How prevalent is atheism?

[Grahame 10]

i think its more a case of people doing things in the name of god, suicide bummings and all that sort of stuff.

 

Suicide bombings etc. have to be wrong, that has to be something we are all agreed on. I think one of the problems on the forum is that people are lumping the peaceful teaching of Christianity in with the more violent religions.

[banesmabes 10]

Half the trouble banesmabes is that people say "I think" without producing evidence.

 

Isn't that what religion is all about though? Thinking and believing without evidence?

[Grahame 10]

Isn't that what religion is all about though? Thinking and believing without evidence?

 

I was replying to your comment here banesmabes

<snip>I don't think all wars and conflict are caused by religion, but it is certainly one of the major causes.

 

Now someone else might say that they think wars are caused by greed, hatred, and the desire for power.

 

All I am saying is that rather than say "I think" this is the case, isn't it better to say something like "Wars are caused by disputes over territory and the desire for political power, and these are my reasons for thinkng so."

 

And then go on to give examples of wars caused by governments that dispute territorial boundaries.

[plekhanov 10]

In any debate people make points and concede points and the debate moves forward in a proper manner. Nothing like that happens here, you use steam roller tactics, if I show you wrong in one regard you ignore it and move on to something else,

Will you please show even two specific instances of you showing anybody to be 'wrong' in this thread.

 

the whole object of everyone on here is to discredit Christianity and you do it by any means.

This thread is about the prevalence of atheism, who don't believe in all gods not just the Christian one, but of course I wouldn't expect a little thing like reality to get in the way of your persecution complex.

 

This common myth you are all guilty of spreading is that wars are caused by religion, that is patent nonsense and I wish you would stop telling lies on a public forum.

So the 30 years war wasn't caused by religion? This is a shocking revelation I can't believe my history professor lied to me like that

 

Your last four posts amount to a personal attack which is another of your tactics and you completely ignore the current debate with plekanhov and hopefully you will stop saying Christianity is the cause of wars.

Liar, two posters directly commented on your most tantrum before this one after I soundly trounced you in that debate.

 

You talk about calling the kettle black and you are the worst culprits again using tactics to divert attention away from the main issue.

And what is this 'main issue' that us evil atheists are apparently trying to divert attention from?

[plekhanov 10]

Now you are just making excuses.

Excuses I directly answered your question, whilst pointing out once again your wilful ignorance of Algeria's history.

 

Is it humanistic to be acting like a rottweiler on the subject of Christianity and attack or challenge anyone who say that they are a believer?

 

At what point do you say to yourself, "actually, I don't like hearing such things, and I would like to move away from this, as I know what the conclusion would be"?

Have you actually got a point or are you just contributing the occasional bit of rambling personal abuse to this thread from now on?

[plekhanov 10]

Suicide bombings etc. have to be wrong, that has to be something we are all agreed on. I think one of the problems on the forum is that people are lumping the peaceful teaching of Christianity in with the more violent religions.

Then explain the 30 years war, Crusades, Northern Crusades, The Lords Resistance Army...

 

Some Christian's obviously pick the peaceful bits from the Bible (Quakers for example) there are however many more verses in the Bible inciting people to violence than to peace, hence the number of conflicts inspired and justified by reference to Christianity and the bible.

[Grahame 10]

You know what they say Plekhanov, they say, “You can’t take it with you.”

 

Everything you have said is about people and nations who seek to extend their boundaries and increase their power and wealth. If they say they do it in the name of God they are lying. God did not tell them to go to war.

 

These are war mongering people you talk about, they are not Christians as Jesus taught Christianity who said: -

 

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal.

 

Jesus looked straight at him with love and said: -

 

Mar 10:21, "You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."

 

And Jesus seeing him said: -

 

Luk 18:24, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

As I said, you can’t take it with you, I know that and you know that. I am a Christian and the people you talk about are not and I think that says it all. This is why I believe Christianity is the one and the only true religion.

[madowl 10]

Grahame... your sig...

