"THERE'S NO GOD" slogans on British buses

[fccool]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7681914.stm

[Amelia]

Since when does believing in God cause worry and unhappiness?

[John317]

This is extremely interesting. It seems like the world is being divided more and more into two camps, those who are drawing closer to God and those who are going further away from God.

Think of this happening at the same time that the Three Angels Messages are going to the world: "Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of His judgement is come. Worship Him who made the heavens and the earth and the sea..." (quoting the fourth commandment).

Compare that with the following:

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children."

[fccool]

Since when does believing in God cause worry and unhappiness?

It does, if you are not on God's side.

[Taylor]

This is extremely interesting. It seems like the world is being divided more and more into two camps, those who are drawing closer to God and those who are going further away from God.

Think of this happening at the same time that the Three Angels Messages are going to the world: "Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of His judgement is come. Worship Him who made the heavens and the earth and the sea..." (quoting the fourth commandment).

Compare that with the following:

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children."

I love it that it says "There probably is no God" At least they didn't say "There definately is not God" So it raises questions about whether God might exist...in all actuality. But I find it offensive that it is "brainwashing kids" to teach them about God. Wow...So sad.

[Amelia]

But it doesn't make sense from an atheist point of view. If one doesn't believe in the exisitance of a god or gods, why would one worry about anything relating to it or them?

[Liz]

We just got finished watching the movie/documentary "Expelled" with Ben Stein. Anyways, in it Dawkins said that once he stopped believing in God that it was a freeing experience. So that is probably what he means, that once one stops believing then one is free from worry. While listening to him in the movie, I thought he was a very scary man; in that he really believed the things that he was saying.

[John317]

Originally Posted By: John317

This is extremely interesting. It seems like the world is being divided more and more into two camps, those who are drawing closer to God and those who are going further away from God.

Think of this happening at the same time that the Three Angels Messages are going to the world: "Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of His judgement is come. Worship Him who made the heavens and the earth and the sea..." (quoting the fourth commandment).

Compare that with the following:

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children."

I love it that it says "There probably is no God" At least they didn't say "There definately is not God" So it raises questions about whether God might exist...in all actuality. But I find it offensive that it is "brainwashing kids" to teach them about God. Wow...So sad.

OK, but for a lot of people that is the same as saying there's no God. It's just a heart beat away from it.

And if there is no God, there are no moral laws, and neither is there a judgment. That means that anything is permitted and that government determines what is right and wrong. Right no longer comes from God, and neither does truth. Truth becomes whatever the government decides is truth, and that is whatever best serves the interest of the state.

[Taylor]

Ya scary thought eh?

[John317]

Yes, it really is, because up to now, people have been still more or less generally under the influence of Christian ideals. But the Holy Spirit is being withdrawn from those who have made up their minds they don't want God, and the more this happens, the more evil people will be toward each other.

We're just beginning to see the effects of this, but it may not be long before we will see much more of its results. Ellen White speaks of conditions all over the world worse than it was outside of Jerusalem during the destruction of the city in 70 AD.

There were over 1,000,000 Jews killed and the hills were filled with the cries of the crucified and dying. This is what people will do to each other before Christ returns.

When we see and hear of the terrible things some people are doing to each other, I think we may see some of the signs of the withdrawal of the Spirit even now.

[rush4hire]

Everyone who boldly says: "There is no God." can enjoy all the fame and notoriety the deluded masses might give them, while it lasts, because they will be feeling indescribably embarrassed on that day when they shall meet their Maker.

[color:#BF0000]Psalms 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. (Also Psalms 53:1)

When we see and hear of the terrible things some people are doing to each other, I think we may see some of the signs of the withdrawal of the Spirit even now.

That's right. Get right with God while you still can. Soon it will be too late.

[BobRyan]

Notice the connection to atheist evolutionism? It is no accident.

http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/10/21/get-off-the-bus-there-is-no-god/

in Christ,

Bob

[John317]

There's also a similarity between, "there's probably no God, so enjoy your life," with the saying, "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die."

But if there is no God, there's no resurrection, and Paul says that if that is the case, there's no hope whatsoever for you after you die.

So how does that lead to real enjoyment of life?

My experience is that people who really believe there's no God like to get drunk so they can forget that there's no God. It doesn't make them truly happy.

[olger]

That there are existentialists in England comes as no suprise, they are throughout the world. God predicted them in the last days and has some good solid counsel for us.

"Be zealous therefore, and repent."

[olger]

But it doesn't make sense from an atheist point of view. If one doesn't believe in the exisitance of a god or gods, why would one worry about anything relating to it or them?

