tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post1425065697380606199..comments2023-09-25T05:50:59.427-05:00Comments on My Dirty Little Secret: Recent Reflections Concerning ReligionUrukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-21375579770263531992010-12-02T00:12:50.669-06:002010-12-02T00:12:50.669-06:00Mankind's ingrown place for believing in a sup...Mankind's ingrown place for believing in a supreme being can also imply the evolution of human intellect, in my opinion. Not that your point doesn't have weight to it, mind you.<br /><br />I recall that scripture from Acts. I'm going off of memory here, so forgive me if I make a totally erroneous statement-- but doesn't Paul use this premises to build up to the idea that not only is it evident that God exists, but eventually we should be able to ferret out that Jesus is indeed the way to knowing God? Now being on the outside looking in at Christianity, I wonder why people have such varied ideas about God-- yet there are faiths that teach require it's followers to believe in only one specific God, described in a certain way. For some reason, the typical answers I've heard over the years don't convince me any longer. I'm not sure why.<br /><br />I must admit, my hostility has gone away at this point. I don't feel it any longer. It dissipated about the time I wrote the post. I'll have to agree with you, that some of the feeling was probably fulled by anti-Christian material that I've read. And, conversation with others.<br /><br />Some of it was also my own experiences and regrets. Regrets like wishing I hadn't put so much energy into church for (what is so far) most of my life.<br /><br />But some of the hostility came from feeling like people will automatically treat me as a monster, less than human, or less than a US Citizen because of my doubt in God's existence. That bothers me a good deal, and was starting to stir up anger.<br /><br />And lastly, I will admit that I realized that I was becoming prejudice against religious believers. I admit that and feel that I was turning down a wrong path. Not about my doubt, but about classifying every religious person as an enemy or hostility towards non-believers. That's just not right of me, in my opinion. And, well, I needed to let that go.<br /><br />But, my admitting this character flaw is not a retraction of my current doubt concerning God's existence.<br /><br />And I used to wonder as this journey began . . . was I hardening my heart against God, or was God hardening it for me?<br /><br />Anyhow, dlou, thanks for your comments. What I have written may come across as oppositional, but don't misunderstand that to mean that I don't like your posts. On the contrary, I welcome your comments and like to hear what you have to say. Opposing viewpoints help to keep one honest.Urukhttp://2nonbelief.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-49559293160018901342010-12-01T20:51:54.348-06:002010-12-01T20:51:54.348-06:00I agree with you that the mind of mankind seems to...I agree with you that the mind of mankind seems to have an ingrown place that is wired with a religious instinct; however, "wired" implies intelligence where there would need to be a "wirer". Historical evidence shows us that "no tribe or nation has been found that did not believe in a Supreme Being of some kind or practice religion in some form". I believe God placed this innate desire within us so we would seek him out:<br /><br />He made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons and bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him though he is not far from each one of us; for in him we live, and move and have our being; as certain of your own poets have said, for we are his offspring. Acts 17:26-28<br /><br />I also suggest that because this powerful force is ingrained in us, we ALL worship. If you are not worshiping Christ as Lord you are worshiping SOMETHING. Something is going to receive our thoughts, time, praise and adoration. Whether it be God, science, nature, evolution, atheism, money etc.<br /><br />Maybe the hostility you were feeling is a result of all the anti-Christian material you are choosing to fill your mind with. Your resentment could be a part of the process as you continue on your journey of hardening your heart against God. No one can push God on you. It is completely your CHOICE.dlounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-26850431318899291692010-10-27T12:10:43.243-05:002010-10-27T12:10:43.243-05:00I think Brian needs to explain to us the differenc...I think Brian needs to explain to us the difference between an cult and a religion. Religions and cults are one in the same; the only difference I see is that religions have larger memberships and therefore can "pretend" they are valid where a 200 member organization is a "cult" because the "religion" says so. There is no difference.Bobbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-61650331320330111242010-10-27T10:21:58.910-05:002010-10-27T10:21:58.910-05:00I think I can concur with you.I think I can concur with you.Samuelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-65565978041219229642010-10-23T21:43:04.771-05:002010-10-23T21:43:04.771-05:00Why thanks. That means a lot coming from you! You ...Why thanks. That means a lot coming from you! You write and are read a whole lot more than me!Urukhttp://2nonbelief.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-1344113836957125312010-10-23T21:43:03.948-05:002010-10-23T21:43:03.948-05:00Oh, and please forgive any misspelled words. My po...Oh, and please forgive any misspelled words. My post went through before I got a chance to do the spell check. Too much trouble to go back now. Sorry.Urukhttp://2nonbelief.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-72596230538258520982010-10-23T21:36:37.049-05:002010-10-23T21:36:37.049-05:00"What does push mean?"By "push"..."What does push mean?"