Are you a believer?

[Kizzy]

Do you believe in God? How confident are you in your view? Let’s put your belief (or lack of it) to the test.

Read aloud the following statements. Don’t just think about them or mutter them to yourself – shout them out:
I dare God to make my life miserable.
I dare God to make my home catch fire.
I dare God to turn all of my friends against me.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/15/believer-or-atheist-which-one-are-you-quiz?CMP=fb_gu

[Kizzy]

Yes I'm a believer, I wouldn't even whisper it.

[Marsh.]

I don't think the Guardian understands the concept of most religions tbh. :umm2:

[Niamh.]

lol I'm still not a believer, I would shout that but everyone is in bed

[Marsh.]

Niamh fearing the wrath of the Gav over the wrath of God.

[Niamh.]

Niamh fearing the wrath of the Gav over the wrath of God.

he does have to get up really early tomorrow :hehe:

[Crimson Dynamo]

So belief is fear?

And i just thought it was ignorance and laziness

:rolleyes:

[Ashley.]

Science makes more sense to me sorry.

[Kizzy]

So belief is fear?

And i just thought it was ignorance and laziness

:rolleyes:

I just wouldn't put that into the universe about my home and such maybe?

[bots]

I'm not a believer, but I don't tempt fate

[JoshBB]

I'm agnostic. I don't think you can prove or disprove God and I'm not going to be forced to make a choice out of the two.

[Kizzy]

I don't think the Guardian understands the concept of most religions tbh. :umm2:

It mentions god not religion in the quote, people have for millenia debated the complexities and waged wars over the meaning and definitions so I'm not surprised tbh :umm2:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I'm agnostic. I don't think you can prove or disprove God and I'm not going to be forced to make a choice out of the two.

And you feel the same about invisible 6 breasted mermaids the size of planets?

Ie cant be proved ir disproved

[Marsh.]

It mentions god not religion in the quote, people have for millenia debated the complexities and waged wars over the meaning and definitions so I'm not surprised tbh :umm2:

Well, lumping the entire concept of "belief" into that question is bizarre to say the least. :umm2:

[RichardG]

No the concept of there being a god has always felt a little silly to me, I've never believed or been religious. :shrug:

[JoshBB]

And you feel the same about invisible 6 breasted mermaids the size of planets?

Ie cant be proved ir disproved

Well, I cannot say that it 100% does not exist so I won't. That doesn't mean it automatically exists though.

[Kizzy]

Well, lumping the entire concept of "belief" into that question is bizarre to say the least. :umm2:

I don't think it is, it asks a specific question answer it or don't... what's the issue? :umm2:

[Marsh.]

I don't think it is, it asks a specific question answer it or don't... what's the issue? :umm2:

"If you're scared of saying this out loud you're a believer, if you're not, you're an atheist" Kind of simplistic really, isn't it? :umm2:

[Kizzy]

"If you're scared of saying this out loud you're a believer, if you're not, you're an atheist" Kind of simplistic really, isn't it? :umm2:

Is it?... If that's your interpretation you're welcome to it.
As I my interpretation is I didn't want to verbalise anything happening to my home, so it's not that simplistic. :umm2:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Well, I cannot say that it 100% does not exist so I won't. That doesn't mean it automatically exists though.

So essentially your are agnostic about anything that can be invented by man. Like say Harry Potter?

[DemolitionRed]

I'm agnostic. I don't think you can prove or disprove God and I'm not going to be forced to make a choice out of the two.

This ^

[Crimson Dynamo]

Is it?... If that's your interpretation you're welcome to it.
As I my interpretation is I didn't want to verbalise anything happening to my home, so it's not that simplistic. :umm2:

Would you smash a mirror if I gave you a fiver?

[Crimson Dynamo]

This ^

Do you think it's 50/50?

[DemolitionRed]

So essentially your are agnostic about anything that can be invented by man. Like say Harry Potter?

