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Charmin One

(205 posts)
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:46 PM Oct 14

Worse than religion

I am an agnostic, and I am not keen on dogma or a hierachy. However, I really can’t stand people who claim God talks to them. They are either insane or they are charlatans, esp. televangelists. Where is the accountability?

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Worse than religion (Original Post) Charmin One Oct 14 OP
From a TV show indypendent Oct 14 #1
And vice-versa. Dave Bowman Oct 14 #2
"Faith is believing what you know ain't so." -Twain walkingman Oct 14 #3
It does, actually. It does. Croney Oct 14 #5
It's an excuse. Not my fault, God made me do it. surfered Oct 14 #4
The accountability is with each of us. nt BootinUp Oct 14 #6
I want accountability here on earth Charmin One Oct 14 #7
I was not referring to the after life. nt BootinUp Oct 14 #9
Ok Cool Charmin One Oct 14 #10
A great movie that explores the faith vs science dilemma based on a book by Carl Sagan is SupportSanity Oct 14 #8
"Non-denominational" Charmin One Oct 14 #11
Does God exist? Depends on how you envision God. "Puller of strings? Creator? 3Hotdogs Oct 14 #12
A, B, and C Charmin One Oct 14 #13
C ..... I don''t get it. Alls God needs to do is take Dave Ramsey's course: Problem solved. Or 3Hotdogs Oct 15 #15
Mike Johnson has a direct line. Ask him. czarjak Oct 15 #14
Some men seem to have a direct line to god through their "gentlemen's nether region." Timeflyer Oct 15 #16
Yes, the 3rd type of God listeners Charmin One Oct 15 #17
I agree, Charmin. These are religionists who use religion to justify their personal beliefs. The egotism and narcissism Martin68 Oct 15 #18
Yes, Escape Oct 15 #19
LOL! There is no accountability... slightlv Oct 16 #20
False dilema Buzz cook Oct 23 #21
I was talking actually hearing God Charmin One Oct 24 #22
Or a mistake Buzz cook Oct 24 #23
 

indypendent

(11 posts)
1. From a TV show
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:52 PM
Oct 14

There was a TV series where a character said 'Who is crazy? The man who hears thunder and thinks it's God or the man who heads God and thinks it's thunder?'

Just because you don't believe in God doesn't mean there isn't one.

surfered

(3,815 posts)
4. It's an excuse. Not my fault, God made me do it.
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:09 PM
Oct 14

They’ve shifted the blame for their own actions from themselves.

Charmin One

(205 posts)
7. I want accountability here on earth
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:43 PM
Oct 14

I especially reject televangelist charlatans claiming to hear god.

SupportSanity

(1,170 posts)
8. A great movie that explores the faith vs science dilemma based on a book by Carl Sagan is
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:45 PM
Oct 14

"Contact" with Jodie Foster as the scientist/atheist and Matthew McConaughey as the theologian.
They have a great discussion about religion vs science.
Very well done.

2010 - Space Odyssey 2
The very important part of the movie was the main character not only hearing voices but seeing an apparition. He had to convince a Soviet official in the spacecraft they were all in that he was told that they all had to leave where they were in space ASAP-- a seemingly impossible task --- to save their lives.

And as far as hearing voices, whether from God ,drugs or schizophrenia, impossible to prove or disprove.
It's how convincing you are when you try to tell others about it.

3Hotdogs

(13,593 posts)
12. Does God exist? Depends on how you envision God. "Puller of strings? Creator?
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 10:13 PM
Oct 14

The more important question is if you believe there is a super being that intervenes in our lives.

Now we go back to the words of St. George of Carlin. (Paraphrase) IF he exists, and he is "perfect," why does he always need money?

Charmin One

(205 posts)
13. A, B, and C
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 11:50 PM
Oct 14

Last edited Tue Oct 15, 2024, 12:23 AM - Edit history (1)

A. I think so, but I’m not sure
B. Dunno
C. Doesn’t everyone need money? /sarc

3Hotdogs

(13,593 posts)
15. C ..... I don''t get it. Alls God needs to do is take Dave Ramsey's course: Problem solved. Or
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 07:23 AM
Oct 15

if he had attended any of Rev. Ike's services, God would have been driving his own Cadillac down 5th Avenue.

Timeflyer

(2,732 posts)
16. Some men seem to have a direct line to god through their "gentlemen's nether region."
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 07:29 AM
Oct 15

It speaks, and they have permission to abuse/subjugate those silly "weaker vessels" known as women. Mysterious ways, amiright?

Martin68

(24,754 posts)
18. I agree, Charmin. These are religionists who use religion to justify their personal beliefs. The egotism and narcissism
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 09:35 AM
Oct 15

of their personalities boggles the mind. God speaks to ME! Only I know what He wants. I'm His favorite! I'm special. And I'm always right.

Escape

(74 posts)
19. Yes,
Tue Oct 15, 2024, 10:41 AM
Oct 15

People who claim GOD talks to them are the same as people who send Santa Claus letters to the North Pole, and those who gather Easter eggs left them by a rabbit..

They are not to be taken seriously.

slightlv

(4,466 posts)
20. LOL! There is no accountability...
Wed Oct 16, 2024, 04:00 PM
Oct 16

you're suppose to take it in faith that they tell you the truth! I say again... LOL!

I don't know about all Christian religions, but I was raised in my early years as Evangelical/Charismatic. We were taught that Gods voice doesn't come to us through booming voice, or a burning bush anymore. The prophets of God are gone now; they have all been accounted for.

We were taught that the still, small voice you hear when you're very quiet, is God talking to you. And you are NOT suppose to be bragging about it, declaring the word of god, or any of the other blasphemous things these same people tell people today.

When I stopped my seeking of commonalities among ALL religions, I settled into Paganism. Not necessarily because I anthropomorphize Gods and Goddesses, i guess to an extent I'm still agnostic, though I've been Pagan for over 40+ years... BUT I came to recognize that "still small voice" inside me was my instinct... my gut instinct... that always picks up on cues, words, and signs that may be invisible to the eyes and ears. Our mind constantly processes all this information we don't realize we're taking in... and inside ourselves, we know what's right and moral for ourselves and those around us.

I don't know if its biblical or not... but the "Lord helps those who help themselves" made more sense to me than anything else I remember from my "churchy" days. Gods, thank goodness they're over. I'll take common sense with a solemn space of ritual for individual comfort, and a madcap feast afterwards anyday!

Buzz cook

(2,618 posts)
21. False dilema
Wed Oct 23, 2024, 11:29 PM
Oct 23

There are other choices than crazy of charlatan.
Lots of religious people here the voice of god but not as verbal communication. They interpret things that happen around them as messages from god.
I've known many people like that and they are neither grifters or mentally ill. They are just trained to see things around them as reinforcing their beliefs.

I think they are looking for patterns and ignoring the misses while high lighting the hits

Charmin One

(205 posts)
22. I was talking actually hearing God
Thu Oct 24, 2024, 02:15 AM
Oct 24

Signs of God can exist IMO, but actually hearing God’s voice is either wack or it’s a sham.

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