[james22]

(Original post by FrightBright)
Well I thought about it allot. I was not religious before now I am religious.

At first I was trying to push religion as far away as possible. Then I embraced it, a few of my family members are religious and life has been good to them.

The way I saw it was this at the time was this:

-If god exists, then ****
-If he doesn't then 'Oh well' still had a good life.

Then I decided to take a path at that point. I saw it as a 'nothing to lose kind of thing' at the time. So I decided to believe in God.

So I decided to follow the path of belief and it made my faith stronger ( I learnt the beauty of religion). I have never been happier, I feel better even look better.. I have been extraordinarily devoted in the last 3 years, from despising my religion.

I'm Muslim.

For the record I don't believe god just gives you stuff if you pray to him. I believe god values hard work more than anything in this world. Even the Qur'an lays great emphasis on work.

You've fallen for pascals wager.

[FrightBright]

(Original post by james22)
You've fallen for pascals wager.

Initially yes. I guess it was a stepping stone.

I don't currently live by that, otherwise I would have a miserable life.

[As_Dust_Dances_]

I feel like I can turn to my faith anytime to give me strength, I won't lie and say that I have never had doubts because I have but I feel that knowing that God does exist helps you to overcome challenges. Some people feel that if they discuss their faith that they will be ridiculed, and that partly explains why there are many people in this world who are against Religion, also mainly due to science!

[Luffy.]

I believe my religion (Islam) because Quran said so. Unless some one make a like of Quran I will believe Islam.

The Quran issued a challenge not only to the contemporaries of the Prophet but also to men in all ages. In order to demonstrate the incapacity and impotence of people to imitate it, it issued the following universal proclamation:

Were all of mankind to come together and wish to produce the like of the Qur'an, they would never succeed, however much they aided each other. (17:88)

It then modifies the challenge and reduces its scope by saying:

Do people imagine that this Qur'an is not from Us, and that you, Oh Prophet, are falsely attributing it to Us? Tell them that if they are speaking truly they should produce ten surahs resembling the Qur'an, and that they are free to call on the aid of anyone but God in so doing. (11:13)

Then, at a third stage, the scope of the challenge is reduced still further: the deniers are called on to produce only a single surah resembling the Qur'an:

Oh people, if you doubt the heavenly origin of this Book which We have sent down to Our servant, the Prophet, produce one surah like it. (2:23)

So people learn arabic and make one surah than I will believe your religion.

[Safiyyah95]

When I was younger I learned things about my religion, Islam, from parents and people around me and you grow believing that it's true, because it's all you know. But I think at some point people start to think properly about their lives and why they do what they do. I did, and I did a lot of research and I've come to the conclusion that I am doing the right thing, although in my heart I've believed it all along. Islam actually tells us to read, seek knowledge, question everything and not just follow blindly. Some people do just follow blindly, but then that's when you see people mixing their religion with their culture, and calling everything they do part of Islam. Which is why I believe people shouldn't judge a religion based on the followers of that religion, because what some 'followers' do isn't actually following their religion.

[Craig_D]

(Original post by Mazzini)
a) They probably didn't manage to build it that high
b) They're not looking to get into Heaven
c) They probably didn't manage to build it that high
d) I believe that Heaven isn't literally "above" the earth, but in another dimension where we can only (except very rarely) go after we have died.

But yes, I have questioned my beliefs and I still am a Christian.

Just purely out of interest, does this mean you also see Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, Abraham and Isaac, and Sodom and Gomorrah as factual accounts?

[Mazzini]

(Original post by Craig_D)
Just purely out of interest, does this mean you also see Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, Abraham and Isaac, and Sodom and Gomorrah as factual accounts?

Nope.

[Craig_D]

(Original post by Mazzini)
Nope.

I see, fair enough. I didn't have some witty riposte planned if you did, I was just wondering.

[Mazzini]

(Original post by Craig_D)
I see, fair enough. I didn't have some witty riposte planned if you did, I was just wondering.

The New Testament is more important for me than the Old Testament, anyhow.

Although the OT does have some important messages.

I wish I could understand Hebrew so I could translate the OT myself, as I can with the NT

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Nacho King)
It is my belief that most religious people are still believers because they have never questioned their beliefs.

Hello Nacho King,

People are extremely diverse. It is difficult to lump all people in one box. Although there are indeed many people who just "go with the flow" of what is popular in their environment to believe, there are people who do question their beliefs.

