I wonder what the psychological component is that compels people to speak in an affected way when supporting religion?
This is clearly conditioning, and no one ever calls it out. What's the taboo?
When a person busts out century old speech patterns, they aren't themselves they're playing character of who they think they should be. Like their channeling Sunday School minister from 173 years ago...
That's such a weird reasoning... Sin, and the saving from it, purely exist inside the christian myth, along with Jesus.
I could aswell say that I believe in and worship the flying spaghetti monster(I know it's an old joke) because he saved me from boiling forever. It's just as valid.
If Christians genuinely had a relationship with Jesus just as with anyone else, there would be no need whatsoever for churches nor for the Bible. You could simply speak to him and he can tell you anything you need. I wonder what would happen to the relationship if this man closed his Bible or stopped going to church? Would it diminish? I bet it would, which is exactly what I would expect to see if this relationship were nothing more than a projection of the character of Jesus into his mind.
Jesus Christ (pbuh) is not God !!! He was a Messenger of God !!!
In fact Jesus (pbuh) said :
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
It's a tragic to listen to uninformed accusations from pple who do not read the Christian account of the events.As scoffers they love the word 'zombie' - -were ' zombies' fully self-conscious beings w/perfect humanity like Jesus. Further,he offers a non-sensical rebuttal concerning the reasons the Apostles& followers willingly died. Let's be fair and logical since he is so dis-ingenuously insistent on 'definitions'. There pple were NOT 'indoctrinated'- they were DIRECT witnesses of the EVENTS
Got any evidence for this bullshit claim? The absolute EARLIEST of these fairy tales dates from at least 2 first-century lifetimes after the events to which they were supposed to relate, you have NO IDEA who actually wrote them, and they contradict each other in numerous ways, proving that they are in no way "eyewitness" accounts.
@Kabitu1 -sure, feel fee at citing them all... what's evident is that they are substantively different from the Gospel historical accounts . You seem to enjoy mythology- that great I do too ! However, it 's probably time now for you to read an actual history text- none better than what the peoples of Palestine witnessed during this period. Check it out soon as you can is my recommendation. Also, I have several vids on my channel which I think more than adequately address your reservations
@HealthyCabbie Nope. Religion is sanctioned by the state, and asserts absolute knowledge. Atheism is the rejection of the belief in god(s). Good try though.
@HealthyCabbie Retard alert! It appears that somebody (You) doesn't understand the concept of burden of proof. I am not making a claim, YOU and other religious people are. You have failed to provide sufficient evidence to convince me of your wizard man who lives in the clouds, so therefore I do not believe in him. And agnostic is not a separate belief system. There are agnostic atheists (I dunno if God exists but I don't believe) and Gnostic atheists(I know God doesn't exist) same for theists.
@HoLOLcaust: Thats the problem with "flakey christians" they say stuff and cannot back it up.
I on the other hand cannot prove the existence of God, you as an atheist claim to have proof He does NOT exist, not sure why you sub to this thought without facts, as its dumb to sub to anything without proof.
I have faith, faith is having belief in something without having physical evidence, you have faith also, and faith is religion.
@HealthyCabbie ATHEISM IS THE REJECTION OF THE CLAIMS OF THE EXISTENCE OF A GOD. WE DO NOT NEED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT OUR REJECTION, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. What is so hard for you to understand about that? Are you really that stupid?
@HoLOLcaust: Rejection is emperors new clothes, it's dressed up as rejection, anything which has not proof is classed as religion.
Sorry but you got religion or faith, I have not got religion, I have faith, and so have you, be honest with yourself, you have not got any evidence of there NOT being a God and thats final.
@HealthyCabbie Proving that a god doesn't exist is virtually impossible. It would require never ending surveillance everywhere to rule out the existence of something that You can't define in specific terms. The burden of proof is required on the person claiming existence NOT on the person rejecting existence.
@HealthyCabbie You're delusional if You think a claim should be accepted until it's proven to be false. If that were the case then the Burden of proof would shift & every defendant in the U.S.A. would be presumed guilty until proven innocent.
I know You're NOT An Attorney. I don't have to present evidence to prove a god doesn't exist. You have to define your god in specific terms & present EVIDENCE not faith to support its' existence.
@tranquility4all: You need a good reason to reject God, and if you have not got sufficient evidence your a fool.
Until you have good evidence for God not being there, then you are an agnostic, even now you are having doubts, you know in your heart of hearts that God probably exists, but it's the sin in your life and the way you want to operate thats stopping you from embracing the truth of God.
@HealthyCabbie No I reject all theist claims presented to me. Is this too difficult for You to understand ? STOP preaching to me & try presenting a RATIONAL ARGUMENT. Begin by DEFINING Your god in SPECIFIC TERMS & PRESENT EVIDENCE not scripture to support Your ASSertion. Open Your mind & try thinking & critically examining claims instead of believing them based on willful ignorance & faith !
@tranquility4all: Your rejection would be based on not having 100% proof and that takes a small amount of faith.
You may have 99.9% proof and 0.1% faith, but it's still not conclusive evidence, until a person has 100% proof which is impossible with trying to prove and disprove god, it's faith on both sides.
@HealthyCabbie You fail to realize existence has to be demonstrated NOT non existence. If WE can't prove with 100 % certainty that Big Foot doesn't exist are We rejecting its' existence based on faith or a lack of evidence ? Faith is the excuse you have for accepting something when You don't have ANY evidence or in the presence of contradictory evidence. You can't support the existence of any deity with any evidence because if You could present evidence You wouldn't need faith.
@HealthyCabbie God is SAID to be a spirit ? Now you have to present evidence that spirits exist & that a god is a spirit & a god exists. You're presenting an ASSumption & trying to support it with an ASSumption. If you're an Attorney Your clients better search for a competent one. As i stated earlier until evidence supports a claim a person is justified REJECTING the claim. EVIDENCE supports claims NOT ASSumptions or ASSertions.
@tranquility4all: Question. If you called for a pizza delivery for the first time, would you have faith for it to turn up?
Why would you, you have not had a pizza delivered before, but you would wait in anticipation for that knock on your door, what proof do you have for it turning up?
Being a believer like I am is like waiting for that pizza, I asked Christ into my life, and now I am waiting for heaven.
@HealthyCabbie When I require any service I rely on a record of experience & documented performance NOT faith. Faith is gullibility & can be dangerous. Skepticism is a Virtue.
Bed a skeptic. Learn How to Think Critically & QUESTION claims.
Ok try this, you are new in Town, you decide to call for a cab cos you want to go out, you have faith that your cab will turn up so you wait, or instead of waiting you decide to make other arrangements because you have no faith the cab will turn up?
@HealthyCabbie If I arranged for service & was not satisfied I would search for a different provider. If a cabbie didn't show up on time i would have to make other arrangements. I don't make arrangements on faith & I don't have faith the cab will show up on time. What's Your Point ?
@tranquility4all: If you were truthful and had a heart to know the truth, God would see this and then you invited Him into your life, you would be a changed person, and you would have a home in heaven when you die for all eternity.
It's a major choice, to leave the things of this earth which is falling apart, and giving it over to faith, it's tough but it's worth it.
Why wouldn't there be any physical evidence? Does God expect us all to take everything on faith? If that's so why did he interfere in people's lives directly so often in the Old Testament, but doesn't do so now?
@HealthyCabbie QUESTION: If You needed to have Major Surgery would You research the Qualifications of several surgeons or would You would You rely on faith & pray to god & hope she / he / it will make everything fine ? If You rely on prayer You may not end up in heaven or hell. However You probably will be DEAD !
@tranquility4all: I would pray for healing which I have had for a neck disorder and was 100% healed over 10 years ago, and if that did not work I would seek medical advice.
Common sense needs to be applied in this case, I do not need faith to find a surgeon, but if I died I have faith in God to take me home, it's a win win situation for me.
@HealthyCabbie You would pray for healing & NOT research the Qualifications of several surgeons & rely on surgery to cure You ? Guess What ? Prayer doesn't heal, Medical Science might. If Your Dr. prescribes 3 Acts of Contrition & 3 Our Father's & call me in the morning I suggest You find another Dr. Here's another Eye Opener. You don't know if ANY god exists nor do You know an eternal reward awaits You. You're a victim of Willful Ignorance & Wishful Thinking !
@HealthyCabbie Here's some free advice. Prayer won't help You recover from illness or injury. Medical Science may help You. If You rely on prayer before seeing a Doctor I have more advice for You. Visit a Psychiatrist. Instead of praying. You should start THINKING !!!
