad' person may do so. Conversely, a 'bad' person can state factual information or, a 'good' person can. The subjectively-relative condition of the person stating a fact or non-fact is not relevant.
The fact that you see how it is relevant doesn't really matter.
Actually, I mentioned that it was logically irrelevant.
I just have more of a Gnostic view about things than most Christians do. I don't feel that following a strict set of rules set forth by the church is something that makes us better or above anyone else.
Interestingly, "gnosticism" apparently didn't began as a sect of xtianity, but after the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library, it was found to have derived from mainly judiac, rather than pagan precursors.
The point that I was trying to make was that we are all equals no matter what we choose to believe or not to believe or how many reasoning's we have for what we feel to be true or not. No matter what words you put here or how many times you state what you feel are facts...the main fact is you are only a human being and so am I.
Being human does not make all humans equal since it depends upon which, (if any), defining parameters are used. For instance, humans who hold beliefs which cannot be substantiated by factual evidence are irrational, whereas those who don't are more rational humans.
I have had too many prayers answered to not believe that there is a higher power. That is my prerogative.
Actually, that's your unsupported attribution of any 'results' to intercessory magical rituals, ("prayers"). Until unambiguous evidence can be produced to support such upernatural claims, they remain dubious and contentious.
It does not matter to me what you think about my prayers. I still have had experiences that have changed my life and the life of my family. Those experiences have brought forth love and that love is a powerful thing that changes how I live my life and how I feel about the situations that I find myself in. I find contentment in prayer and meditation. It is how I deal with the stress that life inevitably gives out.
It nominally doesn't matter whether you choose to attribute effects to supernatural causes or magical intercessory rituals. Either such attributions are accurate, (have valid substantiating evidence to support them), or they are not, (relying instead nupon faith-without-evidence). The salient point being the difference between the cognizant contrast of unreasoned faith/belief and logical reasoning. This is essentially the difference between seeing things as one wishes them to be, (religious faith), and seeing them as they are, (objective reasoning).
And we are just who we are. If being who you are makes you happy and brings contentment....than so be it! :peace:
That's a very zen and un-xtian philosophy but then again, many xtians seem to be basically 'winging it' and characterizing such improvisations "xtianity". That happens in other religions too so, don't take it personally.
I don't feel that I am a Christian that is just winging it. I just have a Gnostic view about people. I am a Gnostic Christian and I base my life, opinions, and feelings on LOVE.
That' what I meant by 'winging it'.
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Nature is God's general revelation to us....it cannot be denied. The Bible is His specific revelation to us....there will be no excuse!
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Notice I did not say whether or not the facts were bad. I just don't feel that you are a bad person for stating them.
I don't see how that's relevant. A 'good' person can state "bad"/incorrect non-facts or, a 'bad' person may do so. Conversely, a 'bad' person can state factual information or, a 'good' person can. The subjectively-relative condition of the person stating a fact or non-fact is not relevant.
The fact that you see how it is relevant doesn't really matter.
Actually, I mentioned that it was logically irrelevant.
I just have more of a Gnostic view about things than most Christians do. I don't feel that following a strict set of rules set forth by the church is something that makes us better or above anyone else.
Interestingly, "gnosticism" apparently didn't began as a sect of xtianity, but after the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library, it was found to have derived from mainly judiac, rather than pagan precursors.
The point that I was trying to make was that we are all equals no matter what we choose to believe or not to believe or how many reasoning's we have for what we feel to be true or not. No matter what words you put here or how many times you state what you feel are facts...the main fact is you are only a human being and so am I.
Being human does not make all humans equal since it depends upon which, (if any), defining parameters are used. For instance, humans who hold beliefs which cannot be substantiated by factual evidence are irrational, whereas those who don't are more rational humans.
I have had too many prayers answered to not believe that there is a higher power. That is my prerogative.
Actually, that's your unsupported attribution of any 'results' to intercessory magical rituals, ("prayers"). Until unambiguous evidence can be produced to support such upernatural claims, they remain dubious and contentious.
It does not matter to me what you think about my prayers. I still have had experiences that have changed my life and the life of my family. Those experiences have brought forth love and that love is a powerful thing that changes how I live my life and how I feel about the situations that I find myself in. I find contentment in prayer and meditation. It is how I deal with the stress that life inevitably gives out.
It nominally doesn't matter whether you choose to attribute effects to supernatural causes or magical intercessory rituals. Either such attributions are accurate, (have valid substantiating evidence to support them), or they are not, (relying instead nupon faith-without-evidence). The salient point being the difference between the cognizant contrast of unreasoned faith/belief and logical reasoning. This is essentially the difference between seeing things as one wishes them to be, (religious faith), and seeing them as they are, (objective reasoning).
