Damming Myself

Good luck with that.

Skeptik,
I think God grants everyone free will, and they can do as they please. My only question to you is this, what do you have to lose by believing in God? What do you have to gain by "not believing" in God? IF I am wrong by believing in Christ, and I die, then I have missed nothing, because according to you, then I will just cease to exist. If however, I am right, then I move on to a better place. On the other hand, if you are wrong, and have failed to acknowledge God, then you can spend an eternity of torment. To me there is no dilemma, why even take that chance? What do you have to lose? Is there anything that God is asking you do that makes it that hard for you to acknowledge him? Eternal ****ation is a powerful thing to be taken so lightly, I pray that you reconsider.

Skeptik,
I hate to say it but you have worked your way into an impasse. Now bear with me. Let’s start with the simple logic. How can you deny something you don’t believe exists? The only way you can condemn yourself to hell is to know God exists and then deny salvation. So by denying he exists and condemning yourself to hell you have acknowledged God. That can’t happen if you are an atheist. If you are an atheist then you can’t deny God because you don’t believe he exists. It is a paradox.

But what does it mean for the faithful? I hate to break it to you, but it means you will always have a chance for redemption until the point of death or if you truly gain the Christian faith and then deny it. That means you’ll be “pestered” for the remainder of your life.

Now let’s take a different approach. If you deny God exists and, thereby, can’t reject God because he doesn’t exist then under other faiths you still have a chance after death. Some faiths believe in the ability to pray for one’s soul after death. It is a big problem between a couple of faiths. One faith doesn’t want the other faith praying for their dead. Now what?

I’ve said it over and over and over. Faith is a strange abstract concept making it, at best, difficult to perceive another person’s faith. You really can’t judge a man’s soul, especially if the man doesn’t believe he has a soul. It is only in your faith that the judgment lies.
Are you willing to tell all these people you actually believe in God just so you can prove that you can condemn yourself? In truth that would be blasphemy to your proclamation of an absence of faith. You can’t win. You’ll have to wait until you die.

In the meantime I’ll search for a faith where you can condemn yourself in an easier fashion. But you’ll still have the problem of accepting a faith before you can condemn yourself before you die.

Whatever floats your boat Skep.
Best Wishes though!

I deny Thor.


DF


!!! AAAhhhhhhh! Lightning!!!!!!

quote:

My only question to you is this, what do you have to lose by believing in God?

The same as you, friend.

How do you know you are worshiping the right god? The only reason you worship the one you do now is because you were born in a Christian nation. If you were born in the Jungle, you'd worship the Grass Monkey. If you were born in Scandinavia . . . Well, you'd be an atheist now but hundreds of years ago you would have worshiped Odin. If you were born at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what used to be known as Eden, you'd be a Muslim or else.

It seems to me that the safest wager is to deny all of them lest one of them get jealous and take me away from this life.

quote:

If you are an atheist then you can’t deny God because you don’t believe he exists. It is a paradox.

A-son, are you an a-Santaist? If so, how can that be? You cannot deny that Santa exists unless you actually believe in Santa, right?

T-minus 21 hours, 55 minutes and counting.

a⋅the⋅ist
–noun
In a forum, someone who garners attention by discussing his opinions on belief system no one asked him about.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:

quote:

If you are an atheist then you can’t deny God because you don’t believe he exists. It is a paradox.

A-son, are you an a-Santaist? If so, how can that be? You cannot deny that Santa exists unless you actually believe in Santa, right?

T-minus 21 hours, 55 minutes and counting.

Sit down for this one because you are going to get a knee slapping laugh. At first read I read it as Satanist. I stopped and started thinking, “What is he saying?” And then it sunk in, Santa. The word is Santa.

The problem . . . I do believe in Santa. Don’t pass out. Santa ends up as an abstract being. Santa is my representation of a child’s innocence. Our family still has gifts from Santa, for he exists. Just not in the form you expect. That is why I say you can’t argue an abstract concept.

Let me explain a little further. I believe you are an atheist. I believe the scripture means you must have the knowledge that God exists to be able to purposely deny his gift of salvation. Then how can you deny his gift of salvation if he doesn’t exist? If I wanted to convert you then I have until your moment of death. Then if I conform to those other faiths I can still work on you. The only way you don’t get pestered is if I respect your lack of faith. But most atheists would declare me sinful if I don’t try to “bring you into the fold”. That doesn’t work either. They don’t know my personal faith so they can’t condemn me. And, if they do condemn me then they acknowledge my faith and are no longer atheist.

I’m getting a headache. Too many abstract concepts.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:

quote:

My only question to you is this, what do you have to lose by believing in God?

The same as you, friend.

How do you know you are worshiping the right god? The only reason you worship the one you do now is because you were born in a Christian nation. If you were born in the Jungle, you'd worship the Grass Monkey. If you were born in Scandinavia . . . Well, you'd be an atheist now but hundreds of years ago you would have worshiped Odin. If you were born at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what used to be known as Eden, you'd be a Muslim or else.

