Who The Hel Are You?

I've actually been thinking about it a lot since I joined wtf and I may actually be an agnostic with atheist leanings. I don't believe in a higher power, but I do believe there are things in this world that are universal; goodness, charity, respect for life, etc. I also believe there are things in this world that are hidden from us because we wouldn't be able to handle that knowledge. I also believe all people, regardless of their religion of beliefs, should have the same basic morals: be nice, don't kill anyone, be honest, etc.

Of course, I also believe that creatures of myth might actually exist just out of sight. I want to meet a dragon.
 
I agree with the fact that not all people are like that. I am the type that says believe what you want. I will not say you are wrong unless you say I am. If there is a hell the people placing judgement on me will be sitting there in their own time.
 
whenever i try to strenghthen peoples beliefs or if i try to convert then, which is the case sometimes, if i care for someone i dont want them to go to hell. i always say " what have you got to lose? a few days getting into the religion to prevent from an eternity in hell?" but since you dont believe in hell i guess that doesnt really apply. [BTW im not trying to push the BURN IN HELL thing here if you take it that way.]

but what i can safely say is that there is deffinatly something else at work here. IMO anyway..
 
See, the thing most people have with this sort of witnessing is the fact that Hell is mentioned. Even if you're not intending to imply that they are going to Hell or anything like that, their brains most likely are filling it in for you. If somebody asks me why I have such a strong faith in God I explain with something along the lines of: I have faith in love and my parents' unconditional love for me. I have faith that there must be some sort of higher power out there, and I believe almost every religion out there agrees on this in some way or another. That higher power is in my eyes a parent figure, which means to me that this figure must have the purest form of unconditional love out there. Humans have always been looking for love, whether it's someone to love or someone to love them. I believe that this higher power, God as I call Him, is that source of love that I have been looking for all my life.
This sort of witnessing is what opened my heart to God when I was an Atheist. You'd be amazed at how much more effective it can be to use a postive message with no mention of Hell. I wouldn't want people believing only because they fear punishment. That's not really believing then, that's just being human and doing what's necessary to avoid punishment. I'd much rather people not believe then believe falsely for fear of punishment.
 
I am a true beleiver in the idea that we should just treat everyone as an equal regardless of belief. My mum is a real churchy woman, she even has the vicar come round our house and they plan sermons together...to be honest, i think religion scares me. I see some of her religious friend's and they won't listen to my arguments because they are christian and they are right, automatically, no contest, absoloutley.

I don't want my life to be determined by the values of other people. I am a firm subscriber to the idea that each day you should sleep 8 hours, work 8 hours and play 8 hours and you will be a happy man. Aslong as you cause no harm to anyone else and do what your employers asks of you and support your friends and family you are a good person, and that is truly what matters, being good.

There is no heaven, there is no hell, just self pride and the ability to choose to do good or bad. What you do in life helps you create a basis on which to make later decisions and helps you create opportunities to do great things depending on the path you choose.
 
Like I said in another topic. Diehard atheists are just as retarded as diehard believers.

If you're a woman and you believe you have to wear a long skirt and let your hair grow so long that you can wipe your ass with it, and you can't have a boyfriend because you would 'have to chose between him and God', then you're A FUCKING IDIOT in my eyes. (I have such a girl in my class)

However.

If you're an atheist who refuses to get out of his ivory tower of science-endulged "facts" and you bash every believer out there in the hopes of converting them. Then you're also a FUCKING RETARD.

Let people believe what they want man. That girl in my class might be an idiot. But believing that crap makes her life worth it, then she should continue to believe by all means.

If you're an atheist (which is just as stupid as religion in my eyes, but that's just my opinion) and you're happy with it.

But never, ever try to convert people man. Nobody wants to be converted and nobody gives a damn about your believes (or lack thereof).

Just my two cents. And it wasn't my intention to flame anyone with this message, if I did. My sincere apologies.
 
I was brought up a Catholic and went to catacism and conformation classes and all that for years. In the end I never got confermed because I didn't agree with all that I was taught and so I wasn't willing to make a promise I wasn't going to keep. So now I believe in my own ideas and thoughts.

However, on Monday while I was walking to a school to play some basketball I walked past a baptist church and I noticed a poster on the wall. It was adviertising easter and read "Got Easter Nailed?". I found this so offensive that I actually went in and complained about it. I'm not a big fan of religion, but with the way I was brought up Jesus died for our sins and to save us from damnation. So for a church to make fun of this event I found really offensive. Strange how the smallest things can annoy the hell out of you. Anyway, just thought I would share that with you all.
 
I was born and raised mormon, turned to buddhism (nichiren shoshu branch), became agnostic and eventually an atheist. I have spent a lot of time reading about various religions; i find them fascinating. I also think religion plays a very important part in a lot of people's lives; it teaches them morals, helps them through hard situations, gives them a sense of belonging and purpose. That makes it very important. I am not anti-religious.

That being said, I've always disagreed with "missionary work". The people who feel it is their job to go out and convert the non-believers lest we burn in hell. Threatening us with eternal damnation, saying things like "what have you got to lose? why not just join and avoid the firey pits" is rediculous. What's the piont of joining if you don't actually believe the doctrine? Isn't false faith worse than no faith? Wouldn't it be better to allow those with doubt in their hearts and minds come to you to find their place?
 
As tiger already stated, I'll tell you what I believe and why I believe it, not to convert you or to brainwash you into my way of thinking. If you take it that way, that's your fault. I'll tell you so you can understand where I do stand. But I don't go around telling people what they believe is wrong.
 
I am a strong believer in God and Christ. I am what's known as a theologian. Now there's some out there who call themselves as such, but when they get into discussions (arguments), with others, they become no better than the pastors preaching constant damnation and the atheists shouting about how there's nothing out there. I like nothing more than just a nice logical discussion between 2 parties.

Not trying to put myself above those others... just stating some facts that I've seen in the "me" vs. "others" category
 
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