The Fact of Death

Honestly, why bother even deciding... I think there is a difference between a strong atheist (who affrimatively disbelieves in all gods) and an agnostic (or non-theist). I don't believe or disbelieve in any god because my belief is irrelevant. It will have no effect on my life (outside of things inside my head!) so why bother choosing? I instead choose to lead a good life, practice kindness towards others and follow the golden rule. If there does happen to be a god or gods... I would hope that he/they would judge me based on how I lived my life, not what I believed in. Any god that would damn a good person for choosing not to believe is an evil, horrible, capricious god that deserves no worshippers. If god is omnipotent and omnibenevolent then he does not need to be worshipped by definition.I can't think of any scenario where my belief would matter to an omnipotent, omnibenevolent god. The only way my choice of belief matters is if god is egotistical, selfish and/or evil

My enemies? Is this serious? Honestly, I get along with people of all faiths... Mostly because I have no strong belief myself and accept whatever they happen to believe (although I've had to set a few friends straight about evolution, cosmology and other scientific subjects)..... Well, I'm glad religion is a popularity contest... (tongue in cheek there, no offense!) There is absolutely no evidence that it is important for my eternal salvation (whatever that is) to believe in anything. Any god that needs to be worshipped is by definitnion not omnipotent or omnibenevolent and therefore is not god. So the christian god can not be god... it's simply impossible (unless god is not omnipotent/omnibenevolent, but then its not god anymore is it?) Hey now! No veiled references to atheists being like hitler! In any case a god that would damn a good person for no other reason than lacking belief is by definition evil (and also not omnibenevolent). Why would I choose to follow an evil god? Actually, the more I think about it, if you follow a god that damns otherwise good people you are worshipping satan (although I don't believe in satan, but that is beside the point).To be more on-topic:Death is an unknown, but also a certainty.FACT - I am alive now
FACT - No one knows what happens when you dieBased on this I choose to concentrate on living a good life here on earth and trying to bring joy and value to other people around me.If that isn't enough, I don't care.This message has been edited by Mini_Ditka, 12-29-2005 03:14 PM

Why should we worship anything?I simply choose to live the best that I can.I'm pretty sure that worship of anything always leads to evil (science, religion, monarchs, athletes, alcohol, sex)...Everything in life should be met with healthy skepticism

Linear, you bring up a GREAT point here. I personally do not consider AIG, ICR, etc. to be my enemies at all. I simply consider them to be sadly misinformed. If I feel anything for them, it's pity. There are many, on the other hand, who feel that scientists are out to destroy god and kill morality. I wonder if we could come up with another thread for this? (do creationists see evolutionists as enemies? How do evolutionists view creationsists? something along those lines). Any ideas for a good way to state this Linear? Maybe even more general... Do certain belief systems require an adversial stance to certain other groups? Maybe we can come up with a new topic so as to not draw this one off...... Again good point... I am using the concept of infinity to represent "omni"... perhaps this is wrong. Since if a god existed it would be by definition beyond my complete understanding you have a good point. I think that an afterlife (to be more ontopic) would also be by definition "beyond human understanding"... Interesting line of thought. Perhaps I am displaying a bit too hubris (fundamental agnosticsm? Now there's a concept!) Again, good point. Now, my point is... if the god in charge is evil? Should I worship him or even want to participate in his afterlife? Interesting question indeed. (I apologize for making any unfounded accusations BTW!) Understood and you are going a good job of it! You are certainly making me think, which is always healthy! I guess that's what life is really all about... coming to a sense of peace with our existence and doing whatever we can with it.to address the OP. I think we will never know (because it is impossible to know) whether death is absolutely final or not. Therefore, I choose to concentrate on my earthly existence and not worry about something I have no control over.Is my way of looking at things correct? It works for me, I've certainly come to terms with my own mortality and it doesn't bother me. But what works for the goose does not always work for the gander!Cheers Linear! Where is Pocomoke City anyways? I grew up in Gaithersburg

Interesting... however, if god is evil... does that make hell -> heaven and vice versa?Come to think of it I think I've been to pocomoke city.... I definitely have been to that part of MD so I understand that back in time comment