30 minutes ago, luk AJ said:

I am here now, I don’t know why I was born, but I surely know I will die. So instead of loosing my time in theology, I live my life very intensely. If there is a divine afterlife I will regard this as a bonus.
The universe, life, time is so relative and limits our understanding because we try to understand from our point of view.



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I know why you were born.....????

 

Weeeell, much the same as any creature on our planet.....And it came to me at the age of about 15......Those fond memories.....????

1 hour ago, CMNightRider said:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

 

What is note worthy, is there are no atheist in hell.  Everyone in hell knows the truth, they just learned it too late.  It only takes 70 hours to read the Bible.  It will be the most important book you will ever read. ????

Buddha didn't read the bible or believe in god.  Good enough for him and 244 million followers - good enough for me.  

It must be a bit hard to believe in science if your a Muslim ,it says that our dna is very close to pigs,that is why they can use pigs heart valves for heart patients.


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Not mine, but another point of view to this topic to throw in the mix ????

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Strictly speaking, I doubt Buddhism can be described as a religion. It is more a system of morals and ethics.

Having said that, examples are plentiful where, along with religions, people twist it around for their own agendas.

I might have taken the wrong wording..

 

Fact is I left the church because its not more than a money and war machine.

All these Temples in Thailand are built on donations, one more beautiful than the other and nobody got forced to give. 

 

I leaned from my wife little of the Buddhist way of life, that keeps me since out of trouble,

makes me feeling good when I have a real chance* to help, and as more I didn't bother materialistic wealth, 

as more it came to me without praying to a god,

so I take it as it comes and put it away for later or feel happy that I can give to the one that needs in the moment of need. 

 

*Real chances to help are not easy to find,

that's not the beggars with drugged kids at beach road or some guy asking you for money.

 

it could be a well fed and rich looking Farang, who sits somewhere in the heat, fighting unconsciousness and gets ignored by all by-passers...

Just ask him and he might say, no I am Ok, just a bit warm today, Thank you!

What a honest thank you that is!

 

It could be the Muslim Cashier at BigC where you queue.

You take your pork chops of the belt and tell her to scan and then put it yourself in the grocery bag.

The smile you get then follows you for a long time.

 

or a materialistic one:

Leave a Tip like 20 baht at KFC or BigC Food Court on the tray and write on the Napkin "Thank you for cleaning after me" before you go. The girl that cleans after you will be stunned about the unexpected and consider it a lucky day for her. 

 

Just as a few examples.

 

I don't need an imaginary god as long my heart can tell me this is right or wrong.

 

...and I am sure a person who also can tell somebody he is an idiot, right in the face...  Feels sometimes also good and keeps the balance of life. You get what you deserve.. 

 

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

Buddha didn't read the bible or believe in god.  Good enough for him and 244 million followers - good enough for me.  

You can bet he believes now along with his followers who have passed away.  

1 hour ago, ivor bigun said:

It must be a bit hard to believe in science if your a Muslim ,it says that our dna is very close to pigs,that is why they can use pigs heart valves for heart patients.


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There is an interesting statistic in relation to science and Muslims. There are 15 million Jews in the world. They have produced over 200 Nobel Laureates in what I would call the hard sciences - chemistry, physics and mathematics.

There are 1.8 billion Muslim adherents on the planet. They have achieved just two Nobel prizes in the same fields. Draw your own conclusions.

9 minutes ago, CMNightRider said:

You can bet he believes now along with his followers who have passed away.  

You know this how? Did God tell you?

11 minutes ago, CMNightRider said:

You can bet he believes now along with his followers who have passed away.  

Dead is dead.  Dust.  That's it.  Let me know if anyone you know has come back to tell you different.????

11 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Dead is dead.  Dust.  That's it.  Let me know if anyone you know has come back to tell you different.????

My guess is CMNightrider believes those people who live blameless lives as atheists, agnostics or Buddhists will burn in hell, while the  pedophiles, liars and thieves will be forgiven and ascend to Heaven because they believe in God and have read the Bible.

Basically fairy stories for grown ups who can't ditch the idea that there's no such things as fairies but are too embarased to openly admit that fairies exist.

17 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

while the  pedophiles, liars and thieves will be forgiven and ascend to Heaven because they believe in God and have read the Bible.

A fact is, that not committing a murder is only marked at the 6th place in the 10 Commandments. The previous 5 seems to be more important. 

 

The Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other Gods but me.
2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Respect your father and mother.
6. You must not commit murder.
7. You must not commit adultery.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbour.
10. You must not be envious of your neighbour's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour.

I heard somewhere "I used to believe in God......along with the Tooth fairy and Santa Claus.......but I grew up!"

4 hours ago, gunderhill said:

If religion was  preached  at 18 years  old onwards  I doubt  it would be anywhere near as  successful.

Very possible.............and I think it was the Jesuits who said something along the lines of, "give me the child until the age of seven and I will give you the man".

 

So early indoctrination has been well understood for quite some time. 

10 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

It is one thing to not follow a religion or a world view, but it is quite another to assume no God exists. The only honest approach would be to say that one does not know enough to make that decision.

As I understand it, that is Gautama's position (The Buddha). He also said since we cannot know, idle speculation leads to suffering and is therefore pointless

48 minutes ago, xkkpafi said:

Basically fairy stories for grown ups who can't ditch the idea that there's no such things as fairies but are too embarased to openly admit that fairies exist.

