Hey lads-

I'm quite sure that probably a million people have started a thread like this, and honestly, I really don't give a flying fuck. Because now I'm starting one. This is a thread for you to post what you think the meaning of life is. Recently I went through some pretty tough stuff that caused my life to turn completely around. People have always told me that I'm strong, but I never really believed it. Then I started engrossing myself in books about philosophy, the meaning of life, and a dictionary full of ridiculous theories.

Therefore, I'm asking for your thoughts on what the meaning of life is, or what life is made of. Think carefully, because I'm asking for a bit of guidence and help.

Post away.

~Risk.

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Well, there's a number of reasons. But who's bashing you?

What do you mean, a number of reasons?

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Originally posted by ampmaster:
I have a question why is that all other christian denominations incessantly Catholic bash? it's getting really freakin old.

Well, there's a number of reasons. But who's bashing you?

I have a question why is that all other christian denominations incessantly Catholic bash? it's getting really freakin old.

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But some people see only the bad side of religion. You can't blame them for not liking what they see.

Yeah, but there are bad sides to everything. There will always be someone who ends up making something out to be bad or completely tarnish other's views on it because they are idiots or what have you. You can't always base your opinions on an image. Many times they can be misleading. Christianity isn't about all those people who make the news through horrible protests or people who take things to the extreme. There are so many other representations of Christians that never gain any attention. And thats the problem. People always like to focus on the negative and try to find something wrong with it.

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we're just trying to explain why people that have been exposed to certain communities within the Christian community are terrified of Christians.

What has caused you to be terrified of Christians?

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but the fact that a substantial number of "Christians" choose to focus on other matters and take more literalist interpretations is a matter worth discussing, because so many of these people are creating very serious problems.

And I agree. But perhaps you should discuss it with them. Although, you might find that talking to these people will get you nowhere. They are obviously not the most logical human beings on the planet and it doesn't matter what they believe. They would probably cause problems on their own accord just based on the fact that they have their own issues going on in their heads.

I don't think any of us are Christian bashing; we're just trying to explain why people that have been exposed to certain communities within the Christian community are terrified of Christians.

I definitely like to believe that the majority of Christians focus on the love, guidance and forgiveness messages, but the fact that a substantial number of "Christians" choose to focus on other matters and take more literalist interpretations is a matter worth discussing, because so many of these people are creating very serious problems.

No one's claiming you are one of these people. I think the majority of us realize that not all Christians are like Jack Chick and his buddies. But some people see only the bad side of religion. You can't blame them for not liking what they see.

It's good that at least some Christians are trying to clean up the image of their religion.

Can we all take it easy on the Christian bashing? Its sounding like a support group for people against Christianity. I'm horrified to think of the terrible things "Christians" must have done to you all to give you such a bleak outlook on a religion. People who focus so much on stupid details that have been discussed below have their focus on the wrong things anyway. Being Christian is about having faith in God and Jesus, loving everyone (no matter what they do), and following God's word. I know you all are skeptical about those things, but I (nor anyone else) is going to change your mind about something like this. If you don't believe in God or Jesus, that is your choice. But please don't try to belittle other people that do believe. Besides, most people only hear what they wanna hear.

What no denomination sees is that it dosent matter what you have faith in as long as you have faith.

I read through most of the article. Gotta say, that was kinda creepy. Odd that every denomination of Christian likes to think they're the best.

No typo. These Chick tracts maintain that Catholics really worship the devil in the form of the virgin Mary. They compare Mary and the baby Jesus to Isis and her son Horus, which for some reason makes Catholics devil-worshippers. Wikipedia has a nice bit of info on it right here.

It's, of course, a load of crap (all their evidence comes from books published by the same company, Chick), but I find it funny that some Protestant sects claim they were the original church and Catholicism screwed it up, whereas the Catholic Church claims the Protestants are the evil ones.

It all can be very confusing to a person who doesn't know about all the differences within Christianity. They may see one version and think that's it.

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to hell if you're Muslim, Catholic, gay, a witch, or anybody else who isn't Christian. Now, a God of fire and brimstone

I assume that Catholic was included as a typo? Because they were the original hellfire and brimstone people.

People get these ideas from Christians. My grandmother frequently gives me Chick tracts that would appear, at first glance, to advocate a God that will condemn you to hell if you're Muslim, Catholic, gay, a witch, or anybody else who isn't Christian. Now, a God of fire and brimstone isn't by any stretch of the imagination a mainstream belief, but it is still out there, and many non-Christians get the feeling that it's the only brand of Christianity out there, especially if it's the only type they've ever encountered.

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Originally posted by Holliewood:
Honestly, where do people get these concepts from?

Well obviously, God means different things to different people, even within the same religions, so to simply say that God is a hateful figure is a bit ridiculous.

However, I do empathize with BlackOmen to the extent that the God a lot of people seem to worship -- the one who cares more about you believing in Him and calling Him by the right name than you following His message of tolerance and kindness -- does seem like something of an almighty prick.

Well if you knew anything blackomen, you would know that God is the complete opposite of what you just stated...

Honestly, where do people get these concepts from?

By saying figure, I do not mean he's real, btw.

God is a hateful figure. He hates all who oppose him, and he hates some who follow him (Gays, etc..) A figure so hateful and devious cannot be the ruler of our lives. Nobody rules your life but yourself, no matter how you feel.

To worship God. and lead others to him.

The meaning of life is to survive long enough to procreate, and end up with offspring fit enough to procreate as well.

I was just messing with you freaks.