The Jesus Freaks Forums

[Jolly Roger]

What exactly is it you atheists fear?

[jay_a2j]

If someone is an atheist or an agnostic, then why would they come over to the Jesus Freaks forum in the first place

I visit all the forums. The only reason I am replying is because I saw your post asking atheists (me) questions.

What exactly is it you atheists fear? Could it be that in the back of your mind somewhere you might be a little scared of a final judgment?

. No, but nice try. I am not scared of superstitions and folklore. Obviously you are.

I mean, if we Christians are so wrong, what is it going hurt anyone if we spend our lives trying to love our fellow man and assisting him? Is that really such a threat?

You are perfectly welcome to live as deluded as you wish...drug addicts do it all the time and live happy, albeit deluded lives.

But the problem is it doesn't stop there. Teach our delusions in the schools. Put our commandments at the courthouse, etc. Leave everyone alone, and the world leaves you alone.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I remember sounding just like some of you in my youth.

And I finally realized I was an atheist at 40. I DID grow up.

I thank God that someone was brave enough to still tell me about Jesus even though I threatened them and cursed them out constantly. Eventually, their love was stronger than my hatred. I read the Bible for myself without any commentary.

In other words, you were succesfully indoctrinated into the cult. Congratulations.

For the record...I don't hate you.

I'm sure for those of you who are atheists, you probably feel I am a self-righteous, arrogant, condescending, moralist trying to impose my views on others using "fear" tactics such as hell.

Not really. You have started preaching to me yet about how evil I am and how you are born again and thus going on to wonderful things whilst the rest of us will burn in hell. That will come I am sure though.

You couldn't be more wrong. I (and other Christians) really do care about your soul. It is so exhilirating to feel the freedom of being forgiven and share that with others.

I don't need fantasies and superstitions to feel good about myself or my place in the world. I have that exhilarating feeling every night playing with my kids and raising a family.

My prayer is that some of you will lower your defenses a little bit, and try to understand a Christian's motivation for our beliefs.

Save your rituals for someone else, thanks. I hope someday that you realize that you were right in the first place and for some reason allowed yourself to be swayed by cultists.

In short what you are saying backglass, is that you don't need God. And that's your choice. Just try to respect those of us who believe that we do need God.

[heavycola]

If someone is an atheist or an agnostic, then why would they come over to the Jesus Freaks forum in the first place

I visit all the forums. The only reason I am replying is because I saw your post asking atheists (me) questions.

What exactly is it you atheists fear? Could it be that in the back of your mind somewhere you might be a little scared of a final judgment?

. No, but nice try. I am not scared of superstitions and folklore. Obviously you are.

I mean, if we Christians are so wrong, what is it going hurt anyone if we spend our lives trying to love our fellow man and assisting him? Is that really such a threat?

You are perfectly welcome to live as deluded as you wish...drug addicts do it all the time and live happy, albeit deluded lives.

But the problem is it doesn't stop there. Teach our delusions in the schools. Put our commandments at the courthouse, etc. Leave everyone alone, and the world leaves you alone.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I remember sounding just like some of you in my youth.

And I finally realized I was an atheist at 40. I DID grow up.

I thank God that someone was brave enough to still tell me about Jesus even though I threatened them and cursed them out constantly. Eventually, their love was stronger than my hatred. I read the Bible for myself without any commentary.

In other words, you were succesfully indoctrinated into the cult. Congratulations.

For the record...I don't hate you.

I'm sure for those of you who are atheists, you probably feel I am a self-righteous, arrogant, condescending, moralist trying to impose my views on others using "fear" tactics such as hell.

Not really. You have started preaching to me yet about how evil I am and how you are born again and thus going on to wonderful things whilst the rest of us will burn in hell. That will come I am sure though.

You couldn't be more wrong. I (and other Christians) really do care about your soul. It is so exhilirating to feel the freedom of being forgiven and share that with others.

I don't need fantasies and superstitions to feel good about myself or my place in the world. I have that exhilarating feeling every night playing with my kids and raising a family.

My prayer is that some of you will lower your defenses a little bit, and try to understand a Christian's motivation for our beliefs.

Save your rituals for someone else, thanks. I hope someday that you realize that you were right in the first place and for some reason allowed yourself to be swayed by cultists.

