Is There Any Such Thing As An Atheist?

WHAT??? There is no such thing as "supernatural" help. No one has that, where did that even come from?

 

The supernatural does exist.
Here is just one example , , ,

A man born blind had his eyesight restored supernaturally.
Its a short story.
Read it.

"Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together
with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus
, , , , was sitting by the roadside begging

. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout,
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the
more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s
calling you.”

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go,”said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus
along the road". , , , , Mark 10:46-52

____________________


"Christians are by definition super-naturalists, but this does
not mean that they cannot also be scientists who operate
with great competence in the natural world."__off the web

JAG

PS
Think seriously , , , and give me your opinions about
these subjects , , ,

{1} When you die, what do you believe happens to you?

{2} Do you believe it is possible that the God of the Bible created the Earth?

{3} Do you support laws against Fornication, Adultery, Bestiality?
That is, do you support the criminalization of Fornication, Adultery,
and Bestiality? {think of it as a philosophical question}

{4} Have you ever even one time asked God to do anything for you?

{5} What do you have to say about Blind Bartimaeus' eyes being
healed supernaturally? Could it be true?

``


``

 

If this really counted as evidence, we'd have to accept every religion's similar claims. Hell, some Buddhists claim that Buddha re-attached a man's severed arm. That's much more impressive!

For fun, I'll jump in on the other questions.

1) I subscribe, and physics supports, the B theory of time. The past is just as real as the present or the future. The idea that they are distinct is, as Einstein said, a "stubborn illusion." Maybe we become divorced from that illusion upon death; many have experienced psychedelic and meditative experiences similar to this, after all.

2) It's possibly possible, but I have no reason to believe it is true and many, many reasons to reject the Bible.

3) I'm not sure what you mean by "fornication," but if you mean consensual sex, then no, I don't support laws against that. Nor do I support laws against adultery. Bestiality? Sure, I support laws against that.

4) Many times. I grew up Christian.

5) Could it be? Sure. But I'd need actual evidence. As for now, I put it in the same category as all of the similar, mutually exclusive claims made by other religions.

 

There is no evidence of any of that. If you have some evidence, please post it.

 

Did you read the OP?
This was the very first sentence:
JAG Wrote:
"This particular Opening Post is addressed ONLY to Christians.
Of course Atheists are welcome to comment."___JAG

Christians believe the Bible is true -- so it makes good sense
to "start the discussion with something Biblical"

Maybe no proof that convinces you.
People are different , , very much different.
You say there is no proof.
There could be some proof that you do not know about, isn't
that true?
Maybe there is a book out there on Christian Apologetics that
provides some proof that those words did come from a God?
You have not read all the books, so that possibility does exist,
isn't that correct?

JAG

``

 

Another "God is real because the Bible says he is real", thread.
Surprise, surprise. Who would have thought.

So, who wrote the Bible?
Men.

So what we have here is another in the long line of "Men wrote the Bible therefor it must be true," threads.

Then there is the, "How can people possibly be atheists ..." angle - in which the author completely ignores that he is an atheist toward
every god but his own ..

Whatever.

 

Aw, and I thought you wanted to have a philosophical
discussion.

That approach is a QUICK conversation killer.

I got the idea.
No philosophical discussions with you.
I tried.
Its not a problem.

Best

JAG

 

My view is that your post provides more evidence that the
OP is correct.
You are still here talking about The-God-That-Does-Not-Exist.
Here is the truth:
You can not get The-God-That-Does-Not-Exist off your mind.
You talk about Him all the time.

Haunting, isn't it?

By the way, are you happy?
Would you describe yourself as a happy person?

Here are 5 jewels that say you know that God exists.
Read 'em and "pick 'em to pieces" for your entertainment.


{1}
Romans 1:19-20 says "since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the
world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have
been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that
people are without excuse."

{2}
Romans 2:15 says the requirements of the Laws of God are
"written on their hearts." So all men know there is a God that
created them.

{3}
Psalm 19:1-4 says , , ,
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world."

{4}
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says , , ,
"He has also set eternity in the human heart"

{5}
Romans 1:18 says that humans "suppress the truth."
Atheists are part of humanity, so Romans 1:18 applies
to them also.

You know there is a God, just as sure as you know that
Daniel Light is your screen name.

Best.

JAG

PS
The pic in your avatar looks like Lord Elrond in The Lord
Of The Rings.


``

 

Thank you for your comments and for your post.

You have a Christian background.
Probably been to Church a lot.
Do you really and truly believe that Buddhism, with regard to
believability, is even remotely comparable to Christianity?

