There simply is no God

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Isherwood 1. In my opinion, Christianity (and religion in general) cheapens life in two major ways. It teaches that we are above all the rest of nature, that we are a special creation unique and apart. So it encourages us to not worry much about this planet or any other life form on it. It shouldn't concern us. We should be occupied with discerning god's wishes and living to be pleasing to him. We are above nature. 2. What folly. It makes a skeptic wonder why Christians take any interest in social service, ecology or politics. That's all "of this world", and Christians are "not of this world" (John 15:19 NAS...If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.) To think that you are not a part of this planet cheats you out of an appreciation for the wonderful interaction of nature. It blinds you to the concepts of an ecosystem and our place in it. It allows you to disregard our impact on the planet and on other living things. It's an attitude of arrogance and ignorance. 3. And Christianity wants us to believe that this life is but a foreshadow of our eternal life to come. To understand there's nothing beyond death makes every moment you have between now and then immensely precious. It makes every second count. Do you value your money more if you have a million pennies or if you only have ten? Will you be a better steward of your wealth if you're promised that when that stash runs out more will be provided, or if those ten pennies are all you get and there aren't any promises of more if you spend them unwisely? I contend a realistic understanding of death adds immeasurable value to your life, while promises of life after death cheapen the value of this one.

#1
Honestly, I do not know how you come up to that conclusion.
I am Catholic, and I never bothered (throughout) my whole life, to be perceived by others as a better person, and/or portray myself as one, since my parents thaught me of Modesty and its meaning.
More over, I belive that Modesty is one of extremely positive values, that we should live by/with and/or carry on, since it stands for every single one of us.

#2
I am afraid you took the Bible very literally.

#3
"To understand there's nothing beyond death makes every moment you have between now and then immensely precious. It makes every second count."
Yes, that is true that every moment is valuable, but stating that there is nothing after your presence within the Universe you live-in, implies that :
- this Universe is being re-created every moment any source of energy appears (within that Universe), all over again (!).
That is not true, because the Universe we live-in would have to be in a state of creation, Always (!) - just like a loop.
If this is true, then you do not exist.
Do you exist ? Are you out there, still ? :-)))

[Jack]

Yes, that is true that every moment is valuable, but stating that there is nothing after your presence within the Universe you live-in, implies that : - this Universe is being re-created every moment any source of energy appears (within that Universe), all over again (!).

No, that would be an argument for my consciousness creating the universe. I don't believe that. I believe the universe exists with or without my consciousness to apprehend it.

[Alexander patto]

Lullaby Chainer, you deserve hell, so do I. If you ardently believe that forgivness is not a worth-while value than you must never hve been forgiven. Secondly I am tired of people blaming God for the ethical weakness expeienced by criminals. I am a strong Christian and have talked to many individuals involved in prison ministry. They all say the same thing, that the majority of convicted criminals begin as non-believers but repent while in prison because they finally realize that while society may never accept them, Christ will. Finally it is foolish for you to propose that been a Christian inhibets the enjoyment and fufillment one can experience while on God's earth. Your accusations that Christians don't care about politics or the enviornment, on the contrary God asks that we act as his stewards for our earthly tenure.

P.S. Even the devil can site scripture...

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Isherwood No, that would be an argument for my consciousness creating the universe. I don't believe that. I believe the universe exists with or without my consciousness to apprehend it.

You are a part of the Universe, along with all the data you carry with(in) yourself.
What happens with your data, after you die (and/or cease your existence in a form you manifest your presence today) ?
Nothing specially happens. All the data is being stored within the same Universe, you used to live-in. That data is Never lost.

[Jack]

True, and the universe carries on, whether or not my corporal being is in it.

[Jack]

you deserve hell, so do I.

Why does religion have to make you feel so badly about yourself and others? What joy does believing mankind to be evil and doomed bring?

Secondly I am tired of people blaming God for the ethical weakness expeienced by criminals.

That would be an internal issue for Christianity to deal with. Non-believers don't blame anything on a concept they don't accept as valid.

Even the devil can site scripture...

I disagree. Anyone can quote scripture, except imaginary beings.

[Century 25]

The universe is an "event" - it is like looking at a fireworks display, but slowed down a googolplex of times. It may be a one time event.. or it may repeat endlessly. So in fact, we as humans.. are made of the same "ingredients" as the stars.. we will all "continue" in base form. Who knows..?? With all of eternity.. maybe we will "live" again.. somewhere..

But, as for a superior "guiding hand" - eg: "god" - lol.. forget it. Don't waste your life agonizing over.. nothing. It's "easy come.. easy go" -- :eek:

[Jack]

With all of eternity.. maybe we will "live" again.. somewhere..

One of my favorite mind games of pointless speculation used to consist of wondering if it were possible that given enough time, could all my brain cells ever manage to come together in another person's head resulting in them having my mind? What if those so-called remembered past lives were nothing more than someone else's brain cells in your head and the correct synapses firing off. It boggles my mind to consider the possibility.

[Winter wind]

I disagree. Anyone can quote scripture, except imaginary beings.

I'm Christian and I still laughed at this one.

One of my favorite mind games of pointless speculation used to consist of wondering if it were possible that given enough time, could all my brain cells ever manage to come together in another person's head resulting in them having my mind? What if those so-called remembered past lives were nothing more than someone else's brain cells in your head and the correct synapses firing off. It boggles my mind to consider the possibility.

Forgot to mention why its a "mind game"
Because what if the soul and the brain are connected. The soul being your "tabla rasa" and your brain being all the markings on the slate. But etches from your previous tabla rasa/soul may spill over onto other lives
I don't believe it, but it is a logical possibility (kinda.)

[Jack]

No one who has suggested the existence of a soul can define it or place it within the body. I contend the soul is nothing more than a word that attempts to unite thought and emotion into a single entity. Obviously I don't believe in a soul.

It's a mind game because there can be no proof one way or the other. It's a conjecture without conclusion. It's a fun exercise of the imagination, nothing more.

[Winter wind]

OK, I think we're off topic. We were supposed to address the grievances in the first post right?