Religion & Morality

[conversationpc]

"We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid."

Absolutely correct!

How can you even say this with a straight face? Selfish? Yeah... churches never do anything for communities or people around the world. They don't donate their money to help others. They don't volunteer at homeless shelters and feed the hungry. They don't pool their resources together and help people pay bills or even build some people houses who can't afford them. They really are mean, selfish people. WTH???

Besides that, most of the studies I've seen also show religious people give more of their time and money to charitable causes than any other group. Go figure...

[G.I.Jim]

"We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid."

Absolutely correct!

How can you even say this with a straight face? Selfish? Yeah... churches never do anything for communities or people around the world. They don't donate their money to help others. They don't volunteer at homeless shelters and feed the hungry. They don't pool their resources together and help people pay bills or even build some people houses who can't afford them. They really are mean, selfish people. WTH???

Besides that, most of the studies I've seen also show religious people give more of their time and money to charitable causes than any other group. Go figure...

I just can't believe how mean and selfish they are.

[parfait]

[artist4perry]

Why haven't YOU done something about the child in the last picture? So much for atheism superiority. Churches spend untold money helping the poor and starving in other countries. We as people should do whatever we can regardless of faith or not. I give every week. What are you doing Parfait? I am sure wherever you live there are programs to give. Put your money where your mouth is. It is our job as people to see to the needs of others.

Or do they fall under your scientific "Survival of the fittest."

[S2M]

Why haven't YOU done something about the child in the last picture? So much for atheism superiority. Churches spend untold money helping the poor and starving in other countries. We as people should do whatever we can regardless of faith or not. I give every week. What are you doing Parfait? I am sure wherever you live there are programs to give. Put your money where your mouth is. It is our job as people to see to the needs of others.

Or do they fall under your scientific "Survival of the fittest."

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you. When someone has terminal cancer one day, then has no sign of the disease a week later - you religious types label it a miracle, and attribute it to Gandalf....but the kid in that picture? The leader of the Grey Company doesn't think HIM worthy of a miracle? Too much arbitrary miracle doling happening in the world...

Religion's 'ADHD' is FREEWILL. A blanket excuse given when you have no fucking idea what the hell is going on. Are we to believe that he gave us that freewill, but every now and then cheats, granting arbitrary mulligans to certain individuals? Like I said before - he must really hate amputees. Never once heard of one growing a limb back.

[conversationpc]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you.

The hypocrisy of Sean telling someone else they "just aren't smart enough"...PRICELESS!

[S2M]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you.

The hypocrisy of Sean telling someone else they "just aren't smart enough"...PRICELESS!

I'm here all week, and please remember to tip your waitress.

[conversationpc]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you.

The hypocrisy of Sean telling someone else they "just aren't smart enough"...PRICELESS!

I'm here all week, and please remember to tip your waitress.

I don't carry change.

[majik]

Why haven't YOU done something about the child in the last picture? So much for atheism superiority. Churches spend untold money helping the poor and starving in other countries. We as people should do whatever we can regardless of faith or not. I give every week. What are you doing Parfait? I am sure wherever you live there are programs to give. Put your money where your mouth is. It is our job as people to see to the needs of others.

Or do they fall under your scientific "Survival of the fittest."

"I get paid for playing in my imaginary world, how bout you?"

What is the cost of playing in your imaginary world?
The cost is loosing your Self in "the world" of imagination.
While appearance come and go thereby displaying their unreal nature have "you" as the awareness of all coming and going ever gone anywhere? How can presence leave presence...... only in imagination, how can the divine allow such suffering......... only in imagination.

[Michigan Girl]

"I get paid for playing in my imaginary world, how bout you?"

What is the cost of playing in your imaginary world?
The cost is loosing your Self in "the world" of imagination.
While appearance come and go thereby displaying their unreal nature have "you" as the awareness of all coming and going ever gone anywhere? How can presence leave presence...... only in imagination, how can the divine allow such suffering......... only in imagination.

Yikes, I hope Sean does not see this!!

[Behshad]

"I get paid for playing in my imaginary world, how bout you?"

What is the cost of playing in your imaginary world?
The cost is loosing your Self in "the world" of imagination.
While appearance come and go thereby displaying their unreal nature have "you" as the awareness of all coming and going ever gone anywhere? How can presence leave presence...... only in imagination, how can the divine allow such suffering......... only in imagination.

Yikes, I hope Sean does not see this!!

You mean before or after you highlighted it ?

[artist4perry]

Why haven't YOU done something about the child in the last picture? So much for atheism superiority. Churches spend untold money helping the poor and starving in other countries. We as people should do whatever we can regardless of faith or not. I give every week. What are you doing Parfait? I am sure wherever you live there are programs to give. Put your money where your mouth is. It is our job as people to see to the needs of others.

Or do they fall under your scientific "Survival of the fittest."

"I get paid for playing in my imaginary world, how bout you?"

