Christianity...how can you beleive?

[tarheels058]

Up until recently I considered myself a Christian, I used to go to church, I've been baptized and confirmed by the Church. I never truly believed in any of it though. I wanted to believe there was a God and everything I was taught was the truth, but I don't see how it is possible.

Two thousand years ago Jesus was born, and the Bible was written. Two thousand years ago a lot of other books were written, they also talked of people doing amazing things, magic, dragons, etc. But today all those other books about these amazing things are called fantasy, because we know that was all made up bullshit. But not the Bible, that has to be the truth. The only difference between the Bible and any other story is that people began to believe in it, and it spread on a HUGE scale, and when the majority of people are that deep into something theres no way of changing their mind. Even though today we know that things written in the Bible...are WRONG. God created the Earth in 7 days...rightttttt. We know that swirling clouds of dust and gas came together to create planets, not some great creator. So if one thing in the Bible is most likely wrong whats to say that more things in it aren't wrong?

Not to mention were the Bible came from...people who received the message of God. Say tomorrow someone claims they have received a message from God, what would people think if they wrote a book and said it was the word of God? People would think they were fucking insane. But not the people thousands of years ago...they truly heard the word of God...

We know that humans evolved. Just like every other animal on this earth. We came from the exact same place dogs and cats and mice and deer came from. The only difference between us and dogs is the knowledge we've gained after millions of years of existence. Somehow our species was blessed with a more functional brain, and we slowly used it to advance. We have lungs and bones and ears and eyes just like every other animal...you think we were created to be something special...God's personal creation...there might be something different about us. Evolution is the one thing I continually look at to the reason why I can't possibly believe in God.

Science is going to be the end of religion as we know it. As we continue to figure out everything about Earth and the Universe it is only a matter of time before there are enough FACTS proving religion as we know it to be wrong.

I still believe their may be some kind of God, a higher being, but as of now I am confident any religion on this Earth is not even close to the reality of that divine being. I don't know much about any religion other than Christianity, but the fact that Christianity seems so wrong to me leads me to believe all religions are just as bad.

Does anyone else share my feelings? What are some arguments that prove me wrong?, is Christianity actually valid?

[Floydian]

Originally Posted by tarheels058

Science is going to be the end of religion as we know it. As we continue to figure out everything about Earth and the Universe it is only a matter of time before there are enough FACTS proving religion as we know it to be wrong.

Even though I do not "go along" with the Christian ideals whatsoever, as I have said in this forum before;

Religion has nothing to do with being "right or wrong," and it's a full out waste of time to put it to said standards. Looking at it in such a way is just as inherently flawed as the way Christians try to prove it as right, or truth.

It's just not even close the the "point" of it.

[effektz]

I do share your views a lot. But i don't think we were "blessed" with a better brain, natural selection played a role in that I'm sure. And while I agree that religion is bad and if there is a god, it (not he) is unlike anything we can begin to imagine. But if a god does exist, I see it totally possible that god used evolution as the way to spread life on this planet. Maybe this universe is just God's experiment with evolution

[Zylark]

Besides blatantly bumping this thread, I'd like to offer a bit of, shall we say, comic relief. And not least, a small glimpse of how vitrol debate on religion can get in more civilized parts of the world. Yes, Norway

Recently, Mordechai Vanunu, have applied for political asylum in Norway, due to his arrest, housearrest and harrasment from the Israeli government. Now, just about everyone in Norway think this is a great idea. Even the bishops all welcome him with open arms as a brave whistle blower on the Israeli WMD program.

But some on the far religious right, the lapdogs of Israel, are not so happy. Calling Vanunu amongst others a Quisling.

This have not gone unpunished in quite the few newspaper discussions. And the best, had me laughing out loud. I'll try to translate as best I can:

This hero have sacrified years of his life, in the struggle against the criminal state of Israels WMD program. And then comes along a christian potato-fairy of a sheepish waffel-eating psalm-hummer and utters something so low, so cowardice and wrong. This christian-clutz is programmed to lick up the assjuice of gods chosen racists no matter what. But it is good that it is revealed how shallow the empathy is in the dry waffelhearts of these styrofoam-filled heads.

