Open Religious Debate

[MoonWater]

Another question for believers in a deity: Where does your faith come from?

from myself, from bits and pieces I've pulled from numerous other religions, mythologies, philosophies, stories, etc.

Do you experience connection with your deity on a daily basis?

For my patron who acts as my guide on my spiritual journey for this lifetime I can feel a connection with her whenever I want to simply be reaching out to her. As for the forces I believe in I always feel a connection with them but then it's pretty hard not to feel connected to them when, as I believe, they make up your very soul. Though I imagine an actual "experience" of this connection would be whenever I experience an emotion as one example.

Did you once experience a miraculous revelation that confirmed the existence of your deity? Share.

Not really but then it would make no difference to me even if I did.

 

[Riverwolf]

1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?

Nope. I believe in the Living Gaia, but I have no real solid proof of Her actually being alive. The other gods, I acknowledge as existing, but I do not claim to know anything about them.

2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?

Not really. Being an omnist, I believe wisdom can be found in all things, because of what Tolkien referred to as applicability. That is, it doesn't really matter what the author had in mind; what really matters is what the reader gets out of it. So wisdom can be found where wisdom was never intended, even in comedy sketches.

3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?

Not really either. The Mystery is not the center of my beliefs; wisdom and philosophy is.

4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?

All too often. There is no "forgiveness" or "remission" of my transgressions, but I instead view them as lessons to be learned. Therefore if I learn from the transgression, for example why I did it and how I can avoid it next time, then it becomes an opportunity. Of course, that doesn't mean sinning is okay. ^_^

5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

Oh, yes. I have accepted whatever punishment I must endure, and I try not to begrudge whatever god does so.

 

[Riverwolf]

Another question for believers in a deity: Where does your faith come from?

The short of it is that my beliefs have evolved ever since I was prepubescent. Back when I was in Junior High, I was as dogmatic in my video-game based beliefs (I'm not kidding) as any fundamentalist Christian. (though I didn't know it) Of course, I didn't know any thing about any other religion at the time, so...

One thing that's been constant in my beliefs: all the gods ever worshiped exist, and the Earth, Gaia is alive and all the stars are alive.

Do you experience connection with your deity on a daily basis?

Father Sky, the masculine side of Gaia, once guided me on a hike up and down a ridge of hills that I live near. The purpose in that was to help me fully understand that it's the journey that matters, not the destination. I'd already heard of this philosophy and believed it, but didn't fully "know" it or understand it yet. But that's really it.

Did you once experience a miraculous revelation that confirmed the existence of your deity? Share.

I've had spiritual experiences, but none I'd attribute to divine origins.

I just kind of believe that there are life forms that exist beyond our perception, using the logic that there are life forms whose perception cannot perceive us.

I just call them gods.

 

[Katzpur]

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?

No.

2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?

Yes to the first question. No to the second. (Maybe it would be more accurate to say take a literal view of all of the stories I find in them. I do believe all of the essential teachings they contain.)

3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?

Both.

4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?

Of course. I'm human.

5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

Again, of course. As I said before, I'm human.

 

[Comicaze247]

1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?

Nope

2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?

I used to be Catholic, so some of the teachings of the Bible are applied to my personal beliefs, but I don't refer to it as a guide anymore. And I left because I didn't believe every word So now I look for wisdom in everything. I believe every faith (or non-faith) has something to offer towards the ultimate Truth, so I don't deny anything I find until I meditate on the subject and find that I disagree.

3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?

It's more based on personal experiences and meditations on subjects. It's like a mix of spirituality, sociology, and psychology, turned into an attempt at understanding the world.

4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?

I don't have any set rules for my beliefs, though I do have ideals for myself that I want to live up to, which are sometimes conflicting. For example, if my best friend is cheating on his girlfriend, whom I'm also friends with, do I rat out my best friend, or let the girl suffer?

5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

Hell yes. I really believe that because nobody is perfect, nobody can fathom the unfathomable.

 

[ChristineES]

1- Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist? No, unless you count the existence of the universe, earth, and so on. But since there are other explanations, mine wouldn't really prove anything to anyone.
2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages? I personally read the Bible but I am not about to poo-poo someone else's religious texts and scriptures. I believe that some of the scriptures are symbolic or allegories. There are some similarities between faiths.
3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof? Faith
4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God? Of course, who hasn't? We just try not to.
5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced? If I say that I am 100% correct, then I will sound incredibly arrogant. If I say I am 0% correct, I sound as though I have no faith. So instead I say "Of course, I may be wrong but I also may be right".

 

[Michael Junior]

I am basically looking for an open debate on religion. I invite any religious member(s) to debate on their religious beliefs. My usual preference is Christianity, but I guess that's cliché, everyone picks on the Christians.

So I welcome believers of any faith.

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?
2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?
3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?
4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?
5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

If the debate gets going I'm sure more questions will pop up but we'll stick with those ones just now.

