Off Topic: God? Edition

posted by SweetTea023

Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 04:43:18 PM EST

After showing yourinterest in going a few rounds outside of the gaming ring, I bring you "Off Topic".   Every now and then when gaming news is slow or a topic has come up we'll discuss it in a mature, responsible way. That is  mature and responsible-Right? Riiiight? ;)

So for our first (really, second) Off Topic discussion, I decided to pull back the reigns a bit and focus on something less controversial than Homosexual Marriage, but extremely important nonetheless.  

God.  Everyone believes in something (even if that something is that there is nothing).  Most people, I think it's safe to say, believe in God in some form.  Now whether you actually care about that God is another story.  So this "Off Topic" question is this:

Do you believe in God?

I'm hoping this will be a little more open and free-flowing than our last discussion which while good had us ruffling each other's feathers...=)

Discuss! Is there a God and if there is, do you believe in him?

  • ::
Poll

Do you believe in God?

80%21 votes
19%5 votes

| 26 votes | Vote | Results


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Comments Disabled | 82 comments

  •  Here we GO! :) (none / 0)

    Is there a GOD? Yes.

    Do I believe in him? Yes.

    I think the basic goodness of people weigh a lot in his eyes as well (more so than other people). I have known a lot of rude and hateful people who were very active in church and God.

    Be nice to people on the street, don't steriotype... things like that.

    Not all who wander are lost

    by Zoso Fan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:03:34 PM EST

  •  yes (none / 0)

     I totally believe in God.  I will write more later, im on my PS3 right now.

    by GearsChrisB on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:05:29 PM EST

  •  yeah , i believe in God. (none / 0)

    I just think that there has to be a higher power, something that created all of this.  Seeing a sunset over the ocean is enough proof for me.  There's no way, in my opinion, that it just came to be.

    Second GT: extrateresticle

    by captain crunk27 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:06:25 PM EST

  •  I'm not sure what religion (none / 0)

    i believe (i'm serious).
    I believe in Mother-Earth but not a god (so not a pagan).

    Brumak porn... love it!

    by HELLFIRE V1 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:26:06 PM EST

  •  I have a mixed view.... (none / 0)

    I do believe in God, but I also take science into account for my beliefs. Example; big bang theory, yes science can explain what happened AFTER the explosion, but what caused it? My explanation? God. I think for all the unexplainable things that science cannot explain or formulate God in some way or fashion intervened.

    Another theory, Evolution. Yes I do believe in that. But i believe God created life on this earth knowing how we would evolve into the people we are today. To us it took billions of years to get the advanced life forms we are now, but God is timeless and has no need for time. Its all part of his plan

    by BoxinLeprechaun on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:29:23 PM EST

  •  No. (none / 0)

    I just can't believe that everything around was more or less created by some magical being that some guy from a long time ago says is real.  Especially taking into account the widespread disbelief of "magic" and magicians.  To me, it's just a stupid and "let's go with this" explanation for how everything came to be.

    Things like the big bang theory and evolution make sense to me; they seem more real, more tangeable.  But blindly following what some book written thousands of years ago (and has since been translated, re-written, re-written, and re-written again) just seems.. strange to me.

    The basis behind that book is that it provides lessons and morals for people to use and follow in their life.  However, many of these people who are so-called "Christians" I know of have done acts so obviously against their supposed beliefs that it's hard to believe they're religious.  They do drugs, they drink, they have sex, etc., etc.  Whereas I choose to not do any of those things.  Why?  Not because some book told me to, but because I choose to myself.  They just don't interest me (the latter's a little hard, but I figure if I'm to give something up that I only have once in life, it might as well be with someone I love).

    But now I'm targeting a particular religion and getting a little off-topic, so I'll stop.

    Go time brotha

    by Major Silva on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 06:03:33 PM EST

    •  the idea (none / 0)

      of the Bible being about morals itself is a bit of a distorted view.

      I can't stand people like you said, that are total hypocrits. But the thing is, we as people all sin. And there are a lot of cool christains out there that are not like that.