And some say discussion here on the city is heated, hehe. But I guess, living in Norway, where religion isn't all that respected in debate, that kind of expression isn't entirely unusual. And whenever it is made, people snicker to themself with a certain schadenfreude. I know I did

[ipack]

Originally Posted by tarheels058

Two thousand years ago Jesus was born, and the Bible was written. Two thousand years ago a lot of other books were written, they also talked of people doing amazing things, magic, dragons, etc. But today all those other books about these amazing things are called fantasy, because we know that was all made up bullshit. But not the Bible, that has to be the truth. The only difference between the Bible and any other story is that people began to believe in it, and it spread on a HUGE scale, and when the majority of people are that deep into something theres no way of changing their mind. Even though today we know that things written in the Bible...are WRONG. God created the Earth in 7 days...rightttttt. We know that swirling clouds of dust and gas came together to create planets, not some great creator. So if one thing in the Bible is most likely wrong whats to say that more things in it aren't wrong?

That's assuming you take the bible literally. I discount large portions of the old testament and new. As I've said in other threads about this, you can find similarities in Genesis to the creation stories of many other religions. Moses didn't write the pentateuch, it was more than likely (in my opinion) redacted from 4 or 5 sources. Jesus probably didn't perform miracles, nor was his resurrection bodily. Reading the bible closely will reveal numerous contradictions.

I like the gospels of matthew, mark, and luke. Jesus was a chill dude. He promoted wonderful ideals of peace and doing good to all mankind. Regardless of their station in life.

You don't have to believe every word in a book to use it as a guide for your life. Most christians i know are respectful and don't push their beliefs on others.

We know that humans evolved. Just like every other animal on this earth. We came from the exact same place dogs and cats and mice and deer came from. The only difference between us and dogs is the knowledge we've gained after millions of years of existence. Somehow our species was blessed with a more functional brain, and we slowly used it to advance. We have lungs and bones and ears and eyes just like every other animal...you think we were created to be something special...God's personal creation...there might be something different about us. Evolution is the one thing I continually look at to the reason why I can't possibly believe in God.

Science is going to be the end of religion as we know it. As we continue to figure out everything about Earth and the Universe it is only a matter of time before there are enough FACTS proving religion as we know it to be wrong.

Again, evolution and christianity do not necessarily conflict depending on your views and hermeneutics. And as long as people have profound religious experiences that science can't explain, there will always be religion.

I still believe their may be some kind of God, a higher being, but as of now I am confident any religion on this Earth is not even close to the reality of that divine being. I don't know much about any religion other than Christianity, but the fact that Christianity seems so wrong to me leads me to believe all religions are just as bad

Your views are pretty black and white eh? It's not about being right or wrong(as Floydian said previously).

edit: i should mention that my religious views are somewhat unitarian in nature

[SaveThyRoaches]

I personally question if these actually happen?
with some iso hash after t-break

[qwerty man]

Originally Posted by tarheels058

Up until recently I considered myself a Christian, I used to go to church, I've been baptized and confirmed by the Church. I never truly believed in any of it though. I wanted to believe there was a God and everything I was taught was the truth, but I don't see how it is possible.

Two thousand years ago Jesus was born, and the Bible was written. Two thousand years ago a lot of other books were written, they also talked of people doing amazing things, magic, dragons, etc. But today all those other books about these amazing things are called fantasy, because we know that was all made up bullshit. But not the Bible, that has to be the truth. The only difference between the Bible and any other story is that people began to believe in it, and it spread on a HUGE scale, and when the majority of people are that deep into something theres no way of changing their mind. Even though today we know that things written in the Bible...are WRONG. God created the Earth in 7 days...rightttttt. We know that swirling clouds of dust and gas came together to create planets, not some great creator. So if one thing in the Bible is most likely wrong whats to say that more things in it aren't wrong?

Not to mention were the Bible came from...people who received the message of God. Say tomorrow someone claims they have received a message from God, what would people think if they wrote a book and said it was the word of God? People would think they were fucking insane. But not the people thousands of years ago...they truly heard the word of God...

We know that humans evolved. Just like every other animal on this earth. We came from the exact same place dogs and cats and mice and deer came from. The only difference between us and dogs is the knowledge we've gained after millions of years of existence. Somehow our species was blessed with a more functional brain, and we slowly used it to advance. We have lungs and bones and ears and eyes just like every other animal...you think we were created to be something special...God's personal creation...there might be something different about us. Evolution is the one thing I continually look at to the reason why I can't possibly believe in God.

Science is going to be the end of religion as we know it. As we continue to figure out everything about Earth and the Universe it is only a matter of time before there are enough FACTS proving religion as we know it to be wrong.

I still believe their may be some kind of God, a higher being, but as of now I am confident any religion on this Earth is not even close to the reality of that divine being. I don't know much about any religion other than Christianity, but the fact that Christianity seems so wrong to me leads me to believe all religions are just as bad.

Does anyone else share my feelings? What are some arguments that prove me wrong?, is Christianity actually valid?

We don't know how the Earth was made and we don't know that humans evolved, they're just theories that have huge flaws in them.

