Things to thank God for today!!!

[donnydarkoIRL]

I think that no matter what way we look at it, It's only proper to show gratitude for the blessings we have.

[brucelee]

I think that no matter what way we look at it, It's only proper to show gratitude for the blessings we have.

very true. life in itself is a blessing.

Even this forum had been a great blessing for me. While I was anxious of whether I will pass my comprehensive exams, this forum made me forget about that anxiety.

.......The reason why I'm actually sticking in this forum despite the fact that I have my own site to attend to.In one way or another, I'm grateful to all the people in this forum.

...... it's nice to be friends with you guys even though I may never meet any one of you in person.

[RP33]

I think that no matter what way we look at it, It's only proper to show gratitude for the blessings we have.

I agree.. I didn't say we shouldn't show gratitude, just asked "WHO" we'd be thanking..

I ask because I think religion has had such a negative effect in our world that I find it hard to even entertain myself to believe in a 'god'.. The closest i'd come is buddhism, but that is more of a way of life then worshiping of a god, which i find alright..

I just think it's funny to plays devil's advocate and just pretend there is no God.. We're all greatful for what we have, our health, our wealth etc, but without a God, who do we thank.. it would sound funny for a grown person to be thanking Santa Claus, someone who we all know is a mythological figure.. So when i picture God that way, then you can see the humor? Science?

I suppose we'd just leave it at, 'i'm lucky' and 'i'm greatful'.. that works for me.


ps: i don't mean to offend anyone or their religion, i'm just saying be open minded.. i'm not trying to convert anyone to atheism, as i said i could careless about the idea of religion, but I do respect others beliefs.

[brucelee]

I agree.. I didn't say we shouldn't show gratitude, just asked "WHO" we'd be thanking..

I ask because I think religion has had such a negative effect in our world that I find it hard to even entertain myself to believe in a 'god'.. The closest i'd come is buddhism, but that is more of a way of life then worshiping of a god, which i find alright..

I just think it's funny to plays devil's advocate and just pretend there is no God.. We're all greatful for what we have, our health, our wealth etc, but without a God, who do we thank.. it would sound funny for a grown person to be thanking Santa Claus, someone who we all know is a mythological figure.. So when i picture God that way, then you can see the humor? Science?

I suppose we'd just leave it at, 'i'm lucky' and 'i'm greatful'.. that works for me.


ps: i don't mean to offend anyone or their religion, i'm just saying be open minded.. i'm not trying to convert anyone to atheism, as i said i could careless about the idea of religion, but I do respect others beliefs.

It's nice of you RP33 to respect the beliefs of others. I had been an atheist before and I can understand you.

[Fenster]

Thanking God (imaginary) for keeping you safe on the road is a wrongun, surely? Unless you believe you're SPECIAL of course.

Roughly over 1 million people die in car accidents every year.

On new years day my cousins 15 year old daughter was killed in a car crash.. guess she wasn't "special" enough for God (imaginary) to give a shit?

[brucelee]

Thanking God (imaginary) for keeping you safe on the road is a wrongun, surely? Unless you believe you're SPECIAL of course.

Roughly over 1 million people die in car accidents every year.

On new years day my cousins 15 year old daughter was killed in a car crash.. guess she wasn't "special" enough for God (imaginary) to give a shit?

Am sorry for what had happened to your cousin. I believe that God has always a purpose behind things/events that happen or have happened to us.Honestly, I believe that all of us are SPECIAL in God's eyes.

I know that there are many road accidents that happen everyday. That's why I thank God for the protection He has given me. No offense meant Fenster.

[RP33]

Thanking God (imaginary) for keeping you safe on the road is a wrongun, surely? Unless you believe you're SPECIAL of course.

Roughly over 1 million people die in car accidents every year.

On new years day my cousins 15 year old daughter was killed in a car crash.. guess she wasn't "special" enough for God (imaginary) to give a shit?

From a catholic perspective, everyone is "special" enough for God to "give a shit".. even the most mortal sinners..

So, if you're part of a religion where you have to meet requirements for your 'god' to accept you, then i wouldn't know the answer to your question, as i don't know the requirements..

[Kev]

Cheers Brucelee, I never expected a post of mine to inspire people to give thanks to God, unless I was announcing I was leaving of course!

But in all seriousness you are right we should be grateful. I agree with Fenster that not everybody believes in a personal God but still gratitude doesn't have to be directed at Jehovah or Alah or anybody else.

I personally do believe in the God of the Bible, and I believe he loves every single one of us.

I'm sorry to hear of your cousin's daughters' death Fenster, such events always appear tragic and sensless but as the quote that inspired this thread says, 'Life is difficult'.

Tragedy and heartbreak are sadly a natural part of this world, as natural as happiness and joy and part of the essential circle of life on this planet.

I believe that one day this will change in eternity and that justice will ultimately prevail, but for now we live in a world full of misery, hate, suffering and evil.

Surely that is reason enough then, to give thanks for our current situations, where we are not beset by war, famine, natural disasters or life threatening illness.

There will sadly be much heartbreak to come in all of our lives, it is a part of life, but right now I will rejoice with Bruce Lee, that my own health is good, I have friends and a family who love me, a state that supports me () and a forum full of interesting and beautiful people who inspire me.

[Fenster]

Thanks, but I didn't know the girl, it's not something that I could pretend really affected me at all.

No offence taken, Bruce.

I'm happy for people to believe in whatever they want, if it gives you some kind of understanding fine.. even if I believe it's nonsense that you believe in an imaginary being and believe somehow that imaginary being makes you important/better/special.

