Is God an Atheist?
Before the Christian dismisses atheism as irrational or condemns the atheist as immoral, he should consider the disturbing possibility that the God of Christianity is himself an atheist. And if this is true, it means that the Christian worships, obeys, and has devoted his life to an atheistic being who does not believe in any power superior to himself, never prays, is utterly without faith, and who does not acknowledge any authority, either cognitive or moral, external to himself.
If theism is loosely defined as belief in a higher power, a mysterious being whose essential nature cannot be understood (whether in whole or in part) by the believer, then God is an atheist. He does not believe in a power higher than himself, nor can there be anything which he fails to understand, for nothing can be unknown or unknowable to an omniscient being.
If theism is defined as the belief in a supernatural being, then God is an atheist. His own powers, though supernatural from a human point of view, are comprehensible to himself. Everything is "natural" from God's perspective.
If theism involves a relationship of subordination and dependence between a theist and her object of veneration, then God is an atheist. He is a self-sufficient Being who disbelieves in any power greater than himself. He worships nothing, never prays, never seeks forgiveness, and never acknowledges his own errors.
If theism is the belief in a creator, or first cause, who is ultimately responsible for one's own existence, then God is an atheist. He believes himself to have existed eternally--though, as Kant suggested, even God must occasionally wonder where he came from.
If theism involves the belief in an external moral authority, a being whose moral law is obligatory for his creatures, then God is an atheist. He does not believe in a higher law, nor does he think himself capable of doing wrong. He does not regard himself bound to respect the rights of any other being. God is morally autonomous, a law unto himself.
God is therefore an atheist. Moreover, he is a positive atheist of the most dogmatic variety, for he claims to know with absolute certainty that there exists no being superior to himself. He is never troubled by doubt, never re-examines any of his beliefs, and never feels obliged to justify them.
This raises some further questions: Why, if God is himself an atheist, should we suppose that that he disapproves of atheism among his creatures? Is not a benevolent father pleased when his children grow up to be like him? And how can the Christian condemn atheism per se without also condemning their atheistic God? Is not the atheist who strives to be like God more admirable than the Christian who merely believes in him?
Tashawaa
JoinedPosts by Tashawaa
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God is an Athiest
by Tashawaa inbefore the christian dismisses atheism as irrational or condemns the atheist as immoral, he should consider the disturbing possibility that the god of christianity is himself an atheist.
and if this is true, it means that the christian worships, obeys, and has devoted his life to an atheistic being who does not believe in any power superior to himself, never prays, is utterly without faith, and who does not acknowledge any authority, either cognitive or moral, external to himself.. .
if theism is defined as the belief in a supernatural being, then god is an atheist.
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Tashawaa
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WTBTS's Use of "Illustrations"
by Tashawaa inremember "illustrations"... the wtbts uses them to drive-home their points.
for example, i can't get the illustration of "good parents who allow their child to undergo a painful operation for its own good" (with picture of parents heartbroken, and crying, reaching child being wheeled into operating room).
this was suppose to help us "understand" why god allows the suffering today - for our future wellbeing.. well, what if the parents had the power to heal the child without surgery.
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Tashawaa
Remember "illustrations"... the WTBTS uses them to drive-home their points. For example, I can't get the illustration of "good parents who allow their child to undergo a painful operation for its own good" (with picture of parents heartbroken, and crying, reaching child being wheeled into operating room). This was suppose to help us "understand" why God allows the suffering today - for our future wellbeing.
Well, what if the parents had the power to heal the child without surgery. What if they could just say "hocus pocus" and it was all better??? Which choice would a loving parent make: would they use their powers, or allow a painful operation? Adds a different perspective, doesn't it?
Can you think of any other illustrations they used, that when you think about it now, can see how illogical they were?
I'll never forget one seminar I attended. The prof. was speaking to the subject of ethics, and one of the students raised their hand to make a comment (I'm assuming they were JW) - they used the old "frog in hot water (heat the water slowly, and the frog will adjust to the heat, won't jump out and die)". The prof looked at the student and simply said "humans aren't frogs" - next.
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What our hearts know is in store
by Frogleg inimagine that you have walked into a travel agency (yes, i know, an archaic concept) that has advertised a "surprise" trip.
they have told you that this excursion will go somewhere pleasant and enjoyable, but it doesn't mention exactly where you will be going.
however, they tell you to pack a lot of suntan lotion (min:spf 40), towels, swimming togs, and they want to make sure you know how to use an aqualung.
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Tashawaa
They have told you that this excursion will go somewhere pleasant and enjoyable, but it doesn't mention exactly where you will be going.
