Welcome to Gaia! ::

Oh dear, I think that's going to completely confuse the conversation... sweatdrop


Sounds benevolent. 3nodding rolleyes


So why is it there (In the case of humans)?


That's untrue. Was it Genie's fault for not having the knowledge to speak?


Sorry, I can die with that. rolleyes mrgreen

Well, if Hell would only be painful to people who believe in God and depend on Him, and the requirements for getting into Heaven are to believe in God and depend on Him, then it would seem that Hell would only be painful to the people who aren't going there anyway.


Sorry; asking questions is in my nature. Why? Because I know that I don't know everything.

Yup.



Parents punish their children. God punishes his children. We were warned of the punishment in the Bible.



Punishment.



What?



It's not just seperation from God. It's eternal suffering.

Something can be achieved. Haven't you ever heard of a child never doing a specific thing because of fear of a punishment? God warned us. We know the price, even if we choose not to believe it.


Again: another purpose of punishment is to frighten the subject into not doing it at all.


Very interesting thing, Google.
Anyway, the difference is that we were taught to speak (using the metaphor). Genie was not. She is then like a child: Not knowing enough to make decisions for herself, she would go straight to heaven.


Told by whom?

Of course you can't. You'll be dead if it happens.

That was me, and that was my personal interpretation of Hell. No one knows what it's like, except by what's been outlined in the bible, which takes some sifting through interpretations.

I would like to know two things. What does that quote have to do with anything. And why do you think this (or most everything) is an argument? You approach them all the same, as though you have something to prove.

Which quote?


Tell you what; try joining an atheist guild and see how long you go before you get into an argument.

I promise to you that I am not normally this contentious. But when pretty much the only topics in this guild concern something that I disagree with, I find it difficult not to disagree. And of course, my disagreement tends to incite arguments.

I'm usually not even trying. In fact, I'm sure that I would get along with pretty much everyone here if we ever talked about anything else.

Besides, my defined job in this guild is to offer a new perspective and question your faith. If I don't do that, then there's really no reason in me being here. That's why I'm arguing for abortion in the abortion thread; no one else will. I quite frankly have no opinion on the matter.

This one.


I probably would, but it's important to discern which is an argument and which isn't. We're not arguing here, unless we begin to pull out irrational statements and fight in circles, attacking the statements and ourselves.

Define your new prespective; I have no problem with that. wink


That's a good point. I know I felt that way when my folks first took me to church.

But that's not the same religion contradicting itself. I'll cover this in the next quote.


It's a matter of belief. I believe, with all my heart, mind, and soul that I have chosen correctly; just as a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Mormon has.


First, college and God are two totally different subjects. If you know which college you want to go to, then are you automatically set for the afterlife?
Second, you have plenty of information. You know all the different religions; and if you don't you can easily look it up. Again, you just have to pick one that you truly believe in and stick with it.


Those aren't religions then. A religion is a group of people that believe in a God. What you are talking about is a faith. That's more broad, and includes a shared belief in something by a group of believers.

I'm gonna tell you again: Try all of them. Pick the one that you truly believe in.


Again, two totally different concepts.