tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post399734304271546740..comments2023-09-25T05:50:59.427-05:00Comments on My Dirty Little Secret: The Atheist Test: Test Four & FiveUrukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-8003270612298199472009-11-08T19:53:56.946-06:002009-11-08T19:53:56.946-06:00Hi ed,
first, thanks for voicing your thoughts.
...Hi ed,<br /><br />first, thanks for voicing your thoughts.<br /><br />Being wrong about god's existence could be costly-- just as costly as belief in the wrong god or believing god exists in a godless universe.<br /><br />But once I decide that god exists, then what? Those who say I will face eternal damnation for my disbelief often enforce some sort of salvation formula. If I follow the wrong formula, I'm doomed. Not much different than atheism.<br /><br />How is belief in a non-existent god costly? Consider all the conflict that happens in the world because of religious overtones. Now, just think if god never existed and this life is all we have. Think of all the sacrifices people have made when they could be enjoying themselves. I don't mean debauchery or running amok with anarchy, cruelty and evil. Just consider the simple things like enjoying "worldly" entertainments like dancing at a party or seeing the movies, eating certain foods, or enjoying "forbidden" intimacy with someone you love. Now think of all those who torture, kill and die in the name of (a potentially non-existent) god.<br /><br />How horrible to give away one's life for something that doesn't even exist!<br /><br />Wouldn't you agree?<br /><br />At the very least, I'm well within reason to remain skeptical of something that requires the total sacrifice and devotion of my own existence. Especially when that "something" may not exist.Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-19097440593051139462009-11-07T22:25:13.614-06:002009-11-07T22:25:13.614-06:00Friend, is it fair to say that whether God exists ...Friend, is it fair to say that whether God exists or does not exist is a matter of Faith? To say that the universe happened of itself requires faith... i.e. that is the whole point of the Atheist test; to say there is a Creator is also a matter of faith. Now the question is what are the consequences for drawing the wrong conclusion?Slusserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564170811257266972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-10089761509097268152009-07-25T15:33:55.965-05:002009-07-25T15:33:55.965-05:00"I tend to see Jesus as a man, like us, burde..."I tend to see Jesus as a man, like us, burdened with a very special mission. I do not believe he is divine. I do not believe he is God."<br /><br /><b>Lion</b>, I grew up believing that Jesus was man and god -- human and divine. He was God's son, and the embodiment of god's divine nature. The manifestation of god in the flesh.<br /><br />But the trinity concept creates a contradiction. Jesus must be human and divine. He must be a finite man of flesh while sharing the godhead with YHWH. I accepted that as a believer, but look back on it now, that just doesn't work.<br /><br />When I went pentecostal, I got involved in a denomination that believed in the "oneness" movement. Jesus and God are one. The trinity is denounced. Jesus is YHWH.<br /><br />Nowadays, I do not see a difference. Maybe Jesus was more like a fleshly puppet where YHWH seated himself or something.<br /><br />Anyhow . . .<br /><br />Many Christians insist Jesus is divine.<br /><br />Do you share the same mentality as the Jews about god being one? You've said before that you only believe in one god.<br /><br /><b>Mac</b><br /><br />I basically have the same problems that you have about the notion of unconditional love from God and the authenticity of Bible events.<br /><br />The Lion disagrees with us, but to me she is different from a lot of other Christians. She agrees to disagree. You won't find that in a lot of believers.Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-11827597100710212062009-07-24T20:49:16.638-05:002009-07-24T20:49:16.638-05:00You are spelling it correctly. If you want to real...You are spelling it correctly. If you want to really get into it, God's name would be "Yud H_y V_v H_y" (all consonants replaced by "a") or YHVH but most spell it YHWH.<br /><br />I don't spell it out simply because I believe it to be disrespectful. Sort of like calling Queen Elizabeth "Lizzy."