Do you believe in God?

[Lynn49]

also. these social programs and such that are church run can never counter all of the detrimental and disgusting acts committed by the church and by people in the name of this so called god.

Although I agree with DH66 that non-believers do much good in the world, I can't agree with your premise that churches that run social programs ever think they're "countering" the wrongs that were done in the name of god in the past.
What was done, is done with.
Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to choose to be good or bad, worship or not, believe or not.
No one is trying to compensate for past mistakes, particularly churches.
jmho

[Lynn49]

As an aside: I wanted to "Like" someone's post above, but there aren't any "Like" buttons on some posts....does anyone know why that is?

[DianneS]

people keep saying they were not forced into it. it doesnt matter if you were forced down to your knees or simply brought into the building and surrounded by it. children are so impressionable and succeptible to what is going on around them. if religion surrounds them, then the great majority will turn to religion. its inevitable.

i for one have actually gotten upset with friends of mine for trying to tell my daughter about god and angels and such. she hasnt said anything to jade about it since. i get very uneasy about people trying to convince my daughter about god. its not right.

just last year she was telling me about kids at school telling her it was jesus's birthday on christmas and she was asking me who this jesus was and everything. it was a long conversation with a seven year old describing christianity and different beliefs and the bible and what the bible really is and all that stuff. its a good thing she has a high comprehension level

I remember the day my seven-year old came home telling me the kids at school had had told him during a class discussion that Christmas wasn't Jesus' birthday, it was Santa Claus's birthday. We, too, had a good discussion about how people have different beliefs...we live in a pluralistic society and I think it is important for our kids (and ourselves) to understand, appreciate and respect that. Christmas is, historically, the celebration of the birth of Christ. However, in Canada, I believe some of us celebrate a 'secular' Christmas and some of us celebrate a Christian Christmas. I don't have a problem with that....I celebrate according to my beliefs and expect others will celebrate according to theirs.

Even as a person of faith, there have been times when I have been 'choked' at others who try to indoctrinate my children with their version of God. We need to respect others, and especially other peoples' children, whether we are aetheist, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Mormon, etc., etc.

[krysta lynne]

Although I agree with DH66 that non-believers do much good in the world, I can't agree with your premise that churches that run social programs ever think they're "countering" the wrongs that were done in the name of god in the past.
What was done, is done with.
Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to choose to be good or bad, worship or not, believe or not.
No one is trying to compensate for past mistakes, particularly churches.
jmho

i disagree. past indiscretions are always being hidden and covered up with good deeds. im sorry but no social program can cover up "men of god" touching little boys.

[VeeVee]

I remember the day my seven-year old came home telling me the kids at school had had told him during a class discussion that Christmas wasn't Jesus' birthday, it was Santa Claus's birthday. We, too, had a good discussion about how people have different beliefs...we live in a pluralistic society and I think it is important for our kids (and ourselves) to understand, appreciate and respect that. Christmas is, historically, the celebration of the birth of Christ. However, in Canada, I believe some of us celebrate a 'secular' Christmas and some of us celebrate a Christian Christmas. I don't have a problem with that....I celebrate according to my beliefs and expect others will celebrate according to theirs.

Even as a person of faith, there have been times when I have been 'choked' at others who try to indoctrinate my children with their version of God. We need to respect others, and especially other peoples' children, whether we are aetheist, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Mormon, etc., etc.

+1 Well said Dianne!

[krysta lynne]

+1 Well said Dianne!

i disagree with this statement when all of these beliefs are used to different ends to justify actions of people and societies. it is sickening.

[DH666]

Although I agree with DH66 that non-believers do much good in the world, I can't agree with your premise that churches that run social programs ever think they're "countering" the wrongs that were done in the name of god in the past.
What was done, is done with.
Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to choose to be good or bad, worship or not, believe or not.
No one is trying to compensate for past mistakes, particularly churches.
jmho

You missed a "6" in DH666. Did you do on purpose?

[krysta lynne]

You missed a "6" in DH666. Did you do on purpose?

but 666 is a devil number???!!!!?!?!?!

[VeeVee]

i disagree with this statement when all of these beliefs are used to different ends to justify actions of people and societies. it is sickening.

You disagree bc I agree with a comment someone made?!

The question asked was do you believe? Not lets see what we can say to bash other ppls beliefs. Priests in my church MUST be married to become priests, they have a wife and children - my church (religion) has never been accused of the things some churches have. You cannot condemn religion as a whole bc a few bad apples. There is 200+ religions out there and not all are what you make them out to be.
Why are you trying so hard to make it seem that those who believe in God are all bad? You do or you don't and that's it...to each his own.

[DaveP]

Although I agree with DH66 that non-believers do much good in the world, I can't agree with your premise that churches that run social programs ever think they're "countering" the wrongs that were done in the name of god in the past.
What was done, is done with.
Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to choose to be good or bad, worship or not, believe or not.
No one is trying to compensate for past mistakes, particularly churches.
jmho

Shouldn't they be?

[VeeVee]

.

[krysta lynne]

.

oh please. no one was arguing. whine all you want, but the adults were having a conversation about varying beliefs. not petty argumentation. thanks though.

[VeeVee]

oh please. no one was arguing. whine all you want, but the adults were having a conversation about varying beliefs. not petty argumentation. thanks though.

What is your issue Krysta?? It was a double post so I removed it.
Is that ok with you? Your snide comments are uncalled for!

[lekate]

As far as any 'god' is concerned, I don't really think of one as being a part of my life. I was raised in the Catholic school board, but I was far too 'critical' of the teachings to believe them. Maybe there's a God 'particle' that sparked life, and the universe as it is, but that doesn't mean that this entity or particle cares a hoot about us....

There's no hell, it was used primarily as a tool to keep people in line.

However, organized religion has created a hell on Earth for MANY people in MANY ways, the ongoing persecution of the GLBTQ community, the wars between Christians, Muslims and Jews, the FORCING of Christianity upon Africans during the Colonial period (and everything else that went along with the period), the crusades, the molestation of children, the war that REPUBLICANS have taken against a woman's reproductive rights in the US...ETC.

[DH666]

but 666 is a devil number???!!!!?!?!?!

Depends on your views doesn't it? 13 is unlucky in certain cultures, 666 is the number of the devil, certain numbers are lucky or not in certain cultures. I believe 666 comes after 665 and before 667 and that's pretty much it. It's usually available so that's why I like to use it.