Need Advice re: the rapture

Theism is the belief in a deity. Scott seems to believe in a god, therefore he is a theist. Atheism (as you clearly stated) is the negation of theism. Since Scott is a theist, he can't also be an atheist.

Am I missing something?

I don't mean to be nitpicky, but I'm proud of my atheism and as such I like the term to be used appropriately.

Bill, excellent. I am a theist in general, but you conflate this with belief in all particular gods. It is a separate question which God I believe exists. Interestingly, one of the oldest slams against Christians is that they were 'atheists' because they didn't believe in the pantheon. I thought that my reasons for being a Christian instead of a Muslim, etc. were explained in my last post. Do you have a more direct response to those reasons?

Dusty, I'm no science hater. You're right that exploring the world around us is a wonderful thing to do. But I don't want to reduce the world around us to matter. For example, your wonder at the beauty of the world is non-material and valuable. To me, preaching has the potential to open up curiosity, not kill it. It doesn't always do that... On the whole I've found religion and story to provoke my curiosity and creativity. Maybe you haven't.

My point about atheism was that some of the same factors cause some people to be atheists and theists (e.g. influence of parents). We need to admit that reason is not objective - our will and mind do not exist in a vacuum.

johnL, I do agree that there are some similarities between Mormonism, Islam, and Christianity. But there are also vast differences. Do you really think (at least as they exist empirically) that there are no other differences between Mormonism and Christianity than that Jesus was/was not in S. America? It is not so easy to confine all religious thinking into one category. Religion can be a great gift, part of the wonder of creation.

People often seem to forget that Jesus Christ was a pretty big believer in God... All of his message seems to point back to that. We might say the same for Ghandi - his actions/ethics were directly related to his religion (a different one than Jesus). I agree, though, that religion does seem pretty fairy tale stupid sometimes.

Thanks for agreeing to that practical distinction, at least. It could be said that they worship the same God, but with different understandings of the nature and work of that God. For example, Muslims will say that Christians are tri-theists and worship two other gods that are not the one true God. Some Jews might say the same.

Edit to add: I can see how to an athiest or agnostic, the distinctions seem irrelevant - a god is a god. But to me, it makes a world of difference.

tbol wrote:Sorry to interrupt some of the higher philosophical minutia of religiousity, but I have one question. If God loves me so much, what is his fixation on burning and drowning me/the world all about? From the sound of this rapture stuff he wants to fuck me up old-school style. Also, I think the will to reason objectively is a choice derived from accepting one's ignorance of any metaphysical truth. Like Socrates’ admitting that even he had not the answers. Although not perfect, we have a uniquely human existential quality that gives us the power to deny subjectivity through thought experiments and the exercise of reason/logic. I wish people didn't buy the 'end of days' garbage. There is enough fear mongering and hate in the world as it is. I just wish I could exercise reason in the sun... this rain sucks. Must be the flood!!!

Agreed. Except for the existentialist part, which could be right in the 'end'. When I was in college, I used to believe something like this. I was not popular with my Thomist philosophy professor... Ultimately, for me, it felt too dishonest or incoherent to deny metaphysics and keep living in the world. The existentialist precipice was too much for me to handle long term.

Wow, this is some UNHOLY thread drift!
I agree Vegas will be great. Hit the hookers Friday, pay with a credit card, then Red Rocks on Saturday to watch the believers ascending into heaven. Front row seat or are there any believers in Las Vegas?

Will we actually be able to see them ascending? That would be neat.

Eastvillage wrote:Wow, this is some UNHOLY thread drift! I agree Vegas will be great. Hit the hookers Friday, pay with a credit card, then Red Rocks on Saturday to watch the believers ascending into heaven. Front row seat or are there any believers in Las Vegas?

Thank you....all I reallly wanted was some advice on hookers and blow....

will His noodly appendage be visible during the rapture?

Nathan Scherneck wrote:will His noodly appendage be visible during the rapture?

only to pirates

I'm with you fellers!

Yeah, this whole Rapture thing was like Ha-Ha for a day or two, but I removed the events from my Facebook Event que so I could remember to go to the actual events that were really happening with my friends.

Sorry to Poo poo on your Doom.

Stich wrote:Yeah, this whole Rapture thing was like Ha-Ha for a day or two, but I removed the events from my Facebook Event que so I could remember to go to the actual events that were really happening with my friends. Sorry to Poo poo on your Doom.

You are going to Hell. Say hello to Ghandi while you are there.

P.K. wrote:Now that the world is ending on Saturday, I want to spend the rest of the week at a place with the best climbing, cocaine, and hookers within a reasonable distance. It has to be Vegas right? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Find Charlie Sheen and make friends with him fast. He will show you the way, the truth, and the light... Nobody can find their way to salvation but through him.

I just saw on "funny or die" god has put off the rapture cause he had some parties to go to... in any case you're probably good with Las Vegas as a choice. Weather's pretty good right now. Lots of routes to climb and not too much crowding for the trade routes. Hookers and coke...I'm sure you can find that easy enough. Be sure to bring cash...;)

Just a friendly reminder from the Management:
Everyone, don't forget to file your TPS Reports by Friday. And don't forget the cover sheets!

Haven't got time to get out to Vegas in the next 48 hours. I"ll just have to commit all the sins I can possibly jam in starting tonight and all day tomorrow. Don't know where to start: drinking or looking for some tail to pound.

Mike wrote: You are going to Hell. Say hello to Ghandi while you are there.

If I see Buddha, I'll kill him.

Thank you all for taking this thread back where it belongs. Stay sane out there.

Didn't you get the text message ??

It's a mis-translation !!

The "Raptors" are returning this Saturday, that's why we have all the cliff closures.