Religion has always confused me; on one side there Is no actual proof of any god but on the other hand If there was a god It would have no problems removing all evidence of It's existence so only believers go to heaven. So I would say I'm christian because I have nothing to loose by being religious.
Religion has always confused me; on one side there Is no actual proof of any god but on the other hand If there was a god It would have no p… moreroblems removing all evidence of It's existence so only believers go to heaven. So I would say I'm christian because I have nothing to loose by being religious.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, if you are talking about Christian beliefs they can be summarised like this.
The belief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.
Not all Christians are biblical literalists. Regardless, I suppose even just the central tenets of Christian belief would be considered fairly extraordinary claims.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, if you are talking about Christian beliefs they can be summarised like this.
The bel… moreief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.
I need a LOT of evidence to believe this premise!
I know not all Christians are biblical literalists but I just don't understand how anyone can believe something without any evidence. I'm an atheist and an agnostic and I would never say there is no god, but in my 26 years on earth I have never encountered a reason to believe that there is one.
Not all Christians are biblical literalists. Regardless, I suppose even just the central tenets of Christian belief would be considered fairly extraordinary claims.
I know not all Christians are biblical literalists but I just don't understand how anyone can believe something without any evidence. I'm an… more atheist and an agnostic and I would never say there is no god, but in my 26 years on earth I have never encountered a reason to believe that there is one.
You can be both. Being an agnostic is a claiming a lack of knowledge about the existence of a god whereas being an atheist is claiming a lack of belief in a god. Most atheists would describe themselves as agnostic atheists because they don't profess to know that there is no god, only that they haven't seen any evidence that has persuaded them to believe in one.
I will explain to you why you are wrong, atheism although i'm hesitant to call it an ism because it is not a belief system, at its core a rejection of theistic claims. Anything on top of that is not a part of atheism, agnosticism is an answer to is there a god, the agnostic answer is I don't know.
I am an atheist because I reject religious claims, I am an agnostic because I don't know if there is a god and I will openly confess that I don't know.
I can see where you're coming from. The term agnostic atheist in this case basically meaning, "I don't believe there is a god, but I don't Know that for a fact."
At first glance the terms seemed quite contradictory to me, because I looked at them very literally. "I don't believe in a god, but there might be a god," was my first impression of what you said.
I will explain to you why you are wrong, atheism although i'm hesitant to call it an ism because it is not a belief system, at its core a re… morejection of theistic claims. Anything on top of that is not a part of atheism, agnosticism is an answer to is there a god, the agnostic answer is I don't know.
I am an atheist because I reject religious claims, I am an agnostic because I don't know if there is a god and I will openly confess that I don't know.
I'll just copy and paste my response to AusZombie so you know I saw this:
I can see where you're coming from. The term agnostic atheist in this case basically meaning, "I don't believe there is a god, but I don't Know that for a fact."
At first glance the terms seemed quite contradictory to me, because I looked at them very literally. "I don't believe in a god, but there might be a god," was my first impression of what you said.
You can be both. Being an agnostic is a claiming a lack of knowledge about the existence of a god whereas being an atheist is claiming a lac… morek of belief in a god. Most atheists would describe themselves as agnostic atheists because they don't profess to know that there is no god, only that they haven't seen any evidence that has persuaded them to believe in one.
You hit the nail on the head, I didn't mean to come across as an asshole but I don't like it when people try to label me and say "this is what you are you aren't the other thing"
I will also add that I am anti-religious, I have nothing against religious people individually but I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means.
"Religion is the most malevolent of all mind viruses." - Arthur C. Clarke
I can see where you're coming from. The term agnostic atheist in this case basically meaning, "I don't believe there is a god, but I don't K… morenow that for a fact."
At first glance the terms seemed quite contradictory to me, because I looked at them very literally. "I don't believe in a god, but there might be a god," was my first impression of what you said.
I didn't think you came across as an asshole at all. I was genuinely confused and you provided me with answers. I'm also anti-religious, although I too have nothing against religious people individually. I'm of a mind that organized religion has held mankind back, especially when you consider the whole "Is the Earth round or flat?" debate.
I agree with all of this, "...I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means."
