EVERYONE KILL BETHESDA AND PETE HINES NOW

[Chefe]

:D

He's teaching a moral lesson. It's just like the Bible, only entertaining.

 

[Balor]

Ha-ha-ha!
I'm always astounded how believers consider themselves better (holier then thou, he-he-he) then other people because they 'spiritual'.
Well...

One must admit, though, that believing in something involves a bit of abstract thinking, so that indeed puts believers above non-believing folk... it shows that their imagination and abilities to manipulate abstract concepts is higher, right?

Wrong.

Simple act of lying involves a lot of related brain activity - you imagine a lot of stuff, then sort out that so it:
a. Sounds realistic.
b. Will serve your cause.
c. Etc.
And since, I think, everyone admits that they lied one time or an other...

So, anyone capable of distinct speaking can make up stuff and imagine things. (Unless that he's on some 'truth drug', and those, accidentallly, simply take your ability to think clearly and imagine thigns).
The question is, believers stopped there, while skeptics went further - and begun to sort things that can be believed in and reasonable from things that don't.

One can believe in anything. God, Devil, green men from Mars, yellow men from Alpha Centauri, ghosts, poltergeist, flesh-eating zombies, elves, fairies, Santa Claus...

If someone is a skeptic, it does not mean that he cannot think up stuff. It just means that he filters the output for logical flaws and just outright silliness. Believers just don't have such filters.. or have them riddled with holes.

Anyway, I find it amusing that someone who is grown up and believes in Santa Claus will be viewed as retard, while someone who believes in God - completely normal.
Both of them have equal proof of existence - mean, zero besides some tall tales and outright mystifications.

Hey, believers! If you believe in God, why don't you believe in Santa Claus too?
Who knows, he might take offence at your lack of worship and do something horrible to you if you'll die?

 

[Rulion]

How did this thread turn from Oblivion-bashing to God-bashing? If you believe in Him, fine, good for you. If you don't, I don't care, enjoy your life. I'm not going to insult somebody simply because they feel they need God in their life - religion, believe it or not, helps some people get through rough periods in their lives, and whether they're "lying" to themselves shouldn't be a matter anyone on the outside needs to concern themselves with. The whole notion of belief rests on the fact that there's no proof to substaniate what you're believing in. But it's a little ridiculous to start comparing the notion of a higher being and an afterlife to the existence of Santa Claus and imaginary friends, and treating the word "Believer" as if it's a curse. To my knowledge, empires haven't been founded and destroyed in the belief of Santa.

Seriously, reading these last couple pages, I'm ready to start buying thick-rimmed black glasses, tight brightly coloured t-shirts, and some Weezer albums for a few of the posters.

 

[Rat Keeng]

I'm not going to insult somebody simply because they feel they need God in their life

I am. FILTHY STINKING GODLOVING BASTARDS, I SMELL MY CROTCH AND THINK OF YOU!

 

[ExMonk]

Oh no. I'm crushed. I expected that by my comments everyone here on rpgcodex would be instantly converted. I NEVER suspected that they would respond the way they did: immaturely, angrily, sarcastically, tauntingly. What a complete and total surprise. Especially from Chefe. Who would have guessed?

Sorry I missed all the fun you've been having. Kind of makes me wonder what exposure you all have had to Christians or Christianity. Obviously it hasn't been positive. Any former church goers here? Granted, much of you wrote was ridicule and taunting, still there was so much caricature and stereotyping in your comments--as if you don't really understand the Christian faith. Makes me wonder.

In any event, there are nearly two billion in the world who call themselves Christians boys and girls. Christians who believe that God created a perfect world, that humanity rebelled against this God, and fell into sin, and are separated from their creator by sin. That if they remain in this condition they will be eternally judged. That God in his mercy sent His Son to restore his creation by atoning for their sins on the cross. That all those who believe Jesus Christ alone is Savior and Mediator and are baptized are forgiven and will receive eternal life as a gift.

The central message of Christianity is God's love, a love he demonstrated by sending his Son to atone for sin by his sacrificial death on the cross. But, of course, such an act of salvation only makes sense against the backdrop of the other teaching of the Bible, that all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So, yes, the Christian faith does preach against sin and urge people to repent and seek forgiveness in Christ. Can't have one without the other.

As for "proof" for God's existence, have none of you ever had any prayers answered that have no other explanation? Have you never witnessed a miraculous healing or been a part of one? You act as if talk about God is just talk, as you've never experienced his power in your life.

