Richard Lynch

I'd say, that as a person who actively rejects the existence of God, you are currently hellbound. It's not something I could be outraged over, though I am actually a bit... concerned? Concerned about your choice on the matter.

The better person... It depends on your mindset, and in who's mind you'd be considered good, and their standard of good. A Christian who feels obligated to do a good thing out of respect and gratitude for God, is good in God's eyes, and probably the eyes of most anyone watching. Earning heaven to avoid hell is the wrong motivation, and as far as the afterlife is concerned would likely be considered "invalid". An atheist who just does it because he wants to, assuming it's out of goodwill and not because they want something, will be seen as good by people, but as an enemy by God. That does not imply hatred, by the way.

As for Horus. This site makes a pretty good "NO U", and has the added benefit of a link to a translation of The Book of the Dead, which appears to be the only decent source for Egyptian mythology. The rest appear to be spells.

I think you know what I mean when I say Jesus existed. I've yet to see a convincing argument against the existence of Jesus as a person.

2nd option :)

It's true that hell isn't actually in the Bible, as such. Originally the word was Sheol. Grave, pit, abyss. It has more in common with Tartarus than the Inferno. Weeping and gnashing of teeth still applies. And yes, Satan descended to Earth, rather than hell.
And at the core of it, love for God is supposed to outweigh love for other people. However, selfless service to other people is considered service to God, and such service can come about by living out appreciation of the purification Christ gave us through the Crucifixion through gratefulness.

I think you misunderstood what I was trying to convey, there. I meant that such a person wouldn't worry about what a Christian may see as having no way out. There aren't as many situations that would require the lesser of evils as one would think. But when a person comes ends up in the middle of one, somebody who does not feel obligated to make a good choice will make a decent choice, and that would be the end of it. If good is done, it doesn't matter who does it. The difference is that Christians are called to live that way out of love for God and other people. Atheists are not.

Hm. Adam and Eve had little notion of what was right or wrong until eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Jesus said that by knowing the Law you are subject to it. Therefore if you honestly did not know what you were doing was wrong, it's not really wrong, as far as you're concerned. Sticking your finger in an electrical socket is obviously a bad idea, but how can anyone expect you to know that's it's against the rules if nobody's told you?
I really don't know if it's "natural" that a person does good. I do know that it's better than simple self-preservation. We have the Bible because there is an imperfection among humanity, and this is what happened to give us a chance to fix it.

I still don't understand how you can have studied the Bible and determine it's all fiction. Trials that end in the death of good people? Mundane boat rides? Accurate geographical information? That sort of thing isn't important to telling a good parable. Not to mention there are records of some guy named Yeshua who got crucified for upsetting the Jews.

All better. On with the show, I guess.

Enforced...? To some degree, yes they are, whether it's by others or one's own self. However, I think that the conscience knows when something is wrong and when it's right. The intensity and impact, and the persistence of such a thing varies from person to person. It's also quickly distorted if it's not nourished. I'll say this, punishment is an odd thing. It's traditionally been the place of a ruling body to set punishment in place, but the duty of the citizens not to invoke it. Barring abuse by the ruler, it's not something to fear if you're not in the wrong. If it's your position that Hell is used as something to terrorize people into following the rules, I don't think you understand the original purpose, the whole concept of Christianity. It's not to avoid Hell, it's to seek God. Paradise is ideally no more than a perk. Lawfulness is not fear, it's respectful and it's reasonable considering so many people in such an intricate society. Looking at a bigger picture, what results in the most lasting love (agape), or joy, or peace is logically best for all involved. That's morality, and that's what I know as the truth.

People who think atheists can't have morals are obviously incorrect. The question is the quality of the atheists' morality. It's far more flexible, which has it's own strengths- in what many Christians would call a moral dilemma, an atheist can simply chose the lesser of two evils and be on their way. However, it's more likely that they could miss something that causes long-term repercussions, or something of that nature. You called yourself "decent". Not "good". I'm not good, believe me, but (I said, as I as I ran the risk of getting even more preachy) I know what is.

It would be incredibly hard to imagine an uninfluenced human being, especially in today's world. Even feral kids are raised to uphold the traditions, as it were, of whatever raised them. Such a person would not need any sense of morality in any case. a person who knows nothing would do nothing, and would do nothing wrong.

Wow... xD

o.O Richard.... *is about to jump off a bridge*

Now that you know, kill all Lucy in the world that attempt to Substitute and Baton Pass!

(yeah; "New Metagame" is boring, so I call it "Neo". xD) Well, yeah; advent of scarfers, revenge-killers, etc... One has to get used to--- WHAT?! No freaking way you're quitting, Lynch! D=<

Good game, Lynch. Well, should you learn of the Neo Metagame, you would've countered this strategy easily. Really Richard, step up and learn the Neo Metagame. You would've easily kicked the crap outta me should you do so.

Well, if you'll only switch one, then that'll be a 2-2 we've seen frm each other. So, I'll stick to the same.

PS: lemme battle some guy quickly, and you'll be sure next. Wait for me on Wi-Fi.

Yeah. Well, you saw 2 of my Pokémon, and I saw 3 of yours. Shall we use the same teams, or should we change the Pokémon we saw frm each other, to keep the battle in suspense?

Yeah... storm just kicked in. D=

I'm... W. King. D=

Hmm... but newer kicks more ass. So.. let's go, Richard!

Try joining me. I'm trying to join you, but it won't let me. Stupid Wi-Fi...

Try joining me. I'm trying to join you, but it won't let me.

Well... I hope you soon learn the PtHGSS Metagame, so you can go back and beat the ever-loving crap out of people, like you used to, before.

Alright, then. May the world be spared of the clash of our power.

Well, you DID say it was ok, anytime today...

Wait, wha? You... are unsure?! o.O

W. King - 5285 5694 4175

Let's get this over with and make the world explode.

Not a bit, XD.

Unless you're talking about terrible puns. I have many of those. =P

Why thank you, Lynch. Well, you just gotta learn how the PtHGSS Metagame works now. Hopefully, the best man will come out the victor, my friend.

Sure. I have to go out play card games now, so... when you see me online here and are ready, tell me. So I can prepare when our power makes the world explode as it clashes.

Big post, dude. I was working up a response, but to be perfectly honest it's taking too much time. I'm not a flake, I swear, but it's just too much right now. I'll go and let things settle in my head and streamline it before trying to respond. I don't know if it'll be later this afternoon, or tonight, or tomorrow or what. But I fully intend to answer this. I hope you can understand.

So... fate has brought us together to have a battle that as soon as our powers clash, the world will be destroyed... you're on, Legendary Lynch!

(Fate = Bill's stupid Randomizer)