See . . .to me .. . the denial of a Creator is interesting Because A watching . .a Car. . .these things don't just come together on random chance Why should the world? Universe? I think sometimes. . . the scope of it is too grand for the intelligent mind to accept. we think of all the variables and possibilities then think . .man I can't even do Calculus The very Idea that someone can manufacture a world . .from scratch that is truly amazing . .and mind boggling HOWEVER - check your latest studies . .. .I think I read an article where scientist were about to make 'life' [just single cells] from scratch [I'll google it] Rocket River
Well than what happens after you die? I mean yes our bodies do decay and we become part of the land literally but what happens afterwards? Are you telling me that people dont have souls. There comes a point in a mans life when he says to himself what will happen to me after I die. You must be young but your time will come when you question your existence.
Haven't read past your post, but my point was simply that intelligence itself isn't the most important thing in life to me- love is. Whether it is a Christian or an atheist I personally believe strongly that the relationships we have with people matter more than how smart we are. In my experience unselfish healthy relationships do not depend on IQ. And the implication was that religious people aren't as intelligent. Since my faith is dependent upon relationships I value relationship IQ more than intellectual IQ. As the bible says; knowledge can puff you up, but love builds up others.
You may not be unhappy at the moment because things may be goign swell for you. You have a job, nice car, food, shelter, clothing, and your family. There isnt anything wrong with that but you must wonder sometimes that there will come a time when you might lose some of things and inevitably someone will pass away so then what happens? No one ever said people without god werent good people or didnt have morals.
Agreed, human logic cannot understand everything. I think its because of this that people approach it as we MIGHT AS WELL have belief in a higher power. Because it won't hurt anything if we believe in it or not, since we wont ever know anyways... Like reading a story to kids but having the final chapter ripped out from the book before you can finish. It wouldnt hurt much of anything if you just made up the ending to give them something to be happy about.
Well, I don't think your picking at me at all - but i do think you misunderstand me. I'm not tauting science as the way to go here. Nor do I espouse any kind of utopia. That's fools gold. What I am saying is that the problem with religion is that some of it's tenets simply aren't true. The earth is very old, and evolution is a fact - it has been observed to happen. It's as real as the sun in the sky. Whether it account for all the species is a different question, but the process is without a doubt, and the evidence is immense. On abortion, I simply can not understand how a human embryo can be placed above say a cow. I mean, the cow has more feelings, can sense pain, loss, stress, pleasure....or a monkey that is being tested upon. To me, that's a big hole. The irony is....that we probably evolved to be religious. It's our own means as a coping mechanism to deal with suffering. And I have no doubt that religion and the believe in something greater helps people stay happen. So it's a good thing from my point of view. I'm not bashing religion...but I do think that if you're introspective, and intelligence generally helps put people upon that course, you may begin to see the flaws in the doctrine your particular relgion espouses (i.e. - think for oneself) and thus it becomes harder to believe in something that flies in the face of the reality we see being constructed around ourselves. I predict that eventually Christianity will adopt to include evolution into it's teachings. Just as it did that the earth was not the center of the universe. The church was wrong then, and it's probably wrong today. Afterall, these teachings were ink put to paper by mere mortal men. Now, I think it's just as unscientific to dismiss the idea of strange and unusual forces out there steering the cosmic dance streching trillions of light years and beyond. But I am not one to theorize or speculate beyond the fact that it's humanly inexplicable and that's good enough for me. But I do know that teaching people that the earth is 6,000 years old, and preventing a woman from using a day after pill isn't good - it's a kind of oppression. While a lesser degree, it's in the same vein has how the Saudis treat their women. And it's that application - to think that one has the right to apply one's own belief's upon others - wheter gay marrigage, abortion, prayer in school, intelligent design....to think that is what i find as hubris. It's hubris to not accept that one might be wrong that life begins upon conception. Because what is that belief based upon? Why should the believe of faith in god be placed higher then that of science? And when does believe or faith become the litmus of setting our legal system particular when it comes to denying the right to have control over one's own body. I don't think it's the atheists who show the hubris, at least i don't see it for myself, rather i see it the other way around.
It's interesting how you phrase it. Something miraculous happens, and I'd say this was pretty miraculous that this house was missed. But here's what I say....maybe some people aren't refusing to believe in an active God....they just don't believe in an act of god. They just let it be. Whether you believe in coincidences or not - the outcome is the same. That's the beauty of it all.
This is more proof that its all the woman's fault... Why if Eve never led Adam to eat that forbidden fruit, we all would be living in oblivious happiness...she should have went for the Tree of Life, I mean c'mon, live forever, how cool would that be...women, you can't trust them to make the important decisions...
No, I don't think we have souls. I think when we die, we die. I don't feel the need to live for eternity. I'm happy with my life and when it is over, that's fine. I'm not young and I don't feel the need to question my existence. I feel the need to live my life, enjoy my family, my friends, and my short time on this tiny speck of sand in the universe. I'm sure you don't mean it this way but you insinuating that I'm young and naive is incredibly condescending.
I do not think that believers are unintelligent and I think I may have taken your post out of context. I get irritated when people say that non-believers can't live happy lives or have meaningful and successful relationships. I think that is what I was taking from your previous post and perhaps that is not what your intent was.
^^^ BTW I believe in God. I just think its arrogant to think that some dude in a church chosen by other people knows God's will better than anyone else. I also believe the if God had a hand in writing a "user's guide" it would less ambiguous and easier to understand.
I think the problem is assuming the Bible is a user's guide. Everytime I hear someone stand up at a church and say that I shudder. It's not. It's a really difficult set of writings to digest.
Well spoken sir.... I don't know about that, to me I think some people are just more focused on other things.....and put less thought into what they believe. For me, I believe there is a God, it is just near impossible for me to think that all of this happened randomly.... Then I look at religion and while I agree with some of the main themes or messages, I have serious issues with the inconsistencies etc....and it seems like all of it is just made up by man to explain the unexplainable.. I also find it funny that pepple follow religions that were created by folks who we would now consider to be uneducated...... To me Science is proving God's existence, and at the same time proving religions to be wrong. DD
O RLY? Look...I pointed out pretty early here that this has the potential to get real condescending real quick. And I think we're all shaped with bias in how we see these issues. I'm not real fond of Christians who go beating people over the head with judgment and damnation. I think that's ridiculous. I don't consider myself to be religious in the way I understand religious...but I'm also not real keen with the, "well of coruse smart people see it my way because the rest of you really aren't thinking about things" vibe I get from this post and others.
I can absolutely understand this. It's the same way that I don't like to be told that obviously I'm missing something in life, not happy, don't have meaningful realtionships, etc. Everyone likes to be respected.
That is why I think that each person comes up with their own conclusions about religion and God. While we not agree Max, I find you to be at least be willing to engage in discussions which may be unpleasant to some...and you do it in a very respectful manner. It is something I admire about your posting....... DD
Thanks...I really appreciate that. I'm not gonna pretend I have all the answers...or that the questions aren't difficult in the first place.
What I respect is the way you seem to get emotional in a respectful manner. Whereas I sort of....uh....don't. DD
