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Originally posted by KingOnPointNobody has "eternal life". Having a finite life is part and parcel of the human condition.
FMF,
If you have not put faith in Christ for eternal life, what do you think will get you eternal life?
Another thing that is part and parcel of the human condition for many people is hoping, imagining, believing, asserting that they will have "eternal life".
Some even like to brandish the "threat" that disagreeing with their imaginings will result in an "eternal life of torture and agony". It's a grotesque manifestation of insecurity and inadequacy mixed noxiously with a need to enjoy interpersonal power trips; and it is sad. In some ways, it is the human spirit at its weakest.
Life is a wonderful opportunity. I have no need to resort to unfounded conjecture and speculation about "eternal life" to understand what I am and to make sense of life's highs and lows.
Originally posted by KingOnPointWhile I am not an atheist myself, I think you will find that self-identifying atheists believe that we die and they do not believe that people will "suffer eternally". This "suffer eternally" thing is a Christian concept.
What is an atheist's goal? Wanting the world's people to suffer eternally? Is that the heart of a compassionate person?
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyYou hide behind quotes, Grampy Bobby. So often, you demonstrate an inability to engage people in terms of what they themselves say and think. There may be nobody in this community as ill-equipped or as unwilling as you are to enter into genuine conversation. This is undoubtedly at odds with your self-image. I am sorry if this little shard of truth causes you discomfort. 🙂
"If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
Matthew 6:23b American Standard Version.
Originally posted by KingOnPointBut, KoP, perhaps you miss the fact that this forum is called "Spirituality", and not "Christianity".
Agerg,
If atheists don't believe, and they stay here, then why are they constantly here? If atheists don't want other people to have eternal life, then atheists don't have human compassion to start with. So, atheists are not humanity's friends after all.
What is an atheist's goal? Wanting the world's people to suffer eternally? Is that the heart ...[text shortened]... s it besides, it certainly is not compassionate. God in the bible says that we are all sinners.
Originally posted by FMFIf you claim to not be an atheist (not-not-theist=theist), this tells me that you believe at least in some form of God. Yet you claim to have lost your faith. But may I ask, if you are not an atheist, can you tell us exactly what beliefs you hold that make you "not an atheist"?
While I am not an atheist myself, I think you will find that self-identifying atheists believe that we die and they do not believe that people will "suffer eternally". This "suffer eternally" thing is a Christian concept.
Originally posted by UllrNo.
Slight correction to this line:
"As a Christian, I absolutely weep for these atheists here, knowing they will not partake of the glory of the Kingdom of God."
Replace the word "knowing" with the word "believing" and it would be more truthful. You don't know any more than I or anyone else does. It is understood though that you "believe". Big difference and nothing wrong with that.
I told this once before, but a friend of mine (who posts in another forum) has a signature line he uses on his posts that says:
"The Most High has spoken, even with His own blood. Surely, we know."
I agree with this. Surely, we *know*. And I accept it as a measure of my faith, that I can say with conviction that I *know*, instead of merely 'believing'. My knowing is a 'belief' for you. It is the truth for me. It is understood *by you* that I 'believe'. It is understood *by me* that I 'know'.
Rest assured, though, like other superheroes, my knowledge will be used for good, not evil. 😛
Originally posted by SuzianneGod hasn't revealed himself to any of us as far as I know.
If you claim to not be an atheist (not-not-theist=theist), this tells me that you believe at least in some form of God. Yet you claim to have lost your faith. But may I ask, if you are not an atheist, can you tell us exactly what beliefs you hold that make you "not an atheist"?
Yet you claim to have lost your faith.
By this do you mean you think I am still a Christian?
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Originally posted by KingOnPointKingOnPoint, firstly I do not believe we have any form of existence after we are dead. From that we may assume, trivially, that I have no expectation that anyone will suffer eternally because it is my position that from the moment a person has ceased to be alive, they are incapable of perceiving *anything*! Thus it is not my goal to "want[] the world's people to suffer eternally"
Agerg,
If atheists don't believe, and they stay here, then why are they constantly here? If atheists don't want other people to have eternal life, then atheists don't have human compassion to start with. So, atheists are not humanity's friends after all.
What is an atheist's goal? Wanting the world's people to suffer eternally? Is that the heart ...[text shortened]... s it besides, it certainly is not compassionate. God in the bible says that we are all sinners.
Secondly, I do not ascribe any tangible value to the term "sinner". It's very definition is anchored upon the requirements of some particular god - and as an atheist I do not believe in the existence of that particular god (or any other gods). Thus your suggestion that I perhaps have the heart of an "evil sinner" really means nothing to me - you might as well ask if I have the heart of an evil hakjasher*!
Thirdly, with regards the context of this reply I don't really care what your bible says about what "God" wants. Similarly, and for the same reason you don't care about what Thor wants (can you say what this reason is?).
Finally, just because your objective is talk everyone into becoming a Christian, this does not mean that we have only the compliment of this agenda. Some of us just like having a good old battle, or refining our arguments, or learning more about what others believe, or chewing the fat, or ...
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* To hakjash is to act against the wants of Harry The Hobgoblin
Originally posted by SuzianneI was going to comment on this post but it looks like many other people have said it before me. Spot on Suzianne.
KoP, you've not been here very long. When I first came here, I was full of the opportunity to answer the challenge of unbelievers, just as you are. I am Christian, too, and I do ache for the unbelievers here and of course I would wish they too could come to love God as I do. But these are "veteran" unbelievers, they who come here to this electronic inter ...[text shortened]... umans. And this includes the right to not be continually bombarded by my efforts at evangelism.
Penguin
Originally posted by FMFIn the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
If you ever say anything on this forum that makes me think God has revealed Himself to you, I will let you know.
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom also he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided purification for sins,
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
If that don't do it for ya, nothing will!
Originally posted by FreakyKBHLike I said, I'll let you know. 🙂
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom also he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his po ...[text shortened]... he name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
If that don't do it for ya, nothing will!
Originally posted by Penguin"15 Questions Atheists Hate Answering" I was recently sent an article about Atheism and Theism. Sean Curry wrote the following article… Mary Wood wrote the following… 7. Pascal’s Wager: Better to believe and be wrong than not believe and be damned. Article answers this beautifully. I’d also add that in this sense, Atheists are stronger in their conviction than Theists. We are willing to bet our eternal souls (should they exist) that there is no god(s)..."
I was going to comment on this post but it looks like many other people have said it before me. Spot on Suzianne.
Penguin
http://theaddictedmind.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/15-questions-atheists-hate-answering/
The statement: "We are willing to bet our eternal souls (should they exist) that there is no god(s)..." I find profound!