Tell'em About Jesus!

[StachuK1992]

So far, the only negative comments have been 'this isn't a good idea.'
All others have just been mere facts about what one believes.

I strongly believe that we can talk about this here, and I'm tired of people being too afraid of doing so.

Just like abortion and gay marriage! =)

indeed. Any place where people are able to have opinions, they are afraid of expressing them, and that does not lead to healthy discussion.

 

[CharlieCooper]

So far, the only negative comments have been 'this isn't a good idea.'
All others have just been mere facts about what one believes.

I strongly believe that we can talk about this here, and I'm tired of people being too afraid of doing so.

Just like abortion and gay marriage! =)

indeed. Any place where people are able to have opinions, they are afraid of expressing them, and that does not lead to healthy discussion.

I'm not *afraid* of telling everybody that I'm an atheist, I just don't want to cause friction with anybody who has different views. It's highly unlikely that either of us will change our opinions and for that reason I don't see why discussing it here will be productive.

 

[Escher]

I'm not *afraid* of telling everybody that I'm an atheist, I just don't want to cause friction with anybody who has different views. It's highly unlikely that either of us will change our opinions and for that reason I don't see why discussing it here will be productive.

+1
As far as I can see previous discussions on religion or any similar issue (politics, morality etc) have only ever resulted in negativity on this forum, and completely detract from the ambiance we try to achieve here. I can't say I've ever seen anybody change their mind. The only useful thing I've ever encountered were some interesting pages on abiogenesis.
If you want to discuss religion, do it in PMs, do it in a messenger chat, or visit a philosophy forum.

 

[Johannes91]

I can't say I've ever seen anybody change their mind.

If everybody's goal is to convert others to their world view, it should be obvious the discussions don't work. I think others can believe whatever they want, not my problem -- but I'd like to understand why religious people are that way. Especially when they actually have a reason. The answers I usually get are lame like "That's what I was taught to believe" or "It's so completely obvious!"; there's rarely solid reasoning behind it. If there are people who think they have a logical reason to have faith and can explain it clearly to others, that should be interesting to hear.

If you want to discuss religion, do it in PMs, do it in a messenger chat, or visit a philosophy forum.

Also talk.origins.

 

[Escher]

I can't say I've ever seen anybody change their mind.

If everybody's goal is to convert others to their world view, it should be obvious the discussions don't work. But I, for one, would like to understand why religious people believe what they believe. Especially when the reason is less lame than "That's what I was brainw^Wtaught to do.".

I suppose that's fair enough, but it's not as though you can't just look in old threads to see why members believe certain things, nor can you not PM the more intellectual religious members of the forum about their beliefs...

I'll concede that they do give an opportunity for more insightful comments from each viewpoint, but imo the flaming and negative atmosphere that is also attracted (and is generally in the majority) outweighs this.

If you want to discuss religion, do it in PMs, do it in a messenger chat, or visit a philosophy forum.

Also talk.origins.

Good site, I'd never seen that before, thanks. I guess this discussion is useful for something

 

[Lofty]

This was an interesting way to bring up the religion topic again. You should have just linked to Trip Lee lol. Like his real vision music video with Tedashii that got on 106 and Park.
I agree with Johannes. Its very unlikely that anyone is actually going to change their mind on a public forum like this. But it can lead to a very interesting discussion and there are a few of us here that are very religious and some that are very not religious who are able to discuss things in a civilized manner. And who knows then people will have information to maybe change their view at a later date and will know more about others world-views.
If we look in the past, I think there has been little flaming. No more than has already been in this thread with religious beliefs called stupid. We have actually had very good discussion in the past and the most negative comments come from people so convinced that a discussion of religion will not turn out right.
Each religion thread just turns into a thread where we talk about whether or not we can talk about religion. If you don't want to learn about different peoples world-views than you can avoid threads about religion. This one made it quite obvious what you were getting into.
Johannes do you have any specific questions for why others and I are Christians? Or just that broad question?

 

[Escher]

This was an interesting way to bring up the religion topic again. You should have just linked to Trip Lee lol. Like his real vision music video with Tedashii that got on 106 and Park.
I agree with Johannes. Its very unlikely that anyone is actually going to change their mind on a public forum like this. But it can lead to a very interesting discussion and there are a few of us here that are very religious and some that are very not religious who are able to discuss things in a civilized manner. And who knows then people will have information to maybe change their view at a later date and will know more about others world-views.
If we look in the past, I think there has been little flaming. No more than has already been in this thread with religious beliefs called stupid. We have actually had very good discussion in the past and the most negative comments come from people so convinced that a discussion of religion will not turn out right.
Each religion thread just turns into a thread where we talk about whether or not we can talk about religion. If you don't want to learn about different peoples world-views than you can avoid threads about religion. This one made it quite obvious what you were getting into.

