It's hard for atheists to understand God (split)

[Dante]

Read this with an open heart, Libman,

Edit: removed for lack of civility and class.

Have a wonderful day.  

[Odin]

I told you the truth.
 You seem to think that God doesn't care for children. I'll have you know
that none have departed against His will. A child is not accountable.
A childs place is secure.

A fine example of how religion actually denigrates human life.  It's ok that god allows 25,000 children to die each day, because that is his will.

By the way, the 25,000 a day figure is down from some years ago, when it was estimated that 40,000+ children died every day from malnutrition or preventable diseases.  Man could do what god could not, or would not.

Or, are we thwarting god's will by keeping these children alive?

The more we talk about it, the less sense god makes.  That's how I know god is imaginary.

Odin, King of the Gods

[velkyn]

I told you the truth.
 You seem to think that God doesn't care for children. I'll have you know
that none have departed against His will. A child is not accountable.
A childs place is secure.

that's not correct per your own bible.  I always find it rather sad when Christains can't even find time to actually read what they profess to believe. It really gives no one any reason to believe their claims.  

And after reading your testimonial, lilbman, it's always amuses me on how your God just can never get around to helping people avoid the pain in their lives, when they supposedly believe, like you claim you did.  Nope, yuo have to be tortured like Job, for God to bother with you.  That's rather evil.  

EDIT:  I grabbed this from #175

I know the truth. Jesus really was crucified.

no evidence for this at all.

Instead of reading the Bible with an open heart your missing the important details that will make more sense to you. Jesus is your answer to understanding the Bible. Following Him and trusting in Him. You need to know why. Jesus set the record straight about all other gods and the truth about the real God and what He desires.

AKA "Read the bible and agree with me becasue I and only I kow what God 'really' meant."  Sorry, lil, but I've done this and still got nothing.  I suppose now you'll say I didn't do it "right".

I've got to go for now. Don't go your whole life waiting for someone to tell you. Find out for yourself. Jesus is real. Don't rely on what the world tells you. Read the book of John. Don't look for faults. Read with an open mind and listen to Jesus. Apply what He says to your life. Learn what faith is and why its important. Its the shortest of the Gospels and the quickest to read. Read it a couple of times. Learn from it and plant His words in your heart. Try and  understand what He is talking about the best you can. Determine for yourself if His words speak the truth.[/quote]
And I have found out for myself. And now I'm an atheist.  And why not look for faults if I am to "find out for myself".  If I accept this nonense with no critical eye, then I might accept any ignorant claim.  And why just John?  I've read all of the bible, all of the Gospels. It seems that you do your own picking and choosing yourself. Nice hypocrisy there, lil. 

[12 Monkeys]

weakness is the same as sin is it not?You have the "choice" not to do it or the choice to "sin"

I've already admitted that I'm a sinner. I'm not playing a fake evangelist and trying o
make you believe that I'm perfect.

yes but the wrong choice is to SIN against your god

[Aaron123]

The reason you say this is because you do not want there to be a God.

Bullshit.  We simply do not see any evidence for the existence of any gods, whenever yours or someone's else.

It has nothing to do with anyone else but yourself.

You're claiming to be in the good grace of a divine, supernatural being, know what's he thinking; and you're sugguesting that I'm the one that's conceited?!

Bull.

If God were to exist ( and He does) , it's going to be a rude awakening for you.

And here, we have yet another christian fantasizing about the horrible, deserving fate for those awful evil arrogent atheists.

But of course, fantasizing about the eternal suffering of others is not at all evil.  After all, your magic man will be cheering along with you!  

You do not experience the love of God in your life because you do not know who He is. Your not even willing to compromise. If your happy with believing that, then who is going to change your mind?  It starts with you. If you feel that you have honestly sought God with no results, who to know other than God and yourself? Only you know within yourself what the answer is.

