Simple

I'm sorry, some of my best friends are nymphs

WTF, you come into this room and try to dictate the tone and words we use to describe moronic people who chant and speak to the sky as if something was there to hear them, you infer we should not adhere to the theme of this room , that of Indoctrinating your children with superstitious blather of gods and spooks is child abuse.

Well, buddy, welcome to atheist land. Here we view your worship of invisible super beings as ludicrous and your justification of child abuse at the hands of perverted priests, Imams, Yogis and rabbis to be the height of ignorance and indifference.

Steep yourself in whatever mythology you wish, flying zombies, stenographic angels, little blue androgynous Demi gods or wood nymphs but leave your children out of it until they are old enough to rationally accept your theological bullshit as opposed to being victimized by it.

I said to someone who was being very aggressive to me because I believed in God "do you like hurting people" and they said "no" so I replied "please don't just go up to someone and say God is a joke because we believe that God is a person and you are hurting me every time you get angry and say horrible things about God". I know this is a room for this sort of thing but some of your words are out to hurt and yes it is hurting. If that is your intention then yes you are successful. Why do some want to hurt only and not actually have a conversation. Notice I said some people and not all! Joking is good by the way.

Children do not need the threat of eternal damnation to do the right thing...............REPLY........I couldn't agree more and no matter what one believes emotional blackmail is disgusting, my mother used dirty tricks to try to emotionally blackmail me but eventually the child rebels when they get their own mind, hopefully. Thankfully I don't believe in eternal damnation because if it was true then it means God is not forgiving, whereas in some beliefs they say hell is temporary. If God existed he must be the most forgiving without obvious sentimental feelings. Anyway no matter what one believes you can't beat bringing a child up with love and I would hate myself if I was to convert someone and it destroyed a family, honest!

To address the idea of instilling values in children without the notion of god.



I have heard it said that one can not instill good values in children without god, and I tell you that is nonsense. It is harder sure, however that difficult rout is often the most beneficial to us humans.



Human beings have a sense of right and wrong that is intrinsic to our nature. It is as we are growing up that selfishness clouds our inner compass it is in those times that we as parents must remind our children they are not the center of the universe. Children do not need the threat of eternal damnation to do the right thing. I have found that an appreciation that life is fragile and precious weighs far more importance on ones "spirit" than fear, the additional benefit being their general outlook is more positive. They are more inclined to be genuinely kind, thoughtful and helping.



Regardless of where anyone thinks our in born moral compass comes from, the fact is most of us have it. For those who were not born with a sense of right and wrong more often then not religious doctrine tends to twist into something dark and dangerous. If one is trusting in outside forces you might : Miss clues and signs that should prompt you to get your child help, or. Worse do nothing but pray god will make it all better.

Thank you cheeky because I feel the same as you and I promise I'm not here to start fighting, I'm just fed up with one individual who keeps insisting on me to try and prove the existence of God when I have no desire to do it! I don't understand why he thinks I should be converting, I'm just adding a point of view which isn't the end of the world. I also try and see things from different perspectives but I'm stil a normal human being with imperfections etc. I must admit the hostility is very fierce to say the least..

Thank you cheeky because I feel the same as you and I promise I'm not here to start fighting, I'm just fed up with one individual who keeps insisting on me to try and prove the existence of God when I have no desire to do it! I don't understand why he thinks I should be converting, I'm just adding a point of view which isn't the end of the world. I also try and see things from different perspectives but I'm stil a normal human being with imperfections etc. I must admit the hostility is very fierce to say the least..

Anandadas



Your posts have gone very much off topic of this thread. , However they do hint to an underlying reality, Those of us who believe strongly that our Children Spirituality is Their own decision Are in constant struggle with Those who would usurp parental authority and interject their beliefs upon OUR children.



Our Children are often seen as fair game for those who think they have a right to interfere because they are Convinced Their religion is best.



Rather then trying to CONVERT or save SOMEONE ELSE S child, why not live a good life and be an example and an inspiration to the people in general.



The notion if God exists or What version of God is right is NOT the topic here.

I offered my opinion to both of my kids but they know its only my opinion and no one knows everything. It is important to teach independent thinking because it is the key to objectivity.

