Community | January 28, 2012 | 328 comments

How Did You Lose Your Religion?

source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dknumOcNVcU

BRAVATRAVELS
Why don’t you believe in God? I get that question all the time. I always try to give a sensitive, reasoned answer. This is usually awkward, time consuming and pointless. People who believe in God don’t need proof of his existence, and they certainly don’t want evidence to the contrary. They are happy with their belief. They even say things like “it’s true to me” and “it’s faith.” I still give my logical answer because I feel that not being honest would be patronizing and impolite. It is ironic therefore that “I don’t believe in God because there is absolutely no scientific evidence for his existence and from what I’ve heard the very definition is a logical impossibility in this known universe,” comes across as both patronizing and impolite.

Arrogance is another accusation. Which seems particularly unfair. Science seeks the truth. And it does not discriminate. For better or worse it finds things out. Science is humble. It knows what it knows and it knows what it doesn’t know. It bases its conclusions and beliefs on hard evidence -­- evidence that is constantly updated and upgraded. It doesn’t get offended when new facts come along. It embraces the body of knowledge. It doesn’t hold on to medieval practices because they are tradition. If it did, you wouldn’t get a shot of penicillin, you’d pop a leach down your trousers and pray. Whatever you “believe,” this is not as effective as medicine. Again you can say, “It works for me,” but so do placebos. My point being, I’m saying God doesn’t exist. I’m not saying faith doesn’t exist. I know faith exists. I see it all the time. But believing in something doesn’t make it true. Hoping that something is true doesn’t make it true. The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesn’t. It’s not a matter of opinion. You can have your own opinions. But you can’t have your own facts.

Why don’t I believe in God? No, no no, why do YOU believe in God? Surely the burden of proof is on the believer. You started all this. If I came up to you and said, “Why don’t you believe I can fly?” You’d say, “Why would I?” I’d reply, “Because it’s a matter of faith.” If I then said, “Prove I can’t fly. Prove I can’t fly see, see, you can’t prove it can you?” You’d probably either walk away, call security or throw me out of the window and shout, ‘’F—ing fly then you lunatic.”

This, is of course a spirituality issue, religion is a different matter. As an atheist, I see nothing “wrong” in believing in a god. I don’t think there is a god, but belief in him does no harm. If it helps you in any way, then that’s fine with me. It’s when belief starts infringing on other people’s rights when it worries me. I would never deny your right to believe in a god. I would just rather you didn’t kill people who believe in a different god, say. Or stone someone to death because your rulebook says their sexuality is immoral. It’s strange that anyone who believes that an all-powerful all-knowing, omniscient power responsible for everything that happens, would also want to judge and punish people for what they are. From what I can gather, pretty much the worst type of person you can be is an atheist. The first four commandments hammer this point home. There is a god, I’m him, no one else is, you’re not as good and don’t forget it. (Don’t murder anyone, doesn’t get a mention till number 6.)

When confronted with anyone who holds my lack of religious faith in such contempt, I say, “It’s the way God made me.”

But what are atheists really being accused of?

The dictionary definition of God is “a supernatural creator and overseer of the universe.” Included in this definition are all deities, goddesses and supernatural beings. Since the beginning of recorded history, which is defined by the invention of writing by the Sumerians around 6,000 years ago, historians have cataloged over 3700 supernatural beings, of which 2870 can be considered deities.

So next time someone tells me they believe in God, I’ll say “Oh which one? Zeus? Hades? Jupiter? Mars? Odin? Thor? Krishna? Vishnu? Ra?…” If they say “Just God. I only believe in the one God,” I’ll point out that they are nearly as atheistic as me. I don’t believe in 2,870 gods, and they don’t believe in 2,869.

So what does the question “Why don’t you believe in God?” really mean. I think when someone asks that they are really questioning their own belief. In a way they are asking “what makes you so special? “How come you weren’t brainwashed with the rest of us?” “How dare you say I’m a fool and I’m not going to heaven, f— you!” Let’s be honest, if one person believed in God he would be considered pretty strange. But because it’s a very popular view it’s accepted. And why is it such a popular view? That’s obvious. It’s an attractive proposition. Believe in me and live forever. Again if it was just a case of spirituality this would be fine.

“Do unto others…” is a good rule of thumb. I live by that. Forgiveness is probably the greatest virtue there is. But that’s exactly what it is -­‐ a virtue. Not just a Christian virtue. No one owns being good. I’m good. I just don’t believe I’ll be rewarded for it in heaven. My reward is here and now. It’s knowing that I try to do the right thing. That I lived a good life. And that’s where spirituality really lost its way. When it became a stick to beat people with. “Do this or you’ll burn in hell.”

