[Axem]

Personally, I'd say the one essence of humanity that most resembles Godhood is the urge to create, which leads me to the conclusion that if God did 'create man' he didn't do it to judge us, he did it because he could, nothing more. We are, in effect, God's high-poly amoeba. And even then, I suspect the effect is more procedural than design.

There was an interesting thought about that in another religion debate I was reading awhile back. The "God made Man his in image" may have been referring to the way God gave Man the ability to freely create. I like that angle, which goes with a quote I really like from "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"

Companions the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks--those who write new values on new tablets. Companions the creator seeks, and
fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the harvest.

If there was a God, I'd like to be around that kind of guy.

Why yes I did discover that quote from Alpha Centauri. I love that game sooo much.

[iamzack]

Discussion doesn't necessitate differing viewpoints, Fluffy.

[Polpolion]

Discussion doesn't necessitate differing viewpoints, Fluffy.

Yes it does.

[redsniper]

Part of it self-selection, too. The moderate and indifferent almost never poke around in these threads...

*raises hand*

[Scotty]

[off topic]

"God made Man his in image"

I always like to think of this with an analogy.  Imagine a kid making little stick people on a piece of paper.  He makes the stick figures in 'his own image' because he makes them as like to him as he can.  Sure, they're flawed, but the kid created them, and he takes pride in his little picture.
 

[/off topic]

So the answer is no, he cannot make a triangle with 4 sides.

Yes he can.  But when he did, the feeble-minded people went insane.  He then named it a quadrilateral.   

I can't see the other posts atm.  I'll post again tomorrow.

[iamzack]

2 + 2 = 5

[Axem]

[off topic]

"God made Man his in image"

I always like to think of this with an analogy.  Imagine a kid making little stick people on a piece of paper.  He makes the stick figures in 'his own image' because he makes them as like to him as he can.  Sure, they're flawed, but the kid created them, and he takes pride in his little picture.
 

[/off topic]

I like that actually. A creator cannot create more than him. It also demonstrates a tragic flaw in God. He cannot create an equal, all his creations will be flawed in some degree. If God takes up 50.000...1% of the universe, the best he can do is make something that is 49.999...%. It would even passed on to us, one man cannot make another. We require someone else to help.

[Hellstryker]

Part of it self-selection, too. The moderate and indifferent almost never poke around in these threads...

*raises hand*

I don't post in these threads because:

#1: They're ultimately pointless and don't change anyones view on anything.

#2: I personally could care less where we came from or where we go when we die. We should be focusing on our progression as a species, and religion certainly doesn't seem to have helped that very much.

[karajorma]

That said, given that there is a large vocal majority of atheists on this forums (with powers to boot) I have no desire to continue this discussion thing.

Then explain why you've been banned by Goober just as often as by me.

If you can manage to be a part of an adult discussions you're in no danger. If you can't discuss the subject like an adult then I'll agree you should leave before you  get yourself monkeyed again.

This thread has managed 10 pages so far without the need to ban anyone. If people can keep their heads it can continue.

[NGTM-1R]

There are plenty of examples where faith in God has led to rather grievous consequences.

Most of which happen at the hands of the criminal, the psychotic, and the radical.

A bit late perhaps, but for your education, I wish to point out this is a formalized logical fallacy. No True Scotsman

[Polpolion]

#2: I personally could care less where we came from or where we go when we die. We should be focusing on our progression as a species, and religion certainly doesn't seem to have helped that very much.

Oh really? So seeing as how it's possible for you to care less, it could be said that you care more than the minimum amount. Therefore, it can be said that you do care.

[Rick James]

#2: I personally could care less where we came from or where we go when we die. We should be focusing on our progression as a species, and religion certainly doesn't seem to have helped that very much.

Oh really? So seeing as how it's possible for you to care less, it could be said that you care more than the minimum amount. Therefore, it can be said that you do care.

[NGTM-1R]

Well, this is dying, so I feel a need to prod someone on answering my questions about the morality of God and Hell, Scotty perhaps, since Trash wasn't very good at directly addressing any of my arguments. Because I want an answer dammit! Explain to me why I should worship a being who blamed those least cuplable, thus creating original sin, who is an enormous asshole with or without a lake of fire because he advocates eternal punishment. As an episode of West Wing put it, years ago, and which I had the good fortune to stumble upon yesterday: Cruciatus in crucem. To Hell with your punishments.

[Galemp]

Are you familiar with the concept of Limbo? It's not official doctrine, but it's supposed to be the fate of all virtuous pagans. It kinda fits the whole 'not with God, but not in the lake of fire' thing you're asking for. Try reading Dante, his conversations with Virgil address  your concerns.

