Motivations for the non-belief in God

It's been my experience that in most cases belief in some divinity has nothing what so ever to do with whether or not a person is ethical. While someone might think that belief in a divinity would entail adherence to certain ethical disciplines, my experience is that very often those who profess the greatest belief in their diety are the least ethical. Just look at the transcripts from the recent Dover trial and look at the number of times the so called religious witnesses lied. Again, the only difference I see between those who are religious and those who are not, is that those who are not seem to be more disciplined than most of those who are religious. In addition, the Atheists and Agnostics seem to be far more likely to take responsibility for their actions and less likely to try to absolve themselves through cop outs like original sin or demons.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

well, everyone is saved, Jew and Muslim, Atheist and Agnositic, Satanist and Pagan, Taoist and Christian, unless they really screw up.The Bible says that the most likely Goats will Christians, believers, followers who think they are saved.Christian will be held to higher standards though. Read Matthew 25:31-46.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

But don't worry about MY salvation. If you want to discuss salvation though, first read Message 1 and if after reading that, you still have questions, feel free to start another thread.And don't worry, I'll pray for you to learn what the Christian Message really is.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Well, Guido, I think it is exactly what the Bible says and you can see my reasoning in the thread Message 1. I don't think you will be able to point to where I said "that the bible is an anthiology of fabrications" but it doesn't much matter. Even if everything in the Bible (and scripture certainly does not refer only to the Bible and scripture as written in the Bible specifically does not refer to the Bible) was but tales told around the campfire the issue is whether the message is valid.The goddlet described by most Christians is nothing more than a tiny cruel petulant child, and I hardly think something that insignificant could have created the Universe we see.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

The message of the Bible is very simple.No one starts out Damned.You are charged to try to do what is right and try not to do what is wrong.It really is that simple.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Love those double standards.Once again, what you describe is not GOD but some petty tyrant.If you behave while at EvC, but then you get banned for eternity because you did not vote the way that I wanted in the best admin thread, would you consider that the actions of a fair and kind Admin?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

To get back towards the topic, it is attitudes like that that often provide the motivation for a non-belief in god. When people describe a god that is arbitrary, petty, cruel and dishonest is there any wonder that folk are motivated to ignore it?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

But my example was very accurate and valid and that your response actually supports what I said.You imply that Christians are saved but others are not. So you claim that goddie punishes those who do not vote for him, who are not Christians.You go on to say that behavior should be the criteria for sanctions. I agree. I believe any reasonable approximation of GOD would judge based on behavior and not whether the person voted for him in some popularity contest.As it says in Matthew 25, I believe GOD will judge us on what we have done, not whether we believe in Him, profess Him or vote for Him.The idea that there are True Christians and NRCs is just silly.It is the really silly images of god that so many Evangelicals and Fundamentalists present, as well as the out right lies they tell and the demand that believers must first check their brains at the door that motivates folk not to believe in GOD.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Keep going Guido. So far every one of your posts has simply supported what I have said.You show a picture of a tiny, picayune goddlet. If you vote for him your sins are forgiven.That is a clear example of what motivates folk to not believe in your goddlet.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion