Why?

[TheFinalWord]

Well I am looking at it from a practical perspective. Other posters are buying into an insurance policy. The payoff is eternal life. They are basing their entire lives on it. So I am very curious what they are going to do for eternity.

 

But now M30USA says eternity is not really eternity, but multi-dimensional existence. I am just asking what eyewitness documentation he can point me to before I decide to buy into that theory.

 

We base it off our belief in the resurrection of Christ. There was eye witness accounts of the resurrection and most apologists believe the resurrection best explains the evidence. There will never be 100% proof. I believe that is intentional. So it depends how you want to look at it. If you want to deny God, you can find arguments for that position. If you want to affirm God you can find arguments for that position. It's your choice (free will).

 

If you want philosophical arguments for God's existence, you can watch this debate between a Christian and an Atheist. Then you can make up your own mind

 

 

Peace

[TaraMaiden]

in my father's house there are many mansions - I figure there's room for everyone...

 

St Peter is manning the gates, awaiting the new batch of arrivals, when one lone guy approaches....

"Who are you?" asks St. Peter?

The man tells him.

St Peter checks the admissions book....

"Hmmm.... you're not due in until six pm.... oh, hang on.... 'do not resuscitate'.... guess they didn't resuscitate, huh? OK, as we have an hour, why don't i give you the grand tour....?"

 

They walk through the gates, and come to a long, wide avenue, flanked by houses of all kiinds....

 

"Ok, here in this temple to my left, we have the Hindus... difficult on Sundays as we all enjoy a good roast beef, but they stick with the veg, and are happy.... here in this second one, we've got the Buddhists - they keep laughing, and some are fat, so we guess they're ok.,.. they sit a lot though.....

Here on the right, in this domed affair, we have the Muslims... poor guys don't know which way to face to pray.... great bunch of people, even though they get through a lot of water.... and here we have the Jews.... a lot of them cry a lot, but on the whole, they're a self-deprecating lot with a weird sense of humour - Jesus loves to hang with them! and here...."

"What's behind that huge wall?" asks the new inmate, pausing.

St Peter rushes back."Shhhhhh, not so loud!!" he whispers "*That's the Catholics!*"

 

"*Why are we whispering?*" enquires the newbie, "*And why behind such a high wall?*"

 

"*Because*" St Peter replies...."*They like to think they're the only ones here.....*"

[dreamingoftigers]

I've found this in life,

 

Faith is best discovered introspectively while science etc is based on outside observations.

 

Blind faith is a very dangerous thing. Simply accepting sometime because you were "told" is a very very dangerous thing. I see a lot if that in the US, especially regarding politics. People won't look into it for themselves.

 

What I did when I began to believe that that was something else out there, a higher power if you will, is I asked, if it was out there, to lead me to truth, whatever that truth may be.

 

As I grow older and discover more things about the world and myself, more truth is revealed to me about my nature and what I believe the nature of God truly is. It runs contrary to a lot of the judgment and cruelty I see in the world.

 

I believe that the most dangerous type of faith happens when people "group think" without testing the principles for themselves and seeing if they fit with the whole picture.

 

I went through 5 different other religions before finding my faith. I lost people that felt like family to do so and honestly family as well. I refuse to be emotionally blackmailed or "just go along" with others because I want to fit in.

 

I am also deeply convicted with what I believe. Not because I "just do" but because my internal observations correspond with what the teachings I discovered tell me I can expect and as well, I find that teaching correlates with what I learn about the world through science etc.

 

I resent being called "brainwashed." I doubt many people put the hours researching and developing their faith like I did in my younger years in conjunction with observing scientific principles etc. I was an athiest beforehand and simply could not ignore my own evidence. To do so would have been irrational.

 

 

 

M30USA doesn't have any empirical evidence - no one does - because there is none; esp. since the Bible claims that "God" incarnated himself. But then every religious creation story has a back story about how their god(s) or goddesses came into "being."

