Do you believe in a God?

[supernoodles!]

Well....do you?

[XxShortyxX]

No, I don't. I don't believe in something you can't see. But I respect people who do.

[Dr43%er]

No. Not one dot.

[Mark]

Originally posted by XxShortyxX
I don't believe in something you can't see.

You can't see air can you :hugesmile:


I don't believe in a god at all. I tend to keep my thoughts on the subject to a minimum as I usually end up insulting believers, and that's not my intention when I debate.

The whole (god) thing is ridiculous though :thumbs:

- Mark

[Dr43%er]

:tongue: Liking your work there.

[Captain.Remy]

Yes I'm a catholic.
However, as I'm both russian and italian, my parents had a conflict when I was born as my father is a orthodoxe and my mother is a catholic. Finally they have decided to make me a catholic.

[Dr43%er]

Don't you think you should have a say in it?

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Dr43%er
Don't you think you should have a say in it?

No because my parents gave me what they thought it was better for me and I respect them. I trust in God, it helped me a lot. That's the traditions, it will happen for my wedding and stuff like that. Even if it's quite annoying for people I respect that and everything they gave me.

[Dr43%er]

I would still rather have my own say. Me and my sister were left to make up our own minds regardless of our parents thoughts. I have decided that there is to much hate in the world for there to be a god. My sister is a Muslim. I will respect her religious beliefs round hers, but then she must respect my beliefs if she is round mine. So if I want a bacon sandwich washed down with a beer whilst she is round, then I will. Like wise I will only eat Halal round hers.

[Sarah.]

Nope, I'm atheist.. don't believe in anything like that.

[SairBabi92]

I do 100%

[Spike]

No, I'm an atheist. I'm not going to waste my life believing in something which can't be proved.

[Ruth*Star]

Nope, I'm atheist, I used to believe in a god when i was little but now I'm older i just don't.

[Dr43%er]

"In Islam Allah isn't a God, and in Christianity Jesus isn't a God. Buddha wasn't a God either, in fact Buddhists don't even believe in a God, so you may want to check that. (??"

Where as Prince Philip and Norman Wisdom are revered as God's in some parts
of the world. I may have made up the bit about Norman Wisdom.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : flavaflav23
yes i believie in one true god and thank him for everytthing he has given me

I will pray for you leaving this forum definately (sorry I couldn't contain myself)

[Retroman]

Originally posted by Ellis
By the way supernoodles, your poll is rather inaccurate.

In Islam Allah isn't a God, and in Christianity Jesus isn't a God. Buddha wasn't a God either, in fact Buddhists don't even believe in a God, so you may want to check that. (??)

I second that...
Sorry but this topic may have been better off without a poll, or by listing the religions rather than the "gods/beings who are worshipped" But I suppose we all understand the poll options none the less, so no harm done.

Anyhow, no I don't believe in god.

I will say why, because im hoping believers reading this will find it in themselves to accept the fact that not everybody on the planet has to share their views, and that im not condeming religion, just explaining my opinion on it.

- For one, there is too much conveniance concerning god.

Everything regarding god is invisible and passed off with the excuse of it being "magical" or "a mysterious force"

You can't just whack a "special, unexplainable and mysterious" sticker on everything and expect everyone to accept it. It wouldn't work if I said there's an invisible gremlin living in my garden, and it shouldn't work elsewhere either. The funny thing is some people may think that comparison is ridiculous, yet if you actually look at it, it really isn't.

Then moving on to the ten commandments, several rules telling us how to live. All of these rules are allowed to be broken, considering you repent your sins and are truly sorry.

So everyone can lead their lives breaking any of those rules, and know it'll be ok considering they feel guilty afterwards.

Which seems slightly odd, since one of the rules is god laying down a firm law that YOU SHALL NOT WORSHIP ANY OTHER GOD BUT ME! which sounds a little bossy, strict and selfish wouldn't you agree? not the words of someone who forgives all who are sorry.

But again, all conveniant.

- Secondly would be a simple observation on my part. The fact that as far as im concerned, every single believer whether aware or unaware, conciously or subconciously, has a reason for believing in god.

By this I mean that whether down to a bad life, bad situation, lack of love, missing dead loved one's, fear of death etc etc, I think pretty much all religious people gain some kind of love/peace of mind that makes them feel better about their insecurites, which is the main reason I think they turn to a god who offers unconditional love.

Ive noticed a lot of very strict christians, who follow the religion more so than some, often tend to be people with a lot of strife and problems, whether past or present.

It all seems a little selfish to me, but I respect the fact it brings a little happiness into people's lives/makes their lives better, even if I do think it's false.

- Thirdly, are some random points such as heaven and hell being thought of before we were aware of the earths core/molten lava and space. If we had more technology back then and knew what was in the sky, would the idea of heaven and hell ever have formed?

Not to mention that heaven decided to appropriately change from being in the clouds, to being "invisible and on another plane" as soon as we discovered space. Which is a little odd to say the least, since it was originally on our plane, and now on another? all because we now know what is beyond the clouds.

