by Snoozy 49 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Those people who 'believe' in him just to use him as a scapegoat, would just find another scapegoat if there was no God.
So there is no real gain in allowing or removing belief in him for their sake. The rest of us however, gain much by abandoning such silly ideas.
Well, I can't speak for you, but I know that I don't gain anything at all by abandoning such a 'silly' idea. However, I do gain much by embracing such a 'silly' idea. Peace, hope, gentleness (in nature), a genuine desire (and honest attempt) to be a more forgiving and loving person.
Tammy
Is it really the belief in god that makes you so Tammy?
Personally I believe the world would be a bit better than it is today.
A world without God would be indentical in every way to the world we live in.
I dunno Nathan.... I'm kinda thinking it would be a bit saner without the suicide bombers, the self-appointed gay executioners and the religiously based privilege seeking in the political arena.
Plus, I think women look better when they can freely show their face and wear whatever the hell they want. Although clothes shopping is likely less of a chore if all you are allowed to wear are tents.
Aaaah I think Nathan is exactly correct. Terry hit it. If we were without the idea of god, things would be better. The world is without god, it is the notion that causes so much trouble.
Tammy...I agree with Berengaria. Sounds to me like you are a good person, simple as that...you don't need belief in a god to be that.
I think doing good for the sake of good, is TRUE goodness (if that makes sense). Doing good because a god will punish you if you don't, and give you presents if you do is shallow and selfish. I'm not accusing you of being that, just saying that most religions are based on reward/punishment. It's a paradox.
Belief in a god is a potentially dangerous and powerful "drug" for the mind. This is a dangerous combination: believing the most supreme being in the universe is on your side, combined with believing he has an agenda for you to play out...but the catch is, everyone determines/chooses for themselves what that agenda is. For example, they think shunning is showing love, but the very act is pure evil. But their belief that this supreme being wants them to do it, fuels their actions of hate. Without that "god fuel" would their be less hateful actions? I believe so.
But anyways...Terry and Berengaria nailed it...
"If we were without the idea of god, things would be better. The world is without god, it is the notion that causes so much trouble."
Is it really the belief in god that makes you so Tammy?
and
I agree with Berengaria. Sounds to me like you are a good person, simple as that...you don't need belief in a god to be that.
It is the belief in His Son, yes. The love that I have for Him, the understanding of the love and mercy that He shows to us... yes, that inspires me to try harder to show the same. Most of the time I am a nice person... but I am not necessarily a compassionate person, except when I remember the compassion that He shows to us.
Doing good because a god will punish you if you don't, and give you presents if you do is shallow and selfish. I'm not accusing you of being that, just saying that most religions are based on reward/punishment. It's a paradox.
I've often thought the same (paradox). Reward/punishment is sort of the way we teach our children, and then hope that they progress from there with a conscience. But I think to know Christ (to be known by Him) is to 'do good for goodness sake'. Or more accurately, because of the love He inspires. To do good (showing compassion and mercy) for love's sake.
Tammy
Originally, wars were fought between tribes over territory and the spoils of war. As each tribe adopted a set of religious beliefs they were able to justify their killing and looting. As religion became a political force, religions fought over territory. Wars are still fought over territory.
A God is not religion but religion has used the concept of a God to justify its aims and conduct. It is likely that the world would be much the same with or without religion.
Morals are a human, social set of measures and checks on the way we live. They too would evolve without religion as we see them doing among western Christians despite the 10 commandments and the Gospel.
Like I mentioned before, we have examples of great goods and great evils commited in God's name and great goods and great evils commited by those that don't believe in any God(s).
Religion has been a stabalizing factor AND a destabalizing one also.
What does that all mean?
That MAN, as always, is the KEY.
