What do you believe in and why?

[UTAlan]

I don't believe that the universe just came into being out of nowhere, either. Nice strawman, though.

I apologize if that came across as strawman-ish - I was just trying to be brief.

[Neopergoss]

I don't believe that the universe just came into being out of nowhere, either. Nice strawman, though.

I apologize if that came across as strawman-ish - I was just trying to be brief.

Sok. Likewise, I apologize if I came off as too confrontational. I was already really peeved from seeing Pascal's gambit used.

[funerallaughter]

I'm sorry, I had no intention to peeve ^.^"
I certainly have nothing against Atheism neither do I force religion upon those who don't believe in a higher power; it's a funny little tid-bit I wanted to share >.<"

[Neopergoss]

It's ok. I appreciate that you didn't mean it that way, it's just that I've heard it so often from people who do mean it that way, and on bumper stickers, and on billboards, etc.

I like your avatar.

[Korugar]

I'm a born again Christian, attending a Missionary Alliance Church, just as I have been for years. I believe that the Bible is the word of God, accurate in its original language. I was also baptized a few years ago by my own choice. I do not say this to brag, just as an indication of my faith.

As this thread is not supposed to be about debate, I won't post here again. However, I feel obligated to mention this. If you want to talk, or argue, please PM me.

As a young child, when I first heard about dinosaurs, I asked my mom why it didn't say anything about them in the bible, and she didn't have an answer for me.

Have you not been told of Leviathan, mentioned in Job?

[Neopergoss]

I don't know why you didn't PM me, in that case. I will PM you a response.

[funerallaughter]

Thanks ^.^ If you want one, I can make you one once you get enough post XP

[Bloodshadow]

Personally I think every religious people should read a bit about quantum theory and reconsider their beliefs. I understand that not everyone wants to be a scientist, but I just don't want people to be ignorant about some of the more fundamental aspects of the universe (I'm ignorant, too, so don't flame me for what I said; just like everyone else I'm still learning). Read The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking; it actually answers a lot of things about the first cause and what not. Besides, food for thought is always good.

Just as a response to the common argument that "the universe is optimal to our survival so someone must have designed it that way": The anthropic principle states that we can only comment on the suitability of the universe for human survival if it is suitable for human survival in the first place. If the universe isn't suitable for human survival, then we wouldn't exist; the only possible result we can get when asking "is the universe suitable for human survival?" is yes. So it's entirely possible that our universe randomly came into being like this; it doesn't have to be designed to suit us.

[BluePriest]

Personally I think every religious people should read a bit about quantum theory and reconsider their beliefs. I understand that not everyone wants to be a scientist, but I just don't want people to be ignorant about some of the more fundamental aspects of the universe (I'm ignorant, too, so don't flame me for what I said; just like everyone else I'm still learning). Read The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking; it actually answers a lot of things about the first cause and what not. Besides, food for thought is always good.

Here is just a simple. non debatable response, that isnt disagreeing, but pointing out something often overlooked.

Imagine a puzzle that is all white, and all the pieces are the exact same. The puzzle is only 50 pieces large, but I give you 100. You may put the puzzle together one way, and it may fit together, but I could put it together a different way using the remaining 50 pieces. In all actuality, we dont know which one did it right because we werent there when the puzzle was formed. All the science in the world can not disprove God because it is only one way of putting together the puzzle. That does not mean its the only way though.

[az4rel]

believing be it science or religions is well lame  in my way of seeing it at least.
unless you know a lot of science (and by a lot i mean a LOT) you are just believing what they say.
and while religions preach they got the morals but  wars, discrimination, hate crimes and some stupid laws are enforces by religions in general.
at last all knowledge could be true or wrong humans should not care. we'll never find the truth.
i'll be living, just living ...... until i die:P.
i'm getting stupidly philosofical so i'll go to sleep now ???

[Bloodshadow]

Here is just a simple. non debatable response, that isnt disagreeing, but pointing out something often overlooked.

Imagine a puzzle that is all white, and all the pieces are the exact same. The puzzle is only 50 pieces large, but I give you 100. You may put the puzzle together one way, and it may fit together, but I could put it together a different way using the remaining 50 pieces. In all actuality, we dont know which one did it right because we werent there when the puzzle was formed. All the science in the world can not disprove God because it is only one way of putting together the puzzle. That does not mean its the only way though.

Now imagine theists saying that their way of solving the puzzle is the only right way, and if you don't do it their way then you'll burn in Hell forever.

[BluePriest]

Here is just a simple. non debatable response, that isnt disagreeing, but pointing out something often overlooked.

Imagine a puzzle that is all white, and all the pieces are the exact same. The puzzle is only 50 pieces large, but I give you 100. You may put the puzzle together one way, and it may fit together, but I could put it together a different way using the remaining 50 pieces. In all actuality, we dont know which one did it right because we werent there when the puzzle was formed. All the science in the world can not disprove God because it is only one way of putting together the puzzle. That does not mean its the only way though.

Now imagine theists saying that their way of solving the puzzle is the only right way, and if you don't do it their way then you'll burn in Hell forever.

Lol, yes, it can be rather annoying. Everyone thinks they are putting the puzzle together the right way. Some believe there are consequences for putting it together wrong, others just hinnk you are plain ignorant for putting it together wrong. Whos is right we will only find out at death (if even then).