Hey FrGamble!
January 6th, 2016 at 3:53:29 PM permalink | |
beachbumbabs Member since: Sep 3, 2013 Threads: 6 Posts: 1600 |
This is a very good example of why I've broken with the organized religions, especially charismatic sects. I am offended by their tax-free status, their constant begging, their deceptive ploys for the hearts, minds, and wallets of their sheep, and their smug con-men living high on the collective wages of their poor flocks. Never doubt a small group of concerned citizens can change the world; it's the only thing ever has |
January 6th, 2016 at 6:46:32 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 | As someone who also gets too much of this crap I agree with you. I think many of these groups are either not affiliated with the Catholic Church or only vaguely connected because they have some priest of Msgr. as the head of them. My constant advice to people is two fold. Pray about something that truly moves you and stay only focused on that issue. This issue might be Africa or children in 3rd world countries or Pro-Life and it might change every so often. Anything not directly connected to this passion should be thrown away right away. The second bit of advice is to do research about the group or ask your parish Church for help in vetting such groups. I have helped many shut ins sift through the barrage of junk mail. The things I look for are honesty, a real connection to the Church, and financial responsibility and accountability. There are many excellent groups out there worth supporting but the other groups water down the ability of them to truly help others. The thing that sends me off in the red are the snail mail versions of chain letters. If I ever see anything that promises some type of special blessing or promising some type of spiritual blessing or financial success if you generously give I tell people under pain of sin to not give to them. The good news is everyone of this particular manipulative and deceptive groups come from other groups than Catholics. It still infuriates me and in my opinion does great harm to Christianity. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
January 6th, 2016 at 6:51:32 PM permalink | |
Dalex64 Member since: Mar 8, 2014 Threads: 3 Posts: 3687 | All of the arguments about the creation of the universe without god in one place. http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/universe.html "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts." Daniel Patrick Moynihan |
January 6th, 2016 at 7:43:50 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25013 |
"If God doesn't need a cause because it is infinite, it is more likely that the natural Universe has existed forever and therefore doesn't need a cause." I rest my case. "if we say that God has always existed, why not save a step and conclude that the universe has always existed?" Carl Sagan If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
January 6th, 2016 at 8:03:04 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
Because unlike God the universe is contingent and does not necessarily exist. Being material the universe needs a cause and cannot logically exist unless something began it. God holds existence in Himself and is truly eternal and infinite in a way the material world cannot be. I think I've used the analogy of the train in motion, it cannot be all boxcars because they cannot move themselves, there needs to be an engine. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
January 6th, 2016 at 8:19:57 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25013 |
You need to get better read on this subject, it's far broader than you think. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
January 6th, 2016 at 8:33:24 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
Even before looking it up it was clear in reading this website that the man had no philosophical training. I was also surprised to find out he is satanist. He needs to read some philosophy and religious history. All he would need to do is to watch this brief 5 minute video: Leibniz Contingency Argument I highly recommend it if we are to intelligently talk about this issue. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
January 7th, 2016 at 5:39:17 AM permalink | |
Dalex64 Member since: Mar 8, 2014 Threads: 3 Posts: 3687 | His personal beliefs don't matter much to me. On his website, he has gathered up the common arguments against god. He didn't invent them himself, and you can find them all over the web, even on non-satanist websites. For one who talks so much about people not wanting to be "challenged" and embrace christianity, you are very quick to dismiss things that challenge your thinking. I've gotten tired of finding and typing in these arguments one at a time. I found very little to disagree with on that site (I did not go to his satanism site) so I thought I'd save myself some time and just link to that collection of cogent and logical arguments. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts." Daniel Patrick Moynihan |
January 7th, 2016 at 6:16:25 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
Philosophy, too, needs to take facts into account. You cannot simply suppose this or that idea or concept and take it as given, without offering some kind of proof. Otherwise all metaphysical systems ever proposed are all as valid, and which you follow, if any, depends on subjective matters. So where's your objective proof?
That's like saying mathematics neuters itself by not taking numerology into account. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
January 7th, 2016 at 6:50:55 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
What's your proof? If tested, it should net you a Nobel Prize in physics. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |