Hey guys,

Are you up for a little debate? ok, here it goes....I'm a Christian, proud and happy to be one, I love God/ Christ and I humble myself to Him because I want to and I like it, I enjoy that humbling experience... and I do have other reasons to believe........

Of course, I know that not everyone agrees with me but I respect everyone's opinions, yes.... even if we can't agree, LOL!

I normally don't listen to celebrities talking about religion or politics, in my opinion, they show ignorance most of the times, specially when they talk about politics.... but an article popped up in MSN about Brad Pitt and I do admire his humanitarian work, so I read it , and I thought it was interesting what Brad Pitt said about his view/feelings on religion.... I personaly agree that religion in general is good....no matter what yours is... what do you think?

The following is the article:

"Religion works, Brad goes on. I know there's comfort there, a crash pad. It's something to explain the world and tell you there is something bigger than you, and it is going to be all right in the end. It works because it's comforting. I grew up believing in it, and it worked for me in whatever my little personal high school crisis was, but it didn't last for me. I didn't understand this idea of a God who says, 'You have to acknowledge me. You have to say that I'm the best, and then I'll give you eternal happiness. If you won't, then you don't get it!' It seemed to be about ego. I can't see God operating from ego, so it made no sense to me."

Thanks for reading guys, later.....

Helen;)

LOL! I may have never learned some of the grammar rules at all! and the rest I don't remember...no win situation for me..

DOes Lauren charge for editing? well, I mean does she charge us? since we are bandters, maybe I can get a freebie...

Nope, all free!

I think you are holding your own just fine.

The topic will drift to something new in a few anyway so no worries. :Banane30:

I'm 45, educated, experienced in debate and I had to ask Lauren, a 24 y/o student the difference between belief and faith! I think we are in the same boat! HA!

Well, I still think you are cruising on the Royal Caribbean and I'm sitting here in a little raft....not the same boat, I can tell you are big time, extremely knowledgeable and educated....me...not so much....lol but I sure take the encouragement!

Nope, all free!

Allright then girl! thank you much!

And you Lauren... gee, how have you gotten so smart and know so much at the tender age of 24..? Kuddos to you! SHout out to you!

However, you must still behave missy, I can be your mother now! you must respect the elderly!

ok, ok, I'm just teasing you.........

Some people are afraid of losing loved ones, and religion brings them the comfort of "life after death" or "reuniting with your friends and family." For the people who cannot, or opt not to, consider life and existence is the most generic term as finite, religion works for them.

Some people choose specific religions based on the religion's leniency or tolerance. They find that it alleviates a sense of personal responsibility, because I can always just "confess" or "pray" or "do penance" and be forgiven. For these people looking for ways to avoid personal responsibility for their action, religion works.

For people wanting to make money, religion can be very profitable. Religion works for them.

Just a few examples.

My beliefs are my own, so I won't go into that, but I have to share this....

Years ago I worked with this older guy, and someone asked him if he believed in God. Without hesitation he said, "Sure I do!". He was asked how he could be so sure that there was a God. He responded, "Well, I look at it like this. If I believe in God, and when I die I find out that there is no God, what do I lose? But if I don't believe in God, and when I die I am facing him for my eternal judgment.......woooo doggie! I just ain't gonna take that chance!"

Most honest answer I ever heard.

And you Lauren... gee, how are you so smart at the tender age of 24..?

Kuddos to you! SHout out to you!

However, you must still behave missy, I can be your mother now! you must respect the elderly!

ok, ok, I'm just teasing you...

Yes'm. :nervous

My beliefs are my own, so I won't go into that, but I have to share this....

Years ago I worked with this older guy, and someone asked him if he believed in God. Without hesitation he said, "Sure I do!". He was asked how he could be so sure that there was a God. He responded, "Well, I look at it like this. If I believe in God, and when I die I find out that there is no God, what do I lose? But if I don't believe in God, and when I die I am facing him for my eternal judgment.......woooo doggie! I just ain't gonna take that chance!"

Most honest answer I ever heard.

No offense, but I despise that reasoning. It reeks of cowardice, to me.

No offense, but I despise that reasoning. It reeks of cowardice, to me.

Why would I take offense? It's not my reasoning. It cracked me up at the time because that country boy was dead serious, and he didn't try to justify anything to anybody. It was what it was.

Sarcasm +truth=denial.

You are not funny at all.

Passer pour un idiot aux yeux d'un imbécile est une volupté de fin gourmet.

Passer pour un idiot aux yeux d'un imbécile est une volupté de fin gourmet.

Oh my god! :madgrin: I just snorted chili. Damn you, Derick! :Banane30:

Passer pour un idiot aux yeux d'un imbécile est une volupté de fin gourmet.

My french is rusty... Who's eating the idiot's eyes?

My french is rusty... Who's eating the idiot's eyes?

Go translate on Babelfish. You'll love it.

Go translate on Babelfish. You'll love it.

That's awesome!!!! <and I need to brush up on my French>

My beliefs are my own, so I won't go into that, but I have to share this....

Years ago I worked with this older guy, and someone asked him if he believed in God. Without hesitation he said, "Sure I do!". He was asked how he could be so sure that there was a God. He responded, "Well, I look at it like this. If I believe in God, and when I die I find out that there is no God, what do I lose? But if I don't believe in God, and when I die I am facing him for my eternal judgment.......woooo doggie! I just ain't gonna take that chance!"

Most honest answer I ever heard.

I didn't ask you to share your beliefs (just clarifying since your response to my quote started the way it did), but the example you provided is another one we see all the time. "I don't believe concretely, but I'm afraid of what might happen if I don't, so I will." A perfect example of someone being feared into religion.

My beliefs are my own, so I won't go into that, but I have to share this....

Years ago I worked with this older guy, and someone asked him if he believed in God. Without hesitation he said, "Sure I do!". He was asked how he could be so sure that there was a God. He responded, "Well, I look at it like this. If I believe in God, and when I die I find out that there is no God, what do I lose? But if I don't believe in God, and when I die I am facing him for my eternal judgment.......woooo doggie! I just ain't gonna take that chance!"

Most honest answer I ever heard.

That's called Pascal's Wager.