To the athiests and agnostics I have a question.

Then what do you call a person who thinks that Christianity, Scientology and Mormonism, etc., is bullshit but doesn't know how exactly we got here? Is there a name for such a being? An atheist is a person who knows for certain that there is no God. A Mormon, for instance, knows for certain that when they put their trust in Joseph Smith they are believing truth. A Christian knows for certain that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. So what is the person called who thinks all religions are basically bullshit but who isn't a complete atheist either.

why is it so crucial to you that atheists believe in god?

does this threaten you?

atheists do not believe in god because it makes sense to them.

evolutionists believe in evolution because it seems a logical answer

creationists believe in genesisis because that's what rocks their world

i don't expect anyone to share my beliefs, in fact, i welcome the differences

please have your ego pressure checked.

It seems some of you choose not to believe in God (or Gods) simply on the basis of proof or evidence of his existence. There is no proof that he does exist and there is no proof that he does not exist. Isn't it part of the human psyche to believe in SOMETHING? I think we all need to believe in something or else there is a great emptiness within us. I argue that humans NEED to believe in something. It makes us who we are. Perhaps when a person does not believe in something it is what drives them to do horrible acts.

It seems some of you choose not to believe in God (or Gods) simply on the basis of proof or evidence of his existence. There is no proof that he does exist and there is no proof that he does not exist. Isn't it part of the human psyche to believe in SOMETHING? I think we all need to believe in something or else there is a great emptiness within us. I argue that humans NEED to believe in something. It makes us who we are. Perhaps when a person does not believe in something it is what drives them to do horrible acts.

Uhm?

Please show 1 contemporary non-Biblical piece of evidence or reference even of any supernatural occurrence that is described in the Bible.

It seems some of you choose not to believe in God (or Gods) simply on the basis of proof or evidence of his existence. There is no proof that he does exist and there is no proof that he does not exist. Isn't it part of the human psyche to believe in SOMETHING? I think we all need to believe in something or else there is a great emptiness within us. I argue that humans NEED to believe in something. It makes us who we are. Perhaps when a person does not believe in something it is what drives them to do horrible acts.

It seems some of you choose not to believe in God (or Gods) simply on the basis of proof or evidence of his existence. There is no proof that he does exist and there is no proof that he does not exist. Isn't it part of the human psyche to believe in SOMETHING? I think we all need to believe in something or else there is a great emptiness within us. I argue that humans NEED to believe in something. It makes us who we are. Perhaps when a person does not believe in something it is what drives them to do horrible acts.

I'm an atheist and I don't claim to know that with any certainty.

I only know that all current explanations of any god(s) are utterly worthless. And I see no reason to presume the need of something described as god for me to exist. But again I don't know for certain.

I can't see why religious people feel the need to answer those questions solely with faith and not a single shred of physical evidence. Aren't you just revering a god of gaps?

BUT...maybe I am misunderstanding...but what does the LABEL have to do with it? There are millions of Christians out there, for instance, and every single one of them has a different idea about who God is. The fact is, most people model their idea of God on their own personality. That is why their God always thinks like they do, always likes and hates the same things. In the end, God is just an extension of their ego. Maybe that doesn't sound kind, but I honestly believe it is true. It has to be.

I noticed that you didn't give yourself a label? WHy not? Because I think you are confusing labels with ideas. No one knows how we got here. What does it matter if someone calls themselves an atheist or an agnostic? If they don't honestly know, then we are just throwing ideas around. And each and every person will believe something a little bit different than the next person. There are big ideas, like the Big Bang theory, but inside that big idea are tons of people who have little ideas that may or may not be exactly what the orginal people who made up the Big Bang theory would desire them to have. In the end, this is just a discussion between people who have many different ideas about how we came to be. Labels shouldn't be important.

No, I am not threatened. I simply wish to understand. Out of absolute nothing things just started to happen? Seems unlikely. It isn't my intention to ask a pointed question here. I just wanted to stimulate a discussion regarding the start of it all. Didn't mean to put you on the defensive.

sorry op, i didn't mean to appear so edgy. i welcome the open discussion. i have just seen too. many of these threads become an insult fest.

OP, please show us the theory that says nothing was created out of nothing

OP, please show us the theory that says nothing was created out of nothing

I understand what you are asking for but the evidence you "want" doesn't have to exist for there to be evidence. Dismissing the bible in kind is being dismissive of evidence that is available. It is perfectly reasonable especially given the date of the account that the bible is the only source. Not to mention that the bible isn't one source but actually an account written by multiple sources. It just happens to be compounded into one Volume.

but since you asked for non-biblical here you go: Flavius Josephus (37-97 AD), court historian for Emperor Vespasian:

"At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders." (Arabic translation)

He directly reports that there were Christians who in fact did claim that Jesus rose from the dead. You can be dismissive of these reports if you would like. You can come up with any number of reasonable explanations as to why they might say what they said. But the account remains evidence. You may not think they are very credible but they remain evidence despite your feelings on their credibility.

According to you, in the beginning there was nothing. Absolutely nothing and from this nothing started something. Not sure what triggered the "something", but it started. Over time this "something" evolved into everything we see today. You, me and everything else.

What started the "something"? What is "nothing"?

According to you, in the beginning there was nothing. Absolutely nothing and from this nothing started something. Not sure what triggered the "something", but it started. Over time this "something" evolved into everything we see today. You, me and everything else.

What started the "something"? What is "nothing"?

Here try this idea:

A Universe from Nothing

[link to www.amazon.com]

Oh, I just cannot resist: 0+0=0 That would be a proof.

simple math. (I don't think that's what you meant, though!)

Yes, good question.

But on the other hand, if God created the "something", then who created God?

Both questions, imo, are equally valid and perplexing.

You have to understand the concept of "ALL THAT IS" meaning. that EVERYTHING has ALREADY EXISTED... NOTHING EXISTS OUTSIDE OF

"ALL THAT IS"

All that is separates itself to create a reflection of itself, to experience itself.

The process continues. Further and further away from the source of "All that is" until you reach the human condition.

Which is still "All that is" experiencing itself.

You must have enjoyed "God's Debris" By Scott Addams.

I believe this is a well-accepted explanation of this.


[link to www.youtube.com]

I've never heard of it.

But its why people who are Christian are confused.

They believe that GOD (All that is) exists outside of them, when in fact we exists within "All that is".

It creates confusion because they begin to believe that GOD controls their life outside of their power. Because "HE" (yeah they even give him a gender) exists outside of them.

They also give him human traits like jealousy and judgement.

However, God is ALL THAT IS. It does not have a gender. It is "isness" itself encompassing EVERYTHING.

The creation that is created out of the separation IS the point of life.

I've never heard of it.

But its why people who are Christian are confused.

They believe that GOD (All that is) exists outside of them, when in fact we exists within "All that is".

It creates confusion because they begin to believe that GOD controls their life outside of their power. Because "HE" (yeah they even give him a gender) exists outside of them.

They also give him human traits like jealousy and judgement.

However, God is ALL THAT IS. It does not have a gender. It is "isness" itself encompassing EVERYTHING.

The creation that is created out of the separation IS the point of life.

That is a wonderful god you have there, but it is NOT the Christian God. The only information we have of God is from the Bible, therefore, what it states is who God is. Where you have gotten you information from is beyond me. Care to share?