beowulf 1
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Faith is the bridge some take to gain access to knowledge and experience that answers previously unanswerable personal questions. The proof of our faith is in the results we see in our lives.
Faith doesn't provide any real knowledge other than how to blindly submit to authority.
Faith and religious belief may have some seemingly positive effects on your life, but none that you couldn't have achieved on your own. In fact, the "knowledge" that all your sins will be forgiven only encourages sin in my opinion.
The real problem is, having that faith is mentally stifling and probably holding you back in other ways you may not realize.
If you already think you have the answers to the universe, why continue to search out and seek the real answers? Faith stifles human experience rather than enhancing it in my opinion.
RonD1120 62
QuoteQuote
Faith is the bridge some take to gain access to knowledge and experience that answers previously unanswerable personal questions. The proof of our faith is in the results we see in our lives.
Faith doesn't provide any real knowledge other than how to blindly submit to authority.
Faith and religious belief may have some seemingly positive effects on your life, but none that you couldn't have achieved on your own. In fact, the "knowledge" that all your sins will be forgiven only encourages sin in my opinion.
The real problem is, having that faith is mentally stifling and probably holding you back in other ways you may not realize.
If you already think you have the answers to the universe, why continue to search out and seek the real answers? Faith stifles human experience rather than enhancing it in my opinion.
Passing comment, you have an extremely articulate talent for expressing what you know absolutely nothing about.
RonD1120 out.
Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.
beowulf 1
The typical response of "you just don't understand". Try coming up with real tangible evidence. Otherwise it's all just imaginary.
RonD1120 62
QuoteOtherwise it's all just imaginary.
Not to me and, I do not have to prove my life to anyone. I do not sell, I share. Take or leave it.
RonD1120 out.
Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.
beowulf 1
QuoteQuoteOtherwise it's all just imaginary.
Not to me and, I do not have to prove my life to anyone. I do not sell, I share. Take or leave it.
RonD1120 out.
Nothing but empty claims
QuotePassing comment, you have an extremely articulate talent for expressing what you know absolutely nothing about.
RonD1120 out.
Well thanks, but I do actually know a little something about it... I'm the first in several generations on my father's side not to become an ordained minister and I attended church twice a week for my entire childhood until I was 19. I even went on mission trips.
Much to my parents' chagrin, my "faith" has been in free fall ever since. It's taken me over 10 years since leaving the church to reach this point. People not born into indoctrination have no idea how lucky they are to be free to make their own decisions.
I think a lot of Christians are good people, but they are misled. The religion can bring out bad things in otherwise good people such as intolerance and close mindedness. I think most have lost their way from Jesus' true teachings.
SkyDekker 1,465
QuoteQuoteQuoteWhy are you asking questions when you have already made up your mind as to what the answer is?
I'll answer your 2 questions:
because it makes ME feel good.
I could care less if it is true.
THIS^
Yet so many get their panties in a wad over it.
These are the busybodies that would have you live your life according to their biases.
Ahhh, such is life.
Thanks for being honest.
So you base your entire belief system around something just because it makes you feel good and for no other reason?
Don't you think something as weighty as the eternal fate of your soul deserves a bit more consideration than that?
Also, why wouldn't you care whether something so important is actually true or not?
If you don't even care whether it's true or not, then do you really believe it in the first place or are you just pretending because it makes you feel good?
Why do you feel these types of questions are an attack of some kind? They're perfectly legitimate questions.
Could you make ANY more assumptions?
Who said people base their entire belief system on that? I have heard many an agnostic and atheist say: Karma is a bitch.
Who said anything about the eternal fate of my soul?
Then you go on to make assumptions about the level of importance people proscribe to their belief structure and draw conclusions based on those assumptions.
QuoteWhy do you feel these types of questions are an attack of some kind?
I don't think they are an attack at all. But you are doing some major generalizing and assuming about a subject that is extremely personal for those who do have some form of belief.
Have you ever considered there might be more than one correct answer to your questions?
Shotgun 1
QuoteI have heard many an agnostic and atheist say: Karma is a bitch.
I've heard agnositcs and atheists say, "Oh my God!"
QuoteCould you make ANY more assumptions?
Who said people base their entire belief system on that? I have heard many an agnostic and atheist say: Karma is a bitch.
Who said anything about the eternal fate of my soul?
Then you go on to make assumptions about the level of importance people proscribe to their belief structure and draw conclusions based on those assumptions.QuoteWhy do you feel these types of questions are an attack of some kind?
I don't think they are an attack at all. But you are doing some major generalizing and assuming about a subject that is extremely personal for those who do have some form of belief.
Have you ever considered there might be more than one correct answer to your questions?
I admit I'm generalizing a lot to try to get my points across, but you answered that you believe in it "because it makes you feel good" and that you "could care less if it's true."
