Christians are easily startled, but they'll soon be back. And in greater numbers 36:11

[Gethelred]

Welcome to the Ask an Atheist thread II.

Previous part:

Win Prizes - Ask an Atheist - Shoe's on the other foot now!

Alright, we're going to have a change of tack. As I'm sure you can see, the thread title has been changed to Ask an Atheist. People who have a question to ask of the atheists who populate this thread - more than the christians do - should feel free to ask questions of them. If you've still got...

www.bigfooty.com

Standard board rules apply.

 

[Vdubs]

Wishful thinking? it's happening as i speak. I live in Europe where population has fallen off the cliff. I live in Bulgaria where when i first came population was around 8 million, right now about 6.5m.

Sustainability is important, this is why i have sustainable water development projects in Africa. Funny you try to teach me what i actually do for a living. Sustainability is absolutely possible if corrupt governments stop filling their pockets. I have a new project where you can desalinate water just by using sunlight, at a fraction of the cost of sea-water desalination. It's there to be done, but as i mentioned in one of my previous post, my Rwanda project didn't take off due to religion (Bible believers).

You really need to STOP having a negative outlook on life. How do you live your life thinking life sucks? Life is beautiful and live it to the full, without harming anyone...

Famine morality is literally at it's all time low.

Saying we as a race are destroying our planet does not mean life sucks.
I too enjoy many things, have never had depression, do not take meds, keep fit with multiple activities, still work 50+ hours a week because I can, not because I have to, and have an active involvement in society with many outreaches.
Might even replace our dog who died 2 years ago. Grandchildren are beautiful. Life is not miserable.
You always want to depict Christians as if we are just doing time, waiting for death and heaven.
Nowhere near reality. Reality is that we must work hard to not be too enamoured with all the trappings that life offers. Enjoy yes, but not to get addicted to materialism.

 

[Total Power]

Saying we as a race are destroying our planet does not mean life sucks.
I too enjoy many things, have never had depression, do not take meds, keep fit with multiple activities, still work 50+ hours a week because I can, not because I have to, and have an active involvement in society with many outreaches.
Might even replace our dog who died 2 years ago. Grandchildren are beautiful. Life is not miserable.
You always want to depict Christians as if we are just doing time, waiting for death and heaven.

That's the vibe i get from you. I enjoy Music, sports, travelling, farming and many other things which might be considered materialistic, but if you believe in god, for example, god has given us life in this MATERIAL world and there's nothing wrong with materialism, as long you use to make things better for others.

Materialism has given me the opportunity to help others. Howelse do you think i desalinate water for free for poor people? Do you think Albo has given me a blank cheque? i use my own money that i have earned to give back. Without me striving for it in my business, how would you think i get the capital for it to help them?

Some people lecture others about materialism but without material stuff how would you help feed others???

Lecturing someone about materialism is one thing, however real world is another thing. When you see extreme poverty in places like India and Africa, howelse are you going help without money?

It's as simple as that. Everything else is wishful thinking. Yes being greedy is not good, but then again, without greed you wouldn't have most of the things you enjoy today. We are having a conversation for 6 years despite not knowing each other on a platform (using google or apple) that is a product of greed.

Either way...the point is you are talking from an ideological pov, i am talking from a practical pov. As i said i will give everything away for the health of my family, friends and dog. This is what life is all about.

But your God doesn't want me to my love my family first...go figure.

Unchecked greed is bad, but greed is not necessarily bad, this is what they teach you in religion but this is not true. Being jealous of you loving someone (like your god) else ahead of him is also bad...but then again, i am not godly enough for that maybe.

If you really wish to learn about the practical approach and balance between materialism and spirituality, read Buddhism. I am serious, half the stuff Jesus said is copied from there.

 

[Vdubs]

That's the vibe i get from you. I enjoy Music, sports, travelling, farming and many other things which might be considered materialistic, but if you believe in god, for example, god has given us life in this MATERIAL world and there's nothing wrong with materialism, as long you use to make things better for others.

