Why do we need to "believe" in God?

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

pandora wrote:

are you now belittling Jesus and those who believe he is a savior?
If so... that's not very respectful of you who respects all religions and is trying to be kind and understanding of others
sheesh

...
Hey Pandora... your petticoat... er, your pettiness is showing.
I know you have to search for things to get your petty grievences out... but, sorry... you're really reaching some great distances for this one... like from Mars.

no you were being disrespectful to those who believe Jesus is their savior
true colors

as you have been to me when putting me in a class with devout religious figures
because you don't/ can't believe nor understand ... something you admit

you must resort to this to get a point across... belittle others... put downs

I think the petticoat may have been to belittle women or southern women too I guess :?
nice cosmos you must be so proud of yourself
true colors you show and nothing to be proud of.

Cosmo

pandora wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

pandora wrote:

atheists do not believe... agnostic do not believe or disbelieve ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism
neither understand God because they do not believe or cannot commit to the idea of man knowing God....
could be hard to know God in those situations ... makes sense basically it is as I said an agree to disagree subject

...
Just a little constructive criticism... if you are going to post a link... it's a good idea to actually read the link, before commenting on it:
"... agnostic theists (who believe a God exists but do not claim to know that)."
ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism

my statement was in the article.... here....
In the popular sense, an agnostic is someone who neither believes nor disbelieves there is a God, whereas an atheist disbelieves there is a God
In the strict sense, however, agnosticism is the view that human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to justify knowledge whether God exists or does not



are you saying you are an agnostic theist then ... this your point with your giant letters

I wasn't attempting to identify you personally with my link
but glad you found the info helpful to you
I don't think you have identified yourself as that here :? at least not that I have seen

...
Nope. Just saying that not all Agnostics fall under your general statement:
"neither (atheists or agnostics) understand God because they do not believe or cannot commit to the idea of man knowing God"
Had you read the entire link, you would have noted what I had outlined.

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

I met Eddie Vedder.
Eddie Vedder was nice to me when we met.
I do not know Eddie Vedder.
I do not claim to know Eddie Vedder.
I don't know if Eddie Vedder is a nice person.
All i know is that when I met Eddie Vedder... he was nice to me.

Eddie is a man :?

I don't know him either

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

pandora wrote:

my statement was in the article.... here....
In the popular sense, an agnostic is someone who neither believes nor disbelieves there is a God, whereas an atheist disbelieves there is a God
In the strict sense, however, agnosticism is the view that human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to justify knowledge whether God exists or does not



are you saying you are an agnostic theist then ... this your point with your giant letters

I wasn't attempting to identify you personally with my link
but glad you found the info helpful to you
I don't think you have identified yourself as that here :? at least not that I have seen

...
Nope. Just saying that not all Agnostics fall under your general statement:
"neither (atheists or agnostics) understand God because they do not believe or cannot commit to the idea of man knowing God"
Had you read the entire link, you would have noted what I had outlined.

I posted the link so others could read the types and see where they fit and I see you did


It seems my statement remains true to what i said....

agnostic theists ... who believe a God exists but do not claim to know that

that is the same as ... not committing to the idea of man knowing God
as I originally said

Cosmo

pandora wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

...
Hey Pandora... your petticoat... er, your pettiness is showing.
I know you have to search for things to get your petty grievences out... but, sorry... you're really reaching some great distances for this one... like from Mars.

no you were being disrespectful to those who believe Jesus is their savior true colors as you have been to me when putting me in a class with devout religious figures because you don't/ can't believe nor understand ... something you admit you must resort to this to get a point across... belittle others... put downs I think the petticoat may have been to belittle women or southern women too I guess :? nice cosmos you must be so proud of yourself true colors you show and nothing to be proud of.

...
Actually... I believe it is YOU that are showing your true colors, here. The more you write, to more you reveal who you really are. And yes... I believe I have expressed my true colors to you and to the people on this board regarding my beliefs in God and where I am in the big scheme of things. You are the one that is trying to paint me in the colors of your choosing, not the colors that I actually am.

catefrances

i feel sadness for anyone who feels they need saving by the son of 'someone' who it cant be proven exists.

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

pandora wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

...
Hey Pandora... your petticoat... er, your pettiness is showing.
I know you have to search for things to get your petty grievences out... but, sorry... you're really reaching some great distances for this one... like from Mars.

no you were being disrespectful to those who believe Jesus is their savior true colors as you have been to me when putting me in a class with devout religious figures because you don't/ can't believe nor understand ... something you admit you must resort to this to get a point across... belittle others... put downs I think the petticoat may have been to belittle women or southern women too I guess :? nice cosmos you must be so proud of yourself true colors you show and nothing to be proud of.

