Question for the Atheist

Call him/her what you like still God and can motivate a church and lead the way to Galileo ; Newton and Darwin - I think you will find that Darwin not professed to being an aetheist?
 
davey said:
Call him/her what you like still God and can motivate a church and lead the way to Galileo ; Newton and Darwin - I think you will find that Darwin not professed to being an aetheist?
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:) He was enough of an atheist that Victoria withheld knighthood, or so I believe I read somewhere.
 

Knight said:
With no factual response, it comes down to blind faith works for those that don't question.
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Christians have lots of questions. The Bible doesn't have all the answers and that's on purpose. We are told to "study to show ourselves approved". God wants us to search for the answers not only in the Bible but all around us, including science (God created "science" so to speak...he created everything and people have studied it. It just wasn't called "science" in the Bible). As we search for answers we grow closer to God and grow to trust God and therefore grow to have have faith in things unseen.
 
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David777 said:
Just ate a frozen spaghetti dinner here in this $60 2-star South Lake Tahoe inn and about to enjoy a long hot shower.

None of the 5 questions the OP asked were asked towards this person so as with other threads so, won't participate in responses beyond offering terse summary comments I won't be dragged into expanded discussion about.

People are free to offer opinions and ideas, but I don't have to agree with any nor am afraid to say so.
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Started new thread What do you believe spiritually or non-spiritually? Why do you believe this way?
 
davey said:
davey said:
Call him/her what you like still God and can motivate a church and lead the way to Galileo ; Newton and Darwin - I think you will find that Darwin not professed to being an aetheist?
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As I remember Darwin's wife was very devout and one of their children had serious health issues. This, and his insights into biology, led Darwin to doubt the religious teaching of his time.
 
Warrigal said:
As I remember Darwin's wife was very devout and one of their children had serious health issues. This, and his insights into biology, led Darwin to doubt the religious teaching of his time.
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Doubting the religious teachings of one’s time has long been popular among believers. It is never God that one doubts but the manner in which He has been portrayed by our fellow man. Especially those of the cloth. We may accept that we are slime mold compared to the One but we can never accept that any one of our fellow many are in a better position to understand than we are. That is why there are so many denominations within the church with new factions arising all the time.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I am lack the information to decisively conclude the existence or non-existence of a figure or image with or without supernatural attributes known as god or the God.
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Likewise but I find it easy to rely on my intuition in matters where hard evidence is lacking where some might just choose to ignore domains of human experience which their intellect cannot justify. My way is right for me.

Mr. Ed said:
I do not know if heaven or hell exists as a refuge to be divided between the believers and nonbelievers.
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Neither do I but my opinion is that they do not exist as actual places but rather only as states of mind.

Mr. Ed said:
To begin with I was the oldest son of a Southern Baptist preacher who ironically did not speak of god, salvation or Jesus at home. He was a big shot in most of the communities we lived in but as far as any presence at home he abandoned all parental responsibilities.
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God help you. ;)

Mr. Ed said:
First I questioned the validity of faith based godly worship, came to terms that faith is essentially an active imagination; the more you feed the idea the greater commitment you will have toward it. To discount Christianity I had to refute the bible killing two birds with one stone. There are a lot of questions I have about god, the world and humanity, oh year, aliens as well.
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Well you've had to deal with a 'faith tradition' in which everything is spelled out for you and to think for yourself is heretical. and I never have had to. Sounds awful.

But I have a different sense of what faith is about. It isn't about agreeing with any particular assertions or holding on to doctrines and creeds no matter what. To my mind "faith" is simply what you trust in life in the absence of perfect knowledge about the world or yourself. It isn't like an opinion or a judgement we make based on facts and logic. It is more like a disposition toward the world and life. For some belief/trust in God is an important part of their disposition, it is what carries them through when the way forward is hard to see or circumstances are challenging.

I think we all believe in something even if that is nothing but science and rationality. The question then becomes: how well does your belief carry you through life? Do you enjoy the world in the way you hold it or not? Of course some will say we should accept the facts whatever they are no matter how miserable they may make us. But there is no fact of the matter about what you let determine your disposition to the world. Rather it is something we cultivate in all our decisions and choices from cradle to grave. Sometimes we have to dig out of a mindset imposed from without before we can find one which feels more authentic to us.

Mr. Ed said:
All in all, it is my lack being or UnBeing that leads to my disatisfaction and desire for the destination.

I say I don’t fear death, perhaps my circumstances are different than most, at any rate I have longed for life as I know it to end since the beginning. I am a responsible citizen, I have not caused too much trouble during my time here, but the day or night will come when breathing will not be a requirement.
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It seems you care about treating others fairly and doing your part regardless and that must give you some amount of satisfaction. Being a preacher's son cannot have been easy especially if he was emotionally distant with you. Hope you find your way to a better outlook.
 
