Do you believe in God?

[Strittan]

Argue as much as you like the USA is the biggest consumer of oil in the world. Do you honestly think they would be killing as much people if there wasn't so much a demand for oil?
My post was not directed to the American people, but the American Government.

Stop right there. This thread is not about oil, it's about religious belief.

Whatever you say, my point still stands. The US government is probably the most christian there is. If you we're an atheist candidate for the presidential election, I feel confident saying a big majority of the American people would not listen to a single word you have to say. Meaning you have to be a christian in order to be taken seriously by the majority of the American people. Therefore I find it ironic that at the same time, the US government probably kills more people than any other government in the world.

EDIT: Ok, sorry for bringing up politics.

 

[shmogt]

He was referring to Catholics who say there catholic yet never attend church or do any praying etc. The majority of Catholics don't do anything to actually make them that but for some reason still call them selves part of it. To be a true part of something you must par take in some of the traditions not just show up around Christmas because everyone else is doing it sort of thing or take your kids to get there first communion just because it's part of the school you happen to have the enrolled in. All the major players in the world who have billions of dollars and mega size companies interestingly are not part of any religion. They have said I will think for myself and not have someone judge or tell me what I can an can not do. I will decide my own fate and nothing will stop me. Religion is just another control the mass things to get people to fight against one another and not think about the bigger issues like oil for example. Funny how whenever something in the government is going a little shifty you suddenly hear of some big debate like this. First it was black vs white than you have god vs no god and the newer one gay is good vs gay is bad. None of it matters if you think for yourself and stop worrying about other people choices. You wanna believe in god, good I completely support you. I choose not to I expect you to support me as well not tell me I should and start dictating passages etc to get me to join. Once you stop worrying about everyone else and focus on you is when you can truly open your mind and decide your own views. If someone disagrees good that will give you another way of looking at it. There is no right or wrong it's just in your heads.

 

[TankAss95]

Alright, if you want to speak in facts fine, I can handle that. Yes, we use the most oil. As I said, my problem was with your broad-brush denouncement of an entire nationality.

One more thing, as an American, I have been exposed to a lot of people's feelings on these wars, and guess what is (ironically) one of the biggest reasons that people in America support the war?

Wait for it.... Wait for it...

Religious hatred! Yay!

To be quite honest your probably correct. Opposing religious extremists is probably the reason why most Americans support the current wars the country is engaged in. Yet you forget the amount of civilisations America has destroyed in Africa etc they have destroyed in the ever increasing thirst for oil. Anyway I better stop there because I know little about the subject.

Blaming America's conflicts by saying the country is Christian is however idiotic, it's all about the thirst for resources.

 

[itsbenjibrand]

Stop right there. This thread is not about oil, it's about religious belief.

Thank you. The thread title is Do you believe in God?, not "Is the USA just playing as Christians to get oil".

With that said. Can we get back on topic guys?

@Tankass95: Wars are not all about resources, sometimes* wars occur to get people causing harm to other people out of power. Think with reason, not assumptions.

*By sometimes I mean the majority of the time.

 

[Strittan]

Blaming America's conflicts by saying the country is Christian is however idiotic, it's all about the thirst for resources.

That's not what I said. I didn't blame their conflicts on the christianity, but I said I think it's ironic. Can't you see the double morality?

 

[huskeR32]

To be quite honest your probably correct. Opposing religious extremists is probably the reason why most Americans support the current wars the country is engaged in. Yet you forget the amount of civilisations America has destroyed in Africa etc they have destroyed in the ever increasing thirst for oil. Anyway I better stop there because I know little about the subject.

Blaming America's conflicts by saying the country is Christian is however idiotic, it's all about the thirst for resources.

As a former history teacher, I can't let that slide either. European colonialism destroyed Africa long before the U.S. was even a world power.

Now, back to god, please.

 

[itsbenjibrand]

That's not what I said. I didn't blame their conflicts on the christianity, but I said I think it's ironic. Can't you see the double morality?

Exactly. Twisting words.

Tankass95, Strittan said that the majority of people in the USA are Christian, he didn't blame Christians for the USA's involvement in wars.

 

[TheDabbinDave]

I dont, never have and never will.

As long as you have breath, there is still a chance for you.

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

 

[PeterJB]

Probably best if you're a bit more subtle next time.

 

[homeforsummer]

As long as you have breath, there is still a chance for you.

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

...or alternatively, you can live your life as a kind, decent person, make a difference in the world, and do it without believing in a magical mystical being.

