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If someone you could cared about sent you this, what would you tell them?
- Thread starter GabrielWithoutWings
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français
Atheist/CA-Bloc Québécois/US-Democrat
- Oct 2, 2006
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I would say that yes, after we die there is nothing. And as sad as that sounds, it is the truth. So are we living for no reason? Well, that is up for he to decide. I think that we have a reason to wake up everyday, and live a happy life. But I certainly do not see it as a godly reason, nor do I see a reason to look up to the far future of some hippy yippy afterlife.
We live for this life. Not an afterlife, not a reincarnation, nothing like that!
We live for this life. Not an afterlife, not a reincarnation, nothing like that!
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arunma
Flaming Calvinist
Interesting piece of writing. This person does bring up a couple of good points. First, truth is of great importance, not because it is superior to God (it is not), but because it is an attribute of God. Secondly, atheism (and I would put all non-Christian religions in this category) offers no viable answer as to the meaning of human existence. I suppose that in some perverse way, the author's cynicism points every non-Christian to the woe and terror that they ought to feel. As it says of the Gentiles,
Ultimately, however, I find the following statement to be incorrect:
Faith in Jesus Christ is not something with which people are simply born. All human beings are born as godless sinners. On the contrary, faith can be inculcated; people can learn to believe in Jesus and trust God for the salvation of their souls. For some people this process happens in a single day; for others it takes much longer. The author seems to paint a distorted image of Christians as endlessly joyful people who never experience grief. It is true that Christians alone have reason for joy in the world, since we have been given the only gift that can be retained beyond death. But Christians can and do experience sorrow. It is improper to think that there is no place for pessimism, as though it were somehow ungodly. Christians do not live life "singing and dancing."
This is what I would say to this hypothetical individual: to say that you are not wired for faith is merely an excuse to not have faith. Most of us in the church do not experience miracles, wonders, or peak experiences, but rather, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29). Most of us develop faith over time, and this development continues until our death. Therefore do not resist God and reject the gift of salvation, but receive what is freely offered you.
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:18)
It appears the author has some limited insight into the dreadful predicament in which he or she stands: the worthlessness of life and ultimate, eternal destruction of the soul in hell apart from God.Ultimately, however, I find the following statement to be incorrect:
Faith in Jesus Christ is not something with which people are simply born. All human beings are born as godless sinners. On the contrary, faith can be inculcated; people can learn to believe in Jesus and trust God for the salvation of their souls. For some people this process happens in a single day; for others it takes much longer. The author seems to paint a distorted image of Christians as endlessly joyful people who never experience grief. It is true that Christians alone have reason for joy in the world, since we have been given the only gift that can be retained beyond death. But Christians can and do experience sorrow. It is improper to think that there is no place for pessimism, as though it were somehow ungodly. Christians do not live life "singing and dancing."
This is what I would say to this hypothetical individual: to say that you are not wired for faith is merely an excuse to not have faith. Most of us in the church do not experience miracles, wonders, or peak experiences, but rather, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29). Most of us develop faith over time, and this development continues until our death. Therefore do not resist God and reject the gift of salvation, but receive what is freely offered you.
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I would say the truth is relative and there is no constant in the universe but Ease Orsehe!
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HickoryStix
Active Member
I would respond with this:
I completely understand where you're coming from.I wholeheartedly encourage you to search for those answers. I think it's important for you to find these answers yourself. Otherwise, it's just empty words. But I'll try to give you some advice that I think is relevant.
While it's important to think about everything, and keep questioning, there is a point where asking "what if" is futile. "What if" is an endless process, and wherever you find something plausible, it's not necessarily satisfying. I have found personally that if you live too much in your own thinking, and don't take the time to just "be" instinctually, once in a while, it can get to you.
You are NEVER going to have all the answers. But you shouldn't live your life in a constant, over-stressed state where you are never satisfied with what you have and what you do know.
If you want answers, your not going to get any just thinking about it. Try different things, if you feel drawn to it deep inside, look into it further. If it doesn't work, try something else, if it doesn't work still, try something else. But don't stress over it. Take a deep breath. If you decide to try being something you don't really believe in, you won't be happy anyway, because you'll know you are lying to yourself. some argue that you can't accept something just because it feels right. However, given that we have these sensations in the first place, it doesn't make sense to reject it all together.
Look into as many theologies as possible, use logic AND your feelings; both emotional, and gut impressions, and take it easy. There's no point trying to find answers for yourself when you feel like there is a gun at your head.
I completely understand where you're coming from.I wholeheartedly encourage you to search for those answers. I think it's important for you to find these answers yourself. Otherwise, it's just empty words. But I'll try to give you some advice that I think is relevant.
While it's important to think about everything, and keep questioning, there is a point where asking "what if" is futile. "What if" is an endless process, and wherever you find something plausible, it's not necessarily satisfying. I have found personally that if you live too much in your own thinking, and don't take the time to just "be" instinctually, once in a while, it can get to you.
You are NEVER going to have all the answers. But you shouldn't live your life in a constant, over-stressed state where you are never satisfied with what you have and what you do know.
If you want answers, your not going to get any just thinking about it. Try different things, if you feel drawn to it deep inside, look into it further. If it doesn't work, try something else, if it doesn't work still, try something else. But don't stress over it. Take a deep breath. If you decide to try being something you don't really believe in, you won't be happy anyway, because you'll know you are lying to yourself. some argue that you can't accept something just because it feels right. However, given that we have these sensations in the first place, it doesn't make sense to reject it all together.
Look into as many theologies as possible, use logic AND your feelings; both emotional, and gut impressions, and take it easy. There's no point trying to find answers for yourself when you feel like there is a gun at your head.
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daveK
Junior Member
I would say, Hang in there, friend! There's meaning to life and a certainty beyond question that someone exists who loves you like crazy!
May you find that someone and may His peace envelop you, head-to-toe!
Please consider trusting in His following promise: "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all of your heart!" (Jeremiah 29:13)
God love you, my friend!!
DaveK
Psalm 107:2
May you find that someone and may His peace envelop you, head-to-toe!
Please consider trusting in His following promise: "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all of your heart!" (Jeremiah 29:13)
God love you, my friend!!
DaveK
Psalm 107:2
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arunma
Flaming Calvinist
According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. God seeks to glorify his name, and is jealous for his name's honor. He receives glory through our enjoyment of him, so he created us for this purpose. And it is only through Jesus Christ that we can know God, because Jesus Christ is the image of God.
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