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own." - Thomas Jefferson
“Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man ... living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money.” - George Carlin
You hit the nail on the head, I didn't mean to come across as an asshole but I don't like it when people try to label me and say "this is wh… moreat you are you aren't the other thing"
I will also add that I am anti-religious, I have nothing against religious people individually but I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means.
"Religion is the most malevolent of all mind viruses." - Arthur C. Clarke
It's funny that you would mention a quote from Thomas Jefferson. I was just thinking earlier today how it is funny that a lot of religious Americans like to go on and on about how America was formed as a Christian country, even though the founding fathers were actually deists.
I didn't think you came across as an asshole at all. I was genuinely confused and you provided me with answers. I'm also anti-religious, alt… morehough I too have nothing against religious people individually. I'm of a mind that organized religion has held mankind back, especially when you consider the whole "Is the Earth round or flat?" debate.
I agree with all of this, "...I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means."
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own." - Thomas Jefferson
“Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man ... living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has… [view original content]
I've actually had a few discussions with people on that very topic. Not on this forum of course, and really I should probably say arguments or battles, not discussions.
It's funny that you would mention a quote from Thomas Jefferson. I was just thinking earlier today how it is funny that a lot of religious A… moremericans like to go on and on about how America was formed as a Christian country, even though the founding fathers were actually deists.
Are most Christians seriously like that? Because my great-grandmother was one of the only Christians in our household and it never seemed to bother her that no one else shared the belief. Then again, she had Parkinson's Disease in her later years so communication was a bit of a problem.
I don't judge. I don't particularly care what religion you are, or if you're gay/lesbian, or if you're an atheist or agnostic. As long as you're a good person, that's really all I care about. I don't think you're devil worshipers or baby eaters, either.
Glad to hear it And for the record: I'm a guy and I'm straight. And I do consider myself a good person at the heart, but I tend to beat myself up over the smallest of things, such as forgetting to feed my dogs or accidental rudeness. I can't help but think that people will hold it against me.
I don't judge. I don't particularly care what religion you are, or if you're gay/lesbian, or if you're an atheist or agnostic. As long as yo… moreu're a good person, that's really all I care about. I don't think you're devil worshipers or baby eaters, either.
Glad to hear it And for the record: I'm a guy and I'm straight. And I do consider myself a good person at the heart, but I tend to beat mys… moreelf up over the smallest of things, such as forgetting to feed my dogs or accidental rudeness. I can't help but think that people will hold it against me.
A good friend of mine is an atheist and his family has made it their personal mission to convert him and save his soul from damnation. Anytime his family asks him to do anything or go anywhere the plan always has underlying religious connotations. Such as, if he gets asked to go to a movie by a family member it's going to be a pro-religion movie. The more he resists conversion the further the family drifts from him. The sad thing about it is that he's one of the best people I know. A good person at heart, but because he doesn't follow their religion he's seen as a vile heathen.
Are most Christians seriously like that? Because my great-grandmother was one of the only Christians in our household and it never seemed to… more bother her that no one else shared the belief. Then again, she had Parkinson's Disease in her later years so communication was a bit of a problem.
Comments
Atheist. This thread will probably turn into a flame war lol.
Religion has always confused me; on one side there Is no actual proof of any god but on the other hand If there was a god It would have no problems removing all evidence of It's existence so only believers go to heaven. So I would say I'm christian because I have nothing to loose by being religious.
10th Crusade anyone?
In terms of views I'm probably in the minority, but death or glory!
Unless the god is one who allows only non-believers to go to heaven. Then you're screwed. :P
I'm Christian, I do hope none of you guys would hate me for that.
Orthodox Christian
What kind of Christian? Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox?
Catholic ;D
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, if you are talking about Christian beliefs they can be summarised like this.
The belief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.
I need a LOT of evidence to believe this premise!
Not all Christians are biblical literalists. Regardless, I suppose even just the central tenets of Christian belief would be considered fairly extraordinary claims.
I know not all Christians are biblical literalists but I just don't understand how anyone can believe something without any evidence. I'm an atheist and an agnostic and I would never say there is no god, but in my 26 years on earth I have never encountered a reason to believe that there is one.
Christian. I was brought up like one, and I do believe.
I'm religiously confused, I usually won't believe anything until I see it for myself, or if a miracle happens.
If you would never say, "there is no god," that would make you just an agnostic, not an atheist.
