for my religious friends...

[Circle C]

I see no productivity in debating religion.  Each of us have our own views and are unlikely to be change.  Each of us chooses what works for us. 

Back in high school there was a group of about 10-12 of us that always sat together at lunch. We had two topics that were not discussed,  religion and abortion.     It served us well to let people have their own beliefs without feeling the need to justify them to anyone else.

[RyanTBH]

I'm sorry, but I don't think that this is a debate... more of a sharing of personal views and beliefs... Like I said in my post... is everyone else wrong and going to go to hell because they don't believe in Jesus Christ the Lord our savior? I do not think so... for so many people around the world to believe in some higher power for a lot longer than the bible (10 - 30,000 + years) has been around says something to me... that no matter what you believe, there has been one constant wave of thought throughout the years, long before the bible was written, and that is there is a higher power... Who says that everyone else B.C. is wrong and is in hell? Who is to say that everyone else that has a different religion is wrong and is not going to have everlasting life? That is why I do not like organized religion. There is no way all the people around the entire globe are wrong in their "faith"...  to me that means there really is a higher conciseness.

[RL]

I'm sorry, but I don't think that this is a debate... more of a sharing of personal views and beliefs...

Dictionary.com  --  defines it as a discussion of opposing viewpoints.  So if that is not what this has evolved to, it is close.  Many on here are christian.  I am an athiest.  I think any discussion of religion, god, the bible, etc. will be a discussion of opposing viewpoints.  And in my experience, it devolves into argument, offense, being offended, adamacy, etc. and if just unproductive.  It is not that I can't defend my views.  That is easy.  I could dissect the weaknesses in many of the posts, but I'm not sure I can do it without offending others though.

Maybe you have more skills and restraint than me.  Just not a road I care to travel  ...  unless provoked. 

[RyanTBH]

I'm sorry, but I don't think that this is a debate... more of a sharing of personal views and beliefs...

Dictionary.com  --  defines it as a discussion of opposing viewpoints.  So if that is not what this has evolved to, it is close.  Many on here are christian.  I am an athiest.  I think any discussion of religion, god, the bible, etc. will be a discussion of opposing viewpoints.  And in my experience, it devolves into argument, offense, being offended, adamacy, etc. and if just unproductive.  It is not that I can't defend my views.  That is easy.  I could dissect the weaknesses in many of the posts, but I'm not sure I can do it without offending others though.

Maybe you have more skills and restraint than me.  Just not a road I care to travel  ...  unless provoked. 

I will agree to disagree... and that is a debate... LOL! I just think that there isn't anyone trying to prove the others' points wrong, which IMO would not make it a debate but more of a discussion. JMO take it or leave it. I like talking about others' views of what is what and why. I like hearing people that are "in the know" about a subject give their own opinions... and I would like to think that most (saying it very loosly) of us on this site can do so without debating religion or arguing about something that noone really knows about first hand. That is my main problem with the bible and "faith"... I was not there when Jesus was hung from the cross... nor were anyone of us. So to say that they, without a doubt, believe in something is solely based on faith and belief. I thnk this is a great topic... IMO and am thankful that some people on this board are open minded enough to have their own beliefs but yet be able to discuss others' beliefs as well... Good post Noah!!!

By anything I have said I have not said that I do not believe in God... But I question that everything that we have ever been told about it is true. Mainly because of the "pass it on" game... I also find it hard to believe, as Noah and I both have said, that everyone else (non-christian folk) is wrong, and Christianity is the only right way, or its hell for you... That just doesn't sound like an All Loving God to me.... For Someone (God) to create everything that exists, and have lets just say, half the world not be on the same page and not be a Christian (meaning they are going to hell) just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If someone can explain how that works, by all means I am all ears (eyes in this case)...

and sorry Noah, but I can't help myself but to butt in here on this sub...   

[lacurdog]

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is God Breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking,correcting,and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for good work."

Proverbs 15 :26

" The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,but the words of the pure are pleasant."

Revelation 1:3

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy,and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

Romans 14:11

"For it is written,As I live,says the Lord(Jesus),every knee shall bow to me,and every tongue shall confess to God."

12." So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God."

[Jared H.]

Having faith means you believe regardless.  Not you believe what makes sense or what you can explain. "Saved by grace through faith."

