Your View of God Page 3

Started by dinosaurodon July 27th, 2011 11:18 PM
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HarrisonH

I doubt Pokemon will be a hit

Age 30
Male
Seen February 1st, 2013
Posted November 12th, 2012
174 posts
14.8 Years
Does it matter if atheism is religion or not...? It's a belief that no higher beings exist. Or a non-belief. What is the difference, and why does it matter?
Religions have a set of dogma attached to their beliefs, a worldview that goes along with them. Atheism does not. It is only having no belief in any gods, and nothing more.

HarrisonH

I doubt Pokemon will be a hit

Age 30
Male
Seen February 1st, 2013
Posted November 12th, 2012
174 posts
14.8 Years
Since my last post was deleted...

Teaching kids "religion is false" and "there is no God" is teaching positive, gnostic beliefs. Saying "there is no proof that x religion is not true" or "there is no proof of the existance of God" is agnosticism. Atheism is a relogion.
Atheism is not a religion, and it's nothing more than misinformation to attempt to state that it is. Atheism is just having no belief in any gods, and nothing more. "A/gnostic" is a statement of knowledge, and has nothing to do with belief.

Gnostic atheist: "I believe there is no god."
Agnostic atheist: "There is no evidence of a god, so I do not believe in one."

Now, there are religions in which one can be an atheist, but again, atheism is not the religion. There are Buddhist atheists, Hindu atheists, pagan atheists, Jain atheists, Confucian atheists, Jewish atheists, etc.

"If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby"


By the way, next time instead of deleting my post, just PM me. I would have willingly edited my post.

ArcanineGaming

Meglio un giorno da leone che

Age 32
Male
Riverside California
Seen July 29th, 2011
Posted July 29th, 2011
9 posts
11.8 Years
I believe in The Great Spirit, But I don't think it's a Religion more so a Belief system.
My youtube gaming channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ArcanineGaming

"Being Indian is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of being in harmony with all things and all beings. It is allowing the heart to be the distributor of energy on this planet; to allow feelings and sensitivities to determine where energy goes; bringing aliveness up from the Earth and from the Sky, putting it in and giving it out from the heart."
Age 24
Seen August 26th, 2015
Posted July 30th, 2011
2,496 posts
17 Years
I was born and raised as a Muslim. I've been practising Islam throughout my whole life. I am still learning a lot as I go. Yes, I believe in the existence of God/Allah who is the creator and sustainer of the universe since that is a core tenet of Islam. I don't really need any scientific evidence or proof for that matter because the Holy Quran itself is a message from Allah to the humanity and half of the book mainly focuses on Tauheed: unity and oneness of Allah and his attributes. Moreover, it also tells about the miracles that the prophets received from Allah. Without any doubt, the holy book is still authentic as it was 1400 years ago. What more evidence do I need? Just think about it, Who is controlling this huge and complicated universe? How come the sun, moon, planets, etc are functioning properly? Who created human beings and all other creations? Obviously, nothing can come into existence by accident or out of magic. There has to be some sort of a higher power somewhere that binds us, right? If there was no god, everything would be meaningless without any ultimate purpose and nothing would carry any significance. For me, Islam has taught me what is the purpose of life. This life is nothing but just a test from God. If anyone had ever seen god, how could they be in a fair test? Having said that, it's not necessary to have any scientific reasoning or logic to prove the existence of God, you can always use your common sense.

Gabri

m8

Age 29
Male
Portugal
Seen April 2nd, 2023
Posted July 2nd, 2022
3,937 posts
16.6 Years
I am seeing this become another God vs. God (or non-God) thing...

My view of God? The creator. Simple as that. I don't follow any religion, but following the laws of physics themselves, all the universe can't simply appear from nothing.

I'll just leave it this way, for I don't want to be a Nazi and telling people what to believe in.
Age 29
Male
Great Britain
Seen September 9th, 2011
Posted September 6th, 2011
212 posts
12.2 Years
Having said that, it's not necessary to have any scientific reasoning or logic to prove the existence of God, you can always use your common sense.
I see. A respectable amount of Earth's population lack common sense.

Just think about it, Who is controlling this huge and complicated universe? How come the sun, moon, planets, etc are functioning properly? Who created human beings and all other creations? Obviously, nothing can come into existence by accident or out of magic. There has to be some sort of a higher power somewhere that binds us, right? If there was no god, everything would be meaningless without any ultimate purpose and nothing would carry any significance.
...
I don't want to reply to that. I'm going to pretend I never read that.

