God

[Tom Cruise]

It?s more than believing in God or a Supreme Being, it?s fully understanding your spiritual existence and the necessary relationship with the Supreme Being.

Here is a link with some helpful videos that could be used by a few here it seems: http://www.scientology.org/videos.html#/videos

 

[Jaxx]

I know in my head and in my heart that Earth and the life on it is more than some cosmic accident.

Agreeing (or disagreeing) with current scientific theories does not change my belief in God.

Without thumping my bible too loudly just let me say that God will be there when you are ready for Him.


Merry Christmas.

Eddie states it's a physiological crutch. WhatsHisNuts says a reason to believe is death.

Faith isn't a crutch. True faith takes strength.

Well Said. Science does not change a thing in my mind. Nor is it a crutch. But gives my life meaning I can only find through belief in God. Faith takes Strength.

Merry Christmas All! :thumb:

 

[PocketAces]

I just want to point out here that we have a nice discussion going. So far no name calling or other junk. It's nice.

Thank you all for that.

:0008

 

[PAChicky]

I was raised in the Lutheran Church and was baptized and confirmed. After being confirmed I started to get away from the church mainly because my dad only really took us to church when he was going through one of his "I'm sorry I shouldn't have gotten drunk and beat my wife/ruined my life/messed up and now I need to repent for what I did" stages.

My ex-hubby was a Nazarene. After we had our daughter we decided that maybe we should start going to church because of her. So I was going to join the church. I had to take some classes. She was baptized in the Nazarene church. Then a lot of things changed in my life and I have never gone back. I don't believe there is a God and I never will at this point. My son was never baptized. My ex-hubby has now left the Nazarene church and he and his new wife attend a new church but it really doesn't have a denomination. Everyone is welcome and it's laid back and very comfortable. His wife is the director for the Christmas play and she asked if I would come see my kids perform on Christmas Eve. I decided I would do it for my kids but PaSprint won't go with me so I'm sure my mom will.

I don't care if someone else believes in God- that is their choice. The problem I have is being hypocritical. My sister (being one of god's closest followers as she says) being one of biggest/nastiest hypocrites I know. The bible tells you not to judge and some people think they are the judge, jury, and executioner. Like I said I don't care if you do or don't believe but I would just appreciate it if you don't push your beliefs onto me.

 

[kickserv]

I am an atheist and in my opinion the world would be such a better place if all organized religions on the planet just vanished. Just think of all the death and destruction in world history because of organized religion.

Thankfully as time goes on more and more people are becoming atheists, perhaps in 30 thousand years organized religion and even believing in some magical being up in the sky will vanish from human thinking. But sadly I highly doubt that.

Nothing closes ones mind off more then religion, it takes away rational thought. As bleedingpurple said it just gets embarrassing. Plus as PAChicky pointed out nobody follows their religion anyway, all hypocrites.

If you want to believe in god, fine with me, just don't judge others for not believing that is what annoys me.





I will admit that I do believe in a "gambling god", that prick always messes with my bets. "Gambling gods" do exist, and they hate me:142smilie

 

[kickserv]

I just want to point out here that we have a nice discussion going. So far no name calling or other junk. It's nice.

Thank you all for that.

:0008

 

[layinwood]

Nothing closes ones mind off more then religion, it takes away rational thought. /QUOTE]


How so?

 

[buddy]

I have a question to people who believe that things were not created by accident or by a big bang, let's for example say God is the almighty who created everything, who created God? Did he just magically appear? Wouldn't he have to have been created spontaneously? Or if God was created wouldn't that creator have to be spontaneous? Isn't it a vicious cycle until finally something was formed spontaneously? Some of my religious friends have asked me, Can't God just have existed? My answer is NO!

No one created the Almighty. By definition He is omnipotent and omniscient. He never had a beginning and I think that is beyond awesome. We were created for His pleasure. He does not owe me nor do I expect an explanation.
Why is it that we mere mortals think we are entitled to "understand" everything? The bible says in Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us..." In essence, everything is subject to a law of cause and effect except the One who put such law into motion. I am nothing and He is everything. I believe He's in perfect control of everything that happens, both to my life and to this world. We are both part of His creation. And lastly, I thank God for loving this world so much that He sent His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." Thank you Heavenly Father for your free gift of salvation. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

 

[smurphy]

One thing I do know is that Christianity in the USA has almost nothing to do with what Jesus is quoted to say and preach in the Bible. I am a fan of both, but I certainly don't confuse them for each other.

 

[kickserv]

/QUOTE]


How so?

