What are your religious beliefs?

[ixoye66]

Originally posted by Cory
I simply cannot believe and accept something that is not tangible, just because man says I should. It is not within my capability to do that. I have got to have clear cut proof.

The bible is a manuscript if you will, credible witnesses give testimoney in a court of law.

Fact Jesus was crucified, and died,History tells us so from more than one source.

Fact over 200 eye witnesses saw Jesus ressurected and walking around and talking.

In a court of law today that would be a substatial witness list.:angel:

[Cory]

Originally posted by ixoye66
The bible is a manuscript if you will, credible witnesses give testimoney in a court of law.

Fact Jesus was crucified, and died,History tells us so from more than one source.

Fact over 200 eye witnesses saw Jesus ressurected and walking around and talking.

In a court of law today that would be a substatial witness list.:angel:

Oh I do beleive that a person named Jesus probably did exist and that he probably was crucified as were many others in that time. I was refering to all the "miracles" and "larger than life" type things that people believe in like heaven, hell, creation, souls, and all that other hokus pokus.

As far as the ressurection part----NO WAY!!!

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by ixoye66
The bible is a manuscript if you will, credible witnesses give testimoney in a court of law.

Fact Jesus was crucified, and died,History tells us so from more than one source.

Fact over 200 eye witnesses saw Jesus ressurected and walking around and talking.

In a court of law today that would be a substatial witness list.:angel:

I won't laugh at that statment but I suggest you take a step back and think about that for a moment. first off the bible was written 40 years minimum after jesus was killed, we can all imagine how the stories were embelished during those years. heck we still have people that believe there are ufos in the with all of todays modern technology, those people back then would believe anything. heck one time they all got so drunk somebody thought they didn't bring enough loaves of bread or fish but they miscounted and actually did have enough but they thought it was a miracle. can you imagine the hangover after that doozy of a story. LOL

[Gods Son]

People were more god fearing in those days,and wouldnt dare add or take from the bible

[Gods Son]

I think all Religious talk should be banned from this board. As it has been in school.It only causes tention between members.

[Liftingchic]

Raised christian but my folks got stabbed in the back (per say) by church people and we left the church when i was like 5..


so at the age of 17 i made my own choice and that was to be baptist..


Thats all i am going to say..

LC

[Puddles]

Originally posted by Gods Son
I think all Religious talk should be banned from this board. As it has been in school.It only causes tention between members.

I suggest that if you (and anyone else) feels too much tension then just avoid reading religious threads (or other threads that may be an issue). Most of us are able to discuss these things without a problem and enjoy the conversation and the different ideas brought out in such threads.

Similarly, if you know that posts by a certain person bother you, simply scroll down and don't read them.

:)

[VeggieLifterGal]

I find it interesting that a lot of people (especially in this thread) envision a conflict between science and religion. It's not as if you truly have to believe verbatim in the creation story - you could see each "day" as a metaphor for a period of years, for instance. Much of the old testament is metaphors and stories, after all. In fact, the creation myth does get the order of evolution correct. Arguing about whether you want to believe in evolution is counter-productive, misses the point of the debate...not to mention, evolution is not arguable! If you pit fundamentalist beliefs against science, sciene will always win. And to those who think that evolution is debatable - you don't have a firm enough understanding of its tenants.

This said, I am an atheist. :) I don't believe in god, and I'm not into any organized religion or spirituality. I also don't believe in an afterlife. To me, people are no different than microbes and ants and puppies and fish - when we die, we die. It's easy for us to accept that we did not exist before we were born, and it follows that we don't exist when we're dead. I find this comforting rather than depressing, because it means my life counts that much more.

I do think that religion and spirituality can bring good things to people who want them - like hope, community, morality, and a framework for belief. Unfortunately if you are willing to ask a few tough questions, you'll find it impossible to justify a belief in god - at least in as far as he is defined as omniscient, omnipotent, and good.

I was raised in reform judaism. Judaism is all about asking questions, and what I like about it is that they encourage answers, too. For that reason, there is not much pressure to believe in god. It's said that being Jewish is more a matter of living according to biblical ethics than about religious observance. The rabbi at my parent's temple doesn't believe in god, for instance. That's not exactly common, but it isn't outlandish either.

[VeggieLifterGal]

I should add that I think Buddhism is a cool alternative for those that like the framework and the answers that religion provides, but are unsure about the god stuff and the emphasis put on believing. Buddhism is a practical religion whose main purpose is to help people face the suffering and pain in their lives and get through it. I like that it's so dogma-free. Personally, of course, I'm not into any religion.