Materialism has given me the opportunity to help others. Howelse do you think i desalinate water for free for poor people? Do you think Albo has given me a blank cheque? i use my own money that i have earned to give back. Without me striving for it in my business, how would you think i get the capital for it to help them?

Some people lecture others about materialism but without material stuff how would you help feed others???

Lecturing someone about materialism is one thing, however real world is another thing. When you see extreme poverty in places like India and Africa, howelse are you going help without money?

It's as simple as that. Everything else is wishful thinking. Yes being greedy is not good, but then again, without greed you wouldn't have most of the things you enjoy today. We are having a conversation for 6 years despite not knowing each other on a platform (using google or apple) that is a product of greed.

Either way...the point is you are talking from an ideological pov, i am talking from a practical pov. As i said i will give everything away for the health of my family, friends and dog. This is what life is all about.

But your God doesn't want me to my love my family first...go figure.

Unchecked greed is bad, but greed is not necessarily bad, this is what they teach you in religion but this is not true. Being jealous of you loving someone (like your god) else ahead of him is also bad...but then again, i am not godly enough for that maybe.

If you really wish to learn about the practical approach and balance between materialism and spirituality, read Buddhism. I am serious, half the stuff Jesus said is copied from there.

I have MANY Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu mates and colleagues.
We have great discussions.
A Jewish fellow I work with weekly often says "Jesus" when he's under pressure during a procedure, as I'm sure many people around the world do, but I ask him if he wants me to pray for him in that situation, as a reminder.
I think Christianity is the most complete way to God and it totally makes sense to me, and the more I inhabit this thread, the more it is reinforced to me.

 

[Total Power]

I have MANY Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu mates and colleagues.
We have great discussions.
A Jewish fellow I work with weekly often says "Jesus" when he's under pressure during a procedure, as I'm sure many people around the world do,

I say holy shit all the time..doesn't mean my shit is holy. It's a figure of speech. Muslims say Insallah all the time, Hindus say Oh rama all the time. Most of it is figure of speech.

but I ask him if he wants me to pray for him in that situation, as a reminder.
I think Christianity is the most complete way to God and it totally makes sense to me, and the more I inhabit this thread, the more it is reinforced to me.

I disagree. Everyone believes that their religion is the right religion.

The most complete way to god is to serve people and make this world a better place. Jesus did say that, in Matthew and Mark (Paul aside). He did state you do not need to follow me, just feed the hungry and the poor.

What do you think this verse means:

“If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

and next verse goes

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

People who claim to be Christians are not Christians at all...they are Pauline Christians. If faith is the most important thing Jesus wouldn't have said the passage above. Trump is a Christian, do you think he's going to heaven just by salvation through faith alone?

This is what makes the world a shitty place.

Then came Paul and the rest is history. Hence i do not for once believe that faith is the way to salvation..this is what Bart said in the forged letters of Paul..that's what the church wants you to believe though.

I do not for once believe faith over righteousness is the correct approach. This is what Buddhism also tells us the same thing, lose your attachment over money and greed and lust, only then you can start to be free (or enlightened). Hence Paul is the 'campaigner', period. You won't like this but Jesus never appointed him as an apostle, he was a self appointed apostle.

That all that needs to be said about this subject.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

perhaps no one would risk it on purpose, but one almost started on accident in 1983

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Soviet_nuclear_false_alarm_incident#:~:text=From the accounts of CIA,on the USSR and initiated

I still think nuclear warfare is unlikely, in our lifetime atleast.

Check Eric Schlosser’s “Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety” and you’ll wonder how on earth we haven’t all been incinerated by a nuclear bomb accidentally falling out of a plane, or by someone misreading a gauge, or someone hitting the wrong button in a stressful situation.

There is an ongoing tension between nuclear weapons safety, and their ease of deployment. Authorities can impose all sorts of sensible failsafe measures, and they do, but they all add to the precious minutes it takes to launch a nuclear weapon. Not much use having the world’s most awesome weapons if they can’t be utilised almost immediately.

So there is a very natural instinct to go easy on the preventative protocols.

And every time they do, the risk of someone accidentally hitting the wrong button, or neglecting to do a last-minute check, increases, with catastrophic consequences.

