Does It Matter What You Believe?

[Elderman]

Do you think that life has a purpose? “What we have learned about the evolutionary process has enormous implications for us, affecting our sense of meaning in life.” One said His conclusion? I can see no cosmic or ultimate meaning in human life.

[naomi24]

Elderman, you really must stop listening to other people. They're addling your brain.

[seadogg]

Of course it matters. Better to have an open mind than to believe a dogma that defies reason.

[jomifl]

To answer the question, it is better not to believe, as belief impedes rational thought. Rational thought leads to the conclusion that life doesn't have a purpose as it would require a creator for there to be a purpose. So far even Elderman has failed to provide evidence for the existence of a creator and if he can't provide evidence then who can?

[Lonnie]

Hi mnaomi, lovely to here from you, a Happy Christmas to you also.

Elderman, care to elaborate please?.
.

[naomi24]

The short answer is, no, it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as your belief doesn't affect anyone else in any way whatsoever.

[sandyRoe]

Elderman, don't bandy words with the atheists here in R&S. They'll take your well intentioned words and twist them into a cudgel to blatter you with.
Better by far just to say your piece at let them digest it at their leisure.

[maggiebee]

"I Believe"

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows,
I believe for everyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way,
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm a smallest prayer
Will still be heard,
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word,
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

[beso]

sandyroe //[atheists will] take your well intentioned words and twist them into a cudgel to blatter you with. Better by far just to say your piece at let them digest it at their leisure. //

In digestive terms Elderman's words are very like dietry fibre. Absolutely no nutritional value but it keeps things moving and is the main ingredient of sh!t.

[jomifl]

Maggie... don't keep me guessing any longer.. what do you believe?

[jomifl]

Sandy, don't discourage Elderman, it must be bad enough having all the atheists, sceptics and devil worshippers on AB knocking everything he says without having the religious fraternity asking him to stop ( I can imagine that they might find him a bit embarrassing)

[mibn2cweus]

//Does It Matter What You Believe?//
Reality is what matters. Do your beliefs correspond to reality?

//Do you think that life has a purpose?//
Purpose implies the fulfillment of a goal. Life and reason merely provide the means to achieve it.

//“What we have learned about the evolutionary process has enormous implications for us, affecting our sense of meaning in life.” One said His conclusion? I can see no cosmic or ultimate meaning in human life.//

What distinguishes us from our evolutionary predecessors is our capacity to appreciate all that which made our existence possible and our ability to envision possibilities for advancements in growth exponentially superior to the slow grinding progress of evolution alone . . . should you choose to believe that the one chance at life you’ve been given really matters.

[Elderman]

Do we not often observe that people believe what they want to believe? Perhaps they believe something because it is popular. This is often true with regard to belief.

In a survey carried on lying, said the vast majority of the respondents felt that “lying on minor issues in order to protect oneself or to protect others from harm is permissible, yes, even necessary so that people get along with one another. And one journalist wrote: “To tell the truth and only the truth at all times is a noble ideal but boring.”
Could it be that we prefer that other people speak the truth yet feel that we at times have good reason not to speak the truth ourselves? Does it matter whether we tell the truth or not? What are the consequences of speaking what is not true?
Consider the damage that untruth can do. Falsehood breeds distrust between marriage mates and among family members. Unfounded gossip can damage a person’s reputation. Cheating by employees raises operating costs and results in more expensive products. False claims on tax returns rob governments of needed revenues to provide public services. Fabrications by researchers ruin promising careers and tarnish the reputation of respected institutions. Dishonest get-rich-quick schemes divest gullible investors of their life savings or worse. No wonder the Bible tells us that among the things that are detestable to God are “a false tongue” and “a false witness that launches forth lies”!—Proverbs 6:16-19.
Widespread lying can cause damage both to individuals and to society as a whole. Few would dispute that fact. Why, then, do people deliberately tell what is untrue? And is every untruth a lie?

[daisya]

Flick me...why do you give him air time? Ignored and he will go away....people power eh? Nah I know....you cannot resist an argument he will never let you win....got to give him his staying power...but then religious nuts really can't stop can they.

[bigbadmarty]

Elderman , I for one find your posts intelligent , articulate , accurate and backed up by proven resources .
Then again I've been known to tell the odd lie .
Happy Christmas

[Elderman]

Around the earth, millions of persons are working hard and trying to find happiness in living. Yet there comes a time when people stop and ask, Where am I really going? It may seem that life is merely a matter of living a few short years, raising children to carry on the family name, and then the children in turn repeat the same cycle. Is there no greater purpose in it all?

[LazyGun]

None whatsoever - looks like you are finally getting it.....

[Elderman]

Yes,few people believe that the earth will ever be a paradise. Many think that it will not continue to exist at all.. And if man himself does not destroy the earth, many believe that it and the whole universe may eventually “collapse back into a fiery, imploding ball.

[DTCwordfan]

More cutting and pasting from Elderman -

the reference though, she is quite pretty.....


http://www.myspace.co...mageId%22%3A151621%7D

[DTCwordfan]

Or is this your real name, elderman, Nando Rodriguez.......?