Serendipity

[DoctorDisco]

Ok

The other day me and my friends got bored so we went on a walk. We passed a church and noticed some hub-bub goin on inside so we thought we would take a look. Once entering we realized it was a youth group. So after eating some free cookies and watermelon we mingled around a bit. Soon everyone gathered around a stage. Kids then proceeded to pick up the microphone and give their personal rendition of god and how he has helped them in the past year.

So I decided I would give it a shot.

I walked up on the stage when it was open, grabbed the mic, tapped it, and said in a deliberately shy tone "so I said to the guy, thats not my car, thats my wife". Everyone laughed.

I then talked about my past experiences as an atheist, and how it wasn't for me.

Just shows how things are what you make of it.

 

[Staci]

interesting

 

[zowie]

I don't know why people who are atheist get such a kick out of mocking people that aren't. I have a cousin who is an atheist and she has to make sure everyone knows it. She has bottons on her coat and bumper stickers on her car that say things like Darwin loves you.

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

 

[Revenant]

I don't know why people who are atheist get such a kick out of mocking people that aren't. I have a cousin who is an atheist and she has to make sure everyone knows it. She has bottons on her coat and bumper stickers on her car that say things like Darwin loves you.

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

I don't go around screaming I'm athiest... and I don't mock believers... Don't put all athiests in 1 group because you know a couple athiests that are like that...

My entire life I've done what I could to try and convince myself that god is real because when I was about 10 I started hearing everyone talk down on those that didn't believe in god so I told everyone that I did... After a while I realized that it wasn't working out and I needed to just be honest to myself and don't bullshit everyone to just come out and let everyone know I didn't believe in their god...

Just remember try not to talk down on those that are athiest unless they go around doing as you said mocking believers and flaunting their athiesm for attention. Just know that for a lot of athiests those that believe in god make it really hard to grow up with beliefs like this... I had a terrible time growing up because people were always trying to tell me "I need jesus" and that I would go to hell and every day I go without living by the bible I'm commiting another sin.

Life isn't easy for athiests... Don't think we're all assholes... Most of us are just tired of hearing shit from those that believe in god

 

[Minor Axis]

Ok

The other day me and my friends got bored so we went on a walk. We passed a church and noticed some hub-bub goin on inside so we thought we would take a look. Once entering we realized it was a youth group. So after eating some free cookies and watermelon we mingled around a bit. Soon everyone gathered around a stage. Kids then proceeded to pick up the microphone and give their personal rendition of god and how he has helped them in the past year.

So I decided I would give it a shot.

I walked up on the stage when it was open, grabbed the mic, tapped it, and said in a deliberately shy tone "so I said to the guy, thats not my car, thats my wife". Everyone laughed.

I then talked about my past experiences as an atheist, and how it wasn't for me.

Just shows how things are what you make of it.

Did you tell them what was for you? And what was that? And so you joined the church?

 

[Minor Axis]

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

Don't you realize how ironic this statement is?

(ok, usually it's the believers bugging the non-believers to believe!)

 

[canidae]

I don't go around screaming I'm athiest... and I don't mock believers... Don't put all athiests in 1 group because you know a couple athiests that are like that...

My entire life I've done what I could to try and convince myself that god is real because when I was about 10 I started hearing everyone talk down on those that didn't believe in god so I told everyone that I did... After a while I realized that it wasn't working out and I needed to just be honest to myself and don't bullshit everyone to just come out and let everyone know I didn't believe in their god...

Just remember try not to talk down on those that are athiest unless they go around doing as you said mocking believers and flaunting their athiesm for attention. Just know that for a lot of athiests those that believe in god make it really hard to grow up with beliefs like this... I had a terrible time growing up because people were always trying to tell me "I need jesus" and that I would go to hell and every day I go without living by the bible I'm commiting another sin.

Life isn't easy for athiests... Don't think we're all assholes... Most of us are just tired of hearing shit from those that believe in god

I wonder though if it's not more accepted today than it was when I was your age.

 

[Revenant]

Don't you realize how ironic this statement is?

(ok, usually it's the believers bugging the non-believers to believe!)

Thats what I was tryin to get around to I just ended up saying a lot more than that... People are always telling me my life style is wrong and I'm going to hell but if I join their church I will be able to correct my wrong doing...

I wonder though if it's not more accepted today than it was when I was your age.

It's a lot more acceptable but I believe the acceptance has grown a TON since earlier in my life... The older you are the less people care about your beliefs... People haven't bothered me about being athiest in a long time... But when I was younger I had teachers, peers, friends parents, and even random strangers that would constantly bug me about believing in god and even bring me to tears making me truely believe how I was feeling about religion was really wrong...

 

[zowie]

I don't go around screaming I'm athiest... and I don't mock believers... Don't put all athiests in 1 group because you know a couple athiests that are like that...

