People with NO RELIGION, educate me.

BeBe

cornnifer wrote:

first of all, forgive me for giving advice you aren't asking for, but, get away from this man sooner than later.

Now, please allow me to say that, without ever having met this man, i would guess that the faith he professes is not real. Faith, when it is sincere, changers a man's heart for the better. This obviously hasn't happened. i can only specuate that his professed faith is some kind of facade. If i'm wrong about this, please try to understand that his despicable, loathsome behavior is IN SPITE OF faith, not at all BECAUSE of it.

Next, if your lost faith is for some other reasons, that is for you to decide, and i am not one to push faith on someone. That is not my gig or my intent. i will say, however, that if there was in fact faith in you before, do not let this man steal it from you.

Finally, i hope you don't mind, but, i'm praying for you.
God bless.

You know..your post brought me to tears..You are right..Somehow I feel my husband was bought to my home and to my two sons by the devil himself. I have suffered so much the past two years that I can write a book and give it to his church and let them see that he is no great guy. The church tells him that since he is human..he can sin..and that's where the problem is.

Last Sunday after he was teaching the youth music group, he came home, started cussing me out because I changed the thermostat from 77 up to 79..My gosh all HELL broke loose! I had cut the grass, done all the housework and all he did was watch Dr Who in between church services.

I know it's wrong to be mad at God. But why on earth did he put this man in my life????????

I am in the process of divorce (I only hope he never spies on me on these boards) but the process takes longer because he is no longer here legally in this country. So immigration has to take precedence over the family court. If he ever gets deported...it will save my sanity or life..

Thanks for your post..I really mean it..

LikeAnOcean

Time is really nothing more than a measurement for a series of events. What is certain is the now. Think of it this way. Time doesn't really exist. It is human perception. All we really percieve is the now. Memories are how we trace events. They can also be lost. When we die, those events no longer make sense to us because our human senses are not clocking it. (like when we sleep). When you die, what you percieve to be time, will ceast to exist. Billions of years (or billions of events that our minds can no longer track) will pass in an instant.

Now, I'm not really an athiest, but I am a spiritual person. I think there's something more than this and some explanation that our minds can't grasp, but I'm serioulsy not gonna sit on a cloud for eternity in heavon. Atleast not in the state I am now has a breathing human..

Am I making sense?

When your human senses shut down to sleep, 8 hours passes in an instant (unless you dream). When you die 8 billion years will pass like nothing. We are in an event now and I think we should make the best of it. I'm sure there's a good explanation for it all.

Infinity_Now

BeBe wrote:

I know it's wrong to be mad at God. But why on earth did he put this man in my life????????

I really don't mean to be mean here... but:

Apopheny - A connection made where none previously existed. God - An invention made when none previously existed.

I realize you're not "blaming" God - but you might be putting too much emphasis on Gods' involvement. To an athiest, it would seem God had nothing at all to do with the problems you face with your husband. Those problems are direct actions of your husband, he's responsible, and must be held accountable for all abuses.

Apopheny - or "belief" - might not make those abuses go away, there's no proof that either his or your own beliefs will alter his actions. In fact it might be more dangerous to pray for something to happen to solve this grievous abuse of your innocence. It might be more dangerous to believe in God.

Trust your instincts, survival - rendered with sympathy and solidarity. Know you husband is acting under the control of a sort-of-quasi fascism, his mind in not his own when it is so negatively altered by whatever doctrine that he may be a part of - so he does deserve some sympathy to get him out of that daze of "faith."

And you must know what's best for you, you've got to have the solidarity and personal resolution to get yourself out of that mess.

Personally, I have/give no tolerance for the progress of abuse. I wouldn't let my own dad hit my mom, or my brothers and sisters when I was young - when I was something like 6 years old, apparently, according to my parents - my dad would go on drunken fits and go through the house hitting, throwing, and screaming every person in the household - after years of having quite enough of his shit, I began to follow him through the house after he had knocked me out of the way, and would try to forcefully block him from getting to my other family members, blocking the hallways and kicking him... somehow from a very young age I learned to NEVER let the "Man" get you down.

I guess I just want to help, so that's all that, ^ was...

Heatherj43

yotan18 wrote:

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
- what are your beliefs after you die?
- do you believe in the evolution theory?
- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

i just want to know what's on your minds?