 

[GrayRanga]

I have MANY Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu mates and colleagues.

The general preamble to a number of bigotted remarks. based on a feeling of superiority of stated beliefs.

I know a rough idea of many of my friends and acquaintance's political and religious beliefs and some of these are diametrically opposed to mine.

However, out of respect for them and obeying Australian social and cultural mores. I would never initiate a conversation about their beliefs nor would I preach to them about mine. (Do unto others and all that stuff).

I know just enough about other religions to recognise the major religious themes and holidays, and as the token WASP in an extended practising Jewish family. I am often called upon to explain the same with them

You've a relationship with your God, be happy about that.

Don't try to convince others of the correctness of your belief structure and certainly never say they're wrong or be cast into the depths of Hell because of their sinful behaviour.

Attempting to win Brownies points on a Footy discussion forum may give you a sense of religious and moral certitude, but a lack of a well structured and researched theological basis for explaining your belief system is causing the unnecessary excitement of a number of electrons on computer screens for no real gain

PS who cahged the title of the thread? Numbers 36:11 is about marrying first cousins, not legal in most of the world

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

I see that even though theologians are conspicuously unable to satisfactorily answer the sort of questions about existence that a seven-year old asks, the Australian College of Theology has just been granted university status.

This is a decidedly backward step, in my opinion.

After costly appeal and dispute over research standards, religious institution becomes Australia’s 44th university

Australian College of Theology is the third theological institution to get university status since 2020, demonstrating growing power of religious providers

www.theguardian.com

 

[liz]

I see that even though theologians are conspicuously unable to satisfactorily answer the sort of questions about existence that a seven-year old asks, the Australian College of Theology has just been granted university status.

This is a decidedly backward step, in my opinion.

After costly appeal and dispute over research standards, religious institution becomes Australia’s 44th university

Australian College of Theology is the third theological institution to get university status since 2020, demonstrating growing power of religious providers

www.theguardian.com

That was my initial reaction to the headline, but then I read on and learned they’re not the first. So I became somewhat “meh” on the topic.

The university sector, as a whole, has lost much of its cachet since it became a business for churning through international students and reduced its reverence for academic standards.

 

[GrayRanga]

I see that even though theologians are conspicuously unable to satisfactorily answer the sort of questions about existence that a seven-year old asks, the Australian College of Theology has just been granted university status.

This is a decidedly backward step, in my opinion.

After costly appeal and dispute over research standards, religious institution becomes Australia’s 44th university

Australian College of Theology is the third theological institution to get university status since 2020, demonstrating growing power of religious providers

www.theguardian.com

Known a couple of theologians of various brands along the span of my life (Proper Ph.D.'s)

The discussion on this thread is nowhere a theological discussion, is of the standard of Bay 13 barracking

 

[Vdubs]

The general preamble to a number of bigotted remarks. based on a feeling of superiority of stated beliefs.

I know a rough idea of many of my friends and acquaintance's political and religious beliefs and some of these are diametrically opposed to mine.

However, out of respect for them and obeying Australian social and cultural mores. I would never initiate a conversation about their beliefs nor would I preach to them about mine. (Do unto others and all that stuff).

I know just enough about other religions to recognise the major religious themes and holidays, and as the token WASP in an extended practising Jewish family. I am often called upon to explain the same with them

You've a relationship with your God, be happy about that.

Don't try to convince others of the correctness of your belief structure and certainly never say they're wrong or be cast into the depths of Hell because of their sinful behaviour.

