The Concept of God

RYME

my2hands said:

RYME said:

goldrush said:

RYME said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

If there is a god, why does he/she allow the horrors of this world to occur?

God is not at all happy about the horrors and wickedness that occur in this world.  Jesus came the first time with the purpose of being crucified.  He did it for you and I and all (yes all)  who will accept Him, and the price He paid on the cross, for our sins.  He paid our sin debt in full if we will just accept that, that's all He's asking.  It's very hard for a lot of people to comprehend that all he really wants from us is love.  He's having a hard time getting it from lot of folks.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever, believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus is coming back again.  I think it's going to be sooner rather than later.  And it will only take about 15 minutes, and all the horrible and wickedness of this world are going to be overturned in a big big way.  This is what Christians are looking forward to.  Justice will be done.  All the terrible people of the world are going to be put in their place and and it's going to be a great day. 
Jesus is not coming back again as a baby to be crucified again, that has been done already.  This time He's coming back to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The wicked are going to feel the full weight of God's Wrath.
Those who love him will not have 1 hair on their head singed.  Nothing to fear.
Some people might scoff at this and that's fine with me, I have no problem with that.
But if there is even one or two out there who gain some comfort from this, that's what I hope for, the more the merrier.
This song by Johnny Cash sums it up pretty well.  When The Man Comes Around.

Setting aside whether or not people really believe this, logistically, how would this even be possible? There are over 7000 different languages spoken in the world today - could Jesus communicate with every one of them?
Not to mention that there are over 4000 recognised ‘religions’ (or belief systems, or faiths, whichever phrase you choose) - is everyone who has a religion going to just change their beliefs or suffer “the full weight of God’s Wrath”? If Christianity accounts for roughly 31% of all believers, what will happen to the rest of us?

Not trying to be facetious, or argumentative, just playing a little (for want if a better phrase) devil’s advocate with some of your assertions that I can’t get my head around.

If they still reject Jesus and still choose to follow Satan after all that, that's when it's over for them.  

So if you reject Jesus you follow satan?  that's total horseshit.... you look down on non-christians... you think you are somehow superior to non-christians... that's what your religion and its followers does...  it's the foundation of your beliefs... you are no better than a white supremacist or someone who believes males are superior to females... 

And you want me to be polite? Lol, get the fuck outta here... I'm more polite,  have more empathy,  and judge people far less than any Christian I know... maybe YOU guys need to mind YOUR manners

Your religion and its followers are judgemental fools... don't get your feelings hurt when I let you know... because us non-believers have been judged and looked down upon for far too long in this country... time to start calling out your bullshit

https://youtu.be/DhODYyZVL6Y

https://youtu.be/vhsHv6VFWrU

brianlux

RYME said:

my2hands said:

RYME said:

goldrush said:

RYME said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

If there is a god, why does he/she allow the horrors of this world to occur?

God is not at all happy about the horrors and wickedness that occur in this world.  Jesus came the first time with the purpose of being crucified.  He did it for you and I and all (yes all)  who will accept Him, and the price He paid on the cross, for our sins.  He paid our sin debt in full if we will just accept that, that's all He's asking.  It's very hard for a lot of people to comprehend that all he really wants from us is love.  He's having a hard time getting it from lot of folks.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever, believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus is coming back again.  I think it's going to be sooner rather than later.  And it will only take about 15 minutes, and all the horrible and wickedness of this world are going to be overturned in a big big way.  This is what Christians are looking forward to.  Justice will be done.  All the terrible people of the world are going to be put in their place and and it's going to be a great day. 
Jesus is not coming back again as a baby to be crucified again, that has been done already.  This time He's coming back to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The wicked are going to feel the full weight of God's Wrath.
Those who love him will not have 1 hair on their head singed.  Nothing to fear.
Some people might scoff at this and that's fine with me, I have no problem with that.
But if there is even one or two out there who gain some comfort from this, that's what I hope for, the more the merrier.
This song by Johnny Cash sums it up pretty well.  When The Man Comes Around.

Setting aside whether or not people really believe this, logistically, how would this even be possible? There are over 7000 different languages spoken in the world today - could Jesus communicate with every one of them?
Not to mention that there are over 4000 recognised ‘religions’ (or belief systems, or faiths, whichever phrase you choose) - is everyone who has a religion going to just change their beliefs or suffer “the full weight of God’s Wrath”? If Christianity accounts for roughly 31% of all believers, what will happen to the rest of us?

Not trying to be facetious, or argumentative, just playing a little (for want if a better phrase) devil’s advocate with some of your assertions that I can’t get my head around.