1. I am not here for some "purpose". I kinda think of us as all these ameobas floating around in a petri dish and bumping into each other and all, and just trying to survive. It seems some are stronger than others and some need help. So, I therefore think that we should assist each other in staying alive and to live as equally as possible. I don't want to be the mean litle ameaoba that took all I could at the cost of others. I want to live, but also be of asistance to others. That way, my existence will have some meaning.
2. I am just dead, thankfully!!!
3. Evolution makes sense and we have seen it when old bones have been discovered.
4. This planet will go on unless hit by something OR us little ameabas destroy it in all our selfishness to try and live forever. That is why we really need to get a better grip on our own mortality and while here live and let live...but preserve for the ones after us.
5. I think the idea of a higher power helps many people cope in this crazy world. I think some people need it. I am agnostic, because I cannot prove that there is not a higher power, and there may be one, so I cannot feel I know more about this than someone religious.
6. I hope I don't "mock" God.
7. I know the difference between right and wrong. I think we all have our own "rules' we live by too. I do fall outside of my rules and what I think is right and wrong sometimes.
I think a religious person may call that sin.
8. Again, I think some people NEED religion. I think it is a double edged sword, but I think the world is better with it than it would be without. I just wish that many of these organized religions would teach things better so that this world would be better because of religion and not have religion the cause of so much bad.

keeponrockin

This about sums it up:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SzHlMs2rSIM

and BeBe, get away from that jackass. You and your kids deserve better.

Infinity_Now

keeponrockin wrote:

This about sums it up:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SzHlMs2rSIM

and BeBe, get away from that jackass. You and your kids deserve better.

Yeah, George Carlin IS God.

*doh!*

Good - George Carlin is good!

*phew*

yotan18

well, the truth is, here in our country, even as kids, we were taught religion. (im not catholic or protestant though). thus, when i became member to this board, and when i visited the moving train, my eyes became open to people who really don't believe in religion.

it is hard to think and accept that we are just living one day at a time, then, upon death, everything is left behind. maybe this is the thinking of people who only believe in proven "so-called facts". people who don't accept what they don't understand.

i was nice to hear your feelings and thoughts.

peace and love to all.

Infinity_Now

yotan18 wrote:

it is hard to think and accept that we are just living one day at a time, then, upon death, everything is left behind. maybe this is the thinking of people who only believe in proven "so-called facts". people who don't accept what they don't understand.

i was nice to hear your feelings and thoughts.

peace and love to all.

Without death - with no after-life... EVERYTHING IS AT HAND.

If there is no death, and life is all - then that makes this life infinitely more important, infinitely more precious!

I am in a sense, very anti-religion, because I am anti-after-life... I consider the availability of a second chance for all the terrible lies and crimes many commit to be the most decadent invention of mankind, an after-life... another life lost, well right now that concept is not forgotten, it is unforgivable to prefer after-life over life... unacceptable. That's why I'm an atheist mostly, I have a definite grudge with the concept of after-life.

Because I too want peace and love for all, on this side of heaven. I want, (haha) infinity now.

yotan18

Infinity_Now wrote:

Without death - with no after-life... EVERYTHING IS AT HAND.

If there is no death, and life is all - then that makes this life infinitely more important, infinitely more precious!

I am in a sense, very anti-religion, because I am anti-after-life... I consider the availability of a second chance for all the terrible lies and crimes many commit to be the most decadent invention of mankind, an after-life... another life lost, well right now that concept is not forgotten, it is unforgivable to prefer after-life over life... unacceptable. That's why I'm an atheist mostly, I have a definite grudge with the concept of after-life.

Because I too want peace and love for all, on this side of heaven. I want, (haha) infinity now.

good or rather great reply. at least you really know your stand. however, contrary to your belief, i believe in the after life. that is why i started this thread. because generally, people who don't believe in religion don't believe in the after life.

i believe that life is precious, because whatever you did in this world, will follow you to the next. thus, you must use whatever precious time you have to do better things.

it is good that you perceive it that way. others who also don't believe in religion feels that they must DO any possible thing (right or wrong) while living, because when they die, everything is lost.

catefrances

yotan18 wrote:

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
- what are your beliefs after you die?
- do you believe in the evolution theory?
- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

i just want to know what's on your minds?

my purpose in life now is to raise my children right. to be true to myself and to respect ALL people.
when i die, that will be it. i will live on in the memories of my loved ones. there is no afterlife. we came from the earth and we shall return to the earth.
it's not so much believing in the theory of evolution as seeing the beginnings of it in the adaptations made by animals to better suit their environment.
i have no idea how long this planet will last.
i have no real time for religious people. i wonder what it is they are looking for and why they do not think that they can find it within themselves. are they seeking validation for their existence? and by definition, faith requires no proof and therefore is seen by some as having no concrete base. but then again there are those who question why we seek religious explanations in the same way we do scientific answers. how can we apply scientific methods and ways of thinking to something so out of the realm of science.
if and when i mock God i do so as i would anything else.
what is a sin?
i believe the world would be a better place if there were no war and if there was more respect. i believe the world would be a better place if those people who use their religion to justify immoral acts no longer existed.

sponger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism

OutOfBreath

yotan18 wrote:

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

Here goes.

