Pray or Nay?

[luna-tic]

What would a particular religious person or group have to say or do to convert you if you've never had any religious inclination in your life?

[jake-the-peg]

Firstly I'd need good evidence of the existance of such an entity - preferably repeatable.

If anybody who stood up and said "there is no God was immediately struck by a thunderbolt" that'd be good.

I'm sure a good and just God would sacrifice a few athiests to convince the rest - he seems willing to sacrifice enough of his own for no apparent reason

[luna-tic]

Thanks Jake, I suppose the stupidity of the human race will never cease when belief that should be in the name of peace causes so many arguments and sadly, even wars.
We can all be peaceful,good,enlightened or whatever without following a doctrine.
I wrote the question and can't really answer it myself because whether as you said, someone cursing the existence of a god and being struck down may convince me but still would not persuade me to join a religious group.

[Cetti]

Absolutely nothing!

I wouldn't be so arrogant as to try and convert anyone, but then I'm not religious, so probably would run a mile rather than preach or ply some poor soul with umpteen appropriate verses.

This happened to me lunatic so I do know how truly awful it is to be on the receiving end!

[Cetti]

Sorry about typo, should have been luna-tic.

[Theland]

Try to think of something new. You can't! You can think of pink elephants, but you are only combining pink with elephants ... and try to think of a new colour ... you can't ... or try to think of a new sense, other than our five, or electro-magnetic sensitivity found in say, sharks, you cannot!

So .... whre did the idea of God come from, if God didn't put it there Himself?

[Theland]

Wizard69 - Hello! - I know you will be along shortly. Hope you are keeping well. I'm not! Just had my appraisal in work. They slagged me off even worse than you do!

Honestly - I'm not that bad!

Just got a kiss off my grand daughter so now I'm really happy!

[luna-tic]

Dear Cetti, No worries over typing error. I completely understand where you're coming from regarding the religious persuasive tactics by some individuals. I too have fallen prey to the meanderings of the needy.

Hello Theland, If god put the idea of himself here, why does he or it feel compelled for certain people to tell others that he's here? I am in no way trying to be awkward or pedantic and am glad you are happy. Mr Wizard69 is welcome to join in as is any one else.

[Theland]

luna-tic - At the risk of being torn apart from my very respectful friend Mr Wizard69, I have to say that everything we know is pre-ordained ... God wrote on our hearts ... people deny this ... but ... God wants US to tell THEM about HIM.

Just come in off nights and going to bed but ... Glad to carry on on later.

Mr Wiz - No cold steal today thank you - just knock me on the head.

[jake-the-peg]

Well Theland that's quite an interesting "proof of God" - Don't think I buy it for a moment though because the history of Humanity is riddled with original thought.

But the idea of a power greater than us is an obvious thing to invent. Ancient man cannot explain so many things around him from his existance to lightning and everything in between. He knows a child is created and raised by it's family so it's the most obvious analogy. You then get those who realise that claiming to have the "ear of God/the gods" is a way to weald tremendous power and before you know it you have a priesthood.

Of course it all starts going to pot as explanations when people start finding out about electricity and inventing telescopes - the priesthood starts struggling to retain it's power and excommunicating people that challenge it and the gods get an ever smaller role - the "God of the Gaps".

In fact I would challenge your 'proof' as follows: If God put himself in everybody's minds why did he not put the same 'God' in everybody's mind? Why were there so many polytheists - especially in ancient cultures?

[luna-tic]

Well Theland, you certainly cleared up that little conudrum.
Your hotline with the so-called master of all creation has made me even more confused than I was before.
How do we know god has told us anything?

[Cetti]

This is perhaps where ideas will vary, but rather than bludgeon non believers into submission with the whole gospel at one sitting (glorious as it is) I prefer to live by example. (That's not meant to sound pompous) Then, and only then, if anyone asks a question about my faith tell them as simply and honestly as possible.

You see, not everyone is called to be a preacher. Many are, but the majority just get on with their every day lives and give answers only when asked.

[Llamatron]

No believer could ever convince me with just words.
I have yet to hear any argument that doesn't itself bring more questions or can't be shot down with the most simple logic, reason and plain old common sense.

He or she would have to turn up at my door with God Himself in tow.

[wizard69]

luna-tic...good question
Theland...It would be a start if you would actually answer my questions instead of giving a sermon and then bu99ering off http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Cul ture/Religion-and-Spirituality/Question345395. html
I dont dout that you'r that bad (deluded, yes, bad, no).
Cetti...you DO NOT live by example (glorious that it is). Jesus said that you should give to the one who asks of you and NOT turn him away. O.K. lets put it to the test. My t..v. is on the blink and I need a new one.Will you give me yours?
I doubt it.! My son and my stepson both need new shoes. Will you buy them for me?NO..because you DONT live by biblical commandments.
Mmmm....maybe Theland will take me up on my challenge!

[wizard69]

"I dont doubt that you'r bad"....forgive my poor grammar...Im half cut after a days hard labour.I meant to say that I know that you'r not bad.
good / bad ..value judgments anyway. What's good to one is bad to another. There is no "ultimate" authority. . .

[luna-tic]

I'm sorry. In no way did I wish to incite a slanging match but I do find some of the answers very interesting. It seems to be a subject that sometimes provokes a slightly heated reaction. I can imagine how under the wrong circumstances and with a person/s of a much stronger persuasion, that certain beliefs could and have turned to violence.

[wizard69]

Mmm. Interesting to note that Cetti and Theland havn't returned to this thread.

[luna-tic]

Maybe they decided that the best answer is no answer because the truth will prevail.

[wizard69]

Cetti, Theland....come back and give an account of your beliefs.Why do you all run like scared rabbits when questioned?
What is it with religionists? All to fond of preaching and oh so terrified of a few simple questions, hoping that if they are ignored they might go away and the non believers will forget.Well we dont forget and your silence is deafening.

[luna-tic]

Dear wiz69, It's not that I'm an unbeliever; more of a non-follower and I haven't heard anything to the contrary as yet that would positively give me any incentive to want to be part of a group that apart from reciting various passages from a book of collective philosophers then the word of a so-called god could be the word of anyone. You can have belief and faith without being religious at all and those beliefs and faith can have nothing to do with thinking there is one overlord or his(it's) offspring that are our saviour.