Why there is no such thing as an atheist

Originally Posted by Kiefer

That's one of my biggest issues with religion from a moral standpoint. They place no responsibility onto people for their actions.

As it is one of mine with the Catholic religion, which I believe is where it comes from and if I am not mistaken, that is the only part of the Christian religion where it exists. The priest forgives you, hogwash. I don't usually say that about other beliefs but this time, it needs to be said. I just want to say first before I discuss this further, that I do not believe you are forgiven by some priest but that if your offense is against a person, you ask them forgiveness and God as well. If the offense is against God, then you need only as the forgiveness of God. Now, with that stated I will continue.

It makes no scene for you to be forgiven by some priest that is not involved in the situation. This comes from the fact that a priest was to take the sacrifice for forgiveness and sacrifice it to God to pay for your sins. The problem is that when Jesus became the permanent sacrifice the sacrifices were no longer needed, therefore the priests are no longer needed to ask forgiveness for you, you do it yourself. I hope I helped clear up some of this.

Originally Posted by Christian Soldier

As it is one of mine with the Catholic religion, which I believe is where it comes from and if I am not mistaken, that is the only part of the Christian religion where it exists. The priest forgives you, hogwash. I don't usually say that about other beliefs but this time, it needs to be said. I just want to say first before I discuss this further, that I do not believe you are forgiven by some priest but that if your offense is against a person, you ask them forgiveness and God as well. If the offense is against God, then you need only as the forgiveness of God. Now, with that stated I will continue.

It makes no scene for you to be forgiven by some priest that is not involved in the situation. This comes from the fact that a priest was to take the sacrifice for forgiveness and sacrifice it to God to pay for your sins. The problem is that when Jesus became the permanent sacrifice the sacrifices were no longer needed, therefore the priests are no longer needed to ask forgiveness for you, you do it yourself. I hope I helped clear up some of this.

It's not just the Catholic religion however. Yes they go the extra mile in saying that some irrelevant person can forgive you, but in my opinion any religion that says you can do whatever you want and then ask god for forgiveness, well that takes personal responsibility off of that person. Should we acquit all murderers if they say that they have converted to "Praise Jeebus!" and he forgave them? Of course not!

I think we are using completely different Bibles. What version is this? Here is what my Bible says in Matt. 12:17-19

17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

I think we need to find this in the same version before we can discuss it. I am sure you can see the point in that.

I understand, it happens to me all the time. I am researching it now and will get back to you on it.

Originally Posted by Blondin

I suggest you spend an hour listening to that talk from Sam Harris that I linked to. If you pay attention you may get a glimmer of understanding of why your silly word games and childishly pathetic arguments make no impression.

Blondin, can you send me the link you mentioned to CS?
I just read Sam Harris' book.

Thanks,
Svetlana

Originally Posted by Svetlana

Blondin, can you send me the link you mentioned to CS?
I just read Sam Harris' book.

Thanks,
Svetlana

Gladly. It's about an hour-long Google video that was recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival in July/07. His talk was called "Believing the Unbelievable".