329 replies to this topic

[Infernity]

You sound exactly like Susma, amar... very... well, strange.
Is it because you are not sure in yourself? Or because it is really what you believe in?

Yours
~Infernity

[amar]

Both, such is the nature of Paradoxianism. I'm sure of uncertainty.

[thanatos]

I voted athiest because I dont believe in any God.

[melange_deluxe]

"I'M GOOD, I'M GOOD,"
"And I say why are you so good?"
"And they say, because I am peaceful or because I am loving?"
*Laughs,
"Sure, you are."
Well, the question of what is GOOD has always been a tricky one.

Anyone ever heard the old chinese proverb with the lesson "WHO KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD OR BAD."

PS* Although a little objectivist philosophy helps a great deal.

[Infernity]

Um Melange, yeah there's a whole thread of Bad and Evil if not several more...
I'm not sure I related your answer to your vote...

~Infernity

[justinb]

We are God.

As soon as people realize that all of this sillyness will go away.

My goal is to shed myself of all traces of spirituality and form a system that deals with each sentient being and group as they are.

[Infernity]

Justin, you mean, you still have spirituality in yourself? [huh]

Yours truthfully
~Infernity

[tous]

I didn't have time to read them all but. Why isn't "None" there? I think it really should. Maby this has been asked like I said I didn't have time right now to read it all.

[Infernity]

Tous, there is "Atheist" - one who believes that God does not exist.

Is it not "none" ?

However, for case that's not what you mean [huh] , there's "Other".

The polls are limited to 10 options.

-Infernity

[Cyto]

Belief that a deity doesn't exist?

Mmmmm, sounds like the "strong atheist" front.


But lets not forget the "weak" atheists, or core atheist, whichever...

You have evidence? Then present the evidence with you characterizations of the deity(s) and show how the evidence supports such. Then if someone even makes a case we can talk about thinking in the realm of belief or disbelief. Until then it hasn’t even progressed the evidence claims state. Like there would also need to be evidence to support a claimed number of deities (mono vs poly) and the specific character set as well (xian char assignment, muslim char assignment etc).

If this isn’t what you meant I apologize but I do think that wording is key in this since most have no idea what an atheist is. And so many want to pull us into this [beliefs drawn from indoctrination by books of “conclusions”] when we don’t even exist there.

[tous]

Even atheism really is a religion in my eyes. I actually get that alot. People will ask my religion and Ill say none - and theyll say oh so your atheist and Ill say no and they normally get a confused look on there face.

If you don't know what Bates is talking about Ill try and explain it to the best of my knowledge. A weak atheist(just a term doesn't mean less or anything) is someone who cannot bring themselves to beleive in god or gods. A strong Atheist is someone who strongely beleives that there absolutly cannot be a god or gods.

Now there is also a third veiw, wich basically mean someone who beleives the question of god and or gods is unsolveable. I beleive the term for is is Agnostism(maby wrong).

Atheism is still a group of people who donot beleiveing in something. And not beleiveing could be contrude as a religion. I on the other hand prefer to dismiss the idea entirely wich in my opinion is an important destinction.

[Infernity]

I can say I am a "strong atheist" since I have my own theories on why there's no such thing God or so and what render some humans to believe there is.

"Stepping out of this" is like stating "I don't want to mess with it or get into it, I believe in nothing". Which is pretty stupid, since you should in my opinion take a side which in your case atheism and stand for it.

I also say, you can't totally yet prove or disprove god, so why in the first place start to believe in such thing?

I can answer that. I can tell why people believe in god, and my reasoning explains why there is not.

But I stand for it, I am an atheist, and I believe in no God, and I will disprove it.

I did understand you, but I think that's a weak attitude to the subject.

