Hugh is there anything else you can think of that you have Faith in that no one else can explain? Anything not even religious. Just throwing it out there.
good question. I was actually trying to think of that, and I really can't think of anything. I don't ascribe to faith. I can "hope" for things, but that's not the same. I'm not sitting here thinking that anything has an influence over what I'm hoping for, I'm just hoping the randomness of the universe turns out in my favour.
Ya see, HFD my faith says that there is nothing random about you, or your existence. That He created you as one of His children. That you are a unique individual. He created your soul with you in mind. Your DNA, & finger prints are different from anyone else's. He wants you to know that you are special to Him. He created you because He wanted to. He wants to take the burdens and anxieties out of your life. Day to day issues, and struggles continue, they certainly do for everyone, but they become easier to deal with. He knows that believing would be difficult for many. That's why there are people around, who try to spread the good news whenever possible knowing full well that it might not be real popular. No I don't run around on the streets yelling God and Jesus with bumper stickers all over my car. I'm not one of those.
If I had all the answers I certainly wouldn't be driving a semi-truck. But I'm bringing this down in case HFD missed it because we started talking about missionaries.
I didn't miss it, I just wasn't sure how to respond to it at the time.
ok, so he wanted to create me. so that means he didn't want to create my two nieces that died, one in utero, and one a month old? see, this I don't get. nothing is random, yet we have free will. god created you, but if you get cancer, it's all part of his plan.
if I have free will, then my daughters being created by myself and my wife had zero to do with god.
if nothing is random, then they are his children because he wanted them to be.
Hugh I agree. I do not belong to a church. My kids are not baptized, however they each had a dedication ceremony where my husband and I and some family members came together and vowed in front of a nondenominational congregation that we would protect and teach our kids.
We are more than welcome to go to that church at any time, we dont.
I'm struggling to understand how someone can not believe in God but is ok with religion? Or whatever words you want to use here. You're ok with the good people that believe in God but not the people that just show up for xmas mass?
It doesn't matter really tho - I equated atheists with anger and am wrong so. Just seems God talk brings out the best in all of us....
Oh please let it rain today.
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
Hugh I agree. I do not belong to a church. My kids are not baptized, however they each had a dedication ceremony where my husband and I and some family members came together and vowed in front of a nondenominational congregation that we would protect and teach our kids.
We are more than welcome to go to that church at any time, we dont.
I'm struggling to understand how someone can not believe in God but is ok with religion? Or whatever words you want to use here. You're ok with the good people that believe in God but not the people that just show up for xmas mass?
It doesn't matter really tho - I equated atheists with anger and am wrong so. Just seems God talk brings out the best in all of us....
why would I have a problem with someone's belief system? I would hope someone wouldn't have a problem with mine. I have no problem with anyone who believes anything they believe, as long as it doesn't lead to action that infringes on the rights and freedoms of others, or hurts others in any way. spiritual beliefs are very personal, so I don't judge others on that. I wouldn't be married to someone who prays everyday if I did!
I waffle between being agnostic and atheist, in that I don't currently believe there is a god, but I can also admit I can't prove there isn't one. something had to have created everything, whether it be a god or something else, who knows.
Hugh I agree. I do not belong to a church. My kids are not baptized, however they each had a dedication ceremony where my husband and I and some family members came together and vowed in front of a nondenominational congregation that we would protect and teach our kids.
We are more than welcome to go to that church at any time, we dont.
I'm struggling to understand how someone can not believe in God but is ok with religion? Or whatever words you want to use here. You're ok with the good people that believe in God but not the people that just show up for xmas mass?
It doesn't matter really tho - I equated atheists with anger and am wrong so. Just seems God talk brings out the best in all of us....
and I'm glad you have realized that misconception, as I think a lot of religious folks have this idea that all atheists are god-haters. we're not. we don't even really think about it that much. many of us just turned that way because of personal experiences/thoughts.
I don't even think it really makes sense to be identified as something I'm not, rather than what I am. when you think about it, it's kind of odd, isn't it? I wouldn't call myself ahomosexual. or afemale. LOL
Atheists do get mad sometimes. I get mad that my sister in law is indoctrinating my niece and nephew into a club which rejects science and rational thought. I get even madder that this club is proven to be a haven for, and protector of, child rapists.
