Respecting the beliefs of others

"Wow",Is right. I mean like, what if Jesus was like totally on the interwebz and stuff.
I mean people might be actually watching and tweeting on like "Keeping up with the Apostles". Like , just sayin. I mean its like, the absence of evidence thingy works both ways right? it makes no sense ,right?
Its like, dude im a free thinker, artiste,15 minutes! Got You Tube?
Actually, Do you really got Billy Joel?. Doubt it.

Jesus TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ibEaIPtMk

I find this equally relevant.
"McArthur Park / Someone Left the Cake Out In the Rain lip sync"

Edit to add: Recipes are really only guidelines. I once ate my girlfriends pie "in the rain" and I liked it. But I like it. Bet she thought she was the only Girl in town.

"For me the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power"

Seriously? LMFAO!

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste"
Try making your own.

Here's a catchy little tune about pedophilia in the catholic church. How can they lecture anyone about morality when their priests are "kiddy fiddling" all over the world. The language is rough but once you hear it the tune sticks with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRDfut2Vx0

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Science or Religion?

Famous atheists and their beliefs

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/25/living/gallery/atheists/

I think it was Macaulay who said that the Roman Catholic Church deserved great credit for, and owed its longevity to, its ability to handle and contain fanaticism. This rather oblique compliment belongs to a more serious age. What is so striking about the "beatification" of the woman who styled herself "Mother" Teresa is the abject surrender, on the part of the church, to the forces of showbiz, superstition, and populism.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2003/10/mommie_dearest.html

Did historical Jesus really exist? The evidence just doesn’t add up.

Numerous secular scholars have presented their own versions of the so-called “Historical Jesus” – and most of them are, as biblical scholar J.D. Crossan puts it, “an academic embarrassment.” From Crossan’s view of Jesus as the wise sage, to Robert Eisenman’s Jesus the revolutionary, and Bart Ehrman’s apocalyptic prophet, about the only thing New Testament scholars seem to agree on is Jesus’ historical existence. But can even that be questioned?

The first problem we encounter when trying to discover more about the Historical Jesus is the lack of early sources. The earliest sources only reference the clearly fictional Christ of Faith. These early sources, compiled decades after the alleged events, all stem from Christian authors eager to promote Christianity – which gives us reason to question them. The authors of the Gospels fail to name themselves, describe their qualifications, or show any criticism with their foundational sources – which they also fail to identify. Filled with mythical and non-historical information, and heavily edited over time, the Gospels certainly should not convince critics to trust even the more mundane claims made therein.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/12/18/did-historical-jesus-exist-the-traditional-evidence-doesnt-hold-up/?utm_term=.0abcf486b743

"Famous atheists and their beliefs"

I miss 1977

"Someone left the Cake out in the rain"

I don't think that I can take it.
It took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that receipt again. Oh no!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1I3mBojc0

A recent global survey conducted by National Geographic shows that the worlds fastest growing religion is not Islam or Christianity, but no religion at all – atheism. The study comes in conjunction with Nat. Geo’s new television series “The Story of God” starring Morgan Freeman which travels the world chronicling religious beliefs practiced by different cultures. With the global headlines dominated by the Islamic State, Islamic immigration throughout Europe/Africa and recent religious freedom laws passed in the United States, to the untrained eye it would appear that religion is as strong as ever – but you would be mistaken. In fact just the opposite is occurring and the age old paradigm of piety is quickly shifting.

http://anonhq.com/recent-study-worlds-fastest-growing-religion-no-religion/

A recent global survey conducted by National Geographic shows that the worlds fastest growing religion is not Islam or Christianity, but no religion at all – atheism. The study comes in conjunction with Nat. Geo’s new television series “The Story of God” starring Morgan Freeman which travels the world chronicling religious beliefs practiced by different cultures. With the global headlines dominated by the Islamic State, Islamic immigration throughout Europe/Africa and recent religious freedom laws passed in the United States, to the untrained eye it would appear that religion is as strong as ever – but you would be mistaken. In fact just the opposite is occurring and the age old paradigm of piety is quickly shifting.

Do you think there is any correlation between the rise of Atheism and the current moral state of the world's people?