*yawn*  Been there, done that.  I used to be a christian.  I sought god.  I prayed, went to church, I didn't want to let go.  Up until the last minute, I wanted there to be something to believe in.  Then I found out there is no god, and the bible is just a collection of books made up by primitive, superstitions people.

Just to save you some time, I'll type your stock respond:  You were never a TrueChristian^TM, and you never truely SoughtHimOut^TM.  You need to SurrenderYourself^TM and truly LetGodIntoYourHeart^TM.  Then, and only then, will god ShowHimselfBeforeYou^TM.  Once you HumbleYourselfBeforeGod^TM, the VoidInYourHeart^TM will be filled, and you will know His grace.

...


God, I feel dirty just typing that.  I need to do something to make myself feel clean.

*look up porn*

[jetson]

Aaron,

Slightly wandering here, but I can't remember a time when I seriously searched for God?  Either that, or I'm suppressing or forgetting it.  I was young while in the control of Christian mind delusion, so I might be mistaken.  It seems strange to me to be talking to atheists who truly wanted to find God.  I can't help but wonder how that must feel?

[Alzael]

Aaron, it's all right. It'll wash clean. Don't worry about it.

[velkyn]

some people do and some don't.  I remember really searching for god and I still occasionally do.  It feels very disappointing and, in my experience, you really have to get over thinking that there is something wrong with 'you' because all of the other people supposedly see the emperor's clothes.  it takes a while to realize they don't any more than you do.

[Aaron123]

Aaron,

Slightly wandering here, but I can't remember a time when I seriously searched for God?  Either that, or I'm suppressing or forgetting it.  I was young while in the control of Christian mind delusion, so I might be mistaken.  It seems strange to me to be talking to atheists who truly wanted to find God.  I can't help but wonder how that must feel?

It's different for everyone.  For me, it was "trying to pray on a regular basic, but felt like he was talking to the air".  There was a bit of a dissonance going on with trying to seek god, and feeling like religion wasn't that relevent to my life.  I was never crazy about going to church, yet, I'm suppose to go to church.  As a child, I thought of overtly religious people as "religious nuts" (I didn't know the term "fundamentalist" yet), but I was part of a religion, so what does that even mean?   And so my mind went in circles whenever I thought about it, and I would promtpy shut down such thoughts and think about something else.  It wasn't until I finally realized there is no god that my mind would stop running in circles whenever I thought about religion and god.



Alzael, I might take up on that offer, but what do I get in return?

[plethora]

* finishes reading this thread he just stumbled upon today *

... jesus christ monkey balls ... this thread has been a one-way conversation all the way through.

Since all the rational points to be made have been made and this individual has already given up... it's time for ridicule!

While I was in there
the doctor tried to secretly put me under hypnosis.

Yeah, 'cause that happens to all of us when we go to the hospital. Those "witch doctors" trying to secretly hypnotize their patients... when will they stop!

* facepalm *

I remembered him saying,"you have been
chosen by God." Laughing and shaking his hand vigorously. It freaked me out.

He was jerking off too?

For years this bothered me. I got out, still brokenhearted of my past girlfriend. I was temted to say a spell to get her back. I did. She came back. I asked God to forgive me, no answer.

Wow... so spells do actually work then? I didn't know witchcraft actually worked!

* facepalm *

We eventually got married, have kids, and still are to this day.

I feel sorry for your kids.

I was already an alcoholic with a addiction to porn.

Classic assumption that "porn is baaaaad" and you can actually get "addicted" to it. Oh the humanity!

I immediately got down and prayed.
At that very moment a rushing storm blew in. So strong that it blew tree limbs of the trees
all over town. There wasn't any expected storm in the area per the weather forecast. I stood
up, I tried to say to the Lord, that I thought that it was ok because you would forgive me.
My thinking was clearly wrong. Before I could even utter a word. It thundered so loud right
above my head. The storm lasted for 10 minutes. Then it was gone. The Lord made His point
to me. I was wrong. It's been four years now. I have not used the Lord's name in vain since.

