Christianity.

[God.]

The laziest attempt at starting a debate ever.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8899/christianity2a7904ch4.jpg

Discuss.

[Innamorata]

Lol. I've seen another that says "The Bible: Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story."

[Shane]

The laziest attempt at starting a debate ever.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8899/christianity2a7904ch4.jpg

Discuss.
Best summary, evur!

[Kate]

Best summary, evur!

x2.
If only everything else was this darn intellectually simple.

[God.]

Yes, like flat amounts, (not rates,) of tax. (y) :p

[Kate]

Shut up :P ======

[nyx]

The Bible is full of great stories, its a shame people try to convince you they are true.

[anarchyrules]

I go to a church of england school and am the only non god beliver in my class-my school sucks

[God.]

Shut up :P ======

Nein.

Frau Pferd.

[Innamorata]

Ha, I know what that's like.

[Kate]

Frau Pferd.

Herr Schokolade Kopfschmerzen

[anarchyrules]

Herr Schokolade Kopfschmerzen

what does herr mean?

[God.]

It says Mr Chocolate Headache, directly translated.

My German is terrible, I dunno.

[anarchyrules]

yh mines pretty terrible too i have a test on it tomorrow but can't revise cos my teacher took my book in

[God.]

I call that good practice. >_<

[anarchyrules]

yh
probably not what my teacher had in mind though
(going well off the subject)

[Hugga-Bear]

xD good summary me thinks :) I've read the Bible, its quite good! as long as you don't take it seriously, if you do its disturbing and full of some rather horrible genocide...

Still....good read :)

[tf_arl_90]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/arl_90/bible_fiction.jpg

Harsh, but holds true for some people lol

I think Christianity in its purest form is beautiful. It's not the same religion today it was originally, but its most basic beliefs are admirable.

[nyx]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/arl_90/bible_fiction.jpg




Haha, I love it!

[Shane]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/arl_90/bible_fiction.jpg

Harsh, but holds true for some people lol

I think Christianity in its purest form is beautiful. It's not the same religion today it was originally, but its most basic beliefs are admirable.
That was just magical to read.
Lurve it!

[Jyt]

Gotta admit, I think religion is a load of bullcrap.
But, I agree with the morals of Christianity.
Even though I'm an athiest with buddist/daoist leanings.

[Hugga-Bear]

I don't agree with the morals of christianity as I don't think christianity has any, not as an original religion. Now it is being adapted to show western morals but as a whole its not that close to how christianity was meant to be. Read the bible and you'll see what I mean...: / It isn't pretty.

I'm a strong athiest and try to point out to as many people as you can that not only is religion not needed, it isn't beneficial. Not at all! I don't mind religious people (although i'll always try to win them over) but I really dislike preachers (as in very persistenet people with no argument whatsoever and a complete lack of intelligence) They annoy me...

[Jyt]

Agreed.
Though alot of eastern religions make a fair bit of sense. I recommend doing some research on Daoism, it's a fairly interesting subject.
But yeah, if we go back through time we'll probably find that about 75% of wars have been due to religion. I guess the only problem it really solves is overpopulation.

[Nirvana_rox]

Haha XD.
Great summery

[tf_arl_90]

I don't mind religious people (although i'll always try to win them over) but I really dislike preachers (as in very persistenet people with no argument whatsoever and a complete lack of intelligence) They annoy me...

You always try to win them over? This isn't preaching? Maybe in your eyes you aren't preaching, but I think many religious folk would say you are.

Religion requires faith and belief. To a religious person, evidence and proof aren't necessary. So trying to argue with them using reason and logic is really quite pointless, as it isn't needed to understand God.

As for people saying "religion causes wars" I'm not sure I would say it's the religion that's causing wars, but rather it's some of the people who believe in their religion. If religion didn't exist, I think people would just fight over other things instead.

[Nik Nak]

The Bible is simply a book of contradictions written by people trying to explain how we got here. Science proves it allll wrong. =P

[iPodge]

I'm a strong athiest and try to point out to as many people as you can that not only is religion not needed, it isn't beneficial. Not at all! I don't mind religious people (although i'll always try to win them over) but I really dislike preachers (as in very persistenet people with no argument whatsoever and a complete lack of intelligence) They annoy me...