@HealthyCabbie You also fail to realize when You believe a claim without evidence you're accepting it on faith. When You reject a claim when it isn't supported with evidence that is not an example of faith.
@HealthyCabbie People are justified REJECTING claims which aren't supported with evidence. People are not justified ACCEPTING claims which aren't supported with evidence. When a prosecuting attorney can't support charges with evidence You vote NOT guilty even if You're not convinced the defendant is innocent.
@HealthyCabbie Are You suggesting when people don't have evidence to reject any claim they're rejection is based on faith ? Atheism isn't based on faith & it isn't a religion. Faith is the excuse to accept claims without evidence or in the presence of contradictory evidence. I don't reject theist claims because of faith. I reject them because they're not supported with evidence. Calling Atheism a religion is the equivalent of calling Abstinence a sexual activity.
@atheistram: You could say this for all things in the past.
Guy Fawkes, all the kings and queens up till today, all the presidents and PM's, Napoleon, Charles Darwin, Huxley, your Great Grand father Grand Mother etc etc, do I need to go on.
Sorry, but your argument is lame.
There is no physical evidence for God, this is His plan, it's by faith we accept, if He showed up, it would no longer be by faith but by sight.
@HealthyCabbie Thing is is that there are other records (many, many of them) besides one book for the existence of all the people you named.
So when God revealed himself directly to all the characters in the Old Testament, he took away their faith. They knew God by sight. Same thing goes for Jesus in the New Testament. Sorry, but your argument is lame.
If knowing God by faith is God's plan, it's a stupid plan.
For your information, I probably know more about the Bible than you do.
Our calendar is from when Christ died, the date you were born was x amount of years after the death of Christ.
The calendar system stands as a testimony to the life and death of Christ, God did not show Himself to any person in the Bible!
The closest anyone ever came was when they saw Christ, Christ said " If you have seen me, you have seen the Father" No one can see God, but some have heard His voice.
And you said "I probably know more about the Bible than you do"
@HealthyCabbie You are ridiculous... our calendar is NOT a testimony to the life and death of Christ, it stands as a measurment of time. You are an idiot and you need to stop infecting Youtube with your ignorance. You obciously know nothing of the bible or history for that matter.
One cannot argue against the personal experience (personal relationship with Jesus) This neither makes the personal experience real or not real. Without a assessable basis, it is best not to rely upon it being true. It is always best to rely on things that can be assessed as true or not true.
It's true, If you never beleived he existed then you couldnt have a personal relationship with christ. John 5:39-You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me... Alot of people study the bible and do not convert. That's why there is a difference between relationship and religion. If you nver had one(relationship), how can you speak on it.
It seems to me though that Matt does have the heart of a pastor, especially now that I hear that he was thinking about going into the ministry when he had christian beliefs. Could that possibly be something God gave him, his love for people and reaching out towards people to me seems like a gift from God.
@snoopval Why does it have to be a gift from God? It sounds like a personality trait and developed skill on Matt's part. No need to give credit to the wrong guy.
Why are African Americans so sensible when it comes to every day life, yet when it comes to religion their brains turns to mush? This discrepancy has always fascinated me. It's hard to fool an African American. They see B.S. from a mile away. They're no-nonsense, and can spot a fraud when they see one. But, tell them a snake talked, a virgin gave birth, and an ocean parted so that Jews could walk through, and they fanatically embrace it. Incredible.
@MrKevMan I'd rather be stupid than prideful, but neither is desireable. Yet why judge ones intelligence when the majority of intelligence is already genetic predetermined. Einstein didn't need to pat himself on the back. He realized that his intelligence was already "in the dice". In fact, He said that God doesn't play dice with the universe, so that makes intelligence over rated. Humility, however, is quite the opposite and quite hard to acheive if one is rich, powerful or smart but not impos
@cabouaf1 This is the basis of your belief? That it is better to be humble than intelligent? Who would you rather have as your Dr. a man who has excellent statistics who knows that he is a good Dr, or an idiotic Dr who was very humble?
@agent1180 I notice a lot of atheists saying "blah, blah". Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". Blah Blah doesn't sound joyful, doesn't sound loving & doesn't sound wise. Sounds kind of humdrum. Kinda like the words Charlie Brown heard when the adults talked. God is alive and faith isn't blind but has evidence by His Spirit literally & tangibly touching ones very inner core and overflowing to the point that I'd be ridiculous to say it wasn't His Spirit moving.
@Huckxxx None. My grandpa used to get frustrated with my mom. He wouldn't here from her for days. He was very hurt and felt negllected. His children and grandchildren were often busy with school, works, friends, appointments while my grandfather at 80 years old pretty much just was in front of the T.V. After much frustration, he changed everything. Rather than waiting for my mom or myself to make call. He would turn off the TV once per day and take the responsibility to call each of us.
@Huckxxx putting the onus on God on our terms has no use. You're right. Putting the onus on ourselves according to the method he set up to contact us (not by phone) will make all the difference. You see God has never failed. Not once, not ever, couldn't if He wanted to and He can't want to. When I don't get a job or I lose money or I give into sin just after praying that He would help me, it's my failure.In 26 years of relating to God, He has not failed me once. By what method should we seek him
@deejay114 I don't know about you, but when I fail I don't blame God. I see its the choices I make that cause me to fail. What about your failures? Whose fault are they? Wasn't there a guy who blamed murdering someone on the twinkies he ate? Others blame their parents or their childhood or God "for creating me this way". Did God even create us? Or did He leave procreation up to us and freewill? Isn't Freewill rejected by atheists yet its for having their own freewill that many reject God.
@cabouaf1 if your god exist he is the creater of all thes rapists and murderers, so it his fault, he didnt have to create these evil things that people do every day, but if he exists it is all his fault
@cabouaf1 And yet he has still failed as the thousands of people who don't believe in him still don't believe in him. According to your belief system billions of people are being tortured and will be for all eternity, but is God not all loving? Or is he not all powerful? One way I refuse to worship a Cruel and capricious God and the other gives me no incentive to believe as if he truly isn't omnipotent what advantage do I get out of worshiping him?
@atheism616 Your right. I believe if people are eternally tortured that doesn't seem wise or loving. However, if He give people a choice to be with Him forever or to not exist and be annihilated where there will be no eternal pain as many claim, to me that seems fair. In fact, in the end it will be just as atheists believe, one dies and so after doesn't exist. The only better thing is that its not so cruel as saying all will nonexist, but only those who don't want to spend eternity with God
@cabouaf1 So you accept the bits about God you like, but ignore or rationalize the bits you don't. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment" or "he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Do these not count? It is ridiculous to ignore these quotes as it means that your moral code isn't from the bible but a reflection of your true feelings; and if you are capable of this what is your need of a book that preaches slavery and murder as justifiable and even advocates it!
@atheism616 Sorry that Catholic doctrine has dominated western religious thinking. I believe that the reformation (Martin Luther etc...) was the beginning of a purification of inappropriate doctrines like indulgences, eternal torment etc... and other ideas that would be contrary to an infinitely loving and yet just God. I believe that even today, the church has a lot of lessons to learn - one is, "how could a loving God ever put people He loves thru eternal torment.
@cabouaf1 So taking the bits that you like while ignoring the bit that you don't? If you cannot accept the words your omnipotent God has given you as truth what do you know of him, If your "God" is so weak that the only way he can communicate with you is through a 2000 year old book!?? If he were truly omnipotent and omniscient "God" then he would know exactly my doubts and be able to rectify them with ease. But no apparently I have to endure eternal punishment. All-loving?
@atheism616 One reason why you can't believe in the God of the Bible is that you are wise enough to realize that if there is a God He should be perfect. Am I not having the same attitude as you when I refuse to believe a false interpretations of people unlike you and I that think it moral and ethical for such a God to create a system whereby those who don't believe will suffer torment forever. Why would you wish that kind of belief and twisting if you agree it's not good?
@cabouaf1 Yes if there is a "God" then he should be perfect, however you cannot deny bits of the only record you have of "God" without denying it as a whole. I don't wish that system, however you cannot reject the parts you don't like while accepting the bits you do. How do you know these are "false interpretations," but your interpretations are correct? It makes your belief not only based upon a single 2000 yr old book, but the bits of a 2000 yr old books that you like.
@atheism616 Thanks. Thanks also for being cordial. Like I said, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. God did for me. Even when I didn't care about Him or know Him. And relationship is the most important thing. I am surprised at how many people on these blogs are mean and rude to one another because of philosophical religious reasons when the whole reason for religion and philosophy (love of wisdom) is to use wisdom on how to love and be kind more effectively.