...
Actually... I believe it is YOU that are showing your true colors, here. The more you write, to more you reveal who you really are. And yes... I believe I have expressed my true colors to you and to the people on this board regarding my beliefs in God and where I am in the big scheme of things. You are the one that is trying to paint me in the colors of your choosing, not the colors that I actually am.

deflecting from your words and actions again :? ...

terrible Jesus comment, a put down to Christians likening me to their beloved figures
and degrading comment towards Southern women....
to women in general

those are your true colors... you have painted yourself with these words

Cosmo

pandora wrote:

I posted the link so others could read the types and see where they fit and I see you did
It seems my statement remains true to what i said....
agnostic theists ... who believe a God exists but do not claim to know that that is the same as ... not committing to the idea of man knowing God as I originally said

...
Nice try... but, you really need to watch your step while back peddling because you may trip yourself up.
...
It is NOT the same because an agnostic is open to the idea of the existance of a God and will commit to the knowledge of God... once he/she discovers that God DOES truely exist.
I say that, because that is where I am. I don't know God... but, if and when i find Him... I will know.
...
Wanna take a Mulligan on that one?

catefrances

pandora wrote:

deflecting from your words and actions again :? ...

terrible Jesus comment, a put down to Christians likening me to their beloved figures
and degrading comment towards Southern women....
to women in general

those are your true colors... you have painted yourself with these words

as a woman i have to say i was not offended by cosmos comments re: petticoats.. nor do i feel degraded.

pandora

catefrances wrote:

i feel sadness for anyone who feels they need saving by the son of 'someone' who it cant be proven exists.

your words do not ring true...

If a believer came and said they feel sorry for you...
well we know how that might go over

treat others the way you would like to be treated cate ...
that is with respect for your beliefs



Let people have what they have and respect that and each other.

Cosmo

pandora wrote:

deflecting from your words and actions again :? ...
terrible Jesus comment, a put down to Christians likening me to their beloved figures and degrading comment towards Southern women.... to women in general those are your true colors... you have painted yourself with these words

...
My God. Do you need EVERYTHING explained to you? Seriously?
Go back and read the full context... you know... the one where George W. Bush sought the advice of God (or Jesus) to approve his invasion of Iraq? Go on... go read it.
And the petticoat... I cannot believe you are looking to be some sort of victim in this case. It is your pettiness... your petty antics... that were showing.
Seriously... I cannot believe I even had to explain that to you. Now, maybe you have a better idea of where that whole Mars thing came from.
...
You are really making yourself look bad... in your pathetic attempts to make me look bad. Well, keep looking and keep twisting things to come up with some other kooky notion that you think will make me look bad.
Does God know you are being this way?

catefrances

pandora wrote:

catefrances wrote:

i feel sadness for anyone who feels they need saving by the son of 'someone' who it cant be proven exists.

your words do not ring true...

If a believer came and said they feel sorry for you...
well we know how that might go over

treat others the way you would like to be treated cate ...
that is with respect for your beliefs



Let people have what they have and respect that and each other.

trust me pandora i speak the truth.

and fyi i have had believers expressed pity that i dont believe in God. then they say they will pray for me anyway.`i smile and think of the disrespect theyve shown to me when i have simply told them i am an atheist and allowed them to share their beliefs. sometimes im not in the mood to indugle them and then i say sorry but im not interested.

and you perhaps misunderstand me pandora.. i couldnt give a flying fuck if people respect my atheism. it is mine, not theirs and their opinions make not an iota of difference to me or how i live my life. i do not go door to door seeking converts or sharing my atheism. i would like that in kind but thats not the way it seems to work.

catefrances

Cosmo wrote:

Does God know you are being this way?

God knows all and is everywhere.

Cosmo

catefrances wrote:

pandora wrote:

deflecting from your words and actions again :? ...

terrible Jesus comment, a put down to Christians likening me to their beloved figures
and degrading comment towards Southern women....
to women in general

those are your true colors... you have painted yourself with these words

as a woman i have to say i was not offended by cosmos comments re: petticoats.. nor do i feel degraded.

...
That's because, Cate... you obviously possess the power of observation and reasoning.
That my response to Pandora's (way out of left field) remark that I was bad-mouthing Jesus...
"Hey Pandora... your petticoat... er, your pettiness is showing."
was simply a play on the words, petticoat and pettiness.
...
Only someone with a petty grievence would create something to be offended by in a simple statement.

Cosmo

catefrances wrote:

trust me pandora i speak the truth.

and fyi i have had believers expressed sympathy that i dont belive in God. then they say they will pray for me anyway.`i smile and think of the disrespect theyve shown to me when i have simply told them i am an atheist and allowed them to share their beliefs. sometimes im not in the mood to indugle them and then i say sorry but im not interested.

and you perhaps misunderstand me pandora.. i couldnt give a flying fuck if people respect my atheism. it is mine, not theirs and their opinions make not an iota of difference to me or how i live my life. i do not go door to door seeking converts or sharing my atheism. i would like that in kind but thats not the way it seems to work.

