Christianity V Athism

[Caesar dude]

Do christians think there is a difference between Athiests and people of other faiths?

Does it follow from a christian POV that any one who is not a christian must therefore be an aethiest?

I don't think so for sure!

As a Pagan with Druidic tendencies I have a belief system. Therefore I'm not by definition an athiest.

One of the things I believe in most strongly is that there was never a man who walked on this earth who called himself "the son of God" (well a few nutters excepted of course!) There is not a shred of historical evidence to support this fictitious chap! But if there had been and he had actually started up a church and had really died for all our sins....then he would be devastated that his teachings had been so misconstrued and taken out of context.

Do all christian priests have a direct line to this guy or his dad? Do they talk to him? Does he answer? If they answer yes to these questions without being able to prove it then I would call them insane.

What a croc of shit.

Peace.

[Masked Dude]

What's odd is that last month I was told I'm a pagan because I'm an atheist. I wasn't offended but I don't understand the logic. But many say we are subconsciously (or consciously to some) serving Satan.

[Reverend Bizarre]

I was a Christian until 6 months ago. Now I am an atheist. Like Caesar Dude pointed out, the lack of scientific, historical and archaeoligical evidence for Christianity and things like prayer is the reason I left. I decided I don't want to accept these things unless I have sufficient evidence first.

What's odd is that last month I was told I'm a pagan because I'm an atheist. I wasn't offended but I don't understand the logic. But many say we are subconsciously (or consciously to some) serving Satan.

Christians are often taught that if you aren't a Christian (and serving Christ), then you are automatically aiding and abetting the "enemy" (Satan). It's an irrational opinion - better to let other people decide what they want to be called than to make it up for them.

[jdurand]

Not an irrational opinion if you're trying to stir your masses to go out and forcefully convert people.  George Carlin said something like religion is a lift for the soul, but we shouldn't be nailing soles on the feet of non-believers.

The reason to increase your mass of believers has a few sides:
It makes the believers feel like they made the right choice if all they see are other believers.
It brings in more money to the organization.
It gives power to the leaders.
It reduces the number of people who might ask you hard questions.
It gives a way to easily control large numbers of people (Popes and other ministers of the past have been TOLD by the king/ruler how to interpret scripture in order to stay alive).

[Shagbeard]

I just want to drop in and say that as you have all seen me say I am Christian, it is not like what the majority preach. Let me briefly explain, please; I see value in many beliefs ie. Buddhism, Tao, and Bon. The Druidic of the past is always under some kind of opinion as bad or good over and over. The Germanic was absorbed into western christianity and in my opinion had a lot of similarities to begin with. Same can be said of the Persian religion, Zoroastrianism being influential. Shoosh, there is a movie that comes to mind 4th Kind, I think with Milla Jovovich which deals with unexplainable things.

My point, as I am starting to ramble on is that if you fellow dudes do not like christians that is fine. I am what most christians would call heretic I am sure because I do not see buddhists, taoists, agnostics, atheists, pagans, heathens etc as going to hell or devil worshipers, no just devil worshipers (Ironically). I just can not think that the Creative force would throw any to torment without ample choice. With today seeing so many flavors of christian denominations it is no wonder and to many christians do not know shit about science. I love science. So dudes, know that I certainly do not judge you based on a religion, but rather on your actions as that is what makes us. Well that is my opinion, keep on taking it easy.

[Hominid]

Well C-dude, depends on what Christian you talk to.  A fair-weather, social one will poo poo you and say all faiths lead to God.  A medium-committed one (say - gone to bible college, may have been a youth pastor) will not clump atheists in with other faiths.. they know the philosophical difference between them.  A fundamentalist whack job will tell you you're all going to hell if you don't believe what he does.

3 shades of grey.

[Hominid]

Rev B: I'm in the same boat. I refuse to believe in fairy tales written by bronze-age religious clerics with a political agenda of crowd control.  Science has revealed SO much; those that want to believe in such magical stories are no different than those today who "want to believe" in UFOs.  As in both cases, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  Till it shows up, STFU.

[Shagbeard]

Rev B: I'm in the same boat. I refuse to believe in fairy tales written by bronze-age religious clerics with a political agenda of crowd control.  Science has revealed SO much; those that want to believe in such magical stories are no different than those today who "want to believe" in UFOs.  As in both cases, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  Till it shows up, STFU.

I am simply curious what your opinion is on the movie based on actual events and even uses the actual footage in film. Movie called Fourth Kind http://www.universalstudiosentertainment.com/the-fourth-kind/ Everyone has their own opinion on such things. May I ask what your take on it is? I with Hawking on that there is other beings and would not want to meat them, we could be in for a world of pain if crossing them. That is just me though lol

[Caesar dude]

Ok Rev Shagbeard. I'm liking your Dudeist vibe.

I don't watch too many movies so your reference is lost.

I can't see that your ever loving God...any ever loving God for that matter! Would actually throw anyone to torment or damnation or hell fire or whatever! That's not love! That's exactly the opposite! HATE! "DO AS I SAY OR  BE FOREVER TORMENTED IN THE FLAMES OF MY ENEMY!" Which means that Your "loving" "God" is actually helping is forever enemy "Satan" In feeding his lust for souls....!! That's fucked up!

Science?? WTF are you on about? There is a big difference between Science, repeatable and observable experiments which result in the same outcome every single time and miracles which are a best sketchily written...rarely observed albeit by interested parties and NEVER repeated.

We've learned a damned sight more from science than we ever have from religion! And will continue to do so forever Amen! (sic!)

