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 The group Recovering from Religion plans to start a helpline for people struggling with religious doubts.
June 4th, 2013
03:08 PM ET
Atheists to start 1-800 hotline for doubtersBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) – Who can people call when religious doubts arise, but they're afraid to talk to their faith leaders or families? A group that helps people "recover" from religion says it's ready to pick up the phone. Recovering from Religion, which has about 40 support groups in the U.S. and Britain, plans to launch a hotline that will offer doubters an anonymous place to ask difficult questions and find communities of like-minded nonbelievers. The group plans to staff the help line 24 hours a day and is modeling it after services like suicide prevention hotlines. Sarah Morehead, executive director of Recovering from Religion, told CNN that the mission is to help people, not convert them to atheism. “A lot of the times they just need someone to talk to," Morehead said. The 1-800 number has yet to be named. Recovering from Religion is trying to raise $30,000 by June 30 to fund "The Hotline Project" with up to 40 counselors. Ideally, the help line would be live by the holiday season, said Morehead, which is often a difficult time for people struggling with religious doubts. Photos: Famous atheists and their beliefs The idea for the hotline sprang up after calls came in to the Recovering from Religion phone line from people who were questioning their faith and needed to talk to someone. Morehead said she gets a few calls every day and hundreds of e-mails a month from people seeking counseling. From there, she said, it seemed a hotline that provided a permanent, anonymous place to talk to someone was the best option. "Coming out" as a nonbeliever - or even a doubter - can often be extremely difficult, Morehead and others say. In addition to the existential worries, budding nonbelievers run the risk of alienating family and friends. The help line’s volunteer counselors will be trained to not engage in religious debate, Morehead said. Instead, they will try to give callers “practical, action-oriented solutions.” When someone first calls the hotline, the counselor will start by simply asking the caller to talk about his or her personal story, said Morehead. Later, the counselor and the caller might work on an action plan. The caller's goals may concern formally leaving religion altogether, but Morehead said that counselors will also offer advice on finding a new faith or connecting with a local community of nonbelievers. Some blogs have questioned the hotline, however, calling it a ploy to increase the number of atheists in America. Headlines like “New 1-800 Number Funded By Liberals To Convert Christians to Atheists,” for example, have cropped up at a number of conservative blogs. Morehead said her critics fail to grasp the point of Recovering from Religion. “Most of the people who contact us are working their way towards disbelief, so of course we are very equipped to handle that,” Morehead said. “That is not the goal, though, or the job of the facilitators.” Photos: 'Born-again' celebrities This hotline is not completely unique in the world of religious "nones" – people who either don’t believe in God or don’t affiliate with any religious beliefs. Atheists have long discussed disbelief in the comfort of online anonymity. “We have seen how important the Internet is, especially young people questioning their faith, and this provides them with another resource with a different focus,” said Jesse Galef, communications director for the Secular Student Alliance. “For people who want more guidance, I think this resource will be very valuable.” Services that help religious doubters have thrived recently. The Clergy Project, an online community for preachers who no longer believe in God, has grown from 52 to nearly 500 people since its founding in 2011, said Teresa MacBain, the former executive director of the project. MacBain, a former pastor who converted to atheism, called the help line "another way for people to contact someone anonymously and discuss the struggles they are having for their beliefs.” “If this project had been around when I found the Clergy Project, I would have used it.” MacBain said she plans to get training as one of the counselors and hopes to be answering calls when the service launches. soundoff (3,878 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next »
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I really can't digest this one! We Christians invite people to Jesus Christ without pinpointing their personal convictions. It is up to the individual to accept the invitation or not. We do not advertise nor invite anyone to get out of a certain belief system or lack thereof!
I wonder if this hotline ends up being ruled as hate speech toward believing in God!
" I wonder if this hotline ends up being ruled as hate speech toward believing in God! "
That's possibly the silliest speculation I've ever seen.
Instead of wondering, visit their website before you go making ridiculous statements.
Vic,
"We Christians"? Do you speak for Christians? Do you deny that there are entire sects of Christians that actively recruit?
If it is about recruiting, then the hotline shall be about inviting people to Atheism.
The hotline is not about recruiting. Read about it so you don't sound so ignorant.
Vic, the spokesperson said its not about recruitment and the listeners will be trained specifically to not recruit.
What do you mean? They are just providing information to those who seek it. Haven't you ever heard of a christian hotline, or seen a christian go door-to-door passing out pamphlets?
That is invitation!
Now you're just trolling Vic.
