but have you ever noticed that most people who dont believe in god are either really smart, or they have everything they want? i mean, people say the only reason to have happiness is with god, but it seems like all these celebrities who have the fame and fortune are what the christian community would call "bad people". but what i dont understand is why if they are so bad, then why is god giving them what they want? and i know that money and respect is not everything, just mostly everything. and the fact that most atheist/satanic or what the hell ever people are usually highly educated people. the fact that i think about things like this is the reason that i am a loser.
all i have to say is, you're not a loser!!! i'll assume you're still in high school. trust me, once you get out of there, you'll have tons of people respecting you. you have a lot more brains in your head than i did at sixteen. as far as the intelligence thing goes - i don't have much respect for atheists who proclaim "there is no god", just as i don't for most of the christians i meet who don't know the first thing about the history of their religion, the current state of the world, and stare at me, dumbfounded, when i refer to passages from their holy book. on this board, however, there's a lot of well-read christians. ryu comes to mind, and she's only fifteen years old. love,
Then there is the other side of the equation ~ have you ever noticed the number of non-thinking people who believe every religious thing they're told without question? The syndrome is rife in most religious communities, because people will believe anything so as to 'prove' themselves right, but nothing which might prove themselves wrong. That's where intelligence comes in, because truly intelligent people need to know the truth above all else no matter what. Know the truth and the truth will set you free.
well, thats what im trying to be:an intellegent person. because i want to be a religious person no matter what, but at the same time i want to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.
The acceptance of mortality is more a strength of character than intelligence. Although intelligence and a rational analytical perspective can probably help come to the conclusion that there is no god (and therefore there is no immortality), you have to be emotionally balanced, have meaningful relationships with REAL people, and have the ability to give meaning to your own life, ELSE you will fall into DESPAIR and FORLORNNESS.
I've lived in the Bay area (central california) for awhile and I've met alot of well-to-do people. It's amazing how many of these people; --Spend most of their time complaining --Have nothing but failed relationships --Talk about suicide or have tried it a cpl times --Have substance abuse problems --Are in therapy and on anti-depresants On the other hand I've spent years on the road hitch-hiking, hopping trains, or just being homeless and it's amazing how many people I've met doing the same thing who seem to be at peace with themselves. Everybody smiles for the camera.
Religion should be the providence of the rich and kingly. But because they became so focused on attaining success and power they are now aimless, they don't know anything else. "G-d" didn't give them this success, they gave it to themselves. Your envying them doesn't help you, it just makes you feel frustrated. Stop comparing yourself to others and take responsibility for your own life, both good and bad. Psychologists say that every male contemplates suicide at least 4 times in their life. That is just a symptom of their unhappiness. That was the meaning of the parable of the Prodigal Son, that after success in the world, seeing its emptiness and the meaningless of life, they return to being one with life and Nature, that they accept it and in the acceptance they relax and find fulfillment. Start by appreciating the life that you have, the great miracle that has been bestowed on you, that you live. Then know that you are not a loser, for having being born you have already won.
The people who you talk about, the smart ones, are natural. Many people and scientists base their beliefs on facts that they can find. If they can't find anything about God, to them He is illogical and cannot exist. To us, who do not base our beliefs on fact but on faith/experience, facts mean nothing. Celebrites who have happiness rarely have it because it came from God. Many, many celebrites are members of non-christian religions (Madonna, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, etc). What they have for "happiness" isn't the Lord's work... The Lord is above pleasure-from-money
The fact that christians (you) subscribe to religious beliefs based upon a person who never historically existed is proof of that! Know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Oh MrREE I love your signature. That is classicly twisted. It should be a retort for when you are having an argument in a thread, and you make an awesome point. Then post the picture w/ the words "You have been disarmed, US Army Style." Damn, they would be speechless. can't beat that.
MrRee... Look up the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus. Tacitus was a Roman historian who mentioned the existence of the crucifixion of Jesus in his writings. In turn, the writings of Tacitus are viewed by historians as crucial to not only understanding early Middle Eastern history but also what we know of early Germanic tribes in Europe. There. That's a source outside the bibles that agrees with Jesus's existence. --- As well: -In 1990 in Jerusalem an ossuary, a burial box for bones, bearing the name of Caiaphas, the high priest who condemned Jesus, was found.. Just recently it appears the most spectacular of all archaeological finds relating to Jesus has surfaced. -There was the name of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate found in a monument in Caesarea, Israel, in 1961. http://www.ucgstp.org/lit/gn/gn044/proof.html
with all do respect, that is not exactly what i was saying. i understand that jesus may have existed. and there is a very good chance that he did. but that doesnt necesarilly mean that he was the son of god. there are people who say that today. take that guy in texas that had his followers drink the poison and go to heaven with him(i cant think of names right now) why didnt people believe him? all im saying is that im not sure that there is a GOD? there definitly has been many many people who believed that they were direct descendents or gods gift to the earth. even today.
Well my friend, perhaps you should also acquaint yourself with the writings of said Tacitus. In his "Annals", Tacitus mentions a man named Judas Khrestus who died by crucifixion at the hands of Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. quote Tacitus "Annals", 15:44 ~ "The generality had a strong persuasion that it was contained in the ancient writings of the priests....that someone, who should come out of Judea, should attain the empire of the world; But the common people according to the inflluence of human wishes, appropriated to themselves, by their interpretations, this vast grandeur foretold by the fates; nor could be brought to change their opinion for the time, by all their adversaries." This, Erise, is a direct refutation of the supposed jesus, and clear testimony as to his invention, i.e. "according to the inflluence of human wishes, appropriated to themselves, by their interpretations" This is further supported and confirmed by the Roman historian Seutonius ~ "There had been for a long time all over the east a constant persuasion that it was recorded in the fates, that at a time some one who should come out of Judea should obtain universal dominion....It appears by the event, that this prediction referred to the Roman Emperor, but the Jews, referring it to themselves, rebelled." Supposedly the Jews rejected your jesus, but here we have them claiming him as their own!!! To which Josephus added ~ "That which chiefly excited them to war was an ambiguous prophecy which was also found in the sacred book, that at that time someone, within their country, should arise, that should obtain the empire of the whole world. For this they had spoken of their nation; and many wise men were deceived with the interpretation." So are you saying that Judas Khrestus is your supposed jesus, are you saying that no one ever knew your supposed jesus' real name, or are you saying that someone was crucified at about the right time so you make him fit your jesus despite the fact that his name was Judas Khrestus? I referr you to your original statement as highlighted ~ To us, facts mean nothing Indeed they don't PS ~ I've already taken another blind apologist to task over the fake osuaries. You might enjoy knowing some facts, even though they mean nothing to you! Israeli authorities indict ossuary owner http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_2_122/ai_n9505732 Once hailed as Biblical proof, forged antiquities now raise questions about other artifacts in Israeli museums http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0619/p07s01-wome.html Dealers peddled fake Biblical artifacts, Israeli police say http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041229.wanti1229/BNStory/International/ “During the last 20 years, many archaeological items were sold, or an attempt was made to sell them, in Israel and in the world, that were not actually antiques,” the indictment said. “These items, many of them of great scientific, religious, sentimental, political and economic value were created specifically with intent to defraud.”
Thanks Rigamarole, it was meant to impact and force question. But the image is too powerful for me to look at any longer. I really feel for that kid. Maybe the world should too.
