Civil Discussion About Religion

Say...are you related to the famous Jay Sarno? The one who created Ceasar's Palace and other hotels on the strip?

Not that I know of.

Nothing "started it all". There has always been a reality, always been "something" in it. Meaning that the universe has existed, in some form or another whether it is recognizable to us or not. On our level we see cause and effect and that seems like it applies to everything, but that is incorrect. On the quantum level the whole concept of causality breaks down.

There was a comment I made many posts ago that pointed out that people seem to be self destructive.
Why would you choose a path (not believing) that has absolutely no chance (that's 0%) of having a positive affect after death? But by normal stats, it's 50/50 that there is a God, so if you believe, you have at least a 50% shot of being right. And if you're wrong, it's no big deal, you're worm food anyway. SO please inform me why any logical person would risk his own life a chance? If someone said to you, "you have to choose a door, and if you choose the door on the left, you will receive certain death, but the death could be painful or painless (painful would be symbolized by hell, and painless would be worm food), or you can choose the door on the right and you will receive an afterlife full of happiness or completely painless death."
Which door would you choose?

Why do you insult my profession? This is not a place to insult with personal attacks and not the first time you made a comment of such.

This was not a personal attack. This was merely to say that winning millions per day at the high roller tables would seem to be a lot better than managing a Chili's. It would be a lot better than my job as well. It would be better than anyone's job.

And after my constantly asking you why you don't go to Vegas and play the high roller tables, you still have not answered me why you don't do it. It's simple logic: as quoted by you: "my simplest form of betting ALWAYS works." Therefore you can't lose in Vegas. Therefore there is no downside. So why don't you go there, start winning on the small tables, move over to the high roller tables when you have enough money, and become a millionaire? I mean there's no reason you can't start betting $100 a roll after being there for a couple days. And after a few more days, $1000 a roll. If you can answer why you are ignoring this foolproof opportunity to make millions of dollars, then you will have me convinced.

Why would you choose a path (not believing) that has absolutely no chance (that's 0%) of having a positive affect after death?

This is exactly what I don't like about religion. Some people choose their beliefs based on risk. Ugh.

The ONLY reason I EVER considered a God was because of my own guilt. I couldn't care less about my life after death -- that is NOT why I care about God.

Straight up, Ghetto. Choosing to be a christian just to have an assurance that you'll enjoy a good afterlife is a hypocritical perspective. You should live your life as a christian would because that in itself is the right thing to do not because of some reward system.

A question I ask myself from time to time is "If I knew that there was no afterlife, would I continue being a decent person who tries to be selfless, generous and helpful?" I'm pleased to know that I would. The "good" is within me and is my choice to act on.

Straight up, Ghetto. Choosing to be a christian just to have an assurance that you'll enjoy a good afterlife is a hypocritical perspective. You should live your life as a christian would because that in itself is the right thing to do not because of some reward system.

A question I ask myself from time to time is "If I knew that there was no afterlife, would I continue being a decent person who tries to be selfless, generous and helpful?" I'm pleased to know that I would. The "good" is within me and is my choice to act on.

But that's how the believers have to sell it. If there was no "reward" in the afterlife, what could they possibly do to convince people to believe?

It's the very oldest trick in the book - selling fear. And what has been Mankind's biggest fear since we've had the capability to think?

That's right -- 'what happens when we die?'

Some very clever-minded, entreprenurial person came up with the grandest reward for following some simple rules (along with some money, of course :D) -- and oh, by the way ... if you don't, you'll burn in hell!

I think it was Voltaire who said, "The first priest was the first rogue, who encountered the first fool."

The "good" is within me and is my choice to act on.

Yes. To me, God doesn't exist because he inspired some people to write things, or because of any prophets, or because of any religion. All of those things just seem to distract from the REAL: God. The greatest evidence of God is our inner conscience. I believe that "good" inside you IS God. That "good" inside you, is inside me also -- and it's the same. It's not like there's a God for every person. IMO, we all share the same God, and he lives in all of us.

This was not a personal attack. This was merely to say that winning millions per day at the high roller tables would seem to be a lot better than managing a Chili's. It would be a lot better than my job as well. It would be better than anyone's job.

And after my constantly asking you why you don't go to Vegas and play the high roller tables, you still have not answered me why you don't do it. It's simple logic: as quoted by you: "my simplest form of betting ALWAYS works." Therefore you can't lose in Vegas. Therefore there is no downside. So why don't you go there, start winning on the small tables, move over to the high roller tables when you have enough money, and become a millionaire? I mean there's no reason you can't start betting $100 a roll after being there for a couple days. And after a few more days, $1000 a roll. If you can answer why you are ignoring this foolproof opportunity to make millions of dollars, then you will have me convinced.

You would have to play at a high roller table. There is a limit on a lot of tables. So unless you're a high roller, you can't just wager an infinite amount of money every time. That's why you have to start with $5.

ps- I already explained why I wouldn't go to Vegas, you're just not recalling. Scroll back, it's there.

Straight up, Ghetto. Choosing to be a christian just to have an assurance that you'll enjoy a good afterlife is a hypocritical perspective. You should live your life as a christian would because that in itself is the right thing to do not because of some reward system.

A question I ask myself from time to time is "If I knew that there was no afterlife, would I continue being a decent person who tries to be selfless, generous and helpful?" I'm pleased to know that I would. The "good" is within me and is my choice to act on.

No one is saying the only reason you should be a christian is to have an afterlife.
I merely asked the question why you would choose a path that can't possibly help you, only harm you. Seems a little "dee, de, deeee" to me. :lol:

But that's how the believers have to sell it. If there was no "reward" in the afterlife, what could they possibly do to convince people to believe?


What, peace and civility as well as love for Man is not good enough? You feel Christians need to "sell it".
Trust me when I say, there is nothing to sell. You either believe or you don't. You will always make excuses not to believe, and not a single one to believe. That's your choice. Enjoy.