while trolling these forums i see alot of questions about Christianity (i have even posted a couple myself) what i dont see is the opposite where christians ask different religions. perhaps this isnt the best place to put this thread as its called "exploring Christianity" so ill do my best to justify it.
I (an atheist) joined this site in order to learn more about the Christian faith and have intelligent discussions about faith. do Christians do the same for other differing beliefs?
keep in mind if you ask questions that atheists are not like christians, we are not organized, we do not have any dogma, the only belief (well lack of belief) that we share is reguarding god or gods. thanks and i look forward hearing what you have to say.
__________________ 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 peter 3:15)
I (an atheist) joined this site in order to learn more about the Christian faith and have intelligent discussions about faith. do Christians do the same for other differing beliefs?
Every time I encounter a person of a different faith asking questions here, I discover new things about what they believe - or don't believe. I took a course in World Religions in university and have friends who are Hindu, Buddhist and athiestic. I think I can say I have a fairly broad, general understanding of other religions. Really, though, having come to the conviction that the Bible contains The Truth, that it reveals God to me as He truly is, I find myself distinctly uninterested in other religions. When you have a juicy, T-bone steak cooked to perfection right in front of you, a Big Mac isn't very enticing...
keep in mind if you ask questions that atheists are not like christians, we are not organized, we do not have any dogma, the only belief (well lack of belief) that we share is reguarding god or gods. thanks and i look forward hearing what you have to say.
I've talked to a great many atheists over the years and have a pretty thorough understanding of their position. I doubt you could add anything new. Thanks for the offer, though.
I (an atheist) joined this site in order to learn more about the Christian faith and have intelligent discussions about faith. do Christians do the same for other differing beliefs?
MY DEAR BROTHER,
i, of course, cannot speak for all Christians and their experiences, but for myself, yes, i have spent many years--most of my life, actually--studying the majority of the world's religions and belief systems before, by the Grace of God, finding what i was seeking in Christianity.
To be absolutely honest with you and not meaning to be demeaning, but i never could take atheism seriously even in the deepest depths of my unbelief. The idea that there is no God behind all that is was always, to me, too ludicrous an idea to take seriously.
But, yes, i did question and study quite rigorously before finally allowing Abba to lead me Home.
Originally Posted by kidsagainstkows
keep in mind if you ask questions that atheists are not like christians, we are not organized, we do not have any dogma, the only belief (well lack of belief) that we share is reguarding god or gods. thanks and i look forward hearing what you have to say.
Again, hoping to not sound abusive or demeaning, but why in the world would i question an atheist about life--its meaning (or lack thereof), its purpose (or lack thereof)--or anything else of import and substance when the poor confused atheist cannot even take the rudamentary baby steps necessary to find his/her way out of the darkness of disbelief, when i can readily get all the correct information--or at least all of it that i am able to assimiliate with my puny little mind--from THE Source? or As someone alluded to above, why would i settle for a Big Mac when i have a perfectly cooked steak dinner sitting in front of me?
A BOND-SLAVE OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim
__________________
Lo, i have gathered up all of my thoughts and cannot recall anything good before Thee . . .
except the fact that i know no other God than Thee. --Saint Ephraim the Syrian LORD JESUS CHRIST, HUMBLE LAMB OF GOD, have mercy on me, an arrogant sinner!
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Again, hoping to not sound abusive or demeaning, but why in the world would i question an atheist about life--its meaning (or lack thereof), its purpose (or lack thereof)--or anything else of import and substance when the poor confused atheist cannot even take the rudamentary baby steps necessary to find his/her way out of the darkness of disbelief, when i can readily get all the correct information--or at least all of it that i am able to assimiliate with my puny little mind--from THE Source? or As someone alluded to above, why would i settle for a Big Mac when i have a perfectly cooked steak dinner sitting in front of me?
A BOND-SLAVE OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, ephraim
With all due respect brother...
Judging from your response, it may do you some good to ask the OP some questions about the atheistic philosophy and world view. Atheists are not confused, we as just as sure of our beliefs as you are, and we do actually find great meaning and purpose in life (the great lie perpetrated by religion being that without a god/deity, there is no meaning).
I'll keep this brief as I am aware it is againt the rules of this forum for a non-xtian to post in another thread, but mods I'll ask you politely to let you post in this one in order to clarify any misunderstandings about atheism.
If the mods allow it I will be more than happy to elaborate, but for now I will keep it at that If not, feel free to delete this post guys.
Judging from your response, it may do you some good to ask the OP some questions about the atheistic philosophy and world view. Atheists are not confused, we as just as sure of our beliefs as you are, and we do actually find great meaning and purpose in life (the great lie perpetrated by religion being that without a god/deity, there is no meaning).
MY SISTER,
You may enjoy--and be proud of--being a "Space Cadet." i, on the other hand, prefer my feet on the ground and real meaning in my life--"meaning" as concretely defined by my Creator, not by the wishful thinking or misguided dreams of an evolving animal (as atheists tragically view themselves).