-Infernity

[frank_b]

I chose Christian, as that was my first point of contact with religion and I still do attend Christian churches every now and then. I was brought up being *told* that god was real, all powerful etc etc. However, for whatever reasons, possibly a combination of many things, including (but no limited to) holding the belief that science (which I believed in) was in contradiction with religion...I lost belief in something greater than a very simple mortal life for a long time. It has not been until recently that I have started to open up and embrace new concepts and really be objective in how I judge them (meditation has helped immensly with this). I certainly believe that there is more to life than meets the eye.

To summarize my beliefs; I would say that I loosely believe that all major religions and science are pointing in the same direction and that we do all infact worship the same god (or truth). I think deity is largely used in many religions to help people understand concepts that are beyond their abilty to comprehend, but again, it is just a theory that I am playing with at the moment, and I try not to get too attatched to such theories. The meaning of life, the meaning of consciousness, in my opinion? Love. Simple and beautiful...I hope I'm right

Peace.

[Infernity]

Simple is not always beautiful. When it comes to answers and meaning, it's better complicated and sophisticated.

I believe you are wrong if to be honest, it's just the easiest thing to believe at, and that's what you want. Too bad.

Try to deal with the complicated hurting trues, the god you know of is a comfort, hope, and answers - - > all a lie.

And I do not believe love is a meaning, just a measure to survive, we are all total egoists, pure altruism is a lie.

-Infernity

[stormheller]

Officially, I'm a Confucian Christian with animist tendencies because I grew up in China where lots of folks believe in the faeries and the Old Gods. I was raised a hardcore atheist.
What I practice is multidisciplinary witchcraft with a Thelemic philosophical base. Go read Liber Kaos by Peter Carroll or such other books. I dislike wicca because their theological basis is bullshit: the earth mother goddess WTF? (IMO).
Spiritually, I believe in the Hindu concept of avatars. Jesus is just the latest avatar, and we'll definitely have more. I have gleaned from my grandma the idea that the polytheistic gods (angels) are controlled by one large god, known as the Christian God or Allah or the king of the Gods. I also believe in the supernatural 100% because I have seen compelling evidence of it. Same with the afterlife. I believe in djinns. Satan is a djinn, of course. He isn't a threat at all, God can crush him at any minute.

Just my $0.02

[signifier]

I am an atheist.

And therefore, according to George Bush Sr., not technically a citizen of the United States. Quod erat demonstrandum.

[jans]

If you do care to know what is true, try asking him. He will tell you in his own way.

Christian Church should have these characteristics--

1. Christ organized the Church (Eph 4:11-14)
2. The true church must bear the name of Jesus Christ (Eph 5:23)
3. The true church must have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets (Eph 2:19-20)
4. The true church must have the same organization as Christ's Church (Eph 4:11-14)
5. The true church must claim divine authority (Heb 5:4-10)
6. The true church must have no paid ministry (1 Cor 9:16-18; Acts 20:33-34; John 10:11-13)
7. The true church must baptise by immersion (Matt 3:13-16)
8. The true church must bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-17)
9. The true church must practice divine healing (Mark 3:14-15)
10. The true church must teach that God and Jesus are seperate and distinct individuals (John 17:11; 20:17)
11. The true church must teach that God and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bone (Luke 23:36-39; Acts 1:9-11; Heb 1:1-3)
12. The officers must be called by God (Heb 4:4; Ex 28:1; 40:13-16)
13. The true church must claim revelation from God (Amos 3:7)
14. The true church must be a missionary church (Matt 28:19-20)
15. The true church must be a restored church (Acts 3:19-20)
16. The true church must practice baptism for the dead (1Cor 15:16&29)
17. "By their fruits ye shall know them." (Matt 7:20)

I have not found any church having more truth, power, and charity.
http://www.mormon.org

[alexjohnc3]

I choose atheist, but I prefer agnostic atheist.

The meaning of life, the meaning of consciousness, in my opinion? Love.  Simple and beautiful...I hope I'm right

If you're right I might as well just kill myself now and put an end to my disturbed ideologies in which love is not of any importance.