I do, and there are some Christian beliefs that I am not so sure about, especially the Christian concept of hell. I lean much more to the Jewish understanding of hell, because of my studies.

Most people only get a one sided opinion, what the Bible/Qu'ran etc. says, what their priest tells them, peer pressure from others. We can see most people don't question their beliefs because a large percentage of people are the same religion as they were born into and what their parents were and have never looked at any others.

Again, people are diverse, and there are in every group of people those who seek alternative means of satisfaction. I did study Islam, and was very close to marrying a wonderful Muslim man once. Because of the wonderful Muslims I know personally, I understand better what they believe, though I do not agree with their beliefs concerning Muhammad.

I have also studied Mormonism. I also completely understand the Atheist point of view, as well as the Agnostic viewpoint.

Why not critically assess your religion, use logic and common sense to see if stories sound plausable (maybe start with Noah's Ark), watch youtube videos from athiests and see what they have to say etc.

I suppose if Atheists were a bit more friendly and less hostile, more people of beliefs would watch the Atheists' videos. As it is, usually only fellow Atheists egging each other on to ridicule people who believe in God, or those seriously doubting God, or those interested in a fight, watch said videos.

As for the public school system, many professors are Atheist and enjoy proclaiming it. So, many people who believe in God hear about how "ridiculous" belief in God is through the public school system.

There is nothing to lose, only something to gain. Why dedicate your whole life to something without even questioning it? Thats dumb.

C. S. Lewis, one of the men I greatly enjoy reading, was famous for questioning and answering about Christianity. I am curious if you have ever read his books concerning God?

So religious believers, have you ever strongly researched and evaluated your faith? I don't mean go through the Bible with a Bible guide, I mean look at what it says critically and without your emotional head on and see if it still sounds true.

Yep, and I really wish I could travel back in time to talk with Jesus... that would be so awesome!!!

I've thought of a good example, the Tower of Babel is in the book of Genesis, where apparently people attempted to build a tower to reach heaven and God destroyed it as it was a threat to him and then scattered everyone around the world and gave them different languages so they wouldn't be able to build another tower.

A logical person would say that this story is never going to be real because humans would never be able to build a tower to reach heaven because:
a) they wouldn't have the metal structures etc. to build a stable tower miles high, think of skyscrappers today,
b) planes fly 30,000ft in the air and they haven't been stopped by God and we haven't found heaven, military spy planes fly even further, space rockets even go out of our atmosphere,
c) how would they cope with the lack of oxygen without specialist equipment when that high up
d) we know whats outside our solar system and we still haven't found heaven, so how tall was this tower to be a threat to God.

If people can build the pyramids before modern technology was invented, the idea of constructing a tower together make sense to me.

See how stupid and unreasonable that story sounds now.

It's so amusing to me when people who weren't there say something is stupid or unreasonable, because how can one know for sure what happened unless one personally experiences it or knows and trusts a person who has personally experienced it?

Now, my question to Atheists is the following:

If you think you are right, why not be kind to the people who believe differently than you? It is perfectly fine to explain why you don't believe in God, or in ancient accounts. Since history fascinated me, I personally love reading about ancient Egypt, and seeing documentaries about what they wrote as well as what they believed. Do I believe what they believe? Nope. However, I respect the ancient peoples, find them fascinating, and think it would have been so cool to go back in time in order to experience what they experienced.

Why not do the same with people who believe in God? Study why, and just enjoy the historic aspect of it?

Peace and God bless you

[Nacho King]

