to believe that beyond all reasonable doubt

[OurBetty]

there is no god?

Our Betty don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem or are you actally a hard rock mmm

Laurie, just thinking about it, we're the only species to drink the milk of another animal, but we don't attribute any supernatural greatness to that (in fact it's rather yucky, isn't it?!).

I'm not being facetious. I just can't understand why people believe in god with no real evidence.

BLOODY HELL HAVE JUST HEARD YANKS ARE BOMBING LIBYA AND GUESS WHOSE SUBS THEIR USING TO LAUNCH THE MISSILES

So, can I throw Jesus into the mix? There is much imperial evidence that this chap existed (whether or not he is the Son of God is obviously the big question) and went around doing ridiculously counter-cultural things, hanging out with and sticking up for the poor and anyone on the fringes of society. He basically wound up the prevailing Jewish hierarchy enough to get himself killed but his principles were amazing. Christians, following this man's actions, would have a hard time justifying half the actions carried out in his name. Using God as an excuse to wreak bloodthirsty, financially beneficial war on the poor and destitute does not strike me to be something this Jesus would have endorsed.

How does that fit in with our concept of God? Does it make any difference having a human face to relate to?

Just wondering...

smellsofsick I think it's possible to believe that a man called Jesus existed, but that he wasn't the son of God, isn't it?

Similar to what you're saying, someone on the telly (or was it my sister - I can't remember!) said that if Jesus was to return to earth he'd be apalled by the lavish luxury in which the Pope lives. Oh, poor old Pope. He's never done any harm. Oh, no, sorry, yes he has.

God in the Old Testament was an utter tyrant.

Jesus certainly had more respect for women that Yaweh.

Oh come on folks, let's admit that's it's just a big made-up story, and get on with our lives?

Lol at 'milk drinking' (milkie, milkie) - my cat would drink milk of any animal given half a chance and cats on my uncles farm would hang around calves and try and luck their chops for milk. We ain't the only scavengers on earth.

People 'believe' in a creator (sun gods etc) because they thought they were explaining the world - or trying to control it by sacrificing stuff to it. And in modern times because of culture, nurture or religious experience.

YANBU. Of course there's no god.

I prefer fairytales with happy endings.

Laurie, cats shouldn't drink cows' milk. The lactose is VERY bad for them. The dairy industry isn't scavenging - but that's for another thread.

So, people these days believe it because of tradition - that doesn't prove that god exists.

Of course there's no such thing as a religious experience. People may claim to have them, but that doesn't mean that they have.

BoojaB.

YOU can believe what you like, YANBU to do so. However other people are at liberty to believe what they like too.

Of course there's no such thing as a religious experience. People may claim to have them, but that doesn't mean that they have.

And How could you possibly know that?

Of course there is no god. You hide the thread then, thumbwitch - like many religious people put their heads in the sand when reasoned argument comes there way.

Religion has caused mass suffering, death and destruction on a horrific scale. [anger]

It's ridiculous to claim there's a god because you "know" it is - what a load of nonsense (and that's putting it politely).

You can't claim that there's no such thing as a religious experience, you're not THEM, it's an individual thing.

I don't think anyone is trying to prove to the OP that god exists, tisnt possible - just like she can't prove there isn't.

Why don't you just believe what you like, then others can believe what they like and people can be tolerant and nice to each other.

Love, Pollyanna

There is absolutely no proof that anyone has had a religious experience. There are people who hope that they have, but no proof. Ever.

The world is full of people preaching, testifying, trying to convert. If god's capable of bringing on religious experience than why doesn't he prove its existence en masse? A bit of conclusive proof?? Because that would never happen. Because there is no god.

But it isn't up to me to prove that there isn't a god - it's up to believers to prove that there is. Like I posted earlier, if I claimed to see a flying saucer, I would need to show evidence to support this. It wouldn't be up to others to disprove my claim.

Religion + tolerance, Laurie - that would never work.

Saying "of course there is no god" and believing that on its own is a 'reasoned argument' is not that convincing by the way.

Did you have something more thrilling up your sleeve ?

There is no conclusive evidence to support the case for god's existence and therefore it is reasonable to state that there is no god.

Good, so IANBU!

Phew!

So why SugarPaste would god be interested in people preaching his word, if he's no bothered if we believe or not?

That makes no sense.

There isn't a god.

You are correct. Come join the Athiests corner.