From A Real Christian's Perspective.

How can you be an agnostic atheist?? there two definable belief systems there not combinable...

Also if those are the reasons you hate all religions than isn't it fair to say that in your modern reality Islam embodies your negative impressions of religions the most strongly? you can't honestly believe they are all equal if you acknowledge already they all suck? its obvious that some are much more negative and oppress more individuals than others. Unless you believe in some moral relativity crap i think its obvious Islam is the scourge of the religious world
 
Agnosticism isn't a belief system, contrary to popular misunderstanding. It's a methodology for approaching theological questions. There can be agnostic Christians and agnostic Atheists. But to simply say "I'm an agnostic" is pretty vague because it says nothing about your beliefs, only your method for establishing them.

And when did I say all were equal? Some involve more bigoted hatred than others no doubt. If you read my post you'll see that I'm referring to those who at least behave as sensible members of society and don't use their beliefs as leverage for hatred (e.g. Westboro).

I'm saying that the idea of an institutionalized religion in itself is nothing more than a tool to control the masses, as it has been demonstrated throughout history. I'm making an important distinction: don't confuse affiliation with a religious institution with spirituality (i.e. OP's "real Christian") because truly being a Christian, as far as I understand it, has absolutely nothing to do with attending church.
 
ag·nos·tic (
abreve.gif
g-n
obreve.gif
s
prime.gif
t
ibreve.gif
k)n.a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.

b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

Noun

1.

atheist - someone who denies the existence of goddisbeliever, nonbeliever, unbeliever - someone who refuses to believe (as in a divinity)

Adj.

1.

atheist - related to or characterized by or given to atheism; "atheist leanings"

seems pretty defined and far from vague to me. Mabey you have just been assuming what these words actually mean? I think you sound like an atheist. which is just as ignorant as being a bible thumper or a Jihadist

I always like this quote in relation to atheism vs agnostic

I do not pretend to know where many ignorant men are sure -- that is all that agnosticism means.

 
If you had ever studied theological philosophy, you would realize that this dictionary definition is a gross oversimplification. It's somewhat right, but largely wrong. Then there's the fact that you copy/pasted a dictionary definition to get your point across in the place of actually being educated on the matter, so clearly I'm wasting my time even trying to explain this to you.

Furthermore, not all atheists have equal beliefs. But hey, black and white logic works when you're young.
 
I feel everyones got a different view of the world and beliefs, i think that no matter what people are going to get you mad, your going to disagree with people about things, but iv had to learn to just accpet peoples beliefs, i think ranting of this subject does no good
 
Not ripping on you or atheism or anything... But did you know it was actually a roman catholic priest namedGeorges lemaitre who came up with the idea of the big bang theory, roman Catholics do believe in evolution just not Darwinism( I'm not gonna explain this unless someone wants me to) also roman Catholics don't believe that what happened in genesis ( Adam & eve ) it's just a creation story, roman Catholics do accept that the earth was created 13.7 billion y.a. It is only Protestants and denominations like that( literalists) who think that Adam and eve story and te genesis story is actually how the world was created. Even if you don't accept religion as seeing a god, the ideals an morals of a Christian are still good To live by.... Don't steal, dot harm your neighbor.
 
How old are you buddy lets hear your deep academic prospective? I don't understand how pasting definitions is illegitiment when my only point was your misuse of definable words? And please enlighten me since you took an in depth class on the subject? All you have claimed is that i don't understand the complexities of something that you have yet to counter.
 
Why is he wrong? do christians do this nearly every single day in multiple countries? do you read the middle eastern news? it is an everyday fucking thing. the fact that you don't accept that this is common routine for Islamists makes it hard to take what you wrote serriously
 
Simply put, if theological definitions would be accurately summarized in dictionary form, there wouldn't be thousands of books written on the subject. Philosophers made extremely nuanced points because theology isn't a simple enough subject to just talk about it in terms of black and white.

I mean, I could try and write about agnosticism, but doing so would entail a ginormous wall of text, at which point it would just be easier for you to go to library and read some of T.H. Huxley's works.

Until then I'm not going to discuss this with you further because you've demonstrated that you have a rudimentary or casual understanding of the subject at best. Not that there's anything wrong with that; I'm just saying you should really do some research instead of synthesizing arguments.
 
Hahaha again just telling me I'm wrong and your more educated but it's to big a yawn and I'm to stupid for you to bother explaining it to such a peon your on varsity all right varsity suedo-intellectual bullshit
 
In my previous post I really had no intention of insulting your intelligence, but I'll be damned if you don't already do a good enough job of that yourself.
 