If they still reject Jesus and still choose to follow Satan after all that, that's when it's over for them.  

So if you reject Jesus you follow satan?  that's total horseshit.... you look down on non-christians... you think you are somehow superior to non-christians... that's what your religion and its followers does...  it's the foundation of your beliefs... you are no better than a white supremacist or someone who believes males are superior to females... 

And you want me to be polite? Lol, get the fuck outta here... I'm more polite,  have more empathy,  and judge people far less than any Christian I know... maybe YOU guys need to mind YOUR manners

Your religion and its followers are judgemental fools... don't get your feelings hurt when I let you know... because us non-believers have been judged and looked down upon for far too long in this country... time to start calling out your bullshit

https://youtu.be/DhODYyZVL6Y

https://youtu.be/vhsHv6VFWrU

"Save You" is such an awesome song! I really dig the live version from "Live at the Show Box" is killer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL55duzhosA

Annafalk

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

brianlux

Annafalk said:

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

A little off topic, but I think anger can be very destructive but it can also be very useful and positive.  John Lydon once said (and sang) "Anger is an Energy".  In his excellent book, Anger is an Energy, My Life Uncensored, Mr. Lydon talks about using anger to motivate oneself to be creative. 

In that Showbox version of "Save You" I posted above, notice Mike at the very end of the song.  In a flash of anger, he whips off his guitar over his head and throws it face down on the stage.  I know I'm just guessing here, but I think Mike is thinking, "Damn it!  I almost threw my life away!"  There is anger there but also the exhilaration of purging and he really pours himself into that effort in the song.  It is ultra cathartic and beautiful. 

Annafalk

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

A little off topic, but I think anger can be very destructive but it can also be very useful and positive.  John Lydon once said (and sang) "Anger is an Energy".  In his excellent book, Anger is an Energy, My Life Uncensored, Mr. Lydon talks about using anger to motivate oneself to be creative. 

In that Showbox version of "Save You" I posted above, notice Mike at the very end of the song.  In a flash of anger, he whips off his guitar over his head and throws it face down on the stage.  I know I'm just guessing here, but I think Mike is thinking, "Damn it!  I almost threw my life away!"  There is anger there but also the exhilaration of purging and he really pours himself into that effort in the song.  It is ultra cathartic and beautiful. 

I agree about anger being used the right way as a force to do good and to react on things that’s wrong.
I’m thinking it’s no point in getting angry at someone only because they believe in god. 

brianlux

Annafalk said:

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

A little off topic, but I think anger can be very destructive but it can also be very useful and positive.  John Lydon once said (and sang) "Anger is an Energy".  In his excellent book, Anger is an Energy, My Life Uncensored, Mr. Lydon talks about using anger to motivate oneself to be creative. 

In that Showbox version of "Save You" I posted above, notice Mike at the very end of the song.  In a flash of anger, he whips off his guitar over his head and throws it face down on the stage.  I know I'm just guessing here, but I think Mike is thinking, "Damn it!  I almost threw my life away!"  There is anger there but also the exhilaration of purging and he really pours himself into that effort in the song.  It is ultra cathartic and beautiful. 

I agree about anger being used the right way as a force to do good and to react on things that’s wrong.
I’m thinking it’s no point in getting angry at someone only because they believe in god. 

I agree, Anna.  As long as someone is not using their belief to cause war or trying to force it on a non-believer or thinking that makes them better or using it in a judgemental way, there's no reason to be angry.  I think a lot of the anger of non-believers, though, stems from those very offenses.

Annafalk

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

A little off topic, but I think anger can be very destructive but it can also be very useful and positive.  John Lydon once said (and sang) "Anger is an Energy".  In his excellent book, Anger is an Energy, My Life Uncensored, Mr. Lydon talks about using anger to motivate oneself to be creative. 

In that Showbox version of "Save You" I posted above, notice Mike at the very end of the song.  In a flash of anger, he whips off his guitar over his head and throws it face down on the stage.  I know I'm just guessing here, but I think Mike is thinking, "Damn it!  I almost threw my life away!"  There is anger there but also the exhilaration of purging and he really pours himself into that effort in the song.  It is ultra cathartic and beautiful. 

I agree about anger being used the right way as a force to do good and to react on things that’s wrong.
I’m thinking it’s no point in getting angry at someone only because they believe in god. 

I agree, Anna.  As long as someone is not using their belief to cause war or trying to force it on a non-believer or thinking that makes them better or using it in a judgemental way, there's no reason to be angry.  I think a lot of the anger of non-believers, though, stems from those very offenses.