The words "That is what is says in the bible" or "That is what is says in the Koran" come to mind.

 

[PocketAces]

One thing I do know is that Christianity in the USA has almost nothing to do with what Jesus is quoted to say and preach in the Bible. I am a fan of both, but I certainly don't confuse them for each other.

Can you expand on that? I don't understand what you mean.

 

[bleedingpurple]

No one created the Almighty. By definition He is omnipotent and omniscient. He never had a beginning and I think that is beyond awesome. We were created for His pleasure. He does not owe me nor do I expect an explanation.
Why is it that we mere mortals think we are entitled to "understand" everything? The bible says in Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us..." In essence, everything is subject to a law of cause and effect except the One who put such law into motion. I am nothing and He is everything. I believe He's in perfect control of everything that happens, both to my life and to this world. We are both part of His creation. And lastly, I thank God for loving this world so much that He sent His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." Thank you Heavenly Father for your free gift of salvation. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

This is what I mean, to me this is embarrassing? He never had a beginning? This defies all logic, this to me is a cop out. Why do mortals think they are entitled to understand everything? Really? This is basically an answer someone would give to a child. Why are we entitled? We have a brain that gives a thought and rationalization. We have knowledge of how things are made and created but when questioned about where the almighty comes from I am told there was no beginning and I'm not entitled to understand. Thanks Buddy that was helpful.

 

[smurphy]

Can you expand on that? I don't understand what you mean.

Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
.........

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
..........

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven
.........

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal
.........

But woe unto you that are rich!
........

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
.....,....


Just a few quick Jesus quotes that don't seem to jive with what I've been taught. There are many more. :0008

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

I'll state that I am a confirmed atheist. Was raised Catholic by strict Catholic parents but have come to understand that science does explain the creation of the universe whereas 500 years ago, belief in a deity made sense. Now, to me, it doesn't other than a psychological crutch.

What say you?

Eddie

Hi eddie. Please scientifically explain how something comes from nothing. Thanks

Your internet friend

 

[smurphy]

Hi eddie. Please scientifically explain how something comes from nothing. Thanks

Your internet friend

Hawking can do that.

 

[Amethyest]

May we all one day come to an understanding, All our believes are true....:SIB

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

Hawking can do that.

Not very well. I was hoping eddie could explain it better.

 

[buddy]

This is what I mean, to me this is embarrassing? He never had a beginning? This defies all logic, this to me is a cop out. Why do mortals think they are entitled to understand everything? Really? This is basically an answer someone would give to a child. Why are we entitled? We have a brain that gives a thought and rationalization. We have knowledge of how things are made and created but when questioned about where the almighty comes from I am told there was no beginning and I'm not entitled to understand. Thanks Buddy that was helpful.

Of course it defies all logic. That's my point. Logic is merely a particular method of reasoning. How about a method that exists "outside the box?" How about a method that cannot be scrutinized?

You wrote: "We have a brain that gives a thought and rationalization. We have knowledge of how things are made and created but when questioned about where the almighty comes from I am told there was no beginning and I'm not entitled to understand."

My reply: Okay. Maybe this is more accurate - "We have a brain that gives us limited knowledge of how things are made and created." We have partial knowledge, the Almighty is omniscient. Bp, do you really think that with our little peanut brains (size matters) that we have the ability to understand the ways of the Almighty? His ways are unsearchable. Someone here at Madjacks has this as their signature, "Deception is what you do to others, delusion is what you do to yourself." I beg your forgiveness if this sounds condescending because that isn't my intention, but it may help if you try to think outside the box.

Lastly, I googled "What lies beyond logic and reasoning". There are several links. I couldn't copy/paste the one I wanted because it was a PDF file. But it did talk about truth, non-truth, absolute truth, knowledge, non-knowledge, etc.

Truth is not gender neutral. It is not an "it". It is a "He".

John 14:6 ~ "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.

 

[SixFive]

I believe in God/Christianity. One thing I will offer is this. I have seen a lot of death and dying in my career. A few atheists on here have commented that they feel Christians cling to that belief bc of a fear of death. When it all comes down to it, everybody is at least a little scared, but in my experience, those with faith are more calm/peaceful, and often even happy. So are their families. The atheists are scared and afraid. Those who believe have faith and a hope for a better place. Atheists have nothing.

Believe or don't believe. I will discuss, but I will not argue. I'm just offering a nuts and bolts view of what happens when people are about to die related to faith/belief.

 

[kickserv]

Atheists have nothing.

On the other side but good luck with your play.