[ETEK]

i believe in the Jewish God because it makes the most sense. there hasnt been any solid proof that the events in the Bible never happend. the only thing that is close to proving it wrong is science, but really science and God coincide pretty well. in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, whos to say that the dust particle that exploded wasnt God? but what Christianity is built on is faith its not so much a religion as it is faith. if you believe it then your a christian if not then you are just looking for empty answers. who really cares who/ what created the earth? that really doesnt help anyone live a better life. if you believe what jesus teaches then no doubt will you become a better person

[bigred420]

I only have one reason to hate on christianity(I thought about it high on some grade A Berkelely weed).

Why the fuck do Christians wear crosses and use it as there symbol of distinction?

Wouldn't you think that is the last thing christ would like to see when he comes back, I mean he was nailed on to the god damn thing. If I were Jesus thats the last thing I would want to see when I came back, all my followers with crosses around there necks. I think where crosses around your neck is the equvilant to a bunch of people mourning the loss of JFK by wearing little sniper crosshair pennets around there necks.

[ETEK]

Originally Posted by bigred420

I only have one reason to hate on christianity(I thought about it high on some grade A Berkelely weed).

Why the fuck do Christians wear crosses and use it as there symbol of distinction?

Wouldn't you think that is the last thing christ would like to see when he comes back, I mean he was nailed on to the god damn thing. If I were Jesus thats the last thing I would want to see when I came back, all my followers with crosses around there necks. I think where crosses around your neck is the equvilant to a bunch of people mourning the loss of JFK by wearing little sniper crosshair pennets around there necks.

its a symbol to remind us what he did for us... its not meant to rub it in jesus' face or anyhting. your right in that people shouldnt really wear the cross because its not that christ died for us its that he rose again to save us. and the cross totally ignors that aspect.

[Vez]

Just a fact:
Jesus is only mentioned by one philosopher and it's indirectly. He refers to "Chrisen" which isn't exactly christ at all. For all you know he's a fraud, fake, and a religious symbol used to drive the catholic church into power in the early days. If there was a christ, he was an Asane (you know, the religion that christianity took all of it's teachings from).
If you want to learn more about religions that christians have stolen their info from, check out the babylonian's story of Gilgamesh. You'll find yourself laughing at the simialarities and the fact that it was written over two thousand years before the bible.

[ManU10]

You don't have to believe every word in a book to use it as a guide for your life. Most christians i know are respectful and don't push their beliefs on others.

I want to be where you are. I live in the middle of the Bible belt and if I even suggest that christianity is wrong, someone tries to fight me.

[morphyx]

Originally Posted by Vez

Just a fact:
Jesus is only mentioned by one philosopher and it's indirectly. He refers to "Chrisen" which isn't exactly christ at all. For all you know he's a fraud, fake, and a religious symbol used to drive the catholic church into power in the early days. If there was a christ, he was an Asane (you know, the religion that christianity took all of it's teachings from).

Actually, the early church existed for about 400 years before the early Roman Catholic Church was born. In fact, the followers of Jesus were under persecution from Roman emperors for the first 300 years of it's existence...like for example, Nero. All of the original disciple were killed for their faith or imprisoned. Hardly a play for power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians

Originally Posted by Vez

If you want to learn more about religions that christians have stolen their info from, check out the babylonian's story of Gilgamesh. You'll find yourself laughing at the simialarities and the fact that it was written over two thousand years before the bible.

That's because it is an embellishment of the same story. Abraham (Abram), the first semitic Hebrew, was born in Ur of the Chaldees located in Mesopotamia located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. He brought the story with him to Canaan. What we read in Genesis is a cut down version of the basic story as preserved by oral tradition. Abraham was a decedent of Shem, the son of Noah. The genealogy is recorded in Genesis 11.

The Chaldeans were polytheistic (Babylonians) and most likely combined the oral tradition with their religious views.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaldees

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia

[HoldSteady]

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
thats how

[rounder975]

I'll admit I didn't read most of this becuase I know the typical questions and responses, but dude let me just tell you... it's just about being a good person. Religion is a lot of bs and imposing fear of the unknown on people so that they will act like good people. If your beliefs are what make you a good person, then follow them. I personally don't need a fear or a religion to try to be nice and considerate (etc) to people; its just how I feel like I should be.

And obviously religion, especially areas of Christianity, can seem ridiculous at times and you may not agree with them. Then don't - no one should tell you your morals or ethical principles, except for the few universal ones. Remember when people believed in witches and burned people at the stake? Oh wait, yeah, thats right... that's still going on. There was an entire family burned in 1999.