A Joyless Existence?

[andy-hughes]

Given that the posts on here from Christians continually vacillate between admonishing the rest of us for not believing in their god as they do, and fretting and worrying about their worthiness to enter heaven after they die -

Is it not fair to say that being a Christian is a seriously joyless existence?

Does 'God' really intend us to be so utterly bereft of anything approaching happiness on this earth?

And if so - why?

[goodlife]

Yes true, people who says, I do not worship anybody or anything! is really a worshiper of himself, but due to his egotism he is unaware of that fact.

And he prides himself to the presumptuous idea that he gives worship to nothing . This does not result in any benefit to him, it does not enlarge his freedom, rather it does more harm himself. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

[Mamyalynne]

I disagree with that premise Goodlife, but respect your right to C&P it.

[Baldric]

Goodlife do you ever have an original thought?

////Jehovah`s Witness / God command of killing -...
en.allexperts.com/q/Jehovah-s-Witness-1617/2008/8/God...Cached
He prides himself in the presumptuous idea that he gives worship ... This does not result in any benefit to him; it does not enlarge his freedom; it does not lighten ...////

[vulcan42]

goodlife, you didn't pick up on andy-hughes point.
\\ I wonder therefore why modern Man worships an unseen deity,//
Would you care to elaborate on why man has to worship any body/thing in general and an unseen deity in particular?
In your own words if possible.

[Khandro]

"do you ever have an original thought?"
Good question, perhaps worthy of it's own thread !

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //people who says, I do not worship anybody or anything! is really a worshiper of himself, but due to his egotism he is unaware of that fact. //

You really should stop believing what other people tell you. They're misleading you.

[goodlife]

The first essential step to recognize methods of misleading people.

The Bible explains. (2 Cor. 11:14) His devices for misleading people can appear very innocent.

As can seen, he even uses religious leaders as his ministers too, deceiving people into believing that he does not exist, and he's got most of you good and proper.

[Gavmacp]

I find this thread particularly funny at times.
So by people convincing us that he does not exist he therefore exists?!
What I don't get is that why does all these gods etc need to be worshiped?

[goodlife]

A reasonable person will agree that there is no use in worshiping and serving, but Such beliefs continue to this day. But perhaps the majority of people give little thought to why they offer food to idols.
If an idol worshiper here were asked why he follows this custom, a typical answer might be: “I am atheist.

[mibn2cweus]

Reading ^ this ^ . . . I've just lost the will to live.

[benhilton]

Ha Ha ha Andy-
"...I wonder therefore why modern Man worships an unseen deity, when his ancestors worshipped the sun - with a degree more validity, since the sun produces effects on the earth which are there for all to see..."
Perhaps modern man has given it a bit more thought about how the sun got there and how the water got here on the Earth and how it manages to stay here in its liquid form - whereas everywhere else in the Solar System , if water ever did exist in its liquid form it is either evaporated away or frozen solid ? Perhaps modern man has thought that the perfection of the Earth's equilibrium system and the weather cycles which keep the temperature habitable and ensure the atmosphere gets rinsed clean - are beyond random co-incidence and had some "external design " ?
Sandy thank you for that citation of part of the rosary - a moment of moderation on an acrimonious thread .
Having said that let me now throw moderation out of the window and imitate Andy by re-writing his question with a little tweak , so that he can see how ridiculous it looks . Here goes :

Given that the posts on here from Political Activists continually vacillate between admonishing the rest of us for not believing that everything is equal to everything else , wrong is equal to right etc. as they do , and fretting and worrying about their worthiness to achieve political power in their lifetimes -

Is it not fair to say that being a political activist is a seriously joyless existence?

Do political activists really intend us to be so utterly bereft of anything approaching happiness on this earth?

And if so - why ?

And now my question - who chose - on the R+S section of this forum - to phrase a question in the most negative way possible ?
a) - a believer or b) an atheist ?
When you find the answer to that it might give an indication as to where the joylessness really lies .

[naomi24]

benhilton, //And now my question - who chose - on the R+S section of this forum - to phrase a question in the most negative way possible ?
a) - a believer or b) an atheist ?
When you find the answer to that it might give an indication as to where the joylessness really lies .//

I really have to take issue with you there. Atheism, unlike the various brands of religion, is not a club. There is no organisation and there are no members. Please see my post on this thread at 16:48 Mon 26th Oct 2015 - and learn from it.

[Khandro]

naomi; // Atheism, unlike the various brands of religion, is not a club. There is no organisation and there are no members.//

Oh yes there is! ;

http://new.spectator.co.uk/2014/02/so-tell-me-about-your-faith-journey-sunday-morning-at-the-atheist-church/

[naomi24]

Khandro, from your link.

//Founded by two comedians//

Nuff said.

Atheism carries no doctrine and no rules. andy-hughes doesn't speak for me.

[naomi24]

mibs, //Reading ^ this ^ . . . I've just lost the will to live.//

So you don't know what he's talking about either. :o)

[vetuste_ennemi]

Didn't you cite a book by atheist alternative church guy de Botton, Khandro? Five years ago? Only managed first few pages of that. His wife does the bridge column in the Spectator. Always read that.

[Khandro]

v. I struggle with Raymond keene's chess problems, but your interests a bridge too far.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Your joke makes me want to Kwai.

[mibn2cweus]

naomi24
mibs, //Reading ^ this ^ . . . I've just lost the will to live.//

So you don't know what he's talking about either. :o)
23:34 Wed 28th Oct 2015

I imagine one would have a much better chance of engaging in a meaningful exchange with one of these - http://watchout4snakes.com/wo4snakes/Random/RandomSentence :o/

[naomi24]

^You could be right. :o)