Is it strange to have no actual belief in anything?

[Dirk Gently]

Because I don't. it's sorta a scary thing for me that I never want to think about. But it sorta makes sense. Why Believe anything that some old man thousands, hundreds, or tens of years ago said? They're still men. Fallible to the laws of human nature. Not that there are any of course. jsut set guidelines I guess. Maybe someone will get stupider as they read this. I hope so. bahfuck.

[beachguy in thongs]

No, but the bahfuck, almost, got me. My IQ remained, pretty much, the same until then.

No one said that you had to believe anything. You're lucky, because now you can learn what you want to and believe what you want.

[GHoSToKeR]

No dude, it's totally normal. :)

[ThatTokenWhiteGuy]

I don't believe in anything and it's all good. I used to be religious then I let that go, it was nice believing that life had a purpose and that there's something more to death than a lack of existance.. Sometimes I miss it but I'd rather believe what I believe to be the truth than a decorated cushion of lies that helps people deal with the emptiness of their lives. But hey, that's what works for me and of course to each their own.

[PureEvil760]

I believe weed gets you high.

[pastor420]

I believe weed gets you high.

Something that you and I agree on 100% PureEvil! Amazing. ;)

[harmonicminor]

I dont believe you :-P

[graymatter]

I don't believe,

I know the earth is both beautiful and cruel,

my comfort, hardship, pain, and peace resides there.

[braddog10]

Hey Harmonic, Gray......Whats Up?

[Mr. TBAGU 420]

Personally, i don't believe in gods. I mean, if there was a god, why do we have killings and terrorist attacks on the US? Why do good, strong, friendly people die because of stupid reasons they can't control? Why do people sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat? Why are there guns and knives to kill people instead of using them for what they are MEANT for? Couldn't god prevent these things if he were real?

Also, who really knows that there is heaven and hell? No person has been able to die, then come back and tell us what there is and isn't. Personally, i believe that when you die, you are gone in existence, but not gone from people's hearts.

Anyway, that's how i feel about it. Believe what you want, but what i think is perfectly satisfactory for me. It makes sense 100% to me. Hope it makes sense to more than just me.

[Land of Drought]

Some would say Earth ,is Heaven and Hell all rapped in One
Personally id like to think we could treat this place like heaven ,,,but
we know the truth ,, War Murder, Rape. So if theres a God?. If
he a strange Fruit

[beachguy in thongs]

I believe weed gets you high.

What are you smoking? Weed makes me normal. Normally high.

[baisez le monde.]

Nah, i just believe in... living. I don't believe in higher power or any shit like that. I live for myself and thats it.

[willystylle]

Nah, i just believe in... living. I don't believe in higher power or any shit like that. I live for myself and thats it.

QFT

[Shelbay]

Personally, i don't believe in gods. I mean, if there was a god, why do we have killings and terrorist attacks on the US? Why do good, strong, friendly people die because of stupid reasons they can't control? Why do people sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat? Why are there guns and knives to kill people instead of using them for what they are MEANT for? Couldn't god prevent these things if he were real?

Also, who really knows that there is heaven and hell? No person has been able to die, then come back and tell us what there is and isn't. Personally, i believe that when you die, you are gone in existence, but not gone from people's hearts.

Anyway, that's how i feel about it. Believe what you want, but what i think is perfectly satisfactory for me. It makes sense 100% to me. Hope it makes sense to more than just me.
The way your brain appears to function maybe you should buy a book by Sarah Lanelle Mennet..I think thats the correct spelling..anyway..she DID technically die & come back to tell what she saw..she committed what is called a successful suicide..but was "brought back". What she saw & understood WAS recorded many years before some of it acyually becoming reality..oh and before her suicide she was a non-believer..hated everything..and everybody..just WANTED to die. That is one book that I believed in after reading..even though I have my faith it seemed to strengthen it more.

[braddog10]

Personally, i don't believe in gods. I mean, if there was a god, why do we have killings and terrorist attacks on the US? Why do good, strong, friendly people die because of stupid reasons they can't control? Why do people sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat? Why are there guns and knives to kill people instead of using them for what they are MEANT for? Couldn't god prevent these things if he were real?

Also, who really knows that there is heaven and hell? No person has been able to die, then come back and tell us what there is and isn't. Personally, i believe that when you die, you are gone in existence, but not gone from people's hearts.

Anyway, that's how i feel about it. Believe what you want, but what i think is perfectly satisfactory for me. It makes sense 100% to me. Hope it makes sense to more than just me.

TBAGU 420

Life is Life, What has been described here is not life. I feel ya,.....Specifically, A sinking feeling of someone missing out on living.

Of coarse any here believe what you chose to accept,.......Ok for One, You said "No one has been able to come back and tell us about it."
You are mistaken. Maurice Rawlings an atheist.......I'll back up.

