The things that draw me to religion

From the OP: I am sure I would encounter as many selfless Buddhists or Muslims if I adhered to those faiths and lived in those communities. I am also sure that there are atheists who do more for the poor and disadvantaged than I do. And yes, there are evil people who claim to be Christian. I concede that point, and it seriously bothers me.


Can you try to be more fair?

 

Found a way to cram Trump in there, eh?

 

next time you read the bible, try to imagine Trump saying the things God says, you would be surprised how much it fits the narrative

 

No, I think I'll let you do that.

 

it will creep into your mind as you do, just wait, lol

 

A religious belief, in my view, is just that - a belief. And it is a personal thing. As long as no one tries to push theirs upon me and I do the same, we should all be able to co-exist. To scorn a Christian for 'ridiculous' beliefs is to discount them as a person. Perhaps their faith came from a need. And the fulfillment of that need helped them to become a happier and more fulfilled person. And they took to helping others. How can we discount that?

When a religion drives you to harm, judge or belittle others, it no longer serves a goodly purpose. And it would be their interpretation of that religion I would question.

 

I agree with ALL that!

 

I'm pretty sure that hell is where Satan will go along with those who love him in open rebellion against God. As for Abrahams test, that has never bothered me so much as it did confuse me. The only thing I can compare it to is: Would I betray my country to save a loved one. It seems to be along these lines when the Angel of the Lord said “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed.” Oh and his only Son Isaac was spared btw.

 

Interpretation is one thing. Motivation is another. You're the one who quoted it without understanding it. Why you used it to discredit God, only you and God would know. I have my suspicions.

 

LOL!

 

Somehow I can't imagine Trump saying that "it would be easier for a camel to pass thru the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. Or what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul."

 

Discrediting a book, a story, a character in a story

 

Three strikes in baseball equals zero.

 

well at least you only believe people that worship Satan will go to hell, many Christians believe all the infidels and atheists will go there too

 

ok

 

I think I am being. If you see my initial reply to you (http://www.politicalforum.com/index...-me-to-religion.598303/page-2#post-1073344838), I explain this more clearly. They core point is that you're saying you're drawn to religion (specifically Christianity by implication) because the Christians you've experienced are good. That isn't about whether different individuals can be good or not, it is an implication that there is something about religion (and/or Christianity) that specifically makes people good. Otherwise, why would that element be a reason drawing you to the faith in the first place?

 

I don't think anybody's mind can truly grasp that problem. Where did the universe come from? The big bang. OK, where did the big bang come from? gawd? OK, where did gawd come from? Gawd's gawd? Which one, of the tens of thousands of such things invented by us silly, superstitious humans since the beginning of time? And so on... It's an infinite regress.

That said, your leap from "I don't know" to "the xtian gawd" makes no logical sense. Your observations vis-a-vis the kindness, et al, of xtians is merely an accident of birth, because it was the gawd of your parents, and their parents, and your neighbors, etc., etc. Every single other gawd could make the same exact argument, if "I don't know" is the answer for "who is the unmoved mover" (or "what is the uncaused cause", same thing), that still leaves the question of which gawd to chose from, where "none of the above" is also a viable, probably even more viable alternative.

 

That day and time hasn't come for us yet. Hence the Gospel of salvation.

 

There are no answers in your religion that give me any satisfaction.

The above doesn't make either philosophy or religion true or false, good or bad.

 

Religion does not exist absent interpretation. Religion is the interpretation.

 

not required if only Satan worshipers are send to the basement

 

Has anybody endured more slander and libel than Mr. Satan? The Bible depicts God doing all sorts of horrible things, Mr. Satan is depicted as one of his employees following his orders and eventually quitting and encouraging others to strike and quit too, and then comes the endless personal attacks and lies towards Mr. Satan. For shame!

 

Who is this satan fella and how do I go about meeting him? Sounds like he would throw some really fun, wild parties, and I'd like an invite.

 

I have made no claims about the existence or the nature of the God of the Old Testament. Nor do I claim any insight into the source of the cosmos. I only know that 1) I have never observed anything coming from nothing and 2) Christians qua Christians (i.e., when they do as Christ himself directed) do great good in the world.

I conceded the good done by people of other faiths and even of atheists.

 

Sounds like you already know him. If not, you're a shoe in.