You won’t burn in hell. But be nice anyway.

-By Ricky Gervais
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328 comments // How Did You Lose Your Religion? // Video

  • RevKen
    • +4
      RevKen  

    • The simple answer is that I lost my religion trying to prove to myself that it was true. The harder I looked the more I realized it cannot be true.

    • 3 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • -2
      Gravity_Man  
    • RevKen:

      You learned your beliefs from the wrong people so sure you realized they were wrong. But try reading John the first 6-7 verses in Chapter 9 where it tells how Jesus healed the Blind man's eyesight with his spit. Jesus proved he was God's son.

      Most religions are lumped together in Revelation where John called them collectively a whore. That word came from Jesus' own lips man. The "False Religions" that call themselves his Bride have committed fornication with world governments ("kings of the earth") and they are soon to be destroyed.

      You believed the false once. You can believe the truth now. You were short-sheeted.

    • 3 months ago
  • RevKen
    • +2
      RevKen  
    • Gravity_Man:

      You have no idea who or how I learned what I did. I have read the bible many times and still have one by my desk. Sorry to tell you reading the bible is one of the big reasons I had to give up on chrisitanity.

    • 3 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +2
      BRAVATRAVELS  

    • The art you presented is amazing and beautiful...

      I wish to present you with a list of few things created by science... Please list the ones you can completely live without since you have everything you need ...right?

      The era between 1901-2000, better known as the 20th century, witnessed the birth of some remarkable creations. Right from electronic gadgets, automobiles, to articles of everyday use; these inventions stupefied the world at the time they were made. But today, they have become a part of our lives and we literally cannot imagine life without these things. The following are some of the most important inventions, designed and created in the 20th century.

      The Radio
      The invention of the radio was the first among all the major inventions of this period of 100 years (1900-2000). Radio was not invented by a single individual, but was resulted out due to the contribution of several scientists and inventors. However, Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi are considered as inventors of the Radio. In 1901, Marconi sent the first radiotelegraph message from England to Canada. Radio-telegraphy became one of the most used communication techniques after the radio was invented. The AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio was a modification that helped in making access to numerous radio stations possible.

      The Airplane
      Wilbur and Orville Wright, through their invention of the airplane in 1903, demonstrated that man could fly; actualizing a concept that was found earlier only in mythological stories. The airplane, although invented earlier, was not taken seriously until Charles Lindberg made a solo flight across the Atlantic ocean. With its unmatchable applicability, the airplane is truly one of the greatest inventions that changed the world.

      The Television
      The invention of the television dazed people all over the world. Today, life without the television is literally unimaginable for more than half the population of the world. This significant invention was made in 1926, by John Logie Baird. He is credited with making the world's first television broadcast. Soon after the first television broadcast, Baird made the first Trans-Atlantic broadcast as well as the first broadcast with color images.

      The Computer
      The computer is the greatest, incomparable invention belonging to the 20th century. There is no single inventor accredited with the invention the computer, as it was born out of many scientists', researchers' and mathematicians' contribution. Charles Babbage is credited with the actual concept of the computer, while Konrad Zuse made the first programmable computer. As further inventions took place, desktop computers, Pentium processors and laptop computers soon came into being. The Internet is also one of the most useful inventions of the 20th century.

      Cell phones
      The invention of cell phones, also called mobile phones, in 1977, made communication easier, quicker and more comfortable. Improved version of cell phones are constantly available in the market due to the ever-advancing technology. Today, cell phones also perform functions of computers and televisions and hence, are in great demand. Nearly half the world owns a cell phone today; and it will not be wrong to say that cell phones have replaced telephones or other traditional means of communication.

      Apart from these major inventions, there were several other inventions made in the 20th century. The following is a list of some other noteworthy inventions and creations:

      Inventions in the Field of Science and Technology
      •Automobiles
      •Escalator
      •Helicopter
      •Robot
      •Loudspeaker
      •Radio Telescope
      •Radar
      •Jet Engine
      •Electron Microscope
      •Atomic bomb
      •Laser
      •Nuclear Power
      •Space shuttle
      •Compact Discs
      •Zeppelin
      Inventions in the Field of Medicine
      •Polio vaccine
      •Antibiotics
      •Band-Aid
      •Chemotherapy
      •Pacemaker
      Other Inventions
      •Safety Razor
      •Vacuum cleaner
      •Electric loudspeakers
      •Neon lights
      •Cornflakes
      •Zipper
      •Toaster
      •Oven
      •Transistor
      •Ballpoint Pen
      •Cellophane
      •Chocolate chips
      Don't you think all these things have made our life easier? Therefore, we can conclude by saying that nearly all the inventions of the 20th century have transformed from novelty to necessity. Ciao!
      By Madhura Pandit

    • 4 months ago
  • Jimmy_McCambridge
    • +4
      Jimmy_McCambridge  

    • It's quite silly we have to even discuss this in 2012. It really REALLY is.

