Hello everyone, I would like to have a friendly discussion. I am a Christian and would like to ask some questions.
1. If God does exist is there anything you would ask him?
2. As an atheist do you believe morals are absolutes or are they subjective? Why?
3. Does your outlook on Christianity come from what you observe Christians doing?
4. What do you dislike most about religion?
Can you elaborate on #2? The question is not clear to me.
Are you asking about moral relativism?
Yes, I am asking the views of moral relativism and why you take this stance, if you do.Originally Posted by Biggin
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2. I am not sure of the answer you want for this; I do not believe in moral relativism per se, as support of the whole theory. The problem with moral objectivity is that it almost always means forcing one set of morals on a whole society. That in itself is immoral. I believe that morals are individual decisions on how one should behave; Those morals can be shaped by any number of things.
It is difficult to provide an answer, because I am not religious, therefore not a moral objectivist. But that does not have to mean I believe in moral relativism. I believe that there are rights and wrongs, but it is an individual decision to determine what is right or wrong.
Because to force morals on another is immoral in itself.
3. My outlook on Christianty is formed by many different pieces. My views are formed on a combination of the history of the religion, scientific evidence, and how Christians act in society.
4. Why do I have to dislike religion to be an athetist? I have no hatred for no other religion, I do not dislike a certain set because of their religious views. I feel that individuals are trying to make a whole set of people fall into line with a moral and ethical ideology based on their religion. To be more clear, I feel that individuals who use their religious beliefs to make political decisions and suggestions that affect society as a whole are morally wrong.
If it is an individuals decision to determine what right and wrong are does this mean thatmorals in essence would be determined by the persons acting or reacting? What measuring stick would be in place to hold the person accountable?
What part of the history of Christianity do you think has influenced you in a negative way? Why would you take the word of Science or evolution theory over God? Have I missed it? Missed where Science has disproven God and creation? I am unaware that htis has happened.
Do you hold God accountable for the actions of others? We cannot judge a person based on how someone else acts can we? Even though God does not change, people do.
I do not think any views your views, or my views should be forced on anyone. Every person alive has the right to make their own decisions, but a society and it's leadership does what they feel is best for all people. Can you give some examples of decisions you have observed that would indicate that they were influenced by a religious belief.
I gain my morals and ethics from God's Word, but by no means am I indicating that everyone has to do this. God says to choose this day who we will serve. Two important details in that saying, one being we have a choice and the other being we are not forced to accept or adhere to his ways.
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I believe there are a certain set of rights and wrongs that most all people are born with at birth, that humans are inherently good. That humans are born with a conscience that determines what is right and wrong on a very basic level. After that, morals are determined by many other factors, environment, social situation, heritage, etc..If it is an individuals decision to determine what right and wrong are does this mean thatmorals in essence would be determined by the persons acting or reacting? What measuring stick would be in place to hold the person accountable?
What part of the history of Christianity do you think has influenced you in a negative way? Why would you take the word of Science or evolution theory over God? Have I missed it? Missed where Science has disproven God and creation? I am unaware that htis has happened.
Do you hold God accountable for the actions of others? We cannot judge a person based on how someone else acts can we? Even though God does not change, people do.
I do not think any views your views, or my views should be forced on anyone. Every person alive has the right to make their own decisions, but a society and it's leadership does what they feel is best for all people. Can you give some examples of decisions you have observed that would indicate that they were influenced by a religious belief.
I gain my morals and ethics from God's Word, but by no means am I indicating that everyone has to do this. God says to choose this day who we will serve. Two important details in that saying, one being we have a choice and the other being we are not forced to accept or adhere to his ways.
The history of Christianity is filled with examples of people being murdered for being heretic. For not being Christian. How can that not have a negative connotation to a religion?
No one has disproven the existence of an omnipotent being. But science has been able to give us small clues about human existence and the evolution of man. I choose to take the word of science because science is a fact-based decision. Religion is an emotional decision, a matter of blind faith and belief in something that cannot be proven.
I choose to side with facts and truths over speculation and faith.
I do not hold an omnipotent being to a standard because I do not believe in the existence of a higher being.
The easiest example is homosexuality legislation, which is directly related to the Christian ideology that homosexuality is not natural, and therefore should not be allowed to be seen by the government as married individuals, therefore not being able to receive the same government benefits as married people.
There has been legislation in the last few years to advance the situation of homosexuals, but the point that there is still legislation against a set of people because it is viewed as wrong by a religious organization is proof that religion influences politics. Court rulings on obscenity and pornography are more proof, the ideal that certain acts should not be allowed because they are immoral is deeply rooted in religious connotation.
For the record, I'm agnostic, borderline atheist.
1) Where you been?
2) World is full of good people and not-so-good people, has little to do with ones religion, it doesn't make you any better of a person.
3) Somewhat. They certainly don't sway my opinion in favor of Christianity, I actually think more are driven away than converted the other.
4) There's a few things. The first is the inability of free-will, makes people to fearful to think of anything outside of what their religion tells them to. People don't like hearing that, but it's true. Second, I think it's done more harm to the world than good. And lastly, the better-than attitude held by a lot(not all) that they are right, all other Gods are wrong, and non-believers are some vile bunch.
Just some of the main ones, not all by any means.
People need to understand that evolution is not out to debunk creationism, it's out to put some understanding to where we came from, the fact that it goes against creationism isn't it's fault.
Actually science doesn't support it, it's a natural thing, go look it up. It happens in nature all the time, with many different species. Of course it only happens in a small portion, that makes perfect sense. The reason most reject it, is religion, most of the world is religious in some way. It is natural, already said that. Where is the record you are referring to? They are born gay, just like I and you were born straight.
Let me ask, did you choose to be straight? Nope, you just were attracted to the opposite sex, same way with them.
History is full of injustices, blacks didn't use to be able to marry whites, that's a part of history...does it make it okay?
I don't know how it influences them in a bad way, most seen and know what sex is at an early age, most turn out fine...have yet to see how it effects them so negatively. It's their body and choice, they aren't being forced to and they make good money, more power to them.Do you think porn is a good influence on anyone, especially children? Do you feel like it demoralizes women?
And I'm not quoting the other post, but marriage was redefined before i.e. with blacks, I see that as a good thing. YOU and the others are the ones pushing beliefs, I hate all this talk about the "sanctity of marriage"...go look up the divorce rate, look at the adultery, straights through out any "sanctity of marriage" a long time ago.
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