An Atheist celebrating Christmas?

The Bible doesn’t specifically say why God made us, but it does say that he created us.

Rev. 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Originally posted by Mišt
"Trolls"?
Nobody here is targeting you, or bashing you. You have posted questions, we are trying to answer them. We have also asked you questions, but you have not yet answered them reasonably.

Referring to everyone as trolls, or telling them to shut up just because they dont agree with you, will only point you out as ignorant and stupid. Nobody here thinks you are, so dont make it appear as if you are.

Since he and Lana have a similar religious background I'm guessing he's attacking her cause she left their/his religion and since the rest of us in his eyes are heathens and most likely condemned to spend eternity in hell we don't matter😬.....................or thats at least how I see it.

Originally posted by Demarest
God sets you up for challenges in life. The most terrible things in life such as you in desperate need for help or you've lost your best friend is what God does for you so that you make you strong and have faith in yourself, that you are the most gifted person in the Kingdom of God.

As to the "flock thing", Throughout scripture, there is a common metaphor of shepherd and flock.

1 Sam. 17:34-36: "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear;'" ...

John 10:7,9 & 14-15: "Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ... I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.'

'I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.'"

God sets me up for challenges?

Of course that's your answer: "He is great, because he has given me the power to overcome these obstacles."

No. I don't think so. That's me doing it for myself, not God doing it for me.

Why has this moment happened to you then? Why is it that your friend is dead?

Originally posted by Demarest
The Bible doesn’t specifically say why God made us, but it does say [b]that he created us.

Rev. 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." [/B]

So you, and those who wrote the bible believe that; however, it doesn't make it true.

Originally posted by LethalFemme
Since he and Lana have a similar religious background I'm guessing he's attacking her cause she left their/his religion and since the rest of us in his eyes are heathens and most likely condemned to spend eternity in hell we don't matter😬.....................or thats at least how I see it.

I don't see it as him attacking me at all, as I said, this debate is far more civil than the ones usually seen in the GDF (quite surprising, since the GDF regulars tend to mock the general silliness of the OTF).

And as much as I would love to continue this debate, I am in a rather large amount of pain right now and need to go lie down.

Originally posted by Mišt
Do you have a better way of describing it? Why does it matter if I compare it to a pile of grass clippings, as long as I can set it out clearfully. You just told Lana she should be ending arguments instead of instigating them, so why are you doing the same?

BTW: you suck... 😂

Originally posted by Demarest
The Bible doesn’t specifically say why God made us, but it does say [b]that he created us.

Rev. 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." [/B]

Just a question:

What would you have believed some few millions years ago, before the Bible and everything had been written as religious 'law'?

Why cant I believe that something else created us? If I wrote a book saying that, I dont know.....Obi Wan invented everything, am I wrong? If I truly believed that, am I wrong?

Originally posted by Lana
So you, and those who wrote the bible believe that; however, it doesn't make it true.

I don't see it as him attacking me at all, as I said, this debate is far more civil than the ones usually seen in the GDF (quite surprising, since the GDF regulars tend to mock the general silliness of the OTF).

And as much as I would love to continue this debate, I am in a rather large amount of pain right now and need to go lie down.

he was when calling you out of your name 😬

Originally posted by Lana
So you, and those who wrote the bible believe that; however, it doesn't make it true.

I don't see it as him attacking me at all, as I said, this debate is far more civil than the ones usually seen in the GDF (quite surprising, since the GDF regulars tend to mock the general silliness of the OTF).

And as much as I would love to continue this debate, I am in a rather large amount of pain right now and need to go lie down.

please don't leave, please.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
BTW: you suck... 😂

Well, Lana, I do not know how old Rogue Jedi is, but I think we have just lost the civility of this debate.

Of course, I would expect no less from a child... assuming Rogue is one, judging by this needless attack.

Why has this gone to page 12? Why can't the obviously re-repeated get into some of these people's heads?

Anyone can celebrate anything, you can't control other people's lives. If you want to impose your beliefs on someone, become someone like Hitler and leave your selective countries to go start a fascist regime. You can't stop other people's freedoms.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
no, i was just aghast at the comparison. i wasnt trying to start anything. you know me better than that, mist.

BTW: you suck... 😂

Yeah I know, but you asked, so I had to answer 😛

I cant think of anything really remotely close to that to compare it to, and since half the people in this thread are Star Wars fans, we know what Im talking about..