No offence like.

[Fenster]

Donny, what you upset about.. cause I said God (imaginary) is imaginary?

[Kev]

Thanks, but I didn't know the girl, it's not something that I could pretend really affected me at all.

No offence taken, Bruce.

I'm happy for people to believe in whatever they want, if it gives you some kind of understanding fine.. even if I believe it's nonsense that you believe in an imaginary being and believe somehow that imaginary being makes you important/better/special.

No offence like.

hehe

Jesus loves you too Fenster



















Even though the rest of us think your a cunt

Just kidding mate

[RP33]

I guess the main issue that surrounds this topic would be being "religious" vs being "spiritual..

Religion inclues ritual and tradition, so people may reject the term "religion"..to them it is better to be spiritual.. in their minds, religion requires church and all that goes with it, but being spiritual requires only a state of mind, which is defined and decided by the person, not an organization.

so being religious and being spiritual may be complimentary, because you can't really be religious without being spiritual.. but you could be spiritual without being religious, and back to what i was saying before, that is where someone who is very religious may consider you a "bad" person because you do'nt go to church every sunday.. well maybe i don't believe in religious traditions, but that wouldn't make me any less of a person.. unfortunately religious fanatics would tend to think so.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I agree.. I didn't say we shouldn't show gratitude, just asked "WHO" we'd be thanking..
I ask because I think religion has had such a negative effect in our world that I find it hard to even entertain myself to believe in a 'god'.. The closest i'd come is buddhism, but that is more of a way of life then worshiping of a god, which i find alright..
I just think it's funny to plays devil's advocate and just pretend there is no God.. We're all greatful for what we have, our health, our wealth etc, but without a God, who do we thank.. it would sound funny for a grown person to be thanking Santa Claus, someone who we all know is a mythological figure.. So when i picture God that way, then you can see the humor? Science?
I suppose we'd just leave it at, 'i'm lucky' and 'i'm greatful'.. that works for me.
ps: i don't mean to offend anyone or their religion, i'm just saying be open minded.. i'm not trying to convert anyone to atheism, as i said i could careless about the idea of religion, but I do respect others beliefs.

Hey man I completely understand.
I'm not overly religious myself, in fact one could say that I've really neglected that side of my life in recent times, but I do actually believe and I am grateful for what I have. For me it's only natural to give thanks now that things are going well.

As regards the religious debate, I really don't feel I have the right to advocate or condemn any idea or belief. Religion is of varying importance throughout the world and I feel that they all have similar aspects so I couldn't possibly offer anything more solid than an opinion on these orders.

But the fact is; In my own life, I do genuinely feel that I've been taken care of and I've been incredibly selfish, ungrateful and bad in the past.

[RP33]

Hey man I completely understand.
I'm not overly religious myself, in fact one could say that I've really neglected that side of my life in recent times, but I do actually believe and I am grateful for what I have. For me it's only natural to give thanks now that things are going well.

As regards the religious debate, I really don't feel I have the right to advocate or condemn any idea or belief. Religion is of varying importance throughout the world and I feel that they all have similar aspects so I couldn't possibly offer anything more solid than an opinion on these orders.

But the fact is; In my own life, I do genuinely feel that I've been taken care of and I've been incredibly selfish, ungrateful and bad in the past.

Yep, i hear ya.. i mean, i was raised Catholic, i went to Catholic/Private school from kindergarten through my last year of high school.. so it wasn't til college that i was part of a non-catholic, non-private education.. It was just my upbringing.. church every sunday with my parents, church on all of the holy holidays.. i just felt that as i got older i re-evaluated my beliefs, and have come to where i am now..

I just find it ignorant when people imply that you're evil if 'YOURE NOT THANKING GOD?!?!".. this is not anyone on this board of course, i'm just saying in every day life.. It's almost as if you're evil if you don't have a religion.. and it is THAT about religion that i hate.. that is what starts religious wars (eg: the turmoil the middle east..) "If you do'nt believe in what i believe in, then you're wrong" That is the problem with society today.. I'm not evil nor do i wish anything negative upon anyone.. i'm more or less a pacifist (with the exception of boxing ).. but i don't think god.. does that mean that i'm not as grateful to be alive 22 years as you are?(not you personally obviously) I doubt it.

[brucelee]

Yep, i hear ya.. i mean, i was raised Catholic, i went to Catholic/Private school from kindergarten through my last year of high school.. so it wasn't til college that i was part of a non-catholic, non-private education.. It was just my upbringing.. church every sunday with my parents, church on all of the holy holidays.. i just felt that as i got older i re-evaluated my beliefs, and have come to where i am now..

I just find it ignorant when people imply that you're evil if 'YOURE NOT THANKING GOD?!?!".. this is not anyone on this board of course, i'm just saying in every day life.. It's almost as if you're evil if you don't have a religion.. and it is THAT about religion that i hate.. that is what starts religious wars (eg: the turmoil the middle east..) "If you do'nt believe in what i believe in, then you're wrong" That is the problem with society today.. I'm not evil nor do i wish anything negative upon anyone.. i'm more or less a pacifist (with the exception of boxing ).. but i don't think god.. does that mean that i'm not as grateful to be alive 22 years as you are?(not you personally obviously) I doubt it.

I was also raised as a Catholic,been into seminary and have thought of becoming a priest someday. Then I realized that there are many things/doctrines in the Roman Catholic that are not even biblical. So I decided to read philosophy books. I became an atheist thereon. I've decided to read the Bible, then I became a Christian.


So when somebody tells me that he is an atheist, I can empathize and understand him.