A question for Christians AND atheists

I take it you are an unfettered, unapologetic capitalist?

[ QUOTE ]
Faith and religion were invented by people who felt the same weaknesses I did

[/ QUOTE ]

Factually incorrect.

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather live honestly than blissfully.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's unfortunate that you suffered from depression, but certainly you must know there are plenty of Christians who live honest and blissful lives.

[imported_luckyme]

[ QUOTE ]
Faith and religion were invented by people who felt the same weaknesses I did

[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Factually incorrect.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, all the evidence is that since recorded history people have pretty much had the same emotions, relationship problems, ambition, greed, love, whatever. I've alway enjoy reading Ancient Greeks complaining about how teenagers of the day are not of the quality of 'our' generation. Very contemporary.
Even what little we can glean from prehistoric people, same-old same-old seems the order of the day.

[Lestat]

<font color="blue">but certainly you must know there are plenty of Christians who live honest and blissful lives. </font>

I don't know how. Don't you find it sad that your god is going to torture over 80% of the people on the planet to an eternal hell of suffering? Is EVERYONE you know and love going to be with you in heaven? How can you lead a blissful life while knowing that your blacksheep sibling, a sinful friend, an ex-lover will be burning in hell for all of eternity?

These are some of the things that depressed me about Catholicism. The god they portrayed didn't seem very loving to me. He seems to enjoy burning people at altars, committing mass murders by flood, killing innocent first borns, etc. And yet with this knowledge, and all this future suffering you manage to lead a blissful life?

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know how. Don't you find it sad that your god is going to torture over 80% of the people on the planet to an eternal hell of suffering? Is EVERYONE you know and love going to be with you in heaven? How can you lead a blissful life while knowing that your blacksheep sibling, a sinful friend, an ex-lover will be burning in hell for all of eternity?


[/ QUOTE ]

There's that liberal usage of the word "know" again. I don't know the answers to any of those questions, nor am I a Catholic. I manage to make it through my day without thinking much of Hell.

[ QUOTE ]
Faith and religion were invented by people who felt the same weaknesses I did

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Factually incorrect.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you misinterpreted my philosophical/psychological meaning. I'm exploring the individual's motivations for religious thought. An insightful book on the subject is Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morality.

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather live honestly than blissfully.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
It's unfortunate that you suffered from depression, but certainly you must know there are plenty of Christians who live honest and blissful lives.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do not know any Christians who I would call intellectually honest. That's not to say there aren't any out there. But Christianity lends itself to ignorance since faith is a necessary requirement, not to mention the fear it instills in those who would otherwise question it. Such brilliant safeguards the bible put into place! To be an atheist takes courage and the ability to be brutally honest with oneself. Admittedly, most people aren't capable of this.

Evolvedform, you talk of intellectual honesty, and then purport your absolute certainty of something that you can in no way be certain of, that is, if you were actually intellectually honest.

When do I "purport my absolute certainty?" This statement is absurd. It's called an opinion. If you were confident in your own opnion you wouldn't be so offended by mine.

Evolvedform, I am in no way offended by your atheism, but purely from this thread...

[ QUOTE ]
Finally, after realizing that there is no God I can live a fruitful life.


[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Faith and religion were invented by people

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
As I say, thank God there isn't one (God).

[/ QUOTE ]

Riddick, the OP asked a question and I answered it. Those are my opinions, and not unfounded at that. If what I said makes you uncomfortable that was not my primary intention. However, I don't think it could hurt.

Evolvedform, I did not question your honesty until you questioned the honesty of the Christian faith.