I am not going to participate in this poll but I wonder what some of you read into things religious. I saw nothing that said anyone was trying force anyone else into something (a couple of you complained about that) and I saw nothing that was trying to trick anyone. It is a simple question on one level and complicated on another.
The simple one, what is your belief in God? I am a Diest. I believe that a god exists and that everything was created with all possibilities for us to embrace. God is out of it after creation. No miracles, no interventions. It is up to us if we want degrade ourselves or lift ourselves up. Thomas Jefferson used the analogy of the watch maker. The watch maker very carefully crafts a watch to keep time. Every gear, every latch, every sprocket is in place for a reason. The watch maker tightens up the spring and starts the fly wheel. The cover is then closed.
I guess the next question is, do you accept the new testament, Jesus Christ, and the resurrection. That is a toughie. I have been to Jerusalem and I have seen both places that they claim to the burial sight of the carpenter from Nazareth. I prefer the Baptist version. It was more in line with what was written in the bible thousands of years ago. So it is more like a historical journey than a religious pilgrimage to me. Still working on the details though I do notice that people who are true believers seem to be happier than those who are not. By true believer, I don't mean the radicals who attempt to twist and turn the bible to their political agenda.
As for the hobby, I'm not married so no adultery but I'm not so up on the bible to know if sex between a man and woman is FORBIDDEN (not just frowned upon) outside of marriage for whatever reason. Maybe some biblical scholar like Baby Killer can enlighten us.
Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
JDIdiot actually said something insightful???
I don't believe in much but the end times sure are a'comin!
Still working on the details though I do notice that people who are true believers seem to be happier than those who are not.
I believe that too. I was happier when I felt I was regularly praying to something and believing in something up above. Now, life is just a struggle chasing after an even higher bank account and doing stuff that is, in truth, absolutely meaningless. If you're not a Stephen Hawking or Steve Jobs, everything you believe will die with you. But if you believe in god, you will die happier knowing that there is something afterwards and that "life goes on".
But, the fact is, it's a false reality and no matter how much I'd like to believe it, truth and reason pull me otherwise. I agree with COG partially; you can't just believe in it halfway and then pretend to be a "God fearing Christian". That's a huge contradiction. If I could have lived with myself that way, I would also be a "God Fearing Christian".
On the other hand, WE's relationship with his religion is personal. COIdiot is being a douche (as usual). WE doesn't have to answer to us, he'll answer to whoever or whatever he believes in.