- what do you think is your purpose in life?

Whatever I might decide it to be. My purpose is having a good life, and being a support for others. There is no ultimate purpose other than what you make of it.

- what are your beliefs after you die?

I die, and the atoms that make up me recombines into other structures and life. I don't believe that my soul or other continues to exist autonomously.

- do you believe in the evolution theory?

It's not about belief, it's science. And the general theory is questioned only by religious people with an agenda. So I guess I believe in it, yes.

- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?

Why shouldn't it? It may be a desolate waste, but it'll still exist until the sun consumes it.

- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?

On the contrary, I believe they have a basis for belief, that is the fundament of every religion. There is an underlying something we tap into, but channel as different religions, depending on where you're born and what you're exposed to. Whether the experience leading to and building up the faith is objectively real, is another matter. But I believe there is a fundamental feeling underlying religion that is the real thing. Dogmas and details are completely irrelevant in regards to that. So those who do blindly follow their religion, is missing out in my view.

- do you guys have fun when you mock God?

Since he does not exist, I have no problem with it.

- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?

Sin is a human concept. Of course I sin. In your eyes, that is. Sin only has meaning if you believe in it. In my view, sin is baloney and a guilt-trip we indulge ourselves in. So I dont think I sin, because I do not believe or agree with the fundament of the term.

- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

Maybe, maybe not. I dont think humans can completely dispose of religion, or rather the impulse to follow one, as it adresses something very human to do. So some kind of religion will probably always be there. As for would the world be better? Well, there'd be fewer religious wars, but I do think that we'd only find something else to kill eachother over. Xenophobia is a very human trait, I'm afraid.

i just want to know what's on your minds?

There you go.

Peace
Dan

Infinity_Now

yotan18 wrote:

good or rather great reply. at least you really know your stand. however, contrary to your belief, i believe in the after life. that is why i started this thread. because generally, people who don't believe in religion don't believe in the after life.

i believe that life is precious, because whatever you did in this world, will follow you to the next. thus, you must use whatever precious time you have to do better things.

it is good that you perceive it that way. others who also don't believe in religion feels that they must DO any possible thing (right or wrong) while living, because when they die, everything is lost.

Yes there are those sort of atheists... although - I wouldn't call them that, I'd call them agnostics who believe that they have only one life, no after-life or conception there-of, to live, and that if in fact this is their one and only chance at living, they must then be the one and only thing in the world that matters - so they do right and wrong with equal aplomb and feel they reserve the right at least for this life to do whatever they feel like with no consequence or ill-effects... those sort of irresponsible, clueless, fateless people, they've become... hedonism bots!

http://www.answers.com/topic/hedonism-bot-jpg

So to those who do not know which angel they are pursuing - the firm one or the fallen one - I say life is more important than ever - it is evermore important to define and codify who you are and how you live (atheists do seem to have a problem defining who they are as a group)... don't live your life wasted - in the shadow of an ill angel or false doctrine.

Collin

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

what do you think is your purpose in life?

No idea but I guess having a good life, being good to others.

what are your beliefs after you die?

I belief that if you die, you're dead, end of story and I like that idea.

do you believe in the evolution theory?

I accept the scientific theory, though, there is still a lot to learn.

do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?

Yes.

do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?

I try not to look down on people. But I must say, I think blind followers of anything are rather ignorant.

do you guys have fun when you mock God?

What is mocking god? It would be rather stupid on my part to mock something I don't believe exists, it would be a waste of time. I often question "god", though.

can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?

I try to do what I think is right.

do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

Who knows. I think it might be a better place if there was only one religion, but that'd never work. So right now, I think, yes.

i just want to know what's on your minds?

Black Magic Woman - Carlos Santana

Collin

cornnifer wrote:

If you truly havn't figured it out yet, you apparently don't pay real close attention to this forum. Many of them live for it. Nothing gives them more pleasure. I think it makes some orgasm.

Didn't your god tell you not to judge.

j/k

Though, I don't think many here live for it not do I think it's as bad as you make it seem.

dunkman

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
basically its "...Fuck to procreate till they are dead"


- what are your beliefs after you die?
dead.. thats it... worm food


- do you believe in the evolution theory?
yes


- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
not billions and billions... the sun will probably die out first and then it'll be perpetual darkness and death


- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
yes... i try not to, but its difficult


- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
yes


- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
no.. why would you assume this?


- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?
yes


i just want to know what's on your minds?
normally something filthy... or food...or both

renaissancesr24

Humans have religion and god because they need a higher power to answer to, they will not behave knowing that they wont be judged by god or some moral obligation. Chaos is incompatible with human life. If you took a bunch of prisoners from san quention, rapists, thieves, murderers, and they escaped, and one guy was leading them to safety, what would they do to survive? Steal, kill for what they want? To get them to behave and follow you, how about go on a hill and tell them you found a bunch of stones with god's words? Sound familiar, like when Moses led the slaves to the promise land, he organized them with god.

There are many religions, one thing they all have in common, a lack of evidence to prove that their god exists, and they also deny evidence that proves counter to their beliefs. You cannot prove god doesnt exist, or that he does exist.

God is used like a prosthesis, people put him on when they need it, and take it off when they don't.

It is arrogant to say your religion is correct and another is not, especially without evidence to prove so. This has caused many words in the name of god. People use god to give them confidence in their lives and to behave. One must ask themselves where the yget their beliefs from. If you grew up in an other land in another time your beliefs would be different. Therefore, what you believe is relative to your past experience, your time and place. Well, if religious belief and knowledge is what you are born with, that you are on a path from god, do you really believe you wouldnt be muslim if you grew up in the middle east? Empirical knowledge is that which enters the senses. This knowledge is responsible for what you believe, what you have been told, what you have heard.

The main point is this, humans know nothing for sure. There is not one thing you know and can prove for sure. How do you know you are reading this right now and not plugged into the matrix and it just looks like you are? How do you know you aren't a butterfly dreaming your a human? Huamsn are naturally curiosu, we want to know things and explain them. That which we dont know scares us, the unknown is scary. Therefore, in order to keep control, we create answers for everything.

One thing that human life does not need is some idiot who said god spoke to him, his god of course by the way, that said to go into iraq and free them, when we really have killed thousands of their innocent people, our soldiers as well. We have bred much more hate in the middle east then before. And what we have done that hasnt been accomplished in all of history, is begin to unite the middle east, unite them against America, even after countries who suopported us so much after 9/11 have now split because of a pointless B.S. war. All because someone said god speaks to him. Well guess what, sounds likea terrorist doesnt it? Is god not the reason the middle east is blowing people up, in the name of allah? Open your eyes, question what you see and hear.

But what do I know, I'm just some 19 year old who likes to sing "It's evolution Baby!"

Collin

renaissancesr24 wrote:

God is used like a prosthesis, people put him on when they need it, and take it off when they don't.

A friend compared it to a well, go and get water when you need it.

belfast1

Yo yo yo yotan, here goes...

what do you think is your purpose in life?
to respectfully indulge


- what are your beliefs after you die?
lets wait and see


- do you believe in the evolution theory?
yes but not 100% for humans


- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
yeah, maybe


- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
yes... i try not to, but its difficult


- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
yes


- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
dont believe in the concept


- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?
oh yeah, you only have to look at the history of my neck of the woods (which I'm not going into - phew)


i just want to know what's on your minds?
usually some photograph of a beautiful landscape[/quote]


Peace to ye!

sponger

My personal belief is that it is truly impossible to be an ethical human being without achieving a certain degree of self-awareness. That's the limitation of religion: It does not account for the infinite tendencies of the human personality. Instead, it lays down specific guidelines that determine what is right and what is wrong. There is so much more to right and wrong than "god's" will.

A person can follow the words of the bible to the letter, but that person still might not ever understand the meaning of humanity. You'll often hear, "A good christian does this...," and "That is not a very christian thing to do..." The spirit of morality is lost in the "grandjeur" of moral deeds.

Selflessness is the highest form of consciousness. It is also known as altruism. Altruism cannot be achieved without self-actualization. Self-actualization is the highest level of motivation on the pyramid of needs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_h ... y_of_needs

It is a state of mind that enables people to lead a moral lifestyle without the need of a higher authority and consequences.

What religion attempts to do is coax people into leading a self-actualized lifestyle without actually being self-actualized. That is, you are behaving altruistically, but only because you have a "higher authority" and "consequences" that motivate you.

Additionally, for people who are convinced that their devotion to god is not based on fear of his wrath, religion satisfies the 4th need, which is status (esteem). If you really believe that you are following in the footsteps of a true god by following the bible, then you are in fact elevating your self-perceived status. You are "holy". You lead a "holy" lifestyle. You have achieved status, which is the 4th need.

That's why christians still don't understand their own "holier-than-thou" attitude. They don't realize that their subconcious needs depend on Christianity's perceived "greatness." If you insult christianity, you are in fact robbing christians of their hold on the 4th need.

I believe that Jesus Christ was a self-actualized person. I don't think he really believed in god. In fact, I remember seeing something on the history channel about how Jesus actually preached self-awareness, not devotion to god - and that the catholic church re-wrote the original accounts of the teachings of Jesus so that people could be more easily controlled. Makes sense to me.