I agree that it is ridiculous (and hypocritical) when people get aggressive. Anger has no place in debate, it only furthers more anger. However I have to disagree that religion is about love (at least not all of it) so many wars have been started, minds poisoned and (not to point fingers) terrorist acts committed that surely God as omniscient would know that revealing himself would cause untold misery, as all loving, would decide to not reveal himself. Just a few random musings.
@atheism616 yes got to go. I 'll respond later. I do believe religions have been sources of unneed wars. But it is always when people people there philosophy, doctrines etc... above people, above relationship even above God. Because Jesus said that if we even sacrifice ourselves to be burned or give all of our money but have not love, we have nothing. Love must be the motivator, clarifier and foundation of all that we do to make life worth what its meant to be. blessings
It is a shame that traditional religion stands in the way of these values, however personally I don't think that belief in a God necessarily promotes these ideas any more than basic human triggers, these moral codes benefit society and so have evolved into their genetic makeup. From what you've said if you didn't believe in God you wouldn't become a sadistic murderer, it shows a lack of respect to say that basic human behavior is held in check by a giant supernatural judge.
@atheism616 No but I know because I've seen Gods goodness to me, I try to pass it on more. And that's not the goal, but a result of good relationship with God. Just like those who have good relationships at home tend to promote that. But not everyone is guaranteed a nice home or neighborhood, yet God is there for everyone to receive love, intimacy, forgiveness, companionship. Yes I wouldn't become a sadistic murderer but I may have cheated on my wife and have been rude to other cars etc..
The fact you think that you'd cheat on your wife if it wasn't for a 2000 yr old book is what annoys me about religion, it takes away peoples' sense of achievement and means that when good people do good things, as they would do normally,without reward or threat, they are forced to praise "God." But when bad people do bad things they have automatic forgiveness. It leads people to think they're worthless without "God," which is untrue and unfair
@cabouaf1 Well what's weird is that the bible talks of baptism of fire and the HS.It also discusses that when we lay hands on others who want prayer or more of the Holy Spirit that it will move into the 2nd person. I have done this and the 2nd person not knowing that I was feeling this began to sense it flowing from my hand to his shoulder. This happen to me at the beginning of my relationship with God so much so it disrupted the service. I couldn't help the joy of God within. Got to to.
@atheism616 I believe when one studies the original Hebrew and Jesus words without bias and without just believing what the church's perceptions and twists on scripture, one arrives at a slightly different conclusion while still believing every word. It's just that the majority of the church believed what was handed down rather than looking deeper. I believe the scriptures show that Rev 20:10 says that the devil et al will suffer forever, but the rest will be annihilated as in perish Jn3:16.
@atheism616 There are too many scripture that show that yes those who don't want to spend eternity with God won't have to and they will be destroyed (not tormented). God can not be loving, trustworth or just and force people to spend time with Him thats totalitarianism. In the end He gives everyone what they want. Eternal life or eternal friendship with God or as many humanist believe happens already, eternal non existance. In a sense they miss God forever - eternal punishment but not pain
Again you are reflecting not the bible's view of "God," but your own, you do not condone eternal torture so you cannot accept a "God" that does. Even if your view is true, it is not that I don't want to spend eternity with him but that I haven't been provided with evidence to prove he exists, If he were truly omnipotent and all loving why hasn't he revealed himself to all atheist?
@atheism616 //he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone"
Again you are reflecting not the bible's view of "God," but your own, you do not condone eternal torture so you cannot accept a "God" that does// If religious people differ on bible interpretation and are know to disagree, how can you assume that you have not just taken the worst of the interpretations, farthest from Gods heart (yes believed by many) and just latched on to that to join the others in proving "God" is evil.
@atheism616 Jehovah Witness, 7th day adventist, Martin Luther, CS Lewis, many other groups and millions of others believe this growing doctrine which has much scriptural support to verify it is not just a possibility but a probability when taking the entire bible and the nature of God in context. As far as slavery, the bible illegalized stealing a person and then selling or making him your slave. People actually sold themselves because of debts, crime or war rather than jail.
@cabouaf1 This is classic misunderstanding/rationalization of ancient slavery. "When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)" Does this sound like someone who has sold himself. Stop rationalizing for your cruel, egotistical and capricious "God." If this is who you worship I pity you.
@atheism616 Doesn't sound like you pity me. Sounds more like hatred. Slavery was okay world wide and making rules and regulations on it rather than banning may have proved to save more peoples during the wars you mentioned. Rather than killing an enemy, taking him as a slave and treating him right saved tens of thousands of lives. I don't agree with abortion, however, one argument is that if we didn't allow this necessary evil, millions of mothers would get it done somewhere unsafer -worse!
And then you go and spoil it. You justify slavery with "at least they weren't killed," but surely I could justify murder by saying "at least I didn't torture them first." This is fallacious logic. As the bible quote shows "treating them right" wasn't preached by the bible as long as you didn't kill him, but you could beat him as much as you want.
@atheism616 I choose rather whether I meet people like you, or a drug addict, or the God of the bible to give them the benefit of the doubt first. In my relationship (w/wife especially) if I just assume she meant this or that and that she said it out of jealousy anger and from a bad motive, then i will respond back poorly and then back to me until we hate each other. Rather, I assume the best possible motive, intent and most of the time the differences don't escalate. I do this with students..
@atheism616 I think they are quite possible. Before a couple of hundred years ago, if your would have told people about Pteradactyls or T.Rex's, going to the moon or cells they wouldn't have believed. If there is a bigfoot, so what, its just a bearlike primate left over from another age, like a mammoth. Aliens, who knows if evolution, God or something else out there that science or the bible doesn't understand. Now pixies, well, I think that's a creation of Disney, but many have met angels
@atheism616 I believe there is a lot of evidence for both. I have more evidence personally for God, because of the change he did in my life and for the freakish electrical heat like presence when I pray.
You are a science teacher, how, how can you rely on super-natural explanations for things which can be explained using mundane (if you can call science mundane.) Have you ever searched for scientific answers for these "freakish electrical heat" you experience, for example (and I do not claim to be right but offer a simple explanation) the heat of emotion, like when we experience emotive music, art of literature. This is just an example but you can see my point.
I fail to accept your implied claim that you are a teacher when you don't use apostrophes and your sentences are rarely clear. If I go through life believing everyone has good intents I will be conned again and again. This principle wouldn't work in real life so why apply it to philosophy.
@atheism616 Science, math, teacher, and I prefer to focus on content rather than grammar. Sorry if it makes it difficult for you. Yes youre right, I don't believe everyone, especially sales people etc.. But there is a cost to trusting people and I believe the benefits far out weight the costs as I believe ;oving relationships far out weight money, security, and other worldly possessions. Yes, balance is a key. This principle does work in my real life.
@atheism616 But i am a teacher. Your lack of belief in me being a teacher doesn'tt change the truth. Just like if I don't believe in Aliens doesn't cause them to disappear. It wouldn't bother me that someone says that saw a UFO (I've met a pastor who said he saw one). In science we know so little of the entire truth and the smartest of us (even Einstein) have been proved wrong over and over.
But if we lack belief in "God" he actually would disappear, if we forget our imaginary friend then he ceases to exist, and the same applies to "God." Yes Einstein has been proved wrong, but the bible has been proved wrong so many times it is unimaginable, a 6000 yr old earth, a talking snake, a resurrected man (etc), if anybody claimed any of these had happened they would be mocked, but we believe it because it is written in an ancient book?
@atheism616 I'm glad He's "our" imaginary friend. For a while there I thought you didn't have faith in Him (lol- just joking, no defense, got to be humorous to cut the tension). Yes, we claim these happened and we are mocked, but the benefit I gain from my "imaginary friend" far out weighs all the losses. On another track, how do you feel about violent sports like boxing? Also how do you feel about dangerous sports like cliff diving, sky diving (I did this at 18 and wouldn't ever again)?
But that's the point, religion lowers somebody's personal worth so much that they believe that they would be a worse person without it, but that isn't so. People do good things because they are naturally good, not because there is the threat of eternal torture if you don't. Although religion might seem to offer positive points to you as an individual, on a larger scale it is undoubtably a hinderance on mankind. Imagine how many wars would never have happened, or advances in medicine
I think that the people in them risk severe injury for an adrenaline rush, where are you going with this? I think that if you have a family then this is irresponsible but it is down to the individual to weigh up whether his life is worth the natural high
"if we forget our imaginary friend then he ceases to exist, and the same applies to "God""
Sadly there are too many people who just can't abandon their imaginary friend because they are told from childhood that they are worthless and life is meaningless without Casper the Friendly Ghost
I still remember the name of MY imaginary friend as a kid.
