Why you? (Q for theists)

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
well it be be construed that anything you give devotion to is an act of worship, after all, thats what worship means, is it not?

You said “atheists choose to worship only themselves”. So I now take what you say as implying that I, and all atheists, “give devotion” to ourselves to the extent of that being “worship” which is rubbish. How would not believing that there is a god cause one to care much more about oneself? Where did you get that from?

I have often cared for others -I personally have done charity work and I also have done some professional care work for adults with disabilities. I for one have not shown any sign of being any more selfish than the average person, and why would you not expect that just because I am an atheist?

I do NOT "worship" myself and neither does any atheist.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Sorry KJ. We are NOT all called. That is the point of this thread!!

Something perhaps more concrete:
Why did god need missionaries to Africa and America? Why not send his message to them too? Why not contact me? (phone, e-mail or fax)

Yea you are, the real question is what is between you and God that you'd allow
yourself to be where you are, which is away from Him. It is who so ever will come
He will not turn away, so the question is what is it between you and God that
you prefer to be away from Him?
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
Yea you are, the real question is what is between you and God that you'd allow
yourself to be where you are, which is away from Him. It is who so ever will come
He will not turn away, so the question is what is it between you and God that
you prefer to be away from Him?
Kelly

We're really not you know.

Perhaps the real question is how you are able to convince yourself that your experience of reality is the same as everyone else's.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
well it be be construed that anything you give devotion to is an act of worship, after all, thats what worship means, is it not?

You could put it like that it if helps you sleep at night, but I doubt athiests think like that.

Originally posted by Andrew Hamilton
You said “atheists choose to worship only themselves”. So I now take what you say as implying that I, and all atheists, “give devotion” to ourselves to the extent of that being “worship” which is rubbish. How would not believing that there is a god cause one to care much more about oneself? Where did you get that from?

I have often cared for othe ...[text shortened]... that just because I am an atheist?

I do NOT "worship" myself and neither does any atheist.

ummm i did not say that atheists worship themselves, you are confusing me with someone else but i shall not hold it against you, i merely wished to state that anything anyone is giving undue devotion and attention to may be regarded as an act of worship in certain circumstances, for that's what worship means, thus we speak in terms of persons 'worshipping', money, or people giving adoration to sports stars, etc etc etc.

Originally posted by karoly aczel
You could put it like that it if helps you sleep at night, but I doubt athiests think like that.

please contribute something with content and stop being so touchy! touchy! touchy!

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Why do you think your god(s) allowed you to be a believer and why did he/they choose to not pursuade others? Why are you special?

Christ (God) does indeed choose His followers, but those followers can reject Him. So it's not a question of being "allowed" to be a believer--the question is, if you hear the Word, do you choose to follow Him or not? That's the individual's choice.

Originally posted by karoly aczel
"A person who likes mind bending games will become a Bhuddist."

Lol!! Are you serious. You ever met an ordained monk? I would've called them "airheads" before I would say they like mind bending games.

I think you mean people who talk about Bhuddism. Not Bhuddists.

Edit: And we are both generalising too much.

Sorry wolfgang, I cant help you with your question. Either we are all special or no one is.

In the west, you find people embracing Buddhism for many reasons, and you get one category of people who consider themselves intellectual, and they become attached to the mind bending one hand clapping, talking and thinking.
Then you get others who like the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, and meditating.

Neo Buddhism is not the same as it was, thousands of yrs ago, and it has degenerated, and you will find many Buddhist who eat meat, even when it is their main teaching to abstain from that.

Don,t think that when you see shaven headed monks in saffron, that they are self realized, because to be self realized, one has to be God realized at the same time, and Buddhists reject God. (so they are realized in nothing)

Buddhism today has become Westernized and corrupted.

Originally posted by vishvahetu
Neo Buddhism is not the same as it was ... .

Just like nostalgia eh?
😉

Originally posted by vishvahetu
In the west, you find people embracing Buddhism for many reasons, and you get one category of people who consider themselves intellectual, and they become attached to the mind bending one hand clapping, talking and thinking.
Then you get others who like the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, and meditating.

Neo Buddhism is not the same as it was, tho ...[text shortened]... God. (so they are realized in nothing)

Buddhism today has become Westernized and corrupted.

I talk from experience when I mention ordained monks and I can assure you I found them to be of an exempelary manner/nature. Vegetarians and funny to boot!

Originally posted by karoly aczel
I talk from experience when I mention ordained monks and I can assure you I found them to be of an exempelary manner/nature. Vegetarians and funny to boot!

Yes they are sworn to non-violence and meditation, and this alone gives the impression of nirvana and bliss, but they negate God, which alone defeats their endeavor.

Originally posted by vishvahetu
Yes they are sworn to non-violence and meditation, and this alone gives the impression of nirvana and bliss, but they negate God, which alone defeats their endeavor.

I had no idea that monks were so powerful!

Originally posted by vishvahetu
Yes they are sworn to non-violence and meditation, and this alone gives the impression of nirvana and bliss, but they negate God, which alone defeats their endeavor.

Again, I dont know which monks you are referring to, I but dont think these guys knew much about "negating God".

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
We're really not you know.

Perhaps the real question is how you are able to convince yourself that your experience of reality is the same as everyone else's.

It will all come out in the end one way or another.
Kelly

Originally posted by karoly aczel
Again, I dont know which monks you are referring to, I but dont think these guys knew much about "negating God".

Buddhist dont belief in God....they negate God and assume Brahman is supreme, but Brahman is the Spiritual Effulgence Of God.