Do you believe in God?

pgj2015 · 28-09-2019 05:10PM

Drumpot wrote: »

I’m not saying there is a god and am prob an agnostic, but do you believe the universe is infinite and came from a massive explosion out of nothing? Or there is multi verses and the universe has a finite size that we can’t see or know what exactly that is? As far as I know that’s the best we can come up with using science. We don’t know what the building blocks of the universe are, we presume we can work them out by looking at stuff light years away but we have never had a person past our moon. It’s like me looking out my window and trying to map out the world, it’s impossible.

Assuming we don’t kill ourselves, cause we are too stupid to actually implement a self preservation global strategy, how stupid will what we believe , even scientifically, look in 1000 years?

People get too hung up on the higher power element of religion. Nature can be a higher power, it’s far more balanced then man and you can trust it’s indiscriminate reactions.

But going back to the point. What do you believe in? That we came from nothing? That the universe is infinite? What do you think it means when scientists say that energy leaves our bodies when we die? Where does it go? What is consciousness?

You can ridicule people who believe in an after life but the the truth is atheists don’t have any idea what the F**k is going on anymore then those who follow a religion. That’s why I find their “religion is stupid” stance so silly. None of us know what’s going on, some have chosen their own ways of processing a life even our brainiest people can’t explain.

ok, I dont have the answers to your questions, but what I cant understand is why believe in a god just because other people do and you have a hunch there is a god? the reason most people believe in god is they are afraid of death, they want to see their dead relatives again when they die, they have a $hit life and hope things are great in heaven when they die.

I feel sorry for people who believe in a god and are religious, such a waste of a life if you ask me, just live a good life and enjoy it, no need to be praying and going to mass or other religious ceremonies.

Agricola · 28-09-2019 05:15PM

If you could raise a child in sort of Truman Show bubble, where that society had no religion of any kind, that child would grow into an adult who would find the concept of religion as ridiculous, as most of us find astrology or faith healing. It's success relies on pure indoctrination and the normalisation over centuries of nonsensical, contradictory mumbo jumbo.

But, if it helps some people get through the day, Im not going to go around taking a shít on it at every opportunity.

28-09-2019 05:16PM

"I do not need to believe..I know.."

Yester · 28-09-2019 05:19PM

We need civilizing forces to form civilization

railer201 · 28-09-2019 05:22PM

pgj2015 wrote: »

ok, I dont have the answers to your questions, but what I cant understand is why believe in a god just because other people do and you have a hunch there is a god? the reason most people believe in god is they are afraid of death, they want to see their dead relatives again when they die, they have a $hit life and hope things are great in heaven when they die.

I feel sorry for people who believe in a god and are religious, such a waste of a life if you ask me, just live a good life and enjoy it, no need to be praying and going to mass or other religious ceremonies.

It's more of a waste of time for non-believers to be even debating the subject as no afterlife means you'll have no memory of your existence - you may as well have never lived.

pgj2015 · 28-09-2019 05:27PM

railer201 wrote: »

It's more of a waste of time for non-believers to be even debating the subject as no afterlife means you'll have no memory of your existence - you may as well have never lived.

i just get scared that there are so many gullible weak people in the world that get a vote to be honest.

as for being a non believer i just live in the now, i have a great life, i think life is great and try to make the most of it as im not banking on any after life when i die.

railer201 · 28-09-2019 05:32PM

pgj2015 wrote: »

i just get scared that there are so many gullible weak people in the world that get a vote to be honest.

as for being a non believer i just live in the now, i have a great life, i think life is great and try to make the most of it as im not banking on any after life when i die.

No point in being scared - you won't remember such either, and if your time is so precious why are you wasting it by posting on boards ?

Zorya · 28-09-2019 05:34PM

pgj2015 wrote: »

railer201 wrote: »

It's more of a waste of time for non-believers to be even debating the subject as no afterlife means you'll have no memory of your existence - you may as well have never lived.

i just get scared that there are so many gullible weak people in the world that get a vote to be honest.

