It has been said that...
Religion came about as an elemental and emotional need within the human psyche.
Says a lot really.

If it is a basic need of the human psche then what it is that people who regulary have lower blood pressure, lowe to be rates of sucide and are less likely dependent on substance abuses?

Sociological pressures are an acknowledged factor. It's not uncommon for a minority religious person who is within a community of people who follow a different religion to feel isolated, commit suicide more often, and have a higher incidence of substance abuse. Those that don't 'fit in' (eg atheists, agnostics, in america) MAY have similar experiences. Notice that studies in Europe, where atheism is considered quite normal do not support your claim. Same situation where Japan where virtually the ENTIRE population is atheist (there the religious kill themselves).

Why are the latest studies showing that people who are prayed over in the hospital at their bedsides get worse!??

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

Why are the latest studies showing that people who are prayed over in the hospital at their bedsides get worse!??

(Bible) Matthew 6:5-15

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Qur'an) The Opening 1:1-7

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all Being,
the All-merciful, the All-compassionate,
the Master of the Day of Doom.
Thee only we serve; to Thee alone we pray for succour.
Guide us in the straight path, the path of those
whom Thou hast blessed, not of those against
whom Thou art wrathful, nor of those who are astray.


Maybe they are praying wrong... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Ohh....that clears everything up! Thanks, Jeffrey!

So, it's the old huckster's and faith healer's type trick then? If you get better it proves miracles and/or the power of prayer. Any time there's evidence it doesn't work that is easily explained away as 'they're praying wrong' or (my favorite) 'they didn't have enough faith' to deserve to be healed.
"God is capable of great mercy and great anger but mainly great anger."---Homer simpson

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

>>>Maybe they are praying wrong...

Shit Oh Dear!
That must be it.
Right praying is what I need to master
If God's gonna give me a break.

Any hints sure apprieciated-
Wrong praying is
Pissing up a rope...cc

>>>Maybe they are praying wrong...

Shit Oh Dear!
That must be it.
Right praying is what I need to master
If God's gonna give me a break.

Any hints sure apprieciated-
Wrong praying is
Pissing up a rope...cc

Hehe, you jumped all over that one.

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

So Jeffrey. Since you're such an expert on praying, I expect you'll never ever be going to a doctor again. You can just PRAY for your healing.

While you're at it, don't bother to go shopping again. You can PRAY for manna from heaven, or some other method of feeding you. Let your faith be your food. Right? Right???

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Never Forget a Friend. Or an Enemy.

Anyone else seen that 'Wifeswap' tv episode on recently that portrays the 'sun gazer' (or other such silly term) who is a woman eating like a bird who stares at the sun for 8 mins each morning to absorb the 'nutrients'. She considered herself still 'not advanced' enough to eliminate food altogether from her diet. Just not enough faith and enlightenment I guess. Funny how the irrational pervert everything about the word 'enlightenment' era. For those unaware, this is the age when man crept out of the caves of religion and into the light of reason.

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

...bible quote..


..Qur'an quote..

Jeffrey old pal, would you be so kind and answer me a question? What faith do you follow? Are you a Muslim, a Christian or something else? It's something I've wondered about for a while now. :-)

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Reality Internet Personality

...bible quote..
..Qur'an quote..

Jeffrey old pal, would you be so kind and answer me a question? What faith do you follow? Are you a Muslim, a Christian or something else? It's something I've wondered about for a while now. :-)

Ya'll really just don't get it do you?

Both the Bible and the Qur'an come from the same one and only true God...

God is Allah, Allah is God...

Don't believe me? Read an Arabic version of the Bible, you'll find Allah. Read certain English versions of the Qur'an, You'll find God...

The content of the Bible and of the Qur'an are exactly the same, which is all that should really matter to a true believer...

A true Christian and a true Muslim are supposed to be one in the same...

Bible:
A Christian is a follower of Christ...
Christ submitted himself to the will of God...

