Lying and religion.

[Darren]

All people lie, and you know this because you have lied yourself. Sometimes knowingly, and sometimes not. Some are the 'white lies' and some are compassionate lies, but lies they are.
With this in mind, how can any of the faiths passed down through people be considered 'true'?

[SmellsLikeLife]

Simply put, to leave the world a little better than I found it.
May I ask yours?

That is not a bad life purpose, but it seems like you are ignoring something:
What about when you leave the world, eh? What then?

Just so you know, I would say my life purpose is to serve God, although, I do not wish to imply anything. Many people say they are "serving God" while they commit ; I do not suppose to know exactly what God wants, therefore I simply serve and love others, knowing I cannot go wrong doing that.

[Cathar1950]

Correction!
It might be Vald that is wearing the shackles.
I like his humor too.

I am wearing the only official handcuffs of the debatingchristianity.com forum. Anything else is a cheap chinese knockoff.



In the name of the Left Cuff, the Right Cuff and the holy links, the one true [strike]god[/strike] probation handcuff.

It is funny you mentioned it, when I first saw his avatar i went and rechecked to verify that the probation avatar had not been changed.

I can see the pictures are different. But I can't tell if they are the same cuffs even if the hands are not the same.
Why am I reminded of the Star Trek where they had to beings one black on the right side and one white on the right. No one could figure out what the big difference was but to the beings it was obvious.

[Darren]

What about when you leave the world, eh? What then?

This question presupposes that I am leaving the world. I have no plans to leave this world.

Just so you know, I would say my life purpose is to serve God, although, I do not wish to imply anything. Many people say they are "serving God" while they commit ; I do not suppose to know exactly what God wants, therefore I simply serve and love others, knowing I cannot go wrong doing that.

Sounds like a reasonably sensible program...except for that 'god' word. I think it requires definition. If it is the god of the old testament you mean, he was a nasty old character and I would not advise looking to him for moral guidance.

[SmellsLikeLife]

This question presupposes that I am leaving the world. I have no plans to leave this world.

You are immortal? Wow, you gotta teach me that trick.

Sounds like a reasonably sensible program...except for that 'god' word. I think it requires definition. If it is the god of the old testament you mean, he was a old character and I would not advise looking to him for moral guidance.

I believe that common sense and God get along very well, actually. I would never do something I reasoned was wrong because someone told me I should do it for God. I think the laws in the Bible are usually right, but in our modern-day society and culture, some things are just different.

[Darren]

This question presupposes that I am leaving the world. I have no plans to leave this world.

You are immortal? Wow, you gotta teach me that trick.

Don't mince around. If you have something to ask, ask it.

Sounds like a reasonably sensible program...except for that 'god' word. I think it requires definition. If it is the god of the old testament you mean, he was a nasty old character and I would not advise looking to him for moral guidance.

I believe that common sense and God get along very well, actually. I would never do something I reasoned was wrong because someone told me I should do it for God. I think the laws in the Bible are usually right, but in our modern-day society and culture, some things are just different.

The bible is fiction, at best. The god described there is fiction. If you want to pattern your life after old fiction, thats your prerogative, but may I ask why?

[McCulloch]

This question presupposes that I am leaving the world. I have no plans to leave this world.

You are immortal? Wow, you gotta teach me that trick.

I thought that you claimed to have that trick.

When I die, I will not be leaving the world. Leaving implies that I will be going somewhere. I won't be going anywhere. I will cease to function. My body will stop, my brain will stop, my thoughts and consciousness will no longer be. Do you have any evidence to the contrary?

[Zzyzx]

.

What is your purpose in life, Darren?

Simply put, to leave the world a little better than I found it.

Darren, I share, at least in part, your “purpose in life”. I call that an important objective – though I am hard pressed to identify exactly how I can actually accomplish such a noble objective.

My two children have adult children who have children. I know some of the second generation and none of the third (by choice). Those decendents possess some of my genes. Is that a “contribution” (or is it egotistical to think that one’s genes are particularly wonderful or useful)?

I live “close to the Earth” -- meaning that I do not demand a great deal of support from the environment. I have no extravagant tastes or “needs” (compared to the general culture of which I am somewhat a part). Still, I consume some fossil fuels and some minerals in the course of even a frugal lifestyle.

Perhaps I have influenced the thinking and decisions of a few people during a lifetime. I taught college for ten years and have communicated in various forms for several decades. Is that a “contribution”? I am not assured that my ideas are particularly beneficial to the environment or to my fellow human beings.

I have built a few things of somewhat “lasting value”, but I recognize that they will not last long on the landscape.

I have argued against promotion of beliefs in invisible super beings and incredible “miracles” as a basis for living. Is that a good thing -- a contribution? Perhaps it is a disservice to those who might need a belief that their decisions and their lives are influenced by external controlling factors.

I have expressed my ideas regarding the folly I see in the course being followed by our nation – economically, industrially, politically, internationally, etc and have supported efforts to make changes. However, I do not regard change from the present downward national spiral as being likely or even possible. Is there any assurance I have not simply wasted effort “fighting a dragon that is far larger than us”?

What can any of us do to “leave the world a better place” – really? What can we do that has truly lasting value to the environment or to our fellow human beings?

[Darren]

Is there any assurance I have not simply wasted effort “fighting a dragon that is far larger than us”?

No.
In fact, the dragon is much larger than you think. Oh, and there are many of them.
Don't lose heart.

[SmellsLikeLife]

SmellsLikeLife wrote:
Quote:
This question presupposes that I am leaving the world. I have no plans to leave this world.


You are immortal? Wow, you gotta teach me that trick.
Don't mince around. If you have something to ask, ask it.

Alright then. Why aren't you going to leave this world, Darren? What's stopping you? (As an aside, I'm using "leave this world" as a euphemism for dying, because from your response, I don't know if you took it literally.)

The bible is fiction, at best. The god described there is fiction. If you want to pattern your life after old fiction, thats your prerogative, but may I ask why?

I have an important question for you.
Do you believe that stealing is wrong, Darren?

[Darren]

Alright then. Why aren't you going to leave this world, Darren? What's stopping you? (As an aside, I'm using "leave this world" as a euphemism for dying, because from your response, I don't know if you took it literally.)

I am expecting to die at some later date. If you have different expectations, only religion could have deluded you so.

The bible is fiction, at best. The god described there is fiction. If you want to pattern your life after old fiction, thats your prerogative, but may I ask why?

I have an important question for you.
Do you believe that stealing is wrong, Darren?

You still have not answered my question.