"Why has this moment happened to you then? Why is it that your friend is dead?"

Why is it my weakness to overcome then? I was just asking, if it was a test of our strengths and so on, what about the other person who has died? Why dont they get a test of strength?

Let me put it in terms of something easier to understand...let's say Im working at my job. They want to see how well I can work under pressure, so they kill one of my co-workers to see how I can deal with it. I understand that it is my test, but what about my co-worker? Do they deserve death just as a pawn of my test?

Originally posted by hotsauce6548
Well, Lana, I do not know how old Rogue Jedi is, but I think we have just lost the civility of this debate.

Of course, I would expect no less from a child... assuming Rogue is one, judging by this needless attack.

Nah, he was just playing. It wasnt a serious stab.

Originally posted by Mišt
Do they deserve death just as a pawn of my test?

According to some Christians, God has that right. So yes, he dies in order to test you. 🙄

I'll come back tommoroe and beat you all tommorow.

Oh BTW, God exists. yeah!

Goodnight little children, sleep tight

Originally posted by hotsauce6548
Well, Lana, I do not know how old Rogue Jedi is, but I think we have just lost the civility of this debate.

Of course, I would expect no less from a child... assuming Rogue is one, judging by this needless attack.

ps: nice edit on my post. 😉

Originally posted by Mišt
Yeah I know, but you asked, so I had to answer 😛

I cant think of anything really remotely close to that to compare it to, and since half the people in this thread are Star Wars fans, we know what Im talking about..

[b]"Why has this moment happened to you then? Why is it that your friend is dead?"

Why is it my weakness to overcome then? I was just asking, if it was a test of our strengths and so on, what about the other person who has died? Why dont they get a test of strength?

Let me put it in terms of something easier to understand...let's say Im working at my job. They want to see how well I can work under pressure, so they kill one of my co-workers to see how I can deal with it. I understand that it is my test, but what about my co-worker? Do they deserve death just as a pawn of my test?

Nah, he was just playing. It wasnt a serious stab. [/B]

Originally posted by Lana
Number one, atheism is not a belief, rather, it is a lack of belief.

Number two, I do stick to it. I do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, nor does anyone I know. My family just simply takes it as a day where we can all just hang out together, have fun, and give each other stuff. Doesn't have a damn thing to do with religion.

I think she's pretty much saying, those days exists for whatever religious reason, but she personally doesnt celebrate them as religious. Its kinda like a public holiday for...say...the Queen's birthday. We know its for her birthday, but how many of us actually celebrate it as her birthday? We just take it as an excuse to have a day off. Theres no denying it exists though.

Crap, I had something I was gonna say but its gone now...itll come back...

Originally posted by Demarest
they're such assholes. I hope they get shot

I imagine that you're referring to atheists? If so, then I pity your stupity.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
the simple fact that they are using the day as an excuse to get gifts goes against everything they believe in.
if atheists celebrated satans birthday, who here would use the day as an excuse to get gifts?

Are you actually that close-minded and one-sided?! I don't use it to "get" anything. I spend time with my family, who happen to be Christian, and we get something better than material possesions: quality time with loved ones that we cherish. Accepting gifts does not, by any means, go against my atheism.

Originally posted by BackFire
Christmas has transcended from a religious holiday to more or less a global human holiday. It is more to most people then simply "the celebration of Christs birthday", it is a time to celebrate all of lifes joys, family, friends,and other beauties that life has to offer. It's also a celebration of commercialism, which is what this country is all about.

I see no problem with an athiest celebrating the holiday. Just because he doesn't necessarily celebrate it for religious reasons, doesn't mean he has no right to recognize it and celebrate it for the other reasons mentioned above.

Originally posted by Lana
Number one, atheism is not a belief, rather, it is a lack of belief.

Number two, I do stick to it. I do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, nor does anyone I know. My family just simply takes it as a day where we can all just hang out together, have fun, and give each other stuff. Doesn't have a damn thing to do with religion.

I could kiss you, Lana. Well said.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
lana, you are a mod. why do you insist on calling what he believes in bullshit?
it makes no sense to you, fine, but dont call what he believes in bullshit. i thought part of your job was to end arguments, not instigate them.

just pick something and have faith in it. i respect that.