Sort of a "God" poll...

[Airman1270 0]

Hey guys!

Regardless of the topic, it seems the subject of religion frequently pops up here, with Christianity taking the lion's share of hysterical criticism.

I have a question, but I want to be very specific. I'm not looking to get into a typical discussion of whether God exists, or what bad church experiences someone may have had in their childhood, etc. The question is:

IF God is real;
IF the Bible is true;
IF Jesus is who He claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...

Would you receive this as good news, or would you be disappointed?

Please resist the temptation to answer a question that wasn't asked.

Thanks,
Jon
Deuteronomy 23:13

[unformed 0]

It's an irrelevant question; there's a whole lot of 'ifs'. It would be a completely different world. Actually, if it was provable without a doubt, I would expect that the Bible would then be cosnidered the source of all science. (it would essentially be like life 2000 years ago).

This ad space for sale.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

As long as it was widely accepted, you know kinda like the planet is round, no argument type of thing.

It would be good news. The minister would be probably be pleased to see me back in church.
But there are always some people who just can't accept the facts, and are reluctant to change their views. Regardless of solid evidence, and strong debate.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[kallend 2,146]

Go back through the archives and you'll see that the lion's share of "hysterical criticism" goes to Islam, not Christianity. This thread for example.


Your question is based on a false premise.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[pajarito 0]

They're afraid to answer this hypothetical question directly even when faith is taken out of the equation. The “dark side of the force” is strong. I would think that knowing what’s going to happen to you when you die would be something everyone would want to know. I mean, we’re speaking hypothetically here. Not really sure where this is leading because it’s all futile without an element of faith. But, like he said, “if you could know”, what would you choose?

How about this:

IF God is not real;
IF the Bible is not true;
IF Jesus is not who he claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...

Would you be happy or disappointed?

[pajarito 0]

Quote

Thanks,
Jon
Deuteronomy 23:13

As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement.
Deuteronomy 23:13

Dude…….you ain’t right!

Edited to add: And all this time I thought that originated in my Ranger Handbook.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

IF God is real;
IF the Bible is true;
IF Jesus is who He claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...

If that was the case, I already know i would end up in Hell, so i would probablyu just try and make sure I would take as many fun people as possible with me. Probably would end up doing recruiting for the Devil.....

[nacmacfeegle 0]

King James version is hus..
"And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:"

But there's lots of strange stuff in this chapter of Deut.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Deu/Deu023.html

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"How about this:
IF God is not real;
IF the Bible is not true;
IF Jesus is not who he claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...
Would you be happy or disappointed? "

I think I'd actually be sad for my brothers and sisters, there would be a huge 'Faith Void' to fill, and that would be pretty wacky, in a bad way.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[pajarito 0]

Quote

King James version is hus..
"And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:"

But there's lots of strange stuff in this chapter of Deut.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Deu/Deu023.html

I like the colorful language of the KJV in this instance. It really brings new life to "taking a shit in the woods."
Very appropriate for "tent livin."

[pajarito 0]

Quote

"How about this:
IF God is not real;
IF the Bible is not true;
IF Jesus is not who he claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...
Would you be happy or disappointed? "

I think I'd actually be sad for my brothers and sisters, there would be a huge 'Faith Void' to fill, and that would be pretty wacky, in a bad way.

How about for you personally? I think that's what Airmail 1270 was trying to get at.

1. Happy?
2. Disappointed?

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Dude I would be happy (who wouldn't be happy at the thought of eternal life in paradise). But this is a loaded question as there is no way in hell (excuse the pun) that you guys can prove the Bible to the true.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[jerry81 10]

Quote

The question is:

IF God is real;
IF the Bible is true;
IF Jesus is who He claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...

Would you receive this as good news, or would you be disappointed?

Well, that depends. I'd definitely be disappointed if the whole setup turned out to be exactly the way any one of the numerous christian denominations portrays it. OTOH, if the man and JC were to appear one day and say "Yo, dudes, these 'organised religion' matters have gotten completely out of hand. Come over and we'll explain it once again!", I'd at least be compelled to listen. It would make for an interesting theological debate if nothing else.

