Is God Real?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:36 am

I accept the "Unknown God", we just don't know him. I think God has a hand in most human affairs.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:48 pm

Does that mean God put isil onto the west or that god approves of terrorism or executions etc?

Post by **LarsMac** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 8:15 am

Ted;1497477 wrote: Does that mean God put isil onto the west or that god approves of terrorism or executions etc?

I doubt that. I think that God's interactions with humans are generally at the personal level with individuals. I am pretty sure that any events at a grander scale in which the perpetrator claims guidance by God are, at best, serious misinterpretations of the interaction on the part of the individual.

For example, When a certain Candidate for US president claimed that God told him to Run for the Presidency, it was probably more like:

Ted: "Lord, I think I am going to run for President."

God: " [soft chuckle] Umm, sure, Ted, you go right ahead and do that. It should be amusing."

Ted: " Ha! God wants me to be the President! "

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 10:18 am

Ted;1497477 wrote: Does that mean God put isil onto the west or that god approves of terrorism or executions etc?

I would say yes ,in my view of the bible and God. God put satan in charge of this world , that is a stamp of approval on all evil! No matter what it is. God is in charge of satan; he ordained the devil to do what he does, God in Isaiah 45:7," I form the light and create darkness , I make peace and create evil; I the Lord DO all these things!

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 11:38 am

You know there are many groups that I disagree with their views , their thinking and behavior. But the only group that I have actually went to their sites and actually engaged them , are the Atheist ; and why?

Because they flood the religious sites and engage them.

All other groups that I don't like ,I completely ignore them. You tend to visit those who visit you.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:38 pm

Satan is a myth designed to explain evil. Evil comes from man not some mythical monster. In fact it came from Mesopotamia. Then too Augustine left us with the myth of original sin.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 2:07 pm

I think God created evil, and then exposed humanity to it.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 9:21 pm

If God is all the things we have labelled her/him/it as why does God need to expose us to evil. That does not make sense especially if the Bible is correct that God is love.? He knows everything why does he have to test us?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 9:56 am

Ted;1497564 wrote: If God is all the things we have labelled her/him/it as why does God need to expose us to evil. That does not make sense especially if the Bible is correct that God is love.? He knows everything why does he have to test us?

I understand that it does not make sense , all I can do is give you my sense of it all ,which may or may not be true. Its not a test ,I think its more like an evolution: God seems to want us to go through things which make us weak ,and some thing he is doing with that will later make us evolve into stronger beings. Again I think we should take our clues of understanding from the bible , it is the key; 2 Corinth. 12:9 , Jesus speaking, " My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness!" An unusual pathology for sure. Even Jesus ,the son of God ,got beaten hard and whipped with the lash and hung on a tree. He was the example.

It seems God wanted humanity exposed to evil and suffering . To confusion and live in a shell of weak flesh. And then later to be killed or to die ,and be born again ,evolve into a whole new existence. I have a few speculations on this , but they are only my guess. We are destined to come out of this shell of flesh ,but we all will experience birth pains.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 3:45 pm

First I do not subscribe to the idea that the Bible is the absolute "word of God". Secondly I do not subscribe to the idea that Jesus was God. He did not die for our sins but for sedition. To suggest that God is so mean spirited that he wants a blood sacrifice to assuage his petulant behavior is demeaning to God who is a God of Love. We are to trust God not try to figure out what he wants of us. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus which means behave as he did. Next point did Jesus actually say that quote. Not likely.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 3:48 pm

Ted;1497665 wrote: First I do not subscribe to the idea that the Bible is the absolute "word of God". Secondly I do not subscribe to the idea that Jesus was God. He did not die for our sins but for sedition. To suggest that God is so mean spirited that he wants a blood sacrifice to assuage his petulant behavior is demeaning to God who is a God of Love. We are to trust God not try to figure out what he wants of us. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus which means behave as he did. Next point did Jesus actually say that quote. Not likely.
It comes back to the old question of whether Jesus even really existed. There is no evidence of such an existence, yet we are expected to take as 'Gospel' his words, apparently recorded verbatim. Where is the rationale?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 6:06 am

Jesus is not God , but he did die for our sins. And the bible is the word of God.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 8:20 am

Is God real? Well he is real in my mind , and in my consciousness; God is real in my life , in my experience , in my knowledge he is real; in my belief , in my figuring , in my deductions , in my logic he is real , in my history God has been real; in my fears he is real, in my imagination , in my intelligence , in my emotions he has been real , in my doubts he has been there.