 

Religion is based on the oral and written tradition of hearsay. It's all information gathered from one person, passed to another, to another, interpreted, reinterpreted, distorted, translated, retranslated, then passed to another, from which the first person HAS NO DIRECT EXPERIENCE. The use of this information as "proof" or "evidence" to prove the truth of what's been said/written (in this case the Bible) is hearsay.

 

So in that case, to say there is an afterlife, a Christian heaven, is just hearsay. It's not a fact because there isn't any proof.

 

And the concept of faith is that it's a brain washing gimmick (in my opinion) used to force people into belief in the unknown, unproven as a way to control people's belief systems and modify their behavior.

 

Faith = brain washing tool.

[writergal]

It's not your questions, it's the labels you use in the process. You've never really delineated your beliefs on here so you kind of hide yourself in a way. It's easy to just sit back and throw stones at us since our beliefs are laid bare. Nonetheless, I can see past the negative comments b/c I used to think that way. So use whatever approach you want. I just think it is more productive to be disrespectful in a dialogue.

 

But oveall I'm glad for your questions b/c it gives more chances to talk about God. So thanks!

 

I don't agree with your analogy, it is different b/c you're comparing heaven to retirement. Why do you think we'll be retired? Maybe that's when the work begins

 

Maybe this song will help. It is more eloquent than my words

 

 

Yellowshark isn't hiding or throwing stones. He doesn't need to delineate his belief system to you or anyone else to validate his skepticism towards religion.

 

The fact that you reject Yellowshark's skepticism shows that you don't really want to engage in a genuine conversation. I find that most Christians cannot be engaged in a reasonable discussion with religious skeptics, or people from other religions, because they believe their religion to be the only one or the right one.

 

TheFinalWord, I think it's disrespectful to belittle Yellowshark (or anyone who disagrees with your POV) just because you disagree with him. That's very anti-Christian behavior, which is the biggest rub of all. Christians are the worst examples of "Christians" because they do the exact opposite of what they preach, time and time again. They belittle, deflect, insult and throw tantrums when anyone challenges their belief system.

 

I grew up in a Catholic household and once I stopped believing in that particular religious belief system I felt freedom to think for myself. I find religion to be very confining and controlling; esp. since it doesn't condone freedom of speech or thought. Religion is very hypocritical in general.

[YellowShark]

It's easy to just sit back and throw stones at us since our beliefs are laid bare.

 

Throw stones? Labels? Ever been a gay person and listened to what many Christians say about you? If that's not the pot calling the kettle black.

 

Nonetheless, I can see past the negative comments b/c I used to think that way. So use whatever approach you want. I just think it is more productive to be respectful in a dialogue.

We base it off our belief in the resurrection of Christ. There was eye witness accounts of the resurrection and most apologists believe the resurrection best explains the evidence. There will never be 100% proof.

I am totally respectful. You are welcome to believe in whatever you want to believe. I am just asking for proof that what you believe is true. All I repeatedly get is one document for proof. The bible. Not good enough. I need more documentation than 2000-year-old third-party accounts if I am going to base my entire life and afterlife on it.

Edited August 11, 2012 by YellowShark

[TheFinalWord]

Yellowshark isn't hiding or throwing stones. He doesn't need to delineate his belief system to you or anyone else to validate his skepticism towards religion.

 

The fact that you reject Yellowshark's skepticism shows that you don't really want to engage in a genuine conversation. I find that most Christians cannot be engaged in a reasonable discussion with religious skeptics, or people from other religions, because they believe their religion to be the only one or the right one.

 

TheFinalWord, I think it's disrespectful to belittle Yellowshark (or anyone who disagrees with your POV) just because you disagree with him. That's very anti-Christian behavior, which is the biggest rub of all. Christians are the worst examples of "Christians" because they do the exact opposite of what they preach, time and time again. They belittle, deflect, insult and throw tantrums when anyone challenges their belief system.

 

I grew up in a Catholic household and once I stopped believing in that particular religious belief system I felt freedom to think for myself. I find religion to be very confining and controlling; esp. since it doesn't condone freedom of speech or thought. Religion is very hypocritical in general.

