Just what IS your spiritual bent? - Page 3

Foon · 13th June 2002, 22:59

I'm a firm atheist, and I fundamentally diagree with any form of organised religion. Maybe not the beliefs and ideals that they stand for, but to me the concept of millions of people believing the same thing is just absurd. People are so different, how can any two peoples views on the subject be identical, unless there's some element of brainwashing involved?

Besides, I'm a man of science. I have spent my entire life so far working with computers and learning about the laws that govern the way the universe works. In my humble opinion, religion was invented as a way for people to feel good about themselves, thinking there was someone watching over them, giving them someone to apologise to when they did wrong. If people want to believe in such an all-powerful supreme being, that's their choice; I'll just carry on believing that most religions are (in psychological terms) what's known as a "self-reinforcing delusion".

Firefox · 14th June 2002, 01:44

^^^^

Logically that's a very difficult argument to counter, but spritually, religion can fill a void for many which nothing else can touch. I'm thinking of areas like death or the need to step back from everyday life.

azraelle · 14th June 2002, 09:00

I'm LDS, and I'll leave it at that.

About once every 10 yrs or so I come out of my shell and test the waters to see if arguing has begun to solve anything, and thanx to the (<font size=1>guns & hunting</font>) thread I once again have come to the conclusion that it doesn't.

_________________
Hi-Heeled Boots, Bodysuits, and Back-Zipper Pants R wikkid-kool (on me, or U)!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: azraelle on 2002-06-14 10:07 ]</font>

DON K · 22nd June 2002, 23:58

I AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN.JESUS CHRIST DID ARISE FROM THE DEAD AS HE SAID HE WOULD.ALSO YOU NON BELIEVERS SHOULD LOOK AT ISRAEL.WHY IS SUCH A SMALL COUNTRY AT THE CENTER OF HISTORY? BECAUSE GOD SAYS SO IN THE BIBLE.ISRAEL IS MENTIONED AS GODS CHOSEN PAOPLE FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END.IN THE END YOU MUST TAKE A STEP OF FAITH TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOUR.THEY ARE FINDING THINGS IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT SUB STANTIATE PERIODS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.NO BOOK WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THE CRITICISM OVER THE CENTURIES IF IT WASNT INSPIRED BY GOD.

azraelle · 23rd June 2002, 02:15

Quote:

On 2002-06-23 00:58, DON K wrote:
...NO BOOK WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THE CRITICISM OVER THE CENTURIES IF IT WASNT INSPIRED BY GOD.

Can't quite swallow that last point. Many other books have survived quite nicely, thank you, and been proven dead wrong. Galen's medical anatomy of the human body comes immediately to mind. Others have survived, and are considered either non-Christian, or even anti-Christian, by most Christians, particularly of the Born-again ilk (the Koran, Popul Vuh, Kama Sutra, Tibetan Book of the Dead, etc.).

I don't have a problem with the Bible (or the Book of Mormon, for that matter) being accepted as "inspired by God"; but it stands on its own merit--your argument in and of itself holds no water, and is worse than useless in attempting to convince a non-believer of the truthfulness of the Bible.

Laurieheels · 23rd June 2002, 05:22

I was so tempted to jump into this, but I think I won't. Wars are started over religion, and collections of books like the bible.

Bible is derrived from Byblos, the place where the reeds grew to make the papyrus scrolls the first copies were written on. It was a means of education and control, which is why copies were made.

Religion can be a great thing, but sometimes it goes too far.

And that's all I will say, lest a war break out here.

Firefox · 23rd June 2002, 08:25

The bible says Jews are God's chosen people because it was written by Jews. Most people will blow their own trumpet if given half the chance.

Israel is a centre of news like many places of conflict with internal problems where people are sadly getting killed. I can't see how that makes it any more important than other places of conflict where we must all try to do what we can to help the people make peace.

IHeels · 23rd June 2002, 13:23

Christian, but don't practise.

Chris Grevstad · 25th June 2002, 14:56

Quote:

On 2002-06-23 00:58, DON K wrote:
... a lot of preaching ...

Don, I asked this question to find out more about folks here, not for a sermon. I appreciate the depth and strength of your beliefs but I don't think your verbiage is quite appropriate to this thread.

--chris

Renee · 19th September 2002, 20:25

Thanks Chris! Those are great pictures of you. Er uh Don with all due respect,... that is not why Jews "are God's chosen people". According to thw Bible in Genisis God chose Abraham to ultimately bear a "savior" son Jesus through. Once Jesud arose from death the Jews were no longer God's chosen people. God's chosen people were those who turned from "sin and accepted Jesus". Christians are God's chosen people.

On a side note and I will not answer or get into a theological debate anymore...

For what it is worth... I have studied the Bible enough to at one time recite about 700 Bible verses not including chapters or passages ie Psalm 23 or the "Beattitudes" or the "Sermon on the mount". I still can pretty much tell you anyone who was anyone in it and their story as well as hopw they died and their importance for being in it.

Personally now I worship nature. Specifically Dianna the moon. She was the Italian name for the moon goddess so I am into goddess worship. Not so much say Aphrodite, but the moon. Everymonth on full moon week I do full moon rituals. They are very sweet and very pretty. It is at night and it is done in the dark at night lit by candles. More specifically I am a pagan. Think of me as "Glenda the Good Witch" of the north. I am not a new ager, but of the old religion. Y'all might understand me if I used the term Wiccan, but I am not a Wiccan I am a Strega. My patron goddeses are Dianna and Aradia who was the queen of Italian wtches. In fact Aradia is the most famous of all witches of all time. Aradia lived in tuscany, Italy and in about 1353 the Catholic church started an inquisition against the pagans (by the way pagan simply means country dweller) in that area. So she hid them in cave to protect them and taught them magic to protect themselves. She was ultimately raised to the goddess level. Did you know in Italy it is not Santa Clause who brings presents? It is a Christmas witch that does 12 days later. Anyway. that will give you an idea. I refuse to debate this versus Christianity. If anyone does have questions I will answer them. Besides having a black full moon outfit with a special pair of high heels is fun too.
Renee