Originally Posted by mjdsr

It is interesting that you brought these questions up. I have asked myself some of the same questions in regards to my own faith. I went to a Catholic high school, and actually had to spend the last 2 months of school in the principals office during my theology class, because my teacher said I was disruptive...all I did was ask questions along the lines of those you have addressed.

Originally Posted by mjdsr

There are times when I am unsure of what I actually believe, and I do agree with the original poster concerning organized religion being about control. Anyway, I do believe we are all spiritual beings and that there is an afterlife. I also think it is important that we reflect upon such questions, and do not allow ourselves to just blindly follow the teachings of any church.

Originally Posted by Jesus Knight

I stand by the original post. I can give examples all day long to back myself up. I'll use my Mother-in-law as an example: This woman HATES her grand daughter's boy friend. She puts him down and talks about him terrible, and yet says "its not nice to judge people". This woman went to church every week until recently, but her health and age caught up with her so she doesn't go to church anymore. She is a hypocrite, plain and simple.

Bla Bla: You said: First logical error: you may find many contradictory, or scientifically
questionable, problems with the teachings of various organized religions
but there is no way to prove there is no such thing as God.

Ok, prove there is a god! or, a Satan. I've never seen either one.

I joke with people and say Keith Richards is god.......just pulling their chains. They say "theres a big difference between god and Keith". Well, I have to admit thats true; God can't play Start Me Up with the right feel, and I have seen Keith Richards!

Originally Posted by Jesus Knight

Ok, right from the start: There is no "god". There is not an afterlife, when you die, guess what? You're dead. These are what I believe, based on zero REAL evidence to the contrary.

There are alot of things that can't be answered by christians. Logic and reason and common sense have no place in a discussion with a christian. One question I have never gotton an answer for is: Why do babies die, either at the hands of an adult, or by disease, when at the same time, a guy like Charles Manson is in his 70's now and still going strong? What did the baby do? Nothing.


I am often asked if I go to church. My answer is always "I don't have to get up early Sunday morning to hang around hypocrites."

Religion is nothing more than a way to control people. It is a power play that has worked for thousands of years. Think about it; This whole fairy tale that is the bible has been hammered into peoples brains for so long that we never question it. Its just true to the simple minded. The preachers get on TV and ask for money and the sheep hand it over willingly, yet if someone has a real need in their town, these same people look the other way and won't even buy something off the $1.00 menu at McDonalds for them. Religion is a way to keep people in their place...to play on the fears and make people feel guilty for having human thoughts and desires. I'm married, and I have never cheated on my wife, but if I see a great looking woman, yes I'm going to check her out, because I'm human. Its a sin, to the christians to look at that woman and want her, but they do it too, just won't admit it. What goes on on Saturday night is never talked about on Sunday morning at the weekly fashion show and gossip fest, aka church.

Originally Posted by Defensor

Substitute blacks for "Aryans" and whites for "Jews," and you have Barack Obama.

Originally Posted by Think for myself

The principal's office. Never went there myself. At least not more than once a week.

I think that people can certainly make a case for their guy being the basis of their religion. Beyond that, it would certainly appear fromt he evidence presented that there has been some major rewriting of events to fit a desired result.

Originally Posted by mjdsr

I agree. I have stated before that I believe the Bible has been edited. I don't take all of it literally, but I do find comfort in reading it, and do find much of it relevant...for me anyway.

Originally Posted by Think for myself

I will never argue that the bible does not contain excellent parables for life, as that would be untrue. I will say that some people throughout the last 2,000 years have used the teachings of Christ as a political and economical advantage.

Originally Posted by mjdsr

This is very true...sad, but true.

Originally Posted by Jesus Knight

Bla Bla: You said: First logical error: you may find many contradictory, or scientifically
questionable, problems with the teachings of various organized religions
but there is no way to prove there is no such thing as God.

Ok, prove there is a god! or, a Satan. I've never seen either one.

Originally Posted by Nerv14

Im an athiest too, but you are being as controlling as some Christians are. All of the conflicts about religion are when people wouldn't respect each other's belief's and you are doing the same thing not respecting religious beliefs. You are likely to start a war to rid the world of the scurge of religion, which is as bad as a religious war.

Red