"Dear Lord, I am a good person and an Atheist . . ."

[CaliforniaSun]

It is their differences that give us a more complete picture.

Well, the moral thing to do here is put up a sign post as a warning, that those who read the Bible but never seek to reconcile the apparent contradictions are doomed to fall away from Faith. While those who do their due diligence and listen to their conscience to resolve cognitive dissonance will come to know G-d, and remain steadfast.

Quote the accomplishment God has made!

Ad hoc reasoning and credulity no longer impresses. Which is why after decades of due diligence, I have changed my opinions to reflect the evidence. These contradictions are for you to work out. FWIW, you're doing a fine job, as you have answered just as I once did.

 

[razeontherock]

These contradictions are for you to work out. FWIW, you're doing a fine job, as you have answered just as I once did.

No, you never resolved the contradictions, which is why you point to cognitive dissonance.

 

[CaliforniaSun]

No, you never resolved the contradictions, which is why you point to cognitive dissonance.

Shoving your head in the ground and screaming "I can't hear you" doesn't qualify. As I've said, I've spent a considerable amount of time studying and responding just like you in years past. As they say, nobody makes it through seminary with their faith intact.

 

[razeontherock]

Exactly! You never "made it through." I have. And that, is the difference. Not once have I seen you demonstrate emerging from that process. You washed out.

 

[Tergle]

Exactly! You never "made it through." I have. And that, is the difference. Not once have I seen you demonstrate emerging from that process. You washed out.

A correct judgment Raze.

You get a

 

[CaliforniaSun]

Exactly! You never "made it through." I have. And that, is the difference. Not once have I seen you demonstrate emerging from that process. You washed out.

My experience would be more accurately be described as emerging on the othe other side with flying colors, only to realize it's just shell game. My experience is similar to that of Shermer, Barker, Dillahunty, et. al. At some some I tired of having to rationalize contradictions and denial of scientific reality in order to make it work. I value reason and evidence and would rather see things as they are. Life has never been better and fulfilling.

 

[Tergle]

My experience would be more accurately be described as emerging on the othe other side with flying colors, only to realize it's just shell game.

Sounds like religion and the college and university education systems.

My experience is similar to that of Shermer, Barker, Dillahunty, et. al.

Ah, atheist prophets, priests and kings. New boss, same as the old boss.

At some some I tired of having to rationalize contradictions and denial of scientific reality in order to make it work.

Hmm, we Evangelicals have no problem with recognizing the contradictions and scientific reality. That's why most of us are conservitives and orthodox believers. No, make that all of us.

I value reason and evidence and would rather see things as they are.

That's why we became Christians.

Life has never been better and fulfilling.

No doubt. To become your own judge of all you survey has to be utterly and entirely intoxicating. Impossible to maintain for a lifetime, but hey, while your enjoying your self-righteousness and follow the herd enlightenment, make the best of it. Why the heck not?

 

[Tergle]

In 3...2...1...

C ya buddy.

One more proof there is a God.

 

[mzungu]

One more proof there is a God.

How many times have I seen Christians dissuade people from becoming Christians by their ignorance and arrogance, not to mention their total hypocrisy.

So long as the religious fundamentalists use Christianity as one uses politics then Christianity is doomed to go the way of the dodo!

Hypocrites and Pharisees!

 

[Tergle]

How many times have I seen Christians dissuade people from becoming Christians by their ignorance and arrogance, not to mention their total hypocrisy.

Every time you open your eyes. What else CAN you see? You are looking through the lens of atheism. Notice your icon?

So long as the religious fundamentalists use Christianity as one uses politics then Christianity is doomed to go the way of the dodo!

We've been hearing that from you guys for 2000-plus years.

Hypocrites and Pharisees!

That's is Jesus talking to the Jewish Jerusalam Sanhedrin membership. Not Christians. His followers were not yet even called "Chriatians" when he railed against the Hypocrites and Pharisees of the secular political elite in Jerusalem that the Roman leader King Herod appointed to those positions.

History lesson hat off.

Talk about

 

[BleedingHeart]

One more proof there is a God.

The fact that he counted down from 3 proves there's a God?

 

[SithDoughnut]

The fact that he counted down from 3 proves there's a God?

Some people will scramble for anything as evidence that they are right.

 

[Tergle]

The fact that he counted down from 3 proves there's a God?

Hmm, now that you mention it, it does.

Very good Heart. Very good.

 

[Tergle]

Some people will scramble for anything as evidence that they are right.

Mr. Doughnut,

You too?

 

[razeontherock]

Hmm, now that you mention it, it does.

Yeah, he could have counted from 10

 

[BleedingHeart]

You're offering it. And that says all there is to say on the issue. Your overpowering desire to bash a Christian got the best of you.

Your forgiven. I hear Marx was a warm-hearted fellow.

Now, since you are an atheist, and refocusing on the OP, do you consider yourself a good person? And I don't think anyone will mind if you use your insane troll logic.

1. Since when does a sarcastic comment count as a bash?
2. Marx? What on earth does that comment mean?
3. Not really. I'm selfish and angry right now because at some point during my freshmen year I snapped and the only thing I've cared about since is losing my virginity.
In high school I insulted people to make up for my low self-esteem, due to the people that had made fun of me in middle school. I often think of kicking my second ex down a long flight of stairs. I have a low opinion of women in general because of my crappy experiences with them. I swear often, and I don't help enough people.

 

[yasic]

Can you tell who's actions you are mimicking?

Do tell?

 

[yasic]

You are absolutely right; if you can't learn to Love G-d here in this life, heaven would be torture for you. In fact the Orthodox version of hell is exactly that!

I am quite familiar with the different versions of hell in Christianity, including the Orthodox one. However that had absolutely nothing to do with what I wrote. The hell would not be from loving god, but rather from knowing I sacrificed my ethics and took and bound myself to a tyrant to avoid suffering.

 

[Freodin]

You are absolutely right; if you can't learn to Love G-d here in this life, heaven would be torture for you. In fact the Orthodox version of hell is exactly that!

And the reason for that would be?

Give me just one concise reason why this process MUST be limited!

 

[Incariol]

And the reason for that would be?

Give me just one concise reason why this process MUST be limited!

God is fire and when He came into the world, and became man, He sent fire on the earth, as He Himself says; this fire turns about searching to find material — that is a disposition and an intention that is good — to fall into and to kindle; and for those in whom this fire will ignite, it becomes a great flame, which reaches Heaven. … [T]his flame at first purifies us from the pollution of passions and then it becomes in us food and drink and light and joy, and renders us light ourselves because we participate in His light.

--St. Symeon the New Theologian, Discourse 78

It is totally false to think that the sinners in hell are deprived of God’s love. Love is a child of the knowledge of truth, and is unquestionably given commonly to all. But love’s power acts in two ways: it torments sinners, while at the same time it delights those who have lived in accord with it.

--St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 84