Also, according to the a r t i c l e, the hotline provides counseling on seeking a different faith!
I am afraid Christianity is being targeted here!
Vic,
"We do not advertise nor invite anyone to get out of a certain belief system or lack thereof!"
Tell that to all the gays being trashed by hypocritical Christians.
vic: you are paranoid and delusional.
How is it recruiting if the person has to call the hotline first? Vic you might have a point if the people from the hotline were just calling random people, but that is not how it works.
Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Amen.
"Get smart and I'll fck you over" - sayeth The Lord.
- Frank Zappa, regarding Christianity's apparent preference for perpetuation of ignorance as a way of life
HeavenSent yet again proves she hasn't a clue about the bible with her cherry picking the scriptures. This snippet is about Solomon being against drunkenness. That's right HeavenSent must think we are all a bunch of drunks, but isn't it the church that offers wine? LMAO! Keep showing you don't understand the bible at all HeavenSent and why cherry picking the way you do only proves you're an idiot.
Support to quit religion? Give us a break !!
All the support you will ever need:
(Only for the new members of this club)–
Putting the kibosh on all religion in less than ten seconds: Priceless !!!
• As far as one knows or can tell, there was no Abraham i.e. the foundations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are non-existent.
• As far as one knows or can tell, there was no Moses i.e the pillars of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have no strength of purpose.
• There was no Gabriel i.e. Islam fails as a religion. Christianity partially fails.
• There was no Easter i.e. Christianity completely fails as a religion.
• There was no Moroni i.e. Mormonism is nothing more than a business cult.
• Sacred/revered cows, monkey gods, castes, reincarnations and therefore Hinduism fails as a religion.
• Fat Buddhas here, skinny Buddhas there, reincarnated/reborn Buddhas everywhere makes for a no on Buddhism.
• A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached and belief that various beings (angels?, tinkerbells? etc) exist that we, as mortals, cannot comprehend makes for a no on Sikhism.
Added details available upon written request.
A quick search will put the kibosh on any other groups calling themselves a religion.
AND THE INFAMOUS ANGELIC CONS CONTINUE TO WREAK STUPIDITY UPON THE WORLD
Joe Smith had his Moroni. (As does M. Romney)
"Latter-day Saints like M. Romney also believe that Michael the Archangel was Adam (the first man) when he was mortal, and Gabriel lived on the earth as Noah."
Jehovah Witnesses have their Jesus /Michael the archangel, the first angelic being created by God;
Mohammed had his Gabriel (this "tin-kerbell" got around).
Jesus and his family had/has Michael, Gabriel, and Satan, the latter being a modern day demon of the demented. (As does BO and his family)(As do Biden and Ryan)
The Abraham-Moses myths had their Angel of Death and other "no-namers" to do their dirty work or other assorted duties.
Contemporary biblical and religious scholars have relegated these "pretty wingie/horn-blowing thingies" to the myth pile. We should do the same to include deleting all references to them in our religious operating manuals. Doing this will eliminate the prophet/profit/prophecy status of these founders and put them where they belong as simple humans just like the rest of us.
Some added references to "tink-erbells".
newadvent.org/cathen/07049c.htm
"The belief in guardian angels can be traced throughout all antiquity; pagans, like Menander and Plutarch (cf. Euseb., "Praep. Evang.", xii), and Neo-Platonists, like Plotinus, held it. It was also the belief of the Babylonians and As-syrians, as their monuments testify, for a figure of a guardian angel now in the British Museum once decorated an As-syrian palace, and might well serve for a modern representation; while Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar the Great, says: "He (Marduk) sent a tutelary deity (cherub) of grace to go at my side; in everything that I did, he made my work to succeed."
Catholic monks and Dark Age theologians also did their share of hallu-cinating:
"TUBUAS-A member of the group of angels who were removed from the ranks of officially recognized celestial hierarchy in 745 by a council in Rome under Pope Zachary. He was joined by Uriel, Adimus, Sabaoth, Simiel, and Raguel."
And tin-ker- bells go way, way back:
"In Zoroastrianism there are different angel like creatures. For example each person has a guardian angel called Fravashi. They patronize human being and other creatures and also manifest god’s energy. Also, the Amesha Spentas have often been regarded as angels, but they don't convey messages, but are rather emanations of Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord", God); they appear in an abstract fashion in the religious thought of Zarathustra and then later (during the Achaemenid period of Zoroastrianism) became personalized, associated with an aspect of the divine creation (fire, plants, water...)."