One last thing, god bless atheism!
Age 24
Seen August 26th, 2015
Posted July 30th, 2011
2,496 posts
17 Years
I say not possible. I mean, wouldn't he stop all these nasty wars, change my username, etc?
So you blame God for all the nasty wars, evil tragedies and so on? you know, there is a thing called free-will? Of course, God has given us a freedom of choice to choose between what's right and what's wrong. Like I said in my previous post, this life is merely a test, nothing more than that. When humans commit evil or major sins, they are failing in their test. They are misusing their abilities that God has entrusted them with. The duty to strive against evil in this world is a duty that is entrusted to human beings as a test. We have been given free will so we can make good use of it and to follow and search for the right path. If we deviate from the path of righteousness, Satan would be doing one heck of a job. Here's a quote from the Quran: "Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc) that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return in repentance. (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:41)

Cherrim

Age 34
she / her
Toronto
Seen 19 Hours Ago
Posted 19 Hours Ago
33,052 posts
20.4 Years
This "is atheism a religion" argument is kind of off-topic and has nothing to do with "your view of god". Someone already posted a dictionary definition that proves both sides so can we get back to talking about god and personal beliefs regarding one rather than atheism vs religion? Specific debate and discussion about atheism (the exact opposite of this thread :P) can go in this already existing thread about atheism.
I say not possible. I mean, wouldn't he stop all these nasty wars, change my username, etc?
If there is a god, maybe it's an apathetic one, or one who wants destruction rather than salvation for everyone. (Or one who doesn't like name changes.) ;P I don't think that's a reason to discount the existence of one, but it may be a reason for you to discount the existence of a good god.


paired with professor plum.

HarrisonH

I doubt Pokemon will be a hit

Age 30
Male
Seen February 1st, 2013
Posted November 12th, 2012
174 posts
14.8 Years
Atheism is a religion because it is faith-based. If you believe that there is no God, yet you have no evidence to prove that, your belief is based on faith.
Repeating the same thing over and over again doesn't make it true, case in point. Take the time to read the other posts clearly explaining why atheism is not a religion, and stop repeating the same tripe.

FreakyLocz14

Conservative Patriot

Male
Seen August 29th, 2018
Posted August 28th, 2018
3,497 posts
14 Years
Repeating the same thing over and over again doesn't make it true, case in point. Take the time to read the other posts clearly explaining why atheism is not a religion, and stop repeating the same tripe.
OK. Let's just agree to disagree and get back on topic.
Age 31
Female
Bronx, New York
Seen September 4th, 2014
Posted September 4th, 2014
12,048 posts
17.3 Years
What are your views on god?
Lets just say that I do not believe in God for my personal reasons

Do you think he/she/it is the the highest of beings?
No, But I believe that I am lol

Do you think there is one, or many?
None, I have my reasons

Do you think god is ancient mans perception of aliens? Or do not believe in a supreme being at all, and think we all just are?
I think we all just are


:t354:TG

Friend Code: 3136-6961-3807 Friend Safari:Steel: Metang, Magneton and Klefi

twocows

The not-so-black cat of ill omen

Age 32
Male
Michigan
Seen February 19th, 2023
Posted April 30th, 2021
4,307 posts
14.2 Years
Atheism is circular reasoning in action.
"I don't believe in faith, only things that can be proven. So I'm going to positively believe in the nonexistnce of God even though that cannot be proven, either."
All atheists I know personally believe that there is no God. Perhaps you are confusing pure atheism with agnostic atheism.
Perhaps you should have specified what sort of atheism to begin with. The term "atheism" by itself says nothing of certainty, only of a general belief in the non-existence of a higher power.

I find people who believe anything with 100% certainty to be unwise (for lack of a better term). I believe nothing in the universe happens with 100% certainty. That said, I think most atheists do not certainly believe in the non-existence of a higher power like you say. I do not believe in a higher power because I do not believe that there is a statistically significant likelihood that such an entity exists. I think this is the standard that most atheists base their beliefs on (though surely not all). That and the idea doesn't make any logical sense to me, and I place a great deal of importance on logic.

I also believe that even if there is a higher power, it's probably not the kind seen in Christianity. There are tens of thousands of different religions out there and I see no reason why one is any more credible than another.

However, as I mentioned earlier, Hinduism holds a certain appeal to me personally; I like the idea that if there is a higher power, that it and all of us (and all things, for that matter) are one and the same.
VNs are superior to anime, don't @ me
Age 25
Female
Watching quietly. Watching silently.
Seen January 21st, 2015
Posted September 9th, 2012
670 posts
12.1 Years
I avoid these conversations because people are very attached to their beliefs
If you avoid them, why are you commenting on here...?


Anyways, my views of God are mixed. I use to believe in one when I was younger, but now I have my doubts. I don't know what to believe in, and therefore I don't believe. People keep trying to guide me back to Christianity, but I feel as if everything they tell me are...lies.

