Is christianity, or religion in general, a belief of convinience?

What may appear as a passive answer, might be more of a serenity she has now achieved.You see, maybe she thinks the reality of creation/evolution is infact independent of what she thinks about the issue. I myself have come to realize this, and find myself arguing both sides sometimes.This doesn't mean she has quit thinking. And this is partly your own outlook aswell, because you obviously think that people of religion cannot think freely. That isn't the case. You can think without making a stink.Even God didn't want to tell us about the "how" and Christ was only concerned with the "why" - yet we obviously believe he created all things.

Well, to be honest, nothing challenges my belief in Christ anyway.Now something does obviously challenge the apologetics, yes - but I don't think anything can challenge the core of the belief. We are free to think, we just have a different way of thinking.You see, man's ideas are small and his glory is as grass, here today gone tomorrow. So to me, all that the world can offer is that which I already know of and partake of. It's not that we reject it; It's that if we have a choice as to pick man or God, we choose the latter. This is hard to understand for the unbeliever. Name something that would inhibit my thought process.You see, just cos we don't think your way doesn't mean we can't think freely.Though I admitt that I am a lil biased, and obviously favour the truth. Ahahaha.This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-12-2004 09:11 PM

Ahahaha.. I doubt it. You see, what could prove that he doesn't reside in heaven. You see Yarobabe, he is unfalsifiable, but then - he isn't a scientific Theory. Yes. But one has to understand the premise, which is that I am as stubborn as it gets, lol. So I mean, nothing could un-belief my belief. It's too late you see, once you know the truth. Yes, you could go back in time and get rid of the NT. Seriously though, I can't think of any way in which you could de-convert me. But then, I think it might also be hard to change your mind probably just s much as it would mine. Well I dunno...I still wonder, I occasionaly wonder whether or not God created or evolved us. I still wonder if there is any other life in this universe, and what other worlds would be like etc..I guess thid might come down to a personality thing almost. I guess I am a "why" person, and you might be a "how". That might be the only difference. I am open to ideas, but if anything attempts to go against Christ then obviously I will think it is from the enemy. You see - hat's how I truly think.As for being harsh, you are not being harsh - I deserve what I get probably.

This is a huge misconception amongst unbelievers. Not only is there no partying in heaven, but infact "denying pleasures" has nothing to do with getting into heaven. The whole point is that if you are "chosen" then just how have you earned heaven?...Think about it, it's like me working all year to win the Tour de France, but unless I am the chosen one - I will in no way win the Tour. Therefore, if someone has been chosen, like Saul who became Paul, does that mean Saul earned heaven?Maybe you haven't read the scripture from Christ. Or; "we are unprofitable servants". If anything, I hope to get to heaven - but the small place you've just described is not a place I would want to go to. Even Christ asked, "Does a servant expect to sit down to dinner when he has made ready his master's table" (similar words). So then - if I skipped earthly pleasures, do I seek a reward? And if I "serve" other people - do I expect to sit down to dinner?If we are a living sacrifice, we must be "presented holy". THIS is the reason that we might try and skip sin. Also, we are "unprofitable servants" because servants do not profit. What makes a christian righteouss? Not by I anything, therefore I am everything.I had a dream that Christ was offered a bunch of leaves, and to my surprise he took very few - even less than a third - or maybe about a third. Then I realised that those who go to heaven and those who don't - must all be before Christ as leaves, afterall he is God. Therefore - heaven and who goes there becomes independent of what I think or even try concerning the thing.This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 12:47 PM

Ofcourse we think it is something else, like a placebo. Otherwise we wouldn't believe. We believe we have the truth, if we thought is was some mental placebo - then we would stop believing. The problem here is, that because we should (according to you)- look at it from another persons perspective, then we should then take that other persons perspective as truth. But why should we? You don't!It's like saying, "Because we think evolution is true, you should see it from our view, and if you still reject it then that is wrong".But what then Yaro? Are you saying that this "belief thing" MUST lead us to partake in each and every religion?How does this wisdom work on yourself by the way? You do realise that you reject more religions than I don't you? You reject one more than me, so aren't you a bit more guilty of what you are saying? Shouldn't you realise that there is something to this "belief thing"?? But that's a strawman of christians. Cos quite clearly we don't say these things. Everyone I know is atheist - do you expect that I say this???If anything, Christ has shown that he has accepted anyone. He came to his own, and his own rejected him. To us - only the story of Jesus Christ is acceptable when concerning this world, and only this explanation is satisfactory. All other religions don't meet the requirements of truth to us.Why should we change this. If someone said, "Apples come from the grass gods, or apples come from trees" which one will suffice? Surely the truth will always make the other claims look silly in your eyes, will they not?Answer this post lurker!