Agnostic: A person who holds neither of two opposing positions on a topic:

[DemolitionRed]

Do you think it's 50/50?

I don't know!!

[Crimson Dynamo]

I don't know!!

Do you not think you should?

[Kizzy]

Would you smash a mirror if I gave you a fiver?

That has nothing to do with the scenario I posted though :/

[Marsh.]

Is it?... If that's your interpretation you're welcome to it.
As I my interpretation is I didn't want to verbalise anything happening to my home, so it's not that simplistic. :umm2:

I was referring to the article on the Guardian website .

What you personally would and wouldn't verbalise and what that means for you is besides my point.

Not wanting to say those things doesn't make a person a believer and saying those things doesn't make a person an atheist.

So, yeah, it's a silly simplistic article.

[letmein]

I'm agnostic.

[Kizzy]

I was referring to the article on the Guardian website .

What you personally would and wouldn't verbalise and what that means for you is besides my point.

Not wanting to say those things doesn't make a person a believer and saying those things doesn't make a person an atheist.

So, yeah, it's a silly simplistic article.

The Guardian didn't do the study... they just reported on it you understand? :umm2:

[Livia]

Yes I believe in God. No, I wouldn't shout those things out, not because of fear but out of reverence. If someone else doesn't believe and wants to shout them? Knock yourself out.

[Marsh.]

The Guardian didn't do the study... they just reported on it you understand? :umm2:

So?

I'm still commenting on an article from the Guardian website?

Should I list the names of the people who carried out this "study" instead?

[Kizzy]

So?

I'm still commenting on an article from the Guardian website?

Should I list the names of the people who carried out this "study" instead?

Yes you are, I'm not sure why you're so affronted by the study as reported in the Guardian.
If you think the study simplifies the concept of belief say so.

[Marsh.]

If you think the study simplifies the concept of belief say so.

I have done. :umm2:

Lord knows why you have to make conversation in these threads so difficult.

[Kizzy]

I have done. :umm2:

Lord knows why you have to make conversation in these threads so difficult.

Good for you, I'm not finding it difficult :umm2:
It's fascinating.

[Marsh.]

Good for you, I'm not finding it difficult :umm2:
It's fascinating.

So why are you requesting that I say something I've already said?

[Kizzy]

You said the Guardian simplified belief, really you feel the study does, you never really clarified that... but I think I know where you're coming from now.

[Denver]

I believe in God but not the religion

[Marsh.]

You said the Guardian simplified belief, really you feel the study does, you never really clarified that... but I think I know where you're coming from now.

Yes, the ARTICLE.

The article is about the study so the connection there is obvious. I haven't read the study itself so only have the article as a reference.

[the truth]

Science makes more sense to me sorry.

Most great scientists are religious, the 2 are NOT mutually exclusive. That's like saying do you believe in God or baking cakes? bizarre predictable, liberal illogical attention seeking nonsense. no offence...PS Jesus rocks!

[rubymoo]

I wouldn't shout those things Kizzy, the same as you, i wouldn't want those words out in the universe. And yet i have considered myself agnostic, however i found myself talking to him (god) whilst out walking my dog last night, i'm a walking contradiction!:laugh:

[Glenn.]

I don't believe in God. It's just not realistic.

[jennyjuniper]

I believe.

[user104658]

I happily said them out loud. I'm 99.9% certain that "God" in any religious sense does not exist. For the other 0.1%? I'm 100% certain that if such a being DOES exist, it's not ****ing listening :joker:.

However, this is a stupid test. I also said them out loud because I'm not superstitious. A lot of non-religious people still wouldn't say those things, not because they believe in god, but because they believe in "not tempting fate"... for example, I know plenty of people who definitely don't believe in God / religion, but would never dream of doing the whole "Swear on your children's lives" thing.

[lostalex]

**** no. There is absolutely no part of me that thinks there is even a possibility that God exists. Every God that others believe in are evil according to their own texts, so even if they did exist (which they don't) i would do everything i could to fight against them.

