ok another questions.. ? noone really know how big our solar system is.. is god the creator of earth? or the whole chebang? there are over 100000000000 galaxies.. did he make them all?

 

The only question you have asked in this entire thread is... "Are you serious?"

 

What if? Everything we see around us were God itself.

 

There. You said it. You cannot prove the existence of God. You can believe and have faith but to do that is not rational. It is just wishful thinking.
Because either you, me or man in general cannot yet explain the the beginnings of the Universe, you have to attribute them to a higher being.
How is this different than the early Egyptians who, not understanding the rotation of the earth, worshiped the Sun as a God, praying that it would rise every morning and sustain their life?
Is the Sun a God? Nope. It's a big fiery ball of Hydrogen. But the Egyptians could not understand it's mechanism and therefore had a belief and faith in it.
How is that belief and faith in the Sun God different to yours?

I'll agree that the Universe has a beauty and order. So does this snowflake pictured below.



It's quite lovely, isn't it? Was it created personally by God?
If I knew nothing about clouds, water vapor dust molecules, temperature and humidity, I could not explain it's formation scientifically. Would that prove an example of Gods existence? Your answer on the entire universe follows this path of logic.

 

I'm more of an agnostic myself, but I've always loved reading about various religions.

One thing I'd like to hear about is, what makes your religion any more 'right' than say a Muslim's, or a Mormon's, or a Hindu's, or any other religion?

it reminds me of this South Park episode where everybody is in hell asking "why am I here, I was devoute, blah blah blah" and a guy with a clip board looks down at it and goes "Uh I'm sorry, but you are wrong. It's actually the Mormon's that were correct"

 

this thread wil go nowhere. in before the lock......

 

http://www.venganza.org/

 

why should it be locked? I see no reason to lock a thread on healthy debate on religion, as long as it doesn't turn into a bashing thread where anybody with a dissenting view is called out for it.

 

not locked now but i am sure someone will cross the line eventually

 

I hope not. I want to see some good arguments (but no flaming) from both sides.
I'm relishing the chance of a good debate with Hinesy and the crew on this one

Maybe we'll all learn something.

 

Here's my question for you shines:

My mom is Presbyterian. My dad is Catholic. I go to both churches. I am baptized but not confirmed. I do have a pretty strong faith.

Is it looked down upon to be "both" and go to both churches? Its something i grew up doing and haven't stopped.

 

I think as long as your a believer of Jesus Christ, you aren't looked down upon.

 

I believe in a "God"

The God I believe in is kind and loving, certainly not the "fire and brimstone" type that some choose to believe. One should not fear God.

I believe in reincarnation.

I do NOT believe in talking burning bushes, talking snakes, and parting seas, etc...

For the record I was raised Roman Catholic: baptized, communion, confirmed...
but was not wed in a catholic church.

I will raise my children to believe in what they wish, whether it be Buddhism, Catholicism, or Atheism, etc...

 

 

Oh, another Harry Potter thread!