And yet from a purely empirical point of view research data regularly shows that religious people have better mental health than non believers. Better healing outcomes even. Roh well..... so much for presumptive weakness

pgj2015 · 28-09-2019 05:38PM

railer201 wrote: »

No point in being scared - you won't remember such either, and if your time is so precious why are you wasting it by posting on boards ?

it is a bit scary as im living now and the world is full of people who i deem to be a bit simple and they can affect certain things that impact my life.

i didnt say my time was precious, and i dont see why posting an odd comment on boards is a waste of time, its one of many little things i do each day.

railer201 · 28-09-2019 05:41PM

Zorya wrote: »

And yet from a purely empirical point of view research data regularly shows that religious people have better mental health than non believers. Better healing outcomes even. Roh well..... so much for presumptive weakness

Quite so, because we are spiritual beings along with the physical and mental components of being !

stratowide · 28-09-2019 05:43PM

Zorya wrote: »

And yet from a purely empirical point of view research data regularly shows that religious people have better mental health than non believers. Better healing outcomes even. Roh well..... so much for presumptive weakness

Placebo..nothing more.

smacl · 28-09-2019 06:10PM

Drumpot wrote: »

I’m ok with atheists who just accept that and don’t sh*t on religion.

That's fair enough, but the reverse has been the case throughout the history of this country and even in this thread we see atheists being referred to collectively as ****. Before more religious types get all pissy about atheists slagging off their religion they should maybe ask what's the source of resentment of organised religion and how much of it is justified?

Zorya · 28-09-2019 06:20PM

stratowide wrote: »

Placebo..nothing more.

A placebo that works. What harm does it do others if it works for some.

Zorya · 28-09-2019 06:25PM

smacl wrote: »

That's fair enough, but the reverse has been the case throughout the history of this country and even in this thread we see atheists being referred to collectively as ****. Before more religious types get all pissy about atheists slagging off their religion they should maybe ask what's the source of resentment of organised religion and how much of it is justified?

Haha

You must be readin a different thread than me. I find most of the people calling others names are the opposite way around than you. There must be some kind of name for that colouring of perception. Brain frogs prevent me from remembering it.

gormdubhgorm · 28-09-2019 06:32PM

Zorya wrote: »

A placebo that works. What harm does it do others if it works for some.

Exactly some atheists seem to resent people who get enjoyment out of religion.
But if some people get the benefit out of religion and feel the better for it what harm?

It is like some who resent those who enjoy a certain type of music or band and others resenting them, or looking down on them.
It works both ways on either end of the hard-line spectrum from the religious to the atheists on the other side.
Both sides should be entitled to do thier thing.

Galwayguy35 · 28-09-2019 06:36PM

I do believe there is something after death but I'm not sure what it is.

smacl · 28-09-2019 06:48PM

Zorya wrote: »

Haha You must be readin a different thread than me. I find most of the people calling others names are the opposite way around than you. There must be some kind of name for that colouring of perception. Brain frogs prevent me from remembering it.

Don't think so, maybe you're brain frog's a bit undernourished :pac:

Woke Hogan wrote: »

That's why I despise the obese, sneering internet atheists you will find on websites like this

nthclare wrote: »

You'll hear word's like sky fairy, Russell's teapot, the flying spaghetti monster etc
which is usually from bitter atheists who are obsessed with God, letting everyone know how intelligent atheists really are, shower of dick head's some of them..

nthclare wrote: »

Thats it in a nutshell, but being an agnostic I've come across more atheists being **** than religious people on these forums.

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

There’s an impression that a lot of online atheist sorts probably look a bit like this:

2013 wrx 0 60

Zorya · 28-09-2019 07:00PM

smacl wrote: »

Don't think so, maybe you're brain frog's a bit undernourished :pac:

Don't make me trawl back through the thread smacl, to post the other side of the sneering. It's there but I'm far too lazy right now

vistafinder · 28-09-2019 07:07PM

Ya I do too.

Alf Veedersane · 28-09-2019 07:18PM

I don't.

As others have said, a God wouldn't allow a lot of what happens in humanity to happen and when that is addressed by people with faith, there seem to be too many get-out clauses for their God.

That said, I respect their beliefs and try to be a decent human. I don't think anyone is worse off for the fact I don't believe in God.

Your Face · 28-09-2019 07:51PM

Im fairly indifferent to the concept but it's interesting to read people's answers and reactions to the question.

NickNickleby · 28-09-2019 07:52PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/tyrone-squad-put-faith-in-pre-match-rosary-455117.html

I'm astonished to read that , I mean the bit about "..at the behest.."

I suppose one could argue that its a team thing or a shared experience that the manager thinks will do some good, but I wonder would a slap up meal do the same thing????

