I have the short version

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv...telio1_500.jpg

So true.

My argument against organized religion is as follows...

Point a telescope at:
RA 2h 29m 06.7s
Dec: 0.158339 ± 0.000067

See that little blue star thingy?
That is a Galaxy like ours as old as the universe itself traveling at near the speed of light, how could something so awesome not be in that big book of creation of yours?

This is a prime example why I have little use for most atheists that i have encountered. They take every opportunity to spew their anti-religious invective hatred. It only poisons civilized discourse and promotes intolerance and division as much or more than any radical religious sect.

I think the problem is - across the board - religious, athiest, non denominational, liberal, democrat, conservative, republican, muslim, jew, black, white etc etc.... they all worry too damned much about the other guy's business.

Atheism is a belief and it's a religion.

But unfortunately a belief which can never be substantiated. . . . . .

If anyone wants to be an atheist could you please be an intelligent, rational and open minded one? Life is after all, about discovery. Most atheists unfortunately are full of hatred, rude, lacking empathy, even sometimes cruel, and intolerable of anything that's against their core belief. They view religions as a threat.

I don't view atheism as a threat. I'd befriend nice, good people whether they are atheists or otherwise.

Every time I testify : "I saw God when I was a kid". Many atheists had as if their beard was on fire. To them the statement is a threat to their belief. So in defense they would reply with insults, ridicule and name calling in return. Now if I preached God that I know merely from a book or from a friend's story then by all means just ignore it but if I TESTIFY by my own experience they should search, research and ask questions about the testimony to weigh it. But always because they are so frighten by the statement they will throw insults instead. This proved atheism is merely another belief. One which is embraced by many fanatic.

Don't get angry by this if you're a rational, intelligent, open minded, good hearted and good natured atheist. COMMON SENSE should be present in both believers and atheists. In it inquisitive, open minded mind, unafraid of possibilities, honest and open to the things he has been exposed too. Reserving judgment when aqppropriate and not jumping into conclusion simply out of fear and anger.

Thats because a fair number of them probably became atheists because they felt they got a raw deal at some point in life... and becoming atheists is just their way of rebelling against God.;)

and no you dont have to be a christian to be the governor of Texas, nor do you have to believe in the "Christian God" - you must however believe in the existence of a "supreme being"... many organizations that potentially place people in leadership positions have this requirement.

The Masonic Lodge for example.

personally, i dont go to church but perhaps once or twice a year, its just not my cup of tea... but i have weighed the evidence throughout my life, and i have struggled with the question as to whether or not some supreme creator exists.

based on my own experiences, i have seen and experienced more things that point to the existence of a creator vs. things that dont.

now - thats my opinion - im entitled to that in the least.

but because i have that opinion, some Atheist will waste metric tons of oxygen screaming in my face trying to convert me to believe otherwise.

kinda funny

The problem, the real core of the problem, is this weird thing about people. If they're a fan of something, they want to share their fandom. Or if their into something, then its the best thing to be into, because their into it.

Atheism vindictivness I think is borne from religious ramrodding. The problem is, they're not punching back at an equivalent level of the original punch, so to speak. So they end up being louder then the ------- who got them pissed off to begin with.

In the end, when it comes to religion, no matter what ones stance is on it, I think this is the best thought to adapt:

Whatever your stance is on religion, its a lot like a lift in your shoes. If it makes you feel better, fine. Just don't ask anyone to wear your shoes.

edit: If people would just keep their ---- to themselves, the world would be a much nicer place.

:DL

Indeed everyone is entitled to his OWN DISCOVERY, in his own time, through his own experience, to the best of his ability to know and understand, based on universal COMMON SENSE and HONESTY and an OPEN inquisitive MIND.

It's not enough to believe
Your belief must take you to KNOWLEDGE and WITNESSING. Otherwise it is a VAIN belief WHATEVER THAT BELIEF IS. The journey is a whole lifetime of discovery and growth and enrichment. Within and otherwise.

@ Castout.... when God and the spiritual world and ghosts and the like are up for discussion i like to think of the following quote:

"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

its true.

there are a lot of people who say there is no big foot or Sasquatch too... such people are closed off to the idea that man doesnt know everything.

I never claimed it required a Christian, only a theist.
I'd say the context and capitalization makes it clear it's referring to a "Supreme Being" being a god, as opposed to a human.

Side-trip: I see that once again people are posting pictures of words they can't actually use on the forum. Getting around the rules is cute, but they are there and should be enforced.

Uhhhh

it says No religious test shall ever be required to hold office.

so where do you get that a person has to be a "theist"?

were not the Pharaohs supreme beings in their own right?

edit:

besides: i think supreme being literally means "some existence greater than one's self"

Not exactly. It says "no religious test except this one".

I don't believe the pharaohs were. I believe they were simply standard humans. As I said, the context makes it clear that it means a religious "Supreme Being". You asked the question of why it would matter to an atheist what anyone else believed, I was simply pointing out an example.

Anyway, my view on religion is that a person is free to believe whatever they believe and to worship however they feel is right, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of someone else.

There used to be a whole race of people who might disagree :D

mine as well