Years ago, I heard an program, Where Maurice Rawlings was being interviewed, He was a Cardiologist. Cardiologist, regularly bring people back that are dead, apparently not for a critical time, However, they had Left, Just Like Elvis,.......Out of the Building. Ok?
When they were resuscitated, Some had an awesome experience,talked with others. Angelic, or family, tried to describe different things. The absolute joy.

Others where brought back from Hell experiences, They, absolutely Panicked, Freaked, Like ~ Had to be held down..........

I'm at work, don't have time to search,.......Please Google Dr. Maurice Rawlings, "Behind Deaths Door"!! I have never forgotten this interview. This was also at the time that Dr. Rawlings had experienced these things, He started interviewing these people. It SHOCKED him. Just as it had shocked the SHIT out of these people, I'm sure that many crapped themselves. Yeah it's disgusting to some, but, reality ain't pretty sometimes, as has been mentioned.

Look this is serious business, I care much for all here. I have so much fun, and have a place now where I can express things, and hopefully, encourage some,........Because God has encouraged me so much. This is why I am drawn back.

God seized me in such a Hugh way. In my early 20's. I went to some edgy places, with my wife, (girl friend at the time). "Beth Yeshua" during the community pickets and hassles. Inner city ministries' where some inner city ministers would come from New York city. Edgey ...Loved it.. We saw some weird stuff, when the demons in some would stand to attention. ..Baby,
Forget Hollywood, These things are impotent against the blood and name of Jesus.

It is His heart, that I feel for all of you here. I see myself privileged, that He drew me, to seek him.

Please Liston, this won't be hard. Jesus said forgive them, for they don't know what they do.............These among His final words.
I see, from all the substance I have had the luxury to receive and enjoy. That others here - have not. I don't see that many have any Christian, instruction, or experience that is real and not counterfeit religion,

It's not you fault.

This is from Isaiah: 53 Spoken, Years years prior, ask Shelbay she knows.
This is a prophecy about the one God would send, that all the sheep slaughtered................represented.


1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [b]

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [d] and be satisfied [e] ;
by his knowledge [f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.


If you really want to know, Let me ask you a yes or no question.....
If He Is real, and the only true and living God, as He is described in the Bible. Are you willing to allow Him to lay his hand uppon you to bring you to a place to where you will know Him, and His son..... It's very simple.. No Isle, No stupid, organist, GIVE A BREAK, Just a Yes........or..............NO!

Ya know, I think I'll start my First Thread. Yes Or No Poll. I BET YOU.... you will be suprised.

Please, Google, Dr. Rawlings. "behind deaths door". I never read the book, but the innerview was enough. I SHOOK him out of atheism.

[braddog10]

I'm going to stop posting when I'm at work, taking lunch. Man, definitely on the rough side.........definitely on the rough end of smooth.

As the Knowm and I would say..........are you ready Knowm?


We Love you.


Ever shit your pants knowm?........ hey, lets take a walk. hey, Thats shelbay right up there. Hey shel.........So how are ya man, hows the fam...........

[FunkyMonkey]

I feel that it is better to be in a state of not believing in anything than to be in a state of belief in something that will guide you astray of your path.
To be in a state of non-belief you are open to learning and recieving guidance from your inner self and are open to finding that which you can fully believe in.
If you fill that space simply to have some belief system you close yourself off and limit the possibility of enlightenment. You deafen your ears and blind your eyes to your own sacred truth.
It is better to keep walking in search of friends than to make your home in a circle of strangers.


peace

[poorprincess]

Do you mean that you dont have religion, dont believe in God, or you just dont believe in anything. I'm a non-believer of the highest degree. I barely believe I'm typing right now. But I recently came to the realization that whether everything is real or not, whether I live in the matrix or whatever, I still have to live here. Unless I can get out of my body.

You probably just meant why believe in the bible cuz people wrote it and people arent God. I dont. Because human beings are not infallible. It's practically amazing there arent a billion misspellings(spl?) in the bible.

There is a bible that was claimed to have been dictated to a man by an angel with permission from God. But he coulda been high.

If religion isn't the way then check out science! It's cool. Quantum Physics discusses reality right down to the atom.

[beachguy in thongs]

Do you mean that you dont have religion, dont believe in God, or you just dont believe in anything. I'm a non-believer of the highest degree. I barely believe I'm typing right now. But I recently came to the realization that whether everything is real or not, whether I live in the matrix or whatever, I still have to live here. Unless I can get out of my body.

You probably just meant why believe in the bible cuz people wrote it and people arent God. I dont. Because human beings are not infallible. It's practically amazing there arent a billion misspellings(spl?) in the bible.

There is a bible that was claimed to have been dictated to a man by an angel with permission from God. But he coulda been high.

If religion isn't the way then check out science! It's cool. Quantum Physics discusses reality right down to the atom.

You won't believe this, but, your entire post comes up on my screen as a capital "L".

