Open Your Mind
I've been studying other religions and cults most of last month. One thing they all have in common, including atheism (which is a religion of faith), is that they require their believers to turn their brains off and stop thinking. They require that their believers not question their beliefs. Not investigate... Not search for truth... Not demand evidence... Just accept what you've been told.
Give me the evidence that supports atheism, for example. Not your attacks on religion, but what is your hard, factual evidence that supports atheism? Or Islam? Or Buddism? Or the Jehovah's Witnesses? What do you find when you question these beliefs? Nothing. They are not supported either by logic or by factual evidence.
What you do find in all of them is intolerance. Even Hinduism, which accepts all gods (over 300,000,000 so far), requires that you also accept all other gods--and it is very intolerant of Islam, Jews, Christians and other monotheists.
Only Christianity has tolerance of all other faiths. Because only in Christianity is it a matter of what is in your heart--not what you do.
So the question is, can any other faith (including atheism) demonstrate that it is true? That it has the truth?
No, they can't.
Give me the evidence that supports atheism, for example. Not your attacks on religion, but what is your hard, factual evidence that supports atheism? Or Islam? Or Buddism? Or the Jehovah's Witnesses? What do you find when you question these beliefs? Nothing. They are not supported either by logic or by factual evidence.
What you do find in all of them is intolerance. Even Hinduism, which accepts all gods (over 300,000,000 so far), requires that you also accept all other gods--and it is very intolerant of Islam, Jews, Christians and other monotheists.
Only Christianity has tolerance of all other faiths. Because only in Christianity is it a matter of what is in your heart--not what you do.
So the question is, can any other faith (including atheism) demonstrate that it is true? That it has the truth?
No, they can't.
posted by BrickBalloon
Read This Post In Our: Christianity in America Blog Archive
13 Comments:
Just when I think you couldn't be more of an idiot you go and surprise me.
Simultaneously claiming christianity is tolerant of all other faiths, and that all other faiths require people to "turn their brains off" is a tall order.
Moving on from the evident contradictions in your drivel; I assume you have a reason why wicans are not included in your grouping of other faiths - or perhaps a way of seeing the Spanish inquisition as an expression of tolerance.
The question being asked is: what proof do you have that atheism or if you chose, wicans, are worshipping the true god(s)?
Why do you call those involved in the Spanish inquistion Christian? You are correct about the Spanish part. You might say that it was done in the name of Christianity. But obviously you don't know the definition of Christian. And apparently you haven't taken the time to learn about the Spanish inquisition.
Here's a hint: do you know who was being persecuted (imprisoned, killed, etc.) by the Spanish inquisition?
I've got a hint for you buddy, but it's not fit for public consumption...
Well done on completely avoiding the issue.
Golly, Anonymous, you don't get it, When Christians do something wrong, it is just a mistake because they are human. Or, when Christians do something wrong it is because they are not Christian (at least, not acting like one). When anybody else does something wrong, it is because they are not Christian. It works for to me?
Seriously, MTA you would be better off to admit the mistakes done by Christianity. Even your (former) Pope/boss asked for forgiveness in Poland and elsewhere. You continuously wonder off about how right Christianity is. Please, stop trying to convince yourself of your superior cult-ness. It is possible that other religions try to make the world a better place too. Simply, make room for everybody. Here, at the Church of Parklife, we love everybody (even the anti-Christ, George Bush).
To sum up, MTA you need a more positive outlook on life, something that takes into account other people. Christians have screwed up, just like everybody else. One day you will realize this. I will say some prayers for you. With some time, we can get through this together. Heck, I will not even ask for a donation.
Hey guys, isn't it about time to stop hiding behind bluffing and blustering? Isn't it about time to face the truth?
Anonymous, you changed the subject by bringing up the Inquisition as supposedly something evil "Christians" did. You brought it up, how about backing that up with some facts?
Who was doing the persecution? And who was persecuted?