Same as me, completely agree with you and every other non believer on here. Shame there aren't any people willing to discuss the other side... would have been fun convincing them

[VraiCanon]

Well, I love Christianity.

[tf_arl_90]

The Bible is simply a book of contradictions written by people trying to explain how we got here. Science proves it allll wrong. =P

Science can prove biblical stories inaccurate, but I have yet to see it prove God doesn't exist. It depends on what "God" is.

At the same time, it's logically impossible to prove God *doesn't* exist. So if you're riding on the evidence thing, you assume He doesn't until there's proof.

[Hugga-Bear]

You always try to win them over? This isn't preaching? Maybe in your eyes you aren't preaching, but I think many religious folk would say you are.

Religion requires faith and belief. To a religious person, evidence and proof aren't necessary. So trying to argue with them using reason and logic is really quite pointless, as it isn't needed to understand God.

As for people saying "religion causes wars" I'm not sure I would say it's the religion that's causing wars, but rather it's some of the people who believe in their religion. If religion didn't exist, I think people would just fight over other things instead.
I know what you mean but it's not quite the same, close enough though (hence the ...)
basically it's impossible to argue with them yeah? you can't argue with faith and belief, you end up with "my faith is stronger than yours therefore my God exists" *lops head off*. A lot of people say that about wars, that they would find something else to fight over. In some cases, yeah, where wars are wanted and they would find any excuse. But in a lot of cases I disagree, you think there would be Al Qaeda without religion?

[Jyt]

There would be an Al Qaeda without religion, certainly.
Though I doubt the principles would be the same as they are.
Instead of trying to make the whole world muslim, itd be more like taking over the world.

[tf_arl_90]

I know what you mean but it's not quite the same, close enough though (hence the ...)
basically it's impossible to argue with them yeah? you can't argue with faith and belief, you end up with "my faith is stronger than yours therefore my God exists" *lops head off*. A lot of people say that about wars, that they would find something else to fight over. In some cases, yeah, where wars are wanted and they would find any excuse. But in a lot of cases I disagree, you think there would be Al Qaeda without religion?

I think there would still be groups that would fight for what they *believe* is right, yes. They wouldn't be religious beliefs, obviously, because religion wouldn't exist in this hypothetical situation. But belief would still exist, right?

And resource wars? lol that's some pretty scary shit.

Eliminating religion does not mean eliminating conflict.

[Nintendus]

I don't agree with the morals of christianity as I don't think christianity has any, not as an original religion. Now it is being adapted to show western morals but as a whole its not that close to how christianity was meant to be. Read the bible and you'll see what I mean...: / It isn't pretty.

1) I do not believe you have read the bible in it's entirity.
2) Plenty of deeply religious people have read the bible without being dissalusioned by it in any way, so when you try and inform us that it is 'not pretty', clearly you place upon it your own intepretation. From someone who has obviously read it already convinced of their atheism. I do not believe the argument that the bible is not clear on messages, I believe on it's main messages is it very clear, and a good Christian will adopt those stances today. It is just the way the world works, that when you open anything up for intepretation (around the period the bible was converted into lay languages from the Latin used by the clergy) people are going to pick up on small inconsistensies and argue them.



I'm a strong athiest and try to point out to as many people as you can that not only is religion not needed, it isn't beneficial. Not at all!... but I really dislike preachers (as in very persistenet people with no argument whatsoever and a complete lack of intelligence) They annoy me...
To me, that is completely contradictory, you sound remarkably like a preacher yourself. Just because you are not religous, it doesn't make any difference that you are trying to force your beliefs on other people. What on earth is a 'strong atheist' anyway? Surely by nature you are either an atheist or you are not, there can't be people who are more atheist than others. Your use of strong atheist however suggests more than just a lack of belief in God, it suggests that you adamantly and passionately believe there to be no God. I see that as being little different to someone convinced of their theism, who believes passionately that there is a God.

