Thread: Who or what is God to you?

@ acatalephobic,
Interesting how you came to feel about Jesus. I feel similar to you. I don't care about where he came from and whether he was risen or even if he will return. I think for the time he was a great psychologist. The power or ability to forgive others as well as oneself was a major break through in turning people's lives around. Now I may be wrong about the Religious Law's before Jesus came and absolved man of his sins, but I think that the early Bible made it so extreme for people to be acceptable and therefore given to the promised land, that many gave up and never tried to better themselves. Once someone was seen as immoral, there was no hope, they were an outcast. I think that Jesus teaching saved a lot more people than just being saved in the sense that they took the Lord and the word of God into their hearts etc., etc., Even self forgiveness is a big deal when looked at in the context of psychology today. Many a depressed or addicted person fell to those depths because of personal guilt or shame and found their way out because the BELIEVED they were saved by the blood of Jesus, by the knowledge that all they had to do is ask and they would be forgiven. Such a powerful tool then and now.
That being said, I still cannot fathom the continued belief of some, not all people that there is a man in the heavens watching our every move. That seems so much like Santa Clause. "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why" well we all know the song. Its creepy to think how similar it is to the God of the Biblical world.
Perhaps, and this is just speculation on my part that the Genesis, or creation myth of the Bible and the use of the name of God was for lack of another word. Maybe over the centuries people made the description of God something other than what was originally just a name for creation or the mysterious universe as many of us in this thread have commented on.

Originally Posted by Deanstar

What about you, do you think highly of yourself in comparison to people like me?

i don't know you well enough to draw a comparison.

Originally Posted by Deanstar

Call me deluded....

From now on.....

Originally Posted by tropicalbreeze

i don't know you well enough to draw a comparison.

It's okay, I already knew the conclusion drawn. That's why I said it before darkmatters. The ability to Predict something however is a sign of intelligence rather than delusion. Though don't let me spoil any laughter. Ceratin types of conflict I even enjoy

what you typed has nothing to do with what you quoted.

Ceratin types of conflict I even enjoy

is that your intent? to start conflict? or do you feel like your being attacked? otherwise why bring that up?

Judging from the kind of posts he's been making and he fact that it says "Offensively Lucid" under his name, I'd say that's a good bet.

Originally Posted by tropicalbreeze

what you typed has nothing to do with what you quoted.



is that your intent? to start conflict? or do you feel like your being attacked? otherwise why bring that up?

hmm. wish I had of wrote that down before you said it. cause I was pretty sure that was the next thought too. You want to start conflict meh meh, you said you enjoy it. nah nah.

Maybe the conflict happens because I'm christian and some are not. Could it be a reason for conflict? It should be. I enjoy having faith. Perhaps some here enjoy attacking that faith with statements like "Jesus was just a man" and "the myth of the flood and creation". I couldn't care less cause I know my science as well as my litrature. And any errors to be pointed out? I'm grateful.

Originally Posted by Darkmatters

Judging from the kind of posts he's been making and he fact that it says "Offensively Lucid" under his name, I'd say that's a good bet.

Offensively Lucid is just a jest about how easily people are offended these days by simple facts and basic common sense. Ofcourse you take it as a statement that I'm trying to be offensive. Really it's just my sense of humor though nothing I actually have, including my humor, is going to please you one bit. That's probaly what I enjoy most about it too.

Originally Posted by Deanstar

Offensively Lucid is just a jest about how easily people are offended these days by simple facts and basic common sense. Ofcourse you take it as a statement that I'm trying to be offensive. Really it's just my sense of humor though nothing I actually have, including my humor, is going to please you one bit. That's probaly what I enjoy most about it too.

Actually, I only said it's a good bet. And hey, I was only kidding anyway, but then again I like the fact that I offended you. No, just kidding. Not really though…

Ok, enough fun. I've hit my quota of troll feeding for the month.

Originally Posted by Darkmatters

Actually, I only said it's a good bet. And hey, I was only kidding anyway, but then again I like the fact that I offended you. No, just kidding. Not really though…

Ok, enough fun. I've hit my quota of troll feeding for the month.

Unfortunately your existence does offend until you accept Jesus. Does that offend you that I'm offended. Are we going into a rap battle like eminem you find me offensive I find you offensive for finding me offensive. You got an answer for everything and that's what I like about forums. So much to talk about. You are lucky a christian even enters haha. When one does, they are a troll derp.

Originally Posted by Deanstar

Unfortunately your existence does offend until you accept Jesus.

