Tangent to the Randy Pausch thread

[Mike Pulcinella]

If I may add the link below....

"The Purpose Driven Life" this is great, please see the viedo link below, about life and how we are indidually important to God our saviour; this book focuses on "why am I here"

Chip

I didn't want to ruin the positive video of my original thread. So I started this one. It is sure to be locked very quickly but I felt this needed to be said.

In response to Chip (and others):

With all due respect bro, I love and support you and your beliefs, but Randy Pausch never mentions God (that I can recall) so why bring it up? I am agnostic. The positive life-affirming message that Randy delivers in his talk is just as powerful and useful whether or not one believes in God.

Please let's not all go ballistic here but people always start mentioning God whenever a positive and emotional thread like that one gets started and it irks those of us who feel like no one really knows the answers.

I just thought that the agnostics should be represented as well.

 

[mrsoul]

mike,
i really respect you for having such strong convictions. i am curious why someone mentioning God would erk you. your beliefs have no bearing on mine and in no way offend me. but it aseems like atheists or agnostics which you claim to be are easily offende when someone professes their belief in God. please define what you mean by agnostic, because i am always curious what one means by that. i am aware of the definition of the word but it seems to mean different things to people who claim to be. please, i am not trying to argue or debate, i have all the respect in the world for you bro, just curious.

 

[Chipper Jones78]

I didn't want to ruin the positive video of my original thread. So I started this one. It is sure to be locked very quickly but I felt this needed to be said.

In response to Chip (and others):

With all due respect bro, I love and support you and your beliefs, but Randy Pausch never mentions God (that I can recall) so why bring it up? I am agnostic. The positive life-affirming message that Randy delivers in his talk is just as powerful and useful whether or not one believes in God.

Please let's not all go ballistic here but people always start mentioning God whenever a positive and emotional thread like that one gets started and it irks those of us who feel like no one really knows the answers.

I just thought that the agnostics should be represented as well.

Thanks Mike, no disrespect taken on my end. Thank you for this post.

I too dont want to make this a Rany vs God thing; to be more blunt on "why" I had included this link is that I feel as though it is a positive re-inforcement of "why" are we here, "why" did God put me here, "what" is my purpose.

I feel Randy is summig up his life and passing his knowledge, on why life is important. You see, when you or I pass on a leture on the facts of life and why is life worth living, it will go through one;s persons ear and through another, however, when you have someone who is unfortuanltey dieing, we listen to this person because "they are dieing" and he absorb every last word and knowledge this man has to say.

What I am reffering to here is more or less, why cant we listent o the word of God on our own terms and on our own beliefs of course (as one religion is not better then another) instead of listening and aquire knowledge to someone who is dieing? Both if these should be on the same rictor scale.

Hope I am making sense hrere?

Chip

 

[LocalGod]

I couldn't agree more Mike. This guy is this strong because he had great parents and a good family, not because he believed in some "god" or some religion. If I believed there was some great afterlife awaiting me, I would feel like I was wasting time here in this life. I'm pritty sure when I take the dirt nap, thats it, and I only intend on doin things that are gonna lead me to be as happy as I can untill that day comes, be it tommorow or in 80 years (my idea of fun makes this very unlikely).

I'm not tryn to make a point or anything, just lettin Mike know he's not the only one out there who would like to hear about a great man's acheivement without someone bringing their religion into it. We are all capable of being truely Great, happy people if we believe in ourselves reguardless of wether we believe in any god or not.

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

That's cool. I am always up for a good level headed discussion about this topic because I am fascinated by human nature and one of the most fascinating to me is the belief in God.

By agnostic I mean that I accept that there may or may not be a God. I just don't know. And neither does anyone else, no matter how deeply held their convictions on the subject.

So as an agnostic, the existence or non-existence of a creator makes no difference in how I live my life. "Treat everyone as you would be treated", is what I try to do every day and I don't need threat of punishment or promise of reward in order to see that it is the best thing to do to make life on earth the best it can be.

So why does it irk me when a positive message like the one in the lecture is taken over with God-talk? Because that wasn’t the point of the thing and here we go again with what I consider to be "fairy stories" obfuscating a powerful message. Just once I would like to read a thread like this without that "nonsense" being brought into it.

Sorry if I offend, I had to word it that strongly not to insult anyone but merely to explain how I feel about it.

 

[mrsoul]

I couldn't agree more Mike. This guy is this strong because he had great parents and a good family, not because he believed in some "god" or some religion. If I believed there was some great afterlife awaiting me, I would feel like I was wasting time here in this life. I'm pritty sure when I take the dirt nap, thats it, and I only intend on doin things that are gonna lead me to be as happy as I can untill that day comes, be it tommorow or in 80 years (my idea of fun makes this very unlikely).

