Archive for category questions

Why Do We Exist?

Aug 10

Posted by Godless Girl in god, questions, religion, skepticism and freethought, surveys and lists, videos | 8 Comments

I am sure we’ve all been asked this question or wondered ourselves. But have you ever heard the answers given by Buddhists? Scientists? Mormons? Taoists? Roger Nygard, director of Trekkies and Trekkies 2, took his curiosity and sense of humor on the road and asked this important question to hundreds of people. His new film The Nature of Existence tells the tale:

About the film:

I wrote the toughest 85 questions I could think of, about our purpose and the nature of existence, and then asked hundreds of people all over the globe, such as: Indian holy man Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (The Art of Living), evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), 24th generation Chinese Taoist Master Zhang Chengda, Stanford physicist Leonard Susskind (co-discoverer of string theory), wrestler Rob Adonis (founder of Ultimate Christian Wrestling), confrontational evangelist Brother Jed Smock, novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), director Irvin Kershner (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back), Stonehenge Druids Rollo Maughfling & King Arthur Pendragon and many more… How would YOU answer?

I decided to take a look at these 85 questions, and I think we should all try them on for size. Here’s a taste:

Why do we exist?
What is the best thing about existing?
What is our purpose?
Should religions be challenged?
Is skepticism a good thing?
Which religion is right?
Do we have a need to believe in something?
What is spirituality?
Is there a God?
What does God need from us?
Who is/are the Messiah(s)?
How do we determine truth?
Where does morality, or our “conscience,” comes from?
Does God want to test us? Why?
What determines sexual orientation?
Why is God interested in our sexual behavior?
Do we have free will?
Is everything predetermined?
What is best path to happiness?
Does meditation work?
Why do we need an afterlife?
When does life begin?
What is the greatest danger facing man’s existence?

I love them all, and I think I’d like to take some time to write out my own answers in the future. What do you think of The Nature of Existence? If there’s a screening near you, will you see it?

How would you answer the questions?

Tags: faith, film, meaning of life, movies, questions, spirituality, survey

Promises, Promises

Jun 19

Posted by Godless Girl in christianity, personal, questions, relationships, the bible | 10 Comments

Photo by discoodoni

I feel uncomfortable when it comes to making promises. Saying something like “I can absolutely do that for you.” or “I’ll send that to you ASAP” makes me wary. Why? Because I know myself.

I’m not completely trustworthy, especially when it comes to getting things done. I don’t want to promise anything until I know that I will actually do it and do it on time. Breaking a promise means losing someone’s trust. It also means that I was dishonest (even if unintentionally).

Bigger promises lke “I will always love you” and “I swear I will never ____ again” are obvious trouble-makers. But so many of us say them without worrying if we’ll later break those vows later on. But what if we didn’t promise anything? What would that be like, and would out loved ones have the same confidence and security with us? How would a wedding vow that says “I will try my best to love you for as long as we are compatible” sound?

Lying and promise-breaking also bothered me as a Christian believer. In high school I meditated on the themes of speech, lying, and the power of the tongue. Pardon me for a minute, because I’m about to give you all a little bible study:

Matthew 12:36-37 [show] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (ESV)
Proverbs 18:21 [show] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 19:5 [show] A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
James 1:26 [show] If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (ESV)

Yeah, yeah… fiery depths of hell for all liars, blah blah. We got it. But wait. Behind all the “die evildoers” text, I think these verses contain lessons about our speech that people of all religions and non-belief can live by:

Live with integrity; be trustworthy
Words have consequences
Think before you speak

Do you make promises of love and commitment when you know you might not keep them? Do you make promises in general?

Tags: bible study, ethics, love, morality, weddings

Would You Go Back to Faith?

Jun 15

Posted by Godless Girl in christianity, god, personal, questions, religion | 23 Comments

Photo by UGArdener

I’m a member of the community site ThinkAtheist, and one active forum discussion was sparked by question to atheists who “used to be deeply religious or who used to really have faith, especially those of view who have de-converted recently.” I will post my response below, but I’d like to hear your reactions as well.

Question: [W]hat chance do you give to the possibility of reconverting or going back to the religion you left? My [non-believing] friend maintained that many people for whom religion was a fundamental part of their life will eventually go back to their old faith, and possibly in a big way.

I think that of course, it will depend on the person, and how convinced they were when they became atheists in the first place; also, I think people who have had very bad experiences with their religion, and have finally escaped, will never go back to it.

Would I go back?

Since I left faith because of an intellectual search instead of an emotional reaction or difficult experience (such as Christians being mean to me, being angry at god because of a death in the family, etc.), I don’t think it’s likely that I will ever return to being a Christian like I was before. I was sincerely passionate in my belief and I studied a lot, read much, and loved being a Jesus-follower.

But since I don’t see any evidence for a deity, do not believe there is a higher power, and above all I absolutely reject the deity portrayed in the Christian bible, I don’t see why I’d return to being religious. I don’t think any man-made religion would satisfy me or make sense.

Plus, atheism is freeing! There’s nothing wrong with it. Nothing is lacking. Why would I switch back to something so ridiculous and make-believe?

Would you go back? Let us know in the comments.

Tags: belief, faith, godless blogs, ThinkAtheist

New Poll: Do you think Jesus ever existed?

May 21

Posted by Godless Girl in Jesus, christianity, history, questions, the bible | 14 Comments

photo by Photo Giddy

Did a man ever exist whose name was Yeshua son of Yosef and Miriam, whose professions were carpenter/stoneworker and rabbi, and who was put to death by crucifixion? Was he the messiah? Was he made up by his followers? Was he just a normal bloke who taught unconventional ideas who ended up on the wrong side of the law?

What do you think? I’ve embedded the poll here and in the sidebar. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Soooo correction two days late (sorry, I’ve been busy with a wedding): The embedded poll was shit, so let’s just vote in the sidebar Hopefully that still works. Thanks!