Do you believe in God? - Page 10

March 30, 2007, 9:18 PM

I of all people obviously can distinguish between what exists in the mind and what exists in reality. I myself am only an idea that exists in minds when you get right down to it.

However, an idea that exists in the mind becomes moreso when people choose to place their beliefs in it, and it begins to motivate their actions. That's when a mental concept is translated in reality. No wars have been fought to this date based on a pictoral representation, or a moving image on a screen. Wars these days are still fought over god, and the influence of god continues

March 31, 2007, 4:21 AM

I suppose I can agree with that, but it sounds similar to what another member who used to be a part of this forum is doing with "Sephyism". I think you can kind of guess what that's turning into. The only difference is that we know that Sephiroth is an entirely fictional character that doesn't exist in reality; we just discuss particular aspects of that character as if they were real, but we don't treat that character like he really existed. But I suppose there was a good reason why man felt it necessary to invent God. I know what it is, but it's just that I don't particularly agree with it is all.

March 31, 2007, 4:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I suppose I can agree with that, but it sounds similar to what another member who used to be a part of this forum is doing with "Sephyism". I think you can kind of guess what that's turning into. The only difference is that we know that Sephiroth is an entirely fictional character that doesn't exist in reality; we just discuss particular aspects of that character as if they were real, but we don't treat that character like he really existed. But I suppose there was a good reason why man felt it necessary to invent God. I know what it is, but it's just that I don't particularly agree with it is all.

See, that's the real problem. It doesn't matter whether you particularly agree with it or not, God is here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future, as much as I truly hate to make predictions.

Perhaps there is a good reason that man created the idea of God, or perhaps a good reason that God created man if that truly is how it all happened. For the time being, we won't really know, it's outside of the realm of science, and outside of the normal scope of reality as well. You may claim to know why man invented god, but look at the ways we know things and reconsider.

We do know that Sephiroth is an entirely fictional character, but he is based on feelings, desires, and ideas that are alive in most of us. He is in a sense, a universal adversary, much like Satan. In that sense, he COULD rise above and become a reality in the minds of men, but I don't see this happening anytime soon.

March 31, 2007, 5:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucifer Morningstar

See, that's the real problem. It doesn't matter whether you particularly agree with it or not, God is here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future, as much as I truly hate to make predictions.

What I meant is that I don't need God to get me through the day. Some people find it easier to get through the day or find it comforting to know that there's a being out there that knows everything about the universe so their fears of the unknown are supressed. I don't require a God in order to remove myself from their fears; I just don't have the same fears they do. I can acknowledge that God exists in other people's minds, but it doesn't exist in mine, or I don't acknowledge his existence in my mind.

Quote:

Perhaps there is a good reason that man created the idea of God, or perhaps a good reason that God created man if that truly is how it all happened. For the time being, we won't really know, it's outside of the realm of science, and outside of the normal scope of reality as well. You may claim to know why man invented god, but look at the ways we know things and reconsider.

If you had any suggestions of why or how God exists, I'd like to hear them. It just seems plausible with what I know in science and life that man could easily have invented God. Remember, there was a time when humanity existed without God. I realize it might not be the only possibility, but what I'm suggesting is entirely possible, and I guess I'm not really concerned with whether or not the possibility I'm thinking of is significantly better than any other one.

Quote:

We do know that Sephiroth is an entirely fictional character, but he is based on feelings, desires, and ideas that are alive in most of us. He is in a sense, a universal adversary, much like Satan. In that sense, he COULD rise above and become a reality in the minds of men, but I don't see this happening anytime soon.

Well, there is a group called Sephyism that some guy called Tethar is organizing, but he based it off of a fan club of the same name on another forum. He's really treating it like a religion though, but I was using that as an example. If both Sephiroth and God are not external to the mind, I fail to see the difference.

March 31, 2007, 8:13 AM

You are right there is no proof that God real exists,but i believe strongly we will know some day.

My Character Profiles · March 31, 2007, 8:23 AM

I believe in a higher power. But I don't think that it's a conscious dictator.
I also have the mentality that "God" is a surname for physics.

I don't approve of following specific belief groups, but I do agree that some religions, like christianity do have good moral values.

April 1, 2007, 1:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhea

I believe in a higher power. But I don't think that it's a conscious dictator.
I also have the mentality that "God" is a surname for physics.

I don't approve of following specific belief groups, but I do agree that some religions, like christianity do have good moral values.

I should like you to enunciate those "moral values," because I can't think of a single value christianity prescribes that can be rationally defined as moral. Nor any other religion for that matter. The act of faith is contrary to the mental effort required to uncover and apply moral values to your life. Telling people their sexual needs are disgusting and evil is not a moral value.

April 1, 2007, 4:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

I should like you to enunciate those "moral values," because I can't think of a single value christianity prescribes that can be rationally defined as moral. Nor any other religion for that matter. The act of faith is contrary to the mental effort required to uncover and apply moral values to your life. Telling people their sexual needs are disgusting and evil is not a moral value.

"Love one another as I have loved you."

"Thou shalt not kill"

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"

Et cetera. These moral teachings are all well and good, except that Christians seem to have a difficult time abiding by what their good book says.

In the New Testament, there is actually a warning not to engage in sexual ascetism, as that could lead to mischief and sexual misconduct, and it's really too bad that The Catholic Church in particular has chosen to ignore this section. It's almost like prophesy, in a way.

Of course, if your sexual needs sway more into the homosexual realm, that's disgusting and evil, biblically speaking.

April 1, 2007, 4:16 AM

You might also be interested to know that some of these morals from the bible are not original. They've existed before the bible was written, in different civilizations. In some cases, morals like "Do unto others as you would do to yourself" were expressed in several civilizations that predated the bible.

However, I think that if you can somehow show that either God doesn't exist or heaven and hell don't exist, then the meaning of these morals in the biblical context are no longer meaningful. They may be meaningful, but in a different context.

Did you also know that slavery is allowed in the bible?

April 1, 2007, 4:20 AM

or that same Bible recommended killing women wearing clothes made from two types of cloth, endorsed incest and rape?

Just saying