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In reply to the discussion: You first need to explain why it doesn't work in churches. [View all]ancianita
(40,533 posts)67. That's ridiculous.
Any god that didn't allow free will would have created flesh robots or zombies.
A God that creates and loves that creation doesn't work that way; instead s/he/it creates freedom.
Freedom is the power, rooted in human reason and free will, to do this or that, act or not act, and so perform deliberate actions that are respons(able) or irrespons(able). That's free will. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in using free will toward committing to truth and goodness. By free will humans shape their life. The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. And there is no true freedom except in service of what is good and just.
The Declaration of Independence begins with these three declarations:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
Humans all have free will; if they love as their creator loves, they don't cause suffering for others, whether it's personally or through government.
Sounds like a rational loving Creator to 2.38 billion people on Earth, and not just me or 53% of American Democrats.
I agree about no further discussion; you might equip your understanding of god consciousness by reading more world history, ancient lit, philosophy or psychology.
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Ah, the good ol' Sam Harris argument. You're even quoting him. Yeah, I used to be a Four Horsemen atheist.
ancianita
Mar 17
#57
Do you have Josh McDowell on speed dial? Hang out at the Discovery Institute lately? LOL....
Moostache
Mar 17
#56
Though I wasn't posting to you, Moos, your thought process is brilliant, and I read you loud and clear.
ancianita
Mar 17
#59
Study Art & Music History: all the church music, architecture, art of the Western Renaissance began the culture of the W
Conjuay
Mar 17
#58
Well, religion is the ruin of everything when it's shoved down someone's throat.
mucholderthandirt
Mar 20
#71
Jesus was the first to say all the things you say about religion, and not just his "Render unto Ceasar
ancianita
Mar 21
#72
It'd be a wonderful world if religious people would practice what their religion teaches.
patphil
Mar 16
#3
Not so. Christianity's New Covenant teaches love your neighbor. You don't have to like them, but honor their humanity.
ancianita
Mar 16
#11
Brilliant. Actually, it doesn't work at all. Christians in prison in larger proportions than general population. . . nt
Bernardo de La Paz
Mar 16
#4
Yep, churches and church schools have the Ten Commandments posted all over the place.
tanyev
Mar 16
#5
Their ignorance is on them. They are called to study the Word, and have hundreds of chances every
ancianita
Mar 16
#12
Don't be fooled. No they don't. Not the Jesus Christians. They understand that every faith path is different,
ancianita
Mar 16
#21
Nope. Repenting is an ongoing process in life, not a one-and-done thing. Jesus said that 19 times.
ancianita
Mar 16
#22
When I was an atheist, I said the very things you say. That's your need-to-be-right human understanding.
ancianita
Mar 16
#28
So you believe. I've read many theologians, male and female. But hey, you do you.
ancianita
Mar 16
#31
why can't people just do the right thing without expecting some kind of reward in the end?
Skittles
Mar 17
#48