How does that help your life.
You are dying.
Me too.
You are locked into a body that is frail and puny and subject to
disease.
Me too.
Its just a matter of when , , , when , , , you meet up with one
of the major disease killers that will destroy your body.
Me too.
What's your B theory of time gonna do for you when you are on
your last battlefield {your Death Bed} and your doctor shakes
his head and walks away?
And you meet Mr. Stone Cold Death?
What then?
What will your atheism do for you at that time?

Many good reasons to return to the Christian Faith you left too.
Your intellectualism is not gonna "be there for you" when you
need a Friend. Did you ever sing "What A Friend We Have
In Jesus" when you were going to Church?
How about "Amazing Grace"? You ever sing that one?
Ever heard it sung?

Does the memories haunt you?
Do you think you will ever return to the fold?

Which one of the following, if any, do you think describes you?
{1} or {2} or {3} or {4} ?

The Parable Of The Sower . . .
"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat
and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

Then he told them many things in parables, saying:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.

{1} As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.

{2} Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.
It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when
the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered
because they had no root.

{3} Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the
plants.

{4} Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Whoever has ears, let them hear"”

______________


“Listen then to what the parable of the sower
means:

"When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and
does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches
away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown
along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who
hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since
they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble
or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly
fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who
hears the word, but the worries of this life and the
deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it
unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who
hears the word and understands it. This is the one who
produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times
what was sown.”
Matthew chapter 13

You do know, do you not, that if Christianity is true, that
word "evidence" will haunt you for all Eternity. If Christianity
is true, you'll be talking about "there was no evidence" and
so "I should not be here in this place suffering like I am"
for all Eternity , , , because "there was no evidence" , , ,
no evidence , , , no evidence , , no evidence , , , you
hear that from atheists constantly , , ,no evidence.

Regarding "evidence" , , , you have faith memories,
don't you?
~ "without faith it is impossible to please God"
~ "For by grace are you saved through faith"\
~ "believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved"
~ "that whoever believes on Him might not perish
but have Eternal Life"
What about all that?

JAG

``

 

As someone who has a background in both religions, yes. In fact, for all is faults, I've found Buddhism to be far more believable, far more open to discussions of evidence, and far less prone to relying on threats in order to gain adherents.

I find comfort in it in the same way that Einstein did. I'm not really sure why I wouldn't find comfort in it. Though frankly I find far more comfort in my relationships and the impact I've made in the lives of my loved ones. I should point out, as I have before, that I also have experience as a hospice volunteer. In my experience, there are far better sources of comfort than simply hoping in an eternal life.

I never sang it, but I played it on the flute before. Good stuff . . . but then, I've also found beauty in the chants of Buddhists, Wiccan ceremonies, and the poetry of atheistic naturalists like Lucretius.

I have good and bad memories. Neither are likely to sway me. I don't think I'll ever return to the fold, though. If I did, it would probably be in some kind of universalist or Quaker tradition.

I don't really see how any of them apply to me.

The God depends on such thuggish threats in order to dissuade people from considering evidence, then I could never forgive myself for worshipping such a God. Pascal's Wager is one of the weakest arguments Christianity has to offer.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,
so that you through his poverty might become rich."
2 Cor. 8:9

The word "threats" is putting Sin & Punishment in a bad light.

There is no escaping Christianity's doctrine that God punished
His Son for Sin so that He would not have to punish you for your
Sin if you will believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and that
if you refuse to do that -- then you will bear the punishment for
your Sin. Put another way, God Almighty was "not kidding around"
when He sent His Son to the Cross, If you stay on your present
course, and if Christianity is true, you will be in world of hurt.
You can pass it off as a "threat" if you so choose. Free Will. You
have it. That's not going to remove your agony though.

Your "relationships" can lead you back to the fold. Love.
Love can lead you back to the Lord Jesus. Stay with it.
I am sure you will. "The greatest of these is love"
1 Cor. chapter 13 -- the New testament's great Love Chapter.
"Faith, Hope, Love -- but the greatest of these is Love."

Without Eternal Life you will end up this 000000
That is major Sad.
You're not "thinking it through."
Ceasing to exist is oblivion. 00000
Same ultimate Destiny-End as a Cockroach.
Nothing good about that.
"I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish"
said the Lord Jesus about His sheep.
Its irrational to pretend that Eternal Life is not the Best Possible
Net Results End Destiny.
There is nothing good about ending up 0000000

Noted

Noted.

Well don't give up the possibility of returning to faith in Christ as
your Savior. You can have Christ as your Savior and not even
attend a Church ---that's not the best way to live --- but there
are millions of Christians that do not attend church -- they
view Church on television.

You were once in the Christian fold.
You fell away.
Your roots were not deep.
Something happened that caused that.
That can be un-done.
Reversed.