[Scotty]

a being who blamed those least cuplable, thus creating original sin

God told them "Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will surely die."  Genesis 2:17

God told them not to.  They did.  Granted, they were tempted by the serpent, but they ate it anyway.  If you read the rest of the book of Genesis, God punishes the serpent by forcing it to slither on its belly on the ground.  You can read that however you want if you believe in evolution or believe that God doesn't exist, but He does not just punish man.  (Genesis 3:14)

Explain to me why I should worship...

Because His son died for you.  If your life was rescued by a cop who was killed protecting you, would you express your condolences to the parents of that cop?  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"  (John 3:16)  Similarly, would you spite and hate your biological father, simply because he can ground you if you don't obey him?

To Hell with your punishments.

There is only punishment if you disobey him.  Perhaps I have been mis-wording my posts earlier.  Believing and having faith in God is not the way to heavan (though it is a pre-requisite).  Accepting Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is what does it.  To explain, Jesus took the blame for anything you may do or have done against God.

Wow, that sounded really preachy.  Sorry if I offend anyone.   

   10 pages without a banning?!  Impossible!  We're under our quota.   

[General Battuta]

I don't think Scotty's arguments make any sense unless you already believe in God and Jesus.

[Scotty]

I answered NGTM-1R's question, which, to be answered, requires assuming God exists.

I don't think Scotty's arguments make any sense unless you already believe in God and Jesus

Wow, that sounded really preachy

Do you not believe Jesus lived?  There are Roman records that he was crucified from the year 33 A.D.  It is actual fact that Jesus lived and died.

[Polpolion]

a being who blamed those least cuplable, thus creating original sin

God told them "Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will surely die."  Genesis 2:17

God told them not to.  They did.  Granted, they were tempted by the serpent, but they ate it anyway.  If you read the rest of the book of Genesis, God punishes the serpent by forcing it to slither on its belly on the ground.  You can read that however you want if you believe in evolution or believe that God doesn't exist, but He does not just punish man.  (Genesis 3:14)

Explain to me why I should worship...

Because His son died for you.  If your life was rescued by a cop who was killed protecting you, would you express your condolences to the parents of that cop?  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"  (John 3:16)  Similarly, would you spite and hate your biological father, simply because he can ground you if you don't obey him?

To Hell with your punishments.

There is only punishment if you disobey him.  Perhaps I have been mis-wording my posts earlier.  Believing and having faith in God is not the way to heavan (though it is a pre-requisite).  Accepting Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is what does it.  To explain, Jesus took the blame for anything you may do or have done against God.

Why did God give us freedom of choice if we'd be condemned to eternal damnation for not obeying him? I'd rather not have freedom of choice and automatically go to heaven than be stuck here and have to not utilize my ability to do what I want and still probably go to hell for something that I did wrong.

[General Battuta]

I answered NGTM-1R's question, which, to be answered, requires assuming God exists.

I don't think Scotty's arguments make any sense unless you already believe in God and Jesus

Wow, that sounded really preachy

Do you not believe Jesus lived?  There are Roman records that he was crucified from the year 33 A.D.  It is actual fact that Jesus lived and died.

That doesn't mean you have to believe he died for anything more than his own beliefs/convictions/delusions, whatever you prefer.

You're using Christian dogma -- Christ died for our sins -- as a reason to believe in Christian dogma.

I mean, why don't you believe in Mohammed? He came after Jesus, and he knew all about Jesus and thought he was a great guy, and he did crazy stuff for God. Shouldn't we just all update to that latest Abrahamic patch and convert to Islam?

It's all just tales in the end. Human spirituality is very important, but no one narrative should gain primacy or be treated as the correct one.

[Scotty]

You must have missed part of that.  (Not you, Battuta)

Accepting Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is what does it.  To explain, Jesus took the blame for anything you may do or have done against God.

Why did God give us freedom of choice

Because God doesn't want a group of automatons to mindlessly voice praises and accolades to Him.  I think TrashMan said something about that a few pages ago.

I'd rather not have freedom of choice and automatically go to heaven than be stuck here and have to not utilize my ability to do what I want and still probably go to hell for something that I did wrong.

And it's your choice to think that.  

have to not utilize my ability to do what I want

What are you wanting to do that would be so frowned upon?    Repent!      </joke>

still probably go to hell for something that I did wrong

I repeat, Jesus died for you and accepted the blame.  If you accept his sacrifice, and live a life of (relative) innocence (nobody's perfect, except Jesus), you go to heaven.  That's what's written.  (I realize that you have to believe in God and Jesus to accept that explanation, but that's what I see written in the Bible).

there is a large vocal majority of atheists on this forums

Taking back the General Discussion in the name of God!