Okay, from a atheist point of view it is betting. I made a choice to give it a try and I now believe it is true and have faith. It is hard to explain to an atheist, trust me, it is hard.
I see (I take it this is a personal belief, not some recognized split-off of Christianity?) But wouldn't a God be more pleased with someone that did good because he wanted to than with someone that only did good because he thought God wanted him to? Seeing what you believe, what's against just leading a good life instead of having this belief?
There isn't a threat, like I said, all of those kingdoms are tremendous blessings worth dying for ( but don't commit suicide for it ). I know it isn't the, but there are similarities.
Ok, but I can't figure out from your posts why you believe rather than just lead a good life. The answer seems to be "Just because".
Well, it is my interpretation of the official stance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I am a member of. It is my interpretation, and if it is wrong, I did my very very best and we believe that by doing our very very best is all that is required of us. So, I don't care it is wrong, but the natural man inside of me hope that I'm right. Your first question, I cannot answer, it is beyond me to answer, but I am leaning towards, doing the right, because it is the right and because we want to do the right. We are not taught to necessarily fear god, but to honor God, to love God and all mankind. Doing what is right because we love to do what is right and because it is right is what we are striving to achieve. However, in that case, where you assume God exists, then what is wrong with believing in a faith? There is nothing wrong with a good life, a good life is great, it is wonderful, but I also believe and have faith in what I believe. That is why I respect atheist beliefs, as well as other religions, unless they are consciously doing evil. On the same token, is there anything wrong with a faith?
God won't, because we believe the commandment give to all man through Adam. That is to reproduce basically in its plainest sense.
Not at an individual level, if it truly helps you through life. But it has to be belief based on your honest understanding of things, not because you might get something out of it, or that you've been told it's true by someone.
Okay, the only reason I can rationalize why you adopted atheism is because I was once an atheist myself. I "been there done that", that is why I can rationalize and comprehend it. I have been in those shoes before. However, if you ask one of my friends that are born in the church, they don't understand why someone CANNOT believe in God, because they are raised in the church. It is the same as you, but in another sense. I have been both so I know, that is why I can see from the atheist point of view, because I once was one. It is like...not to offend other people, so I will use myself as an example. I am a blind man, try to describe to me the colors of the world and make sure I feel the same.
Bingo! I am not looking for something out of it... I do it the same way atheists do good. Taking out society and the law, why do you as an atheist do good? Same reason I do good, I do it because I honor and love God, and I love the world ( not hippie style ). If I actually did go do it only because I want something out of it, then I will be not as joyous, and that I will think everyone else is inferior. I have my own interpretation based on what I honestly believe. I can't say for all Mormons, but that is for me and my family.
Thanks for your explanation Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Nothing at all, not an sich anyway. And from how you describe your faith I can have nothing but respect for you. There's is just one thing. You said that people that believe in God are rewarded more than people that do not, even if they have been equally good during their life. This strikes me as a bit disdainful (which is perhaps a bit of a strong word).
Hey I just realized something, why are you telling this to me? I don't even have children! If I did, I would get arrested IIRC. Neither me or my girlfriend or any of my exes are at the age of consent...so even if you don't know anything about Mormon beliefs, you would know that I would get arrested if I did have children, and I can get charged. The answer I gave you was assuming the "children" was someone else, just a close family member or something. I cannot judge what I have not experienced. So yeah, what I gave wasn't a valid answer. Okay...for those who are now going to bash me with "no dating under 16" rule....well it is a RECOMMENDATION, not a COMMANDMENT. Besides, I don't see anything wrong with girlfriends.
One thing though, I never adopted atheism. That's not quite how it works. I have been raised in a Christian home and went to Christian schools all my life, yet I never believed in God. I understand that you do not mean to offend anyone but, even when you take yourself as an example, what you said there is a bit insulting. Also, I can easily turn it around..
Sorry I cannot answer all your questions Thank you, same for you. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who do not believe, but are righteous. From an neutral observer's perspective, you have nothing to look forward to after death. It takes a lot of character Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Well, you see, it takes quite a bit to actually "slug it out". It is because of the promise by God that until the last day, there will always be trials and tribulations. For example, it might range from me getting deported from Canada, to just getting laughed at for being Christian. It is only if we still "turn the other cheek" and keep out commandments despite all this. I believe it takes a lot of character to stay within the church and be religious sometimes. We are not saying we will probably get trials, we believe God promised we WILL get trials of our faith. I won't pretend that I am perfect, but there are times where I am swaying a bit. There is a difference between a true disciple and a hypocrite, and man can't tell, and only the true disciples get the blessings. Perhaps one day I will fall away from my beliefs, perhaps, hopefully not. Here is something though, it is an interpretation and extremely close to my church's belief. If you are righteous and would have converted but due to a special circumstance ( such as upbringing, or you have never heard the message, or the circumstances of the message ) cannot convert, you won't be held accountable, you will get another chance after death. This is what it means, you will see either A) Jesus Christ or B) One of us that converted. We will look you in the eye and say, do you want to convert. By then, pretty hard to refuse eh?Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! We believe each man will be only accountable for their own actions and that God will show mercy and love to all his children. If hypothetically god does not exist, oh well, whatever.
Sorry bro, embarrasing mistake, I meant opted, perhaps other circumstances? I dunno Yeah, that was the worst part of my example...it can be offending...I can't find a way around it. I'm sorry Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Hey, I just got a better analogy. For example, we have different number systems or different languages, completely different....
To the original question of this post...I assume that the answer for atheists is the same as myself... I was made by my parents, primarily my Mom...my parents had sex, some interesting autonomic processes occurred, and I popped out eight months later. I believe there was something before and will be something after, but can't conclusively prove it even to myself.
Not directly. But there's always posterity. A generation's worse crime is to worry only about themselves and use up what should have been their children's.
Hey, well, you might have children one day, and like Abraham, God could ask you to murder them. There are many negative consequences of religion. I would rather take my chances with God, I think the creator of all would understand my reasons for disbelief.
Only he would know what it would take to make me believe in him. I can't even tell you. But I haven't seen anything yet.
Yeah, so I interpreted the original post differently as why Atheists opted atheism. I mean, every man ( I mean both male and female, because technically man is both, and wereman is male ) is born the same way bro Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!