Thanks butuhusa. I actually spent around 15 years reading the Bible! My question is actual more personal and specific than that though (than "What does the Bible say Christianity offers you?")
It is... Even if Christianity turns out not to be true, what would it have offered you in this life (by your believing it), that you think you couldn't have had without it?
Christians often say even if their wrong, they are still better off by believing. And I'm asking how so.
Whether or not Christianity is true, it offers me HOPE to be with my wife, children, parents, brothers & sisters, and friends in the next world... eternally.
Whether or not Christianity is true, it offers me true meaning and purpose in this world. That even if it were not true, the placebo effect is so strong that this is the case regardless of whether or not the worldview is correct.
Have you consider much how these benefits you mention (the hope of an afterlife w/ loved ones, a sense of meaning and purpose while alive), are also available to people w/ other worldviews?
Of course. There is no other religion that offers such strong evidence, both historically and philosophically, or a way for me to make sense of the origins of the universe, morality, purpose, and proof of afterlife. And atheism does not offer any of the items that I mentioned.
Did you have a particular worldview in mind that I should look into that can offer me these things?
Christianity also offers me a worldview that helps me to make sense of the universe and it's origins, the origins of morality and purpose, whether or not it is true, it still makes sense to me.
Well, there are a many possibilities. For example, you could be a theist without being a Christian in particular. You could see God as communicating through the Bible - though imperfectly w/ man's ideas getting in there some - and other religious books as well. You could see points where they agree as evidence of things God's been communicating to humanity. You could believe in the afterlife for a similar reason. Religion can be seen as a source of knowledge in other worldviews also.
Through my studies of Islam & the Qu'ran, paganism, gnosticism, and many other various religions and religious texts, I am convinced that no other religion offers the historical evidence and philosophical strength that Christianity and Judaism offers. If Christianity did not exist, I would probably be an agnostic rather than convert to a religion that I simply do not believe to be true.
"You could see points where they agree as evidence of things God's been communicating to humanity."
From my studies, no I couldn't.
"You could believe in the afterlife for a similar reason."
I only believe in the afterlife because of the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. No other religion offers this. So no, I probably wouldn't believe in an afterlife if it wasn't for the historical nature of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus.
... Again, if it wasn't for the historicity and power of the Resurrection, I robably would not even be a theist. I don't think that the Old Testament alone could convince someone like me that a God exists. I'm sure that in God's mysterious plan that the Resurrection had a loy to do with satisfying inquiring minds.
"Religion can be seen as a source of knowledge in other worldviews also."
I wouldn't completely disagree with this. It just depends on exactly what knowledge you are talking about.
Why not? If you've studied the worlds religious, u must be aware of the common threads concerning morality & such. Now that's not to say there precisely the same. In some ways, their significantly different. But the common threads remain across religions & cultures regardless (I can tell you that much from courses I've taken about Mythology and also The Philosophy of Ethics & Religion.)
Its actually a Christian philosophical idea, to see God communicating through all cultures on some level.
"If you've studied the worlds religious, u must be aware of the common threads concerning morality & such."
Sure. Morality is not what does it for me, though it is a factor. It's the combination of everything that I mentioned. Though Islam bases it's morality and "sin" on a completely different playing field than Christianity, i.e. no original sin and the burden of doing at least 51% good to be saved, as opposed to Christianity's being saved by the Grace of Jesus' sacrifice of himself.
... And I don't believe that atheism has any foundation to *objectively* say what is a morally good or morally bad act. There are a lot of philosophical ideas in Christianity that you cannot find in other worldviews. But again, the morality end of it is just a small piece of the puzzle. It's the combination of all of the evidence and criteria.
Well, Atheism doesn't really say anything as it turns out. It just lacks a belief in a God. Humanism or other Secular views on the other hand do have something to say about morality.
As far as being "objective" in the sense that theistic religion claims to be, its true, a secular view of morality would not claim this (nor accept that the world's religions actually offer it.) Instead, a secular view of morality can be said to involve "objectivity" in the sense of moral questions going beyond the realm of mere individual "subjective" opinion.
(I talk about this more in my video: Secular Objective Morality: As Good As It Gets.)
"a secular view of morality can be said to involve 'objectivity'"
If there truly is no creator/ultimate mediator, I see no reason whatsoever to believe that we are anything more than chemical bi-products of evolution, i.e. natural selection and random mutation, lost in a lonely universe doomed by heat death. And that's that. We are nothing more than an advanced species of the animal kingdom.
