What do you think about this statement?

[perla75]

So those that do believe are dumb men? I will be sure to tell my daughter's cardiologist, heart surgeon, neurosurgeon, etc., several who attend my church what stupid men they are.

That was a very defensive & confusing comment-where in that post did Kikifan say that those who believe in your religion are dumb???

I agree that I think the dad in the original post was wise in his conversation to his son. The dad clearly either does not believe in the devil OR he is telling his child he has a choice to believe or not believe. Does that mean I think people who believe as you do are dumb? Of course not.

Getting back to the OP's story though, a question for you:

Do YOU believe in Thetans (from Scientology)?
If your answer is "no" than the concept of Thetans do not exist in your life, correct? Therefore, you never have to worry about them & how they might affect you.

How is that any different than believing in the concept of hell or the devil?

 

[dwheatl]

In my mind, and my faith, I equate Satan with evil. I don't believe in a red guy with a pitchfork, but I do believe in powerful, seductive, tempting evil. I am a Christian, and the emphasis of my faith and in what I've raised my kids to believe in is a God of love. Anything that is against love (selfishness, bigotry, objectifying people, etc) is evil. If your friend is telling his child not to worry about some demon coming to drag him into hell, that's good. However, I think it's really important at some point to teach children that evil is real, can be very tempting, and needs to be resisted and fought against.

 

[PK Disney Dork]

That fact is all religons are based on faith! Because it's faith then the existance of heaven, hell, god, the devil...and angels depend on personal beliefs to exist.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

Well, first off, I believe what your friend and his son believe are none of my business. But since you asked... I personally believe in the Devil and Hell. But I disagree with the statement for reasons not having to do with my beliefs. If the person doesn't believe, and then they die and it turns out the Devil is actually quite real, then not believing in him didn't make a difference in the end. Translate that to other religions, for example. Take those who believe in reincarnation. I don't believe in reincarnation. Now if I die and it turns out I was wrong all along and I come back as a bird or whatever, well, whoops. Me not believing didn't mean it didn't exist. Again, I do not believe that, but I'm trying to give an example from a non-Christian perspective to show I think what I do regardless of faith.

As for Scientologists, generally I think what they believe is their business and not mine. Just like your friend and his son. The ONLY time anyone has heard me "bash" Scientology is in regards to the public campaign people like Tom Cruise waged essentially saying Psychiatry/Psychology is evil, disorders like autism aren't real, and people (regardless of whether or not they themselves are Scientologists) should not take drugs for certain psychological conditions (i.e. Cruise's rant about Brooke Shields and postpartum depression). If they themselves as adults choose not to acknowledge disorders or take medication, that's their choice. But trying to push that opinion on the general public is wrong. That is actively endangering people's lives, IMO, and I did speak out against that. The Thetan and all the rest of it I don't agree with, but it doesn't bother me in the least. That's their beliefs, and I respect them. I even agree with them that many children are overly medicated. It's the afforementioned "Let's trash Psychiatry" business ala what Cruise did that makes me very upset. Postpartum especially is nothing to mess around with, IMO.

 

[SereneOne]

That was a very defensive & confusing comment-where in that post did Kikifan say that those who believe in your religion are dumb???

I agree that I think the dad in the original post was wise in his conversation to his son. The dad clearly either does not believe in the devil OR he is telling his child he has a choice to believe or not believe. Does that mean I think people who believe as you do are dumb? Of course not.

Getting back to the OP's story though, a question for you:

Do YOU believe in Thetans (from Scientology)?
If your answer is "no" than the concept of Thetans do not exist in your life, correct? Therefore, you never have to worry about them & how they might affect you.

How is that any different than believing in the concept of hell or the devil?

There was nothing defensive or confusing about my statement. She said his reply was smart, so if that is the case, people who do believe there is a hell and a Satan, must be dumb. I am sure if I supported your opinions, I would be considered neither defensive or confusing.

 

[perla75]

There was nothing defensive or confusing about my statement. She said his reply was smart, so if that is the case, people who do believe there is a hell and a Satan, must be dumb. I am sure if I supported your opinions, I would be considered neither defensive or confusing.

So, only one party is allowed to be smart???? You read way too much into that one.

 

[poohbear227]

So those that do believe are dumb men? I will be sure to tell my daughter's cardiologist, heart surgeon, neurosurgeon, etc., several who attend my church what stupid men they are.

I agree that this was a very defensive & unnecessary comment to the previous poster. He/she was not calling ANYONE stupid.

 

[Wishing on a star]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

Many hear may know that I am a strong born-again Christian who, as a member of the minority, does NOT believe in hell.

Christ and the scriptures are very clear...

There is never any account of the creation of hell.
Very specific accounts of the creation of the heavens and the earth... but, no hell. And, in Relvelation, there is a new heaven and a new earth, but no hell.

Adam and Eve were told that if they broke away from (directly disobeyed) God, that 'they would surely die'...

Christ says very clearly that the gift of God is eternal life, and that the wages of sin is 'death'.

The scriptures say that it is not the will of God that any man should 'perish'. NOT, burn in hell forever... But 'perish', as in the grave... Cease to exist.

