Marriage. It's mimicked Christian morality style. With all of the monogamy trimmings as well.
You don't read the gays that post here?
Are you suggesting that marriage is just a christian thing? Are you suggesting that monogamy is just a christian thing? Speaking of, where is monogamy, as opposed to polygamy, ordered for everyone? Hint, church elders are not "everyone"
Could they instead be mimicing, say, Viking marriage instead? Ancient greek morality even?
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Finally you agree with me that same-sex marriage is a pagan ceremony.
Thanks for the support.
Hi, it's clear that you have trouble with english.
Allow me to explain his answer to you.
Before your religion existed people were getting married, he never said anything about same-sex marriage.
Indeed it's comical for you to look down on pagan ceremonies when you consider how many your religion has borrowed.
If you wish in the future I'll be happy to explain other posts that you don't have clear understanding of to you.
If you don't wish to take that route allow me to help you further.
At the risk of repeating what others have already said, I offer these comments based on a limited read of the thread.
Originally Posted by quatona
In the attempt to shine more light on this question I have a two-fold question for Christians (you are invited to answer only one of them or both):
1. Please tell me more about the values and ethics I have to hold in order to be a "true atheist", in your opinion. I just want to know them (and I won´t discuss them) - I mean I always appreciate it when people tell me what I think.
2. (And this would ask a bit more of your intellectuality) I would like to learn why you think that lack of belief in gods in general <staff edit> necessitates me to hold these values and ethics. Regarding this question, however, I reserve the right to discuss.
If you are really an atheist, you don't have to uphold any specific values or ethical standards; you can set your own standard and do whatever you want. You don't even have to worry about anything that society or a code of law requires- as long as you don't get caught. You also don't need to worry about what others think are reasonable values or standards- they have no more a right to define what they think your standards should be than you have to define what their values and standards should be.
To explain: values and standards are relative terms- they can only be assessed relative to a defined standard. In the case of Christians, it is easy: the 10 Commandments and the teachings of Jesus define a very specific standard- thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, love your neighbor as yourselves, do not steal, etc.
And not only do Christians have a defined standard of behavior, but they also believe there is an omnipotent God who knows every move that they make and even lives within them as the Holy Spirit who instantly tugs at their conscience if they do something wrong. In other words, they know that when they sin, they will be caught 100% of the time.
Christians maintain that the presence of a conscience in every one of us is prima facie evidence supporting the notion that there is a God- but, of course, an atheist does have a right to reject that line of reasoning.
You'd think that Christians would be awfully worried knowing that they are sinners, will always be convicted because there is a defined standard, and that they will be caught at their sins 100% of the time.
And that brings us to the essence of Christianity- that the Bible teaches us in John 3:16 that despite our sin,
16 "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
So think about it- does not Christianity offer you something that makes it possible to live a good and righteous life here on earth, defined by a universal standard consistent with the one imprinted into your conscience, and reinforced by the Holy Spirit working within you? But a standard that is based on love- the love of Jesus who acknowledges that we are all sinners and sacrificed himself on the cross so that we may be reconciled with God and have a place with Him in Heaven.
To learn more about this free gift, hit that little button at top right (beside the Home button) to learn more about how you can have lasting peace in this life through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.
__________________ John 6:33: "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
If you are really an atheist, you don't have to uphold any specific values or ethical standards; you can set your own standard and do whatever you want. You don't even have to worry about anything that society or a code of law requires- as long as you don't get caught. You also don't need to worry about what others think are reasonable values or standards- they have no more a right to define what they think your standards should be than you have to define what their values and standards should be.
And yet, atheists commit less crime than Christians. Funny, that. I would personally put my ethics and morality up against those of anyone of faith.
To learn more about this free gift, hit that little button at top right (beside the Home button) to learn more about how you can have lasting peace in this life through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.
There's plenty to lose. The ability to think rationally, for one.
__________________ "I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day." - Douglas Adams
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams
"Skaloopdidit" - Keeping Skaloop as the first cause until science can rule him out. "I'd be a theist if it weren't for God." - Me
And yet, atheists commit less crime than Christians. Funny, that. I would personally put my ethics and morality up against those of anyone of faith.
Then go ahead and do it
There's plenty to lose. The ability to think rationally, for one.
Explain what exactly Jesus said or did that was in any way irrational. Second, there is real freedom in Christianity as evidenced by our many denominations.
__________________ It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, oppressive, insipid. When faith is replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion -- its message becomes meaningless. - Abraham Heschel
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