Furthermore, if all we are is chemical bi-products of evolution, there is no way to condemn anyone for any action, since their actions are not even their choice in the first place. Their actions are simply impulses brought on by chemical reactions in the brain as a result of random mutation and natural selection. It does not go any further than that. We are simply members of the animal kingdom, evolved through natural selection, and I know of no animals with an intrinsic objective morality.
The argument is not that non-believers cannot lead moral lives. To the contrary, I believe this intrinsic morality (knowing "right" from "wrong") has been *placed* in the hearts of all men.
The argument is that I see no reason to believe that any type of objective reality can possibly exist without an ultimate mediator/creator, for reasons that I've listed in previous posts.
Yeah. I'm aware of the distinction. It's clear that there r good people of all worldviews. I contest the Christian idea that a clear definition of morality can not exist without religion / that people cant have a good reason to understand morality as having a firm basis in their lives w/out it. That's what I contest. I get into a good bit of the details in the video on it. The secular view doesn't claim to offer a morality that transcends humanity itself, but also says thats nt needed.
I think you're talking about determinism vs free-will. Well even some popular Christian psychologist accept this is a reality to a degree (they just call it sin nature). For ex. the psychs of New Life Ministries see Addiction as nt a choice that requires outside help for the people to change their behavior. Since as human beings we care about living in a healthy & happy society, the key question is how to bring about the right behavior & protect people. Prisons would yet have a place here.
Even if God does exists... we're still an advanced species of the animal kingdom... or cells and dna... or whatever technical term you want to use. However, in the thestic worldview understood in modern terms, while we are all these things, we are also more because we are more in God's eyes. He sees us as more, values as, sees our lives as meaningful.
Here Secularism simply says, yes, we also like modern progressive theist accept that humans are these things... dna / cells / etc. But that's not to say that that is all we are. Theist say we are more, because we are more in God's eyes. Secularism or Humanism says we are more... because we are more to us (and that this is really all religious peple are doing when they see themselves as valuable for religious reasons, they themselves see themselve and other humans as valuable.)
So that's what I was saying concerning how one can see a God revealing truth through all culture and this coming through in the common themes such as concerning morality. That's what I was getting at there.
As for being saved by grace, rather than by actually being a good person, you may see the Christian approach as better, but others would disagree and say salvation by grace is a copout and doesn't truly reflect a good and just God. I hold neither view but just pointing this out.
Well, I didn't have much room to expound on Islamic theology. But in short, mainstream Islam lives by the "scales". In order for someone to go to heaven, they must do at least 51% good throughout their lives. If they do more bad than they've done good, they go to hell. For a person who converts late in life, this can be a problem if they've led a sinful life. The only way to wipe the scales completely clean is to sacrifice yourself to Allah through an act of Jihad.
"others would disagree and say salvation by grace is a copout and doesn't truly reflect a good and just God."
I can see how some people would look at it this way. But only God knows the heart of a person and whether they are truly redemptive by an act of true salvation through Jesus. It's hard for me to believe that it is an unjust act for God to become flesh and live with/like us for the sole reason to pay the price so we could be set free from our wrong-doings.
I'm definitely in the same boat - in the sense that I did not and don't see myself converting to another religion.
However, I did remain a theist even after seizing to take the Bible as being perfectly inspired by God. And did see God's revelation - as a Christian and after - as transcending scripture including also nature and even being reflected in all cultures by way of common threads in moral codes, myth, etc. I continued to believe these things many Christians believe post Christian.
Well appreciate that. I know you're motives are good. I actually wasn't referring to Christianity so much as in my deconversion having no interest in converting to a different religion thereafter, but I can see that I didn't really state that clearly.
That's interesting. Where do you draw the line in terms of what is and is not inspired by God in scripture?
"Where do you draw the line in terms of what is and is not inspired by God in scripture? "
I suppose I misspoke. I do believe that scripture is inspired. I'm simply not convinced by the position of inerrancy. I am not sure that the Bible is 100% inerrant. After all it was written by man, although I DO believe it was God-breathed (inspired). I simply have not studied this area enough to make my mind up either way, but I have heard convincing arguments against a position of inerrancy.
Assuming that you are expecting this type of answer; "Now listen, Israel, listen carefully to the rules and regulations that I am teaching you to follow so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, is giving you. Do not add a word to what I command you, do not take a word from it. Keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you.
