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God wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

There's no proof he doesn't, either.

And there's also no proof which aren't.

And so may you be. There's no way of telling either way, is there?

Born-agains and atheists stand on precisely the same ground.

Hey, you want a good read? Try Robert A. Heinlein's "Job: A Comedy of Justice". It's Heinlein's entertaining take on the Biblical story.

That is exactly my point! A deity may or may not exist. There is no proof either way. What I do know is that the bible-thumpers use scare tactics. They'll try to scare you into believing you'll go to hell for eternity if you don't believe them.

On the other hand, true scientists propose explanations for observable phenomena. I've never had a scientist tell me I'll roast in Hell for eternity if I don't believe a proposed hypothesis.

Sure I do. Most Believers I know are good people.

I don't have anything against them, just those who are continually PUSHING that stuff at me.

Proof doesn't exist. I don;t expect "true believers" to ever realize this.

You might notice that scientific truth changes in response to new knowledge. "religious truth" is stuck at what people thought thousands of years ago.

I think no such thing happened. It seems likely that "religious belief" snuck in with parental love before the person was old enough to know what was happening. That is "religion" is a disease acquired in childhood.

I want moral people around me. Belief in God is an impediment, which many manage to overcome enough to be moral.

I wonder how he defined "religion". Religion is a means of getting people together. As such, it is appropriate there.

Theistic (God believing) religion has nothing to do with morals, but with slavery. Most believers are moral in SPITE of the belief.

So be nice to those PEOPLE around you, regardless of belief.

Some do. Most don't. Mine certainly does not. The gentleness of my church is what attracted me to in the first place -- some of the sweetest people on the face of this earth.

And I do know some of these bible thumpers you speak of. They can be annoying at times. Once you get to know them, they are okay people. They are just being overly exuberant trying to share something important in their lives with you. And that is a true act of friendship. They could learn some tact though.

Here is how to handle them when they start to get annoying. Just ask them to pray for you. They will be delighted. And they will usually stop hitting you over the head with the bible. If they start again, ask them if they remembered to pray for you.

By the way, my church believes that all truly good people will go to heaven. We have no idea what the Lord's plan is for each of us or how he works through us. Here is a ti (without hitting you over the head with a nerf bible so it won't hurt to much), it has a lot to do with how you treat others.

And the explanations keep changing. That is the nature of science. Use any caloric to heat your coffee this morning? Science and religion don't mix.

I just read somewhere that they have a new explanation for volcanoes. In science, today's truths are always tomorrow's falsehoods. Fun explanation by the way.

True. But only a real scientist. On the other hand, there are currently idealogical based scientists (yes, not real scientists) hawking there own doom and gloom garbage about the oceans rising, the earth boiling, etc..

When confronted on their flimsy research or when they are frequently caught cheating, they use religious extremist terms on you, such as "denier". Much worse than any bible thumper. Just as religious though, as they accept their premises as axioms.

Better to keep religion and science apart. One explains the observable; the other explains the unobservable. The two will never meet.

Okay. I see. It gets annoying after a bit. They are just trying to share something important in their lives with you. It is tactless friendship.

Religion is suppose to be caught not taught. They are suppose to attract you to it by the way they live their lives. (I was originally attracted to my church by their gentleness and a push from the Holy Spirit.)

Here is what to do when they get annoying. Just ask them to pray for you. If that doesn't work, ask them again if they remembered to pray for you.

I hear you. As a Bible believing Christian, I get my share of people (including on this list) who want to try and use rolled up news papers and endless writing to try and beat me into saying things I don't believe. Or try to change my beliefs by rudeness and badgering.

Stormin',

Bull s*it. You do not believe what is in the bible or you would repent your false gods. Mormonism turns the Bible on its head. And I have provided you lots of examples of that.

What you believe with your multiple gods that had to walk the earth to be elevated to god status is not even remotely Christian. Only the names are reused.

This doesn't mean you are not a nice guy or that you are not going to heaven. It only means that you do not believe as Christians. And that your are grievously mistaken on what it means to be a Christian. It is okay to be a Mormon.

Do not call yourself what you are not. To be a Christian, you have to REMOTELY believe in

A soap opera cast of gods DISQUALIFIES YOU. Turning the Bible on its head DISQUALIFIES YOU. Not believing the Nicaean Creed DISQUALIFIES YOU.

Christians have died hideous death as martyrs for refusing to worship polytheistic gods very similar to your polytheistic gods: human failings, sex with humans, yada, yada, yada.

An what you believe about the non-virgin birth is disgusting to Christians.

Next time you think you are a Christian, remember the screams of the martyrs and what they died for. And get some self respect.

-T