reddhedd

you have made the question of god's existence or non-existence entirely moot.
It doesn't matter either way, so why discuss it?
K.

emotional

I can't deny the fact of naturalism, the fact that this life, this natural universe, is ruled by rigorous natural cause and effect. If you say the world behaves exactly as if there is no god, I don't have a dispute with you, and I have no evidence to the contrary to offer. I see this behaviour of the universe as a designed feature; you are entitled to your own view about that. The only dispute I have with naturalists is about the existence of the afterlife, which I cannot and will not put on trial. Accepting the afterlife, I accept a purpose to life and an author of that purpose, who is God.

Peace

emotional

[I believe] your beliefs don't matter, only your actions do. God doesn't ask what one believes, but what one has done with one's life. I reject the idea of salvation by faith, or the related idea that one's faith has anything to do with one's afterlife destination.

goat37

Hey Emotional, when did you have that conference call with God in which he explained all of this to you?

What makes you believe your actions are any of his concern? Does that argument you had with Suzy (just an example) have any fundamental impact on the universe? Nope.

Doesn't it seem a big egotistical to think that God really cares what you do with your life when he is busy creating galaxies, nebulae, black holes etc....

I think that if God really cared what we did/how we acted, he wouldn't have given us free will. The world is what we make of it, not what God wants it to be.

While I don't believe in God (any god, not just your God), I want you to tell me why your God should exist rather than the Christian God, or Muslim God etc...
If you think in terms of science, we are made up of elements and chemical compounds etc, just like the rest of the universe. What makes us so special compared to the rest of the mass and energy in the universe? Because we are alive? Well... I have news for you... you are going to die, and become a non-living part of the universe....

The only reason that a loving, caring, omnipotent god exists in Religion is due to our own ego and righteousness. God doesn't need to be any of these things, the only thing God needs to be responsible for is the creation of the universe. He set the laws in motion, and let it get to work.
One of my favorite lines is from "Devil's Advocate" when Al Pacino was talking about god and called him an "Absentee Landlord". Just because he created the universe and allowed you to exist doesn't mean he cares what you do with it, since there is nothing that you can do to disrupt his creation.

Anyway, I am getting off track... Look, you and 95% of the rest of the planet that believes in God believe that their beliefs are right. Well, some of them have to be wrong... why should yours be any exception?

Live your life the way you feel it should be lived, not the way you /think/ God wants you to live it. If God was really your creator, he gave you free will for a reason. He wants you to be your own guide, he doesn't want you to rely on him for everything.

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. :P

Deke

emotional, question for ya...

Doesn't God already know what actions you will/won't take in your life? I mean, He knows what I'll decide to do/not do tomorrow, next week, and for the rest of my life. And if He already knows this, why does He need to ask what we've done/not done?

If upon my death, I am called to be judged for the actions I took/didn't take, this would imply the judge needs to have the evidence presented to Him - so He can make a determination. But apparently He already knows, so all I've really done is live out the life He knew I was going to live.

Now I fully understand I can choose today to opt in favor of God, but even if I do, that was His plan for me all along. I can continue to disbelieve, and then that would have been His plan all along. In either case, He already knows what's in my heart now, and knows what will be in it every second of every day until I perish.

I certainly cannot change His plan for me.

Regards,

Deke

emotional

We are His creations, for starters.



No, it doesn't have any fundamental impact on the natural universe. It will, however, have an impact on my afterlife destination.



No, I don't think it's egotistical. Another thing: God isn't creating right now. He did the creating 15 billion years ago.



You want me to bring evidence. Sorry, but I have no evidence.



I'm NOT going to debate the existence of the soul and the afterlife with ANYONE. If you've read Carrie's thread then you must know why.



Nevertheless I believe He is.



The way God wants life to be lived is the way it should be lived. And it hasn't anything to do with faith. Most atheists live the right way. Since God is self-secure and in no need, there is nothing you can do to serve Him directly. The only requirement is the humanistic life.

emotional

I don't know why, but He does.



The life review is for you. You see the review, you see what you've done well or badly in your life, and you send yourself to the heavenly or hellish realms accordingly. Standing in front of God, one feels ashamed of one's undoings and decides one is not worthy to go to a high plane.

Faith is of no importance. If you have done kindly towards other people in this life, then in the afterlife you have nothing to fear.

Darth Dane

Faith is of no importance. If you have done kindly towards other people in this life, then in the afterlife you have nothing to fear.

I agree.

(14) Jesus said to them: If you fast, you will put a sin to your charge; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your inner spirits. And if you go into any land and walk about in the regions, if they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you; but what comes out of your mouth, that is what will defile you.






DD - Love & Laughter

Marduk

"Where does your god or gods reside"

God lives in the smallest of all things-old Vedic saying