 

How did I disrespect him? I don't know what he believes. I have never used a slanderous term to describe his beliefs. If I disrespected him, I apologize. I've engaged with him on many threads in this forum so I don't see why you think I don't engage in discussions. I haven't even responded to you in this thread, now you are accusing me throwing tantrums? I'm confused.

 

I understand you are frustrated by Christians. I don't think I've thrown a tantrum and Christian beliefs are regularly challenged on this forum. I try my best to answer

 

I understand why you get upset. It is true that Christianity is based on the teachings of Christ. Christ said "I am the way, truth, and life no comes to God but by me". That's a central doctrine of Christianity. Not sure how to say that in any PC way. Sort of like how you say faith = brainwashing tool. That seems like you are saying your way is the only way.

[dreamingoftigers]

Throw stones? Labels? Ever been a gay person and listened to what many Christians say about you? If that's not the pot calling the kettle black.

 

 

I am totally respectful. You are welcome to believe in whatever you want to believe. I am just asking for proof that what you believe is true. All I repeatedly get is one document for proof. The bible. Not good enough. I need more documentation than 2000-year-old third-party accounts.

 

I think that the way that is portrayed of Christian media treatment of gays is abhorrent.

 

The whole Westboro thing etc etc etc. Just absolutely disgusting. I also believe that it is directly contrary to most biblical Christ-teachings. (please font ask me to spend my afternoon digging up scripture to quote, I'm not that kind of gal. )

 

Further to the other point, showing the bible as true "because it says it is" I always found amusing, frustrating and not fruitful. My mother-in-law is a Jehovah's witness and everytime I get a "look in the bible" lecture from her I am often tempted to ask, "who's? Yours or mine?"

 

However, the things I found most supported my faith was actually some of the breaking astronomical discoveries that couldn't have been known about in the times the books were written.

 

Plus for me, the health code in the Word of Wisdom.

 

Another supporting book that I absolutely adored was The Science of God.

Just beautifully well-written.

 

(I really don't want to deal with anti-Mormon hate-dredge today, okay, PM me tomorrow if you end up wanting a "well Brigham Young said this over a hundred years ago" debate etc etc)

[KathyM]

Yellowshark isn't hiding or throwing stones. He doesn't need to delineate his belief system to you or anyone else to validate his skepticism towards religion.

 

The fact that you reject Yellowshark's skepticism shows that you don't really want to engage in a genuine conversation. I find that most Christians cannot be engaged in a reasonable discussion with religious skeptics, or people from other religions, because they believe their religion to be the only one or the right one.

 

TheFinalWord, I think it's disrespectful to belittle Yellowshark (or anyone who disagrees with your POV) just because you disagree with him. That's very anti-Christian behavior, which is the biggest rub of all. Christians are the worst examples of "Christians" because they do the exact opposite of what they preach, time and time again. They belittle, deflect, insult and throw tantrums when anyone challenges their belief system.

 

I grew up in a Catholic household and once I stopped believing in that particular religious belief system I felt freedom to think for myself. I find religion to be very confining and controlling; esp. since it doesn't condone freedom of speech or thought. Religion is very hypocritical in general.

TheFinalWord has always been respectful in his debates, and tried to shed light on the questions asked. He's been very patient and tried to provide information about what Christians believe and interpretations of Bible passages that are out there. Of course Christians feel their religion is the right one. If they didn't think it was the right one, they wouldn't be Christians. Everyone thinks their faith is the right one. That's why they chose it.

[TheFinalWord]

Throw stones? Labels? Ever been a gay person and listened to what many Christians say about you? If that's not the pot calling the kettle black.

 

No, I have never experienced that. But I have experienced name calling on this forum. Good thing I have thick skin Not to belittle what you say b/c I can only imagine the discrimination and tell you I don't agree with it.