As for the issue of war that has been brought up. All wars are fought on the basis that the agressor and defender think that they are justified in fighthing the war. They can get this justification from many things, but usually it comes down to what is right or wrong. If your religion dictates what is right or wrong to you as a person, then you are going to fight for it. Wars would be fought whether there was religion or not.

[Jyt]

Thats a very well-written argument there Nintendus and I have to say I agree with alot of it. You do certainly need to keep an open mind when reading a piece where the message comes through interpretation. And an Atheist preacher can actually be more harmful than a Theist preacher, as while most atheists are accepting enough to allow a member of their family be religious and have that as their own choice, if you go and tell the 4 year old son of a very strict muslim family in the middle east that there is no god, you could very easily ruin that childs life. They could be outcast from the family, beaten, sometimes even killed for betraying their faith. just for the slightest doubt in the back of their mind if they were to voice it.
That's why atheists should be preaching acceptance, not trying to convince people to become atheists themselves.

The only difference between Atheists and Theists is that one needs proof that it's there, one needs proof that its not.

[Hugga-Bear]

First off I have read the bible in its entirety, twice. Only read the new testament once.

I read the bible the first time when I was completely unsure, my RE teacher recommended me to do so and find the words of God. I did, ever read Joshua? It's about genocide, how Moses and Aaron went through the east killing every tribe they encountered and looting their goods for the glory of God, then raping the women and children and slaying the animals.

What a lovely little book.

As for the contradictory sentence, I've already said, I know hence the ... it was phrased badly.
There is a big difference between me and a fanatic thank you, should evidence to the contrary arise that was insurmountable I would look for an alternative solution, as it is, there is none.
And yes I know not all wars would end, but there wouldn't be so many atrocities committed. It is the nature of men to be evil, they just need to first find a reason. Remove one reason and less evil will happen.

[tf_arl_90]

This isn't aimed at any one person, but does anybody else think that telling people their religious beliefs are inferior is incredibly egoistic?

[Jyt]

This isn't aimed at any one person, but does anybody else think that telling people their religious beliefs are inferior is incredibly egoistic?

My opinion is that there's nothing wrong with saying this, as long as you make it clear that it's your opinion and you don't believe it to be a fact.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, just like eeveryone is entitled to their choice. If anyone doesn't allow you either, then they don't deserve their freedom.
True piece will come only when people can say "I think your religion is false" to be faced with the reply "Well, thats your opinion, but could I ask why?"
When the sharing of opinion leads to an intelligent conversation, that will often lead to friendship. And friendship between two people can in some cases stop a war between many.

[tf_arl_90]

My opinion is that there's nothing wrong with saying this, as long as you make it clear that it's your opinion and you don't believe it to be a fact.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, just like eeveryone is entitled to their choice. If anyone doesn't allow you either, then they don't deserve their freedom.
True piece will come only when people can say "I think your religion is false" to be faced with the reply "Well, thats your opinion, but could I ask why?"
When the sharing of opinion leads to an intelligent conversation, that will often lead to friendship. And friendship between two people can in some cases stop a war between many.

I just think I should believe what works for me and the next person should believe what works for him/her. I wouldn't say I think my beliefs are superior to someone else's because maybe my beliefs aren't as well suited for this other person.

I don't have any problem with someone saying they believe in God when I don't. I do, however, get a little annoyed when someone flat out tells me I'm foolish for not believing in what they do. I find this condescending. I think this is what you mean?

But I agree - discussion that doesn't include attempts to rearrange another person's beliefs (but rather attempts to understand them) is important and perfectly ok.

[Jyt]

Lets just say, empathize with them, if you'd feel offended in their position, dont say it,.

[Yvette-Cloutier]

You all seem to have come to a consensus here. Mind if I break it?

[Jyt]

Go ahead and break any consensus.
We're here to discuss after all, that includes sharing opinions.
And it's always good to hear another persons point of view anyway.

