Quote:
Originally Posted by flamesfever
Glad you are talking from a position of experience and that your children are turning out well.
As you are aware, raising kids is not an easy job. It takes a lot of time, energy and devotion to do a good job. I consider myself a religious person, however didn't have much time to attend church while the children were growing up. Most of my experience with the Church was after the children were grown up.
However, I believe I knew enough about good Christian ethics and moral values from my parents, and in my own researches, to teach them to my children. Whether they chose to believe in God was left to them. I just tried to set a good example and hoped they'd follow. I must admit I didn't always succeed in that regard, and thankfully they turned out well in spite of my failings.
In spite of all the negatives attributed to religion, I still think it is a net positive for humanity. I wish you had ears for the positives and not just the negatives.
As far as believing in God, as someone mentioned above, you either have faith there is, or belief there is not. It's a personal thing for each individual. I have friends in both camps.
I've always thought that one of the things that sets Christianity apart from other religions is to "love thine enemy". I love ya Cheese! - I'm only kidding I don't believe you're my enemy. I know knocking religion is your thing, however I only wish you could be a little less forceful and more balanced in your approach.
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Well just so you know..I love everyone regardless of their faith. Quite frankly if you actually read my posts you wont find anything more abrasive than the vast majority of Atheist or non secular posters. I mentioned that before...when faced with difficult questions theists get their backs up and lay the blame anywhere but at the feet of the people who teach them their specific nonsense. Without an answer of any kind people are left to either slink away mumbling to themselves or use the old..."you are so abrasive comment". I can live with that..and I accept that completely. What I dont appreciate are those who throw out idiotic comments like I am being
slanderous...thats beyond ludicrous and suggests that the person involved would rather hurl crap then have a discussion based on "reason". You dont know me...but I have mentioned many times, I have been in your boat before. Heres a quote from another atheist who sums it up nicely..
I can only speak for myself, and I seem incapable of "experiencing" God. Many Christians thoughtlessly blame me for this, claiming that I haven't had enough faith, didn't try hard enough, or wouldn't have accepted such experiences even if I had had them. All of these accusations are wide of the mark; they haven't walked in my shoes. They don't know how many times I've prayed and asked Jesus into my life. Since I don't go around challenging the validity of Christians' religious experiences, I would appreciate it if Christians would refrain from passing judgment on my lack thereof.
Paul Dolland, former Christian
As far as "good Christian ethics" goes...would you care to cite a few of these specific ethics attributable to Christians?