Ex-Christian here.

[Ethos88]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

 

[dust1n]

Welcome to RF.

Liberating, isn't it?

 

[Draka]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

I honestly don't think you can do that as you cannot possibly know every concept of what "god" is all over the world.

I always find it interesting that the most hardcore atheists that think that they can prove that all concepts of Divine are bunk are ex-Christians. So jaded or misinformed by their previous beliefs and experiences they are willing to write off everything else out there without really knowing all there is to know. It's sad really.

 

[Tanuki]

Well put Draka

 

[Ethos88]

I honestly don't think you can do that as you cannot possibly know every concept of what "god" is all over the world.

I always find it interesting that the most hardcore atheists that think that they can prove that all concepts of Divine are bunk are ex-Christians. So jaded or misinformed by their previous beliefs and experiences they are willing to write off everything else out there without really knowing all there is to know. It's sad really.

The only sad part I find in this, is that I hadn't defected earlier. Through science anything is possible. Through religion, only a false sense of security for what cannot be explained.

Why would a God who cares for us and loves us SO much, allow his creations to suffer. When people are killed from earthquakes, diseases, famine, ect. People say "It's Gods will". Well I'm here to tell you I will never worship a God who claims to love his creations then torture them.

Besides there is so much evidence refuting God it's blinding.

 

[Riverwolf]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

But the Bible never said that. Scholars did later.

But it is true: questioning is very liberating. I personally believe that everybody, religious or not, should question their beliefs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

As a follower of Advaita, I neither believe in nor disbelieve in deities. I don't believe gods literally exist, but I still attach importance to them.

 

[Riverwolf]

The only sad part I find in this, is that I hadn't defected earlier. Through science anything is possible. Through religion, only a false sense of security for what cannot be explained.

Not necessarily.

Why would a God who cares for us and loves us SO much, allow his creations to suffer. When people are killed from earthquakes, diseases, famine, ect. People say "It's Gods will". Well I'm here to tell you I will never worship a God who claims to love his creations then torture them.

Not all theists say that. I don't.

I say, if it's God's will to let people suffer, then why isn't it his will that we should help them?

 

[.lava]

hi welcome

.

 

[Ethos88]

But the Bible never said that. Scholars did later.

But it is true: questioning is very liberating. I personally believe that everybody, religious or not, should question their beliefs.



As a follower of Advaita, I neither believe in nor disbelieve in deities. I don't believe gods literally exist, but I still attach importance to them.

Hmm, I'm not familiar with Advaita, I speak on behalf of Christianity, mostly becuase about 85% of this nation follows this religion.

EDIT: P.s. What are frubals and how do I already have 81 thousand of them??

 

[Draka]

The only sad part I find in this, is that I hadn't defected earlier. Through science anything is possible. Through religion, only a false sense of security for what cannot be explained.

You "defected" from one extreme to another. Oh, and science can explain or have the means to eventually explain everything in this physical realm. So what? How does that affect all religions?

Why would a God who cares for us and loves us SO much, allow his creations to suffer. When people are killed from earthquakes, diseases, famine, ect. People say "It's Gods will". Well I'm here to tell you I will never worship a God who claims to love his creations then torture them.

Who says all concepts of "god" are like that? Also, isn't it just a little silly to attribute human emotions such as "love" to an entity beyond human?

Besides there is so much evidence refuting God it's blinding.

Which god?

 

[Riverwolf]

Hmm, I'm not familiar with Advaita, I speak on behalf of Christianity, mostly becuase about 85% of this nation follows this religion.

Oh. I speak for the whole world; I don't limit myself to political borders.

Advaita literally translates to "non-dualism." It basically teaches that all duality is ultimately illusion, and the goal is to realize the oneness of all things (Brahman). It's a Vedic (Hindu) religion.

 

[Riverwolf]

EDIT: P.s. What are frubals and how do I already have 81 thousand of them??

Frubals are just our resident way of expressing love. ^_^

Go to your User CP, scroll down, and you'll see the frubals you got for a post, and they may even have some nice messages to them.

You give frubals by clicking on the scales at the top of posts.

 

[Ethos88]

You "defected" from one extreme to another. Oh, and science can explain or have the means to eventually explain everything in this physical realm. So what? How does that affect all religions?

