A Question

NedLowry

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Doctor DooM

Well, every atheist is different, so you can't get a straight answer to this question. Some will and some won't.

Me? I guess yes, assuming your real question is if there's a chance I could ever become Christian, but only to the same degree I reckon I could become a muslim, scientologist, or follow Zeus, which is so low as to be virtually zero.

Sonics2k

Nope.

But then, as more of an Agnostic, I do occasionally ponder if I will be met by some form of 'higher power' and judged.

And then I remember I lead a decent life, look after my children as I should, help people when possible and don't discriminate based on race/gender/sexuality/religion etc.

If I'm completely honest, I reckon I'm a better/nicer person than many religious people I've met.

Sarky

Jesus would have to convince me. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but for the past 30-odd years he's been doing a piss-poor job. It's almost as if he's not only not Lord, but also was never the son of god.

GLaDOS

If I was presented with 100% proof that god was real, and Jesus was his son (and god, at the same time), I suppose I would accept it. Wouldn't be happy with it though, god seems like a bit of a ****.

Nailz

No.

Even if it did turn out to be true, I would never "fall to [my] knees" and start to worship the son of some racist, misogynistic, homophobic, malevolent, sadomasochistic entity who claims jealousy with regards God-like recognition, and promises eternal torture for those who do not recognise him as such.

In the words of Christopher Hitchens, "I do not want to live in some fucking celestial North Korea."

Nervous Wreck

Nailz wrote: »

No.

Even if it did turn out to be true, I would never "fall to [my] knees" and start to worship the son of some racist, misogynistic, homophobic, malevolent, sadomasochistic entity who claims jealousy with regards God-like recognition, and promises eternal torture for those who do not recognise him as such.

In the words of Christopher Hitchens, "I do not want to live in some fucking celestial North Korea."

This.


Also, I have bad knees so falling on them would be impertinent.

Michael Nugent

To about the same slim extent that I accept the possibility that I may one day end up living in Narnia with Batman, Harry Potter, Tinkerbell, Dorothy Gale, The Cat in the Hat and Timmy the Dog from The Famous Five, empowered with the ability to travel forward and backward in time and change the course of history, and playing centre-forward for Bohemian football club as we win the European Champions League every year from the formation of Europe until the end of eternity.

smokingman

I'll get on my knees when christians get off theirs.

Dades

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

I suppose anything's a possibility when you're dealing with the supernatural and you keep an open mind.

SmilingLurker

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

If, one day evidence exists, and a supposedly almighty being requires it. I reckon the odds are statistically if not close to absolute zero. Troll post???

fitz0

If that day comes I would not bend the knee to a celestial tyrant. I'd like to think I'd become the hero the world needs, leading the resistance against the heavenly invaders.

But since neither will ever happen I'll stick to daydreaming. I heard the term 'anatheist' on this board a while back and it's stuck in my mind. It's not just the lack of belief in a deity, it's the rejection of any deity, should they prove real, to have any moral authority over us whether we're created in their image or not. That's me. Whether gods are real or not, after all the **** they've done and allowed to happen they have no mandate for worship.

MrPudding

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

A tricky one. Depends on the circumstances really. If I suddenly start to believe in god it is more likely to be due to a mental illness or tumour or something of that nature.

Of course, if there was some kind of world changing event that proved he existed then perhaps I might believe he exists. But I sincerely hope I would have the strength and courage to tell him he was a prick.

MrP

branie

fitz0 wrote: »

If that day comes I would not bend the knee to a celestial tyrant. I'd like to think I'd become the hero the world needs, leading the resistance against the heavenly invaders.

But since neither will ever happen I'll stick to daydreaming. I heard the term 'anatheist' on this board a while back and it's stuck in my mind. It's not just the lack of belief in a deity, it's the rejection of any deity, should they prove real, to have any moral authority over us whether we're created in their image or not. That's me. Whether gods are real or not, after all the **** they've done and allowed to happen they have no mandate for worship.

I don't think the resistance would win against that higher power

bnt

I doubt that "I" would. It would require a complete abdication of my critical faculties, so much so that it would no longer be "me" in this body. I like being me: I'm not "fallen", not a "sinner", not in need of "saving" through someone else's suffering and death. I have no karmic debt to repay, so I can think about the future instead of dwelling on the past.

MrPudding

bnt wrote: »

I doubt that "I" would. It would require a complete abdication of my critical faculties, so much so that it would no longer be "me" in this body. I like being me: I'm not "fallen", not a "sinner", not in need of "saving" through someone else's suffering and death. I have no karmic debt to repay, so I can think about the future instead of dwelling on the past.

This is pretty much how I feel, which I why I would first suspect mental illness of some kind.