"The beginnings of the biblical belief in angels must be sought in very early folklore. The gods of the Hitti-tes and Canaanites had their supernatural messengers, and parallels to the Old Testament stories of angels are found in Near Eastern literature. "
"The 'Magic Papyri' contain many spells to secure just such help and protection of angels. From magic traditions arose the concept of the guardian angel. "
For added information see the review at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel
"The prophet Ezekiel described an incredible vision of cherubim angels in Ezekiel chapter 10 of the Torah and the Bible, mentioning that the angels’ wings were “completely full of eyes” (verse 12) and “under their wings was what looked like human hands” (verse 21). The angels each used their wings and something “like a wheel intersecting a wheel” (verse 10) that “sparkled like topaz” (verse 9) to move around."
For a rather extensive review of angel wings, see http://angels.about.com/od/AngelBasics/a/Angels-Wings-And-Things.htm
Ecclesiastes 10:11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
Amen.
"Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better."
What's hysterical about this one is HeavenSent is actually guilty of it herself. What a hypocrite, but HeavenSent probably doesn't actually know that this scripture is talking about. LMAO!
Robert Brown,
They are providing
"another way for people to contact someone anonymously and discuss the struggles they are having for their beliefs.”
How about contacting the source of faith, God?
Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Calling an 800 number to talk someone who is lost, the blind leading the blind.
There'a the pot calling the kettle black. The bible is mostly fiction.
Here is a number for the blind: 1-800-288-8350 donation for jimmy swaggart ministries
Talk about blink leading blinds: TV evangelical ministries have alot of 800 numbers.
As with all NT passages, Mark 9: 24 has been thoroughly analyzed for historic authenticity by many contemporary NT scholars. It does not pass rigorous testing and therefore is historically nil. See for example, Professor Gerd Ludemann's analysis in his book, Jesus After 2000 Years, pp. 61-63 and also pp. 694-695 for a compilation of passages that are judged to be authentic. See also :
http://www.faithfutures.org/JDB/jdb245.html
+
Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Amen.
feel free to stop lying
or
offer proof
lol
Secular Humanist from Ohio
There'a the pot calling the kettle black. The bible is mostly fiction.
if god is the source of faith, what of people from other faiths?
does a faithful Hindu get his or her faith from Shiva?
parents, and culture are the source of faith, no god necessary
if god is the source of faith, that would indicate that faiths are equally valid
of course, you are likely going to post some scripture about how YOURS is the correct one
if your feet were planted on another part of the rock, your views on who god is would be different
@Robert... How about removing the source of delusion, = belief in God!
"Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
HeavenSent yet again proves she hasn't a clue about the bible with her cherry picking the scriptures. This snippet is about Solomon being against drunkenness. That's right HeavenSent must think we are all a bunch of drunks, but isn't it the church that offers wine? LMAO! Keep showing you don't understand the bible at all HeavenSent and why cherry picking the way you do only proves you're an idiot.
Amen."
How 'bout a number for all those invited to a White House beer when they find out it's 3.2??
The heroine security guard at Haggard's coliseum "came out" after hobknobbing with Bush. He needs a number.
I gave him yours.
If you are having doubts, then I suggest reading the Bible. Nothing can turn you into a non-believer faster than actually reading the Bible. It's not the good book your preacher told you about.
It was the bible and church that turned me away from god and religion.
Acts 14:2
Amen.
HeavenTard;
Harry Potter, chapter 8, paragraph 12.
Amen
"Acts 14:2 "
Hate to break it to you HeavenSent but most of us aren't Jews. Once again HeavenSent in her cherry picking of the bible proves once again she hasn't a clue of the meaning of the scriptures. What an idiot.
I love looking through these posts and seeing those using quotes from the Bible used to counter the arguments of those in favor of atheistic views. That's like making someone watch a Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon when they say they don't believe in ghosts!
LOL! Good point!
Exactly. I'm always amazed by the irony of selective usage too. If it suits my point, then the bible is 100% perfect, translated perfectly by perfect men. If however, it contradicts my point, then the bible is taken out of context or misunderstood.
I'm supposed to say "Oh! Of course! It's in the bible."
Jeesh what hypocrites. Where are you guys when those atheist twits are just randomly quoting Jefferson and such to prove a point? It's no different except you don't condemn them because you agree with them.
PushingBack,
The believers are the ones who are unable to justify the Bible's support of slavery and discrimination against women and the handicapped. Read a Bible someday.
Its Okay to condemn me for my lack of beliefs, but its not okay for me to condemn you for your own beliefs? Turnabout is fair game.
