Do you believe in God???
He is always there for you.
No. Any fool can see this.
So let me get this straight. There is GRAVITY, therefore there is an invisible super being who does not like women wearing BIKINIS?
Did I get that right? No - I am laughing at your ridiculous, irrational beliefs. Sorry - I thought I had made that clear.
LOL
So, you drop something and it falls to the ground. Science explains this with the "theory of gravity." You say - no - this is proof there is an invisible super being who does not want women to wear BIKINIS.
And at the same time, the scientific theory of evolution proves there is no god Yet still you fight to shove the idea down everyone's throat.
I suggest you look up the words "irrational," and "ridiculous," in a decent dictionary. I recommend the Oxford English.
Yes I believe but why do we keep discussing this over and over?
you know you are about as sweet as they come and so I usually read what you write and not respond because I haven't any reason to because you are good people.
However, with that said. It keeps getting discussed for two of the same reason. If there is even a chance to "free" people from this oppressive god so that people can be happy and do things together instead of against each other based on a belief that god is going to come back and fix it while destroying everything in his path, then we might be able to get along.
Why with all this knowledge and words of love they speak, they are not willing to work together for a better life on Earth, right here and now... well then like the book, they will make it happen but surely it will not be god who destroys everything.
From the beginning of time we have all questioned our belief system and the idea of God, Jehovah, Allah, Yahweh, and Eloh, if it weren't for history we would have forgotten our Creator,
we as people only call on our Lord when times are hard and we have to rejoice in our Lord, for times good and bad, Read the Psalms for inspiriation I do every so often, I am not really a firm believer in the rituals contained in most religious dogma however my belief and faith will not be broken.
Learn more about your inner self and seek the truth in your life. Hopefully this hub reaches you like a big hug.. LynneHistory?
What are you talking about? From the beginning of time - we made up shit to fill the gaps in knowledge. Now - we do not need to do that.Andrew - your ignorance and gullibility are astounding.
I have no questions. God does not exist. No matter how many times you tell me I am ignorant or foolish. This will not change.
Open your eyes Andrew and accept you have swallowed the religious BS you claim to despise. Look at that picture of a pretend dead guy in your avatar - you should have stuck with the car you cannot afford. lol Talk about ignorant.......
Religion is MAN made not Christ !
I guess man or woman always needs a scapegoat
When they lose they blame God ( or a god)
When the win ,they claim "In God We Trust"
Silly humans
Well the facts are in the New Testament if you accept it. Jesus mentions the 10 commandments in Romans 13, Luke 18 and Matthew 19 to name a few. I would say that is logical, reasonable and factual. Well I guess it would depend on who the judge was.
Dispensationalism is rather a new theology brought about by John Nelson Darby just over 100 years ago, just before Theodor Herzl founded the political movement called Zionism. We are living in that 1,000 year period that dispensationalists speak of right now. These two pages may help you decide whether the form of dispensationalism that you follow is correct or not.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/second_coming.html
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/zionism.html
- dennisemattposted 14 years ago
0 - \Brenda Scullyposted 14 years ago0
- \Brenda Scullyposted 14 years ago0
oh, you mean truth?
Im a fool for Christ
It shows.
Aww thankyou ,when I displease you ,then I know for sure , Im on the right track
Who said "displeased."? Just obvious.
"Laughable," is probably a better word.
If god does not exist then where does my spaghetti come from??? i am so confused now!
from the FSM of course, don't worry my spaghetti loving child, ravioli is on it's way to clear things up.
- I do.
The guy in a white robe that lives on a cloud and cooks sinners for eternal dinner? Sure I do!
I always find this circular reference a bit unsettling. If we question God we lack faith, but if don't question him then we follow blindly. However, the original question 'Is there a God?' can be answered easily if we take ourselves outside of religion and think of the question logically.
If you believe, then yes, he exists. Maybe only in your heart and mind, or perhaps across the wide expanse of all that is, but he does then by definition still exist.
And what if you don't believe?
If you chose not to believe and he doesn't truly exist - nothing lost. However, what if he does?
Our creator made us (according to bible doctrine), but our free will came from the devil (Garden of Eden - Adam and Eve). Now, the book says that God is all-powerful. He's not somewhat-powerful, mostly-powerful, or nearly-totally-powerful - he's all-powerful - the book never says otherwise. Taking that as truth, God could have taken free will back from Adam - why didn't he?
It seems obvious ... he wanted us all to determine our own path. We don't do good because we have no concept of evil - we do good because we chose by our own free will to do so. That adds meaning and purpose to our lives, and I think that's what any creator would want for his children.
It's not a question of whether he exists, nor is it a question of what will happen to us if we fail to believe - it's a question of whether we do enough on this Earth to make a positive difference. Live by that philosophy and I don't think you should have anything to worry about.
And ... I know ... I can hear the drums beating. Failure to believe in God guarantees a trip downstairs. Again ... if God wanted everyone to believe in him he would force us to do so. Better yet ... he would part the clouds and yell down at us. Believe me, we'd listen.
It's all about doing good out of our own free will ... and that's not a bad philosophy to live by, regardless of whether God exists or not.
