Facts or Realizations About Yourself or Your Life -- and How They Make You Feel

[omega2xx]

I go with what gives me the most grace. When I prayed to nothing but Jesus, the father, and the holy Spirit, that was sad because I wasn't receiving much grace and wanted to kill myself.


God gave me something, a devotional that actually gives me joy and that I find meaningful.

You are still alive and have joy, how much grace do you need?

Speaking of lacking truth, I probably believe the same things about Jesus and the Father you do

Anyone who claims being taliban as part of his religion will not have much in common with me about Jesus And God and the Bible.

 

[Spiderman]

You are still alive and have joy, how much grace do you need?



Anyone who claims being taliban as part of his religion will not have much in common with me about Jesus And God and the Bible.

Apparently you lack the grace to understand my humor (Amish Taliban lol)...what is something you think you believe about Jesus that I don't?

 

[omega2xx]

Apparently you lack the grace to understand my humor (Amish Taliban lol)...what is something you think you believe about Jesus that I don't?

Grace has nothing to do with it.

I have no idea what you think about Jesus.

Tell me 3 things you believe about him and I will tell you if we agree.

 

[Spiderman]

Jesus is Lord, his death atones for sin, he rose from the dead

Scripture says that since I believe that, I'm saved

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Heavens no, pun intended. it is expected. Actually it is known.

You expect atheists to see some value in religion?

 

[omega2xx]

You expect atheists to see some value in religion?

Just the opposite, I expect them not to see any value in religion. Some may see some value in some of the teachings of Jesus: Love your neighbor---don't judge---help the needy, honor you mother and father, don't murder etc.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Just the opposite, I expect them not to see any value in religion. Some may see some value in some of the teachings of Jesus: Love your neighbor---don't judge---help the needy, honor you mother and father, don't murder etc.

Then you misunderstood my meaning, or I was unclear (sorry!)

To clarify...
I see ALL religions as originally self-made. Kinda unavoidable, as an atheist, although obviously it's commonly not just one person making the religion up from scratch.
But regardless, some religions, and some religious beliefs hold use, and (contextually) can be useful for some people.

Simple example, a friend of mine grew up loosely Christian, and wanted to go back to Church at a point in her life. Her husband (kinda agnostic I guess) sees no value in religion, and she was reluctant to force the issue. Not that he'd stop her, but I suspect she felt foolish. So I encouraged her, and then supported her in her decision.

It led to a little confusion later, since she seemed to assume I saw her particular version of Christianity as 'good', which wasn't true. But for her, it was important, and it gave her a level of peace. She was following her heart, basically. None of us should be afraid to explore our spirituality and our world.

 

[omega2xx]

Then you misunderstood my meaning, or I was unclear (sorry!)

I could be the poster child for misreading something. I assumed no atheist would find any religion of much value.

To clarify...
I see ALL religions as originally self-made. Kinda unavoidable, as an atheist, although obviously it's commonly not just one person making the religion up from scratch.
But regardless, some religions, and some religious beliefs hold use, and (contextually) can be useful for some people.

Any religion that is self-made is of little value. Conservative Christianity teaches that all Scripture is inspired by God. If that is not true I have wasted 40 years of my life.

Simple example, a friend of mine grew up loosely Christian, and wanted to go back to Church at a point in her life. Her husband (kinda agnostic I guess) sees no value in religion, and she was reluctant to force the issue. Not that he'd stop her, but I suspect she felt foolish. So I encouraged her, and then supported her in her decision.

It led to a little confusion later, since she seemed to assume I saw her particular version of Christianity as 'good', which wasn't true. But for her, it was important, and it gave her a level of peace. She was following her heart, basically. None of us should be afraid to explore our spirituality and our world.

I am glad it worked out well for your friend. Perhaps one day her faith will rub off on her husband and you and then both of you will also have spiritual peace.

I had a similar situation. My wife and son became Christians before I did. I had gone to church off and on all of my adult life, mostly off. Then I decided never to go to church again, but my wife and son could not drive, so I took them. During that time God did some things that convinced my He was real.

One day going into a K-Mart there was a poor family parked in front with car trouble. So I ask God to help them. When I took my wife and son to church that night, guess who was parked right in front of the Church? Some will say "coincidence." I will not because of some other things even more unexplainable than that.

At least you seem open to the possibility of a spiritual life. The story of the God of the Bible is so awesome, it is unbelievable, but many do believe it and many are highly intelligent.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I could be the poster child for misreading something. I assumed no atheist would find any religion of much value.

Well...atheists vary just like theists.