 

A recent global survey conducted by National Geographic shows that the worlds fastest growing religion is not Islam or Christianity, but no religion at all – atheism. The study comes in conjunction with Nat. Geo’s new television series “The Story of God” starring Morgan Freeman which travels the world chronicling religious beliefs practiced by different cultures. With the global headlines dominated by the Islamic State, Islamic immigration throughout Europe/Africa and recent religious freedom laws passed in the United States, to the untrained eye it would appear that religion is as strong as ever – but you would be mistaken. In fact just the opposite is occurring and the age old paradigm of piety is quickly shifting.

Do you think there is any correlation between the rise of Atheism and the current moral state of the world's people?

No. I am unaware of anyone tracking the current "moral state" of the world's people. Do you have past "moral state" numbers to compare to today's "moral state" numbers?
How does the "moral state" today compare with the "moral state" during the Spanish Inquisition?
How did the worldwide Catholic pedophilia scandal affect the "moral state" numbers?

If you check the religious demographics in our prisons you will find that atheists are under represented. You will find that the vast majority of our scientists are atheists and the vast majority of our criminals are Christians.
http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/why-atheists-make-85-percent-americas-scientists-and-07-percent-its-prison

 

BTW, Is the world's "moral state" better or worse than in the past? Do you have a link to the "moral state" by year graph showing changes.

How did 9/11 and the religious wars being fought in the middle east affect the world's "moral state"? How are atheists involved in this jihad? Is Jihad moral because god directed them to do it?

Does morality require god? Do you think that atheists can be moral?

BTW, Is the world's "moral state" better or worse than in the past? Do you have a link to the "moral state" by year graph showing changes.

How did 9/11 and the religious wars being fought in the middle east affect the world's "moral state"? How are atheists involved in this jihad? Is Jihad moral because god directed them to do it?

Does morality require god? Do you think that atheists can be moral?[/quote

I do certainly see a difference in the respect and concern that people as a whole show one another as compared to 20 years ago. I don't need statistics to see that.
Some people and groups of people twist the word of God to justify their behavior. This has gone on since the beginning of time.
Yes I absolutely believe that many Atheists are moral people. Just as many Christians and Muslims are as well. However many from the same groups are scumbags.
I've read your posts for quite some years and other than the issue about the existence of God our thinking is quite parallel. So in short, No, morality is not dependant on a belief in God.

 

I do certainly see a difference in the respect and concern that people as a whole show one another as compared to 20 years ago. I don't need statistics to see that.
Some people and groups of people twist the word of God to justify their behavior. This has gone on since the beginning of time.
Yes I absolutely believe that many Atheists are moral people. Just as many Christians and Muslims are as well. However many from the same groups are scumbags.
I've read your posts for quite some years and other than the issue about the existence of God our thinking is quite parallel. So in short, No, morality is not dependent on a belief in God.

Are you saying that LGBT individuals got more respect 20 years ago? That atheists and minority religions got more respect 20 years ago? Or are you saying that your religion and religious views got more respect 20 years ago? Big difference.

Prayer was banned from our public schools in 1962-63, as it should have been. How can you justify forcing children who are not christian (atheist, muslim, jewish, etc) to be forced to sit though christian prayers and indoctrination every school day? Many school boards and public meetings still do this today. How can you justify FORCING people to sit through christian prayers just to be able to participate in a government meeting? Can't you just do the government business now and pray on your own time?

Religion is only mentioned once in the original constitution.
"No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Why is a candidate for office's religion always discussed? It should be irrelevant.
We are not a Christian nation. We are a secular nation which has a Christian majority. And our constitution protects minorities from the tyranny of the majority.

I am not sure how much your religion influences your thinking but we probably have different opinions on many issues influenced by religion. I believe in personal freedom (Libertarian). That means that I am pro-choice, pro-lgbt rights. I think that the woman has a right to make her own choice when it comes to her own body. I think that gay and lesbian people should have ALL of the same rights as straight people; marriage, adoption, etc. Your religion and your sexuality are your own business and should not result in the loss or addition of rights and freedoms. Biblical morality should not be forced on anyone. Just as Sharia should not be forced on anyone.

When it comes to the existence of god, I could be convinced (sort of). All it would take is evidence. Something that is completely lacking in religion. A book does not prove anything except that the people who wrote the book believed something. A book is nothing more than claims. Hearsay. Where is the evidence to support the existence of god? Which god? Yahweh, Zeus, Brahma?
Religion is all about childhood indoctrination and tribalism. WE believe THIS so we are better and more enlightened than THEM. Your religion is 99% determined by your family and where you grow up, not by knowledge.