And we are just who we are. If being who you are makes you happy and brings contentment....than so be it! :peace:
That's a very zen and un-xtian philosophy but then again, many xtians seem to be basically 'winging it' and characterizing such improvisations "xtianity". That happens in other religions too so, don't take it personally.
I don't feel that I am a Christian that is just winging it. I just have a Gnostic view about people. I am a Gnostic Christian and I base my life, opinions, and feelings on LOVE.
That' what I meant by 'winging it'.
LOVE is not 'winging it' and all of your other opinions could never take away the fact that I base my life on LOVE and that I have an open mindedness that a lot of other people don't. Just because you are unable to categorize me does not take away the LOVE and acceptance that I feel for others. Even you. hahahaha
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Nature is God's general revelation to us....it cannot be denied. The Bible is His specific revelation to us....there will be no excuse!
That's an unwarranted assumption, (because no evidence supports such a supernatural attribution - one may as well contend that "nature" is 'evidence' that the "invisible pink unicorn" is responsible for nature, in the same circular and illogical fashion). Such a pecious claim can be challenged and is, (whether the ones claiming such are up to the challenge or not). The (various) 'bibles' are unsupported heasay which do not constitute valid evidence supporting a claim of 'divine revelation' and the only excuse for claiming otherwise is irrational blind faith.
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LOVE is not 'winging it' and all of your other opinions could never take away the fact that I base my life on LOVE and that I have an open mindedness that a lot of other people don't. Just because you are unable to categorize me does not take away the LOVE and acceptance that I feel for others. Even you. hahahaha
On the contrary, you catagorized yourself as a "gnostic xtian", not I. "Love" is a variously, (and somewhat vaguely), defined concept/emotion and as such, does constitute 'winging it' as far as a religious basis goes.
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LOVE is not 'winging it' and all of your other opinions could never take away the fact that I base my life on LOVE and that I have an open mindedness that a lot of other people don't. Just because you are unable to categorize me does not take away the LOVE and acceptance that I feel for others. Even you. hahahaha
On the contrary, you catagorized yourself as a "gnostic xtian", not I. "Love" is a variously, (and somewhat vaguely), defined concept/emotion and as such, does constitute 'winging it' as far as a religious basis goes.
Your spelling has been terrible and I have been correcting it today...BTW. This time you spelled categorized wrong.
You are right. I did categorize myself as a Gnostic Christian. And if you notice I base my LIFE on LOVE. And Christianity is basically based on the LOVE of Christ. It is only your opinion that love is winging it. If a person filters their life through love than it makes it possible to do the right thing such as not stealing, not coveting, not hating, ect. It comes down to this...and this is my opinion....you just can't let someone have an opinion or an outlook on something without trying to make them seem wrong in some way.You enjoy an ongoing debate. This is your prerogative of course but it will not change the fact that some people just choose to LOVE. Whether that be love for yourself, for others, or for God. If you don't find factual evidence for these things. So what! What have you changed? Nothing.
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You are right. I did categorize myself as a Gnostic Christian. And if you notice I base my LIFE on LOVE.
I notice that you claim this however, it remains a claim which cannot be substantiated on a text-based forum without listing examples which may or may not be attributed to the emotional notion of "love", (as such would be interpretative attributions and not objective 'facts').
And Christianity is basically based on the LOVE of Christ.
No, xtianity draws largely upon pagan religions, (which had predated xtianity), to form an assimulated conglomeration of mythologies. The blood sacrifice bit, (soteriology), derives from pagan blood sacrifices to entice the 'g-ds' into making it rain for crops/encourage volcanos not to erupt and such. The xtian "cruxifiction" is based upon earlier nordic mythology regarding Odin "hanging on a tree for nine days to receive the runes" prior to the advent of xtianity. There are numerous other examples of such xtian plagiarisms extending back prior to the Dead Sea scrolls as well. In fact, I'd once challenged a catholic bishop to claim one concept which did not have a pagan precursor, (this was at a convention event and he was unable to come up with one as we went through the major religious beliefs together at an 'non-intramural' lunch function).
It is only your opinion that love is winging it.
I could contend that "it is only your", (unsubstantiated), "opinion that love is" not winging it. However, I've challenged your contention by requesting evidence to support it. A declarative claim, sans evidence, is unconvincing.
It comes down to this...and this is my opinion....you just can't let someone have an opinion or an outlook on something without trying to make them seem wrong in some way.You enjoy an ongoing debate.