That sounds horrible, how can she act so irresponsible? What does she say when you ask her about it?
and of course anyone with resources can find god. but why does no one from an undiscovered tribe somewhere in africa have no relationship with god? why wouldn't he show them the path?
That's why there are missionaries. My aunt has a friend and her husband who spent 10 years in New Guinea attempting to bring God's Word to them and their tribes. And the stories they told me about their time there are fascinating and inspiring.
..... Many would say that they spent 10 years attempting to destroy yet another culture in favour of their own. The history of missionary work is a horribly sad and depressing one, involving a lot of death and misery.
And there is the boomerang that just came back and hit me in the face. That's what I love about you PJ soul
I am sorry - I know your heart is in the right place. I just gotta say what I gotta say - I believe these things as strongly as you believe in God. I guess we both just have to keep expressing what we think!
That's what keeps it fun for me. There are good apples and there are bad apples. There are good Christian Missionary programs, and there are sucky ones that suck money and profit for no good reason.
Okay.... TBH, I happen to think that there aren't any good missionary programs because I've never heard of any that don't intend to convert non-Christians. "Spreading the good word" is not a positive thing to me. It's a negative thing.
I was answering HFD's question. And to my knowledge, the two missionaries that know didn't kill anybody, or cause any carnage, or sabotage the New Guinean way of life.
but why does no one from an undiscovered tribe somewhere in africa have no relationship with god? why wouldn't he show them the path?
Excellent question.
God only bothered to enlighten 'some' of his children with the way? Oceans dividing continents and no internet... how were, say, native Americans supposed to lead a Christian life and get to heaven?
@RYME I will ask you directly: what makes your beliefs more believable than another religion's? you have to admit your beliefs are a product of your geography and/or your upbringing, no?
Or the Jehovah Witnesses, their interpretation of god and the Bible is wrong? Compared to Christian belief?
I don't recall anyone has been talking down on other religions, you can believe what you want, but one has to speak from where one is standing. You speak from your own point of view as everyone else does.
@RYME I will ask you directly: what makes your beliefs more believable than another religion's? you have to admit your beliefs are a product of your geography and/or your upbringing, no?
Hmmm good question. My grandma got me started. But after that one pursues as much or as little as they want after that. No one forced me to continue in my faith from about 4th grade on. Geography, I don't know about that, there are quite a few Christians around the world different denominations of course. Although you'd never know it, there's Christians in every country around the world but as you would expect in some places they cannot be outspoken about it. Just like some of you went to a church when you were young changed your mind on it and have pretty much gone the other way. Free will comes back into play here. Throughout life I've continued a healthy relationship with my Lord Jesus. I've been in a few dangerous situations that should have gone really really bad but didn't. No other explanation for me other than He must have intervened, for me to have come away unscathed. I have nothing against other religions. I read & study God's Word pray every day or two, I ask for forgiveness for things that I've done wrong, I thank Him for the blessings in my life, and ask for guidance and strength for things I struggle with. Judging or condemning other religions is none of my business.
you are avoiding the question. I'll be more direct: had you been born in Japan, or North Africa, or Iran, do you really believe you would still be Christian?
no one is asking you to judge another religion. My question was: what do you believe makes Jesus/God your god, as opposed to Allah, or Buddah? do you believe those gods also exist, or yours is the one true god? if so, what makes your religion the "correct" one? I have asked this of many christians over the years, and no one has been able to explain it to me.
Jesus was declaring Himself the great “I Am,” the only path to heaven, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life.
And also;
"You should have no other gods before me"
does anyone know if other gods have these "rules" or not? if so, why not follow that god's rule? if not, is this christian god's way of saying he's not the only one, and is kind of a possessive god, kind of like an asshole boyfriend?
And also, what about the geography question? do you think you would have found christianity had you been born in iran?
There is only one God so I don't know of any other rules, but I know of course other religions has a lot of different rules. I think people most probably adopts to the culture in which they are born.
