@Religious people

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I think you're asking this on the wrong forum WEEGEE, from what I read Wardogg seems the only one to follow a religion and to post more regularly. I've seen a few more but they hardly ever post. I can be wrong though.

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I think you're asking this on the wrong forum WEEGEE, from what I read Wardogg seems the only one to follow a religion and to post more regularly. I've seen a few more but they hardly ever post. I can be wrong though.

Then maybe Wardogg will answer.

There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

BECAUSE I KNOW!!! I HAVE FAITH!

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

Very good question. This is in fact the reason why I am merely a theist, not a mono/poly theist. I am open to any religion being the right one, I simply believe that there is some form of divinity in this existence.

How is the Universe and it's complexity evidence for intelligent design?

How is the Universe and it's complexity evidence for intelligent design?

That was just my example of a creationist argument. While this point could also be debated, that's not the purpose of this thread.

BECAUSE I KNOW!!! I HAVE FAITH!

This. "Because my God says so".

But then it becomes more complex with Judaism, Christianity and Islam all having the same God..

How is the Universe and it's complexity evidence for intelligent design?

Well, very complex systems tend not to be accidental. Another thing to consider is that if the Big Bang created the Universe, who lit the fuse?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S5dFdpF6xm0/Sr3ruWqi0YI/AAAAAAAAAY8/xHiKfjagBdQ/s400/circular-reasoning-works-because.jpg

I don't think you know what circular reasoning is.

Quote from: EnglshGentleman on February 23, 2011, 10:19:59 AM

BECAUSE I KNOW!!! I HAVE FAITH!

This. "Because my God says so".

That image answers the OP rather well, in my opinion.

All knowledge is based on experience. A consistent religious person will justify their belief in experience, rather than a philosophical fancy.

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

Very good question. This is in fact the reason why I am merely a theist, not a mono/poly theist. I am open to any religion being the right one, I simply believe that there is some form of divinity in this existence.

Why do you believe there is some form of divinity in this existence?

All knowledge is based on experience. A consistent religious person will justify their belief in experience, rather than a philosophical fancy.

If this is directed at me, then my experience is the testimony of an old man. Harry Patch, who died last year, believed in God because he saw his friend die in WWI. His friend's last word was 'mother', not in a pleading tone, but one of greeting. His mother had been dead for several years.

 

Quote from: Hazbollah on February 23, 2011, 12:14:36 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

Very good question. This is in fact the reason why I am merely a theist, not a mono/poly theist. I am open to any religion being the right one, I simply believe that there is some form of divinity in this existence.

Why do you believe there is some form of divinity in this existence?

Honestly? See above, and gut feeling, I suppose. That may sound dumb, but with no empirica evidence either way, it's all I can really go on.

@OP, IMO it is possible to believe in a god but not be religious.

Quote from: fluffycornsnake on February 23, 2011, 01:11:08 PM

All knowledge is based on experience. A consistent religious person will justify their belief in experience, rather than a philosophical fancy.

If this is directed at me, then my experience is the testimony of an old man. Harry Patch, who died last year, believed in God because he saw his friend die in WWI. His friend's last word was 'mother', not in a pleading tone, but one of greeting. His mother had been dead for several years.

 

Quote from: Beorn on February 23, 2011, 01:46:32 PM

Quote from: Hazbollah on February 23, 2011, 12:14:36 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

Very good question. This is in fact the reason why I am merely a theist, not a mono/poly theist. I am open to any religion being the right one, I simply believe that there is some form of divinity in this existence.

Why do you believe there is some form of divinity in this existence?

Honestly? See above, and gut feeling, I suppose. That may sound dumb, but with no empirica evidence either way, it's all I can really go on.

I don't see what above has to do with god, though.

@OP, IMO it is possible to believe in a god but not be religious.

I know that.

Quote from: fluffycornsnake on February 23, 2011, 01:11:08 PM

All knowledge is based on experience. A consistent religious person will justify their belief in experience, rather than a philosophical fancy.

If this is directed at me, then my experience is the testimony of an old man. Harry Patch, who died last year, believed in God because he saw his friend die in WWI. His friend's last word was 'mother', not in a pleading tone, but one of greeting. His mother had been dead for several years.

