Religion & Spirituality - 17 December 2006

Most people know that Europe is not a very "believing" region of the world. But, I keep being amazed by this Harris poll of the United States:

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=707

Atheism is increasing at 1% a year, and the younger you are, the less you believe in God. Among 25 to 29 year olds, only 60% believe. This compared to 80% among those 50-64. The United States is most definitely following the European trend toward religion.

Does that scare theists?

2006-12-17 08:04:58 · 8 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6

Where was Jesus between the ages of 12 and 30? Why was it decided to keep that out of the bible?


I think he was somewhere being a husband and probably a father. In order to sell the son of God myth, it was decided to portray this human man as a virgin.

2006-12-17 08:03:14 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

Debates and discussions can be really helpful and fun, UNTIL one becomes defensive. At that point, you stop listening and begin to make attacks at persons rather than ideas, and you become more willing to do anything just to defeat the other person and their argument, even if it involves lying.

This is an emotional response, and not one with much intellectual integrity. And it is easy to see in Christians, Atheists, Muslims, Jews, and just about anyone else.

In order to have a genuine dialogue, it's important to watch out for becoming defensive.

So what do you notice in YOURSELF that gives you cues that you've left the realm of peaceful dialogue and passed into the valley of the shadow of death?

2006-12-17 08:02:55 · 12 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7

2006-12-17 08:01:14 · 13 answers · asked by poleangler 1

2006-12-17 08:00:45 · 19 answers · asked by Mr. Bodhisattva 6

Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6

2006-12-17 08:00:03 · 14 answers · asked by A follower of Christ 4

Unless... maybe they are one and the same?

2006-12-17 07:59:54 · 6 answers · asked by Atlas 6

this is my view, if scientists can't create life in the lab with all their intelligence and technology, why would nature be able to create life through "natural selection" and other "un-intelligent" means?!>

2006-12-17 07:58:38 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

Its politically correct to say winter holiday.
Remember last year everything was marked correctly as winter trees and winter cookies.
I find it offensive that you label everything with christmas because christmas is a religious word for christ!!!
We must have separation of church and state.
Its not fair that we all celebrate the god of christianity.
All I want to hear this xmas is:
MERRY WINTER DAY
LETS BUY SOME WINTER CLOTHES.
I NEED TO BUY SOME WINTER COOKIES.
WALMART IS SELLING WINTER CANES.
GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS CHRISTIANS!!!
WINTER!!!
WINTER!!!
WINTER!!!

2006-12-17 07:54:54 · 34 answers · asked by WINDIWS VISTA ULTIMATE RULES!!!! 1

2006-12-17 07:53:58 · 23 answers · asked by Atlas 6

I will try to post responses to some of your answers.

2006-12-17 07:51:02 · 15 answers · asked by pianoman.jeremy 4

I think that is racist, even though I would neverrrrrrrrrrrrrr be a part any religion but one!!!!

2006-12-17 07:50:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am still looking, but I am getting fed up. It is just not happening. I want to be 'saved' and live in religiously-induced bliss, but something in my brain is not letting me do this.
I refuse to let others influence me, because I believe that if Jesus wants to speak to me, he would do it on his own, anywhere, it wouldn't matter if I was in church or around other Christians.
And don't say "open your heart" unless you want me to take a steak knife and literally do it. I don't know what that means and nobody will explain it to me.
So is it true that Jesus only picks certain people to communicate with and save? How do I know if I have been saved or not? I believe in Jesus because of historical and scientific proof that he existed.... but what is my proof that he is the son of God? God doesn't talk to me either.

2006-12-17 07:46:12 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous

what happens when you accept jesus into your heart as your lord and savior and every thing is good but then you accidentaly commit the unforgivable sin with out realizing it or believing what you said with out anger

then after that you continue to accept the lord jesus into your heart and repent your sins and you are a good christan is there a good chance god will forgive you?

