Even beyond this specific thread and this forum, very few atheists have ever said "following Jesus is stupid because there isn't any historical evidence that he even existed." Both clauses are not things usually said by atheists.
I don't know if the man jesus existed or if he was the son of god but most people christian,muslim and jew and any other religion, would have to agree that the man as portrayed in the bible was a kind,loving person who would be a good role model to follow if you wanted a better world.
Some people seem to instinctively think that there is life after death. Others don't. I don't think it's the kind of question that can be resolved by arguing about it.
I don't know what the Answer is. I do know that I never will, until my atoms become reunited with the Infinite... ... at which point, it will cease to be a puzzle, and it won't bother me any more. Dayum. They get ya comin' and goin'.
Totally. It's just unfortunately that: a) the various people that wrote the Bible talked about a bunch of other pretty ridiculous, sometimes clearly wrong, and often contradictory stuff as well. b) many people who claim to be Christians (and particularly their leaders) spend so much time on the crazy and wrong stuff and so little time on emulating that good role model.
He was a Socialist, hell to the no on this! I do like that he was a 33 year old single guy with lots of girls following him around, if you know what i mean!
Not sure about that...The way Jesus is portrayed in children's books might be like that. But in the NT, he clearly states that he has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it...something many Christians seem to have forgotten. He's always in support of the OT laws, which by all modern standards are immoral. In fact, he even goes beyond them, radicalizing them. He introduces the concept of thought crimes, something that wasn't present in Judaism before. Now it's not only adultery that's a sin, but lust for another woman is equally bad. Not only murder is a sin, but having angry thoughts is equally bad. Or take this little gem: Taken literally, this is of course beyond stupid and nobody should ever live according to that teaching. But even if we take it figuratively this is bad, because it demands people to ignore their human nature instead of dealing with it, instead of working to understand it, alter it or channel it for something positive. People believing that kind of nonsense can easily lead to them getting a psychotic breakdown. Like the gay (or for that matter even straight) person who hates himself for his unholy thoughts. So even if there was a real Jesus who said these things, and assuming he was well meaning, following his lead would still be terrible advice. But then, not even Christians do...instead they follow a cartoon version of Jesus.
I'm not trying to convince you "following Jesus" is stupid, I'm stating that it is. I'm a good person and 'love my neighbors' so beleiving in fairytales has nothing to do with it.
Sorry, that's the same as "I'm not preaching, I'm just telling you what I think." It's a lie when people I agree with say it, too.
I dunno. It's not like Gordon (or anyone else here) has any illusions about convincing Stilton that there isn't a god.
I think Jesus Christ could come back from the dead and told Stilton that there are/is no gods/god and Stilton would not believe him
Wait a minute. The Ten Commandments are in the Old Testament. I know because Moes came down from the mountain with them. I don't have them memorized anymore, but one of them is "You shall not covet thy neighbor's wife". "Covet" is thought. Notably, there is no separate commandment prohibiting actual sexual activity; it's the thought that counts. On close examination, the comandments seem to have a fair amount of loopholes. For instance, this one only applies to the neighborhood.
So can anyone make a statement or argument without the purpose being to preach or convince someone else to come round to their way of thinking?
Is there life after death? Maybe now is the moment of truth, when the answer might just be revealed to us ... on an iPhone app. Steve??? Can you hear me now?
let's see... who would say that Jesus didn't exist? oh, i know. kindergarten teachers and people who like to wear green shoes and cosmetologists from semi-urban Arkansas and pitch-pipe testers and waffle iron sculpture artists... but never atheists. no.
I'm sure you don't realize, but you're making no sense. You implied that the atheists in this forum, specifically on this thread, have argued that "following Jesus is stupid because there isn't any historical evidence that he even existed." If what you wanted to say was that some atheists somewhere have said similar things, then you probably should have made that clearer. 'Cause it sure didn't sound like that's what you meant. There are plenty of atheists who think Jesus may very well have existed, and you know that perfectly well. So it's not a matter of who would say that Jesus didn't exist. The more relevant question is: Who did say that. And the answer, of course, is: Nobody. Your persecution complex doesn't reflect very positively on your faith.
When I hear a question like this, I wonder why it is being asked. Just curious? Want to be convinced by the majority that may emerge on the yes side? Want to poke fun at the minority that may emerge on the yes side? Interested in living your life one way if the answer is yes, another way if the answer is no? Something else perhaps?
I think the most important question is, "are we earthlings alone in the universe". And if we aren't alone should we say hello to them and expect a friendly reply or would they be more inclined to eat us for lunch. I'd like to know the answer to that question.
Yes actually I posted the question just out of curiousity of what others think. I answered my own question with not sure. "A better world full of self-righteous, sanctimonious prigs..." Really that is what you think of jesus as portryed in the bible? I'm not really a religious person but certainly what I get from jesus in the bible is just a kind,loving and forgiving person. Certainly whether there is life on other planets is also an important question but what is more important the wondering if your existence will go on or cease after your death?
Jesus obviously is portrayed as kind, loving, compassionate and all that. But you have to admit he's also pretty sanctimonious.