Do you believe in God?

Grandpa Clivey wrote:I think reference in the Bible about being cast into Hell, are allegorical. They're basically saying that if you don't love and respect people, and if instead you commit crime then your life will feel as if you're in Hell. If you want a content life love your neighbour.

That's actually a really interesting view, one I've never heard of actually. But it does make sense.


And there aren't any street preachers in my town ha, as about 99.8% of the population of Yukon is Christian (in one form or another), so there's no need. But there's no need in general really to spew your beliefs at others like some of them do, regardless of the nature of the belief. Why can't people share ideas with civililty?

They're not all like that. You're living in the wrong part of the USA. Go to Northern California, near where I used to live, you'd probably love it there. (No, really. It's full of liberals and skeptical people.)

Interesting question: What makes the God Hates Fags people less of a reliable source than general non homophobic Christians?


(Note, I think those people are scum)

He's referring to the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas if you want more info.

Those at Westboro Baptist Church profess to be Christians but are not Christians. They don't understand the Christian message of love.

They are not in any way affiliated to the Baprist or Primative Baptist Movement. They are as far removed from the ethos of Christianity as Osama bin Laden is from the ethose of Islam.

To add a little heat to the "sciene is correct. Always" idea...

Now that they have actually researched the benefits of taking 5 fruit and veg per day, scientists at a university have discovered that it only reduces your chances of cancer by 3%. They actually found that drinking more than the the agreed safe limit of alcohol had the same effect!

They studied half a million people over a prelonged period, and those who did eat 5 a day had a slightly lower chance of contracting cancer, as did those who drank more than the recommended limit.

My opinion?


Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps mate. Better make it spring onion crisps to be on the safe side.

"[Food Science]....Well that's not science really" - Prof. Brian Cox

And my question is what were the lifestyles of these people studied? Besides the 5 veggies/fruits a day.

Europe.

kappa99 wrote:To add a little heat to the "sciene is correct. Always" idea...

Now that they have actually researched the benefits of taking 5 fruit and veg per day, scientists at a university have discovered that it only reduces your chances of cancer by 3%. They actually found that drinking more than the the agreed safe limit of alcohol had the same effect!

They studied half a million people over a prelonged period, and those who did eat 5 a day had a slightly lower chance of contracting cancer, as did those who drank more than the recommended limit.

My opinion?


Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps mate. Better make it spring onion crisps to be on the safe side.

Daniel P Carter and Bill Ransom have always sworn by this diet.

Nobody ever said that eating 5-a-day reduces your chances of contracting cancer, just that it makes you healthier in general, due to the variety of nutrients in your diet.

kappa99 wrote:Europe.

We'll I meant like were they smokers/drug addicts/fast food abusers/more healthy people/what? Statistics can be very misleading if you don't look at all of the story.

Does God believe in you?

apap3rplat3 wrote:

kappa99 wrote:Europe.

We'll I meant like were they smokers/drug addicts/fast food abusers/more healthy people/what? Statistics can be very misleading if you don't look at all of the story.

They took a balanced sample of people over a variety of incomes, lifestyle, nationality etc.

And 5 a day was promoted as a way of extending life, staving off heart disease and cancer etc etc.

To me, all you need to do is eat sensibly, (ie not oo much) have a varied diet, dont overdo anything, and get a good amount of ecercise. The fact I choose to abuse alcohol is my own doing and Im hoping by the time I destroy my liver (er, 2012?) we'l have found a way of growing organs on trees.

I have to have yet another blood test later this month. Fortunately my liver is not the problem. It'sa fasting blood test so no food or drink from 9pm the night before until after it - at 12.25pm.


(Strayed somewhat from God.)

Elemental wrote:Does God believe in you?

only in soviet russia...

Except in Soviet Russia, atheism was the official way to go unless you wanted to be shifted to Siberia.

This is disgusting and one of many many many reasons religion has no place in our modern, progressive society.

Some elements of religion are brilliant. I don't believe in god or have any religious beliefs for that matter but I like that they all outline a good set of morals to live your life by.
That said I believe for the most part it's a horrible tool we've allowed to divide us and create factions for a nasty clash of civilizations. We've seen this in WWII, the ongoing fighting in the Middle-East and all of the Holy Wars. Shit like that article suggests we're building up for another nasty clash - based, fundamentally, on our differences defined by religion.

I fully expect someone to spout bull about how this act is justified 'cause of what the 'muslims' (y'know...not a terrorist organisation) did on 9/11. Any right-wingers out there?

Elemental wrote:Also what is the cutoff point between religion and mythology. What makes the stories of christianity any more plausable than those of the greeks or egyptians?