[biknut]

I chose other. I believe there is more after this life, but I don't think any religion I know of has it right. I think they all know a little, but as time went by the message became garbled. I believe the main purpose of religion is to teach us how to get where we need to be after this life. If we don't know what to do we might become trapped until someone comes for us. Because of this belief I practice cafeteria religion.

[john e]

I chose Christian because I know it to be the proven truth. It has been proven to me through experiences along with understand the truths of life that have been shown to me with wisdom, spiritual gifts and talents, confirmations and more. When I dedicated myself to serving our Heavenly Father the rest of my life no matter what with 100% of my heart, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. The reality of the Holy Spirit within me has been proven and confirmed continuously ever since that amazing day.

I believe in the science of God, our heavenly father. It can be very difficult to understand the truth of the spiritual realm. For me it has been a progression in the understanding that I have of the spiritual realm and the scriptures.

I believe that it is very possible that our understanding of the big bang theory is somewhat flawed but the creation of this universe had to be done some how.

The reverse engineering of the brain and mind is showing us not only the existence of our Heavenly Father but that we receive signals from outside of our body that affects emotion, memory, body function and the chemical balance of our brain and body. I am sorry that I do not have the references to back this up. Much of this evidence is within the Intelligence Community and is being distributed carefully and wisely.

Brain wave technology (our understanding of the spiritual realm) is progressing at a faster exponential rate than advancements in technology. Our understanding of the truths about science are all pointing toward the existence of God and the power of the act of Jesus Christ dieing on the cross to return mankind’s fellowship with him.

Does having knowledge give us understanding and wisdom?
Does being very intellectual make a person wise?
How does the misunderstanding of information make us unwise?
How does our spiritual well being affect our understanding of information?
How does our attitude affect our method of processing information within our brain and mind?

The answers can be answered with our increasing understanding of brain waves.

Oh and by the way, privacy is going out the window. A persons’ life and even thoughts are an open book in the spiritual realm. Our Heavenly Father is pouring out his wisdom and understanding to mankind like never before.

May the truth be known that we may live a peaceful life here on earth as comfortably and joyfully as we are able and that our soul will live for eternity where it belongs.

Sincerely,
John Eisenschenk

[alexjohnc3]

Right... no offense, but you might want to work on those references John. You are not fooling anyone with "Much of this evidence is within the Intelligence Community and is being distributed carefully and wisely." Could you at least cite some sort of (real) research about how "brain wave technology is progressing at a faster exponential rate than advancements in technology"? Remember that you're only fooling yourself when you say this. Normally I'd give you the benefit of the doubt about not having sources, but when you talk about "brain wave technology" and Science "pointing toward[s] the existence of God and the power of the act of Jesus Christ dieing on the cross" without even one source (better than false sources I suppose) and declaring this to be justification for believing in God I can't give you the benefit of the doubt.

Edit: Sorry, I had to make a comment on your post although it really doesn't have much to do with this thread.
BTW, how did you come across this "information" exactly?

[john e]

Hiya Alex John,
I'm sorry, there are many things that I know and understand that I randomly post at times.

Please read my introduction to this forum.

I have been the subject, consultant and policy advisor to the intelligence community in a very unique situation. I have been working with them indirectly for years at a spiritual level with the development of wireless brain wave communications, along with training and counseling them on the proper way to operate in the spiritual realm.

I struggled to graduate from high school and have only attended a couple trade schools after leaving the Air Force that I only spent 3 years in.

I keep up with the advancements in science and technology as much as I can while helping people online and doing a ministry work as a janitor at a couple six-story apartment buildings that provide housing for no or low income special needs people.
This neighborhood is the heart of a Federal Initiative to end homelessness. If this is successful it could lead to changing the way we fight/deal with terrorists.