God is.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:06 am

For those who doubt the existence of Jesus I suggest you read Bar Ehrman's book "Did Jesus Exist" Get the info from a historian.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:09 am

What kind of God would be so petulant and vindictive as to demand a blood sacrifice to assuage his anger? That is demeaning to the divine. Her/Him/it would be seen as a brutal entity without love. Yet we are told God is love.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:20 am

Ted;1497714 wrote: What kind of God would be so petulant and vindictive as to demand a blood sacrifice to assuage his anger? That is demeaning to the divine. Her/Him/it would be seen as a brutal entity without love. Yet we are told God is love.

In your view it was anger , in my view, his anger had absolutely nothing to do with it. The blood was shed for the total forgiveness of all of humanities sins. Where ever your getting your information from, they are taking you for a ride.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:28 am

Did Jesus exist? Notice;

Did Jesus Exist? Searching for Evidence Beyond the Bible - Biblical Archaeology Society

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:37 am

Sorry but I do not subscribe to the atonement theory. Neither do I subscribe to "original sin" That was the curse that Augustine left us with. Try Bart Ehrman's book "Did Jesus Exist" for a positive response to that question. Much of this is medieval thinking and we know more now and that is by the grace of God.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:26 am

Let me build a list here;

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources - bethinking.org

Has Archaeological Evidence for Jesus Been Discovered? | The Institute for Creation Research

Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible? | Cold Case Christianity

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best- ... ical-Jesus

The Gregorian calendar proves that Jesus existed - Iron Chariots Wiki

50 reasons to believe in God - Iron Chariots Wiki

https://www.namb.net/apologetics/did-jesus-really-exist

The Discovery of the Tombs of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum? - Biblical Archaeology Society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Jesus

The Hill of Calvary (Golgotha) - First Century Jerusalem - Bible History Online

http://www.baptismsite.com/

Unearthing the World of Jesus | History | Smithsonian

The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum? - Biblical Archaeology Society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledot_Yeshu

St. Paul's Tomb Unearthed in Rome

Tomb May Hold the Bones Of Priest Who Judged Jesus - NYTimes.com

Insight | New Ossuary NOT First Jesus Evidence | unknowncountry

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:33 pm

Mickiel;1497721 wrote: Let me build a list here;

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources - bethinking.org

Has Archaeological Evidence for Jesus Been Discovered? | The Institute for Creation Research

Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible? | Cold Case Christianity

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best- ... ical-Jesus

The Gregorian calendar proves that Jesus existed - Iron Chariots Wiki

50 reasons to believe in God - Iron Chariots Wiki

https://www.namb.net/apologetics/did-jesus-really-exist

The Discovery of the Tombs of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum? - Biblical Archaeology Society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Jesus

The Hill of Calvary (Golgotha) - First Century Jerusalem - Bible History Online

http://www.baptismsite.com/

Unearthing the World of Jesus | History | Smithsonian

The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum? - Biblical Archaeology Society

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledot_Yeshu

St. Paul's Tomb Unearthed in Rome

Tomb May Hold the Bones Of Priest Who Judged Jesus - NYTimes.com

Insight | New Ossuary NOT First Jesus Evidence | unknowncountry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gethsemane

Jesus and the Sea of Galilee

Three Woes!

Capernaum-City of Jesus and its Jewish Synagogue

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:54 pm

Not sure what the point is. I already accept the reality of the historical Jesus of Nazareth.

Fuzzy · Post by **Fuzzy** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 1:42 am

Ted;1497821 wrote: Not sure what the point is. I already accept the reality of the historical Jesus of Nazareth.

Why? You might as well accept Santa and Robin Hood. Never mind about the Easter Bunny. It's just a rabbit.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 5:00 am

Fuzzy;1497829 wrote: Why? You might as well accept Santa and Robin Hood. Never mind about the Easter Bunny. It's just a rabbit.
At least there are genuine records as to the existence of St Nicholas & Robert of Loxley - even if they don't meet with the folklore legends associated with them.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:09 am

People who say there is no evidence of Jesus , need to study more. But their mindset does not want to know the truth, because it would spoil their world.

