Question for all the God-bothering Christian types on here

[shaunbhoy]

actually if you read the bible properly you realise that he is a vengeful and spiteful God who's not averse to wiping out the population from time to time just to keep them in check, or sending plagues to anyone who bothers his chosen people

THat's true that is. The Germans tried to bother his chosen people, and now they are being plagued by Greek Debt.

[Jog On]

Some more:

Why are behaviours that are commonplace in animals and which god presumably gave them for their survival such as promiscuity, defending one's own tribe to the death, eliminating one's rivals and their children, only sinful for mankind?

If they are given by god who knows all and can see the future, why is there absolutely nothing in any religious text that indicates any knowledge beyond the time and culture of its creation? How about a warning against things that cloud the mind generally rather than just alcohol for example?

How is a stark salvation/damnation outcome just when there is no true free will, when it is observably true that everyone is shaped by genes and upbringing?

Why is every religious "proof" one reads mere simily? A common one is confusion of the soul with consciousness.

The big one. Why would a loving god who could have put us all into paradise in the first place, test us like rats in a laboratory maze and then punish us for not getting it right?

Lastly. If god gave us judgement and intellect and ability to think for ourselves, why is it wrong to use it in this context?

In Western Christianity I think the whole free will thing is supposed to be some sort of test of one's ability to choose good over bad.

From what I've read of eastern religious text their belief systems make more sense. The idea of kharma and rebirth fits quite well with the world and situations we find ourselves in. being far from perfect and frought with pain and suffering - to a Hindu or Buddhist this life is just one in a sequence on a journey to a life without any pain and suffering. How you choose to conduct yourself in this life determines what you will experience in the next, you can go up a level to maybe another life without - or less of the pain and suffering, or go down a level to come back as a dumb animal or a life with more pain and suffering.

Also what I found interesting when I read a classic Hindu text (The Bhagavad Gita) was that the main character was a warrior and when he asked Krishna about war and killing being wrong Krishna effectively said to him "That is what you do/are so go and do it"...

I'm not saying any of this is "how it is" or not, just a different perspective that explains why might be faced with the situation we do. The Hindus celebrate sex, the japanese have developed a Buddhist ritual to deal with abortions and plenty of other non Christian religions that promote living life to the full.

I don't follow any particluar religion but I'm interested in sprituality which is what religions are originally intended to teach, not blind faith, dogma or fear.

[jmo21]

For those who have faith in their chosen deity, what exactly was it that led you to decide, "I believe in this".

Your parents? An event (someone who was sick recovering).

I get you NOW have faith, but what made you decide that you would have faith.

(Note: the answer cannot be "faith").

Why is your "faith" different from more recent "faiths", eg. Scientology, widely dismissed as a cult, but still followed by many. Is it because it's been around longer?

[SimonMac]

I was going to suggest a Mr A. Hitler, who was to all intents and purposes a bit of an atheist, aside from the fact that he thought that HE was God. He certainly ruffled a few feathers.
Although to be fair to him, he was always very keen on supporting the advancement of medical science, and indeed commissioned venerable medical men like Dr J. Mengele to push that particular envelope.

HTH

Doesn't matter, the Nazi party has got a manin the top job in the end anyway

[xoggoth]

That is what you do/are so go and do it

Krishna makes more sense than Christ.

I'm not an atheist in strict sense, I think an intelligent creator is as good an explanation as any. No matter how many reasoned arguments I see of evolution I am never quite convinced. Not up to doing the maths but some developments are so subtle they must confer such an infiniitesmal evolutionary advantage that would get lost in the fog of random occurence.

Sounds wierd but the Android app on identifying wild flowers makes me question it even further. Looking at the way flower and leaf shapes fall into a relatively small number of distinct patterns that appear unrelated to habitat or to closeness of species. Where do these repeated patterns come from?

It is the emphasis on individual salvation I can see no sense in, far too many contradictions. If there is a god, it is one who values all life for unknown reasons, or, if man really is special, it is the overall development of mankind that matters, not individuals.

[SimonMac]

I think my beliefs must be the correct ones, because they're the ones I hold. If I didn't think they were correct, then I wouldn't hold them. Simple logic, applies to any belief or philosophical system.

Also apply's to bad Projet Managers

[xoggoth]

Scientology, widely dismissed as a cult

As in every religion there is sense in some of it, the campaign against drug use for example.

I keep meaning to go to one of their courses just out of curiosity but am afraid I might have a goldfish bowl stuck on my head and get b*d by a Thetan.

PS Although that sounds sorta fun come to think of it.

[NotAllThere]

...Why is your "faith" different from more recent "faiths", eg. Scientology, widely dismissed as a cult, but still followed by many. Is it because it's been around longer?

No, it's because my faith is correct, and everyone else's, while possibly containing elements of the truth, is wrong.

[Jog On]

As in every religion there is sense in some of it, the campaign against drug use for example.

I keep meaning to go to one of their courses just out of curiosity but am afraid I might have a goldfish bowl stuck on my head and get b*d by a Thetan.

PS Although that sounds sorta fun come to think of it.

I got interested in meditation and separating the ego from the self when I read "The Power of Now" which teaches basic sprirituality without any attachment to any religion or faith. It's a very good read for anyone who's wondering "what's it all about?" but doesn't want to subscribe to any particular belief system.

Highly recommend it. Try this exercise:

Can you stop thinking and if so how long for? Do you have a pause button from the constant stream of thoughts that run through your head? How long can you quieten your mind for and how do you feel during the gaps between thoughts?

Not a supernatural belief or dogmatic "truth" in sight. being able to stop your mind from spinning round and actually observe and fully appreciate the present moment is a step toward having a happier more natural existance - regardless of what you do or don't believe.

I'm lucky if I can stop thinking for about 10 seconds but I'm working on it. People who are well practiced and very enlightened can do it for as long as they want and at will. Oh for a quiet mind...

[Churchill]

For those who have faith in their chosen deity, what exactly was it that led you to decide, "I believe in this".

Your parents? An event (someone who was sick recovering).

I get you NOW have faith, but what made you decide that you would have faith.

(Note: the answer cannot be "faith").

Why is your "faith" different from more recent "faiths", eg. Scientology, widely dismissed as a cult, but still followed by many. Is it because it's been around longer?

I'm sure you won't be offended when I say "None of your business."

In my book beliefs are between a man and his God and so they should remain.