But the wager has nothing specifically to do with the Catholic Church, apart from Pascal being a Catholic. You could equally well have said: “If God as taught by the Qur’an does exist, then as a matter of justice we owe him our total allegiance.” The wager works equally well for all gods: “If Krishna as taught by the Bhagavad Gita does exist then …”
This is good and is basically comes from Pascal’s Wager. You may want to read that and use that for your arguement and remember to use prayer as the sword, not your tounge.
Easy. You took one unrelated statement “love exists despite it having no material presence”, and used it to posit that God exists. You can just as easily replace “God” with any number of mythological beasties or deities.
I understand, but what if Christianity is wrong, and Islam is right? Then we are all dammed. What if certain Christians who say if you’re catholic, then you’re dammed? Or if you don’t believe in election, then you’re dammed. Or if we’re not Jehova witnesses, then we will be put to death. It goes on and on and one cannot live by “what ifs.” Thanks though for commenting.
Thank you. But right now, I have problems with my faith.Okay, well that leaves prayer as you really do seem to be struggling with doubts that only God can really heal.
I’ll keep you in my prayers and daily Masses!
Who’d want to be with a God or a religion that condemns people simply because they’re innocently ignorant of His truth…so dear friend you may as well stay where you are in the Catholic faith that doesn’t share that automatic exclusiveness of souls merely because they honestly do not know or can’t discern the truth, but nevertheless live gospel values of love in their lives…for salvation for any, every person comes from the Son of God whether they know or not!
“I believe, please increase my faith”
Bless you! Trishie
Why would anyone waste ANY time arguing against the existance of faeries.
To highlight a point
No. What they argue agaisnt, is what doesn’t make sense in Christianity and requires an appeal to the superstitious. Much like with fairies.
The only way you can even try to defend that arguement, is to appeal to circular reasoning. All ethical models, and ideologies outside of christianity consider it immoral.
Ah, naked arrogance.
Indeed. It seems you won’t even entertain the idea
That’s fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Though, I try to not make a habit of starting with the premise that I am correct, and that any criticism of my views is automatically the err of the individuals making the objectionsIsambard,
Your comment above Re: Arrogance and entertaining the Idea of being wrong appears to be just as alien to you as you believe it is to the person you are replying to.
Not complaining - Just reporting.
Yes and no. The position argues that one cannot say “God exists” or “God doesn’t exist”, as both assume there to be an existing, coherent, accepted definition of what “god” even means. Given the literary thousands of concepts and usages that are and have been linked to the word, you can how the above can make sense.
I try to make a habit of expressing my views in potentially “ideologically dangerous” places
. My reasoning is, who better to point out the flaws in my reasoning than someone who I know has different views than me? It also means I can’t be lazy when I try to explain or justify my views as I have no yes-men to nod and agree with meA hobby of mine is studying how and why people think the way they do. If I see a contradiction or misconception, I try to point it out to see the reasoning behind it, but I assure its not a conversion attempt as I feel no one ideology is better, or worse objectively than any other.
I try to avoid threads dealing explicitly with faith, as I consider that sorta thing a subjective experience which I would have no right to comment on. If someone makes a positive claim than can be objectively falsified, then I see no problem jumping in
I don’t know why such excess would be needed. Especially as one post should suffice,
No. Because I will have every Catholic in here attacking me, telling me I’m going straight to hell, eternal hell, buring in hell forever! But oh, God still loves me. Ok, I was a little spitefulCare to elaborate?
We’ll get some coffee and talk about it.
Peace
See second paragraph of Post 18 for a response. Like most theistic arguments, including Moslem arguments, this one only works for a Supreme Being. Contrary to Dawkins, no one is an atheist for not believing in Thor or Krishna or Osiris. One is an atheist for not believing in the Supreme Being.
Thanks for the responses. Well put.That’s fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Though, I try to not make a habit of starting with the premise that I am correct, and that any criticism of my views is automatically the err of the individuals making the objections
Yes and no. The position argues that one cannot say “God exists” or “God doesn’t exist”, as both assume there to be an existing, coherent, accepted definition of what “god” even means. Given the literary thousands of concepts and usages that are and have been linked to the word, you can how the above can make sense.
Now, if you mean if I believe the “god” of the Bible and/or Jesus Christ exist as described, then no. I doubt believe in either.
I try to make a habit of expressing my views in potentially “ideologically dangerous” places
A hobby of mine is studying how and why people think the way they do. If I see a contradiction or misconception, I try to point it out to see the reasoning behind it, but I assure its not a conversion attempt as I feel no one ideology is better, or worse objectively than any other.
I try to avoid threads dealing explicitly with faith, as I consider that sorta thing a subjective experience which I would have no right to comment on. If someone makes a positive claim than can be objectively falsified, then I see no problem jumping in
this is a very challenging question but for the existence of God, i don’t really have a problem with that because for anything to exist, there must exist what it takes for that thing to exist. the universe exist in space and time and hence there must exist what it takes for the universe to exist but what it takes for the universe to exist must exist outside of space and time because the universe exist in space and time and that is the God i know. He is eternal because He is outside of space and time
Have you ever read the Bhagavad Gita? Krishna is yet another claimant to be Supreme Being:“O great one, greater even than Brahma, You are the original creator. Why then should they not offer their respectful obeisances unto You? O limitless one, God of gods, refuge of the universe! You are the invincible source, the cause of all causes, transcendental to this material manifestation.”
True, if you are simply hedging your bets and trying to purchase the right “ticket” after you die. However, true Christianity is about a relationship with a living God. It is not simply a matter of believing that a “cosmic Jewish zombie” rose from the dead 2,000 years ago and that was it. It’s about having a relationship with the risen Christ that changes me and makes me reach out to others, be less selfish, experience peace, joy, and a love for others whom I would not otherwise care about.