If you only believe something because it makes you feel good, that's not an actual reason to believe it...it's more of an admission that you have no reason to believe it. If you have a real reason I'm willing to hear you out.
Furthermore, if you don't even care whether it's true or not, how do you expect to be taken seriously? Surely someone that has based their belief system on a religion should at least care whether it's true?
I do care whether it's true or not, and I sort of wish it was true because it would make me feel good to know I can have eternal life. On the other hand, once you shed these ideas the concept of eternal life loses some of the appeal.
It's miracle enough that we're all here right now having this conversation. I don't need a promise of an afterlife to enjoy this one or to be a decent person.
I'll admit that I have a soft spot for the concept of karma like most people, but I fear it's just another fairy tale as well. :(
SkyDekker 1,465
QuoteIf you only believe something because it makes you feel good, that's not an actual reason to believe it...
Why not? It may not be for you, but it is for me.
QuoteFurthermore, if you don't even care whether it's true or not, how do you expect to be taken seriously?
I am not trying to convince anybody regarding my belief structure. I could care less if you think my belief system is stupid, dumb, insincere or the delusion of a rabid dog. It works for me, and that's all I care about.
QuoteI do care whether it's true or not, and I sort of wish it was true because it would make me feel good to know I can have eternal life. On the other hand, once you shed these ideas the concept of eternal life loses some of the appeal.
It's miracle enough that we're all here right now having this conversation. I don't need a promise of an afterlife to enjoy this one or to be a decent person.
I'll admit that I have a soft spot for the concept of karma like most people, but I fear it's just another fairy tale as well. :(
Just find what works for you.
Ok fair enough...
Zach 0
QuoteIf people could wake up to the fact that this is the only life we have, maybe people would be a little more decent to each other and value life a little more.
The opposite may also occur. People my do/act however they want in any given moment, and ultimately treat others like shit for the same reason. Just a thought. And purely for the sake of argument, I would think devout Buddhists would tend to treat others decently while also believing this isn't the only life we have.
Zach
QuoteQuoteIf people could wake up to the fact that this is the only life we have, maybe people would be a little more decent to each other and value life a little more.
The opposite may also occur. People my do/act however they want in any given moment, and ultimately treat others like shit for the same reason. Just a thought. And purely for the sake of argument, I would think devout Buddhists would tend to treat others decently while also believing this isn't the only life we have.
Zach
Religious morality is derived from human morality. It's not the other way around, but thanks for playing.
maadmax 0
Faith doesn't provide any real knowledge other than how to blindly submit to authority.
Faith and religious belief may have some seemingly positive effects on your life, but none that you couldn't have achieved on your own. In fact, the "knowledge" that all your sins will be forgiven only encourages sin in my opinion.
The real problem is, having that faith is mentally stifling and probably holding you back in other ways you may not realize.
If you already think you have the answers to the universe, why continue to search out and seek the real answers? Faith stifles human experience rather than enhancing it in my opinion.
Faith and religious belief may have some seemingly positive effects on your life, but none that you couldn't have achieved on your own. In fact, the "knowledge" that all your sins will be forgiven only encourages sin in my opinion.
The real problem is, having that faith is mentally stifling and probably holding you back in other ways you may not realize.
If you already think you have the answers to the universe, why continue to search out and seek the real answers? Faith stifles human experience rather than enhancing it in my opinion.
The faith that powers Christianity, is the faith to totally shed the ego and all of its baggage. The second birth is a second chance to become like a little child before it has been indoctrinated by self destructive worldly values. Real or not we become transformed through God's Word by the renewing & regeneration of our minds.
...
beowulf 1
QuoteThe faith that powers Christianity, is the faith to totally shed the ego and all of its baggage. The second birth is a second chance to become like a little child before it has been indoctrinated by self destructive worldly values. Real or not we become transformed through God's Word by the renewing & regeneration of our minds.
A lot of bullshit with no basis in reality.
maadmax 0
A lot of bullshit with no basis in reality.
O really, if you have reality figured out please by all means enlighten me. Or if you are like the rest of us mushrooms, maybe you should open the lid and let a little light into your world.
...
beowulf 1
QuoteThe faith that powers Christianity, is the faith to totally shed the ego and all of its baggage. The second birth is a second chance to become like a little child before it has been indoctrinated by self destructive worldly values. Real or not we become transformed through God's Word by the renewing & regeneration of our minds.
Ok so you claim Christianity has a special form of faith?? really! What do you have to back that up with?? Faith is belief with out evidence.
Second birth, like a small child?? Really what do you have to back up this claim??
Transformed?? Really! What do you have to back up this claim??
Let me guess. NOTHING
Faith is belief with out evidence and only provides imagined knowledge and doesn't give any real answers. All the perceived benefits of religion can be attained with out faith or religion.
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