God does not exist and all of the Gods that other people believe in are evil.

I believe that religious people have a psychological disorder and should not be trusted to work in important jobs that have a lot of influence, like doctors, teachers, politicians, judges, etc...

[user104658]

Most great scientists are religious

This is incorrect, it's based on a combination of obvious history and straight up myth.

The number one major myth being that Einstein was religious when he actually was not... he was broadly agnostic but more importantly - in terms of the Christian (et al.) concept of "God" and the concepts of God offered by every other major world religion, he was straight up atheist. As a scientist, he did not rule out the possibility of "a god / creator / universal force beyond our understanding" of some sort, but he did NOT believe in "God" and described the idea as being "childlike", or "wishful thinking".

Moving on to historical scientists of significance - many talked of god and feigned religion because at the times they lived, if they had shared an opinion that suggested not believing in God or following the Church... at best, they would have been discredited and cast out of academia and at worst, they would have been hounded as a heathen / satanist / witch and faced the pitchfork brigade.

Modern scientists are probably a mixed bag, as with anything else, however I'd wager than on the whole there are a higher percentage of non-religious people in scientific careers than in other careers.


I would imagine that, in general, most "great scientists" have in fact fallen into the same category as Einstein. Largely agnostic to the concept, but atheist in terms of specific / defined religious deities.

[Ammi]

I happily said them out loud. I'm 99.9% certain that "God" in any religious sense does not exist. For the other 0.1%? I'm 100% certain that if such a being DOES exist, it's not ****ing listening :joker:.

However, this is a stupid test. I also said them out loud because I'm not superstitious. A lot of non-religious people still wouldn't say those things, not because they believe in god, but because they believe in "not tempting fate"... for example, I know plenty of people who definitely don't believe in God / religion, but would never dream of doing the whole "Swear on your children's lives" thing.

..I didn't say them out loud..not because of anything to do with religious beliefs or superstition..but because as you say, there is no sense in it for me...it's not about whether something could 'come true' if I said it or thought it, but why would I say or even think anything negative about the people and things that are the most important in my life...the things that I hold the closest in my heart.../that makes no kind of sense, so to say them would just not be being true to me, really...but just to appease a survey or whatever it is...


..it's like the example that you gave really...I wouldn't swear something on my child's life, not because I would worry that it would cause them harm if I did but just because ...why would I need to swear on anything if what I believed being said or happening or whatever was true to me anyway..../just silly...

[lostalex]

..I didn't say them out loud..not because of anything to do with religious beliefs or superstition..but because as you say, there is no sense in it for me...it's not about whether something could 'come true' if I said it or thought it, but why would I say or even think anything negative about the people and things that are the most important in my life...the things that I hold the closest in my heart.../that makes no kind of sense, so to say them would just not be being true to me, really...but just to appease a survey or whatever it is...


..it's like the example that you gave really...I wouldn't swear something on my child's life, not because I would worry that it would cause them harm if I did but just because ...why would I need to swear on anything if what I believed being said or happening or whatever was true to me anyway..../just silly...

no offense Ammi, but the way you describe it, you reminded me of the type of friends you have that always drink too much, and if alcoholism comes up they say "i could stop drinking if i really wanted to, but i just don't want to"...

[Ammi]

no offense Ammi, but the way you describe it, you reminded me of the type of friends you have that always drink too much, and if alcoholism comes up they say "i could stop drinking if i really wanted to, but i just don't want to"...

...:laugh:..oh ok then, I'm going to have to think about that analogy for a bit, Alex..to see if I can understand the comparison...

[lostalex]

...:laugh:..oh ok then, I'm going to have to think about that analogy for a bit, Alex..to see if I can understand the comparison...

I'm just saying, i think you are really religious, but you don't want people to think you are really a true religious person because you think they will think you are ignorant and all the other negative stereotypes of religious people.

[waterhog]

I am a bit confused about this thread - I thought this was about Justin - I am a belieber

[Ammi]

I'm just saying, i think you are really religious, but you don't want people to think you are really a true religious person because you think they will think you are ignorant and all the other negative stereotypes of religious people.