Qur'an:
A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God...
God declared His true religion to be Islam...

;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Ya'll really just don't get it do you?

Both the Bible and the Qur'an come from the same one and only true God...

God is Allah, Allah is God...

Don't believe me? Read an Arabic version of the Bible, you'll find Allah. Read certain English versions of the Qur'an, You'll find God...

The content of the Bible and of the Qur'an are exactly the same, which is all that should really matter to a true believer...

A true Christian and a true Muslim are supposed to be one in the same...

Bible:
A Christian is a follower of Christ...
Christ submitted himself to the will of God...

Qur'an:
A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God...
God declared His true religion to be Islam...

;)

Actually, I get it more than you think. I'm not religious myself, but I took the trouble to learn about different religions. Muslims follow both the Qur'an and the Bible and believe that Jesus and Mohammed are prophets.

Christians believe that Jesus is the son of god. They do not accept Mohammed as a prophet. Thank you for answering my question anyway. :-)

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Reality Internet Personality

So answer her bloody question. Are you a Muslim or not. If you don't answer the question forthrightly shall we consider that you've denied your God? You keep praising Allah so that means you're a muslim, right?

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

Bible:
A Christian is a follower of Christ...
Christ submitted himself to the will of God...

Qur'an:
A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God...
God declared His true religion to be Islam...

;)

Christ was the son of God Jeffo.....
Not the same.....

"God declared His true religion to be Islam."
Thats in the Bible too?

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Jeffey wants to deny he is a muslim ? Whaaa? I think that is a sin . But in Islamic law it is not a sin to lie to the Infidels for the cause of Jihad....

Bible:
A Christian is a follower of Christ...
Christ submitted himself to the will of God...

Qur'an:
A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God...
God declared His true religion to be Islam...

Christ was the son of God Jeffo.....
Not the same.....

"God declared His true religion to be Islam."
Thats in the Bible too?

God didn't declare ANY religion in the Bible...

Christ was, is, and always will be, the 'son of man' filled with the 'spirit of God'...

Christian are supposed to be following Jesus' example, not worshipping him...

Read the book of Acts... Peter and Paul did not worship Jesus, their message was completely different than the one being presented today...

If you're a Christian, I hope you see it before it's too late... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Some Bible contridictions for you to think about. If the bible was written by a perfect being than it must not contridict itself. But it does.

ON THE SABBATH DAY
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." -- Exodus 20:8

"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." -- Romans 14:5 [top]



ON THE PERMANENCY OF THE EARTH
"... the earth abideth for ever." -- Ecclesiastes 1:4

"... the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." -- 2Peter 3:10 [top]



ON SEEING GOD
"... I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." -- Genesis 32:30

"No man hath seen God at any time..."-- John 1:18 [top]



ON HUMAN SACRIFICE
"... Thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God..." -- Leviticus 18:21

[In Judges, though, the tale of Jephthah, who led the Israelites against the Ammonoites, is being told. Being fearful of defeat, this good religious man sought to guarantee victory by getting god firmly on his side. So he prayed to god] "... If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering" (Judges 11:30-31).

[The terms were acceptable to god -- remember, he is supposed to be omniscient and know the future -- so he gave victory to Jephthah, and the first whatsoever that greeted him upon his glorious return was his daughter, as god surely knew would happen, if god is god. True to his vow, the general made a human sacrifice of his only child to god!] -- Judges 11:29-34 [top]



ON THE POWER OF GOD
"... with God all things are possible." -- Matthew 19:26

"...The LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron." -- Judges 1:19 [top]



ON DEALING WITH PERSONAL INJURY
"...thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. " -- Exodus 21:23-25

"...ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." -- Matthew 5:39 [top]



ON CIRCUMCISION
"This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised." -- Genesis 17:10

"...if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." -- Galatians 5:2 [top]



ON INCEST
"Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of this mother..." -- Deuteronomy 27:22

