V
valentino
Guest
Do most athiests really think much about God?Does Hawkings(if he’s an athiest)give God any study?
- Status
S
Samuel63
Guest
The thought of God is a nagging issue with atheists. They know if they are wrong, there will be hell to pay - literally.
This dilemma follows them like the “hound of heaven.” It will be agony for them on their deathbed, as they stare at the ceiling and the lights grow dim. They are either right or wrong. The result will be either total nothingness, or a fiery hell - for eternity!
It is always better to wager God exists and lead a proper life in God’s eyes. When you die, you are either transformed into total nothingness, or an unbelievable joy filled paradise - for eternity.
This is a paraphrased form of Pascal’s Wager.
The historical evidence of miracles associated with our church should be enough to make them really nervous.
This dilemma follows them like the “hound of heaven.” It will be agony for them on their deathbed, as they stare at the ceiling and the lights grow dim. They are either right or wrong. The result will be either total nothingness, or a fiery hell - for eternity!
It is always better to wager God exists and lead a proper life in God’s eyes. When you die, you are either transformed into total nothingness, or an unbelievable joy filled paradise - for eternity.
This is a paraphrased form of Pascal’s Wager.
The historical evidence of miracles associated with our church should be enough to make them really nervous.
S
samiam1611
Guest
Atheist not athiest.
F
FabiusMaximus
Guest
I can’t take Hawkings seriously enough because he turns to his atheism as dogmatically as he accuses Christians of clinging to our faith.
I had a Physics teacher in high school. Nice guy. Doctorate in Physics and absolutely brilliant mind. I remember him once he told me that he had to believe in God because, and I quote:* “it’s all just too perfect.”* He embraced Judaism.
I don’t have a problem with those who say that they cannot believe in God (or a god) because they lack any conclusive evidence for it. But I cannot accept those who would accuse believers (and Christians specifically) of being the equivalent of children who believe in Santa Claus or the Easter bunny.
D
Dymphna82
Guest
They think about him more than many Christians do.
But, I don’t think they think about him with an open mind or heart. Every unwanted argument I’ve had with an Atheist goes back to, they use logic and I don’t. Science is more powerful than God. If God exists, he’s an uncaring God. God doesn’t care about the suffering in the world. Why did he put that snake and that fruit in Eden anyway? Christians are a bunch of stuffy hypocrites, so I’d rather be in Hell anyway.
And so on, and so forth.
The Catholic church is like the Yankees and the other beliefs are like the other teams. When you go to the stadiums, they have Yankees Suck t-shirts. When you go to Yankees Stadium, all you see is Yankees stuff. That’s because Yankees fans know their team is best.
But, I don’t think they think about him with an open mind or heart. Every unwanted argument I’ve had with an Atheist goes back to, they use logic and I don’t. Science is more powerful than God. If God exists, he’s an uncaring God. God doesn’t care about the suffering in the world. Why did he put that snake and that fruit in Eden anyway? Christians are a bunch of stuffy hypocrites, so I’d rather be in Hell anyway.
And so on, and so forth.
The Catholic church is like the Yankees and the other beliefs are like the other teams. When you go to the stadiums, they have Yankees Suck t-shirts. When you go to Yankees Stadium, all you see is Yankees stuff. That’s because Yankees fans know their team is best.
D
Defender1
Guest
I believe many of them have a grudge against God more then not actually believing .I think there are many more on the fence agnostics. Many of them share the if he existed then this would not have happened.They fail to realize that in the Bible it says to take up your cross and that we must suffer sometimes.The Bible itself has many of the stories being backed by Archeologists ,historians , and science . And there will be more to come . Dead sea scrolls ,Didiche,Church father writings , Much much more .
Hope I was a help in any way
S
Sufjon
Guest
One who is thinking about God because of wanting rewards in paradise or avoiding punishments in hell is not thinking of God. Such a person is thinking of themselves, and will be even more disappointed on their death bed than the atheist, because such a person has missed the point altogether.
As for a proper life, I think one must be truthful to oneself and to others in order lay the foundations for living a proper life. If one doesn’t not believe in God, and says so, then that person is being honest. That is a good start. To live a good life because of laying a wager that there might be a reward or might be a punishment is to lay the foundations of a disingenuous life, and that is not a good start.
If one cannot love God for the sake of love alone, without the promise of rewards or the threat of hell, then one is not really dealing with love. Such a person is falling prey reacting to an elaborate bartering system that was put in place by people.
Your friend
Sufjon
J
Jeffe
Guest
Well put, although I think Samuel63’s point was more of a “fake it till you feel it,” sort of thing. We all have times in our lives where we doubt or don’t see why we do certain “moral” things, but it’s better to be heading in a morally sound direction (even if you don’t know why yet) than to continue down a selfish path.
-Jeff
F
fred_conty
Guest
Hi,
Certainly a love of Jesus which motivates a person to be what Jesus desires is the top of the line of spirituality, and should eventually be desired by all. As St. Augustine once said, “love God, and do anything you desire.” He knew of course that once someone loves God that they wouldn’t do those things that would offend Him.
But having said this, the thief on the Cross didn’t appear to attain this, but still said,“Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To wit,“this day you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus loves all sinners, tho not the sin. He will literally do anything which does not violate freedom to bring them home not matter how bad they have sinned. He desires all to be with him in paradise and if they look at the cross and desire Him, then nothing is impossible with God.
