Budaatum's Posts
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People define the atheist as they understand it, just like different people define their gods. I, am an atheist. I do not believe there are no gods. I know people deify things (concepts and ideas) and call them gods. But as actual existing entities, I know there are no gods. By responses I get for making such a bold assertion, you may understand why many people might limit themselves to stating a belief that gods don't exist. |
PastorAIO:I would have loved to do one about Christ with you along the lines of arguments in this thread. You take the side of Jesus not being the Son of God and I arguing he is, or vice versa. Unfortunately, I wouldn't last more than a couple of posts. I wonder though if you've been involved in a similar argument in the past. Would love to read it, if a thread exists please. |
Emmanystone:Sounds to me like you are taking for true what you heard or read about "my sort", and disregarding the evidence you see with your own eyes! Is it not the joy that is in me that made you regard me in the first place? You may believe what you want about me, God or anything you like for that matter. But at least base the ones about me on some evidence! I never said "atheism is cruelty and atheists are unhappy people". And I don't appreciate my words being twisted in this way. It is the silly way that immature people, both atheists and theists, use on here when they do that 'my dick is bigger than your dick' thing that they do. I try to refrain from it as it is ungodly! |
Emmanystone:My thoughts about the book are irrelevant. You can't claim that by reading the book you have not learnt something about your own beliefs. It is a very convincing and compelling book. One you'll forever remember buda for. Regarding your longer response. I read all you've written. And it boils down to one simple sentence, "buda has a demon in him". That's how divergent we are. So I say, amen. |
MuttleyLaff:Yes I am familiar with it. And can agree with it depending on how it is meant. Teaching of the literal facts of a matter, or a non-literal idea. Take for instance, the first Chapter of the Bible. It describes a good plan for when embarking on a project. You go step by step, assessing the terrain, planning out what you wish to accomplish, executing each step of your plan then assessing if it is adequate before building on top of it until the last brick is laid. But as a narative for how the world came about? It sucks. |
Emmanystone:You said Paul came up with it actually. And if it is correct, that Paul did say so, it must be known that Paul got quite a lot of stuff from non-Christian sources and not just from the Holy Spirit. Though, I don't know if he wrote this or where he got it from. Could you provide biblical references please. |
Emmanystone:I agree, I can't tell you "about what you believe", only you can tell me that. But I can make you understand how I see it however. You will let me know when you have had enough. |
Emmanystone:First, if one believes in YHWH, one would not worship images of him. I put it to you that the Bible is an image. Some would argue that God is written into the Fabric of the Universe. But, apart from that, YHWH breathed himself into mud and buda appeared, so why go outside God's dwelling to seek God outside? Also, it is written in Deuteuronomy, "that people do not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD shall man live". God is a Spirit and the Bible is not God. It is a very dim reflection of God, at best an image that is made true when one breathes life into it. Emmanystone:For the same reason a medical doctor may study history. So as to know about it. Human beings are defined by what they worship. So in order to understand them, one like me would learn to understand their Gods. So I go to their schools and attend their lessons. Emmanystone:Yes, I would say so, if you wanted to understand them. In fact, I would go further. Here you are 'sacrificing' with an atheist. I bet you would understand me better for doing so. I have a piece of land by the Owala River in the Orolu Kingdom of Ifon Osun. I do join in when a white ram is sacrificed to it once a year. We also have Odun Ade which I participate in, as well as the annual festivals for Ogun and Obatala. When I am in Rome, I am a Roman. When you are in Rome, you remain Emmanystone. We differ that way. Perhaps we have different missions on earth. Emmanystone:I am the atheist. He was (died last year aged 89), Church of England. When he died, the Sun went dark and the birds, squirrels and foxes in his garden all wept. He was such a generous kind man that if he is not in heaven, heaven would be bankrupt of people. Emmanystone:He believed in a Universal God of All Beings, out of which different groups have carved out their own understanding and parochialised it. He found YHWH to be some parochialised petty God of the Christians. Emmanystone:I did