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James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2002 : 20:32:48 [Permalink]
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quote:
Or did he say, "aw heck with it." Lit up the first doobie and made man. (made plants before man.)
quote:
...God looks exactly like Adam... Sandler.
I'm betting on the first one. If the second one were true, it'd be like saying the Pope looked exactly like Pauly Shore. *shudder*
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your common sense." -Buddha |
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Megan
Skeptic Friend
USA
163 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2002 : 21:34:22 [Permalink]
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quote:
I'm betting on the first one. If the second one were true, it'd be like saying the Pope looked exactly like Pauly Shore. *shudder* James
Haha........sorry
~Megan~
I only do what the voices in my head tell me to do. |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2002 : 08:48:30 [Permalink]
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Don't be sorry, Megan! You asked a good question. I was hoping someone else with more knowledge and insight would give it a try, but at least I told you what I thought about it.
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Sum Ergo Cogito |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2002 : 10:28:23 [Permalink]
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Ok can someone please tell me how anyone can even think of how *God* really looks like??
There are any number of myths where you can't even peek at god and live.
Koronis was loved by Apollo but his beauty caused her heart to fail. He rescued his son, little Asklepios, from her womb as she lay on her burning pyre.
Semele made the mistake of saying to Hera, "Nay nay, a boo boo, Zeus loves me and I'm seven months pregnant by him." Hera taunted her by saying that Zeus had never shown her his full radiance, while Hera got to see it everyday. Semele demanded that Zeus show her and she was burnt to ashes by it. Zeus rescued the premie Dionysos and brought him to term by slicing a hole in his own thigh with his fingernail and placing Dionysos in it. (and you thought a virgin birth was odd)
Yahweh had no trouble showing himself to Adam and company. Noah and assorted patriarchs all got a good gander. But by the time he got to Moses he had become more Zeus like (there are those of us who improve with age). Moses could only safely look at Yahweh's "nether regions." Even then his hair turned white.
I mean yeah the Bible might say something about how he looks, but then wouldn't you think something like "Is this true or was someone EXTREMELY bored one day and decided to make millions by printing a hoax and said that they found it on some *holy ground*??"
Go back and check your Old Testament (II Kings), that is exactly what it says happened. The Pentateuch, all the books written by Moses (the first 5 books of the Hebrew bible) were "found" by construction workers who were doing some renovation work on the Temple of Solomon. They were all stuck in an empty space behind a wall. No one seems to have heard about Moses before this so a small war breaks out.
I mean that's the first thing I thought when I started to read the Bible back when I was a Believer(which I am no longer). Then I met my senses. I dont know, maybe I'm being too judgementle or something. Help?!?!
Judgmental? I would say that you were being discerning. This bible thumping group demands that you believe without seeing any evidence. The only other group that demands that is used car dealers. Very suspicious, why don't they want you looking for facts? You are discerning about every other subject you come across, why shouldn't you be about this one too?
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The brain that was stolen from my laboratory was a criminal brain. Only evil will come from it.
Edited by - slater on 01/22/2002 10:58:21 |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2002 : 12:03:50 [Permalink]
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Moses could only safely look at Yahweh's "nether regions." Even then his hair turned white.
Scared whiteheaded by the Holy Schlong. Buhahahahahahaha.
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I mean that's the first thing I thought when I started to read the Bible back when I was a Believer(which I am no longer). Then I met my senses. I dont know, maybe I'm being too judgementle or something. Help?!?!
Judgmental? I would say that you were being discerning. This bible thumping group demands that you believe without seeing any evidence. The only other group that demands that is used car dealers. Very suspicious, why don't they want you looking for facts? You are discerning about every other subject you come across, why shouldn't you be about this one too?
Ooooo. Fundies. Yeah, they tend to loose most (if not all) of their freethinkers.
Megan, if religion is not fulfilling a psychological need within you, then what use is it? (answer: none)
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James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2002 : 20:36:56 [Permalink]
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This bible thumping group demands that you believe without seeing any evidence. The only other group that demands that is used car dealers.
LOL
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your common sense." -Buddha |
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Megan
Skeptic Friend
USA
163 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2002 : 21:53:29 [Permalink]
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I just dont get how people can go to a church and actually believe what the pastor is saying!! I mean, do people these days go to church because the actually believe what is being said or go because they have nothing else to believe?? Man why cant I just understand?!?! 
~Megan~
I only do what the voices in my head tell me to do. |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 06:54:21 [Permalink]
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Man why cant I just understand?!?!
Don't feel bad. I still don't understand either, and it really drives me crazy. It's literally as if you were to say to someone, "Oh, what a nice day it is." and they say, without looking out the window, "It's not daytime, it's night!". You look out the window, see the sun shining, the birds chirping, the wind blowing. "Er, no, it's daytime." And they shake their head stubbornly, plant their feet, cross their arms, and firmly say, "Nope, it's nighttime, I can feel it!"
If I still had hair (the men go bald real early in my family ), I'd have pulled it all out by now anyway...
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Sum Ergo Cogito |
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James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 07:11:32 [Permalink]
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quote:
Man why cant I just understand?!?!
~Megan~
Well, Megan, from what I've experienced in my short life so far, it's for two big reasons:
1. That's what they were told to believe when they were kids. You remember going to church when you were a kid, right? You went because you were told you had to go or get in big trouble with some mystical being that supposedly created everything in a week. Or at least, that's how it is for most families.
2. They're human. We're all human. All 6 billion plus of us. Humans are an amazing species. We can be intelligent enough to get ourselves to the moon without death or injury(mostly), and yet, we can be dumb enough to do such stupid things that I am amazed that we've made it this far.