No it was directed at the OP. I have religious beliefs myself and I base this on experience and perception. The likelihood is that many of my own theological beliefs are inaccurate, but the truth is there are common themes and experiences underpinning a wide variety of faiths. I believe there are elements of Godliness in countless different religions and creeds. The religious instinct is far more fundamental than the theologies or philosophies built around it.

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

I imagine its a personal issue;  they choose their religious due to a personal connection to it that makes it seem "real" to them in some way in a zetetic way.

My experience is the testimony of an old man.

lol. So it wasn't really your experience then...

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

Quote from: stume on February 23, 2011, 08:14:55 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

I don't care... if the christians are right i'm about thrice damned, if not more

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 12:06:26 PM

Quote from: stume on February 23, 2011, 08:14:55 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

I don't care... if the christians are right i'm about thrice damned, if not more

You don't care about eternal torture?

Quote from: stume on February 24, 2011, 01:17:06 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 12:06:26 PM

Quote from: stume on February 23, 2011, 08:14:55 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

I don't care... if the christians are right i'm about thrice damned, if not more

You don't care about eternal torture?

He probably doesn't care, just like most atheists don't care, because he's quite sure that Christian dogma is false.

He says that he believes in the religion, and also that he's not afraid of hell.

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 02:53:48 PM

Quote from: stume on February 24, 2011, 01:17:06 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 12:06:26 PM

Quote from: stume on February 23, 2011, 08:14:55 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

I don't care... if the christians are right i'm about thrice damned, if not more

You don't care about eternal torture?

He probably doesn't care, just like most atheists don't care, because he's quite sure that Christian dogma is false.

It's not even that I am sure Christian dogma is false, and I'm not an atheist and not christian, it's that I know that if the Christians are right I am already damned for things that I can't change in myself, so I don't see the point of trying for their salvation

Quote from: stume on February 24, 2011, 05:20:18 PM

Quote from: Particle Person on February 24, 2011, 03:15:58 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 02:53:48 PM

Quote from: stume on February 24, 2011, 01:17:06 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 24, 2011, 12:06:26 PM

Quote from: stume on February 23, 2011, 08:14:55 PM

Quote from: Weegee Board on February 23, 2011, 08:58:30 AM

I can understand you argument for the existence of God - Something as complex as the Universe is evidence enough for intelligent design.

But my question is - There are hundreds of possible religions out there. How do you know yours is the correct one?

I don't, I follow it because it fits my views on life

But your views could be wrong, and then you'll go to hell.

I don't care... if the christians are right i'm about thrice damned, if not more

You don't care about eternal torture?

He probably doesn't care, just like most atheists don't care, because he's quite sure that Christian dogma is false.

It's not even that I am sure Christian dogma is false, and I'm not an atheist and not christian, it's that I know that if the Christians are right I am already damned for things that I can't change in myself, so I don't see the point of trying for their salvation

   For me that is the point of Chritianity(I can't change myself very well). And I don't have to pay the eternal price for past wrongs.
  God knows you are human, you will be weak in some areas of life, if not many or even all.
   Jesus has paid the price for your salvation, I can't earn my salvation. I don't believe anyone can earn salvation. As it is a gift of God.

  Listen at one time I was alcoholic, druggy. I sometimes would blackout, get in fights, black eyes, drunk driving arrest, locked up, all that fun stuff. I'm off all that stuff for about over 20 yrs with the Lord's help.
   He will save you if you want.
  The dogma seems corny, but it is this easy.
            Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.       

I am not sure how to reply, every time I try to type something either I will think it's not true or a dozen other points will come to mind... first off I am a firm believer in my religion, and though there is no "end goal" like heaven or whatever, it suits me well.

As for "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," that depends on the meaning of "believe," I believe he was a great man, I believe that he was a great healer, and I believe he had some good points of view, but I do not believe that he was an all powerful divine being that took on human form to save humanity.

Also, many of the Christian religions say that I am unable to be saved as I am gay, and I am not giving up a part of myself for the chance that Christianity is actually right.

So why be religious at all then?