Sorry you lost your Dad, as well as Mr Chapman losing his little girl. God said we go through these trials so that we may be an encouragement for one another if someone else should suffer. I too lost a son 21 years ago. For I cannot bring him back to me. But I will go to him some day as you will. We will all meet together with Christ in Heaven. Praise God. God Bless. Please let us all remember mr. Chapmans son as well. I will pray for u.
Greg Laurie was one of the people who finally brought me home to God. He's suffered unthinkable tragedy in his life, and yet he radiates such joy with his every breath and word.
You can see, how greg and curtis are human shows you that God is the ONE that gives these men strength and hope for them to move on, the great reward is these men will be united with their loved ones Jesus Christ is real...amen
I wanted to tank you for sharing with us about your dad .... God promises to never leave us or forsake us you can know he is with you and will always be with you .. thanks for your outstanding faith its obvious to me your the Lord's !!! keep your faith and never give up ... this life will bring pain but take heart God has overcome this world!!! your brother in christ! Nick
Dusty Lady, I was a Born-Again Christian for many years; taught Sunday school, was on a leadership team for a Christian Fellowship on my college campus where I weekly led Bible studies. I even began studying to be a missionary. Only after detaching myself from Christian culture and Christian theology did I get my mind back. I now understand how selective, self-proving, circular and unreliable prayer is. It took me years but thankfully I'm back to normal! Nice to hear you recovered as well!
no words can express feelings over the loss of someone you love so much. This is the truth, because losing my husband and best friend who I love so much allowed me to "die" too. I am existing but not living.
Nothing fails like prayer. Take out the emotions, the hysterical passion, the feelings, and what is left? REALITY. You've been praying to your imagination.
God Bless You All Chapman Family! Each one. Accidents Happen. Tragic ones. What do people who do not know God do in a circumstance like this? Love,Prayers ,Never forgotten. IJN Amen
Thank you for posting this. We are to praise God all the days of our lives and share His word while we're here on this earth! You two are so encouraging.
I couldn't agree more. These are people mesmerized by their own idealistic imaginations, who are then given free license to worship them. They're not worshipping God, they're worshipping their own capacity to imagine God.
Thanks for the lively discussion. I'll get back when I have time. Believe it or not, openness is one of my top priorities, and rational discussion is always stimulating, even if I don't agree with your position.
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Good points, especially Pt IV. Belief and faith cause nothing to exist that doesn't already exist, and claiming faith in a benevolent deity is the only way to survive crushing loss is indeed simplistic. As much as I've enjoyed our exchange, continuing it will waste both of our time because of our disparate presuppositions. And please don't insult my intelligence by claiming to have no presuppositions. Believing on ones own infallible objectivity is simply an arrogant self-delusion.
Thanks for the Dan Barker recommendation. I intend to listen with an open mind, but I can't promise to be persuaded. I've dealt with so many questions of my own it'll be interesting to see if he can present any original food for thought. BTW, I'm not one of Laurie's sheep, and don't like being stereotyped any more than you do.
Most skeptical reasoning builds on an unwillingness to believe anything that can't be quantified. An old physics text is as obsolete as last week's newspaper, being based on what was thought to be empirical evidence. Have the facts changed, or merely our ability to quantify them? How can a materialist accept any proposition, when perception is perfectly ephemeral? My answer is faith, but both would likely bother you regardless how I express them.
@GiantBuilders Help me out here. I'm not a Christian, so I'm wondering; what's the difference between; 1) A person asserting that only God can provide the strength and comfort and ability for a person to cope with a horrible tragedy, such a person BELIEVING it's true, and it BEING true. 2) A person assert such things about God, such a person BELIEVING it's true, and it not ACTUALLY BEING true, just believed. What's the difference? How does a Christian tell the two apart?
Thanks for these great questions. One answer applies to both: I believe because the material universe must have a first cause that exists outside of time and space. Quantum theory invented dark energy and matter to explain the cohesive universe, and bends time to explain eternity, but "science" can't explain where it all came from without an infinite, eternal, first cause, a.k.a., God. Why does my faith bother you so much?
GREG LAURIE HAS DISABLED COMMENTS ON ALL HIS OTHER VIDEOS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK AND QUESTION AUTHORITY. He will no doubt disabled this one from comments too.