      I have nothing against extremely religious people, I really don't. The ones that try to argue the belief they have with me are the ones i'm bothered by.

      "Oh yeah??? you believe in science not god?? ok! then explain how everything was created originally! Can you explain the beginning of the universe??"

      Well, no I can't. Scientists are still working on that 100% conclusion. But, just because I can't 100% explain it doesn't mean i'm going to give up and make up a person and call them god and say he/she is responsible for it all. I mean, come on. We're an evolved species.

      Half the people that call themselves christians haven't even read half the bible. And, the other half are the same people we see picketing against abortion but vote for war and capital punishment.

      Bottom line, the conversation shouldn't even require to be had. It should be very very simple. Believe whatever the hell you want just don't try and sell me on it and when i say "fuck off" you try to belittle my beliefs.

      Seriously, look at half the people that say "Atheists have no moral compass" they have more than likely committed adultery a number of times and are willing to execute a man/woman on death row even without 100% conclusive evidence.
      YOU ARE CONTRADICTING YOURSELF AND YET YOU THINK YOUR BELIEFS ARE SOMEHOW MORE INTELLECTUALLY SUPERIOR TO MINE! WAKE UP!

      My favorite is when Scientology became popular. You heard all these christians chuckling and making the awkward yet amused look saying "Wow....those are some weird people LOL they actually believe in SCIENTOLOGY!"

      Right! because L Rod Hubard is a much much more ridiculous writer than the guys tripping on shrooms who wrote what they witnessed and labeled it the bible.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +1
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • Image
    • Jimmy_McCambridge:

      Welcome to our forums Mr jimmy_mccambridge :D

      My only problem with extreme religious people is when they used their power or authority to abuse children...

      ....I may not agree with any religious view but I want everyone to have the right and freedom to exercise it in the privacy of their homes...

      Separation of Church and state!!! always,,,,

    • 4 months ago
  • Zoot
    • Zoot [removed]  
    • This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
  • Gravity_Man
  • Gravity_Man
  • Zoot
    • Zoot [removed]  
    • This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +1
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • Zoot:

      The art you presented is amazing and beautiful...

      I wish to present you with a list of few things created by science... Please list the ones you can completely live without since you have everything you need ...right?

      The era between 1901-2000, better known as the 20th century, witnessed the birth of some remarkable creations. Right from electronic gadgets, automobiles, to articles of everyday use; these inventions stupefied the world at the time they were made. But today, they have become a part of our lives and we literally cannot imagine life without these things. The following are some of the most important inventions, designed and created in the 20th century.

      The Radio
      The invention of the radio was the first among all the major inventions of this period of 100 years (1900-2000). Radio was not invented by a single individual, but was resulted out due to the contribution of several scientists and inventors. However, Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi are considered as inventors of the Radio. In 1901, Marconi sent the first radiotelegraph message from England to Canada. Radio-telegraphy became one of the most used communication techniques after the radio was invented. The AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio was a modification that helped in making access to numerous radio stations possible.

      The Airplane
      Wilbur and Orville Wright, through their invention of the airplane in 1903, demonstrated that man could fly; actualizing a concept that was found earlier only in mythological stories. The airplane, although invented earlier, was not taken seriously until Charles Lindberg made a solo flight across the Atlantic ocean. With its unmatchable applicability, the airplane is truly one of the greatest inventions that changed the world.

      The Television
      The invention of the television dazed people all over the world. Today, life without the television is literally unimaginable for more than half the population of the world. This significant invention was made in 1926, by John Logie Baird. He is credited with making the world's first television broadcast. Soon after the first television broadcast, Baird made the first Trans-Atlantic broadcast as well as the first broadcast with color images.

      The Computer
      The computer is the greatest, incomparable invention belonging to the 20th century. There is no single inventor accredited with the invention the computer, as it was born out of many scientists', researchers' and mathematicians' contribution. Charles Babbage is credited with the actual concept of the computer, while Konrad Zuse made the first programmable computer. As further inventions took place, desktop computers, Pentium processors and laptop computers soon came into being. The Internet is also one of the most useful inventions of the 20th century.

