People who were once non-believers and now believe in God...

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

From an atheist perspective? No meaning. Is there meaning from a religious perspective?

Well that was my original point. Christianity is the one that teaches everything has meaning. Atheism is the one with no meaning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

First, there is no such thing as the “atheist perspective”. As for mine, personally, who knows? I don’t pretend to.

It is the religious who say they know and worship a god that causes it (since he causes everything).

It’s crazy to me you even ask these questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

From an atheist perspective? No meaning. Is there meaning from a religious perspective?

Well that was my original point. Christianity is the one that teaches everything has meaning. Atheism is the one with no meaning.

DP - now you are being a dishonest interlocutor. First you asked if life has meaning, then you asked about certain events having meaning.

Do you not see the difference? I fail to believe you are that stupid that you can’t, which means you are dishonest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

I believe there is good and evil or positive and negative in this world. That doesn't mean it's thought in the same way as a religion. People and the earth obviously canbe destructive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

From an atheist perspective? No meaning. Is there meaning from a religious perspective?

Well that was my original point. Christianity is the one that teaches everything has meaning. Atheism is the one with no meaning.

DP - now you are being a dishonest interlocutor. First you asked if life has meaning, then you asked about certain events having meaning.

Do you not see the difference? I fail to believe you are that stupid that you can’t, which means you are dishonest.

No, this whole line of conversation stemmed from a PP who said he/she found religion helpful with diagnosis of medical issue. Then some atheist said what's the point since heaven is waiting. And I said Christianity teaches everything has a point. So we were all talking (at least I assumed) about the suffering/fear/uncertainty PP is going through with the diagnosis.

But also I would argue if events don't have meaning, then whole life has no meaning. What is our life made of, if not for events good and bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

I believe there is good and evil or positive and negative in this world. That doesn't mean it's thought in the same way as a religion. People and the earth obviously canbe destructive.

But what determines good or evil? Whether you agree with it or not? Whether it benefits you or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

You are right. It is not complicated. Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck. Human life is defined by suffering and yet none of it has any meaning. I guess some people are fine with that, but when I think deeply about it, my soul cries out against the meaninglessness. And I am not alone. And I think that deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

You are right. It is not complicated. Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck. Human life is defined by suffering and yet none of it has any meaning. I guess some people are fine with that, but when I think deeply about it, my soul cries out against the meaninglessness. And I am not alone. And I think that deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God.

You keep making claims.

-Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck
-Human life is defined by suffering
-deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God

I reject those premises as you have not demonstrated them to be true. You just keep making things up to support your presupposition that there is a god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of a child with cancer, a tsunami that drowns hundreds of thousands, or a war that kills millions due to different views of the same religion?

Indeed, what is the meaning of all of that suffering from an atheist perspective?

First, there is no such thing as the “atheist perspective”. As for mine, personally, who knows? I don’t pretend to.

It is the religious who say they know and worship a god that causes it (since he causes everything).

It’s crazy to me you even ask these questions.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

You are right. It is not complicated. Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck. Human life is defined by suffering and yet none of it has any meaning. I guess some people are fine with that, but when I think deeply about it, my soul cries out against the meaninglessness. And I am not alone. And I think that deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God.

No - it's proof of of humans' need for the existence of God

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

You are right. It is not complicated. Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck. Human life is defined by suffering and yet none of it has any meaning. I guess some people are fine with that, but when I think deeply about it, my soul cries out against the meaninglessness. And I am not alone. And I think that deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God.

This is such farcical reasoning.

Where is the sense of justice for hundreds of thousands drowned by a tsunami?

