http://www.answerbag.com/profile/759727 New Answerbag answers from JakobA I^_^I the alooney Wed, 30 May 2012 05:48:52 -0700 Wed, 30 May 2012 05:48:52 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12221055 What are some testable predictions of Intelligent Design or Creationism?<br /><br />That the rotating flagella of some rotifers could not be explained through the theory of evolution. - This prediction sparked a brief flurry of research, and the rotating flagella of those rotifers have now been explained through the theory of evolution. regards JakobA Wed, 30 May 2012 05:19:46 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12221055 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12221018 Are you Willing to Pay a High Price When you Have to Choose Between Loyalty and Truth (See Below)?<br /><br />Yes. It is not easy. My daughter should go to college, should I leave it to luck and scholarships ? Or work evil job to help her on her way ? The conflict rears its head all over your life, and I cannot make those decisions for you. But I can appreciate that you care. And try to make them... Wed, 30 May 2012 05:01:56 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12221018 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12220274 Is there anything God can't do?<br /><br />He cannot admit defeat. Tue, 29 May 2012 19:44:08 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12220274 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12220176 Is Voluntarily Working Within a Broken System, Essentially Selling One's Soul?<br /><br />I see two very different questions here. 1) supporting a 'broken' system. - The answer here is easy enough, "Will the results if you dont be worse ? or better ?". A difficult evaluation to be sure, and made more so by 'the fatcats' of the system who do all they can to paint the alternatives as... Tue, 29 May 2012 18:55:10 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12220176 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219438 When an "accident" occurs, is it a true accident or an event since the world is prearranged?<br /><br />'the world is prearranged' negate any form of 'free will' ability to change the future. SO I doubt that the world is prearranged. Tue, 29 May 2012 14:19:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219438 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219373 Has anyone ever seen God?<br /><br />Adam &amp; Eve, assuming they are historical, they conversed with him so must have been in 'visible range'. There is a piece in the bible about a burning bush that say it is god. Then there is Baalam's ass, though by the story it was merely posessed by someone higher. The 'Moving finger that... Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:03 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219373 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219328 Why does God demand, seek, or request that we worship Him?<br /><br />Sorry, it makes no sense to me either. Tue, 29 May 2012 13:45:01 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12219328 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12218709 How would you define a 'beautiful' soul?<br /><br />A person that is good and admirable in personality and attitude. Alas, too often the phrase is applied as a 'consolation prize' to teenage girls who lack (but would rather have) a beautiful body. see: the book "Maskerade" by Terry Pratchett regards JakobA Tue, 29 May 2012 10:38:29 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12218709 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12218682 Can you call a walk in the forest spiritual? http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/05/28/no-wonder-people-call-walk-in-forest-spiritual/<br /><br />Yes. The word 'Spiritual' is used with so many meanings I am sure there is one of them that fits that. 'Uplifting', 'giving mental peace', 'communing with the world', ... Then we can start arguing about what 'spiritual' REALLY means. But I am not going there. regards JakobA Tue, 29 May 2012 10:31:00 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12218682 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12215212 Does God listen to 'all' prayers?<br /><br />Certainly, being all-knowing he cant help hearing them all, including prayers made to other deities, or to Murphy. Mon, 28 May 2012 09:16:16 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12215212 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213151 Will you magically find faith in God right before it's your time to die?<br /><br />Which god are you asking about ? Kali, Allah, Votun, Zeus, Jupiter, Zoroaster, ... ? There are quite a few possibilities ;-)) Sun, 27 May 2012 17:05:55 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213151 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213129 If you were born and raised on a secluded island with zero influence from the outside world, would you still develop a concept of 'God'?<br /><br />Religion is mainly propagated through culture and the parental raising of the children. so who raised the parents and where ? And in turn there is the grandparents, etc, etc, etc. Doing it as a 'Scientific experiment' would be cruel and inhuman, so I am fairly sure it has never been actually... Sun, 27 May 2012 17:00:38 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213129 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213092 Should teachers be allowed to lead a school prayer in public schools? Why or why not?