..ahhh I see what you're saying...and I guess that would be how religious was defined because my only belief is in people and especially the people who I love most in this world....

[lostalex]

..ahhh I see what you're saying...and I guess that would be how religious was defined because my only belief is in people and especially the people who I love most in this world....

but do you really believe in god is what i'm saying... i think you do. don't you?

[Ammi]

but do you really believe in god is what i'm saying... i think you do. don't you?

..I believe in the belief that (some) people have in their God and whatever positivity that gives them or however that enriches their lives...

[DemolitionRed]

Do you not think you should?

Not unless I have definitive proof.

Do I believe in a greater force? I remain open minded.

Do I believe in the bibles interpretation of God? no

[Crimson Dynamo]

does anyone think that if you say out loud

I dare God to make my life amazing.
I dare God to make my home into a dream home
I dare God to turn all of my friends into the best friends i could possibly hope for

that would work either?


of course not

[Livia]

does anyone think that if you say out loud

I dare God to make my life amazing.
I dare God to make my home into a dream home
I dare God to turn all of my friends into the best friends i could possibly hope for

that would work either?


of course not

He's God, he's not a genie.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Not unless I have definitive proof.

Do I believe in a greater force? I remain open minded.

Do I believe in the bibles interpretation of God? no

You can remain open minded about everything of course and that is what science does - but still realise that any religious ideas are highly (99.9%) unrealistic and as such should not feature in our schools or politics


The fact that belief in a god allows men to say " well I will bypass common held morality and law because i can justify this by saying god allows it and lets face it noone can check" results in most of the vile things in the world

[Crimson Dynamo]

He's God, he's not a genie.

he is nothing that is why he or it does nothing and does not exist:smug:


If you pray to a chair ( a nice one mind) you get the same results 100% of the time

[Crimson Dynamo]

and if he can create a universe then he can knock up a fecking dream home

[Livia]

he is nothing that is why he or it does nothing and does not exist:smug:


If you pray to a chair ( a nice one mind) you get the same results 100% of the time

I think you'd have to pray to a chair first and see the results. You've got to pray hard. Off you go... let me know how it works out for you.

[lostalex]

He's God, he's not a genie.

but that's not what religions tell people/ religions tell people that god is paying particular attention to them and their wishes. religions tell them that god listens to every prayer and that if you just have enough belief and loyalty to god he will give them what they want. that is what all religions tell their followers, so religions do make it seem like god is a genie. and just like psychics, when someone's prayers don't get answered, they say it's because they don't believe well enough or don't pray hard enough, they make people feel like it;'s their fault when god doesn't deliver.

it's no different to psychics. if the psychic gets it wrong then it's YOUR fault for not believing enough. you aren't opening up enough, it's your fault for not being good enough for god.

[Jamie89]

And you feel the same about invisible 6 breasted mermaids the size of planets?

Ie cant be proved ir disproved

This reminded me of the flying spaghetti monster :laugh:

[Jamie89]

What I don't get about this is that, does anyone who believes in God actually think that those statements will come true if they say them? (I appreciate some have already said it's more a nervousness about tempting fate). Because I'm not a believer myself but if there is a God, I'm sure he wouldn't do something just because he's been dared. He's not 15.

[Niamh.]

What I don't get about this is that, does anyone who believes in God actually think that those statements will come true if they say them? (I appreciate some have already said it's more a nervousness about tempting fate). Because I'm not a believer myself but if there is a God, I'm sure he wouldn't do something just because he's been dared. He's not 15.

:laugh3:

[Mokka]

What I don't get about this is that, does anyone who believes in God actually think that those statements will come true if they say them? (I appreciate some have already said it's more a nervousness about tempting fate). Because I'm not a believer myself but if there is a God, I'm sure he wouldn't do something just because he's been dared. He's not 15.