"If you want a model on which to base your life,

you can't do better than follow Jesus Christ"

Is This what you do? base your life on him...?

 

If a wanted to be a religious man...

which religious following should i choose??

http://home.flash.net/~gdc/ritter/painter.gif

http://www.catholicintl.com/promos/greek1.jpg

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/TVC-Wanted.jpg

http://www.causes-of-terrorism.net/images/binladen3T.jpg

http://archives.delaware.gov/100/graphics/other_stories/Defining%20the%20Enemy-Defining%20the%20Enemy-1.jpg

 

i cant see a difference between any of them.

who is right and who is wrong in the world of religion?

[plekhanov 10]

You know what they say Plekhanov, they say, “You can’t take it with you.”

Why would I want to take my friends, family & girlfriend with me? I'd much rather they outlived me.

 

Everything you have said is about people and nations who seek to extend their boundaries and increase their power and wealth. If they say they do it in the name of God they are lying. God did not tell them to go to war.

Tell that to the Cathars.

 

And you know this how? He’s certainly on record in your holy book as ‘commanding’ people to go to war:

 

Joshua 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.

 

The bible contains much that people can easily read and see as an order to fight:

 

Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

 

Pslam 18:32-35 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

 

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

 

These are war mongering people you talk about, they are not Christians as Jesus taught Christianity who said: -

 

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal.

 

Jesus looked straight at him with love and said: -

 

Mar 10:21, "You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."

 

And Jesus seeing him said: -

 

Luk 18:24, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The bible also claims that Jesus said:

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

 

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

 

You can find both invocations to peace and war in the bible a confusing badly written & compiled book which repeatedly contradicts itself, science & history.

 

As I said, you can’t take it with you, I know that and you know that.

Why are you pretending that I focussed on material possessions as things I 'have' as an atheist when I quite obviously did no such thing, you wouldn't be trying to 'bear false witness against' me again woudl you?

 

I am a Christian and the people you talk about are not

Why aren't they Christians? Because you say so?

 

and I think that says it all. This is why I believe Christianity is the one and the only true religion.

Are you trying to set some kind of a record for the most non-sequiturs posted in a single thread or something?

[plekhanov 10]

Anyway considering the very poor showing put in by the theists who've crashed this thread here's a handy guide about how they might be able to improve their attempts to convert atheists in the future:

 

(Youtube)

 

You could really do with watching it as so far you've concentrated overwhelmingly on 'Things that would not convince and atheist' as mentioned in

 

(Youtube)

 

For those who can't access Youtube a written version of the content of the videos can be found here:

 

The Theist's Guide to Converting Atheists

How Not to Convert an Atheist

[Grahame 10]

Grahame... your sig...

"If you want a model on which to base your life,

you can't do better than follow Jesus Christ"

Is This what you do? base your life on him...?

 

If a wanted to be a religious man...

which religious following should i choose??

http://home.flash.net/~gdc/ritter/painter.gif

http://www.catholicintl.com/promos/greek1.jpg

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/TVC-Wanted.jpg

http://www.causes-of-terrorism.net/images/binladen3T.jpg

http://archives.delaware.gov/100/graphics/other_stories/Defining%20the%20Enemy-Defining%20the%20Enemy-1.jpg

 

i cant see a difference between any of them.

who is right and who is wrong in the world of religion?

 

Have a look here.

 

http://www.truthandgrace.com/Images/Teresa.jpg

 

http://www.briomag.com/missions/A0003919.html

 

http://www.christianrafting.org/

 

http://www.new-life.net/photos/youth%20group.JPG

[Saff 10]

Religion is the root of all evil, and the main cause of Debates, controversies & wars, its the division of society!

 

Some fights have been caused by football. I'm not saying it, but how would you respond to someone who said football causes violence and therefore it shouldn't exist? Because some people who do terrible things in the name of something good, doesn't mean they are following the genuine message of the religion or group they purport to be part of. If someone has the desire to hurt others or vent their anger, religion, or something like football can be used as a vehicle to do so, even though they are going against what the religion or society actually truly stands for.