"And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter...it is a wicked thing...." -- Leviticus 20:17

[But what was god's reaction to Abraham, who married his sister -- his father's daughter?] See Genesis 20:11-12

"And God said unto Abraham, As for Sara thy wife...I bless her, and give thee a son also of her..." -- Genesis 17:15-16 [top]



ON TRUSTING GOD
"A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD..." -- Proverbs 12:2

Now consider the case of Job. After commissioning Satan to ruin Job financially and to slaughter his shepherds and children to win a petty bet with Satan. God asked Satan: "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause." -- Job 2:3 [top]



ON THE HOLY LIFE-STYLE
"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart..." -- Ecclesiastes 9:7

"...they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not..." -- 1 Corinthians 7:30 [top]



ON PUNISHING CRIME
"The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father..." -- Ezekiel 18:20

"I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation..." -- Exodus 20:5 [top]



ON TEMPTATION
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." -- James 1:13

"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham..." -- Genesis 22:1 [top]



ON FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
"Honor thy father and thy mother..."-- Exodus 20:12

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. " -- Luke 14:26 [top]



ON RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
"...he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. " -- Job 7:9

"...the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth...." -- John 5:28-29 [top]



ON THE END OF THE WORLD
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. " -- Matthew 16:28

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. " -- Luke 21:32-33

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." -- Romans 13:11-12

"Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." -- James 5:8

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." -- 1 John 2:18

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." -- 1 Peter 4:7

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Fine. Then I don't expect to hear bullcrap being babbled out by jeffrey every 5 posts, or have my doorbell rung by kids barely out of their teens wanting to talk to me about some other idiotic fantasy. I don't expect to lose friends in a twin-tower terrorist attack because some sect of muslims decides thay WON'T be hypocrites and that they will follow EXACTLY what their holy book tells them to do. I don't expect to be uneasy if I visit Northern Ireland. I don't expect to have my head lobbed off for me - being forced to kneel on a foreign flag - just for travelling through the wrong part of Iran.

You got a pi-in-the-sky solution for that, Walla? I do. It's called REPLACE RELIGION WITH SCIENCE. THEN you'll see no more hatred in the world.

Chuck you are right.
Most of my friends are religous. They are happy believing in god and I am happy believing that the bible is a fictional novel. We dont discuss the topic anymore.
When I posted that I wasn't thinking about the big picture.

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Some Bible contridictions for you to think about.

Nice compilation of 'excerpts'...

If you actually read the 'entire book' you would understand that these 'verses' aren't really contradictions at all...

The problem is that Atheists only quote 'verses' that support their 'opinion' just as Christians only quote 'verses' that support their 'opinion'... And that doesn't cut it for either side... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Actually, I get it more than you think. I'm not religious myself, but I took the trouble to learn about different religions.

The irony is that the Jews didn't accept that Jesus was who he claimed to be, just as the Christians don't accept that Muhammad was who he claimed to be... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Actually, I get it more than you think. I'm not religious myself, but I took the trouble to learn about different religions.

Even though I am Christian I have gone out of my way to learn the local religons of all the places that I have lived in my life, and through the study and respect of other religons I've come closer in my walk. I think C.S. Lewis said it best, when he said religon is like math, there is only one right awnser but that dosen't mean that others aren't close and that we can't learn something from them.

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/Central Florida Astronomical Society

Actually, I get it more than you think. I'm not religious myself, but I took the trouble to learn about different religions.

Even though I am Christian I have gone out of my way to learn the local religons of all the places that I have lived in my life, and through the study and respect of other religons I've come closer in my walk. I think C.S. Lewis said it best, when he said religon is like math, there is only one right awnser but that dosen't mean that others aren't close and that we can't learn something from them.

Troy, you give Jeffrey too much credit. He hides what it is he believes in when he can. He wants the death of the jews and believes Islamic law should be imposed in every government worldwide.

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Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!