What is the cost of playing in your imaginary world?
The cost is loosing your Self in "the world" of imagination.
While appearance come and go thereby displaying their unreal nature have "you" as the awareness of all coming and going ever gone anywhere? How can presence leave presence...... only in imagination, how can the divine allow such suffering......... only in imagination.

Seriously, you need to realize reading your posts are like reading drivel. I am an artist, and I draw fantasy art. This is my profession. I have a clear understanding of reality and fantasy. As for the divine allowing such suffering, we were never promised never to have pain, sorrow, sadness...........etc. We also have free will. We can chose to help others or remain selfish useless worms on the planet. Those that are of the Christian faith believe that God expects us to help the needy. If your using my sig. to get at me your really reaching!

[artist4perry]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you.

The hypocrisy of Sean telling someone else they "just aren't smart enough"...PRICELESS!

I'm here all week, and please remember to tip your waitress.

I don't carry change.

Sean, seriously I more than got what was presented. But when you put a starving child as a point that is the point I will be addressing. Maybe you need to look at the picture again. Is there a cancer patient in any photograph? As for my intelligence, this is a boring attack on your part. Seriously you need to get a better argument than I tink I smater than U.......... Der de dEr........




Again, what is your beef with people of faith if they pray to a post anyway? According to you it is useless, so what big deal is it to you? Except for you cannot stand anyone thinking differently than you! That is the real kicker isn't it? How dare anyone not think like me! I really don't care if you or anyone here has a different way of looking at life than I do. I just get sick of your repugnant imperious proscription to anyone's fealty in the incorporeal.

[Gideon]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you. When someone has terminal cancer one day, then has no sign of the disease a week later - you religious types label it a miracle,

Easy, dude. This sounds awfully close to an indictment of the intelligence of religious people. We're not all stupid, ya know!

[artist4perry]

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you. When someone has terminal cancer one day, then has no sign of the disease a week later - you religious types label it a miracle,

Easy, dude. This sounds awfully close to an indictment of the intelligence of religious people. We're not all stupid, ya know!

Nor am I Gideon, I was just pointing out in the photo he shows the hungry. I got what he meant. I was directing my point to the atheists who profess to be better than Christians yet fail to open their wallets or time for others. It seems many of the children who are hungry would not be so if it were not for unscrupulous self absorbed numbnuts who think they can prosper better by taking care of number one.

[artist4perry]

Why haven't YOU done something about the child in the last picture? So much for atheism superiority. Churches spend untold money helping the poor and starving in other countries. We as people should do whatever we can regardless of faith or not. I give every week. What are you doing Parfait? I am sure wherever you live there are programs to give. Put your money where your mouth is. It is our job as people to see to the needs of others.

Or do they fall under your scientific "Survival of the fittest."

Ginger, I'm sorry but you just aren't smart enough to grasp the counterarguments presented to you. When someone has terminal cancer one day, then has no sign of the disease a week later - you religious types label it a miracle, and attribute it to Gandalf....but the kid in that picture? The leader of the Grey Company doesn't think HIM worthy of a miracle? Too much arbitrary miracle doling happening in the world...

Religion's 'ADHD' is FREEWILL. A blanket excuse given when you have no fucking idea what the hell is going on. Are we to believe that he gave us that freewill, but every now and then cheats, granting arbitrary mulligans to certain individuals? Like I said before - he must really hate amputees. Never once heard of one growing a limb back.

Oh hubristic one, I don't believe in modern day miracles. No one is going to grow a limb back. God never promised a life with no pain and suffering. God does work through providence. And I am not going to bother to get into a long drug out discussion of what providence is. Suffice to say that your real problem is not prayer.........or how God answers prayer or not. You have a problem with being impudent to anyone showing approbation to one's tutelary. And you can just figure that one out for yourself, Einstein.

[YoungJRNY]

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/63564 ... all-player

[YoungJRNY]

Today, I am going out into the wild, free of civilization. There, I am in God's world he created for us. I am going to survive. No water, no fire, no clothing, no food, no protection, no shelter, no nothing. I am going to pray. Wish me luck!

[YoungJRNY]

[YoungJRNY]

[artist4perry]

Today, I am going out into the wild, free of civilization. There, I am in God's world he created for us. I am going to survive. No water, no fire, no clothing, no food, no protection, no shelter, no nothing. I am going to pray. Wish me luck!

He gave you a brain ding dong. He expects us to work for what we need.

[artist4perry]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

A few minutes later a boat came and offered to pick him up and take him to shore. The drowning man refused and the boat left.

Another boat came and offered to save the man and he said no, and the boat left.

Finally a third boat came and said I can help you. Once again the drowning man said no.

When he died he said to God: I trusted you. Why didn't you save me??
God said: I sent you 3 boats!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes we dismiss things right before us. Prayer also requires effort on our part sometimes to make things better. Not to mention for us to use the common sense he gave us.

[YoungJRNY]

Today, I am going out into the wild, free of civilization. There, I am in God's world he created for us. I am going to survive. No water, no fire, no clothing, no food, no protection, no shelter, no nothing. I am going to pray. Wish me luck!

He gave you a brain ding dong. He expects us to work for what we need.

