Ask the unbeliever

[rebelgirl]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb]

Originally posted by RollinCalf:
[qb] No ma, he asked a question and then tried to run away from it when I asked for more information. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [/qb]

Yeah right! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Anyways, I am taking your "answer" that it is some sort of regression and leaving it at that. Sorry rebel. [/qb]

no problem [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] i was just teasing you 2 [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[RollinCalf]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

"....I am taking your answer that it is some sort of regression.."

I see you chose not to read the link.

Maybe others can see now why I am not a believer. If I, am required to shut my brain down in this manner, which I might add, is quite typical, then folks, religious belief is not for me.

Sorry CEW, but I expected at least an attempt to engage the issue of miraculous healing on a somewhat different level but I see you are not serious about this one. Too bad.

Carry on.

[mountaingal]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by M:
[qb] I asked this question originally because MG classified herself as a nonbeliever, but apparently believes in spirit:

Originally posted by mountaingal:
[qb]
i think the mind (spirit, emotions, mentality) are connected to the body at a physical level. [/qb]

So I am still not sure what an unbeliever vs. a believer is. [/qb]

hi, M, some clarification from me is in order. first, i actually consider myself an atheist - someone who doesn't believe in a god or gods.

second, when i mentioned spirit as above, i meant the human spirit - what a person's character is like, their mood, their outlook - that kind of thing, not a spirit meaning ghost or something "other" or supernatural.

Fledgist at one time spoke of the difference between unbeliever and nonbeliever - hopefully he'll come into this thread and give his views again on that. Me, I just use the term unbeliever as a euphemism for atheist, but not everybody sees it that way.

[mountaingal]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by DC:
[qb] Hey, Great topic!

1.Why do you think bad things happen to good people?
because not everything is in our control.

2.If it can be proven-unequivocally-that there is a God, would you change your beliefs/lifestyle?
i'd probably change my belief, but that would depend on what this god is, and presuming i'd have the choice to believe in him/her or not. but i'd probably not change my lifestyle, as i currently live with a philosophy of trying to be the best human being i can be.

3.How do you deal with the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and how would you encourage someone in that situation?
i remind myself of the good things currently in my life...my children whom i love and who love me deeply, my family who support me. also, i try to let go of things that i cannot control and focus on where i can act - e.g., i cannot control the inequitable distribution of wealth in the world that makes so many people's lives hopelessly miserable, but i can do my bit by supporting charities such as Doctors Without Borders, who help to lessen such misery in little ways.

more later..Got to run... [/qb]

okay, see you. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by CEW:

I am taking your "answer" that it is some sort of regression and leaving it at that. Sorry rebel.

I thought that I too answered your question about miracles in an open, up-front way, and got no response.

If Christian prayers heal the sick, let's test it!? Or better yet, why not just heal ALL the sick? Heal the sick and everyone will convert to Christianity. Christians, if they have this power should use it. They should empty the hospitals. Imagine how quickly doctor fees and the cost of hospital stays would fall, if Christians would just act, and use their powers to heal, to heal all the sick, and not just a few special cases... now and then... every so often.

[RollinCalf]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

40, here is a conundrum for you.

A faith healer who wears glasses.

[mountaingal]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by Yom:
[qb] Okay, as a christian if I invite you to church service would you accept and why?
it depends on the church. i won't go to churches that preach an apocalyptic view of the world. i'm partial to anglican churches and sermons that talk a lot about love for your fellow man, and which use the parables and stories in the bible to help us reflect on our modern lives and condition.

As an unbeleiver, when you are faced with overwelming situations how do you deal with it.
see my response to DC. i rage for a bit, then stop and think about what i can do to change the situation, then do it. what i have no power at the moment to change, i just let that go and move on.

During the 911 tragedy, alot of people where turning their thoughts to God why do you think that was.
i guess it's because the magnitude of the tragedy made it seem incomprehensible - the level of evil in human beings that would make them kill so many innocent people. humanity created god to help explain things that seem beyond human understanding, especially things that involve death on a large scale.

As a foot note: As a christian I am very happy and at peace with myself.
i'm glad. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] peace with self is a worthy state, and it's great that we can achieve it in our different ways. [/qb]

[mountaingal]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by accepted:
[qb]

Originally posted by Bandanna:
[qb] Ok, so I rarely come in this forum, but this topic caught my eye...

My question for you "non-believers" [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] is...

Have you ever doubted your disbelief?
Has there ever been a time in your life where you experienced something, or someone who made you think there just might be a God out there after all??? [/qb]

Very interesting question, Bandana.

I would like to add a few of my own,

1. Do any non believer consider the christian walk too difficult to live?
2. Would living a christian life conflict with your personal wants, needs?
3. Which christian ways would you not want to follow?
4. Are there any christians you know who really live up to the title, christian?
I have a few more but I'll wait my turn. [/qb]

soon come with my replies.

[Fledgist]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by Yom:
[qb] Mek me teck time come in ya so.
I grew up in a christian home, so I adopt this lifestyle. I do respect everyone right to whatever religion they choose.

1) What made you decide not to become be a christian.


{Fledgist: Christians mostly -- I've come across very few who are not hypocrites. The various and sundry absurdities of the Bible (including its injunctions to slaves to obey their owners), and Christianity's long history of crimes against humanity.}


2) What were the turnoffs


{Fledgist: See above.}

3) Are there any christians in your family


{Fledgist: I believe there are.}

4) Do you have friends who are christians and if so do you find it hard to communicate with then at times without bringing up religion. [/qb]

No.

[Fledgist]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by M:
[qb] Thank you for your answers.

What if someone believes in spirituality or an immanent spiritual force but not in a god or gods or specific invisible beings per se - would you classify them as an unbeliever or a believer? [/qb]

I'd call such a person a deist or a pantheist depending on the nature of this immanent force.

[Fledgist]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by Yom:
[qb] Okay, as a christian if I invite you to church service would you accept and why?


{Fledgist: No I wouldn't. I find pews uncomfortable as places to sleep.}


As an unbeleiver, when you are faced with overwelming situations how do you deal with it.


{Fledgist: Patience, friends, mogadon, zoloft, prozac, diazepam...}

During the 911 tragedy, alot of people where turning their thoughts to God why do you think that was.


{Fledgist: Conventional thinking.}

As a foot note: As a christian I am very happy and at peace with myself. [/qb]

That's fine.

[Fledgist]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by RollinCalf:
[qb] 40, here is a conundrum for you.

A faith healer who wears glasses. [/qb]

I was always amused by the fellow who claimed to be a faith-healer and wore an ill-fitting rug on his head.

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by RollinCalf:

40, here is a conundrum for you.

A faith healer who wears glasses.

LoL yeah.

I mean if I could heal, I would be at it 24/7! Anyone who really could heal other with prayer or thought would be DOING IT! We would all know! It would be on CNN and our mouths would be dropping. It doesn't happen.

[servant]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Where did life on earth come from ?

[NYer]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

On the miraculous recovery thing, I just wanted to say that I had a friend in high school who was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin's Disease (cancer). He was told to get his stuff in order as well.

He wound up seeing a healer - the new age sort who had him wear green and say affirmations, took up yoga, and he went on a macrobiotic diet.

His cancer didn't go into remission, it disappeared completely, confounded the doctors, he became a case study of sorts.

He mainly credits the macrobiotic diet when asked about it now (he later became a movie star in a minor way so has been interviewed about it).

I'll go now...I am a believer (though not in Christinity only) and I don't have any questions for the unbelievers...great topic though!