 

I can imagine how hard that has to be. I was bullied in school, not that it directly compares but I can understand how much it hurts. I do have many gay friends and I would never call them names or label them. One gay man saved my life another got me my first job. They know I'm Christian and seem to have no problem that I know of.

 

I am totally respectful. You are welcome to believe in whatever you want to believe. I am just asking for proof that what you believe is true. All I repeatedly get is one document for proof. The bible. Not good enough. I need more documentation than 2000-year-old third-party accounts if I am going to base my entire life and afterlife on it.

 

Ok, cool. Fresh start I apologize if I've come across in any way offensive. I think some of these threads blend together and one convo gets carried over.

 

Peace.

Edited August 11, 2012 by TheFinalWord

[writergal]

DreamingofTigers:

 

We can agree to disagree where religious proof of an afterlife is concerned. We are both entitled to our opinions and can respect each other without agreeing, correct?

 

Although I no longer identify myself as a Catholic (Atheist is more accurate for me these days), that doesn't mean I don't respect other people for their different opinions. Like you, I went through my own journey before finding a "spiritual filter" (because all religions are a type of mental filter we use to interact with and understand the world).

 

I think Yellowshark asked a legitimate question from a skeptical point of view. He's just asking for proof (other than the Bible) of whether or not heaven exists, which is a commonly asked question by many believers and non-believers; each with his/her own theory as proof that yes it does, or not it does not exist.

 

I personally don't think that heaven exists because there is no empirical proof that an afterlife exists. Neuro-scientists who study out-of-body experiences, or near-death experiences of people who claim they've been to heaven, have proven through empirical studies that what those people actually experienced was a kind of surge of brain activity (neurons and electrons) as explained here: Brain Waves Surge Moments Before Death : Discovery News

 

Religion's claims can be easily disproven by science. People who rely on one belief system (religion) only to define their life, shut out the realities of life which offer rational explanations for why things happen.

 

Heaven can't exist because it's not a real place. It's part of a story that people are brainwashed (i.e. concept of faith) to believe in, and not question the validity of. Why on earth would you join a group of people who told you, "you have to believe these things and you are not allowed to question them. If you question them, you will be punished." That's the basic tenets of Christianity. Just look at what they did to other religions throughout history (and continue to do in the name of their God).

[Forever Silent]

In my humble opinion. If there is indeed a heaven or some form of afterlife then I wonder would I be apart of it. I have nothing against Christians or any paticular religion, but I cannot imagine living forever with people of the same faith. (Shout of to my hindus, buddhists, and islamists, jews, athesits, and etc...).To me good people come from all walks of life, and some of the greatest people I know or I admire are in fact not Christian. Am I saying something bad about Christianity, no never, every religion has their faults and strengths.

 

But if "heaven" quote on quote is a peaceful place where everyone is invited, then I know problem living for eternity in such a place. But if I go up to heaven and God asks "Are you a Christian, and to do you declare Jesus as your lord and savior." I will humbly decline and accept his punishment, if that is the only scenario of Heaven.

[dreamingoftigers]

I'm prepared to give up my religious beliefs if it can be proven that God does not exist.

 

It'd stink though:(

[writergal]

Just because I share my opinion about what I think "faith" is, doesn't mean I think it's the only way. I don't quote one source constantly the way you and other Christians in this forum do, as though the Bible will trump any empirical scientific evidence or argument I make that disagrees with your belief system.

 

I'm not accusing you personally of throwing tantrums. I made general statements about Christians as a whole, but the way you choose to twist my words (as I've seen you do with others who disagree with you) is a common way to deflect away from any points that I make, that you disagree with.

 

Why is the Bible used so often as the ONLY source of evidence in Christianity when its not a valid source of evidence, but in my opinion, a collection of stories.

 

How did I disrespect him? I don't know what he believes. I have never used a slanderous term to describe his beliefs. If I disrespected him, I apologize. I've engaged with him on many threads in this forum so I don't see why you think I don't engage in discussions. I haven't even responded to you in this thread, now you are accusing me throwing tantrums? I'm confused.