Okay this is my last post on this, because I like you guys and don't want you to rupture your spleens or something worse--unless you ask me questions, then I'll respond. But I'm going to start praying for you that God will make himself known to you. God is not merely an idea folks.

Blessings in Jesus! (that's for you Chefe)

 

[pantheon]

ExMonk - why not start a topic about this in the General Discussions area.

 

[Chefe]

I'm crushed.

I'm Chefe.

Especially from Chefe. Who would have guessed?

I'm a surprising induhvidual.

Kind of makes me wonder what exposure you all have had to Christians or Christianity. Obviously it hasn't been positive.

Christianity killed my father, and raped my mother, and ran over my dog.

In any event, there are nearly two billion in the world who call themselves Christians boys and girls.

So you discriminate against the trannies?

Christians who believe that God created a perfect world, that humanity rebelled against this God, and fell into sin, and are separated from their creator by sin.

If it was so perfect how could people sin and rebel then, huh??

That God in his mercy sent His Son to restore his creation by atoning for their sins on the cross.

Sounds like he hates Jesus. Wouldn't it have been nicer and less bloody to send gift baskets instead?

That all those who believe Jesus Christ alone is Savior and Mediator and are baptized are forgiven and will receive eternal life as a gift.

Sounds like a good gift, but if eternity is setting around in a white palace worshipping God all day I think I'd rather disappear into the cosmos forever. Slavery sucks.

The central message of Christianity is God's love, a love he demonstrated by sending his Son to atone for sin by his sacrificial death on the cross.

He also demonstrates this by brutally murdering anyone who has different thoughts.

So, yes, the Christian faith does preach against sin and urge people to repent and seek forgiveness in Christ. Can't have one without the other.

I tell you what isn't sin, drowning the entire world. Nope. And neither is forcing people to walk with starvation and thirst in the desert for fourty years.

As for "proof" for God's existence, have none of you ever had any prayers answered that have no other explanation? Have you never witnessed a miraculous healing or been a part of one? You act as if talk about God is just talk, as you've never experienced his power in your life.

Houdini = God?

God is not merely an idea folks.

You're right. Thank goodness it's been proven without a doubt that he exists.

Blessings in Jesus! (that's for you Chefe)

Don't get all buddy buddy with me, buddy.

 

[Tintin]

I'm always astounded how believers consider themselves better (holier then thou, he-he-he) then other people because they 'spiritual'.

It's the same as athiests who believe they're smarter than spiritual people because they're in the science4eva club.

 

[pantheon]

I'm always astounded how believers consider themselves better (holier then thou, he-he-he) then other people because they 'spiritual'.

It's the same as athiests who believe they're smarter than spiritual people because they're in the science4eva club.

Theres nothing like a good sanctimonious, self-righteous attitude helping you get out of bed every morning.... We all believe in something, even athiests and agnostics.

There's only one thing we agree on though ... that we are right!

 

[Tintin]

There's only one thing we agree on though ... that we are right!

True, so LETS ALL STOP ARGUING FOR %#)*_%# SAKE.

 

[Chefe]

 

[Data4]

Okay, that's it. I hereby invoke one of the funniest things I've seen in my life.

Smile and know that despite how fucked up an individual this person may be, God loves him, too. I think.

-D4

 

[kingcomrade]

Hey, there are some atheists who are fed up with the anti-religion snobbery as well.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

I'm an atheist.

The reason that many atheists believe their point-of-view to be genuinely better is because we consider it to be based in rationality, whereas other points of view are not. And in the eyes of many, irrationality is synonymous with stupidity.

That being said, if you're going to call others stupid, you should at least act smart yourself. Insults and bashing don't help your cause, regardless of what it is or its merits.

 

[Tintin]

because we consider it to be based in rationality, whereas other points of view are not.

So. Where did the universe come from again? Why are all of it's defined laws the way they are again?

Okay you don't have to answer that.

 

[Chefe]

because we consider it to be based in rationality, whereas other points of view are not.

So. Where did the universe come from again? Why are all of it's defined laws the way they are again?

Okay you don't have to answer that.

Everything exploded out of a drop of matter the size of a pin. Dumbass. Damn, you're so irrational.

 

[Tintin]

Everything exploded out of a drop of matter the size of a pin.

Damn, can't believe I missed that.

 

[kingcomrade]

Actually we were all called into existence by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. He was fucking his girlfriend without a condom and she gave birth to the universe. TEH UNIVARSE WAS NA ACSIDENT!

