FoxHastings said: ↑ Like ALL people, some do and some don't. Why shouldn't they? It's different because atheists don't believe in a "god" or "gods"... THEY don't NEED to to """love and have consciences, forgive this and that trespass from time to time and cover sin in others with the cloak of mercy seeing worth beyond or in spite of that which is unacceptable in another, feel sorrow or compassion for others, give to the poor or one in need every once in a while, reserve judgment, bear lifes burdens with an eye towards hope or a dawn of sorts, and slow to anger, see themselves in others and seek perfection"" Have you tried ASKING THEM rather than framing them in your imagination? If there is no god there can be no "godly" attributes...they're HUMAN attributes...
You're playing word games. So say that God is a perfect human, from whom we share or inherit his characteristics and form, spiritual and physical. Our higher characteristics are not creaturish. And we did not make them any more than we made ourselves. The fact that we are here and God is not, is evidence of our having been created, not of our having imagined God. The fact that we are endowed with characteristics bordering on the divine is evidence of a divine hand, not an advanced creature. Anyway, you've answered my questions by admitting that all humans share the characteristics which true religion enlarges. And that Atheists are and can be as near to God in their hearts in basic eternal principles as can any Christian, imo.
FoxHastings said: ↑ Like ALL people, some do and some don't. Why shouldn't they? It's different because atheists don't believe in a "god" or "gods"... THEY don't NEED to to """love and have consciences, forgive this and that trespass from time to time and cover sin in others with the cloak of mercy seeing worth beyond or in spite of that which is unacceptable in another, feel sorrow or compassion for others, give to the poor or one in need every once in a while, reserve judgment, bear lifes burdens with an eye towards hope or a dawn of sorts, and slow to anger, see themselves in others and seek perfection"" Have you tried ASKING THEM rather than framing them in your imagination? If there is no god there can be no "godly" attributes...they're HUMAN attributes... Hilarius! The old "go-to" when one has NO answers or rebuttals...claim "word games" ! YES, words can trip you up sometimes especially when they're true ! LOL! . Yup, we were created....but that isn't evidence your "god" did it . No, I never said that and is lying a divine attribute? ...and Christians can be as far away from their "god" as atheists … I do lack the "divine(godly) attribute " of delighting in seeing innocent children born with horrible diseases and disfigurements...
I personally knew an ATHEIST for many decades who met ALL of the positive attributes that you described as being admirable while NEVER worshipping or praying to your imaginary deity. Speaking of your imaginary deity are you aware that he is also an ATHEIST? Interesting that you BELIEVE in a "higher power" than yourself when your imaginary "higher power" does NOT. Looks like atheists have MORE in COMMON with your imaginary deity than believers do. How IRONIC is that?
RE: Merry Christmas! ⁜→ The Wyrd of Gawd, et al, BLUF: There is no empirical evidence to prove or disprove the claim [one way (faith-based) or the other (scientific process)]. (COMMENT) Remember, we cannot (at this point in time) even describe the framework of a set of deities or characteristics of a Supreme Being (if "being" is the right word to apply in the case of a Monotheistic entity). Even the best advocate in the big three Abrahamic Religions cannot agree on the distinct attributes of the Supreme Being. Most Respectfully, R
The discussion generally revolves around the assorted biblical Gods and the Allah character of Islam. There is ZERO (0.00000000000000000000000000) evidence for those characters. And if a space alien with super powers appeared at this instant it would not mean that it is a real deal God.
Yup - brewed (all-grain) and fermented it like an ale using a SafLager S-23 dry yeast that allows you to ferment at ale temps. If I recall correctly, it went 1 1/2 weeks in primary fermentation, 2 1/2 months in secondary and then bottle conditioned for a month. I've always gotten great results from that yeast and the ale came out fantastic. My wife likes her Märzens a little on the malty side so I brewed it that way but it still had that nice balance you want in that style. It also goes great with glühwein. I double-fisted the two on Christmas and plan on doing it again on New Years. Hope you had a great Christmas!
No bashing intended, my humorless friend, and if it's the Airing of Grievances you're after, I'll refer you to the "Happy Festivus!" thread...