<br /><br />I tend to see Jesus as a man, like us, burdened with a very special mission. I do not believe he is divine. I do not believe he is God. <br /><br />And have no fears, I don't mind people who research and come up with a different concept of God. I mind it when people rely on the Church to tell them who their Creator is. <br /><br />And I fully expect you to correct my glaringly wrong opinions as well :)Nicole Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07312823319201028951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-83666972725418796682009-07-24T13:09:31.399-05:002009-07-24T13:09:31.399-05:00"Please, if you are going to criticize my god..."Please, if you are going to criticize my god, research Him first and don't rely on an organization that has bastardized Him."<br /><br />That's a fair point to make, Lion.<br /><br />But should I do research, the picture you have of God might not emerge from my search.<br /><br />That's cool with me, and that cool with you, too.<br /><br />That's not cool with fundamentalists, though. And their rigid views of God seem most prevalent. They yell louder, if nothing else.<br /><br />As for why I use YHWH . . .<br /><br />Partly habit. And partly because I want to specify the Hebrew God of the Old Testament and all that implies. Two specific implications I'd like to point out:<br /><br />1. The possibility that YHWH emerged from the Canaanite pantheon as Hebrew culture began to form.<br /><br />2. The <b>Jews'</b> overall understanding of YHWH essentially precludes Jesus from being either the son or a fleshly embodiment of the divine godhead formally known as YHWH.<br /><br />The more I look back on my former faith (Christianity), I see why the Jews have a high resistance to acceptance of Jesus or the tenants of Christianity. They don't mix from a Jewish outlook. A lot of OT prophesies concerning Christ are interpreted in totally different ways. And YHWH is complete to the Jews. He doesn't share his authority or power with an agent or another god. The messiah was never looked on as a deity or an extension of god. Just a king, divinely appointed.<br /><br />At least, that how I understand the Jewish perspective. I could be wrong. As always, feel free to set me straight. Especially if my opinion is glaringly wrong.<br /><br />:-D<br /><br />I <i>may</i> stop using it because I'm always worried that I'm spelling it wrong.<br /><br /><i>Am I?</i>Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-7637294248091685812009-07-23T23:58:24.276-05:002009-07-23T23:58:24.276-05:00"Unconditional love?
Really?
Is it unconditi..."Unconditional love?<br /><br />Really?<br />Is it unconditional OR do we need to worship him and proclaim above all others?<br /><br />What happens when we don't give the christian god his dues?<br /><br />Does he say<br />"That's OK, my child. I love you unconditionally. Welcome to Heaven"<br />Or<br />Say nothing, send your unrepentent ass straight to Hell, where you'll suffer unspeakable torture for ETERNITY."<br /><br />Oh so very many flaws. First, the idea that one cannot love you unconditionally and still punish you is a flawed concept. <br /><br />Next, this idea that if you don't give Him "his dues" you will go to Hell. Silly concept sold by the Church. It is too bad that you bought it. Had you bothered to research it yourself you would know that the original word that the Church uses for "Hell" (fire abd brimstone and what-not) actually means simply "absence" as in away from God. As in not in Heaven. There is not mention of tortures or fires or some underground dungeon. Simply a lack of a reward.<br /><br />When children do well in school, often they receive rewards: longer recess, extra desserts, school cash to spend on toys etc. The kids who don't excel, don't receive these. They aren't losing anything, they simply aren't gaining that extra reward. Same concept. <br /><br />Then there is this concept that one must believe in the Christian God to go to Heaven. Also probably inaccurate. Again, silly idea sold by the Church. And you bought that this is what the Christian God is? Please, if you are going to criticize my god, research Him first and don't rely on an organization that has bastardized Him.<br /><br />If spirituality is not supernatural - what is it? Do you mean Divine?Nicole Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07312823319201028951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-83507309988395686722009-07-23T22:04:54.788-05:002009-07-23T22:04:54.788-05:00Unconditional love?
Really?