Nail on head.

Not one so bit, similar to Jack I don't think most parts of it should be included in a modern way of life. It may help a lot of people but im sure it causes a hell of a lot more suffering to the world.

Jack* wrote: Some elements of religion are brilliant. I don't believe in god or have any religious beliefs for that matter but I like that they all outline a good set of morals to live your life by.

Sorry to go off the point you were making but I like this. Kinda like Pascal's Wager.. in a way.

Without wanting to sound patronising I think people tend to be against God, or Jesus, or the prophet Mohammed because of man's interpreation as expressed by formal religious groups.

I call myself a Christian because I try to follow Christian values - the main one being to love my neighbour, and as the parable of the good Samaritan shows everyone is our neighbour include those who hate us. Loving your enemy is by no means easy. Loving bigots and racists is not easy. You love the person, not what they stand for, and try by reason to change their views.

Some religious groups, such as the so called Westboro Baptist Church in the US who are against gays, and the Dove Outreach Centre (also American) who say they're going to burn the Koran don't appear to understand the first principle of Christianity - that of love.


I know of many people who say they only believe in what they can see, yet no one can see the wind, but I suspect they believe that there is wind, because they can see the effects of it, just as many can see the positive effects of Christianity.

The god I believe in is not "out there" but is within me. I believe that "heaven" and "hell" are states of being during one's physical life depending on one's actions.

I do believe and god and do consider myself to be a christian however this doesn't mean neccesarily that some scientific theories are untrue...

I don't honestly think that the world was created in literally 7 days, however this could have been written as a scale for the time in which the world developed, I think that people in BC time would have found it hard to grasp the age of the planet and as a result it may have been written in laymans terms so they understood that humans essentially were one of the last creatures developed, which is the same basic theory as evolution...

I do believe in God and Jesus but as a pupil studying science at school I don't see why theories have to disprove religion and religion has to disprove theories, I can't see why they can't be put together to be able to piece together the mystery of our creation

Religion - I'm sorry to say - fucked me up this evening.
I went to my Mum's pentecostal church as there was a "Christmas Celebration" which I underestimated completely, thinking it'd be a few nice carols, the usual.
But they had this young-ish preacher who at first seemed lovely, the music was lovely, the songs were lovely, but nearing the end I started getting uncomfortable. I used to be a regular evangelical church go-er back when I was about 10/11 and until I was about 14 I went to a methodist church, (now I'm agnostic, more towards atheist) so I was confused as to why I felt a little off.
The preacher who was a little radical started getting really passionate, calling whoever hadn't been "found by the lord" or "hadn't seen the light" to raise their hands and come forward as he didn't want people leaving without knowing that Jesus could and had saved them. Strangely, the pressure was overwhelming. He said that Jesus was the only one who could "cure your broken hearts and all the hurts in your life, as there ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO HAVE LIVES OF STORMS". All I could be thankful for is the fact that it was nearing the end. As soon as it finished I had to get out of there thinking I'd get all emotional cause I was so messed up - I felt like they were playing on my weaknesses, unintentionally of course as they know no different. I tried to man up and go back in, but my Mum wanted to stay for this cafe thing and as it was my "first time", I could get free food with a little welcome pack. But I got all freaked out by this too for some reason. I got my Mum's carkeys and went to the car and just cried - it was so so weird - and basically didn't speak to my Mum until about two hours later where I felt she couldn't take me seriously because what I was saying sounded so ridiculous, plus I felt rotten for basically rejecting the church's hospitality and dragging my mum away. I spoke to my Dad and he said he used to feel exactly the same when he occasionally went.

I've just finished talking to my Ma again and things are okay, I guess I just completely underestimated it all. Weirdest feeling in the world. Life story over hahaha, sorry.

I personally do not believe in god, as in religion god. I do consider myself an atheist, but I kind of do believe that there is something within you. Not really a god maybe, but something maybe like a spirit or like a fire within you that keeps you striving on I guess? I don't denounce religion though, at least not unless we're in some deep debate about it. I absolutely won't try to offend someone though, just state my own beliefs if the topic comes up. I feel that everyone is free to believe whatever they want, whether it's mainstream religion, your own personal idea, or nothing. I mean, it is a belief right? It's all up to yourself.

Religion is built out of fear. People want to believe there's something after death to make them feel better about it, and the people running it want to keep the people fearing fucking everything. After 3 years of doing Philosophy of Religion I can safely say I think it's all pish. Religion causes so many conflicts and hatred towards something that is different. Religion you bully.