Searching for GOD...

[Leonard James]

If you ever allow Him to Len, God will convince you otherwise, but you have to let Him in first.

I'm afraid he couldn't! He can only convince people unfortunate enough to have been born more credulous than I.

I agree that none of us can choose the genes we are given at conception, but I'm sure we can all be placed on a varying scale between total credulity and total scepticism. Those close to either end have no choice whether or not to believe, they either do or don't. Those in between are susceptible to indoctrination, to a greater or lesser degree, and can be swayed one way or the other by convincing arguments.

That is the only difference between us, and is what causes us to try to help people in different directions.

[Leonard James]

I know beyond any doubt that God loves each one of us...

No, Alan, you don't know it at all ... you have just allowed yourself to be convinced of it. It's all moonshine!

"God" doesn't exist outside fiction, any more than King Kong does.

And like King Kong's tackle that statement is gargantuan bollocks, Len.

At least I'm not a credulous pawn.

[BashfulAnthony]

If you ever allow Him to Len, God will convince you otherwise, but you have to let Him in first.

I'm afraid he couldn't! He can only convince people unfortunate enough to have been born more credulous than I.

I agree that none of us can choose the genes we are given at conception, but I'm sure we can all be placed on a varying scale between total credulity and total scepticism. Those close to either end have no choice whether or not to believe, they either do or don't. Those in between are susceptible to indoctrination, to a greater or lesser degree, and can be swayed one way or the other by convincing arguments.

That is the only difference between us, and is what causes us to try to help people in different directions.

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

[Leonard James]

I'm interested in knowing why you can't quite hack a God who would allow resistance to himself.

Easy, my friend. We were luckier than you were in the genetic lottery.

[Leonard James]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Indeed, for those that understand what he says.

Atheists don't fight against "God", because they are sure he doesn't exist. They fight against those who try to mislead people by claiming that he does.

[BashfulAnthony]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Indeed, for those that understand what he says.

Atheists don't fight against "God", because they are sure he doesn't exist. They fight against those who try to mislead people by claiming that he does.

There's something in every atheist, itching to believe, and something in every believer, itching to doubt. --Mignon McLaughlin

Atheism is a crutch for those who cannot bear the reality of God. -- Tom Stoppard

If atheism spread, it would become a religion as intolerable as the ancient ones. --Gustave le Bon.

They're all about you, Leonard, all of you atheists

[Leonard James]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Indeed, for those that understand what he says.

Atheists don't fight against "God", because they are sure he doesn't exist. They fight against those who try to mislead people by claiming that he does.

There's something in every atheist, itching to believe, and something in every believer, itching to doubt. --Mignon McLaughlin

Atheism is a crutch for those who cannot bear the reality of God. -- Tom Stoppard

If atheism spread, it would become a religion as intolerable as the ancient ones. --Gustave le Bon.

They're all about you, Leonard, all of you atheists

And to those able to discern, worthy of as much attention as yapping dogs.

[BashfulAnthony]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Indeed, for those that understand what he says.

Atheists don't fight against "God", because they are sure he doesn't exist. They fight against those who try to mislead people by claiming that he does.

There's something in every atheist, itching to believe, and something in every believer, itching to doubt. --Mignon McLaughlin

Atheism is a crutch for those who cannot bear the reality of God. -- Tom Stoppard

If atheism spread, it would become a religion as intolerable as the ancient ones. --Gustave le Bon.

They're all about you, Leonard, all of you atheists

And to those able to discern, worthy of as much attention as yapping dogs.

"Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God." - Heywood Broun.

Atheists have no hope - J.F. Clarke.

Not a good analogy  -  I love yapping dogs;  and the huge, huge, majority of dogs are much more worthy than any atheist.

[Leonard James]

... and the huge, huge, majority of dogs are much more worthy than any atheist.

Sadly, that sums up your addled thinking.

[torridon]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Gods may not exist, but beliefs do, and most of them are wrong.

[jakswan]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Sadly Gandhi was a racist.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Me,

Well I think the points goes to Vlad and Bashers on this one, well fought lads, round two coming to a town near you soon.

Gonnagle.

[Alan Burns]

I am not posting here to win arguments or engage in trivial tit for tat exchanges.  I am simply witnessing to how I see God works in my life.  I know beyond any doubt that God loves each one of us, and I want to share this life-changing knowledge with as many people as possible.  I want to meet up with you all in Heaven, not to say "I told you so!" but to give you all a hug and say "Thank God you are here."

Well there's nothing to worry about then; if you are right and there is a God who loves each one of us, then we can all be happy together in Heaven after the end of time as this God will want the best for us all, even those of us who find it all implausible in this life.

But God is not omnipotent.  He does not have the power to change our free will.  He came to offer salvation, and if we do not choose to accept Him as our saviour in this life, we will not be with Him in the next.

Sassy's title for this thread is very apt.  Many people on this forum are searching for God, even though they may not realise it.  God can guide us, but He will not force Himself upon us.  My posts may not be convincing, but please keep posting in case you find one that is.

[Rhiannon]

Dear Me,

Well I think the points goes to Vlad and Bashers on this one, well fought lads, round two coming to a town near you soon.

Gonnagle.

Seriously? Dogs are worth more than atheists and I'm to blame for not having faith because I can't 'hack' God?

[jakswan]

But God is not omnipotent.