      I mean, look at me.

      I'm a badass.

      Not all who wander are lost

      by Zoso Fan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 06:57:19 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  The Big Bang Theory (none / 0)

      is a bunch of balogna. Everything cannot possibly come from ONE single atom. That's a bunch of hoo-hah.

      Now for actually believing in God, I have mixed feelings about it. I do not believe in Adam and Eve. But I do believe in the Theory of Evolution, in that bacteria formed, then other lifeforms like dinosaurs (which there is physical evidence for).

      Then there are some days where I have a bad day, and I kind of think that there isn't really a God, that it's just you.

      But for the most part, I do believe in God.

      Playoffs?!? Playoffs?!? You talking about... playoffs?!

      by ajABE on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:36:44 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  No (none / 0)

    I don't believe in God.

    Too many good people die from war, famine and disease, while horrible ones live long and healthy lives.

    Millions of people have been killed in "God's" name throughout human history.  The crusades, terrorism etc.  I don't know about anyone else but if i was God and I really wanted people to believe, I sure as hell wouldn't let innocent people be murdered because they haven't chosen the right religion.  If i was God i wouldn't allow terrible diseases such as AIDS and Cancer to ravage peoples lives and their families.  If i was God i wouldn't allow millions of people to starve to death.

    I won't go any further because I'm sure the majority of people already don't like my veiwpoint.

    Just killin it

    by sbrooker on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 06:16:25 PM EST

    •  Nothing wrong with having a different viewpoint (none / 0)

      dude. All people are welcome to say what they believe. I read a book a while ago and i will try to find it for you which covered all the reasons you don't believe in God. It helped me a lot through many times of loss...

      Not all who wander are lost

      by Zoso Fan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 06:54:55 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  If you look at (none / 0)

      a Buddhist (or Hindu, I know I'm terribly uneducated in this department) point of view. There is no way to prove any existence other than your own. So if this holds true, would it be possible that all of these terrible things you speak of, are merely trials and tests set by God to see how you react?

      (Mind you Buddhists dont belive in a God per se, and Hindus are polytheistic)
      within Buddhism I believe there are 8 different sects?)

      Another way to look at it, I forget where i heard this but, "all paths lead to the same summit." so no matter what religion you're going to the same place.

      I dunno I take what Ive learned from other religions and science and formulate my own thoughts, because, hey, God gave us free will right?

      by BoxinLeprechaun on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:52:28 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  well (none / 0)

        If there is a God who tests us by letting millions die, i think there may be horns growing on his head.

        Just killin it

        by sbrooker on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:58:48 PM EST

        [ Parent ]

        •  It's not God (none / 0)

          letting millions of people die, it's we as humans who are letting millions die.

          Playoffs?!? Playoffs?!? You talking about... playoffs?!

          by ajABE on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:28:52 PM EST

          [ Parent ]

          •  asdf (none / 0)

            But if the people "you created" - inherently "us" - were killing each other in your name, why would you not stop it?  

            Go time brotha

            by Major Silva on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:22:47 PM EST

            [ Parent ]

            •  That's an open-ended question (none / 0)

              Each religion is different. Muslims, for example, believe that killing "non-believers" (there is a specific word for that, just can't think of it) in the name of Allah, will decrease the time they will spend in their purgatory.

              Now that doesn't apply to the killing going in Darfur, Tibet, or any other place for that matter. They kill because they believe God created them racially supreme to others. (what the Nazi's did in WW2)

              That's just my take on it.

              Playoffs?!? Playoffs?!? You talking about... playoffs?!

              by ajABE on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:43:08 PM EST

              [ Parent ]

              •  Wow (none / 0)

                That is a very uninformed and ignorant statement to make about the Muslim religion.

