That book is on my list to read. You've mentioned it enough now that I have been wanting to read it for a while now. Somewhat unfair question: Does the idea of "in or out" theology encompass works/attitudes/beliefs that are non-christian?
Isn't believing in the big bang theory equivalent to believing that the most complicated of machines in the world today--take a jetliner, for example--can be created by put all its parts in a bag and shaking well? Just saying. I don't think they're demonized.. I just think some Christians take the "religion" too far. The same can be said of Atheists and their unwavering stance that they evolved from monkeys and that yes, we can obliterate our world in a couple of centuries, but the world is still millions and millions of years old.. There are silly claims by both sides.. it really depends which side of the coin you are on.
Can you extend your disdain for "in or out" theology such that you could "mesh with jesus" via the Bhagavad Gita or the Koran?
Yes, (butting in), in or out theology is also a philosophy and it is rooted in human arrogance, thinking that your beliefs make you better, if you are right then everyone else is wrong, that your truth makes you superior etc
Because it is impossible to "know" there is a God or to "know" one doesn't exist, regardless of how much research you do, so it comes down to believing, period. Choose whichever way you'd like.
I agree.. but the point of the thread is why atheists are not treated on par with the religious beings.
I disagree. In my life, I've seen little to none of this, or at least on equal ground as religious bashing.
No... why would you think that? The world is actually billions of years old. We have mounds of evidence that we evolved from ape-like animals--belief has nothing to do with it. To me, belief in a god is as silly as belief in invisible pink unicorns. There is no evidence to support the existence of either thing.
Here's my take: There are few genuine Christians, but Christian Culture is everywhere. http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/ The above link was written by a Pastor's Kid btw. I've heard many people leave their church because of the actions of other people. I've also seen a Lady Children's Pastor who, despite watching her own husband elope with another woman, stayed true to God and raised three amazing daughters. On the mission field in Thailand, I've met missionaries who give their lives to help AIDS children like Avis Rideout There are genuine Christians who do their best to uphold the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. But they are not the majority. "Narrow is the gate and few may enter" the kingdom of heaven is from the bible. Thinking your way through life is not wrong, but it is very limited. At least for myself, I can literally think in endless loops forever with few solid conclusions and endless tangents. I believe this to be a product of a finite mind. The very idea of God is uncomprehensible as an infinite quantity. This non-sensical quality to life exists in certain areas of our life. "Falling in Love", developing obsessions with certain hobbies (aka Basketball/Rockets), loving your children. These are all difficult to quantify but are things more important to our lives than the ideas of Karl Popper. Where Christians fail most in today's day and age is in following John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." End of long post.
I consider myself to be agnostic and I too know what it is like to be looked down upon by religious group. I live in Jonesboro, AR which is nicknamed the "City of Churches" and rightfully so because there are over 100 churches in this town and the religious groups have tons of pull within the local and state government as it pertains to this area. I have tons of friends who are religious as well. My family is also Baptist while my girl's family is Catholic. I also read what MadMax posts on this board about religion when he posts it. I brought those 4 things up because they are the things that keep me from becoming religious or becoming an atheist. Both of our families are pretty religious but they do not pass judgment on us for anything that others may have such as having a child out of wedlock, living together without being married, etc. Although they can be negative about my viewpoints on religion, that never stops them from loving me or her and we are always welcome and loved no matter what. I'd like to think their faith has a lot to do with that and not just the fact that we are family. MadMax post things that fall in line with this as well, I believe he has even said that is not his job to judge others. He'll explain his viewpoints and why he loves his religion/faith the way he does without ever being pushy or trying to convert any, for lack of a better word, non-believers. These two things make me want to become religious and find some sort of faith. Then we come to these other groups that push me further away from religion with their misguided views on religion. These groups constantly bash everything from people who drink alcoholic beverages to homosexuals to those that just do not attend church. They are the exact opposite of what MadMax appears to be on here, very pushy and trying to tell you your wrong if you don't follow their code or ethics. The friends I have are the same way. I actually had one tell me the other day: "I hope to see you in church one day, I'll be praying for you because I don't want to be in Heaven and not see you there." Isn't that kind of pompous? What makes him so sure he is going to Heaven and I'll be left out? I have even had friends tell me if I don't go to church then my favorite sports teams will lose because of it. I mean, it's just ridiculous. These types of people are the exact opposite of what I thought Christians are supposed to be like. I have always thought there were two main things in Christianity that were to be followed by all of those that claim to be Christians. Those two things are love and forgiveness. Those things seem pretty simple but I know they're not as simplistic as they sound yet I hardly see any of that today within the Christianity that I see although I do see it in a few. I would like to say that one day all Christians would follow those guidelines but I don't think that's very realistic because somebody will always use religion for their own gains or purposes. I would settle for the majority though.
i've not read the bhagavad gita...i've read a great deal of the koran. i find truths in the koran. i find Jesus to be unique, however.
Not sure why? I've had several atheist and agnostic friends for years, and they've never brought it to my attention.
Oh man that blog is hilarious. That last entry #84 had me rolling, it really hit home. My parents wouldn't let me watch PG movies until I was 13, yet anything with a "spiritual" meaning could be tolerated as long as my parents explained that the evil, degenerate liberals in Hollyweird love to fill their movies with garbage in an attempt to make everyone worship Satan.
I can't help but cringe at the irony of this assertion and the quotation you promote via your signature....
