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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:25 pm
(This post was last modified: April 19, 2015 at 5:28 pm by robvalue.)
That's wonderful to hear Aurora  I can totally see that. As happy as people think they are in religion, I feel a whole new world is waiting for them should they ever break free.
When I want to escape reality, I play games. I become an assassin or a lunatic or a vampire or whatever. We all need some escapism. But I don't want to be deluded about what is real and what is not. I may as well use drugs to fuck with my brain, and I'm not going to do that. It would be irresponsible to those who rely on me.
Lek: I'm afraid your idea of what is evidence and mine are completely different. That is not evidence of anything except the power of positive thinking and/or the placebo effect. These are well demonstrated phenomena, which can be achieved in many ways other than religion.
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:27 pm
(April 19, 2015 at 5:20 pm)Aroura Wrote: I look at my daughter and I know how truly lucky I am to have such a great kid. Not by virtue of magic or because I am good so I deserve it, but just because. I feel so lucky to even be alive! Everything is 100 times more amazing when you realize magic didn't cause it, and you can get a lot more joy out of life for those same reasons.
This.
Hell, the chances of you being born exactly as you are calculated to be one in 400 trillion (4×10^14). That's a fuckload of zeroes.
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:29 pm
I got 134%! I must have hit a wrong button.
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:29 pm
Actually, my experience is the complete opposite.
Most atheists I know are a lot happier since they gave up on religion.
And, having sat with a number of people while they've been dying, I can say, generally, that it is the non believers who are calmer about it.
Dying to live, living to die.
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:37 pm
(April 19, 2015 at 4:57 pm)Faith No More Wrote: Appeal to consequence.
Got evidence?
Objects of mass move together as a consequence of gravity. That counts as evidence. You don't understand how the fallacy works do you?
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:40 pm
(This post was last modified: April 19, 2015 at 5:41 pm by Aroura.)
(April 19, 2015 at 5:23 pm)Lek Wrote: (April 19, 2015 at 5:08 pm)robvalue Wrote: I guess I can sort of see the attraction. It's a bit like handing over some responsibility. It's a bit like getting drunk. It's taking a bit of a step back from reality.
I'd love to step back from reality. I'd quite easily get smashed off my face and not deal with anything. Sadly, I have to deal with the real world as it is.
Believing stuff is just going to be OK is fine, as long as it doesn't lead to complacency. I believe if someone possesses the truth it will emanate from him. A person who can live with joy in any circumstance is one whom I would look to as evidence of the truth. It demonstrates the power of God in that person. In effect, this person has been "set free". Sin keeps us from experiencing that joy.
John 8:31-32 English Standard Version (ESV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Philippians 4:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
These people are living evidence of the truthfulness of the above scriptures. So, you're a Buddhist then? Or maybe Jainist?
People of all faiths and of none can have a great deal of joy in life. More than Christians, even! You are dealing with some serious personal bias's. Good luck with those.
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:43 pm
That's great, Lek, that you found something that you believe brings you joy and inner peace. I don't know anyone who would take that away from you. Just accept that not everyone is going to respond the same way as you, just as not everyone has the same desire to get drunk or high.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:44 pm
I used to be very happy before I got ill.
I'm afraid I don't know where you are going with this Lek. Are you explaining more reasons why you like being a Christian, or are you presenting a case for why someone else should consider becoming a Christian?
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:45 pm
(April 19, 2015 at 4:54 pm)Lek Wrote: As I was driving home from bible study and worship service today I came to a realization. It's not that all christians are joyful, even though they should be, but the only people I've come across in my life that I would consider joyful have been christians. I see joy as different than happiness, in that it is a deeper contentment, and is there whether one's life is going well or not. It's present even in times of great sickness and dying. It's knowing that, no matter what happens, things are okay--not just that they will be okay, but they are okay.
The only people you hang out with are christians.
...And?
(Also, your definition of 'joyful' is irrelevant to me. Since we define it differently, you can't prove with any accuracy that I'm any more or less joyful than your friends. I talk to my cats, they talk to their imaginary friend. Equally happy?)
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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RE: Another Good Reason to be a Christian
April 19, 2015 at 5:46 pm
(April 19, 2015 at 4:54 pm)Lek Wrote: As I was driving home from bible study and worship service today I came to a realization. It's not that all christians are joyful, even though they should be, but the only people I've come across in my life that I would consider joyful have been christians. I see joy as different than happiness, in that it is a deeper contentment, and is there whether one's life is going well or not. It's present even in times of great sickness and dying. It's knowing that, no matter what happens, things are okay--not just that they will be okay, but they are okay.
Just like the idiot delight of the lemming in following the herd over the edge of the cliff.
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