Does God Matter?

Hmmm, perhaps, although forgiveness is meant to be one those concepts that is limitless, eternal, and a large part of Christianity, that God cares enough to forgive, if the person is truly sorry and repents.

Originally posted by finti
yet an atheist might sin less than a christian, but the chrisitan keeps beg forgivness all the time.
Hmmmmm makes your god a kind of hypocrite, doesnt admit one with few sins, but a repeating sinner is accepted cause he/she is soooooooooooooo sorry for what they did ........until the next time.

Originally posted by Turbo-Cajun
If they existed yes, but well, do you think that you could be affected day to day by the God of Hinduism? no, you probably don't think they it affects you because you do see him working in your life. The gods of Hinduism could exist, and could affect your life... however the question in the title of the thread is "Does God Matter?" If you do not beleive in him, then no he does not matter.

If certain Gods existed, they would affect you. God might leave you be, but Zeus might steal your girlfriend. If any of the poly gods existed, then you have a serious problem. They wouldn't care. Those ones, if they're sunbathing in some field somewhere and wake, then they would matter. We are asking currently, do polytheistic gods affect our lives. Your belief means zit.

I think Gods of the Hinduism mean Zit to me. But then, I might be wrong about Christianity. You are making unsupported statements. On reflection, my idea that God might leave you be is wrong. If he existed, he would matter. Unless you disprove it, then you cannot say to us “God Doesn’t matter”

So, I'd say that my conclution is, if a God existed, they would likely affect you.

Unless you disprove it, then you cannot say to us “God Doesn’t matter”

So, I'd say that my conclution is, if a God existed, they would likely affect you.

Originally posted by Turbo-Cajun
The gods of Hinduism could exist, and could affect your life...

I already said that if they do exist, they are capable of affecting us. Same thing you said only 2 pages ago.

however the question in the title of the thread is "Does God Matter?" If you do not beleive in him, then no he does not matter.

I did not say that because I don't believe they don't exist. You are misinterpreting my post and trying to put words in my mouth. Back to the hindu gods for one minute please.... and lets pretend that the hindu gods do exist, and that you are still christian or whatever religion you are. If you get a flat tire on your car while driving to a party where there will be drugs, alcohol and loose women, do you blame it on the nail that was in the road or do you believe that it was Shiva the Destroyer that caused the flat? You find that a small nail was the cause of the flat. This fact exists outside of the idea of god. It could have easily been an act of god that placed that nail there keeping you from intoxication and unholy sex, but if you don't believe in that god you have your own set of explainations to explain what happens in life, so Shiva doesn't really matter to you... it is the nail that matters to you. So, no I still beleive that you have to actually believe in a God before he matters to you. He is still capable affecting your life, but if you dont recognize him there are plenty of other explainations for why things happen.

I know that the flat tire and nail explaination isn't the best in the world, but I really don't feel like spending much more time explaining a relatively simple concept.

I dont know how it could be explained more clearly for you.

There is most definately a difference between mattering to someone and affecting someone. In order for god to really matter to you, you need to believe in him. Being affected by god requires no belief.

If you dont believe in god, he doesnt matter. If you do believe in god he does... Since I do not, then the answer for me is no, he does not matter. The answers can be different for everyone and that is acceptable. If you think he does matter that is fine, just be aware that god doesn't matter to everyone.

Originally posted by finti
goes the other way around as well, "unless you can prove it then you cannot say god does matter"

doesnt exist then

No, we can say "look at the past examples".

You have to prove that. Otherwise no one will accept it.

Originally posted by Turbo-Cajun
I already said that if they do exist, they are capable of affecting us. Same thing you said only 2 pages ago.

I did not say that because I don't believe they don't exist. You are misinterpreting my post and trying to put words in my mouth. Back to the hindu gods for one minute please.... and lets pretend that the hindu gods do exist, and that you are still christian or whatever religion you are. If you get a flat tire on your car while driving to a party where there will be drugs, alcohol and loose women, do you blame it on the nail that was in the road or do you believe that it was Shiva the Destroyer that caused the flat? You find that a small nail was the cause of the flat. This fact exists outside of the idea of god. It could have easily been an act of god that placed that nail there keeping you from intoxication and unholy sex, but if you don't believe in that god you have your own set of explainations to explain what happens in life, so Shiva doesn't really matter to you... it is the nail that matters to you. So, no I still beleive that you have to actually believe in a God before he matters to you. He is still capable affecting your life, but if you dont recognize him there are plenty of other explainations for why things happen.