Who says all concepts of "god" are like that? Also, isn't it just a little silly to attribute human emotions such as "love" to an entity beyond human?

Which god?

Sorry, I thought you knew I was talking about Christianity.

What I'm talking about in scientific terms of explanation, I'm also referring to the vast amount of UN-explained knowledge also. Our galaxy is huge, massive is more appropriate. And our galaxy is just a shimmer of light in the universe. In my opinion, i just find it a bit early for the human race to be jumping to conclusions. If anything I would consider myself agnostic.

 

[Draka]

Sorry, I thought you knew I was talking about Christianity.

What I'm talking about in scientific terms of explanation, I'm also referring to the vast amount of UN-explained knowledge also. Our galaxy is huge, massive is more appropriate. And our galaxy is just a shimmer of light in the universe. In my opinion, i just find it a bit early for the human race to be jumping to conclusions. If anything I would consider myself agnostic.

If you have a beef with Christianity then you should really state that outright instead of what you did do then:

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

By opening this up and saying "ANY god postulated cannot and logically should not exist" then you reach out to broad brush all religions and concepts of "god" and "Divine" in the world and you just cannot possibly do that.

You will find, on this forum, that there are so many different concepts and ideas of god and so many different religions represented that one cannot simply make broad brush statements about anything. Much better to be specific.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I always find it interesting that the most hardcore atheists that think that they can prove that all concepts of Divine are bunk are ex-Christians. So jaded or misinformed by their previous beliefs and experiences they are willing to write off everything else out there without really knowing all there is to know. It's sad really.

I find it interesting how a hinderance of science progress and understanding are always mentioned, even though plenty of religious ancient cultures, such a Greek, Rome, and Egypt, did indeed have quite an astonishing degree of scientific understandings, especially when it comes to Astronomy. Wars are also frequently mentioned, but it's been well established people don't need religion to fight.
But it's interesting that the positive factors of religion are never mentioned. Such as those who belong to a religious organization tend to cope with stress better. And then we have the super-religious monks to thank for preserving European history that pre-dates Christianity. And some people overcome addiction and stay clean with the help of a believe in God. And the countless charities that have been organized in the name of religion.

And then there is the thing that always has and always will annoy me, is the ideology that religion = Christianity.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

Ok, so then how did gravity come into existence before the big bang? Or the particles that collided within a black hole to cause such an explosion?
I will give it to you though, that where did god come from? is an equally valid question.

 

[rusra02]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

The gods of Mt. Olympus have provided no evidence of their existence. This is because they do not and have never existed. The true God has provided abundant evidence, including: 1) His creative works 2) fulfilled Bible prophecy 3) the wisdom and success of applying Bible counsel.
Where does the Bible claim the earth is flat? Where does it say it is only 6000 years old? Or is enough for you to not believe because the Bible doesn't mention dinosaurs? I can understand why people who look at so-called "Christian" faiths and their evil deeds be turned away from the Bible by such hypocrisy. However, there is a true Christian faith that follows Bible teachings and worships God in spirit and truth (John 4:24)

 

[ChristineES]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

Welcome to RF.

I just want to say that not all Christians believe the world is flat (none that I ever met) or that the Earth is only 6 thousand years old. And there are Followers of Jesus who enjoy science.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

..., i just find it a bit early for the human race to be jumping to conclusions.

Perhaps someday you better appreciate the scope of that advice ...

... and welcome. :yes:​

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

And there are Followers of Jesus who enjoy science.

Heretics!

 

[Twilight Hue]

After my entire life, I have finally had the courage to question my faith, and boy does it feel good. I feel a sense of enlightenment upon me, as if I am no longer being held back by some imaginative "force". That's becuase now I can allow myself to accept science as the fundamental explanation of our existence, not some book that claims the earth is flat and only 6000 years old, and somehow forgot to mention dinosaurs.

My argument is this, however.

Explain to me why you do not believe in the Olympian Gods and I will explain to you why any "God" postulated cannot and logically should not exist.

Congrats to you for deciding to see things for yourself and to test them on your own terms!

I agree that science is the best tool that we have to help objectively explain and articulate the things we don't yet fully understand and like Dust sez, "Liberating, isn't it?" Ex-patriot myself BTW. :O)