 

I understand you are frustrated by Christians. I don't think I've thrown a tantrum and Christian beliefs are regularly challenged on this forum. I try my best to answer

 

I understand why you get upset. It is true that Christianity is based on the teachings of Christ. Christ said "I am the way, truth, and life no comes to God but by me". That's a central doctrine of Christianity. Not sure how to say that in any PC way. Sort of like how you say faith = brainwashing tool. That seems like you are saying your way is the only way.

[TheFinalWord]

Just because I share my opinion about what I think "faith" is, doesn't mean I think it's the only way. I don't quote one source constantly the way you and other Christians in this forum do, as though the Bible will trump any empirical scientific evidence or argument I make that disagrees with your belief system.

 

I'm not accusing you personally of throwing tantrums. I made general statements about Christians as a whole, but the way you choose to twist my words (as I've seen you do with others who disagree with you) is a common way to deflect away from any points that I make, that you disagree with.

 

Why is the Bible used so often as the ONLY source of evidence in Christianity when its not a valid source of evidence, but in my opinion, a collection of stories.

 

Hey Writergal,

 

I've always liked you on these forums. I apologize if I've annoyed you. I really am. I did not twist anything you said on purpose. I thought you were talking about me since you quoted me. I am sorry for any miscommunication.

 

I do think it takes more effort to have a dialogue online b/c we are loosing mediums of communication such as emotion, direct feedback, body language etc. Combine that with sensitive topics like politics and religion and there are bound to be misunderstandings.

 

Please forgive me b/c I am not honestly trying to twist your words or anyone else's words. If I am not accurately representing something please let me know. Sometimes I will change a question around to try to help people see the Christian perspective. But this is just my attempt, I am far from perfect and I never meant to purposely straw man anyone. For the record I think that is all you can do in forums, is try to show another perspective and hope people will perhaps appreciate it. I don't think you can "win" any argument on-line per say.

 

Well when it comes to evidence, I think you can look at philosophical arguments such as cosmological argument, teleological argument, etc. Is that what you mean? But I agree, there will never be 100% proof. I agree with Pascal when he said the evidence is sufficiently vague for those that don't want to believe and sufficiently sufficient for those that do want to believe. I believe God allows that on purpose to prevent coerciveness. I agree with that statement, though I mean no personal insult about your views

 

PS: When it comes to the bible, often skeptics here are presenting biblical cases and scenarios that are not accurate or in context. So when the bible is brought up and I believe the exegesis is in error, I may point that out. I think that is needed so we can have a good dialogue and not debate strawmen. I personally see that is where the bible comes up most in these threads. Just my observation.

Edited August 11, 2012 by TheFinalWord

[Forever Silent]

I'm prepared to give up my religious beliefs if it can be proven that God does not exist.

 

It'd stink though:(

 

Well keep believen my friend. You can never disapprove the existence of a God. And as some people would say, You can never prove the the existence of a God.

[soccerrprp]

I totally and completely in favor of the existence of God...and not at all....

[dreamingoftigers]

Did you read my post, at all?

 

Just because I share my opinion about what I think "faith" is, doesn't mean I think it's the only way. I don't quote one source constantly the way you and other Christians in this forum do, as though the Bible will trump any empirical scientific evidence or argument I make that disagrees with your belief system.

 

I'm not accusing you personally of throwing tantrums. I made general statements about Christians as a whole, but the way you choose to twist my words (as I've seen you do with others who disagree with you) is a common way to deflect away from any points that I make, that you disagree with.

 

Why is the Bible used so often as the ONLY source of evidence in Christianity when its not a valid source of evidence, but in my opinion, a collection of stories.

[Forever Silent]

The idea of heaven never made sense to me.

 

Thats because there are many ideas of heaven which exisit. Nobody is exactly sure. Well I take that back everyone is sure but nothing is certain.