:joker::joker::joker:

[lostalex]

if you read the bible, it does seem that god has the maturity level of a 15 y/o. he killed people just because the devil dared him.

[Livia]

but that's not what religions tell people/ religions tell people that god is paying particular attention to them and their wishes. religions tell them that god listens to every prayer and that if you just have enough belief and loyalty to god he will give them what they want. that is what all religions tell their followers, so religions do make it seem like god is a genie. and just like psychics, when someone's prayers don't get answered, they say it's because they don't believe well enough or don't pray hard enough, they make people feel like it;'s their fault when god doesn't deliver.

it's no different to psychics. if the psychic gets it wrong then it's YOUR fault for not believing enough. you aren't opening up enough, it's your fault for not being good enough for god.

I don't recognise any of that as being pertinent to my own faith, Alex.

[lostalex]

I don't recognise any of that as being pertinent to my own faith, Alex.

well most religious people have very selective hearing Livia. it's easy to hear what you want to hear and tune out the rest. I find it hard to believe that you've never heard a person of your faith say that someone who defied the faith "got what they deserved" if they came upon misfortune, or that someone of your faith is not really part of your faith because they weren't loyal enough. That happens in every faith community.

[Livia]

well most religious people have very selective hearing Livia. it's easy to hear what you want to hear and tune out the rest. I find it hard to believe that you've never heard a person of your faith say that someone who defied the faith "got what they deserved" if they came upon misfortune, or that someone of your faith is not really part of your faith because they weren't loyal enough. That happens in every faith community.

That's quite a statement, Alex. No, with my hand on my heart, I have never heard anyone of my faith rejoice in the misfortune of others. If anyone feels they have deserved their downfall it has not had anything to do with faith.

Also, you say you think I might have selective hearing because of my faith. Conversely I generally find people with no faith feel very free to make rude, empty claims about people who do... and I don't know why you would feel entitled to do that. I have no problem with you believing in nothing, I uphold your right to that. I am sorry you can't find it in yourself to wish me the same.

[lostalex]

That's quite a statement, Alex. No, with my hand on my heart, I have never heard anyone of my faith rejoice in the misfortune of others. If anyone feels they have deserved their downfall it has not had anything to do with faith.

Also, you say you think I might have selective hearing because of my faith. Conversely I generally find people with no faith feel very free to make rude, empty claims about people who do... and I don't know why you would feel entitled to do that. I have no problem with you believing in nothing, I uphold your right to that. I am sorry you can't find it in yourself to wish me the same.

wait, i didn't wish you the same of what?

i honestly don't care, in the end we are all just rotting meat, so what am i not wishing the same for you about? i only judge people on how they treat other people, and you know damn well religions teach people to treat others badly. and yes, even religions that say treat others well, but they aren't "the chosen ones" is still treating people badly and it's patronizing.

you belong to a religion where they pay "goyim" to turn off light switches for them, because they don't want to upset god, but they don't care that the goyim upset god?? there are happy to pay other humans to upset god but they aren't willing to do it themselves??? that's pretty ****ed up.

[Jessica.]

There is no God.

[Livia]

wait, i didn't wish you the same of what?

i honestly don't care, in the end we are all just rotting meat, so what am i not wishing the same for you about? i only judge people on how they treat other people, and you know damn well religions teach people to treat others badly. and yes, even religions that say treat others well, but they aren't "the chosen ones" is still treating people badly and it's patronizing.

you belong to a religion where they pay "goyim" to turn off light switches for them, because they don't want to upset god, but they don't care that the goyim upset god?? there are happy to pay other humans to upset god but they aren't willing to do it themselves??? that's pretty ****ed up.


If you don't believe my religion to be true, why would you feel patronised about the "chosen people" thing? And anyway, this is nonsensical. You're getting my faith confused with Orthodox Judaism, either through ignorance or you're trying to provoke. My faith is my faith and there's nothing you can say to change what's in my heart.

[Marsh.]

