The Problem With Humans And Religion

[hart]

Give all the riches to me. I'll do good works :tooth

 

[Minor Axis]

Read this for fun!
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newswe...a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html

Although I considered myself a faithful Christian, I was so more in name than in actual belief. I didn’t begrudge those who wanted to believe that Jesus was more than simply a good man who had suffered at the hands of the world. I sympathized deeply with those who wanted to believe that there was a God somewhere out there who loved us unconditionally. In fact, I envied such people the security that those beliefs no doubt provided. But as a scientist, I simply knew better than to believe them myself.


In the fall of 2008, however, after seven days in a coma during which the human part of my brain, the neocortex, was inactivated, I experienced something so profound that it gave me a scientific reason to believe in consciousness after death.


I know how pronouncements like mine sound to skeptics, so I will tell my story with the logic and language of the scientist

He is a neuro surgeon grounded in science, at least he says he is. : )

 

[Stone]

I've been on vacation on one of those Viking River Cruises in Europe cause I retired in Oct. That is why you have not heard much of me for the last 2 weeks. And I know your sad about that.

Anyway as I have toured fabulous castles and palaces, it has reinforced my view that human beings are fundamentally flawed. If you let them, a few powerful individuals will scoop up all the riches for themselves and tell the rest to screw ourselves, while claiming to be Christians completely blowing off the supposed teachings of Jesus. And while we as a society have supposedly advanced beyond our medieval beginnings, now I see these views trying to be resurrected in our politics and our business leaders. It's sad.

If it is not my imagination, how do we overcome this?

If it is not my imagination, how do we overcome this?

By being honest with ourselves.

If you let them, a few powerful individuals will scoop up all the riches for themselves and tell the rest to screw ourselves, while claiming to be Christians completely blowing off the supposed teachings of Jesus.

For example... while addressing personal honesty....a person, like you for instance, could present your argument in an unbiased format ( you are after all a Christian theological hating Earth Simulator Spiritual World believing agnostic posing atheist kind of guy ( ... ) ) and admit that through history, non-Christians even barbarians, have also looted and built empires.
Mankind is flawed.
The quest for power is universal.
It's extends beyond Christianity and religion.
Even atheists, agnostics......and yes.......even Earth Simulator Spiritualists.

I've been on vacation on one of those Viking River Cruises in Europe cause I retired in Oct. That is why you have not heard much of me for the last 2 weeks.

Ah!
That explains your support of entitlements.......
No wonder SS is paying out more than it's taking in

And I know your sad about that.

Good one

 

[Accountable]

If the policy of a country is that Gays may find a loving partner as well as all of us, then the policy will continue to say the same for all who wish more than one life mate.

Policy has ZERO to do with people finding loving partners. Civil marriage is about legality, not love.

As with Gays, it will be a small portion of our population that will go to multiple partners.

Most sane humans recognize that one to one is the way to go regardless of what sexes are involved.

You're opinion doesn't define sanity, sorry. Monogamy is a throwback to Roman times. Polygamy/polygyny is acceptable in many cultures, no matter how unwise some of us think it is.

 

[Stone]

.......................

You're opinion doesn't define sanity...................

Indeed :thumbup.........

 

[Catavenger]

Not everyone who goes to "church" (or even is a preacher/minister) is a Christian. Not all Christians go to "church." Originally the term "church" referred to the body of believers in Christ not some buildings or organization.

 

[Minor Axis]

Not everyone who goes to "church" (or even is a preacher/minister) is a Christian. Not all Christians go to "church." Originally the term "church" referred to the body of believers in Christ not some buildings or organization.

Not to sound snarky, but are you just making a general observation or countering someone's point?

 

[Minor Axis]

Pope Calls Virgin Birth Unequivocal Truth

I find it very interesting when I read an article about (have not read the book) Virgin Birth brought to us by the Pope. Here is the head man from one of the major religions making the classic mistake confusing or describing faith based belief with the same certainty as fact. I am critical of faith arguments presented with the same assurance as logical/fact based arguments. In the following quote, Benedict acknowledges former Egyptian/Greek legends and "archetypal concepts" of virgin birth, but insists that what happened between God and Mary was something new and valid, I guess just because he says so. How does anyone know this? For myself, I'd call it wishful thinking. I wonder if it is possible for theists to describe faith based beliefs as faith instead of making them sound like fact? In this realm, there really is no questioning about it. Where I on the other hand, I am full of questions.

One section of the book is called "Virgin Birth - Myth or Historical Truth?"

The Church teaches that Jesus is the son of God and was not conceived through sexual intercourse but by the power of the Holy Spirit, one part of the divine trinity.

In simple language that is at once academic but still easily accessible to a non-specialist readership, Benedict says the story of the virgin birth is not just a reworking of earlier Greek or Egyptian legends and archetypal concepts but something totally new in history.

"It is God's creative word alone that brings about something new. Jesus, born of Mary is fully man and fully God, without confusion and without separation..." he writes.

