The Great Debate -- Religion

Jack's original comments from the previous blog, "Let me ask you this... How many other religions offer Eternal Life for FREE given by a risen Savior who is God Himself?"

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Eternal life for free? I do not believe that was the focus of my initial interest or query. Nor do I have the desire to become the backstop to anyone's pontification. I respectfully request to avoid any dogmatic entanglements for the sake of debate. However you are free to say whatever you like, and please, by all means speak candidly.

Here is what I find to be true 99% of the time. Religious followers have a tendency to lock themselves into this figurative room of their cultures religion and presume to know the truth of our existence. From their little room with walls and no skyline they presume to preach "the truth" about the heavens; the truth of our existence and of the world, visions of the future -- all from their little room. Meanwhile, next to them in their little room, is another isolationist locked in their figurative room of their cultures religion, shouting from the doorway their proverbial truth. They all shout so loud from their doors that a funny thing happens. Because they never leave their figurative comfort zone, they never truly see one another. And with all the shouting they never take the time to listen.

They presume to know based on their bias. They blindly grasp at what they want to believe and they miss out on the very thing they so desire to see.

Now anyone here can claim to have studied all of the worlds religions and the history of these religions. They can say they have taken a liberal arts approach. They can stand behind scientific method acknowledging all the while that condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance. They can claim to have covered all bases. Whether that is true or not is reflected in your sentiments often unbeknownst to most others including yourself.

If it is truth you seek, then do not presume to know how to move the earth from an island. However, if it is comfort you seek then stay on that island.

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Comment by Cryptocurrency on May 11, 2011 at 8:58pm: Vincent, you copied your second to last reply from notepad! I can tell by the format lmao! Lol I hate when that happens!!

Comment by Cryptocurrency on May 11, 2011 at 8:42pm: ... or we could just jettison government and religion... all become philosophers... debate the issue for a few centuries... until we finally realize after all of our philosophical waxings and postulations that we need government and religion after all :)

Comment by Cryptocurrency on May 11, 2011 at 8:28pm: Yes, I have heard it too Nikki. And I have seen the unhappiness. But because people are speaking does not mean there is diplomacy or debate. The former require the other party to listen and to take things into consideration. What most people do is argue because they do not know how to communicate effectively and consequentially offend others needlessly. Hence the metaphor I used in the above blog posting. The failure to listen and encourage open communication in regards to religion or politics is to neglect the twin pillars of civilization: government and religion. Without either, you have no societal structure or moral tenets bounding men and woman to virtue.

Comment by Nikki on May 11, 2011 at 7:43pm: This is a debate I've heard my entire life. I've seen much unhappiness come out of it and I've even seen families break up because of it. We know that wars have been started over religion and many have died and are still dying for their beliefs. And that's how the elites win.

I read all comments and every one of you presented your side well. I just happened to agree a bit more with Charles and Vincent didn't appreciate that but Krypke said we could speak candidly but I guess that means everyone except Nikki. In every debate someone is declared a winner but in this discussion no one can really be the winner (unless your Henry VIII). That said, I think you're all winners for even debating such a hot topic.

I do think it would be more interesting if some mention were made of the Crusades, the Inquisition, Martin Luther, the French Revolution, Shia vs Shiites, etc., and of course Osama's 72 virgins.

Vincent asks if I'm an atheist. Actually, I think we are ALL atheists because we think everyone else's religious beliefs are wrong except for our own.

Comment by Cryptocurrency on May 11, 2011 at 6:12pm: People for thousands of years have shared their perspective's on religion and the metaphysical. It is when the communication is impeded or arrested that division occurs. To solely focus on religion or any topic is good from time to time. Why not debate these topics? It is adversity that drives us, teaches us our weaknesses, boasts our strengths; it is debate and diplomacy that helps us come together and understand each other; build each other up by opening those doors of communication. No one can be heard through closed doors.

Comment by Thomas Gambill on May 11, 2011 at 6:00pm: The details make the difference as to whether a soul not knowing the truth will end up in Heaven or an eternal Hell.

Comment by Thomas Gambill on May 11, 2011 at 5:59pm: @Nikki Charles is not remotely a winner but in reality he is behind the 8 ball. I am waiting for the sources for his errant claims. One can only debate when the "debaters" have sources. He has none to substantiate his false claims. This is a bad start.

Comment by Nikki on May 11, 2011 at 5:40pm: @Vincent, I think only a handful have weighed in on this topic because most here know the elites have used religion to divide and conquer. You're arguing over details and this is exactly what they want you to do. Why are you letting the elites win?

Comment by Nikki on May 11, 2011 at 5:32pm: Is this debate over yet? Clearly Charles is the winner here.

Comment by Thomas Gambill on May 11, 2011 at 5:08pm: @Vincent; Good point. I can only guess that people are, Private, afraid of ridicule, feel that its subject that can never really be settled, one can only make conjecture as to the major reasons.