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do atheists have a back up plan if God exists?

  • 15-07-2013 08:13PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    I was always wondering do atheists have a backup plan in the eventuality that the God they don’t believe in actually proves he does exist? This has fascinated me.

    In terms of my own beliefs I wouldn’t call myself a nonbeliever nor would I call myself religious or affiliated to any religion or church but I still do believe in God that has a divine plan of sorts for the humanrace which will come to fruition at some stage. In the event it came to fruition do Atheists have a back up plan or if God 100% proves he does exist will atheists still not believe?

    I have been doing a lot of research of late and reading books of believers and non believers and visiting various websites so from what I gather the God that Protestents, catholics, Christian groups and Muslims even though it may be a different type of God to them all there is a firm belief that this God has promised that the son he sent into the world 2,000 years ago will return for a second coming to judge the living and the dead. Muslims believe he will return of their faith and from what I gather Christians just believe he will return and don’t seem to specify whether he will be catholic, protestant or a branch of some other Christian belief system.

    So, if this God that many believe exists does actually fulfil this promise and this son of his Jesus returns to planet earth to judge the living and the dead obviously if this God fella has the powers to ensure this occurs he would also ensure that when he sends his son back the world would most definately know it was him, whats the point in sending him him back unless he had the 100% untenable proof. Maybe he will have the five stigmata wounds or my guess is he will have the same supernatural powers that he did the first time around which seemed to grab peoples attention so much so they recorded as much as they could in what we now read as gospels or in some cases don’tread. A walking powerful ark of the covenant type of person

    So my question for atheists is this, If Jesus returned and had the 100% proof it was him, had supernatural powers, performed miracles,walked on water etc etc and began judging the human race what would the reaction of atheists be? Would there be mass conversions? Would there be sorrow and grief? Would there be laughter? Or would they just ignore it all?

    I have a friend who is atheist and when I posed this query to him it kinda spooked him as he had never given it any thought.

    Another question I have is how many atheists on this forum were brought up catholic in Ireland and what made you change your belief system? I ask this cause the same friend of mine was brought up catholic and said he was sick of the masses and the prayers his family had to go to and he was sick of the scandals of the church and I was wondering cause if Jesus did return how many people in Ireland that are atheists or non believers or lapsed catholics would blame the church for driving the people away? and what do people think if indeed God proved he existed and sent Jesus back what would Jesus think of the Vatican and catholic church today? although in some ways I admire the church for surviving 2,000 years despite their faults my guess is he would not be a happy camper especially when he discovers the paedophile scandals and that he owns a bank that laundries mafia and drug cartels monies


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,559 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Tldr, but from skimming, I'd be like, WTF Jesus, can we have some explanations please?

    What talk show would he get on first I wonder?

    I'd also be interested in his preferences in baked goods...


  • Moderators Posts: 52,248 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    Rapid firing nail-gun. :P

    He must be defeated if only to protect people from an eternity of eternal suffering for nothing more than not giving him an ego boost by telling him that you love him.

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,745 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    See my sig.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,655 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    So my question for atheists is this, If Jesus returned and had the 100% proof it was him, had supernatural powers, performed miracles,walked on water etc etc and began judging the human race what would the reaction of atheists be? Would there be mass conversions? Would there be sorrow and grief? Would there be laughter? Or would they just ignore it all?
    If Jesus was real I'd imagine he'd be well and truly pissed with an awful lot of his believers first and foremost. Would he really go around judging people on the basis of whether or not they thought he was real or whether or not they were actually decent people? To that end there'd likely be a lot of 'believers' quaking in their boots.

    How would atheists react? Continued incredulity I'd imagine, at the thought that the creator of all time and matter sent his son as a carpenter to the Middle East 2000 years ago to save humanity from himself.

    Regarding a backup plan... really? Clearly you're a monotheistic agent, but what's your backup plan when Zeus decides he's sick of being ignored? Non-existent I'll wager for the same reasons as me for your scenario above.


  • Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,257 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    Ask for forgiveness. Bam, in the clear.

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,612 ✭✭✭Lelantos


    I'll throw my lot in with the all powerful Beelzebub. Lesser of 2 evils imo


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭UCDVet


    Virtually every religion is mutually exclusive with other religions. If you believe in a particular God or gods, - your odds of being correct are only marginally higher than an atheist.

    Anyway - I live my life according to my own set of morals. I try to 'do right' by people, without fear of going to hell and without trying to get an eternal reward of 'heaven' or 70 virgins or whatever else religions promise.

