Belief in God . . .

[jeffrey]

It's all about what you really want to make you happy, with christianity it's about what others expect of you.

It's all about what makes you happy... In other words, it's all and 'me' what makes you happy, screw everyone else.......... With Christianity, it's about what others expect of you.... more like what we can do for others... Selfishness compared to giving... hard choice...thinks I'll choose giving.

 

[Majikthise]

[/i]So you believe that because a FEW Christians are bigots, it's OK for you to be a bigot? i can't compete with logic so solid.

A few overzealous atheists want to take god off money ,public property and out of the pledge of alegeance and you believe everybody is out to get christianity.
Sounds like you might be a little more bigotted than you claim I am.

And if you read the last sentence of my reply you would have seen that I stated you can believe whatever you want. I'm just tired of listening to your claims that christianity is under full scale assault. Please spare me.

 

[Majikthise]

It's all about what makes you happy... In other words, it's all and 'me' what makes you happy, screw everyone else.......... With Christianity, it's about what others expect of you.... more like what we can do for others... Selfishness compared to giving... hard choice...thinks I'll choose giving.

A childs happiness at meeting Santa hardly equates to screw everyone else. As far as what other christians expect of you , are you not required to adhere to dogmatic extortion in order to secure your reward of heaven? meh.

 

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

Question for Razberry,

Why would you choose to go to a religious debate forum? You certainly seem to have it all figured out, to the point where you refuse to look into any evidence which doesn't fit with your preconceived view of this life and the afterlife. So, since you already know it all, and refuse to even look into differing viewpoints, why are you bothering with a debate forum?

A lot of folks here are very firm in their beliefs, but few of them reject outright the possibility that there could be more to learn. I can't recall too many folks refusing to even look into an alternative way of thinking.

The attitude that there is only one way, and your way is it is a very frightening mentality that led to the Inquisition, as well as Muslim totalitarianism such as the Taliban style of government. Funny how ultra religious types hate the idea of people thinking for themselves. "You must beleive the way we tell you, don't dare think on your own or come up with logical scientific principles!!!!"

B.

 

[jeffrey]

screw everyone else. As far as what other christians expect of you , are you not required to adhere to dogmatic extortion in order to secure your reward of heaven? meh.

We where talking about you being selfish, remember? And as far as what other Christians expect from me... I think most are taught to be humble. which would negate expectations.

 

[Majikthise]

We where talking about you being selfish, remember? And as far as what other Christians expect from me... I think most are taught to be humble. which would negate expectations.

No, we were talking about why christianity would have any more believability than the idea of a Santa Claus.:areyoucra

And why did you start off my quote with "screw everyone else"? Thats not what I was saying. Resorting to that kind of trickery only makes you look like a loser.:tsk:

 

[jeffrey]

I'm posting from a phone. I have a 500 character limit. I had to chop off something for my post to fit, so I chopped of the 1st part, no offence was intended.... now.... next message..

 

[jeffrey]

You stated that it's all about what makes you happy..... Making my kids happy is my goal at Christmas, you implied it's about making YOU happy.

 

[jeffrey]

with christianity it's about what others expect of you.

This is so far from the truth, it's laughable. I expect nothing form other Christians, I hope for their love. But lets see how others feel. Net Doc, what do expect from me?

 

[RAZBERRY]

Question for Razberry,

Why would you choose to go to a religious debate forum? You certainly seem to have it all figured out, to the point where you refuse to look into any evidence which doesn't fit with your preconceived view of this life and the afterlife. So, since you already know it all, and refuse to even look into differing viewpoints, why are you bothering with a debate forum?

A lot of folks here are very firm in their beliefs, but few of them reject outright the possibility that there could be more to learn. I can't recall too many folks refusing to even look into an alternative way of thinking.

The attitude that there is only one way, and your way is it is a very frightening mentality that led to the Inquisition, as well as Muslim totalitarianism such as the Taliban style of government. Funny how ultra religious types hate the idea of people thinking for themselves. "You must beleive the way we tell you, don't dare think on your own or come up with logical scientific principles!!!!"

B.

B, Actually, I believe I googled “Christian chat” and this forum happened to come up. I wasn’t actually looking for a “debate” forum. Sorry if I’ve offended you or invaded your space. <peace>

Regarding my refusal to look into alternative ways of thinking, are you referring to my stating I had no desire to study evolution? That’s the only alternative way of thinking, other than a Judaism, I’ve discussed here I believe.

As far as evolution is concerned, what I know about it I learned in school 20+ years ago. I have always rejected the notion, thereby considering it a waste of "my" time. I do believe there has been a real monkey wrench thrown into the theory in recent years too, imo. Back in the 19th century, it was determined we evolved from mud because a man by the name of Haeckel, a great admirer of Darwin, believed that a single cell was a piece of microscopic jello. He said the single cell in mud dredged from the bottom of the sea closely resembled that of mans cells, thus becoming convinced this protoplasm was the progenitor of life. In recent years it has been proven by biochemists that a single cell organism’s molecular structure is that of a perfect little machine. This part traveling from here to there, picking up that, carrying from this place to that place; each part having a particular job to carry out.