not preach atheism. Nor do I oppose scripture. I advocate for an understanding of the text, and an abandoning of belief. The Jews had belief when Christ came. No work on the Sabbath, wash your hands; love your neighbours but not those nasty Samaritans, Tax Collectors and Gentiles etc. Christ poopooed their beliefs and said "You hypocrites who purify the outside but bother not about the inside". Emmanystone:My friend did not think atheism would be cruel. It is I who think it would be cruel to take away her comfort blanket. I described her as simple. And even with her God she is still distressed. The Buddha taught in the Four Noble Truths that "life is suffering "caused by greed or desire". This is what the simple woman does that causes her distress. She clings on to beliefs which cause her distress. She might benefit from abandoning those beliefs, but I am not her Messiah. She would never get her head around a no-god existence, and I have no gain in taking her comforting blanket from her. Besides, atheism is not a god, but a way of thinking and the assumptions it is based on. Emmanystone:Belief involves the acceptance of the facts as given. It is why it is written, "Even the devils believe" to which I add, 'so what's the virtue in that?' People who believe tend to assume that they know already. It is not how you would be taught in school. In school, they teach one to be critical. It is by being critical that one acquires understanding which enables one to build on ones knowledge and to make use of it. And I am disagreeing with you about 'knowing', unless you mean, 'becoming aware of', which is not the same as understanding. Historians may know about (be aware of) doctoring but they can hardly perform brain surgery. In order for the historian to perform brain surgery, they must have a different level of 'knowing' which requires an understanding of various diverse things which is way more than just being aware of how it is done. (And though you may be thinking, that is what you are accusing me of, do consider that I insist.) I repeat, the Pharisees believed, and Jesus poopooed on them and their beliefs. |
Emmanystone:And that may be good enough for some. I however live by a different standard. When I began going to church. It was found that there were lots of Sri Lankans and Bangladeshi people in the Parish. Many were Muslim immigrants who spoke no English and we wondered how to bring 'Christ' to them. So we set up an English School to teach them. There was argument about converting them at the same time, but it was eventually understood that there should be no preaching in the classes. If the spirit caught them, they can go to church on Sunday. There was this one lady who attended and never spoke much. She'd been in the country 10 years, spoke no English, lived with her mother in law who practically imprisoned her while her husband was back home with her children. She was sad, but two years later, she'd come out of her shell, applied for citizenship and got her children to join her. You should see the happiness in her the day she told us they had arrived. She eventually went on to volunteer helping others in the class. Would you argue that we did not bring 'Christ' into her life? I put it to you that the "gathering of the faithfuls" should be to build the Kingdom of God here on Earth. Some may chose to "worship, praise, and be exhorted", while some may chose to do their god thing by doing "unto one of the least of these my brethren". |
MuttleyLaff:From whose perspective do we have it, is a valid question. The problem stems from the story itself, and not from my scepticism. Its definitely not from Abraham nor Sarah, nor does the narration claim God wrote it. A believer may not require answers to such questions, but I would assert that anyone who desires to wring the ultimate knowledge and understanding from the narration would definitely wish to consider it. |
MuttleyLaff:A problem to you. A virtue to me. But as I say, Alice did not really fall down a hole except as a work of fiction. Still words still mean what I say they mean, a la humpty dumptyism. So, what, apart from the 'facts', is of significance here? Remember the start of this was my statement that, "As the skeptic that I am, I am more likely to believe there was some science behind the wine making." Do note that when I believe a thing, I mean that I do not know if a thing is quite as I claim it is but I hold that it might be as I claim for convenience. Hence, if I believe it is raining outside, it is because I am not certain that it is raining outside but I am willing to go by that assumption and go out with an umbrella. If I were certain, I would say "It is raining outside". One might think the result is the same, but sticking my head outside to check if it were raining would better inform my need, or not, for an umbrella. |
