[ATLian]

Originally Posted by Ndigila2

"Religion has caused untold bloodshed throughout the history of mankind."

Is the above statement a valid reason to be an atheist? If yes, why?

No!

An atheist is someone who does not believe that a supreme being exists, and to me, the only valid reason to be an atheist is a lack of belief!

If you're a theist who becomes seriously pissed off at your god for some sh.it he has done (like caused a tsunami that wiped out your family) or some sh.it that he hasn't done (like curing your wife from cancer), then you dismiss him and stop worshipping him, that doesn't make you an atheist. You're still a theist, just that you're a theist who is very pissed off at your deity! Ditto a theist who is very pissed off at his god and religion because "Religion has caused untold bloodshed throughout the history of mankind."

Becomming an atheist because you're pissed off at your god makes no sense. You're still a theist, just a very pissed off one.

But I beleive that this type of anger can open your mind to explore and learn more about why your god is so fu.cked up, and this can eventually lead you to being an atheist!

[Muhammad_4]

the verses you have quoted above is about judgment of rebellious people who instead of paying homage to god deemed it fit to make their gods and the worship them. God decided to give the house of jacob their land.

deutoronomy 20: 16-17 but of the cities of these people, which the lord thy god doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:but thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the hittites, and the amorites, the canaanites, and the perizzites, the hivites, and the jebusites; as the lord thy god hath commanded thee: unless you deny that he is not god. Look at these words: "thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth": what crime did children commited, let alone donkeys,horses etc? please explain this.

first you have copied and pasted a portion of parable that is also found in mat 25:13-30. The parable is simply about talents in nurturing of the word of god and has nothing to with violence whatsoever.

this is what i quoted: luke 19:27 but those mine enemies, which would not that i should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me". If this is not violence, then i dont know what violence is. Then you went on and explaining the verse by these words!"and of cause there are those who did not like christ's teachings these are the one's luke 19:27 refers to".well, what more explanation should i wish from you?!

the soul that sinneth shall surely die ezek 18:4.

this is how i missed you! you make my job very easy (different from others): why would you believe that jesus died for your sin then?!!

defenceless not because christ was unable to defend himself but because this no doubt bears more witness of what isaiah 9:6 affirms; that christ was a the prince of peace.

yes he was a weak "god" luke, 22:43 "and there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." you can not call him a prince of peace, while you have these words in your bible!: "think not that i am come to send peace on earth: i came not to send peace, but a sword." matthew, 10:34

muhammad think of a garment, zero in on it. It is a symbol of an earthly possession. Thus when you are told to sell your garment and buy a sword. This simply interprets into less care for worldly things and maximum attendance and adherence to spiritual matters.

who translated the verse, the way you do?

38 "and they said, lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, it is enough.",

please explain to the readers here. The explanation you gave has nothing to do with the verse.

judas is betraying jesus because in his inner most though he believes that somehow christ being the messiah will not accept to suffer the torments and thus will use his powers and evade his enemies, leaving him with the money. Notice how he advices the romans to seize him (jesus) fast as soon as he identifies him.

my advice to you teejay, you should believe almighty god alone, not to associate with him any partners, dont say that he is three , it is better for you. Dont you see how strange your statement above?! i will tell you why. A friend betrayed the secret hiding place of "god"?!:john 18:2-3 and judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons". More proof on how a friend betrayed "god", from your own quotation: matt 26:48 [i]now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, whomsoever i shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast

over to you muhammad. What sayest thou of jesus' calm even at his hour of anguish in the hands of his tormentors? i quote you, [b]"i can see that "god"(read christ) was defenceless john 18:22-23 "

but according to the bible "god" was panic-stricken:john 7:1 after these things jesus walked in galilee: for he would not walk in jewry, because the jews sought to kill him". He "god" even walked in fear of the jews:john 11: 53-54 then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the jews; praise be to allah.

[teejay]

Originally Posted by ATLian

An atheist is someone who does not believe that a supreme being exists, and to me, the only valid reason to be an atheist is a lack of belief!

ATlian for you to disbelieve another belief, you must believe something else. Athiests do have beliefs and one such common belief among Atheist is Non-existance of God. So we can factually say that the only valid reason to be an Atheist is belief in nonentity (of a supreme being).

This is a debate that is probably as old as mashada itself. You have not proved to us that God does not exist.

Originally Posted by ATLian

If you're a theist who becomes seriously pissed off at your god for some sh.it he has done (like caused a tsunami that wiped out your family) or some sh.it that he hasn't done (like curing your wife from cancer), then you dismiss him and stop worshipping him, that doesn't make you an atheist. You're still a theist, just that you're a theist who is very pissed off at your deity! Ditto a theist who is very pissed off at his god and religion because "Religion has caused untold bloodshed throughout the history of mankind."

Becomming an atheist because you're pissed off at your god makes no sense. You're still a theist, just a very pissed off one.

But I beleive that this type of anger can open your mind to explore and learn more about why your god is so fu.cked up, and this can eventually lead you to being an atheist!

Anger is human, and many a times I have expressed not only anger towards God, but rage. I have asked God questions which I have often felt stupid asking him after calming down meditating and doing research on some of these issues when I arrive at their remedies. I have made the bible my number one consultant. Bible study and and more bible study has become my favourite past time. Sometimes we fail to understand him, but he gives us ample time to seek him and get to know him.