Believers, a question from an agnostic...

[MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan]

Also, you didn't answer my earlier posed question, my friend. Please do so now. Thank you, in advance..

Which one, exactly?

[battery chucka' one]

Also, you didn't answer my earlier posed question, my friend. Please do so now. Thank you, in advance..

Which one, exactly?

Scroll up. Scroll up, young man. :) Also, please answer the ones posed in my last post. Thank you much, in advance.

p.s. a belated happy birthday to you, sah.

[MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan]

OK, I think I've managed to round up all of your questions that I haven't already directly responded to...

Unfortunately, many ask Him for the impossible in their time of need and He comes through. The next day, they're pissing and moaning that much louder. The children of Israel did it and I'm sure many who read this have done it too. Ever happened to you, my drunken friend???

I don't recall ever asking god for the impossible, and if I have, I'm fairly certain he never came through.

But what if it happened when I was at work? Am I expected to chain up my abusive child when I'm away???

No. Parents can't be accountable for their children's actions 100% of the time. Do you know why? Because they're not omniscient or all-powerful.

btw, as per your comment on not being an atheist, riddle me this. Should we explore everything before coming to Christ?? Should He be the last option, in your opinion? In your world view, are we short changing ourselves if we don't do this? I'd like to hear your answer on this.

I don't think it's necessary to literally "explore everything" before you decide on one particular religious belief. I don't think there is a specific order you need to follow in exploring religion either. Christ (or Buddah, or Muhammed, or Jm J. Bullock) need not be the very last option you consider. Religion is a very personal decision. If Christianity is the only belief you've ever known and you have no desire to explore other beliefs, then so be it.

I just think it's funny that healthy skepticism is an admirable trait in just about every field except religion. Questioning government, questioning science, questioning authority. These are all generally considered to be good personal traits. But questioning religion is likely to get you labeled a blasphemer.

Over the years, I have just grown increasingly wary of religions that require you to disregard so many things that would otherwise be taken as common sense and base so much of your belief on "blind faith."

[Ang]

Questioning is a bad thing? You just keep on believing that. It seems like your excuse that you are comfy with.

My experience is that people who are believers, no matter the flavor, are much more comfortable with questioning than non-believers.

[Diogenes]

Over the years, I have just grown increasingly wary of religions that require you to disregard so many things that would otherwise be taken as common sense and base so much of your belief on "blind faith."

Leave Darwinism out of this.

[PSUFAN]

Should we explore everything before coming to Christ?? Should He be the last option, in your opinion? In your world view, are we short changing ourselves if we don't do this? I'd like to hear your answer on this.

Should folks make stuff up, and grasp it tightly as fact? No.

It's clear to me that you've decided that you know all you need to know, and you're simply waiting to be Ascended. Unfortunately, while you are tapping your foot, you're avoiding some of life's real lessons, especially if they don't happen to jibe with your little flowchart.

Ignorance is never the wise path.

[MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan]

Over the years, I have just grown increasingly wary of religions that require you to disregard so many things that would otherwise be taken as common sense and base so much of your belief on "blind faith."

Leave Darwinism out of this.

Sorry. I didn't realize Darwinism was a religion. Could you direct me to the nearist Darwinist church in the Tempe area? I'd like to check it out. What are the major Darwinist holidays, anyway?

[battery chucka' one]

OK, I think I've managed to round up all of your questions that I haven't already directly responded to...

Unfortunately, many ask Him for the impossible in their time of need and He comes through. The next day, they're pissing and moaning that much louder. The children of Israel did it and I'm sure many who read this have done it too. Ever happened to you, my drunken friend???

I don't recall ever asking god for the impossible, and if I have, I'm fairly certain he never came through.

Hmmmm. If you haven't, then I shall believe you, my drunken friend. As long as you believe your response, too. ;)

But what if it happened when I was at work? Am I expected to chain up my abusive child when I'm away???

No. Parents can't be accountable for their children's actions 100% of the time. Do you know why? Because they're not omniscient or all-powerful.

