A serious question for those who do not believe in God

[FrankRN]

Ok, OK ... the Kool Aide reference was a little harsh. Just illustrating some of the pitfalls of religion.

I take it back.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Mercy

I really don't take your comments personally, as I am not Catholic, any more. But from your post and your background why you have mentioned Catholics so frequently. I personally don't think the Catholic church promotes Christianity, the way I see it, that is why I left... I'll probably get flamed for that comment, but so be it.



Maybe I was too quick to say that I was offended by you, you have been quite respectful (most of the time ). I am not uptight and find humor in religion all the time. After all it is God Himself that gave us a sense of humor

Or maybe it's because I just came from an amazing church service today and am feeling forgiving.

And hey... If you think about it... Even when you consider some of the posts by those who may be a little bit more... mmm... heavy handed? (*mumble* *mumble* *cough* *cough* Daddy B *mumble* *cough* *cough*) You may want to look at their posts as an opportunity to look within yourself, re-examine, and even strengthen your beliefs!

And I do appreciate your acknowledgment that I have been, for the most part, respectful. I do tend to use humor in all aspects of my life, but its not meant to belittle or cut down, I assure you. Any offense is unintentional.

Glad to hear you had a good morning in church! Do you have kids that go with you as well? I look back fondly on the days when my family was an active member of our synagogue growing up. Many of the friends that we made in those days are some of our closest friends, to this very day.



P.S. Love 'ya, Paulo!

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by FrankRN

One of these years I am going to PDC while you are there, buying you a few cervesas, and ascertaining what else you have not been telling me!

I ordered a t-shirt and a copy of the "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" gospel.

Originally Posted by FrankRN

One of the more interesting FrankRN fast facts is that I used to be en electrical engineer (Northeastern Class of 1984). Anyone here live in Scotland between Glasgow and Dundee? I was one of the engineers that designed the original fiber backbone running through that area.

Still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I think I would make a good preacher ... except for the not believing in God thing.

I also have a FSM t-shirt that I designed myself, actually. When I wear it I very occasionally get a dirty look, but I have had WAY more people come up and compliment me on it, start chatting, etc!

Yeah, you're high on the lists of peeps I'd like to meet! Any chance you'll be down in July? You can meet me and both of my nurse-type relatives, as well!

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by StewartG

I also have a FSM t-shirt that I designed myself, actually. When I wear it I very occasionally get a dirty look, but I have had WAY more people come up and compliment me on it, start chatting, etc!

Yeah, you're high on the lists of peeps I'd like to meet! Any chance you'll be down in July? You can meet me and both of my nurse-type relatives, as well!

Oh, Dude ... I'm there 2 weeks in June ... I fly back on 6/28.

I'll hide a frosty 6 pack for you somewhere and email you a map.

[horizon200]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Mike - nice post. And for whatever its worth, I'm a huge fan of the bible, and I view it the EXACT same way that you do - as a book filled with parables and wisdom. I don't literally believe that Jesus rose from the grave, just as I don't believe in his divinity (not just because I'm jewish but because I don't believe in divinity at all, unless its the yummie white candy with chopped nuts.)

Thanks Stewart...every now and then, I fire on all cylinders and my thoughts flow clearly!

[Mercy]

Stewart, yes my kids do go to church with us. However, they really aren't kids anymore my youngest just turned 18. He is in the picture above (he is the one in the center of the circle of kids 1st pic, on the far right 2nd pic). He is very active in his youth group. He also plays drums for their youth worship. The pic above is from a human video they did at the annual fine arts competition. Their peformance won the the ability to compete in nationals, which will be held in Charlotte, NC later this year. They used contemporary music to interpret the life of Zacchaeus, my son played Zacchaeus.

My oldest is going to be 21 next month. He is attending a small Christian college in PA. He is majoring in Pastoral Ministries. He also plays bass and guitar and plays in our Sunday worship with his father.

I am very proud of my sons. They are really good kids. But let me stress, I have never pushed my religion on them. We gave them the gift of faith as young children, but then we let them find their own way.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Stewart, yes my kids do go to church with us. However, they really aren't kids anymore my youngest just turned 18. He is in the picture above (he is the one in the center of the circle of kids 1st pic, on the far right 2nd pic). He is very active in his youth group. He also plays drums for their youth worship. The pic above is from a human video they did at the annual fine arts competition. Their peformance won the the ability to compete in nationals, which will be held in Charlotte, NC later this year. They used contemporary music to interpret the life of Zacchaeus, my son played Zacchaeus.

My oldest is going to be 21 next month. He is attending a small Christian college in PA. He is majoring in Pastoral Ministries. He also plays bass and guitar and plays in our Sunday worship with his father.