The arrogance is absolutely astounding! Gaaaawd blew up a strom for 10 minutes ALL OVER your town just for you? You must be so "special" (and by "special" I mean a retarted retard)

Hardly any arrogance there. (sarcasm)

The Lord teaches humility.

... and yet I have seen no humility on your posts whatsoever.


Talk about batshit insane.

[OnePerson]

Wait, you know witchcraft?  Teach me!

[Alzael]

Alzael, I might take up on that offer, but what do I get in return?

Sorry, Aaron, I said that it will wash clean. Not that I'll wash you clean.

I've gotta throw away my cologne or something.


OnePerson. If you really want to learn the black arts I have several copies of the Necronomicon you can have. Most of the spells would be a little hard to pull off in a modern setting though. You'd need to know some people who can engrave and work precious metals at the very least.

[velkyn]

I also have a copy    talk about crazy books.  And I bought at a Waldens 

[lectricpharaoh]

Read this with an open heart, Libman,

Edit: removed for lack of civility and class.

Have a wonderful day.  

Aww, man!  I always miss out on the juicy stuff! 

[Hatter23]

I' not a preacher or an evangelist. I just thought that some of you would like to
know that patience and persistence is rewarding.

Very similar results can be gotten from a jug of milk

[Alzael]

I also have a copy    talk about crazy books.  And I bought at a Waldens 

Is yours the Crowley version?

[One Above All]

Very similar results can be gotten from a jug of milk

Or me. You should totally worship me and give me 10% of all the money you get

[Hatter23]

some people do and some don't.  I remember really searching for god and I still occasionally do.  It feels very disappointing and, in my experience, you really have to get over thinking that there is something wrong with 'you' because all of the other people supposedly see the emperor's clothes.  it takes a while to realize they don't any more than you do.

That really does match my own experience. I am surrounded by the "Praise Jesus" crowd on a daily basis. Occasionally I wonder if I'm wrong. Yes after a good friend died in a pointless fashion, I did pray that "god" show himself by just flipping over the penny in front of me. No granting wishes or thunder and burning bushes, but the simple flipping of a penny and I would be a loyal servant for the rest of my life.

I realize that yes, that this was indeed just vain hope. And got on with my life.

[lilbman]

I've been informed that this forum may not be a forum for a person like me. I am glad that I could talk to you about some instances in my life that are personal to me. If I made you laugh, I'm happy that I at least put a smile on your face. I don't mind being made the brunt of your jokes. I can take it. If I offended anyone, I truly am sorry. I am just a person who shares this world with you. I have learned from my mistakes and am very thankful to just be alive. If you could have walked in my shoes the past 30 years of my life, maybe you could understand me a little better and why I say the things that I have.

I would also like to say that I have not walked in your shoes either. I don't know your personal experiences in your life. Maybe something that I have shared with you may help you in some way down the road. :shrug Like I said, I very glad to still be alive. I don't feel like I am anymore special than anyone here. I was faced with the results of my poor decisions I have made in my life head on. It hurt. It was shameful.

I am not ashamed to say that Jesus is my Savior. I acknowledge Him. I believe I was saved when I first believed. I know that I still am. I sincerely hope that you guys find what it is your looking for in life. What you only know for sure is that you are alive now. No one is promised tomorrow.

May God truly bless you,
Love well,
lilbman


Good-Bye

[Eddy Swirl]

Admittedly I've been lurking in on this one. Where did all lilbmans posts go?
Was it mod-intervention, or did he pack up his chessboard, after clotheslining the pieces onto the floor, because most of his pieces had been taken.. I stopped doing that kind of thing when I was about 8.

I figured this guy wouldn't budge, considering he was running completely on autopilot.
Sad...

[lilbman]

No, I voluntarily removed them. This is not a win lose situation. Nobody wins in this debate.
I can't help who I am. I feel its better to just accept it and move on. Carry on. I willfully remove
myself from this forum.

