I have now met a real life creationist.

[atrib]

Praying to an imaginary supernatural creature (Biblegod) that allegedly created the universe and has never bothered to show up in person or demonstrate its existence in any meaningful way is just as stupid as praying to idols. So why do you pray to this imaginary creature when you know it is stupid?

I know he is not imaginary. How? We have communication with him daily.
Would you like to know what he is like?

I'm sure you believe that you communicate with this creature every day. Problem is, you have no way to demonstrate that you are actually doing that instead of simply imagining a voice in your head. So, the question becomes, how do we replicate this alleged communication so we can verify the existence of Biblegod independently.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours? What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

 

[wilson]

Do you really think that Jesus was implying that it is right to fight for any reason at all?

Help your friend out, please.

Do not think that he came to bring peace to the world. He came not to bring peace, but a sword.

What did Jesus mean by that? He was not talking about warfare nor weapons.

Jesus’ ministry brought divisions, even within families:
"For from now on there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”(Lu 12:51-53)
Division resulted because many individuals hardened their hearts against the truths that he taught, while others accepted them.
Because I, on the other hand, tell you the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why is it that you do not believe me?" (John 8: 44-47)
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have both seen me and hated me as well as my Father. 25 But this happened in order to fulfill the word written in their Law: ‘They hated me without cause.’ "(John 15:22-25)

He was adamant in teaching and proclaiming God’s righteous standards and truth.
"But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this." (Joh 8:40)
In his prayer to his Father in heaven Jesus said:
"I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:14)
No - Jesus was talking about the effects that his teaching would have on individuals, families and society. This was unavoidable if the divine principles were to be upheld; but the blame lay with those who rejected what was right.
“. . .The wicked watches the righteous, Seeking to put him to death.” (Psalm 37:32) (Insight)

Also, you might want to ask those moneylenders whom he drove out of the temple with a whip made of cord whether or not he ever thought there was a reason for fighting.

Where does it say he had a fight? Read carefully:
“. . .He found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves, and the money brokers in their seats. So after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he said to those selling the doves: “Take these things away from here! Stop making the house of my Father a house of commerce!”” (John 2:14-16)
The whip was for the animals. He struck no one. Not a man lifted a voice nor a finger against him. No fight.
Besides..........
The Jews kept seeking opportunities to accuse and arrest him.
“. . .There he entered the temple and started to throw out those selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and he would not let anyone carry a utensil through the temple. 17 He was teaching and saying to them: “Is it not written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a cave of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and they began to seek how to kill him; for they were in fear of him, because all the crowd was astounded at his teaching.” (Mark 11:15-18)

Had he struck anyone, it would have been grounds for arrest.

 

[wilson]

I know he is not imaginary. How? We have communication with him daily.
Would you like to know what he is like?

I'm sure you believe that you communicate with this creature every day. Problem is, you have no way to demonstrate that you are actually doing that instead of simply imagining a voice in your head.

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.
“. . .And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; Your hands are filled with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)

So, the question becomes, how do we replicate this alleged communication so we can verify the existence of Biblegod independently.

We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

Those are YOUR words - not mine.

 

[bilby]

I'm sure you believe that you communicate with this creature every day. Problem is, you have no way to demonstrate that you are actually doing that instead of simply imagining a voice in your head.

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.
“. . .And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; Your hands are filled with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)

So, the question becomes, how do we replicate this alleged communication so we can verify the existence of Biblegod independently.

We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

Those are YOUR words - not mine.

So your prayer caused the words in Leviticus 19:18 to be written?

Or were they already there - in which case, you were not getting an answer to your prayer, but rather you were reading an old book.

Effects do not precede causes. Stuff written in a book four centuries ago cannot be an explicit reply to a question asked today. Thousands - maybe millions - of people have claimed that same passage in the Bible as an answer to their (very different) questions; What you are doing is not 'having a conversation with God' - it is 'Reading what you want to see into stuff written in an old book'.

You might as well get the winning lottery numbers from last week's draw out of the Vladivostok telephone directory, and declare that tome to be the word of God.

 

[wilson]

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.
“. . .And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; Your hands are filled with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)

So, the question becomes, how do we replicate this alleged communication so we can verify the existence of Biblegod independently.

We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

Those are YOUR words - not mine.