[Noah]

I am not saying any of you are wrong.  It is a fact that my own daughter is in a christian school.  I believe the aspiration to know God and walk with him is a good base for development of character, regardless of what moral/God focused religion you choose.  At the same time however, I also teach my daughter that there are many other faiths that also focus on the same God.  I will raise my daughter to be tolerant, understanding, and open minded enough to realize that "our way" is not the only way... I have not, nor will I ever tell her what to believe.  That is for her to understand in her own life.

SO.  Why is it important to discuss our differences on religious beliefs?  I will tell you after I eat dinner haha 

[jdt]

 I BELEIVE IN GOD .

THEREFORE I BELEIVE IN THE BIBLE , AND JESUS AS MY ONE AND ONLY SAVIOR .

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT ALL ............................   BUT I WILL SOMEDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I HOPE TOO SEE EVERYBODY THEN  

[Arkansas Frog]

I am a old man [78] love this thread [I am a believer]  love to see young men disgusting this subject.

[Noah]

So why is it important to talk to people that believe something different than you?


... a list of wars resulting from an inability to understand/respect another's religious views...

     -The "Thirty Year's War"(1618-1648): Between the Protestants and Catholics... as many as 11,500,000 people killed.

     -The "French War of Religion"(1562-1598): Protestants vs. Catholics again... as many as 4 million killed.

     -The "Second Sudanese War"(1983-2005): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 2 million killed.

     -The "Crusades"(1095-1291): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 3 million killed.

     -The "American War on Terror"(early 21st century): once again... has pitted Islam against Christianity... death toll? still counting...

... and this is just the tip of the iceberg...


A brief note on human Sociology(the scientific study of how societies work/interact)... I present to you a concept of "us" verses "them".   It is a fact that when people communicate, personally interact with each other, that some sense of "us" develops...  by simply meeting/shaking hands with a person an individual can thereby associate with that person and this begets empathy... a VERY good quality in humans...

... WITHOUT associative empathy, humans tend to classify unknown people as "them".... "them" is a very dangerous people to be.... "them" does not have a face.... "they" are not missed when they are gone... "they" can be killed without emotion, because they are not one of "us"....

... when a people can push a button and send a missle across an ocean to obliterate a whole city... without ever having to see the faces of the families as they suffered and died... this is an example of "us vs. them"...  an emotional disconnect because of lack of socialization...

I am not finished, but I must take a break












 

[Reuben]

So why is it important to talk to people that believe something different than you?


... a list of wars resulting from an inability to understand/respect another's religious views...

     -The "Thirty Year's War"(1618-1648): Between the Protestants and Catholics... as many as 11,500,000 people killed.

     -The "French War of Religion"(1562-1598): Protestants vs. Catholics again... as many as 4 million killed.

     -The "Second Sudanese War"(1983-2005): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 2 million killed.

     -The "Crusades"(1095-1291): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 3 million killed.

     -The "American War on Terror"(early 21st century): once again... has pitted Islam against Christianity... death toll? still counting...

... and this is just the tip of the iceberg...


A brief note on human Sociology(the scientific study of how societies work/interact)... I present to you a concept of "us" verses "them".   It is a fact that when people communicate, personally interact with each other, that some sense of "us" develops...  by simply meeting/shaking hands with a person an individual can thereby associate with that person and this begets empathy... a VERY good quality in humans...

... WITHOUT associative empathy, humans tend to classify unknown people as "them".... "them" is a very dangerous people to be.... "them" does not have a face.... "they" are not missed when they are gone... "they" can be killed without emotion, because they are not one of "us"....

... when a people can push a button and send a missle across an ocean to obliterate a whole city... without ever having to see the faces of the families as they suffered and died... this is an example of "us vs. them"...  an emotional disconnect because of lack of socialization...

I am not finished, but I must take a break

excellent post my friend... 

[cantexduck]

Noah, it seems someone has read The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion.

   

[Noah]

Never heard of it, love to hear your thoughts on it though

[ED BARNES]

CHURCH IS TO A RELATIONATIONSHIP WITH GOD LIKE COMPETITION HUNTING IS TO HUNTING. A GROUP OF MEN IS GOING TO STRIP IT TO THE BONE, MAKE A FEW BUCKS AND GET IN THE WAY OF WHAT SHOULD REALLY BE HAPPENING.

