A small thanks to the resident Theists..

[Whateverist]

...
Your mother, on the other hand was obviously a neanderthal who put all her magical thinking into your head. ...

Is that a justifiable belief?

No but would you say it is never permissible to believe what is unjustifiable? You pick the cherries you like and I'll take the ones that look good to me.

[Cyberman]

"God wants use to rely on Him for our answers, being omniscient He can guide us to truth in His word. There's nothing wrong with His word, it's humans that make the controversies, people have a desire to be better or know more than others (self righteous)."

This is the sort of education that we currently use all the way up to the end of Junior school. The teacher tells us and we learn it.

As education progresses, however, there is more and more encouragement, and need, to find the answers on our own. The lessons at this stage of our education are the fundamental basis of the development of everything about us. Teaching kids to think for themselves, and research for themselves is absolutely critical.

It is the desire to be better, or to know more (not really than others - that 's a projection) that drives us forward. There is nothing self-righteous about it. Its just part of an innate desire to understand, explore and then possibly utilize.

This is really an interesting way to look at it. I've never been a parent, nor is it likely I shall ever be, but I have been a child. One thing parents ought to want for their child is for that child to grow and develop into something more than they themselves contributed. When first born, children are little data-collecting machines incessantly hoovering up information. After a time, quite early on in their development I think, a critical mass is achieved and they suddenly outgrow the knowledge they acquire; they become more than simply the sum of their amassed facts and start to interpret, to question. They ask the two most key questions in the Universe: "how" and "why". From that point on, they - ideally - are capable of realising their potential to change the world, even if it's only their little corner of it.

Does this "God" not want that for its children, for them to think for themselves independently of its o'erweaning instruction? If so, that makes it one shitty parent and all the more reason to deny, defy and decry it.

[Mister Agenda]

Go away. Your multiple posts to tell us you're not going to back up your assertions are a waste of bandwidth. Why the hell are you even here?

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At this point, you've used way more words to excuse yourself from making your case than it would have taken to actually make it.

It's the principle of the issue, not the amount of words that it takes to explain the subject. I get tired of going over the same verses time and again because people want listen. It's some of the same people that were involved in the previous explanation. IMO all they want to do is waste my time and yours.

GC

You're the one wasting my time GC, and I'm done with it.

[Bad Writer]

He can't take responsibility for his actions. It's always our fault. We MUST be ganging up on him if we are all saying the same things to him. We're all part of a gang created solely to put GC in his place. It's a fucking conspiracy, man.

[Godscreated]

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God wants use to rely on Him for our answers, being omniscient He can guide us to truth in His word. There's nothing wrong with His word, it's humans that make the controversies, people have a desire to be better or know more than others (self righteous). Instead of listening to God's revelation of His word, they want to have their own revelation for their own idea, whether it be to tear down God's word or to look like they know more than others. The Bible is far more than instruction book, it is a guide through life with revelation coming through His word to use as we need it, either for one's own life or to help teach others. The deeper understanding of God's word is for Christians to learn more about God as the relationship deepens.

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GC

So how come you all need this guide, yet others do not?

I believe everyone does, why, because we need to live in relation to God. I want to live a life pleasing to God because I believe He knows what's best for me. Also so many people deal with problems with drugs either from their doctor or from the streets, I'm not referring to the physical body. Life is a growth process where we should be learning throughout. Through God's word I find dealing with everyday life and the problems that come in life easier, I know through experience he will lead me to the other side of my problems. Please do not misunderstand, I'm not saying Christians do not find themselves in great problems, we get ourselves into problem and things in life happen to us just as they do to others. The difference is this, those of us who live in relationship with God will depend on Him to see us through and He does.

GC

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It's the principle of the issue, not the amount of words that it takes to explain the subject. I get tired of going over the same verses time and again because people want listen. It's some of the same people that were involved in the previous explanation. IMO all they want to do is waste my time and yours.

GC

You're the one wasting my time GC, and I'm done with it.

Most excellent idea

GC

[Bad Writer]

So what's the mechanism by which god is leading you?

[Heir Apparent]

"...we need to live in relation to god."

Okay, I reject that idea as do many other people. I don't think it's easier to live life with a deity involved. Rather, I believe it to be dishonest and an easy cop out when the shit hits the fan.

I really don't agree with your last statement either. Ever read about faith healing? I suppose you have an explanation for that.

[Cyberman]

Faith healing gone wrong is just as dangerous as faith healing gone right. WhatsTheHarm.net lists dozens of cases of people who were harmed by faith healing.

Check out the rest of their database too.

[catfish]

Is that a justifiable belief?

No but would you say it is never permissible to believe what is unjustifiable? You pick the cherries you like and I'll take the ones that look good to me.

You're an idiot then. (my justifiable belief).
Everything after "No" is fluff...

[Heir Apparent]

Faith healing gone wrong is just as dangerous as faith healing gone right. WhatsTheHarm.net lists dozens of cases of people who were harmed by faith healing.

Check out the rest of their database too.

Indeed, I didn't mean to say that any sort of faith healing is acceptable of course, and I've edited my post accordingly. Don't want to hand any free ammo to those pesky believers

Edit - thanks for that link, I'll have to save that one for when anyone wants to try to argue that religion does no harm.