Religion is the first and worst attempt at explaining things. Maybe it did help humanity to get through tough times now and then but it is still untrue.

So what is the solution? What tells you the meaning of your existence? What's your view?

I've had some personal experiences that cannot really be explained outside of a Religious context. Below are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

-I've dealt with some major depressive episodes throughout my life. When I was in my early 20's, I was planning on killing myself. I had it all mapped out, and as a last resort, I prayed to God that if I didn't get a sign from him that I would go through with it. A couple days later I get a call from my Mom who told me she was visited by an angel who said to her "I come to you to speak to x" where 'x' is my name. She had no idea what I was planning or how deep the depression was; I mostly kept all that hidden from everyone as best I could. My Mom actually has actually had a few interesting encounters like that. Even at my darkest, I always remembered that, which kept me from completely losing faith.

-Another time I was in a very dark place, drinking nightly, wishing death upon myself. My wife claimed she heard an audible voice in her ear that told her to pray for me, and she conveyed that to me.

-I've had several dreams played out exactly how I dreamed it. I'm talking about oddly specific surprises, like dreaming of an old friend I haven't talked to in years reaching out to, then that exact person calling me the next day, or going on a surprise day trip, then realizing that I dreamed of the exact thing/place the night before. One time I had a dream I was checking out some house with my wife. The next day my wife started to ask me If I could entertain her on something out of the blue, and before she could go further, I told her "Oh, you want me to check out a house with you," to which she replied something to the effect of "how the heck did you know that?" If that wasn't weird enough, I also knew the exact street it was on and was able described it's features. We visited it and yeah, it was the same house I dreamed of, but in the dream the house appeared nice on the outside, but was rotting on the inside. I knew that whoever bought it wasn't going to be happy.

I had a dream about 2-years ago about the collapse of the country. It happened in various stages and was incredibly vivid. I basically dreamed of the system being overwhelmed by illegal immigrants who became extremely agitated and chaos broke out as everyone was scrambling and killing each other over food shortages. Then I was in a hospitals that were also overwhelmed, and people were rioting because they were being refused medical care. I was lucid in the dream, i.e., I knew I was dreaming, but was just in awe of everything, and then asked God what can I do? Then I heard a voice that gave me some oddly specific instructions on what I'm supposed to do and where I am supposed to take my family. The dream continues and I am driving out west (I live on the east coast) and I was listening to the podcast. The podcast was telling me about a growing colony of illegal immigrants in Texas (I found out about Colony Ridge after), confirmed reports of massive sex trafficking operations at the border on the ground and sex slaves being shipped to America on large container ships (This was before the Sound of Freedom was released), and then I was told of attacks on the power grid and that the this would be the last podcast before everything gets shut down; the only radio broadcasts after that will be "local". The next thing I know I was seeing makeshift communities sprawling up in what appeared to be a midwest desert climate. I saw people setting up mobile homes, parking RV's and pitching tents to escape the chaos in the cities. There were Christians of different denominations living together in this town (I specifically saw Catholics and Mormons who made some sort of an agreement) and then I was taken to a trailer that was converted into a hospital. Next I start talking to this female doctor and get blasted with all these feelings of love, acceptance, and absolute peace that I have not felt before. The doctor opens up a file cabinet, pulls out a slide of my blood, sets it down in front of me, then tells me "We have been expecting you; God has known you by your blood before you were even born," and then I woke up. Later I found out the above comment was very similar to Jeremiah 1:5 when he was approached by God and given the gift of prophecy ("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”) Not to make any audacious claims, but I do believe that many are being given visions around the world as we speak.

Basically, to sum it all up, I've had enough weird unexplainable **** happen to me where I would be a fool not to believe in God. I believe many of you all would be able to see it too if you gave God a chance and softened your hearts.

Nobody knows. I know people hate not knowing, which is why we are so susceptible to religion. But it is unfortunately the truth. We simply do not know.

Quran 26:23-24
Pharaoh asked, “And what is ‘the Lord of all worlds’?”
Moses replied, “˹He is˺ the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith. ”

And this is the exact same response that Moses gave Pharaoh. If you don't have certainty in faith, you will no certainty in anything.

May Allah guide you my friend

I should habe faith in a god who wrote a book in Arabic, which I cannot read, 1.400 years ago in which he states such important things such as that gay men are disgustig, women can be beaten under certain circumstances and that we should not disturb this alleged prophet at his house unless we are invited for dinner? Yeah, that surely is the best book written by an omnipotent being. And then this god threatens uns with eternal physical violence if we do not believe it, like some evil King who throws people to the Lions if we don't obey. There is nothing unique or wise about this at all.

So are you on the idea that we're all one entity and that we are all God? Why do I know things you don't?

