(March 16, 2014 at 2:06 pm)Deidre32 Wrote:

(January 30, 2014 at 11:48 pm)Lek Wrote: I have a powerful desire to know why the universe exists and our purpose for existence as individuals. I don't see science as a way to discover this. Do atheists search for the same thing and, if so, what is their source or method? I think most atheists don't see any purpose at all.

The purpose of life is unique for every person. As every person's life is unique. The purpose of a religious person's life, as I was once one, is to keep gazing at a supposed after life. Christians especially have their eyes here, and their eyes focused elsewhere, which to me is a selfish way to live THIS life. Becoming preoccupied with an after life, if one exists, robs a person of his/her life, here and now.

Fixating on an after life to me, cheapens this existence, and how often do we hear Christianity preach that ''we are here temporarily, it's the after life that matters most.''

Sad to me, really.

Christ teachings were quite relevant to life on earth. He was concerned with improving the lot of the poor and sick. He didn't just say "suffer now, but heaven is coming, but healed and fed. His parables were mostly all about life situations which also carried a spiritual message. Christians are concerned with life on earth, as we were called to care for all of creation. I need to support my family and prefer to find work that is satisfying. I've got a house and a couple of cars, but they will be gone some day. I'm always looking for enjoyment in this life, but it is temporary and the best is yet to come. I find enjoyment in commenting on this forum. Of course, there are avenues that I don't pursue because they are against God's desires. But, like I said before, going after those things which provided temporary pleasure, didn't provide fufillment or satisfaction. I have received more satisfaction from christianity. Though I don't see this as happening, if I'm wrong I won't care because there will be nothing left of me after death to regret my life here.

(March 16, 2014 at 1:58 pm)Lek Wrote: We're making comments abut how we think the afterlife will be, mostly based on human perceptions gained from experiences in this world. Scripture says it will be great, and since I have chosen to believe scripture, that what I'm looking forward to. As for my life here - I lived trying to do it my way for quite awhile and didn't find it fufilling. I believe in Christ. This is where I find my fufillment here and I'm also looking forward to the life to come.

So it's all a matter of opinion?

(March 16, 2014 at 3:03 pm)Lek Wrote:

(March 16, 2014 at 2:06 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: The purpose of life is unique for every person. As every person's life is unique. The purpose of a religious person's life, as I was once one, is to keep gazing at a supposed after life. Christians especially have their eyes here, and their eyes focused elsewhere, which to me is a selfish way to live THIS life. Becoming preoccupied with an after life, if one exists, robs a person of his/her life, here and now.

Fixating on an after life to me, cheapens this existence, and how often do we hear Christianity preach that ''we are here temporarily, it's the after life that matters most.''

Sad to me, really.

Christ teachings were quite relevant to life on earth. He was concerned with improving the lot of the poor and sick. He didn't just say "suffer now, but heaven is coming, but healed and fed. His parables were mostly all about life situations which also carried a spiritual message. Christians are concerned with life on earth, as we were called to care for all of creation. I need to support my family and prefer to find work that is satisfying. I've got a house and a couple of cars, but they will be gone some day. I'm always looking for enjoyment in this life, but it is temporary and the best is yet to come. I find enjoyment in commenting on this forum. Of course, there are avenues that I don't pursue because they are against God's desires. But, like I said before, going after those things which provided temporary pleasure, didn't provide fufillment or satisfaction. I have received more satisfaction from christianity. Though I don't see this as happening, if I'm wrong I won't care because there will be nothing left of me after death to regret my life here.

I wish all Christians would speak as you do. You, are speaking from your heart, and not ''preaching.'' For that, I thank you.

I suppose we will all find out for certain, one way or the other, after we die. That's the common ground EVERYONE shares, regardless of the labels.

Quote:I suppose we will all find out for certain, one way or the other, after we die. That's the common ground EVERYONE shares, regardless of the labels.

We agree. Also, thanks for the compliment.

"But how can an eye have evolved??"

Billions of years.

I often think that people who think evolution is false fail to remember just how long billions of years actually is.

(March 18, 2014 at 2:40 am)Khansins Wrote: So by saying that nothing collides with each other is Ofcourse wrong. And I perceive that the speaker was well aware of the fact i just described above.

I am aware that you have to do this kind of gymnastics in order to remain religious, reinterpreting the obvious to mean the opposite, but please understand that I am not quite as well-trained in the art of bending over backwards as you.

Oh no, he wasn't aware, he said "They are all in order and they are all precise. They are not colliding with each other". That's what he said, if he meant the opposite but it's impossible to tell from the text, what other things does he maybe mean completely differently from what is actually in the text? Maybe he really wants you to become an atheist, because by "belief in God" he really means "there is no God"?

(March 18, 2014 at 11:14 am)Alex K Wrote:

(March 18, 2014 at 2:40 am)Khansins Wrote: So by saying that nothing collides with each other is Ofcourse wrong. And I perceive that the speaker was well aware of the fact i just described above.

I am aware that you have to do this kind of gymnastics in order to remain religious, reinterpreting the obvious to mean the opposite, but please understand that I am not quite as well-trained in the art of bending over backwards as you.

Oh no, he wasn't aware, he said "They are all in order and they are all precise. They are not colliding with each other". That's what he said, if he meant the opposite but it's impossible to tell from the text, what other things does he maybe mean completely differently from what is actually in the text? Maybe he really wants you to become an atheist, because by "belief in God" he really means "there is no God"?

It's like when folk say the Quran says the Earth was/is a sphere, despite the fact it really isn't a sphere at all.

(March 18, 2014 at 2:40 am)Khansins Wrote: Alright. So let me explain this. What he meant was this. Everything in this world is in correct order and in perfect calm state. When sun rises in the morning from the east , it will always rise from the east. It will never rise from the west. But when it does , that day will be the Day of Judgement( Our belief ).

Well done for confirming that there can never be a 'Day of Judgement'.