A big, phat blunt. :pimp:

[ThatTokenWhiteGuy]

[QUOTE=Mr. TBAGU 420]Personally, i don't believe in gods. I mean, if there was a god, why do we have killings and terrorist attacks on the US? Why do good, strong, friendly people die because of stupid reasons they can't control? Why do people sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat? Why are there guns and knives to kill people instead of using them for what they are MEANT for? Couldn't god prevent these things if he were real?[QUOTE]

We have killings and terrorist attacks on the US because people are dicks that believed they have been wronged and think murder will help and some people are just nuts. Good, strong, friendly people die for reasons they can't control because we live in a chaotic universe.. anything that can happen, will happen under the right circumstances. People sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat because they don't value themselves and it's accepted enough by society so people can continue to dangerously make quick cash with a working, breathing body as the only requirement. There are guns and knives to kill people because guns and knives kill people efficiently, some guns were MEANT to do nothing but kill humans. God could prevent this if he was real but why would he? As a creator he may guide his creatures but allow them to live and grow themselves, becoming their own people. If there is a higher power, they are not to blame for the way people act.

[braddog10]

[QUOTE=Mr. TBAGU 420]Personally, i don't believe in gods. I mean, if there was a god, why do we have killings and terrorist attacks on the US? Why do good, strong, friendly people die because of stupid reasons they can't control? Why do people sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat? Why are there guns and knives to kill people instead of using them for what they are MEANT for? Couldn't god prevent these things if he were real?[QUOTE]

We have killings and terrorist attacks on the US because people are dicks that believed they have been wronged and think murder will help and some people are just nuts. Good, strong, friendly people die for reasons they can't control because we live in a chaotic universe.. anything that can happen, will happen under the right circumstances. People sell themselves on the street like pieces of meat because they don't value themselves and it's accepted enough by society so people can continue to dangerously make quick cash with a working, breathing body as the only requirement. There are guns and knives to kill people because guns and knives kill people efficiently, some guns were MEANT to do nothing but kill humans. God could prevent this if he was real but why would he? As a creator he may guide his creatures but allow them to live and grow themselves, becoming their own people. If there is a higher power, they are not to blame for the way people act.


Eloquent!

Mr TGABU 420
God blessed us with free will, some use it........... tragically.

[Delta9]

xa-sa-ya-a-ra-sa-a:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-i-ya:va-za-ra-
ka:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-i-ya:xa-sa-a-ya[th]a-i-ya-a-
na-a-ma:da-a-ra-ya-va-ha-u-sa:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-
i-ya-ha-ya-a:pa-u-ca:ha-xa-a-ma-na-i-sa-i-ya

[beachguy in thongs]

xa-sa-ya-a-ra-sa-a:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-i-ya:va-za-ra-
ka:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-i-ya:xa-sa-a-ya[th]a-i-ya-a-
na-a-ma:da-a-ra-ya-va-ha-u-sa:xa-sa-a-ya-[th]a-
i-ya-ha-ya-a:pa-u-ca:ha-xa-a-ma-na-i-sa-i-ya

I've deciphered the message.

Arsine; a college campus, with the ministry group "chi alpha"; In a library; "a", either, stands for a designated time-zone, or, 10 to the negative eighteenth power; ra is an Ancient Egyptian Sun God; "sine anno", or, in Latin, sign of our faith; (colon) Arsine; College Campus; 10 (-18); librarian; (Bracketed) Technische Hochschule, or, thorium (/Brackets)...

Okay. Help me out.

The term XA refers to one of the following:

* a processor architecture, called extended addressing, first introduced by IBM in 1981 in the System/370 model 3081 mainframe computer
* a Scion (car) model (xA)
* the X/Open XA transaction processing specification
* a college campus ministry group, Chi Alpha

Sa or sa may stand for:

* arsine, a toxic gas
* the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph meaning "protection" (see sa (hieroglyph))
* samarium, until the 1920s, when the symbol Sm became universal
* Sanskrit language (ISO 639 alpha-2, sa)
* sine anno, used in bibliographies to indicate that a publication date is unknown

YA is used by some libraries to classify literary works targeted towards young adults.
See also

* library science.
* YA Librarian

Ra
in hieroglyphs
r:a-N5:Z1-C2 ,
N5:Z1-C2, or
C2

TH, Th, or th may stand for:

* the symbol for the chemical element thorium (Th)
* the 29th letter of the Albanian alphabet, see th (letter)
* the symbol of thoracic vertebrae (Th1-Th12)
* a digraph th used
* in English to identify the sounds /θ/ and /ð/ (IPA).
* in Albanian to identify the sound /θ/
* in some Celtic languages to refer to the product of lenition of t.
* Thailand (ISO country code, TH)
* Thai language (ISO 639 alpha-2, th)
* a transcription/representation of the icelandic sounds/letters eth (ð) and thorn (þ).
* the acronym TH for Technische Hochschule, i.e. a university of technology in German-speaking countries
* TeenHelp.org, a popular teen advice website
* Trunk highway
* The HTML or XHTML element for creating a header cell of table:
* The webcomic Theater Hopper