It seems to me that the safest wager is to deny all of them lest one of them get jealous and take me away from this life.

Like, I said I have nothing to lose. Your argument is a mute point. If you think you are denying another god his or her just distinction, by belief in my God and his son Jesus, then you don't believe anyways. Your premise that organized religion is the root of all the world's problems, just doesn't wash with me (and reading between the lines, that is where you are taking this argument). The Bible which is available to me, says that for me Jesus is the only way. Therefore that is the choice I have made. Good and evil were in the world before me, and will continue until you and I are gone, unless God returns.
Like I said, in this crux of the argument, YOU are the only one that has set himself up to lose. Besides you don't have to deny Christ, you are already doing so by your failure to believe. Though your "time" is essentially up, it does not have to be, all you have to do is confess that Jesus is the son of God and ask for forgiveness. My God does not hold any grudges. BTW, I am still praying for you, I know the clock is ticking, but your timeline does not mean anything, it is the big guy upstairs who is holding the watch....

quote:

In a forum, someone who garners attention by discussing his opinions on belief system no one asked him about.

"Troll" Pronounced, "ran FE-nix-ing' noun

A subspecies of the genus Homo Sapien-sapiens that hurls virtual poo upon forum participants from the sidelines rather than participating in genuine intellectual intercourse.

quote:

genuine intellectual intercourse.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:

quote:

In a forum, someone who garners attention by discussing his opinions on belief system no one asked him about.

"Troll" Pronounced, "ran FE-nix-ing' noun

A subspecies of the genus Homo Sapien-sapiens that hurls virtual poo upon forum participants from the sidelines rather than participating in genuine intellectual intercourse.

Is that the same as "Mental Masturbation"?

quote:

Is that the same as "Mental Masturbation"?

Yup.

T-minus 19 hours.

quote:

Then how can you deny his gift of salvation if he doesn’t exist?

A-son,

I agree with you that it is impossible to deny god if he does not exist but then that makes the bible completely wrong because it says, right there, that it is unforgivable to deny Him.

Perhaps there is something magical about the incantation, "I deny the holy spirit" (*) that causes a disconnection between Yahweh and my soul?

Evidently, I can rape, murder, rob and fornicate but if I utter that phrase, I'm busted. Wrap your head around that'n will ya?

(*please note that I did not actually say the incantation. There is nothing in the bible that says I cannot send that phrase across the interwebs . . . But now that I'm thinking about it, you, A-son, just read those words so they obviously went through your mind. Are you just as doomed as I now?)

quote:

Like, I said I have nothing to lose.

Well, no, you have as much to lose as I if you are worshiping the wrong god.

quote:

Besides you don't have to deny Christ, you are already doing so by your failure to believe.

"Failure to believe" is an interesting concept. One the describes me perfectly. I have "tried" to believe but I have "failed."

Evidently, Yahweh thinks that such a colossal failure of intellect despite the effort is deserving of roasting my soul over a bed of coals for eternity.

How does one force oneself to believe in the absence of compelling evidence?

T-minus 1 hour, 25 minutes.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
But now that I'm thinking about it, you, A-son, just read those words so they obviously went through your mind. Are you just as doomed as I now?

Well now don't you feel the least bit guilty about that? You should have started the whole thing with "WARNING - Reading this post will condemn you to hell. Read at your own risk." Does that make you a domestic terrorist? Because I'm sure a lot of people are reading it. But it is kind of like having a car wreck. You read it and then think, "What just happened?"

In all honesty Skep, I respect your opinion. I was simply making a point I guess. There are so many opinions and interpretations on various faiths out there you would have a difficult time making sure you covered all your bases. Take reincarnation, the best you can do is bring yourself back as a bug in a pile of poo.

I understand you are actually targeting one faith, and more specifically one person's point of view. But I jumped in just to poke at you a little. I could share my opinion but it doesn't really matter right now. We'll see where all this goes.

I do have one question. If something happens and a demon shows up at your door with a barbecue fork and a smile, are you going to post and let us know before you're fried? I don't know if you get any last words. I mean look at DF, he is playing around with Thor. He is liable to get the whole block blown away in an electrical storm. Good thing he is on the other coast.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
The only reason you worship the one you do now is because you were born in a Christian nation.

The U.S. is not a Christian nation! The last time I checked, the Constitution is secular.

If you mean that we are have mostly Christian, then why do you claim that we are a Female nation or a White nation.

The right response is that they are a victim of geography.

quote:

It seems to me that the safest wager is to deny all of them lest one of them get jealous and take me away from this life.

That is a safer choice. You are just being true to what you intellect tells you.

quote:

In all honesty Skep, I respect your opinion.

It goes both ways, bucko.

quote:

Originally posted by teyates:
I think God grants everyone free will, and they can do as they please. My only question to you is this, what do you have to lose by believing in God?