Fuzzy · Post by **Fuzzy** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 7:21 pm

Why study something which is nonsense and non logical when everyone should know by now that the majority of the characters mentioned in the book of lies are imaginary?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 4:25 am

Fuzzy;1497901 wrote: Why study something which is nonsense and non logical when everyone should know by now that the majority of the characters mentioned in the book of lies are imaginary?

If your going to speak about the book and tear it down , at least know what is in it.

Know your enemy.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:50 am

How does intelligent life in the Universe fit in with your God? Is your God big enough? Did He send a son to every intelligent lifeform? Even the purple squids of Feelox 11?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 7:21 am

Saint_;1497916 wrote: How does intelligent life in the Universe fit in with your God? Is your God big enough? Did He send a son to every intelligent lifeform? Even the purple squids of Feelox 11?

What difference does it mean to you? Why ask me meaningless questions ? Why waste yourself? Why should I give rocks to a hungry human ? They are not going to eat it.

Neither will you absorb my views. Don't waste yourself.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 7:26 am

Not at all. It's a real question dealing with this thread. The thread's title is "Is God Real?" Well to answer that, you'd have to define the parameters of the God you are referring to. Personally, I believe that God is the mind of the entire multiverse. Not just this planet and it's tiny inhabitants, but the entire Creation. Every world, every race, every lifeform from the tiniest bacteria to the largest hivemind or colony lifeform. Then there's parallel dimensions. If you believe in a truly infitnite God, then you have to have room for at least the eleven dimensions posited by the latest quantum research, if not many more.

So I ask you again, just how "real" is your God? Do you limit Him to only your small world, or embrace Him in all His Creation?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 7:43 am

Saint_;1497922 wrote: Not at all. It's a real question dealing with this thread. The thread's title is "Is God Real?" Well to answer that, you'd have to define the parameters of the God you are referring to. Personally, I believe that God is the mind of the entire multiverse. Not just this planet and it's tiny inhabitants, but the entire Creation. Every world, every race, every lifeform from the tiniest bacteria to the largest hivemind or colony lifeform. Then there's parallel dimensions. If you believe in a truly infitnite God, then you have to have room for at least the eleven dimensions posited by the latest quantum research, if not many more.

So I ask you again, just how "real" is your God? Do you limit Him to only your small world, or embrace Him in all His Creation?

I have devoted a lot of pages answering that question , I see no need to rehash it again. God is not "Mine" ,for you to say to me, " Your God", as if I am selfish in my view of him, is an offense. Then you further insult me by calling my world,"Small."

Don't waste yourself,question someonelse.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:05 am

Mickiel;1497923 wrote: I have devoted a lot of pages answering that question , I see no need to rehash it again. God is not "Mine" ,for you to say to me, " Your God", as if I am selfish in my view of him, is an offense. Then you further insult me by calling my world,"Small."

Don't waste yourself,question someonelse.

Oh, my mistake, "Our God," then. But you can't answer the simple question, "Does God encompass the entire Universe," yes or no? That wouldn't take much effort.

No insult intended, I assure you. It's just that, like many Christians, I suspect that you, despite your devotion, limit God.

I don't.

So how can this thread "Is God Real" even be discussed unless we agree on the nature of God? See what I mean?

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:40 am

Saint_;1497927 wrote: Oh, my mistake, "Our God," then. But you can't answer the simple question, "Does God encompass the entire Universe," yes or no? That wouldn't take much effort.

No insult intended, I assure you. It's just that, like many Christians, I suspect that you, despite your devotion, limit God.

I don't.

So how can this thread "Is God Real" even be discussed unless we agree on the nature of God? See what I mean?

I am not a Christian , if they interest you then find one to question . I think the entire universe belongs to God , I think he made every inch of it . But I do not believe that God is Omni present ,as if he is everywhere at the same time. Why does he need to be everywhere?If that is what you mean by him encompassing the universe.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:19 am

Mickiel;1497933 wrote: I am not a Christian , if they interest you then find one to question . I think the entire universe belongs to God , I think he made every inch of it .

Ah, there we go then. We have a common ground in beliefs.

But I do not believe that God is Omni present ,as if he is everywhere at the same time.

There's some indication through String Theory and Quantum Mechanics that it is, at least, possible...