And back to the original question that you both are avoiding. Where is the proof that atheism or wicans have the correct belief about God? So far your only argument is, turn off your brain and accept what I say because I'm aggressive about saying it. You are beautifully proving my point!
Umm...
There is no proof either way. Christians, Wicans, or any other group can not prove they are right about the long history of the world / universe / ect. The sad fact is, we all need some faith to tackle issues like this. At least some groups and individuals take responsibility for their actions for their time spent on this planet. Not to name names, but, MTA, you might want to take note of this.
Christianity in it's purist form is to walk as Jesus Christ did, which was to walk a perfect and blameless life.
People who claim to be Christians never pursue what God wants us to pursue. For it is written, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." Do Christians do that today? I don't believe so.
MTA and Parklife. You need to understand what it means to be a true Christian before you claim it to be false or true. How can you judge Christianity without fully understanding the truth behind Christianity, which is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?
My duty as a "son of God" is to live faithfully for my Lord Jesus Christ and to bring the good news to all people; young and old. If they do not want to hear the message then they will be judged accordingly. I will not argue with people like Parklife for they are "Like chaff that the wind blows away." (Psalm 1)
If only Christians sincerely and faithfully followed what the scriptures tell us, we wouldn't have to worry about what people think about us; i.e., Parklife. I myself want only to do God's will, which is to "Love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength and to love my neighbor as myself."
I believe if I can continue to pursue those two great commandents, no Parklifes will bring me trouble, "...for I bear on my body the Marks of Jesus." (Galatians 6:7b)
It is also written: (1 Corinthians 2:11-16)
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
And MTA:
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
Instead:
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
It says "feet" and not the internet or the "fingers". I challenge you to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to your neigbors and friends;even your members. You will find that more than half your church members don't understand the salvation message. What are you doing wasting your days arguing with foolish people? Jus proclaim the good news!
MTA/Davis/monkey-boy, at the risk of engaging in a childish dialog - *you* are proving *my* point.
I'd return the compliment and say you're proving it 'beautifully', but that level of grammatical butchery makes my head hurt.
Lets recap: You say you're tolerant, and that people who don't agree with you 'turn their brains off'. You say that atheism along with all alternative religions has no basis in fact. You say that the spanish inquisition did not occur, and was not undertaken by christians.
I don't know if you're serious or not. Perhaps you're just having a laugh, but where I come from people like you are called crackpots.
Ever considered shutting up long enough to figure out what it is you actually want to say?
Anonymous:
Let's take a look at your comments in reverse order:
You seem to having some problems with your reading comprehension. I've only asked you to support your claim about the Spanish Inquisition--which is something you apparently can't do. Why do you choose as an example something you know nothing about? The floor is still open for you to show you know something about the Spanish Inquisition.
Please, go ahead and provide some factual proof that shows atheism is the true faith, or even a true faith. In fact, I know of an organization that will pay $250,000 to anyone who can come up with something that proves evolution is true, not just a theory or hypothesis. Let's have your proof, and you'll earn yourself a quarter million dollars.
I can see your intolerance demonstrated through your use of language, so I wonder if you do not understand the meaning of the word tolerant. For example, I'm being tolerant of you. That's why your posts don't get erased. However, I do not agree or affirm that you are right, just as I do not agree or affirm that other religions are right. Tolerance does not require affirmation. Tolerance does not require acceptance of someone else's beliefs as true.
Just open your eyes and look at the world. I daily read news stories about Christians being jailed, beaten, and murdered in Islamic, Hindu and atheistic countries. But, it is **extremely rare** when a Muslim, Hindu or atheist is jailed, beaten or murdered in a Christian country. Yes, it has happened. Yes, Christians sometimes do wrong things. But, when that happens Christians oppose it and take action to prevent it from happening again. To compare rare events (persecution by Christians) that are corrected, with common events that happen regularly (persecution of Christians) is not comparison at all.
