(March 6, 2014 at 10:18 pm)dr_jpeg Wrote: As a non-Christian and lifelong atheist, I am unfamiliar with the rules of lent. As I understand it, it is giving up something of which you are very fond for a period of time. I would like to suggest to devout Christians that they give up their belief in god for lent, including church, the bible, prayer, etc. Try free-thinking, reason, logic, and scientific discovery on for size for a month and see if you are able to put aside your dogmas, if for only a short period.

Putting aside your faith is like extracting blood from your body, faith is ever replenishing. I also think freely, use my rationale, logic and relish science books, these do not waver my faith one jot, in fact they serve to strengthen His magnificence. What is dogmatic about our beautiful, loving creator? He is always there and has given you the freedom to turn from Him if you choose. Although this causes Him great sadness and pain, there is a peace there that passes all understanding and transcends everything (Philippians 4:7).

~ Miss Meng

(March 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm)Miss Meng Wrote:

(March 6, 2014 at 10:18 pm)dr_jpeg Wrote: As a non-Christian and lifelong atheist, I am unfamiliar with the rules of lent. As I understand it, it is giving up something of which you are very fond for a period of time. I would like to suggest to devout Christians that they give up their belief in god for lent, including church, the bible, prayer, etc. Try free-thinking, reason, logic, and scientific discovery on for size for a month and see if you are able to put aside your dogmas, if for only a short period.

Putting aside your faith is like extracting blood from your body, faith is ever replenishing. I also think freely, use my rationale, logic and relish science books, these do not waver my faith one jot, in fact they serve to strengthen His magnificence. What is dogmatic about our beautiful, loving creator? He is always there and has given you the freedom to turn from Him if you choose. Although this causes Him great sadness and pain, there is a peace there that passes all understanding and transcends everything (Philippians 4:7).

~ Miss Meng

Definition of dogma:
Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (2)

1. a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof; 
[syn: dogma, tenet]

(March 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm)Miss Meng Wrote: I also think freely, use my rationale, logic and relish science books, these do not waver my faith one jot, in fact they serve to strengthen His magnificence.

Then use your rationale, logic, and science books to provide good evidence for your god's existence and thereby convert all of us heathens.

We're waiting...

(March 7, 2014 at 2:46 pm)dr_jpeg Wrote: Definition of dogma:
Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (2)

1. a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof; 
[syn: dogma, tenet]

I do not proclaim anything. I believe in Him.

~ Miss Meng

There is a similarity between lent and ramadan. I suppose this practice is a form of pseudo-achivement.

(March 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm)Miss Meng Wrote: I also think freely, use my rationale, logic and relish science books.

~ Miss Meng

If that was even remotely true, you would not be religious.

I would think that giving something up temporarily would be a way to prove to yourself that you're not chained to it. That you're not addicted to it, and are capable of living without it. Even if you don't swear it off altogether, at least hopefully you experienced helpful things without it.

Like I don't need to eat chocolate every day, and I don't need to get on the internet every day.

(March 7, 2014 at 2:29 pm)Clueless Morgan Wrote: What's the point of Lent? I mean, I kind of get what it is (giving something you like up for a period of time) but why do religious people do it?

Because they are assholes?

(March 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm)Kitanetos Wrote: If that was even remotely true, you would not be religious.

But it is and I am.

~ Miss Meng

(March 7, 2014 at 3:20 pm)Miss Meng Wrote: But it is and I am.

~ Miss Meng

Clearly you have yet to demonstrate that on the forums, and clearly.