Atheist in U.S. poll 4% ------ Atheist on JWD 90 % ?

by caliber 67 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  FlyingHighNow

  If he stopped everything painful, humankind wouldn't learn a blasted thing.

  No, I said this. She told me God is not an enabler. She compared this to AA and what they teach about addiction and the trouble addicts get into. If your husband passes out drunk in the yard in his underwear and you move him into the house or cover him up, what has he learned? If you call his boss and tell him your husband is ill when he is really passed out in the yard, what will he learn?

  I am saying that if you get youself into messes, you can't always expect God to bail you out. You won't learn a blasted thing if you're saved everytime.
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  Galileo

  If someone espouses the "survival of the fittest" thinking, it's less likely they will spend a lot of time figuring out ways to unite people in helping fellow humans who are in some dire need or strait.

  Survival of the fittest is somewhat of a misnomer, and at any rate, is a mechanism that has been proposed through which evolution works, not an atheistic mindset. The Catholic church, which you seem to be fond of, officially accepts evolution, survival of the fittest and all. They also have the additional mindset that people who die are in a better place. They are the religion that gave us the phrase "Kill them all, let god sort them out" or "Kill them all, god will know his own" during the crusades, after all. Atheists, meanwhile, tend to believe this life is all we have so we should make the most of it. For many, myself icluded, this includes trying to help the less fortunate.
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  Galileo

  I am saying that if you get youself into messes, you can't always expect God to bail you out.

  On this we can agree. Although I would take out the word always.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Sometimes we need to see the reaction of an actions play itself out so that we can grow and learn. This is strictly speaking of poor decisions people make.

  I am being sued along with Andy for his car accident last year. The opposing attorney is claiming I owned the car and that by allowing him to drive "my car", I am liable along with him for his accident. The thing is, I didn't own the car. I never owned the car. This has been upsetting, but I have learned for future reference: don't let people drive your car! Andy is learning his own lessons from all that has happened. I can't go into detail about it all because it's his private business. This is just an example.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Please realize that I am not Catholic. I see the good that they do and I appreciate the roots of my own church. Not all Catholics believe in evolution. And the ones who do don't always have Darwin's take on it.
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  Galileo

  Not all Catholics believe in evolution. And the ones who do don't always have Darwin's take on it.

  The same is true of atheists. I was speaking of the Catholic church's official stance, straight from the pope. And I agree, Catholic Charities do a lot of good. I do wish they'd stop teachings that spread AIDS in th third world, though. But on the whole there are several catholic charities I would have no problem giving money to.
• 

  caliber

  FHN,

  Thanks again for your input on this thread.The power of your statements comes from having lived them .... through

  the good and the bad.Also your candid honesty about your shifting thoughts about God and to-wards God.

  For me it produced huge credibility for your statements. I can honestly say that although you are a few years

  younger than me, that you have done way more living in this sometimes cruel world. I admire your feisty, determined

  spirit and your unabashed faith in God!

  Caliber
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  Thank you, Caliber. I guess in my case the saying, "Wednesday's child is full of woe," fits. It's funny, Andy is a Wednesday's child also. I don't over look all the good that has happened in my life and is still happening. I do try to stop and smell the roses.