Your Religious Views

[Roy Munson]

Okay, then... how about shaking up a bunch of chemicals and amoebas in a bottle for (insert any amount of time here) and expecting a fish.

Well, this is not how abiogenesis occurred or how evolution occurs, so it's pretty much a strawman that you've created to argue against. Have fun with that.

 

[Snakespeare]

Some Christians may pray for stupid stuff like wealth or a car or none burnt toast but know where in the bible (or any other book that I know of) says God will bring you these things. It will help with your spiritually in this life an if God is real then it will help for your after life in heaven. I have stated before that I do not go to church or understand the whole bible therefore I don't know everything (or even half) about it. but I have never made fun of God (just in case there is a heaven) an It is a shame that so many people feel it necessary to do so I have not once made fun of the non believers.

It's not so much a metaphor as a parable. Can we call it the Parable of the Toast? I like the sound of that. Matthew 7: "Ask, and it will be given you . . . . For everyone who asks receives . . . . Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? . . . how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him." I think this allows for the possibility of praying for good toast. Or a Porsche.

The Parable of the Toast is not intended to make fun of God--if anything it's a critique of the believer who indulges in trivial prayers. Although, as I've indicated, this is the way the system has been designed. Why shouldn't it be open to scrutiny and analysis, just like any other idea? And if there is a God, and if that God is offended by the Parable of the Toast during his daily monitoring of cornsnakes.com--well, that's my problem now, isn't it?

 

[Jcapicy]

OK I wasn't planning on posting here, but....

I personally believe in god, but do not whole heartedly believe in the bible or attend church.

I pray, speak to a God and own a bible, but am more scientific. I somewhat agree with some of what was said but not with all, but everyone has the right to their own views and beliefs.

My reasoning for not going to church is I was raised in a Methodist church but am Greek Orthodox, which is where we went to church on holidays. Then I attended a Baptist Church when my parents split and I moved in with my father.

They all read the same story and all interpretted it differently. I have my own understanding and feel I don't have to go to church to worship/have faith or spirituality. I also don't believe that God is a sole being as much as an entity created by man to give an idea/belief a face.

As far as the bible goes, I want the whole story, not whats been left after it was editted by kings to suit their rule. I also understand that it is a story based on the interpretation of the apostles, who you can only believe in if you believe the bible. And it exists so someone or a group of people obviously did write it.

My father and I have had this conversation a few times and cme to an understanding that in seven days god created a infentessimal speck with burst into what we have today. Granted my more scientific views tell me otherwise this was our common ground.

Also, from a pyschiatric view point, a few scientist have published that what truely seperates man from animal is our ability to cohabitate due to common views or interests which we create. Hence religions being formed. There are also a few views(no citation, sorry) that state some gorilla's may express this when welcoming a new member to a group.

Just my views,
Chris

 

[v_various]

As tyflyer points out, because of the personal nature of this God, the possibility of praying for all sorts of trivial things arises:... help in improving one's grammar and usage, etc.

I lol'd.

And just so you know, I'm enjoying this thread greatly. I really do like reading the different opinions presented, and why everyone believes what they do. I guess personal religion is an interesting topic to me, and such a touchy subject to bring up in normal conversation.

so your statement is well stupid.

Uh, that's a bit mroe childish than I expected here but OK. Maybe try to argue with facts, just saying something is 'stupid' does more damage to you than the opinion you're arguing against. Take a minute before you hit the post button, re-read what you typed. I think you have a valid view point, you just need a more polished presentation.

I really enjoy reading what Snakespeare and Dean are posting.
: )

Keep posting everyone!

 

[Snakespeare]

In the spirit of the discussion, click on the link below for some videos that both believers and non-believers should be able to delight in. Or so my Christian friends tell me. The Episcopalians, at least.

http://www.mrdeity.com/

 

[Corny Noob]

Well I voted awhile back when this topic first started but avoided it like the plague because I hate having these kinds of discussions.
I am Atheist, I guess you could say I was raised that way because my father is too.
The only time I've ever been to church is when my school sung in one there instead of our auditorium, a baptism, one christmas eve service with a boyfriend, and rummage sales.
It's just not my thing, I choose not to believe in it, and could not care less what other people do. It's when people start trying to tear my views apart or pushing their thoughts on me that I get rather angry.

 

[Jcapicy]

a little lighthearted-ness

 

[tyflier]

dr73-

Nobody is trying to insult God, and no one is trying to insult you for believing in him. The Parable of the Toast was NOT an insult to God, it was an insult to people that choose to use their beliefs as a matter of personal material gain, rather than a way of personal growth knowledge. Anyone who doesn't fall INTO that category shouldn't be offended by the statement. I don't think you fall into that category, and simply misunderstood what Snakespeare was trying to say...

 

[Corny Noob]

I love that Gary Larson comic.

