(April 5, 2009 at 5:43 am)fr0d0 Wrote: Like I think I replied before, I've heard it preached by the leaders of church leaders, to very large multi denominational groups. I have never heard recently anyone suggest that the afterlife as the prime motivation for Christians. It's always a supplemental, take it or leave it bolt on that's just 'nice'. Nothing more.

Oh rubbish ... the entire philosophy of Christianity is based on the concept that there are invisible indetectable souls which go to either heaven (a place of eternal bliss) or hell (a placed of eternal torture) depending on the actions taken during their earthly life. That, and you can try and wiggle out of it as much as you like, is STANDARD Christian doctrine ... it's at the heart of every Christian cults message, it is enshrined in the bible and it is, at root, a fear based concept.

Kyu

(April 5, 2009 at 8:48 am)athoughtfulman Wrote:

(April 5, 2009 at 7:10 am)fr0d0 Wrote: Punishment for doing bad stuff is the opposite of life in it's fullness. Think of following Christ's example as full on life, warts and all. Doing the opposite prevents you enjoying the moment. It's counter productive, negative, paralyzing.

But surely you've noticed that life tends to be unfair, that is, bad things happen to good people. Christians can be very oppressed and have been killed for their beliefs. There have been poor christians, rich christians, black christians, white christians, boring christians, exciting christians, and so on. So what would you define as a "full on life"?

Obviously there would be the high moral standard, and the giving glory to god, but if you could describe a full on life, what would it be? Or is it simply a way of describing a Christian?

Life being unfair has zero impact on fullness of life in this context. Obviously you do the best with what you've got. I'm not talking about some Utopian fairy land, I'm talking about 100% realism. What's the worst you can imagine? Even in that scenario, if you had choices, which you'd have to have for this to work, the choices you make are either positive or negative. The result would be your own personal heaven or hell. your choice.

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(April 5, 2009 at 11:51 am)Kyuuketsuki Wrote:

(April 5, 2009 at 5:43 am)fr0d0 Wrote: Like I think I replied before, I've heard it preached by the leaders of church leaders, to very large multi denominational groups. I have never heard recently anyone suggest that the afterlife as the prime motivation for Christians. It's always a supplemental, take it or leave it bolt on that's just 'nice'. Nothing more.

Oh rubbish ... the entire philosophy of Christianity is based on the concept that there are invisible indetectable souls which go to either heaven (a place of eternal bliss) or hell (a placed of eternal torture) depending on the actions taken during their earthly life. That, and you can try and wiggle out of it as much as you like, is STANDARD Christian doctrine ... it's at the heart of every Christian cults message, it is enshrined in the bible and it is, at root, a fear based concept.

Kyu

Show me.

(January 10, 2009 at 1:15 am)puglover Wrote: As an atheist how do you cope with death?
Does death challenge your views as an atheist?

Death is a part of Life. Understanding the concept of death is part of being aware. We must all experience death, it is absolute.

(January 10, 2009 at 1:43 am)puglover Wrote: What about the death of others around you?

I believe you must prepare yourself before the loss of the beings that is close to oneself. It is an ongoing process. This method does not completely eliminate thoughts/feelings that are associated with the loss of beings that are very close to you, but it will help.