i never said his beliefs were stupid. i'm saying the fact that we have to have a limited discussion about it is stupid. limited discussion meaning not being allowed to suggest anything that isn't a real human being.
But it doesn't make sense to believe in something when there's no proof that it exists; just like you wouldn't believe in the tooth fairy or something like that.
I guess I used the wrong words. There is no material proof that I can present to you right now to assure you that God exists. He has proven his existance to me and there's absolutely no way I can show you that. I'm not really trying to make you change your mind or something, just want to explain to you the way people who believe in God think. I don't think anyone believes in God just because his parents told him so. I have a lot of friend whose parents believe in God and they don't and vice versa. And also I know a lot of people who changed their mind about the existence of God during their lives. It's something personal, no one can make you change your mind with words, and that's why I believe topics like this are somewhat pointless. But then again, you can hear point of view from lots of people which can be interesting. Sorry for the long post, I'm going now to see if there's more whining about the new lp record not coming out soon
You see, here is the problem. If you define God as "hope" or "love" or anything like that, then you don't believe in the general definition of God as a creator and such. The point of this topic is to see how many people have that belief. Without this restriction, I could say God is peace, happiness, a fish, or a giant turd and then say "I see a giant turd exists, therefore I believe in God." I am not saying you are wrong if you say God is one of these things, but I wanted to see how many people believed in God as I defined him. To ask how many people believe in a word that can mean anything is utterly pointless, as everyone will read it a different way. I mean no disrespect to what other people think right now. I simply want to find an answer to a specific question, and beliefs such as God being hope still answer "no" to the question I am looking for. Also, over 1/2 of the planet (and the large majority of the United States) is Christian. Christian dogma dictates belief in a personal God. There are potentially more "yes"'s to my question then you might think.
Not too sure. I always was raised believing in God, and being tossed between Reform Judaism and Jehovah's Witness-ism[?], my view on organized religion was pretty warped. I tried Wicca, didn't feel it too much. I have alot of Buddhist ideals with Judaic ideals as well. If anything, I'm a Messianic Jew. Look it up. But, I honestly don't know what to make of God him/her/itself. Like I don't believe we evolved from like..nanoparticles, but...I don't believe some big dude up in the sky though HOLY SHIT IM GONNA MAKE SOME PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME *flash of lightning* "go on kiddies, go fuck shit up!" i don't know what to make of religion. i try not to think about it, because i feel very confused and alone afterwards. i hope there's something guiding us and we're not just roaming around like a mouse in a fucking maze, looking for its reason there and eventually finding it. i hope we're not some experiment or nature gone wrong. but i don't like the feeling that we're programmed either. i don't know what i believe, honestly.
Rachel's post seriously amused me and I love it. Aaaanyway someone earlier mentioned how organized religion leads to arguments and it reminded me of that old George Carlin skit. I don't remember it exactly but it was something along the lines of : "We have fucking wars over who's invisible man in ths sky is better." Kinda OT but I thought it was funny.
I hold myself as my own God, and am trying to spend my life in indulgence, because I realize this is the only life we have. No, I don't believe in the Christian God. I know I could debate you for hours on the historicity, origins, etc. That's the most common God, and they do not exist.
I'm a Christian, but I voted the second because I believe there are some BS parts in Christianity that have been changed over time due to people in power (abuses of power, so to say). I've got no problem with people who don't believe in God. Everyone's got a right to believe what they want, and I wouldn't want to push my beliefs on anyone else and I would hope atheists or agnostics don't push their beliefs on anyone else, either.
At first I couldn't really answer this question, but I think you kind of answered it for me. I'm trying to spend my life in the best way I can think of.
Wow...today I talked to my religion teacher again...she said: People keep asking if god is real...or if he/she/it even exists...why don't people start asking why some live their lives 'serving' him.without not even 1 response to their prayers? sure, they'll say he's listening and all that crap...but if he existed...wouldn't he tell people to get a fucking life?...I mean...seriously...have these people not heard the word OMNIPOTENT!?...he can serve his own damn self if he exists! I love talking to her about god....she's fucking hilarious at times...but today she really got me thinking...And now....I'm positive that god does not exist...I mean...(I tried quoting as exact as possible) some kind of a sign...and not just people saying they heard him...but an actual sign he exists...would be the only thing to change my mind