Why do/don't you believe in a higher power? (Any HP)

[Genivaria]

No, we call these christians. The norm for a group is what it does in reality, not what a text says they should be ideally.

Still no.

This "norm" you speak of is merely the manifestation of human depravity.

If a "Christian" does not follow these standards, I'd say that they might as well be pagans inside.

If a Christian doesn't follow your personal standards then they somehow worship Zeus or Odin?
I don't think you know what Pagans even are boyo.

[Tasuirin]

I love how the arguments have boiled down to shameless No True Scotsmen.

That's basically it. But also, that's basically the only way christians can ever attempt to possess the high ground - by saying that all sub-par christians in history weren't real christians. Never mind the fact that they look like total arseholes while saying that.

[Tasuirin]

Still no.

This "norm" you speak of is merely the manifestation of human depravity.

If a "Christian" does not follow these standards, I'd say that they might as well be pagans inside.

If a Christian doesn't follow your personal standards then they somehow worship Zeus or Odin?
I don't think you know what Pagans even are boyo.

They're assuming that all pagans are somehow depraved, like nothing good ever came of paganism.

[Aellex]

If a Christian doesn't follow your personal standards then they somehow worship Zeus or Odin?
I don't think you know what Pagans even are boyo.

They're assuming that all pagans are somehow depraved, like nothing good ever came of paganism.

That's the truth, tho. :^)

[Genivaria]

They're assuming that all pagans are somehow depraved, like nothing good ever came of paganism.

That's the truth, tho. :^)

Then you're extremely ignorant of history.

[The Grims]

They're assuming that all pagans are somehow depraved, like nothing good ever came of paganism.

That's the truth, tho. :^)

I dunno. The muslims loved pagan architecture so much they made one of their temples the center of their own religion.

[Aellex]

That's the truth, tho. :^)

Then you're extremely ignorant of history.

Naaaah.

[Genivaria]

That's the truth, tho. :^)

I dunno. The muslims loved pagan architecture so much they made one of their temples the center of their own religion.

And considering that the city of Rome was built and maintained by Pagans for over a thousand years the Christians really should've 'purged' the pagan influence out of the city if Paganism didn't contribute anything good.

[Genivaria]

Then you're extremely ignorant of history.

Naaaah.

Bronze-Medal debating. *slow claps*

[New Legland]

I should have phrased that better. A majority of Christians live their lives exactly (more or less) the way you do? From what I've seen, most Christians are of the "nominal" variety that you described.

630 million is less than half of 2 billion. And the church in the West is known for succumbing to the world's madness recently.

What I am saying that at the very least they fit the criteria, if barely. No one turns to a saint overnight, after all. Though it can be argued that the number is lower. (I just used a random statistic from a book whose title I forgot, which states that at a maximum, there are 630 million Biblically adhering Christians in the world, can't be bothered)

oof i mixed up my statistics

[Aellex]

Bronze-Medal debating. *slow claps*

You've quite the unduly high opinion of your argumentation if you think it deserves a bronze-medal.

All bantz aside, Paganism really was of no value to the world, if not even negative ones. Pagans did accomplish good things, but it was in spite of their heatenry.

[Aglanen]

Bronze-Medal debating. *slow claps*

You've quite the unduly high opinion of your argumentation if you think it deserves a bronze-medal.

All bantz aside, Paganism really was of no value to the world, if not even negative ones. Pagans did accomplish good things, but it was in spite of their heatenry.

1.) Speak for yourself.
2.) What authority do you hold to say that one religion is “of more value” than another?
3.) Frederich Nietzsche would probably dispute that point, even if it were to be entertained. How Christian slave morality has done more harm for society than most occult groups. Because at least they don’t attempt to suppress human nature.
4.) Any good Christians have done has also been in spite of their religion. But don’t take that personally, every organized religion is guilty of that. I’m just asking to stop being a hypocrite and hop off your high horse while you’re at it. Maybe people will be more inclined to take you seriously when you cut that laughable “holier than thou” crap.

[The Caleshan Valkyrie]

Technically, Geneviev did. I seem to recall something about a new covenant being made?

That is what Jesus came to do and it's in the New Testament.

Two things: ‘So what?’ and ‘Thanks for proving my point for me.’

[The Caleshan Valkyrie]

Bronze-Medal debating. *slow claps*

You've quite the unduly high opinion of your argumentation if you think it deserves a bronze-medal.

All bantz aside, Paganism really was of no value to the world, if not even negative ones. Pagans did accomplish good things, but it was in spite of their heatenry.

