Posted on 07/12/2004 11:38:24 AM PDT by free biscet
FROM THE CELEB ATHEIST LIST
Ron Reagan Jr., Talk Host ent Internet Movie Database
Ron had a short lived talk show a few years ago. On one show, he interviewed Charles Manson at Manson's current cell of residence. Manson began "preaching" his "message". During it, he turned to Reagan and asked, "Do you believe in god?" "No, I do not," Ron responded.
--CDA
Oh, I don't know...He MAY just actually think he's smart enough to be's pulling one over on the Big Guy...If so, the joke's certainly on him!
I am honestly very happy to see that you feel that way. Maybe other people will understand that many of us who are believers aren't in bed, so to speak, with the more obtuse ones.
To Ron Reagan: You are not qualified to discuss embryonic stem cell research. There may/may be potential benefits, but the question is whether human life should be sacrificed to find out. There are other stem cells that can be used as well. Moreover, GWB only has control over USG funded research. Privately, researchers can do whatever they want. Put your own money where your mouth is.
The best example I can think of is the Meryl Streep, Hollyweirdo God, which has been mentioned with this bumpersticker slogan:
"God Created Man In His Image...Hollywood Liberals Are Now Returning The Favor."
We'll know when we get to Judgement Day who was right, but the best bet will be the people who put the LEAST restrictions on HIM to live to THEIR standards.
Based on this statement, I do not believe you were ever a Christian. It's the only possible explanation for how a person with a personal relationship with the creator of the universe could "see the light" and become an atheist. Of course satan was a fallen angel. But that was a pride thing. Based on your statements it doesn't sound like you understand the basics of Christianity. More likely you went to church and just got discouraged for whatever reason(s). Where there are humans, they can screw things up and that can include churches. Just going to a church doesn't make someone a Christian. Until someone accepts Christ as a personal Lord and savior, they are not really a Christian.
The default condition of all people is what is known as hell, or eternal separation from God. The only exceptions are those God allows into his home. Jesus taught that He is the narrow and only way and, thus, Christians, believe that accepting Christ is indeed the only way. We can not know what God ultimately allows to happen to Buddhists etc. However, throughout the Bible God states over and over that he is sovereign and can do as he pleases. So the default is hell not heaven.
Many people have big-time trouble with this. It's not fair, they say. The arrogance of men who feel they are entitled to spend eternal life in someone's home when they will not even acknowledge they exist and are responsible for their existence. These people who have God's handiwork spread in front of their eyes have visible evidence of God's existence. Most, but not all, have been exposed to the miraculous gospel of Christ and still they reject Him. And yet many of them scoff that it doesn't make sense for some to be saved and others not. Many believe in some misguided form of eternal entitlement or - in some cases - just don't give a rip.
It's only when one attempts to view these matters from a Godly perspective does it make any sense at all. Of course none of us can really understand. That's why it's called faith. But the bottom line, it is his universe and his rules. We are just little ants scurrying about. It's a miracle he cares about each one of us as it is. Imagine you are God and you send a part of you, your son, down to earth to become an ant! Now that is love! The first step is humbling accepting God's soverignity and praying for salvation out of sheer desperation. To those who don't feel desperate I suggest you do not understand your situation. If you just think you will live your life and then die and that's it, you don't understand that you are created in the image of God and that you have an immortal soul that will live after you die. Where this soul ends up is decided by God interacting with your free will in ways none of us understands. But you were given free will as God has no use for robots because only a human with free will can truly love someone. God wants you to love him back and have a relationship.
I do wish you well. I assume you are well read. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis has a good treatise on what Christianity is.
Hey Dimensio, weren't we just talking about "No True Christian"? It already popped up.
The default condition of all people is what is known as hell, or eternal separation from God.
That thesis falls apart if one does not believe in either. I have a more optimistic view that the world is a neutral place, make the most of it and do right by your fellow man because that's all that you have. Like with campground rules, leave it in a better condition than you found it.
I heard and even believed the rest long ago, but not anymore. And I am happier and a better person now.
Thanks. That's why I have no prejudice against anyone when I find out they are Christian either. Everyone starts with the benefit of the doubt -- they prove or damn themselves IMO after that.
being anti-gay marriage is an incredibly anti-gay stance?? sorry don't buy it.
I question if there is much republicans could do to get the gay vote.
I wouldn't put anything past Moore. I saw 9/11 and it was a brilliantly made film. Everything was effectively lies and blatant messing with emotions, but on almost every issue he left himself some room to get off on a technicality ("Well, technically it wasn't a lie."). He could be trying to play the same game with his faith.
Au contraire, most of the libs I've known have been religious in the traditional sense, and most far-left individuals have been adherents of "alternative" religions which mix Buddhism, animism and eco-feminism in a weird metaphysical melange.
Is Jonathan Rauch a registered Republican?
He's going to make one jumbo fire log!
Moore would make a "great" televangelist.
That's a great argument. I don't really understand how atheists can ignore it. Another example: I read that each of the few billion nerve cells in the brain can connect with its neighbors in tens of thousands of different configurations. If you do the math, the number of possible arrangements of the brain as a whole is a number greater than the estimated number of atoms in the universe. Gives an insight into man being created in the image of God.
"Moore would make a "great" televangelist."
So would bjclinton. Funny thing about those preacher /teacher /priest class, they are first in line for judgment, as it is Written.
Sorry, I don't follow you. Where is the incredulity?
I think the argument is that the orderliness, intelligence, purpose, and beauty we see all around us can be taken as evidence that the universe is an expression of a higher intelligence, beauty, etc. Is that proof according to the rules of logic or science? Perhaps not. But it takes a lot of dedication to those rules to ignore what is all around us.
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