@ Mycroft, You're going to have to give us a little more to go on than that.... If an atheist quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying, "I never owned a slave" I'd be happy to call them on it. Are you speaking of some quote or point in particular?
Mycroft. Jeesh? Is that a half-hearted attempt at blasphemy?
“The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”
Thomas Jefferson
The right wing religious nuts of today would throw the Jefferson God right into the pit.
"The Christian religion, when divested of the rags in which they
[the clergy] have enveloped it, and brought to the original purity
and simplicity of it's benevolent inst.tutor, is a religion of all
others most friendly to liberty, science, and the freest expansion
of the human mind."
Thomas Jefferson
I've seen atheists claim that anyone who believes in God is delusional.
And then they post a quote by Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson believed in God.
Skeptic Al,
Thomas Jefferson was NOT a Christian at all.
Mycroft – are you comparing the writings of Jefferson and such with the writers of The Bible? Do you want to attempt to even line up those two in terms of differences?
Al,
"...a religion of all others most friendly to liberty, science, and the freest expansion of the human mind."
Many christians deny science to perpetuate their superstitions and don't want to allow liberty when it comes to marriage and abortion.
I know.
But he believed in God.
He thought of Jesus Christ as a good teacher.
@Skeptic Al, So the point is, Thomas Jefferson believed in a god, therefore... what? And how does it contradict what atheists say?
@ Many christians deny science...
Some Christians are great scientists and you benefit from their contributions.
Al, Delusion is the belief that is not supported by reality; do you have any proof of a god? We know the biblical creation myth is not correct, so the bible is on pretty shaky ground where truth and facts are concerned.
@ GodFreeNow
I think it is funny. Most atheists say anyone who believes in God is delusional. And then they start posting quotes from 'delusional' Thomas Jefferson.
Skeptic Al,
Thomas Jefferson, unlike all Christians, believed that the Bible was full of bull.
He was never exposed to Darwin's writings or modern science and likely would be less religious today because of his thirst for knowledge.
@ In Santa we trust
I do have proof of God.
Al, As a lover of science you must believe in evolution, big bang, etc. so you know that the bible is incorrect. If you can't trust it on the basics there's no reason to trust it at all.
No Al, you have faith. If there were proof of a god, we'd all believe.
Thomas Jefferson was a deist, not a theist, and stated scathing remarks against Christianity.
@ Al, As a lover of science
My church embraces an supports science.
Recently, a preacher spoke about evolution, The Big Bang, super novas and black holes.
They are all part of God's creation.
The bible contains an origin story. All cultures have them. God is speaking to our hearts.
"Traditional religious creation stories and evolution are complementary. Science and religion together can weave a rich tapestry of new meaning for our age."
– Philip Hefner, Ph.D.
I'm going to trust the guy with the Ph.D.!
"I'm going to trust the guy with the Ph.D.!"
Ask him if he believes in unicorns, talking animals, and that the earth suddenly stopped spinning for 24 hours.
Psalms 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
Amen.
Topics we have discussed in adult education at my church:
-Brain science and faith
-Cosmology
-Creation and evolution
-Environmental stewardship
-Genetics and genetic engineering
-Impacts of technology
-Religious education
-Worship in a scientific and technological age
I don't know of any other public place where people come to meet and talk about science so much.
Funny, I join a church and start learning more about practical science.
Atheists keep claiming the opposite will happen.
Some times people are wrong!
Skeptic Al,
Please list one quote from the Bible that encourages people to learn as much as possible about math, science, etc.
Off hand – I can't think of any that encourage or discourage.
I do know that there have been a significant number of Jewish and Christian scientists that have contributed to our understanding of the natural world.
Perhaps the Bible inspired them to explore more about God's creation?
Daniel 1:4
Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Amen.
Psalm 111:2
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
(My apologies to the original poster – an atheist asked me to post Bible verses)
Skeptic Al
"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them."
Nope. Nothing there saying TO LEARN about math, science, etc.
Skeptic Al,
"I don't know of any other public place where people come to meet and talk about science so much."
Can I assume you've never been to a school, science conference, comicon, dragoncon, nobel prize ceremonies or the internet?
[PS] I accidentally replied to your other comment on the following page.
Can I assume you've never been to a school, science conference, comicon, dragoncon, nobel prize ceremonies or the internet?
Yes. I tried going to a high school science conference but was denied entry. They said it was for students only.
I have never been invited to a nobel prize ceremony.
Comicon/Dragoncom – too expensive.
The internet? Too crazy.