2006-12-17 07:45:24 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

I converted some years back but it was a mistake. I converted for the wrong reasons. I want to be able to wear short sleeves in summer and just be free, be myself, do what I want, but I am trapped in an oppressive situation. I can not escape due to being flat broke, not being able to get a job despite applying everywhere for 2 years, having no one to help me no support system at all. I do not want to go to a shelter that's why I'm still in this oppressive place. I think someone put a curse on me, I asked another question about that. Because even crappy places wouldn't hire me so I could save up to escape.

2006-12-17 07:44:56 · 37 answers · asked by BereaGirl 3

It's my body and my body
Is nobody's business but my own
Listen to me people
'Cause I wanna let it be known
It's my body and my body's
Nobody's business but my own

I know what I'm doing
So why don't you leave me alone
It's my body and my body's
Nobody's business but my own

I'm a grown up woman
And I know who I am
So if you got a problem
Well I don't give a damn
Ain't no doubt about it
'Cause baby it's written in stone
It's my body and my body's
Nobody's business but my own

I've had it up to here
With all you holier-than-thous
Who want to save me from the devils wicked den
Quit shoutin' in my ear
With All your curses and your vows
I only wish I never had to hear
Your voices again

Don't quote me no commandments
Don't preach me no jive
There's only one commandment
Thou shall survive
You don't even know me

So why don't you leave me alone
It's my body and my body's
Nobody's business but my own
Maybe you don't like it
But baby it's written in stone
It's my body
Not your bodyAnd my body
Is my business
My business
Is my business
And nobody's business
But my own

2006-12-17 07:43:06 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-17 07:42:29 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

Can you point me to some specific examples of people being tortured or killed by religious institutions for their scientific observations or curiosity?

Thanks for the help.

2006-12-17 07:42:06 · 6 answers · asked by sain et hereaux 2

I have been oppressed a long time and all my efforts have not worked. I haven't been able to even get a crappy job and I have no family or support. And praying hasn't worked. Maybe I was praying to the wrong God? I just want to get uncursed.

2006-12-17 07:41:22 · 26 answers · asked by BereaGirl 3

Why is it that when something bad happens that people can't be blamed for they say that God has a plan. However when something bad happens that people can be blamed for, God's plan has nothing to do with it? Also, whenever something good happens it's always the will of God, why is it that Christians can be so lazy about it?

2006-12-17 07:40:51 · 7 answers · asked by pickle_40oz 2

Have you ever felt that you were being paid back for something bad OR good that you did?

2006-12-17 07:40:44 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-17 07:39:58 · 9 answers · asked by Cyber 6

Christianity teaches us to turn the other cheek,but I have found this only gives the enemy a better opportunity to bring even more harm on you.Is this weakness in Christianity?

2006-12-17 07:38:42 · 22 answers · asked by element_op 3

i work in the night, and morning i don't get enough sleep. in order to get relieved fro the overwhelming tension i drink beer or other alcoholic drinks (low content in alcohol) on my off days? will i be judged for it?

2006-12-17 07:37:53 · 29 answers · asked by david 1

2006-12-17 07:34:47 · 15 answers · asked by Rhonda S 2

I'm sick and tired of xmas this and xmas that!!!
I can't stand that stupid god music you play at xmas either!!!
Everytime I come home I can hear the stupid christians blasting their religion through the walls!!!
How would you feel if you were an atheist???
You should put yourself in their shoes.
They do not want to hear your crap!!!
You christians hurt my feelings for doing this

2006-12-17 07:31:55 · 52 answers · asked by WINDIWS VISTA ULTIMATE RULES!!!! 1

.

2006-12-17 07:31:53 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

so let's say i have an out of body experiece, why can't I just pull someone out of their body and switch places with them? And if i did do this, then where is the memory stored? in the brain or the soul?

2006-12-17 07:31:12 · 13 answers · asked by Cyber 6

I am Catholic and I want to know what the Catholic church's position (Vatican and teachings) is on interracial dating and interracial marriage?

Please be sure to state your authority on the matter.

2006-12-17 07:31:07 · 7 answers · asked by BritLdy 5

remember the road to hell is paved with good intentions

2006-12-17 07:30:59 · 20 answers · asked by boxhead5555 1