Do miracles make a god? What is a miracle? Arthur C Clark said, "Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.". If someone came along and could fly through the air in amazing machines and could talk over long distances with little boxes would they be gods? What about 2000 years ago, would they have been gods? What makes a god a god as opposed to simply an entity with advanced technology? Would we be as gullible today as man was 2000 years ago?

I do certainly see a difference in the respect and concern that people as a whole show one another as compared to 20 years ago. I don't need statistics to see that.
Some people and groups of people twist the word of God to justify their behavior. This has gone on since the beginning of time.
Yes I absolutely believe that many Atheists are moral people. Just as many Christians and Muslims are as well. However many from the same groups are scumbags.
I've read your posts for quite some years and other than the issue about the existence of God our thinking is quite parallel. So in short, No, morality is not dependent on a belief in God.

Are you saying that LGBT individuals got more respect 20 years ago? That atheists and minority religions got more respect 20 years ago? Or are you saying that your religion and religious views got more respect 20 years ago? Big difference.

Prayer was banned from our public schools in 1962-63, as it should have been. How can you justify forcing children who are not christian (atheist, muslim, jewish, etc) to be forced to sit though christian prayers and indoctrination every school day? Many school boards and public meetings still do this today. How can you justify FORCING people to sit through christian prayers just to be able to participate in a government meeting? Can't you just do the government business now and pray on your own time?

Religion is only mentioned once in the original constitution.
"No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Why is a candidate for office's religion always discussed? It should be irrelevant.
We are not a Christian nation. We are a secular nation which has a Christian majority. And our constitution protects minorities from the tyranny of the majority.

I am not sure how much your religion influences your thinking but we probably have different opinions on many issues influenced by religion. I believe in personal freedom (Libertarian). That means that I am pro-choice, pro-lgbt rights. I think that the woman has a right to make her own choice when it comes to her own body. I think that gay and lesbian people should have ALL of the same rights as straight people; marriage, adoption, etc. Your religion and your sexuality are your own business and should not result in the loss or addition of rights and freedoms. Biblical morality should not be forced on anyone. Just as Sharia should not be forced on anyone.

When it comes to the existence of god, I could be convinced (sort of). All it would take is evidence. Something that is completely lacking in religion. A book does not prove anything except that the people who wrote the book believed something. A book is nothing more than claims. Hearsay. Where is the evidence to support the existence of god? Which god? Yahweh, Zeus, Brahma?
Religion is all about childhood indoctrination and tribalism. WE believe THIS so we are better and more enlightened than THEM. Your religion is 99% determined by your family and where you grow up, not by knowledge.

Do miracles make a god? What is a miracle? Arthur C Clark said, "Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.". If someone came along and could fly through the air in amazing machines and could talk over long distances with little boxes would they be gods? What about 2000 years ago, would they have been gods? What makes a god a god as opposed to simply an entity with advanced technology? Would we be as gullible today as man was 2000 years ago?

Actually I think we are on completely different pages. I was referring to how people don't take the time to get to know their neighbors and maybe actually care about someone other than themselves. When I was growing up people from up and down our street used to get together in someone's back yard and boil crawfish, shrimp, eat oysters and just socialize. These days it is pretty much limited too people with like habits, sexuality or views.
I guess we live our views these days.
Personally I don't care or give one moments thought about whether someone is an atheist or gay. It has nothing to do with how I treat them. However if it is the only thing that we can discuss when we are sharing company I will decline.
As far as thinking I deserve respect because I have faith in the Lord. My relationship is between he and I.
All through history religion in one form or another has been forced on people and every bit of that has been wrong and still is wrong whether it is Christian, Muslim or Atheist views.
That isn't how Jesus spread the word. He didn't beg or force anyone to follow him.He led by example.
Yes I am Pro-life. I believe that once a heart is beating and you stop it intentionally it is murder. If the government gives a woman the right too commit murder within her own body, it is still murder whether it is gotten away with or not.
Also neither of my parents are Christians.
I guess I'm part of the 1%.
My Faith in God has played a very strong role in my life. It has brought me inner peace as a person and helped me understand how to walk in another's shoes.