[iaxa]

The laziest attempt at starting a debate ever.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8899/christianity2a7904ch4.jpg


Discuss.

well kinda hard to discuss "this image removed die to high - bandwith usage. you can restore this image .... free image hosting at Imageshack"

[trooperwhiteguy]

I have a different belief. Honestly, I am agnostic. I don't believe God is real or Hell. I'm sorry if I had offended anyone.

[Jyt]

I believe the true god is nature.
As we industrialize the world we will lose sight of this god, the world will become more crowded, and more wars will erupt.
Besides, evolution says nature created us, religions generally say that god created us, why can't they both be right?

[Sweetest.x.Sin]

True enough.
I think that stuff about God and angels and demons is a bunch of crap, and Christians are a bunch of zombies.

[Arielle]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vkXOwBIRX7Y
This video is pretty good, if a little satirical.

[*Jess*]

True enough.
I think that stuff about God and angels and demons is a bunch of crap, and Christians are a bunch of zombies.


that's such an unfair point of view, I'm an atheist but you also have to respect other's points of view. If you think Christians are zombies, you could say that about all religions tbh. There are much more extreme religions than Christianity.

[Innamorata]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-preaching-about-lolcats.jpg

[Arielle]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/funny-pictures-cat-headphones-god.jpg

[tf_arl_90]

I know some atheists who are pretty zombie like too. ;)

It's unfair to belittle everyone of an entire religion like that.

[Jyt]

I know some atheists who are pretty zombie like too. ;)

It's unfair to belittle everyone of an entire religion like that.


My impression is that it was implying that they blindly follow on.
Faith is good though, it brings hope.

[tf_arl_90]

My impression is that it was implying that they blindly follow on.
Faith is good though, it brings hope.

My point is that not all Christians blindly follow their religion. I doubt you would find many Christians who, when called "zombie like," would not feel belittled.

[Hugga-Bear]

I believe the true god is nature.
As we industrialize the world we will lose sight of this god, the world will become more crowded, and more wars will erupt.
Besides, evolution says nature created us, religions generally say that god created us, why can't they both be right?
Because evolution shows that natural selection is the guide to our creation, if 2 creatures exist the 'fitter' one will be the more liekly to survive and pass on its genes...
Religions say that a mysterious creature pointed its fingers at the world and made us all spring up some 6000 years ago, just as we are now...

Slight difference between the two.

There is no god IMO, not even nature, we dont need a god, as a brilliant man once said: "Is it not enough to merely admire the garden, without having to believe there are fairies at the bottom of it?"

[*Jess*]

Because evolution shows that natural selection is the guide to our creation, if 2 creatures exist the 'fitter' one will be the more liekly to survive and pass on its genes...
Religions say that a mysterious creature pointed its fingers at the world and made us all spring up some 6000 years ago, just as we are now...

Slight difference between the two.

There is no god IMO, not even nature, we dont need a god, as a brilliant man once said: "Is it not enough to merely admire the garden, without having to believe there are fairies at the bottom of it?"

Wrong, Natural selection is not the "guide to our creation". Natural selection is a theory, emphasis on the THEORY, of the way we became the way we are with such perfect adaptations to our environment. When Charles Darwin created his theory of Evolution he was not talking about creation, he was giving a scientific explanation of how things in our world developed as a counteract to the idea that God created humans and that was basically that. Humans derived from another organism.

Natural selection is only a part of evolution, we came from single celled organisms and the debate is on how does the world exist, and where did these single celled organisms come from?

[Hugga-Bear]

Wrong, Natural selection is not the "guide to our creation". Natural selection is a theory, emphasis on the THEORY, of the way we became the way we are with such perfect adaptations to our environment. When Charles Darwin created his theory of Evolution he was not talking about creation, he was giving a scientific explanation of how things in our world developed as a counteract to the idea that God created humans and that was basically that. Humans derived from another organism.

Natural selection is only a part of evolution, we came from single celled organisms and the debate is on how does the world exist, and where did these single celled organisms come from?
cosmic soup.
Its a scientific theory, which means it is part of a scientific law, as in it has not been disproved and has a hell of a lot of evidence to support it...