This means in order for someone to add something to scripture they would be in sin. Also, I do not
I do not believe that God would allow His scripture to go 2000 years with false teachings because that would mean people would be sinning without even knowing it. Also scripture states that the Word is God, therefore I believe that it is perfect.
There is your line, what is in scripture is exactly what is meant to be in there. The canon of scripture is what it is referred as.
Your right...my bad totally messed that up...I got my answer from Wyane Grudem`s "Systematic Theology" its a great book that is used in most Systematic Theology classes in most seminaries. Check it out.
It's funny that you mention Grudem's Systematic Theology USM. My best friend and room mate recently bought this book. About a month or so ago, I read the first few chapters. I really liked the first one or two - they made a lot of sense to me (seemed reasonable.) Unfortunately, when he started arguing for the canon, the arguments started to seem a lot more arbitrary to me. But anyhow, fun coincidence (a guess it must be a popular book amongst Christians.)
Yea it is a really popular book and that is really cool. I do disagree with some of his stuff he writes about but it is a really easy way to get a quick back-round on many different topics. It also is something that I will be using in the classroom here in a couple of years so a minister friend of mine got it for me to start studying up on.
P.S. Im enjoying the dialog, I will reply on our topic later tonight.
Whether Christianity is true or not is a good question. But here all that is required is that u have reasons to believe what u do. People w/ many different worldviews find themselves in this position & find those worldview give them a compelling outlook on life. Even in terms of having a view that offers a sense of meaning 4 all the important aspects of one's life... instead of the idea of knowledge about how the universe began, its simply an appreciation for the awe inspiring mystery of it.
"Even in terms of having a view that offers a sense of meaning 4 all the important aspects of one's life"
Without Christianity (after learning everything I now know), I would most certainly fall into a deep state of nihilism. IMHO, there is nowhere else to go unless you are playing mind tricks on yourself to try and convince yourself otherwise.
Now I can definitely relate to that. I walked away from my faith for a brief period back in 2000 and was basically a Nihilist. I understood morality and meaning in ways that revolved around the God of the Bible being real and when I rejected his existence, I stopped believing life had any meaning or purpose to offer or that there was any firm reason to care about being moral. 7 years later, I walked away again but w/ all that intact.
Each of those is a videos worth also I'm afraid ;o)
"stopped believing life had any meaning or purpose"
I honestly don't see any way around this way of thinking as a non-believer, unless you are tricking yourself into accepting something that is unrealistic just to make yourself feel better (no offense). I guess you could say the same thing about my world view. The difference though is that I actually believe it (most of the time). I believe atheism inevitably leads to nihilism.
Because I'm on video-hiatus, I won't be able to do a video response to this. Maybe later though! If you want this to be a video response to my video a while back, please tell me.
Thanks John. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject when you have some time in the future (and if it behooves you.)
Yes, please accept this as a video response to your Atheism Offers Nothing video. I'm hoping to expand this overall dialogue and would appreciate your help.
I also see you've done some other videos are relevant subjects such as on meaning. I'll have to check those out as I move forward in exploring this topic on here.
A good video is off the table for now, and a good written response is pretty unlikely./I hope to do more on the meaning of life - whatever that means (haha!) - later on./I'll accept your video for sure. I didn't see it when I checked before, but I'll try again. Tell me if it doesn't get accepted within this next week!
I left a video response but screwed something up.
I tried to leave a link here with no luck. Click my name and see the video titled,
"response to..."
acyberguy 4 months ago
What Does Christianity Offer You??.. if u want to know read the bible EZEKIEL 23
butuhusa 1 year ago
@butuhusa
Thanks butuhusa. I actually spent around 15 years reading the Bible! My question is actual more personal and specific than that though (than "What does the Bible say Christianity offers you?")
It is... Even if Christianity turns out not to be true, what would it have offered you in this life (by your believing it), that you think you couldn't have had without it?
Christians often say even if their wrong, they are still better off by believing. And I'm asking how so.
Thanks.
myintellectualjourny 1 year ago
Whether or not Christianity is true, it offers me HOPE to be with my wife, children, parents, brothers & sisters, and friends in the next world... eternally.
Whether or not Christianity is true, it offers me true meaning and purpose in this world. That even if it were not true, the placebo effect is so strong that this is the case regardless of whether or not the worldview is correct.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing tm7. I can definitely relate.