While I do find actual debate to be enjoyable, non-debating religious declarations are less so. Though I've mentioned this before, you may not have been previously aware that I've supported the option for anyone to hold a reasoned or, unreasoned "opinion", (and that all "opinions" are not created equally). That said, once a religious adherent publically posts their unsupported religious declarations of "faith", others then have the option to ignore them or, respond in a manner constrained only by FC's TOS and posting policies. Pointing out the difference between unsubstantiated opinions and substantiated ones is just that, (although unsubstantiated opinions have a greater probability of being inaccurate than substantiated ones do).
If you don't find factual evidence for these things. So what! What have you changed? Nothing.
False. The strangehold the RCC previously had on reason/suppression of scientific advance wa broken by opposing the unreasoning irrationality of religious oppression. Likely, there will always be those to cling to irrational religious superstitions however, such faith blindness doe not extend to all, (which is why you religious adherents have computers and smartphones created out of the technology resulting from reasoned science and not sacrificing sheep to supernatural egregores).
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I also love the Lord Jesus. He is my light and salvation. He is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
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I also love the Lord Jesus. He is my light and salvation. He is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Amen!! <3
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Declarations of blind religious faith are the insidious propaganda of the holders of irrational superstitions.
I also love the Lord Jesus. He is my light and salvation. He is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Amen!! <3
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Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you. 'Look, the (Father's) imperial rule is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) imperial rule is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."
Jesus of Nazareth from the Gospel of Thomas verse 3
This verse is particularly poignant to me. It is, what in my heart, is most synergistic with the Jesus Christ of love that I love. It is however, most opposed to the Christianity that Paul sponsored after Jesus' death. God the Father is not outside of us and the Kingdom of God is here in us and with us.
Moving deeper into the verse we look at the words "know yourselves". This is the same inscription that the Greeks have over the door of the temple of Delphi. It is indicative of the Greek mind, which seeks to rationally know oneself. Knowing oneself is the product of a meditation. This is opposed to the Eastern thought which would say "Be Thyself" (Osho writes well on this dichotomy). Being thyself requires no thought, but is an emotional state. Buddha says "Love yourself then watch" The prerequisite to mediation and logic is self-love, which is being yourself.
I see both of these concepts present in Jesus' teaching, but the Greek style of self-exploration seems to be dominant. Whether this is a product of translation or the product of misunderstanding of the authors, it is somewhat misleading. One can never know oneself before one is being oneself and loving oneself.
I love Jesus! And the search not only for his true words, but his true meaning consumes me.
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Jesus of Nazareth from the Gospel of Thomas verse 3
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2lbat3.gif)
“You can not convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it is based on a deep-seated need to believe.”
-– Carl Sagan
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All the major religions agree on one thing:
That you should treat your fellow man as you yourself would wish to be treated.
This is known as the Golden Rule examples of this are as follows:
Buddhism : "...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" Samyutta NIkaya v. 353; and “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18
Christianity : "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12, King James Version; and, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version.
Confucianism : "Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you" Analects 15:23; "Tse-kung asked, 'Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?' Confucius replied, 'It is the word 'shu' -- reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'" Doctrine of the Mean 13.3
Egyptian (ancient): "Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do." The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, 109 - 110 Translated by R.B. Parkinson. The original dates to between 1970 to 1640 BCE and may be the earliest version ever written.
Hinduism : "One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself." Mencius Vii.A.4; "This is the sum of the Dharma [duty]: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." Mahabharata 5:1517
Secular Humanism : "(5) Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity."; "(11) Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings. "; 4. "Don't do things you wouldn't want to have done to you, British Humanist Society. “
Islam : "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths."
Judaism : "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.", Leviticus 19:18; "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary." Talmud, Shabbat 31a; "And what you hate, do not do to any one." Tobit 4:15 6
Wicca : "An it harm no one, do what thou wilt" (i.e. do what ever you will, as long as it harms nobody, including yourself). One's will is to be carefully thought out in advance of action. This is called the Wiccan Rede
So most everyone agrees with this.
The problem between Christians and non Christians is NOT about what is agreed, it is about statements made in the bible, attributed to Jesus Christ himself, and literally fundamental to the situation.
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All the major religions agree on one thing:
That you should treat your fellow man as you yourself would wish to be treated.
You omitted a few - like satanism, (a federally-recognised 'religion'), for instance.
As you mentioned, the concept of the so-called "golden rule" predates the attempts by xtianity to co-opt it, (as that plagiarizing religion has done to other cultures and belief systems).