                Just killin it

                by sbrooker on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 02:09:59 AM EST

                [ Parent ]

              •  How utterly well informed! (none / 0)

                The Qur'an says "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight and persecute you, but commit no aggression. Surely, Allah does not love the aggressors." (2:190)

                Thus, under certain circumstances warfare (and the unfortunate byproducts) are necessary.
                Even Jesus saw the necessity of war when he said "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew, 10:34).

                Thus, it would appear Islam permits fighting (and killing) for two reasons:

                1. Personal Defense; I can't recall the specific verse, but the Prophet of Islam practiced this rule when he told some of his followers to go to Abbyssinia and later himself migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

                2. Defense against incursions by others and to avoid persecution (against believers) and lawlessness. ("Killing is bad, but lawlessness is even worse than carnage" -2:217).

                Even the status of women in the Qur'an is better than expected.
                "And from the same stock He created his spouse" -4:1
                "And Allah has made for you mates from your own stock" -16:72

                Of course, the "noble savage" Aryan belief held by Adolf Hitler and like minded people has little to do with God (indeed, the return to pseudo Paganistic "Father Germany" religious beliefs resulted in few Hitler Youth Kool Aid drinkers holding much belief in the Christian or similar patriarchal religious views).

                Of course, the very insinuation that a religion with a following of approximately 1 billion (that's million with a "b") is at all equivocal to Nazism leads me to hope that you're being sarcastic. Of course, every single Mormon in the world is also a polygamist cultist from West Texas, aren't they?

                I don't mean to imply that anyone is foolish, but I really can't stomach the idea that Islam is any more a racist or violent religion than any other (I'd direct you to the "re-education" of most every indigenous people discovered by Europe from ~1492-1750 and their religious destruction, or religious chokehold on Europe from ~1000-1700).

                This isn't to say any religion is better than any other; only that every state, religion, and people have had highs and lows, and to make a blanket statement regarding a billion people is something I really can't handle.    

                Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.

                by Sparton 501 on Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 05:42:30 PM EST

                [ Parent ]

        •  If it were heaven on earth (none / 0)

          what would be the point of heaven?

          Not all who wander are lost

          by Zoso Fan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 10:41:49 PM EST

          [ Parent ]

    •  The first (none / 0)

       part of your post can be answered by reading the book of Genesis.  Basically because of Adam and Eve going against what God said is why we have these diseases and sicknesses.  I know you probably don't believe in the Bible but I was just letting you know where you could find out about it.  

      by GearsChrisB on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:18:14 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  well (none / 0)

    lets see, i am such a hypocrite when it comes to god and religion, you have to think reality really, did  god make the world in 7 days? i personally its all bullshit, he never mentioned dinosaurs, Germany has 29 commandments, we have 10, i wonder why he left out slavery, i think that the writing in the bible is as bullshit as the people who wrote them, i believe in jesus from the history books, thats about it, also come on, think about it, if you believe in stuff like god, you have to think to your self, come on, we humans are a genetic mutation, almost a mistake, when i sometimes go to church when im forced to go, i think, these people are praising somebody who is not even there, i have seen crazy things that have me scared for life that makes me  question gods existence, my friend was shot right in front of me, and people just say, "god needed him up there"   but i really don't care what people believe in, the world is going to end one day, and humans will not live forever, when the sun runs out i dont think "GOD" will save us, and unless we travel to another universe that is the only way that we as a species will survive, and what about all this space? after he was done with our planet did he say, oh and let there be infinite space, so i do not believe in god

    "Im gonna take a piss, when i come back im gonna talk about The Mighty Duck movie"

    by Evil Resident on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:10:07 PM EST

    •  you (none / 0)

       are entitled to your opinion but you need to think about what you are writing.  I have never responded to anything you have ever wrote.  I can't think of how many times you have been banned for writing ignorant responses.  You need to word it better than how you did, you come off being very immature and it is sad to say the least.  When it is our time to go, that's it, doesn't matter your age or race, or religion.  These people that you speak of AREN'T praising to someone who isn't there.  God is there and religion is a BELIEF.  I will pray for you :)  

      by GearsChrisB on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:15:16 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  I will to (none / 0)

        Man, you are in some definite need of some prayer, so im praying for you

        "No sheep just camels." 'What?' "Bitch I aint seen him." Blam! 'Roger'

        by CovanantElite on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:17:31 PM EST

        [ Parent ]

      •  Correction. (none / 0)

        To THEM God is there.