To make a long story short, I believe it stands to reason, if it takes an intelligent human being to build a working machine (such as computers, car engines, televisions), then an intelligent being (God) would certainly have had to build us. Since our cells are like perfectly running little machines, who designed and built them? I simply do not believe it’s all just dumb luck. <This is simply my belief and I'm not trying to force it on you >

My opinions and beliefs are just that--mine. I do not force those beliefs on anyone. It’s presumptuous of you to assume I hate the idea of people thinking for themselves. I don’t presume I can change anyone’s beliefs. I don’t have that power, but I do believe I know who can. Anyone can be as scientific and intellectual as they please, but if God chooses to reveal the truth to them, He will. I believe mans’ wisdom is but foolishness to God. I think it boils down to people refusing to believe they really don’t have control over themselves. Refusing to relinquish control to someone they cannot see or prove is beyond their comprehension. I can't comprehend the mind of God, but I do learn about Him thru the bible. Someone in this forum insinuated something to the effect I am a mindless robot, controlled by God. Fine by me. During my Christian life, when I was ignoring God and trying to run my own show without Him, He did show me who was in control and I have since learned to trust Him. I’m much better off too. “Blessed” is what I am. But I can’t make you or anyone understand what I know in my heart. If everyone wants to believe I’m Jesus’ robot, good. I’m not ashamed of it. After all, in my Book , He is ‘The’ God. The fall-on-your-knees-and-worship-Him God.

I do have firm beliefs, I admit. My “preconcieved” notions of this life and the afterlife are based on the bible, which I think is a perfect handbook for everyone--if they want to follow it. I do believe Jesus is exactly who He said He is. The way, the truth, and the life. He wasn't merely a good man or a prophet. Mere prophets don't profess to be the Son of God. If He isn't who He said He is, then He lied. There's plenty of proof "for me" in the bible.

General questions: Is there an afterlife? There’s only one answer. It’s either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. What is the afterlife going to be like and who determined that, if anyone? I base my belief on the bible as I don’t think there’s going to be individual choices for the afterlife, such as:
A good person will go to heaven and live in paradise eternal;
A bad person will go to hell and suffer eternal torment;
An agnostic, who knows?;
An atheist will drift off into nothingness;
A skeptic may have multiple choices;
A radical Muslim who martyrs himself is in his heaven with numerous virgins;
etc, etc, etc.
Sorry. I’m not open to considering that. I believe there is a plan. I also believe that plan is layed out in the bible. If I’m wrong, oh well, no big deal for me. But I don’t think I’m wrong. One thing is for certain, we will die, and we will have no control over that.

Again, I didn’t mean to step on your toes. I’m not forcing my beliefs on a soul. I'm not the slightest bit radical because you don't agree with me. I have no desire to behead you or anything. shout I just might pray for you though).
I think I will be moseying along now though. Thx.

 

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

Lol, thanks for the reply, but I assure you, I am about the least offendable person you will find. I did not get my feelings hurt and did not reply to your earlier post out of anger, if it came across as thus, then it was not intended.

My feeling is you are a biblical literalist, young earther, intelligent design type who is going to refuse to look at any information that does not fit into what you percieve the bible to be telling you. It has been my experience in the past that debating with folks who fit into these categories doesn't get you very far, as they tend to ignore evidence they don't agree with, and the debate eventually devolves to the point where they defend their position with things like "well the Bible says it" or "we cannot know the mind of God" " we cannot comprehend God's plan" or my personal favorite "That is one of the thngs I am going to ask God when I get to Heaven."

It is quite difficult, verging on an impossibility to debate a subject when one of the two debaters insists on logic, facts and emperical evidence while the other keeps going back to the "God did it" trump card. This is not at all to suggest that I will not debate with you in the future, as I will. However, be aware that on this site, you can't just go to one of the above quoted copouts and expect others to be impressed.

All that being said, thank you for your thorough answer to my earlier querie, and happy to have you aboard the Religious Forums bandwagon.

B.

 

[Majikthise]

You stated that it's all about what makes you happy..... Making my kids happy is my goal at Christmas, you implied it's about making YOU happy.

How could you possibly interpret me(MAJIKTHISE) ,reffering to you (The human race), as me (MAJIKTHISE) reffering to myself(MAJIKTHISE)?
If believing Jesus died on the cross for your sins makes you(JGALLANDT) happy, then fine , it doesn't really bother me. Other christians expect you to believe this in order for them to consider you a fellow christian.I'm talking about rules that must be followed by christians in order to be christians. Dogmatic rules.
Anyone ,religious or not, can be charitable, loving , caring and empethetic. Christians do not hold exclusive rights to these feelings even though some have self rightious attitudes that would indicate they believe they do. That's the trouble with believing oneself to be a chosen one, it promotes the idea of being the better one.