I think so too and it goes for everyone. No one needs judgmentness, war or offenses. No one should believe they are better than anyone else because of what they believe.

oftenreading

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

PJ_Soul

Annafalk said:

brianlux said:

Annafalk said:

What’s the point in getting angry?, there are good and bad people everywhere.  The tensions only get stronger. The real problem is what the anger should directs to.

A little off topic, but I think anger can be very destructive but it can also be very useful and positive.  John Lydon once said (and sang) "Anger is an Energy".  In his excellent book, Anger is an Energy, My Life Uncensored, Mr. Lydon talks about using anger to motivate oneself to be creative. 

In that Showbox version of "Save You" I posted above, notice Mike at the very end of the song.  In a flash of anger, he whips off his guitar over his head and throws it face down on the stage.  I know I'm just guessing here, but I think Mike is thinking, "Damn it!  I almost threw my life away!"  There is anger there but also the exhilaration of purging and he really pours himself into that effort in the song.  It is ultra cathartic and beautiful. 

I agree about anger being used the right way as a force to do good and to react on things that’s wrong.
I’m thinking it’s no point in getting angry at someone only because they believe in god. 

I'm not sure I have ever in my life encountered anyone who has gotten angry at someone only because they believe in God though....

Gern Blansten

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

The Unitarian/Universalist church has been around for decades

oftenreading

Gern Blansten said:

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

The Unitarian/Universalist church has been around for decades

Sure, but Unitarians do no rule out the existence of God, to the best of my understanding. They still use the concept but allow it to have broad meaning, or not, to those in their congregation, so I see this as different. Certainly, though, if your argument is that atheists could already find a community with Unitarians, then likely so. 

hedonist

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

Glad that "pasty" was a typo, often...you had me wondering there

There are some I know and love who are atheists.  To me, religion or not, it's about one's character.

Live and let live, while doing no harm to others.  Judgments aren't necessarily hurtful in themselves, it's the attempts at control that stick in my craw (and then some).

oftenreading

hedonist said:

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

Glad that "pasty" was a typo, often...you had me wondering there

There are some I know and love who are atheists.  To me, religion or not, it's about one's character.

Live and let live, while doing no harm to others.  Judgments aren't necessarily hurtful in themselves, it's the attempts at control that stick in my craw (and then some).

Judge not the pasties, let you be judged

Smellyman

hedonist said:

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

Glad that "pasty" was a typo, often...you had me wondering there

There are some I know and love who are atheists.  To me, religion or not, it's about one's character.

Live and let live, while doing no harm to others.  Judgments aren't necessarily hurtful in themselves, it's the attempts at control that stick in my craw (and then some).

Pasties are delicious.  Grandma made them all the time.  LINK

Thoughts_Arrive

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

Concerts are my church.

brianlux

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

I read an Annie Dillard book one time where she talked about living on Washington's San Juan Islands and going to church there, not so much because she was a believer, but more for the community/fellowship you mention.  I read that a long, long time ago and I remember it made so much sense to me and helped me feel better about rejecting the particular faith I grew up in--  which worked for my folks and that was fine, just not for me.

P.S.  Literally "pasty shop" or typo'd  "pastry shop"?  I'm good with both. 

hedonist

Smellyman said:

hedonist said:

oftenreading said:

This is an idea I could consider  - a “church” for atheists, where people can find a community for fellowship and support without a reliance in the idea of a god. 

I akso like that their first meeting was held in a pasty shop. That’s my kind of church. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/30/calgary-secular-church-first-atheist-church-alberta_n_2583930.html

Glad that "pasty" was a typo, often...you had me wondering there

There are some I know and love who are atheists.  To me, religion or not, it's about one's character.

Live and let live, while doing no harm to others.  Judgments aren't necessarily hurtful in themselves, it's the attempts at control that stick in my craw (and then some).

Pasties are delicious.  Grandma made them all the time.  LINK

*Homer drool*

Last night, my husband and I were talking about religion - he was raised Irish Catholic, me Jewish.  He asked if I'll always consider myself a Jew and without second thought, said yes, but an agnostic one.  It's just part of my history, my family's history, and therefore part of me.

brianlux

There's this part of northern Michigan called Yoopers.  Been through there once.  Saw several pasty shops.  Went into one that was recommended.  Man, talk about good pastys!  To die for!

oftenreading

Pastries  >>>>>>>>>>>>>> pasties

brianlux

oftenreading said:

Pastries  >>>>>>>>>>>>>> pasties

Visit the Yoopers sometime, you might be surprised and end up knocking a few of the "greater than" symbols off!