'owl' said:

If I told you "do not catch yourself on fire" in order to avoid being miserable, wouldn't you consider "catching yourself on fire" the reason of being miserable?

not if I'm drowning. The advice "do not catch yourself on fire" is a good lesson for a drowning person on how to make their life better, but being on fire is in no way their problem.

A lot of you guys have false views of the Christian faith, and I would guess any other religion that was mentioned in this thread. For example, Paladine said that there was a point in time when Jesus wasn't God. This isn't true, according to the Bible Jesus always existed and always was part of the trinity. You don't have to believe that he exists in the first place, but if you are going to argue against his existance you should make sure you know the opposing side's claims.

Anyway, who cares? Just believe what you want to believe.

I can't comprehend one thing.
Why the **** I read every Comment.
Real or not, Might as well thing somethings real, if there's nothing, Atheist cant make fun of you
or don't
Why make a conversation about something no one has proof to, nor can prove true or false.

it's people with agendas that do everything. People with agendas do theoretical physics, run wallstreet, rule the world, write music, dig ditches, enforce the law, break the law, cook food, teach others, and even make games.

Do you hold them at such a high standard? When you go to a steakhouse do you storm into the kitchens shouting, "HEY NOW CHEF GUY! What's your agenda putting this steak here in front of me like this? Are you trying to corrupt me in an attempt to take over the planet with delicious flavor? I have it on good authority that you use only certain cuts of beef on your menu. Why don't you include all the other parts of cow? Why not other animals? Do you have something against rabbits or various types of fowl? Where's the manager... I bet he's in on this. He's probably trying to put that nice sushi place down the road out of business. Speaking of! Why the hell don't you serve sushi so we can all decide for ourselves what we want to eat?! Fascists..."

Is it so hard to believe that people who dedicate their lives to spreading the word of God might just have the agenda to spread the word of God? Why search for something more complicated?

I'll respond even though you're starting to sound like a troll...

It's ignorant to believe the Church's sole or even primary agenda is to spread the word of God. Especially during the time the gospels were being chosen for the bible. Their agenda was control and self perpetuation and any honest look at the Church's history will reveal that. It was in the Church's best interest to choose the gospels they did while excluding others that could have undermined their authority.

The 700 club had a $350,000 challenge on TV last night. They claim "do not worry about money, God watches over the poor" - but give us money to give to the poor, and we'll probably keep some of it.

I've seen people selling "holy bread" and "holy water" for great amounts of money, promising that if they eat the bread and drink the water, and then pray, whatever you pray for will come true. This is on national television.

These types of things are sanctioned by churches. Big churches.

So tell me again that religion hasn't been used as leverage - it's happening as we speak. And not small factions - hundreds of thousands of people involved.

It's ignorant to believe the Church's sole or even primary agenda is to spread the word of God. Especially during the time the gospels were being chosen for the bible. Their agenda was control and self perpetuation and any honest look at the Church's history will reveal that. It was in the Church's best interest to choose the gospels they did while excluding others that could have undermined their authority.

The time the scripture was being chosen for the bible was a 1400 year span of time from Jesus' death to 1546. The majority of the new testament was solidified before the year 200, 100+ years before Rome accepted christianity. All four gospels and most of the acts of the apostles were all accepted before constantine was born. They were chosen not because of their content, but because of when they were written and how closely attached those writers were with jesus.

[size=2]These types of things are sanctioned by churches. Big churches.<br /> Again we come to this. Is a religion defined by it&#39;s message or by the things people do in it&#39;s name?<br /> <br /> <br /> Do I think less of atheists or communists because religions were prosecuted in various communist countries? No, because it is stupid. If you only judge a group by their worst characteristics/members then everything will seem horrible.

stamp

apparently you deserve the same award.

If I tell you working out every day will make you happier, this is sound advice. Scientifically proven that working out will give you more energy and that it releases endorphins, which make you happier.

If you are miserable because you're an alcoholic and your wife is about to leave you with your two children, my advice has nothing to do with the reason you are miserable.

The bible is more a guide to better your life than a laundry list of reasons you are miserable.

These types of things are sanctioned by churches. Big churches.

And they get away with it because, for some reason, a person's "beliefs" seem to get special treatment, socially and legally (at least, around here).

A famous writer once claimed that the best way to make money was to start a religion.

Then he started one, and he made a lot of money.

p.s. Damn, I said I wouldn't get drawn into this discussion...

And they get away with it because, for some reason, a person's "beliefs" seem to get special treatment, socially and legally (at least, around here).

the legal issue is a very valid one. And it's a large reason for why we have large for-profit churches. It would actually be solid if religions were taxed because all the religions that actually performed good deeds would be able to write off almost all the money they make and the for profit churches would end up being far less lucrative.

'owl' said:

stamp

apparently you deserve the same award.

why?