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How many times must we repeat the same refutation to this same claim made in the OP by many different theists?
We are smart enough to know that it does not logically follow that just because a god with certain characteristics doesn't exist, it does not rule out the possibility that a god with different characteristics might exist. So, stop laying the false claim in the OP at our feet.
We have other, additional reasons for thinking no god of any type is likely to exist.
Ok. That will do. What I'd suggest is that, if one has a relationship with the Creator'. then that doesn't need to be within any particular religion. On does not need the restrictions, the rejection of other gods, but can accept all creeds and mysticisms under one sortagod umbrella without needing to justify one's own beliefs or argue against all the others. Isn't that even more loving, joyful, peaceful, gentle and self -controlled than buying into one particular creed as 'true' with the implicit rejection of the others as false creeds? I would repeat that, without Hellthreat, what have you got to lose?
How's your take on that?
Well let's get one thing straight. All that I said was in the light of believing there is a hell. It's just not the focus of 90% of serious Christians.
The joy peace, etc. comes from the Holy Spirit. Not from one's belief system.
And by type most religions do not worship God. Hindus are polytheistic and use idols. Buddhists don't worship any god. Shintos worship their ansestors just to name a few. So, no. IMO most religions worship gods, spirits or something else. I believe them to be in error
Well let's get one thing straight. All that I said was in the light of believing there is a hell. It's just not the focus of 90% of serious Christians.
The joy peace, etc. comes from the Holy Spirit. Not from one's belief system.
And by type most religions do not worship God. Hindus are polytheistic and use idols. Buddhists don't worship any god. Shintos worship their ansestors just to name a few. So, no. IMO most religions worship gods, spirits or something else. I believe them to be in error
Ok. That's fair enough. Despite some atheists harping on the fear of hell as a motivator for Faith it probably really isn't, in actual fact. It is just that as an atheist I do find that the hellthreat does get trotted out an awful lot of times as a reason why we can't risk NOT believing.
So I guess I'm addressing the point to those like the OP who do NOT believe in Hell. While they would probably take your line and say they believe the other creeds to be in error, the fact is that they are as likely to be true as Christianity, and I can assure you after years of debate that this is so as Bible- believers can only default to faith -based personal preference for justification of their particular creed.
Every time you say something it's "Oh well He doesn't do that" or "That is not what it's about." Personally, at this point I don't know what He's supposed to be.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no need for a god.
There I fixed it for you.
All of these attributes, are existent in atheists and non believers and a host of other folk. But it is typical of the theist to take the good in humanity and evolved societies and ascribe it to their version of god.
There is no formula to suggest that theists are "only" happy people (except in the mind of the theist).
How many times must we repeat the same refutation to this same claim made in the OP by many different theists?
We are smart enough to know that it does not logically follow that just because a god with certain characteristics doesn't exist, it does not rule out the possibility that a god with different characteristics might exist. So, stop laying the false claim in the OP at our feet.
We have other, additional reasons for thinking no god of any type is likely to exist.
i agree , ive said it before , thier may very well be a god but the one which is presented to us by mainstream religon is all we have to go on and this particular god is a thoroughly unappealing charechter to many
It's not about the threat of hell for 90% of Christians. It's about being in relationship with the Creator.
I appear to have missed that period some time in the past 30 years or so, when Biblegod changed from an entity that was unknowable, mysterious, enigmatic, un able to be understood and unapproachable - to suddenly being an entity that EVERY bloody Christian you talk too is having a 'personal relationship' with!!
How the hell can you have a ''relationship' with someone you have never met, never touched, who has never spoken to you etc?
I appear to have missed that period some time in the past 30 years or so, when Biblegod changed from an entity that was unknowable, mysterious, enigmatic, un able to be understood and unapproachable - to suddenly being an entity that EVERY bloody Christian you talk too is having a 'personal relationship' with!!
How the hell can you have a ''relationship' with someone you have never met, never touched, who has never spoken to you etc?
LOL, the same way children have personal relationships with all of their imaginary friends.
I appear to have missed that period some time in the past 30 years or so, when Biblegod changed from an entity that was unknowable, mysterious, enigmatic, un able to be understood and unapproachable - to suddenly being an entity that EVERY bloody Christian you talk too is having a 'personal relationship' with!!
How the hell can you have a ''relationship' with someone you have never met, never touched, who has never spoken to you etc?
I really find the condesending and sarcastic attitude of certain athests bit annoying and amusing. Why can't you just talk in a regular way instead of saying " I appear to have missed", and "suddenly"-etc.?
Next, light profanity.
With that said I do agree with your observation. Maybe every "Bloody Christian" you have talked to has experienced God in a real and personal way. I think if you were a spiritual person you would understand. But you aren't, so you don't. Pity.
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