When are you going to understand I have not told you my beliefs but yet for some reason you know my beliefs better than me because when you try and describe it I don't recognise any of it. So in the future when asked what I believe I'll send them to you for your accurate expert knowledge! After all you are now my GURU, NAMASTE GURUDEVA, GURUDEVA KI JAYA

When are you going to understand I have not told you my beliefs but yet for some reason you know my beliefs better than me because when you try and describe it I don't recognise any of it. So in the future when asked what I believe I'll send them to you for your accurate expert knowledge! After all you are now my GURU, NAMASTE GURUDEVA, GURUDEVA KI JAYA

trouble maker why do you bother speaking to me when you keep saying you won't????? Is this bull poo coming out of your mouth because you were obsessed with my bull poo. Why say you are ignoring me then speak to me. Your telling lies all the time. I tell you now I have no desire to change your opinion because I think your lowlife who deserves to be in illusion. So now you have a degree in sanskrit like you have found out a big secret...lol...oh dear....lol. You don't understand ananda as much as you think you do because it has deeper meaning but you don't want a lesson in languages now.

Do you know what your saying about demanding proof, you don't deserve it and how about free will, God has to respect your free will, what if there is no desire for god then how can free will exist if evidence was in your face. This is a fantastic point and if you ignore it then my you're really stupid, a lot more than i could ever imagine.

KUDOS!!! a parents Job is to guid their children to independence, they can not be independent if they can not think for themselves. !!!! Good for you!

I'm serious dig a hole and you will find him but unless you do stop asking for this proof that you want so desperately

I'm serious dig a hole and you will find him but unless you do stop asking for this proof that you want so desperately

Stephen Hawkins is not an athiest any more...lol

To anybody reading this Troublemaker keeps asking me to debate the existence of God with the expectations of proof when I don't have the desire to give him or anyone proof of why i believe what I do. I don't understand why it is down to me to prove anything and this constant obsession with it is so funny because I give him my reasons and he just won't show any respect whatsoever. I don't want to talk about my personal beliefs because of how offensive people comments and statements are and if someone was genuinely interested but not to show who has the biggest brains like a competition of false ego's then yeah I would talk about it. I first met TM in a room i created asking for comments about the tittle being prejudice because no way can we know all religions to know that all religions abuse children. Anyway trouble woul;dn't comment once about the tittle but at least i gave him a reason why i won't talk about my beliefs whereas he just kept asking me for proof and no reason why he keeps ignoring the prejudiced issues. It just seems so hypocritical. Don't just condemn without knowing the whole truth. He has blocked me but yet still keeps making comments to me everywhere i go and really I wish he would stick to his words. Another liar and cheat to add to the list!!!!

Troublemaker go outside your house dig a hole 30 metres deep and then 90 metres accross and you will find God! Trust me God is at the very end of the hole.

You cannot argue with me saying God is not there untill you have dug the hole OK!!!! THERE IS YOUR EVIDENCE THAT YOU WANT now lets see how much you want it!!!! So now please stop asking me for evidence.

Trouble maker I bet you were born with long arms so you can pat yourself on the back for being better than me!!! Oh well disabled and religious anything else you want to condemn me for, breathing the same air as an athiest because after all we must hate each other for what we believe shouldn't we. This side that side lets start a war shall we and blame religion when really it is your spiteful comments that have offended. MMMMM sounds familiar to me pass the buck!

Wow. Ananadadas has really gotten riled up here. I came for the story and got the double dose of drama!

Creationists too often call theories like the Big Bang, incredidulous and preposterous because according to them, nothing can begin from nothing. In place of our scientifically guided notions, they offer instead their theory - that an imaginary being that always was, made EVERYTHING! (out of nothing!).....



Now, I'm just a lowly old Atheist, raised by hippies in the wilds of Los Angeles, but I am pretty sure that even there, piling absurdity upon absurdity is in no way a negation of it.

While I am certain there is no 'guy in the sky' or 'god' as so many fondly call that imaginary friend, I have absolutely no doubt that Anandadas HAS had a 'god' experience... In other words, perhaps he's felt an overwhelming closeness with everything, or 'oneness' or felt that god's 'grace'.. like that. Of course to us, that ISN'T 'proof'' but I am sure it is to HIM.. (I'm pretty sure that's what he was trying to say, but maybe god tripped him up.) But the point IS... My own experience is pretty real - I remember having multiple profound experiences while walking with my old friend Mescalito.. (Peyote- to you modern kids).... and While it all SEEMED QUITE REAL.... I feel sure it wouldn't be prudent to go to a "Drugs **** Up Your Mind " group and explain how, "No, I am the exception to that rule, Drugs told me so..."

Ya, I guess I'm just rambling now...

Time to roll a doob.

Who the hell do we think we are to be so demanding to find the truth, have you ever thought the truth needs revealing only with respect and humility! I wouldn't give nobody anything if they come up to me demanding stuff, I'd tell you where to go!