Religion just can't change itself to adjust everytime someone proves it wrong, and again slap a "magical" sticker onto it to explain why it's changed.

Also, religion is taught to children at an age where they are too young to know any better. A majority of them will believe what they're told and end up believing it for the rest of their lives...whereas if they were left to learn about religion when they were older, I think we'd have far less christians.

Another thing I think plays a role is the large amount of religous buildings across the world, and the fact it's so established in todays society, means people give the idea of religion more credit than if it wasn't taking the form of buildings/R.E lessons/going to church with school etc.

- And lastly, there's the endless scientific reasons to tell us why heaven, hell, god and the afterlife are all impossible.

Every single thing in existence is explained by science, emphasis on existance.

Again, religion only survives in people's minds due to the fact that they've invented a being that is capable of ANYTHING and has power beyond belief.

So this again makes it incredibly conveniant, because if he wants to make everything invisible, unexplainable and so on...he can do so freely.

But even god would fall to the laws of science, and there'd be a way of measuring his power and what it is that gives him that power. And I seriously doubt there's anything out there capable of allowing such amazing things to happen.

There's also the fact that god was pretty much in our faces 2000 years ago, and decided to get virgins pregnant, set bushes on fire, give people powers, talk to people, put his son on this earth with magical healing powers, revive Jesus and strike down a temple.

And what now? did he get bored? is he having a little sleep?

And please nobody pass me off with the excuse that the world has become so bad that god doesn't wish to address us personally anymore...because the world was much worse back then believe it or not. Plus if he was who he claims to be, he'd be here more than ever in a time of need. Not turn his back when things look grim.

All of the above is mainly aimed towards christianity obviously and perhaps others, as I don't know enough about Buddhism to make fair comments but at least their religion is more plausible and a little more practical.

[Arneldo]

I want to but, no I don't. When I was younger I was religious but after my grandmother died I feel I lost my faith. Now I'm older and wiser I just can't grasp the idea of one man, creator, being creating this universe. i believe God is someone (something) that people want to believe in for whatever reason.

I cant, and refuse, to believe that God created all we see today. I believe that thier was no beginning. The universe has always been and always will.

[Jackie]

No i don't beleive in god.

[Sunny_01]

I choose to believe that there is something. I am not sure which "god" is the right one. I was christened and brought up Roman Catholic but am very much opposed to many of the teaching of the church. I dont think any god would dictate to us in the way the church does. I dont know why I believe I just think I feel safer in the world having something to pray to.

[MarkWaldorf]

Yes, I believe God has plans for all of us.

(Any God)

[dupin]

Definatley not, and I think Retroman's post was really a great one, it captivated everything I think in terms of religion. I think it's all a bit silly really...

[Ann]

Yes I Do As I'm Cathalic :thumbs2:

[Bells]

According to other religious documents, God stated that He would send the last messenger to Earth around 1,500 years back, which is a plausible explanation if you choose to believe it. As a result, it can’t be said that he has turned our backs on us simply because he isn’t addressing a person directly. I don’t believe a lot of things connected with God in Christianity (for example); I just accept the fact that there is a God, who in turn created the entire universe. Not in every religious document is he represented as a dictator or unforgiving; he simply states that his people should choose to believe in nobody but him, which in my opinion isn’t asking for much. To be honest, whilst some people in this thread will probably find it shocking how someone can believe in God, I find it equally if not more shocking how someone cannot. But I would never impose my views upon someone else, because everything is out there for anyone who is willing to know.

Firstly, I don’t follow a particular ‘religion’ – I don’t believe in religions because I feel it creates divisions amongst people, which shouldn’t be how things work. In terms of God, I think science if anything should increase a person’s faith, i.e. how such complex structures such as the human body have been created. Furthermore, how everything seems to work out on a grand scale, e.g. the structure of an atom compared with the structure of the solar system, and then other galaxies, and ultimately the universe itself which is such a wondrous thing to speculate, of which Earth is therefore minute. My cousin is a Muslim, and he showed me how in the Koran, scientific processes such as a child in its mother’s womb amongst other examples are described within it, which I found fascinating because no way could the people of back then known such detail about it. It is possible to believe in Allah/God and follow a certain way of life; however, once again, I do not agree with how within Islam also, divisions have been created. Going back to believing in God, I think it’s a bit of a generalisation for anyone to think or suggest that people who believe in God fear death, are insecure or lacking something. There is no need to fear death if you are comfortable within yourself and how you live your life. Furthermore, many happy families as well as happy people in general choose to believe in God, perhaps simply because they think it makes sense, or makes them better people.

In terms of Heaven/Hell, perhaps what was described about them was metaphorical, rather than taking the literal meaning. When the holy books were published, the interpretation of the meaning for them would have been different... whereas if we were to receive a holy book now, it would probably contain a more complex example of where Heaven/Hell is. To me, it just gives the impression that we could not understand where it is at present because as I mentioned before, the universe is a wondrous thing to speculate, but can be given a similar example. But, the idea of it makes sense to me. Different people live their lives in different ways; some choose to be good, and some bad. We could question why in fact there is right and wrong, because science alone cannot explain it. Humans have been given the chance to have free will, in which they can accept good/bad ways of life, unlike any other creature; evolution does not explain why it has come about. Going back to Heaven/Hell, if there is good and bad/right and wrong, then it would make sense for there to be an ultimate right and an ultimate wrong.