"Daniel 1:4 "
HeavenSent in her cherry picking proves again she hasn't a clue the real meaning of the bible. Hate to break it to you sweetheart but most of us posting here are not young men, but that's not the point. What you are not getting is the Christians of this country are more corrupt than most, which is why this country is full of adultery, greed and selfishness. Remember you are trying to use scriptures to pass judgement on atheists but you are blinded to your own corruption of your religion. What an idiot.
"are you comparing the writings of Jefferson and such with the writers of The Bible? Do you want to attempt to even line up those two in terms of differences?"
In that both sets of writings were written by men right? If one is going to consider the spiritual opinion of one man "Jefferson" then it stands to reason that you would consider the spiritual opinions of the authors within the Bible.
I do not recognize Jefferson as an expert in matters of spirituality and no one has yet shown why that opinion should change.
Mycroft, Who do you recognize as an expert in matters of spirituality and why? Why doesn't Jefferson qualify in your opinion?
Jefferson thought Jesus was a good teacher, but it would appear that he did not consider Jesus to be divine.
How 'bout a number for the Reagan and Hinckley families to call after Foster "came out"??
It's 1-800-EAT SHIT, you loser.
I think this is a great idea. Especially for people who come from religious families who started questioning their faith. I'm sure they have a lot of questions and they just need someone to talk to without being judged or fear of dying or something because they are questioning their faith.
Christians know where we go when we die. That fear of death comes from the unbelievers camp.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5 Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth.
11 The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.
Amen.
LOL!
That was the funniest post I have ever read. Still doesn't change...oh wait...wait...I think I may have a change of heart...oh, nope, just gas. Sorry. Still an Atheist.
@ Heaven Sent – It's always amusing to see religious zeolots quote from a book that atheists consider a work of fiction. Do you expect those who don't blindly follow your mythology to suddenly say "oh... I get it now... please pass the snakes..."?
@ Charles L – haha your post made me LOL in the office.
"Christians know where we go when we die."
Yet they seem to be in no hurry to get there
They seek eternity with a being from whom they have to be "saved"
Snivelling sycophants
"That fear of death comes from the unbelievers camp."
Don't you just love xtians that will lie for their God!
How 'bout a number to call for the disappointing results the public receives from the gubmint god??
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Amen.
Still haven't changed my mind.
1-800-EAT-SHIT
In my opinion, the notion that "the universe and life within it occurred on it's own" violates everything we know about science. I find that most difficult to believe. The concept of a creator makes more sense. But that's just me.
Then did the creator "occur" on its own?
Yes, it's just you. You're welcome to it.
Where does that creator come from? Who or what created your creator?
There has to be a programmer to wright a program in perfection, truth, without program nothing can form. So the truth is, truth absolute holds power over every thing, and hindu atheist, criminal self centered deny it by their hinduism, ignorance.
Just because you cannot believe something does not mean it is not true.
I can see a programmer needs to be fired.
No one is asking you to "believe" in it. All science asks is that you seriously look at the evidence and if you're not satisfied, to ask questions. Unlike religion you get to ask all the questions you want and unlike religion, even difficult and sensitive ones. You are encouraged to ask questions, and do your own tests until you are satisfied (unlike religion, which is horrified if you want to test what it says (how many times has an theist asked you to test prayer)
Jesus tells us His truth. The longer we live, the more of His truth He reveals to those that seek.
Well, he hasn't told me sht yet. And I used to go to church and listen very closely. Heard nothing but a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
"Jesus tells us His truth."
Nope, Jesus didn't write one book in the bible and neither did his followers.
I am an Atheist. I don't care about your God, I don't care if you worship your God. Why do theists care so much about me being an Atheist? It is my choice above all, you choose to worship god. I choose not to, but some people find this upsetting and try to "save" my soul. Why do you even care about me and my lack of faith?
Do you mean, you do not believe in truth, or be truth full in life.
The Truth is subjective to the person. What one person see and says is the truth, another sees differently. If you believe in God, great, I am happy for you. I used to be a christian, i used to go to church and even went to a catholic school. But I have never felt that divine presence that those with strong faith have. To me the truth is that there isn't a God. That is my truth. If you feel otherwise, then thats ok, that is your truth. But you will never convince me otherwise. Same goes with me trying to convince you as well. That is Okay.
Charles L.,
Atheist you? I would never have guessed it! Really! Never! What about those young atheists? You know the type. Arrogant and belligerent lots those young atheists are! Theists you ask? Yes, even some young and restless theists are sometimes basket cases. Let there be fields of dynamic socialisms spring up upon Gentile lollypop lands!