[Cogar]

Originally posted by The_Jarhead
I also believe organized religion is the scam going. If you believe fine Make you connection to “God” and live your life how you think he wants you to. But to think that t must be done through a church and only think and do what they say is outrageous.

Implying that religion is a scam is like implying all supplements are a scam. It is true that many are in both cases, but that does not mean that "the real deal" does not exist in both. My two cents--no criticism intended.

Originally posted by The_Jarhead
Here is another question I have about things in the bible. Why is it that in the days of the bible god was talking to everyone and performing miracles all the time? What happened the miracles stopped and if some says they talked to god they are locked up and drugged till start thinking the right way. Did “God” give up on us?

This is explained in the Old Testament in numerous books, especially the prophetic ones like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Malachi, etc. The simple answer is that God got fed up trying to have the people behave and stopped talking to them. He then brought "plan B" (Christ) into the picture. Since they couldn't save themselves, they needed someone else to pay the price, so to speak. (Very condensed answer, but you should get the idea.)

PS: Regarding the original post, my comments about religion ended up in the "other thread," so I will not repeat them here.

[Cogar]

Originally posted by VeggieLifterGal
And to those who think that evolution is debatable - you don't have a firm enough understanding of its tenants.

In that case, you might consider reading "Darwin On Trial" by Phillip E. Johnson. It is one of many books that define the shortcomings of the theory of evolution. Your statement is not a defensible statement.

[Aurora]

Originally posted by Cogar
Implying that religion is a scam is like implying all supplements are a scam. It is true that many are in both cases, but that does not mean that "the real deal" does not exist in both. My two cents--no criticism intended.

.

I disagree. I think its closer to saying that No supplements work unless you take them in the store. They dont work outside the store or at home, so you have to come in and buy a membership to take them on sundays in there.

[VeggieLifterGal]

Originally posted by Cogar
In that case, you might consider reading "Darwin On Trial" by Phillip E. Johnson. It is one of many books that define the shortcomings of the theory of evolution. Your statement is not a defensible statement.

While I have not read the book you're referring to, I have heard of many attempts at discrediting evolution, and all of them fail miserably at convincing anyone other than laymen. I've got a very indepth knowledge of evolution as I am an evolutionary anthropology minor, so PM me if you're interested in discussing this further. I don't want to hijack the thread.

But I would like to say this:

Scientists are always looking for the best and most well supported theories, because the aim of science is the pursuit of empirical truth. Fundamentalists are always trying to find something wrong with the scientific theory of evolution because their aim is the conservation of their belief system at all costs - and thus the refutation of everything that threatens it.

If you had lived in the time of Galileo, you'd have called his theory that the earth orbits the sun, and not vice versa, total blasphemy. If you really want Christianity to retain its dignity, you should move away from opposing it to scientific progress.

I would have far more respect for creationists if they adjusted their interpretations of the bible and subsequently their beliefs to fit empirical truth and scientific progress. This is what most Jewish denominations did, and what many pragmatic Christians have done too. Einstein believed in god and saw his role as a scientist as unravelling god's ways and methods. Perhaps fundamentalists ought to view science in the same way, and adjust their interpretations and beliefs accordingly.
(BTW - those who think that the bible spells things out very clearly and leaves little room for interpretation should recall the language it was originally recorded in. Not only do you have the problem of translation, but also, written hebrew has no vowels! Some things are ambiguous.)

Just my .02

:angel:

[goliath]

Originally posted by Cogar
In that case, you might consider reading "Darwin On Trial" by Phillip E. Johnson. It is one of many books that define the shortcomings of the theory of evolution. Your statement is not a defensible statement.

well...the problem with this argument is the fact that since evolution is based in science and true intelect, every detail must be proven. when people question the shortcommings of the bible, you thumpers say, 'it's just faith'. i'll prove to you that evolution is still happening around us every day (but you are to narrow-minded to see it) if you can prove to me that god exists.

[blm]

Originally posted by MrsPuddlesFL
I suggest that if you (and anyone else) feels too much tension then just avoid reading religious threads (or other threads that may be an issue). Most of us are able to discuss these things without a problem and enjoy the conversation and the different ideas brought out in such threads.

Similarly, if you know that posts by a certain person bother you, simply scroll down and don't read them.

:)

Thank you MrsP, you worded it much nicer than I wanted to...lol. I'm so tired of this board censorship shit.