[Scarlett.]

I belive in the Christian god, but I dont go by all the rules

and the truth is there is no Devil, our RE teacher even told us there wasnt

[Stu]

Originally posted by Chewy
and the truth is there is no Devil, our RE teacher even told us there wasnt
Well bye god it must be true then! :rolleyes:

[Dan_]

I'm agnostic.

There was a time, a while back when things were pretty crap in my life that I was atheist and just felt that whole concept was just a load of rubbish, mainly due to all the bad that goes on in the world.I was only young and didn't have much of a grasp on different beliefs.

As I've grown older, I've veered towards the view of agnosticism.I come from the standpoint of being an open agonstic.This basically means that I don't currently believe in any God(s) but I'm still not totally discounting the existence of God.I'm not going to believe unless I've got factual proof/experience of God.

[Scarlett.]

Originally posted by Stu
Originally posted by Chewy
and the truth is there is no Devil, our RE teacher even told us there wasnt
Well bye god it must be true then! :rolleyes: Its a well known fact that Catholics made it up to scare people into joining their religeon

[XxShortyxX]

Actually I do believe in something. I believe that when you like die, you come back as something else.

So what's one of them called?

[supernoodles!]

re-incarnation?
sorry i cant spell plus ive had a few lol

[XxShortyxX]

Originally posted by supernoodles!
re-incarnation?
sorry i cant spell plus ive had a few lol

Re-incarnation, yeah that's it :bigsmile: I think that's how you spell it, oh I don't know, yeah that and all :bigsmile:

[supernoodles!]

i hope i dont come back as a moth....ewww.:yuk:

[XxShortyxX]

Ewww, knowing my luck I will come back as a tree, or a bench or something.

[supernoodles!]

a bench lol

[XxShortyxX]

I want to come back as erm, I don't know really, what is there? I could come back as a bird, and then cr*p on people I don't like, now that would be good :bigsmile:

[Shaun]

Originally posted by Dan_
I'm agnostic.

There was a time, a while back when things were pretty c**p in my life that I was atheist and just felt that whole concept was just a load of rubbish, mainly due to all the bad that goes on in the world.I was only young and didn't have much of a grasp on different beliefs.

As I've grown older, I've veered towards the view of agnosticism.I come from the standpoint of being an open agonstic.This basically means that I don't currently believe in any God(s) but I'm still not totally discounting the existence of God.I'm not going to believe unless I've got factual proof/experience of God.

Pretty much ditto. :thumbs:

[supernoodles!]

I dont really want to come back as anyone or anything,i just want to be me:hugesmile:

[XxShortyxX]

Yeah, jsut come back as yourself innit.

[supernoodles!]

so do yuo beleive that we`ve all been here before in a past life?

[XxShortyxX]

Yeah, and I don't believe you just die and that's it.

[supernoodles!]

i hope not,its a sad thought:bawling:

[XxShortyxX]

Lol, well your dead, so it don't matter lol. Besides you have yearssssssss to go before that happens, unless you get by a bus tomorrow or something lol.

[supernoodles!]

ya never no do ya lol

[XxShortyxX]

Lol yep, not that I am wishing it on you or anything lol

[Dr43%er]

"YOU SHALL NOT WORSHIP ANY OTHER GOD BUT ME!"

So if they are God's words he is confirming there are other gods. Now if God made everything, why did he make other gods and then decide you can not worship them?

I think I have posted it here before but this song sums it up perfectly for me. I think it got banned for blasphemy reasons. That fact alone I find offensive. How can it be right that I can't hear something because of a faith I don't believe in?

XTC: Dear God.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk41Gbjljfo&feature=related

[supernoodles!]

I dont understand why it had to banned,I mean if you agree with the lyrics of the song what is so wrong with that that and If you disagree,well so what theres alot of things i disagree with in the world but their still said and they still happen

[Stu]

Originally posted by Chewy
Originally posted by Stu
Originally posted by Chewy
and the truth is there is no Devil, our RE teacher even told us there wasnt
Well bye god it must be true then! :rolleyes: Its a well known fact that Catholics made it up to scare people into joining their religeon
No it is not.

You are aware that Catholicism is a mere branch of Christianity? That religion with the bible with the devil in it?

With Religion , nothing is fact , except the unknown. I am personaly open to learning about all Religions and have not yet picked a side in this great big battle of misguided stupidity but you can not say with confidence that the devil is 'made up'.

Besides , Hades , Satan , Lucifer , Big Red , whatever you like to call him , he does not exist JUST in Christianity.

