1. Earliest reference describes Christ as 'magician'

Comment #258937 by marshall1 on October 2, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Philip1978 :

No Phillip, no Pascal's wager, never much believed in that reasoning. Although, my Grandfather used to always answer the question "What if you're wrong with..."

"So what, it was the right way to live your life anyway."

You sure are certain that there was no Jesus of Nazzareth. And yes, I am serious and would like to discuss it...

2. Earliest reference describes Christ as 'magician'

Comment #258339 by marshall1 on October 1, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Very interesting...

If it is authentic, and if it is referring to Christ, someone really believed that this guy was doing something other worldly. Pretty spooky for you Atheist's. Better hope that you've made the right bet.

3. 'Big Bang' experiment starts well

Comment #245876 by marshall1 on September 11, 2008 at 1:32 pm

Wow. This is an extremely interesting research project. I find the science fascinating and historic. Well, kind of historic.

For the SECOND time in history, an intelligence has put particles in position to simulate what happened during the "Big Bang." Of course, this second intelligence had a bit of a head-start considering they didn't have to actually CREATE the particles. Still hooray for humans.

4. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234098 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:31 pm

Diacanu:

I figured you were just kidding.

Anyway, I've done my part here. You guys take it easy.

5. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234096 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Diacanu :

Why all the anger? You might just need to lighten up a bit and be thankful that you live in the greatest country on earth. I don't really want you to leave.

But a little anger-management probably wouldn't hurt.

6. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234094 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Goldy:

Well, maybe I stand corrected. The version I am looking at on the Web does seem to say that. But there must be an explanation.

7. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234090 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:15 pm

Goldy:

I'm real sceptical about this one :

http://www.ethicalatheist.net/2007/09/systematic-religious-discrimination.html

I live in Texas and have never heard of such a thing.

8. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234086 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Diacanu:

You just can't get anything right tonight.. I'm reading everything Goldy submits. Think its all pretty interesting stuff.

9. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234085 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Goldy:

I don't condone, or accept any believer that acts in ways that don't respect non-believers. If I witness another believer who is mistreating those who God hasn't reached yet, I call them out on it.

10. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234077 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Diacanu :

What a cop-out? It's too expensive. Please.

I read somewhere that it cost $200,000 for Saddleback to put on the conference. According to Goldy's numbers that's like 33 cents for each Atheist.

11. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234073 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 8:50 pm

Diacanu:

And who is stopping the Atheists and all those other cults you mentioned from having a debate just like they did at Saddleback?

Because you guys cannot (or will not) organize such an event that should somehow mean Christian's cannot? I just don't follow your logic.

12. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234070 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Diacanu :

Remind me who elected Jim Lehrer, Bob Schieffer, Gwen Ifill, and Tom Brokaw, the secular moderators?

13. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234064 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Goldy:

I actually only meant "Christian Nation" in the sense that non-believers think that it is. I respect non-believers rights as long as they don't try to inhibit believer's rights to be heard and participate in the political process.

14. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234060 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Can the Satanists get their own little dog and pony show on CNN?
The Wicca?
The Muslims?

Well of course they can. It is called a FREE country! You're right this ain't Iran. It's America. Can't prohibit the free exercise of religion.

15. Pastor Rick's Test

Comment #234057 by marshall1 on August 20, 2008 at 8:18 pm

This article is such a waste of time. Ms. Parker should have just placed this sentence at the top of the article and saved everyone the time of reading all the other opinions :

"It is true that no one was forced to participate in the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency and that both McCain and Obama are free agents."

Christians have every bit as much right to question their potential leaders as anyone else. If our "Christian Nation" is so offensive to Atheists there are plenty of other places they can go.

16. Ants, terrorism, and the awesome power of memes

Comment #210546 by marshall1 on July 14, 2008 at 7:15 pm

It's a lousy night to be an Atheist.

17. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #197704 by marshall1 on June 22, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Brian English :

Your point about Jesus being God is absolutely true, and I didn't mean to imply differently. I was referring to Jesus as Son in the sense that he was that part of the Trinity. So, no misunderstanding there.

I am trying to understand this "punishment" aspect of God that you mention. Where is all this punishment that he is reigning down on us. To me, God seems conforting and on my side, and always out to help me. That I am here in this world just waiting out my time to get closer to him doesn't really seem like punishment, it seems more like preparation. He sent JESUS down here to go through the same, so he hardly seems indifferent to my situation.