I'm not tryn to make a point or anything, just lettin Mike know he's not the only one out there who would like to hear about a great man's acheivement without someone bringing their religion into it. We are all capable of being truely Great, happy people if we believe in ourselves reguardless of wether we believe in any god or not.

great, fantastic, have at it if that is how you choose to live your life. but what about the guy who believes strongly in God? why does he offend you? if you believe so strongly in what you say, which means you believe in nothing, no offense, why does it bother you that others believe and profess their belief in God? can't we disagree without beeing disagreeable? if you posted on here that you believed in buddah i would really care less and would not be offended at all. it seems that those who have no belief in God are always upset by those who do and i am just curious why?

 

[LocalGod]

Exactly

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

Thanks Mike, no disrespect taken on my end. Thank you for this post.

I too dont want to make this a Rany vs God thing; to be more blunt on "why" I had included this link is that I feel as though it is a positive re-inforcement of "why" are we here, "why" did God put me here, "what" is my purpose.

I feel Randy is summig up his life and passing his knowledge, on why life is important. You see, when you or I pass on a leture on the facts of life and why is life worth living, it will go through one;s persons ear and through another, however, when you have someone who is unfortuanltey dieing, we listen to this person because "they are dieing" and he absorb every last word and knowledge this man has to say.

What I am reffering to here is more or less, why cant we listent o the word of God on our own terms and on our own beliefs of course (as one religion is not better then another) instead of listening and aquire knowledge to someone who is dieing? Both if these should be on the same rictor scale.

Hope I am making sense hrere?

Chip

Thanks for being cool about this and yes, you are making much sense.

I suppose the problem I have with "the word of God" is that most of the time it really seems to be the word of man. We don't know how much actually came from God and how much was invented for man's purposes and so I choose to reject all such writings as inherently flawed.

However, I feel that it is very probable that you and I would get along very well were we to meet face to face because you seem to be the kind of person that lives his life by the BEST that religion has to teach us.. and so do I, even though I belong to none.

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

if you believe so strongly in what you say, which means you believe in nothing, n

That's a common misunderstanding. Agnostics do believe in many things, but they are mostly concrete.

I especially believe that how we live our lives affects those around us and creates either a better or worse world. So we are on the same team with regard to that, right?

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

I'm taking bets on how long till this thread gets locked!! LOL!

 

[mrsoul]

That's cool. I am always up for a good level headed discussion about this topic because I am fascinated by human nature and one of the most fascinating to me is the belief in God.

By agnostic I mean that I accept that there may or may not be a God. I just don't know. And neither does anyone else, no matter how deeply held their convictions on the subject.

So as an agnostic, the existence or non-existence of a creator makes no difference in how I live my life. "Treat everyone as you would be treated", is what I try to do every day and I don't need threat of punishment or promise of reward in order to see that it is the best thing to do to make life on earth the best it can be.

So why does it irk me when a positive message like the one in the lecture is taken over with God-talk? Because that wasn’t the point of the thing and here we go again with what I consider to be "fairy stories" obfuscating a powerful message. Just once I would like to read a thread like this without that "nonsense" being brought into it.

Sorry if I offend, I had to word it that strongly not to insult anyone but merely to explain how I feel about it.

not offended at all bro, but how can you claim that no one else knows either? awfull bold of you is'nt it to profess to know the knowledge or lack there of of every living human? i know exactly what my beliefs are and they are not theories to me at all, they are indeed facts. just like you believe in 6 foods that work, you do not speculate on this, you believe it right? well i believe in God. i do not speculate that there might be one, i a truely convinced there is one. now that being said, my main question was why my belief would be offensive to anyone? i am not knocking on doors passing out literature, i am a christian and try to live my life like one, i am also a sinner and fail at this goal daily so as not to be mis understood.

 

[Dr.S]

That's cool. I am always up for a good level headed discussion about this topic because I am fascinated by human nature and one of the most fascinating to me is the belief in God.

By agnostic I mean that I accept that there may or may not be a God. I just don't know. And neither does anyone else, no matter how deeply held their convictions on the subject.

So as an agnostic, the existence or non-existence of a creator makes no difference in how I live my life. "Treat everyone as you would be treated", is what I try to do every day and I don't need threat of punishment or promise of reward in order to see that it is the best thing to do to make life on earth the best it can be.

So why does it irk me when a positive message like the one in the lecture is taken over with God-talk? Because that wasn’t the point of the thing and here we go again with what I consider to be "fairy stories" obfuscating a powerful message. Just once I would like to read a thread like this without that "nonsense" being brought into it.

Sorry if I offend, I had to word it that strongly not to insult anyone but merely to explain how I feel about it.

Mike-- that seems almost exactly what I would type You're right, no one knows if a god exists. I find is funny that with so many religions, everyone thinks "their" religion is the right one Instead of just trying to live life and realize there is no "great plan", many folks use god/s as a crutch----which is fine as long as I don't have to hear about it....like you said, the original message had nothing to do with "god"

 

[mrsoul]

That's a common misunderstanding. Agnostics do believe in many things, but they are mostly concrete.

I especially believe that how we live our lives affects those around us and creates either a better or worse world. So we are on the same team with regard to that, right?

absolutely, we share some of the same priciples.

