Do you believe in God

[xzillerationer]

Those who talk to God are religious, those who God talks to are delusional. Actually, they're both delusional. I'm an atheist, and I am very loud about my lack of beliefs. Those who are religious are, by definition, delusional. No offense, but I've tried believing and it doesn't make sense.

 

[mpw]

No, I don't believe in God.

...The Bible... ...from what I've read. It just says when Jesus was born...

So, to summarize; you haven't read the bible, you don't care, you can see the future, you know my mind better than I do and you believe in God.

Your ignorance is typical of those I've had the God debate with many times; but it doesn't matter to me how ignorant you are; your arrogance is also quite typical too, and is one of the reasons I hate religion with such fervor.

But it's neither people's ignorance, nor arrogance that makes me not believe in a god, quite the opposite it's my intellect and open-mindedness that has allowed me to come to my beliefs; I didn't need any book to follow, or comfort me.

 

[andrewjdunbar]

My personal belief is that there has been nothing in my life to reinforce the idea of a higher authority - no level of religious indoctrination can change that fact.

Same goes for reincarnation, afterlife etc. In my own opinion, once the biological function is complete, then its game over.

The good thing about life however, is that we can ALL have an opinion. We are all justified in this opinion, I just wish that people would stop calling at my door and try to "save" me.

 

[Cronis]

I do believe in a God.

I'm curious though for those who say God doesn't exist... is it possible your scope of knowledge simply has not experienced him. Just a thought

 

[mpw]

...I'm curious though for those who say God doesn't exist... is it possible your scope of knowledge simply has not experienced him. Just a thought

A similar question could be put to those who do believe there is a god;
is it possible you're wrong?

As neither group can prove they're right neither can categorically they say the other is or isn't wrong, only in what they believe... trouble is those that don't believe in god can do that and get on with their lives, and allow those that do believe to get on with their's... while those (some, not all) who believe in god feel the compulsion to live their lives AND tell others how to live their's, or impact on other's lives negatively.

Nobody ever started an argument by not mentioning religion, and just trying to get along.

 

[aiz4andy]

I do believe in a God.

I'm curious though for those who say God doesn't exist... is it possible your scope of knowledge simply has not experienced him. Just a thought

You do realize that you can use that same argument for unicorns, leprechauns and spaghetti monsters, don't you? Not that I would classify it as an argument.

 

[lunatic59]

I believe in the belief of God. I think the belief in a deity, ultimate power, heavenly father (or mother, for that matter) universal constant, the continuum, etc. is a natural byproduct of limited intelligence. Now before you get your jockstraps in a twist, by limited intelligence I don't mean stupidity or naivet

 

[mrqs]

I'm curious though for those who say God doesn't exist... is it possible your scope of knowledge simply has not experienced him. Just a thought

yes, in the same way it's possible that i simply haven't experienced a pink invisible unicorn - doesn't mean i think there's the slightest chance of one existing

*edit* didn't see the next page - this point was already made

 

[lunatic59]

You do realize that you can use that same argument for unicorns, leprechauns and spaghetti monsters, don't you? Not that I would classify it as an argument.

I can't speak for unicorns or leprechauns, but I have first hand experience with spaghetti monsters. You don't want to be dressed in white when you encounter the marinara type.

 

[Cronis]

A similar question could be put to those who do believe there is a god;
is it possible you're wrong?

As neither group can prove they're right neither can categorically they say the other is or isn't wrong, only in what they believe... trouble is those that don't believe in god can do that and get on with their lives, and allow those that do believe to get on with their's... while those (some, not all) who believe in god feel the compulsion to live their lives AND tell others how to live their's, or impact on other's lives negatively.

Nobody ever started an argument by not mentioning religion, and just trying to get along.

Oh thats definitely true.. guess what i was saying is the possibility exists that there might be a God, whether or not you believe in it.

btw believing in god and acknowledging his existence are two very different things

 

[aiz4andy]

btw believing in god and acknowledging his existence are two very different things

Are you having a "who's got the crappiest argument" competition with yourself?

 

[Cronis]

Are you having a "who's got the crappiest argument" competition with yourself?

lol just noticed a few getting them confused

 

[mrqs]

do elaborate on your distinction

 

[macprv]

I can't speak for unicorns or leprechauns, but I have first hand experience with spaghetti monsters. You don't want to be dressed in white when you encounter the marinara type.

ramen brother

 

[bluenova]

I do believe in god. But, I think god is something bigger than a big man in the sky who created everything. Simply I believe that god IS everything. And everything in the universe makes up god.

My thoughts exactly. Jesus said, 'God is love' and love in one sense of the word is basically the thing that connects everything.

 

[mpw]

...love in one sense of the word is basically the thing that connects everything.

So are the rocks a gift of love that these guys are giving each other?

"No I love you more" [hurls bigger rock]

Pretty sure the 70s would've been more pleasant if they'd just sent a card and some chocolates... or a filthy SMS!

 

[bluenova]

So are the rocks a gift of love that these guys are giving each other?

"No I love you more" [hurls bigger rock]

Pretty sure the 70s would've been more pleasant if they'd just sent a card and some chocolates... or a filthy SMS!