<br /><br />1) Definitely. Cycling through the existing religions so none is overlooked. Islam, Buddhism, Moonism, Scientology, Baptism, Catholicism, Lutheran Protestantism, Mormonism, The amerind religions, Taoism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Cargo cult, Voodoo, Satanism, ... Each day they should pray in... Sun, 27 May 2012 16:44:49 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12213092 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12212673 If jesus was so good then why didn't he write a book?<br /><br />He did not make a music video either. So what ? He started a major religion. Sun, 27 May 2012 14:14:22 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12212673 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12212667 Why do most people use "Christ" like it was Jesus' last name?<br /><br />Actually It is not "used as a last name" It is used as a title, same as when people say "Jesus the redeemer". The word Christos means 'the Messiah' as prophesied to the jews in the OT. The Christians thought Jesus was it, but most jews did not, they are still waiting. That said it is easy for... Sun, 27 May 2012 14:12:08 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12212667 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207336 in your own understanding how would you prove your love for God, the creator of heave and earth??<br /><br />There is little need to 'prove anything about you' to someone who already know you better than you know yourself. Fri, 25 May 2012 17:53:14 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207336 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207317 ARe there churches that combine both protestant and coptic orthodox beliefs<br /><br />That would be unlikely. Protestantism arose in reaction to the Roman Catholic church. The Eastern churches never had a reformation, and so did not contribute to the cultural and religious heritage that protestants took with them to build their various churches from. regards JakobA Fri, 25 May 2012 17:42:32 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207317 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207289 Why are there so many different churches?<br /><br />Because people love to 'be right'. The one thing we love more is to tell others they are wrong. So religions have a hard time growing beyond a small group where everyone know and like each other. Differences of interpretation, and even of selecting what is to be scripture causes rifts. Should... Fri, 25 May 2012 17:32:11 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12207289 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12204504 Which book, poem or story could serve as a Bible for atheists? Seriously.<br /><br />There is very little uniformity in 'atheists'. so I doubt you could find "ONE book to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them". But then it all depends how you define 'bible', how I define 'bible' and how all the individual atheists define it. Here are some elements of MY definition of... Thu, 24 May 2012 23:08:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12204504 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12203206 Can an atheist be a Christian?<br /><br />I would expect there are some. Not actually 'BEING both at the same time', that is a logical impossibility. But paying tithe and professing a faith in Christianity they do not hold in order to get more customers for the car dealership. Some places you are a pariah unless you follow the dominant... Thu, 24 May 2012 15:05:00 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12203206 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12201464 Research for a story I'm writing - What biblical verse would be well suited for an epitaph on a protestant priest's tombstone?<br /><br />"there is a time for every purpose under heaver" psalms Thu, 24 May 2012 04:02:03 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12201464 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12201456 Adam and Eve where not married by man but commited through their hearts and God. What would be the difference in making a commintment now between two people and God not with a preacher, judge or whatever?<br /><br />I believe it is called a 'common law' marriage. Thu, 24 May 2012 03:52:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12201456 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12200530 Evoloutionist,why do you put your faith in a man in a lab coat,who offers you nothing after death,rather than Jesus?The bible has had alot to come true,to just throw aside.Have you read Isaiah 53, that was written 760yrs before Christ,He fulfilled all.<br /><br />2 situations: 1) A starving bum offers 5 fantazillion dollars and the title "Emperor of the galaxy". 2) Someone hold out a sandwich "you look hungry, have a sandwich." Which offer would YOU chose ? Any 'offer' given should be weighted considering the ability of the person making the offer to... Wed, 23 May 2012 18:09:46 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12200530 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12200503 NC Preacher; Forty years ago (gay) people would've hung, bless God, from a white oak tree. AMEN !" Would Jesus approve ?<br /><br />Hardly. Additionally, he is downright wrong. The gay/anti-gay debate was a lot less extreme 40 years ago. And tolerance of 'sinners' were still a major tenet of US Christianity. If any gays were 'hung' back then it would be by 'Mountainmen' or similarly marginalized groups. It was nowhere near... Wed, 23 May 2012 17:54:45 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12200503 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12196092 Why do some Christian denominations impose tithing as this is anti-Christian? Please, no abusive atheistic comments.