Yeah Hominid...I tend to avoid christians nowadays....because of my upbringing and because in my experience they have tended to be slightly insane! Here's an example...I parked in a car park several years ago when I was new to the area...then my car wouldn't start so I asked a guy if he could help.... the answer was "Why have you parked here!? This is a church car park...you should have parked there!" he points to a space two feet away!! So I say... reasonably cos I was being honest and contrite... "sorry mate didn't realise. Won't do it again I'm new around these parts but can you give me a push or help me out?" Oh no... he went off on one about how I should have looked and that there was no way he would help me but I'd better get my car off this property ASAP! Hmmm! No worries...there happened to be a gardener in the church grounds who jump started the car.... all good!

A couple of weeks later there was a knock at my door, it was the local church welcoming me to the area....yep...same guy...he didn't recognise me of course.....wanting me to join his fellowship....I told him to fuck off and related the tale to him and his female companion...I threw some stuff in about christians helping their fellow man etc. I think he got the message when I told him to get the fuck off my property!

Live it...do it...be it...that's fine.....don't be a hypocrite and don't EVER try and ram it down my throat....that's where you will always find my inner Walter.

I'm a happy camper most days. A sunny bunny....it takes a lot to get me riled. Jeebus wouldn't want to see me angry or upset now would he?

Peace dudes

[Shagbeard]

I am cool with that Caesar Dude. That is your opinion and it is cool, I hear you on it.
The movie, well it is what could be a proof of something, but still it is up to the viewer to make up their own mind.
Science to me is awesome and for me does not conflict with the things I believe because I do not lean on every musing of men of the cloth. Funny, thing is it was a Catholic priest that started the Big Bang theory, but seriously do not think the majority are able to think outside the box. Science, shit, science is cool. Many Christians would call me heretic because I am, well, Dude about my beliefs and I do not care if they think I am hippy about it.

Sounds like you got a run in with the dummies of the group. There are a lot of those, but dont measure me by that sorry person.

Peace

[Hominid]

Rev B: I'm in the same boat. I refuse to believe in fairy tales written by bronze-age religious clerics with a political agenda of crowd control.  Science has revealed SO much; those that want to believe in such magical stories are no different than those today who "want to believe" in UFOs.  As in both cases, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  Till it shows up, STFU.

I am simply curious what your opinion is on the movie based on actual events and even uses the actual footage in film. Movie called Fourth Kind http://www.universalstudiosentertainment.com/the-fourth-kind/ Everyone has their own opinion on such things. May I ask what your take on it is? I with Hawking on that there is other beings and would not want to meat them, we could be in for a world of pain if crossing them. That is just me though lol

You're fucking kidding me, right? I watched the movie when it first came out, and a 30-second google search revealed all the claims were the fake mind-droppings of the writers and producers.  No different than the Blair Witch Project. No one in that locale in the north ever heard of those happenings.; the location specifics were off  You're sucked into a fake docu-drama dude.   

The real question should be: why aren't you being more critical of these wacky stories?  The answer may be: because you WANT to believe them.  Tell me I'm wrong.

[Hominid]

Lastly, if you're going to call yourself a Christian, you must both explain and justify the character of your God's behaviour in both old and new testaments.  I think you know where I'm going with this.  If you (or any Christian) tries to wiggle out of this by calling yourself a moderate (i.e. not taking your holy writings at face value), then you can't call yourself a Christian.  Philosophy 101.  You're trying to blend in here, but won't let go of your opinion that your sky-daddy is the creator and master of this universe.  And if you don't believe he is, then you indeed can't call yourself a Christian.

I had to face these very hard questions myself when I faced up to hard facts, logic, and evidence.  I decided to stop believing in magic.

[Shagbeard]

Rev B: I'm in the same boat. I refuse to believe in fairy tales written by bronze-age religious clerics with a political agenda of crowd control.  Science has revealed SO much; those that want to believe in such magical stories are no different than those today who "want to believe" in UFOs.  As in both cases, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  Till it shows up, STFU.

I am simply curious what your opinion is on the movie based on actual events and even uses the actual footage in film. Movie called Fourth Kind http://www.universalstudiosentertainment.com/the-fourth-kind/ Everyone has their own opinion on such things. May I ask what your take on it is? I with Hawking on that there is other beings and would not want to meat them, we could be in for a world of pain if crossing them. That is just me though lol

You're fucking kidding me, right? I watched the movie when it first came out, and a 30-second google search revealed all the claims were the fake mind-droppings of the writers and producers.  No different than the Blair Witch Project. No one in that locale in the north ever heard of those happenings.; the location specifics were off  You're sucked into a fake docu-drama dude.   

The real question should be: why aren't you being more critical of these wacky stories?  The answer may be: because you WANT to believe them.  Tell me I'm wrong.

Well... shit perhaps there was some shady business to that, but no need for the aggression.
Even with that aside, I do not nor many other people in science think there is nothing else out there, that we are alone in the observed some 6 billion light years of the universe. If you dont think so, that is cool, I dont have to agree with you to like you. I can agree to disagree.

[Caesar dude]

Now see I have no issue with a dude like you Mr. Shagbeard. Christian or no.... You're more dudely than xian. You're trying to adapt and overcome....rather than conquer and irritate.

Peace dude.

[Hominid]

Dude - I didn't say there's no other intelligent life in the universe.  Ironically, it's Christians who say WE are indeed the only ones! My point is that being critical is more important than trying to justify a belief not supported by evidence.  All's cool shaggyman.