What is your belief?

[sharpies]

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking.

I have seen NO evidence to suggest that there is a god & I'd pretty much need to meet god to believe in him, or perhaps read about him in the National Enquirer

Allan

 

[FunkyIce]

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking.

I have seen NO evidence to suggest that there is a god & I'd pretty much need to meet god to believe in him, or perhaps read about him in the National Enquirer

Allan

So, based on the evidence we have now, you can conclude that there definitely is no god?

Oh, and my previous question..Do you agree that we have to have all the facts to safely conclude that there is no god?

 

[andcuriouser]

Don’t leap forward my friend, one step at a time. You will see that silenteyz said “There are opinions, and all opinions are Justified by the opiniators, personnel experiances and beliefs” Now, if this rapist truly thought he did not experience the situation, then by silenteyz’s belief, his opinion is justified. And yes, I am going to be abstract now. The rapist most probably committed the crime. But we can’t claim anything to be a fact. There is a minute chance that what the man said holds some truth. By you saying that you know for a fact that the man committed the crime, you have placed yourself to be all knowing. We can’t know if something is an ultimate fact. And no, it’s not a “horrendously bad example” as I have just demonstrated otherwise.

Just because someone's opinion is justified doesn't make it true.

You said that horrendous act was witnessed, and since we are dealing with a hypothetical, I assumed it was committed. No matter how hard the rapist believes otherwise, the act was committed. It was witnessed, it happened. Belief cannot change physical evidence. I can believe with all my heart that I'm not sitting on a chair right now, but the fact remains that I am. Belief in something does not take away from the facts. My chair exists, whether I believe it or not. In your hypothetical situation, the rapist committed a horendous act, whether he believes it or not.

You also seem to miss that rape, which produces concrete physical evidence, is very different from religion. I'm not even sure that you can justly compare the two, as they are both very, very different experiences. That's why it would be a bad example, or at least a disconcerting one. There is no concrete physical evidence in a higher power, so people can believe or disbelieve all they want. There is no solid proof of either way, according to you.

 

[Peter Parka]

Why wouldn't it be safe to conclude that there is no God? Thats the problem with religion, it forces people to believe in God by the fear that they might burn in hell or something. The Bible clearly states that God is love. What's so loving about torturing people forever in a firey hell?

 

[FunkyIce]

Just because someone's opinion is justified doesn't make it true.

[FONT=&quot]
Yes, I agree. That was my point. Certain opinions hold more validity than others. [/FONT]

You said that horrendous act was witnessed, and since we are dealing with a hypothetical, I assumed it was committed. No matter how hard the rapist believes otherwise, the act was committed. It was witnessed, it happened. Belief cannot change physical evidence. I can believe with all my heart that I'm not sitting on a chair right now, but the fact remains that I am. Belief in something does not take away from the facts. My chair exists, whether I believe it or not. In your hypothetical situation, the rapist committed a horendous act, whether he believes it or not.

You also seem to miss that rape, which produces concrete physical evidence, is very different from religion. I'm not even sure that you can justly compare the two, as they are both very, very different experiences. That's why it would be a bad example, or at least a disconcerting one. There is no concrete physical evidence in a higher power, so people can believe or disbelieve all they want. There is no solid proof of either way, according to you.

[FONT=&quot]Fact is, there can be an overwhelming amount of physical evidence that the man committed the crime, but you can never be 100% sure. I, as an agnostic can never prove an Atheist wrong. All I can do is make a choice, all I can do is choose the one that possesses more validity.[/FONT]

 

[TheOriginalJames]

So, in what you're saying there, you can only believe what makes the most sense to you.

Hey, that's why the word opinion was created.

 

[FunkyIce]

So, in what you're saying there, you can only believe what makes the most sense to you.

Hey, that's why the word opinion was created.

Yes, this is why philosophy exists. And as I have said countless times, some opinions hold more validity than others.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

See that's why I let you hold that opinion. Because I don't believe that one opinion is more important than another.

 

[Kat]

Ok...so now to go a little more in depth with my feelings on this subject.