That argument is called Pascal's Wager. You actually have much to lose. If God doesn't exist, you will have lived your life for a lie.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" 1 Peter 3:15. You ought to give the reason why you believe. You ought to convince Skeptik on logical terms, not make appeals to his emotion. That just won't work with him.

quote:

Is there anything that God is asking you do that makes it that hard for you to acknowledge him?

Skeptik may be a lot of things, but he is not a liar. It would be a lye for him to acknowledge God.

quote:

Eternal ****ation is a powerful thing to be taken so lightly, I pray that you reconsider.

How nice of you to pull out going to the bad place for a finite crime. Infinite punishment for finite crimes is immoral.

Best,

can't we just find some old bum. dam him and go from there!

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
It is exactly 8:33am on February 17th. Those of you who wish to save my poor soul have 24 hours to do so. If you fail, I shall utter the incantation at this time tomorrow morning thereby sealing my fate forever.

You're a dead man.

quote:

Originally posted by micah_freethinker:

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
It is exactly 8:33am on February 17th. Those of you who wish to save my poor soul have 24 hours to do so. If you fail, I shall utter the incantation at this time tomorrow morning thereby sealing my fate forever.

You're a dead man.

are you a drummer micah??

I understand that your immortal soul can be saved by cutting off your head and driving a stake through your heart. I will save you, Skep! I will not let you go into the abyss dammed!

Do I get a cookie, now?

quote:

Do I get a cookie, now?

No, you get a restraining order!

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
No, you get a restraining order!

The whole theory of "purification and justification by fire and pain"...

Pass.

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:

quote:

Do I get a cookie, now?

No, you get a restraining order!

LOL! We watched Dracula (the Gary Oldman version) last night and that's how they saved his soul after he rejected God. Yep, the ol' stake through the heart... Works every time!

quote:

Your argument is a mute point.

Pun?


OOH, girl! That was the good remake! I keep on waiting for that silly Mina to die every time, but that dumb bell never does. Just like on the when the History Channel becomes the Civil War channel -- even after the 7 days, Lee don't ever get to pull it off, not ever! But Sami and ex-Luis off of Passions are hooking up soon on Days of Our Lives, so evidently there is justice in fiction, even sans orangutan, and hopefully, New Belle and New Sean are going to drown on Fancy Face XXIV. They got tired rapidly.

Eleven and a half hours until god strikes Skep dead.

Skep, if I were you, I'd have a big dinner of sacrificial linguine with clams, some garlic bread, a little salad with feta and walnuts, a nice Chianti, and some tiramisu.

Then, a couple games of backgammon with the family, loser takes out the garbage, and some serious reflection on whether linguine is pasta enough to satisfy the FSM.

Anything else could be dangerous.


DF

I am sharpening my stake just in case...

quote:

Eleven and a half hours until god strikes Skep dead.

No hell nawl! I'm just offering up my soul, for crying out loud. I said nothing about my physical body!

. . . Ya think He's akshully gonna smite me dead for uttering those, you know, words?

T-minus 11 hours, 17 minutes.

quote:

I am sharpening my stake just in case...

And I'm locking my doors and putting on a fresh pair of underwear, just in case.

Just to be on the safe side, I hope you had the linguine tonight.


DF

George,

That poster makes me want to deny the Holy Spirit, too.


DF

Skep,

May I have your goose own vest?

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
I've decided to damm my own soul for your entertainment, and, perhaps, prevent Brother Bloviator from further attempts to call me to god.

According to another thread, there are unforgivable sins that, once committed, damm your soul to eternal hell with no chance of redemption.

This notion seem to come mostly from the book of Mark. According to Mark (3:28-29) "Truly I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter: but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin."

So, according to this scripture, if I utter the incantation "I deny the Holy Spirit," then my soul shall be condemned forever and perhaps Brother Bloviator will stop pestering me about getting saved.

It is exactly 8:33am on February 17th. Those of you who wish to save my poor soul have 24 hours to do so. If you fail, I shall utter the incantation at this time tomorrow morning thereby sealing my fate forever.

I find it an oxymoron statement to claim something does not exist, but then also make sure you are dammed by it?

I have to wonder why you did not go to the trouble of denying all god's by name? And researching each religion to figure out what can be said that or done that would be considered unforgivable in each one to make sure you are dammed by all?

Then I find it even more a oxymoron statement when the question is often asked: What makes your God the only one that is right? Then you answer that question by your own actions by making sure "that" God damms you.

It shows that in the minds of most atheists, they actually know who the real God is. How much money is spent fighting The Christian God compared to every other god? If I were to estimate it, I would say 90% of money and time is spent going against the Christian God and less than 10% combined for all other gods who basically only get a mention. Just like some of the examples in this thread.

You gys may deny the Christian God all you want, but your actions that focus constantly on that one God shows that you actually know He s real. And in Heaven, there will be no excuse for such knowledge and the denial of it.