My entire life I've done what I could to try and convince myself that god is real because when I was about 10 I started hearing everyone talk down on those that didn't believe in god so I told everyone that I did... After a while I realized that it wasn't working out and I needed to just be honest to myself and don't bullshit everyone to just come out and let everyone know I didn't believe in their god...

Just remember try not to talk down on those that are athiest unless they go around doing as you said mocking believers and flaunting their athiesm for attention. Just know that for a lot of athiests those that believe in god make it really hard to grow up with beliefs like this... I had a terrible time growing up because people were always trying to tell me "I need jesus" and that I would go to hell and every day I go without living by the bible I'm commiting another sin.

Life isn't easy for athiests... Don't think we're all assholes... Most of us are just tired of hearing shit from those that believe in god

ok sorry I didn't mean to put you all in the same group. It just seems to me that most atheists enjoy using things like science to rub it in our face that some things in the Bible aren't true.

Even if there is no God... Isn't believing that there is help a person make better life choices? Don't kill people, don't steal other peoples stuff, don't sleep with someone elses wife.

 

[Revenant]

Sure it teaches good morals and I won't even start to try and prove it wrong cause I'm sure you don't want to hear it... Just keep an open mind because a lot of it is very interesting... I think if you're going to believe you should believe in what you want not in what the bible tells you what to believe...

Google google zeitgeist it's very interesting keep an open mind if you want it don't get pissed right away because all of the information is 100% true it does not reflect anyones beliefs it's all facts just take a look plus it sheds a little light on the 9/11 situation in the seecond chapter...

 

[DoctorDisco]

I don't know why people who are atheist get such a kick out of mocking people that aren't. I have a cousin who is an atheist and she has to make sure everyone knows it. She has bottons on her coat and bumper stickers on her car that say things like Darwin loves you.

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

I'm not sure if you are referring to me or are just bringing up an interesting topic but I wasn't mocking them.

I actually gave a very moving speech filled with inspirational quotes and an explenation of how my atheist experience was just being closed minded.

I described it as "I was plummeting to the ground and opening my mind was like opening a parachute, I floated safely down and planted my feat on the ground"

etc etc

and politely stepped off my soap box followed by an uproar of applause

 

[DoctorDisco]

Did you tell them what was for you? And what was that? And so you joined the church?

I told them about how god has given me strength and discipline to reach my goals. Without his patient validation and guidance I wouldn't be the courageous young man standing on this stage in front of so many people.

Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you have never been hurt.
And dance like no one is watching.

I did not join the church but I am seriously considering it if I find someone to go with.

 

[DoctorDisco]

Sure it teaches good morals and I won't even start to try and prove it wrong cause I'm sure you don't want to hear it... Just keep an open mind because a lot of it is very interesting... I think if you're going to believe you should believe in what you want not in what the bible tells you what to believe...

Google google zeitgeist it's very interesting keep an open mind if you want it don't get pissed right away because all of the information is 100% true it does not reflect anyones beliefs it's all facts just take a look plus it sheds a little light on the 9/11 situation in the seecond chapter...

You seem like a very smart kid by the way you responded so pro-actively to zowey. That is worth commending, you are definitely an individual of balance.

In my opinion: Saying that Zeitgeist is 100% true is a bit of a reach. They make many very extreme blanket psychological assumptions.

Keep in mind it is a video (propaganda) and that they view civilization from a very bias and one sided perspective through out the entire video.

It is worth watching. It is fascinating and educational.

 

[Minor Axis]

I told them about how god has given me strength and discipline to reach my goals. Without his patient validation and guidance I wouldn't be the courageous young man standing on this stage in front of so many people.

While I would not say what has happened in your life could not possible be God's work, I would ask how do you know where you get your strength and discipline from? Maybe you should give yourself some credit and not attribute it on an external force. It makes you think without external help, you are a weak person.

Regarding "patient validation and guidance" from God, is it possible to put into words how you know God is patient and what kind of validation he give you? What I really don't like when people talk about "guidance" from God is how that can be abused to justify their actions. I'm not referring to you.

 

[SgtSpike]

I don't know why people who are atheist get such a kick out of mocking people that aren't. I have a cousin who is an atheist and she has to make sure everyone knows it. She has bottons on her coat and bumper stickers on her car that say things like Darwin loves you.

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

The problem is, Christians do the same thing to atheist as much if not more than the other way around. Not every Christian. Not even some Christians. But a few outspoken ones here and there ruin it for everyone else. Atheists are so outspoken because they are merely rebounding against this.

Oh, and because they're controlled by the devil. :ninja

Thats what I was tryin to get around to I just ended up saying a lot more than that... People are always telling me my life style is wrong and I'm going to hell but if I join their church I will be able to correct my wrong doing...

