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Yes, I do believe in God
Yes, I know that fire burns. But fire (and heat in general) is also a useful tool. I cook with it daily, and occasionaly suffer a burn from distraction or carelessness. I've been burned from accidentally touching the exhaust manifold of my chainsaw, but I don't foreswear the use of it.
I have also hiked a high mountain and sat on the edge of a 3500'+ cliff. The view was stupendous. No postcard or even mural can convey the sense of being there. Yes, I was careful around the edge. The experience is energized by the faint danger of falling.
My roommate has jumped out of an airplane. It is my intent to do the same some day. This is done with the protection of a thin piece of cloth attached by strings. We have faith in certain principles (aerodynamics) that counter the danger of falling from such a height.
I do believe in God. I don't believe in Roman Catholicism. Neither I nor RCism posits that committing these sins leads to "unimaginable pain and suffering forever." RCism teaches that these sins lead to purgatory, which is temporary rather than eternal.
I don't follow your logic. Doing something that is "[not] a necessity" would "burn your hand?" The example of burning one's hand is an immediate, physical feedback that stimulates a reflex preservation response. Doing something wrong incurs immediate feedback only from the conscience, which has no hard-wired preservation reflex attached to it. The supposed "burning" is a delayed judgment, again no comparison.
Whenever there is a delay in either gratification or punishment there are always those who act only on the basis of immediate results.
The second issue is the difference between belief in God and belief in religious rules. The distinction is blurred in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, some would say to a much greater degree than most Protestant denominations. I'll just leave it at that.
The third issue is one of qualification. You say, "I myself am a Catholic. But I must say that in my life I haven't met a person whose behavior is consistent with his professed religion, except perhaps priests."
I must ask what experience you have with adults who attend and serve in other churches. If your exposure is confined to the RC church, or fellow students who largely attend church at the behest of parents, then your sample may be deficient. In that case it is up to you to expand your sample.
Originally posted by VetLegion
You believe that putting a hand in fire will burn the hand. You believe that falling from a great hight will kill you.
You refuse to put hands in fire and you avoid edges of deep holes.
-> Your behaviour is consistent with what you say you believe.
These and other beliefs are so strong in fact, that one will never in his life voluntarily jump from a building, although it would save considerable time and possibly provide entertainment too.
You believe that putting a hand in fire will burn the hand. You believe that falling from a great hight will kill you.
You refuse to put hands in fire and you avoid edges of deep holes.
-> Your behaviour is consistent with what you say you believe.
These and other beliefs are so strong in fact, that one will never in his life voluntarily jump from a building, although it would save considerable time and possibly provide entertainment too.
Yes, I know that fire burns. But fire (and heat in general) is also a useful tool. I cook with it daily, and occasionaly suffer a burn from distraction or carelessness. I've been burned from accidentally touching the exhaust manifold of my chainsaw, but I don't foreswear the use of it.
I have also hiked a high mountain and sat on the edge of a 3500'+ cliff. The view was stupendous. No postcard or even mural can convey the sense of being there. Yes, I was careful around the edge. The experience is energized by the faint danger of falling.
My roommate has jumped out of an airplane. It is my intent to do the same some day. This is done with the protection of a thin piece of cloth attached by strings. We have faith in certain principles (aerodynamics) that counter the danger of falling from such a height.
On the other hand, breaking religious rules is supposed to also hurt you very badly, in fact, if you sin you are supposed to endure unimaginable pain and suffering forever.
Here is a list of seven deadly sins in Catholicism, I bet other religions have similar lists:
...
Here is a list of seven deadly sins in Catholicism, I bet other religions have similar lists:
...
I do believe in God. I don't believe in Roman Catholicism. Neither I nor RCism posits that committing these sins leads to "unimaginable pain and suffering forever." RCism teaches that these sins lead to purgatory, which is temporary rather than eternal.
I myself am a Catholic. But I must say that in my life I haven't met a person whose behavior is consistent with his professed religion, except perhaps priests. Importantly, note that I am not talking about full compliance with religious code, I am talking about sincerity of professed belief. As I have explained, it can be easily observed that people don't really believe in religious teaching. At all.
For example, not a single person will post in this thread and say they sincerely believe - because consuming internet forums is hardly a necessity - and doing so would burn your hand.
For example, not a single person will post in this thread and say they sincerely believe - because consuming internet forums is hardly a necessity - and doing so would burn your hand.
I don't follow your logic. Doing something that is "[not] a necessity" would "burn your hand?" The example of burning one's hand is an immediate, physical feedback that stimulates a reflex preservation response. Doing something wrong incurs immediate feedback only from the conscience, which has no hard-wired preservation reflex attached to it. The supposed "burning" is a delayed judgment, again no comparison.
Whenever there is a delay in either gratification or punishment there are always those who act only on the basis of immediate results.
The second issue is the difference between belief in God and belief in religious rules. The distinction is blurred in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, some would say to a much greater degree than most Protestant denominations. I'll just leave it at that.
The third issue is one of qualification. You say, "I myself am a Catholic. But I must say that in my life I haven't met a person whose behavior is consistent with his professed religion, except perhaps priests."
I must ask what experience you have with adults who attend and serve in other churches. If your exposure is confined to the RC church, or fellow students who largely attend church at the behest of parents, then your sample may be deficient. In that case it is up to you to expand your sample.
Wacko fundies...
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