I guess this religion thread has changed my mind after all
Nice response, you're right.

 

[elcarc]

Perfect example of what rap should be used for.

I'm not gonna get into a debate on religion, but I'm a Christian, i believe in Jesus, and God, and the Holy spirit.

 

[mazei]

I'm a Muslim and I'm kinda fine with people being an Atheist or what not. Its their choice but if they suddenly take an interest in some religion, why not.

I wonder how this(me being a Muslim) will affect me hanging around some of you if I ever meet you guys(due to the Kosher meat, no pork, no alcohol and stuff, not due to the fact that you guys know that I'm a Muslim).

 

[(X)]

Theists believe, atheists know

 

[brunson]

Thank you all for keeping the conversation civil. I always cringe when the subject of religion come up.

 

[Stini]

Theists believe, atheists know

Wrong. The definition of the word (a)theist is purely based on believing. An atheist does not believe in any gods, a theist does. The word (a)gnostic on the other hand answers the question "what do you think we can know?". So an agnostic atheist believes that there are no gods, but he also thinks that the existence of gods cannot be proven and a gnostic theist believes in gods and also thinks that it can be proven and so on.

 

[Logan]

I don't know what I am. I want to be a Christian but I'm a very logical (14 year old) thinker, and there aren't many absolute "facts" proving it (Christianity). I go to church (most of the time ), and prey, and go to youth group things (like camp), but in the inside I just don't believe. It sucks because I lose nights of sleep worrying that I might die tomorrow and just "black out". I really need help here. I don't care if it's "true" or not, I just need something to help me believe, and to make me feel better (Isn't that why they made religions? So people don't freak out about death?).

Thank you for reading my rant. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Escher]

I don't know what I am. I want to be a Christian but I'm a very logical (14 year old) thinker, and there aren't many absolute "facts" proving it (Christianity). I go to church (most of the time ), and prey, and go to youth group things (like camp), but in the inside I just don't believe. It sucks because I lose nights of sleep worrying that I might die tomorrow and just "black out". I really need help here. I don't care if it's "true" or not, I just need something to help me believe, and to make me feel better (Isn't that why they made religions? So people don't freak out about death?).

Thank you for reading my rant. Any help will be appreciated.

Not being a predator would be a start.

on-topic: The point of having faith is that it is just that - Faith. No proof is required, it's completely dependent on your belief (or lack thereof). The trick is not to worry. It doesn't matter. Just believe in something that rings true with you and not what anybody else tells you is right (apart from me, I'm right). Everybody has a freaking out stage about death at some (or multiple) points, but as far as you know you've got about 95 years til you should be thinking about it. Relax.

 

[(X)]

I don't know what I am. I want to be a Christian but I'm a very logical (14 year old) thinker, and there aren't many absolute "facts" proving it (Christianity). I go to church (most of the time ), and prey, and go to youth group things (like camp), but in the inside I just don't believe. It sucks because I lose nights of sleep worrying that I might die tomorrow and just "black out". I really need help here. I don't care if it's "true" or not, I just need something to help me believe, and to make me feel better (Isn't that why they made religions? So people don't freak out about death?).

Thank you for reading my rant. Any help will be appreciated.

Not being a predator would be a start.

on-topic: The point of having faith is that it is just that - Faith. No proof is required, it's completely dependent on your belief (or lack thereof). The trick is not to worry. It doesn't matter. Just believe in something that rings true with you and not what anybody else tells you is right (apart from me, I'm right). Everybody has a freaking out stage about death at some (or multiple) points, but as far as you know you've got about 95 years til you should be thinking about it. Relax.

That's the problem. Everyone is not thinking for themselves. Religion is something you are taught by others.

 

[Escher]

That's the problem. Everyone is not thinking for themselves. Religion is something you are taught by others.

How do you explain conversion? Or inter-faith conversion?

 

[(X)]

That's the problem. Everyone is not thinking for themselves. Religion is something you are taught by others.

How do you explain conversion? Or inter-faith conversion?

Someone converts you. There are of course exceptions, but those are extremely rare. After all most humans are religious.

 

[HowSuneIsNow]

suckas to the side I knwo you hate my 88!

 

[Escher]

Someone converts you.

How can you ever make an assertion like that?
I know people who one day came to the realisation that they believed in God, and wanted to follow Christianity. People who's parents and peer group were atheist, and had been brought up agnostic/atheist.

 

[qqwref]

It sucks because I lose nights of sleep worrying that I might die tomorrow and just "black out". I really need help here. I don't care if it's "true" or not, I just need something to help me believe, and to make me feel better (Isn't that why they made religions? So people don't freak out about death?).

This makes a lot of sense and I do understand people who want to believe for reasons like this (having a sense of security or understanding when there normally is none). What I do not understand is how sometimes religious belief leads to ostracization, wars, and human rights violations.