| CURRENT EVENTS NSFW: Get this. A protest, where they didn't have masks.

[ElephantStomp]

I asked you about this a few weeks ago thinking agnostic. By that, you are an atheist.

And, for what it's worth, I am a deity.

Correct I’m an atheist. But, my beliefs could be changed with facts and actual proof, as of yet I‘ve not seen any, but I’m open-minded

Ok, let me put it another way- I don’t believe in any god whatsoever

 

[TerryP]

Yes, I know about free will and such, but what kind of loving god does that? He ”knew” how everybody was going to be, he knew that I was going to be an atheist and “created” me, so he knew all that before hand and still sending me and people like me to hell?

You are mixing things together here. Pre Dispensationalism versus free will.

I'm not an opioid guy. I'm a THC guy. Let me draw a comparison here...both, will make you kick back and think: influenced, but think.

Religion as the opiate of the people...I know I misquoted that. But, it's true. And, it's not all bad.

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BTW, I think you are more of a humanist than an atheist. However, I'm just getting to "know' you."

This is both a compliment, and a bit of a dig. You reek of academia.

 

[TerryP]

Correct I’m an atheist. But, my beliefs could be changed with facts and actual proof, as of yet I‘ve not seen any, but I’m open-minded

Ok, let me put it another way- I don’t believe in any god whatsoever

I gotcha.

If you don't explore different religions...attend different churches...how do you know there's no proof?

Have you done that? Have you read the "Book of Mormon?" You quoted the Bible earlier. I'm wondering if that was a Google search, or you've actually read the book.

I mentioned my experience in my Humanities classes at Bama in New College. I've been through a lot of different "religions." I've seen some that are, in my view, a little bat shit crazy.

They all believe in a higher power. I try to invert every question or subject in my head to see a different perspective. I'm not the best at it, but I try.

I've yet to see proof that one, a higher power, doesn't exist.

 

[64Tide]

Yes, I know about free will and such, but what kind of loving god does that? He ”knew” how everybody was going to be, he knew that I was going to be an atheist and “created” me, so he knew all that before hand and still sending me and people like me to hell?

Still your choice. You still have time.

 

[64Tide]

Correct I’m an atheist. But, my beliefs could be changed with facts and actual proof, as of yet I‘ve not seen any, but I’m open-minded

Ok, let me put it another way- I don’t believe in any god whatsoever

God also has given everyone a measure of faith. You have faith. Your faith is in yourself, your goodness, your works, your intelligence, etc. These things will not save you.

 

[ElephantStomp]

You are mixing things together here. Pre Dispensationalism versus free will.

I'm not an opioid guy. I'm a THC guy. Let me draw a comparison here...both, will make you kick back and think: influenced, but think.

Religion as the opiate of the people...I know I misquoted that. But, it's true. And, it's not all bad.

---

---

BTW, I think you are more of a humanist than an atheist. However, I'm just getting to "know' you."

This is both a compliment, and a bit of a dig. You reek of academia.

You’re right religion isn’t all bad, but a lot of it is or the people are shitty and they use religion to try and remove responsibility

You’re right I am more humanist than atheist.

I’m ok “reeking” of academia, I don’t view it as a dig because I embrace it

 

[ElephantStomp]

God also has given everyone a measure of faith. You have faith. Your faith is in yourself, your goodness, your works, your intelligence, etc. These things will not save you.

I’m not concerned with being “saved”. If I have to be a crappy person to be “saved” I’ll pass

 

[ElephantStomp]

Still your choice. You still have time.

Thanks, but I’ve got zero interest

 

[ElephantStomp]

I gotcha.

If you don't explore different religions...attend different churches...how do you know there's no proof?

Have you done that? Have you read the "Book of Mormon?" You quoted the Bible earlier. I'm wondering if that was a Google search, or you've actually read the book.

I mentioned my experience in my Humanities classes at Bama in New College. I've been through a lot of different "religions." I've seen some that are, in my view, a little bat shit crazy.

They all believe in a higher power. I try to invert every question or subject in my head to see a different perspective. I'm not the best at it, but I try.

I've yet to see proof that one, a higher power, doesn't exist.

I’ve explored different religions and churches. I’ve been to a bunch of Baptist churches, catholic church, a non-denom church, and two Islamic mosques. I’ve read the Bible 8 times.

I’ve seen proof from science to lead me to my non-belief in a god of any kind, a person could say there could be a god of some sort, but religion really loses me on the no such thing as evolution and there’s many gods and who‘s to say which god is the right one?