I'm just saying, i think you are really religious, but you don't want people to think you are really a true religious person because you think they will think you are ignorant and all the other negative stereotypes of religious people.

Not really. She may be open to the possibility of a "God" but that doesn't make someone religious. She doesn't align herself to any religious denomination.

Belief =/= religious.

[Marsh.]

There is no God.

All right arista, calm down.

[Marsh.]

What I don't get about this is that, does anyone who believes in God actually think that those statements will come true if they say them? (I appreciate some have already said it's more a nervousness about tempting fate). Because I'm not a believer myself but if there is a God, I'm sure he wouldn't do something just because he's been dared. He's not 15.

This. :joker:

[Marsh.]

religions tell them that god listens to every prayer and that if you just have enough belief and loyalty to god he will give them what they want.

Then you need to broaden your religious research.

In all the years I've stepped foot in a church or sat in RE classes in school, not once have I been told that if I believe hard enough I will have my wishes/prayers granted. :joker:

[Marsh.]

and if he can create a universe then he can knock up a fecking dream home

He's not here to help you with your retrospective planning permission Mr Fiddler. :nono:

Also, asking for dream homes and money is so materialistic. :hmph:

[Johnnyuk123]

I Don't believe in anykind of god. Believers do like to say that God created everything then cherry pick it to death. Cos if in fact this so called God DID create EVERYTHING then he's to blame for the terrorists,all diseases and all the other bad things going on in the world.
But Santa is REAL.:joker:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I am agnostic about santa

[Johnnyuk123]

I am agnostic about santa

No presents for you then.:nono::joker::joker::joker:

[Kazanne]

I Don't believe in anykind of god. Believers do like to say that God created everything then cherry pick it to death. Cos if in fact this so called God DID create EVERYTHING then he's to blame for the terrorists,all diseases and all the other bad things going on in the world.
But Santa is REAL.:joker:

:nono: No Johnny you cant blame God for the evils men do, WE are to blame for the evils of the world no one else.

[Marsh.]

I Don't believe in anykind of god. Believers do like to say that God created everything then cherry pick it to death. Cos if in fact this so called God DID create EVERYTHING then he's to blame for the terrorists,all diseases and all the other bad things going on in the world.
But Santa is REAL.:joker:

Then do a little research about something called "free will".

[Niamh.]

:nono: No Johnny you cant blame God for the evils men do, WE are to blame for the evils of the world no one else.

Speak for yourself kazanne, I did **** all :idc:

[Marsh.]

Speak for yourself kazanne, I did **** all :idc:

You banned me more than once young lady. :nono: Don't think I don't know. :hmph:

[Crimson Dynamo]

:nono: No Johnny you cant blame God for the evils men do, WE are to blame for the evils of the world no one else.

and who made men in his own image?



:nono:

[Ammi]

Not really. She may be open to the possibility of a "God" but that doesn't make someone religious. She doesn't align herself to any religious denomination.

Belief =/= religious.

..one thing that I will say is that in my world, as in my home and work life, I'm very much surrounded by people of faith/many types of faith so I wouldn't feel at all as though I couldn't be open about my beliefs and wouldn't be deemed ignorant in any way at all or perceived negatively...and on the forum..?...well, my beliefs are not relevant at all to who I am so not necessary to speak about unless I choose to...

[Ammi]

...oh sorry Marsh, that was kind of meant to be to Alex as well....

[Niamh.]

You banned me more than once young lady. :nono: Don't think I don't know. :hmph:

I would never :smug:

[Ammi]

I Don't believe in anykind of god. Believers do like to say that God created everything then cherry pick it to death. Cos if in fact this so called God DID create EVERYTHING then he's to blame for the terrorists,all diseases and all the other bad things going on in the world.
But Santa is REAL.:joker:

..I guess that he's like the company founder but then left people to oversee and work it for him..that's not meant to be glib but more how to look at it as well, for those who believe in him and like Kaz has said...it's how the belief of him is interpreted by some who choose to interpret it negatively and only negatively...