@atheism616 with family, neighbors and you can't imagine how many good relationships I've kept when otherwise they would have failed. Even at times when I should have known it was from bad intent, I was naive to it because I love them or forgive them or am patient with their impatience. Because of this attitude that I believe God gave me, I can also see apparent inconsistencies as just my finite mind not understanding the bigger pict. Kind how Einstein never resolved the universe as its sobig
"Kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." Numbers 31:17-18 How is this forbidding taking slaves in war?
@atheism616 Yes there were certain and several instances that God knew that there would be no repentence and their evil would spread through society so for the sake of future generations it was Gods oversight. Was it merciful to hang the German SS agent guilty of the holocaust etc... and war crimes. These peoples were wicked throwing children into the fire to some strange deity (in canaan). Hitlers men did similar. God shows mercy to those who are merciful not to murdererous nations.
You should not let a sorceress live. (Exodus 22:17 NAB)
Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15 NAB)
Overall God's kill count is over 2 MILLION!!! And that doesn't include 65 cities that he destroyed without giving a specific number. God is kind and merciful about as much as Hitler
Matt is still basing his opinion on the fact that he cannot see God, that's the reason that in his mind there is no God. but spirituality defies the laws of physics. If you were able to provide some physical proof that God did exist, how could you call him God. God cannot dwell among us now as imperfect human beings. That is the reason that Jesus came along with a human body and the soul of God. Personal experience with God is the only proof there is, though it wont convince everyone.
You can't comment on the relationship of someone else? I can understand that. I understand equal rights for privacy. But let's say you hear your neighbours fighting, not just shouting this time, but physical abuse, things are shattered and when you decide to knock on the door the battered and abused woman opens the door and tells you it's okay, she deserved that beating, it was all her fault, she's scum and her beater husband is perfect (we just don't understand him), wouldn't you want to help?
We have the ability to change anything...the problem is there is much more then how else would we be able to survive so long with so many people....the reason we live the way we do today is to control the people who are on the bottom so the people on the top can continue controlling the progression of our realities. imagine a world were 8 billion people knew is the deapest part of their soul they were god? Hence karma and the law of balance.
We have the ability to change anything...the problem is there is much more then one of us and because there is a balance aka no such thing is greater or worse...good or bad. Everything is a equal part of the universe. We are all the same on our most basic level...same shit different combination. The problem is the more we create and the more of us there are the more we have to balance ourselveas out. I have just as much right to see my reality as you do.
the irony that jesus's one wish was to unite all people and bring love to the earth has been so twisted by his own followers over time that we are more divided and unappreciative then ever amazes me. God is very real. To even try to rationalize what is everything is impossible for a ego driven human being. one must understand that there is no such thing as right or wrong...everything is and will be. one must understand and be able to look at the universe as a part of oneself.
@kikme420 Religion has taken us so far from the truth that science its counter part is flawed and ego driven as well. Science is to learn thru observation. But what about how we observe things. Billions of different views in the world. We see ourselves as outside of the universe. That we have no effect we just sort of live in it and some strikingly human like god is controlling the cosmos.
@kikme420 Ever thought we were created in his image because we are all him. You ever think that we are all just different versions of the same thing put in this universe to create though the power of thought. How we create is determines by how we evolve. Ever think that the only possible reason for living is to learn and expand our knowledge. To be able to experience the wonderment of a physical life. Don't you think the universe is heaven?
I wonder what the psychological component is that compels people to speak in an affected way when supporting religion?
This is clearly conditioning, and no one ever calls it out. What's the taboo?
When a person busts out century old speech patterns, they aren't themselves they're playing character of who they think they should be. Like their channeling Sunday School minister from 173 years ago...
Callirgos1 3 months ago
"He saved me from the penalty of my sins"
That's such a weird reasoning... Sin, and the saving from it, purely exist inside the christian myth, along with Jesus.
I could aswell say that I believe in and worship the flying spaghetti monster(I know it's an old joke) because he saved me from boiling forever. It's just as valid.
hanspeterpitsch 4 months ago 7
If Christians genuinely had a relationship with Jesus just as with anyone else, there would be no need whatsoever for churches nor for the Bible. You could simply speak to him and he can tell you anything you need. I wonder what would happen to the relationship if this man closed his Bible or stopped going to church? Would it diminish? I bet it would, which is exactly what I would expect to see if this relationship were nothing more than a projection of the character of Jesus into his mind.
flamerod169 4 months ago 2
Faith can introduce you to His Noodliness the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
ornitorrinco01 5 months ago
@ornitorrinco01 i remember that! lol!
noble381297 2 months ago
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Jesus Christ (pbuh) is not God !!! He was a Messenger of God !!!
In fact Jesus (pbuh) said :
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
[The Bible, John 5:30]
And the coming of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the last and final messenger is mentioned in the Bible !!
I'm here for an intelligent discussion.
Can anyone tell that I'm wrong with proof?
goldenshazy 5 months ago
No one is going to say anything about the made up definition of faith they use here?
RubixWizz199109 5 months ago
@RubixWizz199109 no. coz, its one of many definitions of faith.
mroldschoolhiphop1 4 months ago
@RubixWizz199109 Well what is the definition then?
hanspeterpitsch 4 months ago
This was shaping up to be a really good call before I heard
"He saved me from the penalty of my sins."
Matt did EXACTLY what I would have done - "how do you know there's a penalty, and how do you know you've been saved?"
to which the answer inevitable:
"Faith."
*facepalm.
JMUDoc 6 months ago 2
It's a tragic to listen to uninformed accusations from pple who do not read the Christian account of the events.As scoffers they love the word 'zombie' - -were ' zombies' fully self-conscious beings w/perfect humanity like Jesus. Further,he offers a non-sensical rebuttal concerning the reasons the Apostles& followers willingly died. Let's be fair and logical since he is so dis-ingenuously insistent on 'definitions'. There pple were NOT 'indoctrinated'- they were DIRECT witnesses of the EVENTS
shieldsff 6 months ago
@shieldsff
"they were DIRECT witnesses of the EVENTS"
Got any evidence for this bullshit claim? The absolute EARLIEST of these fairy tales dates from at least 2 first-century lifetimes after the events to which they were supposed to relate, you have NO IDEA who actually wrote them, and they contradict each other in numerous ways, proving that they are in no way "eyewitness" accounts.
StaceyC123 6 months ago
@shieldsff Have you read the ancient Greek "account" for why Zeus is the lord of the world?
Have you read the Egyptian "accounts" for how Ptah created the universe?
Have you read the Scandinavian "accounts" for how the world was created by a holy cow?
"Accounts" for the existence of BigFoot?
"Accounts" for the existence of Aliens?
"Accounts" for the existence of ghosts?
What makes your scriptures so special that I can not refute them as bulls**t without having read them first?
Kabitu1 6 months ago
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@Kabitu1 -sure, feel fee at citing them all... what's evident is that they are substantively different from the Gospel historical accounts . You seem to enjoy mythology- that great I do too ! However, it 's probably time now for you to read an actual history text- none better than what the peoples of Palestine witnessed during this period. Check it out soon as you can is my recommendation. Also, I have several vids on my channel which I think more than adequately address your reservations
shieldsff 6 months ago
9.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
youandyourmusic 6 months ago
This is Evolved Atheist from recent shows!
ZachKlever 7 months ago
"I wanna get down on my knees and start pleasin Jesus!"
itsuyo211 7 months ago
what a waste of a life, having an invisible friend all thisx time, i feel genuinley sorry for this caller
jhibbitt1 7 months ago
ATHEISM IS A RELIGION!
THEY BELIEVE THERE IS NO GOD BUT CANNOT PROVE IT!
THIS IS FAITH, FAITH IS RELIGION!
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Nope. Religion is sanctioned by the state, and asserts absolute knowledge. Atheism is the rejection of the belief in god(s). Good try though.
HoLOLcaust 7 months ago
@HoLOLcaust: You are incorrect.
If you are an atheist then you believe that no God exists, for you to think this then you must have proof, can you give me this proof?
a simple yes or no will do, if you say no then you are an agnostic, as there are no atheists wot-so-ever!
