Do you believe in God and why

[marcusarelus]

3 minutes ago, hyku1147 said:

The Spanish Inquisition ran from 1478 to 1808.

https://allthatsinteresting.com/tomas-de-torquemada

 

 

 

[Ctkong]

I had skimmed thru more than 10 pages of responses from posters. For my 2 cents worth, I believed that for a person to understand the philosophy of the existence of god, you need to delve into the world of metaphysics, parallel world, multiverse, quantum mechanics, string theory, dimensional worlds, matrix, Buddhism with the philosophy of karma and karmic entanglements as well as the cultivation of self in spiritualism. The list is not limiting. For those in their twilight years, I think it is a meaningful  journey of self discovery and your engagement with ‘god’ or higher self.  

 

[Ctkong]

7 hours 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.  

Buddha did not asked for people to revere him as a god but to emulate him in cultivation for enlightenment as every human being is capable of becoming enlightened in their lifetime.

 

[Denim]

God might be one thing , religion another.

 

I believe that all creation is the result of a conscious decision by a creator entity. 

In esoteric teachings this creator is refered to as the Absolute. Indivisible into anything smaller.

 

Science, continuing from the big bang theory using quantum mechanics refers to what is called   ' the singularity. ' 

 

Before the big bang this singularity existed in a completely self sufficient state....occupying no space because there was no space to occupy. This singularity was apparently so small that they calculate that to divide a pinhead millions of times still does not get near its diminutive size.

 

However, this absolute/ singularity perceived that it was nonetheless diminishing ,albeit exceedingly slowly. Nonetheless, if this diminishment was not addressed it would eventually cease to be.

Something similar to the atomic life of all atoms but more so.

 

The universe and all creation were caused into being to address this problem, the idea being something akin to the perpetual motion ideal.

This is not only an esoteric teaching but now scientific speculation since no other reason to kick start creation can be thought of.

 

Anyway,  I am only quoting from memory various books I have read. I have simplified things in the interests of brevity but the information is out there for those interested.

 

As for religion. A man made thing with faith as its main pillar. Faith is important to most religions because it brooks no argument or discussion. It is the trump card of religious people. These people might be as thick as two short planks and illiterate but their faith, they believe,will always make them right and the enquiring mind wrong.

 

There is a whole lot about life and death and just about everything that we will never have concrete evidence of but our own demise is certain and only then will we find out if anything happens.

 

If there is a heaven better than this one called life it is beyond my comprehension. If something in me lives on after my bodies death but yet is without that which I call me and all my memories , then it is not much use as far as my own interest goes.

 

Make hay while the sun shines because you may not get another crack at it.

[observer90210]

Believe in God or any form of religious symbols ? Not at all for me, never.

 

Believe in good and bad ? For sure.

 

Belive in being good,  but not stupid ? Definately.

 

Belive that life can give it back to you if you are nasty, bad or stupid ? Yes.

 

In other words you all have god or the devil in you, depending how you act, behave or treat yourself,  or others.

 

So up to you...

 

(But of course all this does not apply when ranting on TVF, so relax and  let the fun continue)

 

[DaRoadrunner]

23 hours ago, hyku1147 said:

and set the stage for chimpanzees - from whom we evolved.

We evolved? Have you been to Thailand?

[luckyluke]

 

Gods existence is based on belief. 

 

Once there is no belief anymore in them, they just dissappear. 

 

Zeus, Osiris, to name only two, once venerate by numerous, are only history now. 

[Lacessit]

7 hours ago, NotYourBusiness said:

 

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.

 

 

Similar? Last time I looked in the mirror, my skin colour and eye shape was entirely different to that of my GF. I'm also very different physically from an African-American or the hairy Ainu of Japan. We have all evolved beneficially as a result of our environment. I can guarantee you would not survive more than a day or two at most in the Australian desert environment, while Aboriginals can.

The compelling evidence you describe is the product of an overheated imagination. You should stop reading Dan Brown novels.

[Nyezhov]

Failure to acknowledge the existence of a diety of one form or another, or indeed formless as the case may be, would be akin to denying my own existence. I think I will create a small world and keep it in a shoebox.

[gunderhill]

8 hours 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?

utter  nonsense

[gunderhill]

5 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Believe in good and bad ?

