It's really unfair how God answers your prayers but not mine. I guess I backed the wrong horse.

 

word.

 

But maybe if there is a god..he cant answers everyones.. I have no idea:P

 

I suggest to all to read two books. Mans search for meaning and When bad things happen to good people.

There isn't Heaven, there isn't Hell when you die you are just no longer concious, you don't care about it because your not able to, it's just the same as before you're born-nothing.

 

How do you know there was nothing before you were born? Maybe you just forgot it. After all, you forgot most of your memories from when you were a baby. ;)

How do you know there was nothing before you were born? Maybe you just forgot it. After all, you forgot most of your memories from when you were a baby. ;)

 

I had a Catholic upbringing and I don't think looking back now I ever believed any of it, I just don't think there is an afterlife and I don't think there is a God I also don't think there is Satan either, it would be far easier for mankind to think there was rather than face the fact that human beings in general are capable of being very evil, I do think there is good and evil though but believe it's more to do with having morals than pleasing or dis pleasing a God.

I have a hard time understanding how someone could not believe in A god.

 

Everything didn't come from nothing, all this matter and energy in the universe was made somehow nothing just appears from nothing.

Ramblings..

 

John Lennon's song Imagine.. "Imagine there's no heaven; imagine there's no hell. Nothing to live or die for; No country or possessions.. it isn't hard to do.. Imagine all the people; living day to day.."

Perhaps what we don't see is what is truly at work, and it's all too much for anyone to fathom, so we only see slices of the orange; never the whole Orange.

I do believe there is something unique about life, and about us. But for us to fathom it, we can only have a momentary glimpse out of a frosted window, as slowly the larger truth is revealed to us. We are one, we are groups, we are numerous, and we again are one at a larger level. The past, the present, all the meshing of humanity's gears, as our neural networks slowly unravel the mysteries of the universe... and our place in that larger sphere!

But once the concept of God was idealized as Greek "Gods" (human ideals), with mythical proportions and actions. For some cultures, other animals, and their feeling and thoughts impacted us. Still others included objects with souls, and having feeling. The Aztecs meshed corn and seasons with renewal and harvest with sacrifice. And the Hebrew God, as a singular entity, with a better set of rules for behavior in society. Since the enlightenment, I see God as the Universe, and our part as unraveling the mystery. We work collectively, as well as individually, bringing the truth to light in time, and improving our survival and well-being simultaneously. But in doing so, the broad tapestry of human experience is essential, and each and every one of us has an important role to play - from the nurturing of a newborn by mother and father, to the times of joy and discovery, to practical application of knowledge, to the stone mason placing the stones to create the buildings.. All the workings done in unison.. Ultimately, seeking motivations that bring forth the consistency that makes it all possible, and creates new paths and possibilities for humanity to follow, while maintaining the fruitfulness of civilization. Yet we are also life, not much different from the bird, the frog, the badger, and the deer. And not all that different from the pine trees, the bananas, and even the moss growing in fat little clumps on the roof. All that, in a sphere of a planet floating in space, but still precariously perched in a universe of risk, with giant calderas that could explode and severely alter the climate, rocks that could smash in and change the circumstances in short order. It's amazing we're here at all, given the odds! So, looking at the sheer improbability that any creature could culturally grasp as much as we do, and link communications networks with such success and with such incredible technologies, it's just simply amazing. It's with this realization that I think we are part of something larger; it's almost as though humanity were propelled by the infinite improbability drive, since those are the odds of us having gotten this far..:)

 

I had a Catholic upbringing and I don't think looking back now I ever believed any of it, I just don't think there is an afterlife and I don't think there is a God I also don't think there is Satan either, it would be far easier for mankind to think there was rather than face the fact that human beings in general are capable of being very evil, I do think there is good and evil though but believe it's more to do with having morals than pleasing or dis pleasing a God.

 

This post isn't a bash on Catholicism, but I've not encountered another religion that has spawned more Atheists. It's very strange. Every avowed atheist I've ever met has been a former Catholic.

 

The problem with Lennon's "Imagine" is that is advocates nihilism. Atheism is a form of nihilism, because they both view life as meaningless, and therefore expendable (usually for a "greater good", which is often societal equality). Forget having an atheist explain where morality or the strive for equality originates - perhaps it represents a more symmetrical/aesthetic universe. A desire for beauty, so to speak.

:uneasy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

so... ah, what's goin on in this fine thread? :uhoh:

:uneasy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

so... ah, what's goin on in this fine thread? :uhoh:

 

Uhmm, ditto. :confused:

:uneasy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

so... ah, what's goin on in this fine thread? :uhoh:

 

I'm making fun of other people's religious beliefs. You better keep your head down, Indya, cause I'm about to switch gears into misogyny and racism! :D

Please take the time to read this first post and pray that prayer to God at the bottom of it if you haven't yet.

 

Honestly, I'm not even going to bother reading the 21 pages of this thread but I will comment on the original post:

 

I am actually very offended by what was written. While I may or may not believe in God...OR the need to be born again, I feel that it is not necessary to force your own belief on others. I considered your original post and this subsequent post as offensive because I feel like it is trickery and deceitful on your part. Why should I say that particular prayer? What makes that prayer supersede any private conversation I have with God?

I think that hell is a state of a mind (Disclaimer: In my own personal opinion I mean - God hasn't told me or shown me... I'm just speculating).

In my opinion nobody knows forsure what happens when we die. Being agnostic I dont deny that there is one. but I also dont believe in one at the moment. Someday I may find a religion that I believe in.

 

Believing in a afterlife isnt going to cause you harm at all.

 

I think faith shouldnt be proven it should be believed..*does that make sense* cuz it does to me.

