Then they're not reading the Bible. <snort>
Thereare plenty of extremists on both sides, Christians and atheists.
And plenty who are not. Likely more who are not extreme than that are.
Then they're not reading the Bible. <snort>
Thereare plenty of extremists on both sides, Christians and atheists.
And plenty who are not. Likely more who are not extreme than that are.
Just the opposite. They're (I'm assuming that's what you meant to say) worthy precisely because you don't believe it, simply by virtue that many people do, so it's imperative that you are at least aware of it and understand it. Otherwise, you are forming opinions about people and what motivates them based on ignorance. People are constantly forming opinions of race, religion sexual orientation, pretty much everything that you're not supposed to discriminate against, based largely on prejudicial ignorance. To purposely advocate doing that very thing is a major step backwards for some of the very things you are so passionate about.There not worthy if you believe nothing it says...
How, Chief! Me-um no god. Me-um turtle. Something wrong with Kosher Horse. Horse say you heap big silly. Sitting Bulldozer agree.You god now...
So do I, but I choose to believe it because all of the evidence says it's the truth.
Personally, I'm a devout agnostic with strong atheistic tendencies, and well aware that I'm in the very small minority. At the same time, I'm also confident in putting up my knowledge of the Bible up against the most ardent of Bible thumpers. I'm not quite as confident in the Qu'ran, but it's close.
Knowledge is dangerous, but only to those who don't want you to have it.Knowledge is power.
Your a devout agnostic? I believe that, The greek definition of that word means without knowledge.
I'll start pushing my views/ beliefs on your kids...want to study holy books..fine..there are religious schools for that.. not public...would not want my kid anywhere near the bible..that's my right at a public school...just keep it to the curriculum..let it be a religious free place that it is supposed to be..
Your a devout agnostic? I believe that, The greek definition of that word means without knowledge.
Absolutely correct. I do not have the knowledge to make any kind of determination one way or the other as to God's existence.
An atheist states with an absolute certainty that God does not exist. A theist states with the same absolute certainty that God does, in fact, exist. Both side are quite certain about this, which can only mean one of them is absolutely one hundred percent dead wrong. I'm gonna go with whichever side can prove their claim.
Absolutely correct. I do not have the knowledge to make any kind of determination one way or the other as to God's existence.
An atheist states with an absolute certainty that God does not exist. A theist states with the same absolute certainty that God does, in fact, exist. Both side are quite certain about this, which can only mean one of them is absolutely one hundred percent dead wrong. I'm gonna go with whichever side can prove their claim.
Some would call that just "fence sitting" (Just funnin with you)
What I don't understand is, and I am asking a serious not snotty question, is how a person at your age has not totally formed their entire set of core beliefs? It does not make sense to me. Maybe you can explain it so I can understand. I cannot learn nor understand if I don't ask. PLEASE accept this as it is meant.
It's a fair characterization. It's hard, and certainly unwise, to jump off a fence in either direction if you don't know what you're jumping in to.Some would call that just "fence sitting" (Just funnin with you)
Actually, I have formed my set of core beliefs. I won't say the entire set is fully formed and set in concrete, because times and attitudes and circumstances change, as do certain beliefs with acquired knowledge and understanding. This applies particularly to certain political beliefs, but others as well.What I don't understand is, and I am asking a serious not snotty question, is how a person at your age has not totally formed their entire set of core beliefs? It does not make sense to me. Maybe you can explain it so I can understand. I cannot learn nor understand if I don't ask. PLEASE accept this as it is meant.
As to religious beliefs, my core beliefs on that subject remain largely the same, and are straightforward, that of a devout agnostic with strong atheistic tendencies. Agnostic because I leave open the question of the existence of God or gods as one that is as yet unanswered by anyone, and seemingly unanswerable, with any modicum of certainty or evidence. And tending atheistic because any claim of something, regardless of what it is, requires the burden of proof of the one making the claim - and "because I said so" or "because a lot of people say so" and especially "because someone wrote a book that says so" doesn't fulfill that burden.
The idea that core beliefs can only come from religious convictions is pretty good for the religious leaders, but it's wrong. I know a lot of atheists and agnostics, every one of whom has strong core beliefs, including myself.
Also self serving is the idea that sex is only for procreation, and only within the bonds of holy matrimony. It works for the Church [ever increasing new membership numbers, & devoted priests and nuns], but for individuals? Not so much.
There's a whole lot of hasty and bad marriages behind that one, methinks, not to mention the parents who shouldn't be.
Did anyone say that core beliefs can only come from religious convictions?
Did anyone say that core beliefs can only come from religious convictions?
No.
However, it was the logical implication of your words in post #131, to which Turtle responded.
You didn't say he misunderstood, so why are you asking me?
No, it is not a logical implication of my words. I did not ever word it that way in the slightest.