I was having a discussion with a friend of mine the other day, and it started me on a certain train of thought about two topics in particular. I think they’re often points of misunderstanding between those who are religious and those who aren’t. I have my own thoughts about these two issues, but I’d really like to hear from the other nonbelievers who read this blog. As always, Christian commentary is welcome too.
- If the Bible’s claims about God, Jesus, miracles, etc are untrue, what were the motives of the people who wrote it?
- Many nonbelievers view Christians’ efforts at teaching their children and others as indoctrination. Is that a fair term? Why do we view it as indoctrination? And if that’s what it is, what is the point of it? Furthermore, are we indoctrinating our own children against religion? If we’re striving for open-mindedness, should we try to teach our children about religious perspectives as well?
Again, I have my own thoughts regarding these questions. I think they’re often asked (or unasked) in a way that carries some assumptions, and I’ve tried to leave those intact. So if you feel that the questions aren’t phrased correctly, feel free to address that in your response as well.
I almost never directly ask for comments, yet my posts usually get quite a few. It will be just my luck that no one comments now that I’m asking. 🙂
Finding Truth 
@Michael Summers: February 12, 2014 at 11:46 pm
“He (your father) challenged me to examine other perspectives, to consider the validity of their arguments.”
So you accepted his advice and you studied other perspectives.
Under what criteria did you make your comparative study of others as well as yours? Did you give them equal chance for reasoning?
Thanks
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@Nate : February 12, 2014 at 11:53 pm
I appreciate your parents being firm on their belief yet open minded for you and your children.
Regards
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@ Sabio Lantz:February 13, 2014 at 4:51 am
“The Bible” is an anthology and not one book. Thus different author had different intents for their stories. And each part of each story may have different intents.”
I think I agree with you.
Regards
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@john zande : February 13, 2014 at 6:59 am
“I think comparative religious study is vital.”
Under what criteria should one make the comparative study of religions, non-religions also included?
Regards
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@archaeopteryx1: February 13, 2014 at 8:50 am
“…what does religion offer that is truly beneficial?”
The truthful religion offers fulfillment of purpose of life.
Regards
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Ah, Paarsurrey, you never did, despite my repeated requests on Mak’s site, give me any evidence that there is no other god but allah — there’s still time to do that!
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Oh, Paarsurrey, Paarsurrey, Paarsurrey – I HAVE no religion, and my life is FULL of meaning and purpose! Your biggest problem, is that you KNOW no other way, than the one with which you were raised – you’ve never dared to question, to doubt. I couldn’t live in that kind of fear, it wouldn’t be living, merely existing til death, when, in your mind, your real life begins! Guess what? The joke’s on you. SUCH a tragic waste.
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@archaeopteryx1 :March 22, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Do you exist?
I don’t think you exist.
If you think you exist; please provide to me the proofs and give evidences.
Regards
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Sure, right after you give me evidence that there is no other god but allah.
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Yikes. When people start with the whole “how do you know you exist” line, you know they are out of ideas.
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This began a month ago, on Mak’s site, and I’m still waiting for an answer – allah would be SO disappointed in him. “No virgins for you, Paarsurrey!”
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The obvious difference, of course, is that archaeopteryx is arguing on his own behalf. So paarsurrey, even if you don’t believe “archaeopteryx” exists, you believe that someone exists that is using his name and typing for him. Is there a book that God has written? I only know of books that claim to speak for him. And while I don’t believe in the God they claim to speak for, I definitely believe that there were men who wrote down all those words. When God starts interacting with me directly, as he supposedly did with Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, then I’ll no longer question his existence.
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I must question, if he doesn’t believe that I exist, to whom is he posting? And why?
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I asked, because on Mak’s site, Random Thoughts, he came on, trying to throw the burden of proof on us to show that there is no god. I turned it around on him, knowing that the Muslim belief is that, “There is no god but allah!” and therefore asked him to provide evidence that there is, in fact, no other god but allah – this, he has failed to do, repeatedly.
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