Stereotyping & Religion

Jedd wrote: [quote]How does he know how it ends?

Belief in God is necessary for good to prevail. Our whole being is grounded in reward vs punishment and those two ends of the spectrum influence behaviour. Speaking for myself, in all honest>>>

Hey, we finally got a subject that has a lot of thought and replies to it.

I kind of like the way JSC described it in the first line. Grab your wallet with both hands and run like crazy in the opposite direction. Most of these super religious are so>>>

Look, I don't seek to eradicate any religion. As Mike posts earlier, what you choose to believe is largely inconsequential to me and is after all, your choice. I choose not to that's all. I have been an atheist for the best part of 30 yrs, my parents ar>>>

The very core ideas that shape our Western civilization are rooted deeply in Christianity . Some take the ideas for granted and make assumptions that they can exist without Christianity abandon Her and still have our ideals . Secularization is a model bei>>>

Jedd wrote: [quote] Doing what is right because you fear punishment is shallow, and reveals the immorality that is fundamental in the character.

You may well be the exception but in my experience I've found that the vast majority of Athie>>>

Jedd wrote: [quote]How does he know how it ends?

The "end" in this case, is the beginning. The big-bang theory, traced back to "the moment" leaves little more than "in the beginning, GOD...."

The theory ultimately states that all m>>>

Mike, what is your view on the things I mentioned in my last post on this thread ( the unanswered prayers, babies dying in their praying mothers arms, etc)?>>>

JCS Is that a question only for Mike to answer? You can kill a thread that a way. I have some very specific ideas about that sort of thing and more .>>>

JSC,

I don't think God micromanages, I don't think he answers every prayer the way WE want it answered, and I don't think that suffering is always bad. I've sat and prayed with a number of dying people, my wife's best friend included, and struggled>>>

I do think there is a huge difference in the prayer that sounds like "God. I want......." and the one that sounds like "God. I want................ but I'll accept what You want.">>>

I'd be interested to hear them ciiak>>>

No, CIAK, my bad. All responses are invited>>>

So what I read, if I comprehend correctly, 'cos it's all pretty deep, and to me somewhat mystifying, is that having faith in the concept is what counts and proof is not required. Which to me begs the question, why? Which in turn brings Mike's comment>>>

Not trying to be antagonistic here, understand, OR form a mutual adoration society, just passing the rainy day.>>>

Jedd wrote: [quote]having faith in the concept is what counts and proof is not required. Which to me begs the question, why?

Well, it depends.

If you choose to step out of that bucket, 80' in the air, and have faith that the ground wil>>>