I Propose A Challenge

[ppp]

He never claimed to be divine, just offered a way to get off the treadmill of life (which was part of the religious belief of his culture). He said that speculation about gods was a waste of time (something like that). In short he was 100% human and never claimed anything else.

We have no idea what he did or didn't say.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

None of em were divine, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Bahai dude etc. because they never existed at all imo. They’re a good starting point to finding the truth though.

Really? You think Muhammed and the Baha'u'llah never existed despite our having texts written by them, and outside sources confirming their existence? If that's true, it would seem like you wouldn't accept the existence of any historical person.

 

[Jimmy]

Really? You think Muhammed and the Baha'u'llah never existed despite our having texts written by them, and outside sources confirming their existence? If that's true, it would seem like you wouldn't accept the existence of any historical person.

I don’t think anything really existed prior to 1979ish.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

I don’t think anything really existed prior to 1979ish.

It's fascinating to learn that I was born as an 18 year old.

 

[ppp]

It's fascinating to learn that I was born as an 18 year old.

Last 18ism. A variation on last Thursdayism!

 

[John53]

Those who don’t believe in Christ, I challenge you to pretend that you do for about a week and come back here and tell me if you feel any different. You have to pretend that Christ is alive in your heart though. Whatever that means to you. See ya in a week.

I pretended for about 25 years, another week won't help.

 

[Jimmy]

It's fascinating to learn that I was born as an 18 year old.

God created all of existence. How easy is a memory?

 

[IndigoChild5559]

God created all of existence. How easy is a memory?

Although I believe God created the universe, I certainly don't remember it.

 

[Jimmy]

Although I believe God created the universe, I certainly don't remember it.

So god creating a memory is out of the question for you? …but creating existence isn’t?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

See? You couldn't do it, and neither can we.
It is an ability you have to be born with or acquire in early childhood. Orwell called it "doublethink", the skill of holding contradictory beliefs in one's mind and believing in both.
It can be overridden by rationality, but there is no rational way back.

I find that unfortunate to believe as there are many of us who do get out, and those still in ig and in need of a life line need support to help get them out rather than people saying getting them out can't be done and leave them to drown.

 

[Soandso]

I don’t think anything really existed prior to 1979ish.

 

[Jimmy]

Love ya!

 

[LuisDantas]

Those who don’t believe in Christ, I challenge you to pretend that you do for about a week and come back here and tell me if you feel any different. You have to pretend that Christ is alive in your heart though. Whatever that means to you. See ya in a week.

Honestly, I have no idea of what this would even be or mean. If it can even apply to me at all.

I have been through social pressure to pretend Christ-belief through pretty much all of my life, although there has been quite some variation in form and intensity as well as in my ability to defend from it. So that ship has sailed; I will never not have been told to pretend.

 

[Heyo]

I find that unfortunate to believe as there are many of us who do get out, and those still in ig and in need of a life line need support to help get them out rather than people saying getting them out can't be done and leave them to drown.

I think you misunderstood. Of course, you can help people to come out of religion if they so wish. And there are also ways to help an atheist find religion. There just isn't a rational way to go back to religion, once you have reasoned yourself out of it.
At least that is my working hypothesis, based on experience. I have yet to meet a believer who reasoned himself out of atheism.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

There just isn't a rational way to go back to religion, once you have reasoned yourself out of it.
At least that is my working hypothesis, based on experience. I have yet to meet a believer who reasoned himself out of atheism.

Seems plausible that's true, at least, though I haven't really looked into it to know.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

So god creating a memory is out of the question for you? …but creating existence isn’t?

I honestly have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Jimmy]

I honestly have no idea what you are talking about.

I said I believe existence began in 1979. You said it was fascinating to learn that you were born as an 18-year-old. I’m telling you that you were born as an 18 yr old and god created your memories,

 

[ppp]

I said I believe existence began in 1979. You said it was fascinating to learn that you were born as an 18-year-old. I’m telling you that you were born as an 18 yr old and god created your memories,

Why should I take your claim,, seriously?

 

[IndigoChild5559]

I said I believe existence began in 1979. You said it was fascinating to learn that you were born as an 18-year-old. I’m telling you that you were born as an 18 yr old and god created your memories,

I assumed your comment was you joking around. If you are truly serious that you think nothing existed before 1979, I really think you need to discuss this with your doctor.

 

[RestlessSoul]

The problem isn't with atheism or Christianity. It's with "pretending". One can't fake it till they make it. These things have to be genuine.

Trust me, one absolutely can “fake it to make it”. Or, to put it another way, a person can “act as if”, until the acting becomes second nature. If we act as if we are unafraid, eventually fear will leave us. If we act as if we love those who hate us, eventually our hearts will be full of love.