'nough said
People are Leaving their Churches in Droves Today
- Thread starter Dubee
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Do you take everything in the Bible as literally true? The story of the talking snake in the garden of Eden, Moses parting the sea, Abraham living to be over a 100 years old when his wife finally conceived, a virgin birth, a resurrection of a dead body after 3 days laying in a tomb? Do you not think these stories were exaggerated, or even made up?
No
My God is not limited
I'm done here
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Isaiah 8:20
officerripley
Well-known Member
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- Porlock, Calif
I, as an atheist, and many other atheists I've known/known of, both IRL and famous ones, don't put it like that; we say, "There is no proof that God exists." And then we usually get interested in something else. Now personally, since people have been trying to prove that the supernatural exists for 3,000 years and no one's done that yet, I think that it's most likely God does not exist. 3,000 years is a really long time after all, for no results. (And if you're thinking that 3,000 years is the blink of an eye to God, well it's a long time for us humans and if he/she/it does exist and created us to only live to 100 tops, then why's he/she/it taking so long?)
When a person leaves their church, belief, or a religion, they find a whole new found freedom from a fear of a condemning God, a punishing God, an afterlife in hell. Those philosophies are all man-made, and enslaves the believer into a darkness that forces them into a belief that the only way out of that darkness is to believe in Jesus. Once you realize that is just a myth, you no longer have that fear. You are no longer indoctrinated in a belief that man or men created to control you, and get more money to build their churches, schools, and missions. That power is all gone. You are free to do your own works of charity, and trust it’s going to a better cause. You are free.
I think Atheism has been around longer than that. Maybe from the beginning of time. The question is why do you need proof? Why not just question your existence?
JustDave
Well-known Member
I'm sure the cave dwellers had many that weren't buying the current religion, or whatever it was back then. When different tribes would meet, and one would say thunder was Mastodons running above the clouds, I'm sure some of the other tribes had different explanations. And then one of the tribes would get wiped out.
Knight
Well-known Member
@Dubee
From your post #290. Reduced to this part you stated as fact.
Quote
"God gave man a brain to figure out how studies of all the sciences is the best way for human survival. Without them, we would still be living in caves."
Could it be all the sciences is the reason people are leaving churches in droves?
1. Questioning how it's possible for a sentient being that would be billions of years old to still be alive?
2. Or how did that being become that being?
3. Why did this ability take thousands of years to develop to the point of where we are today?
4. Why is only good attributed?
A micellaneous question that is asked
Why are some born with physical & mental problems while others aren't?
Rether than fear, science is uncovering logical proveable answers. And people are losing fear
From your post #290. Reduced to this part you stated as fact.
Quote
"God gave man a brain to figure out how studies of all the sciences is the best way for human survival. Without them, we would still be living in caves."
Could it be all the sciences is the reason people are leaving churches in droves?
1. Questioning how it's possible for a sentient being that would be billions of years old to still be alive?
2. Or how did that being become that being?
3. Why did this ability take thousands of years to develop to the point of where we are today?
4. Why is only good attributed?
A micellaneous question that is asked
Why are some born with physical & mental problems while others aren't?
Rether than fear, science is uncovering logical proveable answers. And people are losing fear
AnneTeak
Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
i am not a believer. my friends are Evangelists and they are the most hateful people i know.
I used to work for a mail order medication prescription service. Customers used to thank Jesus for getting their medication to them on time. They didn't thank me for putting in their order, the pharmacist who packaged their order, or the mail carrier who delivered it to their door.
I used to work for a mail order medication prescription service. Customers used to thank Jesus for getting their medication to them on time. They didn't thank me for putting in their order, the pharmacist who packaged their order, or the mail carrier who delivered it to their door.
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Good points.
Gaer
"Angel whisperer"
- Location
- New Mexico U.S.A.
@Dubee, Are you a senior? Are you a college student writing a thesis?
If so, Will you be honest with us?
Not sure but I think this is your 1st or 2nd post. Is that right?
Is your point to deny the existence of God?
Is your point to demean the Scriptures and all religion?
What point is your "thesis" trying to accomplish?
Why are you integrating all these erroneous opinions to it?
