If truth is absoluute then why are therre so many different religions?

[willubraptured2]

Good post. My perplexion isn't about God's and/or Satan's impact, influence or affect on mankind but rather how mankind (individual people) could accept something that is either full of holes (lies, deceit, etc- as you said/implied), that has no evidence that explains, in detail, its full history and beliefs or that fails to fulfill its prophetic claims.
As Charleston Heston said in the movie Soylent Green, "It's People!" (hahaha)

Have you considered that many people want to be spoon fed what they come to believe rather than doing their own homework (which takes some effort) to determine if what they are being told is true. Consequently, In my own limited experience of witnessing to people, I find that some people have no idea why they have the opinions and views they hold, other than someone told them the belief is correct.

 

[Rocmonkey]

I understand. It takes more effort to support an argument with facts than to state an opinion.

Absolutely! I was hoping to see some facts for or reasons why none exists from other posters. Facts require research (effort hard work).
I have often wondered why people will go to college for years to learn a trade for this life but do little to no research into their eternal life.

 

[willubraptured2]

Atheism is the path that makes the most sense to me, all religions have equal evidence of their truth in my eyes. I think all paths are valid one's but atheism makes more sense to me then any other.

I'm just curious. As an atheist, why are you posting on a Christian Forums web site. Glad to have you here to offer a challenging view point, but I'm just curious. Helps to sharpen my reasoning skills.

 

[jacknife]

I'm just curious. As an atheist, why are you posting on a Christian Forums web site. Glad to have you here to offer a challenging view point, but I'm just curious. Helps to sharpen my reasoning skills.

I'm interested in different beliefs, mythology and demonology although demons don't exist, also some of the things posted here I find hilarious.

 

[LoAmmi]

Have you considered that many people want to be spoon fed what they come to believe rather than doing their own homework (which takes some effort) to determine if what they are being told is true. Consequently, In my own limited experience of witnessing to people, I find that some people have no idea why they have the opinions and views they hold, other than someone told them the belief is correct.

Also important to consider that some people did their homework and came to a different conclusion. It's always amazing to me that people can look at the same exact evidence and come to radically different conclusions.

 

[Rocmonkey]

I find it weird you think one theory has a set of beliefs but not others, Though the misconceptions that we atheists have a belief system is another one i encounter a lot atheism is as much of a belief as not collecting stamps is your hobby.

Wait. What theory did I mention that doesn't have a set of beliefs?
Based on my limited knowledge of atheism they 'believe' there is no God. If one believes in something that has religious connotations isn't that a religious belief? Do you just think or haphazardly say there is 'no God' or is it a religiously held belief (ideology)? There is a difference between playing around with something (hobby) and ardently accepting (believing) it as fact (ideology, religion).

 

[Rocmonkey]

I'm interested in different beliefs, mythology and demonology although demons don't exist, also some of the things posted here I find hilarious.

I knew a Satanist once- and thought about becoming one- who truly believed demons existed and was into it. Why would people believe in something that doesn't really exist? My OP was that sort of thinking.

 

[jacknife]

Wait. What theory did I mention that doesn't have a set of beliefs?
Based on my limited knowledge of atheism they 'believe' there is no God. If one believes in something that has religious connotations isn't that a religious belief? Do you just think or haphazardly say there is 'no God' or is it a religiously held belief (ideology)? There is a difference between playing around with something hobby)and ardently accepting (believing) it as fact (ideology, religion).

I believe it's very likely their is no deity's very few atheist would go so far as to claim absolute knowledge in this area. I'll try to explain to the best of my ability. not believing "x" is not quite the same as "x" doesn't exist I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility "x" exists. an ideology is more of a set of ideas or beliefs, a lack of belief in deity's is the only thing required to be atheist you will find everything else about us varies greatly you can find spiritual atheist but I'm not one of them. spirits, ghosts, souls I don't think such things exisit.

 

[jacknife]

I knew a Satanist once- and thought about becoming one- who truly believed demons existed and was into it. Why would people believe in something that doesn't really exist? My OP was that sort of thinking.

Believing in something doesn't mean it exists if i believed their was a invisible three headed dragon in my garage, would that mean he existed? you also must have met a very rare satanist as they are mostly atheist themselves, and even the spiritual one's don't believe what they warship are demons more of old gods.

 

[cloudyday2]

I understand. It takes more effort to support an argument with facts than to state an opinion. I say this for my own benefit so I'll keep that in mind as I respond on this forum. I wish you well and hope something that I have said will hit a resonant chord with you. You have given me much food for thought!

Just to clarify, it is hard for me to explain, because it involves psychosis. Trying to explain psychosis is like trying to explain a dream; you can type and type and type and it still won't make sense to anybody else. Depending what happened and what I imagined, I would have evidence that something was trying to show me things about religion. But it is more likely that I imagined everything, and that would allow me to remain an atheist.

 

[willubraptured2]

Also important to consider that some people did their homework and came to a different conclusion. It's always amazing to me that people can look at the same exact evidence and come to radically different conclusions.