So your prayer caused the words in Leviticus 19:18 to be written?

Not a wise question.

Or were they already there - in which case, you were not getting an answer to your prayer, but rather you were reading an old book.

The big question is:
Were those words appropriate? Up to the minute? Practical? Good advice? A resounding YES! Think of how many people could have lost their lives because of the things I made.

Effects do not precede causes.

Right! The effect was an act of love and peace. The cause was Jehovah God himself.

Stuff written in a book four centuries ago cannot be an explicit reply to a question asked today.

Then I invite you to name a social problem of today that the Bible does not deal with - ANY problem.

Thousands - maybe millions - of people have claimed that same passage in the Bible as an answer to their (very different) questions; What you are doing is not 'having a conversation with God' - it is 'Reading what you want to see into stuff written in an old book'.

I said nothing about "having a conversation with God." I spoke of communicating with God. Was that good advice? Did I do the right thing?

You might as well get the winning lottery numbers from last week's draw out of the Vladivostok telephone directory, and declare that tome to be the word of God.

Why don't you quit griping and admit that you are dealing with something special?
Name your world's most pressing problem and let's see how God's Word handles it.

 

[bilby]

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.
“. . .And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; Your hands are filled with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)


We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

Those are YOUR words - not mine.

So your prayer caused the words in Leviticus 19:18 to be written?

Not a wise question.

I question your ability to spot wisdom if it smacked you in the nose.

Or were they already there - in which case, you were not getting an answer to your prayer, but rather you were reading an old book.

The big question is:
Were those words appropriate? Up to the minute? Practical? Good advice? A resounding YES! Think of how many people could have lost their lives because of the things I made.

Compared to the number who did anyway? None. The guy who took the job instead of you did all the harm there was potential to do. The world remains full of weapons. You achieved nothing - and the advice you found in an old book did zero to make the world a better place.

Effects do not precede causes.

Right! The effect was an act of love and peace. The cause was Jehovah God himself.

Sure it was. The effect was to give the job to someone else; The cause was you putting far too much credence in an old book.

Stuff written in a book four centuries ago cannot be an explicit reply to a question asked today.

Then I invite you to name a social problem of today that the Bible does not deal with - ANY problem.

'Deal with' as in 'Provide a vaguely relevant sounding quote'; Or 'deal with' as in 'actually prevent from happening'? The former is banal; The latter is clearly not being achieved (by definition).

Thousands - maybe millions - of people have claimed that same passage in the Bible as an answer to their (very different) questions; What you are doing is not 'having a conversation with God' - it is 'Reading what you want to see into stuff written in an old book'.

I said nothing about "having a conversation with God." I spoke of communicating with God. Was that good advice? Did I do the right thing?

"We have communication with him daily. Would you like to know what he is like?" - How can you tell anyone what he is like, if your communication is strictly one way?

You might as well get the winning lottery numbers from last week's draw out of the Vladivostok telephone directory, and declare that tome to be the word of God.

Why don't you quit griping and admit that you are dealing with something special?

Just as soon as you show me something special, I shall do exactly that. But you are not even coming close yet. An old book saying a bunch of stuff some of which is almost relevant if taken out of context is just not special.

Name your world's most pressing problem and let's see how God's Word handles it.

Our world's most pressing problem is climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels. Does the Bible have any advice regarding which designs of Gen IV molten salt small modular reactors are best suited to replace coal power plants?

Can your old book tell us how to cheaply and efficiently store power from intermittent sources such as wind and solar, for use on still nights, in areas unsuited to pumped-storage hydro?

What is the Bible's advice regarding whether we are better off pursuing Thorium based or Uranium based reactor designs?

How does your religion recommend we generate electricity, so as to get the biggest benefits for the least harm?

What does the bible have to say about nuclear power plants?

 

[DrZoidberg]

That is exactly what we expect. Our Leader said:
“ And YOU will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
“. . .Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;. . .” (John 15:20)

From our study of the bible, before we became JWs, we knew that would happen, but we signed up anyway. If that did not happen, we would be wondering what we were doing wrong and why the persecution did not come. Jesus allows it because it results in what the persecutors do not want nor expect.