As for all the comments imploring me to prove my God. I don't feel like I need to. You can't prove there is not a God, I can't prove that there is, so at best that is a stalemate. The atheist's claim that there is no God and you act accordingly. I'm just here to tell you that I think you are missing out on a pretty fulfilling relationship and the fact that I come here might indicate that God hasn't totally given up on you yet!

Sorry, I get a little hopeful on Sunday's.

18. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #197373 by marshall1 on June 21, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Styrer:

I think you are talking to me... But it was a little unclear. If you are, and your question is whether I have changed my mind about anything with regard to my faith. The answer is probably no.

I like to communicate with Atheist's mostly because it reinforces my faith.

In a forum like this where the contributors are probably 98% unbelievers you would think that something you would read could challenge your beliefs. But it never happens.

The points that Atheists make are not unique. Christians (at least me) have already considered most of the points that Atheists hang their faith on, but we believe anyway.

19. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #197370 by marshall1 on June 21, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Brian English:

I re-read your post and I didn't answer your question about hell.

Hogwash, God cares so much about saving you from an eternity without him that he sent his son into this terrible world just to come down and get you. That doesn't sound like an uncaring God who is trying to torment you. It sounds like a God who cares so much about his relationship with you that he created a way to reconcile you to him.

Original sin be damned.

20. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #197368 by marshall1 on June 21, 2008 at 10:28 pm

Bryan English:

All good points, and interesting questions. I think all Christians think about these issues that you raise. But your point about God possibly giving us a "glimpse" of imperfection as a way to accomplish what he needs with our existence, is very interesting. I can't say I have ever heard that. I will think about it.

My initial thoughts are that a life protected from all harm would be very boring and robotic. The last time I came here to comment, the atheist position seemed to be that Christians were missing out by crediting God for the good that they were doing with their lives. If God intercedes in every event of our lives then what would it matter how well we do.

Imagine a race where nobody is allowed the indignity of losing. Doesn't sound like a very appealing event, does it?

21. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #195826 by marshall1 on June 18, 2008 at 10:08 pm

I find the discussion about God causing/allowing pain and suffering very interesting.

I can't understand a lot of the atheist's points on this though. (But I'm trying.)

Of course freewill requires that bad things happen or there is no acknoledgement of good. I think the point is that something bad can happen here on this earth and cause the worst death and suffering imaginable. But in contrast to an ETERNITY in the most perfect love, who cares?

I mean, if someone swiped 1 dollar from me and then later on someone gave me 10 million dollars.. Would I even ever consider that lost dollar. Probably not. I think that is what this life is. A single dollar. Who cares? Its the eternity that counts.

I think

22. CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Comment #100257 by marshall1 on December 18, 2007 at 12:34 pm

I find it interesting that everyone here is either trashing the interviewer (your normal reaction to disagreement). Or fighting to explain what Dawkins could not.... How can evolution explain altruism.

That's very interesting to me.

From a Christian perspective, I have often thought that the story of Christ was most compelling because the early Christians stood to gain just about nothing for preaching their gospel. From this story of sacrifice and deferred reward comes a religion that changed billions of lives. It kind of defies all the rules of nature. Sort of A MIRACLE!

23. CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Comment #100246 by marshall1 on December 18, 2007 at 12:23 pm

a...

Yes, I really just posted that. I somehow missed the sex analogy stuff. Who posted that so that I may educate myself?

24. CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Comment #100237 by marshall1 on December 18, 2007 at 12:11 pm

Darwinian sexual misfiring??

If you want me to give up my belief in God, you're going to have to do much better than that, Mr. Dawkins.

This God Dawkins that you guys are following is a complete fraud. I'm convinced now since he just makes up these ridiculous explanations anytime he gets a question that stumps him.

25. War in Heaven: Hitchens Meets D'Souza on Home Turf

Comment #84228 by marshall1 on November 1, 2007 at 12:59 pm

PLAYBALL,

Thank you very much. Especially enjoyed the video. Loved the line :

it is a spectacular tapestry so vast and diverse in its design that the power of it's creator must truly surpass all human understanding.

