I'll try to make a brief comment but supporting and denying what Dogg has posted.
The gist of my comment is that much of what Doggg says is true. That a religious life can improve your quality of life, aid in deeper friendships. The 'inspired word of God' can speak to one's heart and soul. And it can give some meaning to some's existence. And many religious organizations do charitable works
That being said, this is not true of just HIS God. Believers of other faiths make the very same claims.
With most religions comes a religious community. Being part of a supportive community that shares a belief system is very positive.
WHETHER OR NOT THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM IS TRUE IS IRRELEVENT. Whether you're Christian, Muslim, Mormon or other... this is true for all. The fact that they all speak to different truths doesn't change the positive parts of the religions existing.
That being said, ALL of these positive traits can and are found outside of religion. It just happens to be one way to find many of these positive things.
As an atheist... what I lack the most is the sense of community. I have a born again brother and I envy the community he has through his church. That being said, I find great satisfaction, love and sense of purpose in the friends and family I have, the job I do and the interests I pursue.
And to me, the great things offered by religion don't cancel out the bad things I see and the fact that to me its so grossly nonsensical and irrational.
In summary... much of what Doggg says is spot on. I only point out that there's nothing unique about his belief system and that other belief systems have the same benefits while making contradictory (and equally faith based) statements.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doggg
What is the reason for the hope that I have?
Obviously, the reasons are manifold. I believe that the gospel-life lived out leads to a better quality of life, and more and deeper friendships and relationships. I have argued this in my thread on Pascal's wager. The idea that the Word of God applied to daily living creates a better quality of life is an idea that cannot be ignored. If the Word is really inspired by God, it should indeed meet this criteria.
I believe that the inspired word of God speaks to man's heart and soul and confirms itself in man. The Bible, to me, is the greatest, most powerful collection of spiritual works ever written. I speak as a creative writing major who has personally studied literature from Kerouac to Frost. Only the Word possesses that certain unction, that incandescent inspiration that draws men's hearts and plants itself in that fertile soil. If there is a way, then the Word is that way. The inspired Word itself I view as an evidence for my hope.
I have hope because I see a universe that has inherent purpose written into it's fabric. I see the secular scientists twist themselves into pretzels in order to make sense of existence. I won't delve too much into this because this debate has been worked to death on this forum. I will just state that I have hope because a universe does not appear out of hopelessness.
I have hope because of the genuine and authentic love I see within the body of Christ. I see them feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, praying for the sick. I know that when I considered myself an atheist, I had a warped caricature of the church and its members. How I wish I could bring all of you on a field trip to a church, so that you can remember, or experience brotherhood and Christian love up close, and see exactly what it is that you buck against. I have this hope because I have seen lives transformed by that love.
I have hope because I believe that Jesus is risen. He has been elevated. The gospel message converts souls and hearts. There is real, substantial authority to it.
Now, I did not want to venture into fulfilled prophecy and miracles and philosophical arguments here. Though those gird my hope as well.
I hope you find my response satisfactory to answer the question.