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
No. There will almost certainly not be a way to find the truth about God and his existence in the short run; diversity helps to expand opinions instead of having it confined to a small spectrum of narrow opinions.
I have to disagree, if we were able to gain actual evidence to support the claim then it would be very possible. However so long as the claims rely on faith this diversion will continue as it has nothing to ground the belief.
I have to disagree, if we were able to gain actual evidence to support the claim then it would be very possible. However so long as the claims rely on faith this diversion will continue as it has nothing to ground the belief.
Indubitably. Faith and Jaysus whatnot is something one cannot prove nor disprove. The Faithful cannot justify the tangibility of their God, while the Atheist cannot say that the Faithful's God, a being of such omnipotence it is outside the grasp of understanding, doesn't exist because, well, it's outside his understanding.
Let a man believe what he will, let him create his own happiness wherever he wants to.
Macfan, I've seen the same (literally the exact same) arguments from various individuals. They all have the same flaw, they're based on the assumption that the bible is literally and completely true. If you don't believe that, they become completely worthless and, because "belief" is not a decent argument in any setting, that makes them completely worthless in logical discourse. Sorry.
Nobody has much proof that Jesus existed, even less that he was crucified and none that he arose from the dead. I just like celebrating chocolate egg Sunday because there's chocolate eggs and it's Sunday and who doesn't like Sundays?
I'm sorry for reviving this thread after a week of it being dead but I wanted to ask what peoples opinions were of this news story and whether the advert in question should have been allowed to run.
The Trinitarian one shouldn't be run, because it utilises bigoted reasoning and it makes use of religion to meddle with politics.
Adverts never tell the full truth, it would be unconstitutional to ban the Stonewall Campaign; people can still air their views, and it is true that homosexual behaviour linked to genes can be disputed scientifically.
That group seems to confuse 'acceptance of homosexuality' with 'romoting homosexuality'. Which only shows how stupid they are.
Noone is purely homosexual or heterosexual, so in a way yes, there's heterosexual potential in all of us as well as there is homosexual potential in all of us. And while I'm sure we're stuck with our individual sexual orientation (meaning our ratio between homo- and heterosexuality), since said orientation is a ratio it does allow a certain plasticity, varying between individuals.
Now is this a reason to make everyone heterosexual? Of course not. It's totally intolerant and tramples individual rights under foot.
Therapies to make someone heterosexual? I say this is nothing more than brainwashing, and I'm sure brainwashing isn't exactly the most legal thing.
Therapies to make someone heterosexual? I say this is nothing more than brainwashing, and I'm sure brainwashing isn't exactly the most legal thing.
or working thing either. the people who went through that and actually managed to "turn streight" just dont accept the fact they are gay and believe that they actually managed to do such a thing
Christian, no, Christianity, possibly. Though what could a large religious group do that could get people upset with them in the first place?
-I have my beliefs, but I do not try to force them upon others. -I certainly believe morals can exist apart from religion. -I do not claim to perfectly understand the Bible, but I do admit that there are some parts that don't apply today. -I consider everyone equal regardless of faith. -I believe in eternal life in Heaven, but I do not sacrifice my earthly life. -Faith itself is not harmful, only some things people do in the name of that faith. -I believe that the laws should allow everyone to freely practice any religion or lack thereof. -Anyone who claims to hurt or kill in the name of God is completely delusional.
With all this being said, if you are offended just because I hold beliefs that you do not agree with, than you would seem to be the religious extremist.
-I have my beliefs, but I do not try to force them upon others. -I certainly believe morals can exist apart from religion. -I do not claim to perfectly understand the Bible, but I do admit that there are some parts that don't apply today. -I consider everyone equal regardless of faith. -I believe in eternal life in Heaven, but I do not sacrifice my earthly life. -Faith itself is not harmful, only some things people do in the name of that faith. -I believe that the laws should allow everyone to freely practice any religion or lack thereof. -Anyone who claims to hurt or kill in the name of God is completely delusional. With all this being said, if you are offended just because I hold beliefs that you do not agree with, than you would seem to be the religious extremist.
-I have my beliefs, but I do not try to force them upon others. -I certainly believe morals can exist apart from religion. -I do not claim to perfectly understand the Bible, but I do admit that there are some parts that don't apply today. -I consider everyone equal regardless of faith. -I believe in eternal life in Heaven, but I do not sacrifice my earthly life. -Faith itself is not harmful, only some things people do in the name of that faith. -I believe that the laws should allow everyone to freely practice any religion or lack thereof. -Anyone who claims to hurt or kill in the name of God is completely delusional.
With all this being said, if you are offended just because I hold beliefs that you do not agree with, than you would seem to be the religious extremist.
Thus the reason why I said "Christian, no, Christianity, possibly." Individuals can differ from the group think and doctrines of the religion they claim to believe.
Thus the reason why I said "Christian, no, Christianity, possibly." Individuals can differ from the group think and doctrines of the religion they claim to believe.
@ MageGW, That's why I consider you my favorite atheist and friend!
@ Dragonsamurai 776, I couldn't agree with you more. It's none of my business what another believes or doesn't believe or, what faith they have or don't have.
I have stepped away from organized religion and am a much better person for it. I no longer feel pressured to conform to the views of the majority when it personally offends me. The church I was active with stated in it's bylaws that women can not teach men and this grieved my spirit and I eventually left.
I will return to this church or at least have a meeting with the pastor to discuss this reasoning in the near future. It's important for us to speak up when religion offends us, in anyway and it's biblical as Jesus Christ did so.