<br /><br />A very practical reason for tithing is that the church building and lands must be kept in repair, the priest have to eat, etc. In a nation where churches are not funded by the state tithing is a pretty good solution to such needs. Tue, 22 May 2012 10:23:56 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12196092 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12195759 How do you feel about this episode of science tampering with and manipulating God's creation?<br /><br />So how do you feel about pacemakers (stops people from having a heart attack), Glasses (enabling people to see), or any medication that doctors prescribe to downright do combat against those parts of 'Gods creation' we do not like (fighting Svine Flu, meningitis, tuberculosis, ...) ? Why oh why... Tue, 22 May 2012 08:45:04 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12195759 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193434 Adam called Eve the Mother of all Living......How would he know anything about a mother if he never had one?<br /><br />Well, having just created all the animals to be fruitful etc, he must have also invented the concept of motherhood. But I wonder just when god invented language. It is hard to imaging how a 'one and only' god with nobody else to talk to would invent the notion of communication. Yet even before... Mon, 21 May 2012 14:59:09 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193434 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193380 Being Agnostic is just an excuse to do as you please and thus sin. I take this agnostic thing as nonsense, you either believe or you don't.<br /><br />Go learn what the word "agnostic" means. The go talk to some agnostics, and see it they are more or less honest, and moral than your fellow Christians. Once you have done that you will have learned enough to ask better questions than that one. Mon, 21 May 2012 14:46:46 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193380 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193344 Name an emotive container concept and theological noncognitivism that was created to give an answer to the unanswerable questions?<br /><br />Not sure what "theological noncognitivism" means, but here is a concept that I think fit the bill. - Original Sin The notion that 'bad actions' create some real kharmic debt that follow the sinner (and his heirs) until the balance of justice is restored by as sufficient amount of opposed 'good... Mon, 21 May 2012 14:37:29 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12193344 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191646 A person is too devoted to God when in hard times , but forgets God when he acquires wealth and fame - Agree or disagree?<br /><br />Disagree. People differ, a lot. Mon, 21 May 2012 04:44:46 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191646 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191639 you know what some jokes about jesus?<br /><br />Jesus is dressing on The Last Day: "So many things my father never told me, like what to wear for a crucifixion." Mon, 21 May 2012 04:40:25 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191639 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191609 Why do mystics do their mysticism thang? What are their goals? To get to heaven? Or what?<br /><br />There are several 'kinds' of mysticism, so no single answer will be correct. Sufism differ from Zen Buddhism, differ from Kathars ... I suppose in general terms they try to unscrew the inscrutable hoping there will be a prize at the end. Just like you and me and everyone else. regards JakobA Mon, 21 May 2012 04:26:51 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12191609 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188797 Can Christians understand the big difference between born gays and gays by choice?<br /><br />Sure. They just think it is a lie (except for those Christians who are gay, but they wisely keep a low profile). Anyway it is far from all Christians who are anti-gay, it is mostly a local US thing. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:23:04 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188797 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188766 My friend invited me to the celebration/party for her four kids in honor of their First Communion is it appropriate to bring a gift?<br /><br />1) If you do the gift(s) should be for the kids, not her. 2) So why not just ask her ? Gifts are usually appropriate for 'rite of passage' celebrations; but with 4 kids all at once ? are they quintuplets ? Sun, 20 May 2012 07:12:23 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188766 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188752 If logic is humourless does that make religions hilarious?<br /><br />Even if logic was humorless that would not neccesarrily follow. Anyway, surely you have seen logics such as this one: 2B OR ~2B = TRUE; no question about it. ❤ JakobA ♬ Sun, 20 May 2012 07:07:33 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188752 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188733 What is you?<br /><br />I do not really know. At the most I can define my existence 'in relation to' things and people that I dont rightly know what (or who) is either. Yet somehow I am convinced I live a pretty good life. Whoever I am ;-)) So who cares ? regards JakobA Sun, 20 May 2012 07:01:54 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188733 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188719 What kind of God threatens people?