Why does he need to be everywhere?If that is what you mean by him encompassing the universe.

It isn't necessarily a "need" so to speak. Perhaps it's a bit more like you being "everywhere" in your own body.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:49 pm

[QUOTE=Saint_;1497936

It isn't necessarily a "need" so to speak. Perhaps it's a bit more like you being everywhere in your own body.

In my view,God does not have a body , a body is a human thing. God has some kind of form,and even that is a guess. He may not. I don't know. God has angels everywhere , and they are his eyes ,he is not some kind of giant universal wide fat being.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:06 pm

Mickiel;1497957 wrote: he is not some kind of giant universal wide fat being.

I agree with you that God does not have a "body" per se, but if He is an entity, then He certainly could be as large as needed, especially if He was pure energy.

And you body certainly seems like a "giant universal fat being" to one of the bacteria in your bloodstream...

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 4:22 am

I don't know what kind of form God has , but I seriously doubt that it is similar to bacteria.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 7:05 am

Mickiel;1497982 wrote: I don't know what kind of form God has , but I seriously doubt that it is similar to bacteria.

You've got it backwards....We're the bacteria in the body of God.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 8:01 am

Saint_;1497989 wrote: You've got it backwards....We're the bacteria in the body of God.

I don't think "In the body of God", but you just have to explain what you mean ; there is no bacteria in God.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 8:25 am

Mickiel;1497993 wrote: I don't think "In the body of God", but you just have to explain what you mean ; there is no bacteria in God.

I'm talking about an analogy: Small living things exist in you without being able to see you as a whole or even understand the greater reality of the world outside your body. They still know a lot about themselves and how their environment works, but are blind to the bigger picture.

So are we to God and the Greater Universe. Small living things, quite aware of our small environment, but unaware of the big picture.

So why does life exist at all? Well here's what Nomad, and old member from many years ago, and I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

Why are we here ?

To become intelligent. The single greatest survival trait is intelligence, It is better and more powerful than any other trait such as fangs or speed. Therefore, where ever life begins, it will evolve towards intelligence eventually. Therefore the reason for the Universe is to create intelligence. The real question is why does the Creator want life to be intelligent?

Quote:

On Earth that is. Is there a reason ?

Yes. Earth lies in the "life belt". In our orbit, we are not too close to the Sun or too far away. It's not too hot or cold to sustain carrbon-based life here. The early self-replicating molecules found that they could sustain reproduction here. The more complex the form, the better it's chance for survival. Therefore life evolved into humans.

Quote:

Is it a fluke ?

No...The speed of light is 6.0 X 10^6 mph., the acceleration of gravity is 32 ft.^2, and the distance around a circle (or your atom or a planet, or a galaxy) divided by the distance across it is 3.1415926... These constants are set and have been set since creation. Change just one number by one digit and the entire Universe would cease to exist. So, no. It's no fluke, there is a plan to the Universe.

Quote:

If God exists, why are we on this tiny blue planet

suspended in a vast and seemingly endless void of harsh

uninhabitable cosmos ?

Now you are asking the right question. Why does life exist at all? Since it's obvious that life exists to create intelligence, then the real question is "Why does life need to be intelligent?" No one has this answer, although I have a suspicion. I suggest that since "God lives in the birds and the bees, the rocks and the trees," He experiences his creation through us. Most religious people would agree that an omniscient God would see, hear and experience everything an intelligent human does. Perhaps we are how God lives...He lives through us.

Quote:

Do we have a unified purpose ?

Once, long, long ago, you and I and everyone else were in the center of a star. That is the only place where heavy atoms like carbon and iron can be made. That star blew up and the dust cloud it made eventually condensed into this solar system. From those very atoms, your mother's body broke down the food molecules that she ate and made your body. That seems pretty unifying to me, but it's still just a unified history, not a purpose.

Quote:

An individual purpose ?

Absolutely. Like the threads in a great tapestry, you and I cannot know our actual purpose or the repercussions of everything we do each day. But the beauty of the mathematics of creation suggests that there is a very clear purpose.

Let me put it this way. When you throw a stone into the water, you make ripples. When hundreds of stones are thrown, the ripples cross and recross making fantastic patterns. These patterns are just like our lives. You help a little old lady across the street today. Because of that, she doesn't get hit by a car. She now has a child. That child grows up to invent a cure for cancer. Without your individual purpose of helping her across the street, her son could never realize his individual purpose of inventing a cancer cure.

