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Originally posted by tamusan
Hey Badmedia.
I simply no longer believe and I feel very comfortable with that. My life has not taken a turn for the worse, as some would predict. Actually, it is quite the opposite, my life is 1000% better than when I was a Christian. Please not not missunderstand me, I am making no claim that lack of faith has improved my life. I think that my current state would be about the same with or without faith.
You made many valid points and I want to acknowledge that they deserve a response. Time is short for me right now. I apologize.
The only problem is you are basing this opinion not on what either actually does, but based only on your general opinion of them. Each of them has a proper place, and they need to stay there. Those who want 1 or the other likely don't understand the one they don't like. As it turns out, it doesn't need to be an either or thing.
I'll touch on this really quick. I understand that I do not need religion to feel good about myself, to succeed, to help others, or to contribute to my society. I've made my mind up about God and I am very comfortable with my choice. I understand our existence in a manner that works for me. Just like you appear to understand it in a way that works for you. That brings me to my next point. Anytime we (you and I) will discuss religion, we most likely will disagree and that will lead to frustration, partly because neither of us have any empirical evidence. However, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with others, including you, and have a chance to listen to anything that can be addressed with empirical evidence. We could listen and discuss, we could see that we probably aren't all that different, and maybe we could get along. but bring religion into it and we will start to disagree again.
9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Buddha said -- Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
Originally posted by tamusan
You do not create light and then build a lightbulb. You do not create light and then build a fire.
Anyways, do we have to argue about these things? I will never believe again and I do not care if you stop believing or not.
Originally posted by badmedia
Originally posted by tamusan
You do not create light and then build a lightbulb. You do not create light and then build a fire.
Anyways, do we have to argue about these things? I will never believe again and I do not care if you stop believing or not.
Ok fine, what is the source of light in your dreams?
To be quite honest, you do not have the first clue what I believe, as you have never yourself known what I know, nor have you being a christian ever believed as I do.
But I actually do know your opinion and beliefs, because they were once mine. And only my own personal experiences were able to change that. I'm not a man of faith, I don't just "believe" in things for no reason. I wasn't born or brainwashed into saying what I say, and I'm not just repeating from a book or what people said.
So I do understand your position and why it is that way. My personal experiences is not an answer for you, nor should you just accept or believe me. As that would be the same as those who accept or believe the bible. The point is to actually understand and know for yourself. I am no authority for you, and neither is that church or that book. Neither is that scientist either etc.
But even though you no longer accept the bible and such, you still accept what other men say and so forth. You still accept and use memory rather than using intelligence. Intelligence today is spent towards "credibility", which is to establish an authority and then accepting what they say rather than actually understanding for themselves. It is this that I actually draw issue with among people, and I don't really care what your beliefs are. I am just as hard on Christians as I am on atheists.
What is this thread but simply an ask for changing the authority? Changing who is credible? Worthless IMO.
I don't care what people believe, what I care about is how they come to those beliefs. Because IMO, if people think for themselves they will come to the answers and such on their own. When people realize they can not trust ANY man, then they will quit accepting the BS that is feed to them and start thinking for themselves and start looking in the right direction for answers.
You can run around saying 1+1=2 because some authority with credibility told you that. But it's worthless if you can't actually add. Sure you can technically be right, but you are still ignorant. Thus, the point is to understand and know how to add, rather than running around repeating 1+1=2. The point is to teach people how to add, rather than getting them to repeat and worship 1+1=2.
this person would show us the light of science and technology and how if applied to our everyday lives what a difference it could make.
Originally posted by DarkStar86
Badmedia I don't dislike you as a person or anything like that but...
When I read your post it sounds like you just babble on about how great the bible is and make citations. People telling me how good the bible is, well it's getting old because that's all they do. The fact is the biggest influence in our lives for the overall betterment is knowledge and technology. It's a fact that they have both helped us overall. Most religions. Not so much.
You say don't worship the flesh, ect, and then you try to back that up with spiritual talk. Try telling that to the millions who starve everyday. We need to quit hoping for a better world and start creating it.
You seem like you know your stuff when it comes to bible studies and reflections and that is really a great thing. Now apply that to the world you are actively participating in everyday. I mean, the only reason religion has had a chance to even spread and gain so much power is through technology.
Overall here is what I would like to see happen. A sustainable world with free education for all. It is possible right now with our current technology and knowledge, it just takes mass collaboration. Once everyone can be fed, clothed, sheltered, and educated for very cheap or free then we should worry about religions, gods, the spiritual world. We are at a tipping point between a type 0 civilization and a type 1.
en.wikipedia.org...
It is the hardest jump from type 0 to type 1. We need everyone to be involved, so lets set aside petty differences and make this world a better place through actions.
Here's when the line is drawn in the sand. If there are people in this world today who are apathetic to help the world as a whole because they "know" and have read in a book that the world is going to end that is disgusting and ignorant on a whole other level. People running around talking about endtimes and such. Yes these days may seem like the last, but why? Because we are living unsustainable ignorant lives.
It really does angry me to the core. How some can be so gullible and give up. The hell with that and those kind of people. Why not use the "gift" of free will?
Originally posted by MAC269
I have what I consider to be a better idea.
Lets all keep to ourselves what we think about GOD and the here after, you have no need to stop believing just don’t go anywhere near a place of worship and keep our mouths shut.
At the same time pick someone who needs help and help, it may only be doing a little shopping for the old lady down the road, but what ever just help someone with something that they are having a problem with.
At the same time do something to help the planet.
If all of us did this we would change the planet for good not evil.
Because part of our belief as Christian, you honour God with how you treat the least, the poor, the old, the disabled...