Quote Originally Posted by hseries4
I'll have a discussion with somebody who will approach the situation with an open mind as I vow to do the same, but I usually don't debate about certain things, especially religion... Everyone eventually wants to pull the proof card.

The concept of being religious is based upon a faithful devotion [to God in this situation] so you can't really prove anything in the first place. Science often uses records from the past and people just accept them. Often times they are proof just for the sake of them being able to be recreated, but there are often times situations (such as numerous ancient technologies that people can't figure out) that people still say must have happened because it was written down. Then the Bible comes along, and since somebody had to write it down, there lies the issue of validity. Just like the post above... People feed off of physical/tangible things that they can see, but if I tell you I'm feeling sick, you just have to believe me. I can't spontaneously throw up to prove it, but you can't prove that I'm not either. I know this, in some ways, opens up a completely different way of thinking, but it's the principle. I'll discuss things all day because, with some people, nobody will win a debate in religion.

That being said, I'm glad my God can't be proven; I'm glad that He can't be figured out, and I'm glad that He is ultimately in control. What kind of God would He be if I could figure Him out like my best friend, or I knew what He was going to do before He did it like my girlfriend? That's weak, son! His mind boggling principle is what makes Him God..

Anyway, last point and I'm done:
...Anybody who gets mad at the whole issue of religion being forced upon people need to chill. Of course you'll always have people being irrational about things, but kids that are brought up in Christianity aren't forced to believe in God. They are introduced to something and it's up to them to take it as it is and apply it if they want... Just about everyone could have sworn Santa was real, but you get older and you start to think for yourself. Even for the parents that say "you will go to church" can't make that person believe.. It's a choice. How are you going to be a grown man (or woman) and being forced by someone to believe something? It's just not going to happen. And for the comment made of the helping/converting in less fortunate countries, more often than not, the conversion happens just for the sake of them being introduced to something new. Nobody forces it upon them, but quite frankly, there aren't too many other people who are selfless enough to sacrifice their American life to live somewhere else to do it, so what do you expect when somebody of that influence enters their life?

I may post again.. I may not... I'm just the type of Christian who won't force anything upon you, won't condemn you, and won't disrespect your beliefs and, therefore, hate to have mine disrespected by being categorized with the hypocritical people that give everyone else a bad rep.

Dueces
You are not being categorized with hypocrites, you are simply being subjected to the same criteria that determines the validity of everything else we perceive to be reality. So, and I say this will all due respect, please spare us the religious "hurt feelings" card. Your belief system is not above rational inquiry, or impervious to rational criticism.

If Christianity is not imposed, then why do we teach children, the most impressionable, and precious people in our society that they will burn in hell, and suffer eternal torment if they do not share their parents belief system. This is by it's very nature a passive aggressive threat, and is a very sick thing to subject a child to indeed.

"We have to admire in humility the beautiful harmony of the structure of this world- as far as we can grasp it. And that is all. -Albert Einstein"