"It teaches that the road to heaven is narrow and the way to hell is wide. Scripture was clearly not written for those who want simple answers or an easy, optimistic view of religion and human nature."In this page, Ten reasons to believe in Bible, it tells more accurately the interpretation of the dream in what Christ said from the above quote(wide is the way to damnation etc...). Also, here's the link - I owe those chance tools some airtime; From hereI definately agree that the bible is honest, and it makes out that all humans are sinful. Not a pretty picture for most of the time. So much for the fairytale I've been accused of believing in.This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 01:45 PM

Instead of supporting the other side, why don't you fight the good fight of faith?I shown the link because I agree with the "honesty" part, and God used the link to remind me that he wants me to tell them of the path of destruction being wide. I am guessing you don't believe Christ is the Messiah as you think that no prophecies have been fulfilled.So while your post show your position, many would say that infact it's not the bible that is weak, but rather your faith. It seems it is a stretch for you to believe anything the bible says.Nevertheless, you have stated that you believe in Christ, so I won't be the one who says your faith is weak. However, you certainly don't give the bible much credit.So obviously you do believe he is the Messiah yet you don't heed the prophecies therein???This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 02:21 PM

Concerning the invisible pink dragon in your garage.While I believe you tell the truth that you have a garage, I don't believe you when you say; Where is the scripture that talks of this pink dragon?Have you any reason to believe he exists through scripture or have people preached him/her to you. (I guess it's a she if it's pink)How do you know it's pink if it is invisible. Good to hear from you again!

The bible says that the God of Abraham, Izaac and Jacob IS God. There is no other, it says have no other gods - and the bible also tells us why - because they are fake, made by mens hands, idols.While I agree there is a possibility of God appearing in many forms, I certainly do not entertain this silly notion that there is other gods. The Jews were exposed to false gods in Egypt, and God says have "no other gods" because obviously he means those false ones his children were exposed to.If your claim; Is true, atleast provide the quotes that show this conclusively.

That does not mean there is other gods Jar. Sorry to deflate your balloon but your quotes prove that God wanted Israel as his people, and him (God) as THEIR God. Obviously he is not going to be the Egyptians God is he!! - This in no way claims there is other gods. Where have I told God what to do?This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 02:50 PM

Jar!!!!! I meant the Egyptians wouldn't have him as God at the time of Exodus, darn you. Yes, nor does it confirm them as real, nor give them any validity as being actually real spirits.You see, it also says ans shows that God means idols when he refers to his children (Israel) having other gods.For example, the golden calf - OBVIOUSLY it isn't a real God, and OBVIOUSLY the Jews got the idea from the false gods of Egypt.We're off topic, I TOLD YOU you didn't have anything conclusive, which is why I said provide the quotes. Therefore it is unreasonable of you to promote other gods. God says don't have them for a reason you know.If he was really appearing as other gods, then why would he say "have no other gods"? Exodus; Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image....Thou shall not bow down thyself to them nor serve themPsalm 81; There shall no strange godbe in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of EgyptPsalm 82; I have said, Ye are gods; And all of you are children of the most highSo gods is obviously not meant as something similar to God, but rather, that of high regard. Do you think you are comparable to the actual God?This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 03:30 PM

I have added to message 47. Sorry about the editing late.

Rofl. Hasn't he already shown you that he has had numerous answered prayers which do not include post hoc reasoning, and confirmation bias? Like when he was healed for example, and gained a girlfriend etc.. These are specific requests, met by specific responses. If he had asked for a healing, and received a loaf of bread, and shrugged it off, then maybe I would buy into this post hoc babble.

And I think you win on that particular point. As I admitt that God could ofcourse appear how he wants to, and do what he will with his own. So I agree that God can indeed possibly appear in many forms or could have possibly appeared in forms which people might have mis-interpreted.I hope you can see what I meant by there being no other god though. I stand by that particular point, but I concede that other one. I guess I have a bit of a different outlook, rather that God created a world in which the inhabitants doomed themselves. Yet I am certainly open to the possibility, that I don't know sh*t about who's going to heaven, and I just hope I am.

ROFL, that's a good one, I thought I had you cornered for sure.I get what you are obviously trying to show, yet Christ is preached openly, and anyone is invited to partake of the freegift. There's the clincher my friend, not only do we think it silly that God should be limited to one nation or person, but we demand that he is the God of all. Only God could have opened his door to Gentiles, and invite ALL people to read of his scripture. And even an occasional fool like me he might make wise. Well, all I can say is that you are perfectly free in your belief, though I wish you could come to see that even though you yourself are exposed to pinkypammydragon, I myself heared of Christ independent of my own self.And I'm glad you remembered me. Probably from that NS topic.This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 07-15-2004 04:04 PM