Common Sense Atheism

Let’s say, example only, that it takes $1000 to run a city where a casino and a church operate. For simplicity’s sake let’s leave out all those other taxes, payroll, utilities, lawn care, all of that and just focus on the taxes needed to sustain city services. So, of the $1000 needed to run things the church pays $0 and the casino pays $1000. Hardly fair that the casino pay all while the church pays none. This statement too may not make sense to you and for that you should blame those poorly educated educators you mentioned in post #59 for not teaching you any better.
 

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I don’t want to argue religion here. I just want to point out that many if not most religious views don’t make sense to me and can’t hold up to scrutiny very well. Common sense is what I’m looking for. Things explainable and knowable as well as things that can be replicated in the here and now. You can believe that Jesus found your car keys if you want to but I think they were found because you didn’t stop looking. That’s me, I didn’t stop looking yet. If you want me to believe then show me proof instead of just telling me you know things.
 
Chris P Bacon said:
You deserve some happiness. I know too well how depressing the days can be there in Ohio. Ohio is not the Garden of Eden.
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Yes, I know the gray skies here can get me down but I've been working on not letting them get me down. Thank you, though, for my deserving happiness. I guess I do and I have many moments of happiness but not total happiness all the time--but then who does?

Anyhow I have been agnostic for quite some time. I really don't know about greater powers or God. I used to think I did but not anymore.
 
Why do people automatically associate God to a religion? I believe there is an all powerful force…positive energy we refer to as God or many other names..the God I believe in has never set foot in a church…nor would he condone any religion that was based on fear..
 
Ruthanne said:
Yes, I know the gray skies here can get me down but I've been working on not letting them get me down. Thank you, though, for my deserving happiness. I guess I do and I have many moments of happiness but not total happiness all the time--but then who does?

Anyhow I have been agnostic for quite some time. I really don't know about greater powers or God. I used to think I did but not anymore.
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Keep an open mind but do think about it and make the best choice for yourself. Most of us are told from birth, how and what to believe. But when we’re older and less dependent on those around us, usually but not always, our parents, we can think and decide for ourselves. Do you suppose you might have different beliefs if your parents and you developed in Syria? Or India? Things like that might make a difference but that’s for you to decide. I only want to open doors and see what’s on the other side of them. Why do religions feel the need to keep so much mysterious and hidden? Beats me but i like you! You’re a trooper! 😊
 
Snow74 said:
Why do people automatically associate God to a religion? I believe there is an all powerful force…positive energy we refer to as God or many other names..the God I believe in has never set foot in a church…nor would he condone any religion that was based on fear..
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God = Good orderly direction
 
Snow74 said:
Why do people automatically associate God to a religion? I believe there is an all powerful force…positive energy we refer to as God or many other names..the God I believe in has never set foot in a church…nor would he condone any religion that was based on fear..
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Ever hear anyone mention putting the e fear of god into someone? How about god fearing nation or people? I don’t think god minds because I don’t think there is a God or gods of any kind. No devils either. We’re just all afloat on some big assed rock in outer space. I have faith though that we’ll be okay for as long as we need to be, not as long as we may want though.

Religion should be about getting along but it never was and never will be. It’s all about control. Think carrot on a stick. You’re promised a reward but it’s always just beyond your grasp. You get it when you die, they say. It’s up to you to believe or not.
 
Chris P Bacon said:
Keep an open mind but do think about it and make the best choice for yourself. Most of us are told from birth, how and what to believe. But when we’re older and less dependent on those around us, usually but not always, our parents, we can think and decide for ourselves. Do you suppose you might have different beliefs if your parents and you developed in Syria? Or India? Things like that might make a difference but that’s for you to decide. I only want to open doors and see what’s on the other side of them. Why do religions feel the need to keep so much mysterious and hidden? Beats me but i like you! You’re a trooper! 😊
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Yes, I had to go to Catholic school. I begged my mom to let me go to public after 4th grade and she and my dad did. All my other siblings, except one other, went to Catholic schools till 12th grade. The religion made me feel sick a lot of the time--I mean feelings of guilt and shame that were overwhelming. The nuns in the Catholic grade school were very mean and beat the kids, all except for one teacher I had who was very kind and loving. Her name was Sister Gemma. She was wonderful! At the age of 13 I declared I was an atheist. I did not believe any of it anymore.

Over the years I've gone back and forth from believing to not believing and I made the choice that I am agnostic and I'll never know if God exists or not--that is unless I see him/her/it at some point. I have studied a little about other religions--Eastern ones and found them very interesting.

I am content not to know. I do say prayers at times of distress and for others just in case someone is listening, yet I don't know. I do try to send out good vibes, too, when needed.
 

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