My advice: don't count on the elusive pipe dream that "science" will one day achieve through human effort the immortality that God says can be attained only by believing in His Son Jesus Christ. "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
I mean no offense to you, but I am not a Christian. Like all the other 4,300 religions on the planet, there is no credible evidence that any of them are real. I lean toward pantheism, but I think that it is impossible to know, making me a pantheist leaning agnostic.
I take comfort in knowing that there is no answer. Why? Because it means that this life matters and what we do here matters, and it is not just some test to prepare us for the next life. It also means that life is what we choose to make it, and not what others tell us life should be.
Regardless of what one believes, the technological trends that are already in motion will continue.
No offense taken, my friend. I know you are not a Christian, but I also know that you have always been respectful toward those with whom you disagree. That attitude is becoming rarer and rarer in our culture - I salute you for it. But on what basis do you assert that "this life matters"? On your world view we live, we die, and we're done. So what? I came to the firm conclusion, purely through logic and observation, that there MUST be a Creator. Taht's a crucial starting point, but it's not enough. From there, I investigated thoroughly and came to believe what I do about the Bible, etc. Without God, there is no ultimate purpose. Everything is senseless, random, nothingness. I don't believe that for one second, and furthermore I would not want to live in a purposeless universe. "For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1)
I don't know why you would already know that I am not a Christian, not that it matters, but I find it a curiosity that you already understood this.
Just for clarification, my position is far more nuanced than what you claim I believe. None of what you said describes accurately what I believe. I lean toward pantheism. There could be a higher power, but I think that it is impossible to know.
That doesn't offend me. You seem deeply religious. I understand. I have been there. I have nothing but the
best wishes
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I knew this from this and several other fb posts I've seen from you over the years.
I didn't mean to misrepresent your position. Feel free to correct/clarify where I did so as I would prefer to address one's *actual* beliefs/position rather than some unintended straw man.
I don't want to get into a lengthy discussion. I will just try to clarify since you asked.
I want to believe that there is something beyond this life, but I think that it is impossible to know. I am content with not knowing since I don't think that we can know. I prefer to base my beliefs on what we can prove, and if there is something beyond that then great.
If there is no God then life still has a purpose. We can be here for each other. Pantheism appeals to me logically because if the entire universe and God are the same thing then we are all connected. This belief leads to empathy for others.
Andrew Porter
Thank you. I won't press the issue per your desire not to have an ongoing discussion here on fb. If you ever *want* to discuss these issues further - online or in person (preferred) - I would be open to have that discussion with you. Best regards!
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