 

[Joey D]

Still waiting.

Since it matters that much to you.

At this point in time, there is only one correct answer to this question: WE DON'T KNOW! So why not revel in the awe and mystery of it all (while the brainiacs work on it) instead of settling on a god concept which has NO evidence behind it? Is it possible that your god belief is held for other reasons? In other words, what would it cost you to abandon god belief?

I do revel in the awe and mystery of what started the universe, what was before it and why we are here. It still doesn't mean I can't still believe in God. I also think the evidence that is present is enough for me to favour the God hypothesis then reject it, but on the same token I think the present evidence is enough for me to not favour religion. As long as the evidence continues to hold my beliefs then I will follow them, as I've said numerous times though, if something comes along that's better I will hear it out with an open mind.

Is my belief in God strengthened through other reasons? Yes, but it wasn't my reason for accepting the God hypothesis. What would I lose if I abandoned God? Quite a bit, one being my girlfriend since I probably wouldn't accept her belief system and it would throw a huge wrench into our relationship. I don't think you can abandoned God and still be open minded about religion since you would probably think less of believers. There are other things I would lose but I'm not comfortable getting into those.

====

And since we are playing grave dig the questions, I am still waiting for an answer to the following:

They [deist scientists] aren't looking to prove God though, they are looking to better humanity with discoveries. Sure their motives might be to discover how God made something work, but whatever the reason for exploring is, they still discovered something that helps humankind advance as a species.

And what does it matter what someone's belief is? If they believe in God and can manage a groundbreaking discovery that changes the way science thinks then what is the problem? If you some how think these people are inferior I challenge you to tell me what you have done for the advancement of the world lately.

I'm waiting

As long as you have breath, there is still a chance for you.

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

Trying to convert others doesn't help your case, it's no different then an atheist telling you that your beliefs are wrong. You are entitled to subscribe to whatever beliefs you want, but please don't attempt to force it onto others.

 

[Strittan]

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

Get out of here with that crap. You give me the creeps. Seriously, it's guys like you that has made me an atheist.

 

[TankAss95]

As long as you have breath, there is still a chance for you.

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

👍

All you need to do fellow Christians is plant seeds like these and maybe you'll change someone's life.

Keep up the good work.

 

[shmogt]

Get out of here with that crap. You give me the creeps. Seriously, it's guys like you that has made me an atheist.

Ahha give me the creeps. That is the prob tho don't push anything on others you do what you want they do what they want and everyone can express themselves and be happy together. Isn't that what all these religions are supposed to be about anyway.

The one thing about god which I kind of get is the better than you aspect. What I mean is if you are feeling down and have no one to talk to at least you can talk to god. Yes it's just talking to yourself and even if your a big god believer know that he's not gonna just change your situation instantly, but at least you got it out of head and will feel better. It's kind of like a pet that never talks back and even tho the pet doesn't respond when you talk to it you still feel better. I think that is what god was originally all about. Giving you the ability to know you can achieve the impossible and that Jesus represents a normal man who did so much to show you that if he can do it you can do it too sort of thing. All these church's saying god judges you and you must follow these rules etc is all bull****. Not to mention how when you go there they beg you for money and don't pay taxes which to me is insane and makes me so mad, but that's another topic.

 

[theotherspongey]

As long as you have breath, there is still a chance for you.

The saving grace of Jesus Christ through faith alone and subsequent sealing of the Holy Spirit is the only way a life can truly be changed and a sinner redeemed.

Or just choose your own opinion. 👍

In fact, this made me not want to be religious at all because it sounds so much like propaganda it's pathetic.

 

[dylansan]

👍

All you need to do fellow Christians is plant seeds like these and maybe you'll change someone's life.

Keep up the good work.

These "seeds" do nothing for us. It's like telling us how to get Santa Claus to give you more presents by being good. We don't think Santa exists, so it's entirely a useless statement to us.

 

[TankAss95]

Ahha give me the creeps. That is the prob tho don't push anything on others you do what you want they do what they want and everyone can express themselves and be happy together. Isn't that what all these religions are supposed to be about anyway.