The word 'love' in English is very limited, we mainly use it to mean affection towards another (interpersonal love) but it is the best English word to translate into from the meaning meant in the bible which is to have an unconditional connection. In other languages they use many words to describe the different kinds of love.

This is the biggest problem with a lot of the non-believers posting here, they quote scripture from the bible and take it at face value not taking into consideration that it was written in different languages and in a very different time. You need to look beyond what is written (translated) to see what the writer was really trying to say.

 

[Captain Stu]

Not really, I believe there must be more to life than this - it'd be pretty sad if we were the pinnacle of creation but I don't buy the conventional idea of God. I'd class myself as Agnostic rather than Atheist.

 

[mpw]

...unconditional connection...

A connection is very different to 'love'.

...This is the biggest problem with a lot of the non-believers posting here, they quote scripture from the bible and take it at face value not taking into consideration that it was written in different languages and in a very different time. You need to look beyond what is written (translated) to see what the writer was really trying to say...

You may have a point, but I'd suggest that it's the believers that are more in need of better understanding the real meanings and intentions of the authors, in many, many cases.

 

[aiz4andy]

Also, regarding scripture - it doesn't matter how you understand it or interpret it, there is always somebody who interprets it differently.

Basically, telling someone they are interpreting it wrong is not really a good argument.

Your interpretation of love is an "unconditional connection". Now that is curious because Christianity itself introduces us to the concept of eternal damnation and torture if we do not accept Jesus Christ. Now I don't know your interpretation of unconditional - but to me that ain't it.

Also suggesting that love connects everything, I am unaware of this branch of science.

 

[bluenova]

A connection is very different to 'love'.

No it's not. Really, go learn Latin and Ancient Greek. There are so many different meanings which have all been consolidated into the one word 'love' in English. In the bible it is the basis for everything, i.e. God is love > God is everything, and unconditional connection between enverything.

You may have a point, but I'd suggest that it's the believers that are more in need of better understanding the real meanings and intentions of the authors, in many, many cases.

I agree, a lot of Christians also take the scripture at face value (look at Lucas in Eastenders ) but that stems from 100's of years of misuse of the Bible by certain denominations. The only way is to come to your own conclusion after your own study and not to just follow the Christian or anti-Christian masses.

 

[bluenova]

Also, regarding scripture - it doesn't matter how you understand it or interpret it, there is always somebody who interprets it differently.

Very true.

Basically, telling someone they are interpreting it wrong is not really a good argument.

The point I was trying to make was a lot of people with big comments aren’t researching, contemplating and interpreting, they are taking the face value and stating that's what the bible say's so that's what Christians believe but a lot of what was written is stories to try to explain something. That is how knowledge was passed on in ancient times.

Your interpretation of love is an "unconditional connection". Now that is curious because Christianity itself introduces us to the concept of eternal damnation and torture if we do not accept Jesus Christ. Now I don't know your interpretation of unconditional - but to me that ain't it.

You are mis-understanding me, it's not about free will or to be damned on not. By unconditional I mean the connection is there, it cannot be turned on or off, it is absolute.

Also suggesting that love connects everything, I am unaware of this branch of science.

Well we don't have a complete understanding of science yet but with the research of things like superstring theory the possibly of a force connecting all nature is quite plausible. I find it quite difficult to believe that a common connection (God) does not exist when there are so many natural balances that must exist for nature to work.

 

[mrqs]

i haven't read the bible, i don't pretend to know nor understand its intended message, but the thing is, its message is totally irrelevant
because at the end of the day the bible was written by a bunch of people
people who had no better understanding of the universe than any of us (likely less so)

now i don't know whether those people were seeking power and fame by imposing as some kind of prophets, or if they were fooled by some con-artist called jesus or if they were merely trying to write a thrilling best seller (in which case, kudos), but i do know it's the ramblings of a few ordinary people, not the word of god

 

[aiz4andy]

The point I was trying to make was a lot of people with big comments aren

 

[Frisco]

i haven't read the bible, i don't pretend to know nor understand its intended message, but the thing is, its message is totally irrelevant
because at the end of the day the bible was written by a bunch of people
people who had no better understanding of the universe than any of us (likely less so)

I've read the entire thing, several versions (King James, New King James, Revised Standard, Douay-Rheims, New Jerusalem and NIV), all in English (which is the biggest pitfall to its understanding, I admit).

What we have today is an amalgamation of writings and recorded sayings of hundreds of different people, many with wholly different outlooks on the universe, "the world," as they referred to it, deities, roles of people in society and of course the role of religion itself as it applies to people and mankind in general.

Atheism is expressed in the Bible, as is strict theism, some polytheism but mostly monotheism.

The Church, known now as the Catholic Church, raked through the writings and sayings and produced and revised everything a few times over the centuries in efforts to promote their particular views on things, which changed many times in important areas, and also to drive out "heresies" therein, etc.

But the message somehow remains; it is the most sold book on Earth, year in and year out.

I am not making a statement as to my beliefs or lack thereof, but I can say this about the Bible: after reading it so many times and letting the whole thing settle after so much of my life, conclusions I draw about it all revolve around one glaring fact.

That fact is that it is needed, or it would have vanished or at least sunk into the background of literature long ago, as have many writings which were once at the forefront, such as the works of Homer, Voltaire and other great writings which are now merely fodder for literature courses in college.