ChatterBank9 mins ago
Moral decline
89 Answers
First of all, apologies if this is not quite in the right category. I've been "lurking" on this site for quite some time now and find the argument/discussion between theist and atheist interesting and often quite amusing. I am a confirmed atheist, having walked out of C of E confirmation classes some fifty years ago, so I align myself with the "usual suspects" (I will admit to have a sneaking respect for some contributors who "appear" to have such an unshakeable faith in a collection of mistranslated fairy stories!).
My problem is that I am becoming increasingly concerned about the moral decline in our society and find myself wishing the established church would accept it's role and take more of a moral stand to help reverse some of the outrageous imbalance that just seems to be getting worse. This makes me feel a bit of a hypocrite, but in the absence of any other acceptable role models where else should we be looking? Probably not politicians!!
My problem is that I am becoming increasingly concerned about the moral decline in our society and find myself wishing the established church would accept it's role and take more of a moral stand to help reverse some of the outrageous imbalance that just seems to be getting worse. This makes me feel a bit of a hypocrite, but in the absence of any other acceptable role models where else should we be looking? Probably not politicians!!
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joko ...... and all on here You can’t see what is under your noses!! Can you?
//If you want people to listen and take any notice whatsoever of anything you say, you must try to write in a way that people can digest easily... like a human being ... this stuffy, pompous copying and pasting of random texts just makes people switch off.//
Well perhaps it seems unrealistic to you to talk or write of an indefinite future, one of eternal life. Because you have not seen anyone who did not grow old and die, does that mean it is impossible for a human to have eternal youth and life? Remember, it is God, who created mankind in the beginning, who promises this for those who obey and serve him, (John 3:16) Look how long a tree is able to live. Some of the giant sequoias are more than 3,000 years old and still have many more years ahead of them. Since he can give a tree such long life, is it not reasonable for him to give life to those who love him.
Actually, God speaks today, not merely to a “chosen few,” but to all who will listen. “God . . . is telling mankind (Acts 17:30) Nevertheless, any who reject even the idea of God’s speaking are evidently not going to listen to him
Many world leaders have claimed to believe in God. Yet they have not helped to improve things much. Why is this? Largely because, “Most of the great men of this world live as if they were atheists.” Their claims that they worship God have not held them back from the massacres, aggressive wars, oppressions, tortures and treachery that have been continuing features of history. Evidently, when God has spoken, they have not been listening either.
//If you want people to listen and take any notice whatsoever of anything you say, you must try to write in a way that people can digest easily... like a human being ... this stuffy, pompous copying and pasting of random texts just makes people switch off.//
Well perhaps it seems unrealistic to you to talk or write of an indefinite future, one of eternal life. Because you have not seen anyone who did not grow old and die, does that mean it is impossible for a human to have eternal youth and life? Remember, it is God, who created mankind in the beginning, who promises this for those who obey and serve him, (John 3:16) Look how long a tree is able to live. Some of the giant sequoias are more than 3,000 years old and still have many more years ahead of them. Since he can give a tree such long life, is it not reasonable for him to give life to those who love him.
Actually, God speaks today, not merely to a “chosen few,” but to all who will listen. “God . . . is telling mankind (Acts 17:30) Nevertheless, any who reject even the idea of God’s speaking are evidently not going to listen to him
Many world leaders have claimed to believe in God. Yet they have not helped to improve things much. Why is this? Largely because, “Most of the great men of this world live as if they were atheists.” Their claims that they worship God have not held them back from the massacres, aggressive wars, oppressions, tortures and treachery that have been continuing features of history. Evidently, when God has spoken, they have not been listening either.
Elderman- in a very murky past many, many years ago I, on two seperate occasions asked to hear God, and at the time meant it with every fibre of my being, desperate for something bigger and stronger and purer than I to hold on to- he was there, he didn't asnwer. It wasn't that I 'wasn't listening', 'didn't want it all to be true'- quite the reverse I desperately wanted God to be real- but he wasn't there, he didnt speak, didn't envelope me in fuzzy warm certainty of his existence. Why do you think that would be, because I can only come up with one answer.