(Original post by FamzB)
Hi, ok, so this is a reply from a Muslim female As I was growing up I questioned some aspects of Islam because there were some stories that I had heard of that broke the laws of science or seemed very unrealistic like miracles and some things just seemed too 'magical', do you know what I mean? Lol I thought maybe I'm being led onto something that my culture (I'm also Bangladeshi) had created. I was always one of those who questioned most things when I was younger because I was curious to know where things orginated from and questioned my surrounding. So, what I did was I did some digging, I tried to look into the teachings of my religion. On the side note, over the coming years I've also experienced spiritual feelings that I can't even explain and have observed some things that have amazingly astonished me. I have discovered some aspect of 'science' in some teachings of Islam, for example, the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) advised Muslims to use a specific type of twig (known as Miswaak) to clean the teeth because it has many advantages such as strengthening the teeth, strengthening the gums, improves the eyesight and the memory and many more advantages etc. It amazed me when I found out these benefits of miswak was proven by scientific studies (e.g. by scientists in Pharba Basle Ltd) so I looked into other teachings and found out some other scientific proven findings. However, I didn't only question my religion, I questioned most things around me, it would be naive of me not to, I questioned other religion and science too, like the Big Bang Theory still fazes me I just don't understand how the Big Bang Theory actually started from a bang, like where did the actual Bang just 'bang' out from? How does science explain the law of physic? I still question what happens to my loved ones after they had passed away? What's going to happen to me when I die? Science just didn't cut it for me as it was too vague, there's a certain extent that I can be rational about things. Life is just a never-ending series of questioning so I still question, but I don't question my faith anymore without a doubt, if anything, questioning has actually strengthened my faith. Anyways, no more boring you all with my essay lol but hey, it was a long journey, ok! Any questions, feel free to mail me directly.

Parting note: Ignorance is not really a bliss, get out there and learn about the other side. But, don't brainwash, rather wash the brain.

Interesting, however you talked about some of the stories in the Qu'ran breaking the laws of physics yet you still believe them, how is this logical and how can you still believe it?

Also you shouldn't beleive in Islam because it promises life after death, that doesn't mean its true, wouldn't you rather not lie to yourself and actually accept that once you die thats the end of it.

Also you say that questioning your faith actually made it stronger, well maybe you didn't question it properly, I don't think you did because any questions that came up such as breaking laws of physics, you still dismissed them anyway.

[Nacho King]

(Original post by Mazzini)
a) They probably didn't manage to build it that high
b) They're not looking to get into Heaven
c) They probably didn't manage to build it that high
d) I believe that Heaven isn't literally "above" the earth, but in another dimension where we can only (except very rarely) go after we have died.

But yes, I have questioned my beliefs and I still am a Christian.

I didn't like these responses, the Bible says they were looking to get into heaven, have you ever read the Bible or like most Christians do you pick and choose what to do. Secondly you admit they wouldn't have built in high enough to reach heaven but then don't use it to criticise the Bible but use it to make up some rubbish about heaven not being in the sky but some other dimension.

[Nacho King]

(Original post by As_Dust_Dances_)
I feel like I can turn to my faith anytime to give me strength, I won't lie and say that I have never had doubts because I have but I feel that knowing that God does exist helps you to overcome challenges. Some people feel that if they discuss their faith that they will be ridiculed, and that partly explains why there are many people in this world who are against Religion, also mainly due to science!

This doesn't prove God, it only adds to the growing list to why religion is man made. Religion was created for people who are scared of death and so have to lie to themselves. Or who are weak and need to ask an imaginary man to look after them. Its all psychological, and it doesn't mean its true.

[Nacho King]

(Original post by Christianlady)
If people can build the pyramids before modern technology was invented, the idea of constructing a tower together make sense to me.

It's so amusing to me when people who weren't there say something is stupid or unreasonable, because how can one know for sure what happened unless one personally experiences it or knows and trusts a person who has personally experienced it?

Now, my question to Atheists is the following:

If you think you are right, why not be kind to the people who believe differently than you? It is perfectly fine to explain why you don't believe in God, or in ancient accounts. Since history fascinated me, I personally love reading about ancient Egypt, and seeing documentaries about what they wrote as well as what they believed. Do I believe what they believe? Nope. However, I respect the ancient peoples, find them fascinating, and think it would have been so cool to go back in time in order to experience what they experienced.

Why not do the same with people who believe in God? Study why, and just enjoy the historic aspect of it?

Peace and God bless you

Okay, firstly did you read my explanation of why the tower into heaven story would never have existed? You obviously didn't because you still believe its true because humans could have build a small pyramid and so would have been able to make a tower 3000000 x bigger to reach heaven, people who claim that story could still be true have no common sense, are deluded or both. I obviously wasn't there but it doesn't take a genius to know its a lie, we couldn't even do that today with todays technology.

In response to your question to athiests, I find religious people annoying as they religion ruins society. It dumbs people down and makes them less critical, its the reason governments can manipulate us so easy. Most people in power are not religious but they promote the idea of religion as it makes people accept unbelievable fairytales without question and so can be manipulated with other lies.

