<p>oooooooh you're scaring me thesloc.... but, what if we revolt and win, then what will happen to people like you?</p>
<p>I find it so interesting that a compassionate and loving god is all-powerful and omniscient, yet churches always need money. He can take care of angels gone astray and the like but he's just not good with money</p>
<p>Did you get that from George Carlin? That guy's awesome!</p>
<p>Anyway, yeah, revolt against authority, hierarchy, and oppression. Maybe we'll lose, but I'm not going down without a fight. Kill God!</p>
<p>Not neccessarily true; it's called a tithe of "love", and a lot of the money given to church goes to help organizations across the globe...building hospitals and such...starvation...bla bla. </p>
<p>Can you win a revolt? LOL, if people like me loose, then I suppose I'll die...and thus proving there is no God, but not likely.</p>
<p>Churches need money? Where'd you get that? The Simpsons?</p>
<p>In war, it's not a matter of who's right, but who's left. Even if God would crush the rebellion in our silly little hypothetical situation, it doesn't mean he's right. Stalin managed to kill 20 million people, but did his success vindicate him? Might does not make right.</p>
<p>I am Jack's contempt for God.</p>
<p>The Vatican is one of the most profitable organizations in the world -- far more than most Fortune 500 companies. Vatican City has riches that probably exceed the GDP of Africa and Latin America (it's biggest constituents) combined. Much of this does pay for their operating expenses, since even the church has to live in the real world.</p>
<p>Wait...you guys are Asians, huh?
Or you're from Europe?
what the devil....</p>
<p>I guess no one can win this arguement simply because of the amount of religions...and the Vatican is Catholic....that's different, but same God.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In war, it's not a matter of who's right, but who's left. Even if God would crush the rebellion in our silly little hypothetical situation, it doesn't mean he's right. Stalin managed to kill 20 million people, but did his success vindicate him? Might does not make right.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wait... since it matters not who's right, just who wins, what's the point of saying that just because God might win he's not right? Didn't you just discount morality at the start of the paragraph?</p>
<p>Are you guys by any chance nerds?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I guess no one can win this arguement simply because of the amount of religions...and the Vatican is Catholic....that's different, but same God.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I used the Vatican as an example because it's the one I know the most about. In any case, I think it's a pretty persuasive example that the Church has a need for and takes in a massive amount of financial resources.</p>
<p>God is a monster. If he exists, then there's no freedom, since he punishes people based on laws. Sure, you can argue that we have free will, but that's akin to saying that we're "free" to disobey the laws of an oppressive dictatorship. Freedom is precluded from any concept of God.</p>
<p>I am Jack's colon. I get cancer. I kill Jack.</p>
<p>by the way, thesloc--you've used your age as an excuse to make flawed arguments several times in this thread. but you know, i'm 15 too...and i still support my claims with evidence and stay away from personal attacks. if you're not mature enough to debate without resorting to flawed logic you probably shouldn't be arguing here in the first place.</p>
<p>edit: and gdwilner--nice job quoting bertrand russell :) ("war does not determine who is right, only who is left.") <3 him.</p>
<p>"it's called a tithe of "love", "</p>
<p>yeah right</p>
<p>I'm sure all the Murderers that participated in the crusade were out to get more "love" for themselves. </p>
<p>by your logic a sexually frustrated person who rapes someone else could be termed to be receiving a tithe of love</p>
<p>Martin luther was right, we need another one like him!!!!!</p>
<p>I have a bone to pick with the christianity, especially the right-wing protestants. Also, why would god create an imperfect people and the punish them for it, and then send his own son down to suffer some and supposedly die for the people's sins that God had originally given the people? (I'm sure christ suffered a bit, and I'm sure people who have been tortured have suffered just as much if not more, so why does it matter that he died, besides the fact that he was God's son?) Don't tell me to not question god's ways, why else would he give us the ability to reason and question? There is also the question of evolution and all of that crap, but thats another story. (At least catholics embrace the big bang and evolution. Yes, read the readings of the late pope.) BTW thesloc, if you can't say anything intelligent, then stop talking. You basically just start arguing a point, then when you lose it, try to change the topic to how "nerdy" people are, or how they need to get a life. Talk about avoiding the issue.</p>
<p>right on!</p>
<p>certain nuts and wackos are trying to create a christian version of Iran
so far, they've been having success</p>
<p>The problem with theocracy is that it creates two dictators, instead of one--the State to regulate people's behavior, and the church to regulate their thoughts. I've come to the conclusion that the worst government possible would be a totalitarian, fascist, corporatist theocracy. Think about it--three gods: State, Capital, and, well, God.</p>
<p>Religion gives hope for me :-/...my dad beats me everyday...maybe you'll get it when you're in my shoes...</p>
<p>How about when you turn 18 and you leave the house. Isn't that hope enough. Trust me, I know.</p>
<p>The likelihood that God does not exist gives me hope, but if God almighty came down from the heavens and proclaimed his existence, I would probably believe in him (although I might try not to), since I can't force myself to believe something ad consequentium.</p>