Ron Halverson told me the story of an atheist who spent 3-hours trying to prove that there was no God. Ron replied "You just spent three hours arguing about nothing." Got kind of silent after that...

:)

[Taylor]

Exactly! So why try to prove that something doesn't exists. I think that deep inside they are disquieted with the fear or nagging thought that perhaps God does exist or it wouldn't bother them at all

[Gerr]

Since when does believing in God cause worry and unhappiness?

While working in another town last week, I stayed in a B & B. At breakfast one morning, I was at table with a Baptist couple who were missionaries on furlough. They had served for years in Honduras but are being reassigned to Uruguay. We got into a conversation, and in the process told me that Uruguay is one of the most secular countries on earth. Something like 40% are atheists. But just as amazing is his revelation that much of the people are depressed and on anti-depressant! So I said that even if I had everything I need on this earth but come to the end of life and find that is all there is to it and nothing to look forward to, I'd be depressed too.

Gerry

[Taylor]

No kidding!

[cricket]

So...

Is there nothing in this life that is worth enjoying just for the sake of enjoying it in the here and now?

I find this whole thread rather enlightening as to the thoughts that go on in the minds of some Christians. As for the brainwashing comment--it truly is brainwashing if you can't back it up with solid proof that God does exist. And, for the thinkers among humanity, you'll need more proof than just a book with words in it.

[John317]

So...

Is there nothing in this life that is worth enjoying just for the sake of enjoying it in the here and now?

Christians don't deny that life is worth enjoying for the sake of this moment. He gives enjoyment to all living things, including the animals who are not made in His image.

God gives enjoyment in life-- sometimes referred to as common grace-- even to those who hate him or who are indifferent to Him.

But the question is, is that all-- just a momentary enjoyment which doesn't last? Or does God intend for us to want more and get more?

For the Bible-believing Christian the only real answer to this is found in 1 Cor. 15.

Quote:

I find this whole thread rather enlightening as to the thoughts that go on in the minds of some Christians. As for the brainwashing comment--it truly is brainwashing if you can't back it up with solid proof that God does exist. And, for the thinkers among humanity, you'll need more proof than just a book with words in it.

There is no "proof" that God either does or does not exist.

There is persuasive evidence of God's existence but no proof.

Is the Bible "just a book"?

[Bravus]

I do believe in God, so my comments below are of the 'attempting to understand the world through the eyes of others' kind rather than statements of my own beliefs.

As I understand it the atheists sponsored these ads because of what they see as tne oppressive effects of belief in God, particularly the threat of eternal hellfire. Their point is not to argue whether God exists or not, but to free people from fear, based on their belief that he does not.

As Adventists who don't believe in an eternally burning hell, we should be doing a better job of that ourselves, IMO. Saying 'God promises eternal life for those who choose it, but for those who don't, only the same thing (oblivion) that atheists believe they get anyway' is much more compelling than 'God eternally tortures those who disagree with him'. And it's straight, orthodox Adventist theology.

[John317]

Agree with much that you say here.

Bravus, I nominate you to help write some of the SDA literature for non-Christians and atheists. Seriously, I think you ought to do something along that line.

What would you say to Richard Dawkins if you could talk to him about atheism and evolution?

[Taylor]

So...

Is there nothing in this life that is worth enjoying just for the sake of enjoying it in the here and now?

I find this whole thread rather enlightening as to the thoughts that go on in the minds of some Christians. As for the brainwashing comment--it truly is brainwashing if you can't back it up with solid proof that God does exist. And, for the thinkers among humanity, you'll need more proof than just a book with words in it.

The most solid evidence that God exists is the change he can bring to the human heat, the drunkard that becomes sober and loyal to his family, the angry abuser who learns how to not only controll his "emotions" but learns ot have "freedom' from that anger. It is the teenager who goes from utter rebellion, sloppiness and lazynes to a student who cares about his friends and teachers and becomes infected with learning and becoming a blesing to his world.

There is no way you can "prove" physically that God exists but you can't prove he doesn't exist either. But You CAN see SOOO much evidence of God in the world around you, and in the changed lives. That is the biggest evidence that a loving creator God exists.

[cricket]

Are you saying then, that the evidence you have is not proof enough? If not, why not? Is it because in each of the instances you've provided there is some element of change/control that could be attributed to something other than God (could human nature actually have some good in it, afterall--sans God)?

[Amelia]

Quote:

Their point is not to argue whether God exists or not, but to free people from fear, based on their belief that he does not.

But they are arguing Gods' existance by putting up the ads. By saying God probably doesn't exist is also saying He probably does exist. And how can someone who does not believe in a god or gods feel opressed by ads professing a believe in God? How can anyone feel opression by something that doesn't exist? Am I not seeing the connection?