Okay back to the subject at hand. I glance through a lot of articles and stuff without logging where the article came from. That is why I encourage people to do searches for articles on brain wave technology. Have you seen the game that is out where two people advance a ball toward their opponent with using only their thoughts? I saw it being played on the Today Show. I found a very interesting article that I happened to have in my favorites that would be interesting. http://news.mc.duke....ory.php&id=7493

I have been very instrumental in the release of “top secret” technologies to the public. It has taken them a couple years or so to secure the software involved with the translation of brain wave signals. Have you noticed a surge of advanced technologies being made available to the consumers? This coincides with the intelligence community that is now being held accountable for not just what they do but how they do it. Things are dramatically changing with the intelligence community and with the whole world for that matter.

Sincerely,
John Eisenschenk
http://www.dwellingplacegr.org

[mitkat]

I would say shamanist, because of my background, although some people might just say animist. I dislike the term "pagan", because there is a negative stigma wrapped around it that makes many people (at least in some circles) think of satanists, teenagers running around in the woods, etc, all that terrible shit. I am also weary of talking about it sometimes, because of how it has become drenched in New Age consumerism, neon dreamcatchers, and do-it-yourself shaman kits, and people have lost focus of it's real purpose, and would just think it's about selling you a healing crystal, or some gobblygook.

I believe in "the spirit that moves through all things."

Edited by mitkat, 27 February 2006 - 06:43 PM.

[AdamDavis]

I chose "Other." Although I do not actually follow any Religion, I do have a rather deep interest and fascination in other beliefs, the traditions involved, the culture, the music that plays an important part in respective religious festivals and special occasions (hymnology, theomusicology), et cetera...but only an interest. I am not saying that all Atheists hold negative feelings toward religious beliefs, and that they hold the Human race back...I just do not want others to regard me as a member of the percentage that probably do; which is why I selected "Other". I suppose some could consider "Immortalism" to be a kind of religion, or rather just a cutting-edge following with support from plausible scientific research.

Adam.

[JediMasterLucia]

I choose Christian.
Because I believe in God and Jesus as his Son.

Furthermore I am open for other ideas and opinions of others.

[JohnDoe1234]

I voted Agnostic more specifically 'Weak Agnosticism' http://en.wikipedia....eak_agnosticism

As of right now, I doubt a creator, and I don't need one to 'save' me knowing that I have a very good chance of living as long as I want. But if something comes along and says it is The Creator, I will view them with no more respect than I would myself because we would both be products of the same universe/multiverse or whatever... (in other words, something had to create them as well)

...I think it is absurd to 'Worship' a god, I don't care if they are staring me in the face, I have my own priorities.

[penguin king]

I chose Christian because I'm a Christian. That's it. But I do respect other people's opinions.

[AdamSummerfield]

I voted for Atheism. I believe that this is the most open minded view and the most welcoming to science. If I had chosen another it would have been agnostic, If I had to choose a religion it would be Buddhism.

-Sezarus.

[Brainbox]

Agnostic. I like the archetypes Jung provided, as a possible explanation of some aspects of religious perception of mankind. And interesting on its own of coarse.

[Andrew Shevchuk]

My views seem rather similar to Joseph's, although in general I consider myself an Atheist.

Currently everything I know about the world says there is no God (Christian or otherwise) and so I tend to adopt this position, but there is also a lot I don't know. It seems very unscientific to form an absolute conclusion based on an incomplete knowledge of the universe and I certainly recognize this. On the other hand, I do think it might be possible to know whether there is a god or not (in fact I hope it's possible). So I suppose that Weak Agnostic and/or Weak Atheist is really the definition that best applies here.

In fact, I hate the idea of a god at all. A god is a being that is by definition at a level of existence fundamentally unattainable for us. This suggests that we are always and forever subservient to something and knowing that puts an upper limit on what level of existence we can obtain. I don't like such limits.

I also do not discount the possibility that some advanced civilization with more advanced technology had a hand in the influence or genesis of our evolution. To exclude this possibility also seems unscientific to me. However, such beings would not be gods even if they did seed life on this planet because even were their existence at the edge of our conception capabilities, they would still be of this universe and at a level of development fundamentally attainable.