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Retard alert! It appears that somebody (You) doesn't understand the concept of burden of proof. I am not making a claim, YOU and other religious people are. You have failed to provide sufficient evidence to convince me of your wizard man who lives in the clouds, so therefore I do not believe in him. And agnostic is not a separate belief system. There are agnostic atheists (I dunno if God exists but I don't believe) and Gnostic atheists(I know God doesn't exist) same for theists.
HoLOLcaust 7 months ago
@HoLOLcaust: Thats the problem with "flakey christians" they say stuff and cannot back it up.
I on the other hand cannot prove the existence of God, you as an atheist claim to have proof He does NOT exist, not sure why you sub to this thought without facts, as its dumb to sub to anything without proof.
I have faith, faith is having belief in something without having physical evidence, you have faith also, and faith is religion.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie ATHEISM IS THE REJECTION OF THE CLAIMS OF THE EXISTENCE OF A GOD. WE DO NOT NEED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT OUR REJECTION, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. What is so hard for you to understand about that? Are you really that stupid?
HoLOLcaust 7 months ago
@HoLOLcaust: Rejection is emperors new clothes, it's dressed up as rejection, anything which has not proof is classed as religion.
Sorry but you got religion or faith, I have not got religion, I have faith, and so have you, be honest with yourself, you have not got any evidence of there NOT being a God and thats final.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Please tell me you're trolling.
HoLOLcaust 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Proving that a god doesn't exist is virtually impossible. It would require never ending surveillance everywhere to rule out the existence of something that You can't define in specific terms. The burden of proof is required on the person claiming existence NOT on the person rejecting existence.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie You're delusional if You think a claim should be accepted until it's proven to be false. If that were the case then the Burden of proof would shift & every defendant in the U.S.A. would be presumed guilty until proven innocent.
I know You're NOT An Attorney. I don't have to present evidence to prove a god doesn't exist. You have to define your god in specific terms & present EVIDENCE not faith to support its' existence.
THAT'S THE TRUTH & THAT'S FINAL !
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: You need a good reason to reject God, and if you have not got sufficient evidence your a fool.
Until you have good evidence for God not being there, then you are an agnostic, even now you are having doubts, you know in your heart of hearts that God probably exists, but it's the sin in your life and the way you want to operate thats stopping you from embracing the truth of God.
You need to be open and honest, try it some time.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie No I reject all theist claims presented to me. Is this too difficult for You to understand ? STOP preaching to me & try presenting a RATIONAL ARGUMENT. Begin by DEFINING Your god in SPECIFIC TERMS & PRESENT EVIDENCE not scripture to support Your ASSertion. Open Your mind & try thinking & critically examining claims instead of believing them based on willful ignorance & faith !
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie I don't believe Big Foot exists. Are You suggesting because I can't prove Big Foot doesn't exist my rejection is based on faith ?
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: Your rejection would be based on not having 100% proof and that takes a small amount of faith.
You may have 99.9% proof and 0.1% faith, but it's still not conclusive evidence, until a person has 100% proof which is impossible with trying to prove and disprove god, it's faith on both sides.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie You fail to realize existence has to be demonstrated NOT non existence. If WE can't prove with 100 % certainty that Big Foot doesn't exist are We rejecting its' existence based on faith or a lack of evidence ? Faith is the excuse you have for accepting something when You don't have ANY evidence or in the presence of contradictory evidence. You can't support the existence of any deity with any evidence because if You could present evidence You wouldn't need faith.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: as I said, I have faith and so do you, I believe in God, you don't.
But I want you to present to me your findings, I have no physical evidence for God, as there isn't any.
God is said to be a spirit, we are not spirits, so how could we see God any way.
You have no proof, you are rejecting some thing without conclusive evidence, I hope your not a barrister.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie God is SAID to be a spirit ? Now you have to present evidence that spirits exist & that a god is a spirit & a god exists. You're presenting an ASSumption & trying to support it with an ASSumption. If you're an Attorney Your clients better search for a competent one. As i stated earlier until evidence supports a claim a person is justified REJECTING the claim. EVIDENCE supports claims NOT ASSumptions or ASSertions.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: I'm presenting scripture, but I cannot say for sure its fact, I have faith its fact and thats all I can say.
I do not have 1 iota of proof, if I did it would not be faith but fact, assumptions are not facts, there just statements.
If you reject God, then you are saying He exists, for something to be rejected it has to exist.
You not to bright are you... :-)
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie I'm rejecting all theist claims presented to me.
Neither faith nor scripture support the existence of ANY god.
You're very STUPID to worship something for which You don't have 1 iota of proof !
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: Question. If you called for a pizza delivery for the first time, would you have faith for it to turn up?
Why would you, you have not had a pizza delivered before, but you would wait in anticipation for that knock on your door, what proof do you have for it turning up?
Being a believer like I am is like waiting for that pizza, I asked Christ into my life, and now I am waiting for heaven.
Its all about having faith, nothing else.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie When I require any service I rely on a record of experience & documented performance NOT faith. Faith is gullibility & can be dangerous. Skepticism is a Virtue.
Bed a skeptic. Learn How to Think Critically & QUESTION claims.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: You are missing the point.
Ok try this, you are new in Town, you decide to call for a cab cos you want to go out, you have faith that your cab will turn up so you wait, or instead of waiting you decide to make other arrangements because you have no faith the cab will turn up?
What would you do, wait or go.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie If I arranged for service & was not satisfied I would search for a different provider. If a cabbie didn't show up on time i would have to make other arrangements. I don't make arrangements on faith & I don't have faith the cab will show up on time. What's Your Point ?
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: If you were truthful and had a heart to know the truth, God would see this and then you invited Him into your life, you would be a changed person, and you would have a home in heaven when you die for all eternity.
It's a major choice, to leave the things of this earth which is falling apart, and giving it over to faith, it's tough but it's worth it.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Evidence of Heaven, please?
atheistram 7 months ago
@atheistram: There's not going to be any physical evidence, there wouldn't be.
But watch: watch?v=AYRGcLXmk24
watch?v=xRSjzY0s0SM
Atheist dies and goes to hell and comes back: watch?v=jvIbqf7MuE0&feature=related
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
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atheistram 7 months ago
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atheistram 7 months ago
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@HealthyCabbie Wow, that's really convincing evidence. (sarcasm)
Why wouldn't there be any physical evidence? Does God expect us all to take everything on faith? If that's so why did he interfere in people's lives directly so often in the Old Testament, but doesn't do so now?
Too bad anecdotal evidence carries no weight.
atheistram 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie QUESTION: If You needed to have Major Surgery would You research the Qualifications of several surgeons or would You would You rely on faith & pray to god & hope she / he / it will make everything fine ? If You rely on prayer You may not end up in heaven or hell. However You probably will be DEAD !
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: I would pray for healing which I have had for a neck disorder and was 100% healed over 10 years ago, and if that did not work I would seek medical advice.
Common sense needs to be applied in this case, I do not need faith to find a surgeon, but if I died I have faith in God to take me home, it's a win win situation for me.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie You would pray for healing & NOT research the Qualifications of several surgeons & rely on surgery to cure You ? Guess What ? Prayer doesn't heal, Medical Science might. If Your Dr. prescribes 3 Acts of Contrition & 3 Our Father's & call me in the morning I suggest You find another Dr. Here's another Eye Opener. You don't know if ANY god exists nor do You know an eternal reward awaits You. You're a victim of Willful Ignorance & Wishful Thinking !
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: As I said, I would firstly pray for healing (which I have had) then I would seek medical advice if that failed.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Here's some free advice. Prayer won't help You recover from illness or injury. Medical Science may help You. If You rely on prayer before seeing a Doctor I have more advice for You. Visit a Psychiatrist. Instead of praying. You should start THINKING !!!
PEACE
tranquility4all 7 months ago 7
@HealthyCabbie You also fail to realize when You believe a claim without evidence you're accepting it on faith. When You reject a claim when it isn't supported with evidence that is not an example of faith.
Accepting unsupported claims = faith.
Rejecting unsupported claims isn't faith.
GET IT ?
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie People are justified REJECTING claims which aren't supported with evidence. People are not justified ACCEPTING claims which aren't supported with evidence. When a prosecuting attorney can't support charges with evidence You vote NOT guilty even if You're not convinced the defendant is innocent.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@tranquility4all: Its late, its gone 1am and I have work in the morning.
Good night and Thanks.