My god is better than your god?
Those guys are believing in a god that isn't even there?
@RYME I will ask you directly: what makes your beliefs more believable than another religion's? you have to admit your beliefs are a product of your geography and/or your upbringing, no?
Or the Jehovah Witnesses, their interpretation of god and the Bible is wrong? Compared to Christian belief?
I don't recall anyone has been talking down on other religions, you can believe what you want, but one has to speak from where one is standing. You speak from your own point of view as everyone else does.
@RYME I will ask you directly: what makes your beliefs more believable than another religion's? you have to admit your beliefs are a product of your geography and/or your upbringing, no?
Hmmm good question. My grandma got me started. But after that one pursues as much or as little as they want after that. No one forced me to continue in my faith from about 4th grade on. Geography, I don't know about that, there are quite a few Christians around the world different denominations of course. Although you'd never know it, there's Christians in every country around the world but as you would expect in some places they cannot be outspoken about it. Just like some of you went to a church when you were young changed your mind on it and have pretty much gone the other way. Free will comes back into play here. Throughout life I've continued a healthy relationship with my Lord Jesus. I've been in a few dangerous situations that should have gone really really bad but didn't. No other explanation for me other than He must have intervened, for me to have come away unscathed. I have nothing against other religions. I read & study God's Word pray every day or two, I ask for forgiveness for things that I've done wrong, I thank Him for the blessings in my life, and ask for guidance and strength for things I struggle with. Judging or condemning other religions is none of my business.
you are avoiding the question. I'll be more direct: had you been born in Japan, or North Africa, or Iran, do you really believe you would still be Christian?
no one is asking you to judge another religion. My question was: what do you believe makes Jesus/God your god, as opposed to Allah, or Buddah? do you believe those gods also exist, or yours is the one true god? if so, what makes your religion the "correct" one? I have asked this of many christians over the years, and no one has been able to explain it to me.
Jesus was declaring Himself the great “I Am,” the only path to heaven, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life.
And also;
"You should have no other gods before me"
does anyone know if other gods have these "rules" or not? if so, why not follow that god's rule? if not, is this christian god's way of saying he's not the only one, and is kind of a possessive god, kind of like an asshole boyfriend?
And also, what about the geography question? do you think you would have found christianity had you been born in iran?
There is only one God so I don't know of any other rules, but I know of course other religions has a lot of different rules. I think people most probably adopts to the culture in which they are born.
My god is better than your god?
Those guys are believing in a god that isn't even there?
Sounds a touch atheist to me.
I can't answer whom people from other religions are praying to, I have no idea. I hope it's the same God
and of course anyone with resources can find god. but why does no one from an undiscovered tribe somewhere in africa have no relationship with god? why wouldn't he show them the path?
That's why there are missionaries. My aunt has a friend and her husband who spent 10 years in New Guinea attempting to bring God's Word to them and their tribes. And the stories they told me about their time there are fascinating and inspiring.
..... Many would say that they spent 10 years attempting to destroy yet another culture in favour of their own. The history of missionary work is a horribly sad and depressing one, involving a lot of death and misery.
And there is the boomerang that just came back and hit me in the face. That's what I love about you PJ soul
I am sorry - I know your heart is in the right place. I just gotta say what I gotta say - I believe these things as strongly as you believe in God. I guess we both just have to keep expressing what we think!
That's what keeps it fun for me. There are good apples and there are bad apples. There are good Christian Missionary programs, and there are sucky ones that suck money and profit for no good reason.
Okay.... TBH, I happen to think that there aren't any good missionary programs because I've never heard of any that don't intend to convert non-Christians. "Spreading the good word" is not a positive thing to me. It's a negative thing.
This reminds me, appropriately enough, of the saying, "hate the sin, don't hate the sinner". I know a guy who was a missionary in New Guinea. I've read enough about that small country to know that settlers, evangelists, missionaries, military and other assorted (mostly white) folks gave that place a royal ream job. So what this guy did there I would categorize as such. But the man is one of the kindest, sweetest, most big hearted guys I know. I will speak out against the action in any appropriate time or place but I would never sell the friendship down the river simply to be right.