    If there is a God, I'll just have to hope that it is cool enough to not punish me for not listening to a bunch of old dudes in hats or naked chicks dancing the woods. I mean, I'd hope that God would realize I had no way differentiating someone spreading 'his word' verse some crazy guy ranting to get my money.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,018 ✭✭✭legspin


    Until such time as he /she/it sets right all the stupid and nasty things they have done in the last 13 billion years or so, I will continue in the vein I am in at the moment.
    Militant indifference.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,232 ✭✭✭Brian Shanahan


    I was always wondering do atheists have a backup plan in the eventuality that the God they don’t believe in actually proves he does exist?

    First let me point out something, under the rules of the reality we live in the god of the bible (who you probably are pointing to read your post, definitely an imaginary friend botherer) cannot exist. You can either have YHWH or reality, not both.

    But if we existed in a reality which could contain YHWH (it might be possible:confused:), I'd immediately indict him for crimes against humanity if he proved himself. He's guilty as hell of so many genocides there'd be no way he'd wriggle out, under his own rules.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,442 ✭✭✭Sulla Felix


    Well, for one thing, it's going to take a lot of proving. We're not going to fall for some wine to water, loaves and fishes sleight of hand this time, I mean, have you seen some of the crazy stuff Dynamo is doing these days? Jesus is going to need to seriously up his game.

    But, presuming that he does enough tricks to prove to our satisfaction that he can at least do some supernatural stuff, that doesn't mean he's Jesus. There's lots of other options out there. As Asimov said, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Why not a frat prank from a unimaginably advanced civilization? Are you sure someone hasn't put lsd in the water and we're not just tripping balls? Why not another supernatural power pretending to be Jesus for teh lulz?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,094 ✭✭✭wretcheddomain


    What do you mean 'back-up plan', that assumes we've planned to be atheists.

    And any chance of comprehension of a world beyond doesn't merit rational discussion because our guesses or perspectives are small-minded and futile, if there was such a being and 'place'.

    But there isn't, so close the thread and let's talk about our favourite flavour of jam tart or something.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,559 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Lemon

    /endthread


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    Well, for one thing, it's going to take a lot of proving. We're not going to fall for some wine to water, loaves and fishes sleight of hand this time, I mean, have you seen some of the crazy stuff Dynamo is doing these days? Jesus is going to need to seriously up his game.

    But, presuming that he does enough tricks to prove to our satisfaction that he can at least do some supernatural stuff, that doesn't mean he's Jesus. There's lots of other options out there. As Asimov said, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Why not a frat prank from a unimaginably advanced civilization? Are you sure someone hasn't put lsd in the water and we're not just tripping balls? Why not another supernatural power pretending to be Jesus for teh lulz?

    I find this response interesting because from my research if he does return as according to the prophecies from various biblical prophecies we will sure know its him because instantly we will fear him by his presence, ours souls will be scared so we wont be able to stop this as it wont be a brain thing we can control, those whom know they wernt ready for his return apparently will hide from him and not want to see the reality of the truth so to possess such a power of supernatural origin that people want to hide from you just by your look and presence will more or less speak for itself. If you were to hear he is back and causing such fear would you go see him to check it out for yourself?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,442 ✭✭✭Sulla Felix


    I find this response interesting because from my research if he does return as according to the prophecies from various biblical prophecies we will sure know its him because instantly we will fear him by his presence, ours souls will be scared so we wont be able to stop this as it wont be a brain thing we can control, those whom know they wernt ready for his return apparently will hide from him and not want to see the reality of the truth so to possess such a power of supernatural origin that people want to hide from you just by your look and presence will more or less speak for itself. If you were to hear he is back and causing such fear would you go see him to check it out for yourself?
    Yeah, but some gnarly future tech civilization would probably scare the befúcking jezus out of me anyway? Likewise anything else able to perform feats that I couldn't comfortably put down to explixitly technological means or trickery. Fear is a pretty basic human response to the unknown.

    And haven't you heard, he is back, there's a guy sitting in the desert in Australia right now. How do you know that he's not the real deal? Because you're not afraid of him?

    And yes, I probably would go check him out. I presume he'll be doing a mass in the Pheonix Park at some stage.

    Also: human resistance ftw. Mine is the drill that will pierce the heavens.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,396 ✭✭✭Frosty McSnowballs


    Repent....and ask him why he watches while I masturbate.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,443 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    I'd probably go for a pint with him. That water to wine thing would be cool.

    Then I'd ask him to catch a malteser. There's the entertainment taken care of.

    Maybe a kebab on the way home? I'd probably treat him to that.

    Also, why Jesus OP? Why not Danu? Or Huitzilopochtli? Or Thor? Horus perhaps? Or Hanuman? Actually, Hanuman would rock! A night out with a monkey god? Fcuk yeah!!!

