So why doesnt God appear every now and again?

[bigmc]

When people say they hate God they really mean they hate the actions of those who act in the name of God.

Such a being most likely does not exist. And the concept of God promoted by religions, especially by the Abrahamic tradition, is man-made, i.e. it has clear anthoropological characteristics. To worship or hate such an entity is understandable and absurd at the same time.

religion is all about oppression as a rule

used to scare people into behaving a certain way

the concept of sinning leading to damnation etc

its a load of nonsense

simply does not stand up in the modern world

the other reason people are religious is to take comfort in the after life

people fear their mortality

[Raymondo]

The question is silly.

People of faith don't need proof. It's irrelevant if the faith stems from indoctrination or personal experience.

A slightly less silly question: "Would an atheist be able to see God (or his works) before him/her?" If God was bored one day and decided to visit insert atheist's name and said "I hear you have some questions" what would be the effect?

I believe there's a God.

It's religion I feel is mostly bullshit Man created to deal with his own mortality and control others.

They could have fooled me. If they didn't need proof they wouldn't even bother engaging rational people in argument. Every time I said to them "God is a delusion" they would just say "it's down to faith bro" and be on their way.

Two things are likely happening:

1) They either suffer from doubt (some part of their mind cannot reconcile the innumerable contradictions of religion) and a rational argument inflames it or
2) They want to convert people to their worldview and think they can do it using rational means.

[Donny]

When people say they hate God they really mean they hate the actions of those who act in the name of God.

Such a being most likely does not exist. And the concept of God promoted by religions, especially the Abrahamic tradition is man-made, i.e. it has clear anthoropological characteristics. To worship or hate such an entity is understandable and absurd at the same time.

This is why i like Shinto, it is peace. There is not one God but Harmony with nature.

[Raymondo]

This is why i like Shinto, it is peace. There is not one God but Harmony with nature.

The eastern traditions are awesome from what I have seen. I haven't studied them very much, though.

[Donny]

The eastern traditions are awesome in my opinion.

yes i agree. I love the History and Origins of Aikido. I first started to learn the Techniques then later i understood.

[Walter Sobchak]

I know this because I'm not spiritually blind and I'm not spiritually blind because The Most High gave me eyes to see and ears to hear. 
It all starts with the Bible.  Not any specific religion but the Bible.  Religions come from the Bible. The Bible itself is not incorrect.

Lets keep in mind being a Hebrew Israelite has alot to do with it.  I'm not saying this to exalt myself, I'm saying this because for the last 4 years I've quoted bible verses, broke them down etc but no one wants to hear. Everyone wants to keep doing what they do and complain when they fail.

This is funny.....the spiritually enlightened genius just chooses to masquerade as a fat, unemployed, lazy nag.

[Raymondo]

Faith is something science can't explain. Almost every major religion has the basic premise that we are the children of God and that he loves us. He wants us to do the right things and he has a promised land. Faith is found with the most accomplished scientists and the most simple of men like some of the members of this board have faith.  

It also goes without explanation that God's intelligence and power is something that as earthly humans cannot be understood or comprehended.  To think we are so pompous that we think humans are all knowing. Hell, the majority of you couldn't figure out how to make a can opener.  I know atheism is a growing movement. If they really had any conviction in atheism they wouldn't care if people believed but they sure do.  

I don't care what people believe, I care what people do. The problem is mostly with fundamendalists (of all religious creeds) and their actions.

[Fortress]

If "god" (oh brother) does exist, he can smoke my pole.

And make me a sammich.

Greasy fuck.

[drkaje]

They could have fooled me. If they didn't need proof they wouldn't even bother engaging rational people in argument. Every time I said to them "God is a delusion" they would just say "it's down to faith bro" and be on their way.

Two things are likely happening:

1) They either suffer from doubt (some part of their mind cannot reconcile the innumerable contradictions of religion) and a rational argument inflames it or
2) They want to convert people to their worldview and think they can do it using rational means.

I don't disagree and believe that's what motivates a lot of people to proselytize.

[Primemuscle]

It's all fake, wrong and based on lies.
Also they are responsible for millions of deaths.

The millions of deaths are not the product of the church; they are the result of all the "sheep" who believe the church hype and follow the flock instead of thinking independently. I think it is called "blind faith" or something similar.

[Raymondo]

I don't disagree and believe that's what motivates a lot of people to proselytize.

It is a mechanism called social proof. The more people you get to subscribe to a worldview the more people will believe it is the right way forward.

[drkaje]

It is a mechanism called social proof. The more people you get to subscribe to a worldview the more people will believe it is the right way forward.

Could also be called weak faith.

[Man of Steel]

If "god" (oh brother) does exist, he can smoke my pole.

And make me a sammich.

Greasy fuck.

You should repent and ask forgiveness for comments such as this.

[Yamcha]

[Walter Sobchak]

Anybody who has ever seen photos of Elle McPherson nude realizes God shows himself in many ways!

[Man of Steel]

No hate, merely an assessment


Why would I bother hating something that likely doesn't exist. If there really is a creator, and it is somewhat proven to me, maybe then I could actually hate.

What is it that you assessed?  How did you assess it?

[Yamcha]

Anybody who has ever seen photos of Elle McPherson nude realizes God shows himself in many ways!

[BigRo]

Get drunk on bliss in meditation, just sitting still enjoying breathing. The more we are lost in thoughts the less we can access bliss. In such a condition of being one does not ponder the existence or non existence of God.

[Donny]

Get drunk on bliss in meditation, just sitting still enjoying breathing. The more we are lost in thoughts the less we can access bliss. In such a condition of being one does not ponder the existence or non existence of God.

I like this Big Irish Hippy 

[Man of Steel]

Get drunk on bliss in meditation, just sitting still enjoying breathing. The more we are lost in thoughts the less we can access bliss. In such a condition of being one does not ponder the existence or non existence of God.

Or you can simply come to Jesus Christ in humble surrender and be filled with the Holy Spirit and know without a shadow of a doubt the reality of God while experiencing his tangible presence, power and divine influence for the remainder of your days.

[Kahn.N.Singh]

The famed 1263 Disputation of Barcelona has nothing over this thread. It's truly uplifting to see my skeptical and advocative colleagues at Getbig Theological Seminary debating with such rigor and clarity the seeming paucity of theophanous experience, and the necessary conditions which must obtain to form sound ontological commitments of divine presence. Will Lay Brother Tbombz,* S.T.D.,** be gluing together the publication of the proceedings?

* A.K.A., the Repentass.
** Doctor of Sacred Theology. What?

[BigRo]

Or you can simply come to Jesus Christ in humble surrender and be filled with the Holy Spirit and know without a shadow of a doubt the reality of God while experiencing his tangible presence, power and divine influence for the remainder of your days.

such a state of being is humble surrender.

[Man of Steel]

such a state of being is humble surrender.

I applaud your personal desire for humility and peaceful meditation, but without resolution of our sin our individual efforts are in vain as we have no advocate in Jesus Christ and no salvation by grace through faith.

[Ronnie Rep]

He just left Chicago with Jesus.

[BigRo]

I applaud your personal desire for humility and peaceful meditation, but without resolution of our sin our individual efforts are in vain as we have no advocate in Jesus Christ and no salvation by grace through faith.

Deep meditation is like a baptism by both water and fire. All the Christian mystics went in to deep meditation where they communed with Christ. In such a state ones 'sin' which is ignorance of our true nature is resolved.