[GiRTh]

I believe in God. I was bought up to be a Christian. In fact, I went to Sunday School till I was sixteen. I've kind of lost the faith since then but my family are still deeply religious. I'm not a christian anymore as I don't really like religion or people who are deeply religious. I believe in God but I don't believe in religion.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Stu
No it is not.

You are aware that Catholicism is a mere branch of Christianity? That religion with the bible with the devil in it?

With Religion , nothing is fact , except the unknown. I am personaly open to learning about all Religions and have not yet picked a side in this great big battle of misguided stupidity but you can not say with confidence that the devil is 'made up'.

Besides , Hades , Satan , Lucifer , Big Red , whatever you like to call him , he does not exist JUST in Christianity.

Thank you for defending what I'm trusting about. I really can't stand those accusations about a religion. This is not nice to hear and more, this is very wrong !

[Retroman]

It really frustrates me as to a lack of points when arguing gods existance sometimes...

It's almost as though people just choose to randomly believe something on a whim.

Eg. Someone believes in reincarnation, then you ask them why? and it seems to be a case of "I just do"

I don't see how people can conform their beliefs to something so specific without decent reasons to back it up.

And when they do try to explain things further, it's usually something along the lines of "it makes me a better person, it makes me happier, it does this or that for me, it adds a greater sense of meaning to life and stops me feeling insignificant" which backs up my previous point in my last post.

Originally posted by Ash
According to other religious documents, God stated that He would send the last messenger to Earth around 1,500 years back, which is a plausible explanation if you choose to believe it.

That just creates even further doubt in my mind, that a god would confirm times/dates/years that he will allow his own personal messengers to grace the earth and then announce a time he'll make it all stop and not allow any messenger to visit the planet for all eternity.

Where's the logic in that? From a practical point of view, a messenger every 500 years would be worthwhile? someone to restore faith, solve problems and help the world for some time.

Actually, why even make it every 500 years? if he has the power to put people on this planet who can help, why not make it permanent? Why restrict something so beneficial?

And before you say he's leaving us to find our own way, then why go against that all those years ago? He's obviously willing to help us out, but chose not to bother anymore.

Or rather "help in ways not visible" which is again, very conveniant how god transferred his methods from full on noticable, to not remotely recognisable.

Not to mention that announcing an end to his messengers visiting earth doesn't explain his lack of direct activity/display of power etc.

Originally posted by Ash
To be honest, whilst some people in this thread will probably find it shocking how someone can believe in God, I find it equally if not more shocking how someone cannot.

Unless you can provide substantial reasons as to why it should be so easy to believe in god, then I can't see why you're so shocked.

Im not asking you to "preach" or tell everyone why they should be religious, but I think it's too appropriate that pretty much every religious person decides not to "force their beliefs" on people when it comes to explaining themselves properly.

Originally posted by Ash
Going back to believing in God, I think it’s a bit of a generalisation for anyone to think or suggest that people who believe in God fear death, are insecure or lacking something. There is no need to fear death if you are comfortable within yourself and how you live your life. Furthermore, many happy families as well as happy people in general choose to believe in God, perhaps simply because they think it makes sense, or makes them better people.

Well my point is for the fact that I personally think that all those "happy" families are suffering from some kind of issue not apparent to the rest of us. And those secure with the fact they will die, have one of the other reasons I listed to believe in god.

Of course this point can be argued again and again, since i'll never know the inner thoughts, feelings, past occurances and so on...of every single religious person on the planet.

But I still believe they all have some self benefitting reason to believe.

As for them thinking it'll make them better people, that backs up what ive been saying.

And I don't see how people can choose to believe religion based on it "making sense" as I don't see how anyone can be told "A being with unfathomable power created everything" to which they'd think "Oh yes! that makes perfect sense...completely understandable. No arguing against that."

There's no sense in religion, none what so ever.
If there was any sense in religion, anything that made anyone think "ah ok, that must be true." then religion would be leaning far more towards fact, than belief.

Originally posted by Ash
We could question why in fact there is right and wrong, because science alone cannot explain it. Humans have been given the chance to have free will, in which they can accept good/bad ways of life, unlike any other creature; evolution does not explain why it has come about. Going back to Heaven/Hell, if there is good and bad/right and wrong, then it would make sense for there to be an ultimate right and an ultimate wrong.

Everything has free will, but it's only humankind who has the brain power to make rules and judgements on what is right, and what is wrong.

That's the reason religion exists only for us, and no other lifeforms.

But who's to decide what is right and wrong?

If we take away the laws, and what we're told to think...
Is murder wrong? is stealing wrong? or is it just the law, society, and passed down morals from family/friends that make us think that way?

We murder other lifeforms every single day.
Im sure 100% of people reading this are guilty of killing something themselves, whether it be an insect/animal/pet or consuming something that was killed.

Yet it's all fine, legal and accepted, because it's for the benefit of humankind.

Humans are just selfish and decide that anything that could possibly harm them, is wrong...everything that can benefit them is right.

Eg. Murder/stealing is wrong because it can cause us problems.