‘Is it not true, at one time though, that many religions use the Bible in their services, and people hear its words every Sunday?’ But while they hear, do they really listen, that is, pay attention to what they hear?
For example, many churches use the “Our Father” prayer (or, the “Lord’s Prayer”) in their Sunday services. This prayer is a part of the Bible. In one Catholic version, the first words of the prayer are: “Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:9, 10, Douay.)
What is God’s will that has to be done on earth? Part of it is expressed in this promise: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Ps. 37:11) Such peace, according to the “Our Father” prayer, is to be brought about by God’s “kingdom,” his government.
So it was interesting back in 1965, after Pope Paul VI visited the United Nations, to read in the newspapers that he had said: “The peoples of earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace.” (Italics ours) This statement doubtless helped United Nations members to feel that their work was important and worthwhile. But if they were the last hope for peace, what about God’s kingdom? Pope Paul VI evidently had not been truly listening to the words of the “Our Father” prayer.
There are many many other examples showing that, even when people hear the Bible read, this to them is often just a ritual, and they fail to pay attention and get the sense of what it is saying.
Naomi: I give up on you!
For example, many churches use the “Our Father” prayer (or, the “Lord’s Prayer”) in their Sunday services. This prayer is a part of the Bible. In one Catholic version, the first words of the prayer are: “Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:9, 10, Douay.)
What is God’s will that has to be done on earth? Part of it is expressed in this promise: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Ps. 37:11) Such peace, according to the “Our Father” prayer, is to be brought about by God’s “kingdom,” his government.
So it was interesting back in 1965, after Pope Paul VI visited the United Nations, to read in the newspapers that he had said: “The peoples of earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace.” (Italics ours) This statement doubtless helped United Nations members to feel that their work was important and worthwhile. But if they were the last hope for peace, what about God’s kingdom? Pope Paul VI evidently had not been truly listening to the words of the “Our Father” prayer.
There are many many other examples showing that, even when people hear the Bible read, this to them is often just a ritual, and they fail to pay attention and get the sense of what it is saying.
Naomi: I give up on you!
wow...talk about totally missing the point elderman...
you answer a request (and a bit of advice) to make your posts more 'human' so people dont just instantly zone out, by writing as people speak - not as preachy, wordy and tediously long texts, that often bear no resemblance to the point in question ... with MORE wordy waffle!! ... eeeh theres none so blind...
and as for us 'not seeing what is under our noses' - haha - thats just the problem really - there is nothing under our noses is there!?
if there was, we'd probably accept it... all there is here is you... waffling your brainwashed fairytales...
you answer a request (and a bit of advice) to make your posts more 'human' so people dont just instantly zone out, by writing as people speak - not as preachy, wordy and tediously long texts, that often bear no resemblance to the point in question ... with MORE wordy waffle!! ... eeeh theres none so blind...
and as for us 'not seeing what is under our noses' - haha - thats just the problem really - there is nothing under our noses is there!?
if there was, we'd probably accept it... all there is here is you... waffling your brainwashed fairytales...
I agree with Joko about both the length and wording of your text. I try to read long posts and do my best to consider the viewpoint of the author but I can barely make it through yours.
The moral decline of empires may be more of a symptom than a cause. As society stratisfies between the haves and have nots the cohesiveness of the society to work towards the common good falls away. Do you still say "For Queen and Country"?. I find little to warrant sacrifing my life for my country because I'm often at ends with what is the common good.
The moral decline of empires may be more of a symptom than a cause. As society stratisfies between the haves and have nots the cohesiveness of the society to work towards the common good falls away. Do you still say "For Queen and Country"?. I find little to warrant sacrifing my life for my country because I'm often at ends with what is the common good.
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