MrP

Zombrex

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Anything is possible, but considering I don't understand what "Jesus is Lord" actually means I can't imagine myself doing it any time soon.

joseph brand

MrPudding wrote: »

A tricky one. Depends on the circumstances really. If I suddenly start to believe in god it is more likely to be due to a mental illness or tumour or something of that nature.

Of course, if there was some kind of world changing event that proved he existed then perhaps I might believe he exists. But I sincerely hope I would have the strength and courage to tell him he was a prick.

MrP

They always get you when you're down.

Sarky

Sarky wrote: »

Jesus would have to convince me. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but for the past 30-odd years he's been doing a piss-poor job. It's almost as if he's not only not Lord, but also was never the son of god.

I was drinking when I posted that, which probably explains why I forgot the bit about falling to one's knees.

Nobody, least of all any of the major figures from Christianity, has ever done anything worthy of that kind of submission. Quite the opposite, their antics tend to leave me disgusted. They leave a lot to be desired as leaders or role-models. An awful lot.

If it ever happens that someone sees me falling to my knees in worship, you can be damn sure it's against my will. Either I'll be suffering delusions or Jesus has raped my mind and changed who I am. Since Jesus hasn't managed to accomplish anything since he was executed as a criminal, I'd say the latter is more likely.

D1stant

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Whether they admit it or not they would. If people would U-turn on minor stuff like houshold charge/smoking ban/FF etc you can bet your arse they would U-turn on the supreme being thing

Turtwig

It's possible. How much you willing to pay me?

CerebralCortex

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

No, no one has sovereignty over my existence except me.

kylith

Nailz wrote: »

No.

Even if it did turn out to be true, I would never "fall to [my] knees" and start to worship the son of some racist, misogynistic, homophobic, malevolent, sadomasochistic entity who claims jealousy with regards God-like recognition, and promises eternal torture for those who do not recognise him as such.

In the words of Christopher Hitchens, "I do not want to live in some fucking celestial North Korea."

This. 1,000 times this.

Any being which demands to be worships sure as hell doesn't deserve to be.

MagicMarker

D1stant wrote: »

Whether they admit it or not they would. If people would U-turn on minor stuff like houshold charge/smoking ban/FF etc you can bet your arse they would U-turn on the supreme being thing

Speak for yourself, I'm a stubborn ****.

Sarky

Jernal wrote: »

It's possible. How much you willing to pay me?

Oh, of course if there's money involved all bets are off. Daddy needs a new graphics card.

robindch

Jernal wrote: »

How much you willing to pay me?

Johann, is that you?

Kivaro

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Why would an almighty, omnipresence, omnipotent, creator of trillions of stars and planets (and all its inhabitants) want lowly little me to bow down and weep my confession?

Isn't he above all that?

joseph brand

Kivaro wrote: »

Why would an almighty, omnipresence, omnipotent, creator of trillions of stars and planets (and all its inhabitants) want lowly little me to bow down and weep my confession?

Isn't he above all that?

Apparently he also cares if you use a 'bad' word. Same goes for billions of others.

"He's making a list, he's checking it twice. He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. . ."

amacachi

I don't think I do enough drugs to induce a psychotic episode but ya never know.

18AD

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Jesus: You sure do got a purdy mouth.

Even if it did turn out to be true, I would never "fall to [my] knees" and start to worship the son of some racist, misogynistic, homophobic, malevolent, sadomasochistic entity who claims jealousy with regards God-like recognition, and promises eternal torture for those who do not recognise him as such.

I doubt I'd have the authenticity of spirit to not confess under threat of torture! No way I would get tortured for any principle. I would join forces and try and take it down from the inside. If he was killed once, he can be killed again!

quietriot

I am open to proof of a divine entity however as they say, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Evidence that can be tested using the scientific method, at that.

If such evidence were presented, tested and validated, then humankind would have a significantly larger issue on its hands than a few atheists being "wrong". I'd sooner take my chances with an eternity with Satan than the "God" described in the bible and the sheep that worship him.

Zombrex

Looks like a hit and run, don't think Ned (and his pretty mouth) is going to be back ....

Michael Nugent

Michael Nugent wrote: »

......and playing centre-forward for Bohemian football club as we win the European Champions League every year from the formation of Europe until the end of eternity.

Speaking as a Southsider, I have to point out that this must be an impossibility - on the basis that there's no such place as Hell.

fisgon

NedLowry wrote: »

Do atheists here accept the possibility, however slim, that they may one day fall to their knees and confess Jesus is Lord?

Now that's just silly.

Galvasean

I'd sooner bow to Megatron than the biblical tyrant.

robindch

Deleted User wrote: »

there's no such place as Hell

Norway begs to differ:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell,_Norway

magicbastarder

one should never discount the possibilty of future mental illness, so yes, i accept that i may someday have a conversion on the road to damascus. or portlaoise, or wherever i may be heading.