No, Wilson. Those words refer to something completely different. JW's are not being persecuted because of their beliefs, the Bible or because they are Christian. JW's are persecuted for the same reason Scientologists are. JW is a cult and a scam. It's got nothing to do with anything Jesus said. You're perverting the words of Christ.

When Jesus was murdered, the tiny movement he started with just 12 men has resulted in a worldwide peaceful entity.
You must understand something - we are not afraid of, not try to avoid, this kind of publicity, because we know that it serves to awaken the curiosity of many honest persons. IT PROMOTES GROWTH, to the consternation of many opposers.

JW is rapidly losing members. It's dying. Manipulative cults have a hard time surviving in a post-Internet world. Your leaders are lying to you.

From Sweden:
"Over the years, representatives of different churches have published many books and brochures for the purpose of “exposing” Jehovah’s Witnesses as heretics. These publications have been examined by a researcher, who summarizes his impressions as follows:
“As a researcher in religion, I have over the years more and more found evidence to support my views that those who are quickest in calling another a ‘heretic’ or ‘false prophet’ are themselves most deserving of such a remark. I feel that it is time to blacklist this type of books which, with a Christian cover, gives a false picture of, for example, Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (Religion och Kultur, No.*4, 1976)

Barely anybody has a problem with what JW believes. I don't. I'm sure there's the odd nut out there who thinks JW's greatest crimes are it's "heretical" beliefs. But almost all critique has nothing to do with JW's teachings. If JW would stop being a manipulative and psychologically abusive cult, all the critique would go away.

“While visiting the Vatican recently, Archbishop Kirill of Smolensk [one of Russia’s oldest cities] .*.*. asked the pope for ecumenical aid in coping with the overwhelming growth of Jehovah’s Witnesses and similar groups in the Soviet Union.” (Il Sabato)
"In the first century, leaders of established religion had similar complaints when Christianity was spread aggressively by its adherents. On one occasion indignant Jews complained to the city rulers:
“These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also”! (Acts 17:6)
Back then, religious leaders tried hard to stop the spread of Christianity, but they failed. Today also, any effort to stop the spread of true Christian doctrine is doomed to failure. God himself promises:
“Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn. This is the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me.”Isa. 54:17.(WT92 8/15 p. 32)
THEY WILL FAIL AGAIN!
Russia has tried that before. Remember Stalin?
From Argentina:
“This quite incredible regression into the past is taking place with hardly a word of protest coming from the press or from any other of the country’s representative institutions. None of the political parties, so gleefully willing to denounce the government’s economic policies, has bothered to raise its voice in defense of this small and unloved sect. The Church, despite the Pope’s unequivocal calls for religious tolerance, has remained silent, even though many will take it for granted that the driving force behind the persecution of the Witnesses is conservative Roman Catholicism and the main members of the government like to identify themselves as fervent practicing Catholics. The Church as such, however, appears to have nothing at all to do with this sorry affair. The Witnesses, of course, are not very numerous, not very rich, and not very influential, so there is precious little to be gained from trying to help them. But the wrong that is being inflicted is so evident, and the harm it is doing to the country is so great, that it would have been reasonable to expect some citizens at least to have the decency to speak up on their behalf.

“The government’s objective in treating the Witnesses in this shameful manner is hard for a rational mind to grasp. It cannot seriously expect to convert them. So far not one single Witness has renounced his beliefs as a result of the government’s heavy-handed campaign and, indeed, they are accustomed to outfacing far tougher and far more unpleasant enemies than the present authorities. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, a stiff-necked people if ever there was one, have survived the attentions of the likes of Hitler and Stalin and they will no doubt survive whatever President Videla has in store for them.
Elsewhere they have gone to their deaths singing the praises of the Lord and they will be quite prepared to do the same here should it ever become necessary.
“If the government has no hope of converting them, what then? Perhaps it is seeking to discourage others from joining their ranks. If so it is going the wrong way about it, because the steadfast way in which the Witnesses have stood by their principles, a rare phenomenon these days, can only win them new adherents. It would not be at all surprising if their numbers actually grew as a result of the government’s efforts rather than the reverse......"(James Neilson, Buenos Aires Herald 2 14, 1980)

This was among the most narcissistic deluded drivel I've ever read. Russia has a fascist government. JW's are targeted because it is a cult. Fascist governments are always hard on crime. That is the only reason Russia is persecuting JW's.