Easy words, difficult task to accomplish, but the right thing is often the difficult thing to do.
I don't hate the "sinner" at all. Never in my life have I said or thought anything about "hating" religious people just because they are religious... I judge individuals by their individual actions. I have been and am very close to some religious people. And some of them are very devout followers of Churches that I abhor, and I think anyone who tries to or wants to convert others are misguided at best. That doesn't mean I don't like them as people.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Hugh is there anything else you can think of that you have Faith in that no one else can explain? Anything not even religious. Just throwing it out there.
good question. I was actually trying to think of that, and I really can't think of anything. I don't ascribe to faith. I can "hope" for things, but that's not the same. I'm not sitting here thinking that anything has an influence over what I'm hoping for, I'm just hoping the randomness of the universe turns out in my favour.
Ya see, HFD my faith says that there is nothing random about you, or your existence. That He created you as one of His children. That you are a unique individual. He created your soul with you in mind. Your DNA, & finger prints are different from anyone else's. He wants you to know that you are special to Him. He created you because He wanted to. He wants to take the burdens and anxieties out of your life. Day to day issues, and struggles continue, they certainly do for everyone, but they become easier to deal with. He knows that believing would be difficult for many. That's why there are people around, who try to spread the good news whenever possible knowing full well that it might not be real popular. No I don't run around on the streets yelling God and Jesus with bumper stickers all over my car. I'm not one of those.
If I had all the answers I certainly wouldn't be driving a semi-truck. But I'm bringing this down in case HFD missed it because we started talking about missionaries.
I didn't miss it, I just wasn't sure how to respond to it at the time.
ok, so he wanted to create me. so that means he didn't want to create my two nieces that died, one in utero, and one a month old? see, this I don't get. nothing is random, yet we have free will. god created you, but if you get cancer, it's all part of his plan.
if I have free will, then my daughters being created by myself and my wife had zero to do with god.
if nothing is random, then they are his children because he wanted them to be.
Hugh is there anything else you can think of that you have Faith in that no one else can explain? Anything not even religious. Just throwing it out there.
good question. I was actually trying to think of that, and I really can't think of anything. I don't ascribe to faith. I can "hope" for things, but that's not the same. I'm not sitting here thinking that anything has an influence over what I'm hoping for, I'm just hoping the randomness of the universe turns out in my favour.
Ya see, HFD my faith says that there is nothing random about you, or your existence. That He created you as one of His children. That you are a unique individual. He created your soul with you in mind. Your DNA, & finger prints are different from anyone else's. He wants you to know that you are special to Him. He created you because He wanted to. He wants to take the burdens and anxieties out of your life. Day to day issues, and struggles continue, they certainly do for everyone, but they become easier to deal with. He knows that believing would be difficult for many. That's why there are people around, who try to spread the good news whenever possible knowing full well that it might not be real popular. No I don't run around on the streets yelling God and Jesus with bumper stickers all over my car. I'm not one of those.
If I had all the answers I certainly wouldn't be driving a semi-truck. But I'm bringing this down in case HFD missed it because we started talking about missionaries.
I didn't miss it, I just wasn't sure how to respond to it at the time.
ok, so he wanted to create me. so that means he didn't want to create my two nieces that died, one in utero, and one a month old? see, this I don't get. nothing is random, yet we have free will. god created you, but if you get cancer, it's all part of his plan.
if I have free will, then my daughters being created by myself and my wife had zero to do with god.