      Cell phones
      The invention of cell phones, also called mobile phones, in 1977, made communication easier, quicker and more comfortable. Improved version of cell phones are constantly available in the market due to the ever-advancing technology. Today, cell phones also perform functions of computers and televisions and hence, are in great demand. Nearly half the world owns a cell phone today; and it will not be wrong to say that cell phones have replaced telephones or other traditional means of communication.

      Apart from these major inventions, there were several other inventions made in the 20th century. The following is a list of some other noteworthy inventions and creations:

      Inventions in the Field of Science and Technology
      •Automobiles
      •Escalator
      •Helicopter
      •Robot
      •Loudspeaker
      •Radio Telescope
      •Radar
      •Jet Engine
      •Electron Microscope
      •Atomic bomb
      •Laser
      •Nuclear Power
      •Space shuttle
      •Compact Discs
      •Zeppelin
      Inventions in the Field of Medicine
      •Polio vaccine
      •Antibiotics
      •Band-Aid
      •Chemotherapy
      •Pacemaker
      Other Inventions
      •Safety Razor
      •Vacuum cleaner
      •Electric loudspeakers
      •Neon lights
      •Cornflakes
      •Zipper
      •Toaster
      •Oven
      •Transistor
      •Ballpoint Pen
      •Cellophane
      •Chocolate chips
      Don't you think all these things have made our life easier? Therefore, we can conclude by saying that nearly all the inventions of the 20th century have transformed from novelty to necessity. Ciao!
      By Madhura Pandit

    • 4 months ago
  • DEM46
  • hanzdogy
    • +4
      hanzdogy  

    • Read the bible. That is how I passed up religion. What a bunch of contradictory horse-shit is in that piece of man-made fiction.

      If the bible was inspired by an invisible sky daddy, why didn't it at least tell us the importance of washing our hands?

    • 4 months ago
  • gardener52
    • 0
      gardener52  

    • I agree with GRC54. How can you make life, energy or anything out of nothing? It didn't just happen. something made it happen. a god of love. read Sylvia Browne's books. I know nobody listens to me

    • 4 months ago
  • DemGloriousBums
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +5
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • gardener52:

      There wasn't "nothing" in the beginning, that is such a common misconception of the big bang. There was EVERYTHING, every jouhle of energy and atom of matter in existance today was all there, compressed into a very small space. The big bang was much like a hydrogen atom in one of our bombs, small compressed bundle of mass and energy that expands at an amazing rate.

      There wasn't a need for creation, because it all previously existed, and it will again an untennable number of eons in the future all energy and all matter will once again be drawn back into that cosmic marble to start the cycle all over again.

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • gardener52
    • 0
      gardener52  
    • DemGloriousBums:

      do you think the big bang just happened for no apparent reason? I thought life was intelligently designed by something. our human brains cannot comprehend everything about god. be still and open and maybe you can find god in your heart.

    • 4 months ago
  • gardener52
  • DemGloriousBums
  • DemGloriousBums
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +2
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • gardener52:

      You gardener52...

      Your assumptions that our hearts are not open are ridiculous...

      The arrogant of some believers in a G_d .... must of you feel you know it all and we the one that are trying to open your mind to a more beautiful and inclusive earth, are crazy...??/

      I respect what you believe; why can't you respect mine the same.... we atheist don't need to open our hearts because our mind already opened for us ....

      Power to knowledge!

    • 4 months ago
  • gardener52
  • DemGloriousBums
  • gardener52
    • +1
      gardener52  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      I'm not disrespecting you. I'm just saying maybe your heart isn't open to the possibility of maybe there is a god. you have your mind already made up. ok I know I don't know it all. so why are you so sure there is no god? science? god is knowledge we will see what happens when we die ok? I'm done

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +3
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • gardener52:

      sorry to be soo technical but the heart is only an organ

      The role of the heart is to pump oxygen-rich blood to every living cell in the body. In order to achieve its goal, it must continuously beat for a person’s entire lifespan. Because of its vital role, a non-beating heart always results in death. The human heart beats approximately 80,000 to 100,000 a day and pumps almost 2,000 gallons of blood. This means that in a person’s life lasting 70 to 90 years, the heart beats approximately two to three billion times and pumps 50 to 65 million gallons of blood. Because the heart is so essential for human sustenance, it is made up of a muscle different from skeletal muscle that allows it to constantly beat.
      ........

      all feelings come from your brain...

      feelings originate in the mind. Thoughts and beliefs cause your feelings. Feelings are the result of the way your thoughts/beliefs are organized in your mind.