<br /><br />Most of them. It is almost always a mixture of carrot and stick. Sun, 20 May 2012 06:53:13 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188719 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188713 Does God keep a record of our Sins?<br /><br />All-knowing beings do not need to take notes. Sun, 20 May 2012 06:50:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12188713 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12185396 Can a non-religious institution function as a religion?<br /><br />Well, the meaning of the word religion is often used broadly outside of any context that would be commonly considered 'religious'. "She religiously changed her underwear twice a day". "I just hate these customers who religiously study the menu, then choose the cheapest meal there is." ... So... Sat, 19 May 2012 05:54:01 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12185396 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12184342 If atheist convinces theist God non-existent and as result theist commits suicide -could atheist be considered guilty of manslaughter?<br /><br />You would need to show a causative connection between the convincing and the suicide. I do not see why 'not believing in a god' would cause anybody to commit suicide, yet you seem to assume that it should be self evident. Please explain. regards JakobA PS: Please try to remember that the... Fri, 18 May 2012 18:49:11 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12184342 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181838 Was John Lennon a theist or an atheist?<br /><br />Not a theist. In the song "Imagine" we have: "Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people... Fri, 18 May 2012 00:18:33 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181838 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181817 Do you think atheist people generally have concordance among themselves more so than religious people?<br /><br />The "not beleiving in any god" is rather insignificant for people who do not, it is only people who believe in a god who find it a momentous matter. So I rather do not think so. Atheist differ on most every other subject. Then again atheist are able to entertain the notion that their beliefs... Thu, 17 May 2012 23:52:33 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181817 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181791 Without a Ouija board, how else can I contact demons and jinns?<br /><br />No way that I know of will summon demons or djinns. Not even Ouija boards. But you can make silly people give you money for writing books about those and many other fantasies. Thu, 17 May 2012 23:37:31 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181791 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181772 Jesus Saves while government spends, who would you rather put your faith in?<br /><br />Government can be improved. It is called democracy, you get what you vote for. Religion can be improved too, but it is a lot harder to change. Thu, 17 May 2012 23:24:38 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12181772 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179467 Would you consider the fundamentalist Christianity in the US today a cult?<br /><br />There is no answering that question until someone give a firm and verifiable definition of what a 'cult' is. Back in Gallilea, was Jesus and his 12 disciples a cult ? By all the definitions I know of they were, but I bet most people will strongly disagree ;-)) regards JakobA Thu, 17 May 2012 08:31:06 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179467 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179445 Wouldn't it be wonderful news, to learn that snipers had shot/killed the funeral picketers from the Westboro Baptist Church?<br /><br />No. It would be worse. It is harmony we need, not escalation. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:24:38 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179445 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179244 What does the religious right REALLY WANT...??<br /><br />They want to be validated and recognozed for the 'naturally superior' people they are. It is a very old pattern that tend to repeat every time a group (any group) rise to to where it can dominate in society. Every White Aryan in the trailer park just KNOW that he would be richer than Donald... Thu, 17 May 2012 07:01:03 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12179244 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178080 Where did sleigh bells come from?<br /><br />They were made by magicians using sleight of hand, Wed, 16 May 2012 18:34:46 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178080 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178048 If Hell's got bells will you ring one when you get there?<br /><br />Nah, why hurry to get in ? but if I see a bell I'll call you on my cellphone to let you know. Assumeing the area is covered. ;-)) Wed, 16 May 2012 18:23:53 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178048 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178016 Do any atheists secretly believe in God?<br /><br />I find it hard to imagine a reason anyone would do that. Ateists are the minority in most every country, so 'fitting in' could hardly be the reason. And if they actually believed the was a god that would send them to eternal torment if they did not profess their faith and worship him, then why... Wed, 16 May 2012 18:10:08 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12178016 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12177960 Is atheism the best way to simplify religion?