Baking your nextdoor neighbours cookies and donating to charity is right, because it helps them, as well as help you feel better about yourself for performing good deeds.

It's nothing to do with the ability to distinguish what is right/wrong being bestowed upon us by a higher being.

It's just plain selfishness.
Just my opinion of course.

P.S Im glad you agree Dupin. And I never thought of that strangely enough Dr43%er , but a well made point.

[Bells]

Well, for me personally, I've already stated I don't agree with religion. I just believe that there is a God. Otherwise, your points are well argued against some of mine (because I did make a pretty long post), but it's one of those issues where I can't change or respond to what I've said without repeating myself. It's all based on perception: whether you think there is enough evidence out there to allow you to believe in a God (as I described): I do, whereas others don't... but that's up to them entirely.

[Conor]

Heres something enteresting for everyone. My SCIENCE teacher (who is a DR in some sort of science) used to be a MONK, and still has a deep relationship with God and the practice of the Catholic church. He seems to have the answer to alot of questions where Religion and Science clash, incluing some really good, well thought answers.

I think actually, in the past 2 - 3 years (since Ive started high school) my relationship with God has deepened. (partly with help from my science teacher) and I will definatly be taking RE as a GCSE next year.

For me, science will always come after RE. I am a Christian, and its almost comforting knowing there is a God.

The sad thing is, that if there is a God, unfortunatly the non beleivers will not get into heaven. Thats the worst part for me, which is why I try to get as many friends to beleive in God as possible. Luckily, all of my family beleives in God!

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Conor
The sad thing is, that if there is a God, unfortunatly the non beleivers will not get into heaven. Thats the worst part for me, which is why I try to get as many friends to beleive in God as possible. Luckily, all of my family beleives in God!

That's their problem, I'm a christian too and everyone told me that everyone will go to Heaven, beleiver or not, God takes everyone. I'm not going to force make people beliving in something they don't want to.

[spacebandit]

Sun worshippers.... for that is all they are.

[supernoodles!]

so if i dont believe in god then i wont go to heaven because for me thats scary becuase i have a sort of 'what if attitude' i half believe half dont

[Mark]

I heard this somewhere (no idea if it's true) but if you are baptized that means you go to heaven. Being a believer doesn't matter or not.

Maybe someone can clarify :wink:

[Dan_]

Originally posted by Conor
Heres something enteresting for everyone. My SCIENCE teacher (who is a DR in some sort of science) used to be a MONK, and still has a deep relationship with God and the practice of the Catholic church. He seems to have the answer to alot of questions where Religion and Science clash, incluing some really good, well thought answers.

I think actually, in the past 2 - 3 years (since Ive started high school) my relationship with God has deepened. (partly with help from my science teacher) and I will definatly be taking RE as a GCSE next year.

For me, science will always come after RE. I am a Christian, and its almost comforting knowing there is a God.

The sad thing is, that if there is a God, unfortunatly the non beleivers will not get into heaven. Thats the worst part for me, which is why I try to get as many friends to beleive in God as possible. Luckily, all of my family beleives in God!

To me that sounds like nothing more than a whole load of scaremongering, being almost forced to believe in God for the fear of not going to heaven.Those sort of beliefs really don't sit well with me because there is no factual evidence to even back up that belief.

I really don't know how people get so sucked in by what is essentially unproven theories.

[Dr43%er]

"And I never thought of that strangely enough Dr43%er , but a well made point."

A: If he does exist, god made beer. So I have no idea what point I may have made.

B:"unfortunatly the non beleivers will not get into heaven."

As I believe in heaven as much as I believe in God, this is not really a problem for me.

That is what I hate about religion. For some reason you want to make me believe or all is not right in the world. Why can you not be happy for me not to believe? Forgive me.

Oh, Conor. Putting SCIENTIST and MONK in big letters does not make it so. All you have is a scientist that is not very good at his job.

Was it you that was so down recently that you were talking of killing your self? (the ultimate sin according to you lot) Why would an all loving god let you get to that point? Why would he let people take the piss out of you? Why would he let someone who thinks he is a bag "O" shite be the good person who tries to help you?

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Mark
I heard this somewhere (no idea if it's true) but if you are baptized that means you go to heaven. Being a believer doesn't matter or not.

Maybe someone can clarify :wink:

God accepts everyone. Once, a friend of mine who is not a beleiver, has been with me to the Church, he wanted to know what happens. And everybody told him that God accepts everyone from everywhere, there is no difference.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Dr43%er
I would still rather have my own say. Me and my sister were left to make up our own minds regardless of our parents thoughts. I have decided that there is to much hate in the world for there to be a god. My sister is a Muslim. I will respect her religious beliefs round hers, but then she must respect my beliefs if she is round mine. So if I want a bacon sandwich washed down with a beer whilst she is round, then I will. Like wise I will only eat Halal round hers.


Agreed. People should have a free soul to decide for themselves and not submit to generational brainwashing from elders.....Parents or otherwise........

One can still respect parents while having a mind of ones own......

