it seems to me that there is some confusion regarding "knowing" that there is a creator and "knowing" that creator. i "know" that there is a creator. i do not know if one can know the creator. does this make sense axe, dan, other atheists ?? best, surf
You should pray, you should fast. You should ask God for guidance, you should ask God for help.... Continue to pray throughout this night. Continue to recite the Quran. -- Mohamed Atta (attributed), in a five-page hand-written document found in luggage belonging to Atta which had been placed on the wrong plane, in a section of the document titled "The Last Night," quoted from Bob Woodward, "Hijacker Leaves Behind Sheaf Of Prayers And Instructions," Washington Post (September 28, 2001)
And that was a false religion. I'll get to that soon. Moreover, many will be shocked, but I will also denounce catholicism.
it makes sense in that i understand what you are saying. your answer to my question "how do you know", is that it is an innate sense you have. do we all have such an innate sense? if i had it, wouldn't i be aware of it? that's kind of hard to swallow, because, as far i can see, man at birth is essentially the same as any other man at birth...so then this 'innate knowledge' would have to be genetically passed on... my question then would be, at what stage did this innate knowledge start being included in genetic coding? if mankind evolved from more primitive life forms (i'm guessing that we are all emotinally and intelligently mature enough to realise that evolution occurs) then what you are basically saying is that people with this "innate" knowledge are actually a different strand of life form to people who don't. (any biolgical anthropologists out there, feel free to interject) do all members of your family share this 'innate knowledge"? if not, i guess it's not genetically inherited... are there any other kinds of innate knowledge, apart from knolwedge of a creator, that some people have but others don't?
so, it doesn't really matter how you live the rest of your life? as long as you love god you'll be okay? is that what you're trying to say? the thing with that is, can you really be COMMANDED to love someone? isn't love a voluntary gesture? don't we love those who give us a reason to love them? are we supposed to love god MORE than anybody or anything else? that seems kind of weird,...being commanded to love someone...
Many people get shaken up by the latest big words and fancy ideas coming from dead souls called atheists and scoffers. This ought not to be. Romans chapter 1 tells us that they KNOW God is. Yes, yes, some of them have lied to themselves so many times that they begin to believe there is no God--BUT--things like guilt, hurt, hatred, despondency, need, and emptiness still plague these people. Their emotions, desires and actions cannot be adequately explained through their evolutionary world view. It's hard on 'em to figure it all out. Psychiatrists are making a killing. Let's look at Romans chapter 1: 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Now see there? The Bible tells us all about the scoffer and the atheist. They KNOW He is real. So next time somebody gets in your face about YOUR God, there is no need to be shaken in mind. Just give them the reason for the truth that lieth within you--Christ crucified and risen. If they don't want to hear it, just shake the dust off of your feet and move on. There is somebody that wants to hear.
wait a minute.. you didn't address the other questions i asked. also, rather than posting quote after quote from the bible, why not just maintain a dialogue directly with me. i'm one of the bigger 'non-believers' here, and i'm pretty sure my views are representative of other atheists, so why not engage in a more converstational style with me, rather than all those undirected posts. (cos it sort of comes across like you're trying to win converts) i promise, i won't attack your faith, i'll just try and understand it a ilttle better...and people will get a better chance to hear where you are coming from too.
A couple of things to think about... [1] The atheist comes to you with a presupposition that there is no God. In so doing, he goes against the grain of the majority of mankind from the very beginning of time. People have been worshipping God for thousands of years and the maverick atheist says God ain't real--is not the burden of proof on him to show that past, present and future multitudes are wrong? [2] Given that God simply is (He's the I am) why argue an already established fact? Evolutionists are just as wrong as the day is long but they start from the position that evolution is true and that God has nothing to do with creation. They do not argue this. Why then do we Christians feel that we must prove God's existence to evil men? That is ridiculous when you think about it. Don't let scoffers get you on the ropes. The Bible says, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous is as bold as a lion." I love that verse. Give 'em the old time gospel.