I am constantly being surprised by the things "religious" people want to believe. Some of the absurd beliefs, borderline crazy, by what I assume are intelligent people, are simply mind blowing. If you were to say; "I have unseen fairies living at the bottom of my garden" they would tell you; "That's ridiculous, are you crazy?". Then they would go on to tell you they have an unseen Gradian Angle perched on their right shoulder, and tell you that's true...the Bible said so". Whose the crazy ones?

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Dear NathanJ ,

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I understand where you’re coming from.

Nothing in this world is perfect, NathanJ. As nature proceeds by trial and error it has long outgrown its teething problems, and subsequent errors appear to be relatively minor and short-lived.

We humans could be its greatest error as we seem to be bent on destroying the whole show, lock, stock and barrel.
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Dear mhaze,

You wrote :

1. « Its the standard argument … that God must be proven. But why? … I know many a Christian who talks to their God daily. For them he's real and requires no proof »

I think the answer to that, mhaze, is that their belief that there is a God is part of the culture they inherited. As I indicated in one of my previous posts, it is extremely rare that people choose their religion freely.
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2. « The universe being created by an immortal being is no more provable than the universe being created by an unexplained explosion. Man being the result of a bazillion random mutations is no more provable than man being created by a superior intellect. »

Given the numerous inroads made by science throughout history, mhaze, on previous erroneous religious explanations of nature and natural phenomena, I think there is greater probability of science coming up with the correct explanations one of these days, than that carved in stone for eternity by religious dogma.
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Dear Foxy,

I think life is a clean slate. We can write something on it if we like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUo4b4PPSLU

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Banjo wrote "Given the numerous inroads made by science throughout history, mhaze, on previous erroneous religious explanations of nature and natural phenomena, I think...."

Yes you think. But can't prove. Yet you demand proof from the theists. Big Bang, Dark matter, Dark energy, evolution are all just unproven theories that make sense to a section of the community just as the deity is an unproven 'theory' that makes sense to a different section. Although not always different - its possible to believe both and there are plenty of people who do.



BTW, are you aware that the Web Telescope and the information it is unearthing (!) is currently in the process of unravelling a lot of what people like you imagined was settled science. Things like Big Bang and dark matter are under significant stress as a result of these knew discoveries. It seems that the more we learn the more we realise how little we know

What constitutes a religion? The Incas and Aztecs like many ancient religions performed human scarifies to appease the gods. There is no doubt modern Christianity had its roots in religions that did the same.

Some will say like Communism and Fascisms, Trumpism is a Pseudo-religion, it has many of the treats of a religion. It has its messiahs, who they say the "Romans" tried to crucify, but he rose again. Thrumpism has its band of fanatical true believers. The Donald preaches of a better tomorrow, which only he can deliver.

p/s I do believe mhaze is a elder within the Church Of Donald.

Dear Paul,

«What constitutes a religion?»

Whatever practices bring one closer to God.

«The Incas and Aztecs like many ancient religions performed human scarifies to appease the gods.»

They certainly had traditions - that does not necessarily made their practices a religion.

«There is no doubt modern Christianity had its roots in religions that did the same.»

But there is a doubt whether Christianity is a religion, ditto for its root traditions.
For some Christians, Christianity does seem to serve as a religion, for others it does not.

This is why I earlier explained, that since it is extremely difficult for an observer to distinguish between religious and non-religious practices of other people, and since religious freedom is paramount because returning to God is the ultimate purpose of life, then people ought to always be free, if nothing else then in order to allow them the benefit of the doubt that their actions could be religious.

Dear Banjo,

Thanks for the link. Frankie Lane brings back so many
memories - growing up. His voice and songs still
give me goosebumps today.

Religion and faith is such a personal matter. My father
was brought up by the Jesuits. I grew up with the Rituals
of the Catholic Church. I love the rituals but I'm probably
not a very good Catholic. I see the man-made faults within
the Church.

I hope that we humans will be able to one day realize what is
the point of saving humanity and the planet from a possible
environmental disaster if we are going to keep killing
each other in the name of different prophets of the same god?