₦airaland Forum

petra1:
its not medical but a demonic challenge. it can be cast out.

SMH. No worry em. My case is more than what pastor can handle.

McSterling:
Really Maybe you still have some reading to do.


This would seem like a contradiction. If, as I presume, you still favour creationism over evolution, does it not connote putting revelation over reason?

I don't subscribe to Biblical creationism. ID creationism is more like it. And I am well-read on evolution.

Seun:
Yes, but the fraction of atheist or deists parents who are coercive is probably lower because we're not mandated to impose our beliefs on kids.

I agree.

McSterling:
Is deism not a form of theism? Or do we define theism as belief in personal/anthropomorphic gods alone?

BTW, what are your thoughts on the theory of evolution now?

I have never once believed in Darwin's theory and its modern form, the neo-Darwininan theory of evolution. I think it is total nonsense and an abuse of one's intellect to accept it.

Deism puts reason over special revelation which is what distinguishes them.

Seun:
Parents are expected to teach their children what they honestly consider to be the truth. So there's nothing wrong with telling children about the numerous problems with religion, or preaching Jesus to them. What we are speaking against is trying to force children to believe as you do. If you fail to persuade your children to adopt your religious position, you should not resort to violence, which is what was actually bad about the communists. Persuasion is good, but coercion is bad. Don't mix them up!

Agreed. Some atheist and deist parents could be coercive though, agree?

McSterling:
Uyi, see advert o

You dey mind am.

ScepticalPyrrho:
You might want to scratch this part. Because you are mincing contradictory words together in one sentence. It doesn't pass the test of scrutiny.

How does argument SHOW there is a God?

If you are ROCKSURE you should be a theist not a deist.

You follow the logic in the argument and once you accept it, admit God as defined exists.

You don't need to be a theist to believe in God, hence deism.

Jh0wsef:
A set of blessing after 25 years!



ignorant and "hypocritic" atheists, this a coincidence, right?

Remind me of what happened at Ozubulu. Why not thank God for that?

LightandDarkness:
How old were you when it began. It's good you have a competent psychiatrist in a country were church is the next option.

I was 20 when it began in March 2011.

DangotePikin:
Christianity predates Islam isn't that enough evidence of which is more genuine? I'm sure if you should ask an independent historian to examine the evidence of both Christians and Muslims, he would say Christianity is more factual. Jesus was born years before Muhammad.

And pagans existed before Christianity. You should worship Ifa. They were around before Christianity came here.

hopefulLandlord:
I'm curious, how do you indoctrinate someone with atheism? I understand irreligion but atheism? how?

pls, I'm not having a go at you, just curious

By isolating them from religious traditions. By specifically preaching atheism and criticizing religions on a larger scale as the Communists did.

True talk. But this can apply to any belief or lack of as it does religion. Atheists do not see that.

LoJ:
Hello,

Hi!

LoJ:
It is good to evolve and change one's mind about a topic. Nothing wrong with that, in fact that's what intelligent people do.

Noted.

LoJ:
BUT, this going to and fro, from one Label to another makes the whole thing looks like superficiality and lack of convictions. It also appears like a desire to "taste" new things. My advice would thus be to stop all these labels and you ask yourself sensible questions:

My psychosis. Schizohrenic with bipolar disorder, remember. I have been hearing voices in my head since I was young.

LoJ:
[b]- Why did you move from christianity to Deism in the first place? What were the concrete reasons?

1) The morality of God along with Jesus' death on the cross made no sense to me. I was convinced by atheists on that.
2) Jesus can't be God. That's like a square circle. Jesus died, God cannot die.
3) Hard evidence needed to know God is Christ as. I hear voices in my head as a schizophrenic patient. How do I know which is the Holy Spirit? If God ordained Christianity and wants me in heaven he knows what will convince me already.

LoJ:
- Why did leave Deism back to christianity? Did those former reasons suddenly disappear to make you come back to Christianity?

Something always triggered a state of psychsosis and it would make me a Christian. I now wonder whether there is a level of split-personality disorder at play because of it.

LoJ:
- Why do you seem to consider Atheism as a border, never to be crossed?

I explored atheism in-depth to the extemt of arguing like an atheist on NL for 6 months. I was inspired by a Christian pastor Ryan Bell

http://www.npr.org/2014/12/27/373298310/after-year-of-atheism-former-pastor-i-dont-think-god-exists

I never became an atheist. I am rocksure of the arguments showing there is a God.

LoJ:
If you are looking for the Truth, you have to consider and analyse objectively and sincerely all options.

