Which is better, believing in a god or not?

I gotta tell you, it's a pretty big annoyance when I hear people say things along the lines of "well I'm (x) and if other people don't believe in (x) they are going to hell". In all seriousness, take a step back and rethink what the purposes of heaven and hell are. For the most part, they act as either a "reward" or "punishment" for what you do here on earth. If heaven does exist, and frankly I have no idea if it does, then *anyone* from *any faith* has the right to be permitted there. Any god from any faith that would completely disregard the acts of a good person and deny them entry into heaven solely on the basis of having a different belief, is not a god worth believing in, in my humble opinion. It's about what you do here, how you treat people, not what you believe in. I know plenty of horrible, faithful people.

Touchy, are we? I just said what I think, take it or leave it.

Yes of course they are in your head, like any sort of conception of the world around us are.

This is what I've been saying all along.

If you only can see what's right in front of you, you are just as much of a fool.

It all depends on you. You know somethings come good from believing in a religion. All religions hold some rules and that can make you a more disciplined person. But at the same time you shouldn't push your religion on to others. So belive in what you want and be proud of it ^.^

Yeah i do see what your saying lol. but to be exact in greek mythology everyone went to the underworld even those who did believe in greek gods, just on how you acted in your life depended on where you where in the underworld. so i would probally be ok for the most part, where as muslims who there own religious text encourages the murdering of inocent people to further their religion. so i dont think that would get them a good place in hades lol

Wow. I don't even know how to respond to this one.

@Hentai Pantsu: Actually, I'm pretty sure the Protestant branches of Christianity etc. don't believe you get in through good works. Also, in addition to that, I leave you with this Einstein quote:

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."

believing in a god doesn't mean you need to force other people to believe on what you believe.

you don't need people to join your religion whatever it is.

there are people that uses religion to kill people.

there are people that justify that what they are doing is right even if it's wrong because of religion

there are people that brain wash people using religion.

first thing I don't believe in the pope and the whole catholic church and other religious groups that uses people to make them famous and run to be a politician one day. but, I do believe that there is a god. because so far, the bible is pretty accurate, so far.

sometimes the one that doesn't really pray or go to church are the true believers.

no need to believe in me and you don't need to force your beliefs in me. in short humans are too selfish and greedy that they even use religion for there own benefits.

Edit~ what's the point of living if god will make us all happy and relax. there a saying that "you need to experience it all to say that you really live in this world fully". if you are so selfish that the suffering and the loneliness in this world. this might be the cause that made you an atheist. or to much worldly things is on your mind.the truth is I've been thinking, If i'm really sinful I really want to go to hell and see what it's like.

@grover I've googled what derp means. (yes I am stupid due to the fact that I can't use the English language correctly and well. forgive me) theres a preacher called soriano here in our country try debating with him.

The entire post was pretty derp, but these two parts are the ones I couldn't even fathom.

What are you talking about when you say the Bible has been accurate? In what ways? Examples?

As for the atheist part, I am genuinely at a loss for words at how little sense it makes. Please elucidate its meaning for me.

EDIT: Why are you responding above me? I also don't understand what your response has to do with anything I asked.

and



Are the greatest videos on God and Jesus.

For the rake thing, I was just being silly. For my -1, 0, 1 philosophy, your opinion on it is stupid.

That means subjectivity doesn't exist in the physical world. That means the Sun gives warmth, and you shouldn't tell people it makes you cold just because you think you feel cold from it's touch.

Then we agree. I don't need to prove the theories are right. They are already supported. They CAN be disproven. The only job is the disbeliever's.

I agree that it's good to be open to all possibilities, but you shouldn't live your life based on possibilities.

And before you reply, for the love of God, read back a page.

If youre a true believer and fairly well read in biblical texts then you know that this life is simply a test for deciding those who are worthy of eternal salvation, so i think the real quetion is do you believe in god and his word, side note, catholicism contradicts itself in saying that the pope is the ultimate authority when the bible clearly states that it is the ultimate authority.