[Operator_019]

lilbman,

We ask you not remove your posts from the discussion boards as it disrupts the flow of the conversation.  Those who read this thread for months to come will have trouble following along. 

Thanks.

019

[Ambassador Pony]

Mwah shucks, the poor sad man told me a sad story, he no longer has to support his truth claims, or make any sort of coherent argument. Automatic sad man pass.

FAIL

[Timtheskeptic]

Awww, now who is going to be the next theist to play with? I want to play with more theists. It's a crying shame that lilbman wants to leave. He was the butt of the jokes, he was someone to have fun talking to even if he's like the voice you hear on the phone that speaks like, "Your call is very important to us, please stay on the line."

[Emily]

In case he comes back for one last visit...

It's nothing personal against you, it's just that we have heard all of what you've said before. You aren't getting kicked off this board; you are more than welcome to discuss things with us. It's just that we don't want to be preached too, which is what you did.

If you could have walked in my shoes the past 30 years of my life, maybe you could understand me a little better and why I say the things that I have.

I would also like to say that I have not walked in your shoes either. I don't know your personal experiences in your life.

Some of us have been christians. I was for damn sure. We have been in your shoes once before. We've all faced struggles, some while christians, some while atheists, because hard times fall on both. I read in one of the posts that's now been deleted about your addiction to alcohol and how you tried to OD on sleeping pills. I've been in that position as an atheist - having been addicted to almost everything from pot to heroin - and I recovered without the need for a personal savior. I am happy you are clean now but give yourself the credit. You got clean because you wanted too. You saw what it was doing to yourself and your relationships. Subconsciously you decided to take action against it. It's a shame you downplay that and thank god for getting you through. It was your strength and desire to clean up your act,  and you alone are responsible. I wish you would realize this. I can prove this to you, simply from sharing my experiences as an atheist and how I changed myself by myself.

I don't care if you believe in god. I think everyone will agree that you are welcome to believe in whatever you want to; however if you believe in something that we are very critical of, and publicly share that belief with us, we will be critical of it. Remember that for the next forum you visit.

[Operator_011]

No, I voluntarily removed them.

Well, thanks for completely disregarding the agreement you signed when you created your account here, for wasting our time and for leaving an entire thread in dis-array; I'm sure jesus is very proud of you for breaking your oath like that.

Perhaps faith in jesus does not have the positive effect that you believe it does, after all.

[ksm]

What a pity. I really wanted to know how Jesus got him a job without him doing anything to get it!

[pianodwarf]

I've been informed that this forum may not be a forum for a person like me.

Not sure whether you're still here or not, but in any event: it does seem like this might not be the place for you.  This is a discussion board, and you haven't been discussing anything.  You've just been preaching at us, which is not only not why we're here, it's against the board's rules.  Please believe me when I tell you that we've all been preached at before, and it's highly unlikely that you're going to say anything that we haven't already heard (and refuted) on many different occasions.

There are probably boards on the Web where preachers are welcome, but this isn't one of them.

I sincerely hope that you guys find what it is your looking for in life.

This one doesn't come up quite as often as some of the more usual suspects, like Pascal's Wager, but it's distinct, in my opinion, in that it's exceptionally patronizing.  Why do you assume that atheists are lost and looking for something?  Don't you think it's possible that some of us aren't looking for anything, or that we were looking for something and have already found it?  Such possibilities are quite distinct from one's religion, I assure you.

May God truly bless you,

Atheists generally don't appreciate hearing this kind of thing, either.  I understand that you mean well, but think about it this way: how would you feel if a muslim told you that he hoped you would find what you were looking for and that he would ask Allah to bless you?  I think you'd have sense enough to realize that what he really meant was, "I hope you'll convert to Islam before it's too late for your soul."  And we know that that's what you're really saying, too.

[Str82Hell]

I don't miss him at all. It's too bad we can't hear his story now, though.