I still search for the truth. But for now I am a deist, that's the wisest course to take from my experiences now. I still have vestiges of my Christian faith eg I think miracles happen.

LoJ:
- Why do you discuss and defend opinions you seem not to be very sure of?[/b]

To explore them as a curious person.

LoJ:
There is no imperative to have a Label. You can take your time, do your homework, seek the truth without rushing here and there. it takes time but it is of greater value.

I am a deist. The Christian ish has been linked to psychosis. I just didn't say that for 6 years though a discerning person should have known from my strange posts.

LoJ:
I hope you find inner peace and guidance.

Cheers.

Thanks.

LightandDarkness:
Curious about this as well. Also interested in how you manage your schizophrenia and bipolar disorder at the same time if f you care to share

I rememeber how I was thinking when in a psychotic state and can recognize when those thoughts come. In the past 6 years since it first happened I have gotten better at second-guessing when it starts. I also started a blog and began being open about my deism as a means of catharsis.

I also have started taking my drugs more seriously after my concerns were allayed by a US-trained psychiatrist. My psychiatrists are quite flippant with my case esp where it concerns psychotherapy.

LoJ:
Hello,



It is good to evolve and change one's mind about a topic. Nothing wrong with that, in fact that's what intelligent people do.

BUT, this going to and fro, from one Label to another makes the whole thing looks like superficiality and lack of convictions. It also appears like a desire to "taste" new things. My advice would thus be to stop all these labels and you ask yourself sensible questions:

- Why did you move from christianity to Deism in the first place? What were the concrete reasons?

- Why did leave Deism back to christianity? Did those former reasons suddenly disappear to make you come back to Christianity?

- Why do you seem to consider Atheism as a border, never to be crossed? If you are looking for the Truth, you have to consider and analyse objectively and sincerely all options.

- Why do you discuss and defend opinions you seem not to be very sure of?

There is no imperative to have a Label. You can take your time, do your homework, seek the truth without rushing here and there. it takes time but it is of greater value.

I hope you find inner peace and guidance.

Cheers.

I noticed that my "reconversion" to Christianity reoccurred after I was in a state of psychosis including the strange event that happened on 2013. Otherwise, I was a deist.

In UyiIredia's "Ask Me Anything" thread I mentioned I was a Christian though I was a deist fearing that another reconversion would happen in my psychotic state. It happened again around September 2015 and I wrote threads on NL during then. It's bad and good, bad because of the psychosis and good because there is a record of what I was thinking.

The reason why I am coming forth with this info now is because I have not fallen into psychosis for a year now though there have been close shaves.

I support sir. Godspeed to you.

Dalamama:
10 pages and othing new to learn from the theist here. Pls KingEbukasBlog and others that keep insisting that there is this elusive God that created the universe. I'll state this one more. Use God alone and explain to us how the earth and life was created in details. Just use God alone and explain to us how the earth's core and magnetic field were created for example. We want you to use ONLY God and make those explanations. Oya fire on, we the atheist here are waiting for you.

There is no HOW to God's creation. 'How' assumes there is a material process God created within.

God precedes matter we see. Matter is a conception in the immaterial infinite mind God is. God simply reveals the matter from His mind, no material process needed.

I can't bring physical evidence. God is immaterial. How do I know? From the human mind's features I infer there has to be a God too. From the mind's ability to create, I infer God is the creator. From the mind's ability to spontaneously concieve of matter or new thoughts in my head I know God must have had the same power manifested in the universe's creation. I use logical inference.

@ blueAgent: Atheists are fellow humans. It is bad to insult them as you did. Don't let your anger against atheism drive you to sin.

McSterling:
Uyi: A man evolving.

Noted.

. . . yet I am still alive. Empty superstition.

From Christianity to deism to Christianity and back, rinse and repeat 2 more times. My reconversion to Christianity is linked to a state of psychosis. I suffer from schizophrenia with bipolar disorder.

That said, despite reconverting I am not the same person again. Even if Jesus appears to me tomorrow and changes my mimd I won't be the same Christian I was before. A healthy dose of skepticism matters.

Last month, I told my sister that I am a deist and starting 2 weeks ago said it to family and friends on Facebook. I argued a bit about it with my grandmum this morning. The reactions have
been negative as expected but quite heated, not to bitter sha. At least, I am a deist not an atheist (atheists dey try) but still . . . it is not going to be easy. Nigerians are very religious.

assfreaky:
I am not unhappy. Just feel like committing suicide

My brother life is precious. Don't give up. My 2 cents.