[bananarama]

My position is simply i don't know but think highly unlikely. Belief in a god is fair enough what fouls up this world is the belief in the cultures that come with a belief in god.

Religious cultures of this planet are a curse mankind has inflicted upon itself needlessly and will in good time destroy us all..

Metorites in the past might have destroyed the other beasts but the power of the control freak minds will and is destroying us

[Stu]

Originally posted by Conor
For me, science will always come after RE. I am a Christian, and its almost comforting knowing there is a God.

Unfortunately for your prioritys , science is proveable.

As for your scaremongering tactics of getting people to convert , Christianity states that God wants to accept EVERYONE in to the kingdom of heavan. Those who do not worship but have still led a good life will get their chance to move up from Hotel Purgatorio.

Besides , aint he a God of forgiveness?

[Conor]

Eveyones forgeting, it says in the bible. which was passed on word by word from God to man that anyone who doesnt beleive in him/practice his religion will not get into heaven.

If I try to help convert people, it may save another life from frying in hell.

[dupin]

Originally posted by Conor
Heres something enteresting for everyone. My SCIENCE teacher (who is a DR in some sort of science) used to be a MONK, and still has a deep relationship with God and the practice of the Catholic church. He seems to have the answer to alot of questions where Religion and Science clash, incluing some really good, well thought answers.

I think actually, in the past 2 - 3 years (since Ive started high school) my relationship with God has deepened. (partly with help from my science teacher) and I will definatly be taking RE as a GCSE next year.

For me, science will always come after RE. I am a Christian, and its almost comforting knowing there is a God.

The sad thing is, that if there is a God, unfortunatly the non beleivers will not get into heaven. Thats the worst part for me, which is why I try to get as many friends to beleive in God as possible. Luckily, all of my family beleives in God!

I took RS, and I'm an athiest. It's very good, and interesting, even if I don't believe in any of it.

As for saying we're all going to fry in hell;; I doubt that concerns anyone you're trying to convert, because we know it's not real *shrug*

Retroman has again said everything I think, and the point about not worshipping other Gods was really good as well.

[:)tom:)]

i dont belive in God.
im the only person in my class who doesnt belive in a holy figure and lots of re lessons the teachers and pupils have been trying to convince me but what they say makes me belive it less. it just seems crazy to me.

[Stu]

Originally posted by Conor
Eveyones forgeting, it says in the bible. which was passed on word by word from God to man that anyone who doesnt beleive in him/practice his religion will not get into heaven.

Im guessing you have not read the bible. And if you do intend to live your life exactly by the bible , have fun being a homophobic , sibbling slaying sheep.

[Retroman]

Originally posted by Stu
have fun being a homophobic , sibbling slaying sheep.

Lol...
I decided to take that in a literal sense for a moment, it was rather amusing.

As in a gay hating, baby killing sheep.
Let's just say, if you saw what I saw in my mind, you'd have laughed too, I think? >_<

Anyhow, I don't think it's fair to impose your views to such an extent Conor.

No matter how strongly you believe, it's not your duty to try and convert. Plus you're not exactly saving lives from frying anywhere, since they'd be dead by the time they reached hell.

Plus I think it's rather self involved for people to think they're saving others from eternal damnation...it's like some form of superhero complex.

Just sounds like another reason to give christians a sense of self worth, by thinking they're saving the world/more important/have more meaningful lives.

Also, has god announced anything on whether he accepts people into heaven who started off on the wrong path, then decided to convert?

Because that'd be even more brilliant for all those people out there who love conveniance.

They could convert at the age of 80, or perhaps on their death beds =] wonderful.

[Conor]

Originally posted by Stu
Originally posted by Conor
Eveyones forgeting, it says in the bible. which was passed on word by word from God to man that anyone who doesnt beleive in him/practice his religion will not get into heaven.

Im guessing you have not read the bible. And if you do intend to live your life exactly by the bible , have fun being a homophobic , sibbling slaying sheep.

I actually have. And I will have fun being a homophobic , sibbling and slaying sheep.:tongue:

Ive just finished the topic in school, we learnt all about it.

[Captain.Remy]

Originally posted by Conor
anyone who doesnt beleive in him/practice his religion will not get into heaven.


Then you didn't read it. Everyone will be aloud to Heaven. God forgives and accepts everyone. You should know that.

[Conor]

Sorry everyone, but at school I definatly was taught, any one who doesnt beleive in God will not get into heaven, and will be punished for it, despite our school being intergrated. I know it caused a bit of conflict between parents, but thats about it.

[dupin]

Christianitys odd, in that I can't understand why people can believe something that is so clearly an exaggerated fabrication.

Yeah, a while ago, there was probably this guy called Jesus, who did something that at the time was amazing (NOT these miracles we hear people talking about it) As a result of this, people claimed he was the son of God.

Skip forward thousands of years, and it's been exaggerated so much that millions of people choose to take it as fact.

[Retroman]

Originally posted by dupin
Christianitys odd, in that I can't understand why people can believe something that is so clearly an exaggerated fabrication.

