(15-12-2023, 01:40 AM)S I M T A N Wrote: I appreciate your reply, written in painstaking detail, on why you disbelieve religious faith and the existence of God. Knowing you, I was expecting such a response. There's no need to be apologetic about not mincing words in stating your opinions in uncouth language. This has been your style all along and I know nobody can cramp your style.
You have dramatically made Salvation out as the greatest indoctrination of all time, but it has been a globally recognized Christian message to the world for the longest time. While doubting Thomases say it's impossible to prove the existence of God, born-again believers are earnestly sharing their personal experience with God Almighty and the redemptive power of His love so that others may get to experience the same goodness. It requires just a leap of faith, and there's everything to gain and nothing to lose.
When it comes to the paranormal, we can argue until we are blue in the face but we'll never agree. Any theological debate will lead us into a philosophical cul-de-sac because the spirit of sharing is rarely there; the burning desire to punch holes in others' theories is there. The only redeeming feature here is, most of us tend to disagree agreeably.
Religious harmony for a heterogeneous society like ours is an existential consideration. We place great emphasis on the need for tolerance between religionists. (atheism is also a religion to some impious people.) Tolerance is a condition where different religionists actively dislike and yet mutually agree to put up with one another. More often than not, ths tolerance is both superficial and limted to public arenas
I'll always remember LKY's words which made a deep impression on me. He said could deal with bloodsucking people on any issue under the sun, but once someone invoked the gods, all discussions stopped. I think he was referring to a religious fundamentalist - someone who lives and breathes religion.
Huh, harmony & tolerance?
Look at the existing wars. Are the leaders of Western Europe and USA not Christians ?
Instead of advocation peace and tolerance they supply war machineries to fuel the killings.
And on Sundays they accompany their family to church and hold the bible with blood in their hands.
The only country that suggested restrains and peace talk is China.
As a matter of fact the war in Gaza is between Israel and Palestine are their own problems why do they get involved directly?
The same goes to the Ukraine war. Why peace was not advocated in the name Jesus?
Hypocrisy is the pride of the biggest Christian Leaders!
Just for info, LKY died a Buddhist he was not converted.
Quote:LKY - "The Buddhist believes in transmigration of the soul. If you live a good life, the reward is in your next migration, you will be a good being, not an ugly animal. It is a comforting thought, but my wife and I do not believe in it.
“I am an agnostic. I was brought up in a traditional Chinese family with ancestor worship. I would go to my grandfather’s grave on All Soul’s Day which is called “Qingming”. My father would bring me along, lay out food and candles and burn some paper money and kowtow three times over his tombstone But as I grew up, I questioned this because I think this is superstition. You are gone, you burn paper money, how can he collect the paper money where he is? After my father died, I dropped the practice."
No two minds are alike and it's not easy to achieve the same level of understanding on something abstract.
One searching for the truth and the other submitting to faith willingly
I guess it's easier to submit than to seek.
There is also no ending arguing which come first, chicken or egg?
Someone said, "The study of science and life ends at the beginning."
Anyway thanks for your reply, something strange happens while typing this reply, there is this feeling of inner calm which I never felt before.
It must be you.