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.

ya never no do ya lol

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

"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.

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

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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:

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.

"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?

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.

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......

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Indeed, God never claimed that.

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.

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.....

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.

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

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