It's been a struggle but now it's official. I'm what you may call an Atheist.
Now, I grew up in the church. My mother forced my sister and I to go to Bible Study as well as morning service EVERY Sunday. And on Wednesdays we went to J.A.M a program for preteen and teens. Don't get me wrong. My mother never had to drag me to go..I wanted to!! Oh man..I Believed. I believed so much that when I got saved I thought Jesus stood me up and walked me to the front of the church....
I'm a man now. I'm a man that has gone to college and gotten an education. My beliefs have changed. Through the study of World Religions and developing my own Philosophy on life. Did you all know that Shakespeare wrote a large portion of the Bible?? I mean Shakespeare!!
I’m not going to go into every reason I don’t believe but I remember the LAST time prayed....
"God, I couldn't even exist on this planet without you creating it..."
Then it dawned on me...
"But if you’re the God that created me as well as the planets....Who created you?? How, can a God just *poof* out of nowhere?"
Who thought of the idea of "God" any way. In the Hindu, religion there are thousands of "Gods". All in which have a symbolic meaning. You know morality, monogamy, faith etc..All of the Gods help the Hindu's live their life and manage in their area. The same could be said for Christianity. The faith in God, develops morality in people which helps us from killing ourselves to extinct. It also gives us faith that things will work out eventually.
You know, I didn’t lose my faith. I just lost my belief in the idea of "god"...
We think having faith means being convinced God exists in the same way we are convinced a chair exists. People who cannot be completely convinced of God’s existence think faith is impossible for them. Not so. People who doubt can have great faith because faith is something you do, not something you think...In fact, the greater ones doubt the more heroic they can be...
It's been a struggle but now it's official. I'm what you may call an Atheist.
Now, I grew up in the church. My mother forced my sister and I to go to Bible Study as well as morning service EVERY Sunday. And on Wednesdays we went to J.A.M a program for preteen and teens. Don't get me wrong. My mother never had to drag me to go..I wanted to!! Oh man..I Believed. I believed so much that when I got saved I thought Jesus stood me up and walked me to the front of the church....
I'm a man now. I'm a man that has gone to college and gotten an education. My beliefs have changed. Through the study of World Religions and developing my own Philosophy on life. Did you all know that Shakespeare wrote a large portion of the Bible?? I mean Shakespeare!!
I’m not going to go into every reason I don’t believe but I remember the LAST time prayed....
"God, I couldn't even exist on this planet without you creating it..."
Then it dawned on me...
"But if you’re the God that created me as well as the planets....Who created you?? How, can a God just *poof* out of nowhere?"
Who thought of the idea of "God" any way. In the Hindu, religion there are thousands of "Gods". All in which have a symbolic meaning. You know morality, monogamy, faith etc..All of the Gods help the Hindu's live their life and manage in their area. The same could be said for Christianity. The faith in God, develops morality in people which helps us from killing ourselves to extinct. It also gives us faith that things will work out eventually.
You know, I didn’t lose my faith. I just lost my belief in the idea of "god"...
We think having faith means being convinced God exists in the same way we are convinced a chair exists. People who cannot be completely convinced of God’s existence think faith is impossible for them. Not so. People who doubt can have great faith because faith is something you do, not something you think...In fact, the greater ones doubt the more heroic they can be...
i'm giggling at you man...
to not believe in some existance of a higher power is just idiotic man...i used to be just like you man...like i said before my knowledge of science is what solidifies my belief in a higher power...
smh@this cat going off to college and getting sleep buttraped...doesn't anybody else find this sh!t funny? has anyone else ever had a friend that this sh!t happened to??
i'm only laughing cause about 15 years from now, your (clears throat) intelligent **** ain't gonna feel the same way...
uh...shakes spheare didn't write ANY portion of the Bible, ****....i'm laughing at you cause your **** thought you got educated and sh!t...
"i'm a man, dammit! :-( ...mommy, God don't exist..."
****...yeah i know your type because i used to be just like ya....but that was back when i was like 13 14 thank God...8-)
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
How do you convince someone of the validity of the Christian faith without using the BIBLE (and its verses)?
The best arguments so far have been those people have curled from experience, not those who throw out a bunch of Shakespearean/Old English verses.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent to Earth to sacrifice himself to cleanse the sins of undeserving people, you should construct your arguments better when debating a non-believer. It is too easy to punch holes in your argument.
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
How do you convince someone of the validity of the Christian faith without using the BIBLE (and its verses)?