Okay...don't know what you were driving at but. Okay.
Charles L.
I drive? Yes, I do drive so what is it with driving you find hard? Going to or coming home after heading to are so immature! Besides, I drive nails in people's coffins.
The Emperors new tailors work hard spreading the propaganda about his clothing and it's magical properties... it only looks like he's shivering buck naked on a cold metal throne, but really he is toasty warm and completely covered... really he is... I mean, he invested a lot with those tailors...
Well. The only immature one that I see here is you, because you are babbling nonsense. The rest of us are actually trying to have an intelligent conversation and you seem to have added nothing.
Charles L. – Religious people are concerned about your lack of faith because you boldly show the world that not everybody needs the crutch of religion. When an individual rejects a belief for purely logical reasons it reminds the faithful of the fragile nature of their theology. When your religion is based on unsubstantiated mythology, your god has shown no proof of existence, and no relationship exists between prayers and outcomes – the foundation of your faith is weak. Atheists are an threatening reminder of the illogical nature of your faith.
Larry L,
Christians are concerned because of the great commission, we are instructed to spread the good news. Can we save you? No. Do we care? Yes.
Prayer has been scientifically proven to affect outcomes.
Questioning faith builds faith.
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Amen.
" Prayer has been scientifically proven to affect outcomes. "
Please post a link to the study.
I saw that study. The people who knew they were being prayed for got worse.
It was sponsored by the Templeton Foundation.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
That was a line stolen from the pagan cult Mithra.
Perhaps you need to answer your own question. Does it matter to you?
Does it really matter if there is no life after death?
That's not an answer.
Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Amen.
Whether you perceive it is an answer or not, does it really matter after 100 years if there is no life after death?
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Amen.
"Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? "
That's why the Churches all over the world have profited from selling Christianity. It's why Americans who claim to be Christians are some of the most greedy and selfish people on the planet consuming 25% off all it's resources. Yup HeavenSent take a good look in the mirror hypocrite.
If religion is such a great solution, why are people killing each other over religions after religions were invented ?
People kill without religion, too.
It is a human condition.
to give humans an excuse to not feel guilty after murdering their neighbor and taking all their resources. They simply label them heretics and enemies of your God and away goes the guilt behind a smokescreen of religious dehumanization.
Because they are corruption of truth by hindu atheists, criminal secular s, self centered.
Religion was invented...sayz,
".............to give humans an excuse to not feel guilty after murdering their neighbor and taking all their resources. ....."
You're confusing religion with socialists and Vikings, etc.
Athena and the educratists didn't do such a hot job for you.
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and u.nbelieving, and the a.bominable, and m.urderers, and w.horemongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Amen.
"But the fearful, and u.nbelieving, and the a.bominable, and m.urderers, and w.horemongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
What's hysterical about this cherry picking of the scriptures is that most Christians deep down believe in their god because they fear hell. Then there are all those Churches that have statues of Jesus which have been altered to have white skin and long brown hair which he wouldn't have had based on where he was born in the world, that is an idol. Then there are all the fake statues of Mary too, that is also an idol. Yet again Heaven Sent is showing the hypocrisy of her religion.
Does your conversion to atheism really matter after a 100 years? By then all those who read this article are probably dead already. If there is nothing after death, if a soul is not immortal, and if death is the end, then nothing really matter. All the good deeds you have done, the contributions you have made to the humanity, or the bad things you wish no one will ever find out will be simply vanished away after your death. You may say, "History will be the judge." I will ask,"What good about the judgement if you are not there to be judged?" So does it really matter if you convert to atheist? I will say it does matter if you feel good after the conversion. Does it really matter after 100 years? If atheism is right(there is no real way to prove it unless you realize there is nothing after you die), whether you convert to atheism doesn't really matter.
Can you prove that there is nothing after death?
I can't prove that a soul is immortal. Neither can you prove that it is not. By looking at dead body can only prove that the body is dead. What about the soul? Also if you are right, it there is nothing after death, it doesn't really matter what we believe right now.
Does it really matter whose burden of proof is upon whom if there is nothing after death? Does this discussion even relevant after 100 years?
Can I prove that there is life after death? No I cannot. Can I prove that a soul is immortal and eternal? No I cannot. I just want to simply point out that IF THERE IS NO LIFE ATFER DEATH, WHAT WE DO HERE ON THIS EARTH DON'T MATTER AT ALL TO US.