It's a lot more acceptable but I believe the acceptance has grown a TON since earlier in my life... The older you are the less people care about your beliefs... People haven't bothered me about being athiest in a long time... But when I was younger I had teachers, peers, friends parents, and even random strangers that would constantly bug me about believing in god and even bring me to tears making me truely believe how I was feeling about religion was really wrong...

The biggest reason why you aren't bothered much anymore? You're not nearly as convertible as when you were a kid. Seriously. I heard a statistic, something like 80% of Christians become Christians when they are under 18 years old. Not many adults decide to follow Christ. It's because adults are so dang stubborn and prideful (not discluding myself here either), they don't want to admit that they've been wrong about their beliefs for their entire life, so they don't even bother to listen. Or if they do, they try to find every excuse in the book for not believing, even when something seems to make sense.

What I really don't like when people talk about "guidance" from God is how that can be abused to justify their actions. I'm not referring to you.

I definitely agree with you on this Minor Axis. "Guidance from God" is abused like nothing else these days, and it really kind of infuriates me.

 

[Revenant]

You seem like a very smart kid by the way you responded so pro-actively to zowey. That is worth commending, you are definitely an individual of balance.

In my opinion: Saying that Zeitgeist is 100% true is a bit of a reach. They make many very extreme blanket psychological assumptions.

Keep in mind it is a video (propaganda) and that they view civilization from a very bias and one sided perspective through out the entire video.

It is worth watching. It is fascinating and educational.

True Zeitgeist is propaganda but every fact told in the first section is not reflecting belief in something it's all true... The only thing I think you could say isn't 100% true would be how they relate the cross with the circle to the zodiac calender thing... That could just be something gathered by the maker of the video or others that believe this... Other than that I see nothing that's false...

I think it's awesome whether you believe it or not it's super insightful

 

[All Else Failed]

why would you give up atheism there's no good reason to

ok sorry I didn't mean to put you all in the same group. It just seems to me that most atheists enjoy using things like science to rub it in our face that some things in the Bible aren't true.

Even if there is no God... Isn't believing that there is help a person make better life choices? Don't kill people, don't steal other peoples stuff, don't sleep with someone elses wife.

you can have those principles without god or religion. I'm an atheist and I don't do any of those things. Now why do you think that is? (hint, religion has nothing to do with it)

 

[DoctorDisco]

While I would not say what has happened in your life could not possible be God's work, I would ask how do you know where you get your strength and discipline from? Maybe you should give yourself some credit and not attribute it on an external force. It makes you think without external help, you are a weak person.

Regarding "patient validation and guidance" from God, is it possible to put into words how you know God is patient and what kind of validation he give you? What I really don't like when people talk about "guidance" from God is how that can be abused to justify their actions. I'm not referring to you.

The idea of god in a psychological standard is to fulfill human need. Once you don't fear death you can truly start living it.

For the strength and discipline, our mind works in mysterious ways. Through hypnotism people can achieve physical and mental feats unknown to their conscious mind.

So by using the power of imagination through religion we can fear or motivate our selves to standards unknown to basic "instant gratification/live for the moment/atheist" mindset.


Bottom line:
There are two parts of the mind. Conscious and sub-conscious. Religion helps tame the unconscious through the use of imagination.


I personally think that religion is an excellent tool. People before the information age didn't have distraction such as school/tv/computers. They interacted with humans 24/7 and philosophized with understanding of human nature that you and I will never know. Who are we to refute the lines they drew in the sand?

 

[Gijs]

I don't know why people who are atheist get such a kick out of mocking people that aren't. I have a cousin who is an atheist and she has to make sure everyone knows it. She has bottons on her coat and bumper stickers on her car that say things like Darwin loves you.

I would think if you don't beleive in God then leave it at that and leave the rest of us alone.

That`s funny because Christians even put signs on busses ( here in Holland they do) which say "God is liefde" or in English God is love or translated more freely God loves you. So I don`t think that atheists are in that way worse then Christians.

(I am agnostic BTW so I don`t care about propaganda from either side.)

 

[All Else Failed]

The idea of god in a psychological standard is to fulfill human need. Once you don't fear death you can truly start living it.

For the strength and discipline, our mind works in mysterious ways. Through hypnotism people can achieve physical and mental feats unknown to their conscious mind.

So by using the power of imagination through religion we can fear or motivate our selves to standards unknown to basic "instant gratification/live for the moment/atheist" mindset.


Bottom line:
There are two parts of the mind. Conscious and sub-conscious. Religion helps tame the unconscious through the use of imagination.


I personally think that religion is an excellent tool. People before the information age didn't have distraction such as school/tv/computers. They interacted with humans 24/7 and philosophized with understanding of human nature that you and I will never know. Who are we to refute the lines they drew in the sand?

You do not need faith to not fear death. Why would an atheist fear death if he/she believes you just stop existing? That is pretty painless.


We in the information age know infinitely more than they ever had known.