Here is one thought not an argument.....In this world there are boundaries which means there is always something beyond, so what is beyond this world, then whats beyond the universe, then what's beyond that and what's beyond that etc etc and if there is no God then how or where does it end if at all, but always there must be something beyond, but if God exists then God is perfectly complete and completely perfect with nothing beyond and is eternal which means no beginning and no end!

To me this is the only logical answer to the "what's beyond" question otherwise a concept of completeness cannot ever make sense. Endlessness can make me feel like we don't really exist because you cannot get something from nothing. It's impossible. So what is the beginning of one single atom!!!!! The beginning of matter, like what created the stuff to start a big bang, you can't get something from nothing again!

I am being honest, calm and collected. I think there are no deities because there`s not a spec of evidence for it so I see no reason to think otherwise, that`s all there is to it. Theistic or spiritual faith is irrationnal and delusional and I happen to be a rational person. I didn`t see any absolute statements on here, did anyone outright say "there is no god, period, end of story, you`re wrong, I`m right, etc".

I don't believe you want proof anyway! Or the only proof you are interested in is the one that suits you!

First of all one must look inside themselves and be honest and sincere and to those that offend others so easily will never get proof because they don't deserve it and it isn't really your desire. The proof has to be desired not demanded. This is very good advice and hasn't been said so you can personally attack me, it's about one looking inside and being respectful. Your all making absolute statements with anger without knowing enough about the subject. Listen if God existed then why is it so ellusive, think about it if you can look outside the box, maybe it is the most secret of all secrets and you don't know how to unlock those secrets and not every religious person knows either. But demanding the truth like a stupid child will never reveal anything.

Actually the burden of proof is on the one making the claim, especially when said claim goes against all evidence. Also atheism is *not* a belief system, to quote a funny video from youtube, saying that atheism is a religion is like saying bald is an hair color.

Are you all agreeing with a sheep like mentality or are you actually aware that it is not my responsibilty to provide proof and please stop using that as a reason for criticising me. My answer to proof is become qualified and properly desire the proof. I have my own proof which is very personal and no ones business. I can bring something by pointing out that athiesm is as much a belief that is dependant on faith in something or someone as a person who believes in God so being critical for having faith is not fair. Not all religions are the same is another thing I can bring because I've noticed that condemnation of all belief systems is happening when it's obvious that peoples only experiences are maybe just the christian beliefs. I'm not a christian and not anything with a label really, I'm just me! Which means I don't belong to any groups but the word religion means to unite with God so in that sense I'm religious. Really a lot of sweeping statements are being made when a lot of us don't belong to the groups your all complaining about. Knowledge like this is what I can bring so the picture is clearer. You will have better arguments with more knowledge so we all can get something surely that is better than suit saying because the men are trying to flirt with the women really and say what they think women want to hear. I noticed Trouble shooter loves to impress women and flirt with them rather than discuss with mutual respect, he tries to control me and put words into my mouth with his assumptions. I still haven't proved God is all he says when I've never said I would and won't stop going on about it, very strange person and I gave him my reasons but still he won't respect my reply. I don't mind discussing but I have no desire to show off my intelligence by fighting.

I've come here to have a conversation with logic and have no desire to abuse or disrespect and thought having an opinion was something everyone is entitled to. Troubleshooter is as his name suggests a troublemaker who kept ignoring a simple statement and instead wanted to personaly attack me, I'm quite within my rights to stick to one point. Why do people expect others to have the same views as themselves and when it doesn't suit they tell you to go away? I have to tolerate real nasty behaviour of a lot of cruel people and I'm not supposed to be defensive either, i'm expected to lay down like a hippy while ignorance wants to control. What can a person do when a simple thing is ignored, should I let others control like they are trying to do now. I hope that fascism never enters my personal life like I have experienced on here!

If God existed and someone was demanding of proof instead of respectfully asking for proof then no way would the proof be forthcoming, why should it, but when a person doesn't get proof then false ego comes into play because the individual starts thinking that they are the best in the world and if they don't have proof then it can't exist. Pride and false ego is very destructive no matter which way you look at it!

I cut my own path in this world, even though I had a religion handed down to me while I was growing up. When I got out of the house, I started researching astral projection and came across a lot of material. While I take it all with a grain of salt, some of it has been very interesting to read and parts of it ring true with me. My search for my own personal truth continues, but I feel like i am close to finding it.



One quote I agree with completely: "The earth is what we all have in common."