Being persecuted is another word for having political enemies.

You are wrong in your opinion. You cannot show me that in any dictionary. Check the definition of "political."

Being an enemy doesn't have to be reciprocal.

That's exactly what I said.
DEFINITION:
Definition of enemy

1:* one that is antagonistic to another; especially :* one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent
2:* something harmful or deadly (alcohol was his greatest enemy)
3a :* a military adversary
b :* a hostile unit or force

#1 describes you - doesn't it?

JW fits #2

So can we both agree on that you are wrong now? There's just no way you can argue yourself out of this one.

JW also has lots of enemies among the general population. JW has hurt a lot of people. There are other ways to abuse people than by physical violence. Psychological abuse is also a form of violence. Of which JW's undoubtedly are guilty of. Are you also going to claim that JW's are innocent of that?

Yes.

ha ha. Well... you're not going to convince anyone by just denying it like a child. How about trying to explain how JW's cult policies aren't psychologically abusive practices?

I'll repeat the question. Why is idolatry bad?

1. It is against the creator and that is bad for believers.
2. It is stupid.
Praying to wood, stones and trees is stupid.
You ask the question, but why are you unable to see that?
Is stupidity good?

But what's the harm? What if it makes somebody happy? Isn't that enough of a reason to keep doing it? If God is as benevolent as you say he is, wouldn't he want humans to keep doing harmless things if it makes them happy?

I think you would have a stroke if you ever entered my home. It's full of religious idols. Both from history as well as from fiction. I don't worship any of them. But I am fascinated by powerful symbols that have had held sway over people throughout history. They make me happy.

 

[DrZoidberg]

And what about this?:

Here Jesus implies that it is right for kingdoms of this world to fight when the cause is just and circumstances require it.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom [k]is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not [l]of this realm.”

Do you really think that Jesus was implying that it is right to fight for any reason at all?

Help your friend out, please.

Ok, so now use ethics and logic to argue why this is relevant. I'm an atheist. I don't care about what Jesus thinks about anything. I understand you do. That's nice. But doesn't help me. I'm assuming you think the words of Jesus are moral? So it shouldn't be any problem for you to tell us why you find them moral?

 

[Keith&Co.]

Read carefully:
“. . .He found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves, and the money brokers in their seats. So after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he said to those selling the doves: “Take these things away from here! Stop making the house of my Father a house of commerce!”” (John 2:14-16)
The whip was for the animals.

I think that's some special (as in short bus) reading of scripture.

Nowhere does it say he whipped the animals.

So after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, a

The direct object of Jesus' action was the handlers, not the sheep and cattle.

 

[funinspace]

Being persecuted is another word for having political enemies.

You are wrong in your opinion. You cannot show me that in any dictionary. Check the definition of "political."

Being an enemy doesn't have to be reciprocal.

That's exactly what I said.
DEFINITION:
Definition of enemy

1:* one that is antagonistic to another; especially :* one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent
2:* something harmful or deadly (alcohol was his greatest enemy)
3a :* a military adversary
b :* a hostile unit or force

#1 describes you - doesn't it?

JW fits #2

So can we both agree on that you are wrong now? There's just no way you can argue yourself out of this one.

Good luck getting such an admission. As far as I remember wilson has not conceded any error or wrongness in this thread. I could be wrong, as I haven't read every word written in this thread... But he has nick picked the most trivial detail of other posters to death, avoiding the real point more than a few times.

You'd probably have to whip it out of him...

 

[atrib]

I'm sure you believe that you communicate with this creature every day. Problem is, you have no way to demonstrate that you are actually doing that instead of simply imagining a voice in your head.

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.

So, when you claimed you were in regular communication with your god, you were being deceptive. What you really meant was that you were reading a book believing that it is the word of your god. No actual communication at all, just the words written down by bronze age goatherders.

So, the question becomes, how do we replicate this alleged communication so we can verify the existence of Biblegod independently.

We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

So you claim. How was this verification done? Care to share the details?

My point stands. There is no way to verify the existence of your god, or your alleged communications with this creature. Just as there is no way to verify the existence of the idolators' gods, or their communications with the same.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

The stones, animals and trees represent their gods, in many cases. So why is it stupid when they worship idols that represent their gods but not stupid when you worship the words written in an old book that is demonstrably wrong in many of its claims?