The best arguments so far have been those people have curled from experience, not those who throw out a bunch of Shakespearean/Old English verses.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent to Earth to sacrifice himself to cleanse the sins of undeserving people, you should construct your arguments better when debating a non-believer. It is too easy to punch holes in your argument.
I don't have to debate with anyone. As I stated in my initial response to this thread, God gives us free will. I don't sit and debate with people who I am an impass with. That's a waste of time that I can actually spend witnessing to someone who actually wants to hear it, not debating with someone who just wants to prove to themselves that they have some sort of pseudo-intellect. Thanks for quoting the one statement I made without valid biblical verses .
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
How do you convince someone of the validity of the Christian faith without using the BIBLE (and its verses)?
The best arguments so far have been those people have curled from experience, not those who throw out a bunch of Shakespearean/Old English verses.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent to Earth to sacrifice himself to cleanse the sins of undeserving people, you should construct your arguments better when debating a non-believer. It is too easy to punch holes in your argument.
I don't have to debate with anyone. As I stated in my initial response to this thread, God gives us free will. I don't sit and debate with people who I am an impass with.
Why not are you afraid that someone will ask you something you can't answer? Are you close-minded? Or do you simply not wish to explore further?
Quote:
That's a waste of time that I can actually spend witnessing to someone who actually wants to hear it, not debating with someone who just wants to prove to themselves that they have some sort of pseudo-intellect.
Oh, so now you want to withdraw and not "witness", because it takes too much energy to convert a non-believer/pseudo-intellectual? If you can witness to one non-believer, you should be able to witness to every non-believer.
Quote:
Thanks for quoting the one statement I made without valid biblical verses .
Perhaps you should focus on the peace that living in the grace of God gives you. Or the joy derived from waking up in the morning. Or even the compassion derived from your urge to help people. The problem with these emotions is that all human beings regardless of religious or spiritual background have these traits. As a Christian, if you can quantify or qualify why your faith has enhanced these traits, then you can truly witness to anyone, be they pseudo-intellectual or a regular joe-I need direction in my life-schmo.
If you ask me, I'd say because you've got to believe in something. Faith is powerful, but Hope is what drives us, Jesus gives me "hope". This world didn't come about by happenstance; things are too whimsical and too rhythmic.
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
How do you convince someone of the validity of the Christian faith without using the BIBLE (and its verses)?
The best arguments so far have been those people have curled from experience, not those who throw out a bunch of Shakespearean/Old English verses.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent to Earth to sacrifice himself to cleanse the sins of undeserving people, you should construct your arguments better when debating a non-believer. It is too easy to punch holes in your argument.
I don't have to debate with anyone. As I stated in my initial response to this thread, God gives us free will. I don't sit and debate with people who I am an impass with.
Why not are you afraid that someone will ask you something you can't answer? Are you close-minded? Or do you simply not wish to explore further?
Quote:
That's a waste of time that I can actually spend witnessing to someone who actually wants to hear it, not debating with someone who just wants to prove to themselves that they have some sort of pseudo-intellect.
Oh, so now you want to withdraw and not "witness", because it takes too much energy to convert a non-believer/pseudo-intellectual? If you can witness to one non-believer, you should be able to witness to every non-believer.
Quote:
Thanks for quoting the one statement I made without valid biblical verses .
Perhaps you should focus on the peace that living in the grace of God gives you. Or the joy derived from waking up in the morning. Or even the compassion derived from your urge to help people. The problem with these emotions is that all human beings regardless of religious or spiritual background have these traits. As a Christian, if you can quantify or qualify why your faith has enhanced these traits, then you can truly witness to anyone, be they pseudo-intellectual or a regular joe-I need direction in my life-schmo.
If you ask me, I'd say because you've got to believe in something. Faith is powerful, but Hope is what drives us, Jesus gives me "hope". This world didn't come about by happenstance; things are too whimsical and too rhythmic.
For those that may be wondering or planning to instigate, this has been handled already. There is and never was any animosity in this post.
Carry On.
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
You didn't try to read or understand anything I typed did you? Don't try to ignore a different opinion than yours because who is to say you are right about everything you say. In your mind or what YOU perceived, the Bible says that you are supposed to witness people. This is what you think the bible means. What makes you think I wanna believe you.
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
You didn't try to read or understand anything I typed did you? Don't try to ignore a different opinion than yours because who is to say you are right about everything you say. In your mind or what YOU perceived, the Bible says that you are supposed to witness people. This is what you think the bible means. What makes you think I wanna believe you.
