   My own theory on life
  I believe, from a mildly Christian standpoint, that belief in God is ultimately irrelevant, especially if one is concerned on trying to prove to oneself the existence of God.I believe that it does not matter whether God exists. You can or not believe in God... ultimately, it has no bearing on your own salvation, that is, the redemption you might seek for your actions. I believe that the universally correct way to exist, to live from day to day, is to try not to deny what you believe by some measure to be true, but only if you can say, with complete self-assurance, "I don't know if this is true, but I feel that this is more a reality in my own life than an illusion. In the future, I may change my mind, but I do not feel I am rationalizing this truth to suit my own selfish wants." I believe that most humans have a certain degree of common sense so as not to believe any philosophical extremes, but even then, I believe that certain extremes are inexcusable. Who could, without rationalization, believe that genocide is ever justifiable.I also believe that no one can ever really know what anybody else really thinks. In other words, anyone can lie. That having been said, hypothetical observations about other people's situations and whether they are justifiable, given my beliefs, is useless (e.g. "So Hitler is justified in killing jews if that's what he believes?")But now I have some questions. Do you guys agree at all? What do you think about this in relation to Christianity? for example, is it a sin for John to miss Church if he truly believes it's a sin, but perhaps God doesn't consider it a sin, given whatever circumstances? In either case, John has failed his own beliefs. I believe that it would be a sin, but there are certain limits I believe in also, like John would be excused if he thought smiling was a sin or would not be excused if he considered rape a biological prerogative.Any input welcome.   
Quote:Any input welcome.If banas were ment to be opened from the wrong end they would hang like that from the banana tree./MindWipe   ;  You have put together a wishy-washy version of Christianity that allows you to believe whatever you like, not condemn anyone for their beliefs, and still hold certain sensible moral standards. You are probably less dangerous than a fundie; you still won't get invited to my parties.   ;Quote:Original post by King of MenYou have put together a wishy-washy version of Christianity that allows you to believe whatever you like, not condemn anyone for their beliefs, and still hold certain sensible moral standards. You are probably less dangerous than a fundie; you still won't get invited to my parties.Either you're stupid or you've missed my point, or both =/. This isn't a religion or social law. It is a personal belief that honest-hearted men can choose to believe in or not.   ;Quote:Original post by MindWipeQuote:Any input welcome.If banas were ment to be opened from the wrong end they would hang like that from the banana tree./MindWipeI open bananas from the "wrong" end -- the end that they don't hang by. It's better that way. Arguing about what's "natural", which you so often like to do, is pointless, stupid, and futile. It simply doesn't matter.;Quote:Original post by grungeryI believe, from a mildly Christian standpoint, that belief in God is ultimately irrelevant, especially if one is concerned on trying to prove to oneself the existence of God.You are correct. It does not matter whether or not one believes in God.  If God exists, and you believe in Him, then you're golden.  If God exists, and you don't believe in Him, then you're hosed, but that's just something you'll have to deal with.  If God does not exist, it matters not one lick whether or not you believe in him because: fuck you, you're dead at some point.Quote:Original post by grungeryI believe that it does not matter whether God exists. You can or not believe in God... ultimately, it has no bearing on your own salvation, that is, the redemption you might seek for your actions.You're using the words "salvation" and "redemption" here, whereas you are unclear as far as what you need to be saved from or redeemed of.Quote:Original post by grungery I believe that the universally correct way to exist, to live from day to day, is to try not to deny what you believe by some measure to be true, but only if you can say, with complete self-assurance, "I don't know if this is true, but I feel that this is more a reality in my own life than an illusion. In the future, I may change my mind, but I do not feel I am rationalizing this truth to suit my own selfish wants." I believe that most humans have a certain degree of common sense so as not to believe any philosophical extremes, but even then, I believe that certain extremes are inexcusable. Who could, without rationalization, believe that genocide is ever justifiable.I get two things from reading this paragraph, but need some clarification.  One, in your moral code, the only "sin" is rationalization (in many cases a useful human mechanism that exists for a purpose)?  Or is it having "selfish wants"?Two, it sounds like you are saying "I believe what I believe, and therefore I'm OK."As a side note, the "universally correct way to exist" is something of a problem.  How the hell do YOU know?  If we stipulate that God exists, and that God has a plan for you, then we can also decide that if you are doing the correct thing, then God will reward you.  If you do the contrary, then God shits in your wheaties.  If there is no God, and you believe there is one, then you assume coincidences are manifestations of "God's Will", and react to them that way.  If there is no God and you don't believe there is, then the stupid random shit that happens to you in life is just that: stupid random shit.Quote:Original post by grungeryI also believe that no one can ever really know what anybody else really thinks. In other words, anyone can lie. That having been said, hypothetical observations about other people's situations and whether they are justifiable, given my beliefs, is useless (e.g. "So Hitler is justified in killing jews if that's what he believes?")If God exists, and God has a Plan for the world, there is still no human being who knows what it is.  At best, people are guessing what God wants. Maybe the Holocaust was part of Gods plan (assuming He exists, and further assuming He has a Plan), or maybe there is no God and hence no Plan.  Or maybe there's a Plan but no God(odd, but conceivable and interesting).Quote:Original post by grungeryBut now I have some questions. Do you guys agree at all? What do you think about this in relation to Christianity? for example, is it a sin for John to miss Church if he truly believes it's a sin, but perhaps God doesn't consider it a sin, given whatever circumstances? In either case, John has failed his own beliefs. I believe that it would be a sin, but there are certain limits I believe in also, like John would be excused if he thought smiling was a sin or would not be excused if he considered rape a biological prerogative.So, in other words, you have a completely subjective and arbitrary belief system.  Here's a clue: so does everybody else.  Some folks just have a lot of similar beliefs in common with others.  Then they join together, sing songs, eat crackers, drink grape juice and put money into wicker baskets.   ;If banas were ment to be opened from the wrong end they would hang like that from the banana tree./MindWipewhy does it matter what end you open them? as long as they are eaten.   ;  If you use an existing religion (which you find to be wrong) to invent your own, what makes yours more valid than it?   ;  My belief system is as follows:There is a god/group of godsThere is a plan The plan is inviolable (no free will, only destiny)The purpose of life is so that we can learn and experience different stuffAfter we die, we either reicnarnate, or if we already learned everything that is to be learned, and experienced everything that is to be experienced, we become some sort of gods ourselves.   ;  Now I use the term religion loosely in this post, mainly because I'm not sure if it encompasses what I'm talking about or not.I'm an atheist, I don't believe in God or anything supernatural.  However I believe in living my life to a set of morals and for the most part they're shared with most Christians.  For example I don't believe in casual sex, something no Christian following the bible should partake in.  I think the reason I share for the most part the same thoughts on how people should live their lives is because these guidelines are the way they are because they promote a rich, happy lifestyle with meaningful relationships.Which brings me to the point of my post.  Can you have a 'religion' with the same(or similar) guidelines to Christianity, but without God, without miracles, without the parts many atheists find hard to accept?  The answer to my mind is yes.  The thing I'm puzzled about is why there isn't an organised religion like this?Why aren't there groups of people who study the lives of people(one such person could be Jesus) in order to try and live their own from a better viewpoint?  The closest thing I can think of are sixth formers obsessing over Che Guevara.  Most of my closest friends are Christian and take part in regular bible-study groups.  In a way I wish I was Christian.  I've considered going along to the groups with them.  Places I would be welcome, however I don't think I'd fit in.What are your thoughts on the matter?  And from a Christian standpoint, is an atheist with strong morals a good person, someone who'll end up being judged positively?   