Christianity Vs. Atheism. Is it really worth it?

[Sorgloss]

That seems like a strong statement of faith... but what if you're wrong. What if what matters is the 'thinking', not the 'reaching a conclusion' part - and there IS an afterlife, and we're judged preferably for doubt?

People always amuse me when they believe they can speak with authority on topics that can never really be known.

Well, many people will be wrong, few will be saved. Jesus said even of those who prophesied in His name and cast out demons in His name, that He never knew them, and what is more -that they worked iniquity.

No one is surprised to go to Hell, they freely chose it because they simply couldn't bare to love or to be loved of God. So yeah, choose what you're going to believe and then really and truly believe it. But don't play footsie with various ideas because you can't decide or heaven forbid you actually offend someone. (that last bit is sarcastic)

[Zaklen]

Fighting is stupid. As a Christian, I will state that I have no problem with atheists as long as they don't have a problem with my beliefs. Yes, I believe that belief in Christ is necessary for salvation. No, I do not believe it is right to force my religion on others or for them to force their religion/lack of religion on me.

As an argument for why the government should keep it's laws secular, does someone really have faith if you force them to comply with your religious standards?

So according to your belief that only those who are believe can attain salvation..... why would you not want so spread that belief?

Why do you hoard all the salvation for your self?

I do want to spread Christianity, however, I feel that a lot of Christians in the world go about it the wrong way. You cannot convert someone to your religion by bashing theirs and forcing them to comply with your religious standards. All that's going to do to someone is tick them off. I find that I get a much better reception passively talking about my faith.

[Menassa]

So according to your belief that only those who are believe can attain salvation..... why would you not want so spread that belief?

Why do you hoard all the salvation for your self?

I do want to spread Christianity, however, I feel that a lot of Christians in the world go about it the wrong way. You cannot convert someone to your religion by bashing theirs and forcing them to comply with your religious standards. All that's going to do to someone is tick them off. I find that I get a much better reception passively talking about my faith.

So you do have an underlying motive to 'spread salvation' you would just rather me passive about it... I understand.

[Seriong]

Listen....I'm Christian and I'm gonna state why. Now....lets go to the beginning. Now try to picture nothing. Do it. No not darkness. Just nothing. It's impossible. Cause darkness is just dark matter, which is a particle. That's something! If nothing is really impossible, then something has always been here. Also..why is the world so perfect? Our nose smells and its located in a good spot. So our eyes. Our organs work perfect. Nature itself works so well. Think about how life works and grows. It's so perfect isn't it. Also, a lot of my family had near death experiences. They seen demons and heard gods voice. A lot of people have died and come back and said they saw either heaven or hell. It's true!

" Now try to picture nothing."
Ouch! Missed the first hurdle! Nothing in physics is very different from nothing in the colloquial sense.
" Cause darkness is just dark matter"
[Citation Needed] Darkness is the absence of light, it can be anywhere.
"If nothing is really impossible, then something has always been here."
See my first response. Also, the "beginning" as you are thinking falls into one of two categories:
A) The start of our universe and time: "Big Bang" Which details the expansion of a singularity
B) The start of the start that started the start of our universe/the first universe: Fucked if we know.
That "something" you are thinking of is background energy, not a god.
"Also..why is the world so perfect?"
Yeah! That's why the majority of the world is not livable in!
"Our nose smells and its located in a good spot."
Smells poorly, and could be located anywhere.
"So our eyes."
Yeah! Inaccurate, easy to destroy, and having blind spots! While also being often incorrectly shaped, causing poor vision.
"Our organs work perfect."
Appendix? Linky for others http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/35320/35323/580956.html?d=dmtHMSContent
"Nature itself works so well. "
How so? Are you talking about how animals painfully slaughter each other in order to live? Or how they can go extinct (As most have) through natural causes?
"Think about how life works and grows"
Terribly.
" It's so perfect isn't it"
No, it isn't.
"They seen demons and heard gods voice."
So, while dying, and suffering from a lack of oxygen (known to cause hallucinations) they saw things and heard voices. Very credible.
"A lot of people have died and come back and said they saw either heaven or hell. It's true!"
Every single religion could make every single argument you just did. Why are you Christian specifically? Also, see the point above.
(And I forgot this was on page 1 while replying to it, I apologize for bringing this back up)

[Grave_n_idle]

That seems like a strong statement of faith... but what if you're wrong. What if what matters is the 'thinking', not the 'reaching a conclusion' part - and there IS an afterlife, and we're judged preferably for doubt?

People always amuse me when they believe they can speak with authority on topics that can never really be known.

Well, many people will be wrong, few will be saved. Jesus said even of those who prophesied in His name and cast out demons in His name, that He never knew them, and what is more -that they worked iniquity.

No one is surprised to go to Hell, they freely chose it because they simply couldn't bare to love or to be loved of God. So yeah, choose what you're going to believe and then really and truly believe it.

Which is a lovely philosophy, but not the only one - and no more valid than seeking truth even if you're left with only questions.

If you think you know, then I have to say you're wrong - you believe, perhaps - but that's not the same thing.

So the difference between your position and mine is simply that one of us knows what he knows.

