@fuzzybuddy
That's a no brainer.
Ten Commandments
You shall have no other gods
You shall not make idols
Having faith outside those commandments
My guess is even those people that never did harm to others won't be going here.
According to the Bible, heaven is described as a beautiful city, a glorious dwelling place of God, and a paradise beyond imagination. It's depicted with streets paved in gold, gates made of pearls, and walls constructed of jasper and various precious stones. A crystal-clear river flows from the throne of God, and the tree of life is prominent, symbolizing eternal life and abundance.
Any guesses where they end up?
The Ten Commandments are in the Old Testament. Truthfully, the New Testament is supposed to build upon the Old Testament. But there are so many heinous acts by God in the Old Testament, that it's a long way back for me.
I dunno if you've noticed. We all have different beliefs about how the universe works and our behaviour is based upon these beliefs. To a large part, these beliefs cannot be proven but "assumed", if that's the right word for it.
We must be careful. We must not confuse belief, with
blind belief. One is supported by evidence, the other is not (as far as I can see). Blind faith or belief is not on an equal standing with belief in an evidential belief.
Even when we claim to be scientific, that itself is a claim to a system of thought or beliefs. Newton’s Laws of Motion are fundamental beliefs which led us to look at the universe in a certain way. We can easily prove that Newton’s Laws are false. All living things are able to move without external forces. We except living things from Newton’s Laws to enable us to continue developing these laws. But then, through scientific development itself, Newton’s Laws were found not to be entirely applicable. The most significant of these exceptions is the Big Bang theory.
Easily prove Newton's laws are false? Please explain. Give us an example. For the record, for me, you are 100% incorrect here. The expansion of the universe follows Newton's Laws. Newton never explaining the singularity, but that's an aside. Frankly, we don't know much about the singularity, not yet. We simply know it seems to have existed.
The Big Bang itself contradicts Newton’s Laws. According to the Laws, there cannot be a Big Bang without something or someone setting it off. So one might argue either the Big Bang is true and Newton’s Laws are not or vice versa. And then argue that this proves that science is self-contradictory and therefore hogwash. Or argue that this proves that God exists.
But it doesn't contradict anything. Newton was a Christian, and his studies were hamstrung by that. He saw the universe through the eyes of a believer, and that prevented him from seeing everything we'd like to know.
Of course, there are complicated explanations as to why science is still valid and how we can still rely on Newton’s Laws and still believe in the Big Bang. And not believe in God.
Science is valid because it is the best way to make discoveries, and have them validated, that man knows. It is valid because experimental evidence exists to validate it. Science doesn't aim to be "right", or "correct". So, if something is accepted scientifically, but is later found to be incorrect or nuanced, then we accept the new evidence. Science doesn't aim to be a singular truth, it is simply the best explanation based on available evidence, that we have. There is no battle between religion and science, only between evidential belief, and blind faith.
Newton, as I've said, was a christian, and his beliefs were within that framework of beliefs.
I
When it comes to how we live our lives, it gets a lot more difficult. Some of the principles seem self-evident, thou shall not lie, etc. But, we lie all the time. Often for very good reasons. When it comes to beliefs that guide our behaviour, it is usually difficult to prove. Different societies have evolved different worldviews, and with it, different approaches to how we should live our lives. However, we believe that these rules must apply to everyone, and when other people don't live according to the same rules, it often leads to fights and wars.
Humans are instinctively social animals. This means social rules must exist. Norms are established. Different societies, grown in different environments, vary in their behaviors. However, it's all due to a need for a cohesive set of rules for humans to live together. This is perfectly understandable.
I much prefer to believe there is intelligence outside of the universe. So cold and lonely without it.
This is understandable, it's an emotional reaction. For me, I don't find the laws of nature either cold or lonely. It's a beautiful cycle that, ultimately, does not care about me individually. I am part - a very very small part - of a cyclical existence. I'm as valid, and irrelevant, as a rock. Once you accept that, there's a beauty to be had from knowing that you're not simply a part of the Earth, you're a part of the entire universe, from its inception to its end. It's incredible.
I'm reminded of something, of Gold. Gold is only formed in stars. Neutron stars. It comes to earth across time, but is not created here. Isn't that simply amazing?
