Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Lol 😆

Smokypig Loc: Cheyenne, wyoming

hse man. I learned long ago that with religion, politics and the best deer rifle, I ain't changing anyone's mind and no one will be changing mine. As a general rule, unless I know the audience quite well, I avoid those topics.
Glad you feel better.Now, for important things: what is the best recipe for hush puppies...

DC Loc: Washington state

enjoy your sense of humor, and yes unless you have explored all the universes in all the dimensions and can in all honesty say there is no God and not just you don't believe there is a God. Then I would say you are an agnostic you don't believe there is a God based on your experiences in life but honestly you can't say you have all knowledge or understanding or seen any definitive proof there isn't a God just not definitive proof there is a God so you with out proof of a positive or negative you accept the negative but still can't absolutely rule out the positive. People that claim to be atheists I would say are taking an intellectually dishonest position and would be more intellectually honest taking an agnostic stand of they don't believe there is a God but if God would reveal himself to him they would accept that there is a God or put another way they don't know for certain if God exists but for now with out definitive proof choose to believe there is no God.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Well put, DC. 🤔

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Well, that's a lot to digest. The only thing I know for sure is that I know absolutely nothing. Voltaire said that, or something close to it. Does it really matter what I call myself? By your definition, being an atheist would be impossible. Suffice it to say that when I call myself an atheist I mean by my definition. I have no faith or belief in an omnipotent god who hears and answers prayers. I do not believe that the Bible was divinely inspired or that's it the "word of God" any more than is the Koran or the Book of Mormon. I don't run around trying to convince anyone else of that, but I am very secure in my non-belief. Do I know that there is no "GOD". Of course not. Not any more than I know there is no Flying Spaghetti Monster or teapot on the other side of the moon that cannot be detected by our physical senses. I have joked in the past that I think armadillos are imaginary creatures, like jackalopes and fur bearing trout. I have never actually seen one. I've been to several world famous zoos - the San Diego Zoo being probably the most prominent - and none of them have an armadillo exhibit that I could find. Why do you suppose that is? I have driven any number of times through east and west Texas. I've seen prairie dogs and even a roadrunner once. And one time in Arizona a Gila monster. In the wild. But never, never an armadillo. I've seen photographs and stuffed ones. But I've also seen photographs of jackalopes and hairy trouts. And stuffed one mounted on a wall. And yet, I still believe that armadillos exist. And I do not believe in jackalopes or forbearing trout. Now using your definition sir, how is that possible? Is it because I choose to believe in one and not the other? I think it's something more than that. I'm gonna have to spend some time thinking about it. I'll let you know if you want. Unlike G, I rather enjoy these conversations. Long as we can keep it civil.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Hey Spirit,
I like your “spirit” (lol) and your open minded attitude. Unlike you, I HAVE seen a few armadillos (once in southern Kansas) and I have also witnessed, and been part of Divine miracles. I also have had many prayers answered, and received countless blessings from Him. I communicate with Him daily even though He doesn’t speak to me in an audible voice, but rather He “talks” to my spirit. That probably sounds hokie to a non-believer, but it IS real.

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://www.bible.com/116/1co.1.27.nlt

There are many things that are hard to understand in the natural or scientific world, but become clear in the spiritual or thru God.
I don’t really know how to explain it better.....

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

If you would like a better understanding of my take on things supernatural, please read "The Demon Haunted World" by Carl Sagan. He says it much better than I ever could. If nothing else, it's a great read.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

So, do you believe in demons??
I haven’t read the book, but I most definitely believe there are demons all around us.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

You'd have to read the book. Never judge a book by its cover. Or its title.

Willitaylor Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

I have something to share with you all since this discussion is already in progress. After spending 18 years in Catholic confinement and another 20+ bewildered I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s got to be a higher power of some sort. For sure I believe that man has free will to do either good or evil. We are here without influence by that power. I pray and hope but it’s not realistic. I read somewhere that if all the religious books and all the science books were destroyed and forgotten about the science books would be rewritten exactly as they were because it’s science. Religious books, not so much. The statement “ God is Love “ tells me all I need to know about how to conduct myself every day. WE must take care of each other...... it’s possible! Thanks for letting me put in my two cents