Are you trying to "spice" it up or show how religion has failed,
by using ignorant opinions of seniors?
It seems, if one were writing a book (I don't think you are because
writers WRITE, not diddle around on the internet.) it should be a book
to enhance mankind, to achieve greater harmony; not the opposite.
If so, Will you be honest with us?
Not sure but I think this is your 1st or 2nd post. Is that right?
Is your point to deny the existence of God?
Is your point to demean the Scriptures and all religion?
What point is your "thesis" trying to accomplish?
Why are you integrating all these erroneous opinions to it?
Are you trying to "spice" it up or show how religion has failed,
by using ignorant opinions of seniors?
It seems, if one were writing a book (I don't think you are because
writers WRITE, not diddle around on the internet.) it should be a book
to enhance mankind, to achieve greater harmony; not the opposite.
perhaps what they were understanding silently and without blurting it outu all the time was that Jesus was working through others to perform their duties - afterall the wastrels ; the criminal minds ; the lazy ; the selfish don't tend to carry out the duties with some consideration for the genereal populations. We once had a postie back in the day who was the most considerate ; punctual ; helpful one we ever knew - he also went to our local church. Did he just give the church goers the best postal services of course not ; he was taught |" put more effort into the sinners!
Gaer, yes, I’m a senior and a writer. My book is not to give people a warm fuzzy feeling about their beliefs, but to show the truth about religion and the reasons why so many are leaving their churches. My forum was to open dialogue, and get people’s thoughts and opinions on the topic. Apparently, over 3000 people were also interested and viewed the topic. I believe there are many out there that have the same questions, guilt, and fears about leaving their church. I want these people to know they are not alone, I appreciated everyone who responded, and gave me feedback.
Jamala
Senior Member
- Location
- Butterfly from Herts/UK
Maybe I am missing your point Dubee…or… perhaps you are missing the whole religion/church point altogether.
One does not need to be in a church to pray to God…anywhere will do.
Churches however, over the ages, have served as a place to build communities, a place to meet and greet… an admirable reason in my opinion for their existence. Churches give a lot of support should parishioners need it, not just a place to pray.
Nowadays unfortunately, people have found other means of communication, e.g. facebook and other social platforms etc.
So…I don’t think people are leaving churches because of a lack of belief in religion or God. There are many other reasons.
One does not need to be in a church to pray to God…anywhere will do.
Churches however, over the ages, have served as a place to build communities, a place to meet and greet… an admirable reason in my opinion for their existence. Churches give a lot of support should parishioners need it, not just a place to pray.
Nowadays unfortunately, people have found other means of communication, e.g. facebook and other social platforms etc.
So…I don’t think people are leaving churches because of a lack of belief in religion or God. There are many other reasons.
Jamala
Senior Member
- Location
- Butterfly from Herts/UK
Sorry to burst your bubble Dubee....you cannot "show the truth" sice no one knows the truth.
To pretend you do serves no real purpose.
Jamala
Senior Member
- Location
- Butterfly from Herts/UK
I don't have to read all of your comments...I know where you are coming from and I feel you have to do a lot more research if you wish to write a credible thesis.
You may have to visit other sites besides seniors forums,
Exactly. That’s why I’m writing this book.
now as a newcomer here still catching up - is or was the title of the thread limiting discussion to christian churches of all denominations or open to 'churches' in a more encompassing nature such as : monasteries ; buddhist temples ; Hindu temples ; the Islamic Mosques etc etc etc??
Non-fiction - There are already many books written about this same topic, which I have read and researched on. I will add them to my bibliography for others to read. However, many of these books left out a lot of important information regarding indoctrination, what happens when they leave their religion, and how to move on.
Good question. It’s mostly regarding the truth of all religions, but focuses on Christianity as a whole as it is the largest religion in America. Most articles published on the subject talk about the Christian churches closing their doors.
I was born and raised as a Catholic, attended parochial schools for thirteen years. One of my brothers was an ordained priest. He wrote and published four books. When all of my immediate family died, not one still believed in Christian doctrine. It took me most of my lifetime to see the truth after years of studying the Bible, and feeling guilty about not believing anymore. This book is to help others also see the truth, and be free of the guilt of not believing anymore, too.
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