<br /><br />way to simplify ??? I dont understand. AFAIK atheism does not simplify anything. Or do you mean in the sense of occams razor: an unexplained universe being 'simpler' that an unexplained deity that create a universe for unknown reasons ? Wed, 16 May 2012 17:45:40 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12177960 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176537 Well I am confident you all are enjoying this blessed Sunday? Are you?<br /><br />Yup. Springtime and sunny. All the girls have caught spring fewer and jiggle about in not enough clothes. It just couldent be better. regards JakobA Wed, 16 May 2012 08:25:27 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176537 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176245 You only get what you give, true or false?<br /><br />Wrong. That is the 'mercheants' view of 'bartering' good deeds, and ignores the essential element of caritas. "Spread thy bread upon the waters and it shall come back a hundredfold" Or in the 'golden rule' form: "be kind whenever you can and people are likely to kind to you too". Not because... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:51:20 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176245 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176178 Are faith/belief in deities, prophets & afterlives just methods of communicating the necessity of optimism for survival to the masses?<br /><br />Not if you include Hellfire and damnation, and all the other not so fun stuff. Wed, 16 May 2012 06:22:06 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12176178 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12175845 When will the Dalai Lama retire and who will be his successor?<br /><br />Traditionally Buddhist church leaders do not retire, the stay until they die (as do Popes). As senility sets in their job functions may be taken over and performed by others. But officially it is a lifetime job. Wed, 16 May 2012 03:03:23 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12175845 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12174790 What does JHVH OR YHVH mean?<br /><br />Both 'JHVH' and 'YHVH' are attempts to render the name of the god as it is given in the bible (I think it is in Genesis where Moses ask "Who are you?" of god). Jewish writing of the time had no vowels, only consonants, and people who read then filled in the vovels themselves from context and... Tue, 15 May 2012 16:44:36 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12174790 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12174741 Non-Christians: Do you know the difference, in Christian teaching, between legalism and living by faith in response to the work of Christ?<br /><br />I rather think I do, At least both of the concepts you describe make sense and can easily be observed in different Christians of our time. And also in atheists for that matter ;) But if you are leading up to a condemnation of one or the other, then I think you are on a wrong track. Both are... Tue, 15 May 2012 16:14:37 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12174741 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12168444 Do agnostics simply need to find the right God that they can believe in? http://pastebin.com/SvrT0KRv<br /><br />Agnosticism is a position on the possibility of KNOWING god exist, it is not about believing. An agnostic may or may not believe in each and every one of the gods in that list. But you should realize that belief or unbelief have nothing to do with agnosticism. In daily speech many theists (and... Sun, 13 May 2012 18:01:06 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12168444 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12168393 What does the saying that 'God created man in his own image' mean to you? That we are physically like god? emotionally? spiritually(and if so, what does that mean). I don't think it means we are equal to God. So what does it mean?<br /><br />To me it indicate that it is probably the other way round, that men (and women) invented god in their own image. Sun, 13 May 2012 17:32:55 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12168393 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166774 Do you think Jesus hates heavy metal musicians?<br /><br />Jesus is fairly well known for being a lover, not a hater. Sun, 13 May 2012 03:45:51 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166774 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166770 My 2 childrn are due to be baptized in 2 weeks. My ex-husband is threatening to legally prevent this. Can he? I am the custodail parent.<br /><br />No. As custodian it is your decision, and only yours. Sun, 13 May 2012 03:43:41 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166770 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166202 Atheists are mostly left brain people and theists mostly right brain people and agnostics are split brainers?<br /><br />You are mixing pop psychology and pop neurology. The result of that is not likely to be useful. and in the case of this question it certainly is not. Speculating is fun, but for useable results you need to touch bases with reality every step along the way. That require a lot of study and... Sat, 12 May 2012 19:51:22 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166202 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166088 Are "saints" only for the benefit of Catholics? Would Saint Stephen just tell a protestant to "go to hell?"