I agree that damnation can be a scary proposition, mostly derived from the negative connotations given to it. But there should be no need for those who don't believe in a heaven or hell to fear it. If you think about the word damned it simply means to stop ones progress. To block ones path. Damnation is to block one from progressing to a higher state.

A man who fears God is not one who understands the teachings he gave us through his prophets. I feel the religious man should honor and respect God but to be saved only by cowering in fear of eternal damnation is inconsistent with the teachings of prophets who profess to be called of God.

I agree that there are many church's that twist and strain for doctrine to impress and "unholy" will on people. History has shown us that much.

I guess what I'm trying to say is there is a big difference in blind faith. as opposed to true faith. Blind faith is never questioned and rarely opposed. True faith stems from understanding the principals behind the doctrine.

For instance, why do we not steal? Is it because we were told not to? Is it because we feel bad? Is it because we fear being damned?

An individual could contemplate this for hours. But to truly understand the doctrine one might look further to say; I do not steal because of the distress and damage it causes to others. God loves all people and by stealing I am not showing love.

Motivation can come from many different sources. I've often been curious as to the motivation of many people to try and tare down my beliefs are? I am very happy with worshiping God the way I do. I understand why we follow the commandments he's given through prophets. I can see the motivation of preachers to try and convert souls, wither it be of sincere concern for their welfare or for the greed of their pocketbooks.

I've asked myself. What is the motivation for those who are atheist? Do they feel for the welfare of my soul? Do they feel so strongly in what they believe that they want me to feel as satisfied with the belief as they do?

I question my faith and my beliefs, that is how they grow strong. Much like scientists. Some rejoice in finding, what was a substantial law in science, to be false. Others dismiss it as bogus and lacking substance.

What, in the name of all things unholy, are those things really for?

Looris, not too long, I could watch those things all day! Agree about the text at the beginning.

Seriously though, does anyone know any more about these things?

You can all meet on an unholy day of the week like, Thursday, and take donations

Ah, yes, Thursday, the most unholiest of days! It's when Satan was born, and when I do all my blaspheming.

(I'm staying out of this one.)

You atheists know who you are...and since yer not a religious belief recognized by the throwback, de-evolutionary theist crowds-at-large, and your seething distaste for the faithful usually takes no-time to digress into name-calling, and childish derision trussed-up in ineloquent, unnecessary, and bothersome preaching-why not try a new approach?? Build a seminary, attract the devout, and start an official "club' if you will, for the word religion, were it up to Atheist dictionary publishers, would no-doubt exist as some newspeak description for all that is wrong with the world. You can all meet on an unholy day of the week like, Thursday, and take donations, have pot-luck dinners, and stroke each other, stroke something.....but jesus H. Christ on a Crippled Crutch, "Get off Mahhh Marine Corp Videosift!!"

(Think that'll stir the kiddies up, Dag?? If you need anymore help, please, feel free to poke.)

And yes, thoughtful discussion concerning religion's pros and cons......hmmmmm there is a shining example of this form of communication here all over the sift....gwann comes first to mind, and most agnostics, who are very pleasant folks for the most part, not fleeing from self-actualization or meaning, but embracing it.

Here's a shining example, of what appears to be, a knee-jerk reaction over an expertly titled,(karaidl)and charged piece of satire.....and they come from the woodworks, to see who has beaten the floorboards.
http://www.videosift.com/video/The-Atheist-Delusion#leavecomment

note, how the arguments are made by atheists, in a manner not unlike the most un-schooled and fervent type of banter that Christians are accused of...
"Remember the crusades!'
'Remember the Alamo!"
...and they shall be stoned with pumice.....etc etc etc.......

Not trying to quibble, but I don't think this should be treated (or tagged) as political, either. Saying, "Look, Mr. Bush, at what your unholy war hath wrought" heartlessly exploits this terribly human moment.

Which, I still say, should have been utterly private.

"Some critics of CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) often discredit the music as too imitative of mainstream secular music, thus lacking originality. They say that with music so similar to the mainstream, it is a blatant attempt to be popular or relevant to the world. Others believe secular-sounding music to be unholy, and unfit for Christian themes - many Fundamentalist Christians take this position (For instance, Bob Jones University, prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM)." [link]

So this guy is a Rebel Fundie. Jeez. Wonder how long before he's on Fox News.

Terrorists are going to use this video network to organise attacks and spread their anti-christian/jewish propaganda.

I suggest firstly tax cuts for the rich, and secondly dropping a Nuke on the servers of this unholy blasphemous scourge.

PRAISE THE LORD. SIN SAVIOUR SATAN. THAT IS DEVIL WORSHIP. UNHOLY UNHOLY. PENTAGON SATAN WORSHIPING FIEND OF THE THEREAFTER

As anyone who is familiar with those unholy demons would agree, your feelings are completely understandable and shared.

I hear her every Monday on Adam Carolla (he always smites and ridicules her) and for anyone who isn't familiar with the details of her beliefs, she and her kind believe that every single person who dies of unnatural causes in any form (in Iraq, car accidents, etc.) was killed by the hand of God because they are going to hell.

Anyway, I read about that bus crash and feel for everyone touched by the tragedy. Try to keep your cool, mlx, and if you or anyone else does pummel those devils with stones or even chainsaws, I'm sure you won't have a problem finding sanctuary anywhere in this country. They disgust us all.

No one puts Twiki in a corner!

Nice find. The unholy marriage of Sci-fi and Boogie Shoes. I hear the third season of Battlestar will feature a lot of disco and cameos by the Scissor Sisters.

What in the unholy unbelievable never seen anything like it do these morons think they are going to do by getting out?? That is unreal. I live in Alaska and I've seen probably 20 good rear-enders like this first hand across the years, but I have NEVER seen anyone try and escape or stop the vehicle with their feet. These people need brain surgery.

Make sure that it is ..5.05mg (micrograms), or it will be unholy pain -- not science!

kids are way faster I would have liked this more if the thing hauled unholy ass