The same could be said of all religions.

[Salandriagado]

No it isn't. In particular, any capital-G, non-deist god is easy to disprove.

So easy, it's never been done.

It's been done numerous times in this very thread. Indeed, it's generally done almost the instant that someone defines what they mean by "god".

[United Muscovite Nations]

Because the complexity yet simplicity of the universe, in particular how sub-atomic particles bond together to form atoms, and atoms bond together to form molecules, etc. etc. fills me with a deep sense of wonder about creation. Moreover, the expansion of the early universe causes me to think that the universe did not always exist with the same physical properties and forces which now exist within it.

[Salandriagado]

You’d think that the Pharaoh after that would have decided not to record that horrible fiasco, which shames his dynasty. Egyptians are not above historical revisionism if they have to. Any record may have been destroyed either by time or by the Pharaoh’s orders. Though there are sources still, as someone else here has said.

Egypt, devastated by plagues, deprived of its workforce, mourning the loss of every first born son, somehow rallies and scours the entire known world to destroy all evidence of the catastrophes that beset them, and succeeded completely, aside from the Jews, who were taking the scenic route to Israel.

And also managed to keep ruling Israel throughout the period.

[Salandriagado]

I love God, a more oppressive and brutal dictator than any other the world has ever known. Really, it'd be best to but that "don't have to" in quotes.

*God creates universe*
*God creates beings in universe for a purpose*
*Beings reject purpose*
*God warns them that doing so will have grave consequences*
*Beings do so anyway*
*Consequences happen*
*"Wow you're so mean God, such a brutal dictator."


Ffs it's like listening to my high school students complain when I take their phones after telling them to put them away 20 times.

Your second step is the one in which you admit that your god is incompetent.

[Ifreann]

Egypt, devastated by plagues, deprived of its workforce, mourning the loss of every first born son, somehow rallies and scours the entire known world to destroy all evidence of the catastrophes that beset them, and succeeded completely, aside from the Jews, who were taking the scenic route to Israel.

And also managed to keep ruling Israel throughout the period.

What a civilisation.

[Salandriagado]

Looks at all the Nazis during ww2, looks at the torture done by the various churches throughout history, looks at the covering up of child abuse from various churches throughout history.

Which pretty much means that all of the people you mentioned are false Christians or heretics.

Along with the overwhelming majority of all Christians who have ever lived.

[Salandriagado]

You do realize in ancient times, due to the water being so bad people would drink almost everyday because it was healthier than water, right? And also, yeah, no, Christians go to bars all the time, especially in smaller towns.

I must have mistated, because here in the Philippines, if a Christian (to be exact, one that is known to be regular in church and all that) is seen drinking, everyone's eyebrows will be raised.

You are talking about a religion that conducts literal ritualised alcohol-drinking every week.

[Dogmeat]

I must have mistated, because here in the Philippines, if a Christian (to be exact, one that is known to be regular in church and all that) is seen drinking, everyone's eyebrows will be raised.

You are talking about a religion that conducts literal ritualised alcohol-drinking every week.

It sounds like a taboo imported from the Philippines Muslim population.

[Salandriagado]

I don't follow any religion due to me not growing up in a religious family, I am however agnostic meaning I believe in some type of higher power.

Despite that though I prefer science and facts over some old books that were rewritten many times in history.

What makes you believe that they were rewritten to the point of deviating from the original message?

The fact that every single person doing the re-writing had an inherent vested interest in doing so.

[Salandriagado]

Name one "true" Christian.

Myself.

Tarsonis.

Korhal.

All have sinned in this very thread.

My churchmates, whom I know intimately.

Statistically, at least one is probably a criminal.

Billy Graham (and his son and his son's son)

Who?

John Calvin.

Did a whole bunch of shady shit.

St. Nicholas of Palmyra.

Any that are still alive?

An estimated 630 million around the globe.

Zero of which fit your absurd definition.

Martin Luther.

Jan Hus.

John Wycliffe.

And many more.

Any that are still alive?

[Salandriagado]

Bronze-Medal debating. *slow claps*

You've quite the unduly high opinion of your argumentation if you think it deserves a bronze-medal.

All bantz aside, Paganism really was of no value to the world, if not even negative ones. Pagans did accomplish good things, but it was in spite of their heatenry.

There's plenty of historical evidence for evolution and the Big Bang, but religious people love to deny those.

Weird, considering it was a Catholic Priest who first posited the big bang theory.