<br /><br />I dont see why he would. That is not the position taken by the Catholic church. Nor of the Eastern Orthodox church. They like the Catholics see it as a matter of 'wrong but not heretical'. You can find it among protestant churches. Some of those feel most every other brand of Christianity is... Sat, 12 May 2012 19:07:54 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166088 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166067 With so many wives and concubines--did Solomon have any extra time to do anything else besides [humping]?<br /><br />When a harem grow to such size it is more a matter of status. Showing the world (and foreign kings) how rich and powerful you are, to be able to feed and support that many wives. Sat, 12 May 2012 18:57:13 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12166067 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12165063 Which religion has the richest members?<br /><br />Silly question. The 3 possible choices appear to be chosen to ridicule, rather than offer an actual choice. World of Warcraft is a computer game. In Scientology very few are rich, that is the upper echelons who prey on the 'believers' below them. In Mormonism we find a strong and caring... Sat, 12 May 2012 12:53:50 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12165063 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12165007 Why didn't God create trees or plants that produced meat to avoid the savageness of animals & humans having to kill other animals?<br /><br />Even if he had there would still be the savageness of animals &amp; humans having to kill other living beings. Why draw a line between plants and animals ? And which side of the line do you put polyps and sea-anemones on ? Sat, 12 May 2012 12:34:25 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12165007 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164995 Was religion designed to stop the lower classes from committing suicide or stop them rebelling and keep order or to keep them poor?<br /><br />It was not 'designed' for anything like that, but whenever religion gets taken over by 'the establishment' it tends to develop in that direction. Sat, 12 May 2012 12:27:52 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164995 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164986 Just for the record, what is a babe? ..Don't do that. Don't even think about it. Be nice.<br /><br />Biblically a babe is a child so young as to be innocent in any context. Sat, 12 May 2012 12:23:13 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164986 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164973 What separates man from God?<br /><br />Man lives in the real world where absolutes hardly exist. God is an Ideal, abounding with absolutes (the man who is all-everything). regards JakobA Sat, 12 May 2012 12:17:38 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164973 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164966 What year did god die?<br /><br />God can not die. To die you must first live, however briefly. Sat, 12 May 2012 12:11:51 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12164966 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160736 Do we know if Jesus could read and write?<br /><br />I tend to agree with the Hitchiker here. Even if the verse he cite does not actually said read, but 'found the place'. By todays standards Joseph may have been unlettered, but carpentry is not exactly an unskilled profession. You must read and understand the drawing including the dimensions... Fri, 11 May 2012 01:07:42 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160736 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160177 Are there any Spiritual Atheists?<br /><br />"Since spirituality is usually associated with theism and religion ..." Sorry, but I doubt that is true outside your immediate group of friends. Spirituality, like morality is not the property of religion, it can be strong and healthy without any religious faith at all. regards JakobA Thu, 10 May 2012 19:27:10 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160177 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160163 My Buddha statue is weeping tears of vegetable soup - what should I do?<br /><br />Enjoy your soup. Thu, 10 May 2012 19:17:10 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160163 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160149 If Buddhists are supposed to be peace-loving, how come Kung Fu fighting was invented by Buddhist monks?<br /><br />Ehh, 'Kung Fu' as marital art is a Chinese invention that predates Buddhism. Actually the 'marital art' is only one of man possible expressions of 'kung fu': from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_martial_arts " The term "kung fu" In Chinese, kung fu can also be used in contexts completely... Thu, 10 May 2012 19:10:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160149 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160092 Can light touching increase your chance for a date? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-light-touching-can-double-your-chances-in-dating&WT.mc_id=SA_DD_20120425<br /><br />"a light touch can impart a subliminal sense of caring ..." True enough, the possibility is there. It can also impart a sense of "Eeuw, what is the creep up to now ?", and many other things, most of which are more dependent on her prior experiences, than on your "skill at light touching". ... Thu, 10 May 2012 18:52:33 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12160092 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12155715 When was colored glass invented?