jetson

Come on Atheist, where are your replies. This should be an interesting subject for you. Don't clam up now. Bo Jester, where are you and your friends now. Come on. Lets be friends and have a normal conversation, for a change.

Kevyn

Unless you are a scholar of Aramaic and have access to ancient documents you are reading a Bible that has been written, re written and edited by multitudes of scholars of many languages over the centuries. If you think what you now read is a pristine translation to current English or even the English of King James time or Old Latin you are pretty deluded.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I am not Christian. I do believe in God.

I think religion is your path to God. If you have found a faith that makes you a better person and at peace with your God, I don't think it matters what label you give it.

jetson

[quote=Kevyn]Unless you are a scholar of Aramaic and have access to ancient documents you are reading a Bible that has been written, re written and edited by multitudes of scholars of many languages over the centuries. If you think what you now read is a pristine translation to current English or even the English of King James time or Old Latin you are pretty deluded.[ The King James Version, was done by around 50 scholars that took the manuscripts and translated them into the old English language. If, God ordained the old Holy writers, why not those. They did not try and change the context at all. Not like the other so called bibles the of today. They added nothing and took away nothing. The NIV, Vulgar, Duquay Rheims, Koran, Mormon, JW's books, and the others have added and taken away. The catholic bible leaves completely out te second commandant. It makes two out of keeping The Sabath Holy and Honor your father and mother. The Most popular NIV, has left out verses and over 64,000 words. Just google any so call bible and you will see.

dljen

I'm an atheist. It sounds like Christians are just hedging their bets in most cases. They don't want to be caught off guard not believing. As for going to heaven, first, I don't believe, second, it'd be filled with too many hypocrites.

jetson

Read the Bible, there will be no hypocrites there. Also, unbelief will definitely keep you out. There will be forgiven sinners there, whom tried to live a Christ like life here.

dljen

No thanks, I questioned, I found...but no god. :)

Neal

jetson - the preacher. The foundation of any religion is the fear of the many and the cleverness of the few.

jetson's tale clearly labels him as one of the fearful.

jointerjohn

Go ahead and believe there are no true atheists. I don't need to be believed in by anyone. To your question about what I would do when facing certain end of life, I can't possibly say with certainty until faced with such a reality. I can say this; I was once a born again Christian and student of the Bible. The more I read the more clear it became that it was all nonsense. The clear and present evidence throughout the world around us does not support belief in any supreme being. The one portrayed in the Bible is not a creature with whom I would ever want to be associated, even if he did exist. No supreme being has ever revealed him/her self beyond some dubious second hand accounts of obscure so-called appearances. In the now thirty plus years since I ceased believing I have been happier, more secure, and found life very satisfying. I am a man of strong moral and ethical conviction and practice, just because being an honorable human being is my goal. I have no problem with anyone holding different beliefs from mine, just pay me the same respect I extend to you, and we will get along fine.

Tasine Loc: Southwest US

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I appreciate your stance. I, too, have a history of "believing". I realize that believers' are encouraged to pass the word. Unfortunately for all concerned, they can be so zealous that they lose the one they were trying to win. One of my grandfathers was that way. I finally could tolerate him no more and asked him to please let's talk about something other than my "sins" - at that time I hardly knew what was a sin. He wouldn't stop. I left - for good. I knew my Dad would be most unhappy. He praised me - said it was about time somebody told his father to hush. I've never regretted it. I appreciate the Christian religion as I believe it was a major glue that held out nation together for decades. I respect it. I just don't quite believe it.

jointerjohn

Unlike the Father-God figure portrayed in the Bible, the character of Jesus is a truly inspiring one. I do see him as a sort of folk hero, his central message is beautiful. There is very little evidence that he truly existed, but the story is a good one indeed. I often say to my believing friends who are convinced he is about to return to earth that they better hope he doesn't, because when he sees how they have perverted his message he is going to be really pissed.

Tasine Loc: Southwest US

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Absolutely no disrespect intended to Christianity or the believers, but your last line is priceless!!
:lol: :lol: :lol:

jay-are

The Bible teaches that you don't have to be a "Christian" or "Jew" or member of a church to be a child of God, who will go to be with God in Heaven. You sound like you fit this description. But, just out of curiosity, if you believe in God, why do you have a problem believing that God sent His son to live among humans and Jesus was Him? Why is it hard to accept Jesus as God in human form?

This passage from Romans 2 seems to describe you, where it talks about the Gentiles who instinctively obey God's law even though they are not part of a religious organization.

It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Tasine Loc: Southwest US

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I can't answer your question because I don't know the answer. Logic tells me God exists and is more powerful than anything I can imagine. I simply cannot grasp how EVERYONE cannot believe in the Creator of the universe. No accident caused us to be. I don't deny it could have been via evolution, but even so, evolution can only occur via our Creator. Our Creator is the answer for EVERYTHING, yet I don't have the answer as to why I have a hard time believing in the Biblical Christ as described. I would think God would have instructed me, but if He has, I was unaware of it.

Neal

Geez, john, how very sensible :!:

"I am a man of strong moral and ethical conviction and practice, just because being an honorable human being is my goal." That sentence should be gilded and placed on a monument!! It's the perfect response to those who insist you must have religion to be a decent person.