After some recent posts in another thread, I feel this debate could go on forever. Another poster made the comment of Christians attacking the question, "Can you prove there is a God?", by going on the offense towards evolution. In my experience, the same holds true for atheists when asked why they do not believe. So that is exactly what this thread is for, a healthy debate. It is my hope, that a good discussion is brought forth, without an agrumentative stance being taken. We know we must all agree to disagree, and all that cliche mess, but is it even possible to acknowledge both sides without any personal attacks or throwing of stones?

I say let's see where this goes.....





[edit on 16-12-2008 by DoYouSeeIt]

Why call it Christianity VS Atheism than?If you want it to be civil thats a stupid baiting title.I really cant see why this can of worms needs to be opened again with just no real point to it.

let's see if i can nip this in the bud.

if you can take evolution and evolve a chicken nugget into a sirlion steak with mushrooms and onions topped iwth blue cheese then you've got my attention. if not, well then keep dreamin.

if you can use religion to prove that man is superior to cockroaches then i'll lick your master's feet. if not, find the nearest cross and get to hammerin. (let me know if you need help with the last nail i know a guy)

it's all just fodder for the mind. you're not meant to take it seriously.

Good point....I am new here, and this was my 1st thread, based soley on posts from a previous one....A better title may be, "Ignorance in Beliefs", as it applies to both sides. I never intended to offend either side, simple wanted some educated discussion in regards to.

LOL its not a matter of being offensive mate...

Its just the "crowd" you'll end up drawing with a title like this lol

edited because: you changed your original post.

[edit on 16-12-2008 by ll__raine__ll]

Quick question. Is it JUST Christianity Vs. Atheism? Or can the other religions join in?

But if we're talking about creation....can't both be right?

Let's face it, the understanding of how things work wasn't exactly enlightened.
It's possible that the descriptions of how we came to be might just be them trying to describe it the best they can?

I'm not disputing that we were created by a higher power, as I personally believe that we were, but maybe he/she/it set the gears in motion.

People always say God works in mysterious ways. Maybe that's the case.

Maybe at this very moment all human knowledge is just rationalization, and the real truth has yet to be seen? Sitting cozy in the sands of time, waiting to be unearthed by a generation in the future?

Human Science prides itself on what it knows. But doesn't seem to be taken aback by the sheer amount that we don't.

Just some food for thought.
Or maybe it's just late?

Why place these two beliefs in opposition to each other?
That’s how fights star.
I’m a Christian and I respect Atheist beliefs because I feel everyone is entitled to have their view. It doesn’t matter if my view is right or wrong in my own eyes.

I want to give atheism the same respect I would like to receive myself, that being freedom of religion, or belief.
We may never see eye to eye but there is no reason we have to fight one another on topics either, especially with in threads titles " this VS that"

Ill assume it wasn’t intentional on your part, but it's just something to consider.

Notice the title change.....I never intended the title to garner more discussion than the topic at hand....lol
And yes, the ultimate discussion is why to believe or not to believe?

I feel there is alot of ignorance on both sides of the argument, whether it is Creationism or Evolution. And this ignorance tends to fuel the debate, rather than an educated response to the question(s):
Why do you believe?
Why do you NOT believe?

edited because: see above

[edit on 16-12-2008 by ll__raine__ll]

Nice save dude with the title change.I swear i wrote you a really nice reply before but teh internets ate it.Anyway on topic ignorant atheists will never accept ignorant christians and vice versa.Its funny because out in the real world away from the ignorant people we all get along just fine.

Originally posted by ll__raine__ll
i'm not sure which is the root of all evil ... religion or money.

Well, I'd say neither.

It's man that turns both of these things evil.

Religion is fine, until certain people with agendas use it as a weapon.
Money is fine, until certain people get greedy and forget their humanity.

Of course, that's not always the case.

That is my point exactly.....both sides hold thier beliefs to be true, my only question is why? Are you Atheist because of a prior meeting with an ignorant Christian? Or have you taken the time to entertain both sides? Simply put, I have walked on both sides to some degree, and for me it makes more logical sense to believe than not.

I don’t know if it is Christianity that that doesn’t allow gay marriage or if it is the fundamentalism behind the foundations of our nation I’m speaking of the US in particular. I’m sure you meant that however.
As a Christian I say I’m not in agreement with gay marriage, but I’m in no way going to stand in their way.
I want it to be made clear, not only do I expect but I also encourage everyone to do whatever they will do naturally.

Belief in a god or God is up to the individual, and I’m no more at liberty to change the path of others than they are to change mine.
Since we are both unmovable objects fighting and pushing will get us no where.
I say let people live how they want.
If I’m wrong and God doesn’t exist then I have nothing to lose by believing.

If the question that is being posed by the OP is to believe or not to believe then I will say the question is rather why not believe?

It isn’t that religion is bad it is the type of follower of religion that can prove poisonous to humanity.
Those fanatics in all religions are the ones giving religion a bad name.
The truth is and everyone knows it is that religion is the thorn in the side of humankind regardless of your belief system.

I say let people live how they want.
If I’m wrong and God doesn’t exist then I have nothing to lose by believing.

Not trying to be offensive, or attack you, but this raised a question,
Is this not an Agnostic stance in regards to your faith?

No it’s not
Because I honestly believe God exists 100% and I have nothing to go on but personal experiences that can be debunked by atheists as any number of things.
I’m simply stating that Even though this is what I believe with every part of my being doesn’t mean that I’m right even though I personally believe that I am.
In this sense I’m no different in my faith than an atheist because an atheist believes just as strongly that there is no God.

As far as letting people live as they want. It is not my place to convince anyone. My job is simply to plant a seed, if it grows it grows, if not than nothing was lost.
It’s not up to me to make anyone believe in the existence of God. Ill not push it on any one.
All I can do is give my personal experiences and share how I believe God has changed my life.