As a child, I attended Presbyterian services as my local scout troop was the "xxxth Presbyterian Scout Troop". I don't think any of us thought we were being indoctrinated, even my Pakistani friend who was in it.

stratowide wrote: »

What happens if both teams go to mass..?

Surely this is a dilemma even for god.

How will it be decided..the most prayers..?favourite team maybe..?

Hmmm it's a tough one for him alright.

Aha
Don't you remember what you were taught by the Brothers? Don't ask for material stuff! (presumably because the outcome can be measured), When you ask for something, God will decide what's best for you, and he may well grant you victory in a football match, just not THIS match. God moves in mysterious ways.

Galwayguy35 · 28-09-2019 07:55PM

friendlyfun wrote: »

Don't think the decline in religious organisation is exactly great. Ireland seems to becoming more individualistic, more materialistic, egoism is rife with social media.

The decline of religion seems to be leaving a large void that seems difficult to replace.

TBH I think it is a good thing, up to 25 years ago the church had a hold over all aspects of life and the whole system was rotten to the core behind it all.

A smaller church like the COI have with honest people running it and followers who believe in it is better I think.

smacl · 28-09-2019 08:02PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

TBH I think it is a good thing, up to 25 years ago the church had a hold over all aspects of life and the whole system was rotten to the core behind it all.

A smaller church like the COI have with honest people running it and followers who believe in it is better I think.

Absolutely. Religion is grand if you're into it but no good reason to drag your sorry ass out of bed on a Sunday morning if not. I've a number of very religious friends who get lots out of their beliefs and more power to their elbow, but I feel sorry for all those that get dragged along that really couldn't be arsed. There's a not so fine line between wonderful and miserable.

vladmydad · 28-09-2019 08:06PM

The void that’s being left from the decline of traditional religion is now being filled with climate alarmism. (I’m not saying climate change isn’t real but it’s definitely taking on a religious/cult element). This , to me, gives credence to the theory that religiosity may be hard wired into human beings.

OMM 0000 · 28-09-2019 08:11PM

I think when you spend a lot of time thinking about life, why are we here, how are we here, are we here, it's impossible to not come to the conclusion that something mad is going on and we have no idea. So that leads me to believe there is some sort of higher power, and we're probably completely so far up our own holes we can't see what's really going on.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 28-09-2019 08:24PM

How would people who don’t believe feel if they found out tomorrow that there actually was a God who was all seeing and knowing and we were answerable to him in an afterlife?

I for one would be delighted, it saddens me to think I may never see or speak to my Dad again hence why I struggle with my belief. Part of me says there is a God but I think a bigger part of me knows there isn’t and that genuinely does upset me.

Dadzilla · 28-09-2019 08:37PM

These discussions are pointless. The extremists show ignorance and the middle ground show a reserved respect for the other side

Yet very few follow the creed of “knowing your enemy”

I was raised catholic but ended up studying a number of religions. There are similarities and crossover in many religions. It’s clear across all religions that people use religion as a tool to manipulate and abuse others.

As for Christianity/Catholicism, people get that wrong. For a start god doesn’t intervene with trivial issues on earth. That’s not the point. The promise is an eternal paradise. You have to deal with the cards you’re dealt with on this world as part of your voyage to the next. So all the horrors of this world, which are human made, are never going to be affected by god.

Equally if you pray and your dog survives his operation or your kid passes her junior cert, a that’s not god.

Religion brings so much comfort and solace to so many people. More power to them. As long as we respect one another than that’s all that matters.

Zorya · 28-09-2019 08:37PM

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

How would people who don’t believe feel if they found out tomorrow that there actually was a God who was all seeing and knowing and we were answerable to him in an afterlife?

I for one would be delighted, it saddens me to think I may never see or speak to my Dad again hence why I struggle with my belief. Part of me says there is a God but I think a bigger part of me knows there isn’t and that genuinely does upset me.

Since what you seek to know for certain is unknowable you can choose to believe however gives you most peace.
For example many who choose to believe there is no metaphysical reality also choose to believe that we will come upon alien life forms at some time in the universe. Even if they are unsure about life elsewhere in the universe they mostly choose to believe that science will eventually explain everything - scientism. And neither of these two random examples of belief can be known to be true or not. For now. They are simply beliefs.
So just live your life as though what you believe is true. Like most other people.

uck51js9zml2yt · 28-09-2019 09:25PM

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

If he listens to you, why have bad things happened to you?

Why does both the sun shine and the sky rain on the good and the evil?

Do you believe in God?

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