Uuii - a religious fanatic, how sweet - thanks for the unwitting propaganda against fundamentalist Christianity - well done!
So what to do, if confronted with an "incorrigible" atheist like me? Is it enough for you to wait until I die, being convinced, that I will roast in hell, or would you consider helping the process along a bit? How about people making it their life's purpose to try and deconvert other people?
Like Richard Dawkins, say? Are such a life's fruits maybe the Evil you hate so much as to open a thread about it?
If you had the power to do to him whatever you wanted to - what would you do?
Write more history with the ink of blood?

^ lol

I just found a real marvel - Deanstar - what do you think of these two lovely ladies and their brand of Christianity?

Originally Posted by StephL

Uuii - a religious fanatic, how sweet - thanks for the unwitting propaganda against fundamentalist Christianity - well done!
So what to do, if confronted with an "incorrigible" atheist like me? Is it enough for you to wait until I die, being convinced, that I will roast in hell, or would you consider helping the process along a bit? How about people making it their life's purpose to try and deconvert other people?
Like Richard Dawkins, say? Are such a life's fruits maybe the Evil you hate so much as to open a thread about it?
If you had the power to do to him whatever you wanted to - what would you do?
Write more history with the ink of blood?

Hello sweety. I'm not a fanatic, your reality has just warped me into a fanatic. Scary for you. Cause I'm pretty harmless.

Richard Dawkins is like that kid in class that just doesn't want to accept what science really is, and tries to make his own history and science based on his delusions. Telling monkey stories and all sorts of unverified nonsense. His main argument is something about the toothfairy in comparison to God. The role of Richard Dawkins is to make you feel better. I find him a central figure of amusement almost as if he was a commedian. He's ridiculious. If I could do anything to Richard Dawkins, I would put him in the naughty corner and tell him to read the bible and to have a good think about it. Better?

umm...what else did you meantion. Something about hell again. I can't say if you are going to hell sweetheart....that's not my role. Do I want to see you suffer. Ofcourse not. Expecially since you are a woman because I like women.

Yes I Hate evil. Really do hate it. I should make that more clear. Other than that I love what is Good with equal passion.

Originally Posted by StephL

I just found a real marvel - Deanstar - what do you think of these two lovely ladies and their brand of Christianity?

So glad you asked. First let me tell you what I think of the hippie guy. A illogical rambling closed minded anoyyance that does not really belong in a true scientific community. The other ladies sadly know better than he does. Yes they are agressive and short on patience. This I can understand! It's tiring to go day in day out, dealing with these types of argumentative failures. It really does get to you. This is what caused them to picket those signs. I personally would not take this agressive approach, and I find it a bit insensitive. And that's saying a lot considering what I am like on forums even. But I would never go so far as to picket "God hates fags". Many gay people have been saved from homosexuality later in their life and found Jesus. So this is very simplistic to picket that and also hurtful to picket at funerals. I think this type of church has some issues. It's sticking to the right bible, and the right doctrine, this I love. But what I don't like is their lack of tolerance and message of wrath. That is saying a lot considering my type of temper. Everyone is different. Everyone has faults. If everyone understood things perfectly it would be a perfect world. This Church doesn't represent how I would treat people or follow the scriptures. But I would get along with them quite well because they are much closer to the truth than you understand.

This thread has gotten a little off track, but I welcome different perspectives. Hoping to get back on track with Who or What is God to you.

I just want to address what I see as an important argument, so wait a sec.

He mentioned something pretty weird in that video, about the verse 2 men in one bed. One taken and the other left. This is fairly interesting because two men in one bed is not very common at all and yet that is the example used for it. Is this an endorsement of homosexuality? I would say it's actually a metaphor for something fairly significant. It's saying that even someone who you think would be a sinner, they can be seperated and are seperated in a definite way. There is a secret here that most people miss. And he did not interpret that correct. There is a doctrine in the bible that clearly condems homosexuality as a sin.

The other verse he asked about was "Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left" and his main point here was who grinds at mills anymore....What this guys utterly fails to consider is from the beginning Jesus makes it clear he is speaking in metaphor to his disciples. This means when he says things like those who believe in the bible will be as those who built their house on rock and when the storm came the house remained. Now that's not saying that people who believe in the bible litrally are going to build their house on rocks! It's called a parable, and in the time of Jesus, women did grind at a mill. That's why he said it to them to give them a parable of understanding. I think he did it on purpose to filter the real christians from people like that hippie guy. Who can't even understand basic context of things because he has a insanely warped mind.

I don't think this is really off topic because it's about my view of God in relation to the video. It's very on topic.

Deanstar, I have heard you in your many comments, but when it comes to the topic of the thread, you only say you know that there is a God. Why are you side stepping the topic. I would like to hear you out on this, but none of us has anything solid from you on topic to read, ponder, accept or refute.
Also, I would add that I will ask Ophelia to lock this thread if it becomes very obvious that you are just trolling and intending to disrupt this thread for your own amusement, which is what it looks like right now.