I have read the Bible 11 Times, quran 5 times and baghavad gita 5 times. so feel free to debate with me what is your question.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I have read the Bible 11 Times, quran 5 times and baghavad gita 5 times. so feel free to debate with me what is your question.

Just so you're aware, you're responding to a member that hasn't been active here in nearly 16 years.

 

[Balthazzar]

I am basically looking for an open debate on religion. I invite any religious member(s) to debate on their religious beliefs. My usual preference is Christianity, but I guess that's cliché, everyone picks on the Christians.

So I welcome believers of any faith.

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?
2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?
3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?
4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?
5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

If the debate gets going I'm sure more questions will pop up but we'll stick with those ones just now.

1. Yes and no.
2. Bible
3. Both
4. Yes
5. Yes and no

Edit: The bible teaches to seek understanding and to honor truth. It teaches life is eternal, whether viewed to be good or bad. Hell is the grave, we're all fallen, and we're all able to be reconciled through the spirit of truth, which Jesus represented. He died, was shamed, placed in a tomb and came out (apparently) 3 days later, much like the leper Lazarus came out of his own when Jesus called for him. It teaches that we're like seeds. It teaches the word is like a seed. It takes fertile ground to develop. Life is full of troubles, but truth comforts because through it we're better able to navigate. The devil represents lies, deceit, and thievery because these prevent us from walking in truth. God is supreme authority over everything. God has many parts, to which we all belong. I view God as the All. The great "I am" because there's nothing that isn't God.

Life continues after death...I'm uncertain about the details. I take it on faith that I'll be recycled and become something new.

I've broken a few rules, but then my wages are death and to be raised again. I have no idea what that life will involve. That's life. It can be a lot like hell sometimes. I think we're supposed to follow Jesus there anyway. It's part of carrying our own cross. I try to aim best I'm able with what I have to utilize. The devil is a liar, misguides, is a deceiver so that makes navigation more difficult. I was taught to discern truth from error and search matters out. It isn't easy, but then no one said life would be.

 

[Balthazzar]

Why not ...

 

[PureX]

I am basically looking for an open debate on religion. I invite any religious member(s) to debate on their religious beliefs. My usual preference is Christianity, but I guess that's cliché, everyone picks on the Christians.

So I welcome believers of any faith.

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?

Who are you that you can presume to recognize such proof even if it were provided?

2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?

Why would you even ask such a question? How is this relevant to you?

3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?

Faith is it's own proof. This is something many people experience but few actually seem to understand. But it's a n important question to be asked.

4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?

My theology has no "rules". And I am not religious.

5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

Not only the possibility of being inaccurate, but they presumed certainty of it.

If the debate gets going I'm sure more questions will pop up but we'll stick with those ones just now.

Keep in mind that many theists are not religious, and that religion does not define or determine theism.

 

[Bear Wild]

I am basically looking for an open debate on religion. I invite any religious member(s) to debate on their religious beliefs. My usual preference is Christianity, but I guess that's cliché, everyone picks on the Christians.

So I welcome believers of any faith.

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?
2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?
3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?
4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?
5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

If the debate gets going I'm sure more questions will pop up but we'll stick with those ones just now.

1. I experience the deities daily in different ways and they do not require proof they are their to experience to someone who wants to experience them.

2. There are no scriptures for all wisdom an knowledge comes from the natural world. Any attempt to write down this wisdom will always fail to transfer full wisdom. Written texts are dangerous and often create misinformation and false beliefs. Knowledge must be embodied and experienced from the wells of wisdom and the five streams of the senses.

3. I do not have specific beliefs. I live in truth with the greater than human world, I experience the wisdom and knowledge which is neither faith nor can be derived from logic.

4. There are no rules there is only living in truth which is living with relationship that resonates and supports the world around. It is living in reciprocity with the greater world. Yes I have not always lived this way and still have better days than others but I am doing better with the wisdom I am learning and living in better harmony.

5. Since nature is truth and I am strive to be in harmony with the Oran Mor or the great song, I now know of no other way to live.

 

[Trailblazer]

Here are the questions:
1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?
2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?
3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?
4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?
5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?

Wow, this thread is ancient, but since someone resurrected it....

1 - Can you provide conclusive, un-biased proof that your deity, or deities, (if you worship one) exist?
No. There is no proof that God(s) exist.

2 - Does you religion refer to a scripture such as the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Torah etc? If so, do you believe every word written on its pages?
Yes. I consider Baha'ullah wrote as the scripture of my religion, and I believe everything that He wrote.

3 - Is your (personal) belief founded upon faith or upon logical proof?
Faith, since there is no proof, but I believe my religion is logical.

4 - Have you ever broken the rules of your religion e.g. breaking one of the ten commandments set by the Christian God?
Yes, I have broken minor laws like forgetting a daily obligatory prayer, but I have broken no major laws.

5 - Do you accept the possibility that your religion might be wrong or your faith misplaced?
No. After having been a member for 54 years I have looked at all the possibilities and I have no doubt that my religion is true.