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

i know exactly what my beliefs are and they are not theories to me at all, they are indeed facts.

Here's where we must differ forever. Beliefs are not facts no matter how sure you feel about them. However, that doesn't mean that your beliefs can't help you to live a better life, which I'm sure they do. So they are useful to you. But not to me.

i am not knocking on doors passing out literature,

But Chip did metaphorically "knock on the door" of my other thread and so therefore I felt a response was in order.

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

absolutely, we share some of the same priciples.

I know we do!

I want to demonstrate to you why I reject the image of God that humans have created. (Notice I do not reject the possible existence of GOD, only the God that man has "invented".)

Please tell me in your own words...does God REQUIRE worship? I'll explain why I asked after your answer.

 

[mrsoul]

Here's where we must differ forever. Beliefs are not facts no matter how sure you feel about them. However, that doesn't mean that your beliefs can't help you to live a better life, which I'm sure they do. So they are useful to you. But not to me.



But Chip did metaphorically "knock on the door" of my other thread and so therefore I felt a response was in order.

both valid arguements. ofcourse as a member of a 12 step program i am in touch with agnostics and atheists a like and it is my belief that every one hass the right to there own opinion. but again i must ask how is this offensive? even if he did knock on the door, do you also get offended when girl scouts knock on your door and try to sell you cookies? my main point again is, so what if we disagree, i believe we share some of the same philosiphies in general, but why is God offensive? if you believe what you say then when someone mentions it i would think you would just consider it nosense.

 

[mrsoul]

I know we do!

I want to demonstrate to you why I reject the image of God that humans have created. (Notice I do not reject the possible existence of GOD, only the God that man has "invented".)

Please tell me in your own words...does God REQUIRE worship? I'll explain why I asked after your answer.

i can give merit to the therory that man has possibly mis represented God at times, however it is also my belief that God insures the truth to come out in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. my beliefs are not always by the book though and i have been called a fence rider for this, but i do not believe that a billiond Buddhista are going to hell for not accepting Christ. i beluieve that worshiping God pleases him, yes and i believe it is an act of humility which is a charecteristic of Christ.

 

[Chipper Jones78]

Here's where we must differ forever. Beliefs are not facts no matter how sure you feel about them. However, that doesn't mean that your beliefs can't help you to live a better life, which I'm sure they do. So they are useful to you. But not to me.



But Chip did metaphorically "knock on the door" of my other thread and so therefore I felt a response was in order.

Hey Mike;

Yes you are correct beliefs are not facts, and the fact is I will probably never see God in person face to face before I die, perhaps after (hopefully).

However, as they say "god works in mysterious ways" I do see God, everyday and I thank God everyday, why? When my family has a Easter dinner together, God is there, how, all the perople who are dearest to me are laughing, drinking and having a great time, that to me is love, I am sure you feel te same way when you family is together? At this time, God is present, spiritually, but not physically.

The point of the matter in the Christian religion, is a word called "faith", I am sure you have heard this time and time again. The only possible way I can answer your question is keep reposding useing the word "faith".

I dont have facts, I dont have concrete info, I dont have a piture of God, but I have faith in God.

Cheers Bro;

On another note, if I may, I am going to send you a PM, if that's cool, not religion question but a workout question I need your advice on something bro.

 

[Mike Pulcinella]

Hey Mike;

Yes you are correct beliefs are not facts, and the fact is I will probably never see God in person face to face before I die, perhaps after (hopefully).

However, as they say "god works in mysterious ways" I do see God, everyday and I thank God everyday, why? When my family has a Easter dinner together, God is there, how, all the perople who are dearest to me are laughing, drinking and having a great time, that to me is love, I am sure you feel te same way when you family is together? At this time, God is present, spiritually, but not physically.

The point of the matter in the Christian religion, is a word called "faith", I am sure you have heard this time and time again. The only possible way I can answer your question is keep reposding useing the word "faith".

I dont have facts, I dont have concrete info, I dont have a piture of God, but I have faith in God.

Cheers Bro;

On another note, if I may, I am going to send you a PM, if that's cool, not religion question but a workout question I need your advice on something bro.

Good post! Yes I do feel the same way. I can't disagree with you!

The guy in the avatar is not me! That's the cover of my documentary about my brother Dave. I'm a 185 lb filmmaker, you don't want workout advice from me! LOL!

Dave has a BB Q&A thread here...

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29432

I have a video Q&A here...

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33247

 

[Chipper Jones78]

Good post! Yes I do feel the same way. I can't disagree with you!

The guy in the avatar is not me! That's the cover of my documentary about my brother Dave. I'm a 185 lb filmmaker, you don't want workout advice from me! LOL!

Dave has a BB Q&A thread here...

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29432

I have a video Q&A here...

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33247

Hey Mike;

No pun intended, I confused you with your bro for a split sec, not that you could get give me advice !!

Yes, I got a ? I need to ask him in his thread.

Anyhow, cheers bro!