But I've been stranded for 6 days without food or water. There is no stove or fried chicken in sight. I've become delusional and my common every day skills is waning on me. I can no longer use my brain to make basic comprehension skills. I hear voices in my head. Night is approaching and it's blinding. It's also 20 degrees, I can barely feel my feet, they are frost-bite. My body is shutting down. What did God place for me out in his world to survive this brutal form of survival? What do I do. PRAY!

[YoungJRNY]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

Then he died of hypothermia. The end.

Fixed.

And who the HELL would turn down a rescue to be saved at shore while floating in the Ocean for days upon days at a time? Not once, but 3 times! That is just called RETARDATION. Makes entirely no sense whatsoever.

[artist4perry]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

Then he died of hypothermia. The end.

Fixed.

We all gotta go somehow.

YoungJrny, I am not asking you or anyone else to believe in God. Just to respect those who do. I have no problem with atheism, agnosticism, druidism, etc...................My beef is with those who treat those who do believe with contempt and ridicule. I don't really gather that from you. You have added levity to the posts. That is always a good thing.

Though you have made me laugh some.

[YoungJRNY]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

Then he died of hypothermia. The end.

Fixed.

We all gotta go somehow.

YoungJrny, I am not asking you or anyone else to believe in God. Just to respect those who do. I have no problem with atheism, agnosticism, druidism, etc...................My beef is with those who treat those who do believe with contempt and ridicule. I don't really gather that from you. You have added levity to the posts. That is always a good thing.

Though you have made me laugh some.

Nah, I'm just Joshing when it comes to this stuff. I find it quite hysterical and fun to add some humor to the conversation because it's the never ending debate.

Personally, I don't believe in God or Jesus. I believe in everyday life that is presented in front of us and we as human's need to act accordingly on a day to day basis and make the right decisions of survival because tomorrow isn't guaranteed, God or no God.

My girlfriend is hardcore Christian and I absolutely love that. If she feels that a higher power gives her the strength to move on and make a tough decision, I tell her that is wonderful and if she gets comfort in knowing that, then I share that same comfort in her belief. I'm not here to change anybodies mind and there's no body out there that could ever change my mind as well.

[artist4perry]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

Then he died of hypothermia. The end.

Fixed.

And who the HELL would turn down a rescue to be saved at shore while floating in the Ocean for days upon days at a time? Not once, but 3 times! That is just called RETARDATION. Makes entirely no sense whatsoever.

Agreed! God has used others to do his will in the past. Sometimes people should see the answer that stares them in the face. It would be dumb to turn down help.

[artist4perry]

There was a guy drowning in the ocean. He prayed to God to save him.

Then he died of hypothermia. The end.

Fixed.

We all gotta go somehow.

YoungJrny, I am not asking you or anyone else to believe in God. Just to respect those who do. I have no problem with atheism, agnosticism, druidism, etc...................My beef is with those who treat those who do believe with contempt and ridicule. I don't really gather that from you. You have added levity to the posts. That is always a good thing.

Though you have made me laugh some.

Nah, I'm just Joshing when it comes to this stuff. I find it quite hysterical and fun to add some humor to the conversation because it's the never ending debate.

Personally, I don't believe in God or Jesus. I believe in everyday life that is presented in front of us and we as human's need to act accordingly on a day to day basis and make the right decisions of survival because tomorrow isn't guaranteed, God or no God.

My girlfriend is hardcore Christian and I absolutely love that. If she feels that a higher power gives her the strength to move on and make a tough decision, I tell her that is wonderful and if she gets comfort in knowing that, then I share that same comfort in her belief. I'm not here to change anybodies mind and there's no body out there that could ever change my mind as well.

That makes you cool in my book. And we all could use a sense of humor.

[artist4perry]

Today, I am going out into the wild, free of civilization. There, I am in God's world he created for us. I am going to survive. No water, no fire, no clothing, no food, no protection, no shelter, no nothing. I am going to pray. Wish me luck!

He gave you a brain ding dong. He expects us to work for what we need.

But I've been stranded for 6 days without food or water. There is no stove or fried chicken in sight. I've become delusional and my common every day skills is waning on me. I can no longer use my brain to make basic comprehension skills. I hear voices in my head. Night is approaching and it's blinding. It's also 20 degrees, I can barely feel my feet, they are frost-bite. My body is shutting down. What did God place for me out in his world to survive this brutal form of survival? What do I do. PRAY!

Well, if your gonna croak anyway, you could either take a chance there is a God, and therefore an afterlife, or just accept your toast. If you were wrong about God existing, no real problem you winked out, you failed to be anymore. If you did not accept God and he exists...........possible problem, and you have all of eternity to mull it over.

[Rip Rokken]

Agreed! God has used others to do his will in the past. Sometimes people should see the answer that stares them in the face. It would be dumb to turn down help.

Ok, serious question, based on the topic of S2M's poster. What do you think of people praying for simple things like finding their keys or scoring a touchdown? I've done it before, based on the thought that God is our personal companion, and cares to be involved in all of our actions.