Parklife:
I'm asking this as a serious question: So how do we (did you) decide what to have faith in? If there is nothing to favor one faith over another--do you just go with whatever your friends are trusting in? Or do you evaluate the merits of each faith? But how can you evaluate merits if there is nothing solid on which any faith is based?
Deciding who (what) to have faith in seems to be an important question. Of course, if there is no God, then it doesn't matter--you can put your faith in anything, such as science (which constantly changes). But, there is also the possibility that there is a god or gods, and that he/them cares about his/their relationship with you. So, without any evidence supporting any option--atheism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, etc.--how do you decide?
I guess telling me to open my eyes and look at the world is helpful, so I'm going to return the favour.
The world is not a place that needs bigots spreading hate and intolerance. Anger and violence already abound.
What you are doing is providing a platform for people to justify further hate and violence. You might not actively be one of them, but you're definitely part of the problem.
As long as people like you draw arbitrary lines through issues trying to disunite 'right' from 'wrong', 'good' from 'evil' etc; there will be those who will look across those lines and see them as a reason for perpetuating oppression against those on the other side.
I would really like it if you stopped preaching from the them-vs-us script and put a bit of thought into the tolerant, service-oriented and loving aspects of your faith.
You are bringing yourself no credit through rants on how you are right and people who are different are wrong - it suggests a lack of esteem. Are you held in such low regard by those that know you that you need to prop up your own ego?
I try to see each person as an individual. I hope individuals make good decisions, no matter their background. I think we all agree that the world would be better off with less disease and war. One horrendous decision the Pope made, and Christians continue to make, is their approach to birth control. While, MTA, you may not be in the know of Christian hate groups (KKK). You may be aware of the spread of AIDS in Africa. It is appalling that our government continues to support a policy that fails. Millions of people are going to die because the Christians, and our fanatical leader, will not support condom use. It is very sad. While people are individuals, the Pope leads and forms opinions for many. Christian and American leadership would do well to save lives.
Sorry, I got a little carried away. MTA, you ask me how I decide what to have faith in. The older I get the more I realize just how much I don't know. I suppose this will happen until I finally figure out that I know a whole lot about nothing. Knowing this, I am confronted with really really big questions. Like, is there a God? I look at myself. I look at science. I look at religion. To me scientist and philosophers are people, just like myself. I suppose in a different life I could have been either one. Anyway, I tend to side with science on most issues, like evolution. This has more to do with my "faith" in technology and repetitive testing than anything else. I like the idea that science is based on the ability to recreate events.
When it comes to the big G-O-D? I’m not going to kid myself. Why would I know the answer to this? I have a hard enough time trying to be a good person. So, I admit that I have no idea if there is a God / multiple Gods / no God. I think this feeling of insignificance or helplessness is universal. People just approach it in different ways. (Wow, I'm just all over the place today).
Anyway, I guess I choose not to decide when it comes to God. I really have no idea. I know that there are some wonderful things science has done. On the other hand, there are some things that science does not even try to understand. When it comes to religion attempting to explain something to me, I have my doubts. Combine that with the fact that I really dislike the idea of ritual (let alone participating in it). I just do not like the idea that dead, fallible people with agendas are being followed because they wrote something.
When it comes to God wanting to have a relationship with me, I think that is possible. I think it is possible despite me not knowing if there is a god or not. On one hand, God is full of crap if he/she/whatever wants to kill people and destroy society. I do not think that I would mind burning for eternity if I made my corner of the universe better. The other hand features a god that wants people to do good (whatever that means). I guess I am willing to take responsibility for myself for what good means. I want to do these good acts and live in a good society. I feel that I should do my best to make the world a better place. I suppose where we differ is that I place that responsibility on myself. I am guessing that you share that responsibility with your organization. Well, I've done plenty of rambling. It kind of makes me want to listen to some country music.
be tolerant and see all peoples beliefs even if they are wrong because we all know molestation is good get the point there is a right and wrong point the facts out does not make you intolerant it makes you just and true
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