If you're certain God exists I don't believe you since nobody on this rock can prove it, if you're "certain" that means you succesfully brainwashed yourself. The most rational answer is we don't know aka being agnostic.



You're right about relgions, they differ in moral values. I would say christianity is a good one or atleast it's a good starting point, no religion is perfect.

Wow, great read, you are blessed to have gifts of vision and prophecy, did God tell you when the chaos would take place?

I had a similar dream last year where I heard a soft voice telling me TWICE to leave California by a certain holiday with a group of similar minded people. It was very colorful and vivid dream. Still wondering if it was from God because unfortunately I don’t remember which holiday he told me to leave by in the dream. Except that it may start with the letter “S” and most likely in the fall. It’s a minor holiday, perhaps a Jewish one? Not sure, so I actually did pack up and leave last year but nothing happened so I wonder if something is yet to happen. I know I need to pray for interpretation.

Well technically we can’t know anything. For all we know, the sun blew up 5 minutes ago and we’re all about to be vaporized.

Sure but atleast we have some actual scientific evidence about the sun, etc. We have ZERO proof for god existing.

Still I'm not atheist but it's arrogant to claim something exists with no serious proof.

Well technically we can’t know anything. For all we know, the sun blew up 5 minutes ago and we’re all about to be vaporized.

Anybody that claims to be confident about their beliefs is just bull****ting. Believing in God takes as much faith as believing that we came from the fuking monkeys lmao. Theres no proof for neither of that.

No i dont think theres a God that will punish us if we fuk up, but im just as doubtful about all the crap we were fed up with in school regarding evolution and the big bang. All those are theories, and the huge holes that the theory of evolution has is just the cherry on top, there are millions of more complex misteries of the universe that we arent close to solving, in fact we arent even close to asking the right question. Nobody knows ****. Hardcore atheists and hardcore theologis are just two sides of the same coin.


Personally i believe in the simulation theory, i really do think we are just a part of an infinite loop of humanity simulating themselves in the seek of eternal life/consciousness perhaps, and many scientists believe this to be a strong possibility as well, but at the end of the day nobody knows ****.

The evidence for evolution is overwhelming and comes from multiple independent lines of inquiry, a couple of examples:

-The fossil record provides a clear sequence of life forms, from simple to complex, over vast periods of time. Transitional fossils, such as Archaeopteryx (a bird-like dinosaur), offer concrete evidence of evolutionary change.

-Homologous structures (similar structures in different species with different functions, like the human arm and bat wing) point to a common ancestor.

-The development of embryos in different species shows striking similarities, suggesting shared ancestry.

-DNA analysis provides irrefutable evidence of shared genetic heritage among different species. The more closely related two species are, the more similar their DNA.

-Evolution is also observed in real-time, such as the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, viral evolution, pesticide resistance, selective breeding in animals and plants, mosquitoes developing resistance to insecticides, fruit flies in controlled experiments over several generations etc.

https://answersingenesis.org/genetic...i-e-coli-ltee/

https://www.labroots.com/trending/pl...radual-process




This is a false equivalence and kinda smells ad hominem overall tbh- evolution is a scientific theory supported by an overwhelming body of evidence from multiple disciplines. Belief in a deity, on the other hand, is based on faith, which is a belief in something without proof.



False dichotomy. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god or gods - it doesn't require positive evidence to support it, but rather the absence of convincing evidence for the existence of a deity. The burden of proof lies with those making the claim of a god's existence.



Fair enough bro - you do you srs.



Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory, not mere speculation. A theory in science is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Theories are not guesses or opinions.



Categorically false. Evolutionary hypotheses are constantly tested and refined. E.g. predictions based on evolutionary theory are made, and then scientists conduct experiments or observations to see if those predictions hold true. The success of these tests strengthens the theory.



Our understanding of the timeline has refined over time with new discoveries, the overall framework of evolution remains robust. The timeline is a dynamic aspect of science, subject to revision as new evidence emerges. This is a strength of science, not a weakness.



No it absolutely does not. Yes the evolution of the eye is a complex process, but it is not insurmountable. The eye has evolved independently multiple times, and there are intermediate stages of eye development found in various organisms. Natural selection can explain the gradual development of complex structures like the eye.



The complexity of nature is a result of natural processes, such as self-organization and emergence. While these phenomena are awe inspiring, they do not necessitate a supernatural explanation, only emotions do. Fractals, for example, are mathematical patterns that arise from simple rules being repeatedly applied.



The universe is not believed to have come/made from "nothing." Theories about the origin of the universe, such as the Big Bang, propose conditions vastly different from the present. Also, symbiosis is a well-understood biological phenomenon that (again) does not require a supernatural explanation.