In short what you are saying backglass, is that you don't need God. And that's your choice. Just try to respect those of us who believe that we do need God.

Wow, jay. That was a big step. Beliveing you need god and believing in god are two different things.

Well done. You may have seen the light after all.

[unriggable]

Well done. You may have seen the light after all.

Wow, you're kind of a dick...

You're just taking jay's argument and applying it to yours - pretty hypocritical, if I could say so myself.

[heavycola]

Well done. You may have seen the light after all.

Wow, you're kind

Thanks man. I have always seen my fruitless efforts to wind jay up as ultimately altruistic.

[unriggable]

Well done. You may have seen the light after all.

Wow, you're kind

Thanks man. I have always seen my fruitless efforts to wind jay up as ultimately altruistic.

Nice. That one comment has re-earned you my respect.

[jay_a2j]

Wow, jay. That was a big step. Beliveing you need god and believing in god are two different things.

Well done. You may have seen the light after all.

I use the word "believing" loosely. I am well aware of the difference. I don't believe in God, I know there is a God. There is a difference. But unfortunately to the unbeliever, they do not understand this concept.


"You say that you believe in God? Good! Even demons know there is a God and tremble"



Yeah, believing in God isn't saying much heavycola.

[Backglass]

In short what you are saying backglass, is that you don't need god.

No. What I am saying, is that I believe all gods to be superstition. There is no "need" or lack thereof.

Just try to respect those of us who believe that we do need God.

I do. If you want to believe in the tooth fairy, thats fine with me as well. But if you start posting about your eternal love for the tooth fairy and how your teeth have been saved by her grace & mercy, expect me to respond.

[Jolly Roger]

I use the word "believing" loosely. I am well aware of the difference. I don't believe in God, I know there is a God. There is a difference. But unfortunately to the unbeliever, they do not understand this concept.

Don't you mean unknower?

[luns101]

What exactly is it you atheists fear?

[/img]

Too funny....where is that from? It reminds me of Monty Python or Benny Hill.

[CrazyAnglican]

What exactly is it you atheists fear?

[/img]

Too funny....where is that from? It reminds me of Monty Python or Benny Hill.

It's Monty Python. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[CrazyAnglican]

That does remind me though of an interview with Eric Idle. In making "The Life of Brian" he said "We started out to make fun of Jesus Christ, but then we figured we'd have to read some of the Bible to get material." He went on to state "We found out, we couldn't really make fun of J.C. because he said some really great things. So we had to settle for making fun of the people around him."


When even your detractors see the value of your message, it generally means you have a good message.

[unriggable]

But unfortunately to the unbeliever, they do not understand this concept.

"You say that you believe in God? Good! Even demons know there is a God and tremble"

I wouldn't say we don't understand it as much as we don't accept it - your choice to believe there is a God, my choice to believe their isn't. I don't say their isn't, I'm just proving your arguments wrong. Other guys, like Jesse Bad Boy or heavycola, claim their isn't a god.

[luns101]

But unfortunately to the unbeliever, they do not understand this concept.

"You say that you believe in God? Good! Even demons know there is a God and tremble"

I wouldn't say we don't understand it as much as we don't accept it - your choice to believe there is a God, my choice to believe their isn't. I don't say their isn't, I'm just proving your arguments wrong. Other guys, like Jesse Bad Boy or heavycola, claim their isn't a god.

That really is quite refreshing to finally have someone admit that they have CHOSEN not to believe. I know everybody has different reasons for CHOOSING not to believe or CHOOSING to believe.

Anglican's point is well taken. Instead of attacking Jesus, many people instead go after his followers. I remember thinking Christianity was a joke because of all the hypocrites that I witnessed who said one thing but acted different. What a bunch of phoneys!

Then, when I actually studied Jesus and examined what HE said and HIS life, I found that I was responsible for myself and my choices according to what HE claimed.

So, I guess I'd like to know if any of the skeptics here have the same feelings/thoughts that I once had. Is your disbelief due at least in part to witnessing followers of Christ acting as hypocrites? It was for me.

[Guiscard]

I know this isn't a thread for argument, but you asked so I suppose I'll answer.