But do you see that right here you are "picking and choosing"? From what I know, correct me if i'm wrong, through Jesus we are given a new life and the Law of the Old Testament is then null and void. Leviticus is in the Old Testament and this passage you have picked is part of that old Law. The Bible read as a whole will shows this.

Though, some of you might ask, "Then why is the Old Testament included in the Bible?" When it was composed it was common knowledge that the God of the old testament writings is the same God of the new testament.

Also, for those saying that the Bible is supposed to be taken literally, have any of you read the new testament? Jesus himself talks completely in parables. I think everyone should read the Bible if your religious or an Atheist just so you will understand what you are taking about.
 
I wanted to say this, but am on mobile, and didn't want to type all of that on my phone. This is very correct.
 
really? I've met two christians in my life who have tried telling me evolution didn't happen. I don't see why people think that science and religion can't co-exist. Just because the bible said that god created adam and eve doesn't mean that they weren't in a different evolutionary form (just another way to look at it). Obviously a book written 2000 years ago will have less cultural relevance than it does today, but that doesn't mean that religion in general should cease to exist, it can still have some purpose and I wish the more conservative side of christianity would take more of that outlook.
 
Says who? Who said that you can't have both? A Catholic man came up with the Big Bang Theory.

Christianity at its simplest is believing in Christ and reading the Bible. Nowhere does it say anything about ignoring anything that science puts forth. Many "Christians" (read: not really Christian) deny what science has said because its scary to them or whatever other reasons they may have, but it doesn't mean everyone does.

Someone earlier said something about hating homosexuals and the likes. I don't hate them at all, I am supportive of the gay rights movement and think it is something that needs to happen - not gay, don't have a gay marriage. Stick to your own side of the field. My Aunts are both gay, as well as my cousin, so I'm no stranger to it and I'm nothing but supportive. The whole "issue" shouldn't be an issue at all.
 
Also, the Old Testament does say many things about punishing women if they do XYZ, but keep in mind a lot of that was just law at the time being infused with religion, thusly put into the religious texts as religion and government were intertwined.

Case in point: Jews can't eat pork or bottom feeding fish. During that time period, pigs and bottom feeding fish would give those who ate it sickness as they were dirty animals (not mud), and carried disease that could be transferred to anyone who ate that animal. The law at that time was to protect the population that may or may not know of the dirtiness of those animals, and that law just became transferred into religious law because in that time, they were one in the same. Is it frivolous now? Yes, our pork is clean.
 
False dichotomy is false.

Also, I take comfort in the idea of no afterlife, that my existence is ultimately temporary and meaningless.
 
I figure if I just generally don't be a douche/idiot/bad person in my life that's all I can really present to whatever higher power might be up there.
 
Not getting into an argument here, but you had a nice testimony.

I'm a Christian and studying physics in school, more specifically in the sub atomic realm. One of the most spiritual aspects of my life is realizing how God works with math, and how quantum solutions really explain a lot of apparent dichotomies in Christianity.

The bible wasn't meant to be high school science text book. I don't care if you're atheist or christian don't try to act like it is. But no matter your stance, if you're interested in talking I love explaining my beliefs.
 
I find it comforting because if there is no life after death, then death is nothing more than a "solving agent," a clean slate. Who you are or what you did has no effect in the end because we all end up with the same fate: nothing. If there is no afterlife, and therefore no grand consequences for your actions on Earth, then you are truly free to behave however you wish. And with this freedom we have the responsibility to behave as ethical people not for the hope of a reward, but because we genuinely believe it is our duty as sentient beings. At least that's how I rationalize it.

While I cannot wholly speak on behalf of those who believe in a judgement day (and its many derivative shades of gray), I personally do not agree with the entire idea of objective divine morality, or partaking in ethical behavior for the purposes of self interest. I find it scheming and, for lack of better term, egocentric.
 
exactly. i find it comical how atheists assume all christians take the bible literally, yet use passages like that (taken literally) to show the evils of christianity. if you want to actually understand christianity, you'd understand the old testament is more of a historical text for christians than religious canon. also, 14 of the 27 books of the new testament are pauline letters. they're his attempt to develop christianity (which didn't actually exist until a few hundred years later) and aren't necessarily the backbone of christianity. the gospels are much more important to most christian's than paul's writings
 
I find it obnoxious how certain people like to make sweeping generalizations about all atheists lacking the capacity to differentiate between the old and new testaments, along with their context in modern Christianity.
 
Um I think all religions are dumb. I like that you also take the typical route that all muslims blows each other up. I mean look at the fucking holy wars.