I guess i misused the word creation there.

[Rashella]

The laziest attempt at starting a debate ever.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8899/christianity2a7904ch4.jpg


Discuss.

Haha nice summary. Now Christianity all makes sense :p

Definitely a more fun way to look at it.

[-Michael-]

I had a guy come up to me at work and say pick up a bible and read it, otherwise I will die horribly...


Meh. lol.

[Nirvana_rox]

^^ hah XD
....................

[-Michael-]

I know, it was creepy

[Nirvana_rox]

They might as well put holy water on peoples food...

I hate those people that allways follow me and try to give me a fucking bible
Jesus army my ass

[-Michael-]

They might as well put holy water on peoples food...

So that's what that green stuff was...

[Nintendus]

I think Christianity in its purest form is beautiful. It's not the same religion today it was originally, but its most basic beliefs are admirable.
Can I ask what you mean by this?

[Rickeo]

http://www.adviceforall.org.uk/profilepic3_5.gif


May I start with saying God Bless you all, haha no oj am not a Bible thumper and am not here to tell anyone your all going to helllllll and are doooooooommmmmeeeedddd for all eternity :) sorry I dunno why I add loads of letters to words just makes it far mor affective ;)

Anyway am a Christian and am not ashamed to admit it :)

Am not posting to convince you the Bible is right or wrong nor can you convince me it's simply a matter of opinion we are going to believe what we want to believe aren't we :)

Anyway FOR ME Christianity makes perfect sense and I have explored am not a "brainwashed zombie" I have looked at other religions but only Christianity makes perfect sense, it answers every questions I have about creation, about pain and suffering in the world and about love it simply answers every question I have. Other religions don't I used to be caught up in a Pagan way of life and that along with other religions made NO SENSE at all it was like harm none but do as thee please lol which is cool but I wanna know the reason why am here the reason behind pain and suffering I wanted my answers and though other religions give you these they were not satisfactory to me and seemed to be wholes in them in places.

Yea you could say the same about Christianity :) but I suppose it's all a matter of faith.

I think as well we need to look at facts Christianity is like one of the oldest religions before it there was Judaism which leads back to the beginning of creation (read the Bible) where other faiths such as Islam came about 300 years after Christ and there are so many new age religions Scientology for example and many others how can you call a religion a religion when some guy just created it it doesn't stem from the beginning of time and some loon just made some claims and suddenly it has thousands of followers.

Logically Christianity makes PERFECT sense it just takes faith to believe.

Christians aren't harming anyone, you hate the Bible thumper then simply avoid him/her at then end of the day Christianity preaches love forgiveness and peace now in this day and age is that such a bad thing??? I think not.

Anyway I guess you are all gonna call me brainwashed and if so cool because am a loving caring person God has set compassion on my heart and I enjoy my life and no I haven't had it easy and haven't been brought up in a Christian family I have had to cope with sexual abuse, depression, the loss of my gf's baby my baby so I haven't had it easy nor have I been wrapped up in cotton wool.

But if am brainwashed for being a decent member of society so be it at least am not walking around with a gun killing people, sleeping around, spreading STD's and though there are thousands of decent members of society who are not Christians am sure as a Christian I will grow up with a lot less regrets then a few of them because of the difference in morals :)

Hope I didn't offend anyone :)

Rick

[Nintendus]

http://www.adviceforall.org.uk/profilepic3_5.gif



May I start with saying God Bless you all, haha no oj am not a Bible thumper and am not here to tell anyone your all going to helllllll and are doooooooommmmmeeeedddd for all eternity :) sorry I dunno why I add loads of letters to words just makes it far mor affective ;)

Anyway am a Christian and am not ashamed to admit it :)

Am not posting to convince you the Bible is right or wrong nor can you convince me it's simply a matter of opinion we are going to believe what we want to believe aren't we :)

Anyway FOR ME Christianity makes perfect sense and I have explored am not a "brainwashed zombie" I have looked at other religions but only Christianity makes perfect sense, it answers every questions I have about creation, about pain and suffering in the world and about love it simply answers every question I have. Other religions don't I used to be caught up in a Pagan way of life and that along with other religions made NO SENSE at all it was like harm none but do as thee please lol which is cool but I wanna know the reason why am here the reason behind pain and suffering I wanted my answers and though other religions give you these they were not satisfactory to me and seemed to be wholes in them in places.