My Atheism really isn't down to scepticism or witnessing hypocrisy by Christians, I just cannot find it within myself to even consider the concept of a deity as being even debatable. Just as you believe (i assume) with every ounce of yourself that there is a God, so do I believe there isn't one. I believe we can answer things rationally and scientifically. To be honest it is, to a degree, faith just as much as yours is. I just have faith in Science and logic not being a lie, just as your faith is in God not being a lie.

Hope that made sense...

[unriggable]

I know this isn't a thread for argument, but you asked so I suppose I'll answer.

My Atheism really isn't down to scepticism or witnessing hypocrisy by Christians, I just cannot find it within myself to even consider the concept of a deity as being even debatable. Just as you believe (i assume) with every ounce of yourself that there is a God, so do I believe there isn't one. I believe we can answer things rationally and scientifically. To be honest it is, to a degree, faith just as much as yours is. I just have faith in Science and logic not being a lie, just as your faith is in God not being a lie.

Hope that made sense...

Bulletproof. It's all perspective, really. Some religion seems far-fatched, some science seems farfetched. Take your pick.

I keep wondering, out of everything to argue on CC, why religion? Let's have an awesome argument on something else - is string theory correct? Not that I give a shit, but...well whatever.

[Guiscard]

Religion effects everyone... and everyone can spout some shit about it. If we argue economics or philosophy it leaves the lesser mortals bamboozled.

[CrazyAnglican]

Religion effects everyone... and everyone can spout some shit about it. If we argue economics or philosophy it leaves the lesser mortals bamboozled.

I agree. Religion is a topic that people get passionate about, because our identities are tied up in it. I have to confess that I'd be bamboozled by a discussion of economics. I'm doing well if I remember to ask my wife to balance the check book

History is my thing. There is a thread about WWII that I found interesting. Flashleg8 and I came down on the same side of that one. He's a sharp guy with a good sense of humor.

[flashleg8]

History is my thing. There is a thread about WWII that I found interesting. Flashleg8 and I came down on the same side of that one. He's a sharp guy with a good sense of humor.

The £5 bribe is in the post

[benmor78]

Bill Hicks called xianity's

What's up with bizarre opposition to writing "Christianity?" You don't say, in your discussion of other religions, )am or *ish, so do you just object to writing the word "Christ?"[/quote]

[benmor78]

I mean, if we Christians are so wrong, what is it going hurt anyone if we spend our lives trying to love our fellow man and assisting him? Is that really such a threat?

No, generally the threat is when someone tells me I'm going to be punished for sinning.

The bigger issue is that when you help someone I never see it on the news.

But we do see a story on the news when some "christian" takes out an abortion clinic doctor.

It's easier to be prejudice and lump all of "your type" into one group. Murderer.

The U.S. is the largest charitable contributor in the world, in terms of private contributions. Where do you think those contributions are going? The United Red Darwin Fish?

[kclborat]

why do people write IMO? or lol? its faster. it isnt an asterisk that blocks out a bad word. its a quick way to write. oh and i just got back from vacation, ready to argue again.

[benmor78]

why do people write IMO? or lol? its faster. it isnt an asterisk that blocks out a bad word. its a quick way to write. oh and i just got back from vacation, ready to argue again.

That seems like a pretty lame excuse. Although, you seem to be opposed to proper capitalization, as well, so maybe you're just lazy.

[heavycola]

Bill Hicks called xianity's

What's up with bizarre opposition to writing "Christianity?" You don't say, in your discussion of other religions, )am or *ish, so do you just object to writing the word "Christ?"

[/quote]

My g/f is a theologian, it's a habit i picked up. X stands for christ. As in Xmas. Like kclborat said, the internet is rife with acronyms. Writing xian is not a measure of my misguided heathen hatred of all things religious, I am just typing fast. Gimp.

What, by the way, is your malfunction?

[benmor78]

Bill Hicks called xianity's

What's up with bizarre opposition to writing "Christianity?" You don't say, in your discussion of other religions, )am or *ish, so do you just object to writing the word "Christ?"

My g/f is a theologian, it's a habit i picked up. X stands for christ. As in Xmas. Like kclborat said, the internet is rife with acronyms. Writing xian is not a measure of my misguided heathen hatred of all things religious, I am just typing fast. Gimp.

What, by the way, is your malfunction?[/quote]

I don't buy it. Like I say, if you wrote )lim or *ish, that might back up your point. But you don't