Yeah, a while ago, there was probably this guy called Jesus, who did something that at the time was amazing (NOT these miracles we hear people talking about it) As a result of this, people claimed he was the son of God.

Skip forward thousands of years, and it's been exaggerated so much that millions of people choose to take it as fact.

See, my theory is someone learned him how to give mouth to mouth...and he helped someone stay alive. Or maybe he even had very basic medical training and that part was deliberately left out in order to convince people he was a miracle worker lol.

I did also watch a documentary in which they discussed the fact there was a carpenter named Jesus around that time. They mentioned some kind of "records" etc etc, none of which we were allowed to look at so we could see actual proof.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Conor
Sorry everyone, but at school I definatly was taught, any one who doesnt beleive in God will not get into heaven, and will be punished for it, despite our school being intergrated. I know it caused a bit of conflict between parents, but thats about it.

I've been in a christian school for 4 years and they never told us that people who don't believe in God will be punished. This is all the contrary.

[Stu]

Originally posted by Conor
Originally posted by Stu
Originally posted by Conor
Eveyones forgeting, it says in the bible. which was passed on word by word from God to man that anyone who doesnt beleive in him/practice his religion will not get into heaven.

Im guessing you have not read the bible. And if you do intend to live your life exactly by the bible , have fun being a homophobic , sibbling slaying sheep.

I actually have. And I will have fun being a homophobic , sibbling and slaying sheep.:tongue:

Ive just finished the topic in school, we learnt all about it.
Yeah. Religion class is the perfect , unbiased , grown up , all-encompassing solution to learning about Religion :rolleyes:.

God forgives everyone. He wants to love everyone. Thats what Christianity teaches. Why else would he have supposedly sent his only son to his death?

In christianity , those who have do not believe will get their chance to repent in purgatory and advance to the kingdom of heavan. What else would it be for?

Either they teached you like rubbish or you listened like rubbish.

[Dan_]

Originally posted by Conor
Sorry everyone, but at school I definatly was taught, any one who doesnt beleive in God will not get into heaven, and will be punished for it, despite our school being intergrated. I know it caused a bit of conflict between parents, but thats about it.

Sounds like your teacher has an obvious agenda to try and brainwash people into believing in God :rolleyes:.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Stu

Either they teached you like rubbish or you listened like rubbish.

Indeed, God never claimed that.

[farhad]

I believe there there is only one god, and it has no gender, no parent, invisible, dont know how it looks like, and only this invisible god is the creator of everthing. Allah in Arabic means god, the term is always used in singular form which does not except plural, this means it has only one creator, only one god.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Conor
Sorry everyone, but at school I definatly was taught, any one who doesnt beleive in God will not get into heaven, and will be punished for it, despite our school being intergrated. I know it caused a bit of conflict between parents, but thats about it.


If that is what you are taught then that is the reason religion should be banned from schools. Putting scaremongering gibberish into young minds. Child mental abuse comes to mind.....

[natjake2504]

I really want to beleive in god - but i cant just because of all the s**t that is going on in the world - all the murders and rape - all the child abuse, all the young people that just die and thats just in out country.
So at the moment in time im within 2 minds.

[CassetteFinger]

Yep im a catholic. Jesus all the way :thumbs:

[supernoodles!]

I cant beleive in him right now because of all the wrong in the world.If Jesus could feed 5000 people or whatever it was with like a fish and half a loaf or whatever then why cant he stop at least some of the terrible things in the world.Why doesnt he do his flippin party trick again and do away with some of the famine in such places as Africa and the like

[CassetteFinger]

Its god you should be questioning he did create us in the first place but im not a believer 100% i dont believe god created the world in 7 days there more to it then that.I somehow believe in the big bang.

[farhad]

I'm Muslim, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have similarities and links.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : farhad
I'm Muslim, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have similarities and links.

The whole idea is the same but they are big differences, the ceremonies and stuff...

[Benji]

Is it ok to say that im not sure what i am? I mean, i dont know if i believe in God to me, its all gobbledygook!!!!! I mean, so what if there isnt a God? So what if there is? I mean, i dont care if you believe in God or Not, as its totally upto you, but, i dunno, i dont know if i believe in God.

I dont think that made any sense.

lol


Ben



*Goes to bed*

[Tom]

Yes, I think there is a god somewhere but I'm not sure what the god actually is, or whether anyone actually knows of its existence.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by supernoodles!
I cant beleive in him right now because of all the wrong in the world.If Jesus could feed 5000 people or whatever it was with like a fish and half a loaf or whatever then why cant he stop at least some of the terrible things in the world.Why doesnt he do his flippin party trick again and do away with some of the famine in such places as Africa and the like


Exactly. If god can creat the world and all that is in it why is it so difficult for such a power to communicate with his creation and put them right as to which or what religious cultures are in his ideal..........

No communication surely indicates no communicator.....

