Chris: I'm not sure what you ment by the smilie.. But that response is what I find is a typical 'religious' answer.. It totally avoids the main statement/question. And still tries to prove your point...

Maybe its just because Im very tired... but really...

religion is stupid. it mostly bases itself on the fact that it can explain all in the universe that modern science cant explain, and if people cant understand that explanation then they must just have faith in that god made everything and there obvuiosly is a reason for it being made. this is mildly illogical becuase what if scientists could explain almost every last detail of the universe including how it was created and when it will be destroyed. will people need to believe in a greater power anymore if they understand everything about the universe? without mystery, there is no need for the supernatural and thus human-kind can become a master of their own destiny. of course, it is unimaginable to be able to understand everythign about the universe which i guess is why so many people would quickly deny what i am saying, but in theory it is possible.

How? The idea ank 2 is putting forth is that people back the said "It's God!" every time something happened they couldn't explain. I'm pretty sure if they observed the birds for a while, they'd notice they utilize those wings when flying. I don't know how my plumbing works; I don't attribute the water coming out of the faucet to God. I attribute it to turning the tap. People two thousand years ago were ignorant, not stupid.

So what's this main question I'm missing?

Having a plan doesn't mean you control all aspects of reality. We have our free will, and exercise it. You're really stretching your points here.

It;s the 'I have not yet seen a religious book claim God supports birds' part... Why would he not support birds? I still don't get what you meant. (Im quite tired... can't get to sleap...)

Since you seem to be knowledge about this Chris, can I ask you a question?

Say I lead a very good life and I am a christian, helping everyone and trying to be a good person. When I die will I go to heaven?

Now:

Say I lead a very good life and I am NOT a christian, helping everyone and trying to be a good person. When I die will I go to hell?

If I will go to hell despite all my actions, then can I ask why?

My answer to RP is my last post; I'm simultaneously posting and coding, and it's just not working out

Yup.

There's room for variety in my response, but I'll be brief and say yes.

Because your actions don't amount to jack. I could quote to China and back how our own righteousness are as rags to the Lord. It's John 3:16 again; we go to Heaven because of God, not ourselves. You can't earn Heaven.

That's nice. The Catholic church also endorses evolution, last I checked. If religious leaders want to block science, then they're idiots. Like I said, science hasn't contradicted Christianity once.

Hmm.. so people understood flight 2000 yrs ago?
interesting...

- Father! how does that bird fly?
- Well son, it uses it's wings to flap for air velocity, and the aerodynamic shape of it's body allows it to float through the air with very little resistance whilst the pressure from below its wingspan works against the force of gravity.
- Ohh cool, so can I fly too?
- Well of course, if I build you this little thing here I call an aeroplane...

So basically, all the people who have never heard of Christianity (think of those born before 0 BC!) should just go rape and pillage and murder because, hey, they're going to hell anyway?

>> Didn't he have to create Woman because he made man imperfectly? (Lonely?)

Add that to the list of contridictions.

What would religion be like if there were no life after death?

Interesting fact: the "founder" of Christianity, not Jesus (who was a Jew) but Paul, thinks that his words are better than those of God himself!

(Gal 1:8) "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!"

Did I say he was?!? Geez; quit making assumptions and just read the thing.
TF: I know; I edited my post.
gnolam: nice try; I ain't biting. I gotta get at least something done this weekend; outta here ...

yes.

23 said yes.

It actually depends..

on one hand if you are a brazillian jungle person that has never met a missionary and knows nothing about God, but still believes there is something out there that controls everything and will save you. yes, you will go to heaven.. I think in Romans it says that the if the jews sin under the law, they will be judged under the law. and if a gentile (someone who knows nothing about God) sins outside of the law, they will be judged outside of the law. but if a gentile obeys God's law without actually haveing it. they will be a law unto themselves and will go to heaven.

on the other hand. if you reject God and all and try and be good. you will burn in hell. (to be blunt)

is that what you were gonna say 23?

because it has nothin to do with your actions. its your beliefs that count.

JaTeR