HAPPY SUNDAY!!! Is Raising Your Kids Without Religion Better?
- Thread starter THE_DEVIL
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I realize you didn't ask me, but I'm sure you're good with me chiming in.
Keep in mind, I've been diging into apologetics lately (a more meaningful endeavor than weaponized evangelicalism) Personally, I believe that the Genesis creation story, evolution, and theories like the Big Bang can be easily harmonized. God creating humans from "dirt" can be seen as a theological statement about our origins and relationship with the Creator, rather than a literal scientific description. Some scholars suggest that Moses, educated in Egypt (The Prince of Egypt was a good flick, btw), may have used symbolic and allegorical language familiar in ancient Near Eastern literature to convey deeper truths. This way, God's "let there be light" could metaphorically (or literally) represent the Big Bang, with the six days of creation aligning with key stages in cosmic and biological evolution. This interpretation allows for seeing God's hand in the process of evolution, viewing it as a tool used by God to bring about the diversity of life we see today.As for "How old do you believe the earth is?"...I don't adhere to a specific timeline since I believe God exists outside of time and the exact duration isn't central to my faith. The Earth being billions of years old, as supported by scientific evidence, doesn't conflict with my belief in God. There's no reason Genesis' days can't represent long periods rather than 24-hour days. ANd if that's the case, then the Bible essentially addresses the "why" of creation while science explains the "how." ...or maybe both.
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I’m a believer in Christ. That being said, Christianity is being weaponized by the Republican Party in a very dangerous way, and because of that I cannot say whether religion is a net positive or negative. There is no longer a separation of church and state and it’s taking freedoms away from US citizens.
Undoubtedly, but it’s an awfully good start. Job 38 has been around quite a while after all.
And certainly compared to todays sartrian/nietschzian “my truth” it is miles ahead at the start.
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OK - to me, that simply demonstrates the lengths believers will go to reconcile the teachings of the Bible. It's akin to the spin we see from the far right these days. People will jump through a lot of hoops and rationalizations to keep their preconceptions intact.I realize you didn't ask me, but I'm sure you're good with me chiming in.
As for "How old do you believe the earth is?"...I don't adhere to a specific timeline since I believe God exists outside of time and the exact duration isn't central to my faith. The Earth being billions of years old, as supported by scientific evidence, doesn't conflict with my belief in God. There's no reason Genesis' days can't represent long periods rather than 24-hour days. ANd if that's the case, then the Bible essentially addresses the "why" of creation while science explains the "how." ...or maybe both.
At a gut level there is some unfortunate truth here, though it’s a fine line to simply questioning someone’s version of their faith.
It’s not as if the concept of metaphor was invented in the 20th century.
The teachings of Christ in no way align with the radicalized Christian right’s actions of today.
I don’t know I’d say “in no way”. Christianity is about both justice (in the sense of “The Law”) AND mercy. Unfortunately to my eye, they’re overweighted to the justice side in a little bit of an Old Testament way. But that’s just my opinion.
Because you believe the alternative is “to spend eternity in hell fire.” Nice little toxic relationship you’ve gotten yourself conned into.
As one anonymous Mauthausen concentration camp inmate etched on their cell wall, “If there is a God, He will have to beg my forgiveness.”
Epicurus was onto something:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Children raised in a religion do better according to most of the studies.
America is now an atheist majority country with 80% of Americans no longer attending Church each Sunday.
Gen Z is the most mentally unhealthy generation in a long time and also the most secular.
"The results showed that people who attended religious services at least weekly in childhood and adolescence were approximately 18% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults (ages 23–30) than those who never attended services. They were also 29% more likely to volunteer in their communities and 33% less likely to use illicit drugs.
Those who prayed or meditated at least daily while growing up were 16% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults, 30% less likely to have started having sex at a young age, and 40% less likely to have a sexually transmitted infection compared to those who never prayed or meditated."
www.hsph.harvard.edu
America is now an atheist majority country with 80% of Americans no longer attending Church each Sunday.
Gen Z is the most mentally unhealthy generation in a long time and also the most secular.
"The results showed that people who attended religious services at least weekly in childhood and adolescence were approximately 18% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults (ages 23–30) than those who never attended services. They were also 29% more likely to volunteer in their communities and 33% less likely to use illicit drugs.
Those who prayed or meditated at least daily while growing up were 16% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults, 30% less likely to have started having sex at a young age, and 40% less likely to have a sexually transmitted infection compared to those who never prayed or meditated."
Religious upbringing linked to better health and well-being during early adulthood
Participating in spiritual practices during childhood and adolescence may be a protective factor for a range of health and well-being outcomes in early adulthood.
When you think about it, many die-hard evangelicals are raising their kids without religion.
You, and others like you, believing that not attending church equates to atheism is one of the reasons fewer people are attending church.Children raised in a religion do better according to most of the studies.