[Ammi]

I would never :smug:

..I would..:laugh:.../probably daily just for the LOLs...

[kirklancaster]

Speak for yourself kazanne, I did **** all :idc:

:laugh:

[Marsh.]

..I would..:laugh:.../probably daily just for the LOLs...

:fist:

[Ashley.]

Most great scientists are religious, the 2 are NOT mutually exclusive. That's like saying do you believe in God or baking cakes? bizarre predictable, liberal illogical attention seeking nonsense. no offence...PS Jesus rocks!

They are very mutually exclusive.

[kirklancaster]

..I guess that he's like the company founder but then left people to oversee and work it for him..that's not meant to be glib but more how to look at it as well, for those who believe in him and like Kaz has said...it's how the belief of him is interpreted by some who choose to interpret it negatively and only negatively...

:clap1::clap1::clap1:

[Kizzy]

Yes, the ARTICLE.

The article is about the study so the connection there is obvious. I haven't read the study itself so only have the article as a reference.

You did seem to be blaming the Guardian though I thought for simplifying belief...
I didn't really find that a fair point considering they didn't conduct the study, to condemn the guardian based on one report seem a little extreme.

It's not unusual for faith to be tested, when there are natural disasters and such many ask how did god allow this to happen. It's not negative to question belief it's quite healthy as you are able then to rationalise and reaffirm it once the shock of the disaster has passed.

[user104658]

What I don't get about this is that, does anyone who believes in God actually think that those statements will come true if they say them? (I appreciate some have already said it's more a nervousness about tempting fate). Because I'm not a believer myself but if there is a God, I'm sure he wouldn't do something just because he's been dared. He's not 15.
Read the Book of Job.

Or maybe he's matured since then? :shrug:

[Marsh.]

You did seem to be blaming the Guardian though I thought for simplifying belief...
I didn't really find that a fair point considering they didn't conduct the study, to condemn the guardian based on one report seem a little extreme.

It's not unusual for faith to be tested, when there are natural disasters and such many ask how did god allow this to happen. It's not negative to question belief it's quite healthy as you are able then to rationalise and reaffirm it once the shock of the disaster has passed.

I think you're misunderstanding what I was saying. :laugh:

I haven't mentioned anything about testing faith or questioning belief in general.

I was talking about the notion the article puts forward that "If you say ______ out loud you are an atheist, if you don't you are a believer". Silly simplification they are putting forward based on this 'study'.

[Ninastar]

I'm not even the slightest bit religious, but I have the utmost respect for those who do follow religion and I hate when people think its okay to make fun of them for that.

[Johnnyuk123]

I believe in Walt Disney.:laugh:
http://a5.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI2Njk0OTUzNDYzMDY1MjE5.jpg

[Ammi]

I believe in Walt Disney.:laugh:
http://a5.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI2Njk0OTUzNDYzMDY1MjE5.jpg

..me as well Johnny..:lovedup:..

[Kizzy]

I think you're misunderstanding what I was saying. :laugh:

I haven't mentioned anything about testing faith or questioning belief in general.

I was talking about the notion the article puts forward that "If you say ______ out loud you are an atheist, if you don't you are a believer". Silly simplification they are putting forward based on this 'study'.

No I'm really not.
I replied to you and then left a small gap to continue my post to expand on my view.
They are reporting on what the study appears to suggest, don't shoot the messenger. :laugh:

[Kizzy]

I believe in Walt Disney.:laugh:
http://a5.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI2Njk0OTUzNDYzMDY1MjE5.jpg

Bit too controversial for my liking :umm2:

[JoshBB]

So essentially your are agnostic about anything that can be invented by man. Like say Harry Potter?

Harry Potter is clearly a movie and book.. you can disprove it all because we know it's acted. Not the same as bible & god (although some parts of the bible can be disproved, though most of those verses have been amended)

[Dominic]

I am your leader,
Yes I am your leader,
You're not a believer,
Suck a big ****