In my personal opinion i do believe in god. I may not understand everything the bible says...and i may not agree with it all either... but I believe there is someone out there watching over us (ok so over me) ... it may have a lot to do with how i grew up...my grandparents are strict catholics...the rest of my family hard core christians...but when it came down to it...at my lowest time in life when i felt as though i had nothing to live for... no reason to go on...i finally started listening to my family... I felt as though i just couldnt go on...and my sister talked to me about God one night...When i decided maybe there was something to what she said... I went for it...the whole giving your life to God. Shortly after that and after reading some scriptures ...i felt as though a weight was lifted from my shoulders...I still to this day have a hard time believing in someone i cant see... or hear... but i just have to have faith... sometimes faith is all that keeps a person going.

I dont hold the same strict views as some members of my family...but I try to find my own way with it. I may never be whats considered a strong christian... but i do belive that God is there...that he loves me and is watching out for me. Like I said... i needed something to believe in...i needed to think that someone believed in me... and cared about me no matter what.

Thats the kind of God i believe in...a forgiving God... a loving God...an accepting God.
there will always be doubts or questions in my mind...but thats ok with me. Thats life...always searching for the answers...always searching the truth...but from what i've seen in my own life so far. since i became a christian...since i decided to believe ... i have become a much stronger...and better person. Believeing in God took away my need to turn to drugs ...and cutting and stuff like that...


so yeah thats about it for now...maybe more later

 

[SilentEyz]

I dont hold the same strict views as some members of my family...but I try to find my own way with it. I may never be whats considered a strong christian... but i do belive that God is there...that he loves me and is watching out for me. Like I said... i needed something to believe in...i needed to think that someone believed in me... and cared about me no matter what.

Thats the kind of God i believe in...a forgiving God... a loving God...an accepting God.
there will always be doubts or questions in my mind...but thats ok with me. Thats life...always searching for the answers...always searching the truth...but from what i've seen in my own life so far. since i became a christian...since i decided to believe ... i have become a much stronger...and better person. Believeing in God took away my need to turn to drugs ...and cutting and stuff like that...


so yeah thats about it for now...maybe more later

And that is Faith in all its amazment, You can believe, find your happiness and Comfort, And still know who you are, and be who you are, without the need to conform to what others believe.

Questions and Doubts, are all a part of it, and you will never be less for having them, yet stronger when your own heart finds the answers.

 

[elluko]

Yeah, no one can expect someone to change their views on religion through a single thread.

 

[SloMoFo]

i really dont know what i would be considered

i believe in God ad have faith but not so much into organized religion..nor do i follow or read the bible..so i wouldn't call myself a christian, i just stick to the morals i was raised on and do good because thats how i want to be .

 

[majikstranger]

When i am asked that question i usually say i am agnostic, but i am not. I have my own unique beliefs as i have studied religion heavily and therefore dont need to subscribe to anyone elses religious ideology. Once you attach yourself to a label such as christian, agnostic, muslim etc etc, you are now a slave to it. Its like if America illegally initiated a war against another country and the country retalliated then we would have to defend America because we are americans. Labels take a way your right to think for yourself because you have taken on a set of rules to live by that dictate your beleifs and thoughts on all matters. Even when you disagree with a part of that belief system, you have to ignore it because disagreement means blasphemy. If you where a christian, back in the time of the crusades you would have been apart of it and would of thought it necessary because your religion told you to think that. That kind of kills the idea of free will when all your choices and opinions are determined by a set of rules called religion and a bible

I choose truth to be my religion, the quest for knowledge. I am willing to give up my entire belief system at any moment in time if proof of the opposite is presented to me. I think we could never move foreward till we are all free from the shackles of archaic failed ideologies and we need to become intellectuals and think for ourselves. We alla have the capacity to do so many great things but never where given a chance for fear of commiting thought crimes. 1984 is done with, its time for the new millenium, thats why i like to think of myself as Odin from the tarot, He sacrficed himself for knowledge. We must all sacrifice our imaginary fears and loose the safety we feel in allowing others to think for us. Justdo your homework and youllsee that every messiah and prophet would not agree with what became of their philosophies. Jesus was not a christian he was a mystic.

 

[sharpies]

Oh, and my previous question..Do you agree that we have to have all the facts to safely conclude that there is no god?

I sometimes wonder how anyone can come up with an alternative. I think it is quite safe to assume that there is no God, based on the evidence before us.