The Gospel is foolishness to those who do not believe ( I Cor. 1:18 ), for they wish to judge everything in terms of their own wisdom and experience.
I Corinthians 1:26-31 wrote:
"Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and redemption: that, according as it is written, 'He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'"
That's where I learned that all Christians are called to witness.
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
You didn't try to read or understand anything I typed did you? Don't try to ignore a different opinion than yours because who is to say you are right about everything you say. In your mind or what YOU perceived, the Bible says that you are supposed to witness people. This is what you think the bible means. What makes you think I wanna believe you.
Quote:
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Witnessing is one of the most powerful tools in delivering the gospel. As forstated, thats one thing that can never be refuted. Its supported by the Bible too. (Acts 22:15, Acts 1:8)
What on God's green earth are you talking about? The Bible PLAINLY states that you are supposed to witness to other people. That's what just about everyone was doing in this thread in his/her own way. Whatever. I'm not going to debate the issue with you because your arguments are clearly mystified and unfounded. That's just my .05 cent on the matter...
How do you convince someone of the validity of the Christian faith without using the BIBLE (and its verses)?
The best arguments so far have been those people have curled from experience, not those who throw out a bunch of Shakespearean/Old English verses.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent to Earth to sacrifice himself to cleanse the sins of undeserving people, you should construct your arguments better when debating a non-believer. It is too easy to punch holes in your argument.
I don't have to debate with anyone. As I stated in my initial response to this thread, God gives us free will. I don't sit and debate with people who I am an impass with.
Why not are you afraid that someone will ask you something you can't answer? Are you close-minded? Or do you simply not wish to explore further?
Quote:
That's a waste of time that I can actually spend witnessing to someone who actually wants to hear it, not debating with someone who just wants to prove to themselves that they have some sort of pseudo-intellect.
Oh, so now you want to withdraw and not "witness", because it takes too much energy to convert a non-believer/pseudo-intellectual? If you can witness to one non-believer, you should be able to witness to every non-believer.
Quote:
Thanks for quoting the one statement I made without valid biblical verses .
Perhaps you should focus on the peace that living in the grace of God gives you. Or the joy derived from waking up in the morning. Or even the compassion derived from your urge to help people. The problem with these emotions is that all human beings regardless of religious or spiritual background have these traits. As a Christian, if you can quantify or qualify why your faith has enhanced these traits, then you can truly witness to anyone, be they pseudo-intellectual or a regular joe-I need direction in my life-schmo.
If you ask me, I'd say because you've got to believe in something. Faith is powerful, but Hope is what drives us, Jesus gives me "hope". This world didn't come about by happenstance; things are too whimsical and too rhythmic.
Saw that response 1,000 miles away.
Quote:
to not believe in some existance of a higher power is just idiotic man...i used to be just like you man...like i said before my knowledge of science is what solidifies my belief in a higher power...
What knowledge of science do you have? The knowledge that the volume of the universe can be roughly estimated? How about the knowledge that we can date back to the universe when it is merely 90 million years old? The knowledge that dark matter visibly travels much faster than the speed of light? How about the answer to how life came about? The knowledge that have been sentient life specimens found on other planets? Guess God forgot that system.
Ahhh Sh*t! I forgot, you DO know all this stuff. You know, especially your relationship with your cousin E.T. How's he doing? He get that phone call yet?
Yes, there is a higher power. And that power is the universe we live in. I'd rather believe in that which incontrovertibly created everything than that which is said to in less than a picoyear of the universe.
Thunder
Since this has become a discussion I need to get clarification on a few things. Thunder, why do you think Christians believe what they believe? And what makes what we believe false?
Since this has become a discussion I need to get clarification on a few things. Thunder, why do you think Christians believe what they believe? And what makes what we believe false?
Fear.
Fear drives more than can be explained. Why do people go to confessions? To confess you in fear of God's Wrath. People fear more for their mortal lives than their afterlife in every aspect, for if you really feared the Wrath of God, you would not bother committing any sins in the first place in fear of eternal damnation.
80 years of life on Earth to do what you please, in turn you must sacrifice yourself for eternal damnation? Hardly. If I'm going to be Christian, I am going to be Christian.
And what makes what you believe false?
The Koran, The Talmud, The Tipitaka, and The Vedas.
All of the above seem to fall in place with eachother, excerpt The Bible.
Thunder
.
