The DaVinci Code

[CentralFlGal]

Wiccan?

Close, but nope

[feederband]

There is no way A person that knows he is a Atheist can be converted...That person that says they were was no Atheist...

There you go! You've just shown what I had already alluded to: "Victory by Definition"... the simple fact is, whether you care to acknowledge them or not, is that many bona-fide former atheists, are, in-fact, believers. They've written books, and many have been on TV specials.... as is the case for the reverse... I can acknowledge many believers have become either agnostic or atheistic... I can equally assert with confidence that former atheists HAVE become believers. I KNOW of such cases.

A2K

Say what you want...But I used to say I was a believer knowing I wasn't...I stopped to think for a moment on what would it take for me to convert...Maybe if I was to wake up in the morning and food was dropping out of the skies where thousands of people were starving to death..It would have to be something on that scale...What would say converted these Atheist..

[Skywatch_NC]

There is no way A person that knows he is a Atheist can be converted...That person that says they were was no Atheist...

There you go! You've just shown what I had already alluded to: "Victory by Definition"... the simple fact is, whether you care to acknowledge them or not, is that many bona-fide former atheists, are, in-fact, believers. They've written books, and many have been on TV specials.... as is the case for the reverse... I can acknowledge many believers have become either agnostic or atheistic... I can equally assert with confidence that former atheists HAVE become believers. I KNOW of such cases.

A2K

For ie. Bill Murray (a son of Madalyn Murray O'Hare)...my family and I heard him give his testimony during the 1980s.

[Stratosphere747]

When did the PA open back up for business?

[feederband]

Wiccan?

Close, but nope

HMMMM... Minoan?

[feederband]

When did the PA open back up for business?

hMMM?

[Audrey2Katrina]

Say what you want

With all due respect, I'm not "saying" what I want... I'm saying what I know.

A2K

[feederband]

Say what you want

With all due respect, I'm not "saying" what I want... I'm saying what I know.

A2K

Now who's tring to be victorous...

[Audrey2Katrina]

Just for the record... the UN estimates of global population ca. Jan. 2006 is 6.5 Billion... this sounds more like what I had thought it to be.

A2K

[CentralFlGal]

Gosh, I hope I'm not considered one of the lost needing to be found. That sounds so derogatory and completely belittles and attempts to invalidate the belief system in which I conduct myself and raise my children. I teach them tolerance and respect of others, and that they can do whatever they want as long as they do not harm themselves or others in the process.

I think some folks in here (I'm only using this quote as an "example" and it is NOT intended to besmirch your very articulate post.)...are wearing their hearts on their shirtsleeves and being oversensitive. Personally I think a LOT of this is consequent to a pervasive mentality that to merely express one's belief mores is somehow or other "wrong" because it may potentially "offend" this one or that one. I am NOT offended by what anyone believes or cares to express as their belief... if they want to call me "lost" because of what I hold dear... so be it.

I cannot speak for Southerngale (and will not presume to ) the only mention made of "lost and confused" came in his post... and since then more than a few folks have jumped on it like a duck on a Junebug. Not necessary. The way >I< read it, it was said by a pastor... and Jesus was the Ultimate "pastor" or shepherd, whose job it is to tend to the needs of the flock.. those whom he has within the fold, and those who might have wandered astray. I do NOT see it as intended as a pejorative toward anyone...JMHO.

A2K

Thanks, A2K. It would just be so wonderful if everyone could accept each other for who they are, and not based on their religious or political beliefs (both major hotbeds of debate). I think everyone here is awesome as is evidenced by the way we all come together to offer support to those who are adversely affected by weather events - and even in personal situations that are posted on the forums. I was really hoping I wasn't going to see another situation where I was "wrong" and someone else was "right"; I've always felt so amazingly cheated in those situations.

We all bleed red.

And I absolutely welcome honest and open discourse in matters both religious and political as my offline friends and I engage in (and I absolutely adhere to our forum rules on the latter topic). They are as varied as members are here, and it's so refreshing to understand others' viewpoints in a warm and encouraging atmosphere.

Thanks

[Audrey2Katrina]

Now who's tring to be victorous...

Touche!.. LOL, but in all honesty, I wasn't trying to be victorious... I really DO know of at least two former atheists who are now believers... that's not just an idle claim... it's from personal experience..

If it makes you feel any better, though, I know of SEVERAL believers who've become atheists, and even more who've become agnostic. One of these has openly told me they attribute their doubts to having read this very book--I believe another has posted as much in here. Go figure:?:

A2K

[CentralFlGal]

Wiccan?

Close, but nope

HMMMM... Minoan?

I have no idea what that is

[Audrey2Katrina]

And I absolutely welcome honest and open discourse in matters both religious and political as my offline friends and I engage in (and I absolutely adhere to our forum rules on the latter topic). They are as varied as members are here, and it's so refreshing to understand others' viewpoints in a warm and encouraging atmosphere.

Thanks

Ditto!

A2K

[wxmann_91]

I'm a Christian and I read the Da Vinci Code. It's fiction. Good drama. That's all. It's one's own choice to believe the stuff or not.

[Janice]

Yes, WX, it is just a book, movie, story, etc. We all pick up books to our enjoyment and go to movies that interest us. We are all different. We all like different things. That is what makes life so great.

We are all strong in our religious or non religious beliefs. Let us leave it there..

Let us respect each other for their beliefs.

[alicia-w]

whoever said the Bible is 2000 years old, that's only the New Testament. The Old Testament is much older.

[alicia-w]

can we lock this thread please? it was subverted from a gee, this is a good movie, better than the critics said, to the typical religious discourse amongst differing faiths. Not the intent at all and I'm sorry I started it now.

[Janice]

Don't get upset. People are just expressing their views.

[alicia-w]

if they want to express their views about religion, that's fine, start another thread. dont hijack this one.

[GalvestonDuck]

Gosh, could you imagine how stirred up it could have gotten if we were here when "The Last Temptation of Christ" was released, or during all those apocalypse movies?

Seriously gang, this has edged a bit closer to where we don't need to go. You know the rules -- politics, religion (and any other serious discussion that can lead to an "I'm right, you're not, you're just ignorant, blah blah blah" attitude) needs to be left off the board. It's one thing to pray for someone's family or friends. It's a whole other ball of wax when we get off on tangents about differing beliefs (I'm just as guilty of contributing within this thread myself).

Having said that, and out of respect Alicia's request, I am locking this puppy before it starts to growl.