Jeremy Loc: America

I used to argue with a guy that said there is no such thing as god but there is evil and a devil etc. I said there is no such thing as devil or evil if there is no such thing as god. If devil was created and evil etc is all part of the good that turned bad According to what was created.. it’s a vicious ⭕️ circle. I get turned off on the give me your money part to prove to a third party your beliefs. The greedy ones are the those trying to convince you that you must give to them to prove your faith. My grandma gave most of her money to Jimmy Swaggart the good thing for her is she died before he got caught with prostitutes and other criminal acts that were exposed.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Everyone’s salvation has already been paid for by Jesus dying on the cross. The only money needed is just to get that message out to the world now.
Giving money to the Church is not what gets anyone to Heaven. Everything already belongs to God; He just asks us to be obedient and give him back the tithe ( 10% of our increase ). If we do this, He WILL supply our needs. It is not even that He needs our money.
For crying out loud !; He created EVERYTHING by speaking it into existence.
I know this is true, not just because the Bible says so, but I have practiced tithing since I was a kid, and for sixty years, and I’ve ALWAYS had what I needed, and most of the time, even more. I am blessed... 🙏🏻

Jeremy Loc: America

You gotta remember the Bakers and Swaggert there has and will be many many more just like them. They use the same theory to put guilt trips on people. The money isn’t going anywhere but in their accounts. I knew some Morman guys. They told me their church wants more than 10%. They also can have their house payments and other bill paid by the church when they can’t afford the bills...... but only IF they have paid the church the whole REQUIRED amount constantly. I see the money going to humans that is tithed I see fancy cars and all sorts of things being purchased and the give me money part has always been a turn OFF for me. If I notice someone ( could be anyone) that needs something I am likely to help them.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

I agree; it is hard to know what church or organizations to support. If a person has a “home church”, that is usually the best place to give their tithes. If not, there are many good churches, doing ministries locally and abroad that still need finances to continue those ministries. Do some research and pray for guidance to know which to support. And like you say, if you see someone in need and feel led to help them, you should always help others.
If you listen to your heart/God, He may/will impress on you to help out someone from time to time. Several years ago, Myrna, our kids, and I were having dinner at a little family owned Mexican restaurant here in Lawrence. There was a guy who played the piano on weekends for tips there. He was actually a pretty famous piano tuner and repairman who has tuned for some big name groups and artists like Johnny Cash, Doobie Brothers, and many more. His name was Tom Eversole and you can Google Him and read more.
Anyway... we were eating dinner when God “tapped me on the shoulder” and said to my heart
“You need to give Tom a tip”. I thought ok; I usually did any time he was there, anyway. Then God said “Give him $ 100”. Even though I KNEW it was God talking to me, I still nearly choked on my food! I leaned over and whispered to Myrna what had just happened and that God had just told me to give Tom a hundred bucks!
She looked me straight in the eye and said “you better do it; do you have that much on you?” I said yes (I normally carry that much cash). So when Tom took an intermission (potty break), I hurried over to the piano and dropped a “Ben” in his tip jar. At that time, I had no idea why, other than God said to do it. It was probably 2-3 years later, I learned that just at that time, Tom was going through dialysis and was having a really rough time. I didn’t know, but God did and He was just using me as a vessel to bless Tom.
So if y’all ever feel that “tap” or hear that voice in your spirit, please listen and obey. Even if you think you can’t afford it; that was my first thought too. But if it’s God speaking, He will take care of you. I have learned to totally depend on Him. He’s never let me down .... 🙏🏻

DC Loc: Washington state

spiritof27 sorry it took so long replying to your post it was a good well thought out post and posses an interesting question why you still believe in animals you have never seen and not God who you have never seen? We all choose to accept things on faith all the time that we have no real evidence or proof of and reject other things. I think it has a lot to do with our past experiences and our willingness to accept something that we don't want to accept or unwillingness to accept something we don't want to accept. In the case of critters you (and by the way me as well) have not seen it really has no meaningful impact on my life if they exist or don't exist and it is kind of fun to think about something that can roll itself up into a ball for protection so why not take others word of it's existence. However when we start thinking about God or other "spiritual" beings that exist beyond our power to comprehend and if they exist it has a major impact on how I few not only what takes place in the here and now but what will take place after I die....well that's another story. If I believe in God and other spiritual beings and a cosmic conflict between the "kingdom of light (God)" and the "kingdom of darkness (Satan)" and how that is being played out in our physical world and existence with eternal ramifications then to accept it by faith means I have to take a stand and proclaim my allegiance which will have a life altering effect on my life and how I live it. So the easy road to take is to just deny the existence of the spiritual realm and believe by doing so one will avoid the whole problem. Sort of the living in blissful ignorance. Of course the problem is if God does exist in your very act of refusing to except even his existence you will have chosen which side you are aligning yourself with by default. But either way it is an act of faith to believe or not believe and everyone needs to make the decision for themselves For me I see his majesty in the creation around me, I have experienced His love in His care and provision through the years and yes many answered prayers so at this stage in life it really is not an act of faith to believe because I have experienced God in my life but I know for others who have not reached out to God in faith and experienced his presence it is a step of faith and their reason to believe or not believe is something to carefully consider.