Do you believe?

[NikPreviousAcct]

Good question. I did, however, vote.

 

[Ns1]

what does agnostic mean?

you believe there is a god but not in religion?

 

[Elledan]

<< what does agnostic mean?

you believe there is a god but not in religion? >>


Agnostic: balancing on the border between the cozy depths of blind faith and the harsh reality.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< The Maya even sacrificed people because they thought that that would get them into favor with the gods. >>


Heck, modern people still do that now, breeding hate for others who do not follow their "infallible" religious texts to the letter...all in the name of heaven and hell or whatever fuzzy concept they adhere to.

 

[Elledan]

<<

<< The Maya even sacrificed people because they thought that that would get them into favor with the gods. >>


Heck, modern people still do that now, breeding hate for others who do not follow their "infallible" religious texts to the letter...all in the name of heaven and hell or whatever fuzzy concept they adhere to. >>


Nah, what you describe is the blaming of religion for whatever unjustified hatred some bright individuals in a society have against some other people, after which these religions are (ab)used to convince the less bright people who have put their blind faith in a religion that the two groups of people can not coexist on the same planet, after which they try to exterminate each other, which of course fails, but at least the bright guys will have a reason to try it again.

 

[Moonbeam]

Elledan, I can't go along with quoting a dictionary to define privative verses advanced. I can't imagine any culture saying that it's less advanced than another. You are using a tool created by your culture with define its superiority when everybody who is anybody knows that the Hopi are the most advanced people on the planet. It's also profoundly misinformed to imagine that logic is superior to payote vision questing to take just one example. Have you ever lived in a world where everything is alive, the rocks the sand the grass the trees? Have you ever been a fox? Have you ever flown as a hawk? Have you heard the Great Vibration that sings in canyons?

 

[Atlantean]

I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky...

 

[HombrePequeno]

An agnostic is a person that believes you can't prove or disprove a god. An atheist is obviously someone that doesn't believe in god.

The two aren't mutually exclusive and I'm both so I can't vote.

 

[prodigy]

<< I am an agnostic >>

 

[Ziptar]

<< I used to be an athiest, but then I met the most perfect girl on the planet and I'm quite sure only a super-powerful being could have created such a beautiful person... >>



I believe no matter how fine she is.. Someone somewhere is sick of her sh1t.....

 

[TheBlondOne]

Yes, I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

--Sarah

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< Have you ever lived in a world where everything is alive, the rocks the sand the grass the trees? Have you ever been a fox? Have you ever flown as a hawk? Have you heard the Great Vibration that sings in canyons? >>


This isn't the first time I've read one of Moonbeam's posts and thought "I'll have whatever he's having, regardless if it is imbibed or smoked."

 

[Sir Fredrick]

<< Yes, I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

--Sarah >>



What about God the Wise Spider Monkey Who Lives in the Trees, God the Mother, God the Sister, God the Buddha, God the Zeus, God the Santa Clause, or God the Fat Man in Kentucky?

BTW, I can say anything about "God" without speaking "his" name in vain, because "God" isn't his name.

 

[PCHO]

I've explored the beliefs but I always come back to scientific explanations. They at least have some sort of proof or evidence that goes beyond blind faith.

 

[d1abolic]

"An agnostic does not deny the existence of God and heaven but holds that one cannot know for certain whether or not they exist."

I am an agnostic. I used to be Christian as a child, but by the age of, maybe, 10, i started to think that there isn't really a way to know for sure whether God exists or not. So i never denied his existance, yet never really believed in him either. I just never really knew what to call myself until someone brought up the term a few years back.

 

[b0mbrman]

I go on and off with believing...

 

[d1abolic]

Hah..

/strange pain in the chest...

"Oh Lord! Please save your loyal follower!"

/pain stops...

"Oh well back to atheism til next time"

 

[Elledan]

<< Elledan, I can't go along with quoting a dictionary to define privative verses advanced. I can't imagine any culture saying that it's less advanced than another. You are using a tool created by your culture with define its superiority when everybody who is anybody knows that the Hopi are the most advanced people on the planet. It's also profoundly misinformed to imagine that logic is superior to payote vision questing to take just one example. Have you ever lived in a world where everything is alive, the rocks the sand the grass the trees? Have you ever been a fox? Have you ever flown as a hawk? Have you heard the Great Vibration that sings in canyons? >>

You've been hanging above the fire again, no?

Imagine that there does someone exist who is almost devoid of any subjectivity and has only logic to guide him. Would that person be capable of judging whether a society is to be considered primitive or advanced, or inbetween?

I've great respect for the beliefs and traditions of all Indians who once lived on the great planes of North-America. These beliefs have certain.... elements which intrigue me. I find it to be one of the most fascinating cultures which ever existed on this planet.

Yet you'll never hear me say that one culture, or one civilization is correct in assuming certain things. Perhaps it's a logical choice, since logic is merely drawing a conclusion based on all available information, but definite proof is never possible.

Life is full of uncertainties, and perhaps no one will ever fully understand our surroundings, but the important thing is that we keep trying. As has been said before, the journey is more important than the destination.

It's not our duty to judge other cultures, or worse, convict them for what they are, but we can at least try to understand them and let reason prevail.

 

[SpecialEd]

<< << Yes, I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

--Sarah >>



What about God the Wise Spider Monkey Who Lives in the Trees, God the Mother, God the Sister, God the Buddha, God the Zeus, God the Santa Clause, or God the Fat Man in Kentucky?
>>




I think she was referring to only one God..


BTW, what do you mean by ancient faiths vs recent faiths? Christainity is thousands of years old... but my particular church has only been around for maybe a few hundred years... so do i believe in an ancient faith? or a recent faith?

 

[lebe0024]

I have a different idea of what "advanced society" is than the noble Elledan. My idea of an advanced society is a society that looks to God for full satisfaction and value, because he is supremely valuable.

 

[Elledan]

<< I have a different idea of what "advanced society" is than the noble Elledan. My idea of an advanced society is a society that looks to God for full satisfaction and value, because he is supremely valuable. >>

You're incorrect in every view.

A religion is a social structure, meant to keep a society in one piece and provide standards by which to judge things. Once a society advances, it becomes independent of such a rigid structure and all individuals become truly indpendent, yet are capable of caring for each other.
Although a religion may seem like a nice solution to keep everything in order, it's actually a rigid and limiting structure.

Like the exoskeleton of an insect keeps it from growing, so that it has to shed it off, so a society has to relieve itself from all religions and take on a new, more independent way of thinking, a way which involves a sense of responsiblity, individuality, logic and above all, curiosity.
Religions offer none of those things, which is why a society must get rid of them when it's time, or die.

 

[SpecialEd]

we'll never reach this ideal "advance socieity" with everyone disagreeing on everything.

 

[lebe0024]

<< You're incorrect in every view. >>

\
My idea of what an advanced society looks like is incorrect? Christ didn't come to provide a social economical judicial structure so we can have false hopes that keep us in line. I think Jesus was quite clear about that.

I think a relationship with God fosters "a way which involves a sense of responsiblity, individuality, logic and above all, curiosity." Don't try to make sweeping statements like "Religions offer none of those things, which is why a society must get rid of them when it's time, or die."

 

[TallBill]

I am agnostic.... btw, stating "i think" admits the possability of not knowing. And by saying i believe/ i know, admits the possability of being wrong... (even tho your 100%!..)

 

[sinunbeso]

I believe in scientific faith.