Lewkat said:
Since I am not an Atheist, I won't begin to answer this question.
Further, I feel everyone, beliefs are very personal and need be discussed in open forums.
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:) No, they needn't be discussed --maybe they shouldn't be, but for me it is pleasant to discuss them, or anything for that matter as I live alone and miss stimulating conversation. That is one reason why I enjoy this forum.
 
Lewkat said:
Since I am not an Atheist, I won't begin to answer this question.
Further, I feel everyone, beliefs are very personal and need be discussed in open forums.
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I wonder if those who are not atheists (I don't count myself as one, BTW even though I don't claim any traditional form of belief for myself) would care to answer the questions phrased a little differently. Perhaps:

1) Do you find it satisfying to worship/support a higher power?

2) How do you feel the presence of God (or a higher power) in your life?

3) What does "spirituality" mean to you?

4) Do you think spirituality requires belief in God, or, have you ever met a non religious person you thought was spiritual?

5) Are you a member of a community centered on your religious beliefs and do you find or have you found that beneficial?
 
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gruntlabor said:
:) No, they needn't be discussed --maybe they shouldn't be, but for me it is pleasant to discuss them, or anything for that matter as I live alone and miss stimulating conversation. That is one reason why I enjoy this forum.
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I wondered if that was a typo. I'd say it may not be comfortable or feel appropriate to everyone to discuss their beliefs in an open forum. But for those who can do so without getting flustered or being stirred to coerce others, it can be interesting.
 
I have a negative reaction to people who preach, convert, belittle, dominate, and push their beliefs on others. If people believe that strongly they need to keep it to themselves, not try and convert others. I think the parts in the holy books about being the only way, or to kill your enemies type of rhetoric is man made. It is not God speaking. People need to realize this, and accept it, so they can stop using that rhetoric. One way or the other, none of us are getting out of this alive. I feel like helping others realize the kind of life they can imagine for themselves. Even if it is not religious, or even "spiritual".
 
Mr. Ed said:
Started new thread What do you believe spiritually or non-spiritually? Why do you believe this way?
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I've posted my religious views and why in summary detail on this board a few times in the past that any can search to read. I'm not going to repost every time similar threads start or someone new wants to know.

I am a Christian that regularly attends church though have unique ideas. I lean towards what people call god as NOT being omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient but rather a part of a race of ancient Ultimate Intelligent Entities aka UIEs. A huge difference. And yes lean towards Jesus being part of their plan that offers eternal life as electromagnetic. Earth is their zoo.
 
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Paco Dennis said:
I have a negative reaction to people who preach, convert, belittle, dominate, and push their beliefs on others. If people believe that strongly they need to keep it to themselves, not try and convert others. I think the parts in the holy books about being the only way, or to kill your enemies type of rhetoric is man made. It is not God speaking. People need to realize this, and accept it, so they can stop using that rhetoric. One way or the other, none of us are getting out of this alive. I feel like helping others realize the kind of life they can imagine for themselves. Even if it is not religious, or even "spiritual".
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Yes, but Christ instructed his followers to spread the word. They're only trying to do their job.
Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...
 
gruntlabor said:
Yes, but Christ instructed his followers to spread the word. They're only trying to do their job.
Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...
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Isn't there some parable about the "word" being like planting seeds. Some fall on shallow, rocky ground and don't grow, some fall on adequate soil and grow ok, and then some fall on fertile soil and blossom into mature plants? That leaves the person out of forcing the issue, right?
 
Paco Dennis said:
Isn't there some parable about the "word" being like planting seeds. Some fall on shallow, rocky ground and don't grow, some fall on adequate soil and grow ok, and then some fall on fertile soil and blossom into mature plants? That leaves the person out of forcing the issue, right?
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Mark 4:14-20:
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.


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gruntlabor said:
Yes, but Christ instructed his followers to spread the word. They're only trying to do their job.
Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...
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In the few years I spent chatting with my online Christian friends the subject of “the great commission” came up frequently. Most graciously relented when I thanked them but told them no thank you.

Most were what some might call agnostic but they’d never use the word. They just could concede that there wasn’t any argument they could offer that would transcend one’s fundamental beliefs. If queried why they thought they d see loved ones after death the best would just say they don’t conclude that is true but they have hope in it.
 
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gruntlabor said:
Yes, but Christ instructed his followers to spread the word. They're only trying to do their job.
Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...
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I have trouble with charging christians to teach all nations, baptizing them etc, etc because christianity is flawed as are christians who consider their great commission to change native Americans, Chinese etc, to be like them and loose traces of their natural heritage. That’s what religion does put everyone in a box for increased control and conformity.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I have trouble with charging christians to teach all nations, baptizing them etc, etc because christianity is flawed as are christians who consider their great commission to change native Americans, Chinese etc, to be like them and loose traces of their natural heritage. That’s what religion does put everyone in a box for increased control and conformity.
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Agreed. I can think of little more horrible than taking indigenous children from their family with the express intent of taking away their culture and language as well as family.
 
a-new-spotlight-on-native-americans-forced-conversion-to-christianity.jpg
 
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