[Sorgloss]

Which is a lovely philosophy, but not the only one - and no more valid than seeking truth even if you're left with only questions.

If you think you know, then I have to say you're wrong - you believe, perhaps - but that's not the same thing.

So the difference between your position and mine is simply that one of us knows what he knows.

Which is basically what I said, so we're actually in agreement.

[Reggae Magmia]

One: What are your opinions on the side opposite to yours (What are your opinions on atheists if you are Christian, and vice verse.)

Two: What are your opinions on arguing with the other side about religion? Who do you think are the instigators the majority of the time, do you think there is misrepresentation of the other side within your own party, etc...

Well, I'm a Rasta (or rather transitioning into one) but I'm one of the ones who accept Yeshua (Jesus) so...do I still count?

One: No generalized opinion. My opinions are individual based. You have your respectable ones and you have your jackasses, as with any group.

Two: I stopped a long time ago. My coherency in debate is not very good, and since the topic of religion is very close to me I just get frustrated if something I say doesn't come out right, or my opinion is misrepresented or otherwise twisted. I only intervene if someone says something that is false or just plain ludicrous about my religious beliefs. I have to say it though, us religious folks tend to instigate a lot . But I also see unnecessary antagonism on the other side as well. And there certainly is misrepresentation of Atheists among religious people.

[Sorgloss]

Well, I'm a Rasta (or rather transitioning into one) but I'm one of the ones who accept Yeshua (Jesus) so...do I still count?

Well, considering Bob Marley renounced Rastafarianism and converted to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church not long before his death, it sounds like you're right on target.

[Reggae Magmia]

Well, I'm a Rasta (or rather transitioning into one) but I'm one of the ones who accept Yeshua (Jesus) so...do I still count?

Well, considering Bob Marley renounced Rastafarianism and converted to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church not long before his death, it sounds like you're right on target.

Indeed. I believe he was still Rasta but was not one in the "ism" sense, if that makes sense.

[Dyakovo]

That seems like a strong statement of faith... but what if you're wrong. What if what matters is the 'thinking', not the 'reaching a conclusion' part - and there IS an afterlife, and we're judged preferably for doubt?

People always amuse me when they believe they can speak with authority on topics that can never really be known.

Well, many people will be wrong, few will be saved. Jesus said even of those who prophesied in His name and cast out demons in His name, that He never knew them, and what is more -that they worked iniquity.

No one is surprised to go to Hell, they freely chose it because they simply couldn't bare to love or to be loved of God. So yeah, choose what you're going to believe and then really and truly believe it. But don't play footsie with various ideas because you can't decide or heaven forbid you actually offend someone. (that last bit is sarcastic)

There is actually no reason to think that Yeshua is the correct answer, and many to reject him as a reasonable option.

[SaintB]

I can answer the OPs second question but not the first since its to broad and general. It has been my experience that when an argument begins it is usually caused by someone thinking that a mention of a person's belief or lack of belief is an invitation to question the other person's position or as an attack on thier's.

[Madrilena]

The problem stands with the Christians, many of them doesn't figure out that atheism is not an opposite statement to theism, but a neutral statement to theism. The best way to define atheism would be: "Atheism is the lack of belief in the existence or the non-existence of one or more deities". Anti-theism is the rejection of theism, atheism is equally different from theism and anti-theism.

[Dyakovo]

The problem stands with the Christians, many of them doesn't figure out that atheism is not an opposite statement to theism, but a neutral statement to theism. The best way to define atheism would be: "Atheism is the lack of belief in the existence or the non-existence of one or more deities a deity or deities".¹ Anti-theism is the rejection of theism, atheism is equally different from theism and anti-theism.²

1: Fixed your definition of atheism.
2: Anti-theism is outspoken opposition to theism and religion. It is a subset of atheism which holds that theism and religion are harmful to society and people, and that if theistic beliefs were true, they would be undesirable. Antitheism asserts that religious and theistic beliefs are harmful, and that in areas where theism is innocuous, it should be discarded by people in favor of humanism, rationalism, and other alternatives. Not all opposition to religion is necessarily anti-theism, as one can be opposed to a particular religion without being opposed to religion in general.

[The USOT]

No one is surprised to go to Hell, they freely chose it because they simply couldn't bare to love or to be loved of God.

No. Even if the christian deity exists, I do not like it. That does not equate to freely choosing eternal torment.

Likewise, if someone doesnt like a rapist that does not mean they chose to be raped. Its not only a logical fallacy but its insulting, utterly horrible and demeaning to your fellow man if you honestly beleive that.

[Benedictus]

I think that mostly the reason that Atheists are Atheists is because they have had bad interactions with religious people for whatever reason. Or maybe their parents were religious and shoved the religion down their throat. Of course, there's some who are Atheists just because they want to do whatever they want and not be held to it upon death. And then there's the intelligible ones - the ones who are Atheists because they actually don't believe in God for 'good' reasons.

Most of my encounters with atheists the atheists are usually the instigators.

i don't think i seen anyone who is like this in my life

Only my personal experiences.

[United Timelines Outpost Number 99999999]

No! Bad resurrectionist! No cookie!