    :)


  • Moderators Posts: 52,248 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    I find this response interesting because from my research if he does return as according to the prophecies from various biblical prophecies we will sure know its him because instantly we will fear him by his presence, ours souls will be scared so we wont be able to stop this as it wont be a brain thing we can control, those whom know they wernt ready for his return apparently will hide from him and not want to see the reality of the truth so to possess such a power of supernatural origin that people want to hide from you just by your look and presence will more or less speak for itself. If you were to hear he is back and causing such fear would you go see him to check it out for yourself?

    Jesus now sounds like the greatest evil in the universe. A threat so awesome that peoples souls react with uncontrollable fear.

    EDIT: how could anyone decide to follow Jesus if he creates such terror? People would be losing their minds due to the "fear by proximity" effect. They'd probably bend knee and declare their love to any creature to end the torture.

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    My back up plan is Des (kisses left arm) and Troy (kisses right arm) ... together they Destroy!!!!

    814155141_3dnYd-L.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭lazygal


    TheChizler wrote: »
    Lemon

    /endthread

    Eh hold on there a minute. Raspberry are far superior.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Either get a massive f*cking apology out of him, or let him prove my point by sending me to hell. Either way.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    Yeah, but some gnarly future tech civilization would probably scare the befúcking jezus out of me anyway? Likewise anything else able to perform feats that I couldn't comfortably put down to explixitly technological means or trickery. Fear is a pretty basic human response to the unknown.

    And haven't you heard, he is back, there's a guy sitting in the desert in Australia right now. How do you know that he's not the real deal? Because you're not afraid of him?

    And yes, I probably would go check him out. I presume he'll be doing a mass in the Pheonix Park at some stage.

    Also: human resistance ftw. Mine is the drill that will pierce the heavens.

    LOL the guy in Australia cant be him he looks for donations of cash and I know from my research any true prophet of this supposed God doesn't look for money and besides Jesus owns the Vatican bank he wont need donations


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,097 ✭✭✭kiffer




  • Moderators Posts: 52,248 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    LOL the guy in Australia cant be him he looks for donations of cash and I know from my research any true prophet of this supposed God doesn't look for money and besides Jesus owns the Vatican bank he wont need donations

    this is the same Vatican that receives charitable donations on a daily basis? That would put Jesus in a higher level of taking donations compared to the aforementioned Australian.

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    Repent....and ask him why he watches while I masturbate.

    interesting point what if he asks you to join him as he masterbates, didn't he arrive into Jerusalem on a donkey? and whats the saying? hung like a donkey? could u handle him masterbating on front of you?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,097 ✭✭✭kiffer


    interesting point what if he asks you to join him as he masterbates, didn't he arrive into Jerusalem on a donkey? and whats the saying? hung like a donkey? could u handle him masterbating on front of you?

    There's more than one way to turn water into wine... ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,442 ✭✭✭Sulla Felix


    LOL the guy in Australia cant be him he looks for donations of cash and I know from my research any true prophet of this supposed God doesn't look for money and besides Jesus owns the Vatican bank he wont need donations
    Surely the vatican bank is tainted by the sin of usury? Only dollars given freely, with love in the heart should be used to sustain his glory?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    koth wrote: »
    this is the same Vatican that receives charitable donations on a daily basis? That would put Jesus in a higher level of taking donations compared to the aforementioned Australian.

    well as I said earlier I think when he returns if he returns he wouldn't be too happy with the Vatican, the Vatican do indeed seek donations as too do churches globally but from my research of the gospels I don't recollect him ever instructing people to collect money in his name so I wud say if he does return he would put a quick end to their financial scams. having said that if he did return and tell them to stop collecting donations I doubt they would listen. and besides I don't blame the Vatican for collecting donations " a fooland his money are easily parted"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,443 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    interesting point what if he asks you to join him as he masterbates, didn't he arrive into Jerusalem on a donkey? and whats the saying? hung like a donkey? could handle him masterbating on front of you?

    Hmmmmmm......
    4 posts OP.... Did you open an account just to have a bit o'craic with the silly aul' atheists? We'll humour ye, but just in case it's a genuine question, do be warned that these threads generally don't go well.

    It usually ends up with a Jaffa cake schism...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    Surely the vatican bank is tainted by the sin of usury? Only dollars given freely, with love in the heart should be used to sustain his glory?

    well if I were him id go straight to cheato del Vatican withdraw all me money and wipe my feet of the place although he will need to speak latin in order to be understood in that city


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 planinplace


    endacl wrote: »
    Hmmmmmm......
    4 posts OP.... Did you open an account just to have a bit o'craic with the silly aul' atheists? We'll humour ye, but just in case it's a genuine question, do be warned that these threads generally don't go well.

    It usually ends up with a Jaffa cake schism...

    nope I opened an account because my other account couldn't remember my password or email address used and I am doing research cos im an actor and we are putting on a stage show called " when Jesus didn't return" so im looking to get some vibes.


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