Encyclopedia Article about "A"
http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/a

about "i"
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/i

about "u"
http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/u

za may mean:

* Zhuang language (ISO 639 alpha-2, za) [/B] may mean:

VA may mean:

* the SI volt-amp unit of apparent power
* the USPS postal state code for Virginia (formerly Va.)
* .va, the ISO country code and ccTLD for the Vatican City
* Va is another name for the Wa people of China
* the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, formerly the Veterans Administration
* VA Software Corporation (formerly VA Linux Systems), provider of the SourceForge Development Intelligence application
* VA is often used in musical compilations to refer Various Artists
* VA is short for an Actor who provides voices for animated films, television series, radio and television commercials, audio dramas, dubbed foreign language films, video games, puppet shows, and amusement rides


KA, Ka or ka may mean:

* Georgian language (ISO 639 alpha-2)
* Ka, a letter of Cyrillic alphabet
* Ka is a part of the soul in Egyptian mythology
* Ford Ka, model of car made by Ford
* an abbreviation for the Russian Kamov design bureau
* an abbreviation for the Kappa Alpha Society
* KÃ*, a Cirque du Soleil troupe based at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas
* the particle that marks a question in Japanese grammar
* the IATA code for Dragonair
* German: Keine Ahnung (no idea)
* Ka, a sort of karma in Stephen King's Dark Tower series.
* Mister Ka, main character in the books of Frans Kafka.
* In chemistry, Ka is the Acid dissociation constant.

Da may refer to:

* Adi Da, a spiritual leader once known as Da Free John, and Da Love-Ananda
* Da, a main character in the Northern Ireland comedy series Give My Head Peace
* A corrupt version of the word the, as in "da bomb!"

Ma may stand for:

* Ma, a two-letter English word meaning Mother.
* "Ma" is the word for mother, or part of the word for mother, in many human languages around the world. Many linguists believe that it was the word for mother in an ancient human language.
* Ma, transliteration of the ancient Egyptian abbreviation of Meshwesh, an ancient Berber tribe.
* , transliteration of Chinese family name 馬,?,? etc.
* Ma (mythology).
* Mega-annum (Ma) â?? a time period of one million (106) years.
* Ma is the second syllable in Buddhist "Six syllable mantra" Om mani padme hum.
* Ma means space in Japanese and often refers to silence in music.
* The Ma River in Vietnam.
* The Mach number in physics.

Na can refer to:

* The name of Sodium in the periodic table.
* The name of a tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh. See Nga people.

Pa, PA or pa may stand for:

* pa, a word for dad or father ("pa" or "paw")
* pa, Chinese political title meaning hegemon
* Pa, Māori word meaning a fortified village or redoubt, described at length in Māori Wars
* Per annum, p.a.
* Palestinian Authority
* Panama (ISO country code, PA)
* Panjabi language (ISO 639 alpha-2, pa)
* pascal (Pa), SI unit of pressure
* Passenger Announcement (PA), not to be confused with Public Address System described below.
* Peano arithmetic
* Pennsylvania, the US state
* Penny Arcade, the popular gaming webcomic
* People's Association, in Singapore
* Personal Assistant (PA)
* physician assistant, the medical profession
* Press Association,(PA) the UK news agency
* Production assistant,(PA)
* protactinium (Pa), symbol for the chemical element
* Port Angeles a city in Washington, USA
* Polyamide (PA), a kind of plastic
* Polyacetylene (PA)
* Power amplifier
* Public Address System system amplification equipment
* Phillips Academy, a private secondary school
* PA is the IATA alpha code designator for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)
* PA is also the short form for the PA-RISC family processor architecture from Hewlett-Packard

[Oneironaut]

It is not strange to have no belief in the supernatural. Over 10% of the American population and over 1 billion people around the world are atheist or agnostic.

[PureEvil760]

I got it it says "Heres a picture of the Mad Hatter, enjoy!"

[Binzhoubum]

What is the difference what you believe as long as you are a good person?

Nothing. Something. It's all the same in the end...

KARMA

:smokin:

[beachguy in thongs]

What is the difference what you believe as long as you are a good person?

Nothing. Something. It's all the same in the end...

KARMA

:smokin:

The Good person smokes Marijuana?

I bet that there are many people who, still, think that we're devil-worshippers, or something of that sort.

:stoned: < ("Can't you see the Devil in my eyes?")

[Binzhoubum]

The Good person smokes Marijuana?

I bet that there are many people who, still, think that we're devil-worshippers, or something of that sort.

:stoned: < ("Can't you see the Devil in my eyes?")