      Once again is how you view your own world.... so saying " one day if you open your heart you will feel something" is insulting....I will never tell you open your brain to the possibility of no G_d....

      I will scream there is no G_d.....but I am fine with anyone personal beliefs in the privacy of their home as long as they don't try to force it on me.....

    • 4 months ago
  • gardener52
    • 0
      gardener52  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      I was just trying to have a conversation. you cannot read emotions or intentions. I don't know you and you don't know me. I just thought some people might want a different perspective on god. Read Sylvia or not I don't care.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • gardener52
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +1
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • gardener52:

      Trust me, beyond all reasonable doubt most atheists have long considered the possibility of the existance of a God, most of were raised within a religious household, went thru periods of questioning and curiosity. Almost all of us spent years in a realm that can only be called agnosticism. Why do you believe that we non-believers haven't considered the possibility?

    • 4 months ago
  • Jimmy_McCambridge
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +1
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • Truthitswhatsfordinner:

      "What created the atoms of matter? Did they create themselves?" I don't see why not, the damned crud under my nail after a hard day of work seems to create itself no matter how many times I scrape it out. If you want to continue this line of thinking let me ask you "Who created God? Or did he just create himself?" If everything must have a source of creation as you seem to insist then whence did God come from? And where ever it is he came from, who or what created the creator of God?

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • GRC54
    • +5
      GRC54  

    • I believe there is a higher being with more smarts than us. I do not believe in organized religion. So keep your God to yourself and you get my respect. Don't try to convince me to believe in your God as my mind is already made up.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • Gravity_Man
    • +3
      Gravity_Man  
    • DemGloriousBums:

      WOW! You made excellent points, and very well said too! Uhm, it depends on how we define "worship". If we think of it as 'slaves bowing' is one thing. If we think of: He's our Creator and knows more than we do then His asking (demanding, whatever) obedience would all be for our own everlasting good... to KEEP ON being everlasting (and not end up as dust returned to the ground as happened to Adam & Eve).

      So "worship" would be as well from Greed-to-remain-living on our part of the deal as anything. I suppose all these impure intentions are really not that. They are a working symbiotic arrangement => God gives us a restored planet, and so on & so forth, and in exchange we say THANK YOU.

      Adam was perfect. He would still be perfect except he decided to go his own way, BE HIS OWN MAN. So now he's his own dust. He chose the wrong goblet, as Indiana Jones would say.

      Adam was created with a desire to have enverything he wanted. Taste buds to taste THE BEST FOODS not just food. Ears to hear THE BEST MUSIC AND ENSEMBLES AND ORCHESTRAS not just noises. Eyes to take in all Beauty in all forms, AND IN COLOR not Black & White as our supposed ancestors the animals. Our brain with as many cells as stars some say plus to observe many animals and plants that have stuff we lack, such as a multi-lens eye for instance. And none of us smell like flowers, so He gave us all kinds of them.

      Most people today view all our shortcomings, having to fight & claw to make a Living, to have Heat & Cooling (electricity), all of which prevents people from feeling Thankful enough to even consider worshipful obedience since THERE ISN'T ENOUGH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. If you knew what I know about energy that it can be made from inert substances to exceed gasoline, without any pollution, no one would have trouble feeling thankful. And to know that as Imitation Energy, power without the calories (exhausted poisons).

      And then once the full hammer of all that hit you between the eyeballs and you jumped to your feet and shouted GOD GAVE US LIMITLESS AND INEXHAUSTIBLE ENERGY THAT CAN NEVER BE USED UP.... as I have done many times, "obedience" becomes lot less a "demand" and a lot more voluntary.

      Keeping us all slogging through crude oil on our feet is to keep people from thanking God, in my opinion. Not only did they stop all of my engines they stopped Tesla's and Floyd Sweet's (1987) and who knows how many others. We live in a cage.

    • 4 months ago
  • DemGloriousBums
  • Gravity_Man
    • +3
      Gravity_Man  
    • DemGloriousBums:

      Fear yep, that has been the major churches' big thing for a long time. To fear things isn't a crime. It's respecting the other side of the coin, always a good policy anyway. Once ya learn the Bible does NOT teach eternal torment for the wicked, Fear ceases to be a motivating force (and donation plate-filling threat).