Emmanystone:How can I be opposed to what I post here? Emmanystone:Really?! When I did go to Church, I joined Bible Study. We read Luke, going through it section by section, and I learnt a great deal about the practises of a Christian. Everyone knew I was an atheist in the group. Belief never came into it. I think everyone should go through a course of Luke. I met this blind old man there who became a very good friend of mine. He described himself as a Church of England member and not a Christian. At every study, soon as anyone said "Only through Christ shall one enter the Kingdom of God", he would jump down their throats. "What about Hindus, Muslims"? And 'looking' towards me, "atheists?" he would ask. I used to tell him that that was the belief of Christians, but he would accuse me of not preaching my atheism! Now, there was this woman, the kindest simplest person you could imagine, so full of love. I'd ask my blind old friend if he thinks I should preach my atheism to her. His response was, "that would be cruel, as it would be like taking away that which comforts her". I agreed. I do not require anyone to abandon what they believe if they so wish to stick to it. I strongly hold the position that a faith held by knowing is far superior than one held by belief. I say what I say knowing those who can handle it will, and those who can't will ignore it. I am asking you to abandon your beliefs and know, instead. For it is written that, "Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all. And after they have reigned they will rest." |
Emmanystone:It is very detailed and convincing. The best heaven and hell I've come across yet. But no, I don't believe such a place exists. |
MuttleyLaff:The problem with all this is that no one could have provided the detail about Abraham and Sarah so as to be able to write this story. It wasn't as if either of them left a journal. Leaves one to assume, and perhaps conclude that it was made up after the fact. Or perhaps the angel Gabriel narrated it to someone. I guess I am questioning how the story of Abraham came about. Its not as if I take it as a given, or a record of a historical fact. |
MuttleyLaff:I omitted a lot of stuff. As does the Bible itself. Amongst my people, and probably Abraham time people, not producing offspring is just about the second worst thing a man could do. The first is not marrying at all. In my home town, Sarahs would have been told to find some young man to get her pregnant before its too late. Even Abrahams would do what the biblical Abraham did, as its the only way they had for fertility tests in those days. It's not even strange for the Abrahams to tell the Sarahs to go get herself pregnant if he'd tried elsewhere and failed. And if either got pregnant, "Thank God", is what they'd both say. MuttleyLaff:Yeah, those bloody demons are going to heaven. Hopefully they would change their nature first. Can't have them being demonic in heaven! |
Emmanystone:Family good. I used to go church, to figure what you all went for. Did 12 years of it but found it not to be catching. So I only go once in a while, mostly special occasions. Went Saturday week though. Had a meeting with the Bishop of Woolwich. He's Nigerian. Nice man. Told him I'm posting a picture on the internet of him washing my cup. He laughed. Yeah, I read it years ago. What'd you make of it? |
butterflyl1on:Was going to say, "unless source was added after the fact", but figured I'd be set straight soon enough. Thanks. |
danvon:It's not plagiarism. He quoted source in the first post! |
MuttleyLaff:It is claimed Sarah's was past the menopause and that Mary knew no man, claims we unfortunately cannot verify but which those who believe in do so by faith, an attitude we atheists have a deficit in. Our attitude is as is said in Porgy and Bess, "the things you are likely to read in the Bible, it ain't necessarily so". MuttleyLaff:I find it a pity that "For God so loved the world...." was inserted into the text. It does contradict what has been declared as Christ's actual teachings, and contradicts it in parts. It makes more sense for it to have read "that whosoever does as he taught....". And would have ensured a seeking for better understanding of his teachings. MuttleyLaff:Well, its written already, and I take it as it is. You can see my preference above if I had written it. Goes to show though that the writers had an intention in mind. Usurping God with a new God perhaps? |
Emmanystone:What do you mean by "guys like you". Are we some special category of people. I'm listening to Laryn Hill, playing chess and spending time with family. Was going to go to the movies, but its way too cold outside. |
