clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I think the preferred word is faith.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

The two ideas are synonymous.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

You are not only mistaken but seriously misguided. Christianity nor Judaism was the first to conclude that God was only a single person or spirit or creator. Over 5000 years ago the Persian, Zoroaster, conceived the first notion of monotheism. Judaism, and then three thousand years later, Jesus spoke of the one God. You are free do believe as you wish. But the Bible was conceived by men, not by God. Are you aware that some ancient religions, such as Buddhism, have no concept of a God or creation at all? Are you incapable of choosing the best of many religions and combining them into a personal belief of your own?

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Always wanted to ask an atheist if his/her certainty that there is no supreme being is a product of the same knowledge of the unknown, unprovable that the (insert belief system here) have. It looks to me like it is a product of the belief system you were exposed to as a child. While you may change sects, few polythiests turn into monotheists, few Budist become Muslim etc. Each religious belief requires this to survive and over eons have set up parochial schools, Sunday schools, madrases and temples to start the process of educating the young. If you don’t you’ll never survive as a religion. Each group also has a strong admonishment that theirs is the only true religion. Doesn’t seem like an accident to me. The upside is often there is a moral code associated with belief system. They are sometimes at odds with each other’s beliefs. Therein lies the beginning of the problem.

Dedo Loc: NY, Uruguay

I became atheist after a great deal of study and reasoning. Religious indoctrination is basically an attempt to brainwash the followers. As far as moral code is concerned, I do believe that the vast majority of our country's leaders who have been caught up in various scandals of wife cheating and pedophilia we're ardent christians rather than atheists.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

You do realize that being a Christian does not mean you will sin no more. All Christians are sinners. But the good part of being a Christian, if you will, is that when I sin and then ask forgiveness in Jesus' name, my sin is forgiven. My place in heaven is still there waiting for me.

I have never felt that one had to be involved with a recognized church or other religious organization to be a nice person. I know incredibly nice people who are atheists. I am fine with that. A nice thing they can tell me is that they are never sinners, have never sinned and never will. They can commit murder, rape, child molestation, you name it. For them it is all good. When they stop those things which we call bad they consider themselves as just fine. But for me, as a Christian, they will not be going to heaven. Everlasting life is the reason I am a Christian. If nothing happens I have lived my life as a pretty good person. If there is a God and a heaven I will have a place. For those who don't believe I am OK with that. That is their choice.

Dennis

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

To the Attic we shall go!!!!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Who are you addressing with this?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Then you didn't study hard enough. It takes a LOT of study to conclude that everything came from nothing. It's about the most unscientific and irrational position a person could take.
Right out of the gate I'd say that based on rational science; "Life has never been observed to come from non-life" and yet here we are, so on a purely rational scientific viewpoint if there were nothing and then something...well..you know the drill.



Sorry...if that's how you represent Christianity, then you don't know what you are talking about. Christians are called to reason, they are supposed to use their brains and evaluate what they see and hear...and bonus...only Christians have a foundation for all human experience, including reasoning, logic etc. Atheism is a huge faceplant.



You missed the moral code thing. Nobody said that "only Christians can be moral" (which is definitely not true) but the statement was "Only Christianity can provide a foundation for absolute morality" Atheism cannot. One must presuppose God if one wants to derive an absolute moral code (something which is integral to any philosophical worldview that's even worthy to be considered.)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

And nobody ever said that we did.



That's for sure...however I get my truth from the bible not what I just made up to suit myself.



What part of scripture study did you derive that from?

What does the bible say about the attributes of God and how He should be addressed?





Not if you cling to that made-up God who doesn't care about reverence and "has a sense of humor" you won't.


The truth about God is found in the bible, that's where a Christian gets his/her knowledge of God, anything else is idolatry and is to be discarded..just like the video at the first post.

PhotoNat Loc: Santa Maria, CA

I wholeheartedly agree! I am a born again Christian(who believes God IS to be revered,and since He loves us, would not consider our questions as inane, however, also feels God does not want us living our lives overwhelmed in legalism). I have a close friend that considers himself an atheist, so while we do not agree on things of faith,(as we are respectful of each other's beliefs) I have no problem hearing opposing views, questions, even friendly banter.

I am wondering though, is it really NECESSARY to beat something into the ground that was I believe, thoughtfully shared,to be thought provoking and an encouragement? Just saying.

Oh, by the way, to the person who was attacking the video for it's inaccuracies, most of what you said about God I believe is very accurate(except that not our Father, I believe you said) Not sure how you get that, since there are many Old and New Testament references in the Bible about God being our "Father in Heaven"). However the video author also did NOT say " I WAS interviewing God", he said, "I had a DREAM(operative word here) that I was interviewing God. Don't know about you, however MY dreams are NOT usually particularly accurate. Just saying.

And yes, I STILL enjoy this video, and am struck by it's thought provoking questions. Thanks again for sharing it.
PhotoNat

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Agreed. If anyone thought my disagreement was "hate" then they missed my message.



I made ONE comment. You can thank others for the beating into the ground.



He's not. He didn't father any children. He's referred to as "Father" but not because he's a big fluffy daddy in a white robe. It's reverent term.



Yes...but that's a cop out. God is still being made out to be what He's not and the fact that professing Christians couldn't care less is troubling. Even 100 years ago this would have been unthinkable.



I didn't but again...I made one comment. If anyone had left it alone and not tried to "fix me" then the thread would have been long over.

PhotoNat Loc: Santa Maria, CA

I see your points, and I did not intend to try to fix you, or your points. I certainly did not see your disagree as hate, and sorry if I came across that I did. I do see where you made a comment, and it got made more of then it probably should have.

I sincerely thought God is our spiritual Father, since Jesus is his son. Wow, as a believer I do NOT want be irreverent to God, and be copping out to that. And I would say regarding the present state of disrespect for God and anything truly related to Him, you are VERY correct, sadly! I sincerely thank you for replying to my post. I will definitely take these things to prayer, and truly be examining MY heart and attitude.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Not a problem, no offense taken.

As for the Son thing, true that Hes referred to as Son of God but not like human sons, it denotes God being made manifest in the flesh.
Hes also referred to as the Son of man, referring to his human birth.

He’s not less than God, He IS fully God, nor is He less than the Father.

Good on you for reflecting, we all need to remember that. Much appreciated.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Once again and with respect to your Christian beliefs, you certainly must know that even Christian ministers sometimes interpret the Bible differently. I will leave it up to God and His standards as to whether or not I enjoy everlasting life. That is surely not your decision but God’s. Aren’t you even being blasphemous by suggesting I am not going to be there?

You might want to study Romans 10:9-10, John 14:6, John 3:16, John 3:36, Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:3.

Great talking to but at this point I would rather talk to my God through My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Dennis