if nothing is random, then they are his children because he wanted them to be
HughFreakingDillon, I'm sorry about your nieces. I certainly don't know why SIDS, or miscarriages happen. I have my own theory but it's not in the bible. That some people are too good for this world and He takes them home right away for some reason. I'm not saying that is the only reason. Otherwise I don't know why. Just a personal guess, don't ask me to document that anywhere. I believe that He created all of the souls before they were placed in a womb to be born. And places individuals into a woman's womb at conception. So He knows you before you are even conceived. He doesn't necessarily know what you are going to do with your life. He hopes that you will find Him. Back to free will. As far as cancer and diseases are concerned, I think we live in a polluted world. It is not His doing for people to get cancer and die,but it happens. Planes Trains and automobiles, SUVs trucks factories that pump out toxins into the air all the time. Yeah we're going to get sick from it. And the farmers around me fuckin love love love pesticides!! These giant machines that look like huge insects with arm sticking out 60 ft in both directions throughout the summer go up and down their fields just a'spraying the shit out of it. Sometimes our house is downwind of them and you can smell the crap that they're spraying and I hate it. If you can smell that crap you're breathing it right?. And then most people I know can't stand a dandelion or a weed growing in their yard. My dad sprays the shit out of his yard so that nothing grows except perfect grass blades, looks like a golf course. And yard after yard after yard around me is the same. Honey bees like dandelions it's one of the first blooming plants of the spring they're hungry and people spray them so they don't come up. Some lakes around here end up having the Bluegreen nasty toxic algae from pesticides runoff into the lakes and streams. I drive through Madison Wisconsin a lot and on the radio the other week they were advising people to not swim in Lake Monona or let their dogs in it because it was full of blue green algae. I'm sure that every house on its Shores has beautiful grass though. Pesticides that keep everything but grass blades from growing end up harming the environment. I on the other hand don't mind dandelions and Creeping Charlie as long as I keep it mowed. I like to see Grasshoppers and toads, and honey bees buzzing around my yard. But in yards that get the shit sprayed on them all the time, I don't think you'll see those critters. My dad doesn't have any grasshoppers or toads or honey bees in his yard. And I think that shit cause us cancers. Anyway God's not doing that to the environment, people are.
Miscarriages happen because the woman's body wasn't ready to carry to term. A fetus really isn't viable until the second trimester. About 50% of first trimester fetuses miscarry - half the time the women don't even know it happened, although more and more they do, just because pregnancy tests now tell us that we're pregnant so damn early. If God is killing half the souls that he's implanting in women, it makes me wonder why anyone would want to worship him at all. Same goes with many diseases and birth defects that have absolutely nothing to do with free will, along with floods, droughts, and plagues.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
and of course anyone with resources can find god. but why does no one from an undiscovered tribe somewhere in africa have no relationship with god? why wouldn't he show them the path?
That's why there are missionaries. My aunt has a friend and her husband who spent 10 years in New Guinea attempting to bring God's Word to them and their tribes. And the stories they told me about their time there are fascinating and inspiring.
..... Many would say that they spent 10 years attempting to destroy yet another culture in favour of their own. The history of missionary work is a horribly sad and depressing one, involving a lot of death and misery.
And there is the boomerang that just came back and hit me in the face. That's what I love about you PJ soul
I am sorry - I know your heart is in the right place. I just gotta say what I gotta say - I believe these things as strongly as you believe in God. I guess we both just have to keep expressing what we think!
That's what keeps it fun for me. There are good apples and there are bad apples. There are good Christian Missionary programs, and there are sucky ones that suck money and profit for no good reason.
Okay.... TBH, I happen to think that there aren't any good missionary programs because I've never heard of any that don't intend to convert non-Christians. "Spreading the good word" is not a positive thing to me. It's a negative thing.
This reminds me, appropriately enough, of the saying, "hate the sin, don't hate the sinner". I know a guy who was a missionary in New Guinea. I've read enough about that small country to know that settlers, evangelists, missionaries, military and other assorted (mostly white) folks gave that place a royal ream job. So what this guy did there I would categorize as such. But the man is one of the kindest, sweetest, most big hearted guys I know. I will speak out against the action in any appropriate time or place but I would never sell the friendship down the river simply to be right.
Easy words, difficult task to accomplish, but the right thing is often the difficult thing to do.
I don't hate the "sinner" at all. Never in my life have I said or thought anything about "hating" religious people just because they are religious... I judge individuals by their individual actions. I have been and am very close to some religious people. And some of them are very devout followers of Churches that I abhor, and I think anyone who tries to or wants to convert others are misguided at best. That doesn't mean I don't like them as people.
