Survey: Most US Christians define own beliefs

[mawilson 2,133]

I agree with Mox - although, I anticipate that some people will believe in god even when there is overwhelming evidence that god is unnecessary for the universe to work just fine.

That's just it, Purple - as ridiculous as it may seem to atheists - to believe in a god, to believe that a god doesn't exist is on equal ground. That's the conundrum.

That's the thing, Steven - you don't have to believe in a god (or atheism for that matter)

to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. You could if you wanted to, but why bother?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I agree with Mox - although, I anticipate that some people will believe in god even when there is overwhelming evidence that god is unnecessary for the universe to work just fine.

That's just it, Purple - as ridiculous as it may seem to atheists - to believe in a god, to believe that a god doesn't exist is on equal ground. That's the conundrum.

That's the thing, Steven - you don't have to believe in a god (or atheism for that matter)

to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. You could if you wanted to, but why bother?

Why do people have faith in something they cannot prove? Because people experience aspects of life which transcend explanation or understanding. Read Kant, Wittgenstein, or one of many great thinkers who grappled with the notion of believing in something beyond our intellectual capacity. Seriously - if you find your question compelling, then search for the answer from those who spent a lifetime contemplating those kinds of questions.

[Amby 490]

I could never take Immanuel Kant seriously because I saw this picture of him where I thought he looked like Johnny Kennedy (The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off) and I couldn't stop laughing.

Amazingly I found the photo...

Johnny Kennedy...he wants a tiger on his coffin

Edited January 14, 2009 by Amby

[Dan J 277]

Actually, it's when you stop believing in a god that things start to make sense. Because you no longer have to wrestle with this idea of a loving god who allows genocide or disease or even the common cold. You don't have to "put your faith" into an invisible man's hands, and you start to make your own way in the world. You stop asking the invisible man for help, and you start looking inside yourself and to your friends and family. And most importantly, you live your life to the fullest, knowing full well that this is all there is and you've only got one shot, so make it count.

[Ling Ling 22]

Hey MOX,

there's a good movie coming out...

"Religulous" a documentary by Bill Maher

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/religulous/

[MrsCat 6]

Sometimes I pray - just to have them unanswered - to prove that god doesn't exist.

[NickD 203]

Sometimes I pray - just to have them unanswered - to prove that god doesn't exist.

Probably explains why living in a town with a population of only 19,000 we have 60 Christian churches of different denominations with some of the same denomination but with a different dogma. Gives an opportunity to go church shopping and to be told why, each one is the only true one.

Fire and brimstone appears to be declining, guess people don't like getting the ####### scared out of them, country club style churches are on the rise for social gatherings, the competition for believers is getting pretty stiff. Some have elders, if you don't like what's going on, can call a meeting, and they will change it, just for you, as long as the majority agrees. Others make you dress up and go door to door to get more believers, but they all want your money. Can't have a church without money.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

Sometimes I pray - just to have them unanswered - to prove that god doesn't exist.

actually, he's ignoring you.

[mox 298]

Hey MOX,

there's a good movie coming out...

"Religulous" a documentary by Bill Maher

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/religulous/

Yeah I'm interested in seeing this. Bill Maher kinda drives me crazy sometimes, even though I mostly agree with him, but I do want to see it. Making fun of people who think God wants them to do stuff is a hobby of mine.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Sometimes I pray - just to have them unanswered - to prove that god doesn't exist.

so you mock GOD and then expect to get an answer?

[chri'stina 190]

The whole God does or not exist thing...obviously I believe He does. Why should my faith that He does be less than the faith of those who believe He doesn't? My faith isn't lesser about my beliefs, just some people think that way. I believe in God and in prayer, and have had answered prayers...and if someone wants to think it's just a coincidence several times on different subjects, go ahead. That doesn't change my view of it. I don't have a struggle with my beliefs, I am confident in them.

Edited January 14, 2009 by Parivar CSK

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

The whole God does or not exist thing...obviously I believe He does. Why should my faith that He does be less than the faith of those who believe He doesn't? My faith isn't lesser about my beliefs, just some people think that way. I believe in God and in prayer, and have had answered prayers...and if someone wants to think it's just a coincidence several times on different subjects, go ahead. That doesn't change my view of it. I don't have a struggle with my beliefs, I am confident in them.

Well spoken sis, you were one that was on my mind when I posted on the other topic from Steven.

[mox 298]

so you mock GOD and then expect to get an answer?

I think it was a joke Tamara.

I don't mock god. I just mock people that believe he exists.

[chri'stina 190]

The whole God does or not exist thing...obviously I believe He does. Why should my faith that He does be less than the faith of those who believe He doesn't? My faith isn't lesser about my beliefs, just some people think that way. I believe in God and in prayer, and have had answered prayers...and if someone wants to think it's just a coincidence several times on different subjects, go ahead. That doesn't change my view of it. I don't have a struggle with my beliefs, I am confident in them.

Well spoken sis, you were one that was on my mind when I posted on the other topic from Steven.

I haven't read the other thread yet...will have to check it out...

[Nagishkaw 510]

Sometimes I pray - just to have them unanswered - to prove that god doesn't exist.

Probably explains why living in a town with a population of only 19,000 we have 60 Christian churches of different denominations with some of the same denomination but with a different dogma. Gives an opportunity to go church shopping and to be told why, each one is the only true one.

Fire and brimstone appears to be declining, guess people don't like getting the ####### scared out of them, country club style churches are on the rise for social gatherings, the competition for believers is getting pretty stiff. Some have elders, if you don't like what's going on, can call a meeting, and they will change it, just for you, as long as the majority agrees. Others make you dress up and go door to door to get more believers, but they all want your money. Can't have a church without money.

That's because many clergy stopped preaching it. Most people do not want to hear it, they are only looking to hear

a ' feel good ' message and the clergy want to keep the congregation happy and coming back. No one particularly likes to hear they are sinners.