 

[corny_gurl333]

Religious discussion is sweeping the universe!

That's all my friends talk about anymore. They actually gather in a group sometimes and just discuss religion. It's pretty interesting considering there are both very religious people and very non-religious people in the mix.

I, personally, am Agnostic. My dad told me the other night that the Angostic belief system can be summed up into one little phrase concerning higher powers and such, and that is "I can't know". I can't know whether there is a god or any other power, because the evidence has not been given. I completely agree with that, even though my family is a very Christian family (with the exception if me and my brother who is Atheist).

 

[newsnakeowner1978]

I voted Athiest. I believe in science all the way. None of my familiy or friends are athiest. :shrugs: just me. But I am into science stuff. My wife grew up in a religious home, our cloest friends grew up in a religious home <but they nor my wife are religious > lol anyways, lets just say that they dont' agree with me and we get into some heated debates over religion. :grin01:

 

[Shade]

I am a strong atheist. I believe that religion is something man created to help it cope with what it did not have the ability to explain by itself, and since that creation, religion has turned into something far more diabolical.

That's the short version of my belief. Or rather, lack thereof.

 

[stangs13]

I'm a Christian, but it's not about religion; it's about relationship. I am honored to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am not perfect; in fact, I'm far from it. But I am forgiven.

By the way, has it been proven that people and dinosaurs never existed together? Because if dinosaurs went into extinction before people were created, then how do we know what they look like? :sidestep:

YES YES YES!!

I am 100% Christian. And proud of it. Southern Baptist. I am happy that this thread hasn't turned hatefull, but there was a statement that was offensive.

 

[texastailfeathers]

YES YES YES!!

I am 100% Christian. And proud of it. Southern Baptist. I am happy that this thread hasn't turned hatefull, but there was a statement that was offensive.

Agreed on all counts. Except the Southern Baptist part. I'm Nazarene. Close though. Well, technically I'd call myself an "Idealistic-but-overly pragmatic, existentialist, creationist, evolutionist, protestant holiness Christian (a contradiction in terms, but very true)." Nazarene just simplifies things a little. :grin01:

These types of discussions are always both incredibly amusing and incredibly frustrating, but for the most part I try to stay out of them because they're also terribly unproductive. This argument has gone on for thousands of years, and I'd be naive and arrogant to think that my tiny little contribution would make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

I prefer to live my life the way I choose, defend my choice when necessary, and hopefully that's enough to make a positive impression on the people around me.

 

[Shade]

I can't speak for atheists since I've never not believed, but I will say this.
There are no atheists in a burning building.

That's not true.

 

[v_various]

I prefer to live my life the way I choose, defend my choice when necessary, and hopefully that's enough to make a positive impression on the people around me.

Awww, that was well put. Religous or not, I think one thing we can all agree on is that having a positive influence on the people (and animals too, in my case at least) around us is important. I mean, science, god, or a mix thereof no one is out to be an evil jerk.

And I don't think it would matter how on fire I was, my thoughts would be on what to do to improve the situation. Praying wouldn't even enter my mind, as it's not something that has ever been a part of my life.

 

[Emanon]

I prefer to live my life the way I choose, defend my choice when necessary, and hopefully that's enough to make a positive impression on the people around me.

Very well put. Pretty much sums it up.

I believe in Jesus Christ, it shapes who I am, it shapes how I treat people, and hopefully in a positive way!


I am a believer in a perfect person, not a perfect person believing in people. I make mistakes, say things I really should have kept to myself, and even enjoy stirring the pot occasionally... but ya know what... that is ok.

I have an opinion, you have an opinion... cool.

 

[TandJ]

This question also falls in step with who leans left or right...*LOL* I like to try and stay out these kinds of threads only because it gives me a little clearer definition of who and what I am dealing with.. *lol*

Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[suecornish]

My grandmother always told me that there are two topics that you should never discuss with friends- religion and politics. Because the feelings and convictions go so deep into the person's spirit that their ears are deaf because they are afraid to hear opinions that make more sense to them and change what they have believed as truth their whole lives.

Some people make the mistake to think that religion, their religion, is the truth and people who don't believe in their religion believe in falsehoods and are lost.

Most people fail to realize the religion is based on belief. Not fact, not truth. Just a strong belief that what they believe, the religion they follow is the truth. BUT belief does not mean truth.

 

[desertanimal]

My grandmother always told me that there are two topics that you should never discuss with friends- religion and politics. Because the feelings and convictions go so deep into the person's spirit that their ears are deaf because they are afraid to hear opinions that make more sense to them and change what they have believed as truth their whole lives.

I don't see the point of having friends with whom one can't discuss religion and politics. I don't see the point of having friends with whom one can't safely get into HEATED discussions about religion and politics. Perhaps this is why I often have only a small number of friends . . .