We aren't? :confused:

LOL

:smokin:

I thought if you smoked weed you automatically believed in and regularly practiced devil-worship...Did I miss a day of Stoner School?

:stoned:

[beachguy in thongs]

We aren't? :confused:

LOL

:smokin:

I thought if you smoked weed you automatically believed in and regularly practiced devil-worship...Did I miss a day of Stoner School?

:stoned:

You must've missed the class with Sister Agnes.

[pumpkin]

What is the difference what you believe as long as you are a good person?

Nothing. Something. It's all the same in the end...

KARMA

:smokin:



WORD.

Although I do believe in God, my belief in karma is just as strong, if not stronger. :)

[braddog10]

WORD.

Although I do believe in God, my belief in karma is just as strong, if not stronger. :)

It's understandable to concider Quid Pro quo. I'll do for you what and only the value of what you did for me. Karma is primarily, the same. It only rewards back, what is given, or earned. No more no less.

The understanding of this as it is defined in India for example, keeps people from helping one another. The view conciders that if aid is supplied to someone, it deminishes their quality of life in their next life. Calcutta, for example, has some of the highest populations of poor that their own people generationally will not aid. Reading Google searches "calcutta Poor", reviels alot of information concerning this, In fact the cast system develloped from this. As groups drifted further apart. I find it hard to be comfortable with.

[Binzhoubum]

It's understandable to concider Quid Pro quo. I'll do for you what and only the value of what you did for me. Karma is primarily, the same. It only rewards back, what is given, or earned. No more no less.

The understanding of this as it is defined in India for example, keeps people from helping one another. The view conciders that if aid is supplied to someone, it deminishes their quality of life in their next life. Calcutta, for example, has some of the highest populations of poor that their own people generationally will not aid. Reading Google searches "calcutta Poor", reviels alot of information concerning this, In fact the cast system develloped from this. As groups drifted further apart. I find it hard to be comfortable with.

If you want to talk about "quid pro quo", why don't we look at it another way? :smokin: Isn't Christianity based on "quid pro quo" too? I mean at least in the strictest of logical senses...

Jesus died for your sins and you must believe this or you will go to hell. So in exchange for believing that Jesus was the son of God one is able to ascend to heaven, but for not believing that Jesus was the son of God one is damned to an eternity of fire and hell...Sounds like "what for what" to me...:smokin:

Also, all of that stuff you are mentioning about KARMA being the reason for economic and social disparity in India is pure drivel. I am sure if I searched google I would find something along those lines, but then again just because its on google doesn't make it right or even correct in the smallest sense.

KARMA transcends social and economic boundaries and anybody who tells you that a rich person helping a poor person is in somehow a violation of Karmic law is patently wrong.

Also, it would be interesting to note that Sunday schools across America, at least in my experience, often teach something known as the "Golden Rule". It says: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Hmmmm.....sounds like a basic principle of KARMA to me.

So as much as you want to believe that every other religion pales in comparison to Christianity...I think that you will be forced to come to the realization, sooner or later if you think about things logically, that pretty much all religions are preaching the same exact prinicples... The only differences are in delivery of the parable, moral, rule, etc.

And the only other differences are caused and initiated by human action or behavior...:smokin:

EITHER WAY....it still doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are a good person.

And, please, let's not get into a semantic discussion as to what "good" means. No relativism today, I beseech you all. We all have a GOOD IDEA of what it means to be good (be friendly, love others, be compassionate, be generous, don't steal, don't kill, etc...)

:smokin:

[beachguy in thongs]

If you want to talk about "quid pro quo", why don't we look at it another way? :smokin: Isn't Christianity based on "quid pro quo" too? I mean at least in the strictest of logical senses...

Jesus died for your sins and you must believe this or you will go to hell. So in exchange for believing that Jesus was the son of God one is able to ascend to heaven, but for not believing that Jesus was the son of God one is damned to an eternity of fire and hell...Sounds like "what for what" to me...:smokin:

Also, all of that stuff you are mentioning about KARMA being the reason for economic and social disparity in India is pure drivel. I am sure if I searched google I would find something along those lines, but then again just because its on google doesn't make it right or even correct in the smallest sense.

KARMA transcends social and economic boundaries and anybody who tells you that a rich person helping a poor person is in somehow a violation of Karmic law is patently wrong.

Also, it would be interesting to note that Sunday schools across America, at least in my experience, often teach something known as the "Golden Rule". It says: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Hmmmm.....sounds like a basic principle of KARMA to me.

So as much as you want to believe that every other religion pales in comparison to Christianity...I think that you will be forced to come to the realization, sooner or later if you think about things logically, that pretty much all religions are preaching the same exact prinicples... The only differences are in delivery of the parable, moral, rule, etc.

And the only other differences are caused and initiated by human action or behavior...:smokin:

EITHER WAY....it still doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are a good person.