 

[wilson]

You seem to be asking for my experience, so here goes - let's see if I do:
Years ago, I tested for a job that paid the most amount of money that I heard about up to that time. I wanted that job. The boss told me to start the following Monday and I felt good. But something crossed my mind: What are they making here? I asked and was told they were components for military weaponry.
My conscience kicked in. I cannot work on material that is used for killing! What do I do? A quick silent prayer works every time. The answer came from recollecting the words of God:
“. . .you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
I turned the job down. Lives saved. No blood on my hands.
“. . .And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; Your hands are filled with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)


We? Jehovah has no dealings with unbelievers. He has been verified by millions of us already.

Second, how do you know that the idol worshippers are not communicating with their gods as you communicate with yours?

You mean communicating with stones, animals and trees?

What makes you right and everyone else wrong?

Those are YOUR words - not mine.

So your prayer caused the words in Leviticus 19:18 to be written?

Not a wise question.

I question your ability to spot wisdom if it smacked you in the nose.

You can question anything but there are ways to find out. Would you like to try?

Or were they already there - in which case, you were not getting an answer to your prayer, but rather you were reading an old book.

The big question is: Were those words appropriate? Up to the minute? Practical? Good advice? A resounding YES! Think of how many people could have lost their lives because of the things I made.

Compared to the number who did anyway? None.

I ask you again - Were those words appropriate? Up to the minute? Practical? Good advice?
YOUR answer?

The guy who took the job instead of you did all the harm there was potential to do.

BINGO!!!! You just declared me innocent of "all the harm" and its potential. THAT WAS MY GOAL!!! That is the way of JWs. NONE of us will work on arms or armaments that are meant for killing.
And you are telling me that is a bad thing?
The harm was caused by "the guy who took the job instead of" me, and he was either a member of another religion or an atheist.

The world remains full of weapons.

Yes - made by people of other religions or atheists. There is no blood on our hands.

You achieved nothing

On the contrary; knowing you're innocent and proving it by your actions isn't exactly "nothing."

- and the advice you found in an old book did zero to make the world a better place.

It is not the intention of the bible to "make the world a better place." It works best on individuals with honest hearts.

Effects do not precede causes.

Right! The effect was an act of love and peace. The cause was Jehovah God himself.

Sure it was. The effect was to give the job to someone else;

Right! No acts of war for me.

The cause was you putting far too much credence in an old book.

It contains stuff that works for us.

Stuff written in a book four centuries ago cannot be an explicit reply to a question asked today.

Then I invite you to name a social problem of today that the Bible does not deal with - ANY problem.

'Deal with' as in 'Provide a vaguely relevant sounding quote'; Or 'deal with' as in 'actually prevent from happening'?

Take your pick and name your problem.

The former is banal; The latter is clearly not being achieved (by definition).

Works for us.

Thousands - maybe millions - of people have claimed that same passage in the Bible as an answer to their (very different) questions; What you are doing is not 'having a conversation with God' - it is 'Reading what you want to see into stuff written in an old book'.

Works for us.

I said nothing about "having a conversation with God." I spoke of communicating with God. Was that good advice? Did I do the right thing?

You are avoiding the question: "Was that good advice? Did I do the right thing?"

"We have communication with him daily. Would you like to know what he is like?" - How can you tell anyone what he is like, if your communication is strictly one way?

Who said anything about "one way?" Not me. This is how it works:
These instructions are not for unbelievers:
“. . .But I did give them this command: “Obey my voice, and I will become your God, and you will become my people. You must walk in all the way that I command, so that it may go well with you.”’ 24 But they did not listen or incline their ear; instead, they walked in their own schemes, stubbornly following their wicked heart, and they went backward, not forward,” (Jeremiah 7:23, 24)
How could they "obey his voice" when he does not speak out loud from the heavens?
“. . .This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be successful and then you will act wisely.” (Joshua 1:8)
Remember - believers only.

Name your world's most pressing problem and let's see how God's Word handles it.

Our world's most pressing problem is climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels.

I don't think it is! That problem can be solved if not for the greed and selfishness that gets in the way. STOP BURNING FOSSIL FUELS! Get rid of the money factor and use the sun's energy. Can you do that? Or will money and greed continue to block your efforts?
DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE PROGRESS IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM IF MONEY WAS NOT A PART OF THE EQUATION?

