What's Your Religion and Why?

That question is well over my pay grade. I have no idea and moreover it’s not up to me. However, according to the Christian Bible that is exactly what’s going to happen.

“The New Testament is constantly under attack, and its reliability and accuracy are often contested by critics. If the critics want to disregard the New Testament, then they must also disregard other ancient writings by Plato, Aristotle, and Homer. This is because the New Testament documents are better-preserved and more numerous than any other ancient writings. Because they are so numerous, they can be cross checked for accuracy . . . and they are very consistent.”

I agree, but it is certainly one reason not to discount it

I didn’t ask if they should/would/will. I asked if you believe it. I do not, do you?

I am an atheist

I find it odd that people must identify with a word when talking about religion. There are not words for people who don’t lift weights-- so I don’t see why there should be a name for someone who doesn’t have any interest in the practice of religion or it’s absence.

“Yeah man, I’m a non-lifter bro. So on with your silly ways.” lol

So, when asked the question “What do you believe?” I assume most people would label me as agnostic. However, I cringe at that too, because-- I just don’t care.

I don’t think about or go around trying to prove or disprove the existence of a Santa Claus, it is irrelevant to me. Man has completely manifested the idea of a creator, where there is simply no evidence of the existence, or the absence, of one. Therefore, the act to believe or not believe in a creator is, for me personally, a complete waste of time and energy.

Asked and answered!

May I ask your age?

Re your source:
"CARM is a conservative Christian ministry. Their aim is to promote and defend Christian beliefs, and worship Jesus Christ.

The organization’s statement of faith lays out a number of their affirmations, such as Biblical infallibilism" [emphasis mine]

In other words, your source starts from the assumption that the Christian Bible is inerrant, and works from there to construct an argument in support of this assumption. That is a dishonest approach to any purported intellectual endeavor–it is advocacy, not scholarship. Which is fine–they are perfectly within their rights to be an advocacy organization. Just don’t be surprised when others decline to accept their assertions as evidence of anything.

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It was posted to demonstrate that the words written so long ago are accurate, as in few discrepancies. Did I say that simply because they are accurate that they are also true? I think any rational human being can figure that out.

This reminds me of something:

/derail

Posting evidence that the Bible is accurate reminds you of Donald Trump?

Trump derangement syndrome is common as of late.

But…there is help available.

I find it interesting that you ask about age, implying a bit of naivete on my part (I’ve noticed you do this with others as well). I am in my 40’s, if that matters one way or the other.

I have been intellectually curious about religion for some time now. I’ve been lucky enough to have colleagues and close friends in the Religious Studies departments at the Universities I have worked (I am professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry) that have spoken at length with me about religious texts, attitudes, and historical interpretations. One of my good friends is the Christianity specialist at the prior University I was employed, and he (unlike many scholars in Religious Studies whose specialization is not also their personal belief) is also a practicing Christian. I love talking to my colleagues in the non-science disciplines, but perhaps Religious Studies professors are my favorite. I have also been allowed to sit in on their classes, and even been invited to participate in the honor’s theses of students in their department as the outside member.

Your posts display what is classically known and referred to as the “wide-eyed child’s view” of religion and (for US students) the bible in particular. Your posts and beliefs could not be more of a cliche of a freshman upon enrolling in Religious Studies 100. If you don’t mind my asking, what is your education level?

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If you take the average age of the typical T Nation poster it is probably somewhere between 18 and late 20’s. I mean no offense to anyone. But if you think that you are going to hold the same opinions at the age of say 25 as you are at 45 you are quite mistaken.

Take care and all the best.

Its kind of interesting that the beliefs in heaven and hell, and a purgatory, and what is written in the Bible are all over the place from denomination to denomination, and person to person. There are different philosophies within Christianity but they generally follow along something written in the Bible (which is at times contradictory), but in the ideas of death, afterlife, and resurrection there appears to be the greatest diversity.

18-29? I wouldn’t have guessed that, but then I guess generally stick to the TRT forum with the fogeys.

You are thinking about mitzvah’s incorrectly, as if Judaism believes you will get a great ZOT from up high for eating swine.

No, you are missing the blessing of the mitzvah. He’s not mad. Do the best you can do, and then do a bit more when you can. Maybe take an hour to actually read a book on Shabbos. Turn off the electronics and sit in nature. Not checking or answering my emails on Shabbos has probably kept this busy lawyer sane.

The Law promises blessings, not curses. A longer life, more free of troubles than it would be otherwise, for example.

Some are obvious.

Not screwing around on one’s spouse certainly prevents some undue complications. As does not stealing your neighbor’s stuff. And worshiping money, instead of G-d, makes for a rather empty life.

But, yes, the blessings can be subtle and intangible. I concur that the dietary restriction (especially with some ad-ons the Karaite in me things are rather stupid) are not particularly logical. Perhaps it was to prevent ecological disaster that feral pigs are in so much of the world. Israel is still dealing with feral pigs from the Romans. Or maybe we, as a people, are prone to heart and circulatory disease and don’t need to eat crap.

Who knows? I was not there when HaShem created the world, so it’s above my pay scale.

I do know that if I did not have a solid faith, that certain things that happened in my life (death of wife, loss of home, to name the top two) would have sent me in a downward spiral.

Others may be so blessed already they don’t need the help.

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Very nice… My grandfather was a big student of ancient times especially that area… He said its believed Kosher law more came from keeping people healthy and what was in the area to eat more than anything else… like swine a filthy animal and stuff like Lobster or catfish just wasnt in the area to eat… hence in the water without scales

I appreciate you taking the high road on your retort, and I don’t doubt you meant no offense. However, I could also qualify my “what is your education level” question by saying most posters on this board do not have BS degrees or higher. Still, it would be offensive because the implication would be that your posts are indicating to me a level of thought not compatible with a college education. (Which I did to make that exact point).

33 yrs

…and you? Whats the relevance?