 

[Rat Keeng]

As for "proof" for God's existence, have none of you ever had any prayers answered that have no other explanation? Have you never witnessed a miraculous healing or been a part of one? You act as if talk about God is just talk, as you've never experienced his power in your life.

I believe that all humans have energy stored in their bodies, and that some can channel that energy to other people. I know one myself who cured a backproblem of mine a few years ago, and she never even touched me, just held her hand over my body in certain places. She's been an atheist for some 20 odd years, and has never been to a church since her baptism. If you want to explain that with religion, fine by me, i'll just stick to biology.

And yes, i've experienced Jesus-healers, two of them, and they were both frauds. My friend's broken leg wasn't healed, and he prays and believes in God, even though he doesn't go to church.

 

[voodoo1man]

I think maybe Exmonk would prefer to hang out at the JesusCodex. There should be significantly fewer pictures of penis mutilation, anal stretching, and projectile shitting.

That's what I thought too, until I saw this Jesus-themed snuff film. I guess we can all find a common language through these things.

 

[Spazmo]

I believe that all humans have energy stored in their bodies, and that some can channel that energy to other people.

Yup, your body contains joules and joules and joules of energy. The best way to "channel" it to other people is usually to give them a good shove or otherwise do work on them. You can also give energy to your surroundings by setting yourself on fire--that's my personal favourite. So next time you feel like aligning your chakras and channeling Gaia's healing energy into your den mother or something, just take the shortcut: douse yourself in diesel fuel and light up.

 

[Section8]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a Popeye game. Popeye is a heaps badder dude than Duke Nukem, and would have fucked President Ronnie's shit up.

 

[Chefe]

There have been Popeye games.

I would have said, "I'm surprised there hasn't been a good Popeye game."

 

[Goliath]

But it's a little ridiculous to start comparing the notion of a higher being and an afterlife to the existence of Santa Claus and imaginary friends, and treating the word "Believer" as if it's a curse. To my knowledge, empires haven't been founded and destroyed in the belief of Santa.

The same could be said about Buddism, Jainism etc. The fact that certain religions like Christianity and Islam are perfectly suited to support regimes or fuel war does not make believing in God or Allah any more reasonable than the believing in Stana Claus or the Easter Bunny.

And BTW atheism is just another word for sanity. We don't see or hear things that aren't there. So we - unlike certain other people - are sane.

I want to make this clear. I do not believe that theists are "dumb" - I think they are insane.

Luckily real "believers" are very rare here in good ol' Europe. I mean here in Germany we have 90% christians and most of them even pay church tax (a little amount of money collected by the government that goes to your church ). We Germans contribute a good part of the "millions of christians" ExMonk talks about but in fact most people around here laugh about people like him - calling them anything between medieval and insane.
Want to be shocked? As far as the statistics are concerned I am a christian! I even pay church tax for the evangelical-lutheran church but only because revoking membership requires nasty burocracy and the church tax is rather minimal. Talk about being lazy ...

 

[Balor]

You have Church tax?!
That's wicked.
On the other hand...
I think that's better then situation we have here now - popes use their influence with officials to build churches on budget money w/o asking whether we, tax payers, want it or not - at all!
*sigh*
I think that churches should pay taxes themselves and generally be threated for yet an other commercial organization - something it is anyway.
Or better be equaled to 'heavy drug selling' and be forbidden altogether .
I'm talking about organized churches, of course, not just individual beleivers. They just cannot help themselves, and church uses them to their advantage.

I want to make this clear. I do not believe that theists are "dumb" - I think they are insane.

Sad but true.
Again, Santa Claus example - if someone will go around preaching 'Believe in Santa Claus, and he'll give you all kinds of wondrous gifts', he'll be quickly escorted to an appropriate facility.
When it comes to religion...

Anyway, I agree that 'real' believes that, indeed, qualify as insane - are minority.

Most believers are simply 'following the herd' or believe 'just in case' - as though simple admittance that God exist will earn them a cushy place in Heaven once they die, heh. They are harmless.
But when it comes to people that think that their believes make them 'holier then thou'...
Talking of holy wars and stuff.

______
And about 'miraculous healings'...
Hoaxes and fairy tales aside, anyone heard of placebo effect?
That's your 'miracles'.

And even talking about ‘self-lighting candles’ and ‘crying icons’... all they prove (provided it’s for real) - that candles can light by themselves and icons can excrete oil somehow.
Nothing more.