I also feel that some people have a need for a godlike figure as it enables them to move on with lives that they deem without purpose. This comes across as a bit of a Catch 22 to me because I think that the main reason they think their lives are empty (without a God) is because that is drummed into them from an early age - no God = no purpose. Of course I do not believe this to be so.

Allan

 

[majikstranger]

on a quick note most people dont know that the god they pray for are alien beings from another planet. Read the old testament and you will see that god is always in plural form. These were gods with a small (g) they were not the one supreme god. Thats why it say we weremade in "their" image, but wait i thought their was only one god. Thats why in the testament it says "though shall have no other god before me". It doesnt say , their are no toehr god, it just says that this god is the number one god for the jews so don;t put any of them higher. Check with a rabbi and you will see that the jews were never a monotheistic people, they were henotheistic, wich means choosing one god out of many.They are the chosen people of that one perticular god. all i have ever heard said about the one true god is that this has been all his plan and that god is everything and isnt a person or a thing. God is all you can see and touch and that you cannot, god is ultimate love.

Both gods are real as can be you just cant prove it because your all praying to the wrong god, the aliens who created you.

I know this might sound craxy to som, but it is a widely known thing, just notmeant for the regular people

 

[sharpies]

Dude, either you are a shit stirrer or you are seriously messed up.

Let God(s) decide.

Allan

 

[SilentEyz]

Dude, either you are a shit stirrer or you are seriously messed up.

Let God(s) decide.

Allan

Lol,
I never thought I would hear myself agreeing with Allan in a Religious Thread.. But on this one I think I have to.

 

[majikstranger]

Are you saying i am messed up? and that im a shit stirrer? I was born catholic and went to church every sunday, i went to catholic school as well. I know my religion and i know the history of all religions so am i shit stirrer yes, but not in the sense to cause trouble only in the sense that i make unknown knowlege public and allow you to make a decision on it as you wish. you dont have to beleive or follow my beliefs, some of the stuff i talk abouit isnt even my beleif but if opposing views are damaging to your existence then just ignore this.

now if that comment wasnt about me then ignore me

 

[FunkyIce]

When i am asked that question i usually say i am agnostic, but i am not. I have my own unique beliefs as i have studied religion heavily and therefore dont need to subscribe to anyone elses religious ideology. Once you attach yourself to a label such as christian, agnostic, muslim etc etc, you are now a slave to it. Its like if America illegally initiated a war against another country and the country retalliated then we would have to defend America because we are americans. Labels take a way your right to think for yourself because you have taken on a set of rules to live by that dictate your beleifs and thoughts on all matters. Even when you disagree with a part of that belief system, you have to ignore it because disagreement means blasphemy. If you where a christian, back in the time of the crusades you would have been apart of it and would of thought it necessary because your religion told you to think that. That kind of kills the idea of free will when all your choices and opinions are determined by a set of rules called religion and a bible

I choose truth to be my religion, the quest for knowledge. I am willing to give up my entire belief system at any moment in time if proof of the opposite is presented to me. I think we could never move foreward till we are all free from the shackles of archaic failed ideologies and we need to become intellectuals and think for ourselves. We alla have the capacity to do so many great things but never where given a chance for fear of commiting thought crimes. 1984 is done with, its time for the new millenium, thats why i like to think of myself as Odin from the tarot, He sacrficed himself for knowledge. We must all sacrifice our imaginary fears and loose the safety we feel in allowing others to think for us. Justdo your homework and youllsee that every messiah and prophet would not agree with what became of their philosophies. Jesus was not a christian he was a mystic.

I, as an agnostic can explore any area of life, go down any path I choose. I, as an agnostic, don’t have care about god. I can just live my life. I can explore anything that may expose itself to me. Being agnostic does not put any boundaries on me. In the end, I, as an agnostic am admitting that I really don’t know. I, as an agnostic, can accept god in any form. Yes, I can draw to conclusions, and from these conclusions I can build the foundations of a healthy mind. But I, as an agnostic, will never say that I know for a fact. I have just labeled myself as an agnostic and it hasn’t restricted me in any way. Can you please supply me with an example where agnosticism is taking away the right to think for myself?

 

[TheOriginalJames]

Wow.. something I can agree with Funky on. Excellent point.