What about people's reaction after telling them I'm a deist. So far they preach and then pray which I graciously allow. One man's reaction na to dey say Jesus for everything him dey talk. What Jesus? Hian!

Lordave:
[b] 1. Help from church members in time of need.

If you can only get help from the members of your church, then Christianity is a hoax and it's followers has no business being referred to as Christians. Remember the parable of the good Samaritan.


2. Getting a job.

If you're are awarded a job because the interviewer has been compromised or is your church member, it means you're not the best qualified for the job and as such, Christianity supports/encourages nepotism and cheating.

3. Getting a husband/wife.

My dad who is an ardent believer and Assemblies of God Church Goer didn't even meet my mum in the church, Mum was a Methodist then.

4. Getting capital and workers for your business.

Please kindly go through number 1, thank you.

5. Getting a skill, some churches have skill-acquisition programmes.

It can never be as good as our conventional skill acquisition programmes. Even an apprentice in Ariaria shoe market has a better chance of graduating with much experience and succeeding in his endeavour than you who combine religion with professionalism.

6. Making money as a pastor.

What more can I say? PastorPreneur ti take over!

How do you make money being a pastor? Did any of the early apostles go into the mission for wealth and profit making? What is the essence of preaching about our reward in heaven?
Seun, if you see any hypocrite type "Vanity upon Vanity" upon un-religious wealth, abeg a ban till we get rewarded in heaven can't be more appropriate.
Thank you.[/b]

You didn't deny pastors make money. Jesus got by on donations of goodwill. Same for many pastors, even atheists like Hemant Mehta on Patreon.

CoolUsername:
The ones who built their lives around the church family sometimes find it difficult to leave.

The same with me though I am a deist.

1. Help from church members in time of need.

2. Getting a job.

3. Getting a husband/wife.

4. Getting capital and workers for your business.

5. Getting a skill, some churches have skill-acquisition programmes.

6. Making money as a pastor.

These are parctical benefits one can get as a church member. But atheists want you to leave all that for atheism. What benefits does atheism have to give?

hopefulLandlord:
are you still a Christian?

No. I am a deist. But I vacillate precisely because I have a mental illness linked with this philosophical stuff. I think some time I will have to explore that topic.

tobechi20:
I see them as strong people who have opted to make a decision without being influenced by their majority and environment.

Their decision could be wrong. Both the will power is there.

If they change to another and another,i see them as confused

Noted. And this is why I have a beef with psychiatrists. Drug are important but schizophrenia involves delusions. My conversions to Christianity since that first 2013 were linked to a state of psychosis. That explains the voices, it doesn't explain the involuntary motions I had.

My confusion results from a mental disorder.

Here's the thing. If I poiny to you what I wrote in and actually believed that state you will see there where things you would accept and other 'strange stuff'.

UyiIredia:
1) Comp. Eng. (but I dropped out just b4 400lvl_high fees)

2) Christianity

3) I'm unemployed.

#Early morning blues.

I'm still unemployed, and honestly, the initial gra-gra to fimd work before my Dad's died has cooled down though I'm not doing nothing as it were. I never was. However, I just want to take it easy and literally manage the property my parents left us. Well managed it can comfortably fend for us. Reason: during psychosis it is easy to defraud a person.

Now on the second answer, I was hesitant to answer this but 1) was sure in my faith and 2) wanted to watch. Now is the context which anyone smart enough should have known.

I have what I now know to be schizophrenia with bipolar disorder and there are posts I wrote in that state to that effect.

My first mental breakdown started in March 2011 while in CU. As at 2011 I never "strongly" identified as a deist, I was a Christian. My mental breakdown had everything to do with atheism and subsequent sociophilosophical questions in my mind. From here on, I'll make things brief with pointers.

* In every case of a breakdown TILL DATE I wrote down my thoughts in a book, sometimes online. I statyed writing poetry at that time. My NL records on my other profile confrims this.

* My reconversion to religion happened when I was in a psychotic state (always) I had to come out of it before my deism kicked back in.

* Unless, I check my diaries and every damn thing I wrote I can be certain of the dates but I am sure between 2013 and 2016 I had 'reconversions' to Christianity.

* In those 'reconversions' the ideas I got over the past 8 years given atheism. For instance, the prayer seemed repetitive, displays of the 'power of the Holy Spirit' did not really move me and I didn't have a Holy Spirit I related with as I did as a Christian esp. when I was into it in my early teens.

This thing is long term and I had it all along.

. . . to be continued . . .