Pt IV In regards to my earlier question, you'll often notice people saying "My faith is what got me through this or that time" Chapman begins by saying, "I can't imagine anyone surviving that without the hope of heaven." He then goes on to say that knowing she was with Jesus was a comfort to him. In other words, his BELIEF helped him, which has NOTHING TO DO with whether God exists. A Muslim loses a child. His faith helped him survive. Therefore Allah is real. Sadly, it's faulty reasoning.
I'm not angry at all. I'm just stating the facts. There is no evidence for a personal god whatsoever. If there is a personal god, he either cannot act, or doesn't care to act. I was a christian for 20 years and I know the experience intimately. It is fact that you people are praying to your imagination. I learned the difference between my imagination and reality. Pure and simple.
Pt II: 1) Not quite, actually. Skeptical reasoning builds on an unwillingness to accept as TRUE that which OTHERS ASSERT with no quantifiable evidence; the Bible demands on every page that it be accepted as true. Skepticism isn't "unwilling to believe" the Bible because it can't be quantified (a view only held by those that already believe, incidentally), it's unwilling to consent to it's claim of "Truth," because it must do more than merely be "spiritual", and therefore "unquantifiable."
By "you people," I only mean you christians, and Greg Laurie's sheep. Quit acting surprised that I'm sincere! I started to use my brain and when I realized I was praying to my imagination, it was pretty embarrassing. Listen to Dan Barker here on You Tube. He was a evangelical preacher for 19 years and explains the "waking up" process very well, from the inside.
Your faith doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is the 20 years I wasted of my OWN life in "prayer." Let your mind question authority, and you will see clearly then.
Understand. But before you go; 1) I never said you had "no suppositions." (No idea where you got that from), 2) I never claimed to be "infallibly objective," I just argued articulately and reasonably & questioned your views. 3) You finished by calling me "arrogant" and "self-deluded" for claiming to be "infallibly objective;" which I never claimed to be. (Three insults for an insult I never dealt) I was a Christian once; It's safer to distort another's argument than deal with it. Take care.
Wow, I posted that a year ago. Let's start with the fact that your answer doesn't fit my question at all. My question, as stated was asking how a person's belief in something thought true which is ACTUALLY true can be discerned from a person's belief in something thought true which isn't. Your answer is that science can't explain why the Universe exists. You answer (to say nothing of your faith) bothers me because it's an irrational answer to my question.
Pt III You must realize that were it not for skepticism, you could be converted to the Islamic faith simply because someone told you it was true. The same goes for every one of the thousands of religions that exist in the world. What you're REALLY saying is skepticism is an incredible, valuable tool to eliminate what you regard as FALSE religions, but when it comes to Christianity, the best thing one can do is throw skepticism out the window. I'm just a little more skeptical than you are.
Wow, you really like to move the argument around. Is this how you always reason things, by simply moving to a new topic? Just for the record, your answer to the question; How can a one distinguish between a belief in something thought true which is ACTUALLY true and a belief in something thought true which actually ISN'T.....is "faith." Frankly, your answer is far more indicative of a complete lack of a rational criteria for belief than whatever amount of skepticism you suppose I may possess.
I can't help wondering why you and other skeptics bother commenting about Christ-followers' beliefs if they're so absurd and stupid. Are you bitter about some disillusionment perpetrated by a so-called Christian, or just angry with the God you don't believe in? That said, I do appreciate your avoidance of name-calling.
"You people" sounds suspiciously ... what's the word? At least you admitted we're people, which is more positive than many atheists. I'm sincerely sorry you are disillusioned with faith, but at least give those of us who aren't, enough latitude to admit there may, just possibly, be something you don't know. Who knows, you may just be right, and I may just be wrong. For your sake, I hope that's the case.
Thank you for sharing. My wife and I miss our son so much, but we trust Jesus’ promise to reunite us.
Brother Chapman is a Dear Friend of mine!!!!!!! I FINALLY met Mary Beth in October 2007!!!!!!! So Humbled to know this Family…Personally!!!!!!!
Sorry you lost your Dad, as well as Mr Chapman losing his little girl. God said we go through these trials so that we may be an encouragement for one another if someone else should suffer. I too lost a son 21 years ago. For I cannot bring him back to me. But I will go to him some day as you will. We will all meet together with Christ in Heaven. Praise God. God Bless. Please let us all remember mr. Chapmans son as well. I will pray for u.
Greg Laurie was one of the people who finally brought me home to God. He's suffered unthinkable tragedy in his life, and yet he radiates such joy with his every breath and word.
