A Forgiving God

[Steve (redding43)]

I think that is the point to me. If people have a faith then I admire them for that. In the same way I would not want to impose my beliefs (or lack of them) on anyone then I would not expect the same from others. It is not my place to question them on what they believe

Unless that same religion is used as a cause to start conflict, wars or personal attacks

[kevin3]

  I agree with you Steve, it's a personal thing, and so it should be. Some people have tremendous faith
  and it see's them through times of trouble. My one big gripe is the Jehovah Witnesses, they are constantly
  trawling around the area where I live, disturbing peoples privacy, selling their beliefs.I have been abusive
  to them and they still kept coming back.I threatened to go around to their Kingdom Hall with a loudhailer
  and disturb their gatherings and they finally crossed me off their doorknockers list. I even had a woman
  tap my shoulder while I was putting flowers on my family grave, trying to give me Jehovah leaflets.I was
  really nasty to her but I was so angry at her intrusion. If they think their religion is good why are they
  constantly trying to sell it.They should be banned.
  If God is real he has a lot to answer for. I think the whole religion thing was dreamed up to keep the
  population on the straight and narrow. 

[snowtop]

Kevin3  your last sentence is exactly what I believe.

[KKOB]

Most religions are based on fear, threats and punishment.

[Piscoe]

I had just drafted what I considered a measured response to this topic offering my take on the subject when my computer crashed.
Just goes to prove there isn't a god at all!!

[Piscoe]

I too am warmed by the comfort others take from their faith. If that is what makes them happy and better able to live their life with peace then that is exactly what they should do. I also believe it is a personal thing and as such shouldn't be shoved down someone else's throat.

My theory is that gods were created as a means to be able to explain the unexplainable. The wise men of the time could tell people the sky is blue as it is the way god made it. The plants that grow to feed us are a gift from god etc etc. In the absence of advanced science it was intelligent man's way of rationalising the world and all its marvels. Some time later social conscience was installed and statements on the rights and wrongs of society included. Obviously consequences for not following the new religious code were naturally introduced thereby creating hell and the anti-christ or whatever the equivalent is in any other religion. So you believed in your god, did what the holy people told you what that god would have you behave and society flourished to its current (mostly) advanced state. Religion has an awful lot of fear attached to it as it was used as early law and order. Do the right thing and you go to heaven but do the wrong thing and you go to hell.

Over the generations we see evidence that one's religion is seen as the only true one so led to terrible loss of life through war after war after war. The crusades were a perfect example of this. This was of course Christian versus Muslim but there is just as much evidence of much religious hatred amongst factions of the same religion. Religion has without doubt been responsible for more deaths that most diseases.

Over the past 200 years we have seen exponential advancements in science that can factually dismiss a lot of the beliefs traditionally held by these religions. We are now able to confidently question the logic and possibility as this topic has done. Most of our advanced, free thinking societies tend to believe more in what they can see and hear and as such are more likely to believe in scientific fact as opposed to something illogically spiritual they can neither see, hear or feel. I feel science has replaced the original purpose behind religion in that we can now explain pretty much how we came to be.

Thats the way I see it anyhow.

[Menthol]

We all know, deep down, that there's no god, God or gods.

But the thought of nothing after our death, just existing in the memories of others and leaving behind a few of our skin cells on an undusted skirting board is too telling of our insignificance in this world and mocks the trivia we created. So we hang on to the thought that even us atheists, and I am definitely one, could just be wrong.

But we aren't.

[Stuart T]

I guess we're pretty much all using the word "God" to mean some sort of supreme being with thoughts and actions capable of punishment and reward based on our earthly behaviour.

If we're "good" we go to Heaven.

The church of the time (Rome) also had to create the Devil to explain all the bad things that happen because their God can only do good.

Religions created the notion of a "supreme being" and it works very well for many of them.

I visited the Vatican and the Sistene Chapel earlier this year and I don't think Jesus would be very happy with how money  collected in his name has been spent.

However, from another viewpoint entirely (without the aid of drink, drugs or a safety net) it is reasonable to assume that from nothing, nothing comes.

So, if there were ever a time when there was absolutely nothing in existence, then nothing would have ever come into existence.

But things do exist. Unless it's all in my mind.

Therefore, since there could never have been absolutely nothing, something had to have always been in existence.

That ever-existing thing is what many call God.

I don't know what it was so I'll call it God for now.

God is the "uncaused" whatever it was that caused everything else to come into existence.

God is the uncreated Creator who created the universe and everything in it.

Whatever or whoever God is.

In the beginning the world was without form and void.

And God created light.

And the world was still without form and void.

But everyone could see it.

If I were a pin - ball machine I would have just gone "TILT".

[JohnF]

Do you intentionally wait until you're under the influence of hallucinogenic substances before you post on CBF?

JF

[Stuart T]

Does Miles tea count?