You may say, "It matters to our children. It helps mankind to achieve to his full potential by getting rid of religion. It's good to humanity and for the generations to come." Well whether I agree to such view points, it doesn't really matter after 100 years because I am not there to see it if there is no life after death.
My life matters to me.
"WHAT WE DO HERE ON THIS EARTH DON'T MATTER AT ALL TO US."
YES IT DOES BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE AND THIS IS IT.
You may say, "My life matter to me." To a certain extend, it does matter to you as long as you are alive. However what does your life matter to you after you are dead if your soul(assuming the soul is mortal and simply vanishes with a death of physical body) is no longer in existence.
@DoesItReallyMatter,
what's your point? Do you need an answer to the question of "Does it really, cosmically matter if I don't get up and go to work today?"
Will the earth keep spinning on its axis when you die? yes
All you can do is live a good life, try to leave the world a better place than you found it and be remembered fondly by someone.
YES IT DOES BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE AND THIS IS IT.
That is exactly my point. One life to live and this is it. So does it really matter what you believe or someone believe in? After 100 years, and after this "one life"(assuming there is no life after death), we will all simply vanish. Whatever our hopes and dreams may be, it doesn't really matter after we die.
"You may say, "It matters to our children. It helps mankind to achieve to his full potential by getting rid of religion. It's good to humanity and for the generations to come." Well whether I agree to such view points, it doesn't really matter after 100 years because I am not there to see it if there is no life after death." Notice what a self centered pompous d i c k he is though?
" it doesn't really matter after 100 years because I am not there to see it"
Right, nothing matters if you don't get to see it from your window in heaven. You disgust me. You are where humanity is failing, to not see why being good has it's own rewards as does being a moral agent in the world without bribes or threats. If humanity does not survive the next century it will be because of religious hubris and morons like this OP.
My life matters to me.
What we do matters.
And death is not the final outcome.
It may be unpalatable, but human life does not matter to the universe. That does not mean it is not important to humans.
You may say, "You will be remembered by the generations to come?" I will ask, "Does it really matter if there is no life after death and I am not there to perceive that I am being remembered by."
Perhaps you need to answer your own question. Does it matter to you?
I know I am part of the universe.
The sun is powerful. But the sun does not know I exist. It was not created in the image of God.
I was.
Life is a miracle.
And do not commit suicide of the answer is no.
"human life does not matter to the universe. That does not mean it is not important to humans."
I agree to a certain extend. It matters while you are alive. Why does it matter after you die. Your soul, conscience or whatever you want to call it simply vanishes. After 100 years,what does this conversation has any relevancy to those who involve in the discussion?
It may have no relevancy in 100 years. So what?
"Perhaps you need to answer your own question. Does it matter to you?"
Does it really matter if there is no life after death?
"And do not commit suicide of the answer is no."
In fact if there is no life after death, it doesn't matter is the answer is no:)
"Does it really matter if there is no life after death?"
Does WHAT really matter?
You keep posting the same stuff over and over without really having a conversation with anyone that I have to conclude your question is not genuine.
I found life had more meaning after I became an atheist. I began to look at where I was instead of imagining where I had hoped I was going. When you start doing the math you realize you being you is already winning triple Mega-super lotteries, so I figured I had better start spending my winnings more wisely instead of giving them all away for the promise of something better. To say "Hey, you just won the biggest lottery in the universe but you need to give all that money to us because after you die, then you'll really see something special! So hand over your time, money and energy and we PROMISE to hook you up after you die, cross our hearts..."
So far I have never seen, heard, read, watched, felt or experienced anything supernatural, though I have experienced Yosemite Falls in winter which was naturally super 🙂
"Does it really matter if there is no life after death?"
Does WHAT really matter?
You keep posting the same stuff over and over without really having a conversation with anyone that I have to conclude your question is not genuine.
----------------------
Does what really matter? That's exactly my point. What DOSE really matter if there is no life after death?
I found life had more meaning after I became an atheist. I began to look at where I was instead of imagining where I had hoped I was going. When you start doing the math you realize you being you is already winning triple Mega-super lotteries, so I figured I had better start spending my winnings more wisely instead of giving them all away for the promise of something better. To say "Hey, you just won the biggest lottery in the universe but you need to give all that money to us because after you die, then you'll really see something special! So hand over your time, money and energy and we PROMISE to hook you up after you die, cross our hearts..."
So far I have never seen, heard, read, watched, felt or experienced anything supernatural, though I have experienced Yosemite Falls in winter which was naturally super
----------------
Wonderful! Does it really matter after 100 years?
