Ted Grant II
Registered Senior Member
As a child I didn't question religion as it never occurred to me to do so.
It was just another 'thing' in the world.
When I was 16, I bought a motor scooter from a workmate. I had to collect it from his house. When I arrived, everybody in the house were just leaving to go to a Church service. They insisted that I join them and although my desire was to drive away on my first vehicle, I didn't want to appear rude, so I went along. It was a scary service, with people shouting religious declarations and a woman at the back fell on the floor wriggling and babbling. Later, I found out that she was overcome by the Holy Spirit. The pastor asked all new people to come out to the front to be 'saved'. I was too shy to comply. All I wanted to do was get out and drive home.
Later, in University, one of my friends suddenly got converted by the resident Church group and I was quite upset that we didn't get on any more. We kept having arguments. He kept quoting Bible passages, which were alien to me, as I had never read the Bible. When I was in my second year, I decided that I should read the Bible to find out for myself exactly what all the fuss was about. I expected to be very impressed.
I read it and made copious notes, which I still refer to, more that 50 years later.
I do not believe the Bible is the word of any god.
I suspect it does contain some truth, such as wars that can be confirmed by other sources.
Much of the Bible, in my opinion, is beautifully written literature designed to convert people.
It is, of course, a collection of books, originally chosen by the evolving Church that we now call the Roman Catholic Church.
Until very recently, that Church was the only Christian Church and was very powerful indeed, as it was supported by the Roman Empire.
I also believe that most, perhaps all, of the books were written by the ancestors of the Jews.
They were not intended to be put together as be have them now and many other books were left out.
As I cannot accept the Bible and as I have no other sources that interest me, then I have no reason to believe God exists.
I think belief in God is pointless as it doesn't explain the origin of the Universe. How did he do it ?
I think we learn morals from other people, especially our parents, friends, teachers, TV etc.
We don't need belief in God to explain these things.
For those of you who derive some comfort from your beliefs, congratulations, but please do not give your hard earned money to any religious guy or organization. As far as we know, Jesus didn't need money and seemed to prefer poor people. If he does return to judge people at the end of the world, he will not look kindly on any preacher that has nice clothes, a big car or a private jet.
So remember, giving money to your preacher is going to harm him!
It was just another 'thing' in the world.
When I was 16, I bought a motor scooter from a workmate. I had to collect it from his house. When I arrived, everybody in the house were just leaving to go to a Church service. They insisted that I join them and although my desire was to drive away on my first vehicle, I didn't want to appear rude, so I went along. It was a scary service, with people shouting religious declarations and a woman at the back fell on the floor wriggling and babbling. Later, I found out that she was overcome by the Holy Spirit. The pastor asked all new people to come out to the front to be 'saved'. I was too shy to comply. All I wanted to do was get out and drive home.
Later, in University, one of my friends suddenly got converted by the resident Church group and I was quite upset that we didn't get on any more. We kept having arguments. He kept quoting Bible passages, which were alien to me, as I had never read the Bible. When I was in my second year, I decided that I should read the Bible to find out for myself exactly what all the fuss was about. I expected to be very impressed.
I read it and made copious notes, which I still refer to, more that 50 years later.
I do not believe the Bible is the word of any god.
I suspect it does contain some truth, such as wars that can be confirmed by other sources.
Much of the Bible, in my opinion, is beautifully written literature designed to convert people.
It is, of course, a collection of books, originally chosen by the evolving Church that we now call the Roman Catholic Church.
Until very recently, that Church was the only Christian Church and was very powerful indeed, as it was supported by the Roman Empire.
I also believe that most, perhaps all, of the books were written by the ancestors of the Jews.
They were not intended to be put together as be have them now and many other books were left out.
As I cannot accept the Bible and as I have no other sources that interest me, then I have no reason to believe God exists.
I think belief in God is pointless as it doesn't explain the origin of the Universe. How did he do it ?
I think we learn morals from other people, especially our parents, friends, teachers, TV etc.
We don't need belief in God to explain these things.
For those of you who derive some comfort from your beliefs, congratulations, but please do not give your hard earned money to any religious guy or organization. As far as we know, Jesus didn't need money and seemed to prefer poor people. If he does return to judge people at the end of the world, he will not look kindly on any preacher that has nice clothes, a big car or a private jet.
So remember, giving money to your preacher is going to harm him!
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