What's your Religion?

Derive - (also means) to arrive at a reasoning; to deduce or infer.

He didn't say that man invented gravity. The laws of physics were derived through countless experiments and observations.

Theories may not have been "proven" per say. But it is considered a theory because there is strong evidence that supports it, and there is no evidence to suggest that it is incorrect. A theory has meaning.

I'm sorry, but the existence of a creator is not a theory. It is simply a "hope" that some people have.

And yes, there is evidence that some people portrayed in the Bible actually existed. These are people, ordinary men like you and me...not gods, or the son of a god. That proves a book can be written about humans. That evidence does not do much to support the existence of a creator.

The Bible still states (indirectly) that the Earth is 6000 years old, which I think we can all agree is false.

 

On that we will have to respectfully agree to disagree. However this does remind me of an anecdote:

A scientist and God were having a discussion. The scientist says that he can create a man the same way that God did. God goes first and scoops up some dirt, forms it into a man and brings him to life.

Next, the scientist starts to scoop up dirt when God interrupts him and says, "You make your own dirt".

 

yes, the only things a government needs to provide are:

- protection (military, police, fire dept)
because we all cant defend our country and ourselves having other productive professions

- system of courts
to put in place laws to make sure we dont have to resort to angry mobs to take care of our issues

thats it! but our government tries to control too much. too much power makes the corruption.

hmmm...i guess im off subject?

 

The fact that some religions endorse that kind of behavior (however wrong or cruel it may be) does not suggest that their god is false. You cannot rule out their gods existence, just because you don't like the way they worship. You need evidence do do such a thing.

 

The Bible does not say that the Earth is 6000 years old. Some try to say that this is what the Bible teaches but it is not. True the Bible refers to 6 creative "days". However a "day" can have the meaning of 24 literal hours or an indefinite period of time. For example, someone may say "in my day" - they do not literally mean one 24 hour period of time.

Yes, most of those recorded in the Bible are people like us. From my research, Jesus was the exception. Even those that opposed him did not doubt or deny the miracles he performed.

If fulfilled prophecy and historical records do not convince, we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

That was not my only basis for saying these god's were false. 1 Kings 18:21-40 makes for some interesting reading regarding a showdown between a false god and the true God. Essentially, you will recognize the followers of the true God by their conduct and the true God by whether his guidance is for the benefit or detriment of mankind.

 

I find it interesting that 25% of responses are either Agnostic or Atheist...seems high compared to what most folks claim. Perhaps the anonymity of the internets allows more honesty?

Just an observation.

 

Interestingly enough, the Crusades were endorsed by the Bible (as monks and Priests as its interpreter), and that was ok. To play devil's advocate, what made Christianity in the right ? People were slain by knights with Crosses on their armor. And where was God while this was happening ?

 

I kinda noticed that as well...being anonymous definitely helps. I can't imagine having the same discussion with my mom, because chances are things wouldn't stay civil or she'd get really upset. You get the picture lol

 

I told our Reverend right from the beginning when the wife and I got married that I was Atheist, or at the least unsure. He was fine with that. I attend church with my wife. Even though I don't believe 100% in what is preached from the Bible, I take away the life lesson in general from the sermons. I'm not against religion, I just don't agree with it and all that it's been used as an excuse to perform, there's a difference between not agreeing and not believing.

 

I concur!

 

The Bible claims that there is one almighty god...it does not discuss any other gods. The Bible is not the "god for dummies handbook". So what...a different god doesn't fit the Bible's criteria for a god. The Bible doesn't support the existence of other gods, so what else would you expect?

 

Yeah, I didn't say either way during my prenup meeting with my ex-wife's preacher. I was much younger then though, and I realize I should have stated my beliefs (or lack thereof).

I've been tempted over the years to attend a Unitarian service just for the life lessons you mentioned, but have never gotten off my butt to do it. I like Sunday brunch at the pub too much.

 

Props to you for being open-minded enough to still attend with your wife...my girlfriend is christian and I wondered how that might play out if we ended up getting married.

 

The crusades were not right. Another example of Christ's teachings being warped and perverted into something they are not. Jesus told Peter to put away the sword. The only recorded instance where Jesus became provoked is when he ran the money-changers out of the temple with a whip made of ropes. He did this because they were not treating the place of worship to his father with respect not to convert them to Christianity. Jesus never endorsed in any command or by his example that people should be converted at sword point (or gun point in our day). He was a teacher not a fighter.

Where was God? See my earlier post about man rejecting God's rule to go it on their own.

 

Hahaha, I hear ya.... My son is 4 months old. I will expose him to church and religion. It's in the world, you can't avoid it. When he's old enough, he can make his own decision whether or not to keep going, and he won't be punished either way.

People that have attended church every single sunday of their life still suffer the same fate as those who have never attended a single time, there's no savior in it,of that I'm sure, but there is self healing and learning how to cope with the world in a respectable means, that is what I like. I don't always have time for church with my wife, and I'm sure there's no penalty I'm going to pay for that when I die.

 

I have made no secret that I believe the Bible to be God's word. I have also provided numerous points that show where secular history corresponds to the Bible - including fulfilled prophecy. Yes, the Bible tells us there is one true God - but it also mentions false gods. We all have a choice to examine the facts and decide for ourselves whether to believe it or not.

 

if u raise a child to believe something, (s)he will probably believe it forever. unless someone tries to convince the child otherwise

 

Good for you. I don't have chilluns, but would do the same. My dogs think I'm god, and my cats think they are god, so no need to squirm about it for me...