Also you why don't you believe in Egyptian Gods but you do Christian beliefs. Theres must be wrong, but not yours, if you were born in Pakistan you would now be muslim, India and you would be hindu etc. You are only this religion because you were born here and brainwashed from a young age by your parents, school etc. this relgion is as correct as any other religion. If you inserted the story of red riding hood into the Bible would you still believe it? The story of Noah's ark is no more believable than red riding hood, yet you choose to dismiss that one.

Also 'God bless' means nothing to me, you might as well pray for me to be strook by lighting, it will have the same effect ... nothing at all.

[Mazzini]

(Original post by Nacho King)
I didn't like these responses, the Bible says they were looking to get into heaven, have you ever read the Bible or like most Christians do you pick and choose what to do. Secondly you admit they wouldn't have built in high enough to reach heaven but then don't use it to criticise the Bible but use it to make up some rubbish about heaven not being in the sky but some other dimension.

Yes, I have read the Bible, thank you.

It was my belief that Heaven is in another dimension anyway.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Nacho King)
Okay, firstly did you read my explanation of why the tower into heaven story would never have existed? You obviously didn't because you still believe its true because humans could have build a small pyramid and so would have been able to make a tower 3000000 x bigger to reach heaven, people who claim that story could still be true have no common sense, are deluded or both. I obviously wasn't there but it doesn't take a genius to know its a lie, we couldn't even do that today with todays technology.

Hello Nacho King,

"Heaven" means many different things, including the sky. Skyscrapers are called can reach "into heaven" too, in that sense. Pyramids also can reach to the sky. It is merely an expression of being so tall that it looks like it touches the sky. Big deal.

In response to your question to athiests, I find religious people annoying as they religion ruins society.

Do you consider the Red Cross, the YMCA, the many universities around the world started by believers in God, the many hospitals around the world started by believers in God, and the human rights people who believe(d) in God to "ruin society"?

Basically, what ruins societies are people who don't care about others. Both people who believe in God and people who don't are guilty of not caring about others.

It dumbs people down and makes them less critical, its the reason governments can manipulate us so easy. Most people in power are not religious but they promote the idea of religion as it makes people accept unbelievable fairytales without question and so can be manipulated with other lies.

In China, what does the government use to manipulate people? Just curious.

Also you why don't you believe in Egyptian Gods but you do Christian beliefs. Theres must be wrong, but not yours, if you were born in Pakistan you would now be muslim, India and you would be hindu etc. You are only this religion because you were born here and brainwashed from a young age by your parents, school etc. this relgion is as correct as any other religion. If you inserted the story of red riding hood into the Bible would you still believe it? The story of Noah's ark is no more believable than red riding hood, yet you choose to dismiss that one.

It is indeed possible that if I were an Egyptian lady during the time of the Pharoahs, I'd believe what the people in that time and area believed... I don't know... I wasn't there so...

Also 'God bless' means nothing to me, you might as well pray for me to be strook by lighting, it will have the same effect ... nothing at all.

Lol. I can't pray that, cause Jesus says to love... praying something harmful for a person is contradictory to Jesus' commands to love and do good to people, you know.

However, I can just wish you peace and a wonderful life so...

Peace... and may you have a wonderful life

[iwantcurlyhairtoo]

(Original post by cesczizou)
I think everyone goes through that period of where they question their beliefs..i did, and it just made my relationship to God stronger. Same with football teams, i'm a gooner, last season i went thorugh the period of questioning my team..and it just made my relationship to my team stronger.

Oh, it must be sooooooooo hard being an Arsenal fan, watching Van Persie and co. strutting their stuff every week and winning a large percentage of the games they play. Guaranteed qualification into the Champions League every season.

It must have been really difficult.

[Nacho King]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Hello

Okay before you go can you tell me, do you believe in Unicorns, and why.

[Nacho King]

(Original post by Mazzini)
Yes, I have read the Bible, thank you.

It was my belief that Heaven is in another dimension anyway.

Your going to be so disapointed when you die and realise heaven doesn't exist, oh wait you won't even know, youll be dead.

[concubine]

I'm sure many religious people do. What astounds me is that they not only question what they believe BUT THAT THEY REMAIN FAITHFUL.


lal. So goddamn (punfun) irrational.