Anthopromorphic thinking, there is  no good  or  bad.

[gunderhill]

13 hours 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.  

numbers who believe does not enhance your theory.

[xkkpafi]

8 hours 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.

I saw several of these at Suvarnabhumi airport the other day with lots of strange  writing on the side like "Finnair" and "EastStarJet"

[Pharoticus]

8 hours ago, NotYourBusiness said:

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.

You're confusing the Younger Dryas with the Toba event.

 

Instead of "constriction event", you should say "near-extinction event" or perhaps talk about population bottlenecks.

 

But the bottleneck that may have been engendered by the Toba event is an unproven theory. 

 

Oh, and the flooding associated with the Younger Dryas was ~10,000 BC rather than ~10,000 years ago. 

 

 

[CharlieH]

8 minutes ago, xkkpafi said:

I saw several of these at Suvarnabhumi airport the other day with lots of strange  writing on the side like "Finnair" and "EastStarJet"

Except they are not made of wood carbon dated 4800 yrs old. Well, Thai Air may be.

[NotYourBusiness]

2 hours ago, Pharoticus said:

You're confusing the Younger Dryas with the Toba event.

 

Instead of "constriction event", you should say "near-extinction event" or perhaps talk about population bottlenecks.

 

But the bottleneck that may have been engendered by the Toba event is an unproven theory. 

 

Oh, and the flooding associated with the Younger Dryas was ~10,000 BC rather than ~10,000 years ago. 

 

 

It's a pleasure to read your post. Finally, someone with a clue about the earth's history as explained by science.

[NotYourBusiness]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Similar? Last time I looked in the mirror, my skin colour and eye shape was entirely different to that of my GF. I'm also very different physically from an African-American or the hairy Ainu of Japan. We have all evolved beneficially as a result of our environment. I can guarantee you would not survive more than a day or two at most in the Australian desert environment, while Aboriginals can.

The compelling evidence you describe is the product of an overheated imagination. You should stop reading Dan Brown novels.

Never heard of Dan Brown, and you should read some works of DNA scientists instead of relying on anecdotal evidence. New genetic mutations occur at each generation, which explains the Ainu, Aboriginals, etc. However, the human species has experienced several events (population bottlenecks) in the past where diversity has been suddenly lost. We are all remarkably similar.

[NotYourBusiness]

 

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I can guarantee you would not survive more than a day or two at most in the Australian desert environment, while Aboriginals can.

And how much of that is lifetime conditioning and learned survival skills rather than genetics? If I grew up in a tribe my whole life, I can guarantee that I could survive as long as a native.

 

And conversely, if an Aboriginal grew up in London his whole life, wasn't conditioned, didn't learn outback survival skills, he also would not survive. There is no question that genetics plays a role, but not as much as you might believe. I say again that we are all remarkably similar and there is a reason.

[1FinickyOne]

I am never sure what people mean when they use the word God. It rarely sounds like the same thing, concept, being, idea. 

[dotpoom]

I believe that I am NOT the Greatest power alive in all the Universes and Galaxies put together....that there is some sort of Power out there Greater than myself. ...Many choose to call that Power...."God"...(that word probably causes the most problems for non- believers in itself, but I understand it is only a "label" that someone used for description purposes).

I choose to believe and have recovered from an "incurable" disease at the age of 51 with that belief. A recovery that I failed to gain through my own will-power for the whole of my life prior to that point.

   To be honest, the way I look at it...What have I got to lose living my life in this belief. ...If there is a "God" after I die.. I will have gained and received all the power and help I ever asked for and that made my life so beautiful through the freedom from my illness + so much more

after my recovery....And if there is NO "God" at the end of the day ..."I will not be aware of it".

  "God Bless You All".

[Pharoticus]

37 minutes ago, NotYourBusiness said:

Never heard of Dan Brown, and you should read some works of DNA scientists instead of relying on anecdotal evidence. New genetic mutations occur at each generation, which explains the Ainu, Aboriginals, etc. However, the human species has experienced several events (population bottlenecks) in the past where diversity has been suddenly lost. We are all remarkably similar.

Round up a group of chimpanzees and you'll find more genetic diversity than is found in the entire human race. 