<br /><br />Colored glass was never 'invented' if is the default you get when melting sand (plus a few other things' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass#Glass_ingredients ). Clear Glass was invented by trying out lots of stuff that could be put in the mix, and was such a success that it is used for most... Wed, 09 May 2012 09:57:21 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12155715 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12155698 Should science give up trying to prove evolution? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=okay-we-give-up<br /><br />It is a common misconception that science try to 'prove' things. That is not correct. What science is perpetually trying to do is to 'disprove' things, especially its own theories, such as fx the theory of evolution. After 200 years of trying they have not managed to disprove that theory, but... Wed, 09 May 2012 09:51:15 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12155698 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12153932 Who would win? Three way battle between the big guys, god, Zeus and Jupiter.<br /><br />I thank Thor that I do not live in the Marvel Comix universe. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:35:30 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12153932 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152938 Faith is God's given gift - Agree or disagree?<br /><br />According to the dogma of the Calvinist religion that is correct. Interestingly Jesus is quoted as saying: "by their fruits you shall know them". indicating that "behaving in a Christian manner" may be more important than belief or faith in the Christian deity. Tue, 08 May 2012 12:05:05 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152938 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152923 What do you believe, spiritually speaking?<br /><br />If you define just exactly what "Spiritually speaking" means, 2 things will follow. 1) Somebody may be able to give a proper answer to your question. 2) You will have accomplished something no philosopher or theologist have ever managed before you ;-)) regards JakobA Tue, 08 May 2012 11:59:13 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152923 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152891 Is God responsible for the good and the bad?<br /><br />An All-knoving, All-powerful being is of neccessity responsible for all that it does and all that it allows to happen. Tue, 08 May 2012 11:51:14 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152891 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152849 Is God only known for what He's done or for what He is?<br /><br />Without mindreading how can we know "what he is" ? By their fruits yee shall know them. That applies equally to gods. Tue, 08 May 2012 11:41:05 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152849 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152803 Is Spiritual healing real? Is there any danger or risk involved?<br /><br />It is real enough. Sometimes people get better for no physical reason anyone can identify. But it is not necessarily "spiritual healing" either. All we know is some people get better for no known reason. Concluding that spirits do it is as premature as concluding that they get better because... Tue, 08 May 2012 11:29:47 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12152803 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12150868 So an all-wise god had to rely on an old man (Lot) to screw his own two daughters just to keep the family line going? Was he that drunk?<br /><br />I have been wondering about that too. From own experience I would say that even before you are too drunk to recognize whats going on, you are already way too drunk to perform. All the eager daughters would get would be fumbling and snores. So either Lot was not all that drunk, or else god must... Mon, 07 May 2012 19:34:09 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12150868 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12150837 How does Theism cope with injustice?<br /><br />By throwing apologica at it until the injustice is all covered up and out of sight. Mon, 07 May 2012 19:18:48 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12150837 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12149601 Is theism objectively true?<br /><br />Considering the very diverse forms theism can take is seems pretty clear that not all Theism os true. The god of Kali worshippers have 8 arms and is female. The god of Christians have 2 arms and is male. The Great White Eagle is a bird (gender unknown). The Great Pumpkin is ... Well I guess... Mon, 07 May 2012 12:30:03 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12149601 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147763 Who is the Atheist messiah?<br /><br />Ridiculous question. I assume that the asker follow some messianic religion and unthinkingly assumes that every religion must have a parallel to fx the Christian messiah (Jesus). That is far from true. Buddhism, Taoism, most polytheist religions and lots of others have no messiah at all. As for... Sun, 06 May 2012 23:08:17 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147763 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147725 What is meant by an "impersonal God"?