Oh gosh no, I wasn't suggest that I think you show any hatred- maybe the phrase should be "shun the sin, don't shun the sinner". In any case, something you said reminded me of this missionary friend and from there the broad subject of rejecting the sin, not the sinner. Nothing personal meant by what I said at all.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
When I was picking my son up from daycare last week I got talking to the one of the other parents. They're a lovely family and their daughter is one of my son's closest friends; even at 3 and half years old there's a small group that are pretty much inseparable. I was saying how she was always the first name when my son plays 'roll call' in the car, telling which friends he's going to play with today.
Anyway, the mum told me that her daughter has 'prayer time' every night, and my son is always the first name that she prays for. I really wasn't sure how to take that. On the one hand, it's nice that she's thinking of him and wants him to be safe; but on the other I don't know how I feel about a 3 year old being taught to pray. Personally I believe they are too young to be able to even grasp the concept of religion or God, let alone be able to make conscious decisions about what they want to do.
“Do not postpone happiness”
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
When I was picking my son up from daycare last week I got talking to the one of the other parents. They're a lovely family and their daughter is one of my son's closest friends; even at 3 and half years old there's a small group that are pretty much inseparable. I was saying how she was always the first name when my son plays 'roll call' in the car, telling which friends he's going to play with today.
Anyway, the mum told me that her daughter has 'prayer time' every night, and my son is always the first name that she prays for. I really wasn't sure how to take that. On the one hand, it's nice that she's thinking of him and wants him to be safe; but on the other I don't know how I feel about a 3 year old being taught to pray. Personally I believe they are too young to be able to even grasp the concept of religion or God, let alone be able to make conscious decisions about what they want to do.
Yeah, I think three years old is too young to understand any kind of philosophical concepts but not too young to start the process of helping them form character. No matter what one's spiritual beliefs, it would make more sense to me to start teaching kids at that age basic things like sharing and being nice to others.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Yep, I was there at that young, no problem thinking big guy in heaven watching out for ya.
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My friend showed a picture of a family praying on Facebook, focused on a 2 or 3 year old in a high chair. The caption read 'raising them right'. Made my stomach turn a bit.
And all the praying for Houston? Should've prayed beforehand and all would be well.
My friend showed a picture of a family praying on Facebook, focused on a 2 or 3 year old in a high chair. The caption read 'raising them right'. Made my stomach turn a bit.
My friend showed a picture of a family praying on Facebook, focused on a 2 or 3 year old in a high chair. The caption read 'raising them right'. Made my stomach turn a bit.
And all the praying for Houston? Should've prayed beforehand and all would be well.
praying for Houston? Should've prayed beforehand and all would be well.
Gosh, you like to make duck soup out of everything. "And all the praying for Houston? Should've prayed beforehand and all would be well."
No, ducksoup has a point. Praying doesn't do anything.
Well, except praying seems to make some people feel really good.
When I was younger, I tried it a number of time but I always felt self conscious and absurd trying to pray or even watching people pray. It never worked for me. Only one time in my life did I see someone praying where it felt real and genuine- I was with a group of friends and this one guy said he wanted to pray and he just kind of looked up with eyes wide open and furrowed brow and in a normal, everyday conversational voice said, "Dad, I'm in a real jam. I could really use some help."
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
I don't know the family mentioned above, obviously, but I will say that 3 year old daughter praying may have said your sons name on her own. I look at my kids each day and think wtf How'd you figure that out!
They really do follow by example. Maybe she was fed the info to pray for your friends, but I find it so beautiful she is being taught to care and love her friends! People can only teach what they know.
I am working with my oldest now to remember we all deserve the same respect and love. As teens can easily get caught up in being a follower.
I do want to say I do understand where you're coming from too.
Oh please let it rain today.
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I get that, but speaking from experience, my kids aren't being brainwashed. brainwashing is the extreme form of it, and not at all what most religious people are about. they are getting both sides of the equation so they can make an informed decision when they so choose. not all kids are "brainwashed" into religion any more than they are brainwashed into believing in santa claus or the tooth fairy.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I get that, but speaking from experience, my kids aren't being brainwashed. brainwashing is the extreme form of it, and not at all what most religious people are about. they are getting both sides of the equation so they can make an informed decision when they so choose. not all kids are "brainwashed" into religion any more than they are brainwashed into believing in santa claus or the tooth fairy.