        It sounds more like you're trying to change his opinion by criticizing his writing than trying to state yours.

        Go time brotha

        by Major Silva on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:25:52 PM EST

        [ Parent ]

        •  Correction (none / 0)

           to what.  He wrote these people are praising someone who isn't even there.  I stated he (GOD) is there.  I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion by any means.  I have stated mine if you have read any of my other posts.  I believe in God, what more do I need to say?  He's saying this is Bullspit and that is Bullspit, I find that VERY offensive.

          by GearsChrisB on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:34:41 PM EST

          [ Parent ]

          •  asdf (none / 0)

            Again, to YOU God is there.  But to Evil and others, he isn't.  So to him, they're praying to and praising nothing more than an idea.

            And do you not think it's offensive telling him that he's inherently wrong about his opinion?

            "These people that you speak of AREN'T praising to someone who isn't there.  God is there.."

            That's your opinion, just as Evil's post was his opinion, but instead of keeping it passive you use words that make it come across as though you think your opinion/belief is FACT, intead of just an opinion.  ("AREN'T, IS, etc.")

            I do agree that Evil's post was a little heavy with the language and hard to follow (periods plz), but I got the jist of what he was trying to say.

            Go time brotha

            by Major Silva on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:26:21 PM EST

            [ Parent ]

            •  So if there isn't a God there, what (none / 0)

              started everything? How did we get here?

              Community Manager
              DEMAND JUSTICE!

              by SweetTea023 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:35:04 PM EST

              [ Parent ]

              •  asdf (none / 0)

                The compression of atoms, which caused a large explosion, expelling all matter outward and forming various planets, starts, and the like.

                From there I remember something about how humans are made up of what is basically star matter; carbon.  So that's where the idea of life spawning came from, which then itself ties into evolution and the creation of us.

                I have to apologize; my understanding of the Big Bang Theory is limited.  It's hardly mentioned in schools after 6th grade or so, let alone elaborated upon :(.

                Go time brotha

                by Major Silva on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:39:00 PM EST

                [ Parent ]

            •  Again (none / 0)

               I wasn't saying I was right and he was wrong.  I was just giving MY opinion.  To me it IS a FACT that God is there, am I wrong for that?  No, I don't think so.  My main point is that he came off being very offensive.

              by GearsChrisB on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:28:58 PM EST

              [ Parent ]

    •  There (none / 0)

      are two different views of the bible. The fundamentalist belief and the modernist belief. The fundamentalist belief takes the bible literally, example: The world was created in seven days. The modernist belief interprets the bible figuratively, so seven days could really be 7 million years. I don't believe it could have been created in 7 days and there is no explanation about the Dinosaurs at all, and that is where faith comes in. I have had a troubled past with religion but I have been reconnected with my love of God and try to not treat my religion hypocritically.

      On a side note, I believe heavily in the principles of Karma

      by Noobpancake on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:26:11 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  Evil (none / 0)

      do you ever use periods?lol jk.

      "Look, when I was a kid, I inhaled frequently. That was the point." Barack Obama

      by Wangler1316 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 09:03:26 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  i think you are being to closed minded on the idea (none / 0)

      I have had lots of horrible stuff happen to people in my life, and the Bible really had a lot of positive things that helped me.

      The Bible was also completely against slavery.

      Can you link the German 29 commandments? I have never heard of that.