...
The same with me.
i know people are sincere when they tell me they will pray for me to find God or Jesus. It is nice of them...
But, I tell them to save that prayer for the person in Africa that hasn't eaten this week... that falls under daily threat of death by machette.
That I am okay... well fed... sleeps in a warm bed... sheltered from the weather. God and Jesus need to focus more on those who aren't okay... prayers need to be directed towards them, not me.

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

pandora wrote:

deflecting from your words and actions again :? ...
terrible Jesus comment, a put down to Christians likening me to their beloved figures and degrading comment towards Southern women.... to women in general those are your true colors... you have painted yourself with these words

...
My God. Do you need EVERYTHING explained to you? Seriously?
Go back and read the full context... you know... the one where George W. Bush sought the advice of God (or Jesus) to approve his invasion of Iraq? Go on... go read it.
And the petticoat... I cannot believe you are looking to be some sort of victim in this case. It is your pettiness... your petty antics... that were showing.
Seriously... I cannot believe I even had to explain that to you. Now, maybe you have a better idea of where that whole Mars thing came from.
...
You are really making yourself look bad... in your pathetic attempts to make me look bad. Well, keep looking and keep twisting things to come up with some other kooky notion that you think will make me look bad.
Does God know you are being this way?

pointing out your words only...

you have used Jesus' name in vain saying it "his fault"
a disrespectful comment for believers ... no explaining changes that

liken me to scared figures and made a womanizing statement ...
your words, your tone, your vibes
really can't talk yourself out of all that... you said them all

God knows me yes and you feel God is looking for you and will find you through kindness
the above things could seem unkind to believers and perhaps to God also

but yes this has been hashed and goes down on paper no need to repeat again

pandora

catefrances wrote:

pandora wrote:

catefrances wrote:

i feel sadness for anyone who feels they need saving by the son of 'someone' who it cant be proven exists.

your words do not ring true...

If a believer came and said they feel sorry for you...
well we know how that might go over

treat others the way you would like to be treated cate ...
that is with respect for your beliefs



Let people have what they have and respect that and each other.

trust me pandora i speak the truth.

and fyi i have had believers expressed pity that i dont believe in God. then they say they will pray for me anyway.`i smile and think of the disrespect theyve shown to me when i have simply told them i am an atheist and allowed them to share their beliefs. sometimes im not in the mood to indugle them and then i say sorry but im not interested.

and you perhaps misunderstand me pandora.. i couldnt give a flying fuck if people respect my atheism. it is mine, not theirs and their opinions make not an iota of difference to me or how i live my life. i do not go door to door seeking converts or sharing my atheism. i would like that in kind but thats not the way it seems to work.

so yours is a 'do back to others?' :?

I thought you a better person than that cate

JonnyPistachio

pandora wrote:

pointing out your words only...

you have used Jesus' name in vain saying it "his fault"
a disrespectful comment for believers ... no explaining changes that

Do YOU believe Jesus is/was the son of God?

I don't think he's using it in vain if he doesn't believe Jesus is God.
And once upon a time when I believed Jesus was the Son of God, this would not be offensive to me.
Again, perception is a godsend...I think he was poking fun at the fact that Bush invaded Iraq on a God whim, saying maybe it was Jesus' fault -- is really pointing out that Bush is using poor excuses/judgement in explaining his actions.

Cosmo

pandora wrote:

pointing out your words only... you have used Jesus' name in vain saying it "his fault"
a disrespectful comment for believers ... no explaining changes that liken me to scared figures and made a womanizing statement ...your words, your tone, your vibes really can't talk yourself out of all that... you said them all
God knows me yes and you feel God is looking for you and will find you through kindness the above things could seem unkind to believers and perhaps to God also but yes this has been hashed and goes down on paper no need to repeat again

...
Sorry. But, you are acting like Sarah Palin, trying to explain her way out of something and digging herself deeper and deeper into the mess. You got that whole Jesus/petticoat thing all tangled up in your attempt to make me look like I am abusing you. Sorry, but that just ain't the case, here
By the way... all you have are words. You cannot decipher tone or vibes. YOU are attaching those sentiments to my words.

pandora

Cosmo wrote:

...
That's because, Cate... you obviously possess the power of observation and reasoning.
That my response to Pandora's (way out of left field) remark that I was bad-mouthing Jesus...
"Hey Pandora... your petticoat... er, your pettiness is showing."
was simply a play on the words, petticoat and pettiness.
...
Only someone with a petty grievence would create something to be offended by in a simple statement.

oh boy... wow ... now it's a play on words

just keep diggin that hole you are in

sounds like you really try to justify your words and motives
are you also hiding from truth?


play on words? ....if so prettiness .... would have been far kinder and less womanizing