Quote:

Is this a test ?

Most likely, yes. If you abscribe to the theory that there is a purpose to the universe, then there is a purpose to every part of the universe, including you. If you do not fulfill your purpose, you fail the test.

Quote:

How are we doing ?

You'll know every detail. Exactly which lives you affected, how much, and when. Every nuance of the millions of decisions that you made throughout your lifespan will be made clear to you....

when you die.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 8:39 am

Saint_;1497995 wrote: I'm talking about an analogy: Small living things exist in you without being able to see you as a whole or even understand the greater reality of the world outside your body. They still know a lot about themselves and how their environment works, but are blind to the bigger picture.

So are we to God and the Greater Universe. Small living things, quite aware of our small environment, but unaware of the big picture.

So why does life exist at all? Well here's what Nomad, and old member from many years ago, and I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

Why are we here ?

To become intelligent. The single greatest survival trait is intelligence, It is better and more powerful than any other trait such as fangs or speed. Therefore, where ever life begins, it will evolve towards intelligence eventually. Therefore the reason for the Universe is to create intelligence. The real question is why does the Creator want life to be intelligent?

Quote:

On Earth that is. Is there a reason ?

Yes. Earth lies in the "life belt". In our orbit, we are not too close to the Sun or too far away. It's not too hot or cold to sustain carrbon-based life here. The early self-replicating molecules found that they could sustain reproduction here. The more complex the form, the better it's chance for survival. Therefore life evolved into humans.

Quote:

Is it a fluke ?

No...The speed of light is 6.0 X 10^6 mph., the acceleration of gravity is 32 ft.^2, and the distance around a circle (or your atom or a planet, or a galaxy) divided by the distance across it is 3.1415926... These constants are set and have been set since creation. Change just one number by one digit and the entire Universe would cease to exist. So, no. It's no fluke, there is a plan to the Universe.

Quote:

If God exists, why are we on this tiny blue planet

suspended in a vast and seemingly endless void of harsh

uninhabitable cosmos ?

Now you are asking the right question. Why does life exist at all? Since it's obvious that life exists to create intelligence, then the real question is "Why does life need to be intelligent?" No one has this answer, although I have a suspicion. I suggest that since "God lives in the birds and the bees, the rocks and the trees," He experiences his creation through us. Most religious people would agree that an omniscient God would see, hear and experience everything an intelligent human does. Perhaps we are how God lives...He lives through us.

Quote:

Do we have a unified purpose ?

Once, long, long ago, you and I and everyone else were in the center of a star. That is the only place where heavy atoms like carbon and iron can be made. That star blew up and the dust cloud it made eventually condensed into this solar system. From those very atoms, your mother's body broke down the food molecules that she ate and made your body. That seems pretty unifying to me, but it's still just a unified history, not a purpose.

Quote:

An individual purpose ?

Absolutely. Like the threads in a great tapestry, you and I cannot know our actual purpose or the repercussions of everything we do each day. But the beauty of the mathematics of creation suggests that there is a very clear purpose.

Let me put it this way. When you throw a stone into the water, you make ripples. When hundreds of stones are thrown, the ripples cross and recross making fantastic patterns. These patterns are just like our lives. You help a little old lady across the street today. Because of that, she doesn't get hit by a car. She now has a child. That child grows up to invent a cure for cancer. Without your individual purpose of helping her across the street, her son could never realize his individual purpose of inventing a cancer cure.

Quote:

Is this a test ?

Most likely, yes. If you abscribe to the theory that there is a purpose to the universe, then there is a purpose to every part of the universe, including you. If you do not fulfill your purpose, you fail the test.

Quote:

How are we doing ?

You'll know every detail. Exactly which lives you affected, how much, and when. Every nuance of the millions of decisions that you made throughout your lifespan will be made clear to you....

when you die.

I see.I understand.

Fuzzy · Post by **Fuzzy** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 2:36 am

Micky understands, that must be a good thing. For Micky, anyway.

I wish I could understand why so many people are trying so hard to make sense of this god/jesus/bible thing, when it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. To worship an imaginary something to keep out of that eternal fire?

What if you're worshipping the wrong one? Could you be in trouble with the god of islam or any other gods of the past?