Any religion that is self-made is of little value. Conservative Christianity teaches that all Scripture is inspired by God. If that is not true I have wasted 40 years of my life.

Hmm...I think not. But that would probably be a topic for another thread.

I am glad it worked out well for your friend. Perhaps one day her faith will rub off on her husband and you and then both of you will also have spiritual peace.

I think I already do. *shrugs* More than most, anyway.
But mostly, it seemed to me she needed to explore her religious side. You might think that's motivated by God, or a need for spiritual peace, whilst I might have a more mundane explanation, but regardless, I'd be a poor friend if I attributed my own personality and motivations to my friends. Still, I don't want to give you the wrong idea about me. Whilst I can see some benefit in religion, depending on context, my initial rejection of religion on a personal level has never wavered.

I like Twain's quote...

The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also.

I had a similar situation. My wife and son became Christians before I did. I had gone to church off and on all of my adult life, mostly off. Then I decided never to go to church again, but my wife and son could not drive, so I took them. During that time God did some things that convinced my He was real.

One day going into a K-Mart there was a poor family parked in front with car trouble. So I ask God to help them. When I took my wife and son to church that night, guess who was parked right in front of the Church? Some will say "coincidence." I will not because of some other things even more unexplainable than that.

At least you seem open to the possibility of a spiritual life. The story of the God of the Bible is so awesome, it is unbelievable, but many do believe it and many are highly intelligent.

I try to be open to all things. I find it unlikely I would ever become theistic, and highly unlikely I'd ever become Abrahamaic, but learning for it's own sake is important to me, and I see no reason to exclude religion from that process.

 

[omega2xx]

Well...atheists vary just like theists.



Hmm...I think not. But that would probably be a topic for another thread.



I think I already do. *shrugs* More than most, anyway.
But mostly, it seemed to me she needed to explore her religious side. You might think that's motivated by God, or a need for spiritual peace, whilst I might have a more mundane explanation, but regardless, I'd be a poor friend if I attributed my own personality and motivations to my friends. Still, I don't want to give you the wrong idea about me. Whilst I can see some benefit in religion, depending on context, my initial rejection of religion on a personal level has never wavered.

I like Twain's quote...




I try to be open to all things. I find it unlikely I would ever become theistic, and highly unlikely I'd ever become Abrahamaic, but learning for it's own sake is important to me, and I see no reason to exclude religion from that process.

 

[omega2xx]

Well...atheists vary just like theists.



Hmm...I think not. But that would probably be a topic for another thread.



I think I already do. *shrugs* More than most, anyway.
But mostly, it seemed to me she needed to explore her religious side. You might think that's motivated by God, or a need for spiritual peace, whilst I might have a more mundane explanation, but regardless, I'd be a poor friend if I attributed my own personality and motivations to my friends. Still, I don't want to give you the wrong idea about me. Whilst I can see some benefit in religion, depending on context, my initial rejection of religion on a personal level has never wavered.

I like Twain's quote...




I try to be open to all things. I find it unlikely I would ever become theistic, and highly unlikely I'd ever become Abrahamaic, but learning for it's own sake is important to me, and I see no reason to exclude religion from that process.

I was converted after I had decided never to go to church again. At least you seem to open minded About rleigion. You may make it yet.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I was converted after I had decided never to go to church again. At least you seem to open minded About rleigion. You may make it yet.

*chuckles*

Never say never I guess. For now, be satisfied that I'm not an anti-theist, and am raising my kids to make their own choices.

 

[Debater Slayer]

You're just a young whippersnapper!
But unlike Debatie, at least you're an adult.

When does a person become an adult, then?

 

[Debater Slayer]

Approaching 69 and have had a roller coaster life(so far).
I still don't know what I want to do when I leave school.

School? Not sure if you were being facetious, but if not... that's actually beyond awesome. Kudos!

 

[Jedster]

School? Not sure if you were being facetious, but if not... that's actually beyond awesome. Kudos!

I meant that I still feel that I am in school.
It was also a message to my father(RIP) who was always naging me to decide what I would do after leaving school. He wanted me to be an actuary.

 

[Revoltingest]

When does a person become an adult, then?

There is some debate about it.
Experts typically pick an age between 30 & 50.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

When does a person become an adult, then?

I'm wondering myself. Legally, I've been an adult for almost half my life, but I don't feel anymore an adult than I did 20 years ago. I just happen to have a better grasp on the world and can enjoy "adult" things.

There is some debate about it.
Experts typically pick an age between 30 & 50.

I pick the age when my tombstone says I died.