I don't connect with a spiritual being. I'm just thankful that I'm living period, and that I'll continue to live for many more years to come. No one thinks that's good enough...my friends have literally been forcing me to believe in a God, lately. Help?


Male
Seen January 8th, 2023
Posted July 26th, 2016
130 posts
12.9 Years
My view of a god in general: There's no evidence of one, and as such I have no belief in one.

As for my view of the god of the Old Testament, I'll have to agree with Richard Dawkins:
I must agree.... I also think a good reference if you want more of a comedic standpoint is George Carlin.... R.I.P.

Esper

California
Seen June 30th, 2018
Posted June 30th, 2018
I don't have any personal belief in any god, goddess, non-gendered spiritual being, plural or otherwise. But if I did...

The most reasonable and likely view I'd have would be one where there is a general originating energy - nothing personalized - for the universe and the force behind the structure of everything. However, I think it would be more fun to believe in personalized beings, in a way similar to those pantheon religions of ye olde days, only maybe without so much blood and sacrificing, but still some way to call 'em up if you needed help with anything. It would be nice to have someone whose job it was to watch over all the different aspects and affairs of us wee mortals. You'd know you had someone specific to call and that'd be comforting, I suppose.
Age 29
Male
Seen June 1st, 2013
Posted April 27th, 2013
2,276 posts
14.4 Years
What are your views on god?
Christian Fundamentalist. I believe in God as described in the Bible, the all-knowing, all-powerful, extradimensional and eternal one who created mankind and has been watching and speaking and helping ever since to save anybody who would come and obey from separation. I believe in Christ as the Son and Word of God, entirely divine and entirely human in nature, who had to be sacrificed to overcome the barriers between God and humanity. On a more specific note, I believe God enjoys using harmony in his designs and messages- different sounds, positions, thoughts, all speaking to one truth.

Do you think he/she/it is the the highest of beings?
Mmm...yup.

Do you think there is one, or many?
One God, who has revealed himself to humanity in 3 ways- God the Father to the Hebrew nation, God the Son whose message applies to all people, and God the Holy Spirit to the whole world through the teachings of Jesus.

Do you think god is ancient mans perception of aliens?
Take a guess. I'll give you 3 chances.

Or do not believe in a supreme being at all, and think we all just are?
In my eyes, that's quite silly to even consider. I've yet to see scientific evidence proving any occurrence of macroevolution, which is more or less essential to any naturalistic cause of the existence of mankind. And don't get me started on a naturalistic origin of the first lifeforms. From there, the Christian God has provided the best (not an opinion, in my opinion) answers for how we are to live, which resonate with mankind's real nature, which is also, coincidentally, revealed through the Bible.

You wanna chat with me a bit, SweetDreams? I'm always willing. Your choice. ;o

I find people who believe anything with 100% certainty to be unwise (for lack of a better term). I believe nothing in the universe happens with 100% certainty.
If I may, how then do we conduct science? If you test under one set of circumstances multiple times, you expect the same result. If there is a variance, don't you look for changes in the conditions under which it occurred? What reason have we to believe that gravity and laws of motion only apply 99.9% of the time? I believe we decided to call them laws for a reason.

I also believe that even if there is a higher power, it's probably not the kind seen in Christianity. There are tens of thousands of different religions out there and I see no reason why one is any more credible than another.
Truth aligns with truth. If something doesn't resonate with reality it is, for all intents and purposes, false. I see Christianity and my God as resonating with the truth of reality.
Back from the Hidden Land~
My Pokemon tabletop RPG project. Looking for feedback and ideas!

twocows

The not-so-black cat of ill omen

Age 32
Male
Michigan
Seen February 19th, 2023
Posted April 30th, 2021
4,307 posts
14.2 Years
If I may, how then do we conduct science? If you test under one set of circumstances multiple times, you expect the same result. If there is a variance, don't you look for changes in the conditions under which it occurred? What reason have we to believe that gravity and laws of motion only apply 99.9% of the time? I believe we decided to call them laws for a reason.
Nothing happens at a 100% certainty. This is the essence of the field of statistics. Whether it's because as you're dropping your object to test gravity, someone comes along and kicks it before it hits the ground, or for some other reason, nothing happens for certain. The reason things are called laws is because we have determined these formulas as things that explain a certain outcome provided there is no interference (in other words, an ideal environment, which is something that never exists in our universe).


Truth aligns with truth. If something doesn't resonate with reality it is, for all intents and purposes, false. I see Christianity and my God as resonating with the truth of reality.
It seems like you're saying no other religion makes sense and that Christianity does (though perhaps I'm misunderstanding, given your unusual wording and seemingly irrelevant tautology). If that's the case, surely you must have an understanding of every other religion that exists (or even every other major religion)? Perhaps you could tell me the basic ideas behind them, for instance?