 

[Rsedge72]

I’m not concerned with being “saved”. If I have to be a crappy person to be “saved” I’ll pass

So you’re saying people that are “saved” are crappy people….
Narrow thinking.

 

[64Tide]

I’m not concerned with being “saved”. If I have to be a crappy person to be “saved” I’ll pass

You just have to be you.

 

[footballer]

I've yet to see proof that one, a higher power, doesn't exist.

I wrote in an earlier post, that the complexity of the human body strongly suggest Grand Design.

What I should have written, the complexity of the human body is proof of Intelligent Design, in my view.

 

[ElephantStomp]

So you’re saying people that are “saved” are crappy people….
Narrow thinking.

What I’m saying is if I have to be like a lot of Christians no thanks. There’s terrific christians, but there’s a lot that if what christians believe is true are going to be with me

 

[TerryP]

What I’m saying is if I have to be like a lot of Christians no thanks.

Let's invert that with atheists: no thanks. I don't mean that in a religious view with this comment, but a general life view. I've ran across few that held as much hate as the atheists I've met.

 

[TerryP]

I’ve seen proof from science to lead me to my non-belief in a god of any kind, a person could say there could be a god of some sort, but religion really loses me on the no such thing as evolution and there’s many gods and who‘s to say which god is the right one?

Let's invert this as well.

Person A and Person B meets Person C. They both have different opinions of the same person.

Who is to say that the God the American Indians worshipped is a different God than the one the Puritans worshipped?

I find it ironic that one of the most lauded groups, AA, has its belief based on a higher power. Agnostics, atheists, Christians...all have benefited from that mind set.

 

[TerryP]

I’ve explored different religions and churches. I’ve been to a bunch of Baptist churches, catholic church, a non-denom church, and two Islamic mosques. I’ve read the Bible 8 times.

Eight times? I can't claim that. I've read books like Numbers once...and skipped verses.

Most interesting/best church you've ever attended? I've got a few...

 

[TerryP]

Who is to say that the God the American Indians worshipped is a different God than the one the Puritans worshipped?

@ElephantStomp let me take this a step farther.

I know of two people who attend the same church, believe in the same God, but live their lives differently. There's a service called "First Wednesday" that is a praise and worship service. One, dressed in shorts. The other, in a tie. One, high. The other wouldn't think about being high at church.

The other days of the month their lives aren't different. Just that one night. I understand both positions, but only agree with one. You don't change who you are on one night, or because you are in a building.

I asked the "sober" one if he prayed when he was high. "Yes." So, what's the difference?

 

[ElephantStomp]

Let's invert that with atheists: no thanks. I don't mean that in a religious view with this comment, but a general life view. I've ran across few that held as much hate as the atheists I've met.

A lot of atheists are filled with a lot of hate based on a belief. That’s one of the things that separates me from a lot of atheists, I have zero want to try and talk somebody out of believing, I don’t care what another person believes as long as it isn’t pushed on me, and I respect everybody’s belief system

 

[ElephantStomp]

Let's invert this as well.

Person A and Person B meets Person C. They both have different opinions of the same person.

Who is to say that the God the American Indians worshipped is a different God than the one the Puritans worshipped?

I find it ironic that one of the most lauded groups, AA, has its belief based on a higher power. Agnostics, atheists, Christians...all have benefited from that mind set.

The one the Native Americans worshipped was and is different though, Christians belief the only way to their idea of Heaven is through belief and a prayer, Native Americans don’t believe in that at all, so I suspect that Native Americans and the Puritans believed in different gods or at least different ideas of what god is

 

[ElephantStomp]

Eight times? I can't claim that. I've read books like Numbers once...and skipped verses.

Most interesting/best church you've ever attended? I've got a few...

There was a time when I thought I was “called“ to be a Pastor, many many many moons ago, that’s what led me to reading it so many times.

Most interesting was a non-denom church, they waved flags, jumped up and down, were loud with their “praise” and some claimed to be able to speak in tongues.

Best was an African American church in Tennessee (went there with a classmate from grad school), that was an absolute party, the singing, the dancing, and the food afterwards? Some of the food I had after the service is still the best I’ve ever had.

Another of the best ones or one where I had the most fun was a Samoan (Reformed Congressional Christian) church (Ex-wife’s family took me) That’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. It was a different type of “party”, the fellowship was something that I cannot explain and the food? Some of the best I’ve ever had, the kalua pua’a (pig) that was roasted in ground damn near made me believe in heaven, as did the sapasui (chop suey), only dessert I could eat was called Panikeke, it‘s like a donut, it almost turned me into Billy Graham.