I know that the flat tire and nail explaination isn't the best in the world, but I really don't feel like spending much more time explaining a relatively simple concept.

I dont know how it could be explained more clearly for you.

There is most definately a difference between mattering to someone and affecting someone. In order for god to really matter to you, you need to believe in him. Being affected by god requires no belief.

If you dont believe in god, he doesnt matter. If you do believe in god he does... Since I do not, then the answer for me is no, he does not matter. The answers can be different for everyone and that is acceptable. If you think he does matter that is fine, just be aware that god doesn't matter to everyone.

But then... There's hell. If you annoyed Shiva, then it will affect you. But back to the nail example. If you found a nail under your car wheel, then it would be natural to assume that it had just fallen there. But suppose it had been placed by your childhood enemy. Later they become the leader of the democrat party. Their influence matters to you, as their followers hiss when you come near, you go to protests against them and more. Their existance as the democrat leader matters to you, just as the idea of God existance matters. Little things pick up snow, as they roll down the mountain, and can crush people easily.

If there's a God, then they've affected the world a lot, and it matters a lot to people. The idea matters.

Originally posted by WhiteEagle
That would be a great answer if I'd asked if it were possible for an atheist to sin.

There is an answer to the question I asked, be it right or wrong. And if you think there is no answer, then there must be a reason for it. So by all means, enlighten me.

I did answer you, but i'll try it again. If they both sinned, they both would go to hell, there's no in between. if you sin, you have sinned.

Originally posted by finti
yet an atheist might sin less than a christian, but the chrisitan keeps beg forgivness all the time.
Hmmmmm makes your god a kind of hypocrite, doesnt admit one with few sins, but a repeating sinner is accepted cause he/she is soooooooooooooo sorry for what they did ........until the next time.

Maybe they should go by the three strike rule in heaven too.

It does NOT make my God a hypocrite. No one is perfect, thats why it's a daily walk, friendship, prayer, w/God. When a person thats a christian sins, you are convicted of that sin, right then is when you are to confess and ask forgiveness. YOU don't stay in sin and you DONT continuly repeat that same sin either. You are to learn from your mistakes. God also knows your intentions, if you really are sorry or if you're just saying it to try to cover yourself. He knows your heart.

God also knows your intentions, if you really are sorry or if you're just saying it to try to cover yourself. He knows your heart.

Originally posted by finti
an atheist heart and intension could be much purer and less sinful of that of a christianyet god chose that kiss up. That makes your god a hypocrite.

I'm surprised you didn't pick on my crappy democrat/presdient example. I was really out. But back to your words

It's not a kiss up, it's telling the truth. In the bible there's a Pharisee (nothing good is ever thought of them) who says "Thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income." . Then the tax collector, without even lifting his eyes says "'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.". It's quite obvious who's being a better follower; the Pharisee regards himself as perfect, whilst the Tax collector is humble.

The pharisee's "Goodness" advantage over the tax collector doesn't matter to God. There are two things you have to do to be a Christian; believe in God, and say sorry. Other things follow from those two, but those are the basics. C.S. Lewis gives a good example; there are two people, the loveable old lady, who isn't a Christian, and the moaning old man who is a Christian. The lady has always been nice, and hasn't changed a bit, but the old man was once a very bad man. Your upbringing and DNA affects your basic status, and you cannot be fairly blaimed for that. It's what happens after that counts.

It's not a kiss up, it's telling the truth

There are two things you have to do to be a Christian; believe in God, and say sorry

Originally posted by finti
its a whiny form of kiss up

Originally posted by finti
jews believe in god too, they also whine a lot or ask for forgiveness as you all disguises it to . Will they accompany those christians that get through the eye of the needle into heaven [/B]

They pour out their souls to another being. That isn't whiney

They don't believe in Christ, who is part of God. So their belief is incomplete

Originally posted by finti
yes it is whiney.

Whiney is when somebody complains to you in a childish and annoying fashion, maybe saying "it's not fair...". Not when somebody tells you about themselves.

Whiney is when somebody complains to you in a childish and annoying fashion, maybe saying "it's not fair...". Not when somebody tells you about themselves.

You're not complaining. It's not in a high pitched voice. God likes to help. What's whiney about it?

You're not complaining. It's not in a high pitched voice. God likes to help. What's whiney about it?

You're in a minority. Unless you make some effort to disprove God, then it's unfair to say he doesn't exist. Take Santa Claus. I can pull away his beard and see his face. Unless you can do that with God, then you have no basis.