Can Atheists Imagine?

[MaddLlama]

Reverend Rick's definition of a designer religion: A religion recently invented in the last 100 years to accommodate a persons way of thinking. Generally these folks are the first generation in their family to belong to this faith and are making the rules to fit their needs.

What's the difference between a religion invented 100 years ago, and a religion invented 2,000 years ago?

At some point in time, then, Christianity (and, ironically Protestantism later than that) was a designer religion.

By the year 2060, will Wicca no longer be a "designer religion"? After all, then it will be older than 100 years.

When its first invented, isn't every religion making rules to suit needs?

 

[Reverend Rick]

Being a designer religion is not a negative thing, but it is easier to practice when you make up the rules as you go along. That was my only point.

 

[McBell]

Being a designer religion is not a negative thing, but it is easier to practice when you make up the rules as you go along. That was my only point.

Oh.
You mean like Christians who pick and choose from the Bible?
What about Muslims who pick and choose from the Quran?
Or are these two examples different because they are picking and choosing from a text that is over 100 years old?

 

[Reverend Rick]

Just asking a simple question. I don't know of any biblical reason for believing that having a single lustful thought is as bad as murder.

I have a better verse somewhere but cannot find it that explains all sins are the same in the eyes of God.

This is not the verse I spoke of, but should make lusting pretty clear to you:

Matthew 5:28-29

But I say unto you, (Jesus speaking) That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

 

[kmkemp]

Sins are only equal to one another in the sense that any sin is enough to make you a sinner. The only important distinction before God is that between a sinner and a non-sinner (only Jesus). Still, we will be judged according to our works (including our sin) as well although there will be no eternal life at stake.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Sins are only equal to one another in the sense that any sin is enough to make you a sinner. The only important distinction before God is that between a sinner and a non-sinner (only Jesus). Still, we will be judged according to our works (including our sin) as well although there will be no eternal life at stake.

We will be judged according to our works, but if your name is not written in the lambs book of life, you are cast into the lake of fire no matter how much good you have done.

 

[kmkemp]

Agreed.

 

[McBell]

We will be judged according to our works, but if your name is not written in the lambs book of life, you are cast into the lake of fire no matter how much good you have done.

All the more incentive for me to not even show up at the party.
For if your name is not on the guest list, you are not merely turned away, you are cast into a fiery lake.

 

[Reverend Rick]

All the more incentive for me to not even show up at the party.
For if your name is not on the guest list, you are not merely turned away, you are cast into a fiery lake.

Even Satan himself will be there and admit Jesus is Lord. I don't think this party is optional.

 

[McBell]

Even Satan himself will be there and admit Jesus is Lord. I don't think this party is optional.

I do.

 

[Smoke]

We will be judged according to our works, but if your name is not written in the lambs book of life, you are cast into the lake of fire no matter how much good you have done.

It doesn't follow, however, that all evils are of equal enormity.

 

[logician]

Sins are only equal to one another in the sense that any sin is enough to make you a sinner. The only important distinction before God is that between a sinner and a non-sinner (only Jesus). Still, we will be judged according to our works (including our sin) as well although there will be no eternal life at stake.

And which mount were you on when a supposed god told you this?

 

[Gentoo]

Like what?

"God/Jesus hates _______" and fill in the blank with whatever suits their need in an "argument".

 

[Reverend Rick]

"God/Jesus hates _______" and fill in the blank with whatever suits their need in an "argument".

I sure hope you do not think I do this Gentoo.

 

[lilithu]

"God/Jesus hates _______" and fill in the blank with whatever suits their need in an "argument".

"You know that someone has made God in their own image when their God hates all the same people that they do."

 

[Quagmire]

"You know that someone has made God in their own image when their God hates all the same people that they do."

That is a great quote Lilithu!

Now I know why my God's cool with everyone except the Hansons.

 

[Gentoo]

I sure hope you do not think I do this Gentoo.

I've seen what I need.

 

[Haydaman]

The belief in the afterlife is the ultimate form of childhood selfishness. Why does there always have to be a happy ending for good people? It's the way we want it to be; and yes it's what people deserve. But I stopped kidding myself that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[lilithu]

The belief in the afterlife is the ultimate form of childhood selfishness. Why does there always have to be a happy ending for good people? It's the way we want it to be; and yes it's what people deserve. But I stopped kidding myself that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

Why is it selfishness to wish that there is always a happy ending for good people?

You can call it deluded if you want, but I don't see why it's selfish.

To me what's selfish is the idea that I could be happy in "heaven" while other people were suffering in "hell" for no other reason than that they believed the "wrong" thing. That is something I will never understand.

 

[longshanks]

I imagined for a second or three.
I do not worry about such matters.
600 years ago your quite right we would have all been suckered into believing the world was flat but we have advanced a million fold since then and i have nearly two decades of education behind me plus my wealth of private research into many things.
Education is in my humble view the only thing that matters when forming opinions.
I was raised a catholic i am well aware of christian dogma and scriptures.
My subsequent education has superseeded that to the point that its no longer relevant.
Good thread though and im sending you a frubal