Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Believer here.
God also created matter, time, order, mathematics , physical laws and logic.

Who created God?

If you believe "matter, time, order, mathematics, physical laws and logic" couldn't have come from nothing, why isn't the same true for God?

Anonymous wrote:
I think the reasoning behind son's apology is different. If he apologised just to his sister, do you think he is really remorseful and never ever going to do it again? Just saying sorry doesn't mean that he is sorry for pushing a woman. Asking forgiveness from God involves processing the act and consequences inside your mind and changing your mind.

To OP: you are viewing all religions the same way (I assuming this was your quote: "What if you're wrong and the "right answer" is Islam and Jesus was just a man? Not trolling but just asking the same question of me to you."?). If you do a research, you will easily separate human created religion from the God, it is no brainer.

I also have a question for you since you said that bad things just happens. Have you not seen any connection why the bad things are happen? I know it is hard to see the connection when bad things happens to people we don't know -- like the plane crashed into the house, or the mention burned with 4 young children. But if you look at the lives of the people you know very well (or your own life) -- do you just ignore the connection or you cannot make the logical connection?

Anonymous wrote:Believer here.
God also created matter, time, order, mathematics , physical laws and logic.

Anonymous wrote:Believer here.
God also created matter, time, order, mathematics , physical laws and logic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The Bible says "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So my question is, I know you're certain that there's no One out there, but if you're wrong, have you truly thought about what an eternity in Hell will be like?

I know this is why many don't believe, but that is why Christ said, "Repent, and believe the Gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Thank you for answering this. I ask this sincerely.

Not the OP, but also an atheist. I was brought up in a church, and the god I learned about there was forgiving and loving. If I am wrong, I don't actually believe I am going to hell. I think that if there was a god, the one I'd want there to be would be forgiving and judge me based on my morality and good works, not faith or lack of faith.

So I think I'll be fine, whether I believe or not.

So, you're always good?

Atheists don't believe anyone is "always good." That's a simplistic view.

We are all flawed. But if I, for example, own my flaws and try my best to be the best I can be, must I ask god for forgiveness in order to enter heaven? (if there is such a place, that is) Couldn't I be judged based on my actions and not necessarily my beliefs?

Really, what's the difference?

It's a world of difference. You just admitted your actions are flawed. And you want to own them but not ask for forgiveness. The difference is a pride of heart that says you can do what you want without consequence. Yes, you must ask forgiveness. Why not? Don't we expect that among ourselves? "Oh, I'm so sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me." That's a good thing. Well, you sin against God when you sin against others. He cares about people, so your sins against others offend Him, too. But God is not petty. He forgives those who ask for it. (1 John 1:9) And it's such a dire issue that He had to send Jesus Christ to earth to die for those sins, and ALL He asks is that you believe Him. I do not understand why people hate God for this. All He asks is you to believe Him. It's really that simple.

If I've made peace with the one I've offended, why do I need a middleman (or middlegod)?

I don't hate god; I simply don't believe in god.

God isn't the middleman. When you offend others, you offend Him most of all. God cares about what we do to each other, since He made us. And He is offended when others offend you, too.

So it's secondhand for him.

That's why I don't understand why I'd have to apologize twice. If my 6 yo son shoves his 10 yo sister, I would expect him to apologize to her - and not to me.

Really, as the father to both children, you don't feel that your son has not only offended his sister, but also offended you, who also loves his daughter and has taught his son to respect others? You don't see an offense both against your sister as a person, and against your authority as his father? It's not secondhand, it's two offenses with one action. He knows he's not supposed to shove his sister, because it's hurtful to her and disrespectful to you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:22 again, just to add that I am not one of the atheists who has posted lately.

you mean not lately on this thread? You re not OP?

Anonymous wrote:23:22 again, just to add that I am not one of the atheists who has posted lately.

Muslima wrote:How do you think we were created? Do you believe that everything that happens is random and jut a matter of chance? And finally, how do you cope? especially when there is so much injustice done, how do you rationalize that?