Hallelujah! Its a start.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Rhiannon,

Seriously!!! No not seriously, but on a historical note, very serious, as a Mod you should really look at it from a forum historical point, as in a Vlad, Leonard,Bashers and Shaker point of view.

Gonnagle.

[Maeght]

"It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not at all believe exists."   Mahatma Gandhi.    A great man!

Indeed, for those that understand what he says.

Atheists don't fight against "God", because they are sure he doesn't exist. They fight against those who try to mislead people by claiming that he does.

I'm not sure he doesn't exist. I have no belief, so am an atheist, and see nothing to make me believe there is a God but can't be totally sure - no one can. I think the likelihood is tiny but you can never be sure.

[Maeght]

Not a good analogy  -  I love yapping dogs;  and the huge, huge, majority of dogs are much more worthy than any atheist.

That's quite a shocking statement. How is a dog more worthy than human beings who have no belief in God?

[Maeght]

But God is not omnipotent.  He does not have the power to change our free will.

Really? I'd have thought you would have said he could if he wanted to but chooses not to so we can make our choices and suffer the consequences - but no. I am surprised.

[Nearly Sane]

I am not posting here to win arguments or engage in trivial tit for tat exchanges.  I am simply witnessing to how I see God works in my life.  I know beyond any doubt that God loves each one of us, and I want to share this life-changing knowledge with as many people as possible.  I want to meet up with you all in Heaven, not to say "I told you so!" but to give you all a hug and say "Thank God you are here."

Well there's nothing to worry about then; if you are right and there is a God who loves each one of us, then we can all be happy together in Heaven after the end of time as this God will want the best for us all, even those of us who find it all implausible in this life.

But God is not omnipotent.  He does not have the power to change our free will.  He came to offer salvation, and if we do not choose to accept Him as our saviour in this life, we will not be with Him in the next.

Sassy's title for this thread is very apt.  Many people on this forum are searching for God, even though they may not realise it.  God can guide us, but He will not force Himself upon us.  My posts may not be convincing, but please keep posting in case you find one that is.

Did you choose to believe in God? I was sure you previously stated 'he' found yoy?

[Nearly Sane]

Not a good analogy  -  I love yapping dogs;  and the huge, huge, majority of dogs are much more worthy than any atheist.

That's quite a shocking statement. How is a dog more worthy than human beings who have no belief in God?

Not shocking, just a wind up.

[Leonard James]

Did you choose to believe in God? I was sure you previously stated 'he' found you?

I have told Alan more times than I can remember that nobody can believe something if their reason tells them it isn't true.

He can bluster as much as he likes, but he can't choose not to believe because his reason tells him "God" exists. For the same reason atheists can't choose to believe.

He doesn't seem able to take it in.

[floo]

Dear Me,

Well I think the points goes to Vlad and Bashers on this one, well fought lads, round two coming to a town near you soon.

Gonnagle.

Seriously? Dogs are worth more than atheists and I'm to blame for not having faith because I can't 'hack' God?

Dogs are worth more than some Christians who drag the faith through the mire with their constant unpleasantness towards people who think differently to them, be they other Christians or non believers!

[torridon]

I am not posting here to win arguments or engage in trivial tit for tat exchanges.  I am simply witnessing to how I see God works in my life.  I know beyond any doubt that God loves each one of us, and I want to share this life-changing knowledge with as many people as possible.  I want to meet up with you all in Heaven, not to say "I told you so!" but to give you all a hug and say "Thank God you are here."

Well there's nothing to worry about then; if you are right and there is a God who loves each one of us, then we can all be happy together in Heaven after the end of time as this God will want the best for us all, even those of us who find it all implausible in this life.

But God is not omnipotent.  He does not have the power to change our free will.  He came to offer salvation, and if we do not choose to accept Him as our saviour in this life, we will not be with Him in the next.

So your God is not omnipotent, and neither is he very good, according to you.  The notion of a good God that loves each one of us, as you claimed earlier, is inconsistent with a God that would select individuals for eternal bliss in Heaven only those who were lucky enough to navigate to the correct beliefs about him in this confusing earthly life.  A devout muslim who loves God with all his heart is going to get frozen out for having gotten the incorrect belief regarding the divinity of Jesus.  I have really no idea how anyone could admire, not to mention love, such a God as you describe.

[Leonard James]

I am not posting here to win arguments or engage in trivial tit for tat exchanges.  I am simply witnessing to how I see God works in my life.  I know beyond any doubt that God loves each one of us, and I want to share this life-changing knowledge with as many people as possible.  I want to meet up with you all in Heaven, not to say "I told you so!" but to give you all a hug and say "Thank God you are here."

Well there's nothing to worry about then; if you are right and there is a God who loves each one of us, then we can all be happy together in Heaven after the end of time as this God will want the best for us all, even those of us who find it all implausible in this life.

But God is not omnipotent.  He does not have the power to change our free will.  He came to offer salvation, and if we do not choose to accept Him as our saviour in this life, we will not be with Him in the next.

So your God is not omnipotent, and neither is he very good, according to you.  The notion of a good God that loves each one of us, as you claimed earlier, is inconsistent with a God that would select individuals for eternal bliss in Heaven only those who were lucky enough to navigate to the correct beliefs about him in this confusing earthly life.  A devout muslim who loves God with all his heart is going to get frozen out for having gotten the incorrect belief regarding the divinity of Jesus.  I have really no idea how anyone could admire, not to mention love, such a God as you describe.

It's their passport to "paradise"!