Who Are Fully Convinced That The Bible Is The Word Of God?

[goodlife]

Many people are attracted to Jehovah’s Witnesses because of the high moral standards and the love that they see among the Witnesses. That is a fine start,

But it does not mean that such people have faith. Others may have a marriage mate or a parent who is strong in faith, and they may share in some of the activities engaged in by that one whom they love. Having such an influence in one’s home is truly a blessing, but this too is no substitute for personal love of God and personal faith.—Luke 10:27, 28.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, You really do say some daft things at times. If an atheist were so egotistic that he worshipped himself as a god, logically he'd be aware of it. Apart from that an atheist wouldn’t worship anything as a god.

[beso]

goodlaugh //You know all people are inclined to worship someone or something, even if it is to worship one’s own self.//

Rubbish. You are projecting your own feeble minded attitudes onto others.

I find the whole idea of any kind of worship quite repulsive.

Indeed scientific research has shown that believers perceive their God's attitudes as closely aligned to their own values. When their own values change so do those that they perceive their God as holding.

They pray to their god for guidance and pretend their answers are ultimate truths when they are simply their own prejudices. And they don't question it.

So in fact, it is the believers who are actually worshiping themselves, or at least their own values. It is why religious extremism is so common.

I and many other atheists are constantly questioning our own values, in the knowledge that it is very easy for humans to be influenced by their own prejudices.

The religious simply adopt a system of prejudice fed to them by the oligarchy of their church.

[Khandro]

beso; Once again you demonstrate your poor understanding and wrong view when you talk of the 'feeble mindedness' of others, as if you dwelt in some position of neutrality outside of your own mind, giving you the ability to make such judgements.
Understanding the functioning of our mind forms the basis of Buddhist philosophy and practice; as the first verse of the Dhammapada (quotations from the Buddha) states:
"All things are preceded by the mind, led by the mind, created by the mind."
Religion does not mean just precepts, a temple, monastery, or other external signs including scripture. When the mind becomes the practices, one is a practitioner of religion, and when the mind does not become the practices, one is not.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
If you wish to set yourself outside of religious practice, that is up to you, but please spare us the clichés.

[naomi24]

Khandro, "All things are preceded by the mind, led by the mind, created by the mind."

That surely says it all. Religion is imaginary, so why defend it?

(And you're a fine one to talk about clichés. I've rarely seen you post an original thought).

[agchristie]

....or mind games

[goodlife]

When said Jesus:No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” (Matthew 6:24) Do you know anyone who chief interest in life is making money? Who, then, is such a one really serving, God or riches?

How many unbelievers do you know who are caught up in the frenetic pursuit of money? Surely, they too are money worshipers, perhaps more zealous than many believers.

[weecalf]

Religion is I would have thought a state of mind ,so lots of different answers are all right .Why do people use their god given talent of intelligence question the place they got it .

[beso]

goodlife //Who, then, is such a one really serving, God or riches? //

You try to paint everything black and white. I have many friends who are not believers but are certainly not caught up the frenetic pursuit of money either.

Obsessive believers like you are caught up in a frenetic pursuit of an afterlife, terrified that if they don't do their duty now they will suffer an eternity in hell.

[beso]

Khandro //Once again you demonstrate your poor understanding and wrong view when you talk of the 'feeble mindedness' of others, as if you dwelt in some position of neutrality outside of your own mind, giving you the ability to make such judgements. //

You entirely miss the point. I said that I was fully aware of the propensity for humans to engage in their own prejudices. I do not exclude myself but I moderate my own thoughts in that knowledge.

I constantly doubt my own judgement because of it. That self doubt is the foundation of functional intellect.

Religion teaches the follower to uncritically follow a doctrine. This undermines intellect and aims to turn the human into a zombie that will believe and do whatever it is told.