01 Aug 09
Originally posted by divegeesterWhat exactly does "giving up being religious" mean? Does this mean, in your case, that whatever those things and conditions are that currently make you "religious" are things and conditions you can just directly decide to forgo?
What advice can the panel give please?
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by generalissimoI have read a few of Dawkins' books and - thinking for myself - I did not reach the conslusion that he is or was an "a-hole" as you put it.
its much better to listen to a-holes like dawkins instead of thinking for yourself, right?
How can one think for oneself without ideas to juggle and ponder? Do you consider "thinking for oneself" to be reliant on original thoughts that no one else has thought of?
What's with this new generalissimo campaign against reading books?
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by generalissimoReading books doesn't contradict independent thinking.
are you against independent thinking as well?
what is your atheist book of choice?
its much better to listen to a-holes like dawkins instead of thinking for yourself, right?
You read books not to have someone tell you what to think but to see other views and in some cases integrate them into your own views or sometimes to solidify what you disagree with them.
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by divegeesterWhy be religious in the first place?
What advice can the panel give please?
Religion is for the spiritually weak who think they can please God by their own efforts.
Except for those things proscribed in the law of God given to the Jews, religion is a system of rites, rituals, and ceremonies created by man for the purpose of making him feel like he's doing God a favor.
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by PsychoPawnI like to read things I disagree with. It either strengthens what I believe by testing it, or it results in me modifying what I believe. I think doubt is a virtue, too. I like to read in order to cultivate doubt. The intellectual curiosity of people who are very certain about what they believe, in my experience, is more often than not a facade.
You read books not to have someone tell you what to think but to see other views and in some cases integrate them into your own views or sometimes to solidify what you disagree with them.
02 Aug 09
1 edit
Originally posted by divegeesterSorry, I don't think you can.
What advice can the panel give please?
Everybody has one.
Collins Concise Dictionary gives this as one of the definitions: Something of overwhelming importance to a person, e.g "football is his religion".
By that definition, for many atheists, THAT is their religion. It is a fanatically held world view.
In its truest sence, Christianity is not a religion (i.e. a formal set of doctrines and beliefs) but a relationship with the living Christ.
So by all means give up religion and religiousity (many RHP "Christians" would do well to also head that advice!) and get to know Christ!
In peace,
CJ
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02 Aug 09
Originally posted by CalJustIn its truest sence, Christianity is not a religion (i.e. a formal set of doctrines and beliefs) but a relationship with the living Christ.
Sorry, I don't think you can.
Everybody has one.
Collins Concise Dictionary gives this as one of the definitions: Something of overwhelming importance to a person, e.g "football is his religion".
By that definition, for many atheists, THAT is their religion. It is a fanatically held world view.
In its truest sence, Christianity is not a religion ...[text shortened]... stians" would do well to also head that advice!) and get to know Christ!
In peace,
CJ
In its truest sense, Judaism is not a religion (i.e. a formal set of doctrines and beliefs) but a relationship with the living G-d.
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by CalJustWhat, exactly, is this "fanatically held" world view that atheists allegedly have?
Sorry, I don't think you can.
Everybody has one.
Collins Concise Dictionary gives this as one of the definitions: Something of overwhelming importance to a person, e.g "football is his religion".
By that definition, for many atheists, THAT is their religion. It is a fanatically held world view.
In its truest sence, Christianity is not a religion ...[text shortened]... stians" would do well to also head that advice!) and get to know Christ!
In peace,
CJ
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by CalJustIf Christianity is not a religion, and if everybody has a religion, then Christians must have some other religion. Aren't they thereby in violation of the First Commandment?
In its truest sence, Christianity is not a religion (i.e. a formal set of doctrines and beliefs) but a relationship with the living Christ.
02 Aug 09
Originally posted by rwingettAs I have said before in another thread, the need (in a "Spirituality", thread, which is a subject they deny) to denigrate others and prove that they are wrong!
What, exactly, is this "fanatically held" world view that atheists allegedly have?
Of course, you will immediately say that Christians (some, at least) also constantly try to prove others wrong.
The difference being that Christians (and Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc) believe in Spirituality, only different flavours of it, which you don't.