None of that is good.
Here below is why that's not good.

There can be only one God in Heaven.
Any of we humans that choose to bring God up before our
Private Bar Of Justice will be excluded from Heaven.
Only one God in Heaven makes sense.
God will not , , ,can not, share His throne with a mere
human being -- and remain God.
The entire Universe would crumble.
People who make it to Heaven have "handed in their
resignation" as General Manager Of The Universe
or in other words they have "handed in their resignation"
as God Almighty.
That means that we humans ought not to say things like
"God depends on such thuggish threats" --- who do we
think we are, to "sit in judgment" on God Almighty?
All we humans want to be God-like.
To be our own God.
Remember what the Evil One said to Eve, , ,
"and you will be like God"
, , that was Eve's downfall. {and Adam's too}
Genesis 3:5

The Lord Christ bore your sins on the Cross. So you would
not have to bear them. Are you not aware of the legal
aspects of the Christian doctrine of Justification By Faith?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

"God made him {Christ} who had no sin to be sin for us, so
that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
2 Cor. 5:21

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed
for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was
on him, and by his wounds we are healed." __ Isaiah 53:5

Regarding the legal aspects of Justification By Faith
{you are declared, in God's Court Of Law to be Not Guilty --
because Christ bore your guilt for you on the Cross.
Believe in Christ as your Savior and your sins are no
longer punishable. Not guilty. Free at last. Freedom.}

My friend, Christianity does not offer you arguments. Christianity
offers you a Savior.

JAG


``

 

And add to that list God's design of vestigial organs.

 

God could have had as many sons as he wanted, I suppose, being all-powerful and stuff.
But he chose to knock-up someone-else's wife instead, which is adultery, and then had him tortured to death to make all the dim-wit believers feel guilty for doing things they didn't do.
My name's John too, so this is John 09:09:2020

 

Fake story. Written by a man who neither met Jesus nor heard him speak. Did you ever consider that Paul might have mental health issues? What Christianity does not offer is proof of supernatural claims.

Savior? So God sacrifices himself to himself to save me from himself. Yep. Makes perfect sense.

 

Wiccans? Buddhist chanting? You got em twitching now.

 

Even met with a few satanists, but I wasn't impressed. If you are going to talk a big game about self-indulgence, don't serve me warm, cheap beer in a Dixie Cup.

 

I have never read anything that bad in a thread on the web.
That was "really something."

Your comment reminded me to look up the following verse.

On the Cross , , ,
"Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they are doing."__The Lord Jesus Luke 23:34

Likewise I would pray for you and say,
"Father forgive John for posting that awful comment,
he does not understand what he is saying."

Also, I have another prayer for you.
Hope you don't mind.

May the Lord bless you.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you.
May the Lord be gracious unto you.
May the Lord turn His face towards you.
May the Lord give you His peace.
May the Lord always bless and protect all those you love.
{based on Numbers 6:22-26}

JAG

PS
Think before you post.
Try to say something compassionate.

``

 

I guess you're talking to me?
There is no "warm cheap beer in a Dixie cup" down below.

JAG Wrote.
The Lord Christ bore your sins on the Cross. So you would
not have to bear them. Are you not aware of the legal
aspects of the Christian doctrine of Justification By Faith?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

"God made him {Christ} who had no sin to be sin for us, so
that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
2 Cor. 5:21

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed
for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was
on him, and by his wounds we are healed." __ Isaiah 53:5

Regarding the legal aspects of Justification By Faith
{you are declared, in God's Court Of Law to be Not Guilty --
because Christ bore your guilt for you on the Cross.
Believe in Christ as your Savior and your sins are no
longer punishable. Not guilty. Free at last. Freedom.}


JAG

 

No, I was talking to the person I quoted. I was literally talking about meeting with satanists.

 

I hope my posts did not offend you. That was not my intent.
I have a Christian obligation to spread the truths of the Bible
You understand that from your past days of being raised
as a Christian. I's just doing "my thing." Matthew 28:16-20

Best.

JAG

 

Philosophy and theology are NOT the same.

 

You didn't quote nobody.
JAG

 

There was nothing offensive there. It's just that what you quoted was in reference to satanists, not to Christians or the Bible. These guys rambled on about egoism and self-indulgence, but they provided sub-par refreshments, which undercut their whole "self-indulgence" message.

 

My statement was made in direct response to JET. I quoted him. I responded to said quote. I used the forum's quote function. I'm going to assume that maybe you put him on ignore and then got confused?

 

They can be amazingly closely related.
There is such a thing as Christian Philosophy.

Best.

JAG

PS
I remember you.
How ya been?


``