Author Topic: Searching for GOD...  (Read 3864134 times)

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2650 on: July 24, 2015, 02:15:01 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

But that's decades ago - what made you suddenly protest to Alan just now that you have a right to challenge beliefs?

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2651 on: July 24, 2015, 02:18:25 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

But that's decades ago - what made you suddenly protest to Alan just now that you have a right to challenge beliefs?

Why shouldn't I challenge his beliefs? This is a discussion forum, one shouldn't post here if one doesn't expect to be challenged by people who don't see it your way!

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2652 on: July 24, 2015, 02:20:53 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

But that's decades ago - what made you suddenly protest to Alan just now that you have a right to challenge beliefs?

Why shouldn't I challenge his beliefs? This is a discussion forum, one shouldn't post here if one doesn't expect to be challenged by people who don't see it your way!

No-one is saying you shouldn't!

I am asking you why you suddenly out of the blue said you have the right to challenge beliefs, when no-one has said you shouldn't.

BashfulAnthony

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2653 on: July 24, 2015, 02:48:37 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

That's a pretty silly comment.   A bit of the childish yah-boo stuff!     :(
« Last Edit: July 24, 2015, 02:52:18 PM by BashfulAnthony »
BA.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

It is my commandment that you love one another."

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2654 on: July 24, 2015, 02:51:40 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

But that's decades ago - what made you suddenly protest to Alan just now that you have a right to challenge beliefs?

Why shouldn't I challenge his beliefs? This is a discussion forum, one shouldn't post here if one doesn't expect to be challenged by people who don't see it your way!

No-one is saying you shouldn't!

I am asking you why you suddenly out of the blue said you have the right to challenge beliefs, when no-one has said you shouldn't.

I was replying to Alan's post! ::)

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2655 on: July 24, 2015, 04:45:42 PM »
I know! And what I am asking is - why did you reply to Alan's post with "We are perfectly entitled to challenge your beliefs" when Alan hadn't said anything to suggest that you weren't?

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2656 on: July 24, 2015, 04:52:02 PM »
I know! And what I am asking is - why did you reply to Alan's post with "We are perfectly entitled to challenge your beliefs" when Alan hadn't said anything to suggest that you weren't?

Oh for heaven's sake, stop being so pedantic!

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2657 on: July 24, 2015, 04:54:46 PM »
I know! And what I am asking is - why did you reply to Alan's post with "We are perfectly entitled to challenge your beliefs" when Alan hadn't said anything to suggest that you weren't?

Oh for heaven's sake, stop being so pedantic!

It isn't pedantic at all - I just wonder what made you say it. Did you think he was saying you're not entitled to challenge his beliefs?

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2658 on: July 25, 2015, 05:33:34 PM »

 As regards making sense of existence, there are other religions which could make an equal claim.

Other religions, and those who support EVOLUTIONDIDIT, are man made attempts at making sense of our existence.  Christianity is all about God showing us the reason for our existence
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

jjohnjil

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2659 on: July 25, 2015, 05:57:42 PM »

 As regards making sense of existence, there are other religions which could make an equal claim.

Other religions, and those who support EVOLUTIONDIDIT, are man made attempts at making sense of our existence.  Christianity is all about God showing us the reason for our existence

You're right about other religions being man-made, Alan, it's just sad that you don't realise yours is no different.

As for EVOLUTIONDIDIT, right again!

torridon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2660 on: July 25, 2015, 08:10:26 PM »

 As regards making sense of existence, there are other religions which could make an equal claim.

Other religions, and those who support EVOLUTIONDIDIT, are man made attempts at making sense of our existence.  Christianity is all about God showing us the reason for our existence

Muslims would make a pretty similar claim. 

I would note that gods don't write books, and whatever your holy text is, it was written by people, sometimes inspired, sometimes not so much, but always human. All religions, without exception, are products of human mind and culture.

Sassy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2661 on: July 26, 2015, 02:26:50 AM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Well when you have actually challenged a belief and told us what evidence you expect then we shall all know what you claim to know but never tell us... ::)
We know we have to work together to abolish war and terrorism to create a compassionate  world in which Justice and peace prevail. Love ;D   Einstein
 "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

Sassy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2662 on: July 26, 2015, 02:28:43 AM »

When I listened to Richard Dawkins on the Jeremy Vine program talking about "What Makes Us Human", he stated quite simply that it was bigger brains that accounted for human qualities.  So  perhaps he was wrong too!

That would be broadly correct, perhaps good enough in the context of a popular daytime radio programme.  But absolute brain size is a crude correlator to intelligence.  Elephants and whales have larger brains than humans but I don't see them solving quadratic equations or sending probes to Pluto.
The bigger brains of elephants and whales may well account for the complex behaviour which appears to indicate some human like qualities, but these creatures are still a million miles away from having the conscious free will of human beings.  Their behaviour can still be accounted for by instinct and learnt experience.

In your opinion! ::)

Why do you keep saying that?  This forum is about giving your opinion.