[dreamingoftigers]

Of course we can agree to disagree etc. I've been on too many sides of the coin to really be "offended" or "pissed" by having a different viewpoint than my own. Ha ha

 

I was raised Catholic too. What I have found is similar elements of the Catholic upbringing in my mother-in-laws Jehovah's Witness home. Coincidentally I don't find either home was actually thorough in the actual TEACHINGS of their faith as much as they were concerned with the culture of their faith. There is a difference.

 

Plus I found certain elements of fanaticism in both homes PLUS the ridiculous human tendency to add or twist the teachings.

 

For instance, the Catholic church claiming the Earth was at the center of the universe and the Sun must orbit around us. It says nothing like that in the teachings etc. Completely unnecessary. Most if the people I have known who had become disillusioned with religion were raised with extremist type views of "question nothing, accept what is said here." and somehow blunted obedience is supposed to be how we receive love.

 

One passage of the bible that comes to mind is when God was about to destroy Soddom and Gomorrah. Abraham asked, questioned and practically negotiated with God for sparing the village if there were righteous people there. God answered him and even lowered his benchmarks each time. The God I know is a God that listens, and is a God that considers.

 

Anyway, since I'm posting on an iPhone, I have to review the post you wrote bit by bit and respond in kind. Sometimes that makes things seem disjointed.

 

I did notice your reference to the surge in energy in the brain. To that I have very little comment. NDEs were never a part of my testimony. I've never had one nor done any kind of research on it so I can't count or discount them as evidence.

 

DreamingofTigers:

 

I think Yellowshark asked a legitimate question from a skeptical point of view. He's just asking for proof (other than the Bible) of whether or not heaven exists, which is a commonly asked question by many believers and non-believers; each with his/her own theory as proof that yes it does, or not it does not exist.

 

I provided one that greatly assisted with my testimony.

A couple of weaker ones that handle the generalist questions are The Case for Christ and the Case for Faith. But I haven't even reviewed those in quite a number of years. They were interesting though.

 

 

I personally don't think that heaven exists because there is no empirical proof that an afterlife exists. Neuro-scientists who study out-of-body experiences, or near-death experiences of people who claim they've been to heaven, have proven through empirical studies that what those people actually experienced was a kind of surge of brain activity (neurons and electrons) as explained here: Brain Waves Surge Moments Before Death : Discovery News

 

I find this interesting. You've found no evidence yet, (although I doubt there was a tremendous deep-dig to prove any religion or christ-teaching right, no offense, it's just a typical pattern that many do. Disprove first then ask questions later.

 

Prior to 1970, it was believed that life could not exist in extreme heat environments or without energy from the Sun. Google chemiosynthesis. No one expected to find empirical evidence of life without the Sun.

 

Religion's claims can be easily disproven by science. People who rely on one belief system (religion) only to define their life, shut out the realities of life which offer rational explanations for why things happen.

 

Heaven can't exist because it's not a real place. It's part of a story that people are brainwashed (i.e. concept of faith) to believe in, and not question the validity of. Why on earth would you join a group of people who told you, "you have to believe these things and you are not allowed to question them. If you question them, you will be punished." That's the basic tenets of Christianity. Just look at what they did to other religions throughout history (and continue to do in the name of their God).

 

That's why I never put all of my eggs in one basket. I believe science vs. Faith to be a false choice as I believe that in a larger framework the two converge. In fact, many, many people while reading the bible have a mental image of an old man waving his hands and thrashing people. The converse is quite true. Many if the biblical stories talk about natural phenomena creating and destroying things. I believe that to be more of a reflection of God's work. And more in keeping to how he interacts with us today.

 

I find that when people tout "science" as the be-all and end-all that they are often adopting the same attitude as they accuse those with faith of having. Nit seeing the whole picture.

 

Science As a culture (not a teaching) says "only what we can observe is truth." are we really so arrogant as a species and people to claim that we can observe it all, understand it all and have it interpreted perfectly. That's preposterous!

 

That's no more sensical than saying you got the flu because "god was mad."

 

Or that "God says gays are bad, let's go eat a chicken sandwich to show them who the boss is."

