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The evidence says "Everyone dies." The two camps simply have different outlooks: Christians have it on good authority that if you choose that path, life doesn't end at death. Atheists what, accept death on the word of others who died before them? You LIKE the idea of just laying down and dying? Where's your fighting spirit of adventure?
No, it was given to me...for FREE.
That is logic from the wrong playbook...OF COURSE you can't follow that logic and just jump on board, you may as well be jumping overboard!
You are applying the wrong logic to the wrong issue. If you sincerely want to know about life after physical death...quit referring to experts in everything that dies.
So, throw away that rule book on how to be dead when you die! What has life to do with death? Do you really expect us to answer your questions with meaningless stuff that doesn't apply?
It's not an insult if it is accurate.
Where did I say that?
How about the wisdom of those who believe in other Gods and other religions?
That [sorry to have to say] is a ghetto mentality. There are other choices...with hope, substantiated by a complete linage of historic events. Why do you stay on a dead end path, listening to naysayers and their limited close-circuit info?I'm rather annoyed that when I die I will end but that's all we have reason to believe is the case.
If your actions here are the result of being "not lost", then I'll stick with what I have. At least I don't have trouble of seeing things that others don't.How about if you are lost?
By that definition everyone should stop watching television. No, I take a more scientific approach, that all conclusions are tentative, that there is always a small - small - possibility that a religionist might have something that will knock my socks off. In your case, I would be surprised if you were holding back anything at this point.My above quote is one definition of insanity. Your approach seems to line up with it. Just sayin'
Indeed. Religion, as a comfort blanket, is a common meme that has been conveyed to me. Just be sure not to poke holes in it, or pull at loose threads.Make believe is a funny thing. We innocently tell our innocent children stories to soften and explain something real. God does the same,
I'm serious. You said that "We are to seek first the kingdom, etc", and I want you to know how that sounds. Answer the question: Do you send letters to Santa?but in this case...you don't even know you are in the story. I guess that proves he has a sense of humor.
I think it's what's behind the intellect and from where it comes.Intellect has no integrity.
The utility of a belief does not ensure that it accurately reflects reality. I asked, how would you test your beliefs?Are they usable?
You mean, perception of reality.Well, it's been my life experiences, and after all of these years it's been pretty much coded into my reality. What I'm relating to are my Shaman and Mystic experiences. They are a bit different, I know. But they have demonstrated to me the multiple ways in which ones inner experiences can affect ones reality.
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As is your inability to substantiate your assertions.It's an insult in your case, but that's par for the course in your case too.
Man I'm tired of going back through this thread simply to quote you. Your denial routine get's old after awhile.
I asked this of a religionist in another thread, on the subject of Islamic extremists, and he said "They believe in the opposite of the God I believe in."What about monotheism is actually hard to understand? I fail to see the need to intentionally confuse the concept of multiple religions with the concept of multiple 'gods', but apparently that a common misconception/false belief among atheists.
You have obviously chosen yours.As if one can choose reality.
Why then, do you refuse to leave the comfort of the natural world to explore what millions and millions of people say is true? No fair sighting facts from the natural world. Again, a choice...only substantiated by your own prejudices (beliefs).Of course not. Why would I not want for there to be more to human existence that this brief biological stint?
It's not a religious matter, not to me. It's a matter of reality. Not limited reality. If I wanted to limit my comments to natural reality, I would pat him on the back and say "Good job." But, him, as a religious man deserves not to be patronize and left out of the greater truth. As do you.While there are evangelical Christians such as Geneticist Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, that accept evolutionary theory, I do not see why you make this a religious matter.
I answered you. I see if my beliefs are usable. That's how I test my beliefs. I'm not looking for accurate reality, there is no such thing. I'm looking at living life.The utility of a belief does not ensure that it accurately reflects reality. I asked, how would you test your beliefs?
Sure, what ever.You mean, perception of reality.
Another veiled insult.That [sorry to have to say] is a ghetto mentality.
As if we can put reality to a vote.There are other choices
As opposed to the supposedly infallible preachers of religion?...with hope, substantiated by a complete linage of historic events. Why do you stay on a dead end path, listening to naysayers and their limited close-circuit info?
Your "picture"?Listen, obviously there are at least two sides to this whole God vs. nature thing...but if you never look at the big picture
God who?and realize that God
Allegedly.oversees nature,
And not your little world.then you are just living in your own little world.
Another dichotomy. Your religious opinion, or nihilism. Amirite?What do you expect? You may as well stay indoors.
Well, that is a choice...not Christian or biblical...but it's a choice.Unless of course, one find the Presence of God in life. I do not believe that the search for other wordly rewards over rides the reality of God in this world.
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Obviously, not.You have obviously chosen yours.
"Refuse" implies intent. Belief is not a conscious choice. I, for one, cannot simply flip a 'switch' in my head and decide that "Today, I shall believe in gods".Why then, do you refuse
Comfort? What comfort? A brief biological stint, usually punctuated by a bunch of pain at each end. What are you talking about?to leave the comfort of the natural world
You already abdicated on this one. Appeals to popularity are fallacious.to explore what millions and millions of people say is true?
If you brought anything else, now is the time to put it on the table.No fair sighting facts from the natural world.
What is this "choice" you keep referring to?Again, a choice
Beliefs are not a choice, but it's nice that you could find a word that you could use in the pejorative....only substantiated by your own prejudices (beliefs).
I do not accept your religious opinion as truth.It's not a religious matter, not to me. It's a matter of reality. Not limited reality. If I wanted to limit my comments to natural reality, I would pat him on the back and say "Good job." But, him, as a religious man deserves not to be patronize and left out of the greater truth. As do you.
[pedant]Likewise, it is one thing to departmentalize areas of study.
If he has an account on this site, you are in violation of the site rules. If you care.It is entirely different to pretend that the others don't exist, or that they mix, when really the don't. But based on the fact that he does mix the two, is evidence that he would "like" to believe in God, but doesn't really "know" him (his evidence is all natural, and nothing spiritual). Just being honest.
Carry on then.I answered you. I see if my beliefs are usable. That's how I test my beliefs. I'm not looking for accurate reality, there is no such thing. I'm looking at living life.
Sure, what ever.
Yeah, sure, like going through life tuned into a smart phone. If you are only looking at the natural world, you are missing what's going on over your head.I don't think people who die have much of an opinion on what happens after death, do you?
Why would I need to think I had eternal life to have great meaning to the life I have on earth? In fact, knowing life is not eternal, gives this life even more meaning to me.
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