God Polls: Register Your Opinion on God, Theism, and Related Issues
Does God exist? Does God even matter? Theists certainly think so on both accounts, but is theism so irrational that should simply discount such beliefs? There's a lot of different opinions on gods, theism, theists, and related matters - what do you think?
Should We Believe People Today Who Claim God Commands Them to Kill?
It seems to happen regularly that someone is accused of murder or attempted murder and they insist that God told them to act. No one believes them, but many people believe similar stories recounted in the Bible. Is this a contradiction? If people believe what the Bible says, shouldn't they at least give the benefit of the doubt to such people today?
It seems to happen regularly that someone is accused of murder or attempted murder and they insist that God told them to act. No one believes them, but many people believe similar stories recounted in the Bible. Is this a contradiction? If people believe what the Bible says, shouldn't they at least give the benefit of the doubt to such people today?
Who Wrote the Gospels?
Who wrote the gospels of the New Testament? It's common for believers to act as though they were written by the disciples whose names appear at the top. To call such a state of affairs 'implausible' would be an understatement, however. The gospels were not written by illiterate fishermen from Galilee, nor were they written to be objective, historical accounts of events that really happened.
Who wrote the gospels of the New Testament? It's common for believers to act as though they were written by the disciples whose names appear at the top. To call such a state of affairs 'implausible' would be an understatement, however. The gospels were not written by illiterate fishermen from Galilee, nor were they written to be objective, historical accounts of events that really happened.
Is it Right for God to Punish the Nation for the Sins of a Few?
It's common for leaders of the Christian Right to claim that disasters which hit the United States are examples of God punishing America for various sins like abortion and homosexuality. Both Pat Robertson and James Dobson have done this; even some more liberal politicians have said similar things.
It's common for leaders of the Christian Right to claim that disasters which hit the United States are examples of God punishing America for various sins like abortion and homosexuality. Both Pat Robertson and James Dobson have done this; even some more liberal politicians have said similar things.
Did Mary Ever Spank Jesus?
There are certain things which people probably aren't supposed to ask about Jesus' life growing up; one of the most interesting may be whether Mary ever spanked Jesus. I don't know what the social conventions among Jews of the time were, but corporal punishment was probably expected. Did Jesus ever do anything that merited punishment? Did Mary ever punish Jesus?
There are certain things which people probably aren't supposed to ask about Jesus' life growing up; one of the most interesting may be whether Mary ever spanked Jesus. I don't know what the social conventions among Jews of the time were, but corporal punishment was probably expected. Did Jesus ever do anything that merited punishment? Did Mary ever punish Jesus?
Are Christian Right Leaders Anti-American?
Some conservatives, especially religious conservatives, complain that liberals are anti-American. Often they claim that liberals like or want to see Americans lose when it comes to things like the war in like Iraq. At the same time, religious conservatives who exhibit glee when God "punishes" America for the sins of a few are not labeled anti-American. Why?
Some conservatives, especially religious conservatives, complain that liberals are anti-American. Often they claim that liberals like or want to see Americans lose when it comes to things like the war in like Iraq. At the same time, religious conservatives who exhibit glee when God "punishes" America for the sins of a few are not labeled anti-American. Why?
Does it Matter if God Exists?
Theists tend to regard the question of their god's existence as being supremely important - but atheists don't necessarily share that premise. Just because a god exists doesn't automatically mean that we should care, does it? Perhaps that depends upon what sort of god we are talking about.
Theists tend to regard the question of their god's existence as being supremely important - but atheists don't necessarily share that premise. Just because a god exists doesn't automatically mean that we should care, does it? Perhaps that depends upon what sort of god we are talking about.
Should Nontheistic Groups Get Religious Tax Exemptions?
Some people believe that the only way a group can be 'religious' is if they believe in some sort of god - thus, nontheistic groups should be denied the same tax-exempt status given to traditional religious groups. Is this position justified?
Some people believe that the only way a group can be 'religious' is if they believe in some sort of god - thus, nontheistic groups should be denied the same tax-exempt status given to traditional religious groups. Is this position justified?
What are the Requirements for Religion?
There are a lot of different ways to define religion. Some insist that without a belief in some god, a belief system cannot be a religion. Others argue that religions are defined by having beliefs in things like sacred spaces and scriptures. What elements do you think are required to have a religion?
There are a lot of different ways to define religion. Some insist that without a belief in some god, a belief system cannot be a religion. Others argue that religions are defined by having beliefs in things like sacred spaces and scriptures. What elements do you think are required to have a religion?
Taking Pascal's Wager - What Would You Bet On?
Many Christians offer "Pascal's Wager" as a reason to believe in their god. According to this argument, it's safer to "bet" that their god exists than to live as if it didn't exist. If you accepted that you had to "bet" on some god or religion, what would you bet on?
Many Christians offer "Pascal's Wager" as a reason to believe in their god. According to this argument, it's safer to "bet" that their god exists than to live as if it didn't exist. If you accepted that you had to "bet" on some god or religion, what would you bet on?
Does the Existence of Evil Disprove God?
One of the strongest and most popular arguments against the existence of God is the 'argument from evil.' According to this argument, the traditional God people believe in can't exist in a world with so much evil - either God would do something, or God can't be very good. Do you agree?
One of the strongest and most popular arguments against the existence of God is the 'argument from evil.' According to this argument, the traditional God people believe in can't exist in a world with so much evil - either God would do something, or God can't be very good. Do you agree?