Well there is this bloke who lives near me......

1 hour ago, See Will said:

All these Temples in Thailand are built on donations, one more beautiful than the other and nobody got forced to give.

These temples are mostly donated by poor people who can not afford to give,yet they do.

Why you ask?Because someone in that temple tells them it is tam boon.

I have seen people who only have 50 baht who give 30 to the temple.It is all about the money,doesnt matter what religion or believe it is.

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

Dead is dead.  Dust.  That's it.  Let me know if anyone you know has come back to tell you different.????

I thought you were Buddhist? Isn't life and death an illusion?

6 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

8 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I struggle with this

 

What I would say however, that religion, whether or not you believe as an adult, as a child it provides you with a moral compass, which at least for me, has served me well through my life

I take it you didn't go to a Catholic boys school. 

"Father, is that a compass in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me ?"

1 hour ago, luckyluke said:

1. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
2.  

I really wonder how that is reconciled with crucifixes or portraits of the Virgin Mary, which one can find in many Catholic homes.

"I take it you didn't go to a Catholic boys school".............

 

When I was 11 years old I was blessed with a nine inch penis.........unfortunately it belonged to Father Patrick.

 

8 hours ago, gunderhill said:

Ah but you mustnt  mock religion, well I  think it  should  be mocked,  well and truly, beaten unto the ground until it submits to evidence, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, something ALL religions  cannot  supply.

Fascinating thread. There is compelling evidence of the existence of a huge (over 500 feet long), ancient, man-made, boat like object at 6.300 feet above sea level. The underground anomalies of petrified wood are at highly regular intervals, the metal rivets found were of ancient and man-made metal, the size is exactly as predicted in the Bible. The huge anchor stones found nearby really add intrigue. Whatever it is, everyone can agree it really shouldn't be there.

 

There is very strong archeological evidence of huge and catastrophic flows of water worldwide. DNA scientists will tell you that the human race went through a constriction event recently (~10,000 years) where it is estimated that fewer than 1,000 individuals survived. It explains why we are all so similar, which would not be expected from an evolution hypothesis.

 

Whether we believe or not is actually a mute point. According the end times prophecy you will be forced to swear allegiance or perish. Lots of other prophecies including rebuilding of the Temple, resumption of animal sacrifices, dozens more.

 

Since it is notoriously difficult to predict the future (ask any stock trader), if and when these things, written 2,000 years ago, begin to come true will be interesting to say the least. And at that time, make no mistake, the proof you seek will be shown to you. Keep an open mind to the possibilities and you will be fine. Should be quite the show.

 

One final question: if that mysterious object really is Noah's Ark, then WHO told Noah to build the ark?

2 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

I thought you were Buddhist? Isn't life and death an illusion?

Buddhists believe death is a natural part of the life cycle.  If you want more details suggest a visit to your local wat after you learn to speak Thai. 

5 minutes ago, NotYourBusiness said:

 

Fascinating thread. There is compelling evidence of the existence of a huge (over 500 feet long), ancient, man-made, boat like object at 6.300 feet above sea level. The underground anomalies of petrified wood are at highly regular intervals, the metal rivets found were of ancient and man-made metal, the size is exactly as predicted in the Bible. The huge anchor stones found nearby really add intrigue. Whatever it is, everyone can agree it really shouldn't be there.

 

There is very strong archeological evidence of huge and catastrophic flows of water worldwide. DNA scientists will tell you that the human race went through a constriction event recently (~10,000 years) where it is estimated that fewer than 1,000 individuals survived. It explains why we are all so similar, which would not be expected from an evolution hypothesis.

 

Whether we believe or not is actually a mute point. According the end times prophecy you will be forced to swear allegiance or perish. Lots of other prophecies including rebuilding of the Temple, resumption of animal sacrifices, dozens more.

 

Since it is notoriously difficult to predict the future (ask any stock trader), if and when these things, written 2,000 years ago, begin to come true will be interesting to say the least. And at that time, make no mistake, the proof you seek will be shown to you. Keep an open mind to the possibilities and you will be fine. Should be quite the show.

 

One final question: if that mysterious object really is Noah's Ark, then WHO told Noah to build the ark?

You don't really believe any of that do you?  It's like an adult admitting there really is a Santa Clause. 

5 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Buddhists believe death is a natural part of the life cycle.  If you want more details suggest a visit to your local wat after you learn to speak Thai. 

They also believe it is all an illusion, which is really a big plot hole.

 

8 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

You don't really believe any of that do you?  It's like an adult admitting there really is a Santa Clause. 

You said you liked the scientific method right? Plenty of real science has been done on this object. The DNA (constriction) and archeological evidence (worldwide floods) is incontrovertible. Why the disbelief?

Believe it or not :

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searches_for_Noah's_Ark

 

30 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

They also believe it is all an illusion, which is really a big plot hole.

 

It is a little beyond your grasp.  Like I said go talk to a monk.  I'd suggest the forest variety. You don't really want to debate Buddhism here do you?  Are you a Buddhist scholar? 

8 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

Believe it or not :

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searches_for_Noah's_Ark

 

Modern organized searches for the ark tend to originate in American evangelical circles.  It's not something that is discussed is serious academic circles except to wonder at why people would believe such stuff.