I grew up atheist for 16 years. I had always kept an open mind towards religion, but never really felt a need to believe in it. My sister started going to a Wednesday night children's program at a church. Eventually, I was dragged into a Christmas Eve service. Scoffing, I reluctantly went, assuming that this was going to be a load of crap, but when I went, I felt something. Something that I've never felt before. I felt a sense of empowerment and a sense of calling. Jesus called upon my soul, just like he did with his disciples. he wanted me to follow him. Now, my life is being lived for Christ. He died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of everyone who believes in him. He was beaten, brutalized, struck with a whip 39 times, made to carry a cross up to the stage of his death. This I believe to be true, and I can never repay him for what he has done. I still have my struggles with Christianity, but I've found this bit of information most useful. Religion is not comprehensible in the human mind, because we cannot comprehend the idea of a perfect and supreme being, a God, but we can believe it in our heart, and that's the idea of faith. Faith is, even though everything rides against me believing in Jesus, I still believe in him because I know that it's true in my heart. I invite my fellow Brothers and sisters of the LORD to talk about how Jesus has helped you in your life. No atheists and no insults please
it's more about pleasing God = Daddy will be happy with me and reward me later for being a good boy/girl.
In my "religious" opinion anyone who does something to be rewarded or to curry favor with god is going to hell because they're actions are not sincere.
I will admit that I'm very religious, but I know its not the best lifestyle for a lot of people. I was told by some people that living your life happily, doing good things with good intentions, and using the talents God gave you would count as religious.
I was told by some people that living your life happily, doing good things with good intentions, and using the talents God gave you would count as religious.
No, it wouldn't be. You're only "religious" if you follow a religion, which is essentially a mass cult (see definitions of "cult" and "religion" they are fundamentally the same, except cult has negative connotations and is always in the minority). You can believe in the supernatural/god and not be religious.
Daddy will be happy with me and reward me later for being a good boy/girl.
And here I feel we're talking about two kinds of Christians. Or maybe two different ways some Christians view moral situations. I'm saying that usally when I meet Christians they don't believe that they're going to go to hell. As if just being Christian promises them a spot in heaven. Oh course, they go along the Christian morals (mostly), but its as if the most important moral in being Christian, is... Well being Christian.
Summary: I usally see them with no fear of hell. Rather happy they believe they'll end up in heaven. So does that still fall under the 1 spectrum?
And here I feel we're talking about two kinds of Christians. Or maybe two different ways some Christians view moral situations. I'm saying that usally when I meet Christians they don't believe that they're going to go to hell. As if just being Christian promises them a spot in heaven. Oh course, they go along the Christian morals (mostly), but its as if the most important moral in being Christian, is... Well being Christian.
This is different from your previous statement of "it's more about pleasing God".
Summary: I usally see them with no fear of hell. Rather happy they believe they'll end up in heaven. So does that still fall under the 1 spectrum?
That doesn't sound like it fits into any of the spectrum.
Really? I thought it more added to what I said. Do they contradict each other?
No, I don't think they would necessarily contradict. They are just different. One seems to indicate being moral out of a sense of obligation or reward. The other seems to indicate being Christian is some how inherently moral.
In my "religious" opinion anyone who does something to be rewarded or to curry favor with god is going to hell because they're actions are not sincere.
In that case, the minute that one hears about and understands the concepts outlined in most of the major religions, they're pretty much doomed to hell. You can claim to be doing something for the sake of being nice as much as you please but, at the back of your mind, there'd always be the little nagging thought of "I hope this pleases my deity".
In that case, the minute that one hears about and understands the concepts outlined in most of the major religions, they're pretty much doomed to hell. You can claim to be doing something for the sake of being nice as much as you please but, at the back of your mind, there'd always be the little nagging thought of "I hope this pleases my deity".
Honestly, I've never thought that once. I'm only ever nice or good because I've seen what being mean and evil to people does.
Yup. I just thought I'd bring up morals since a lot of the religious wackos try to attack you guys for it. Thought it would freshen up the thread.
Attack us....for? I don't quite comprehend what you mean, unless you were trying to say that us atheists/agnostics get accosted for having no morals by religious folk.
