however it seems to me that many believers really don't seem to like other people believing in a different God? Why is that?the first of the ten commandments
Secondly their faith lets them know the other person is wrong
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however it seems to me that many believers really don't seem to like other people believing in a different God? Why is that?the first of the ten commandments
I guess I'm trying to figure out why (say) the Norse gods aren't as good as the Christian one?
I'm betting that monotheism ousted polytheism partly because it was a one*-fits-all alternative without (quite) all of that pluralistic complexity and heavy ritual.
*discounting the Trinity which I still don't fully understand in a 'standalone' sense. I do find it fascinating in a comparative sense, ie
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I'm an atheist but I really enjoyed American Gods on Amazon - so I've been thinking - how do you choose a god to believe in? Which one is best?
You could always start your own religion?
I'm betting that monotheism ousted polytheism partly because it was a one*-fits-all alternative without (quite) all of that pluralistic complexity and heavy ritual.Its just simper a bit like how having one boss would be easier than having 23
I don't think Norse gods were actual bosses of anyone were they? Just a powerful race of beings.
To be fair, much as I would probably enjoy Norse or Roman debauchery I think I might be a pastafarian at heart... http://www.pastafarian.co.uk
I'm a pantheist = "god", universe or whatever (insert name here)is everything, therefore belief in god is irreverent as one cannot believe in everything. Which also destroys the notion of freewill as god is everything including oneself. Perfectly understandable when considered with the notions of parallel universes. Never could see the problem with being an atheist for this reason.
Well yes. To deal with the question of 'is there a god?' you first have to define 'god'.
There's one for SaxonRider's book - what is God?
If there really is a god surely he would smite anyone who started yet another STW religion thread....
I've challenged God various times, he never picks up the phone. If you are lucky you'll get his secretary.
He's probably gone down the pub.
Monotheism came about with the rise of Judaism, prior to that, it is believed that there were many Gods.
Interestingly, the Christian religion also has a polytheist premise in so far as all the saints, who are by any other name, demi-gods. Or at least, that's the interpretation I choose to make.
Talking of interpretations, I am continually surprised by the number of intelligent people on here who still feel the need to subscribe to the established definitions of God. Why? It's your life, your world, your Universe, your existence, no one else's! So why not make your reality fit for you?
Define your own God if you choose, who is there to stop you? Furthermore, choose your own version of life or non existence after shaking free of the human mortal coil, nobody knows what, if anything happens, so set yourselves free and make your own belief, it's no more delusional than believing your going to spend eternity with a shit load of virgins - which quite frankly does nothing for me, so guess what? I don't subscribe to that.
Whatever you choose to believe in or have faith in ( the two are completely interchangeable by the way), be it a Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Norse God, the Universe, it may even be money, whatever, just be sure that your faith makes you a better person and if by choosing to not believe in any form of unknown Higher Power or those listed above, that belief also makes you a better person.
Refreshing to see the lack of antagonist posts on here today, well done.
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In other words, there's a portion of society that feels the need to berate other people with different points of view, regardless of what that point of view might be. People who cannot accept differences
Someone should invent a word for this.
Well yes. To deal with the question of 'is there a god?' you first have to define 'god'.
That's the trick.
Junkyard - lazarus
You die and life goes on without you.
Which is fine to accept, but the concept of non-existence is a struggle. As vaguely a scientist, having an understanding under current theories that the universe is infinite and time may actually be infinite, and we cease to be and never can ever exist in any form ever again, freaks me out.
No get out with time looping round and everything repeats again. Nothing.
Belief in some kind of afterlife makes it easier to handle. Not saying you should or I do, but I kind of feel happy for people who do.
Fictional stories about immortality always go on about it being a curse. Stuff that. If it's non existence or live forever, I'll take the latter.
Anyway...
I like slackalice.
In the complete absence of any proof,WHY?
the concept of non-existence is a struggle
Of course it's a struggle, you didn't exist before your birth and you'll ceace to exist when you die.
That's a hard pill to swallow.
Whether you can get over it or not, it's entirely up to you.
If God is good, why did he choose Evolution (with its attendant suffering, waste, and in the animal kingdom, predatory behaviour) as the process to run his cosmos?
Thank you molgrips.
Thank you also for your continued presence and stance on these faith threads, in spite of the views expressed. Better man than me, I stopped contributing as I cannot be arsed trying to explain anything to anyone who goes to any length to not listen and show a modicum of respect.
Thanks also to the mods, who I presume have at the very least had a word or two with the main protagonists and as such have enabled an environment for more reasoned discussion.
Who else? My agent, my manager, my partner, parents and of course, the Universe for making all this happen in the first place
I think I like your idea of a bike ride too
deadkenny Don't get hung up with this universe/or time frame, there are plenty of others (unlimited). Lose the notion of self and accept the notion that you are the universe(s). "The concept of non-existence is a struggle" which is why Religion and faith where invented, for the need for the "self" to exist. Self is totally irreverent to the universe and is but a moment.
Feelin’ the love.
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