i am an Atheist. i am Asian my parents are Buddhist. i do like some traditional things but just to please my parents. Like put up incense as an offering don't pray or anything i just do it and get on with my business
my main reason for not beleiving in god(s)?
1) Theres a lot of things out there that people make and do that seems... unhuman... i don't see any type of being wanting to make anything like that let alone having those type thought being a option of being to think that
2) Religion is very restrictive. Such is Islamic. (the people who BELIE in this religion, not what there called, are called Muslims, make sure to make note of this)
have a massive amount of restrictions like showing skin. someone recently died because of this religion a war started. and this religion played a part in it.
3) Gods are Cruel PERIOD
The Greeks Gods make a very good example. Pandora's Box. They give a box to a girl. DARING her to open it. she brings out a massive amount of demonic things into this world. They give very odd punishments to innocents.
God from Christianity also is very... Disturbing. He killed millions with a flood. i agree most of them deserved to die but to kill everyone? i call that Genocide. There must be some nice soul out there. Finally. Religion will start very bad things. Christianity started a war (The Crusades) Judaism is mocked of constantly, very mean insults like "You Jew" jew's were killed in the million's by Nazi's. They deserve a break. Religion can also be taken in very extreme measures. Islamic people thought another man was "God" and after a few hundred years, it resulted in 9-11.
well that's my reason any arguments? please discuss it in a peaceful and Sophisticated manner, i will respect you for keeping it that way. since this is a Delicate subject

I think its better 2 believe in god as religion removes the fear of "after death". If you are not religious then there is nothing in this world that can affect your decisions except your concience, but that means once you die its all over, you just disappear. With religion you have something to look forward to and don't have to fear death (as much) your decision are also affected, usually positively. unless you are an extremist/terrorist. I say this as a muslim so am allowed (i think) :P
Hope i helped

Peace

Have no problem with myself or others believing a god

But it's the practice & conformity of it I do have a problem with that is the cause of War & Hate against anyone who is not a sheep

It's only natural to for a being to want to believe in a god as well as doubt.

I am a Christian even though i am protestant i believe in God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe it because of the flaws of the scientific theories like the big bang theories or the other mysterious theories that are floating around. and before you go HURR DURR misquoted book from thousands of years ago try reading the bible and reading the doctrine of other religions like i did before forming your opinion about a religion. Other wise you just become a narrow minded ass like us Christians are supposed to be.

and Sakara fix your Caps lock please

I believe that believing in a god or God Himself is better because it somehow restricts us from doing evil things by obeying the teachings in the promise of eternal life. If one doesn't have a god then he'll likely do anything he pleases whether he may hurt others or not. Then if these kind of godless persons number to millions then I believe there will be chaos.



In Christianity, God = Life and to turn away from God means Death. Christianity also believes in eternal life after earthly life so I believe it doesn't matter whether they got destroyed in the flood because of their wickedness, because everyone WILL die in this earthly life. To gain eternal life is up to us and this earthly life, christians believe, is not humanity's "final goal" but either eternal life in heaven or eternal damnation in hell. Anyway God can destroy us if He wants to simply because He's GOD and we are merely creations that were GIVEN life (He has the right to take it away). Each has its own time of course.

Hmm I don't know if I have a better or worse quality of life but I do not believe in a god or higher power at all. I wasn't ever raised with a religion either. I feel like I'm not tied down to a preconceived notion with religion though, so I think my discussions of it are more civil than others. I rarely talk about it though. My boyfriend is Thai and was raised Buddhist. I respect his religion and join his usual practices, like lighting incense and praying, and I've been given tokens by his monks and I keep them safe. But it's all out of respect. I guess you could say I believe in karma a little.

It doesn't restrict anything. My uncle is a total bible-thumping believer and it doesn't stop him from partaking in orgies, drug use etc. There already are millions of atheists in the US alone and very few of them are in prison. Let's not even count on a worldwide scale.



In Christianity, God = Life and to turn away from God means Death. Christianity also believes in eternal life after earthly life so I believe it doesn't matter whether they got destroyed in the flood because of their wickedness, because everyone WILL die in this earthly life. To gain eternal life is up to us and this earthly life, christians believe, is not humanity's "final goal" but either eternal life in heaven or eternal damnation in hell. Anyway God can destroy us if He wants to simply because He's GOD and we are merely creations that were GIVEN life (He has the right to take it away). Each has its own time of course.[/quote]

Right, this life basically doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. As for 'God' destroying us, what a baby, does he really need his penis touched that badly that he offs humanity for finite behavioural nonsense? He has the right because he says so: Hooray circular reasoning. I've never heard him so I'm only taking the words of "people" that claim to speak in his absence.

I just finished reading a book about some history of the world and it's technological advancements (and I also read Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks) and I see that the Christians play a big part in the setback of advancement of people towards a modernized age.

I also believe that it's not that Muslims are bad it's just that their faults were televised more than the Christian history. Because if we are to examine them we'd see a history tainted time and again by the ostentatious show of arrogance by the Christians/Roman Catholics in believing that whatever they do is right simply because it's "God's will".

You might think the texts above are meaningless to this thread but no it just further strengthens my hate of this "Lord" and makes me go further and further away from this religion.