Evolution is not about "just because." It's a process driven by natural selection, a mechanism where organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully. While survival is essential, it's the differential reproductive success that is crucial. Organisms that not only survive but also reproduce more offspring are more likely to pass on their genes



The process of natural selection is based on logical principles: variation, inheritance, selection, and time. These factors working together over vast periods have produced the incredible complexity of life.

To claim that evolution is illogical is to misunderstand the process. It's a testament to the power of natural selection to create such intricate and diverse life forms over billions of years.



Bro this whole post is riddled with fallacies and misconceptions srs:

-False Dichotomy: The assertion that the only options are belief in a creator or the acceptance of "assumptive science fiction" is a false dichotomy. There are other worldviews and philosophical positions.
-Misunderstanding of Science: Science is not based on assumptions but on evidence, observation, and experimentation. Theories in science are explanations based on a vast body of evidence, which are constantly tested and refined.
-Appeal to Ignorance: The claim that "they don't even know what space is" is a classic appeal to ignorance. While our understanding of the universe is constantly evolving, significant knowledge has been accumulated through observation, experimentation, and theoretical modeling.
-Special Pleading: The assertion that logic is "assumed on false principles" in atheism while it's not in theism is special pleading. Logic is a fundamental tool of human reasoning and is applicable to both worldviews.
-Ad Hominem: The suggestion that atheists will eventually abandon their beliefs is a smells like a personal attack rather than a logical argument.

Further breaking it down:



Science is based on evidence, not assumptions. Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory with overwhelming evidence from multiple disciplines. Science is a powerful tool for understanding the natural world. It has led to incredible advancements in medicine, technology, and our overall quality of life. Dismissing it as "assumptive science fiction" is to ignore the tangible benefits it has brought to humanity.



There is no logical necessity to postulate a creator to explain the universe. It's a leap of faith, not a conclusion based on logical reasoning. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and the existence of a creator has yet to be substantiated.



Our understanding of space is constantly evolving, but significant knowledge has been accumulated. Dark matter is a hypothesis based on observational evidence, not mere speculation.



Science is a method, not an authority. It's based on empirical evidence and peer review. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god, not a reliance on science.



Logic is a fundamental tool of human reasoning applicable to all worldviews. There's no evidence to suggest logic is inherently flawed in atheism and to assert such without a compelling argument is not helpful.



The validity of atheism is not determined by future beliefs. Don't expect you to know/remember from earlier ITT but if pushed I would identify as agnostic anyway.

the universe might have been created a few seconds ago. sort of like a manufactured saved game file.

If we are in a simulation, who is the simulator? Who says there needs to be one I hear you state.

Great - now take paganism and remove the spirit beings (which you THINK don't exist, but nonetheless do) and you have simulation theory.

Simulation theory is just 21st century shaivism/kabbalah, which is just satanism.

There is no common ancestral line whatsoever, we have similar DNA to a banana..doesn’t mean we came from bananas..there is no common ancestry & the fossil record speaks for itself. “Scientist” or “archaeologists” had to piece different animals together along with human bones to draw a false conclusion..we don’t share any lineage whatsoever.

Darwin attempted to represent this with his Tree of Life Model. However an increasingly amount of evolutionary biologists are becoming extremely skeptical of this, due to the abundant evidence of discontinuity in the fossil record, & discontinuity in the study of genomics. We have things like Orphan Genes, which are big classes of genes that are unique to certain taxa & do not show ANY similarities to other genes ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE GENOMIC DATA BASE. We have genetic information popping into existence in different classes of organisms..discontinuity.

idea that natural selection & random mutation are sufficient to produce all the new forms of life AND the appearance of design that livings form manifest. An unguided process that produces the APPEARANCE OF DESIGN, BUT NOT THE REALITY OF IT. That's the meaning of evolution that is clearly absurd… Purely undirected processes cannot produce the complexity or the information necessary to build the complexity to make a living organism.

Remember, Darwin presupposed the existence of the first living cell. The problem is that there is a major discontinuity between chemical processes that we observe & what we see an actual living organisms. There is a complexity gap that is absolutely extraordinary. We have tiny miniature machines, we have DNA with digital code in it, & a complex living proceeding system that even the simplest living cell on earth.

Lettuce look then to the series of discontinuities in the fossil record as we find greater & greater complexity over time. One of the big ones was one that bothered Darwin himself, as you well know.. The Cambrian Explosion- the origin of the first major group of animals in the fossil record. There are tested in the Middle Cambrian in particular & many groups of animals exemplifying completely new body plans that arise in a very rear window of geological time, very abruptly without discernible connection to ancestral precursors in the lower pre Cambrian strata. That is a huge discontinuity in the history of life.

There are many other discontinuities, the mammalian radiation, the origin of flowering plants, the first winged insect, the first dinosaurs, in fact most of the first groups of living forms on earth arise discontinuously.. kind of a big deal. Especially knowing that you need information to build those complex forms of life.