Have you consider much how these benefits you mention (the hope of an afterlife w/ loved ones, a sense of meaning and purpose while alive), are also available to people w/ other worldviews?
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"also available to people w/ other worldviews?"
Of course. There is no other religion that offers such strong evidence, both historically and philosophically, or a way for me to make sense of the origins of the universe, morality, purpose, and proof of afterlife. And atheism does not offer any of the items that I mentioned.
Did you have a particular worldview in mind that I should look into that can offer me these things?
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Christianity also offers me a worldview that helps me to make sense of the universe and it's origins, the origins of morality and purpose, whether or not it is true, it still makes sense to me.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Well, there are a many possibilities. For example, you could be a theist without being a Christian in particular. You could see God as communicating through the Bible - though imperfectly w/ man's ideas getting in there some - and other religious books as well. You could see points where they agree as evidence of things God's been communicating to humanity. You could believe in the afterlife for a similar reason. Religion can be seen as a source of knowledge in other worldviews also.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"theist without being a Christian"
"see God as communicating through the Bible"
This sounds more like gnosticism.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
"other religious books as well"
Through my studies of Islam & the Qu'ran, paganism, gnosticism, and many other various religions and religious texts, I am convinced that no other religion offers the historical evidence and philosophical strength that Christianity and Judaism offers. If Christianity did not exist, I would probably be an agnostic rather than convert to a religion that I simply do not believe to be true.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
"You could see points where they agree as evidence of things God's been communicating to humanity."
From my studies, no I couldn't.
"You could believe in the afterlife for a similar reason."
I only believe in the afterlife because of the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. No other religion offers this. So no, I probably wouldn't believe in an afterlife if it wasn't for the historical nature of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
... Again, if it wasn't for the historicity and power of the Resurrection, I robably would not even be a theist. I don't think that the Old Testament alone could convince someone like me that a God exists. I'm sure that in God's mysterious plan that the Resurrection had a loy to do with satisfying inquiring minds.
"Religion can be seen as a source of knowledge in other worldviews also."
I wouldn't completely disagree with this. It just depends on exactly what knowledge you are talking about.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
robably = probably
loy = lot
Sorry for the typos
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Why not? If you've studied the worlds religious, u must be aware of the common threads concerning morality & such. Now that's not to say there precisely the same. In some ways, their significantly different. But the common threads remain across religions & cultures regardless (I can tell you that much from courses I've taken about Mythology and also The Philosophy of Ethics & Religion.)
Its actually a Christian philosophical idea, to see God communicating through all cultures on some level.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"If you've studied the worlds religious, u must be aware of the common threads concerning morality & such."
Sure. Morality is not what does it for me, though it is a factor. It's the combination of everything that I mentioned. Though Islam bases it's morality and "sin" on a completely different playing field than Christianity, i.e. no original sin and the burden of doing at least 51% good to be saved, as opposed to Christianity's being saved by the Grace of Jesus' sacrifice of himself.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
... And I don't believe that atheism has any foundation to *objectively* say what is a morally good or morally bad act. There are a lot of philosophical ideas in Christianity that you cannot find in other worldviews. But again, the morality end of it is just a small piece of the puzzle. It's the combination of all of the evidence and criteria.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Well, Atheism doesn't really say anything as it turns out. It just lacks a belief in a God. Humanism or other Secular views on the other hand do have something to say about morality.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"Atheism doesn't really say anything as it turns out."
I meant secular views such as humanism and objectivism, etc. Just typing so fast I'm throwing all you guys into one category, sorry about that.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Np. I gotcha ;)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
(cont'd)
As far as being "objective" in the sense that theistic religion claims to be, its true, a secular view of morality would not claim this (nor accept that the world's religions actually offer it.) Instead, a secular view of morality can be said to involve "objectivity" in the sense of moral questions going beyond the realm of mere individual "subjective" opinion.
(I talk about this more in my video: Secular Objective Morality: As Good As It Gets.)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"a secular view of morality can be said to involve 'objectivity'"
If there truly is no creator/ultimate mediator, I see no reason whatsoever to believe that we are anything more than chemical bi-products of evolution, i.e. natural selection and random mutation, lost in a lonely universe doomed by heat death. And that's that. We are nothing more than an advanced species of the animal kingdom.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Furthermore, if all we are is chemical bi-products of evolution, there is no way to condemn anyone for any action, since their actions are not even their choice in the first place. Their actions are simply impulses brought on by chemical reactions in the brain as a result of random mutation and natural selection. It does not go any further than that. We are simply members of the animal kingdom, evolved through natural selection, and I know of no animals with an intrinsic objective morality.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
The argument is not that non-believers cannot lead moral lives. To the contrary, I believe this intrinsic morality (knowing "right" from "wrong") has been *placed* in the hearts of all men.