Because she hasn't a clue what is being said and cannot produce arguments or reasoned comments about the other persons post to challenge it...
We know we have to work together to abolish war and terrorism to create a compassionate  world in which Justice and peace prevail. Love ;D   Einstein
 "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

Sassy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2663 on: July 26, 2015, 02:30:59 AM »

No matter what the reason is, Alan, beliefs are things that should be challenged by dissenters, because it gives both sides a deeper insight into them, which can only be a good thing. :)
I agree to some extent Len.  My own Christian faith is considerably strengthened by these discussions, but I do feel frustrated at the shallow thinking behind the materialist arguments.  My Christian faith goes way beyond the wishful thinking that most atheists suggest is the root cause.  Christianity is the only thing that makes any sense of our existence, but we do not yet know the whole story.

To you maybe, but not to me or many others. In fact I don't think it makes much sense at all, certainly not the abusive tosh I was subjected to as a kid.

What part of wishful thinking subjected you to abusive tosh?
We know we have to work together to abolish war and terrorism to create a compassionate  world in which Justice and peace prevail. Love ;D   Einstein
 "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

Sassy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2664 on: July 26, 2015, 02:32:31 AM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?
We know we have to work together to abolish war and terrorism to create a compassionate  world in which Justice and peace prevail. Love ;D   Einstein
 "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2665 on: July 30, 2015, 03:38:01 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?

More baloney from Sass, who makes its all up as she goes along!

ekim

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2666 on: July 30, 2015, 03:45:15 PM »

 As regards making sense of existence, there are other religions which could make an equal claim.

Other religions, and those who support EVOLUTIONDIDIT, are man made attempts at making sense of our existence.  Christianity is all about God showing us the reason for our existence
Others have questioned your claim about God v Man as the unique origin of Christian religious scripture and I'll leave them to pursue that with you.  It would be interesting to know what you think is the Christian God's 'reason for our existence'.

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2667 on: July 30, 2015, 04:16:17 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.
And how well do you think that's working out, Alan?
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2668 on: July 30, 2015, 04:21:06 PM »

 As regards making sense of existence, there are other religions which could make an equal claim.

Other religions, and those who support EVOLUTIONDIDIT, are man made attempts at making sense of our existence.  Christianity is all about God showing us the reason for our existence
I didn't think you could be more wrong than you usually demonstrate yourself to be but credit where credit's due, Alan, you never fail to surprise. Instead of evolution being man-made, men are in fact [sic] evolution-made :)
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

ippy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2669 on: July 30, 2015, 04:24:41 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?

And you have never substantiated the validity of your bible Sass.

ippy

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2670 on: July 30, 2015, 07:25:23 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?

And you have never substantiated the validity of your bible Sass.

ippy

What's that got to do with it?

ippy

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2671 on: July 30, 2015, 07:37:17 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?

And you have never substantiated the validity of your bible Sass.

ippy

What's that got to do with it?
 

The thread title is, " Searching for GOD"..., perhaps a good starting point might be where is there any evidence that would substantiate that there was in fact any such thing as this he, she or it thing Sass is referring to as god.

ippy   

Leonard James

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2672 on: July 30, 2015, 07:59:56 PM »

The thread title is, " Searching for GOD"..., perhaps a good starting point might be where is there any evidence that would substantiate that there was in fact any such thing as this he, she or it thing Sass is referring to as god.

ippy

The evidence is all in the Babble, Ippy.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

cyberman

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2673 on: July 30, 2015, 08:10:31 PM »
I have questioned to myself why so many non believers persist in contributing to this Christian topic.  At first I presumed it might be in order to get the satisfaction of being able to ridicule Christian beliefs.  But now I believe there is something deeper - it may be their way of searching for God, or perhaps even being led to search for Him without realising it themselves.  God really does work in mysterious ways, so I just hope and pray that they continue the search until they find Him.

Alan we have a perfect right to challenge those beliefs, especially when some Christians state them as factual, without the evidence to support the claim! ::)

Do you ever state things as factual without evidence, floo?
(I don't see anyone suggesting that you don't have a right the challenge any beliefs, floo; do you?)

I don't think I do. Where the Bible is concerned there is no verifiable evidence to support any of the fantastical claims. Of course they could be true but the probability is very low, imo.

And has anyone suggested you don't have the right to challenge beliefs?

When I was a kid I was told one should never question what was in the Bible as it was all true. ::) I am making up for that now! ;D

You never actually question anything in the bible. Is that because you constantly prove you have no knowledge of understand about it's contents?

And you have never substantiated the validity of your bible Sass.

ippy

What's that got to do with it?
 

The thread title is, " Searching for GOD"..., perhaps a good starting point might be where is there any evidence that would substantiate that there was in fact any such thing as this he, she or it thing Sass is referring to as god.

ippy

I see. so you weren't responding to the big long post that you quoted and appended your remark to. ...
The question is obvious, but i shan't waste my time asking you it.

Ricky Spanish

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #2674 on: July 31, 2015, 12:24:33 AM »
Sass, can I just ask: Who do you think wrote the Bible....

Both NT and/or OT?
UNDERSTAND - I MAKE OPINIONS. IF YOUR ARGUMENTS MAKE ME QUESTION MY OPINION THEN I WILL CONSIDER THEM.