It's funny, the evolutionist view of theory of probability, as in could there have been an existence of a strand of DNA come about by chance that given enough time. It does not work. When it comes to the information string in the DNA the contention is that given enough time, if one runs the experiment enough times, eventually you will end up with an evolution combined with natural selection it preserves mutations that are good & you will end up with something that looks designed even though it is not designed. Mutations over time being preserved by natural selection is enough.. this DOES NOT WORK.

plato and descartes both believed in reality not being what it seems. that our perceptions are projections and/or have outside influence. this is rudimentary simulation theory

Of course



But what I'm saying is how did you come up with that? Who is the scholar who narrated what you said and their isnad? Name just one chain to make it easy. Which tafseer says this?

I'm checking this later out for now my friend

That's what Christians believe, except we believe in a personal God who created the simulation and came into the simulation at one point and sacrificed Himself for OUR transgressions.

I am not even arguing against reality being an intersection of various forces like a simulation. That's just a different way of describing creation.

If this is a simulation, whose simulation is it?

why does it have to belong to a "who"? but if it were a "who" why couldn't it be a slightly more real version of you in a reality one step above ours?

black mirror tackled this by the way

He can answer for himself, but since him and I have such similar views I’ll add my two cents. We are not all God, but God is inside all of us an experiencing the world through us. To piggyback off of his ocean analogy(and one I’ve used before) all of the water on this earth is part of the same source. It can evaporate, condense, fall, freeze, and take on other forms…but it always returns to the ocean(God).


So our individual bodies are like drops of rain, but we all came from the same Source and all return to the same Source(God). This aligns with the experiences of people who die and experience God. But at the same time God wants us to love and help each other.


Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So while in the end, we all ultimately get to the same place, it is clear there are optimal paths…and love of God and love of neighbors make the world better.

God cannot be all loving and all powerful at the same time cause then would be no pain disease death etc

Bro, I know you're smart and your brain is working now. Go research the dharma specifically hinduism, shaivism, taoism, kabbalah, and you'll see this is what they teach. Exactly what you wrote and they go a step further and say man IS god, but so is a cow and a rock and so forth - hence why they worship cows, rocks, and most importantly spirits (fallen angels).

Christians believe man was made in the IMAGE of God. So no other person is above you, although we are all made in the creator's image. God is well God. He created everything out of nothing. Some say He created the universe out of the energies that he created.

It is important to not that Christians don't believe that creation is made OF God, but of His energies - this is an important distinction that separates Christianity (God is God/monotheism) from idolatry (Everything is God/pantheism/panentheism).

God cannot be all loving and all powerful at the same time cause then would be no pain disease death etc

I’m starting to have Scientology/buddhism take on this as every being is on the same level and not one more powerful than the other

I can list multiple citations from the Quran

And believe in that I have sent down, confirming that which IS with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And sell not My signs for a little price; and fear you Me. S. 2:41

https://quran.com/en/al-baqarah/41

It was one of Mohammed’s (false prophet) arguments as to why the Jews should accept his revelation..because it affirmed their Scriptures..


“ And when there came to them a Book from Allah verifying that which they have, and aforetime they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieve, but when there came to them (Prophet) that which they did not recognize, they disbelieved in him; so Allah's curse is on the unbelievers. S. 2:89 Shakir

And when they were told, 'Believe in that God has sent down,' they said, 'We believe in what was sent down on us'; and they disbelieve in what is beyond that, yet it is the truth confirming what IS with them. Say: 'Why then were you slaying the Prophets of God in former time, if you were believers?' S. 2:91

Say: Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel – for surely he revealed it to your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which IS before it and guidance and good news for the believers. S. 2:97 Shakir

And when there came to them an Apostle from Allah verifying that which they have, a party of those who were given the Book threw the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing. S. 2:101 Shakir

if you booted up your computer and copied your brain into it digitally, gave it a replica body, and put it in different scenarios to see what would be a better choice for you in some situation then that fake person believes it is real, has all of your thoughts, feelings, knowledge, etc. it believes it is alive and on forum.bodybuilding.com.

i'm just an NPC, replying to you

that version of you is now saying "who owns the simulation then?" "if there is a simulation, the creator of it must be god, god put me here"

then the power goes out. their universe is gone

if you booted up your computer and copied your brain into it digitally, gave it a replica body, and put it in different scenarios to see what would be a better choice for you in some situation then that fake person believes it is real, has all of your thoughts, feelings, knowledge, etc. it believes it is alive and on forum.bodybuilding.com.

i'm just an NPC, replying to you

that version of you is now saying "who owns the simulation then?" "if there is a simulation, the creator of it must be god, god put me here"

then the power goes out. their universe is gone