      And at least one of your theories is wrong. "humans will not live forever". I will indeed live forever! ;)

      Not all who wander are lost

      by Zoso Fan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 10:53:29 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  I Don't Need It (none / 0)

    I don't need god or religion just like I don't need an entire eighth of vodka every night.  I can get by just fine without it.  I prefer to concentrate on the here and now and not some Club Med up in the clouds.  

    by Razor Hanzo on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:32:29 PM EST

  •  I am a devote (none / 0)

    christian, and i love god every minute of everyday. Thats not to say i can read you every bit of scripture by heart. I listen to the F.I.S.H Ga's chistian station. I offer my body to the lord, so i dont drink, pierce anything, or smoke.

    I pray, I praise, and i give Glory and i do everything in his name. I pray before i tee'd off this morning at regionals in golf.

    I believe that Evolution is false.

    "No sheep just camels." 'What?' "Bitch I aint seen him." Blam! 'Roger'

    by CovanantElite on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:39:14 PM EST

  •  I know i just get (none / 0)

    a little angry sometimes. Sry no hard feelings its your belief, however it is my belief that i must witness and try to save whenever the possibility arises.

    No hard feelings :)

    "No sheep just camels." 'What?' "Bitch I aint seen him." Blam! 'Roger'

    by CovanantElite on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:03:35 PM EST

  •  Well (none / 0)

     you have to look at his opinion as well, that's what he believes you should respect it, I would also agree with what he wrote.

    by GearsChrisB on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:04:49 PM EST

  •  OMG (none / 0)

    I CANT WAIT FOR GTA! I am sure Jesus is ganna hit that 2

    "Look, when I was a kid, I inhaled frequently. That was the point." Barack Obama

    by Wangler1316 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:57:45 PM EST

  •  Wow (none / 0)

    I thought this might be taking it a little to far with starting a whole thread on what we believe. But you guys have handled it very well I'll add my two cents for what it is worth. I have been on both sides of the fence. I was raised in a church my parents taught Sunday school. It was what I knew until I was old enough to think for myself. I'm almost 29 and I have been back and forth through thinking what many of you have. Why would a god let this happen or what did I do to deserve this. Going to church did not give me all the answers I was looking for but did provide insight. Going through college has added more knowledge and made me look at things much differently than I did being a wide eyed 7 year old in Sunday school. I think that religion views (and our lives) are ever evolving. I think that a higher power exists, I believe in spirits (ghosts if you will) and that this universe is entirely too large and intricate to be alone, yes my friends aliens do exist.

    by Windowlicker77 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 10:37:35 PM EST

  •  Jesus isn't a religion (none / 0)

    Well I guess I can throw in my thoughts now...=)

    I'll keep it simple - I've studied, questioned, discussed, questioned, argued for and against Christians, questioned some more and thought deeply on God and Christianity. A few things I've learned-

    What I've found is that however much Christians screw up (and that's not an excuse for everyone else to do whatever they want btw)however strange the details may seem and however pointless religion may seem, if there was a God who right now has an actual plan for you life, would you want to know it? Who cares about whether you swear or drink or lie or steal....first and foremost I've found that Jesus wants you how you are. Vodka and all...He'll work on you after that and your life will move forward in ways you didn't think were possible anymore.

    I dare you to give Jesus a chance

    Community Manager
    DEMAND JUSTICE!

    by SweetTea023 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:58:32 PM EST

  •  I'll weigh in now, although the topic is clearly (none / 0)

    coming to a close now.  But essentially my belief in a higher being is somewhat close to what Boxin mentioned above.  I sort of believe in Aristotle's view of God, which is the watchmaker belief.  In other words, he created the initial material that created the universe and then set it in motion.

    I think that things have evolved too perfectly for something to not be behind the start of it all.  I grew up a Catholic so I'm very familiar with the Bible and its teachings.  I just think that the Bible is a book written by men and interpreted by men so it is inherently flawed like men.

    I just don't buy into God having a hand in what goes on in this world.  It's beyond my comprehension that a kind God could ever let some of the injustices happen in this world.  I can't believe that he looks out for some people and not for others.  That just doesn't seem right to me which is why I've come to the conclusion about God that I've reached.  And it isn't because I'm not educated about religion and beliefs.  

    by papi blez on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:16:41 AM EST

    •  papi, in some ways, my beliefs are (none / 0)

      are an interesting twist on what you are talking about.