This post isn't a bash on Catholicism, but I've not encountered another religion that has spawned more Atheists. It's very strange. Every avowed atheist I've ever met has been a former Catholic.

 

The problem with Lennon's "Imagine" is that is advocates nihilism. Atheism is a form of nihilism, because they both view life as meaningless, and therefore expendable (usually for a "greater good", which is often societal equality). Forget having an atheist explain where morality or the strive for equality originates - perhaps it represents a more symmetrical/aesthetic universe. A desire for beauty, so to speak.

 

It just makes you live your life feeling guilty and miserable, my father wasn't a Religious man but my mother is and I've never gotten on with her even when I was small but I still had religion forced on me and perhaps I feel more strongly because of that but I just don't believe it at all, I don't view life as expendable but I wouldn't say I have a great fear of not being in existance anymore one day.

I'm making fun of other people's religious beliefs. You better keep your head down, Indya, cause I'm about to switch gears into misogyny and racism! :D

 

I'm really a Scientologist didn't you know:laugh3:

river of life..

 

Life is of the moment; so to be sincere when sincerity is called for, to be free when freedom is to be, and to walk the path in life that you fit best is perfectly natural. There's always going to be disagreement about what to do when, as no two paths are alike, no two operate at the same speed, and it's so very hard to see another's place and perspective from one's own. So, it is worth the while to Imagine what it's like, and try and bring some happiness, or a better, more positive outcome out of a given situation. To walk a mile in the moccasins on another is to know them better, as the Chippewa say.

I like John Lennon's song Imagine, because it's such a relief from all the stress we all feel in the modern world, and a chance to realize we all share common threads; take time to relax and be at ease with your fellow human beings.

"Take time to make time; Make time to be there. Look around. Be a part... "

 

 

...

why'd you bring this thread back? :dozey:.

 

it's offensive, and just downright stupid so please, don't let it come back again.

When we die, regardless if we done good or bad in the world, we go to nothingness, nothing more, nothing less.

When we die, regardless if we done good or bad in the world, we go to nothingness, nothing more, nothing less.

 

:D at last someone else who shares the same view, when we go it's just oblivion, nothing no conciousness no cares just nothing.

why'd you bring this thread back? :dozey:.

 

it's offensive, and just downright stupid so please, don't let it come back again.

 

Then don't click on it. No one forced you to click it. It's only posted in this thread so, simply don't click on it. You can't tell me what to talk about and I'm offended that you would think that you could.

When we die, regardless if we done good or bad in the world, we go to nothingness, nothing more, nothing less.

 

This is a valid opinion but it still has some issues...

 

For instance, you can't use the term "we" when describing consciousness (or lack thereof) prior to or after life. "We" is only something that denotes living people.

 

So the problem is consciousness. Is it a unified thing, or a number of different things working together over a period of time? I feel I'm the same person now as I was in the 4th grade... but I've changed somewhat since then. My life is linear, going on day by day. Where is consciousness located? It's probably more than one particle of matter. So when I die those particles will break down... does that necessarily mean that the chain of my day to day life will be lost forever? Or will it appear somewhere else?

 

Think of the transporters in Star Trek, where they deconstruct people atom-by-atom and the reassemble the atoms thousands of miles away. If you reassembled someone, they've got the same memories, the same attitude and mannerisms... but are they the same person? Is it the same consciousness? Or did they die when they were pulled apart, atom-by-atom?

 

It's a fascinating problem.

WoT? This Thread AgaIn?

 

'We' and 'I' are both irrelevant terms, when you really think about it. There is no 'I' since we surrender our ego along with the rest of our 'self' when we die, and there is no 'we' since it's all One.

I think people think waaaaaaaaaay to much about death.

 

lets face it guys,, the truth is.. nobody knows what happens..

 

NOBODY knows.

 

death is a mystery and we keep searching for answers for it.. but maybe there isnt just one answer.. maybe there is tons of answers.. who knows..

 

I dont know. but really people think too much bout it, and not enough about the life we are living.

I think people think waaaaaaaaaay to much about death.

 

lets face it guys,, the truth is.. nobody knows what happens..

 

NOBODY knows.

 

death is a mystery and we keep searching for answers for it.. but maybe there isnt just one answer.. maybe there is tons of answers.. who knows..

 

I dont know. but really people think too much bout it, and not enough about the life we are living.

 

I know the answers in the back of the book, I was just quizzing you guys on it. ;)

^lol. My Mom is still very fond of saying "Read the back of the Book, guys. We win!"

 

But I think that quoted post explains most of History. We Just Don't Know.

 

So we make it up. And of course, OUR version is better than THEIR version,so we wage wars to see who's right.

 

Jesus WAS a living man. Whether or not he was the son of God may still be up for debate, but he WAS a VERY real person, and he wouldn't want the Holy Wars we fight in his name. (ANy more than Mohammed would want what a few terrorists have done to the Islamic faith?)

 

 

There IS no winning in this thread. And anyone who actually still wants to win is deluded. But the debate keeps us aware and searching, so it's all good...

 

And yes: most of it really does come down to ye ole question "Where do we go when we die?", and we're far too obsessed living some afterlife...or trying to define it...that we living the one we have! If the message of Jesus IS indeed real, then why argue the future? Why not work in this present day to improve the planet we're on and the lives of the people living on it??

 

The Bible itself says: Feed my sheep. Heal the sick. Give unto others...and many more! We're not supposed to be feeding each other dogma. We're SUPPOSED to be HELPING others!! ("Whatsoever you do unto these, the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.")

 

Less preaching, more giving. That's what God, whatever form he takes, asks from us!

 

ok. rant over.