26. War in Heaven: Hitchens Meets D'Souza on Home Turf

Comment #84204 by marshall1 on November 1, 2007 at 12:15 pm

I watched this debate and it was not very helpful to the Atheist's cause. I see many atheist's here are acknowledging that. And I think that shows a degree of intellectual honesty on your part.

On a different matter, I was watching a Science Channel documentary the other day on planets that have been found outside our Solar System. I'm fascinated by Space and Science but have no real formal education in Science.

Does anyone know how they are sure they are actually finding planets rotating other stars when (to the best of my knowledge) they can't actually see these planets? I guess I am something of a sceptic, but when I can't see the evidence how can I be sure its true?

27. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc. were atheists, and they were terrible! Answer that!

Comment #81963 by marshall1 on October 25, 2007 at 12:58 pm

sidfaiwu:

You did say the same thing basically, and I just didn't see your comments before I posted. I think you're right. On both sides, we should probably just quit using the extremes as examples to discount the other's beliefs.

Marquis :

I'm just a simple Christian, I'm no Bin Laden expert. But my point about him is that when he commits violent acts I don't blame all Islamic people or even the Islamic faith. I blame him. I think he is using that religion as a means of gaining power for himself. As people throughout history have done.

28. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc. were atheists, and they were terrible! Answer that!

Comment #81863 by marshall1 on October 25, 2007 at 10:07 am

Atheists :

I know this is your "activity" going on here and that Christian perspectives are probably not welcome. But I'm going to comment anyway.

The truth is that Atheism is as much the cause of atrocities as Religion is. Which is to say, not at all. But you insist on blaming the power hungry's use of Religion to fuel their drive as some sort of indictment on religious people. Pointing out the Stalin's and Hitler's is just a way of turning a flawed argument back on you.

You guys seem to think of yourselves as a bit more intelligent than us simple religious-folk. So I'm surprised you can't see that the key here is power and the love of it more than anything. I doubt that Bin-Laden spends even 1 minute per year in his cave praying to any God's. But when that camera gets on him and he sees an opportunity to prey on people's beliefs.. There you go.

(Atheism <> Atrocities) & (Religion <> Atrocities)

29. VOTE on the 'Faith smackdown': Richard Dawkins vs Francis Collins

Comment #71747 by marshall1 on September 19, 2007 at 3:03 pm

Oh yes, the capitalization comment really hurt me. But I bet I will survive.

calbear77, that was the best purpose answer I have yet gotten. It is a little depressing, but I understand what you are saying.

30. VOTE on the 'Faith smackdown': Richard Dawkins vs Francis Collins

Comment #71732 by marshall1 on September 19, 2007 at 2:46 pm

Roland32, Call me ignorant, that is no problem. I am actually on a fact finding mission here.

Atheism, from what I can tell claims that there is NO GOD. Am I wrong about that?

My point about the age of Dawkins decisions is just that it seems both sides do the same thing. Accept something on faith and then make the information confirm that decision. It seems both are relying on the faith of their initial decision.

31. VOTE on the 'Faith smackdown': Richard Dawkins vs Francis Collins

Comment #71726 by marshall1 on September 19, 2007 at 2:41 pm

you dont feel like sharing the information with me? Or do you not know?

32. VOTE on the 'Faith smackdown': Richard Dawkins vs Francis Collins

Comment #71720 by marshall1 on September 19, 2007 at 2:32 pm

just curious, what is the purpose as defined by Dawkins?

33. VOTE on the 'Faith smackdown': Richard Dawkins vs Francis Collins

Comment #71713 by marshall1 on September 19, 2007 at 2:14 pm

Of course, this is all pretty un-scientific, weak and almost not worth doing, but I voted anyway.

I was watching a Richard Dawkins interview and he explained to the interviewer that he first realized there was no God when he was 14 years old! He might be a pretty smart guy, but how could he have had the information to make that decision at 14? Sounds like he just decided there was no God and everything he has learned since that point has bolstered a decision he had already made.

Christians, on the other hand seem passionate about what they believe and are offering something that atheists aren't....purpose. That seems like an extremely important component to just leave out.

I went to several Christian blog sites before posting this message and I couldn't find the word atheist, dawkins or agnostic anywhere. Yet here, it seems every word that is typed is intended to attack people of faith... That is very telling, don't you think?