Very funny. I guess my point is that the known Christian character of God is not alien to either Christians or Atheists. But is rather germane and intimate. To say there is no God is to say that the quest for perfection is vain; rendering reflection, the gaining of understanding, and the growth of ones character or maturity and the enlargement of ones soul to be exercises in futility. But that would be to say that a plant which bears fruit has somehow committed an absurdity. Is it rational or reasonable to say that the means of our sustenance is absurd? Or that it is an oddity for a tomato plant to bear forth a tomato? Our very existence is the seeking of Godhood, and testimony of his existence. So it stands to reason that one cannot be enlarged in any degree and it not be to Gods honor and glory. Now God may refuse to claim it, and you may refuse to give it. But you cannot deny that the venture is afoot.
FoxHastings said: ↑ First post and atheists were bashed: ""As for all the atheists out there, I wish you a Happy Bah Humbug. Try not to be a Grinch."" But bashing is what it was.....no backpedaling your double standards...
I meant the guy who got triggered over the OP and labors under the delusion that he thinks and speaks for others. Which, incidentally, brings us to this: Since I happen to know atheists who do need to love, have consciences, forgive this and that trespass from time to time, cover sin in others with the cloak of mercy seeing worth beyond or in spite of that which is unacceptable in another, feel sorrow or compassion for others, give to the poor or one in need every once in a while, reserve judgment, bear life's burdens with an eye towards hope or a dawn of sorts, are slow to anger, see themselves in others and seek perfection, I can only wonder where that assertion came from.
I've known atheists who have shared the same attributes, as well, which make me wonder why you liked a post that claims atheists don't need to love, have consciences, etc.. What's "ironic" (nonsensical would be a better term) is that you claim to know the beliefs of a deity that you say is imaginary. Tell us, when did this "imaginary deity" sit down and share its beliefs with you?
Of course, some do. It's no different if "loving God with all your heart" involves the acts and attributes you listed.
I meant the guy in the OP who was triggered by atheists I NEVER said or implied nor posted that I speak for others...
Does it bother you that atheists can be all those things while NOT believing in a "god" ? Can be all those things while NOT fearing retribution from a "god" ?
Why in the world would you fear retribution from an entity you don't think exists. As an atheist I can tell you I don't spend any time worrying about what someone else's imaginary friend might do.
FoxHastings said: ↑ Does it bother you that atheists can be all those things while NOT believing in a "god" ? (Does it bother you that atheists) Can be all those things while NOT fearing retribution from a "god" ? Reread my post, I never said that. As an atheist I don't either.
I UPHOLD your right to BELIEVE whatever floats your boat but the SPECIOUS attempt to conflate the NATURAL world with your IMAGINARY deity does NOT have any credence. SCIENCE can explain how plants produce fruit and how that fruit is metabolized within our bodies to provide us with sustenance. Disingenuously CONFLATING the concepts of INTROSPECTION and MATURITY with an imaginary "soul" is the claptrap that EXPOSES that religions are nothing more than Stone Age Ignorance imposed upon the EVOLUTION of our INTELLIGENCE.
The last time I had a chat with YOUR imaginary deity he informed me that he PREFERS the company of fellow atheists because we do NOT waste his time begging and pleading him for stuff that he has no intention of providing to his followers no matter how much time they spend on their knees praying to him. So YES, I DO know the mindset of YOUR imaginary deity because an IMAGINARY deity can be ANYTHING you want it be. That is WHY it is imaginary. You can INVENT whatever you like about it an NO ONE can prove you WRONG. So my conversation with your imaginary deity has exactly the same level of credibility as your BELIEFS about him. And now comes the HARD part. Explain WHY your imaginary deity would BELIEVE in a "higher power" than himself? Enquiring minds want to know!
Perhaps my problem is that I never had an imaginary friend when I was young.too bad, I could have used a scapegoat many, many times... it wasn’t me...
Does it bother you that atheists can be all those things while NOT believing in a "god" ? Does it bother you that atheists can be all those things while NOT fearing retribution from a "god" ?