Sonics2k

OP's gone and done a runner, hasn't he.

Galvasean

Maybe he was raptured?

Galvasean

Ah, thought I recognised that user name. he's the guy that started those dumb threads in Films a few days ago. that said, his latest in Food & Drink is quite the doozie!

Turtwig

Galvasean wrote: »

I'd sooner bow to Megatron than the biblical tyrant.

I always thought you were more the type for Galactus?

Doctor DooM

Jernal wrote: »

I always thought you were more the type for Galactus?

No, his name is a play on Galvatron, which is basically new testament Megatron.

Turtwig

Doctor DooM wrote: »

No, his name is a play on Galvatron, which is basically new testament Megatron.

You obviously didn't read enough of his posts. :P
(Can't find the post because he has almost 30,000! but there was this thread once about something or other and he chose Galactus, not Megatron.:))

Readyhed

I find it really strange that believers in God/Jesus think a higher intelligence such as a god takes satisfaction from people "Falling on their Knees" and "Confessing". Or indeed that it is so important to him that they believe in him without any concrete proof.

If I were God I would not expect people to demean themselves like this.
I would think that God has a sick mentality if all he expects is blind obedience and to have his arse licked.

This is the petty thinking of a decidedly human mind.

Doctor DooM

Jernal wrote: »

You obviously didn't read enough of his posts. :P
(Can't find the post because he has almost 30,000! but there was this thread once about something or other and he chose Galactus, not Megatron.:))

I know the exact context actually!

In a fight, Galactus would beat Megatron. Hands down, Galactus is a-er-god like being who nyoms whole worlds for sustenance. When asked who would win in a fight, Galvasean (and myself, also a huge TF fan) would clearly say that Galactus would win. This topic has arisen more than once, believe it or not. but, and this is the important thing in this context, Galactus is a force of nature. He's not doing what he does to be loved or to control. He does what he does to ensure the continued existence of Galactus.

However, Megatron is a megolamaniacal dictator who genuinely believes that universal peace can only come about through tyranny. He also truly believes the universe would be a better place if people would just follow his dictats from on high.

Which IMO, makes him a good comparision for a god who seems to want us to follow his every word and worship him on bent knees.

Turtwig

Doctor DooM wrote: »

I know the exact context actually!

In a fight, Galactus would beat Megatron. Hands down, Galactus is a-er-god like being who nyoms whole worlds for sustenance. When asked who would win in a fight, Galvasean (and myself, also a huge TF fan) would clearly say that Galactus would win. This topic has arisen more than once, believe it or not. but, and this is the important thing in this context, Galactus is a force of nature. He's not doing what he does to be loved or to control. He does what he does to ensure the continued existence of Galactus.

However, Megatron is a megolamaniacal dictator who genuinely believes that universal peace can only come about through tyranny. He also truly believes the universe would be a better place if people would just follow his dictats from on high.

Which IMO, makes him a good comparision for a god who seems to want us to follow his every word and worship him on bent knees.

Ok I didn't know that bit of it. I was referring to a posting here on A&A somewhere. Also didn't know his name was a play a Galvatron but I still think in this situation he would have chosen Galactus. Oh and Galvasean you are not allowed to comment on this until us theologians speculators are finished examining our texts and contextual understanding of your posts.

Doctor DooM

Jernal wrote: »

Ok I didn't know that bit of it. I was referring to a posting here on A&A somewhere. Also didn't know his name was a play a Galvatron but I still think in this situation he would have chosen Galactus. Oh and Galvasean you are not allowed to comment on this until us theologians speculators are finished examining our texts and contextual understanding of your posts.

Pffshaw, you Aprimists don't follow the true word of the book of Cybertron, not like a real transformalist like myself. If only you'd open your heart, you'd truly understand.

I will pray to Primus for you until the day when all are one.

*swishes out*

robindch

Blake's 7, ftw!

Galvasean

Doctor DooM wrote: »

However, Megatron is a consistent megolamaniacal dictator who genuinely believes that universal peace can only come about through tyranny. He also truly believes the universe would be a better place if people would just follow his dictats from on high.

Which IMO, makes him a good comparision for a god who seems to want us to follow his every word and worship him on bent knees.

The word I added shows Megatron to be a better candidate for universal leader. Megatron doesn't like you. He doesn't pretend to love you. He's not a hypocrite like God.

Doctor DooM wrote: »

Pffshaw, you Aprimists don't follow the true word of the book of Cybertron, not like a real transformalist like myself. If only you'd open your heart, you'd truly understand.

I will pray to Primus for you until the day when all are one.

*swishes out*