Originally posted by LemonJello"The theist is hardpressed to present even one positive attribute or characteristic of God because "...he doesn't exist?
God is exaggeration run amok. He is the king of unlimited attributes that assign no actual character. The theist is hardpressed to present even one positive attribute or characteristic of God because to do so would limit Him.
Some theists have the balls to admit fully that they have absolutely no idea what it is that they worship so fervently:
" ...[text shortened]... le Being who created all that is in the heavens and the heaven of heavens?"
--Weatherhead
Originally posted by KellyJayYou kind of just agreed with me. As soon as God appears on the nature scene, he becomes a subject of science and thus is no loner miraculous.
What is so hard to understand about that, so a scientist creates
a model, incoporates it into a theory, that only means that man
has to give a reason for every event that occurs. It does't mean
that s/he got it right. As someone pointed out, the supernatural
is just something we don't accept at the moment as natural. Even
God who is all knowing, all po ...[text shortened]... part of the
natural scheme of things if people could accepted Him as part of
reality.
Kelly
Originally posted by orfeoWell, it wouldn't exactly be systematic research if they believed everything in the bible. Science makes observations, it doesn't lisen to hearsay. If they saw or detected a "miracle" they could then develop a theory do explain it. But its just ridiculous to ask then to theorise on something that may not have happened. This is not dismisising.
In other words, the reason why scientists don't explain things is that they refuse to believe they could have happened in the first place.
With some exceptions, I grant you. I'm vaguely aware of a guy called Velikovsky who tried to explain a number of supernatural passages in the Old Testament by a hypothesis that the planets Mars and Venus didn't reach th ...[text shortened]... I always admired him for at least trying to EXPLAIN these passages rather than DISMISS them.
And you miss my point. I'm not talking about using already known theories to explain the bible, but creating new theories instead. There's a difference.
perhaps the greatest failure is to make the distingtion between mysticism and spirituality. It is here that not only the world is mistaken but christiandom is decieved.
when we speak of cain, we think immedediately of his act of murder, born of jealousy and malice. but there is another side to remember, and we must be fair to Cain or we mis the whole point. Cain did not exclude or ignore God. He acknowledged God, and build an altar to God. Cain worshipped with his whole aesthetic sence, and murdered his brother-that's religion
Christiandom is largely reconized in this sence, its architecture, its ritual, its music, its adornment, its lighting or lack of lighting, iits tone, its atmosphere, its vestments and so forth. But cain did not get through to God, and neider did the jews. all religions have this soulish feature in common more or less. it is here the fatal blunder is made by many religious ppl who contend that other religions, which are undoubtedly devout and sincere, should not be interfered with, but the good in them, they say, should be reconized and eccepted.
Simplicity may give God a chance, but it is not necessarily spiritual. How near to the truth in preception and interpretation can the mystical go? What wonderful things can the imagination see? Even in relation to the bible what trills of amazement, and ecstasy, can be shot through an audience or congregation by a "soul master." But it all may be false world with no devine and eternal issues. What a artificial world we live in. and the trgedy in this melodrama is that it is real life to so many. The soul world is the devils imatation. How Saten must laugh behind his mask. Oh, for reality, the reality of the eternal.
while a cultured soul with a keen sence of the beautiful and the sublime is immeasurably preferable to a sorid one, it is not necessarily proof that such a person has a living knowlage of God as a person, or that he has been born again. THE SOUL REALM IS A COMPLEX AND DANGEOUS ONE. IT CAN TAKE PPL OUT OF THEIR DEPTHS, BUT THEN LAND THEM IN MORAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RUIN WITH ALL HOPE GONE. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW GOD THEN READ PSALM 46V10
Originally posted by howardgeeMy apologies. I lost my temper, as I will do once and a while. Please forgive me for that rather insensitive posting. Fighting fire with fire doesn't work in situations like these, and I should have been smart enough to realize that and swallowed my spiteful words. Everyone can see that you are a jerk, anyway, and such people will never be taken seriously.
Ooops - that is a tad embarassing!
Still, not as bad as mispelling the word "Miracle" twice, especially as I had spelt that correctly in the post you were criticising, coupled with the fact that you are a believer in such Bulldust.
Anyway, I thought you were sulking and not playing any more.
Go on, bugger off, like you promised.
However, my declaration to stay away from your postings turns out to be a touch harder to live by than assumed, as I am a person of emotional highs and lows. I think perhaps it would be easier for a moth to go to Flames Anonymous meetings than for me to not jump in and pretend to defend the innocent from your pointless attacks. I will continue to make the attampt, though, so unless I am asked a direct question, I will be ignoring the bulk of your posts.
Originally posted by howardgeeNo you didn't ask for a description from me, and I did give you
I never even asked for a description of you, but you effortlessly gave me one anyway.
Why are you finding such difficulty describing God?
Could it be that unlike you, God does not exist?
one anyway. Why, because I am still trying to reason with you,
you understand reasoning I assume. I'm still trying to get you
to define what you are asking for, since you have been blasting
direct attempts to answer your query. What type of definitions
are you looking for. As I have been pointing out, the way you
have worded your question is much to broad if you are looking
for a specific type of information.
Kelly
Originally posted by thesonofsaul"Please forgive me for that rather insensitive posting."
My apologies. I lost my temper, as I will do once and a while. Please forgive me for that rather insensitive posting. Fighting fire with fire doesn't work in situations like these, and I should have been smart enough to realize that and swallowed my spiteful words. Everyone can see that you are a jerk, anyway, and such people will never be taken ser ...[text shortened]... mpt, though, so unless I am asked a direct question, I will be ignoring the bulk of your posts.
This is nice. What a wonderful Christian trait of humility and thoughtfulness.
then in the next sentence... "you are a jerk" This is typical hypocrisy from the religious. One moment preaching all forgiveness and lovey-dovey kindness...then the next...Bammm...showing the true colours of the sanctimonious self-interested bigot who looks down and truly despises the non-believers.
Compare this with the homophobia of the Catholic Church, Muslims stoning people with enough sense to reject religion, etc, etc.
You are a fine example of the religious bigot.
Originally posted by howardgeeYou are a fine example of the religious bigot.
"Please forgive me for that rather insensitive posting."
This is nice. What a wonderful Christian trait of humility and thoughtfulness.
then in the next sentence... "you are a jerk" This is typical hypocrisy from the religious. One moment preaching all forgiveness and lovey-dovey kindness...then the next...Bammm...showing the true colours of the san ...[text shortened]... enough sense to reject religion, etc, etc.
You are a fine example of the religious bigot.
From Mirriam-Webster Colligiate:
bigot: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
And you're saying this describes me? I only display dislike for one person, namely you. I actually respect and enjoy the company and intelligence for most atheists I meet, so I show no hatred for groups. You're the one attacking whole groups.
And you are a jerk. That's just stating a fact--no hypocrisy involved, as it contradicts nothing. You are a jerk, and you know it. Think about your own behavior and attitudes. Admit it and live with the consequences. Or be a coward and self-deciever and pretend you're a saving angel of knowledge. Know thyself.
Originally posted by thesonofsaulJust define your God, you moron.
[b]You are a fine example of the religious bigot.
From Mirriam-Webster Colligiate:
bigot: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
And you're saying this describes me? I only ...[text shortened]... be a coward and self-deciever and pretend you're a saving angel of knowledge. Know thyself.[/b]