America is now an atheist majority country with 80% of Americans no longer attending Church each Sunday.
Gen Z is the most mentally unhealthy generation in a long time and also the most secular.
"The results showed that people who attended religious services at least weekly in childhood and adolescence were approximately 18% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults (ages 23–30) than those who never attended services. They were also 29% more likely to volunteer in their communities and 33% less likely to use illicit drugs.
Those who prayed or meditated at least daily while growing up were 16% more likely to report higher happiness as young adults, 30% less likely to have started having sex at a young age, and 40% less likely to have a sexually transmitted infection compared to those who never prayed or meditated."
Religious upbringing linked to better health and well-being during early adulthood
Participating in spiritual practices during childhood and adolescence may be a protective factor for a range of health and well-being outcomes in early adulthood.
Likewise the insufferability that suggests happiness is equated to christianity.
Many do. There are lots of saints in Churches but they don't get publicity.
I met an older couple this weekend and the wife went to a mall and bought a load of men's shirts and pants she's going to give to the homeless.
I believe it's just one factor. It's obvious that America is basically an atheist country, IMHO.
I apologize I never intended to say all but there are so many who no longer follow his teachings but still try and call themselves Christians because they go to church.
That's another fatal flaw in the logic - assuming people who say they do good deeds are good, christian people.
You have made it very clear in past discussions that not attending church equates to atheism in your mind.
Are Jews atheists?
A lot of people like myself are followers but dont want to atten churches led by pastors that have the same persona as politicians. Thanks to Morris, Hybel and others.
Some.
Judaism is both an ethnicity and religion. They're also only 2% of the American population.
You're dancing. Those of Jewish faith, they don't attend church. By your measure they are atheists. Muslims too.
Are only Americans atheists in your view?
I don't believe not attending Church or a religious service automatically makes a person an atheist but it's a good indicator.
It's impossible to accurately guage this since no one can know the true answer except God so I ballpark it.
You're backing off your previous assertions. Still, you are quite judgemental.I don't believe not attending Church or a religious service automatically makes a person an atheist but it's a good indicator.
It's impossible to accurately guage this since no one can know the true answer except God so I ballpark it.
Are those of the Jewish faith or Muslims or anyone who doesn't ascribe to christianity atheists in your view?
Please don't threaten atheists with Hellfire. I've done it many times and it's problematic because:
1.) It's blasphemy since only God can decide.
2.) It just pushes them away.
Heaven is a better incentive. I think we would all want eternal bliss.
So Americans are the only nationality that can be atheist?
This is where the wheels fall off for you and the others who buy into the church grift. There are huge holes in your philosophy that are exposed with a few simple questions. Not to mention the hypocrisy when you judge others (in this case as atheists) based on whether they attend a christian church regularly.
A lot of it is sacrifice where you have nothing to gain and it comes with a real sacrifice....and done not of trying to earn points.
Not tooting my horn as Im anonymous..
On a teachers salary the Mrs and I adopted a 5 and a 10 yo. We had luttle saviigs and had 4 kids already. Once you hear God speaking to you...you know it. So we did it. Youngest has severe health issue. Almost lost her in 2020. Her birth dad died of the condition. Parts of parentibg them are hard. Other parts quite easy.
It was crazy. We have 2 of the kindest humans ever as daughters. We are much less well off for doing this.
This year the other graduated summa cum laude and off to grad school. She went from being a fetal alcohol exposed human (we were told she' likely never be independent) war refugee to this. The naysayers about God... believe what you want.
Religion is just a way for those in power to spread fear and control the gullible rubes. It will be a great day for humanity when we leave all this religious nonsense behind and accept our fates as just another living organism that is lucky enough to live on this planet. We are NOT special.
What? I never claimed Americans are the only nationality that can be atheist. Europeans are even more atheist than Americans are.
I don't agree Church is a "grift." It's literally free each week.
Anyways, we won't agree so let's stop clogging up this thread. You can PM me if you want.
Religion is just a way for those in power to spread fear and control the gullible rubes. It will be a great day for humanity when we leave all this religious nonsense behind and accept our fates as just another living organism that is lucky enough to live on this planet. We are NOT special.
Religion is a way to GET SAVED, JP!
How can you call it a sacrifice? You are being rewarded.
That's the hypocrisy I'm talking about. Bragging about the "sacrifice" while touting the tremendous rewards. GTFO.
Which religion? There are so many to choose from!Religion is a way to GET SAVED, JP!
You've been trying to limit the atheist discussion to just Americans. It's clear that you think anyone who doesn't go to a christian church regularly is an atheist. I think that's bullshit and highly hypocritical. You keep proving me correct.
I understand why you want to take this behind the scenes.
How? How can a Muslim be "saved" in your vernacular? How are they not "atheist" in your judgement?You know I'm partial to one.
But, people in other religions can be saved.
