Is There A God?

[LesStrat]

You LesStrat are a prime example of what i just mention in the last few lines...

Whenever there is someone who wants to learn... you throw in a completely irreverent bible quote. Often leaving me to wonder how much of the bible you have actually read... as a non believer even i could probably produce a bible quote that has SOME worth in the discussion.

Why not just say what you mean? Face the question, so to speak.

Mais, what?

What are you talking about, "irrelevant Bible quotes?"

[LesStrat]

When people have genuinely asked me questions, I have genuinely answered. In recent months (years?) I have taken to offering PM discussions, because certain members attempt to derail the education that is being sought.

[Metalman_666]

Let's invite Jesus to the party:

"For my next miracle, I'm going to turn water... into FUNK!"

[Guitarist]

This is the best thread ever...save for that thread about how we unravel our TP.

[Skarekrough]

Let's invite Jesus to the party:

"For my next miracle, I'm going to turn water... into FUNK!"

esus Was Way Cool
King Missile _Mystical ****_ Shimmy Disc

Jesus was way cool
Everybody liked Jesus
Everybody wanted to hang out with him
Anything he wanted to do, he did
He turned water into wine
And if he wanted to
He could have turned wheat into marijuana
Or sugar into cocaine
Or vitamin pills into amphetamines

He walked on the water
And swam on the land
He would tell these stories
And people would listen
He was really cool

If you were blind or lame
You just went to Jesus
And he would put his hands on you
And you would be healed
That's so cool

He could've played guitar better than Hendrix
He could've told the future
He could've baked the most delicious cake in the world
He could've scored more goals than Wayne Gretzky
He could've danced better than Barishnikov
Jesus could have been funnier than any comedian you can think of
Jesus was way cool

He told people to eat his body and drink his blood
That's so cool
Jesus was so cool
But then some people got jealous of how cool he was
So they killed him
But then he rose from the dead
He rose from the dead, danced around
Then went up to heaven
I mean, that's so cool
Jesus was way cool

No wonder there are so many Christians

[exnihilo]

The way I responded to that question was exactly the way I thought was best. BTW, it's "better THAN that"

so, you'll look at a ship in a bottle, and since, for the life of you, cant figure out how it got in there, assume that some higher power/force must have been involved?

well, i guess, if anything, bible beating gives you advanced grammatical skills.

cg

[LesStrat]

I said irreverent, not irrelevant.

This is a prime example,

"The Apostle Paul said it best:

"But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return." "

Exactly how was that irreverent? A simple question was asked. A simple response was given.

[Chaos]

In my experience w/dealing with people and friends, I have found the opposite...mostly closed-minded people. Most of the reasons I hear against it, have to do with not wanting the moral obligation... "it's not for me", "it's not my lifestyle".

Then your experience is limited.

I think it requires a highly developed sense of morality to do the “right” thing as an Atheist. There is no Pavlovian punishment / reward system (that motivates the religious) to affect behavior. Death means the end, not another (better) life.

As an Atheist, I try to make the world a better place for those who live in it now. I do it out of logic and compassion. I am not trying to ‘earn’ my way into heaven.

[davedvdy]

so, you'll look at a ship in a bottle, and since, for the life of you, cant figure out how it got in there, assume that some higher power/force must have been involved?

well, i guess, if anything, bible beating gives you advanced grammatical skills.

cg

No, I look at at everything I believe was "created" and believe that a higher power created it. You are talking about man-made things.

I never claimed to be well-versed in the Bible. I have not mentioned one verse of the Bible here yet, either.

[exnihilo]

Then your experience is limited.

I think it requires a highly developed sense of morality to do the “right” thing as an Atheist. There is no Pavlovian punishment / reward system (that motivates the religious) to affect behavior. Death means the end, not another (better) life.

As an Atheist, I try to make the world a better place for those who live in it now. I do it out of logic and compassion. I am not trying to ‘earn’ my way into heaven.

Bravo man!

+1!

cg

[exnihilo]

No, I look at at everything I believe was "created" and believe that a higher power created it. You are talking about man-made things.

like... paintings?

I never claimed to be well-versed in the Bible. I have not mentioned one verse of the Bible here yet, either.

never said you did, but at least we agree on something.

cg

[davedvdy]

Then your experience is limited.

I think it requires a highly developed sense of morality to do the “right” thing as an Atheist. There is no Pavlovian punishment / reward system (that motivates the religious) to affect behavior. Death means the end, not another (better) life.

As an Atheist, I try to make the world a better place for those who live in it now. I do it out of logic and compassion. I am not trying to ‘earn’ my way into heaven.

I do know of atheists, and they do have high standards. I am speaking mainly of fornication...and I never said Atheists don't have morals. You can have high morals and still believe "if it feels good and it doesn't hurt anybody, you can do it".

[LesStrat]

I am not trying to ‘earn’ my way into heaven.

Nor am I. I cannot do so. I've been saved by grace.

Romans 11:6 And if they are saved by God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's wonderful kindness would not be what it really is--free and undeserved.

Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

[davedvdy]

Nor am I. I cannot do so. I've been saved by grace.

Romans 11:6 And if they are saved by God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's wonderful kindness would not be what it really is--free and undeserved.

Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

+1

Christians don't believe that you earn your way into heaven. Grace = unmerited favor

like... paintings?

cg

LOL, you got me there...

[BigAlTheBird]

I'm Catholic, and you're not saved worth jack if you don't work at it. "Saved" in that context means that we've been given the tools to get into heaven. You gotta work to get in there bros! That's common sense!

[exnihilo]

LOL, you got me there...

hehe, glad to see you're level headed. if we were having this conversation face to face, id have a sly-smirk after most of my comments,

cg

[Chaos]

am speaking mainly of fornication...and I never said Atheists don't have morals. You can have high morals and still believe "if it feels good and it doesn't hurt anybody, you can do it".

One person's morals are another’s dogma.
...and what’s wrong with fornicating?
Youtube - Sex is not the Enemy

[davedvdy]

I'm Catholic, and you're not saved worth jack if you don't work at it. "Saved" in that context means that we've been given the tools to get into heaven. You gotta work to get in there bros! That's common sense!

It's nice, but not scriptural. John 3:16 makes it quite clear: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".

[LesStrat]

Is that a serious question? There is a a simple, and a lengthy response to that question.

The short answer is that a sacrifice was required.

[big_black]

+1

Christians don't believe that you earn your way into heaven. Grace = unmerited favor

You may not be conscious of it, but it does totally feed into that Pavlovian thing. The unconscious mind is a powerful thing.

I'm not saying it's right or it's wrong, I'm just saying realize it for what it is.