Is it unconditional O...Unconditional love?<br /><br />Really?<br />Is it unconditional OR do we need to worship him and proclaim above all others?<br /><br />What happens when we don't give the christian god his dues?<br /><br />Does he say <br />"That's OK, my child. I love you unconditionally. Welcome to Heaven"<br />Or<br />Say nothing, send your unrepentent ass straight to Hell, where you'll suffer unspeakable torture for ETERNITY.<br /><br />Yeah, that's the kind of unconditional love I'm incapable of.<br /><br /><br />Yes, I know the difference. I do believe people can be spiritual, just not that that spirituality is supernatural.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073782907747032366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-31853993186312554322009-07-23T12:03:37.129-05:002009-07-23T12:03:37.129-05:00The correct statements are:
Theists: There might...The correct statements are: <br /><br />Theists: There might be a god. I believe there is a god.<br /><br />Atheists: There may not be a god. I do not believe there is a god.<br /><br />Agnostics: There might be a god. There might not be a god. I am not sure if there is a god.<br /><br />Why is it so hard to make these statements? Why do so many need to stress that they are right?<br /><br />When being honest about what we truly believe (and not just believe because we were told it is true) no one is absolute about anything. Every honest theist will have something they don't believe. Every honest atheist will have a moment where they wonder. Agnostics are the only ones who freely admit this: they wonder. They ponder. They search. <br /><br />What is with this? Why must everyone be either intelligent, a fool or have an ulterior motive? I am beginning to think these pamphlet makers aren't so honest... To call someone foolish because they continue to seek answers is ignorant, at best.<br /><br />Uruk, I noticed you use YHWH for God's name. Is there a reason that you still don't spell it out? Or is it more just habit?<br /><br />Mac, if you are sure there is no god, you are not Agnostic, really. Agnostics are unsure if there is a god. You would be Atheist. Even saying the Christian God does not exist simply because you don't believe the stories of the Bible is rather silly. Because we got it wrong, He cannot be? <br /><br />As for the traits of God (the Christian God), remember that His traits are what we personified them as. While He appears to have very negative traits, He also has the best human traits: charity, forgiveness, unconditional love (something we are not even capable of). But, again, that is me personifying His traits. In all reality, we have no idea what God is like or why He does what He seems to do.Nicole Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07312823319201028951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-82489145530961859932009-07-22T23:58:48.655-05:002009-07-22T23:58:48.655-05:00Well Mac,
I've arrived at this place in my li...Well Mac,<br /><br />I've arrived at this place in my life only about five years ago. <br /><br />I was devout and I <b>did</b> believe the stories in the Bible. God was good because he called the shots. His will, his nature, his decisions were good because no one has a right to question his will.<br /><br />But, when I started realizing that I couldn't take the Bible literally for all the contradictions-- well, very long story short, I detached from Christianity.<br /><br />I align myself with atheists, but I'm starting to sound more like an agnostic. I guess it's all the science books I've been reading. Scientists try to maintain a posture of agnosticism until they can thoroughly establish a hypothesis into a theory.<br /><br />So, I'm personally convinced that God doesn't exist as religious texts claim.<br /><br />So, if there is no personal God out there at all . . . what concern should we have towards an impersonal God.Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-51228099834439871062009-07-22T23:03:18.793-05:002009-07-22T23:03:18.793-05:00I have one absolutism.
The author of this test is...I have one absolutism.<br /><br />The author of this test is absolutely full of crap :-)machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073782907747032366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-55883936372254919602009-07-22T23:00:56.926-05:002009-07-22T23:00:56.926-05:00I don't believe there is a god, None.
I label...I don't believe there is a god, None.<br /><br />I label myself atheist, but I am really more of an agnostic. I just seem to fit the atheist description better, I dunno?<br /><br />I have felt for some time, the agnostic is the only truly honest position. The points you make here seem support my thoughts.<br /><br />As an atheist, I say "There is no god". But, really, I can't be positive of that ( not honestly, anyway)<br />What I can say with certainty is the christian god does not exist. <br /><br />At least not the one described in the Bible. It's a silly collection of ultra-incredible stories. I find it hard to take strong believers seriously sometimes. Do they actually believe those stories? Really???<br /><br />If one does believe the stories, how is the being described as God considered good? He has all the worst human traits: anger, wrath, jealousy, vengence....all terrible HUMAN traits. That's good? <br /><br />NO, I cannot believe it !machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073782907747032366noreply@blogger.com