The argument is that I see no reason to believe that any type of objective reality can possibly exist without an ultimate mediator/creator, for reasons that I've listed in previous posts.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Yeah. I'm aware of the distinction. It's clear that there r good people of all worldviews. I contest the Christian idea that a clear definition of morality can not exist without religion / that people cant have a good reason to understand morality as having a firm basis in their lives w/out it. That's what I contest. I get into a good bit of the details in the video on it. The secular view doesn't claim to offer a morality that transcends humanity itself, but also says thats nt needed.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
I think you're talking about determinism vs free-will. Well even some popular Christian psychologist accept this is a reality to a degree (they just call it sin nature). For ex. the psychs of New Life Ministries see Addiction as nt a choice that requires outside help for the people to change their behavior. Since as human beings we care about living in a healthy & happy society, the key question is how to bring about the right behavior & protect people. Prisons would yet have a place here.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
Even if God does exists... we're still an advanced species of the animal kingdom... or cells and dna... or whatever technical term you want to use. However, in the thestic worldview understood in modern terms, while we are all these things, we are also more because we are more in God's eyes. He sees us as more, values as, sees our lives as meaningful.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
(cont'd)
Here Secularism simply says, yes, we also like modern progressive theist accept that humans are these things... dna / cells / etc. But that's not to say that that is all we are. Theist say we are more, because we are more in God's eyes. Secularism or Humanism says we are more... because we are more to us (and that this is really all religious peple are doing when they see themselves as valuable for religious reasons, they themselves see themselve and other humans as valuable.)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
So that's what I was saying concerning how one can see a God revealing truth through all culture and this coming through in the common themes such as concerning morality. That's what I was getting at there.
As for being saved by grace, rather than by actually being a good person, you may see the Christian approach as better, but others would disagree and say salvation by grace is a copout and doesn't truly reflect a good and just God. I hold neither view but just pointing this out.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"As for being saved by grace"
Well, I didn't have much room to expound on Islamic theology. But in short, mainstream Islam lives by the "scales". In order for someone to go to heaven, they must do at least 51% good throughout their lives. If they do more bad than they've done good, they go to hell. For a person who converts late in life, this can be a problem if they've led a sinful life. The only way to wipe the scales completely clean is to sacrifice yourself to Allah through an act of Jihad.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
"others would disagree and say salvation by grace is a copout and doesn't truly reflect a good and just God."
I can see how some people would look at it this way. But only God knows the heart of a person and whether they are truly redemptive by an act of true salvation through Jesus. It's hard for me to believe that it is an unjust act for God to become flesh and live with/like us for the sole reason to pay the price so we could be set free from our wrong-doings.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
I'm definitely in the same boat - in the sense that I did not and don't see myself converting to another religion.
However, I did remain a theist even after seizing to take the Bible as being perfectly inspired by God. And did see God's revelation - as a Christian and after - as transcending scripture including also nature and even being reflected in all cultures by way of common threads in moral codes, myth, etc. I continued to believe these things many Christians believe post Christian.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"I did not and don't see myself converting to another religion."
Cool. To each his own. I do hope you come back one day, though : )
"take the Bible as being perfectly inspired by God"
Yeah, I'm sure this has a lot to do with whether or not an individual is an inerrantist. I can't say that I am myself.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Well appreciate that. I know you're motives are good. I actually wasn't referring to Christianity so much as in my deconversion having no interest in converting to a different religion thereafter, but I can see that I didn't really state that clearly.
That's interesting. Where do you draw the line in terms of what is and is not inspired by God in scripture?
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"Where do you draw the line in terms of what is and is not inspired by God in scripture? "
I suppose I misspoke. I do believe that scripture is inspired. I'm simply not convinced by the position of inerrancy. I am not sure that the Bible is 100% inerrant. After all it was written by man, although I DO believe it was God-breathed (inspired). I simply have not studied this area enough to make my mind up either way, but I have heard convincing arguments against a position of inerrancy.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Assuming that you are expecting this type of answer; "Now listen, Israel, listen carefully to the rules and regulations that I am teaching you to follow so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, is giving you. Do not add a word to what I command you, do not take a word from it. Keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you.