<br /><br />The term "impersonal god" is rarely used, what is used is the term "personal god" implying a deity that cares collectively and individually about each part of his creation (especially us humans). It is what we think we would do if we were god, and so is essentially a projection of ourselves onto... Sun, 06 May 2012 22:39:39 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147725 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147570 Was the Qur'an cobbled together from the Bible and the Torah ; or is it original?<br /><br />Both. Islam is the 3rd "Abrahamic Religion". The 2 first (cronologically) being Jewry and Christianity. All 3 religions believe in 'The god of Abraham'. Each in their own slightly different way. regards JakobA Sun, 06 May 2012 21:18:58 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12147570 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12142937 Do you think bible stories were written mostly by rational/critical thinkers or by those whose beliefs were based on intuitive feelings?<br /><br />That is rather too broad a generalisation, There are several very different sources for different parts of the bible. Sat, 05 May 2012 13:11:26 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12142937 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12142896 Christians: Can you explain why you aren't more compassionate? http://now.msn.com/living/0504-atheists-compassion.aspx<br /><br />I think it is because large parts of Christianity in The US have been 'taken over' by conservatism and have adopted a number of conservative dogma such as "those who say they are needy are really just lazy and wanting a free ride." etc. Such dogma makes giving a good bit harder. So my theory is... Sat, 05 May 2012 12:59:10 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12142896 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12141575 Which work do you find yourself going back to for inspiration, peace of mind, or enlightenment? In short, what's your "bible"?<br /><br />Hmm.hard to pin down, there are so many books i "go back to". A good approximation though would be "Anything by author 'Cordwainer Smith'." Sat, 05 May 2012 03:57:43 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12141575 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12141544 What do you view as the highest form of godliness? Why?<br /><br />Liking people ;) Sat, 05 May 2012 03:32:16 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12141544 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140809 I was raised christian, everyone I know is christian, I want to scream out, are you all really that stupid? Anyone else in my shoes? How do you handle it without pissing off your whole world?<br /><br />From you question I would guess you are in your late teens. Making such absolute blanket judgement on all who believe. As an atheist I can assure you that they are not as stupid as you think. And even if they were you do not HAVE TO educate them or bring them around to your own "right thinking"... Fri, 04 May 2012 20:14:27 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140809 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140758 AGNOSTICS T/F: I have to save BOTH Atheists and Theists from their crazy ideas.<br /><br />Sorry, but that is a silly question. For that to to be a collective statement (or a collectively rejected statement) among agnostics, it would be necessary for agnostics to form a separate group that contain neither theists nor atheists Agnostics do not form a such a group separate from... Fri, 04 May 2012 19:56:40 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140758 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140721 Has Atheism or Agnosticism ever been shoved down your throat? If so, how?<br /><br />No. But then i do not think there is an atheist or agnostic scripture corresponding to Deuteronomy 6:4-9 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you... Fri, 04 May 2012 19:40:02 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12140721 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12139322 Where in the Bible does it say God created everything?<br /><br />Genesis 1:1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&amp;version=NIV You may also want to look up the word 'genesis' in a dictionary. Fri, 04 May 2012 11:21:09 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12139322 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135371 Can a person be moral without God? (explain plz)<br /><br />If you agree with me that 'the golden rule' is a major and fundamental step in ethics, then yes. See: http://www.scarboromissions.ca/Golden_rule/index.php On this site you will find collected all the places history have recorded and missionaies hasve found "the golden rule"- You probably know it... Thu, 03 May 2012 08:22:41 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135371 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135104 If someone declared the bible was a fraud, but then admitted they never read it, nor do they ever plan to, what would you think of that?<br /><br />I would say he did not know what he was talking about. Strangely I more often get that impression with Christians telling me about the bible. It seem it is not just atheists who do not read it. see: http://www.christianity.com/blogs/mohler/1270946/print/ Thu, 03 May 2012 07:06:34 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135104 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135065 Is god just anthropomorphised nature?<br /><br />I pretty much think so. we see the developing pattern in the polytheist religions. "And a god for every purpose under heaven." Thu, 03 May 2012 06:55:15 -0700 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/12135065