What if your god is the only one? Will all people who haven't heard of that special god, suffer too in the end?

Since I don't even believe in this god of your's, will 'he' condemn me to suffer for eternity but still love me?

OMG, I may have to pretend to believe, like so many others, and hope that 'god' can be tricked like that.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:02 am

There are many things that I do not understand. I don't understand how a black cow can eat green grass and give white milk; but it does.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 7:01 am

My bet is that God is real , and Atheist are proof of it. The best way to build muscle is to lift weights ; have a heavy resistance to go against the muscle ; that is what Atheism is , the resistance to build muscle in humanity.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 12:47 pm

I certainly cannot agree that the Bible etc make no sense. That would be so if reading the Bible literally. I accept the validity of all of the great faiths. There are many cases where we can see the positive value of a religious belief. One has to recognize what such institutions have done. In my view a good deal of the Bible is midrash. Satan and the punishing fire are myths that were created to control human behavior but in a positive way. Also Christianity is not about right belief it is all about following in the ssteps of Jesus: caring for the oppressed, caring for the sick, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, opposing oppression, looking after the handicap, working towards justice and peace. It is about doing the right thing under circumstances. When folks try to read the Bible literally they are asked to believe in absurdities. In the beginning all of the great faiths were founded on justice and compassion. (Karen Armstrong)

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 1:53 pm

To presume that there is a reason for being here is plain arrogant. We are here because that's how it happened. If a set of Lottery numbers comes up 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 there is no reason for that particular combination. Furthermore, the probability of that particular combination is exactly the same as any other combination.

As for the 'Your God' thing - there is a very definite definition to that, because 'Your God' is not the same as that of a Hindu, or a Sikh, or a Pagan, for instance.

This is also something I found on FaceBook, which I thought I'd share, as I found it very pertinent.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 2:28 pm

I agree with Pope Francis. Great statement. Your comment on Hinduism and Sikhism I believe to be in error. With that point I suggest you read some of the works of Karen Armstrong. Other than that I believe you fail to understand the religious beliefs. That being said I Believe what I have experienced but do not judge others on their beliefs and experiences. If someone wants to be and atheist then go for it. If someone wants to be a Muslim then go for it. I do not proselytize I simply mind my own business. I do not necessarily want others to believe as I do We must each choose our own path.

Fuzzy · Post by **Fuzzy** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:34 pm

I can't see the point in making up stories when we don't know the answer to the question and then then claiming there's proof that the made up story is correct.

The pope is sounding like an atheist. I remember a pastor saying that being good is not enough. That's all he said, I guess he meant one would have to go to church as well.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:43 am

Myth is a story created to make a point. Look at the parable of the good Samaritan. Teachers use this approach a good deal of the time. For some such as the book of Job there is no answer but we have to live the question. Midrash is a method of writing and interpretation that makes use of past events to show the importance of those events. For instance the most important story for the Hebrew people was the crossing of the Reed Sea so when Joshua crossed the Jordan River on dry ground it was to reflect the importance of that story. Novels are fiction but usually they have a point. The book of Ruth is short novel used to make a point. Job is mythical story..

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 9:17 am

Theist are supposed to believe in a God , they were destined to. Atheist are not supposed to believe in God , they were destined to see what they see. A real Theist should never try to change that.

Leave things the way they are supposed to be; let the balance remain.

Mickiel · Post by **Mickiel** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:26 am

Mickiel;1498163 wrote: Theist are supposed to believe in a God , they were destined to. Atheist are not supposed to believe in God , they were destined to see what they see. A real Theist should never try to change that.

Leave things the way they are supposed to be; let the balance remain.

When God created and planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil , he established that balance to exist in humanity for all our human existence , Gen. 2:9. Basically two common ways of thinking that affect all human consciousness ; we think somewhere along those two terms in various offshoots of them. In example , Theist are not good, but they think in terms of a good God existing. Atheist are not evil ,but they think in terms of no God existing. A startling realization , similar to the concept of Yen and Yang , often emotionally challenging , they actually can build character ,or cause suffering ; and interestingly there is something about that process that God wanted to first expose humanity to. And I know that makes no sense to many unbelievers , who " Rightly question why a good God would expose humanity to this drama."

I think its a radical movement from a very wise and super intelligent being , I mean he must know what he is doing; we just don't know.