I am very proud of my sons. They are really good kids. But let me stress, I have never pushed my religion on them. We gave them the gift of faith as young children, but then we let them find their own way.

Very cool, Mercy!

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Stewart, yes my kids do go to church with us. However, they really aren't kids anymore my youngest just turned 18. He is in the picture above (he is the one in the center of the circle of kids 1st pic, on the far right 2nd pic). He is very active in his youth group. He also plays drums for their youth worship. The pic above is from a human video they did at the annual fine arts competition. Their peformance won the the ability to compete in nationals, which will be held in Charlotte, NC later this year. They used contemporary music to interpret the life of Zacchaeus, my son played Zacchaeus.

My oldest is going to be 21 next month. He is attending a small Christian college in PA. He is majoring in Pastoral Ministries. He also plays bass and guitar and plays in our Sunday worship with his father.

I am very proud of my sons. They are really good kids. But let me stress, I have never pushed my religion on them. We gave them the gift of faith as young children, but then we let them find their own way.

They sound like wonderful kids! You must be very proud!

And when it comes to kids and religion, its pretty natural just to take them to whatever church you go to. I would never judge people for that.

For our oldest (7) we try to talk to him about what other people believe about god. We tell him that mom and I don't believe, but that when he wants to we would be glad to take him to any church, mosque, synagogue, ashram or whatever (we've explained that different people worship in different places).

[Mercy]

Thanks Jacko

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by StewartG

They sound like wonderful kids! You must be very proud!

And when it comes to kids and religion, its pretty natural just to take them to whatever church you go to. I would never judge people for that.

For our oldest (7) we try to talk to him about what other people believe about god. We tell him that mom and I don't believe, but that when he wants to we would be glad to take him to any church, mosque, synagogue, ashram or whatever (we've explained that different people worship in different places).

Yes, I am proud I think as parents, one of the most important things we can give our children is faith. They need something to believe in, something to give them hope. I really believe this generation has no hope, I think that is sad.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Yes, I am proud I think as parents, one of the most important things we can give our children is faith. They need something to believe in, something to give them hope. I really believe this generation has no hope, I think that is sad.

I don't see a difference in the levels of hopefulness of believers contrasted with non-believers.


I don't buy that as a reason for this generation having no hope....in fact, I don't buy that this generation has no hope in the first place- in what sense?


What do you mean? Looking at my country's state right this second (quite a secular country too, by the way, compared with the US )- homicide and other violent crime rates are down, average incomes are up, divorce rate has fallen....things are actually looking pretty good.


Except for the whole running out of oil/climate change effects/fresh water crisis, of course. Which has nothing to do with a lack of hope, just typical lack of human foresight. Oh, and the Church demanding that people go forth and multiply a little too strongly.
This is something which no amount of prayer and hope is going to fix, either- just brain power and will.


I guess I think the best thing parents can do for their children is to teach them to think....to problem solve, to take personal responsibility, to have healthy skepticism, etc.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Yes, I am proud I think as parents, one of the most important things we can give our children is faith. They need something to believe in, something to give them hope. I really believe this generation has no hope, I think that is sad.

I think that is the same thing many parents thought of my generation when I was younger...I think there are plenty of children out there with plenty of hope...IMO, it is only some of the older people who start to become more cynical and to lose hope....hope and idealism are in the very being of young people....they ARE our hope.

[Mercy]

Well I'm older and I do have hope... hope that this life on earth is not the end. I have something to look forward to beyond this life. That Ris is the difference in the level of hope of belivers vs non belivers. For non belivers, this life is it and then you die. For a believer, we have the hope of eternal life with a heavenly father.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Yes, I am proud I think as parents, one of the most important things we can give our children is faith. They need something to believe in, something to give them hope. I really believe this generation has no hope, I think that is sad.

Personally, as parents, Kelli and I believe that one of the most important things we can give our children is a good education, a strong internal moral compass, and the self confidence to think for themselves.

I do agree that this generation has much less hope than in the past, and it is a shame. I do think we need more hope as a country and for the next generation, although I feel faith and religion have nothing to do with it.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Well I'm older and I do have hope... hope that this life on earth is not the end. I have something to look forward to beyond this life. That Ris is the difference in the level of hope of belivers vs non belivers. For non belivers, this life is it and then you die. For a believer, we have the hope of eternal life with a heavenly father.

I can barely think past my next vacation, let alone worry about an afterlife!

I am okay with this one life I have to live, even knowing this is it- it's a lot, and I have a lot to be thankful for and nothing to complain about. And knowing that nothing is coming after doesn't make me sad, or frighten me .... what IS is enough for me; I will make it enough.

But whatever gets us through the night.