Andy
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Are You suggesting when people don't have evidence to reject any claim they're rejection is based on faith ? Atheism isn't based on faith & it isn't a religion. Faith is the excuse to accept claims without evidence or in the presence of contradictory evidence. I don't reject theist claims because of faith. I reject them because they're not supported with evidence. Calling Atheism a religion is the equivalent of calling Abstinence a sexual activity.
tranquility4all 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Absence of evidence is evidence of absence. There's your proof.
atheistram 7 months ago
@atheistram: You could say this for all things in the past.
Guy Fawkes, all the kings and queens up till today, all the presidents and PM's, Napoleon, Charles Darwin, Huxley, your Great Grand father Grand Mother etc etc, do I need to go on.
Sorry, but your argument is lame.
There is no physical evidence for God, this is His plan, it's by faith we accept, if He showed up, it would no longer be by faith but by sight.
You don't know the Bible that well do you.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
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atheistram 7 months ago
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atheistram 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Thing is is that there are other records (many, many of them) besides one book for the existence of all the people you named.
So when God revealed himself directly to all the characters in the Old Testament, he took away their faith. They knew God by sight. Same thing goes for Jesus in the New Testament. Sorry, but your argument is lame.
If knowing God by faith is God's plan, it's a stupid plan.
For your information, I probably know more about the Bible than you do.
atheistram 7 months ago
Our calendar is from when Christ died, the date you were born was x amount of years after the death of Christ.
The calendar system stands as a testimony to the life and death of Christ, God did not show Himself to any person in the Bible!
The closest anyone ever came was when they saw Christ, Christ said " If you have seen me, you have seen the Father" No one can see God, but some have heard His voice.
And you said "I probably know more about the Bible than you do"
Umm, I don't think so.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie Um... the current calendar system was established by Constantine about 200 years after the supposed death of Christ.
Moses saw God, Adam and Eve saw God, another person in the Bible saw God through a burning bush.
I think so.
atheistram 7 months ago
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@atheistram: Exodus 33:20 "You can not not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."
Mere mortals cannot see God.
Watch this please. watch?v=0xqATN7QhTE
Adam and Eve were the only one's I think to talk with God, as they were sinless before they sinned, God cannot look upon sin so God went into heaven.
HealthyCabbie 7 months ago
@HealthyCabbie You are ridiculous... our calendar is NOT a testimony to the life and death of Christ, it stands as a measurment of time. You are an idiot and you need to stop infecting Youtube with your ignorance. You obciously know nothing of the bible or history for that matter.
gnarlyXkyle 6 months ago
@thatamazinggeek "I'm not a homosexual so I prefer relationships with women."
I've always thought that there was something to the old boys club......
moopism 8 months ago
One cannot argue against the personal experience (personal relationship with Jesus) This neither makes the personal experience real or not real. Without a assessable basis, it is best not to rely upon it being true. It is always best to rely on things that can be assessed as true or not true.
drfoxcourt 8 months ago
Christians talk in fuzzy circles when it comes to their "relationship" with Jesus. It's based on nothing! Just belief and nothing else!!!!
GodlessMorality 9 months ago
@GodlessMorality
A relationship is a two way street
boyinthedrain 9 months ago
Any else notice that Martins head and neck is just floating in mid air?
TheAryonB 10 months ago 17
@TheAryonB thats because hes the DEVIL!
Oakleyworld 8 months ago
It's true, If you never beleived he existed then you couldnt have a personal relationship with christ. John 5:39-You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me... Alot of people study the bible and do not convert. That's why there is a difference between relationship and religion. If you nver had one(relationship), how can you speak on it.
genext7 10 months ago
@genext7
your relationship with god is as valid as my relationship with the flying spaguetti monster
sl3ya44 10 months ago
@sl3ya44 at least spaghetti is real.
MrAnthonyfilms 10 months ago
@MrAnthonyfilms and yummy
sl3ya44 10 months ago
@MrAnthonyfilms And tasty.
moopism 8 months ago
@genext7 Why would you suppose the validity of a claim before you have justification?
Study the scriptures all you want but to suppose that there is eternal life in it you start with the fallacy begging the question.
TurumbarTurin 10 months ago
It seems to me though that Matt does have the heart of a pastor, especially now that I hear that he was thinking about going into the ministry when he had christian beliefs. Could that possibly be something God gave him, his love for people and reaching out towards people to me seems like a gift from God.
snoopval 10 months ago
@snoopval Why does it have to be a gift from God? It sounds like a personality trait and developed skill on Matt's part. No need to give credit to the wrong guy.
scjoiner 10 months ago
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God is not real.
witch26071 11 months ago
Jesus loves me, but does he swallow?
retortme 11 months ago 21
@retortme
jesus love you long time
rns13 11 months ago
Humans can be very delusional.
PACKyourSHITfolks420 1 year ago
kids can have a relationship with invisible horses, and can actualy feel love. but that doesnt prove the invisible horse is real.
420simpson 1 year ago
Brandon should burn some incense and thank the Hindu gods, as they are the ones which answer all prayers, no matter to which gods were prayed to.
How does one know? Because that's what Hindu doctrine says. So it must be true, right? QED!
P0weredByPie 1 year ago
"I'm in a relationship with him." :) Even with all the gay-bashing, Christianity can sound a little homoerotic at times.
reasonformirrors 1 year ago
Why are African Americans so sensible when it comes to every day life, yet when it comes to religion their brains turns to mush? This discrepancy has always fascinated me. It's hard to fool an African American. They see B.S. from a mile away. They're no-nonsense, and can spot a fraud when they see one. But, tell them a snake talked, a virgin gave birth, and an ocean parted so that Jews could walk through, and they fanatically embrace it. Incredible.
ejdf870 1 year ago
@ejdf870
Way to stereotype an entire group.
JonathanTheAlchemist 11 months ago
@JonathanTheAlchemist I'm generalizing, of course. It's understood that not ALL African-Americans are religious, but a high percentage of them are.
What I probably should have wrote was "Why are many African Americans so sensible when........"
ejdf870 11 months ago
@ejdf870
Fair enough.
JonathanTheAlchemist 11 months ago
I'll tell you what Jesus can do that I can't do. Jesus can save my dumb ass.
1971SuperLead 1 year ago
I enjoy a relationship with Jesus. Call me a freak, but I really do.
1971SuperLead 1 year ago
@1971SuperLead FREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cycorealm35 1 year ago
I beleb in jesa caws,,,,uhhh...he god. See, i read da bibow, iz awl troo.
I do have to disagree with Matt. Stupid people tend to be religious.
MrKevMan 1 year ago
@MrKevMan I'd rather be stupid than prideful, but neither is desireable. Yet why judge ones intelligence when the majority of intelligence is already genetic predetermined. Einstein didn't need to pat himself on the back. He realized that his intelligence was already "in the dice". In fact, He said that God doesn't play dice with the universe, so that makes intelligence over rated. Humility, however, is quite the opposite and quite hard to acheive if one is rich, powerful or smart but not impos
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 This is the basis of your belief? That it is better to be humble than intelligent? Who would you rather have as your Dr. a man who has excellent statistics who knows that he is a good Dr, or an idiotic Dr who was very humble?
atheism616 1 year ago
Man, this dude is brainwashed. After all that himming and hahing, he blurts out faith. Blah, blah.
agent1180 1 year ago
@agent1180 I notice a lot of atheists saying "blah, blah". Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". Blah Blah doesn't sound joyful, doesn't sound loving & doesn't sound wise. Sounds kind of humdrum. Kinda like the words Charlie Brown heard when the adults talked. God is alive and faith isn't blind but has evidence by His Spirit literally & tangibly touching ones very inner core and overflowing to the point that I'd be ridiculous to say it wasn't His Spirit moving.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
All the talking in the world doesn't erase the presence of God in those who really have had contact with the God you aren't sure of.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 What use is that to the people in whom God has failed or neglected to reveal himself?
