Personally Well, I think that there is historical truth that Jesus walked the earth, was crucified, and rose from the dead. I have seen the changes in people lives and outlooks if they truly try to live a christian life. And I feel a presense of god when I am hearing a sermon, seeing great acts of faith, and noticing the incredibly beautiful and complex world that we live in. So thats why I believe what I believe.
I think a case can be made for that. Whoops you lost me there. No evidence of this at all, and I think it more likely that they moved his body for a proper burial and made up the resurection story. I too believe in god and can see great acts of kindness and believe that it comes from the God inside all of us. DD
If there is a higher being it sure as hell has nothing to do with Christianity or any other earthly religon for that matter......... Religion is the very worst thing that ever happened to the human race, millions upon millions have died because of it, and people are ignorant enough to believe that the religion they blindly follow is the right one........... God as we know it does not exist, but I won't expel the possibility of a higher being........
I felt much better before I believed, it is the uniqueness of God's love that is different, I never experienced it before I believed. I did plenty of drugs and I had a very happy life prior to believing in Jesus. I have suffered much more since I believed. I smoked alot of weed, but given the choice I would choose love, the love of God Why would anyone believe that hasn't experienced His love? I guess that would be for a crutch or drug experience as you suggested, or maybe it is because they are brought up and indoctrinated to believe-but those are pretty selfish reasons to believe and I don't see much profit in that.
This is the one phrase that ticks me off more than anything - and I don't even like "religion" per se, although I believe in God and enjoy fellowshipping with other believes. However, while saying religion is the cause for millions of deaths might be true on the surface, it is extremism that has caused this - not the fundamental beliefs in God ("thou shalt not murder"). To me, this saying is as utterly stupid as saying "sport is the worst thing to happen to my life, because it has caused many disappointments and arguments." The thing is...people will always argue and fight over what they are passionate about - but I blame that on people's flaws, not beliefs.
My only thought is that you are in dangerous territory if your girlfriend is a die-hard believer and you are a die-hard non-believer. I've been through that exact situation and it didn't turn out good in the end. A person with deep faith will ultimately question whether they can marry a non-believer. I don't know either of you but there seems to be the potential for some serious long-term issues in your relationship. I remember being pressed to go to church every Sunday and reluctantly doing so on occasion. If you are like me, you probably have no problem with her faith and would never try to stop her from doing her thing. The problem is if she can't accept your belief system now, she probably never will. If I'm wrong or sound too cynical, I apologize in advance. These opinions are solely based on my personal experience. I'm no expert. You may be in a totally different situation.
You sound high right now. That's okay, you should be able to get as high as you want on your beliefs, but I should still be able to smoke weed. Jesus told me it was okay....
I thought that was the entire point of following Christianity to join Jesus in heaven. I am now more confused than ever. Thanks. DD
I had an interesting day yesterday. Went to a church, first time i'd infact been to a church of any kind for many months, not since I seperated with my wife. Was looking to just pop in, check the place out, hoping to retain my anonymity for at least another week (for fear of disclosing my life story against my will - and being judged for it). What happened was quite remarkable. When I approached the door I, for the first time, felt hesitant to enter - like I couldn't come in as I would cop a hiding, be judged and be out of my depth etc etc - then a friendly looking young guy opened the door for me and I obviously couldnt turn and run .... The sermon was about how the church needed to strive for being less judgmental and more accepting of people. Perfect. I was half expecting them to bang on about money and stuff!! After the service this girl started talking to me who was also dealing with a broken marriage - then I met a girl who very openly disclosed she just quit working at a strip club. And it went on from there, met some amazing people with amazing stories which really made my own not seem so crazy. I will be going back.
Apparently being an insufferable ass makes you feel better. You might want to stop drinking the bongwater. OK, so you don't believe. That's cool. You should probably stop degrading the beliefs of millions as a "cult." The implication that Christians are no different from the Moonies or Heaven's Gate is just stupid. I could advise you against posting all kinds of foolish, incendiary things, but that probably won't help either.
What's wrong with calling Christianity a cult. It's not like it's never been considered a cult, or that whatever popularity it's followers enjoy today has always been like it is now. Zoroastrianism was way more popular in Christ's time, but enjoys far few followers today. So, go ahead, follow the beliefs of your cult if you want to. Just because it is popular, does not mean any of the beliefs it holds sacred are true.
It has never been steady...not even within christianity, or even in the last 50 years. I cant help but think God is more of an Ideal we humans aspire to, and its going to evolve, as our civilization matures.
In a similar way, you could say "God" is that fundamental truth about nature we aspire to understand through science.
So many threads on D and D complaining and explaining about how God is not relevant or doesn't exist etc. My question is, HOW COME there are so many threads made determined to disprove something that has no relevance and/or doesn't exist?
you should change that to 'some conception of higher power'. for one thing, billions of Chinese don't believe in 'god'. it's also hard to categorize Chinese religion as a religion based on Western view. as to answer his question, i don't believe in religion, but am spiritual. a lot people are like that.
I don't think the purpose of this thread is to disprove God's existence. It's to understand why believers are so sure in their faith. And, I think it would be very foolish for anyone to say that God/religion has no relevance.