 

I think it's highly limited to think that, "science has disproven God" or that "religion has disproved science."

 

I also think it is highly irregular to throw away thousands of years of testimony of spiritual experiences that millions have had as "brainwashing."

It reeks of the same type of thought-patterns, just on the other side of the fence.

 

Truly, I can't "prove" that there is a God anymore that you or anyone else can "disprove" one. At this point in our history, it's somewhat like ants in a sandbox arguing about the nature of the universe.

 

Hence, my only mission in this life is to "concentrate on the things that unite us than the things that divide us."

 

I do believe in God and feel that he's had my back and loves me as his child, despite my life circumstances.

 

I don't believe that gives ne the privilege to dictate to others what to believe or how to think.

[Forever Silent]

Well thats true and thats always been my problem with religion also. Everybody has thier own idea and can make any verse say what they want it to say or mean.

 

Yes perception and interpretation is key to all human beings. Maybe it could be a "Western" thing but you can give 100 people a story, and if you ask them what the meaning of the story is, they will give you a 100 different answers. That alone shows the beauty and diversity of life.

[TaraMaiden]

It really matters little whether Heaven exists or not.

 

More important, is to try to live your life, amongst others, as if it did.

[mercy]

Why do you want to live for trillions of years in imaginary neverland heaven? Personally I think it would actually be more like Hell. I mean really.. What are you gonna do in heaven for endless millennia? Ever thought about that part? How will you keep busy, will you get a hobby? Whats it gonna be like for you "believers" after say, a couple million years up there?

 

I'll go say hi to Jesus. I'll kiss the hand of God.

 

Then Ill go look to see who is and isn't there. And yes the shock will take millions of years for me to get over it.

 

Then I'll take it all in and stand amazed. For a gazillion years.

[HokeyReligions]

How do you know that? What empirical evidence do you have for your multi-dimensional "theory"... other than some words from a 2000-year-old book? Any eye-witness accounts you can point me to? Documentation? Just doing my due dilligence. We're talkin' my eternal afterlife here, thats pretty important to me, so if I am gonna put all my eggs into one basket I kinda wanna know its a safe bet.. (rather than just a promise.)

 

It's called "Faith"

 

There is no empirical evidence to suggest the existence of a Supreme Being, nor is there any to suggest that there is not a Supreme Being.

 

I would love to believe that after death I will be united with my family, my children, my dogs, my husband - everyone of every species that I have loved. I want SO MUCH to truly believe that without any doubts. My mother believed it. My husband says he does. I honestly do not know if my kids truly believed, though they were raised Christian.

 

As my husband has suffered two heart attacks and a stroke and his health is racing away from him I am becoming more terrified. We have both lost so many and have each other now - and we each have a special K-9 kid.

 

In our minds we are still kids - thinking like kids, and enjoying the same things we did when we were kids. We talk everyday about goofy things and laugh about silly things and hold each other during the scary times and in our minds we should have endless years left to us - but in reality, he's in his 60s (I'm right behind him) and has had two heart attacks and a stroke and his health is failing. But it's just too soon. If only I had real FAITH with no doubts to hold on to, I might just possibly keep my sanity when all else is gone. But I doubt so much. I envy those who believe fully; and whose fears walk hand-in-hand with faith and confidence.

 

Athiests have faith too - faith that God does NOT exist, but it's a faith after all.

Edited August 12, 2012 by a LoveShack.org Moderator
typo

[M30USA]

I believe in mermaids and leprechauns and there are many stories about them. Now I want others to prove they dont exist.

 

Funny you mention leprechauns and other myths. Much mythology has a basis on some aspect of history or reality--some more than others. Myths are not just stories created out of thin air.

 

Take for example fairies. Did you know if you research the origin of fairie mythology, you will find that the characteristics are nearly identical to that of the modern day UFO abduction phenomenon? The world back then did not have technology much like we do today; so it was only natural that they explained things in the way they knew how. This is the way many myths originate.

[M30USA]

I couldnt agree more

 

Doesn't make what the described false, though.