You can see, how greg and curtis are human shows you that God is the ONE that gives these men strength and hope for them to move on, the great reward is these men will be united with their loved ones Jesus Christ is real...amen
I wanted to tank you for sharing with us about your dad .... God promises to never leave us or forsake us you can know he is with you and will always be with you .. thanks for your outstanding faith its obvious to me your the Lord's !!! keep your faith and never give up ... this life will bring pain but take heart God has overcome this world!!!
your brother in christ!
Nick
Dusty Lady,
I was a Born-Again Christian for many years; taught Sunday school, was on a leadership team for a Christian Fellowship on my college campus where I weekly led Bible studies. I even began studying to be a missionary. Only after detaching myself from Christian culture and Christian theology did I get my mind back. I now understand how selective, self-proving, circular and unreliable prayer is. It took me years but thankfully I'm back to normal! Nice to hear you recovered as well!
I like what Steven said, "There are no words." Greg and Steven are really decent men. God Bless.
no words can express feelings over the loss of someone you love so much. This is the truth, because losing my husband and best friend who I love so much allowed me to "die" too. I am existing but not living.
Nothing fails like prayer. Take out the emotions, the hysterical passion, the feelings, and what is left? REALITY. You've been praying to your imagination.
this Guy's testmony is proof that God heals.
My precious Angela left this earth 2-7-13 and I found some comfort listening to these Godly men share their hearts.
God Bless You All Chapman Family! Each one. Accidents Happen. Tragic ones. What do people who do not know God do in a circumstance like this? Love,Prayers ,Never forgotten. IJN Amen
Thank you for posting this. We are to praise God all the days of our lives and share His word while we're here on this earth! You two are so encouraging.
Bless his heart....
I couldn't agree more. These are people mesmerized by their own idealistic imaginations, who are then given free license to worship them. They're not worshipping God, they're worshipping their own capacity to imagine God.
Thanks for the lively discussion. I'll get back when I have time. Believe it or not, openness is one of my top priorities, and rational discussion is always stimulating, even if I don't agree with your position.
We hope you have been blessed by this video. Please take a moment to subscribe and share it with a friend! For more encouragement and daily devotions visit www.harvest.org/
The bible says we should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.
thank you for sharing..it's a blessing.
Thank you so very much for sharing this!
Wow! I wish I could honestly say I don't need saving from anything, but the fact is I do. Lucky you.
Question authority. I did, and found peace!
Good points, especially Pt IV. Belief and faith cause nothing to exist that doesn't already exist, and claiming faith in a benevolent deity is the only way to survive crushing loss is indeed simplistic. As much as I've enjoyed our exchange, continuing it will waste both of our time because of our disparate presuppositions. And please don't insult my intelligence by claiming to have no presuppositions. Believing on ones own infallible objectivity is simply an arrogant self-delusion.
Love it
WELL SAID!!!
Thanks for the Dan Barker recommendation. I intend to listen with an open mind, but I can't promise to be persuaded. I've dealt with so many questions of my own it'll be interesting to see if he can present any original food for thought. BTW, I'm not one of Laurie's sheep, and don't like being stereotyped any more than you do.
Greg Laurie is a delusioned mad man. I was in his church, too.
Most skeptical reasoning builds on an unwillingness to believe anything that can't be quantified. An old physics text is as obsolete as last week's newspaper, being based on what was thought to be empirical evidence. Have the facts changed, or merely our ability to quantify them? How can a materialist accept any proposition, when perception is perfectly ephemeral? My answer is faith, but both would likely bother you regardless how I express them.
@GiantBuilders Help me out here. I'm not a Christian, so I'm wondering; what's the difference between;
1) A person asserting that only God can provide the strength and comfort and ability for a person to cope with a horrible tragedy,
such a person BELIEVING it's true,
and it BEING true.
2) A person assert such things about God,
such a person BELIEVING it's true,
and it not ACTUALLY BEING true, just believed.
What's the difference?
How does a Christian tell the two apart?
Thanks for these great questions. One answer applies to both: I believe because the material universe must have a first cause that exists outside of time and space. Quantum theory invented dark energy and matter to explain the cohesive universe, and bends time to explain eternity, but "science" can't explain where it all came from without an infinite, eternal, first cause, a.k.a., God. Why does my faith bother you so much?
Always question authority. :-)
Care to elaborate?
GREG LAURIE HAS DISABLED COMMENTS ON ALL HIS OTHER VIDEOS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK AND QUESTION AUTHORITY. He will no doubt disabled this one from comments too.
