I am an atheist, but... (Page 4)

Zanjan
Zanjan: Geoff: "Atheists are not a group of people any more than ginger haired people are a group, or left-handed people are a group of people."

If you really believe there are no groups of people, then religion must not have any either. You might have a struggle to convince those who say they belong to groups, even if they're unofficial members.

I agree that some atheists aren't organized yet I've heard of atheist organizations. I have no idea what they have as their central object of adoration, which is the thing that holds any organization together. I don't think it's self because there are too many selfs in the room.

That said, some atheists are in religions that worship God. Not saying every believer is consistent about being saintly; I'm saying there are lines that an authentic worshiper of God won't cross, not even by accident.

I can answer your question easily - my God isn't real to you for the same reasons the others aren't - He doesn't speak to you. However, you're not asking why that is.

You see, there are some people on this planet who wont speak to me and never will, probably the same for you, but that doesn't mean they don't exist or that we don't know why they wont speak to us. If God doesn't speak to you, I think you know why.

Yes, I edit when I find an error or omission in a phrase - its a habit for all posts, including this one which left a big gap at the bottom I had to erase.
(Edited by Zanjan)
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Razz, you're accepting that they believe in God - if they thought God had let them down, they wouldn't worship Him.

Like the devil, the rewards of fealty are instant......unlike the devil, so is the punishment. People prefer to push their punishment down the road far enough that this might give them room to escape. Meanwhile they party for most of their life with no unusual punishment and the rewards keep coming. When the devil calls to pay up, they always run.

With God, you don't get that choice but you're man enough to suffer the punishment, get it over with quickly and move forward.
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Razz_
Razz_: Please refrain from thinking what I accept, you have no clue what I believe.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Razz: "People who believe in God are let down everyday Zanjan"

Hey, it was you who said it. Did you mean something else?
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Razz_
Razz_: You said, "Atheists have faith in themselves and in humanity, only to be let down every time." page 3

I am simply pointing out that those who believe in God are let down too.
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Nicotina
Nicotina: Amazing Grace Lyrics

John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

Those are the original lyrics as written by John Newton who at one time was the captain of slave ships. The words are beautiful and moving and certainly not depressing. I might not believe in god but I am capable of feeling deep emotions. The kind of emotions that these words elicit and the impact of how John Newton had treated his fellow human beings before penning the words.
The music is credited as "Unknown". Listen carefully and you can hear the African Sorrow Chant that lays the foundation for the music.

Knowing the history of a song impacts its meaning. Appreciation of music and lyrics is not the domain of a religious group but rather all human beings.
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: Wow..those edits are insane. How can I have a legitimate conversation with someone that adds things minutes later and again hours later? Makes it even more of a waste of time.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Razz, what you were pointing out was obvious and I addressed it - no need to repeat it.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Explicit, how? You could have a live chat or phone conversation. In a Forum, you could go back and re-read the posts you want to address. That's what I do. If it throws off your conversation because you had to respond immediately, you can add an additional post. Humans are quite resourceful.
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: Nah, I have other things to do. Enjoy your evening.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Hmm........ I guess some people are easily defeated by spelling/grammar corrections. This is in print, after all - here till hell freezes over. I think a post should sound presentable.
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Razz_
Razz_: Perhaps you should think about that before you hit "post" Zanjan
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Nicotina, I love it when atheists sing religious songs. How about "Abide with Me?" Any takers?

What about deep south gospel music - do they tap their feet and sing along with the 'Hallelujah's?
(Edited by Zanjan)
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: Zanjan, I had an awesome and fun day out with my son and I'm now ready to relax and maybe have a laugh or two before I log out. You can declare yourself the victor if it makes you feel better but I didn't see this as a battle. lol You weren't just correcting grammar and misspellings you were adding points like the one about knowing someone that stole money from a mentally handicapped person and not caring what music they like.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: I'm glad you had a good day. I don't recall if I was adding points to a post or not, rather than completing re-structuring of a sentence. But if I did, it means it worked better putting them in the same post, following the line of thought, than posting each point in a separate string of one liners, which makes the topic appear more visited than it is.
(Edited by Zanjan)
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: Thank you.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Heh.......see, I added a lot to that post after I posted. This post follows like, 1 minute later.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Appears that Wireclub's clock might be off just a wee bit.
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: You have way too much time on your hands. You may need a few hobbies. I think I'm done responding as I usually do stop when someone gives me the creeps. And that 3rd edit was only noticed because I went back and reread our convo after I noticed you edited everything you posted while I was gone. Can you understand why it would seem like a waste of time to have a conversation with someone that cares more about the points they make and adds them after the first post?
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Razz_
Razz_: Hahahaha, "I'm glad you had a good day" sure did grow
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Razz_
Razz_: Now I get why people take screen shots
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AliveSomewhereElse
AliveSomewhereElse: Those edits come as notifications you know. I don't think serial editors know that but they do now.
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MercuryDragon
MercuryDragon: (Edited by MercuryDragon)
(Edited by MercuryDragon)
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MercuryDragon
MercuryDragon: That was very well said by the way, Nico!
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Razz_
Razz_: I saw that
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