      "he created the initial material that created the universe and then set it in motion."

      I agree and that takes out a lot of the vengeful God stuff.  He isn't just sticking His finger in and snuffing out people.  

      However, here is where I think differently.  I think God is hands-off unless we ask Him to be hands-on.  He is standing aside and letting us do our thing, but if we ask Him he steps in and helps out.  I have had far too many personal experiences where prayer (i.e., asking God for specific intervention) has seemingly changed the circumstances.  I heard one pastor say "Yeah, it could be coincidence, but one thing I know, I sure get a lot more coincidences when I pray."

      I totally believe that God hears ALL my prayers (though that doesn't mean he gives me snake skin boots, or a babe on each arm) but He hears my prayers and where it doesn't violate other principles that He established when He "set things in motion", then he gives, and helps.  

      To sbrooker, your problem with the state of the world is a legitimate and logical response to the bold claim that a God, especially a loving God, exists.  The simple short answer has two parts:  

      1st: God is the whole package, which for us includes a Life after Death, Justice, and Heaven and Hell.  Once you start considering that there is more to our existence than just the short 70 years (if we are blessed) on this planet, then the magnitude of the undeniably HORRIFIC suffering on this planet is put into the appropriate perspective for being able to believe that there is a God.  How quickly do we forget/no longer concern ourselves with worry etc. about a toothache etc. or  a broken bone, or even a heart break.  It is because it was just a flash moment in the bigger scheme of our life.  So it is, with even unspeakable suffering.  That is up against forever, and it can be healed/forgotten.

      2nd: It is His very Love that doesn't allow him to mess with our Freedom.  There is a lot of truth to the cliche, "If you love someone, set them free" (Suddenly I have Sting singing in my head!)  The problem is, He gave ALL of us freedom.  Not just the good guys, or the girls, or those over 25 with high-paying jobs. So, if some of us want to use our freedom to hurt others, He cannot stop us, or step in...unless those others ask Him to.  

      If they do ask Him to help, then God has two choices, either snuff the baddies out and make a dramatic rescue (which does sometimes happen), or say, "Listen, I love you, and I'll take care of you, I promise.  You just trust me and wait here.  I want to give that jerk an opportunity to change, if he does change, wonderful, because I love him too.  If he doesn't change, he will get his (and you will be blessed so greatly you won't care).  Don't you worry."

      One thing that has really helped me to understand the dilemma of God is being a parent of more than one child.  Once you have two or more children (especially if they are close in age), you will see them fight, and then you realize the complexity of judging, and making things work to everyone's satisfaction and benefit.

      Gears is my porn.

      by 3Suns on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:31:09 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  Really Interesting Thoughts, papi (none / 0)

      I guess my view would be this- God is perfect, we are not. We are the one's screwing up the world while he tries to play a hand through us.

      If God made everything perfect we would be nothing but puppets. If he absolutely left everything alone we would have already destroyed this earth many times over.

      So there is a God who loves you and wants to be a part of your life if you just let Him. By letting Him you're making this world a better place as He lives through you.

      Just some thoughts =)

      Community Manager
      DEMAND JUSTICE!

      by SweetTea023 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:49:31 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  I'M CONFUSED O.o (none / 0)

    Brumak porn... love it!

    by HELLFIRE V1 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:40:02 AM EST

  •  God... (none / 0)

    I'm a nurse. Seen a lot of fucked up things. But I've seen some miracles too.

    The more I learn about science and the complexity of things, the more I believe in God. Plus, I've had too many odd things occur in my life to be merely by chance.

    A lot of people believe in God not because it makes sense to them, but because they fear death. Let's face it... if God doesn't exist, an eternity of oblivion wouldn't be so bad. It'd just be nothing.

    But I think God's there. I also think that even if you don't believe in God, that doesn't mean you'll go to hell. Think about it... if God's a perfect being, it's beyond good and evil. We can't even comprehend God.