And, please, let's not get into a semantic discussion as to what "good" means. No relativism today, I beseech you all. We all have a GOOD IDEA of what it means to be good (be friendly, love others, be compassionate, be generous, don't steal, don't kill, etc...)

:smokin:


Good may mean:

* Goodness and value theory, the moral concepts
* Good (accounting) or inventory, a physical object, used in accounting and commerce
* Good (economics), an object or service that increases utility, in economics
* Product (business), an object or service that can be offered for sale, in business and marketing

[Binzhoubum]

Good may mean:

* Goodness and value theory, the moral concepts
* Good (accounting) or inventory, a physical object, used in accounting and commerce
* Good (economics), an object or service that increases utility, in economics
* Product (business), an object or service that can be offered for sale, in business and marketing


LOL

:smokin:

I'll smoke one just for you...you facetious trouble-maker you...;) :stoned:

[beachguy in thongs]

Thanks. I'm burnt.

And it's 83.1 degrees. 75 inside.

72 would be most comfortable, but, hey, I'm barely wearing anything. :dance:

[TMBGoofball]

I don't believe in anything either. "Strange" is a subjective term, but to my subjective interpretation, it doesn't seem strange.

[chris40]

Why did God give me an appendix? or wisdom teethe? or nipples?
Why did he make so much of the world inhabitable? (IE artic regions, mountain tops etc)
Why does God create children with mental and physical birth defects?

Those are a few questions i'de like to hear an answer for besides "God works in mysteriouse way."

[beachguy in thongs]

Why did God give me an appendix? or wisdom teethe? or nipples?The same reason why he gave you that "junk" in the corner of your eye. Further back in evolution, it used to be a second-eyelid to keep out water, as our crocodilian ancestors have.
Crocodiles have three eyelids: two leathery protective eyelids and one clear or translucent one.


http://www.ozmagic.homestead.com/AustralianCrocodileFacts.html

Kitty-kats have a translucent eyelid. I guess, they share ancestry with the crocodile, also.

And we all have a common ancestor 2,000-5,000 years ago.

[ThatTokenWhiteGuy]

Why did God give me an appendix? or wisdom teethe? or nipples?
Why did he make so much of the world inhabitable? (IE artic regions, mountain tops etc)
Why does God create children with mental and physical birth defects?

Those are a few questions i'de like to hear an answer for besides "God works in mysteriouse way."


Well there was probably a use for an appendix ages ago but it became obselete through evolution. Same with wisdom teeth, notice how wisdom teeth come in later than the rest. Probably to replace old rotten teeth because cave men didn't know about oral hygeine. Nipples? Well for women that's obvious. Men? I don't know. Ever see a nature special about the arctic or mountain tops or the desert? Notice all the creatures living in those regions. Not so much humans.. but hey, we're only one of many animals on this planet and we can't live everywhere. As for childeren with mental and physical birth defects.. God (if for the sake of argument he exists) didn't create childeren with defects. First look at all the childeren that were born with problems because of neglectful parents. Then look at the fact that this universe is chaotic. Ever tripped and fell? Ever bumped your head? Was it Gods fault? Nope. Luck of the draw. Like I said before, anything that can happen, will happen under the right circumstances. The things to blame for the problems in this world are mankind and luck of the draw in my opinion.

[chris40]

Ever see a nature special about the arctic or mountain tops or the desert? Notice all the creatures living in those regions. Not so much humans.. but hey, we're only one of many animals on this planet and we can't live everywhere.

Actually many places like the north and south poles, no animals can live there, in fact the temperature gets so low sometimes the smallest micro-organisms can't even thrive there.


And I know the evolutionary answer to those questions,which is the one I believe in, But I was looking for the creationist reason for those things.

People who say God created man and the universe never have a reason for all the imperfections.

[beachguy in thongs]

We will eventually lose our imperfections. Like our arms.

[coldfootlyle]

There is plenty of evidence of micro-evolution but I have seen none for macro-evolution. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened we just cant prove it. Either way it doesn't affect my faith one way or another. It is what I believe and I can't change that. Trust me I tried and was miserable until I accepted that I believe something I can't prove. I guess thats why they call it faith.

[OnionsOfLove]

braddog10:

Communism is a system that works to everyone's advantage. On paper, it looks like it would be a wonderful economic system to implement. However, it wass never taken off paper and fully implemented in any country; there is always a person or people who stand in the way.

Its a far stretch, but sort of the same principal as karma in the sense that you were talking. Karma is a real thing, and it happens in everyone's life, every day. However, just like Communism, if you wish to suppress people with the principal of Karma, you can. The Roman Catholic Church used a system of monetary pardons only a few hundred years ago. There is obviously something great about Christianity apart from the fact that the Roman Catholic Church abuses it, and there is also something great about the principal of Karma even though there are occurrences in the world like those you mentioned.

[ThatTokenWhiteGuy]

Actually many places like the north and south poles, no animals can live there, in fact the temperature gets so low sometimes the smallest micro-organisms can't even thrive there.


