Religion: Real or Fake

[Kidlicious]

Whether I am following God by going and being a hermit in the desert or by being a scientist, I should continually be growing and transforming to be more Christlike. This is the crucial evidence.

Jonathan

Indeed, it's just that there is an infinite difference between Christ and every human being. It's difficult to tell when one is becoming more Christlike when we are so different from Him.

How can we know when we have faith like a mustard seed instead of just faith as it is understood by non-believers, as just simply on opinion?

[Kidlicious]

But the question is, could the same thing be accomplished without a belief in God. If so, then maybe God was just a placebo and it doesn't really prove anything.

Do you mean can a person transform himself from a person who is completely reasonable into a person who does things that are absurd (that they themselves see as absurd)? I believe they can, but again I wasn't trying to prove anything.

[Kidlicious]

Um... obviously if God wants him to go off as a hermit, Jon will get... tada... a feeling about it. That is what people mean when they feel God's presence. Faith in this case involves trusting in what God has told him. You aren't doing things to get a feeling out of it, but you should be able to feel the presence of God in your life.

This is also a difficulty because we don't just feel God's presence, we feel the same as non-believers in addition. If God tells you to go live in the wilderness won't you get a bad feeling?

[Kidlicious]

I think of all those people that kill because God told them to.

Hey, I'm not knocking faith. I was raised Catholic and had faith. So much so that I considered becoming a priest. Faith is a personal thing. But a man can be good and moral without that faith in god. A man can aspire to more and to help others without a belief in God. I don't need to be bribed with a future heaven to treat my fellow man good now. That's it's own reward. Anything you can accomplish through god can be accomplished without. If you need god to go that extra step, fine but don't tell me it's a requirement because it's not.

What can you do that is absurd? What can you do to help others when you don't get something from it? I'm not talking about doing things to get to heaven. That's a very reasonable thing to do. I'm talking about doing the absurd because you have faith.

[Kidlicious]

Gee... so much for a god that gives us free will

It wouldn't be faith that would make him do it... just pure stupidity.
You act like your god actually gives a crap about specific people... and that it's "God's Plan"

Well, if there is a god, his plan is pretty screwed up. Religion is the basis for much suffering in the world.
God needs to "come up with a plan" for more people.

God does have a plan, it's just not the plan that you would have come up with. He communicates it to you indirectly, but you, like other men, prefer direct communication that does not require faith.

[Ming]

God does have a plan, it's just not the plan that you would have come up with. He communicates it to you indirectly, but you like other men prefer direct communication that does not require faith.

In other words... you can just make crap up and say "Gods Plan"... everything can fall under "Gods Plan"... how nice... what a bunch of BS

[Kidlicious]

In other words... you can just make crap up and say "Gods Plan"... everything can fall under "Gods Plan"... how nice... what a bunch of BS

I'm in no way smart enough to make this up.

[Kidlicious]

In fact, the amazing thing about christianity is that, when you begin to understand it, it's very hard to believe that a human being could make it up. It's just not a natural way of thinking.

[Ming]

In fact, the amazing thing about christianity is that, when you begin to understand it, it's very hard to believe that a human being could make it up. It's just not a natural way of thinking.

What's amazing is that any sane person can believe in it in the first place. It's almost as silly as "aliens are gods" or some of the other BS that has been palmed off on humans since the beginning of time. Religion, opium of the people. If you really need to believe in some god to act in a moral way and live a good life, that's your problem. If you need some crutch... fine. But don't expect others to think you are right. There are tons of religions out there, all claiming they are right and the "one"... and even if one is, that makes the rest wrong. The odds are against you.

[giblets]

I'm in no way smart enough to make this up.

A supernatural, superintelligent being that adheres to human customs like having plans doesn't sound very hard to make up.

[Lorizael]

In fact, the amazing thing about christianity is that, when you begin to understand it, it's very hard to believe that a human being could make it up. It's just not a natural way of thinking.

Someone's never heard of quantum mechanics.

[Wezil]

I'm confused by people who claim god has a plan. These are the people most likely to be found praying for god to do something for them. If god has a plan then you should just STFU and let him carry it out. Quit trying to get him to change it.

[giblets]

Well obviously praying is part of the plan.

[Docfeelgood]

I'm confused by people who claim god has a plan. These are the people most likely to be found praying for god to do something for them. If god has a plan then you should just STFU and let him carry it out. Quit trying to get him to change it.

I also have often thought that if there was a plan then there would be no need to pray.
I guess it is like a parent telling a child no when the child does not understand why dad will not let them drive the car when they are 6 years old.
I don't understand how GOD works.
I just accept it.
It works for me.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's just not a natural way of thinking.

This I can 100% agree with. The idea of denying yourself and living in love for all people, even (especially?) those who have wronged you, is so alien to our societies.