Originally Posted by kadie

Deanstar, I have heard you in your many comments, but when it comes to the topic of the thread, you only say you know that there is a God. Why are you side stepping the topic. I would like to hear you out on this, but none of us has anything solid from you on topic to read, ponder, accept or refute.
Also, I would add that I will ask Ophelia to lock this thread if it becomes very obvious that you are just trolling and intending to disrupt this thread for your own amusement, which is what it looks like right now.

I would ask Ophelia to lock you for even insinuating another member is being abusive without having any basis for your claims. Why would I troll a subject that is close to my heart you fruitcake. I'm sorry if the conversation doesn't go as you planned but not everyone wants to hear what you want.

What do you want me to bring to the table? Because there is litrally a million different things to talk about, one of which I just did, and it's very obvious to me that God does exist. Someone has faith when they have been given it through grace. It disturbs you doesn't it.

Originally Posted by Deanstar

Someone has faith when they have been given it through grace. It disturbs you doesn't it.

Deanstar - I appreciate your different perspective and your fervor regarding your aversion for "hate", however you could eschew from condescension of others with antithetical opinions.

I'll post this "Faith is the surrender of the mind; it's the surrender of reason, it's the surrender of the only thing that makes us different from other mammals. It's our need to believe, and to surrender our skepticism and our reason, our yearning to discard that and put all our trust or faith in someone or something, that is the sinister thing to me. Of all the supposed virtues, faith must be the most overrated." -Christopher Hitchens

Originally Posted by Deanstar

...I'm sorry if the conversation doesn't go as you planned but not everyone wants to hear what you want.

Well, actually yes. Thread starter has the right to set the parameters of a conversation. And kadie had done so. If anybody can't follow those simple requests, he/she is advised to find another thread that fits better to what he/she wants to talk about.

Oh, and no name calling.

Thank you all, carry on : D

Having faith doesn't mean god exists. It's just a kind of nice feeling you get when you think you're saved from oblivion and sadness... Or in other words, heaven!

Who doesn't want heaven?! Well I do... I was religious and faithful before! I tell you, it's a wonderful feeling, but when I discovered LDing and actually became happy, I decided to accept reality. I always had my doubts about god, and I also discovered that everyone religious does too, given that they know the science behind why god's current way of existing and the story behind it is illogical.

I just hope you don't let the heavens stop you from being happy and enjoying life!

^ So faith could also be a matter of just accepting fate without a "God" involved. In this sense again, if the Universe and its "process" is really what we consider "God" we can still have faith that things will happen in a matter that they were meant to without calling to a "GOD" for divine resolution.
Wait, did that make sense?

faith means that you know about something without needing evidence of it. Most people that are confused about the definition of faith, think that it is impossible to know something without evidence. But that isn't true. Faith doesn't mean a delusion. It means something known in confidence enough to not have it proved. Where as some people have thought of it as a weakness. It's actually something that is a strength and a virtue. It shows your competance.

For example, we can't prove that the law of gravity will always be consistent in an experiment, or that it will always have the same effect. Because at any moment a new experiment could provide some new information about it with changes in circumstance.

Even so, if you jump off a building, you have faith that you will hit the ground (unless you think you are superman) That's your faith in gravity. You have faith in gravity not because it's a 100% certain, but because your internal code and experience just tells you it's true.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the same way in that you don't need a scientific experiment to believe Jesus is the son of God. The knowledge is given to you by his testimony and others and by understanding history and prophecy too, and is a gift of grace. In the same way the knowledge of gravity was given to you through the gift of sir isaac newton ironically by an apple falling on his head (or whatever the legend is haha)

If you really didn't have faith in anything, you couldn't even have faith in science because that too is a method based only on observation. Even the idea that nothing is certain couldn't even be held with any accountability. You would litrally be an anarchist. There is no such thing as fact without a degree of faith in it. The difference with someone who believes in Jesus Christ is they have the most evidence to support their claim. Someone who believes in evolution has to account for a lot of illogic and believes in theories that have already been falsified like natural selection and 'the big bang' or 'the billions of years old earth' (why is magnetism still left at rate of decline) and even one animal evolving into a another type of animal (has never happened before cause it's not realistic).

There are two definitions of faith.

One type of faith is belief in the absence of evidence or even contrary to evidence. This is the definition of faith that is most often applied to religions.

The other type of faith is based on trust and/or prior information. In the case of gravity, we have prior information that it has an effect on objects with mass. If we drop an object, we can expect that it will fall to the floor. We can repeat this hundreds of times and expect the same result. When we jump off of a building, we can expect that we will fall to the ground. We trust, based on evidence.