      That separates the men from the boys when worship has to come from being thankful, without fear of torture. I have a great respect for 8 inch diamond tipped sawblades from Sears Roebuck... since it didn't stop for my hand. HAHAHAHA

    • 4 months ago
  • DemGloriousBums
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • DemGloriousBums:

      Yeah, but I still have the blade, just in case. Perhaps I'm just an old hoarder, or sentimental. Actually the day it happened I was high from bipolar chemicals flooding the brain and had no business operating MACHINERY. So I paid the price. But, you'd be surprised how fast the old adrenalin can pull your hand out before worst damage can happen!

      Perhaps this entire beautiful planet is God's altar. He decorated it right nicely. Oops, that would mean we're destroying His altar. That's probably not the best of all choices things ta do.

    • 4 months ago
  • zampano
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • zampano
  • DemGloriousBums
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +2
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • DemGloriousBums:

      For some is a dream to feel that someone is watching over them
      ..awww how glorious if that was true....

      I would not work or do anything because I already know the end of my own book "my so call life"

      What is amazing: is the unknown, the discoveries, the unexpected.... I can't wait for tomorrow because today I learned everything I needed.....:D

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • +1
      Gravity_Man  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      hahaha That isn't what the Bible says! There isn't just one person there's 144,000 persons WATCHING YOU. (HAHAHA Revelation 14 verse 1). And that isn't counting God + Jesus hahaha. You sir are UNDER ARREST oops I mean surveillance. A million angels will be by in the morning to confiscate your stuff. HAHAHA

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • Gravity_Man
    • +1
      Gravity_Man  
    • Image

    • Three simple ways to kill cancer cells FAST are:

      #1 > Strangle em.
      #2 > Thirst em.
      #3 > Burn em.

      Explained here => http://forums.utsandiego.com/showpost.php?p=4607048&postcount=2504

      But why post that here, a thread about religion? Well, my life began with several awesome head concussions. I had trouble pronouncing my own name into the 2nd Grade. Like most young children in the 1950's my head was filled with Bible stories and told to believe in God and Jesus.

      I was to have numerous more concussions, plus weird medical issues that kept me in a mental fog most of my life, making very poor decisions about everything. I was mostly a walking dead man, my immune system not getting energy from the thyroid. I am not the person who should have the mental togetherness to solve cancer, but I did.

      I was kept alive by that "Higher Power" to do so. It is your gift, not from me but from God, that fella many of you keep saying "isn't doing anything". Well, for 60 years he kept me alive through hypothermia, and blood poisoning from a thyroid gland inherited from the wrong parent. I barely functioned along, and most who knew me thought I was THE REJECT OF ALL TIME. And they were right. I should have died as an infant. I was kept alive 60 long hard years to be here telling you how to destroy Goliath, by yourself, without doctors, without hospitals or Medicare that is sapping your economy.

      There's another way also to stop cancers, #4, but it takes a bit explaining how to poison cancer cells with too much nutrition. That's on my wreck of a homepage => www.newpath4.com for anyone willing to stand the un-educated design.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • Gravity_Man
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • zampano
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • Henry_Massingale
    • +1
      Henry_Massingale  

    • Religion, is a matter of faith of many different ways of people. To Bible Thump people and children into a way of seeing this Religion, is by far a turn off because the Word not to be shown but to discover it in your own way of seeing. But all to many wish to say this is what this means no matter what you see.
      A part of me is Lakota. And we knew of God long before the white man came to this land. But to say to us that our faith is wrong, will in fact be wrong of a people to judge another man's faith.
      What is God ? He is by far not found in text, but if you seek the foundation of Him, it is as simple as a earth worm of creation of life.
      As for not to worry about going to hell, if I was you I would worry.
      But within the 21st. Century Of Man, God has become a four letter word to be deleted from the concepts of the building block of a childs heart and mind, of the real possibility that There Is A God and we do understand why such a effort is now in this Country of America, if God is not known only them will be seen as a god.
      I am forbidden by faith within my covenant to show you God but I am allowed to show you the essence of Evil and by the hand of man. Some say that this Evil stays in the darkness for-bidden by God to enter the light of creation.
      But if the one wishes to be as one with Evil, it can be found, but when man seeks to be as one with the essence of God, for most the way is lost.
      This is because you seek God according to what is written and not by the gift of the Trinity Of The Heart Mind and Soul. Just a little riddle for you to ponder over.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • KB723
  • TrylonPerisphere
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • rerushg
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • bailey78
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • bailey78
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • ShlomoMojo
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • LivingPong
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • rerushg
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • rerushg
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +1
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • rerushg:

      That's beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

      I have to admit that some of the most incredible music I've ever heard was in church-- which reminds me: The beauty of nature is always so magnificent, and one of the prettiest serene places I've ever been to was Devil's Lake, Wisconsin. (Interesting name.)

