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I'm growing weary of politics. I'd much rather stand firm for Christ, who's love is never failing, than a politician bound by the laws and demands of society.
An agnostic is an atheist without a backbone.
I guess technically I would call myself an agnostic because there's always that 1 in aleph_nought probability that there is a bad man in the sky killing us all, and I guess I would believe in god if the alleged showed himself to me.
I guess the most accurate description of my faith is that I'm atheist with probability approaching 1.
+1
I'm growing weary of politics. I'd much rather stand firm for Christ, who's love is never failing, than a politician bound by the laws and demands of society.
So you two want to turn this country into white Iran?
Iran and Saudi Arabia are great examples of mixing church and state.
Why are you so threatened by Christians?
You do realize that ALL of the founders were Christian, and that they successfully birthed a nation w/o a state religion?
I find MUCH more hate these days coming from the self-ascribed atheistic community than from Christians.
The they were. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin were NOT Christians.
Religion is an abstraction of the idea of do it because I say so; don't question me. Religion is responsible for countless wars, genocides, and for keeping people in the dark. Religion is anti-intellectual in the highest degree. Religion has always been a power grab. Religion was used to exploit black slaves and keep them in line while leading them into believing their suffering was good because it was going to make their spot in the alleged afterlife cushier. Religion tells people to kill themselves so they can bang 72 virgins in paradise. Religion is the best way to get rich in this country and not pay taxes. Religion fills people full of false hope that is justified by nothing more than a book full of inconsistencies and myths and a few loudmouths who play on people's fears. Religion is one of the worst things ever created by man.
Certainly would fit within the LARGE umbrella that is Christiandom. Shall I continue to search for each of the gentlemen you listed, or will you admit you don't know what the you are talking about now?Benjamin Franklin's Creed
A few weeks before his death at age 84, Benjamin Franklin summarized his religious beliefs, in terms with which I could readily associate myself:
You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavor in a few words to gratify it.
Here is my creed.
These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.
- I believe in one God, the creator of the universe.
- That he governs by his providence.
- That he ought to be worshipped.
- That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children.
- That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire,
- I think his system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes,
- and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble.
- I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequences, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed;
- especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure.
I do however love my religion. But I don't push it on anyone and don't look down on anyone who hasn't found religion. I can even laugh at Bill Maher's jokes about it.
No.
You are more than welcome to choose to live the way you desire.
That's the neat thing about freedom of religion.
I would suggest though, if at some point, you're not satisfied with the results of your life, and you have yet to grow in relationship with Christ, that you might turn to him.
At no time will I force someone to hold a belief against their will.
Through my life expierence have come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is indeed my Lord and Savior. I have no issues expressing this. If you disagree, then by all means, it's your choice.
The problem is that while nobody is going to about exercising freedom of religion, we do take issue with religion dictating foreign policy, among other things:
"George Bush has claimed he was on a mission from God when he launched the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a senior Palestinian politician in an interview to be broadcast by the BBC later this month. Mr Bush revealed the extent of his religious fervour when he met a Palestinian delegation during the Israeli-Palestinian summit at the Egpytian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, four months after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. One of the delegates, Nabil Shaath, who was Palestinian foreign minister at the time, said: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I am driven with a mission from God'. God would tell me, 'George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan'. And I did. And then God would tell me 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq'. And I did." Mr Bush went on: "And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, 'Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East'. And, by God, I'm gonna do it.""
See what I mean?
Religious people working for the government need to leave religion at home when they leave the house in the morning, there's no two ways to go about it.
That is one uva un umbrella you got there.
Let me ask you this. Would you be a Christian if you were born and raised in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa?
Thanks,
I'm gonna put that comment in my CV for St. Peter to review later.
I'm covered under that umbrella. Gracias a Dios.
Based on the passage you provided, Franklin was a DEIST, not a CHRISTIAN. There is a huge difference.
Do you want to assert that Thomas Jefferson was a Christian? You said ALL Founding Fathers were Christians. Some of them certainly were, but not ALL of them. Do you want to just admit that YOU are the one that doesn't know what the he's talking about?
I was born in San Antonio, TX.
I was merely pointing out that Jesus has been and continues to be an incredible influence in my life. Whether I was born in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa makes no difference with regard to my statement. My statement doesn't pertain to my birthplace, but about my belief in Christ and how it has become a profound and benefical impact in my life.
You didn't answer the question.
For Franklin, he also said this:
Jefferson, was not a Christian. A study on his life will tell you that. There were times when he seemed to be irreverent to Christianity. However, there are times when he sounded like a preacher. , the Declaration of Independence has four references to God, and his second inaugural speech asked for prayer's to Israel's God on his behalf.
But this all kind of misses the point. It isn't whether or not these guys went to heaven when they died...it's about the dominant convictions that dictated the structure of this nation. That cannot be disputed.
So it would be fair to say you're Judeo-Christian largely because you were born and raised in a Christian society?
Because hating other religions is their national past time?
Read the faith bio on Barack Obama.
bingo.
just like if he was born in the middle east he'd be praising Muhammed.... or vishnu if he was born in India... or Zeus if he was born in ancient Greece.
That Jefferson was a Deist is debatable; neither one is going to convince the other.
However, he penned "Endowed by their creator....."
Most of the atheists posting in this thread would cringe at that. He believes in a single God, appreciated and lauded Jesus of Nazareth's life, while questioning the Trinity - and Jesus's position in it. I'm a lot closer to his beliefs than you are.
Most of the Christians I know would have no problem discussing religion with him, or have a problem with his views. They are well thought out and reasonable. Certainly they are not knee-jerk and hyper sensitive and fearful of people who believe differently. Again, more like me, than you.
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