How Important Is Religiona Nd Spirituality In The Context Of Brexit?

[Atheist]

I notice that 'religion and spirituality' is now a disregarded topic since the Tory leadership contest has begun. Does that show what people are really interested in?

[Atheist]

Goodlife. Have you met and conversed with many atheists? Did none of them have 'love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.'?

[goodlife]

Yes, as far as some atheists are concerned, belief in God has produced far more massacres and conflicts than goodness and altruism. They may recognize that faith has a good effect on some, but they themselves remain profoundly skeptical. Why?

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //they [atheists] themselves remain profoundly skeptical. Why?//

Because belief in the existence of a God for whom (which?) there is no evidence is wholly irrational. That said, an absence of belief doesn’t preclude possession of the attributes you so admire. Practically every major charity on the planet, including The Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières, each of which arguably provide the most practical aid to humanity worldwide, is secular. ‘God’ is an entirely selfish notion in that the believers' primary concern is one of self-preservation. Hence, for those who harbour no such ambition, an imaginary God is entirely surplus to requirements.

[goodlife]

Naomi // This is exactly how athiests are, all credit to man and no credit to God. And you say you know your Bible and you picture 2 Timothy Chapter 3. Whether you want to believe in God or not is your choice, but what he is going to do in the very near future, which you and everyone living will see, is to cleanse the earth and bring it back to its original condition. All that man is doing today cannot eliminate all the problems. (pollution, poverty, famine, homelessness etc.) Only God can do that.
And as far as I am concerned, that is all I am going to say on the matter.

[agchristie]

//but what he is going to do in the very near future, which you and everyone living will see, is to cleanse the earth and bring it back to its original condition.//

Wow! Some task!

[Atheist]

Goodlife; could you for once address the questions that people ask you? Why do you run away? Have you ever talked seriously to an atheist? What 'virtues' were they lacking? If you don't talk to me, man to man, I'll be tempted to think that you are lacking in something. You are a human like me. Let's communicate on equal terms.

[nailit]

Atheist, naomi and others...
Why are you wasting time on a brainwashed religionist?
Goodlife cant see past his own indoctrination!
I can see a sliver of hope with Theland but Goodlife is beyond help.
He's totally taken with the Watchtower organisation (as can be seen from his cut & pastes from the Watchtower cult....unable to think for himself)

[Atheist]

Nailit; you are very kind to your friend Theland. But I like that - Jesus might have condemned him to a fiery pit for all eternity, but I wouldn't do that. Poor old Jesus; his message was hijacked by Saul the Jewish extremist who later switched to Paul the christian extremist. Poor old J wouldn't have been too pleased about the twisting of his already odd beliefs. I like a lot of what he said, but not the hell thing...

[Theland]

It is a fact that many secular atheists have a higher moral standard than many professing Christians.
That does not compromise Christianity, but is an indictment on those who do not take Christianity to heart, whilst the atheists generally get on with delivering the love and compassion that Jesus demanded.

[nailit]

//It is a fact that many secular atheists have a higher moral standard than many professing Christians//

Yep!
I don't know many people that believe that it is moraly right to slaughter entire nations for the 'sins' of the few etc.

[naomi24]

Nailit, //Why are you wasting time on a brainwashed religionist? //

Possibly in the hope that one day he'll stay to offer a rational response rather than skip off the moment he has no answer.

[Theland]

If that is me, I have evidence that convinces me of the veracity of my beliefs. Evidence that satisfies me.

[nailit]

//Evidence that satisfies me//
Would be interesting to see an AB debate between you and Goodlife?
Belief in the same book but totally different theologies?

[Jackdaw33]

The trouble with JWs (Watchtower Society) is that they start from the basic premise that the Bible is the literal word of God, written by his own hand. Once you accept that dogma the rest follows naturally. Most theologians would accept that the Bible may be divinely inspired but not God's own work. Anything in the Bible which contradicts their theology is dismissed as a later spurious addition to the text (cf their rejection of the belief in the Holy Trinity, indicated in St John's epistle).

[Theland]

Good life uses a different bible. Different dogma.

[nailit]

Jackdaw, you are wrong on so many points there!

[nailit]

//good life uses a different bible. Different dogma//
Same bible, different interpretation. Which bible would you like AB to use Theland?

[nailit]

You have a multitude to choose from....

[Atheist]

Goodlife; would you do me the courtesy of replying to one of my questions? If you would like my respect, or my accepting your point of view, you should surely speak to me persuasively. At the moment you do sound like a programmed bot; I don't think you are, but you owe it to yourself to be more convincing. Would god respect me if I just believed unsupported stuff from someone like you who lays down the law without any intellectual support?

[Atheist]

I think Goodlife is away enjoying the goodlife. I understand, GL; I have more important things to do than arguing with idiots. Best wishes, and may your god help you.