Do you think people that believe in God are "weak-minded?"

[Butterbean]

Why or why not?

[ToxicAvenger]

NO


athiesm is as much faith based as is a belief in god..


personally my beliefs in all honesty change..currently i dont believe in god but i do believe that we r reborn and life is cyclical...but the universe isn't..or at least this one...


within each possibility is EVERY possibility...

[Migs]

I don't.  But i beleive that those that fall blindly into religion because they need something to believe in are.  I've said it before, born/raised catholic, but i am now more spiritual than religous.  I don't buy into organized religion.  But I don't care if others do.  Well as long as they don't bible thump and try to force religion on others.

[Always Sore]

I don't.  But i beleive that those that fall blindly into religion because they need something to believe in are.  I've said it before, born/raised catholic, but i am now more spiritual than religous.  I don't buy into organized religion.  But I don't care if others do.  Well as long as they don't bible thump and try to force religion on others.

Great post.

I think there a a ton of sheep out there that are no different then people that have a drinking problem. They use religion as a crutch for dealing with life or handling problems. I respect people that can see the big picture and are willing to be open to ideas or thoughts and debate without following along like mindless drones. There is a difference from being strong in your convictions and being a shill for the church.

[Migs]

Great post.

I think there a a ton of sheep out there that are no different then people that have a drinking problem. They use religion as a crutch for dealing with life or handling problems. I respect people that can see the big picture and are willing to be open to ideas or thoughts and debate without following along like mindless drones. There is a difference from being strong in your convictions and being a shill for the church.

thank you.  You hit the nail on the head with that.

[Hustle Man]

I don't.  But i beleive that those that fall blindly into religion because they need something to believe in are.  I've said it before, born/raised catholic, but i am now more spiritual than religous.  I don't buy into organized religion.  But I don't care if others do.  Well as long as they don't bible thump and try to force religion on others.

What do you mean when you say "Fall blindly into religion"?

FYI Every human being needs something to believe in in those that don't believe in God. They try the hardest to believe in something other than God!

 

[Migs]

1) my parents are "XYZ" so i have to be "XYZ".  People should questions beliefs and form their OWN opinions about religion.
2) Madonna is a mytic jewish something or other, and i love "like a virgin" so i'm gonna be a mystic jew
3) Aliens are gods, drink the kool-aid
etc

If you are raised XYZ that's fine, but question everything gain understanding of others and if you feel like your original XYZ is the best for you great.  But at least look for yourself

[Colossus_500]

I don't.  But i beleive that those that fall blindly into religion because they need something to believe in are.  I've said it before, born/raised catholic, but i am now more spiritual than religous.  I don't buy into organized religion.  But I don't care if others do.  Well as long as they don't bible thump and try to force religion on others.

Can you explain how you are more spiritual than religious?  I know for me, I don't believe in religion.  I only believe in God.  These are two totally separate entities in my point of view.  Would you say that people often combine the two (God = Religion)? 

[Colossus_500]

1) my parents are "XYZ" so i have to be "XYZ".  People should questions beliefs and form their OWN opinions about religion.
2) Madonna is a mytic jewish something or other, and i love "like a virgin" so i'm gonna be a mystic jew
3) Aliens are gods, drink the kool-aid
etc

If you are raised XYZ that's fine, but question everything gain understanding of others and if you feel like your original XYZ is the best for you great.  But at least look for yourself

This is where your personal walk should come into play.  Even folks who attend church every week (including myself too many times to count) fall into this trap.  They show up every Sunday to get fed, and then from Monday to Saturday, they do nothing to grow.  They don't read scripture to follow up on what was taught on Sunday, but instead fall right back into the pattern of the world...wake up...go to work...come home...go to sleep.  If you follow that pattern, how ya gonna grow? 

Always Sore brought up another good point that I would like to expound on.  He said that people of faith are no better than drunks or drug addicts.  He's exactly right in that since.  I'm only speaking of Christians in this since (those who truly believe and accept that Jesus is the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).  Christians are no better than those who don't accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Two points to add to that fact:

1. There are the self-righteous in this world who believe that they are better than the non-believers
2. The believers of Christ are often upheld to a higher standard by those who are non-believers (which begs the questions as to why they would put people on a pedestal that they don't belong on?....i.e, if they don't believe in God, why put people who do believe to a higher standard, lest they actually believe that there is a God in heaven and are simply rebelling to that fact). 