Except the God story is one that doesn't go away.
All are far fetched, but Santa and the tooth fairy don't have the backing that religion does... plus they are on a finite timeline.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I get that, but speaking from experience, my kids aren't being brainwashed. brainwashing is the extreme form of it, and not at all what most religious people are about. they are getting both sides of the equation so they can make an informed decision when they so choose. not all kids are "brainwashed" into religion any more than they are brainwashed into believing in santa claus or the tooth fairy.
Except the God story is one that doesn't go away.
All are far fetched, but Santa and the tooth fairy don't have the backing that religion does... plus they are on a finite timeline.
well, in my house, I'm guessing it eventually will when they think about it critically. Maybe not, and that's ok with me. Because we are moderate. My wife only takes them to church sporadically and it isn't really talked about unless the girls bring it up and ask questions.
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I get that, but speaking from experience, my kids aren't being brainwashed. brainwashing is the extreme form of it, and not at all what most religious people are about. they are getting both sides of the equation so they can make an informed decision when they so choose. not all kids are "brainwashed" into religion any more than they are brainwashed into believing in santa claus or the tooth fairy.
Except the God story is one that doesn't go away.
All are far fetched, but Santa and the tooth fairy don't have the backing that religion does... plus they are on a finite timeline.
well, in my house, I'm guessing it eventually will when they think about it critically. Maybe not, and that's ok with me. Because we are moderate. My wife only takes them to church sporadically and it isn't really talked about unless the girls bring it up and ask questions.
All is good.
I scoff at religion, but in reality... if a person lives a good life, believes they are going to heaven, and die peacefully looking forward to that event (even though that is not happening)... is that such a bad thing?
I don't know why a 3 year old praying would make anyone uncomfortable. I find that sweet and super cute. It's no different than them wishing upon a star, in my opinion. If I saw my daughters doing that at that age it would probably bring a tear to my eye.
It signifies the initial imprinting phase of the brainwashing.
I get that, but speaking from experience, my kids aren't being brainwashed. brainwashing is the extreme form of it, and not at all what most religious people are about. they are getting both sides of the equation so they can make an informed decision when they so choose. not all kids are "brainwashed" into religion any more than they are brainwashed into believing in santa claus or the tooth fairy.
Except the God story is one that doesn't go away.
All are far fetched, but Santa and the tooth fairy don't have the backing that religion does... plus they are on a finite timeline.
well, in my house, I'm guessing it eventually will when they think about it critically. Maybe not, and that's ok with me. Because we are moderate. My wife only takes them to church sporadically and it isn't really talked about unless the girls bring it up and ask questions.
All is good.
I scoff at religion, but in reality... if a person lives a good life, believes they are going to heaven, and die peacefully looking forward to that event (even though that is not happening)... is that such a bad thing?
Amen.
Oh please let it rain today.
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
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ok, so he wanted to create me. so that means he didn't want to create my two nieces that died, one in utero, and one a month old? see, this I don't get. nothing is random, yet we have free will. god created you, but if you get cancer, it's all part of his plan.
if I have free will, then my daughters being created by myself and my wife had zero to do with god.
if nothing is random, then they are his children because he wanted them to be.
so which is it?
www.headstonesband.com
We are more than welcome to go to that church at any time, we dont.
I'm struggling to understand how someone can not believe in God but is ok with religion? Or whatever words you want to use here. You're ok with the good people that believe in God but not the people that just show up for xmas mass?
It doesn't matter really tho - I equated atheists with anger and am wrong so. Just seems God talk brings out the best in all of us....
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
I waffle between being agnostic and atheist, in that I don't currently believe there is a god, but I can also admit I can't prove there isn't one. something had to have created everything, whether it be a god or something else, who knows.
www.headstonesband.com
I don't even think it really makes sense to be identified as something I'm not, rather than what I am. when you think about it, it's kind of odd, isn't it? I wouldn't call myself ahomosexual. or afemale. LOL
www.headstonesband.com
God only bothered to enlighten 'some' of his children with the way? Oceans dividing continents and no internet... how were, say, native Americans supposed to lead a Christian life and get to heaven?