Instead of the standard children with cancer argument, where is the proof of God for someone who lived their entire life in devotion to their beliefs, and actually practiced it through their life, only for their mind to erode due to dementia and/or Alzheimer's? Spend time in a retirement facility's memory care unit. You will see that the only thing that exists there are diseases (natural) that rob people of who they are. What does that have to do with free will? Where is their justice in this world (not the made up pot of gold at the end of the rainbow)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

I believe that once you are born, your death is guaranteed. I believe that the life we are given is just an adventure for the soul which is also predestined to a large extent. I see this world as a reality that is a construct of God, that the individual souls get to experience it so that they can evolve. And because that is the reason we are born in this reality, I also believe that I can ask for help and happiness, and that cannot be denied. God is like a parent. Whatever happens, happens for our betterment. As humans, we are scared when we are in hard situations, and even if we know logically there is nothing to fear, we still fear it in our heart. We still feel grief, terror, sadness, misery etc. So, if we ask for God to give us a lifeline to reduce this misery, God will intervene. His aim has never been to make us sad. His aim is for us to evolve through our human experiences.

I am not scared of death. I am scared of not living till old age with my family and also what my loved ones will endure after I die. I don't want to be a trauma for my loved ones and for myself. I want another 20-25 years of life, if possible. And I can ask God this, as well as do whatever I need to do to remain healthy - and I know now that it will be answered.

I also firmly believe that God is there for me regardless of if I choose to believe in Him or not. I believe He is merciful and to be worshipped was never His aim. When we thank Him in gratitude or we call for help - we do it through worship or prayers. For me prayers is just the language of pure love. Prayers is a tool to feel blissed out. But, eventually, my life will become such that I will always be blissed out because I will understand Him more deeply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I have turned to God and he is showing me miracles every single day.

Is god keeping you alive, in your opinion? And if so, why does it matter to you, now that he is supposedly going to send you to an eternity in heaven, once you finally die, as we all will.

DP. You are asking someone with a serious illness "why does it matter to you"? Really?

Really -- if they converted to a religion that offers eternal life, what does it matter to them? that goes for everyone in such a religion.

You have it backwards. Religion teaches you that everything matters. It is atheism which ultimately means nothing matters.

That is not what atheism means.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god.

You are a liar, a troll, or a fool.

Which is it?

And what, pray tell, does anything matter when you don't believe in God?

Are you that brainwashed?

I’ll tell you what matters:

EVERYTHING. EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

You didn’t need me to tell you that though, did you, troll?

Why?

Because life is awesome and there’s probably nothing afterwards. So make the most of what you’ve been given and enjoy things that are enjoyable.

You know all that and you just made me type it because you’re a freaking troll

But I don't think life is awesome. A friend lost a child at 37 weeks. Another one's elementary kid suddenly became paralyzed. When I visit poor places and see the poverty and suffering, I can't comprehend the injustice of it all, and it frightens me constantly that anything could happen to me or my loved ones tomorrow. It also bothers that it is sheer luck I was born where I was born while others are born in third world countries, and that our one lives are lived in such disparate circumstances.

But life is awesome, despite sadness in it and when bad things happen to good people. Your empathy for others when those things happen is another one of the good things about life. Being on the receiving end of empathy is also a good thing.

If there is a god, though, then he is the rat f*k that is to blame. And the best evidence for why he likely does not exist.

This isn’t complicated, despite believers squirming to make it so.

You are right. It is not complicated. Without God, all the evil and injustice in this world is just rotten luck. Human life is defined by suffering and yet none of it has any meaning. I guess some people are fine with that, but when I think deeply about it, my soul cries out against the meaninglessness. And I am not alone. And I think that deep human desire for justice and meaning is a kind of proof for the existence of God.

This is such farcical reasoning.

Where is the sense of justice for hundreds of thousands drowned by a tsunami?

Instead of the standard children with cancer argument, where is the proof of God for someone who lived their entire life in devotion to their beliefs, and actually practiced it through their life, only for their mind to erode due to dementia and/or Alzheimer's? Spend time in a retirement facility's memory care unit. You will see that the only thing that exists there are diseases (natural) that rob people of who they are. What does that have to do with free will? Where is their justice in this world (not the made up pot of gold at the end of the rainbow)?

God is not the cause of everything that happens in the world.