Just as everything could not have derived from nothing, so true Love, Peace, and Joy cannot somehow darwiningly evolve accidentially. These things can only come through and with the purposeful actions of God's Holy Spirit, and i want them! Atheism, in its darkness and futility, will not get me where i want to go. What possible answers can it have for me?
A BOND-SLAVE OF MY LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim
__________________
Lo, i have gathered up all of my thoughts and cannot recall anything good before Thee . . .
except the fact that i know no other God than Thee. --Saint Ephraim the Syrian LORD JESUS CHRIST, HUMBLE LAMB OF GOD, have mercy on me, an arrogant sinner!
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bah five posts and no questions... oh well this is the closest i can get
As someone alluded to above, why would i settle for a Big Mac when i have a perfectly cooked steak dinner sitting in front of me?
Answer: because the big mac is real, and the steak dinner is not
its actually funny that you mention steak dinner because my mind immediately shot to the scene in the matrix where the bad guy (what was his name again?) and agent smith are eating a delicious steak dinner. "ignorance is bliss" i believe is the quote.
also big macs are delicious
__________________ 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 peter 3:15)
Last edited by kidsagainstkows; 6th November 2009 at 02:03 AM.
There are 'Ask the ______' threads for different religions and none.
They're found in the Non-Christian religion section.
oh, if that is the case i would humbly ask that the thread be moved to the proper area without deletion, i apologize for doing wrong and i promise it was a mistake made from ignorance, not malace
also realitypixie, its important to note that we are (or i am anyway) open to the idea of there being a god (unlike our brother). all i need is evidence to believe that one exists and i will be the first one in line (perhaps not to worship as god has some explaining to do for his actions but to acknowledge)
i also didnt know that you couldnt post in other threads so im breaking all kinds of rules
__________________ 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 peter 3:15)
Last edited by kidsagainstkows; 6th November 2009 at 02:16 AM.
You may enjoy--and be proud of--being a "Space Cadet." i, on the other hand, prefer my feet on the ground and real meaning in my life--"meaning" as concretely defined by my Creator, not by the wishful thinking or misguided dreams of an evolving animal (as atheists tragically view themselves).
Just as everything could not have derived from nothing, so true Love, Peace, and Joy cannot somehow darwiningly evolve accidentially. These things can only come through and with the purposeful actions of God's Holy Spirit, and i want them! Atheism, in its darkness and futility, will not get me where i want to go. What possible answers can it have for me?
A BOND-SLAVE OF MY LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, ephraim
Firstly...The space cadet thing is an 'in' joke, has nothing to do with my atheism. Secondly, evolution is not accidental. Thirdly, atheism is anything but dark. Fourthly...I'm not trying to convert you to atheism, just have you understand a different viewpoint. Atheism may not have any answers for you, and I respect that, but perhaps you should consider broadening your understanding of atheism and philosophy, you may find it will strengthen your faith. Fifthly, atheism isn't wishful thinking, as it is backed by evidence. Faith by definition is believing without any logical evidence. Seriously, do some learning before making broad assumptions. As kidsagainstkows said, if evidence for god were to emerge, the majority of we non-believers would convert. That hasn't emerged yet so we choose to remain grounded in reality and not think wishfully
Interesting. To what purpose is evolution directed?
Originally Posted by RealityPixie
Fifthly, atheism isn't wishful thinking, as it is backed by evidence. Faith by definition is believing without any logical evidence.
Hang on. Faith is not "by definition" believing without logical evidence.
What evidence against any god? God "by definition" is hard to define, isn't it? What was it Whitehead complained about supernatural or spiritual existence? Lack of evidence. Were that even true, lack of evidence ... logically ... isn't evidence of lack.
As for actual evidence, I guess my first question is -- Why would you think I exist, granted that there's no real evidence I exist? Words on a forum aren't evidence of my existence, are they?
Originally Posted by RealityPixie
Seriously, do some learning before making broad assumptions. As kidsagainstkows said, if evidence for god were to emerge, the majority of we non-believers would convert. That hasn't emerged yet so we choose to remain grounded in reality and not think wishfully
As a software developer with backgrounds in engineering, cosmology, and philosophy, I would like to think I'm well-grounded in reality. Your connotation that Christians aren't grounded in reality is not born out by the facts. That non-believers would convert with "evidence" isn't really a well-founded conclusion, either. Convincing "evidence" hasn't been the source of any major popular sentiment changes in the world. It's just been politics (the philosophical kind), not evidence.
__________________ "... not an unconcerned sitting of God in heaven, from which He merely observes the things that are done in the world; but that all-active and all-concerned seatedness on His throne above, by which He governs the world which He Himself hath made." John Calvin
To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
If not, feel free to delete this post guys.
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