The Concept of God

brianlux

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

brianlux

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no gods before me."

I got to thinking about this statement and something that seems rather obvious to me came to mind- that this is perhaps one of the most brilliant, effectively controlling statements ever made.  How best keep people in line?  Tell them your god is the only god and you must believe in "him" (implying, or else).  I don't say this to be funny or cute or snide.  I really do wonder if the intent of this statement was made at the time  to keep people in line and has worked effectively thus ever since? 

Smellyman

brianlux said:

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no gods before me."

I got to thinking about this statement and something that seems rather obvious to me came to mind- that this is perhaps one of the most brilliant, effectively controlling statements ever made.  How best keep people in line?  Tell them your god is the only god and you must believe in "him" (implying, or else).  I don't say this to be funny or cute or snide.  I really do wonder if the intent of this statement was made at the time  to keep people in line and has worked effectively thus ever since? 

and God knows there are other gods?  Why so insecure?

Gern Blansten

brianlux said:

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no gods before me."

I got to thinking about this statement and something that seems rather obvious to me came to mind- that this is perhaps one of the most brilliant, effectively controlling statements ever made.  How best keep people in line?  Tell them your god is the only god and you must believe in "him" (implying, or else).  I don't say this to be funny or cute or snide.  I really do wonder if the intent of this statement was made at the time  to keep people in line and has worked effectively thus ever since? 

I think that was the intent...to make christianity superior to the multi god religions

jeffbr

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no gods before me."

I got to thinking about this statement and something that seems rather obvious to me came to mind- that this is perhaps one of the most brilliant, effectively controlling statements ever made.  How best keep people in line?  Tell them your god is the only god and you must believe in "him" (implying, or else).  I don't say this to be funny or cute or snide.  I really do wonder if the intent of this statement was made at the time  to keep people in line and has worked effectively thus ever since? 

I think that was the intent...to make christianity superior to the multi god religions

Definitely. And yet some Christian based faiths do have other gods/deities. They pray to the Virgin Mary, they pray to saints. They worship the Pope. Etc... Their one god is three gods, and their three gods are one god. For a monotheistic faith it sure is hard to keep track of who one should worship and pray to.

brianlux

Smellyman said:

brianlux said:

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no gods before me."

I got to thinking about this statement and something that seems rather obvious to me came to mind- that this is perhaps one of the most brilliant, effectively controlling statements ever made.  How best keep people in line?  Tell them your god is the only god and you must believe in "him" (implying, or else).  I don't say this to be funny or cute or snide.  I really do wonder if the intent of this statement was made at the time  to keep people in line and has worked effectively thus ever since? 

and God knows there are other gods?  Why so insecure?

Again, in Exodus:

Exodus 34:14 "For thou shalt worship no other god; for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God..."

Insecure, indeed!  And again, this is about control.  It's a warning:  God is jealous and if you don't follow what we are saying you will pay mightily.

I'm not slamming faith, but I do question what is worth having faith in.  For me, it's the belief that somethings in life the universe and everything are mighty damn mysterious, and I'm OK with that.  Other than that, leave me out  of the control issues.

PJ_Soul

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

Annafalk

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

Gern Blansten

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Smellyman

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

False.  God wills it

Gern Blansten

Smellyman said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

False.  God wills it

If we believe that god created humor we also have to believe that god created pedophiles....and murderers

brianlux

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

Gern Blansten

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

brianlux

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

People still believe that??

Annafalk

Gern Blansten said:

Smellyman said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

False.  God wills it

If we believe that god created humor we also have to believe that god created pedophiles....and murderers

There are both evil and good on this earth.

PJ_Soul

Other primates certainly seem to have a sense of humour. Chimps, for example, clearly do. They laugh and have been known to play pranks.

PJ_Soul

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

People still believe that??

Of course. There are still plenty of Christians who take the Bible literally. It's crazy.

brianlux

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

People still believe that??

Of course. There are still plenty of Christians who take the Bible literally. It's crazy.

It's hard to believe anyone believes these things-  Noah's Ark and only two of each animal regenerating animal populations, parting seas, people surviving being thrown in a blast furnace, humans starting with just two (fully formed and white) people, a divine being etching laws on stone tablets.

And if this is all true, I want to see some of this action.  Would my my day!

PJ_Soul

brianlux said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

People still believe that??

Of course. There are still plenty of Christians who take the Bible literally. It's crazy.

It's hard to believe anyone believes these things-  Noah's Ark and only two of each animal regenerating animal populations, parting seas, people surviving being thrown in a blast furnace, humans starting with just two (fully formed and white) people, a divine being etching laws on stone tablets.

And if this is all true, I want to see some of this action.  Would my my day!

What's really interesting is that these Bible-believers are apparently totally fine with incest, lol.

Gern Blansten

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

We have a sense of humor because we have highly functioning brains.  

Do you suppose other animals have a sense of humor?  I think so.

Annafalk said:

PJ_Soul said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

I think discussing religion, debating religion, arguing about religion, and mocking religion is very fun indeed!

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

Is this supposed to be fun? 

Sure!  As Kurt Vonnegut (one of my gods) once said, "We're here to fart around".

I've been thinking about this. I believe God wants us to be happy and laugh a lot. We are created with a sense of humor for a reason. If it's not humor at the expense of others, if they get hurt by it, why not.
I also think it's important to discuss and reflect on religion.  

I'm guessing pre-historic humans had a sense of humor but before that?  I don't know if other animals have a sense of humor and since we evolved from what are referred to as "lower" life forms, I would think it's difficult to say exactly when humor became part of our make up.

In any case, as a species, humor is one of our "saving graces".

I agree that laughing at another persons misfortune or pain or hurting in wrong.  But where to draw the line is difficult.  I find it hard to say it is wrong to make fun of a fool or someone who has wronged me or something like that.

yes but a creationist will believe that we all came from Adam and Eve...therefore there are no pre-historic humans

People still believe that??

Check out the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter....crazy shit.  The CM actually has displays showing humans riding dinosaurs.  Cuz that happened.