Who makes the problem? YOU do! Do you really want someone to stop you from "burning fossil fuels?" Will you not go to war if anyone tried?
So - you really WANT the problem that you have because you will fight to keep it.!
How will he handle it?

"The Bible tells us that “the Former of the earth and the Maker of it .*.*. did not create it simply for nothing.” (Isaiah 45:18) The Bible also says: “The earth endures for ever.”—(Ecclesiastes 1:4, The New English Bible)
Yes, God will not allow the earth to be rendered uninhabitable. Rather, he will intervene in human affairs and bring an end to failed human rule and those who have no regard for the earth. At the same time, he will preserve alive all who lead morally upright lives and sincerely want to please him. Says Proverbs 2:21,*22: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.” (AW 11/11 p. 13)

Yes! Remove the wicked men and their evil inventions! Permanently!

Does the Bible have any advice regarding which designs of Gen IV molten salt small modular reactors are best suited to replace coal power plants?

Same answer as above.

Can your old book tell us how to cheaply and efficiently store power from intermittent sources such as wind and solar, for use on still nights, in areas unsuited to pumped-storage hydro?

Same answer as above.

What is the Bible's advice regarding whether we are better off pursuing Thorium based or Uranium based reactor designs?

Same answer as above.

How does your religion recommend we generate electricity, so as to get the biggest benefits for the least harm?

My religion is not in the business of providing any kind of advice on power problems. It works to make better individuals.

What does the bible have to say about nuclear power plants?

This:
"And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, 29*filled as they were with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being whisperers, 30*backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, 31*without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless.......” (Romans 1:28-32)

They are obviously injurious - right?
“. . .For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth. ו [Waw] 10 Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. 11 But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:9-11)

Jehovah will not allow you to destroy the earth.
“. . .The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” (Psalm 37:29)

 

[wilson]

And what about this?:

Do you really think that Jesus was implying that it is right to fight for any reason at all?

Help your friend out, please.

Ok, so now use ethics and logic to argue why this is relevant. I'm an atheist. I don't care about what Jesus thinks about anything. I understand you do. That's nice. But doesn't help me. I'm assuming you think the words of Jesus are moral? So it shouldn't be any problem for you to tell us why you find them moral?

Philosophy is foolishness.
You don't care what Jesus thinks about anything - right?
So, why should I bother to explain his words to you?

 

[Elixir]

You don't care what Jesus thinks about anything - right?

I'd be very interested in any evidence that Jesus thinks, period.

 

[Keith&Co.]

Philosophy is foolishness.

Well, saying so without defining 'philosophy' is certainly a foolish act...
Stating that you could defeat philosophy, without philosophy, is pretty foolish.
Never, ever, ever demonstrating this ability you claim to have, well, that's just what we tend to expect from a creationist apologist.

 

[wilson]

You don't care what Jesus thinks about anything - right?

I'd be very interested in any evidence that Jesus thinks, period.

What is acceptable evidence to you?
You are an unbeliever.
If I presented to you a rough-hewn chair and told you that Jesus the Carpenter built it, proving his existence, what would you demand as proof?

 

[Elixir]

I'd be very interested in any evidence that Jesus thinks, period.

What is acceptable evidence to you?

A chair wouldn't be evidence that Jesus thinks. One would have to be stupid or deluded to think otherwise.
Jesus, standing in front of me saying "I think X,Y and Z" or even "I think, therefore I am" would be evidence that the person standing in front of me thinks.
Dead people don't think, no matter how many people believe the dead person was magically endowed.

You are an unbeliever.

You are a victim of manipulation/brainwashing.
Were you raised by Christian parents by any chance?

 

[none]

Morality a philosophical endeavor is foolishness... we got a winner folks

 

[blastula]

I'd be very interested in any evidence that Jesus thinks, period.

What is acceptable evidence to you?
You are an unbeliever.
If I presented to you a rough-hewn chair and told you that Jesus the Carpenter built it, proving his existence, what would you demand as proof?

Ha, you called Jesus a lousy carpenter.

 

[Elixir]

Morality a philosophical endeavor is foolish... we got a winner folks

Who needs stinkin' morality when you have an old collection of politically motivated edicts?