Yea you could say the same about Christianity :) but I suppose it's all a matter of faith.

I think as well we need to look at facts Christianity is like one of the oldest religions before it there was Judaism which leads back to the beginning of creation (read the Bible) where other faiths such as Islam came about 300 years after Christ and there are so many new age religions Scientology for example and many others how can you call a religion a religion when some guy just created it it doesn't stem from the beginning of time and some loon just made some claims and suddenly it has thousands of followers.

Logically Christianity makes PERFECT sense it just takes faith to believe.

Christians aren't harming anyone, you hate the Bible thumper then simply avoid him/her at then end of the day Christianity preaches love forgiveness and peace now in this day and age is that such a bad thing??? I think not.

Anyway I guess you are all gonna call me brainwashed and if so cool because am a loving caring person God has set compassion on my heart and I enjoy my life and no I haven't had it easy and haven't been brought up in a Christian family I have had to cope with sexual abuse, depression, the loss of my gf's baby my baby so I haven't had it easy nor have I been wrapped up in cotton wool.

But if am brainwashed for being a decent member of society so be it at least am not walking around with a gun killing people, sleeping around, spreading STD's and though there are thousands of decent members of society who are not Christians am sure as a Christian I will grow up with a lot less regrets then a few of them because of the difference in morals :)

Hope I didn't offend anyone :)

Rick



I like you. There's a book called "The Reason for God" by a guy called Tim Keller which is sort of like a modern, more enclusive 'Mere Christianity' and he explains really well how it is the Christian God who explains best the unknowns in the world. And of course Christianity is bathed in history through Jesus. To me it is the only religion which is really worth having faith in - not racist, just what I believe.

[tf_arl_90]

Can I ask what you mean by this?

Sure.

The teachings of Jesus are pretty nice I think. Love your enemies, be tolerant and accepting, be helpful, be forgiving, be good. Pretty much what was outlined in the Beattitudes.

Naturally, as Christianity spread, it took on different forms to suit people's existing cultures. It started as a Middle Eastern/Hebrew philosophy and has become a more Westernized one. In this way it's very different than it originally began.

Furthermore, it's often used by some people to justify their prejudices, as are many other religions. When I see a person saying "God hates fags" or that all the Muslims in the Middle East should be nuked, it kinda makes me wonder how they consider themselves Christians.

[Rickeo]

When I see a person saying "God hates fags" or that all the Muslims in the Middle East should be nuked,

This isn't Christianity it is people misrepresenting Christianity, my church as well as the majority in it have spoke about the God hates fags website and think the church is wrong in what they are doing it's well out of line.

God does not hate individual homosexual God hates homosexuality but then again it's the same as drinking God doesn't hate the drunk he hates the drunkenness God doesn't hate the adulterer he hates sexual sin see my point??

These people aren't practicing kindness and love I think it is good to look at WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY and what does it mean to be a CHRISTIAN then see if those people are being a good Christian to say the whole of Christianity isn't good for those reasons is unfair because your judging Christianity from what a few people have said and that is way unfair :)

However you do have to remember as well we are only human am far from a perfect Christian but I do try to be the best Christian I can be.

Rick

When I say I am a Christian

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I’ve been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!
That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble—
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache,
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority...
I only know I'm loved

[tf_arl_90]

This isn't Christianity it is people misrepresenting Christianity, my church as well as the majority in it have spoke about the God hates fags website and think the church is wrong in what they are doing it's well out of line.
I agree with you ;)


because your judging Christianity from what a few people have said and that is way unfair :)
I'm not sure if you're speaking directly to me, but if you are, I still agree with you lol

[Rickeo]

God Bless you lol ;)

Rick