<br><br>By "push" I mean to say that theists have no right to expect all of society to conform to his or her beliefs. The same, in my view, holds true for atheists as well. We should all expect diversity and accept this. I am not saying that all theists do this, however, there are those who do.<br><br>As far as not being treated differently just because I'm atheist-- I shouldn't because that isn't the only factor that describes me. Often, people assume that atheists are bad people with no moral character or judgement. Don't treat me differently just because you may find out I'm an ahteist. Just as I should not treat a theist unfairly just because I know that person is religious. <br><br>Is there a deity that makes his or her followers so special that they deserve special treatment? In my view-- no. Is there a deity out there that makes his or her worshipers deserving of special treatment? If so, who is this deity and why should the worshipers of this deity have special treatment?<br><br>As far as regulation and freedom of religion-- unfortunately, I think cults should be left alone to do what they do until something illegal has been discovered. People's religious beliefs shouldn't be on trial-- rather, I believe, their actions. Do leaders or members of the cult molest the innocent? Do they keep people against their will? Do the members of any given faith injure others? If so, then take those specific members before our legal system. The religious views should be left up to people's private lives. For if the government ever made it their business to decide which groups are cults and which were not-- well, some totally innocent people can potential become the victim of witch hunts.<br><br>So in short-- I don't think cults should be regulated by the government. Just convict people of their crimes when they commit them-- regardless of their religious beliefs. And by crimes, I genrally mean when someone's person or property is intentionally harmed or violated in some way by another person.<br><br>My feelings don't consititue evidence of anything. But, I think I feel good because I feel like I've sorted some things out. I may be wrong. But the end result seems to be so far that I'm not so upset about religion now. I was starting to become anti-religious. I don't think that's quite the correct stance to take. I think that shows that I'm possibly developing a form of biggotry. I don't want to do that.<br><br>Ah, and that last point-- what if your neighbor wants to break his children's legs, but leave yours alone . . . no harm right?<br><br>Well, again, the religion or non-religion doesn't matter so much. Perhaps if we know that religion or non-religion is the motivator. But, if we talk religion out of the equations, we still have a parent abusing his children for whatever reason. Such a person should be brought before our legal system and held accountable if someone knows about these activites.<br><br>In the case of teaching one's child about hell . . . I think that can be quite harmful, personally. But, what legals system will hear that case? At some point, you have to let parents raise their kids their way. I think intervention has it's place when the abuse is apparent. I don't think I'd be helping much by trying to get the department of human services to wrench away a child from his or her parents just because they teach them about hell. My mom made me believe in a hell. I wouldn't consider her an abuser because that's just simply what she believed. But, in retrospect-- I wish I could have back all those years I sat in fear of going to that horrid place. And that's being said after I had given my life over to Christ.<br><br>Brian, thanks for your comments. I enjoy comments very much-- even comments that challenge my post. We all need someone to share with us the other side of the coin.Urukhttp://2nonbelief.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-22921899438115707012010-10-23T21:12:15.564-05:002010-10-23T21:12:15.564-05:00"Just as a theist has no right trying to push..."Just as a theist has no right trying to push god upon me." What does push mean?<br /><br />I think "push" means "to advocate when/in a way in which there is no right to advocate". Since "push" means "when there is no right", your statement has no content. It is like saying "murder is wrong", which has no content because "murder" *is* wrongful killing. It is a circular argument.<br /><br />"I should not be treated differently because of this." Why not? Is there is no deity in which one could believe for which one ought to be treated differently?<br /><br />"Everyone cannot enjoy our nation if any specific religion is oppressed by Government or controlled by Government." What about so called "cults"? How confident are you in your ability to distinguish between "cults" (supernaturalist groups which should be controlled) and "religions" (supernaturalist groups which should not be controlled). To say religions should be not be regulated but cults should be just pushes off the judgement, while to say that no cult should be regulated would be interesting of you.<br /><br />"After mulling over these reflections for a few days, I felt much better." Do you think that this constitutes evidence that the ideas expressed in those thoughts are true?<br /><br />"While this is true, the problem comes when your neighbor cannot stand the fact that you disagree and (as a result) wants to actively break your legs because you are different." What if he wants to break his children's legs? What about their genitals? What about if he wants to teach them about hell?Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-64981658225761088472010-10-23T20:33:14.346-05:002010-10-23T20:33:14.346-05:00Well put.Well put.TristanVicknoreply@blogger.com