I can tell you right now that Christianity is no more credible than any other religion. I find it especially laughable that any Christian would outright reject Islam as implausible when it is to Christianity what Christianity is to Judaism. If you believe in Christianity, so be it, but don't try to pawn it off as somehow more credible than other religions. That's just foolish. Besides, one of the main ideas in Christianity is "faith." If there was evidence, there would not need to be faith; to a believer, evidence should be irrelevant. If you want to convince people, you should try to show them that the ideals of Christianity are better (which I argue they are not; I find Hinduism to have the most agreeable ideals).
VNs are superior to anime, don't @ me

HarrisonH

I doubt Pokemon will be a hit

Age 30
Male
Seen February 1st, 2013
Posted November 12th, 2012
174 posts
14.8 Years
I've yet to see scientific evidence proving any occurrence of macroevolution.
Then you haven't looked hard enough.

And don't get me started on a naturalistic origin of the first lifeforms.
Abiogenesis, anyone?


As for you reaching out to Sweetdreams, I think you missed the point that she doesn't want to be pressured to believe in a god, which is exactly what it seems like you would do.

Livewire

Male
Sunnyshore City
Seen December 3rd, 2022
Posted August 2nd, 2019
14,091 posts
13.8 Years
If I may, how then do we conduct science? If you test under one set of circumstances multiple times, you expect the same result. If there is a variance, don't you look for changes in the conditions under which it occurred? What reason have we to believe that gravity and laws of motion only apply 99.9% of the time? I believe we decided to call them laws for a reason.
"Nothing is always absolutely so"

Nothing is foolproof, notice Sturgeon's Law. You cannot say for sure which way or the other, becuase we simply as mere mortals could not possibly begin to fathom the powers of a god, or omnipotent being. According to most scripture, of many religeons, to say that you're capable of understanding God's motive's or its plans,nature,ways, etc, would surely be blasphemous, putting yourself on par with an all powerful being. This is where philosophically and logically, religion's argument for itself begins to sputter.
Age 29
Male
Seen June 1st, 2013
Posted April 27th, 2013
2,276 posts
14.4 Years
Ohhh, I called it, didn't I?

I've not had time to consider thoroughly on the articles you presented, but I'll get back to you in a day or so. EDIT: maybe not. It's Monday and I haven't had a chance to read through them. I've seen that site before, I believe... After a quick read over one of the abiogenesis articles (Lies, Damned Lies, etc.), they state that they don't know how probable it is that life would form, and that it all comes down to as-of-yet unstudied biochemistry. I wonder if they've closely considered the conditions such a self-replicating molecule would have to exist and persist in, or how the chemicals necessary for it's formation would themselves come to be in the ocean.

As for you reaching out to Sweetdreams, I think you missed the point that she doesn't want to be pressured to believe in a god, which is exactly what it seems like you would do.
No pressure. I only want to help, as much as I could from the other side of the internet. She said the things her friends are saying feel like lies, and lies need to be broken, wherever they stem from. I think you and I could both agree on that.



"Nothing is always absolutely so"

Nothing is foolproof, notice Sturgeon's Law. You cannot say for sure which way or the other, becuase we simply as mere mortals could not possibly begin to fathom the powers of a god, or omnipotent being. According to most scripture, of many religeons,

Name "many religions", preferably with a small sampling of their scriptures.
to say that you're capable of understanding God's motive's or its plans,nature,ways, etc, would surely be blasphemous, putting yourself on par with an all powerful being. This is where philosophically and logically, religion's argument for itself begins to sputter.
According to the Bible, man is made in God's image. A little page-flipping shows that God calls himself invisible, having no physical form. So, what is immaterial about a human? The soul. The innermost being is created like God's own, although noticeably downsized. God relates with members of our lowly race multiple times throughout Biblical history, making promises and giving advice and ultimately circumventing the division between the two parties through the sacrifice of a man inspired of God's Spirit. He's called Father and Brother and Counselor and Friend. We can begin to understand through our similarities, and approach closer with the proper attitude, but we'll never comprehend the entirety of His plans by virtue of being fundamentally inferior to Him.

As for Sturgeon's Law, what proves THAT to be true? It sounds like everybody sort of said "Well, I like that little maxim!". What reason have I to honestly believe that? I'm of the opinion that events stem from other events, even if it doesn't appear that way without very close inspection (Note that this opinion isn't the result of worldly knowledge, though- I understand they're considering truly random movement on the atomic and(/or?) subatomic scales, but I haven't taken much interest in that so far). The universe appears to reveal increasingly infinitesimal facets of order as we conduct research, and it generally seems to be turtles all the way down.
Back from the Hidden Land~
My Pokemon tabletop RPG project. Looking for feedback and ideas!