To sum it up: Don't try to understand it. Believe me, you'll feel better for not even trying. It's a life consuming excersize. Try again later in life, when you have the time.
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your common sense." -Buddha |
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JRB
New Member
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 11:37:42 [Permalink]
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I just dont get how people can go to a church and actually believe what the pastor is saying!! I mean, do people these days go to church because the actually believe what is being said or go because they have nothing else to believe?? Man why cant I just understand?!?!
~Megan~
Here's a quote I found on the 'net - seems appropriate :)
quote:
"People go to church for the same reasons they go to a tavern: to stupefy themselves, to forget their misery, to imagine themselves, for a few minutes anyway, free and happy."
~Mikhail Bakunin
"Dear God. We paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing."
~Bart Simpson saying grace |
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Bradley
Skeptic Friend
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 12:38:43 [Permalink]
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The male nipples cannot be described as useless, at least in humans. Any sexologist will tell you that they are a highly specialized errogenous zone.
As for the subject of the deity's being male and possessing the male naughty bits, this can go a long way toward explaining jehovah's vindictive behavior as described in the wholly babble. A great many other gods all had at least one female consort (Apollo had, in addition to a number of girlfriends, at least one gay lover, and his sister, Artemis, while eschewing contact with males, had at least one lesbian lover). Apparently, the judeo-xian gawd has spent untold eons in a state of celibacy. Maybe he just needs to go out on a date (Aphrodite, perhaps?).
Jeezus sure made some squirrelly pronouncements on human sexuality. Maybe Cupid could help out with one of his arrows.
"Too much doubt is better than too much credulity."
-Robert Green Ingersoll (1833 - 1899) |
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 15:57:35 [Permalink]
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quote:
I just dont get how people can go to a church and actually believe what the pastor is saying!! I mean, do people these days go to church because the actually believe what is being said or go because they have nothing else to believe?? Man why cant I just understand?!?!
~Megan~
This is a much more profound question than you may realize. It opens a lot of doors into human psychology and behavior.
Here are a few reasons:
1. Some, perhaps many, churchgoers truly believe that they will experience some sort of eternal life after death, and that through faith they will have a better eternity than otherwise (for example, meet loved ones who have died, or be with Jesus). The details of this belief vary widely, of course. Why does anyone believe this in the absence of any good evidence? I think the fundamental reason is fear of death. Humans are (as far as we know) unique in their ability to realize, well in advance, that they will eventually die.
2. Some people who go to church don't buy it at all, but they go out of obligation and respect for family members who do. This happens to me every Christmas.
3. Some people go for the sense of belonging to a community of like-minded and (mostly) good-intentioned people.
4. Some people feel that being part of a congregation allows them to do good works for their fellow man, which they might not otherwise be bothered or motivated to do.
5. Some people simply feel good in church. It's peaceful and friendly (usually), and in some cases may include very excellent music.
6. Some people may need a little reminder now and then that they should be less selfish, more understanding and caring.
7. Some find that church helps them deal with the pain of loss or hardship, or seems to give them strength to face personal challenges (such as alcoholism).
8. For some people, their church validates their existence -- makes them part of "us" rather than "them", and gives them a sense of superiority. Watch out for these folks!
9. Some guys go to meet girls, and vice versa. 
Probably any given churchgoer has a blend of these reasons, and there are surely countless others. And I would say that these are usually quite honest, human feelings and needs that are getting fulfilled.
But there are others... like me, and apparently like you, Megan, who don't feel these needs very strongly, or find other ways to fulfill them, or just can't stomach the bizarre metaphysics and "blind faith" aspects. It can be a bit tough to be different from the "majority", but don't worry -- there are other folks around who feel the way you do. I'd like to think we're the vanguard of a better, de-mythologized future, but only time will tell.
-- Donnie B.
Brian: "No, no! You have to think for yourselves!" Crowd: "Yes! We have to think for ourselves!" |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 19:34:02 [Permalink]
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What about #10
A magic Jew 2000 years ago is supposed to have said that they will burn in agony throughout all eternity if they don't. They go because they are frightened
It's a con job. These poor saps have been lied to and are having their pockets picked by the "holy men".
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The brain that was stolen from my laboratory was a criminal brain. Only evil will come from it. |
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2002 : 05:39:16 [Permalink]
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Slater: see my #1.
While I agree with you that Christianity is based on irrational mythology, I strongly disagree that fear of eternal punishment is the only, or even the dominant, motivation of most mainstream Christians. Perhaps it is, for some individuals or in some sects; but not even close to a majority. This is based on my own experience as a preacher's kid, not any sort of rigorous study.
And there are numerous other religions that don't include the concept of hell at all, yet they attract followers and thrive.
While unquestioning faith in a deity is not for me, I can understand the spectrum of human needs and feelings that religions address.
However, let me add my own #10, or to be less ambiguous, shall we say...
11. Some go to church (or equivalent) because they have no choice. In many cultures, past and present, religious participation is mandatory. At the very least, open rebels/heretics in such societies would be ostracized or driven out of the group. At worst, they would be put to death.
-- Donnie B.
Brian: "No, no! You have to think for yourselves!" Crowd: "Yes! We have to think for ourselves!" |
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Megan
Skeptic Friend
USA
163 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2002 : 11:34:16 [Permalink]
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Hmmm...... I think I'm starting to get the hang of it!!
~Megan~
I only do what the voices in my head tell me to do. |
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