Incorrect Ron, you have no purpose. I've already told you, and there's no sense bickering about it.

Impact is more important than purpose anyway.

(June 3, 2013 at 12:46 pm)ronedee Wrote:

(June 3, 2013 at 12:08 pm)Baalzebutt Wrote: Could you be so kind as to tell me EXACTLY what that purpose is?

Well yes... attaining Eternal Life!

That is not a purpose. That is a goal. Purpose has some intrinsic meaning attached to it.

For instance, the purpose I attribute to my life is, to the best of my ability, make others happy, make myself happy and, inasmuch as it is possible, cause no harm.

(June 3, 2013 at 12:46 pm)ronedee Wrote: Well yes... attaining Eternal Life!

So your whole life is dedicated to getting bitten by a vampire?

(June 3, 2013 at 5:35 am)little_monkey Wrote: The purpose and meaning for your life is what you create for yourself. Unfortunately for you, you've decided to be a slave to a fictional character invented thousands of years ago.

Sad and pathetic.

Well...isn't that just your negative opinion? What proof do you have that I'm wrong? What are you using for tools? Hate? Is it what you are really feeling inside? Or is there no feelings inside, but a brain that is fallible, prone to error and change?

At least my opinion/message is a positive one, in a personal way (leaving out all the fictional caracters and such). One built on inner-most gut feelings and morals that are proven right through the ages. Not just a bunch of written words that can be manipulated any way one thinks!

I have a self-described agnostic friend who I saw this past week...We started talking about different news items and the abortionist monster Gosnell came up. I started telling him about the attrocities....to which he immediately stopped me! "I don't want to hear that shit." He then challenged me that these things didn't happen, and were made-up! I got a little testy, as he did also. I said, you would rather go through life denying this stuff happens rather than try to investigate? "What I don't know won't hurt me"...was his reply!

And this is my argument to Atheists. Unless you have really investigated life from a spiritual sense, how can you unequivocally say that God...or at the very least a Higher Source doesn't exist for us?

But, if you have no "spiritual sense", or soul what do you know? It's like someone coming back from a far away place with Good News about a better life: Some will want to go there for themselves. Some will not care about that message. And others will despise that person as a storyteller and liar.

I can respect the first 2....... Who would you respect?

(June 3, 2013 at 1:34 am)ronedee Wrote: Considered that Christians have purpose in life, Atheists do not.

Everything ends in your life.... while everything begins for us.

And the irony is that, if not for you... there would be very little to physically remind us we are on the right track.

So, keep up the good work! A lot of Christians are depending on ya!

.......

Quote:Well...isn't that just your negative opinion?

Quote:At least my opinion/message is a positive one

I'd tell you to go fuck yourself, but you beat me to it....

(June 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm)ronedee Wrote: And this is my argument to Atheists. Unless you have really investigated life from a spiritual sense, how can you unequivocally say that God...or at the very least a Higher Source doesn't exist for us?

We can't, but we can reject claims due to lack of evidence to back them up. And I agree, before you reply, that absence of evidence doesn't necessarily equate to absence per se, but it doesn't mean we have to take the claims seriously.

"That which can be asserted without evidence..." And all that.

(June 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm)ronedee Wrote: But, if you have no "spiritual sense", or soul what do you know? It's like someone coming back from a far away place with Good News about a better life: Some will want to go there for themselves. Some will not care about that message. And others will despise that person as a storyteller and liar.

I can respect the first 2....... Who would you respect?

I still have no idea what a 'spiritual sense' is.

I don't despite people for being storytellers, neither for being liars prima facie (the two are not synonomous, either). People are allowed to believe whatever they want, but equally, it doesn't mean those beliefs need to be taken seriously. There is not hate, at least not until one begins to try and enforce their beliefs on others. Then it's still not hate (from my end), rather resistance.

(June 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm)ronedee Wrote: At least my opinion/message is a positive one...

Isn't that the one where I'm in for hellish punishment and torture for not accepting your savior?

(June 3, 2013 at 1:55 pm)Fidel_Castronaut Wrote:

(June 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm)ronedee Wrote: And this is my argument to Atheists. Unless you have really investigated life from a spiritual sense, how can you unequivocally say that God...or at the very least a Higher Source doesn't exist for us?

We can't, but we can reject claims due to lack of evidence to back them up. And I agree, before you reply, that absence of evidence doesn't necessarily equate to absence per se, but it doesn't mean we have to take the claims seriously.

"That which can be asserted without evidence..." And all that.

(June 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm)ronedee Wrote: But, if you have no "spiritual sense", or soul what do you know? It's like someone coming back from a far away place with Good News about a better life: Some will want to go there for themselves. Some will not care about that message. And others will despise that person as a storyteller and liar.

I can respect the first 2....... Who would you respect?

I still have no idea what a 'spiritual sense' is.

I don't despite people for being storytellers, neither for being liars prima facie (the two are not synonomous, either). People are allowed to believe whatever they want, but equally, it doesn't mean those beliefs need to be taken seriously. There is not hate, at least not until one begins to try and enforce their beliefs on others. Then it's still not hate (from my end), rather resistance.

First of all...thanks for not "part-shotting" my arguments! It's difficult to have a real conversation around here!

But, to question anything is just smart business! It's when it falls to name calling and insults that it looks...well...childish. It shows a lack of understanding, intelligence and tolerance.

When I first got here, I said I wanted to challenge my Faith and also supply & hear new arguments about religion in General.

To be perfectly honest, I have been strengthened in my Faith! And the arguments always get hung-up on physical proof! Which is natural.

BUT.... it also comes down to Atheists using bible quotes and past/present sins of the faithful to support their arguments. Because there is no other way to support it! But for both sides obvious lack of proof!

And it's interesting to see that Atheists in this thread have had "no miracles" happen in their lives, and agnostics had "unexplained" happy events happen, while religious have them constantly happen!

Whats the separation here?! I'll tell you: As go your beliefs (or lack thereof), so goes your lives!

Just "try" to remember this: We (most), as Christians do what we do (here and in the world) out of love for Jesus, and for our brothers and sisters.

I'm sorry we are not perfect (yet). And I appologize for the idots that make Christian love look bad! All we really want is to be together as God's creation and to transcend the trappings we all live in on Earth for Eternal Life Him.

I have close friends and relatives (including my dad) who are either aggy's or anti's. I, with them have cleared many a room and family parties over the years with our arguments. But when all is said and done, we love and respect each other.

(June 3, 2013 at 2:45 pm)ronedee Wrote: And the arguments always get hung-up on physical proof! Which is natural.

Lack of physical -evidence- Ron, though lack of proof is also a problem, yes. No evidence, no proof.......if that was going to strengthen -anything- it's not surprising to see that it's faith, as faith requires (and I would say thrives on) neither.