Attempting to win Brownies points on a Footy discussion forum may give you a sense of religious and moral certitude, but a lack of a well structured and researched theological basis for explaining your belief system is causing the unnecessary excitement of a number of electrons on computer screens for no real gain

PS who cahged the title of the thread? Numbers 36:11 is about marrying first cousins, not legal in most of the world

No need to generalise.You don't know what I do with work life etc. so no point insinuating bigotry. What was said in that cutoff post is accurate.
Clearly you could be criticised for having no respect for Christians who could be " easily startled" by someone using Christ's name in vain. My glib comment about asking my mate if he wants me to pray to Jesus is always taken in the correct "spirit".
We never force our beliefs on each other.
My Hindu physio mate is an awesome bloke, bearing many fruits of his faith, and never would I tell him what we (Christians) believe in is superior.
Let me repeat, as you seem like a newbie here, I only came on board when it was Ask A Christian, to explain the basis of my faith in the midst of all those asking the questions, and what that faith has meant for me in. my life, and how that impacts my service to those in my sphere of influence. I never, NEVER, force my beliefs on anyone, including here, and I never criticise other faiths, but I can say that I believe Christianity to me makes the most sense. Full stop.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Known a couple of theologians of various brands along the span of my life (Proper Ph.D.'s)

The discussion on this thread is nowhere a theological discussion, is of the standard of Bay 13 barracking

I too know a couple, and great people though they are, they are singularly incapable of talking in simple, logical plain English as soon as it comes to theology. They cannot answer the big questions sensibly. (If they called themselves philosophers I'd be more tolerant!)

 

[Rusty Brookes]

That was my initial reaction to the headline, but then I read on and learned they’re not the first. So I became somewhat “meh” on the topic.

The university sector, as a whole, has lost much of its cachet since it became a business for churning through international students and reduced its reverence for academic standards.

As someone that has worked in the sector for nearly 30 years, unfortunately I feel the same way. However, it is worth noting the quality of research conducted by Australian Universities is generally very high and very competitive on the world stage.

 

[GrayRanga]

No need to generalise.You don't know what I do with work life etc. so no point insinuating bigotry. What was said in that cutoff post is accurate.
Clearly you could be criticised for having no respect for Christians who could be " easily startled" by someone using Christ's name in vain. My glib comment about asking my mate if he wants me to pray to Jesus is always taken in the correct "spirit".
We never force our beliefs on each other.
My Hindu physio mate is an awesome bloke, bearing many fruits of his faith, and never would I tell him what we (Christians) believe in is superior.
Let me repeat, as you seem like a newbie here, I only came on board when it was Ask A Christian, to explain the basis of my faith in the midst of all those asking the questions, and what that faith has meant for me in. my life, and how that impacts my service to those in my sphere of influence. I never, NEVER, force my beliefs on anyone, including here, and I never criticise other faiths, but I can say that I believe Christianity to me makes the most sense. Full stop.

MANY versus two mentioned in your response, Ok

So your a Christian, good for you

I believe that the Nar Nar Goon North under 18's play the epitome of footy. I'm not trying to convince anyone, but I know in my heart this is so

I don't know you, (thank God ), so I can only respond to the comments you deign to publish.

As I am only a "newbie" I am forging my opinion of your belief system based on your own words. If you had a coherent and consistant belief system which you could encapsulate in a couple of lines it would make things a lot easier for "newbies".

It is interesting that you use the term newbie. as it can be considered a dismissive insult ,insinuating that your have have superior knowledge and insight compared to we mere tyros

 

[Total Power]

I only came on board when it was Ask A Christian, to explain the basis of my faith in the midst of all those asking the questions, and what that faith has meant for me in. my life, and how that impacts my service to those in my sphere of influence.

Is this true? i have never for once asked you about what faith has meant you in your life or how important faith is. I was mostly here to discuss the Bible, it's historicity, theology etc. But repeatedly you drew our attention to your personal life where lives been changed apparently. I do realise what religion does to people and the brain, i come from a religious family myself.

Please note when i talk to my Muslim friends in ask a muslim he diverts all the attention to all the converted people from Christianity as a proof of Islam and how his life has turned out since he started following the four pillars of Islam

Do you think any the above constitutes a discussion for the likeminded? You will be better off talking about this my mum who believes Krishna has changed her life, but not with me.

You simply cannot prove that Krishna didn't change her life and he doesn't exist. But none of them constitute any evidence or make up a discussion. You are better off having this discussion in a church/sunday prayers.

If you cannot defend the Bible, the source of all your faith...then i really ask you what is the basis for your faith? If Jesus was not what you claim him to be (and what the Gospels doesn't state), then what is it worth?