    But a lot of religions make God this eternal paternal figure. "If you don't listen to me, you're going to go to time out... which is hell."

    That idea of God is an asshole. Plain and simple. And to think such a being, that is supposibly kind and loving would have that kind of mentality is bullshit.

    How is one religion right? How are the others wrong? Unless a religious text was written by God, imperfections and error will be in it.

    I think there's a lot of error in religious writings. At the foundation of practically every religion is tolerance and love for your fellow man.

    I think that's the message we need to get. The fact that killings still go on today in the name of God is ridiculous. The greatest gift that has been given is life.

    One of my favorite quotes is from a good friend of the family who passed away. He was a Methodist minister, and actually said the following...

    "We all take different paths to go to the same place."

    Do good works. Love your neighbor.

    And remember that the greatest gift God gave us is this life.

    It's marvelous and full of wonder in every way.

    by tyrus on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:47:42 AM EST

    •  Good stuff, tyrus (none / 0)

      Since you have brought up the problems of Heaven and Hell I just want to clarify a couple of things as regards my own interpretation. (I believe that how we approach the Bible totally affects what we get out of it - and therefore that which isn't concretely and clearly stated is subject to interpretation - Heaven and Hell definitely fall into those categories.)

      Ultimately, the picture of "Judgement" and "Heaven" that C.S. Lewis creates in his books, The Great Divorce, and The Last Battle (the final book of the Narnia series) describe my understanding very closely.

      Here are just two examples from his books.  There was the case of the dwarves who were eating a gorgeous dinner on a beautiful green hillside (in Heaven) and they didn't know it - they thought they were still in the dark shed trying to eat dirt.  The second example was the young lad who suddenly met Aslan (Christ) and was terrified because he realized that Aslan was the ruler and he said, all my life I have spent serving  blah blah blah.  And Aslan said to him, "I took all that to myself; and there are those who said they were serving Me, but I don't know who they are. Go in peace."  There are a ton more examples like that in those books.  It is an extremely refreshing take on the idea of the afterlife, and God's judgment.  

      God is love and perfect and the creator, and when you are the creator, you aren't threatened by people who don't "obey" you. I totally agree with you, He is so far above that.  Back to papi's illustration, God has set up the Universe and there are just certain laws that can't be broken and when they are broken, then there are consequences that have nothing to do with emotional vengeance (though God's wrath is mentioned often - which is another book).  

      I for one am counting on the fact that I won't have to spend eternity with people who love to hate, murder, destroy, and hurt.  Any God who would cause me to have to spend more time with those who have unrepentingly killed and hurt me and my fellow man in indescribable ways, in my opinion, THAT is a God who is an "asshole".  ;)

      Gears is my porn.

      by 3Suns on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:31:58 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  At first (none / 0)

    I was afraid that this would end up nasty but time after time we as a community prevail.  

    I do believe in God and I have seen first hand miracles that I feel he had a part in.  My dad is heavy into the Word and has obviously had an influence on my beliefs.  I am a lil skeptical on some things (dinosaurs being one main thing) but other than that I believe there is someone watching over us and is watching us destroy what he has created.  

    My father has seen alot of hard times in his life with himself on a personal side and with his family.  He was a single income father with 5 kids and a sister inlaw living with us as well.  And somehow he always managed to stay afloat, how I dont know but we never were without food, clothes or shelter.  And if we were ever in dire need of help somehow it always found us.  My brother should've died during birth and Dr's told my father it was a miracle.  During the birth he was asked to leave the room because of complications with the child birth (take note this was just months after he became a born-again christian) so he went into the waiting room and prayed and prayed and well my brother is 22 and living a good life.  Its been said before by Suns if Im correct, these may just be coincidences but my dad has had too many of them for me not to take note.  

    WOW! Well we have gay marriage and God out of the way whats next?

    Oct 21/08 Nov 7/08

    by carr on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:30:28 AM EST

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