Well then, I must be an athiest defined as: Atheist: 1. One who denies or disbelieves the existence of an idol. 2. One who practically denies the existence of an idol by disregard of moral obligation to Him; an idolless man. B. attrib. as adj. Atheistic, impious. Question: Do you believe there is a God beyond the god-of-this-world god? Jesus
If God knows the future he cannot change it. For example, if God 'knows' that the S&P will close at 1300.00 but then 'changes' the future to have the S&P close at 1305.00 instead then it was never 'in the future' to close 1300.00 Prayer changes nothing. If fact, if there was a God, it would be impertient to 'ask' for anything. If a relative/friend is sick, it is either in God's will for them to die or not to die. Either you want God to 'do his own will' (an oft-quoted statement when believers babble..er..I mean pray) or you are asking him to do YOUR will. If he wants them to die then they will regardless of your desires. If you are a believer there is only ONE reason to pray: express thankfulness.
Is that a euphemism for you can't answer my question? Is my usage of the word atheist reasonable or not? If not why not.?
Indeed, if the future can be "read", it is static. Who wrote it is long gone. The script is multiple choice, offering the illusion of choice. Praying to this script-writer is an expression of what you want to see. By this act one is really choosing to change scenarios within a larger script-base. So there is left the impression that the script-writer is answering prayer, when in fact, you are simply operating within the laws of this world, which is: You will see what you believe. You believe it because you want it. However, all the scripts and sub-scripts end morbidly. If you pray for the will of the script-writer, be sure its will is to kill you sooner or later, depending how much it would prefer to mock you first. In this way, the appearance of choice is offered, only to find out the script-writer was mocking those who thought they could choose and run their own life, so-to-speak. So there is really only one choice: Exit stage left, or exit stage right. In this context, the only prayer that makes sense is a prayer that everything be restored to your awareness that you have thrown away. Everything is yours. Ask to "know" this. Jesus
I would say that after reading my quote of the oxford english dictionary - your usage is not supported.
I am not. My view is the following - when debating and atheist - Top physicists particular string theorists state that if we have one universe we looked designed. But they claim we have almost infinite universes. Therefore o take you debate about belief further - every outcome happens - you just have to believe your way into the universe you favor. ------- However, until proven otherwise, I think it is much more likely that we do not have infinite universes. You see I only profess scientific belief in things I can observe, test or feel. Therefore I do not believe the multiverse speculation used in part to defeat the design inference. Therefore the fact that top scientists now admit that our universe is fine tuned - leads me to conclude it is more likely than not we have a creator. ===== Now the characteristics I believe the Creator has, are based on my faith.
jem, As an aside: string theory lies on the borderline of science and nonsense so don't rely on it too heavily to either support or refute any discussions that you might encounter. Those who even begin to understand this/these theories are NOT posting on Elite Trader. However, I do commend you for your last post in which you, finally, admit that you are relying on FAITH. Trying to justify a belief in God using science makes for bad science and bad religion. Some of us demand evidence to define our world view; some of us don't. In the end, it would seem preposterous for a supreme creator to expel their creation to eternal damnation for using the very logic that they were endowed. This leads me to believe that the existance of the "Creator" is a fairy-tale (most likely) OR people have mis-interpretupted the ends of that creator. Personally, my only prayer is this: "Dear God, please protect me from your believers".
Try an infinite number of big bang(s), but each with the same design: To destroy the Truth. You can believe your way into the universe you favor, but will not find the Truth there either. The Truth is: there is no big bang(s), therefore, no almost infinite multi-verses. Each is fine-tuned to decieve. It's get's pretty rediculous when an impressive design evokes praise and worship for the designer. None of this is God's Will. So it must be a farce. Here is a secret. This universe replaces [usurps] *our Father* with another, which goes by the names "god", "the universe", "source", "intelligent universe", "consciousness", "Christ consciousness", "energy", "creator"...anything that would replace [usurp] *our Father, and put itself in his place as *our Creator*. The intent is the same: To be our own maker. This is our wish fulfilled. This is a world where separation seems normal, and a far away god is good...or evil...however you want to see. Even a "near" god is used for deception, to uphold the world's premises. Can you see what the "design" is all about now? Jesus
I am not - after months of obfuscation you are comfortable coming out and preaching an Eastern ideal of God. Lets just say for me it goes 3 ways. 1. No God 2. God as in the God of the old testament with a reasonable debate about the divinity of Jesus 3. Eastern God which is really no God but for a strong sales pitch about everyone being God. I find your definition of God to be the least likely. I for sure know I am not God and I am not deceiving myself when I say it. I think therefore I am not God. If I were God I would not be thinking. I would be.