Often a person starts out seeing the God of fear, and winding up looking at the God of Love. Fear is something to start with to get our attention. I am particularly blessed because I am Catholic which says to me that in the confessional, all that I need is fear.
“God is indeed merciful”
Certainly a love of Jesus which motivates a person to be what Jesus desires is the top of the line of spirituality, and should eventually be desired by all. As St. Augustine once said, “love God, and do anything you desire.” He knew of course that once someone loves God that they wouldn’t do those things that would offend Him.
But having said this, the thief on the Cross didn’t appear to attain this, but still said,“Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To wit,“this day you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus loves all sinners, tho not the sin. He will literally do anything which does not violate freedom to bring them home not matter how bad they have sinned. He desires all to be with him in paradise and if they look at the cross and desire Him, then nothing is impossible with God.
Often a person starts out seeing the God of fear, and winding up looking at the God of Love. Fear is something to start with to get our attention. I am particularly blessed because I am Catholic which says to me that in the confessional, all that I need is fear.
Especially helpful is this to those hardened in sin but who can still fear.
“God is indeed merciful”
S
Sufjon
Guest
Hi Jeff: I agree wholeheartedly agree with you. One should do their best to move in a morally sound direction. I think a lot of atheists do that as well as a lot of religious people. I see the reasoning in the fake it 'tll you feel it approach. I had never considered that, but my sense is that any approach that aims at God is cherished by God.Well put, although I think Samuel63’s point was more of a “fake it till you feel it,” sort of thing. We all have times in our lives where we doubt or don’t see why we do certain “moral” things, but it’s better to be heading in a morally sound direction (even if you don’t know why yet) than to continue down a selfish path.
-Jeff
Your friend
Sufjon
meltzerboy
New member
As always, Sufjon, brilliant insight on your part. I think it is easier to do as you say if one is raised in a religious culture that does not place such emphasis on Heaven and Hell, such as Buddhism and Hinduism. Christianity, Islam, and, to a lesser extent, Judaism (the Abrahamic faiths) talk about Heaven, Hell, and sin quite a bit, so people of these faiths are raised thinking about it quite a bit. After all, the death and resurrection of Jesus is the “good news” for all people. At the same time, it is also true that the proclamation of Jesus to “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (and also thine enemy) is the concurrent main theme of Christianity. Faith, hope, and charity (love) are intertwined. The ultimate in the Christian’s faith is striving to be Christ-like through loving and acting selflessly and bearing one’s cross in the process, while not focusing on an eternal reward in return. Without doubt, this is a most difficult challenge, but it is, I believe, something most worthy to achieve. In Judaism, this act of selfless love toward G-d and His Creation is likewise a highly challenging ideal. The difference is that, in Judaism, there is less focus on Heaven and Hell than in Christianity, though the concept of sin is present. Judaism is more of a “here and now,” ethical action, orthoprax religion, than an orthodox one. And I would imagine that Buddhism and Hinduism are even less concerned with one’s eternal salvation and more concentrated on the immediacy of the life experience.
O
OrdinaryMelkite
Guest
Ultimately, sobconsciously they KNOW He exists, but dent Him because of great repressed anger towards Him. That’s basically what Atheism amounts to----repressed rage because they do not agree with the “actions” of God.They think about him more than many Christians do.
But, I don’t think they think about him with an open mind or heart. Every unwanted argument I’ve had with an Atheist goes back to, they use logic and I don’t. Science is more powerful than God. If God exists, he’s an uncaring God. God doesn’t care about the suffering in the world. Why did he put that snake and that fruit in Eden anyway? Christians are a bunch of stuffy hypocrites, so I’d rather be in Hell anyway.
And so on, and so forth.
S
samiam1611
Guest
I find it curious that all the answers so far have been from theists. I am wondering why so many of you are speaking for atheists. Did you used to be one? Are you good friends with one? If not, I really don’t think you should be saying things like
God is completely a** non**-issue. He is of no concern to us. We are just secular - not anti-God.
Perhaps there are people out there like you have described but I have not met anyone like that and I know lots of atheists or non-religous people.
Thank you for this post! You show much greater understanding of others’ points of views than some of the other posters here, and that is very respectable!
Wrong, wrong, and wrong. That could not be farther from the truth for me, nor anyone I know (as far as I know.)Ultimately, sobconsciously they KNOW He exists, but dent Him because of great repressed anger towards Him. That’s basically what Atheism amounts to----repressed rage because they do not agree with the “actions” of God.
God is completely a** non**-issue. He is of no concern to us. We are just secular - not anti-God.
Perhaps there are people out there like you have described but I have not met anyone like that and I know lots of atheists or non-religous people.
Thank you for this post! You show much greater understanding of others’ points of views than some of the other posters here, and that is very respectable!
S
seeker57
Guest
I know a few atheists who attend my congregation.
They are pretty staunch humanists, but are quick to point out that doesn’t equate with believing in any form of deity.
From what I can ascertain, they only reason the subject of God enters their mind is when someone brings it up to them.
Peace,
Seeker
They are pretty staunch humanists, but are quick to point out that doesn’t equate with believing in any form of deity.
From what I can ascertain, they only reason the subject of God enters their mind is when someone brings it up to them.
Peace,
Seeker
N
NinjaSnark
Guest
I have to agree with Samiam1611- some of my dearest friends are atheists, and they aren’t “angry at God” anymore than I’m angry at Zeus or Thor. It’s pretty hard to be angry at someone that you don’t believe exists. 
E
Eric_Hilbert
Guest
Banned topic.
Thread closed
Thread closed
- Status