i ask this question because it goes to:.
- how disposed to objectively considering contrarian evidence you are, and.
- how much i might be messing with your life and happiness by helping you see things the way i do.. i read the posts of many people on this board who are apparently happy, even deliriously happy, with their theism.
God and Jesus as names are of no importance to me but they represent the search for truth and meaning in our lives. Although they fail to inspire me personally, that does not mean I have abandoned my spiritual journey.
We all seek more than the obvious reality of being alive while waiting to die. Whether more exists is what our search seeks to discover. It may well end in failure but it keeps us occupied and gives us hope. That may well be all we need.
i'll start off.. i don't believe anything is divine about bible writings.
i believe there may be some marginal history although not much.
i think alot of folk tales and regional myths are contained in the old testament.
The Bible is a very important book. American and European culture have for centuries been based on the Bible.
As a young man I could quote it chapter and verse and find any scripture in seconds. To hold a Bible in my hand was to hold Truth and Life. It still holds enough influence for the great Terry to start a thread asking who believes it :)
Now I see the Bible as a 66 part collection of folklore, myth, conjecture, poetry and deliberate fraud, with the word HOLY stamped on the front. If there is a God he will be weeping!
is there any religions out there that actually think that any religion is good as long as you worship?.
or do they all think the other religions are under the control of satan/the devil.. funny, i knew that the jw's felt that way but never really thought about the other religions.. is there any humble enough to admit they don't have all the truth and aren't any better than any other religion?.
that's the one i want to join... snoozy.
Everyone, whether they have a religion or not, thinks that the way they live is the right and true way for them - otherwise they would change the way they live.
Religion is a vehicle that believers hope will carry them through life and beyond. If it carries them through life, it will have served its purpose and the beyond will take care of itself.
May your gods go with you.
it has been postulated that belief in god is very much the same as a common childish belief in an imaginary friend.
richard dawkins devoted a few pages to the theme in his book, the god delusion.
his basic premise is that the gods worshipped by humankind, all 1600 or so of them, evolved from imagination to fill a gap in the psyche which leaving empty is just too frightening.
PSacramento Nothing would surprise me.
It would make sense that having a "failed father figure" would inhibit someone form seeking a spiritual replacement.
it has been postulated that belief in god is very much the same as a common childish belief in an imaginary friend.
richard dawkins devoted a few pages to the theme in his book, the god delusion.
his basic premise is that the gods worshipped by humankind, all 1600 or so of them, evolved from imagination to fill a gap in the psyche which leaving empty is just too frightening.
It begs the question though: Why did humans develop a need for something that does not exist?
Well Tammy, my take on this is that as we grow up we are dependent on our mother and father for all our needs. They are our roll models. Single parent families and orphans find other roll models.
We grow up and make our way in the world. Our mind is programmed to look to a mother or father figure for support, guidance and hope. Our own parents grow old and die but before this happens we create a heavenly father or mother figure that we can look to and answer to. Someone who can fulfil our hopes and dreams if we believe in them and do what we believe will please them.
Tammy you love Jesus very much and find comfort in your belief in his existence. I really hope he does exist, because to see the gift of such trust, love and devotion going to waste, would be tragic.
it has been postulated that belief in god is very much the same as a common childish belief in an imaginary friend.
richard dawkins devoted a few pages to the theme in his book, the god delusion.
his basic premise is that the gods worshipped by humankind, all 1600 or so of them, evolved from imagination to fill a gap in the psyche which leaving empty is just too frightening.
When I was a child I had a teddy bear that always listened to me and never complained, even when I wet on him. Now I am almost grown up, I keep a well stocked bar. I would like a god but can't find one to suit me.
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is forgiveness overrated?.
if i'm being completely honest with myself, there is a short list of folks who i haven't forgiven.
Death is a spirit being...He is a living, breathing entity... and controlled by JAH.
Wow! I have always thought that death is the natural state that all living creatures and plants reach at the end of their lives. This is much more exciting. A real breathing entity that I can challenge in combat - a fight to the death.
i kinda figured i would read many negative things concerning jw, i was not disapointed............ i say if you ae not happy not just in the jw, but anywhere, life it too short move on.. .
i myself am a wittness, an anointed witnes .
there is no shame is sharing yr hope and i am varry happy with mine.
Almost all of your other posts are damn near bullseyes, Gladiator, but this one missed the mark.
Thanks Lion Cast - but this time I was aiming for the bullshit!
i kinda figured i would read many negative things concerning jw, i was not disapointed............ i say if you ae not happy not just in the jw, but anywhere, life it too short move on.. .
i myself am a wittness, an anointed witnes .
there is no shame is sharing yr hope and i am varry happy with mine.
the apostols of crist, and crist himself,
One would assume that a person anointed with Holy Spirit by Christ to help rule the world as a king and a priest,
would be able to spell his Lord's name. Or am I expecting too much?
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is forgiveness overrated?.
if i'm being completely honest with myself, there is a short list of folks who i haven't forgiven.
Of course, this long debate started as a discussion about the merits of forgiveness. It has now become a debate about Adam Eve in the Garden of Eden. And whether the god of the old testament dealt with them in a fair way.
How many people actually believe the god of the old testament or the tale of Adam & Eve to be literal?
The list of those that don't, include: Agnostics, athiests, pagans, modern Christians, and most other religions of the world.
The list of those that do are.........?
In line with this topic, please 'forgive' my impertinent intrusion into you debate.
