Just some thoughts from when I was in the shower...
- Do you believe everything in the Bible? Do you follow everything in the Bible? I've never met a Christian who could honestly answer yes to both of those questions. So what does answering no prove? It proves that we are capable of forming our own moral compass and weighing decisions without religion.
- Why is Christianity the majority religion? If another religion were the majority (ie. if you were born in, say, the Middle East), would you still be a Christian? Could the reason for Christianity's majority be because all the disbelievers were either killed or ostracized? Which brings me to...
- Where does the evil come from? One of my favourite philosophers unfortunately had to keep a tight lid on his beliefs because he would not have achieved any success if he had spoken out against the existence of a god. Still, his questions are completely relevant...
- If you can simply repent on your death bed or at St. Peter's gate, what is the point in following the religion during your living years? Equally important, why does anyone else care what I do? What I choose to do is between me and God; why do you feel the need to tell me what I should and should not be doing? This isn't just about going door to door, either....
- I am glad I live in the 21st Century, where I can (almost) freely speak my mind. Of course, I can't run for any political positions, but I just want to remind everyone that representing yourself as an atheist wasn't even permissible until the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the mid 1800's when Darwin's theory of evolution made some question what they had blindly been believing for centuries. Ever read Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach"?
- Religion serves no purpose in life, except to ignore reality and answer things we are uncomfortable with. Most notably:
1. I'm afraid of dying - No problem, if you've been good, you'll go to heaven.
2. Why is there so much injustice and tragedy? - That is part of God's creation; don't worry, though, because those who have done what you believe to be wrong will go to hell and you'll go straight to the greatest place you could possibly imagine.
3. I don't understand.... - You don't even have to think about anything. God has everything under control and as long as you do what this book tells you to (of course, only the things you agree with), then the answers shall be revealed to you. God knows all; you, on the other hand, are on a "need to know" basis.
- Do you believe everything in the Bible? Do you follow everything in the Bible? I've never met a Christian who could honestly answer yes to both of those questions. So what does answering no prove? It proves that we are capable of forming our own moral compass and weighing decisions without religion.
- Why is Christianity the majority religion? If another religion were the majority (ie. if you were born in, say, the Middle East), would you still be a Christian? Could the reason for Christianity's majority be because all the disbelievers were either killed or ostracized? Which brings me to...
- Where does the evil come from? One of my favourite philosophers unfortunately had to keep a tight lid on his beliefs because he would not have achieved any success if he had spoken out against the existence of a god. Still, his questions are completely relevant...
- If the existence of evil is because God has given man free will, then why do you pray to God for miracles? Should you not pray to man to rid the evil? Or if you believe that evil and tragedy exists because God has a divine plan, then why do you ask God to change it just for you? In fact, suppose everything is perfect and you pray to God to thank him. Why?
- If you can simply repent on your death bed or at St. Peter's gate, what is the point in following the religion during your living years? Equally important, why does anyone else care what I do? What I choose to do is between me and God; why do you feel the need to tell me what I should and should not be doing? This isn't just about going door to door, either....
- I am glad I live in the 21st Century, where I can (almost) freely speak my mind. Of course, I can't run for any political positions, but I just want to remind everyone that representing yourself as an atheist wasn't even permissible until the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the mid 1800's when Darwin's theory of evolution made some question what they had blindly been believing for centuries. Ever read Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach"?
- Religion serves no purpose in life, except to ignore reality and answer things we are uncomfortable with. Most notably:
1. I'm afraid of dying - No problem, if you've been good, you'll go to heaven.
2. Why is there so much injustice and tragedy? - That is part of God's creation; don't worry, though, because those who have done what you believe to be wrong will go to hell and you'll go straight to the greatest place you could possibly imagine.
3. I don't understand.... - You don't even have to think about anything. God has everything under control and as long as you do what this book tells you to (of course, only the things you agree with), then the answers shall be revealed to you. God knows all; you, on the other hand, are on a "need to know" basis.