      I haven't heard such a pretty *unknown* voice since I was in the church choir, so many years ago.
      No doubt, at this time of the year, Devil's Lake is probably covered with snow:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xH0tdexvXY

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +3
      BRAVATRAVELS  

    • I refuse to accept the comments " I am good I do good deeds and I don't believe in religion only in G_d" For me that doesn't cut it anymore.

      Religion is evil and anyone that contributes to the destruction of our freedoms doesn't deserve any respect from me.

      Will the world judged me if I was a non-member of the KKK who participates in their soup kitchens family gatherings and said " I hate only blacks and Latinos who are criminals"? "I support only a little be of your stupidity"

      You can't be just a little stupid T_T

      When you still defend an institution just to be kind something is definitely wrong..

      And for those who said I am not religious I only believe in G_d,,,

      well that is just a cop-out... Either you in or you out... I know is scary but deep down inside you know is bullshit but maybe you are too afraid to just let go and see the world for what it is a beautiful planet full of learning experience and discoveries....
      tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
      I lost my religion when I started to travel and discovered different cultures and beliefs systems, when I saw the injustices, ignorance and fear...

      I am no longer afraid to speak of my beliefs... While raising two individuals ( boy and a girl) to be respectful, inquisitive, and open minded....One can see the nonsense us atheist have to put up with..

      I see how living in Florida had cause my daughter to get hurt and get bullied by "religious children" ( that is another topic to discuss..Child abuse at its best) has help for her to understand the evil behind religion and their followers...

      The topic of religion has always been dealt with, behind closed doors but it is time for us to wake up and smell the bullshit that we been fed for generations....

      At the end everything that happens in our lives...ex, political, personal, education, work, etc... has been influence by the monster of religion...

      We should all be free!!!

      Occupy Religion!!

    • 4 months ago
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +2
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      OK cool your jets, it's this trend that is giving modern atheists a negative twist. Don't get me wrong I by no means support religion, nor am I advocating a belief in God. There are those out there who are not parishoners of any given religion, yet they hold true to thier belief in God. In many of these people this belief they foster has brought about many great things. Do some soul searching on this I beseech you! Thomas Jefferson (as well as most of our founding fathers) held belief in a God, but could not subscribe to any religion put before them. Mother Theresa had long disbanded her faith in the church while still helping the needy. Even the agnostic who cannot be dissuaded from a belief in God still do many honorable things because they know if there is a God he would view these actions favorably.

      Religiousness is not the root of these problems. Religion, the indoctrination of archaic and contradictory teachings is the root, and the foolish unthinking individuals who follow them are the problem.

      P.S. I have always seen Epicurus' quote as something akin to Ockham's Razor for the religious "The simplest answer is most always the right answer."

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +4
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • Image
    • The_Wanderer_Kansas:

      How is me being open about my experiences negative?

      I am very radical when it comes to religion and I am not apologizing anymore...

      I just remember this great article I read on Why I am an atheist ... Let me share....
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      http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/WhyIamanAtheist.htm

      How much Reality do you want?
      By David Fitzgerald

      I never looked at anything the same way. I began to question everything. In hindsight, losing my virginity was a breeze. Losing my religion took me a whole year to get over!

      I felt like a trap door had fallen out beneath me, and instead of plummeting to the ground I was suspended in midair 10,000 feet up with the clouds going by beneath me. For a year I kept wondering “what’s keeping me up?” All those years I thought there was an all-powerful invisible god protecting me, and suddenly that was gone… What was keeping me safe?

      Well, somehow I survived…

      And not only that, but things actually got better!

      I began to look at people completely differently; I stopped seeing people as Catholics, as Christians, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc. etc. and just saw them as People. People just like me, with their own dreams, problems, and thoughts on the universe. Most importantly, I stopped automatically categorizing people as “Saved” and “Hellbound”!

      Suddenly Evolution made a lot more sense.

      The Universe seemed much bigger, and at the same time closer and more connected to me than it ever did before.

      Cue the upbeat music for the closing credits: Now I’m astounded that I could ever have believed all the ridiculous & hateful nonsense even for a minute. Life is free, really free when your mind is free. Even though Life can be an unpredictable all-bets-are-off scary place sometimes, I couldn’t and wouldn’t go back to the spun-sugar sickly-sweet illusionary comforts of Christianity, or any other religion lurking around for that matter either.

      I want to tell every religious person out there that when they have doubts, when what they are being told doesn’t seem fair or make sense, to respect that part of them that gives them that gut feeling.

      I’m alive. We’re all alive. Go out there and enjoy Life & Love.

