A question directed chiefly at the few atheists amongst us here on AB...

[sandyRoe]

What fault is it in the human character that has led us, in all races, all times, and all places, to 'invent' Gods?

[Anlyn]

All part of the wind up.

[Ankou]

true, constantine had his own son crispus executed and his own wife bumped off and still claimed the grace of god

i wouldn't want to end up beside him in any afterlife. to be honest, i'm surprised god trusted him at all to sit at his side.

[sandyRoe]

Birdie1971, I sometimes wish I had the simple certitude of the atheist. All is in black and white. No grey areas.
One of the most problematic features of Christianity is the prominence it gives to the forgiveness of sins. The worst pedophile could make true repentance on their deathbed and be assured of a place in Heaven. The same holds true for murderers.
No wonder believers struggle with their faith.

[Davethedog]

"I sometimes wish I had the simple certitude of the atheist", you wouldn't be patronising your readership would you Sandy?

So you worry if theres a god then?

[naomi24]

//No wonder believers struggle with their faith.//

Struggling with faith is an indication that a degree of rationality still exists. The people who don't struggle are the ones who should worry. Take 'sin' for example. The concept that people are born 'sinners' is the most destructive philosophy on this earth. I fail to understand how anyone can declare a newly born baby a 'sinner' and time and again I've asked believers what that baby has done - but not once have I received a reasoned reply. Teaching a child it is 'bad' from birth is truly evil - and yet the faithful do without a second thought - in fact they deem it their duty. Sickening!

[ummmm]

What about all the babies floating around in purgatory?

What about those poor parents with blind faith, who didn't get a chance to baptise their baby and now believe they are in neither heaven or hell.

[vulcan]

I wonder if the ss guards, who incidentally had gott mit uns [gods with us] on their belt buckles, struggled with their faith as another load of zyklon b was poured in ?

[naomi24]

Ummmm, a wicked, evil, philosophy designed by madmen in order to subjugate the gullible masses - nothing more. I absolutely detest the whole ritual of baptism.

[naomi24]

Vulcan, I'd like to think some did - but every believer thinks God is with them - regardless of their particular brand of belief - which makes it all even more of a nonsense.

[Davethedog]

If everything done on earth in gods name, means the "doers" get to go to heaven I wouldn't want to follow them to heaven.

The followers of a religion, will condone anything done in the name of that religion. Indeed in some cases the "officers" of the religon will assist in the atrocities.

I for one cannot see the humanity in religion. Religion seems designed to keep the religion going and nothing else

[jomifl]

Sandy said, ''I sometimes wish I had the simple certitude of the atheist. All is in black and white. No grey areas.''
Au contraire Sandy, I think you will find the black and white stuff is mostly in the bible (if somewhat self contradictory at times). The shades of grey are elswhere, not sure where exactly but seek and ye will find.

[ludwig]

Exactly jomifl. Things are actually alot less black and white when you don't have a rule book and pontifications or other decrees from on high to guide you.

It's necessary to use your own intellect and moral compass to decide what's right and wrong, which leads to every shade of grey there is.

[andy-hughes]

I think a large aspect of the concept of Christian faith is that it has to be struggled with to be maintained - almost as though if faith comes to easily, it's not worth having. The Catholic faith can be summed up in the following phrase - everything is forbidden, unless it's compulsory.

Christians talk constantly about the daily struggle of living a Christian life - and for that I do sympathise. I'm not suggesting that as an aethesist, i live a life of immoral debauchery, but I am unfettered by constantly trying to please God, and I probably lkive a more relaxed life for it. A Christian may say I am unfulfilled - but i can't say that's a feeling that troubles me, ever.

[Ankou]

why would you seek black, white and shades of grey when nature provides us with rainbows ?

[Davethedog]

Andy they would say you were unfulfilled because if you aren't what do they think they have that you haven't?

[andy-hughes]

Quite right Dave - which brings me full circle back to my original point - and ongoing isue with Chritians (rather than Christianity) - this attitude that they have something I need, when patently I do not need need it anywhere except in their own perception of the world.

I never decry or attempt to disuade anyone of any faith, but the 'share the good news' ethic is incredibly tedious to deal with when as I, you simply see it as some sort of club for gently smug people who, as a grgoup, i do not care for.

[mibn2cweus]

Ironically, it's those who bleat, "Lost sheep!", that are blind to the wolf shepherding their own flock.

[andy-hughes]

Sorry mibn2cweus, I am a little confused - do you see it as the Christians who bleat, or the aetheists? Thanks.