And if he doesn't exist, why do we still insist on believing?
Well, sometimes the world throws at us a lot more than we can handle, and it's nice to think at those times that we are being watched over and protected.
Existent or not, it's comforting to believe a supreme being might consider us all worthy enough to take an interest.little bit..as god never did any expected thing for me...
The Original question Is
Do You Believe In God
My answer was and is still Yes.
He exists to me
If I sin ,he exists
If I dont sin ,he exists
Imagination or Faith( and everyone has Faith in SOMETHING) or someone.
I have Faith In Jesus Christ.yes, I did that now it is your turn.
Really, is that why when someone believes something different from the the god of the bible, those who believe in it come along and tell you that what you believe is false?
this god might have given us free will but the religions who preach this a true certainly do their best to deny people of their free will to worship or believe as they please.
I don't believe I am being oppressed by god, indeed it is the actions of mans all ill holy bolongna that suggest that the idea of believing in something better than a damning god is bad and a road to hell.
your god is oppressive, unless you mean it is satan.
Hmmm ... God wants you to believe in him (pretty much demands it, or your soul will perish in fire). However, he wants you to derive the fact he exists from written and oral accounts of other men.
(bear with me here, as I will soon make a point)
We must believe because we are told to believe, and the proof offered is anything good - or bad - that happens in the world. Good things are God's blessings and bad things are God's repayment for evil deeds.
I just need to believe and all is good. And even better ... if it turns out God doesn't really exist, I lose nothing, as then I have lived a good life.
Win-win ... right?
Um ... no ... there are complications.
You see, there are other gods (Vishnu being one of them) who also demand belief and offer the same proof of their existence. Now, should I believe in them too? After all, belief is a guarantee to a good afterlife. Sounds easy, except if you believe in one, you're not allowed to believe in others, as all these gods are jealous of one another.
Let me ask you this ... Why are there are so many religions, and all think the other is wrong for their teachings. According to their doctrines, if you don't do as they say your soul will be in jeopardy. However, the rules of each oppose the rules of the other.
So ... Let's say there definitely is a God, your soul will definitely perish if you refuse to believe, and you must thoroughly obey all of the laws of the church to have a great afterlife (roll with it). Knowing all that ... which church has it right? After all, if we can be wrong for following another god (such as Vishnu), then we can also be wrong for attending the wrong church.
Also, why is there such diversity over God, but not Satan. To be a member of the Satan club you need only be less than good - you don't even need to attend any meetings or learn anything. However, being a member of God's flock requires much research and patient learning. We're born innocent, and yet we somehow lack the ability to stay that way - even under the best of circumstances.
My take on things? God IS real, but totally misunderstood. It's a universal guiding force within us that tells us right from wrong and allows us the chance to work past our primal instincts to do good acts for others, without any thought or concern for repayment.
Primitive man most certainly didn't believe in God. He believed in survival and was very into being like the other beasts on this planet - fighting to survive. However, he learned that by cooperating with other men, he could accomplish much more, increasing his odds for survival. Religion was created as a force to part the differences and cement whole communities together, allowing survival a better chance and insuring domination of this world.
How do you control a populace that refuses to buckle under torture (remember, all forms of torture have existed throughout the ages, and as of yet, no method has fully deterred crime), you threaten their afterlife with a supreme being that can not be seen or reasoned with. In essence, you create a judge of men that MUST be listened to, lest you suffer endlessly once you die.
As such, God (and other gods) exists to guide us into being more civilized and allow us to fight off our primal urges. Our success story as the dominant species on this planet lends a lot to these beliefs as they allowed us to become peaceful and spend more time (and energy) discovering new technologies to further our species along.
Alas, all gods are a manifestation of man's mind, but isn't Satan as well?
--- Now I know there are many who will take offense to that, but here me out before you bring out the pitchforks ---
If you truly believe, then God DOES exist for you. Also, for those who do not believe, they have no God beside them. So, while he does not exist (physically) for me, he DOES exist for you. It's all a matter of deciding for one's own self whether your life needs a guiding force, or you feel strong enough to go it alone.
This is the true evolution of religion ... bringing us to a point where we can finally rationalize that we can be good because we see a benefit to our civilization for doing so, and not because we fear what will happen in the afterlife. This is a philosophical evolution that has yet to be realized by our species, but will be in time.
For, you see, there is absolutely nothing wrong with religion, nor would I ever consider taking it away from another person. I admire people for their beliefs, so long as they live by them and use them to better the lives of all around them. I also understand the need to chastise *sinners*, as these are people seen as not conforming to societies acceptable norms and this is the way the believing populace pushes them back into the path of what is acceptable.
However, what I do have a problem with is the blindness faith often inspires. As an example, what about the many mass-suicides that have occurred throughout the ages (many in the past century), all because some man foresaw judgment day and determined this unseen force had called upon them to die.
Now, we all look back on these people and call them wackos, but understand this ... they obeyed an unseen force and didn't question what they were told, because they were told doing so proved their lack of faith in God. So, how far do we follow leaders to the precipice before we think a bit for ourselves?