I grew up in a christian home, when to church twice a week plus youth group. Actually sometimes went to church 3 times a week when I was younger. What is this chain of events that made you "realize". Seems a lot like what I was talking about. Though you may not have practiced it perfectly, the religion was always gnawing at you from the shadows. One little thing goes wrong and you dive head first back into it. That seems to be the going route. And honestly it's not completely your fault. It was drilled into you before you could reason. That's like taking somebody who was taught racism ever since they were born and trying to break them of it. It's almost impossible. This is what I hate about indoctrinated children with your fairy tails. Supposedly the bible has to do with free will and choice(that's why we are able to think blah blah, we can choose him or deny blah blah) yet for many people they didn't even really choose it. It was chosen for them by their parents.

"i'm no pastor, but i do know quite a bit. " Same

I don't think many people believe that the westboro church are good christians. Don't sweat that issue, people know they are tools. "it is a relationship between you and God" - This is my biggest problem. The relationship between you and something that doesn't exist. I was there once and would have told people yeah I have a great relationship with jesus, but there wasn't anything. Prayed/ nothing, read the bible/ nothing, went to church/nothing.

"it is living your life according to the Bible and God's laws (the ten commandments)." I live my life better than a lot of christians. I know you can't take all their actions as the true way but still, I'm just sayin.

"i disagree with homosexuality, " Good for you. Maybe I'll pray more and change. Maybe a glorious light will come down from the sky and I'll realize the truth, that I've always been attracted to the nice perfect tits on an asian slut bent over the counter getting pounded in the ass. Then again probably not. I didn't make a decision to be gay. Even if you want to argue that it's purely environmental, there still isn't a point where that person chooses heterosexuality or homosexuality.

"a real christian shows compassion towards people. they will love people, they will be giving of themselves and things to help other people out. they wont hesitate to give. they wont be hateful or vengeful towards people" I might be a christian then because I excel at this.

"accept all religions"

I accept religions in the sense of go knock yourself out, waste your time. However I think all religions are lacking in logic. Christianity comes up more because it's the popular one in our country. It's the one that's around us, and the one more likely to be brought up in a topic.

 
well first of all, the bible says (whether you believe the bible is true or not) God created Man to be with a women not man and man or the other way around, now if you follow the religion, as i do, you generally arnt going to agree with it, NOW for me, i dont hate them at all, iv met and know some fantastic people that are homosexual, in no way am i going to hate them for being gay, its just i disagree with it and dont think its "right"

now for marriage i dont agree that they should be married seeing how our country has been based on Christian beliefs, but i see how this can get tricky because i think they should be treated equally but i dont think they should be able to get married IMO

now im speaking for myself of course, not the OP
 
It seems like you have the right idea about actions in life, mucho respect. But I feel a world where "you are truly free to behave however you wish" would lead to far more scheming and egocentric behavior for the vast majority of the population. Could be wrong though.
 
the bible also states that women are to be dominated and caregivers of men- in the book of genesis

the bible states that all decedents of ham, the on of Noah, will forever be the servants of the other two sons. coincidentally, ham's decedents are all from Africa.

those are the only one's i know of the top of my head, but my point is that if you are going to use the bible to promote anti-homosexual beliefs, you should believe everything the bible says. so not only are you homophobic, but your sexist and racist as well.

 
so here's my two cents.

you are entirely correct. at it's root, any religion is a wonderful thing. it brings communities together, and the vast majority of religions disagree with violence among their own (killing the heathens is another story). religion, as i see it, is more of a loose social code; what you should do to be a good person. all religions have this basis, it's just the figurehead (or figureheads), incentives and punishments are different.

tl;dr at it's core, religion is very much a power of good.

The problem starts when the non ideal christian (or any other religion) starts to talk. humans seem to always want more. we're like, built to want more. everyone wants more. so some individual or group misuses the sacred text to conince people to do what they want. willful misinterpretation. these are the problem people. the reason so many people beef with religion is because of all the bad people who operate under their religious license to declare whatever the fuck they want, and do bad shit. the religious nutheads that the public hear about are invariably the crazy ones who do bad shit and give whatever religious institution it may be a bad name. so there's also a whole bunch of media to blame here, also. nobody hears about pastor john who is helping downtrodden kids in his neighbourhood life normal, happier lives by sheltering them in his church. but everyone hears about pastor matthew who said he was sheltering poor kids, but was actually buttfucking them. so people who don't know pastor john will assign the label of buttraper to him, because that's what they hear about associated to pastors.

tl;dr religion gets a bad rap from people who arent following the spirit of the religion, but some other message they managed to wring out of the words in whatever religion's holy text. also, media fucks a ton with how we view religion, so they are partly to blame

i'm atheist. these are my views. correct me if you disagree, cause i really don't know that much.
 
i disagree with homosexuality but i will respect them as i do you

your just ignorent to call me a sexist and racist, you obviously havnt read much of the bible if you think it says women is to be some sort of slave to men
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top