I agree...we all come with our own experiences, bias' and prejudices. If we all define reality as we see it through our own eyes, then we will be forever talking past each other instead of talking to each other. A line from "Alice in Wonderland" (if memory serves me ) goes something to the effect "if you don't know where you're going any road will get you there". Man needs a road map to lead him. I have come to the conclusion, thru a comparative look at other religions, that the Bible provides the most comprehensive and complete road map that leads to the one true God, the triune God-head. I should mention that I didn't come to this conclusion on my own. The work of the Holy Sprit was instrumental in convicting me of the Truth of the Bible and faith played a major role as well. How do you view the Bible?

 

[LoAmmi]

I agree...we all come with our own experiences, bias' and prejudices. If we all define reality as we see it through our own eyes, then we will be forever talking past each other instead of talking to each other. A line from "Alice in Wonderland" (if memory serves me ) goes something to the effect "if you don't know where you're going any road will get you there". Man needs a road map to lead him. I have come to the conclusion, thru a comparative look at other religions, that the Bible provides the most comprehensive and complete road map that leads to the one true God, the triune God-head. I should mention that I didn't come to this conclusion on my own. The work of the Holy Sprit was instrumental in convicting me of the Truth of the Bible and faith played a major role as well. How do you view the Bible?

Well, I'm Jewish so I like the Tanakh and I think there is a lot of truth contained within. The New Testament, however, does not line up with the Tanakh in my opinion so I don't believe it.

 

[bhsmte]

I knew a Satanist once- and thought about becoming one- who truly believed demons existed and was into it. Why would people believe in something that doesn't really exist? My OP was that sort of thinking.

Simple reason and a potent one; psychological need to believe.

 

[willubraptured2]

Well, I'm Jewish so I like the Tanakh and I think there is a lot of truth contained within. The New Testament, however, does not line up with the Tanakh in my opinion so I don't believe it.

So I take it that you have read the New Testament. Can you reference a couple of areas where the Tanakh and the New Testament don't line up? I'm no expert on Judaism but I do believe you accept

Well, I'm Jewish so I like the Tanakh and I think there is a lot of truth contained within. The New Testament, however, does not line up with the Tanakh in my opinion so I don't believe it.

(continued) Isaiah as an inspired book, is that correct?

 

[LoAmmi]

So I take it that you have read the New Testament. Can you reference a couple of areas where the Tanakh and the New Testament don't line up? I'm no expert on Judaism but I do believe you accept


(continued) Isaiah as an inspired book, is that correct?

If you are going to bring up Isaiah 53, don't. I can't tell you how many times I've argued this with Christians. Jews say it's Israel, Christians say it's Jesus/Messiah. It spins round and round and round.

I don't believe that the story of Jesus lines up with the Messianic prophecies. The thread is closed but you can see lots of arguments here: http://www.christianforums.com/threads/why-do-jews-reject-jesus.7814706/

 

[willubraptured2]

If you are going to bring up Isaiah 53, don't. I can't tell you how many times I've argued this with Christians. Jews say it's Israel, Christians say it's Jesus/Messiah. It spins round and round and round.

I don't believe that the story of Jesus lines up with the Messianic prophecies. The thread is closed but you can see lots of arguments here: http://www.christianforums.com/threads/why-do-jews-reject-jesus.7814706/

I'm sorry you feel that way but I will respect your position.

 

[LoAmmi]

I'm sorry you feel that way but I will respect your position.

Nothing to be sorry for. In my own study I have concluded one thing and you concluded another. People always try to pull emotion with me. Not you, but it happens, where they try to get me to feel for a deity that humbled themself to be a sin offering for me. Oddly, that notion itself is kind of a big turn off to me. I don't want a deity that can die. I want the deity that brought me out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

But it's interesting how many people are drawn to the dying for them story. I guess it seems like something special to them.

 

[LoAmmi]

But, I don't seek to convert anybody. We don't seek converts. I'm happy if your faith works for you and makes you a better person.

 

[willubraptured2]

I believe it's very likely their is no deity's very few atheist would go so far as to claim absolute knowledge in this area. I'll try to explain to the best of my ability. not believing "x" is not quite the same as "x" doesn't exist I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility "x" exists. an ideology is more of a set of ideas or beliefs, a lack of belief in deity's is the only thing required to be atheist you will find everything else about us varies greatly you can find spiritual atheist but I'm not one of them. spirits, ghosts, souls I don't think such things exisit.

Not to mince words but it sounds more that you are an "agnostic" ["I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility "x" exists"], than an atheist. (Or am I taking your words out of context) It sounds as though you are saying God MAY exist but you don't know for sure. There is a world of difference between the two terms. To my understanding, atheism says definitively there is no God [which, in my opinion, takes much more faith than the person who says they believe in God], and agnosticism says I can't know for sure if God exists.

 

[Cearbhall]

For example, we all know that there is absolute truth (many of us don't want to acknowledge it always)
[...]
But how did we get to hundreds, or thousands, of gods? Are there really that many gods or is there just one? And why are there so many different teachings and beliefs about God? Where did all of these gods come from?

Well, my answer would be simple: Because there isn't absolute truth. I see no reason to accept your premise. It seems more like a conclusion, and I don't see evidence for it.