* * *
Which brings me to a better argument for or against religion
* * *
What if ... we discover a pygmy tribe in the heart of Africa that has never met God before. We try to explain it all, but they chose to believe in us instead, as we are standing right there.
They're a savage people, and this offends us.
One day, Magumba captures a woman and a child from another village and brings them back to the village. The tribe demands that the woman be beheaded in front of the child and the child forced to walk home, showing the power of this tribe.
As an onlooker, you gasp out 'God would not want you to do this!'
Of course, they stare at you and ask, 'But what is it you would want?'
You blink, and then recapture your emotions. Knowing the crowd is listening, you tell them murder is wrong and they must no longer kill anyone. Surprisingly, they let the woman and the child go then pledge to never kill again. In your name, they profess that murder is wrong and *surprisingly* hold to their word.
Now ... these people always turn away when you tell them what God wants them to do, but for some reason they listen to you. Faced with the moral dilemma of bringing these savages to civility, would you become their god?
Now, before you answer that, I'm not saying you would have them worship you as that would be wrong. I'm asking if you would be willing to give laws to these people to live by, knowing full well they see you as a deity, instead of another human being?
I can already hear the murmurs ... 'I'd be doing God's work, so this is okay.' Is it? You would be doing it, knowing full well the villagers were encouraged by their belief in only you and not some unseen spirit. Therein lies the greatest morality issue of all time ... would you step in for your God to save the lives of others, or do as is expected of you and stand back to let whatever carnage occur as is mandated by your God?
Of course, some would say God placed you in that village to help those people, so you are still acting on his behalf. Again, I must point out that this is *not* the villagers perception. To them, *you* are God, and they refuse to hear anything different you have to say of it. You can play the role or walk away. I think many of us would stay, so long as we could prove to ourselves at the end of the day that we were serving a higher purpose.
* * *
The cold reality ... faith isn't blind, it's followers are. Everything we have read is true, and yet it has been distorted through the ages, all to wash our hands free of responsibility. Belief is not enough ... It's not even our actions which we are held accountable for, but that which occurs because of them.
You see, we as a species represent every god there are was or will be. God is our belief of what is good and pure, versus that which is evil and vile. That's why we can't see God and yet he is all around us. Without belief, he simply does not exist, as he is our own creation. And interestingly enough, nothing I just stated in this paragraph contradicts any single belief that exists on this planet.
We all want to think there is something more, when in reality God is nothing more than a belief in doing what is better for society, in an effort to perpetuate our species. Think I'm wrong? I have absolute proof.
Consider *any* action that would harm society and then ask yourself 'Would God approve?'. The answer is always no. And yet, who in the end puts murderers to death, takes drug dealers off the streets, puts an end to violent atrocities? In the end, it is always men of reason, who understand that for society to exist, we can not allow ourselves into savagery.
Yes, as I said before, God truly does exist ... but it's a belief, and not a supreme being, as many of us need to believe.
And failure to believe *does* violate God. For if we all decide one day he no longer exists, then God does truly cease to exist. Only by perpetual belief do we continue God's existence, which is why belief is the foundation of all religions. After all, how many ancient beliefs have ceased to exist - all because its believers failed to believe. The ancient gods of Egypt are a prime example. Without believers, their belief system is no longer here.
And on one final note ... Many will point out that I capitalized the word God, signifying my own belief. Excellent point, but I never claimed not to believe. For, you see, it's our belief that creates God, and so long as some believe - then God exists.
It's no different than believing in George Washington. None of us lived with the man or have seen his bones, but we believe he existed as we have read of his acts and revere him for what he had done. Belief *can* make things exist, regardless of whether they actually have physical substance.
That's why faith in something is so important, as it's the powerful driving force that perpetuates man as a species.
And so, I say onto you ... believe what you will, just so long as you stay true to your beliefs. There is no negative connotation to us becoming a more peaceful and civilized species, so why some might see religion as needless control I see it as a voluntary means for those who need guidance to fall in line. And for those who already pave their own road, I see it as a means of understanding there will always be multiple roads to travel - all arriving (hopefully) at the same great plateau.
(sorry it's so long, but I have a very complex view on things and I tried to explain it all as best I could.)I considered it, but I thought a hub to be a poor choice of platform for a philosophical debate. After all, here in the forums a person can disagree and be heard (as they should). In a hub they can only make a comment and then be ignored.
We never grow wiser by accepting what is said, but rather, by taking the time to question things and discern the truth for ourselves.
That was my understanding as well. Oh well.....
Mark it seems your previous sermon to women has sparked the Holy Spirit in some of the girls in here. Good going man. Your "ministry" is causing more to testify for Our Lord. God bless you brother. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Quite right. Pointing out the hypocrisy in the bible is part of my mandate. You might say god told me to do it, but I just thank my education.
The more people we can educate about the irrational rubbish you believe the better.
My pleasure - any time.
- iamqweenbeeposted 14 years ago0
Those who believe in rebirth will explain suffering as inevitable and a requirement, as it enables one's unsocial acts (sins) in previous existences to get neutralized.
I said "those who believe in rebirth" have an explanation. Well I believe that this makes some sense, and it is worth discussion without rejecting it at once. What do you think?
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