He does acknowledge that the story of the 3 Kings could be made up, but reassures us, if not true would not shake any foundation of Christianity:

Benedict says that while he believes in the story of the adoration of the Magi, no foundation of faith would be shaken if turned out to be an invention based on a theological idea.

Standby for Stone and his "Attack Attack" mantra. Any question is an attack...

 

[Stone]

...........................



Standby for Stone and his "Attack Attack" mantra. Any question is an attack...

I doubt few Christians care what you think, MA......you should be more worried about what your spirit worlders think of you .......

For myself, I'd call it wishful thinking.

That's pretty funny coming from a guy that devised a religious belief around an Earth Simulated Spirit world.........:tooth

........... I am full of questions.

You're obviously full of something!.....

 

[Johnfromokc]

 

[Tim]

I doubt few Christians care what you think, MA......you should be more worried about what your spirit worlders think of you .......



That's pretty funny coming from a guy that devised a religious belief around an Earth Simulated Spirit world.........:tooth



You're obviously full of something!.....

I find it quite funny that you make fun of MA's beliefs when you subscribe to the same beliefs with just a different flavor of crazy.

How any sane intelligent person can believe in a god is beyond my comprehension. And for me to sit here watching you idiots fight over which delusion is the right one provides me with countless hours of entertainment.

 

[Johnfromokc]

 

[Stone]

I find it quite funny that you make fun of MA's beliefs when you subscribe to the same beliefs with just a different flavor of crazy.

How any sane intelligent person can believe in a god is beyond my comprehension. And for me to sit here watching you idiots fight over which delusion is the right one provides me with countless hours of entertainment.

I find it quite funny that you make fun of MA's beliefs when you subscribe to the same beliefs with just a different flavor of crazy.

There you go Minor Axis......he thinks your shit stinks and I don't care care what he thinks

How any sane intelligent person can believe in a god is beyond my comprehension.

I believe you.........

And for me to sit here watching you idiots fight over which delusion is the right one provides me with countless hours of entertainment.

Interestingly enough, thought provoking since I haven't provided said argument.
Perhaps you own more 'delusion' than you perceive of reality? ( )

 

[Tim]

Interestingly enough, thought provoking since I haven't provided said argument.
Perhaps you own more 'delusion' than you perceive of reality? ( )

What makes you think my statement only pertains to the information you provided in this thread?

 

[Stone]

What makes you think my statement only pertains to the information you provided in this thread?

.....you idiots fight over which delusion is the right one.....

I haven't provided said argument

What part of that dialog didn't you understand?
My responses to MA have only been to MA's position as he attacks people for their beliefs ( mostly Christianity ) often by way of 'begging the question' ........
.........not a defense of my own religious beliefs in this debate forum.....
I don't need your approval or anyone else's , nor am I offering arguments for membership.

As I posted.....perhaps your grasp on reality isn't as firm as you like to project....reading comprehension and bias are like that.
It's shown up before in the political forum.....and you know what I'm referring to ....

 

[Tim]

You haven't provided said argument?

Of course you have, numerous times. Just because the whole discussion isn't in this thread doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

You just continued it with your snarky comment to MA about his beliefs. And I found it ironic based on the idiotic beliefs you subscribe to as well. A perfect example of kettle calling the pot black if there ever was one.

 

[Johnfromokc]

 

[Stone]

You haven't provided said argument?

Of course you have, numerous times. Just because the whole discussion isn't in this thread doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

You just continued it with your snarky comment to MA about his beliefs. And I found it ironic based on the idiotic beliefs you subscribe to as well. A perfect example of kettle calling the pot black if there ever was one.

Of course you have, numerous times. Just because the whole discussion isn't in this thread doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

Logically that could be correct correct......but in actuality....it hasn't happened and you'd be linking to it if I had.
I'm not the careless poster you sometimes appear to be and make sure not to impress my religious beliefs upon others, in my personal life and in debates.
I suspect your carelessness comes from arrogance.
And you're being played for it :clap

You just continued it with your snarky comment to MA about his beliefs.

It is definitely a sarcastic remark....but not with the spin you imply.

And I found it ironic based on the idiotic beliefs you subscribe to as well.

In your opinion.....which in my opinion doesn't amount to much more than ineffective trolling

A perfect example of kettle calling the pot black if there ever was one

In your opinion....and reference above statement

 

[Johnfromokc]

 

[Minor Axis]

Pat Robertson Admits He Got God's Election Prediction Wrong

Today, responding to a question from a viewer who wondered why her business is struggling since she thought God told her it would be successful, Robertson admitted that he sometimes misses God’s message. “So many of us miss God, I won’t get into great detail about elections but I sure did miss it, I thought I heard from God, I thought I had heard clearly from God, what happened?” Robertson replied, “You ask God, how did I miss it? Well, we all do and I have a lot of practice.”

Uh huh. I imagine God is shaking his head in bewilderment wondering how Pat missed his Obama button.