Anonymous wrote:I have a question, and I'm asking it in all sincerity. Christianity teaches that God made everything there is, including people. As a Christian, this makes sense to me, as the Bible says that God's majesty and divinity are apparent in all that He made, and the world seems too vast, beautiful and complex for it just to have happened. Christianity also teaches that mankind is sinful, and that everyone sins. This also makes sense to me, because I know myself that I am sinful, and I think if anyone searches his heart, he knows that he does wrong, at least some of the time, even though he knows not to. Christianity also teaches that the consequence of this sin is eternal punishment in Hell. I can see how this might be a stumbling block to many, but this also makes sense to me, because my sins are willful and because it doesn't make sense to me that I would have been created with the consciousness I have only to just be snuffed out when I die. Christianity also teaches that God is love, and so He provided a sacrifice of His only Son, who was sinless and intercedes for me so that I can be forgiven of my sins if I only have faith in this. Part of this makes sense to me, and that is the personal part, that God would care about me that much, since why would He create me along with everything else without wanting me to know Him. The part that doesn't make sense is why He would send His holy Son to die for me when I am so sinful, but that's love. Christianity also teaches that we need only believe in this and take it to heart and trust that God means what He says that we can either be forgiven, or face the consequences of our sins for eternity. We do have a choice. This also makes sense to me, as the offer is open to all.

The Bible says "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So my question is, I know you're certain that there's no One out there, but if you're wrong, have you truly thought about what an eternity in Hell will be like?

I know this is why many don't believe, but that is why Christ said, "Repent, and believe the Gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Thank you for answering this. I ask this sincerely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Really, as the father to both children, you don't feel that your son has not only offended his sister, but also offended you, who also loves his daughter and has taught his son to respect others? You don't see an offense both against your sister as a person, and against your authority as his father? It's not secondhand, it's two offenses with one action. He knows he's not supposed to shove his sister, because it's hurtful to her and disrespectful to you.

Not OP but no, I don't see this as an offense to me. In this example once he's apologized to his sister he is done what I expect of him. No need to apologize to me.

I am seeing something interesting here. Atheists don't want a supernatural boss. They may have a marginal respect for authority. I think religious people WANT a boss. They want AN authority. As an atheist myself I have to admit, I have never been a joiner. I can't imagine wanting to spend time with a group of people who are trying to figure out how best to do what a supernatural third party wants them to do. I can't imagine spending my precious time on this wonderful planet reading over some old book of rules and stories to find meaning for my life. In fact, I shouldn't be here now, counting how many fantasies can dance on the head of a pin.

Good luck to you! i am going out to count some stars!

We want OP back, the respectful atheist!

I do think it's wrong to say that believers need a boss or authority figure. Not me, nor many people I know. Those who need authority/structure can, if they want, join the military, a big corporation, or marry someone bossy. But, that was a bit of a derailment, as is the PP trying to argue with OP. This is a thread for posters to ask questions, so back to it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Really, as the father to both children, you don't feel that your son has not only offended his sister, but also offended you, who also loves his daughter and has taught his son to respect others? You don't see an offense both against your sister as a person, and against your authority as his father? It's not secondhand, it's two offenses with one action. He knows he's not supposed to shove his sister, because it's hurtful to her and disrespectful to you.

Not OP but no, I don't see this as an offense to me. In this example once he's apologized to his sister he is done what I expect of him. No need to apologize to me.

I am seeing something interesting here. Atheists don't want a supernatural boss. They may have a marginal respect for authority. I think religious people WANT a boss. They want AN authority. As an atheist myself I have to admit, I have never been a joiner. I can't imagine wanting to spend time with a group of people who are trying to figure out how best to do what a supernatural third party wants them to do. I can't imagine spending my precious time on this wonderful planet reading over some old book of rules and stories to find meaning for my life. In fact, I shouldn't be here now, counting how many fantasies can dance on the head of a pin.

Good luck to you! i am going out to count some stars!