@PACAL2012 So true man!
How do you know, other than you imagine him in your mind? (Quoting the bible as "evidence" is circular reasoning).
Because they rely only on faith, which stops thinking. Think for yourself, and you will realize that they are praying to their imagination.
Pt IV
In regards to my earlier question, you'll often notice people saying "My faith is what got me through this or that time" Chapman begins by saying, "I can't imagine anyone surviving that without the hope of heaven." He then goes on to say that knowing she was with Jesus was a comfort to him.
In other words, his BELIEF helped him, which has NOTHING TO DO with whether God exists.
A Muslim loses a child.
His faith helped him survive.
Therefore Allah is real.
Sadly, it's faulty reasoning.
I'm not angry at all. I'm just stating the facts. There is no evidence for a personal god whatsoever. If there is a personal god, he either cannot act, or doesn't care to act. I was a christian for 20 years and I know the experience intimately. It is fact that you people are praying to your imagination. I learned the difference between my imagination and reality. Pure and simple.
Pt II:
1) Not quite, actually. Skeptical reasoning builds on an unwillingness to accept as TRUE that which OTHERS ASSERT with no quantifiable evidence; the Bible demands on every page that it be accepted as true. Skepticism isn't "unwilling to believe" the Bible because it can't be quantified (a view only held by those that already believe, incidentally), it's unwilling to consent to it's claim of "Truth," because it must do more than merely be "spiritual", and therefore "unquantifiable."
Its all below.
By "you people," I only mean you christians, and Greg Laurie's sheep. Quit acting surprised that I'm sincere! I started to use my brain and when I realized I was praying to my imagination, it was pretty embarrassing. Listen to Dan Barker here on You Tube. He was a evangelical preacher for 19 years and explains the "waking up" process very well, from the inside.
Your faith doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is the 20 years I wasted of my OWN life in "prayer." Let your mind question authority, and you will see clearly then.
Understand.
But before you go;
1) I never said you had "no suppositions." (No idea where you got that from),
2) I never claimed to be "infallibly objective," I just argued articulately and reasonably & questioned your views.
3) You finished by calling me "arrogant" and "self-deluded" for claiming to be "infallibly objective;" which I never claimed to be. (Three insults for an insult I never dealt)
I was a Christian once; It's safer to distort another's argument than deal with it.
Take care.
Wow, I posted that a year ago.
Let's start with the fact that your answer doesn't fit my question at all. My question, as stated was asking how a person's belief in something thought true which is ACTUALLY true can be discerned from a person's belief in something thought true which isn't.
Your answer is that science can't explain why the Universe exists.
You answer (to say nothing of your faith) bothers me because it's an irrational answer to my question.
Pt III
You must realize that were it not for skepticism, you could be converted to the Islamic faith simply because someone told you it was true. The same goes for every one of the thousands of religions that exist in the world.
What you're REALLY saying is skepticism is an incredible, valuable tool to eliminate what you regard as FALSE religions, but when it comes to Christianity, the best thing one can do is throw skepticism out the window.
I'm just a little more skeptical than you are.
Wow, you really like to move the argument around. Is this how you always reason things, by simply moving to a new topic?
Just for the record, your answer to the question;
How can a one distinguish between a belief in something thought true which is ACTUALLY true and a belief in something thought true which actually ISN'T.....is "faith."
Frankly, your answer is far more indicative of a complete lack of a rational criteria for belief than whatever amount of skepticism you suppose I may possess.
No..... Actually a doctor told my parents.
I can't help wondering why you and other skeptics bother commenting about Christ-followers' beliefs if they're so absurd and stupid. Are you bitter about some disillusionment perpetrated by a so-called Christian, or just angry with the God you don't believe in? That said, I do appreciate your avoidance of name-calling.
OK, but I was one of Greg's sheep. Dan Barker will help you to wake up. Just question authority. That's all I ask.
Its in your imagination, Greg Laurie. Jesus is real only because you have a good imagination.
"You people" sounds suspiciously ... what's the word? At least you admitted we're people, which is more positive than many atheists. I'm sincerely sorry you are disillusioned with faith, but at least give those of us who aren't, enough latitude to admit there may, just possibly, be something you don't know. Who knows, you may just be right, and I may just be wrong. For your sake, I hope that's the case.
Who convinced you that you were born defective? Greg Laurie? hahaha!