The very meaning of the word from which 'hell' is translated means 'the grave' and or perishing... ceasing to exist... from dust into dust...

Historically, Christians have not believed in 'hell' as one commonly knows it. It is a post-modern belief.

Sure, there are a few lines in the scriptures, visions, parables, etc... that are used by those who simply MUST believe in hell, so that they can try to stike fear into others, and have the mistaken 'obligation' to think that they can make the decision to judge others and determine that this person or that person will 'burn in hell'... How 'empowering' that must be.

This all goes back to original sin. We are NOT god... Eating from the tree of knowledge and thinking that WE know good from evil, and that WE can judge others is the root of original sin. Christ and the scriptures tell us that we can NOT know good from evil... That is determined by our God and Creator... "Even our righteousness are as filthy rags". "Lean not unto our own understandings". "Judge not lest ye be judged".


OKAY, all of that aside... Whomever made the quote that you are asking about is very very wrong... Ones personal belief does not dictate reality.

That is just wierd.

 

[tasha99]

I just feel compelled to point out that the single most important difference between Scientology and other religions. Scientology was established in modern times by a man on record as saying that (and I'm paraphrasing) "the best way to become rich was to invent a religion" Which sort of leads me to think there just might not be an thetons.

As someone who does not believe in the devil (or hell) I applaud your friend OP. He's a smart man.

I agree. Plus, most other religions aren't as abusive to people who leave or criticize them and don't try to isolate their members etc.

 

[Goofyluver]

OKAY, all of that aside... Whomever made the quote that you are asking about is very very wrong... Ones personal belief does not dictate reality.

That is just wierd.

Why? Because that person's beliefs don't align themselves with yours?

 

[kinntj]

I've never heard that statement before and I don't understand it-why would that be an accomplishment? I would think it's quite the opposite?

I didn't read all of the posts and I'm sure someone else might have stated the same thing. I agree with that statement. It's easier for the Devil to do his job when someone doesn't think he exists. What keeps you from making the wrong decisions that come into your head (voices) that states something is wrong if you don't think the devil or hell exists? That's the way I look at it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

I think it is some pretty high philosophy for a young kid.

Now if you want to lay that on my kids, prepare for long hours with that statement.
My 12yodd loves to talk about that kind of stuff till it is bloody.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

That was a very defensive & confusing comment-where in that post did Kikifan say that those who believe in your religion are dumb???

I agree that I think the dad in the original post was wise in his conversation to his son. The dad clearly either does not believe in the devil OR he is telling his child he has a choice to believe or not believe. Does that mean I think people who believe as you do are dumb? Of course not.

Getting back to the OP's story though, a question for you:

Do YOU believe in Thetans (from Scientology)?
If your answer is "no" than the concept of Thetans do not exist in your life, correct? Therefore, you never have to worry about them & how they might affect you.

How is that any different than believing in the concept of hell or the devil?

I agree.
For example ..
if you believe in the easter bunny or the tooth fairy then you act as if they are a real person. You soon don't believe in it so it is as if they don't exist.

Also, I have to disagree with an earlier post. "just because you don't believe in it does not mean it isn't there"
actually, hell and heaven are spiritual places. It is up to A PERSONS SPIRIT
to decide if they want to go there.


As for me, my soul and body is going in a tombstone in the dirt.


To add on: don't get defensive for this. This is MY OPINION. I think people
get too defensive on religion and attempt to prove that their religion is right
and all others are wrong.

 

[kinntj]

I wanted to add that my kids don't know about hell and are not scared into what they believe. We don't go to church, so we teach our children through a children's Bible and reading certain passages from the Bible that they might understand.

We like the New Testament best because Jesus doesn't mention Hell that much or at all. God is love to us, he lives in us and he's with us.

As for Scientologists, I let them be and they let me be. It's the same for any religion.

I wanted to thank a PP for mentioning The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. I've been meaning to get that and read it.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

There was nothing defensive or confusing about my statement. She said his reply was smart, so if that is the case, people who do believe there is a hell and a Satan, must be dumb. I am sure if I supported your opinions, I would be considered neither defensive or confusing.

Paranoid much?!

 

[SereneOne]

So, only one party is allowed to be smart???? You read way too much into that one.

No I did not. Your opinion is not fact. And you know darn well if she felt the person who felt that way was smart, then she would think a person who did not feel the same way would be the opposite. Stop trying to cause an argument. I have just as much right to my opinion as you do yours and it is ridiculous for you to try to browbeat me.

 

[SereneOne]

I agree that this was a very defensive & unnecessary comment to the previous poster. He/she was not calling ANYONE stupid.

And? Because you agree with her it makes her statement true? That is your opinion and I made mine. The fact that you agree with her does not invalidate my opinion. If the two of you do not like differing opinions and cannot read them without responding with derogatory and untrue statements. I suggest you stop participating in boards such as this. The only unnecessary comments where the ones that you and perla made, insulting me for making an opinion.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Ah bless - are you having a bad day?

 

[metalis4ever]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

Well it makes sense I mean if you don't believe in something when it comes to Religion and Faith then it doesn't exist after all we are talking about Mythology and Folklore here not something that is tangible.

 

[Freyja]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

I kind of agree. I don´t believe in hell or the Devil.