And I know the evolutionary answer to those questions,which is the one I believe in, But I was looking for the creationist reason for those things.

People who say God created man and the universe never have a reason for all the imperfections.


And I say God didn't create man and the universe. But that's just me.

[beachguy in thongs]

There is plenty of evidence of micro-evolution but I have seen none for macro-evolution. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened we just cant prove it. Either way it doesn't affect my faith one way or another. It is what I believe and I can't change that. Trust me I tried and was miserable until I accepted that I believe something I can't prove. I guess thats why they call it faith.

I've always figured that the webs, in our hands, and the junk in the corner of your eye was proof of macro-evolution. If you look, you can imagine full-blown "web-hands" and, in the mirror, you can see how your second-eyelid has grown into the corner of your eye. That would be us, from the reptilian stage. Reptiles came from fish, meaning that we came from a single-celled organism on the bottom of the ocean.

[braddog10]

braddog10:

Communism is a system that works to every one's advantage. On paper, it looks like it would be a wonderful economic system to implement. However, it was never taken off paper and fully implemented in any country; there is always a person or people who stand in the way.

Its a far stretch, but sort of the same principal as karma in the sense that you were talking. Karma is a real thing, and it happens in everyone's life, every day. However, just like Communism, if you wish to suppress people with the principal of Karma, you can. The Roman Catholic Church used a system of monetary pardons only a few hundred years ago. There is obviously something great about Christianity apart from the fact that the Roman Catholic Church abuses it, and there is also something great about the principal of Karma even though there are occurrences in the world like those you mentioned.


Thank you so much for your very respectful reply. I admire your poise and dignity. Your point is also well taken. As I know as a Christian that much of what is perceived of Christianity, by those from the outside camp, is skewed by their limited knowledge, as it relates to context, Spirit and application. so, I must concede that I too am very very limited as it relates to my understanding of this concept, as I see it. I would have preferred that I had handled this more thoughtfully as you have.

Is there a tendency (or belief) to avoid helping those at a lower (cast)? and If so why?
Do you know why the more affluent (higher cast) have failed to assist others at all?

[OnionsOfLove]

Love is the belief. To believe in loving someone, just because you can, is the way to avoid manipulation (of others, with respect to what we are talking about). Love does exist, but to ask why is the same as asking why time exists.

Higher castes manipulate people because they think they can get something out of it for themselves.

[Binzhoubum]

Can I just clarify something here...?

Karma doesn't mean you have a duty to go around and help everyone in the world...it means that what you sow you shall reap.

It's a basic principle of every major religion in the world....it is just called by a different name or explained in different ways.

[OnionsOfLove]

if you consider that karma is the fact that you "reap what you sow" then why would you not choose to sow only good things for yourself? there is more to the concept than whats on the surface.

[Hamlet]

I believe its going to rain tomorrow, but I could be wrong. But that's okay because I'm not going to hamstring anyone who doesn't believe it's going to rain. ...and if I'm proved wrong, I'll shrug, smile and accept the truth.

Or I can cling to my belief furiously, get a bunch of radical rain people who believe the same way I do, and we can all start building an ark.

And if it does rain tomorrow? I'll be a great prophet! I'll be rich, powerful and adored by millions!

Geez, I hope it rains.

[graymatter]

I believe its going to rain tomorrow, but I could be wrong. But that's okay because I'm not going to hamstring anyone who doesn't believe it's going to rain. ...and if I'm proved wrong, I'll shrug, smile and accept the truth.

Or I can cling to my belief furiously, get a bunch of radical rain people who believe the same way I do, and we can all start building an ark.

And if it does rain tomorrow? I'll be a great prophet! I'll be rich, powerful and adored by millions!

Geez, I hope it rains.

Will you build an evil ark? :thumbsup:

[Hamlet]

Evil? Of course not! Here, try the koolaide :)

[Tampatoker]

It is my opinion that when you take the time to look at life and really take a look, I conclude nothing is by accident. Every small decision with our lives play great importance. We will go down the wrong road here and there and I know I have for sure, but if you reach the mindset that you need to do the right thing and stick by it, the good energy will at some point come back your way.

It is a tough task but no one has asked you for perfection. The best book I have ever read that ultimately changed the way I look at many things is James Redfield's " Celestine Prophecy". He convinced me that our lives are way more important than we think. Unfortunatley, on a level that we do not fully understand. We are getting closer as we as humans evolve. We are a chapter but a very important chapter in the show.

Tampatoker


TBAGU 420

Life is Life, What has been described here is not life. I feel ya,.....Specifically, A sinking feeling of someone missing out on living.

Of coarse any here believe what you chose to accept,.......Ok for One, You said "No one has been able to come back and tell us about it."
You are mistaken. Maurice Rawlings an atheist.......I'll back up.