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YES I BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD "I FEEL IT IN MY HEART AND SOUL " AND ONE DAY WE ALL WILL SEE
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YES I BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD "I FEEL IT IN MY HEART AND SOUL " AND ONE DAY WE ALL WILL SEE
That's merely blind faith which lacks evidence that anything will be *seen* "one day".
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No need for any atheist to attempt to debate with me about what I believe in. I BELIEVE IN GOD. I REFUSE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT. NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING I POST ON HERE ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND SERVE. I WILL ONLY IGNORE YOU. NO NEED TO ARGUE OR DEBATE ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE IN. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND LOVE..........
I also do think that there is some sort of higher power out there. Maybe labeled god
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No need for any atheist to attempt to debate with me about what I believe in. I BELIEVE IN GOD. I REFUSE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT.
That's simply a tacit admission of being unable to support your specious religious beliefs because they are based upon blind faith alone.
NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING I POST ON HERE ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND SERVE.
Fortunately, mind-blinded fundies don't get to dictate the content of posted replies here. If you have the option to spew mindless religious drivel, others have the option to oppose it in the name of reason.
I WILL ONLY IGNORE YOU. NO NEED TO ARGUE OR DEBATE ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE IN. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE GOD THAT I KNOW AND LOVE..........
That willfully-ignorant attitude encompasses the concept of blind faith and reveals the cowardice inherent in lacking the courage of one's convictions. Opposition to the spread of religious mind virii isn't intended to affect those whose infection is too far gone; it's for the majority of others.
"He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave."
-- William Drummond
“He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principle is the beginning of all unwisdom.”
-- anonymous
I also do think that there is some sort of higher power out there. Maybe labeled god
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Martin Luther King stated it best. Darkness can never drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate can never drive out hate, only love can do that.
:heart:
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I choose not to argue with people about it, because only fools argue.
Great ideas and advances would have never occurred throughout history without people arguing or discussing things. If you're objective enough, reading/engaging in debate helps you to realize when your beliefs contain falsehoods.
Just because you don't believe in GOD doesn't mean that he does not exist.
And just because you do believe in god doesn't mean that he does exist. :o I always like to point out that one doesn't need to "believe" in things that actually exist.
Common people have a hard time dealing with believing in an uncommon God.
On the contrary, people who are susceptible to superstition are quite common and so is the copycat god you believe in.
It is in our nature to not believe in the supernatural.
Again, this isn't true for most of humanity if you take a look at the THOUSANDS of religions that have come and gone across the ages. Some of us have evolved past the need for these primitive beliefs, yes, but in general, delusion is still rampant.
Yet we believe in everything that we see on T.V.
I sure as hell don't. Speak for yourself.
Some of us doubt that the Bible contains any truth. Yet most believe every article that they read in a magazine.
Again, some of us actually have reading comprehension skills. It's the people who don't who take the Bible at face value.
It appears that we live in a world that believes in everything except God.
Are we living on the same planet? America is one of the most religious countries around. Might I suggest a move to Pakistan if it isn't zealous enough for you here? Or are you simply noticing that most normal people live rather secular in spite of their claim to believe in a god?
There hasn't been a person that has been able to prove to me that the world was formed without a creator, or that humans were formed without a creator.
And who created the creator? Oh, that's right; people resort to kindergartner logic when it comes to explaining this: "He just always existed!!!"
Each and every one of us has a unique design.
You share 99.9 percent the same DNA as me. Sorry to break it to ya.
Everything in the world has a purpose.
That's what our pattern-seeking brains like to believe; however, existence overall is pointless. It makes no difference if you die today, in 50 years or were never born.
It is evident that we were created, unless you believe that story about us actually evolving from animals.
Again, sorry to break it to ya, but you yourself are a MAMMAL. Are you warmblooded? Check. Do you have hair somewhere on your body? Check. Do you have a vertebrae? Check. Do you use your lungs to breathe air? Check. Can you feed milk to your babies? Check (if you're a woman).
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Love is like magic
And it always will be.
For love still remains
Life's sweet mystery!!
Love works in ways
That are wondrous and strange
And there's nothing in life
That love cannot change!!
Love can transform
The most commonplace
Into beauty and splendor
And sweetness and grace.
Love is unselfish,
Understanding and kind,
For it sees with its heart
And not with its mind!!
Love is the answer
That everyone seeks...
Love is the language,
That every heart speaks.
Love can't be bought,
It is priceless and free,
Love, like pure magic,
Is life's sweet mystery!!
by GraCe