Religion a Figment of Human Imagination...........

[Penn]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Are you implying this man is going to be served up in hell for all time and eternity for what he does or doesn't believe?

I don't see where that thought was mentioned in Libby's response.

First, it's not our call as human beings on this earth. It's God's choice - who He accepts - into His Kingdom of Heaven.

Secondly, we are not going to find out where we're headed next until after our demise.

So, what's the beef?

[tommyjones]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

Well, at least if give us hope. What do you have?

If believers are wrong what have we lost? Nothing. But if we are right what have you lost?

how about a lifetime worth of enjoying the precious few moments we have. an understanding that this is all we got and all we are going to get makes a person very humble. In an instant, for absolutely no reason it can all be gone. if you are a believer its like the end of the sopranos, an unfulfilling totality, everything goes to black and you dont even get a last glimpse of love, life, or happiness, just blackness.
if you are not wrapped up in the afterlife you have lived life fully with the understanding this is all you got and when it ends its ok for it to be over. there isn't a need for an explanation or answers as none will come.

besides, if you are right and there is a 'god' who passes judgment on us at the end, i would think he is pretty understanding.

[forever jewel]

Originally Posted by tommyjones

how about a lifetime worth of enjoying the precious few moments we have. an understanding that this is all we got and all we are going to get makes a person very humble. In an instant, for absolutely no reason it can all be gone. if you are a believer its like the end of the sopranos, an unfulfilling totality, everything goes to black and you dont even get a last glimpse of love, life, or happiness, just blackness.
if you are not wrapped up in the afterlife you have lived life fully with the understanding this is all you got and when it ends its ok for it to be over. there isn't a need for an explanation or answers as none will come.

besides, if you are right and there is a 'god' who passes judgment on us at the end, i would think he is pretty understanding.

Living our lives on earth in anticipation of the afterlife does not limit life here on earth. It is another stage in our spiritual life. As a believer, you don't look for explanations, logic or answers; you anticipate joining God after death. But until then, all we can do is fully enjoy God's gift of life on earth. In my opinion, after death, non-believers will be humbled when they receive the explanation and grace of God they never found on earth.

[itsbob (Premo)]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

But if we are right what have you lost?

If God is the understanding, loving being that understands humans fallibility, then nothing.

You really think your God would sentence someone to an eternity in Hell because I didn't believe in him during my time on Earth? That would pretty petty, hateful and egotistical wouldn't it?


I'll have my casket lined with $100 bills, so I can pay my owed entrance fee when I get there. He'd probably let me in with a considerable discount seeing there would be no middle men scraping their's off of the top.

[libby]

Originally Posted by tommyjones

how about a lifetime worth of enjoying the precious few moments we have. an understanding that this is all we got and all we are going to get makes a person very humble. In an instant, for absolutely no reason it can all be gone. if you are a believer its like the end of the sopranos, an unfulfilling totality, everything goes to black and you dont even get a last glimpse of love, life, or happiness, just blackness.
if you are not wrapped up in the afterlife you have lived life fully with the understanding this is all you got and when it ends its ok for it to be over. there isn't a need for an explanation or answers as none will come.

besides, if you are right and there is a 'god' who passes judgment on us at the end, i would think he is pretty understanding.

Hope in eternal life, and loving this life are not mutually exclusive. It is a great joy to live for the God we believe in, and humility?? Well, I can't think of anything more humbling than the recognition that the joys and loves of this life have been given to us by a Loving Father, just as is true for children in an earthly family. Y'know, if kids only knew what we do for them sorta thing.
So, out of curiosity...if you've lost a loved one, do you never "talk" to them or visit them at the cemetary? I talk to my Dad a lot, and I would be so sad if there was just "blackness" in response.

[tommyjones]

Originally Posted by libby

Hope in eternal life, and loving this life are not mutually exclusive. It is a great joy to live for the God we believe in, and humility?? Well, I can't think of anything more humbling than the recognition that the joys and loves of this life have been given to us by a Loving Father, just as is true for children in an earthly family. Y'know, if kids only knew what we do for them sorta thing.
So, out of curiosity...if you've lost a loved one, do you never "talk" to them or visit them at the cemetary? I talk to my Dad a lot, and I would be so sad if there was just "blackness" in response.

but there is just "blackness" in response, isn't there?

I have lost people close to me, and their is something there that remains; my memories and emotions. I dont feel the need to 'talk' to them because they are gone FOREVER and i have accepted that, but i think about them often.

so does your dad ever 'talk back'?

[forever jewel]

Originally Posted by tommyjones

but there is just "blackness" in response, isn't there?

I have lost people close to me, and their is something there that remains; my memories and emotions. I dont feel the need to 'talk' to them because they are gone FOREVER and i have accepted that, but i think about them often.

so does your dad ever 'talk back'?

I don't expect to hold a human conversation with lost loved ones; physically, they are gone forever. Yet, their spirit remains alive. Through prayer, I can communicate with them, without the expectation a verbal response. Sensing their presence is more than enough.

[tommyjones]

Originally Posted by forever jewel

I don't expect to hold a human conversation with lost loved ones; physically, they are gone forever. Yet, their spirit remains alive. Through prayer, I can communicate with them, without the expectation a verbal response. Sensing their presence is more than enough.

i think we are talking about the same thing just from different perspectives

[This_person]

Originally Posted by itsbob

If God is the understanding, loving being that understands humans fallibility, then nothing.

You really think your God would sentence someone to an eternity in Hell because I didn't believe in him during my time on Earth? That would pretty petty, hateful and egotistical wouldn't it?

Being saved means a lot more than saying you believe in Him. As for me, yes, I believe there are consequences to actions and beliefs.

I'll have my casket lined with $100 bills, so I can pay my owed entrance fee when I get there. He'd probably let me in with a considerable discount seeing there would be no middle men scraping their's off of the top.

You often bring the discussion to money. You realize that God has no need for your money, but churches do, right? $100 bills would mean nothing, except the loss to your offspring for what they could have done with it helping themselves and others - maybe through a church donation!

[wxtornado]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

If believers are wrong what have we lost? Nothing. But if we are right what have you lost?

Pascal's wager, yet again.