[Noah]

Noah, it seems someone has read The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion.

   

Just googled that book, looks interesting... I'm not much of a reader to tell you the truth... I'd rather do the writing lol...  but I may have to make an exception if you say it's worth reading

[cantexduck]

Worth the read.

[ED BARNES]

I DONT GO TO CHURCH, DONT THINK ID REFER TO MYSELF AS A CHRISTIAN BUT I THINK I KNOW GOD. IVE SAT IN A CHURCH 1000'S OF HOURS IN MY LIFE BUT I DONT THINK I EVER CONNECTED THERE, SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE AND NOISE AND UNCOMFORTABLE. REMEMBER WHEN JESUS THREW THE PEDDLERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE. AN WHEN HE TOLD THE DESCIPLES TO FOLLOW HIM AND BRING NOTHING? THERE ARE STILL SOME COUNTRY PREACHERS THAT HAVE DAY JOBS AND FOLLOW JESUS WITH NOTHING, BUT THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT WITH HARLEYS, BASS BOATS AND HUMMERS ON A PREACHERS SALARY. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN MY WORK AND IT MAKES ME SICK.

[UNDERDOG]

[chads7376]

So why is it important to talk to people that believe something different than you?


... a list of wars resulting from an inability to understand/respect another's religious views...

     -The "Thirty Year's War"(1618-1648): Between the Protestants and Catholics... as many as 11,500,000 people killed.

     -The "French War of Religion"(1562-1598): Protestants vs. Catholics again... as many as 4 million killed.

     -The "Second Sudanese War"(1983-2005): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 2 million killed.

     -The "Crusades"(1095-1291): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 3 million killed.

     -The "American War on Terror"(early 21st century): once again... has pitted Islam against Christianity... death toll? still counting...

... and this is just the tip of the iceberg...


A brief note on human Sociology(the scientific study of how societies work/interact)... I present to you a concept of "us" verses "them".   It is a fact that when people communicate, personally interact with each other, that some sense of "us" develops...  by simply meeting/shaking hands with a person an individual can thereby associate with that person and this begets empathy... a VERY good quality in humans...

... WITHOUT associative empathy, humans tend to classify unknown people as "them".... "them" is a very dangerous people to be.... "them" does not have a face.... "they" are not missed when they are gone... "they" can be killed without emotion, because they are not one of "us"....

... when a people can push a button and send a missle across an ocean to obliterate a whole city... without ever having to see the faces of the families as they suffered and died... this is an example of "us vs. them"...  an emotional disconnect because of lack of socialization...

I am not finished, but I must take a break

excellent post my friend... 

X2

[marks]

So why is it important to talk to people that believe something different than you?


... a list of wars resulting from an inability to understand/respect another's religious views...

     -The "Thirty Year's War"(1618-1648): Between the Protestants and Catholics... as many as 11,500,000 people killed.

     -The "French War of Religion"(1562-1598): Protestants vs. Catholics again... as many as 4 million killed.

     -The "Second Sudanese War"(1983-2005): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 2 million killed.

     -The "Crusades"(1095-1291): Islam vs. Christian... as many as 3 million killed.

     -The "American War on Terror"(early 21st century): once again... has pitted Islam against Christianity... death toll? still counting...

... and this is just the tip of the iceberg...


A brief note on human Sociology(the scientific study of how societies work/interact)... I present to you a concept of "us" verses "them".   It is a fact that when people communicate, personally interact with each other, that some sense of "us" develops...  by simply meeting/shaking hands with a person an individual can thereby associate with that person and this begets empathy... a VERY good quality in humans...

... WITHOUT associative empathy, humans tend to classify unknown people as "them".... "them" is a very dangerous people to be.... "them" does not have a face.... "they" are not missed when they are gone... "they" can be killed without emotion, because they are not one of "us"....

... when a people can push a button and send a missle across an ocean to obliterate a whole city... without ever having to see the faces of the families as they suffered and died... this is an example of "us vs. them"...  an emotional disconnect because of lack of socialization...

I am not finished, but I must take a break



Please don't take this in a bad way at all but you crack me up. You have a thought out answer for everything (which I consider a good thing). You must spend a lot of down time waiting for your dog to find pigs  . I mean nothing but respect by that comment except the last part and of course I'm just pickin.