But, if they could, and had some sort of magical abilities to keep control of their kids 24/7, should they? When should they stop? Should they never stop? That would do away with the whole notion of free will, my friend.

btw, as per your comment on not being an atheist, riddle me this. Should we explore everything before coming to Christ?? Should He be the last option, in your opinion? In your world view, are we short changing ourselves if we don't do this? I'd like to hear your answer on this.

I don't think it's necessary to literally "explore everything" before you decide on one particular religious belief. I don't think there is a specific order you need to follow in exploring religion either. Christ (or Buddah, or Muhammed, or Jm J. Bullock) need not be the very last option you consider. Religion is a very personal decision. If Christianity is the only belief you've ever known and you have no desire to explore other beliefs, then so be it.

I just think it's funny that healthy skepticism is an admirable trait in just about every field except religion. Questioning government, questioning science, questioning authority. These are all generally considered to be good personal traits. But questioning religion is likely to get you labeled a blasphemer.

Nobody says that you shouldn't question religion. By all means, doing that is what got Christ put up on the cross. The thing is, once you've done all your questioning (and done it fairly and honestly, too), you need to make a choice as opposed to sitting on the fence and saying 'we can't know for certain'. That attitude requires no faith, wouldn't you agree? It's merely saying that I believe nothing I can't see. Where's your proof every day upon waking that you'll still have a job? What about that gravity will still work or the sun will rise? There is no proof, yet you take it on faith, no?

Over the years, I have just grown increasingly wary of religions that require you to disregard so many things that would otherwise be taken as common sense and base so much of your belief on "blind faith."

As I said, there is no need to simply go with blind faith. If you ask honestly and openly, God will come through for you with some form of evidence. The big question is, of course, will you be able to ask in such a manner. ;)

How's Tori, btw? Been awhile since I've seen her.

[battery chucka' one]

OK, I think I've managed to round up all of your questions that I haven't already directly responded to...

Unfortunately, many ask Him for the impossible in their time of need and He comes through. The next day, they're pissing and moaning that much louder. The children of Israel did it and I'm sure many who read this have done it too. Ever happened to you, my drunken friend???

I don't recall ever asking god for the impossible, and if I have, I'm fairly certain he never came through.

Hmmmm. If you haven't, then I shall believe you, my drunken friend. As long as you believe your response, too. ;)

But what if it happened when I was at work? Am I expected to chain up my abusive child when I'm away???

No. Parents can't be accountable for their children's actions 100% of the time. Do you know why? Because they're not omniscient or all-powerful.

But, if they could, and had some sort of magical abilities to keep control of their kids 24/7, should they? When should they stop? Should they never stop? That would do away with the whole notion of free will, my friend.

btw, as per your comment on not being an atheist, riddle me this. Should we explore everything before coming to Christ?? Should He be the last option, in your opinion? In your world view, are we short changing ourselves if we don't do this? I'd like to hear your answer on this.

I don't think it's necessary to literally "explore everything" before you decide on one particular religious belief. I don't think there is a specific order you need to follow in exploring religion either. Christ (or Buddah, or Muhammed, or Jm J. Bullock) need not be the very last option you consider. Religion is a very personal decision. If Christianity is the only belief you've ever known and you have no desire to explore other beliefs, then so be it.

I just think it's funny that healthy skepticism is an admirable trait in just about every field except religion. Questioning government, questioning science, questioning authority. These are all generally considered to be good personal traits. But questioning religion is likely to get you labeled a blasphemer.

Nobody says that you shouldn't question religion. By all means, doing that is what got Christ put up on the cross. The thing is, once you've done all your questioning (and done it fairly and honestly, too), you need to make a choice as opposed to sitting on the fence and saying 'we can't know for certain'. That attitude requires no faith, wouldn't you agree? It's merely saying that I believe nothing I can't see. Where's your proof every day upon waking that you'll still have a job? What about that gravity will still work or the sun will rise? There is no proof, yet you take it on faith, no?

Over the years, I have just grown increasingly wary of religions that require you to disregard so many things that would otherwise be taken as common sense and base so much of your belief on "blind faith."

As I said, there is no need to simply go with blind faith. If you ask honestly and openly, God will come through for you with some form of evidence. The big question is, of course, will you be able to ask in such a manner. ;)

How's Tori, btw? Been awhile since I've seen her.