"I don't have faith in faith I don't believe in belief You can call me faithless I still cling to hope And I believe in love And that's faith enough for me"
Interesting that you (and so many others) find this so. If I could have chosen what seemed true to me I would have stayed a Catholic. I couldn't convince myself, despite dire warnings of eternal damnation and the threat of many more hours fondling rosary beads. I think I'm going to have to insist that you speak for yourself on this one.
When I was led out to walk on the water and found that (like everybody else) I was just knee-deep in the surf I couldn't pretend I was dry. It wasn't a choice in my case, it was a conclusion. An inevitable one.
As for validity...I don't need anybody's approval but mine for my life, and neither does anybody else. I don't think these are the same thought at all, but the same conclusion: my life is mine, your life is yours—guide it any way you like.
Choosing to be atheist is like choosing to be gay. Once your eyes have been open, they cannot be closed again.
Part of what I'm trying to say is that atheism and theism are both choices - both equally valid ways to bring meaning to your life.
Interesting that you (and so many others) find this so. If I could have chosen what seemed true to me I would have stayed a Catholic. I couldn't convince myself, despite dire warnings of eternal damnation and the threat of many more hours fondling rosary beads. I think I'm going to have to insist that you speak for yourself on this one.
When I was led out to walk on the water and found that (like everybody else) I was just knee-deep in the surf I couldn't pretend I was dry. It wasn't a choice in my case, it was a conclusion. An inevitable one.
As for validity...I don't need anybody's approval but mine for my life, and neither does anybody else. I don't think these are the same thought at all, but the same conclusion: my life is mine, your life is yours—guide it any way you like.
"Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights."~ Proverbs 18:15
Essentially the reason why I clicked on the thread. Funny how Scripture always seems to have an answer when needed to either guide or resolve confusion. It's pretty uncanny. THAT is the reason why this book was written and compiled by men through the word of God. Evidence of God's existence is everywhere if you can see the forest for the trees.
"Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights." ~ Proverbs 18:15
Essentially the reason why I clicked on the thread. Funny how Scripture always seems to have an answer when needed to either guide or resolve confusion. It's pretty uncanny. THAT is the reason why this book was written and compiled by men through the word of God. Evidence of God's existence is everywhere if you can see the forest for the trees.
You take your religion so seriously that you can't laugh at a simple joke, a joke that is probably as old as Jesus?
Another one: Jesus saves, but Moses invests.
Ephesians 5: 3-7
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
So no. Actually we can't. We've been commanded not to.
Sorry if I offended you all, my different viewpoints are more in line with Bill Maher. I am very stressed out right now over a family issue, and it's coming out in my posts.
Again, I apologize.
Understandable, HC. And I hope you'll accept my apology from yesterday. I hope things work out alright.