Personally I don't care or give one moments thought about whether someone is an atheist or gay. It has nothing to do with how I treat them. However if it is the only thing that we can discuss when we are sharing company I will decline.
As far as thinking I deserve respect because I have faith in the Lord. My relationship is between he and I.

So you don't mind if someone is gay or atheist as long as they don't talk about it? Are you one of those people who expects everyone to hold hands and say "grace" before their meal? I hate it when someone does that. How presumptuous.

Yes I am Pro-life. I believe that once a heart is beating and you stop it intentionally it is murder. If the government gives a woman the right too commit murder within her own body, it is still murder whether it is gotten away with or not.
Also neither of my parents are Christians.
I guess I'm part of the 1%.
My Faith in God has played a very strong role in my life. It has brought me inner peace as a person and helped me understand how to walk in another's shoes.

I believe that your faith is just that, your faith, not mine. So you are ok with the morning-after pill? The heart is not yet beating. Many disagree about "when life starts". Many feel that life starts when the fetus is viable on its own outside of the mother. Until then it is just a parasite. I believe that this is a personal decision, one to be made by the person most affected, the mother. No woman should be forced to carry a baby to term if she doesn't want the child, rape or not.
Again, religious values are personal values. I am glad that your religion has helped you, I personally do not believe in the supernatural. No ghosts, no witches, no demons and no gods. Just the natural world. "The fact that a believer might be happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man might be happier than a sober man". Everything that we have learned about our world and universe have not required magical or supernatural explanations. Just an understanding of natural processes.
How do you pick a god to believe in? If you don't require evidence then what do you do? Eeny meeny miney moe? Why Jesus and not Xenu? Our government recognizes them equally.

Personally I don't care or give one moments thought about whether someone is an atheist or gay. It has nothing to do with how I treat them. However if it is the only thing that we can discuss when we are sharing company I will decline.
As far as thinking I deserve respect because I have faith in the Lord. My relationship is between he and I.

So you don't mind if someone is gay or atheist as long as they don't talk about it? Are you one of those people who expects everyone to hold hands and say "grace" before their meal? I hate it when someone does that. How presumptuous.

Yes I am Pro-life. I believe that once a heart is beating and you stop it intentionally it is murder. If the government gives a woman the right too commit murder within her own body, it is still murder whether it is gotten away with or not.
Also neither of my parents are Christians.
I guess I'm part of the 1%.
My Faith in God has played a very strong role in my life. It has brought me inner peace as a person and helped me understand how to walk in another's shoes.

I believe that your faith is just that, your faith, not mine. So you are ok with the morning-after pill? The heart is not yet beating. Many disagree about "when life starts". Many feel that life starts when the fetus is viable on its own outside of the mother. Until then it is just a parasite. I believe that this is a personal decision, one to be made by the person most affected, the mother. No woman should be forced to carry a baby to term if she doesn't want the child, rape or not.
Again, religious values are personal values. I am glad that your religion has helped you, I personally do not believe in the supernatural. No ghosts, no witches, no demons and no gods. Just the natural world. "The fact that a believer might be happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man might be happier than a sober man". Everything that we have learned about our world and universe have not required magical or supernatural explanations. Just an understanding of natural processes.
How do you pick a god to believe in? If you don't require evidence then what do you do? Eeny meeny miney moe? Why Jesus and not Xenu? Our government recognizes them equally.

Actually a meaningful discussion about being an atheist, gay or whatever someone wants to discuss is fine. However after ones questions have been answered it's time to move on to other subjects that we share common ground. Such as swimming, history, aircraft, cars, fishing ect. Some people wake up in the morning driving the point of their position and do it constantly. If they were confident in there beliefs it would not be necessary.
I think birth control in a pre-conception form is fine. In a unplanned event of concern the morning after pill is a viable option. However I also believe that one's body is to be shared with another in a meaningful way. If there isn't a deep loving connection your knees should stay together. I don't believe in "friends with benefits"
I do believe in saying grace before a meal. I think it is important to give thanks for our substance. Silently is also a good option if someone present doesn't share my view. I share company with many of different belief. When I share dinner with my neighbors we hold hands and pray before eating. We are like in belief.
As far as my relationship with God. I didn't
decide one day that I was a Christian. I prayed for forgiveness and asked the Lord to take control of my heart. I meant it and he has. That was 15 years ago. I am almost 50 now and I am thankful I did. Faith comes before reassurance. It is a building process.