This means in order for someone to add something to scripture they would be in sin. Also, I do not
USMfootballplayer78 2 years ago
I do not believe that God would allow His scripture to go 2000 years with false teachings because that would mean people would be sinning without even knowing it. Also scripture states that the Word is God, therefore I believe that it is perfect.
There is your line, what is in scripture is exactly what is meant to be in there. The canon of scripture is what it is referred as.
USMfootballplayer78 2 years ago
"scripture states that the Word is God"
Scripture states that the logos is God. Scripture does not state that scripture is God.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Your right...my bad totally messed that up...I got my answer from Wyane Grudem`s "Systematic Theology" its a great book that is used in most Systematic Theology classes in most seminaries. Check it out.
USMfootballplayer78 2 years ago
It's funny that you mention Grudem's Systematic Theology USM. My best friend and room mate recently bought this book. About a month or so ago, I read the first few chapters. I really liked the first one or two - they made a lot of sense to me (seemed reasonable.) Unfortunately, when he started arguing for the canon, the arguments started to seem a lot more arbitrary to me. But anyhow, fun coincidence (a guess it must be a popular book amongst Christians.)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
Yea it is a really popular book and that is really cool. I do disagree with some of his stuff he writes about but it is a really easy way to get a quick back-round on many different topics. It also is something that I will be using in the classroom here in a couple of years so a minister friend of mine got it for me to start studying up on.
P.S. Im enjoying the dialog, I will reply on our topic later tonight.
USMfootballplayer78 2 years ago
Whether Christianity is true or not is a good question. But here all that is required is that u have reasons to believe what u do. People w/ many different worldviews find themselves in this position & find those worldview give them a compelling outlook on life. Even in terms of having a view that offers a sense of meaning 4 all the important aspects of one's life... instead of the idea of knowledge about how the universe began, its simply an appreciation for the awe inspiring mystery of it.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"reasons to believe"
Yeah, I have many reasons to believe what I do, that go far above and beyond what I could type in a comment section. I *may* make videos one day : )
theman77777777232 2 years ago
"Even in terms of having a view that offers a sense of meaning 4 all the important aspects of one's life"
Without Christianity (after learning everything I now know), I would most certainly fall into a deep state of nihilism. IMHO, there is nowhere else to go unless you are playing mind tricks on yourself to try and convince yourself otherwise.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Now I can definitely relate to that. I walked away from my faith for a brief period back in 2000 and was basically a Nihilist. I understood morality and meaning in ways that revolved around the God of the Bible being real and when I rejected his existence, I stopped believing life had any meaning or purpose to offer or that there was any firm reason to care about being moral. 7 years later, I walked away again but w/ all that intact.
Each of those is a videos worth also I'm afraid ;o)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
"stopped believing life had any meaning or purpose"
I honestly don't see any way around this way of thinking as a non-believer, unless you are tricking yourself into accepting something that is unrealistic just to make yourself feel better (no offense). I guess you could say the same thing about my world view. The difference though is that I actually believe it (most of the time). I believe atheism inevitably leads to nihilism.
theman77777777232 2 years ago
Haha - I hear that! ;)
Well cool. I would definitely be interested in checking out your stuff so please let me know if you do.
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
Your videos are getting quite good imo
robotwookie 2 years ago
Thanks Robot ;o)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
Because I'm on video-hiatus, I won't be able to do a video response to this. Maybe later though! If you want this to be a video response to my video a while back, please tell me.
drsuessre14 2 years ago
Thanks John. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject when you have some time in the future (and if it behooves you.)
Yes, please accept this as a video response to your Atheism Offers Nothing video. I'm hoping to expand this overall dialogue and would appreciate your help.
I also see you've done some other videos are relevant subjects such as on meaning. I'll have to check those out as I move forward in exploring this topic on here.
Cheers ;)
myintellectualjourny 2 years ago
A good video is off the table for now, and a good written response is pretty unlikely./I hope to do more on the meaning of life - whatever that means (haha!) - later on./I'll accept your video for sure. I didn't see it when I checked before, but I'll try again. Tell me if it doesn't get accepted within this next week!
drsuessre14 2 years ago
Yeah, I can't figure out how to accept your video. Did you request that it be a response to my video? If so, I can't find it.
drsuessre14 2 years ago