    • 4 months ago
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +4
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      Maybe one day you will learn hatred spawns hatred, and your now blind hatred of religion will only feed the fire of the religious to hate all atheists, myself included... Everytime you claim atheism your are representing ALL atheists in the eyes of the religious. Your actions will cause hate to be brought against the rest of us. Target the individuals who have caused you and your family grievance... DO NOT hate the little ol' granny who's raised her own kids and some of her grandchildren and goes to church everyweek just because she likes to sing in the choir, or the college student who feeds the poor at a soup kitchen just because she attends Mass on Sundays.

      Our organized religions are bad, no doubt, but blind hatred is worse.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +3
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • The_Wanderer_Kansas:

      You see hate is a very strong word...

      I don't hate anything or anybody....

      I dislike religion to the point of being disrespectful but hate... no my brother ...please do not twist my statements....

      I am not an atheist because anyone caused any grievance to me or my family that is preposterous....

      Your examples are flawed because it presents scenarios never talked or argued by me....

      My point is clear... Religion is bullshit!! Plain and simple....

      My actions can only cause people to think and to question the world around them....

      Come on man let's go back to the real argument...

      The evil of religion...

    • 4 months ago
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +2
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • BRAVATRAVELS:

      "Religion is evil..." "...can't be just a little stupid..." "...the evil of religion...""...the monster of religion..."

      These are your words, not mine...and they would seem to anyone as hateful. Thats how they seemed to me. These are many of the same phrases used by the hatemongering propagandists I see daily on the television. I Agree that religion has taken humanity down a path we never should have tread, but on the flip side of that coin the religious individuals of the world are not all so bad or evil, nor are all of thier beliefs simple bullshit. I think you have spent too much time mulling over the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Catholicism, Islam) for too long and need to go in search of representativea of other religions. Ever discussed beliefs with a Taoist, or a Bhuddist? Ever been hunting with a Mic Mac, or fishing with an Inuit? Go have a drink with a Druidic Shaman, or on a walkabout with an Australian aboriginee... there is FAR more to this discussion and to the religious people of the world then you have taken time to consider... thats my point.

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +2
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • The_Wanderer_Kansas:

      "Religion is evil..." "...can't be just a little stupid..." "...the evil of religion...""...the monster of religion..."

      Yep that is the true... I don't see the word hate anywhere... just truth!

      sorry but you don't get to change the meaning of my statements just with your opinion....

      No matter what you said and your conclusions... I am a free thinker full of love and happiness who discovered long time ago that religion is bullshit and will not stop spreading knowledge and information....

      Your opinion will not changed who I am.... You see just because you believe something is true; it doesn't make it true...(all pun intended)

      Down with religion and fake atheists!!

      Occupy religion!

      You see... no hate just radical!!!

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • jackhole
    • +2
      jackhole  

    • But the word of the LORD came to me [i.e., David], saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an HOUSE unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. (1 Chronicles 22.8.)

    • 4 months ago
  • HarukoHaruhara
    • +12
      HarukoHaruhara  

    • I just reached a point where I said, "Wait a minute, Noah got two of EVERY SINGLE species of animals onto ONE BOAT?" I looked it up and saw there are 30 million animal species in the world, and I said, "you can't get 60 million animals onto ONE BOAT. Oh, you're pulling my twaddle!" And then I said, "Eve came from Adam's rib? Really? Oh, bollocks!" And finally came "wait a minute, Christ rose from the dead after three days? Then just up and left and said, "I'll be back? Someday. So watch your step!' Really?"

      And then they punished me for thinking for myself, and I realised I was right to question things and I realised at a very young age they didn't want you thinking for yourself.

      But it all started with Noah.

    • 4 months ago
  • snoskier
  • HarukoHaruhara
    • +6
      HarukoHaruhara  
    • snoskier:

      And who cleaned up all that poop!? 60 million animals' worth of poop? One llama makes a mess you wouldn't believe.

      Sorry, don't mean to offend, I was just too much of a doubting Thomas when I was a brat for my own good.

    • 4 months ago
  • joeredford
  • BRAVATRAVELS
    • +3
      BRAVATRAVELS  
    • HarukoHaruhara:

      HarukoHaruhara... you are right on the money..

      To ask a person to suspend all common sense and believe such a unbelievable bullshit is beyond arrogant and to hear people arguing the validity of such bullshit is ignorant and stupid...

      Power to knowledge and free thinking!!!

    • 4 months ago
  • BRAVATRAVELS
  • zampano
  • BRAVATRAVELS
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