I'd never hate you for your religious views so long as you'd offer me the same respect.
You can be both. Being an agnostic is a claiming a lack of knowledge about the existence of a god whereas being an atheist is claiming a lack of belief in a god. Most atheists would describe themselves as agnostic atheists because they don't profess to know that there is no god, only that they haven't seen any evidence that has persuaded them to believe in one.
I will explain to you why you are wrong, atheism although i'm hesitant to call it an ism because it is not a belief system, at its core a rejection of theistic claims. Anything on top of that is not a part of atheism, agnosticism is an answer to is there a god, the agnostic answer is I don't know.
I am an atheist because I reject religious claims, I am an agnostic because I don't know if there is a god and I will openly confess that I don't know.
I can see where you're coming from. The term agnostic atheist in this case basically meaning, "I don't believe there is a god, but I don't Know that for a fact."
At first glance the terms seemed quite contradictory to me, because I looked at them very literally. "I don't believe in a god, but there might be a god," was my first impression of what you said.
I'll just copy and paste my response to AusZombie so you know I saw this:
I can see where you're coming from. The term agnostic atheist in this case basically meaning, "I don't believe there is a god, but I don't Know that for a fact."
At first glance the terms seemed quite contradictory to me, because I looked at them very literally. "I don't believe in a god, but there might be a god," was my first impression of what you said.
You hit the nail on the head, I didn't mean to come across as an asshole but I don't like it when people try to label me and say "this is what you are you aren't the other thing"
I will also add that I am anti-religious, I have nothing against religious people individually but I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means.
"Religion is the most malevolent of all mind viruses." - Arthur C. Clarke
I didn't think you came across as an asshole at all. I was genuinely confused and you provided me with answers. I'm also anti-religious, although I too have nothing against religious people individually. I'm of a mind that organized religion has held mankind back, especially when you consider the whole "Is the Earth round or flat?" debate.
I agree with all of this, "...I abhor organised religion. I believe that organised religion is a disgusting pathetic waste of time and money and anything good that is contributed to organised religion can be done through purely secular means."
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own." - Thomas Jefferson
“Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man ... living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money.” - George Carlin
It's funny that you would mention a quote from Thomas Jefferson. I was just thinking earlier today how it is funny that a lot of religious Americans like to go on and on about how America was formed as a Christian country, even though the founding fathers were actually deists.
grabs popcorn
This thread is gonna be interesting.
I'm an atheist btw.
I've actually had a few discussions with people on that very topic. Not on this forum of course, and really I should probably say arguments or battles, not discussions.
Thanks bro, that means a lot
Count me in.
Grabs Cheetos
Grabs BOOMBOX CHEETOS
I'm agnostic (or even closer to atheist). Was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, though.
Respect Brother.
Respect ;D
Just curious, but what are your views on Agnosticism and Atheism?
Thanks to everyone for contributing to this discussion!
The same as most christians i'm sure, were all a bunch of devil worshippers and baby eaters :P
Are most Christians seriously like that? Because my great-grandmother was one of the only Christians in our household and it never seemed to bother her that no one else shared the belief. Then again, she had Parkinson's Disease in her later years so communication was a bit of a problem.
I don't judge. I don't particularly care what religion you are, or if you're gay/lesbian, or if you're an atheist or agnostic. As long as you're a good person, that's really all I care about.
I don't think you're devil worshipers or baby eaters, either.
Glad to hear it
And for the record: I'm a guy and I'm straight. And I do consider myself a good person at the heart, but I tend to beat myself up over the smallest of things, such as forgetting to feed my dogs or accidental rudeness. I can't help but think that people will hold it against me.
Well, I'm a bi curious girl. I feel the same way.
So... Nope. I don't judge.
This thread had remained uncharacteristically civil for one discussing religion. Kudos to you Telltale community.
A good friend of mine is an atheist and his family has made it their personal mission to convert him and save his soul from damnation. Anytime his family asks him to do anything or go anywhere the plan always has underlying religious connotations. Such as, if he gets asked to go to a movie by a family member it's going to be a pro-religion movie. The more he resists conversion the further the family drifts from him. The sad thing about it is that he's one of the best people I know. A good person at heart, but because he doesn't follow their religion he's seen as a vile heathen.