Huckxxx 1 year ago
@Huckxxx None. My grandpa used to get frustrated with my mom. He wouldn't here from her for days. He was very hurt and felt negllected. His children and grandchildren were often busy with school, works, friends, appointments while my grandfather at 80 years old pretty much just was in front of the T.V. After much frustration, he changed everything. Rather than waiting for my mom or myself to make call. He would turn off the TV once per day and take the responsibility to call each of us.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@Huckxxx putting the onus on God on our terms has no use. You're right. Putting the onus on ourselves according to the method he set up to contact us (not by phone) will make all the difference. You see God has never failed. Not once, not ever, couldn't if He wanted to and He can't want to. When I don't get a job or I lose money or I give into sin just after praying that He would help me, it's my failure.In 26 years of relating to God, He has not failed me once. By what method should we seek him
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 so according to you god never fails, yet he creates murderers and rapists, that makes sence
deejay114 1 year ago
@deejay114 I don't know about you, but when I fail I don't blame God. I see its the choices I make that cause me to fail. What about your failures? Whose fault are they? Wasn't there a guy who blamed murdering someone on the twinkies he ate? Others blame their parents or their childhood or God "for creating me this way". Did God even create us? Or did He leave procreation up to us and freewill? Isn't Freewill rejected by atheists yet its for having their own freewill that many reject God.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 if your god exist he is the creater of all thes rapists and murderers, so it his fault, he didnt have to create these evil things that people do every day, but if he exists it is all his fault
deejay114 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 And yet he has still failed as the thousands of people who don't believe in him still don't believe in him. According to your belief system billions of people are being tortured and will be for all eternity, but is God not all loving? Or is he not all powerful? One way I refuse to worship a Cruel and capricious God and the other gives me no incentive to believe as if he truly isn't omnipotent what advantage do I get out of worshiping him?
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Your right. I believe if people are eternally tortured that doesn't seem wise or loving. However, if He give people a choice to be with Him forever or to not exist and be annihilated where there will be no eternal pain as many claim, to me that seems fair. In fact, in the end it will be just as atheists believe, one dies and so after doesn't exist. The only better thing is that its not so cruel as saying all will nonexist, but only those who don't want to spend eternity with God
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 So you accept the bits about God you like, but ignore or rationalize the bits you don't. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment" or "he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Do these not count? It is ridiculous to ignore these quotes as it means that your moral code isn't from the bible but a reflection of your true feelings; and if you are capable of this what is your need of a book that preaches slavery and murder as justifiable and even advocates it!
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Sorry that Catholic doctrine has dominated western religious thinking. I believe that the reformation (Martin Luther etc...) was the beginning of a purification of inappropriate doctrines like indulgences, eternal torment etc... and other ideas that would be contrary to an infinitely loving and yet just God. I believe that even today, the church has a lot of lessons to learn - one is, "how could a loving God ever put people He loves thru eternal torment.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 So taking the bits that you like while ignoring the bit that you don't? If you cannot accept the words your omnipotent God has given you as truth what do you know of him, If your "God" is so weak that the only way he can communicate with you is through a 2000 year old book!?? If he were truly omnipotent and omniscient "God" then he would know exactly my doubts and be able to rectify them with ease. But no apparently I have to endure eternal punishment. All-loving?
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 One reason why you can't believe in the God of the Bible is that you are wise enough to realize that if there is a God He should be perfect. Am I not having the same attitude as you when I refuse to believe a false interpretations of people unlike you and I that think it moral and ethical for such a God to create a system whereby those who don't believe will suffer torment forever. Why would you wish that kind of belief and twisting if you agree it's not good?
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 Yes if there is a "God" then he should be perfect, however you cannot deny bits of the only record you have of "God" without denying it as a whole. I don't wish that system, however you cannot reject the parts you don't like while accepting the bits you do. How do you know these are "false interpretations," but your interpretations are correct? It makes your belief not only based upon a single 2000 yr old book, but the bits of a 2000 yr old books that you like.
atheism616 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 However I thank you for being civil and not preaching, I just wish all debates could be this polite
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Thanks. Thanks also for being cordial. Like I said, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. God did for me. Even when I didn't care about Him or know Him. And relationship is the most important thing. I am surprised at how many people on these blogs are mean and rude to one another because of philosophical religious reasons when the whole reason for religion and philosophy (love of wisdom) is to use wisdom on how to love and be kind more effectively.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
I agree that it is ridiculous (and hypocritical) when people get aggressive. Anger has no place in debate, it only furthers more anger. However I have to disagree that religion is about love (at least not all of it) so many wars have been started, minds poisoned and (not to point fingers) terrorist acts committed that surely God as omniscient would know that revealing himself would cause untold misery, as all loving, would decide to not reveal himself. Just a few random musings.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 yes got to go. I 'll respond later. I do believe religions have been sources of unneed wars. But it is always when people people there philosophy, doctrines etc... above people, above relationship even above God. Because Jesus said that if we even sacrifice ourselves to be burned or give all of our money but have not love, we have nothing. Love must be the motivator, clarifier and foundation of all that we do to make life worth what its meant to be. blessings
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
It is a shame that traditional religion stands in the way of these values, however personally I don't think that belief in a God necessarily promotes these ideas any more than basic human triggers, these moral codes benefit society and so have evolved into their genetic makeup. From what you've said if you didn't believe in God you wouldn't become a sadistic murderer, it shows a lack of respect to say that basic human behavior is held in check by a giant supernatural judge.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 No but I know because I've seen Gods goodness to me, I try to pass it on more. And that's not the goal, but a result of good relationship with God. Just like those who have good relationships at home tend to promote that. But not everyone is guaranteed a nice home or neighborhood, yet God is there for everyone to receive love, intimacy, forgiveness, companionship. Yes I wouldn't become a sadistic murderer but I may have cheated on my wife and have been rude to other cars etc..
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
The fact you think that you'd cheat on your wife if it wasn't for a 2000 yr old book is what annoys me about religion, it takes away peoples' sense of achievement and means that when good people do good things, as they would do normally,without reward or threat, they are forced to praise "God." But when bad people do bad things they have automatic forgiveness. It leads people to think they're worthless without "God," which is untrue and unfair
atheism616 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 Well what's weird is that the bible talks of baptism of fire and the HS.It also discusses that when we lay hands on others who want prayer or more of the Holy Spirit that it will move into the 2nd person. I have done this and the 2nd person not knowing that I was feeling this began to sense it flowing from my hand to his shoulder. This happen to me at the beginning of my relationship with God so much so it disrupted the service. I couldn't help the joy of God within. Got to to.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@atheism616 I believe when one studies the original Hebrew and Jesus words without bias and without just believing what the church's perceptions and twists on scripture, one arrives at a slightly different conclusion while still believing every word. It's just that the majority of the church believed what was handed down rather than looking deeper. I believe the scriptures show that Rev 20:10 says that the devil et al will suffer forever, but the rest will be annihilated as in perish Jn3:16.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@atheism616 There are too many scripture that show that yes those who don't want to spend eternity with God won't have to and they will be destroyed (not tormented). God can not be loving, trustworth or just and force people to spend time with Him thats totalitarianism. In the end He gives everyone what they want. Eternal life or eternal friendship with God or as many humanist believe happens already, eternal non existance. In a sense they miss God forever - eternal punishment but not pain
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
"cast into everlasting fire."
"he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone"
Again you are reflecting not the bible's view of "God," but your own, you do not condone eternal torture so you cannot accept a "God" that does. Even if your view is true, it is not that I don't want to spend eternity with him but that I haven't been provided with evidence to prove he exists, If he were truly omnipotent and all loving why hasn't he revealed himself to all atheist?
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 //he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone"
Again you are reflecting not the bible's view of "God," but your own, you do not condone eternal torture so you cannot accept a "God" that does// If religious people differ on bible interpretation and are know to disagree, how can you assume that you have not just taken the worst of the interpretations, farthest from Gods heart (yes believed by many) and just latched on to that to join the others in proving "God" is evil.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@atheism616 Jehovah Witness, 7th day adventist, Martin Luther, CS Lewis, many other groups and millions of others believe this growing doctrine which has much scriptural support to verify it is not just a possibility but a probability when taking the entire bible and the nature of God in context. As far as slavery, the bible illegalized stealing a person and then selling or making him your slave. People actually sold themselves because of debts, crime or war rather than jail.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1 This is classic misunderstanding/rationalization of ancient slavery. "When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)" Does this sound like someone who has sold himself. Stop rationalizing for your cruel, egotistical and capricious "God." If this is who you worship I pity you.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Doesn't sound like you pity me. Sounds more like hatred. Slavery was okay world wide and making rules and regulations on it rather than banning may have proved to save more peoples during the wars you mentioned. Rather than killing an enemy, taking him as a slave and treating him right saved tens of thousands of lives. I don't agree with abortion, however, one argument is that if we didn't allow this necessary evil, millions of mothers would get it done somewhere unsafer -worse!
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
And then you go and spoil it. You justify slavery with "at least they weren't killed," but surely I could justify murder by saying "at least I didn't torture them first." This is fallacious logic. As the bible quote shows "treating them right" wasn't preached by the bible as long as you didn't kill him, but you could beat him as much as you want.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 I choose rather whether I meet people like you, or a drug addict, or the God of the bible to give them the benefit of the doubt first. In my relationship (w/wife especially) if I just assume she meant this or that and that she said it out of jealousy anger and from a bad motive, then i will respond back poorly and then back to me until we hate each other. Rather, I assume the best possible motive, intent and most of the time the differences don't escalate. I do this with students..