Years ago, I heard an program, Where Maurice Rawlings was being interviewed, He was a Cardiologist. Cardiologist, regularly bring people back that are dead, apparently not for a critical time, However, they had Left, Just Like Elvis,.......Out of the Building. Ok?
When they were resuscitated, Some had an awesome experience,talked with others. Angelic, or family, tried to describe different things. The absolute joy.

Others where brought back from Hell experiences, They, absolutely Panicked, Freaked, Like ~ Had to be held down..........

I'm at work, don't have time to search,.......Please Google Dr. Maurice Rawlings, "Behind Deaths Door"!! I have never forgotten this interview. This was also at the time that Dr. Rawlings had experienced these things, He started interviewing these people. It SHOCKED him. Just as it had shocked the SHIT out of these people, I'm sure that many crapped themselves. Yeah it's disgusting to some, but, reality ain't pretty sometimes, as has been mentioned.

Look this is serious business, I care much for all here. I have so much fun, and have a place now where I can express things, and hopefully, encourage some,........Because God has encouraged me so much. This is why I am drawn back.

God seized me in such a Hugh way. In my early 20's. I went to some edgy places, with my wife, (girl friend at the time). "Beth Yeshua" during the community pickets and hassles. Inner city ministries' where some inner city ministers would come from New York city. Edgey ...Loved it.. We saw some weird stuff, when the demons in some would stand to attention. ..Baby,
Forget Hollywood, These things are impotent against the blood and name of Jesus.

It is His heart, that I feel for all of you here. I see myself privileged, that He drew me, to seek him.

Please Liston, this won't be hard. Jesus said forgive them, for they don't know what they do.............These among His final words.
I see, from all the substance I have had the luxury to receive and enjoy. That others here - have not. I don't see that many have any Christian, instruction, or experience that is real and not counterfeit religion,

It's not you fault.

This is from Isaiah: 53 Spoken, Years years prior, ask Shelbay she knows.
This is a prophecy about the one God would send, that all the sheep slaughtered................represented.


1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [b]

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [d] and be satisfied [e] ;
by his knowledge [f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.


If you really want to know, Let me ask you a yes or no question.....
If He Is real, and the only true and living God, as He is described in the Bible. Are you willing to allow Him to lay his hand uppon you to bring you to a place to where you will know Him, and His son..... It's very simple.. No Isle, No stupid, organist, GIVE A BREAK, Just a Yes........or..............NO!

Ya know, I think I'll start my First Thread. Yes Or No Poll. I BET YOU.... you will be suprised.

Please, Google, Dr. Rawlings. "behind deaths door". I never read the book, but the innerview was enough. I SHOOK him out of atheism.

[Binzhoubum]

if you consider that karma is the fact that you "reap what you sow" then why would you not choose to sow only good things for yourself? there is more to the concept than whats on the surface.


Explain...:smokin: please.

[OnionsOfLove]

What I mean by what I posted is that Karma is a concept, and if you believe that Karma exists, you can use it to its fullest potential.

If you want to live a completely good life, you should always do completely good things. I have experienced Karma in this manner and I can assure you that it is true.

The only problem is that most people don't believe in Karma, let alone anything else. Many people believe they are average people because it is socially unacceptable in all societies of Earth to believe otherwise. The power of belief is astounding.

[Kn1vez]

aww shit...i'm fucked up.

:rasta:

I believe that each person must see the light their own way.

This is how I see the Universe.

God is whatever brings out the best in you: love for others, pure love yourself and the world.

There is no absolute good or evil, but there is harm and healing, yin and yang, positive light energy and the lack of energy.

On top of the usual yin and yang forces in the universe, there's other stuff that I throw in to my belief system.

electrons are high energy, and low mass (or High kinetic energy, low potential energy)

Protons are high mass, low energy.

Hot and cold are related to the sun, the sun is hot, the lack thereof is cold.

All of existence is built up out of a conflict: The splitting apart of energy or mass, and the reuinfication of energy and mass.
(The sun is both creation and destruction, it makes energy, either by splitting or fusing atoms, and it can preserve or destroy life.)


War, the universe, conflict, is always like the splitting apart and bringing together of mass or energy, or people, at the same time.

I think that all people have multple sides to them: The secretive side, the friendly side, the "at work" personailty.

And all people exhibit energy differently. The people who exert positive energy in all directions tend to be happier, with what they have but also looking to make positive changes around them.

The people who bottle up energy, and keep things below the surface, and not express themselves enough tend to be perceived as tired, depressed, or negative, even though they may just be having a bad day.

The key to happiness is to exert energy, positive energy, in all directions...

Therefore I am sending out thoughts of karma, and love out to all of you. Yes, I know its hippy ish. I wish I could send out money to you all, money for education, and change. :-)

I guess for now we will have to do with placing our currency, our faith, in good thoughts.

Please send some love to someone you know..pass the good karma along :-)