The one thing about god which I kind of get is the better than you aspect. What I mean is if you are feeling down and have no one to talk to at least you can talk to god. Yes it's just talking to yourself and even if your a big god believer know that he's not gonna just change your situation instantly, but at least you got it out of head and will feel better. It's kind of like a pet that never talks back and even tho the pet doesn't respond when you talk to it you still feel better. I think that is what god was originally all about. Giving you the ability to know you can achieve the impossible and that Jesus represents a normal man who did so much to show you that if he can do it you can do it too sort of thing. All these church's saying god judges you and you must follow these rules etc is all bull****. Not to mention how when you go there they beg you for money and don't pay taxes which to me is insane and makes me so mad, but that's another topic.

👍

Churches can be corrupt - like lots of organisations. It's about finding a place where you feel comfortable and agree with their views (like important views, obvious discussions over the Bible are OK). Most churches usually have offerings where you can donate money ONLY if you want, because after all no matter where you go, it dying church.

And I honestly couldn't imagine living my life without God. He gets me through each difficult day.

 

[theotherspongey]

I can no longer take religion seriously.

 

[dylansan]

He gets me through each difficult day.

Give yourself some credit. You get yourself through each day. You have years of practice living and you've become pretty good at it. God doesn't do anything for you that you don't do for yourself.

And if God wanted to help get you through your day, why would he make that day difficult?

 

[TankAss95]

I can no longer take religion seriously.

To be quite honest you have to, well, you obviously can have your own views about it, but most of the population of the entire world has some sort of religion. You have to learn to get along with everyone, even if they believe in something you think is ridiculous. The only exception is if you think a persons belief is destructive or harmful to you or others.

 

[TankAss95]

Give yourself some credit. You get yourself through each day. You have years of practice living and you've become pretty good at it. God doesn't do anything for you that you don't do for yourself.

And if God wanted to help get you through your day, why would he make that day difficult?

(My beliefs (Do not read if you wish to not hear about my religious views)

We are all born into a world of sin after the fall of man. We have to ask for Jesus to forgive us for all the wrong things we have done and we are then born again. After such, we live by what the Bible tells us (obviously passages of the Bible can be viewed in many different ways. That's why we have to study it.).

God doesn't let us skip past the fire, he helps us through it.

 

[dylansan]

That's awfully cruel of Him. Why couldn't he just make us so we don't sin anymore, so people wouldn't have to go to hell?

 

[theotherspongey]

How do you know he even exists?
An old book?
Crazy people hearing things?
Coincidences?

I just don't get it.

 

[TankAss95]

That's awfully cruel of Him. Why couldn't he just make us so we don't sin anymore, so people wouldn't have to go to hell?

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t023.html

And 900th post!!! Aww Yeahhh!

 

[TankAss95]

How do you know he even exists?
An old book?
Crazy people hearing things?
Coincidences?

I just don't get it.

http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html

The Bible isn't just an old book, it contains some of the best literature and poetry known to man, and also to many like me it holds the truth. Wether you believe it is a load of rubbish or not you have to agree it contains something special. Many wise men have claimed that it is one of the few books that can actually give you wisdom.

I have felt and heard God through my own experiences. Call me crazy if you want, I'd probably do the same thing if I were in your situation, so no harm done. I have asked for help and God has always provided a way.

 

[Strittan]

And I honestly couldn't imagine living my life without God. He gets me through each difficult day.

Sorry for the honesty, but that makes you sound like a weak person.

 

[theotherspongey]

See, the bible to me is just a bunch of legends put together in a religious order...
I'm not trying to put down your views in any way, I just have a hard time accepting people with opposite views. (I've always been like that with a few exception).

Sorry for the honesty, but that makes you sound like a weak person.

And I'm sorry but I agree with this.

 

[Joey D]

Get out of here with that crap. You give me the creeps. Seriously, it's guys like you that has made me an atheist.

Sorry for the honesty, but that makes you sound like a weak person.

You know it's comments like this that continue to perpetuate the idea of the angry atheist.

Why are so many atheist so angry at the religious? Why do you feel the need to attack their beliefs? Does it some how make you feel better?

 

[TankAss95]

Sorry for the honesty, but that makes you sound like a weak person.

No apologies needed. And I may be a weak person, but God has strengthened my mentally to do things that I couldn't even think of doing before. I don't care much about people's judgement about my strength (mentally), especially over the Internet, where you know nothing about me, nor what I have been though. If you think I sound weak that's fine.

 

[theotherspongey]

You know it's comments like this that continue to perpetuate the idea of the angry atheist.

Why are so many atheist so angry at the religious? Why do you feel the need to attack their beliefs? Does it some how make you feel better?

I wouldn't say "attack", there are just haters and normal people, like me, who just don't understand.