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
But if you give the benefit of the doubt to everything then you believe that aliens, pixies and Bigfoot exist.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 I think they are quite possible. Before a couple of hundred years ago, if your would have told people about Pteradactyls or T.Rex's, going to the moon or cells they wouldn't have believed. If there is a bigfoot, so what, its just a bearlike primate left over from another age, like a mammoth. Aliens, who knows if evolution, God or something else out there that science or the bible doesn't understand. Now pixies, well, I think that's a creation of Disney, but many have met angels
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
You say I don't know to aliens but there is far more evidence (circumstantial as it is) for aliens than there is for "God."
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 I believe there is a lot of evidence for both. I have more evidence personally for God, because of the change he did in my life and for the freakish electrical heat like presence when I pray.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
You are a science teacher, how, how can you rely on super-natural explanations for things which can be explained using mundane (if you can call science mundane.) Have you ever searched for scientific answers for these "freakish electrical heat" you experience, for example (and I do not claim to be right but offer a simple explanation) the heat of emotion, like when we experience emotive music, art of literature. This is just an example but you can see my point.
atheism616 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
I fail to accept your implied claim that you are a teacher when you don't use apostrophes and your sentences are rarely clear. If I go through life believing everyone has good intents I will be conned again and again. This principle wouldn't work in real life so why apply it to philosophy.
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Science, math, teacher, and I prefer to focus on content rather than grammar. Sorry if it makes it difficult for you. Yes youre right, I don't believe everyone, especially sales people etc.. But there is a cost to trusting people and I believe the benefits far out weight the costs as I believe ;oving relationships far out weight money, security, and other worldly possessions. Yes, balance is a key. This principle does work in my real life.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@atheism616 But i am a teacher. Your lack of belief in me being a teacher doesn'tt change the truth. Just like if I don't believe in Aliens doesn't cause them to disappear. It wouldn't bother me that someone says that saw a UFO (I've met a pastor who said he saw one). In science we know so little of the entire truth and the smartest of us (even Einstein) have been proved wrong over and over.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
But if we lack belief in "God" he actually would disappear, if we forget our imaginary friend then he ceases to exist, and the same applies to "God." Yes Einstein has been proved wrong, but the bible has been proved wrong so many times it is unimaginable, a 6000 yr old earth, a talking snake, a resurrected man (etc), if anybody claimed any of these had happened they would be mocked, but we believe it because it is written in an ancient book?
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 I'm glad He's "our" imaginary friend. For a while there I thought you didn't have faith in Him (lol- just joking, no defense, got to be humorous to cut the tension). Yes, we claim these happened and we are mocked, but the benefit I gain from my "imaginary friend" far out weighs all the losses. On another track, how do you feel about violent sports like boxing? Also how do you feel about dangerous sports like cliff diving, sky diving (I did this at 18 and wouldn't ever again)?
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
But that's the point, religion lowers somebody's personal worth so much that they believe that they would be a worse person without it, but that isn't so. People do good things because they are naturally good, not because there is the threat of eternal torture if you don't. Although religion might seem to offer positive points to you as an individual, on a larger scale it is undoubtably a hinderance on mankind. Imagine how many wars would never have happened, or advances in medicine
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 What do you feel about boxing or other violent sports? How about dangerous sports like skydiving etc...?
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
I think that the people in them risk severe injury for an adrenaline rush, where are you going with this? I think that if you have a family then this is irresponsible but it is down to the individual to weigh up whether his life is worth the natural high
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616
"if we forget our imaginary friend then he ceases to exist, and the same applies to "God""
Sadly there are too many people who just can't abandon their imaginary friend because they are told from childhood that they are worthless and life is meaningless without Casper the Friendly Ghost
I still remember the name of MY imaginary friend as a kid.
I don't believe he is real but I remember him
He was a nice guy named Charlie
I would worship Charlie over God and Jesus
boyinthedrain 9 months ago
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@cabouaf1
-"Just like if I don't believe in Aliens doesn't cause them to disappear."-
Evidence is what determines whether they "disappear" or not.
-"In science we know so little of the entire truth and the smartest of us (even Einstein) have been proved wrong over and over."-
So what?
JonathanTheAlchemist 11 months ago
@atheism616 with family, neighbors and you can't imagine how many good relationships I've kept when otherwise they would have failed. Even at times when I should have known it was from bad intent, I was naive to it because I love them or forgive them or am patient with their impatience. Because of this attitude that I believe God gave me, I can also see apparent inconsistencies as just my finite mind not understanding the bigger pict. Kind how Einstein never resolved the universe as its sobig
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
"Kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." Numbers 31:17-18 How is this forbidding taking slaves in war?
atheism616 1 year ago
@atheism616 Yes there were certain and several instances that God knew that there would be no repentence and their evil would spread through society so for the sake of future generations it was Gods oversight. Was it merciful to hang the German SS agent guilty of the holocaust etc... and war crimes. These peoples were wicked throwing children into the fire to some strange deity (in canaan). Hitlers men did similar. God shows mercy to those who are merciful not to murdererous nations.
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@atheism616 Where does the bible advocate murder?
cabouaf1 1 year ago
@cabouaf1
You should not let a sorceress live. (Exodus 22:17 NAB)
Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15 NAB)
Overall God's kill count is over 2 MILLION!!! And that doesn't include 65 cities that he destroyed without giving a specific number. God is kind and merciful about as much as Hitler
atheism616 1 year ago
Matt is still basing his opinion on the fact that he cannot see God, that's the reason that in his mind there is no God. but spirituality defies the laws of physics. If you were able to provide some physical proof that God did exist, how could you call him God. God cannot dwell among us now as imperfect human beings. That is the reason that Jesus came along with a human body and the soul of God. Personal experience with God is the only proof there is, though it wont convince everyone.
chica0616 1 year ago
@chica0616 The Bible is full of reports of physical proof of God; he APPEARS and SPEAKS. Why doesn't he do that any more?
Huckxxx 1 year ago
You can't comment on the relationship of someone else? I can understand that. I understand equal rights for privacy. But let's say you hear your neighbours fighting, not just shouting this time, but physical abuse, things are shattered and when you decide to knock on the door the battered and abused woman opens the door and tells you it's okay, she deserved that beating, it was all her fault, she's scum and her beater husband is perfect (we just don't understand him), wouldn't you want to help?
viridismonasteriense 1 year ago
We have the ability to change anything...the problem is there is much more then how else would we be able to survive so long with so many people....the reason we live the way we do today is to control the people who are on the bottom so the people on the top can continue controlling the progression of our realities. imagine a world were 8 billion people knew is the deapest part of their soul they were god? Hence karma and the law of balance.
kikme420 1 year ago
@kikme420 Bullshit.
TheScottKirk 1 year ago
We have the ability to change anything...the problem is there is much more then one of us and because there is a balance aka no such thing is greater or worse...good or bad. Everything is a equal part of the universe. We are all the same on our most basic level...same shit different combination. The problem is the more we create and the more of us there are the more we have to balance ourselveas out. I have just as much right to see my reality as you do.
kikme420 1 year ago
the irony that jesus's one wish was to unite all people and bring love to the earth has been so twisted by his own followers over time that we are more divided and unappreciative then ever amazes me. God is very real. To even try to rationalize what is everything is impossible for a ego driven human being. one must understand that there is no such thing as right or wrong...everything is and will be. one must understand and be able to look at the universe as a part of oneself.
kikme420 1 year ago
@kikme420 Religion has taken us so far from the truth that science its counter part is flawed and ego driven as well. Science is to learn thru observation. But what about how we observe things. Billions of different views in the world. We see ourselves as outside of the universe. That we have no effect we just sort of live in it and some strikingly human like god is controlling the cosmos.
kikme420 1 year ago
@kikme420 Ever thought we were created in his image because we are all him. You ever think that we are all just different versions of the same thing put in this universe to create though the power of thought. How we create is determines by how we evolve. Ever think that the only possible reason for living is to learn and expand our knowledge. To be able to experience the wonderment of a physical life. Don't you think the universe is heaven?
kikme420 1 year ago
Intelligent callers? Maybe?
Existentialisht 1 year ago
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El ISLAM es la verdad absoluta; Si te gusta o no
devarreval 1 year ago
he was a baptist minister's whippin boy.
yerMaisfine 1 year ago