---

[pajarito 0]

Quote

Dude I would be happy (who wouldn't be happy at the thought of eternal life in paradise). But this is a loaded question as there is no way in hell (excuse the pun) that you guys can prove the Bible to the true.

Don't know if that was what he was trying to do. I was just curious if he'd get some honest and direct answers. It seems like there's always a huge amount of resistance when it comes to this topic. I guess you could make it a loaded question. He was speaking hypothetically. I think you answered it.

[GARYC24 3]

"GOOD NEWS"

[unformed 0]

Quote

I think I'd actually be sad for my brothers and sisters, there would be a huge 'Faith Void' to fill, and that would be pretty wacky, in a bad way.

Why? Why do you need to believe in something to survive? Why can't you just realize the magic of life, in and of itself?

This ad space for sale.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

As an open minded agnostic, as opposed to an atheist, I'd have to say 'disappointed' over 'happy'.

As a 'code for life' Christianity is pretty good, and I guess a lot of the 'rules' would still make sense. Some of the detailed stuff is a little strange as evidenced above.

I take a little from Budhism as well, just trying to make it all make sense, and find my way in the world.

Thats why I'll watch the religious threads, but try not to get sucked into them. I'll leave that to people who have stronger faith than I.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[nacmacfeegle 0]

You don't need to believe in anything to survive, but faith of this magnitude is a very powerful thing.

The 'Faith Void' I mentioned above would leave a lot of people feeling hopeless. I reckon this would be a destabilising influence the like of which we have never seen before.

I don't think it would change my life significantly, but my parents for example would have a big hole in their lives.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[pajarito 0]

Quote

Why can't you just realize the magic of life, in and of itself?

Do you believe in magic?

[unformed 0]

Quote

Quote

Why can't you just realize the magic of life, in and of itself?

Do you believe in magic?

No, but I do believe that life is magical, enchanting, and something we need to make the most of ...

Actually that's not really even a belief, it's just a feeling, a n understanding of the importance of life, in and of itself, unrelated to any greater force.

This ad space for sale.

[Shotgun 1]

Quote

IF God is real;
IF the Bible is true;
IF Jesus is who He claimed to be; and, most importantly...
IF it was possible to prove this beyond all doubt...

Would you receive this as good news, or would you be disappointed?

Well, it would be good news to have that answered... But then I would demand that God answer a few other questions, like why he tortures us and lets so many horrible things go on in our world.

Quote

or what bad church experiences someone may have had in their childhood

I formed my belief of the non-existence of God based on logic, not because I had any bad church experiences as a child. In fact, I quite enjoyed going to church when I was a kid... but the idea that there is a God simply makes no sense to me (and never did, even as a child). As soon as I was old enough to start thinking for myself, God got put into the same category as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny - fun idea, but not real.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Quote

then I would demand that God answer a few other questions, like why he tortures us and lets so many horrible things go on in our world.

I'm with on this one Keely.

Quote

As soon as I was old enough to start thinking for myself, God got put into the same category as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny

However, you do believe in the Tooth Fairy don't you?

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[wmw999 2,584]

I'd be glad, but, well, that IS an awful lot of IFs. Then there's the question how "how true" for the Bible -- 7-days true? Don't eat shellfish true? Or just love thy fellow man true?

Each Christian church seems to want to choose just how much of the Bible is true. The more liberal leave it up to the congregants, some of the more conservative have deep justifications showing why their particular interpretation is the exact one.

Overall, I'd be confused, and glad too because there would be kindness at the top.

Well, unless it's that vengeful God that some people seem to like so much who was in charge.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 3,110]

>Would you receive this as good news, or would you be disappointed?

I'd be sad, because it would be the start of the largest religious war (and the largest war, period) the planet has ever seen. It would be like the Crusades, but with nuclear and satellite weapons.

[pajarito 0]

Quote

I'd be sad, because it would be the start of the largest religious war (and the largest war, period) the planet has ever seen. It would be like the Crusades, but with nuclear and satellite weapons.

Armageddon?