Thread: Is it possible for us as men to have a discussion on God

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

You're convinced we won't know, but I'm convinced we will.

Who are the "we" you refer to?

I mean, if you think about death and the condition that you are in at the time of your death, in what kind of condition do you reappear on the other side? Will your condition be the one you died in, or that of the peak of your life?

If we are going to resemble the forms that we're familiar with (as is the common notion of an afterlife), one must ask, "which form?", because everyone goes through so many in the course of a life and could hardly pick a single one as "the best".

Are we going to be able to comprehend "the meaning of it all" with the minds that we've gotten so accustomed to?

Can anyone fathom how long an eternity is? And is there the possibility that one could get tired of the afterlife?

The reason I say that I know (just to place things in perspective) is because I've had that proof in my life personally.

I also know that people are going to say "that wasn't it, you merely felt that because you were indoctrincated" or "you saw/felt that merely because you wished to feel that". Sorry guys. All of those remarks aren't true. I know because I've had proof for me personally.

The thing is though....that doesn't matter. It doesn't dictate what anyone else should believe. All I can say is I've found certain things out, I'd like anyone else to find these things out as well but if they don't want to, or don't believe me....that's fine. I'll still be their friends, I won't like them any less or think any less of them either. Even though I know they believe I'm foolish and deluded. (Doesn't matter to me because I know I'm not anyway.)

I had already talked to Jockeys about his opinions about religion and such before. And although I don't agree with him and I think he's wrong....he's still an awesome guy that (if he was closer) I'd hang out with if I had the chance.

Although the afterlife is an important part of my thinking....my FOCUS still lies on this life.

I think that in the number of pages the most important thing we've learned (or could have learned) is that:

1) There is no proof that can be shown either way.
2) A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

I'm amazed at the level of courtisy shown by most participating in this thread. I love the way that we've been able to have a discussion at the level of which I have them with my close and personal friends (as opposed to anonymous people over the internet as we see so often in discussions of this nature on the web and forums).

That being said....I think that pretty much everything really has been said concerning this topic.



Conclusion: We don't know....but you guys rule.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

Conclusion: We don't know....but you guys rule.

Yup.

God bless you guys!

I think Alex has it summed up pretty well. We all have our own ideas, we all respect eachother well enough to behave like gentlemen, and we have had a very interesting conversation. Sounds like we all win.


Someone mention the German guy with the tiny moustache so we can close the thread

Agreed, Y'all have been great!

Good deal!
I always enjoy tangling with you guys on here; even when nobody "wins" exactly.

John P.

Thank you all for participating! Once again we have proven that we can all be gentlemen while dealing with such an explosive topic!
Maybe someone will bump it again in a year or so. We'll see.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I think Alex has it summed up pretty well. We all have our own ideas, we all respect eachother well enough to behave like gentlemen, and we have had a very interesting conversation. Sounds like we all win.


Someone mention the German guy with the tiny moustache so we can close the thread

Charlie Chaplain! Wait! He's not German. Never mind!

At Bruno's request, I'm posting my comment on the Bill Maher thread here.

The problem in some of the recent posts was, I think, the term "irrational" to describe religiosity. It's a pretty loaded, pejorative term, and frankly, there's a better, more descriptive one to use when discussing religious faith.

Where "irrational" means that someone has taken leave of his or her rationality, the term "unrational" means that something is based not on rational decision, but on intuition, faith, or something other than empirical evidence.

It's a nice term. It describes, for example, why I prefer brunettes to blonds, or why I like stinky cheese more than velveeta. It is also a nice description for the leap of faith necessary to be religious. Yes, it's based on something other than strictly rational thought, but no, it doesn't mean that someone has taken leave of his or her senses.

For what it's worth.

j

PS: That's not to say that someone who is religious can't also be irrational, but I think we all know that.

j

Thank you Jim.

Lets not turn this thread upside down please. keep it civil!