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Are Agnostics Welcome Here?

Nicole Friedman said:
As I've already stated several times, I have hope that there is some higher intelligence in the universe. Call it whatever you want.
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Why do you hope that? Surely it is far more interesting and fulfilling to know that it is the human race which has achieved all it has,* rather than attributing it to something - an idea - you can only imagine?

*and yes, of course, the human race has been responsible for all the set-backs too, but the improvements far outweigh the dark side of history.

#491 Devilsadvocate
Very good post - I do hope you get an equally clear and unambiguous answer, but I have my doubts.
 
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Ichneumonwasp said:
While I agree with you, I see no way to prove it. The idea that a creator sits in judgment and we will have no interaction with this god until after death is simply unfalsifiable.
...snip...
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But which god that is actually worshipped by a religion falls under this definition?
 
DevilsAdvocate said:
Nicole:

Let’s say you make up your mind and decide to believe in God. Not a Jewish God, but just a God some general sense of some force out there.

How would this change you? How would this change what you believe, how you act, what you value? Would God want or expect certain things from you? Would you want or expect certain things from God? Would God care? Would God be able to provide them? If believing in God means that there is some force driving toward some purpose and that you are part of that purpose, how do you know what that purpose is? How do you know how to assist that purpose? How do you know that the purpose is good and that you should assist that purpose?

If you did believe in God, what would God be like? How would you know that God is like that?
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I really can't answer all of your questions. All I can say is that if there anything out there, I'd be much happier. I would know that there was a reason and purpose to all of life and to my existence. I would have hope that there may be something after this life, and that there may be a possibility that I will be with my husband and future children afterward as well.
 
Leumas said:
Hey Nicole,

Do you read the Tanakh in English or can you read it in Hebrew?


If you read it in English......does it have the word God?


So why is it that the OFFICIAL translation approved by the Rabbis of the Tanakh in English has the word God? Are the Rabbis who did the translation disrespectful to YHWH?

Have a look at this site.... notice verse 16 in this page.....

Remember the Hebrew is from right to left and the first highlighted word is YeHWaH spelled out in full with the vowels and the second word is Elohay spelled out in full. Notice how Elohay is translated as "God of" in English and YHWH as "The Lord" (i.e. Adonai).




Also have a look at verse 4. Notice the word Eloheem is translated as God.
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Seriously, what is your point? If it makes ME more comfortable, why can you possibly care?
 
Darat said:
All the major denominations of Christianity have a god that interacts with the world.
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Many people do not think he does. Not saying that they think he never did, but that they think he doesn't now. I've met many who express that belief. Would you like their phone numbers?
 
Ichneumonwasp said:
Many people do not think he does. Not saying that they think he never did, but that they think he doesn't now. I've met many who express that belief. Would you like their phone numbers?
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That may be the case but if so they are not following one of the major denominations of Christianity in existence today. (This is not me defining what their god is or should be, it is the religions themselves who define their various gods.)
 
Nicole Friedman said:
I really can't answer all of your questions. All I can say is that if there anything out there, I'd be much happier. I would know that there was a reason and purpose to all of life and to my existence.
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Do you believe your life and existence has no purpose?

I used to carry around a list of sayings, and "Atheist Creed" almost. One was "If you want purpose in life, it is up to you to find it".

Nicole Friedman said:
I would have hope that there may be something after this life, and that there may be a possibility that I will be with my husband and future children afterward as well.
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For me, knowing that this lifetime is the only one I get makes every moment that much more precious.
 
Nicole Friedman said:
I really can't answer all of your questions. All I can say is that if there anything out there, I'd be much happier. I would know that there was a reason and purpose to all of life and to my existence. I would have hope that there may be something after this life, and that there may be a possibility that I will be with my husband and future children afterward as well.
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See, even though I was brought up religious, and understand what you're saying...I don't understand what you're saying.

The reason for my life is biology. My parents had sex, conceived me, and my mother didn't abort, either therapeutically or spontaneously. So that's the reason I exist. I don't need more of a reason than that, and I'm not sure why anyone else would, either.

As for purpose--it's my life. Why would I want a pre-assigned "purpose" for being here, granted by some being who then cuts off all contact with me, doesn't advise me, doesn't guide or direct me--totally ignores me, in fact, as if he didn't exist at all? Does he inform me of this purpose, ever, or does he leave me to guess and puzzle it out, and get it wrong--likely most of the time? How do I ever know if the life I'm living is fulfilling my "purpose?" And if I'm not, then what was the point of giving it to me in the first place, but never telling me what it was?

What of severely malformed babies? Was that their purpose--to exist in the womb for 40 weeks, get born, and suffer for a few hours until they die? What the hell kind of purpose is that? What kind of "superior" being does that? "Maybe the parents needed to learn something." At the expense of a child, of another life? Your purpose in life was to break your parent's hearts? :boggled: What?

You are of course entitled to your opinions, but frankly, I can't see any point in asking either of those questions. Your reason for being is biology, and your purpose is whatever you manage to give to it.

No gods required, or for my money, desired.
 
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