Or WHEN.... this travel agency wants your money, trip paid for "up front" on the hopes that there will be room for you when its time to go. Only problem is, the trip will be "very soon" or "imminent"and the agency says that to reserve your booking space, you are now on a monthly payment plan. You are first told that the trip will take place on a certain date. When the date comes, the travel agency tells you that they had problems with the bookings, and that the trip will take place on another date. That date comes, but still no trip. The travel agency tells you that you'll take this trip before you are 55. You reach 55, still no trip. The agency then tells you that sometime before you die (if you're lucky), you'll get to take this trip you've been paiding for your entire life. Unfortunately, you're hit by a car and die. Never got to take this trip and you've paid a monthly fee to reserve the booking.
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Anti-Jehovah's Witness Arrested
by Kenneson inthe police have arrested a suspect in the arson fires of kingdom halls in georgia.
the suspect was first believed seeking revenge, but now they think the man has mental problems, since "voices" told him to do it... see "woodstock man arrested for arson" at.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20051104/localnews/34252.shtml
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Tashawaa
The Forsyth County church sustained minor damage Oct. 17 after someone poured flammable liquid in the entranceway and part of the sanctuary. The accelerant burned the carpet but did not spread beyond where it had been poured.
Authorities think the flame-retardant carpeting may have saved the church.
At one time I would have believed that "Jehovah's spirit" protected the Hall... "flame-retardant" carpeting would have had nothing to do with it!
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Tashawaa
The only thing missing from the article is ad-nauseum of quotes from scientists who believe the "Theory of Gravity" taken out of context to "prove" that there are huge gaps, errors, etc. in the Theory that they hold as fact.
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The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 7 - Those Remarkable Women
by RunningMan inas always, if you would like the entire book, just send me your email address.
those remarkable women
this is probably the kindest thing that can be said about gods gender relations.
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Tashawaa
The third year of the reign of king Ahasuerus was 484 B.C.
Runningman - just love the articles! They're great!!!!!!! What was the source of this date? Do you happen to know what the JW Insight books say for the reign of Ahasuerus?
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10 Reasons Why Beer is Better than Jesus
by Tashawaa in10. no one will kill you for not drinking beer.. .
9. beer doesn't tell you how to have sex.. .
8. beer has never caused a major war.. .
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Tashawaa
10. No one will kill you for not drinking Beer.
9. Beer doesn't tell you how to have sex.
8. Beer has never caused a major war.
7. They don't force Beer on minors who can't think for themselves.
6. When you have a Beer, you don't knock on people's doors trying to give it away.
5. Nobody's ever been burned at the stake, hanged, or tortured over his brand of Beer.
4. You don't have to wait 2000+ years for a second Beer.
3. There are laws saying Beer labels can't lie to you.
2. You can prove you have a Beer.
1. If you've devoted your life to Beer, there are groups to help you stop. -
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Adam vs Jesus
by inbyathread innew topic - maybe old topic revisited.. how about a list of simularities/differences between adam and jesus.
wts states that jesus had to be equal to adam for his sacrifice to balance out adam's sin.
question.
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Tashawaa
Adam - didn't "know good or bad"
Jesus - created everything, assume "greatly" knowledgeable
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Crap that hurts! Talking to an ex-LDS
by Qcmbr ini just got an email from someone who played a really formative part of my life who's since left the lds church (my rose tinted spectacles) and it really hurts.
this is why i don't go to ex-lds sites.
its wierd - a lot of you as posters are at the other end of the tunnel - having left/escaped - but it sure as heck feels gut wrenching when your still 'in' and someone you care about leaves.
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Tashawaa
Qcmbr,
This site gives a good view of the church because there are no agenda's or party lines to follow - no one here is simply reading a pre written text.
Everyone is welcome here!
BUT, I need to say this... you come to an x-jw site (mostly) for the above reasons, YET you said that you won't look at any x-mormon sites?!?!?! You prefer your religion's "pre written text". Why don't you lurk at some of your x-LDS sites and get the "no agenda's or party lines" from those in-the-know of your religion?!??!?
Frankly, my impression of you is that of a cultist "peeking" in on the x-cultists of another cult. First time I looked at an x-jw site (and I was an active, loyal jw) I got all nervous, stomach in a knot, scared... but at least I had the guts to check out my own religion's x's.
Maybe, who knows this might be one of your first baby steps in critically analyzing your own religion.
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Dating Sites
by ballistic inhas anyone tried dating web sites?
i am a member of a famous one, but i am finding it takes so long to get to know someone and the person you finally meet can turn out nothing like you expected.
currently i've been chatting to someone for 6 months - "speed dating" in slow motion!
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Tashawaa
LOL
Don't just rely on the site to meet someone though - mix it up. Get out with your friends, join classes, try some online chatting (but dump them if they don't want to meet you after 3 emails...they're yanking your chain), let some of your close friends know to keep their eye open for you... and then before you know it, you'll meet someone you backed your car into!