[Tom]

Originally posted by bananarama
Originally posted by supernoodles!
I cant beleive in him right now because of all the wrong in the world.If Jesus could feed 5000 people or whatever it was with like a fish and half a loaf or whatever then why cant he stop at least some of the terrible things in the world.Why doesnt he do his flippin party trick again and do away with some of the famine in such places as Africa and the like


Exactly. If god can creat the world and all that is in it why is it so difficult for such a power to communicate with his creation and put them right as to which or what religious cultures are in his ideal..........

No communication surely indicates no communicator.....

People argue that because we have ******ed up the world so badly, God has turned his back on us and it is our mess, we should learn to deal with it.

[Matt08]

Don't believe in any of that crap, I really can't see how he can be real at all. I really can't see how people have the enjoyment of wasting their lives believing in such a load of rubbish. If God was real then he wouldn't let the World get so evil and hatred.

[Lauren]

No I don't, but I am not an atheist.
I do not like to label something that is not there.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Matthew
Don't believe in any of that c**p, I really can't see how he can be real at all. I really can't see how people have the enjoyment of wasting their lives believing in such a load of rubbish. If God was real then he wouldn't let the World get so evil and hatred.

It's something you have to live before. God has his reasons that only the reason knows....

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Tom_
Originally posted by bananarama
Originally posted by supernoodles!
I cant beleive in him right now because of all the wrong in the world.If Jesus could feed 5000 people or whatever it was with like a fish and half a loaf or whatever then why cant he stop at least some of the terrible things in the world.Why doesnt he do his flippin party trick again and do away with some of the famine in such places as Africa and the like


Exactly. If god can creat the world and all that is in it why is it so difficult for such a power to communicate with his creation and put them right as to which or what religious cultures are in his ideal..........

No communication surely indicates no communicator.....



People argue that because we have ******ed up the world so badly, God has turned his back on us and it is our mess, we should learn to deal with it.


If your children (creation) behave badly surely you would take the time to inform AND correct them.

Why should a god give up on a creation made by god. If that creation goes wrong surely it is the responsibility of the creator that created something that could go wrong in the first place.

Like I said no communication indicates no communicator to communicate....

[officialleafan]

I believe deeply in God! But i also believe in Satan. And although you say 'God has deserted us' and 'God let so much evil happen in the world', i say thats the biggest load of b******s i've ever heard. When you get God, you get the Devil, the devil causes the evil not God! Satan plays with people's minds to do evil things.

[Retroman]

Every christian loses his faith the second before he dies...

Im sure there's a quote similar to that by someone, somewhere.

[farhad]

According to this man, The Koran has many scientific and medical miracle in the debate of The Qur'an and the Bible in the light of Science, like it says the Earth is round, and many other miracle, as well as womens have much greater rights then men.

The debate was against Doctor William Cambell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qIdg51woug

[spitfire]

Originally posted by officialleafan
I believe deeply in God! But i also believe in Satan. And although you say 'God has deserted us' and 'God let so much evil happen in the world', i say thats the biggest load of b******s i've ever heard. When you get God, you get the Devil, the devil causes the evil not God! Satan plays with people's minds to do evil things.
In that case Satan is winning the power struggle.

[jamesh]

i do believe in God. I am catholic and I go to church every sunday, sometimes i can't be bothered but my mum and dad always make me go. although i do believe in in God, i don't follow the religion to a t. lol. and as for everyone saying well if there is a God why doesn't it stop all the bad things in the world, this is what i have been taught, that he gave us free will and that he wanted us to look after the world, although he wasn't forcing us and he doesn't control us. and he also has plans for everyone of us but its our choice to do something about it not just sit there and do nothing.

[officialleafan]

God isn't of the world, he's of the Holy Spirit...as is Jesus. Once your blessed with the Holy Spirit, your blessed and protected for life. All this 'blame God for all the bad things in the world' is rubbish. You say satan is beating God? In the World he his, not in the Holy Spirit.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by jamesh
i do believe in God. I am catholic and I go to church every sunday, sometimes i can't be bothered but my mum and dad always make me go. although i do believe in in God, i don't follow the religion to a t. lol. and as for everyone saying well if there is a God why doesn't it stop all the bad things in the world, this is what i have been taught, that he gave us free will and that he wanted us to look after the world, although he wasn't forcing us and he doesn't control us. and he also has plans for everyone of us but its our choice to do something about it not just sit there and do nothing.


You talk about being given free will in that case why do your parents have to make you go to church. Hardly the principle of free will.

That's the problem with religious believers one way or another they want to force others into their belifes.



Religion is about control of people seldom about the belief in a god.....A percieved presence/existance of af a god is used to control others for fear of a god.


For a fact religious cultures and evil go hand in hand.......Could say they are wedded.....


It is not god if their is one that is evil. it is mans interpritation of so called gods rules that is evil.....Man uses a god to make rules that are insane and deadly to civilisation...

[LovelyL]

no way do i believe in god. there are too many religions to choose from for a start and they cant all be right, therefore everybody is a non-believer in some form anyway.

logic, science and common sense just wont let me believe in god. without religion the world would be a safer, happier place.

even in the 0.000000000001% chance that god exists, then he has a LOT to answer for...........