[Migs]

for me, i believe that there is a higher power, and Jesues, etc.  however, i don't believe that you need to go to church to speak with god.  after all they say come to the house of god to speak with god (sometimes thru a priest) but at home when you pray you arent in the house of god.  To me, you are your own house of god.  I don't believe the dogmas fo religion, where you cant eat meat on fridays, or you can only eat the meat from certain animals and parts of animal as in Hebrews.  I have found that each and every religion has it's good points and bad points.  So for me, being spiritual is more believig that there is something higher, but not restricting it to the perceptions of man

[Colossus_500]

for me, i believe that there is a higher power, and Jesues, etc.  however, i don't believe that you need to go to church to speak with god.  after all they say come to the house of god to speak with god (sometimes thru a priest) but at home when you pray you arent in the house of god.  To me, you are your own house of god.  I don't believe the dogmas fo religion, where you cant eat meat on fridays, or you can only eat the meat from certain animals and parts of animal as in Hebrews.  I have found that each and every religion has it's good points and bad points.  So for me, being spiritual is more believig that there is something higher, but not restricting it to the perceptions of man

I agree with those points.  That's exactly why I believe that religion does NOT equate to God, but rather it is man's interpretation of who God is. Yet at the same time, they only way that you will come to know Christ is to personally walk with Him, which means that you avail yourself to Christ's will for your life.  And to do all of those things, an invitation must be made into your body, which houses your heart and spirit.  We are a spiritual dwelling, a house so to speak just as you say.

[Dos Equis]

Why or why not?

No.  I think many who believe in God and have attempted the Christian walk have experienced a couple of things:  peace and comfort in their personal relationship with God, and an intense attack by the enemy.  I suspect people who have that walk are tempted more than those who don't.  It takes an enormous amount of self control and vigilance to have to constantly resist various temptations.  That takes a strong mind IMO. 

[Hustle Man]

No.  I think many who believe in God and have attempted the Christian walk have experienced a couple of things:  peace and comfort in their personal relationship with God, and an intense attack by the enemy.  I suspect people who have that walk are tempted more than those who don't.  It takes an enormous amount of self control and vigilance to have to constantly resist various temptations.  That takes a strong mind IMO. 

Well said!

[loco]

No.  I think many who believe in God and have attempted the Christian walk have experienced a couple of things:  peace and comfort in their personal relationship with God, and an intense attack by the enemy.  I suspect people who have that walk are tempted more than those who don't.  It takes an enormous amount of self control and vigilance to have to constantly resist various temptations.  That takes a strong mind IMO. 

I agree.

[OzmO]

I think there are many types of people who believe in God.  All of which require a strength in the face of what appears to be evidence to the contrary.

However, i think some are weak in the sense they need someone to tell them right from wrong and be scared into following it.  Take the fear way and you have the same weak person who is influenced by a plethora of temptations and evil.  On the other hand it takes a large amount of strength to a be a good Christian these days.

[ieffinhatecardio]

Nope, I think people that believe in a God need/want something to believe in. Something that gives them strength and in certain instances a purpose. We live in a big beautiful world that is filled with both violence and corruption. We also live in a universe that is vast beyond our ability to comprehend it. I think believing in a omnipotent higher power makes living in such circumstances easier.

[Dos Equis]

Well said!

Thanks Hustle.   

[Colossus_500]

Nope, I think people that believe in a God need/want something to believe in. Something that gives them strength and in certain instances a purpose. We live in a big beautiful world that is filled with both violence and corruption. We also live in a universe that is vast beyond our ability to comprehend it. I think believing in a omnipotent higher power makes living in such circumstances easier.

Atheism, Agnosticism, etc are all mindsets just like that of Christians. The only difference IMO is the lack of intimacy that Beach is talking about. 

[Colossus_500]

I have to ask...isn't it possible that people who do not believe in God are actually the "weak-minded?"  Christians are clearly the minority these days, so I would think that the "sheep" truly belong to those who succumb to the pressures of the world in which we live. 

What are your thoughts?

Hustle Man, big props to you for starting this thread.  And Stella, thank you for bringing the Religion Board back to life.     Rock on, Ro! 

[OzmO]

I have to ask...isn't it possible that people who do not believe in God are actually the "weak-minded?"  Christians are clearly the minority these days, so I would think that the "sheep" truly belong to those who succumb to the pressures of the world in which we live. 

What are your thoughts?

Hustle Man, big props to you for starting this thread.  And Stella, thank you for bringing the Religion Board back to life.     Rock on, Ro! 

This is why i think both exist, weak and strong mined in religion.

[Camel Jockey]

Generally speaking, then yes.

The problem is that since they have weaker minds and less understanding of history, sciences; a world with no god would seem scary.

[loco]

Generally speaking, then yes.

The problem is that since they have weaker minds and less understanding of history, sciences; a world with no god would seem scary.

Who?  Who has less understanding of history and sciences?

[Camel Jockey]

Who?  Who has less understanding of history and sciences?

Creationists.

And I said generally.

[Dos Equis]

I have to ask...isn't it possible that people who do not believe in God are actually the "weak-minded?"  Christians are clearly the minority these days, so I would think that the "sheep" truly belong to those who succumb to the pressures of the world in which we live. 

I agree.  It takes much less resolve to live an "anything goes" lifestyle.    

[Colossus_500]

I agree.  It takes much less resolve to live an "anything goes" lifestyle.    

Yep, it's always easier to "go with the crowd", or have "more" choices to pick from.