John 4 For Yahweh does not associate with Allah? As usual, I have focused on a tiny portion of this chapter. Of significance is that, Jesus healed a man who was close to death. It was the second sign performed after coming from Judea to Galilee. The first part of the chapter presents us with a thirsty Jesus alone by the Samaritan's well. The Samaritans were a tribe of people who based their worship on the Samaritan Pentateuch, which they believed was the true religion of the ancient Israelites from before the Babylonian captivity. The Samaritan Pentateuch had been preserved by those who remained in the Land of Israel, as opposed to Judaism, which was based on the Torah, and which the Samaritans saw as an amended and corrupted religion, brought back by those returning from the Babylonian Captivity. Heresy, basically, made up by some jumped up gone away captive slaves! Their claim against Judaism was probably that some Babylonianism had crept into the Torah. I am proposing that the difference between the Jews and the Samaritans is of a similar nature as that between Islam and Christianity today, or worse even, as Jews considered that mere touching a Samaritan was enough to send one to hell! Yet, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ".... a time is coming ...... when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” I can't help but be reminded of lambs and lions dwelling together. Did we not have a thread recently where vegetable lions came up? It must be acknowledged that the chapter gives an answer to the question "What is God?" It however poses two further questions, which I hope will exercise the minds this week. "What is spirit?" "How must his worshippers worship in the Spirit and in truth?” |
Emmanystone:Pity we wouldn't be able to say, "I told you so", or be able to inform others. We could have put it on video! But let me introduce you to someone who claims to have been to heaven and hell. Emanuel Swedenborg published De Caelo et Eius Mirabilibus et de inferno, ex Auditis et Visis (Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, From Things Heard and Seen) in 1758. It gives a detailed description of the afterlife, how people live after the death of the physical body. The link is to a pdf download. Have a look at and tell me what you make of it. |
Emmanystone:Well, my fruit is not the worst fruit out there. If I believed hell exists, and if I did not want to end up there, I guess I would buy a ticket to somewhere better. But as it is, I don't believe hell or somewhere better exists. |
Emmanystone:I don't exactly go about my daily living racking up sin after sin you know! I'm just a regular person with regular people sin! Besides, I've seen those who claim the power of God enters them. One swindled me out of £10,000 some years ago. And most others I've come across are regular folks like me getting through life as good as they can with regular people sin. Repentance does not make anyone perfect. |
Emmanystone:We could call it beis "semi conscious" I guess. Until we find a more appropriate for it. Emmanystone:It wasn't that I had power. I just knew I was not gone. Emmanystone:Nothing, if it were real. I would love to remain, say, 30 for ever! Its just that it does not seem real. |
Emmanystone:Assuming that my near death experiences are death itself is way too big a leap for me to take. I just don't think they are the same thing. I may have been unconscious perhaps, but my brain had not been starved of oxygen long enough for brain deadedness not to talk of my organs beginning to decay. And as I said, I was aware I was okay and would return. Now, if that state had gone on long enough, I can see me panicking if I don't wake up. Then if it went on like that after I had completely died, as in not gonna return dead, I'd be watching them put me in a coffin or cremating my body and smelling the stink of my rotting flesh! If that's what people call hell, I wouldn't quibble about its existence. You might as well bury or burn me alive, for that's what it would seem like, except no one would hear me screaming. |
Emmanystone:Not at the beach. I think my mind muddled up and computed my drowning as drinking. What took seconds seemed like hours then I must have totally passed out At the hospital one, I was semi out of it. There was a certain level of consciousness that seemed like out of body, as I could see myself and what was going on around me. At one point, I felt like laughing at all the fuss going on, and in my head, I was assuring them that I was okay. There was an incident before those 2, now that I think of it. I was pushed off a slide and bashed my head on a stone and was out for days. All I remember is a pillow I lay on was pulled up dripping with blood. No lights then either. But..... One day, having drunk too much, I bashed my head on a stone and saw cartoon like stars. They were very real! |
godisgood200:O, I'm sure my sins are not the greatest out there. Being an atheist does not exclude one from loving one's fellow human being. And as long as I do unto them, I'm bound to get a waiver. Not that I'd need one though. |
sonofluc1fer:No, not on lichess. http://m.gameknot.com/stats.pl?budat |
Emmanystone:Don't mind him. Cold is wiring his ass. |
MuttleyLaff:Lol! |
KingEbukasBlog:Where are you? |
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