"For those who do not believe in the Bible: Why don't you?"
For the same reason I don’t believe in the Koran
THE GLADIATOR
JoinedPosts by THE GLADIATOR
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For those who do not believe in the Bible: Why don't you?
by Chemical Emotions ini don't believe in the bible either, but i'm just curious as to why others don't.
ridiculous misogyny and mass murder by a petty little god are two reasons for me.
(ilovehigh-lighting) .
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
And thank you to you dear AGuest.
Salute!
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A quote to brighten up your Monday!
by SweetBabyCheezits in"once upon a time, in some out of the way corner of that universe which is dispersed into numberless twinkling solar systems, there was a star upon which clever beasts invented knowing.
that was the most arrogant and mendacious minute of "world history," but nevertheless, it was only a minute.
after nature had drawn a few breaths, the star cooled and congealed, and the clever beasts had to die.. one might invent such a fable, and yet he still would not have adequately illustrated how miserable, how shadowy and transient, how aimless and arbitrary the human intellect looks within nature.
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THE GLADIATOR
Going back to the opening post; sad as it seems the situation for humans does seem less than ideal.
I sometimes listen to the late philosopher & spiritual entertainer Alan Watts on CD. One of his lectures is called ‘The level of magnification.’
Everything we look at appears different the closer or further we get from it. If we look at the earth from 5,000,000 miles away and a time span
of say 900,000,000 years, our whole perspective of humanity would change…ect.
It's humbling to realize that in the grand scheme of things I am just a time-bound prick!
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
Greetings! I have just returned from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Things here seemed to have calmed down. Thanks you all for your comments.
Stillthinking. NewChapter. AGuest. Twitch. OnTheWayOut. Tammy(tec)Vandahoven7. mosch. Band on the run. Shepherd. Joey Jo-Jo. SweetBabyCheezits. MrFalcon. OUTLAW. Cantleave. Deist. EntirelyPossible. BrokenPromises. PSacramento. Wobble. the-luminator81.
I have read your responses carefully and found them helpful and well thought out. I know it’s encouraging to get a reply to every post you make but it’s not always possible or desirable for me to respond to every post. This thread addresses a sensitive subject and sometimes it is best to see which direction the subject takes without unnecessary guidance from me.
There is subjective reality and objective reality. The person, who believes that their experience is real and involves external influence, will usually insist that their experience, although not provable is objective. Alas, improvable experiences remain subjective until they are proven. I don’t make these rules; it’s just the way it is, how our language works.
Through debate we seek to examine beliefs and claims and see if they can become objective to the world at large. It’s understandable that those with strong convictions desire to eternalise and share their beliefs. If doing so causes them to be validated they are strengthened. If attempts to gain acceptance of these views fails, then defensive action is often taken to protect those views.
After all, we protect what we value. Whenever we share something we value, we take the risk is that it may be derided. Those that deride on either side of the debate are simply seeking to keep their own balance and protect their way of making sense of their life and finding a path thorough this difficult world.
Forgive me if I sound as though I am lecturing as I realize that you i ntelligent people already know all this.
Peace and may your gods go with you
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
It's Gladiator's thread. Carry on with him and forget everything I said.
Thanks OnTheWayOut but this is everybody's thread and people should express how they feel. We all see the theist non-theist debate from our own perspective.
Many believers have become atheists and many atheists have become believers. We are all subject to change and robust debate is essential to the process.
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
I have just returned from an annual chilli festival in West Dean Sussex UK. Tasted some mighty hot chillies but was not prepared for the heat on this thread.
With regard to my ‘jealousy’ towards Shelby hearing from Jesus, I believe I have adequately explained myself. Nevertheless I would like to share a moment from my past.
When I was a boy we had very little in the way of material things. My brothers were always bored with nothing to play with. I was never bored. Fortunately I had a vivid imagination. I could conjure up anything I wanted in my imagination. I had imaginary conversations with people. I heard voices and made friends with people who existed only in my mind. I could make up jokes, tell them to myself and laugh out loud when I got to the punch line.
I even had a horse that I could gallop down the road to the local store on. The lady store owner always asked how the horse was and gave me free nuts to feed it. I also had a panda that was so real he had a small chair of his own to sit on. Occasionally a place was set at the table for the panda.
One day I announced that the panda had gone. My father asked where? I told him that didn’t need him any more. Soon after, the horse went too. Now I have to live in the real world. I envy people who are still capable of such illusion.
Peace
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
I did not look for any deceit in what you posted, at all but gave you the benefit of the doubt (why wouldn't I?). I am saddened to learn that my candor may have been wasted (or so you suggest) because you were never serious to begin with (or you now wish me to believe).
I have just read your post Shelby and I cannot understand what your point is. I have been totaly honest with you and meant every word I said.
I cannot be jealous that Jesus talks to you and not me if I don't belive he exists. What I can be, is jealous of is your illusion which I am unable to share. Illusion offers comfort and respite from reality. It is a luxury I don't enjoy. Of course you belive that I along with many non theists and Christians are deluded. This is of course why we debate these positions on the forum.
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
Well, as always Shelby, your response is comprehensive, sincere and perceptive. I have just used the word sincere in my last post because Christians do seem to be entirely sincere.
When I say that ‘I would like Christ to speak to me, even though I don't believe he exists; that I would still like to believe that I can hear him speaking to me. ’
What I am saying is that I would like to be able to enjoy having such an amazing illusion in my life. My disposition prevents me from enjoying this luxury. It’s not a choice. If I could keep illusion alive I would still be a Jehovah's Witness.
At the same time, I could be utterly deluded and missing out on the reality of Jesus and his existence. I think this unlikely but to you it is a reality and I wish you well in your spiritual journey. I appreciate the time you take to dissect my often facetious comments and believing that I may be worth saving.
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
“ Gladiator, I think you understand love and kindness very well... and if you forget once in a while, you've got an awesome wife to remind you ;) ”
Shush Tammy! If this were to get out, people will start to doubt I’m a gladiator and it is the only illusion I have left.
Your post is as always kind and sincere. The things we desire and ask for usually manifest. You attribute this to Jesus, whereas I suspect these things come from inside ourselves. In any case, starting out with good motives is a positive way to live and leads to harmony within and with others.
I understand why Christians argue among themselves. It is the way to arrive at conclusions and consensus. When it’s done in public I can’t help joining in with the entertainment.
I guess I don’t take these matters so seriously any more. After all I have nothing to lose, no position to defend. What I am looking for I have yet to find.
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Christians used to be sure of what they believed...
by THE GLADIATOR inrecent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.
christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.
only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.
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THE GLADIATOR
"And their problem is rooted in a kind of jealousy... which says, "Why is Christ speaking to YOU, and not ME? What makes YOU so special? Surely, if God/Christ were going to speak to ANYONE... it would be to ME."
Unfortunately, few recognize the utter haughtiness and arrogance in such thinking."
Thanks for your reply Shelby. I think you have rumbled me - I am jealous. Why have I not been chosen? I would like Christ to speak to me. Even though I don't believe he exists, I would still like to believe that I can hear him speaking to me.
Alas I am destined to wander though life alone, wondering what I am doing on this god forsaken planet. But you tell me it's not god forsaken, it is me that is forsaken. I realize that this is because I lack faith. Nor am I big on the love thing.
Like many others here, I have not made a choice as to whether to believe or not. It is simply that b elief eludes me. As the bible says, 'faith is not the possession of all people.'
Peace & may your gods go with you