I read Thomas Paine's "Age of Reason" and compared to him, your sense of Reason becomes pitiful. You think you know how to create an argument against God or a religion, but you don't know anything. If Reason is your God, if you may grant me the term, then your God is really pathetic. Reason differs from person to person, and for you, it is a mirage. Others, like Paine, had at least some wit to him though he made some very foolish and self-destructive arguments, but for the most part he made a much better case than any of you can hope to, and he wasn't even an Atheist.
2007-03-12 06:00:25 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I heard Ted Haggards old job is open. You might be a good fit!
2007-03-12 06:05:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Alright alright already.....You aren't inside everyone's lives here. You're getting a snapshot of what people think but when I think of reasoning this is how I would put it:
I was raised strictly Catholic
Aside from 17 years of Cathecism I also voluntarily studied Catholic Tradition in College and also Sacred Scriptures.
After much thought and many questions I made a decision to not practice Catholicism anymore.
After much consideration after having taken Moral Theology, Philosophy et al I questioned the validity of the basis of Christianity that being the assertions of Paul not the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus and Paul really don't 'match up' when it comes down to it.
After further thought, I read and studied Buddhism which I now practice as it allows me to continue to question rather than to blindly accept everything being placed in front of me.
I hope that helps in understanding someone's line of reasoning.
2007-03-12 13:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by Yogini 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"The first seeds of the teaching called afterwards 'Dukhoborcheskaya' were sown by a foreigner, a Quaker, who came to Russia. The fundamental idea of his Quaker teaching was that in the soul of man dwells God himself, and that He himself guides man by His inner word. God lives in nature physically and in man's soul spiritually. To Christ, as to an historical personage, the Dukhobortsy do not ascribe great importance ... Christ was God's son, but only in the sense in which we call, ourselves 'sons of God.' The purpose of Christ's sufferings was no other than to show us an example of suffering for truth. The Quakers who, in 1818, visited the Dukhobortsy, could not agree with them upon these religious subjects; and when they heard from them their opinion about Jesus Christ (that he was a man), exclaimed 'Darkness!' From the Old and New Testaments,' they say, 'we take only what is useful,' mostly the moral teaching. ... The moral ideas of the Dukhobortsy are the following:--All men are, by nature, equal; external distinctions, whatsoever they may be, are worth nothing. This idea of men's equality the Dukhoborts have directed further, against the State authority. ... Amongst themselves they hold subordination, and much more, a monarchical Government, to be contrary to their ideas."
I don't understand how this differs from what Atheist have been saying for years.
2007-03-12 13:04:34 · answer #3 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How about logic.
god is omnipotent. - knows all
the bible is fallible - errors in fact and history
therefore the bible can't be the word of god and is not a reliable proof of his existence.
thus the god of the bible has not manifested "himself" in any form
since there is no evidence of god's existence, prayers that don't come true, errors in the bible the great flood, Adam and Eve etc and the "proof" of his existence is mythical in nature and unreliable, the god of the bible does not exist.
If I am wrong may he strike me down.
I'm still here and never flinched.
I just noticed one poster stated Jesus himself will administer the torture. Some of you people are downright creepy,
2007-03-12 13:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by Rico E Suave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you basing your argument on what Thomas Paine said? Do you think Thomas Paine had all the answers? Just like a Christian...basing your entire argument on a false prophet. You make me sick.
2007-03-12 13:05:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
I hold Thomas Paine in high esteem. The arguments against belief have become even stronger since his time.
BTW I wouldn't be too sure about YOUR powers of reason!
2007-03-12 13:04:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
actually, paine was an atheist but that was a dangerous admission in his day, and reason is the best way to determine if something is worthy of further exploration. it is far better than hope, faith, or wishful thinking. maybe you should give it a try!
2007-03-12 13:09:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just remember the pendulum swings both ways!
It is like dust in the wind.
A catch 22 if you will.
It has not been proven as of yet!
Only the end of time will prove it's self correct!
2007-03-12 13:12:16 · answer #8 · answered by אידיאליסטי™ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So you read Age of Reason and what you gained was a desire to make derogatory stereotypes against atheists? Wow.
2007-03-12 13:05:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Haven't quite got the gist of what constitutes reason yet have you!
And you claim to base your beliefs upon what may I ask?
2007-03-12 13:16:26 · answer #10 · answered by CHEESUS GROYST 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