"I have never seen, heard, read, watched, felt or experienced anything" credibly " supernatural," I should say. I have read lots of comic books, fantasy novels, engineering manuals, readers digest and the bible several times, so I have heard lots of tall tales, none that I would consider credible.
There's no life after death, so what you do does not matter. That no one in 100 years will recount your conversation means what you do does not matter. Is this what you're saying?
So that's your game is it. The "life is empty meaningless without an afterlife" premise?
The answer to that is simple. It's what you make it. It can be empty and meaningless if you so choose. It can be wonderful and fulfilling if you so choose.
We are free to choose. Don't ask what happens when we die. Just enjoy the journey. It's far better than the alternative.
I'll turn it around for you. If everyone who was 'saved' was going to paradise, why would you live for another moment?
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
+
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and u.nbelieving, and the a.bominable, and m.urderers, and w.horemongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Amen.
Will it matter after 100 years? Of course it will 🙂 My Granddaughter may some day put my name on the side of her Starship as humans go out into the universe as explorers, she might even some day be a Captain in the Federation of planets 🙂 That's is one of the problems with the religious, they often end their concept of humanity and reality with Armageddon and can't see past it. We non-religious have no imaginary being to wait for to save them so we are trying to use our hard works and wit's to come up with real world solutions to our current and future problems.
water_on_the_brain. you are totally deluded.
One of my life's goals is to leave the world a little better place for my having been in it.
So that's your game is it. The "life is empty meaningless without an afterlife" premise?
The answer to that is simple. It's what you make it. It can be empty and meaningless if you so choose. It can be wonderful and fulfilling if you so choose.
THEN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 100 YEARS?
We are free to choose. Don't ask what happens when we die. Just enjoy the journey. It's far better than the alternative.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE?
I'll turn it around for you. If everyone who was 'saved' was going to paradise, why would you live for another moment?
WHY BRING RELIGION INTO THE EQUATION? IN ADDITION, EVERY RELIGION DEFINES "SAVED" DIFFERENTLY. SO WHAT HAPPEN AFTER WE DIE? IF NOTHING WE DO ON THIS EARTH HAS ANY ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE, WHAT DOES REALLY MATTER?
Right, nothing matters if you don't get to see it from your window in heaven. You disgust me. You are where humanity is failing, to not see why being good has it's own rewards as does being a moral agent in the world without bribes or threats. If humanity does not survive the next century it will be because of religious hubris and morons like this OP.
-------------------------------
Sorry that I disgust you. However does it really matter whether humanity survive or not in the grand scheme of eternity if all mankind will eventually pass away?
I could matter in 100 years.
Sorry, I meant to say: It could matter in 100 years.
Hello, what is your doubt?
Person X, I am not sure God exists.
Responder, don't worry, you are not alone. I have the same doubt, MuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaHHHHHH!
Ballad in the background plays MJ ...
You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone
'Lone, 'lone
Why, 'lone
John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Amen.
Here is GOD's real Hot Line for all atheists, agnostics,
who may want to return to the LORD,
in real sense,
here now:
http://www.holy-19-harvest.com
UNIVERSAL MAGNIFICENT MIRACLES
Sorry, I'm not going to reunite with some dictator in the sky.
Which "real" god? There's so many I can't keep track.
@GOOD NEWS
I've got even better news. More and more people are waking up to the scam that is organized religion.
U.S. Snake oil sales at an all time low... DOW thinking of downgrading it's stock... to be replaced by new Cell Phone Carrier...
Isaiah 64:4
For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Amen.
It would be impossible for me to return to the lord since i have never been there in the first place.
Psalms 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts.
Amen.
"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts. "
The fact that HeaveSent cherry picked this one out is hysterical. Hate to break it to you sweetheart but not all atheists are wicked. Now we could say the ministers that raped children were. To assume that someone who doesn't believe in your god is wicked puts you in the same category as the Taliban.
Religion is especially insidious because it teaches young people that someone is looking out for them and that there is life after life. When they grow up and apply their own critical thinking they realize it's all lies and feel despair. Better to start off y worshipping the natural order than some guy in the sky.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Amen.
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. "
Isn't HeavenSent's cherry picking of the scriptures hysterical? LMAO! Again hate to break it to you sweetheart but Christianity has stayed the same percent in the world population for 2000 years, 33%. So that scriptures is false.
Gift of hindu atheism, criminal self center ism, religion of hinduism, racism.hindu criminal cast system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=2dUptoJfxOM&NR=1