Those guys are believing in a god that isn't even there?
Sounds a touch atheist to me.
I'm sorry about your nieces.
I certainly don't know why SIDS, or miscarriages happen. I have my own theory but it's not in the bible. That some people are too good for this world and He takes them home right away for some reason. I'm not saying that is the only reason. Otherwise I don't know why. Just a personal guess, don't ask me to document that anywhere.
I believe that He created all of the souls before they were placed in a womb to be born. And places individuals into a woman's womb at conception. So He knows you before you are even conceived. He doesn't necessarily know what you are going to do with your life. He hopes that you will find Him. Back to free will.
As far as cancer and diseases are concerned, I think we live in a polluted world. It is not His doing for people to get cancer and die,but it happens. Planes Trains and automobiles, SUVs trucks factories that pump out toxins into the air all the time. Yeah we're going to get sick from it. And the farmers around me fuckin love love love pesticides!! These giant machines that look like huge insects with arm sticking out 60 ft in both directions throughout the summer go up and down their fields just a'spraying the shit out of it. Sometimes our house is downwind of them and you can smell the crap that they're spraying and I hate it. If you can smell that crap you're breathing it right?. And then most people I know can't stand a dandelion or a weed growing in their yard. My dad sprays the shit out of his yard so that nothing grows except perfect grass blades, looks like a golf course. And yard after yard after yard around me is the same. Honey bees like dandelions it's one of the first blooming plants of the spring they're hungry and people spray them so they don't come up. Some lakes around here end up having the Bluegreen nasty toxic algae from pesticides runoff into the lakes and streams. I drive through Madison Wisconsin a lot and on the radio the other week they were advising people to not swim in Lake Monona or let their dogs in it because it was full of blue green algae. I'm sure that every house on its Shores has beautiful grass though. Pesticides that keep everything but grass blades from growing end up harming the environment.
I on the other hand don't mind dandelions and Creeping Charlie as long as I keep it mowed. I like to see Grasshoppers and toads, and honey bees buzzing around my yard. But in yards that get the shit sprayed on them all the time, I don't think you'll see those critters. My dad doesn't have any grasshoppers or toads or honey bees in his yard. And I think that shit cause us cancers. Anyway God's not doing that to the environment, people are.
Anyway, the mum told me that her daughter has 'prayer time' every night, and my son is always the first name that she prays for. I really wasn't sure how to take that. On the one hand, it's nice that she's thinking of him and wants him to be safe; but on the other I don't know how I feel about a 3 year old being taught to pray. Personally I believe they are too young to be able to even grasp the concept of religion or God, let alone be able to make conscious decisions about what they want to do.
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And all the praying for Houston? Should've prayed beforehand and all would be well.
Oh boy. Talking about god and the ridiculousness of it in this thread is a no no.
When I was younger, I tried it a number of time but I always felt self conscious and absurd trying to pray or even watching people pray. It never worked for me. Only one time in my life did I see someone praying where it felt real and genuine- I was with a group of friends and this one guy said he wanted to pray and he just kind of looked up with eyes wide open and furrowed brow and in a normal, everyday conversational voice said, "Dad, I'm in a real jam. I could really use some help."
They really do follow by example. Maybe she was fed the info to pray for your friends, but I find it so beautiful she is being taught to care and love her friends! People can only teach what they know.
I am working with my oldest now to remember we all deserve the same respect and love. As teens can easily get caught up in being a follower.
I do want to say I do understand where you're coming from too.
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
www.headstonesband.com
www.headstonesband.com
All are far fetched, but Santa and the tooth fairy don't have the backing that religion does... plus they are on a finite timeline.
www.headstonesband.com
I scoff at religion, but in reality... if a person lives a good life, believes they are going to heaven, and die peacefully looking forward to that event (even though that is not happening)... is that such a bad thing?
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.