 

http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2012-03-02-chimps-show-much-greater-genetic-diversity-humans

 

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - They may all be black and hairy and they may all eat and act in much the same way, but chimpanzees from different parts of Africa are genetically more diverse than all of humanity, researchers reported on Friday."

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chimpanzees-genes/gene-study-shows-chimps-more-diverse-than-humans-idUSN2032958020070420

[rwill]

Sometimes when I am around people pushing religion on me I say "If their is a God may he strike me dead now!"  I like seeing the looks on their faces....

[Dionigi]

On 4/14/2019 at 9:38 PM, quandow said:

I believe life had some sort of intelligent design, and as I've pulled human remains out of a submerged plane crash and observed the lack of life, there is something about humans having a soul. It's even been weighed. As much as the method used to weigh the soul was sloppy science, I think the bible is sloppy narrative. Jesus was a short dark guy, not the European with flowing brown hair currently selling His book. It's been rewritten so many times with so many inconsistencies that it's difficult to fathom anyone taking it 100% seriously. There ARE many good parables, the lessons are good standards to apply to your walk through life. Do I believe we were created? Yes. Do I believe in the Judeo-Christian interpretation of God? No.

I've pulled batteries from my walkman and observed a lack of life, maybe I will meet them in heaven?

[ThaiPauly]

I don't believe in God.

 

My Father does, we lost Mum just over a year ago and his belief helps him cope. I will not disabuse him of his beliefs, (if I'm  right) if it helps him then that's great, as I think we should all live and let live so to speak.

 

I have read a lot of Christopher Hitchings, Richard Dawkins and other atheist writers, seen them in debates and become more convinced than ever that there is no God.

 

If there was why on earth did he create Hitler, Stalin, Attilla The Hun, and several other mass murderers?

Or why do small children have to die at the hands of adult murderers and all the priest can say is "God Moves In Mysterious ways".

 

When you loose a loved one in a way like that it just reinforces my feeling that there is no God.

 

I got married in a religious service, the marriage failed, I tried again in another religious service, that one failed too. Yest the Thai marriage that into 15 years ago is still going strong...no God involved in that one, maybe it has some religious type cannotations but not God.

My wife is a staunch Buddhist, but again she is not hurting anyone , she does not believe in God but believes there is a heaven of some sorts, I choose not to follow that path, she understands my reasons and respects them, as I hope others will respect them as I respect their wish to believe there is a God. It's not my place to tell anyone that there is No God, that's for them to decide.

 

 

 

[Skeptic7]

Nope. Never. Ridiculous concept. 

 

In The Beginning... 

...Man Created God 

[GinBoy2]

I don't denigrate those who don't believe.

 

I struggle with it myself.

 

I don't try to force any of my conflicted Catholic ideas on anyone. In point of fact I only go to Mass on Christmas & Easter, that's about it.

 

What I do object to, are those that seem to feel and able to completely ridicule anyone that does have, as in my case a fallen Catholics' viewpoint as ridiculous.

 

We all believe in many things, and we should be able to express those beliefs whether or not you agree with them

[bhatmasterson]

On 4/14/2019 at 10:29 PM, marcusarelus said:

I'm way beyond mocking.  I think is wrong, immoral, harmful and hurtful and responsible for millions of deaths pain and suffering. 

You're speaking of religion. Some people believe God is nature and all that's included in that system. So Mocking God could mean to them not understanding the natural order of the universe.

[mauGR1]

2 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I don't denigrate those who don't believe.

A little denigration is ok imo

[Skeptic7]

18 minutes ago, rwill said:

Sometimes when I am around people pushing religion on me I say "If their is a God may he strike me dead now!"  I like seeing the looks on their faces....

Yes I used that with a buddy a couple months ago. Calling his God every nasty expletive I could and daring IT to strike me down. The usual nothing happened. 

 

A more subtle approach with those that are aghast that I'm an atheist, is to ask if their god answers prayers. They ALWAYS say Yes. Then I tell them to pray for IT to prove to me that IT is real and change me into a believer. The usual nothing happens every time. 

[mauGR1]

4 minutes ago, bhatmasterson said:

understanding the natural order of the universe.

That is a great goal.