Would a benevolent God, knowing that the majority of people in the world would never be exposed to the correct 'Religion' or 'Denomination' send people to hell based on that fact, or is it incompatible with benevolence?

Whether or not you answer in the affirmative or the negative, does this in your opinion create a lottery situation in which some people are given greatly increased chances of acheiving salvation and heaven based on random factors? While others are given a greatly decreased, if any, chance to receieve salvation and heaven?

If you answer in the negative [He would send them to hell] how do you reconcile the situation in which someone may, for instance, live all their lives in a radical, 'heathen' country where information of the 'true' [whatever it may be] religion is not allowed?

Using the following definitions:

Atheist - someone who believes that God does not Exist.

Agnostic - someone who believes it is not currently possible to know whether or not God exists.

God - a self-aware supernatural being who created the universe.

1. Is that feeling (sense of right and wrong) present in almost all individuals--an indication of a God given moral law?

2. Or does it simply reflect what we have been taught by our parents?

3. What is its source? Where does it come from?

4. What is its purpose?

*ORIGIN Latin conscientia ‘knowledge within oneself’, from scire ‘to know’ (Compact Oxford English Dictionary)

*Natural Law: "a body of unchanging moral principles regarded as inherent in all human beings and forming a basis for human conduct" (Compact Oxford English Dictionary)

This is difficult to create in a 2 sided debate (and to make this post neutral), but first I'll try and explain the question.

Let's look at this from the point of view that you are about to start a religion. You do not believe in it, nor do you believe in God but you see the world around you in despair and want to make some rules. However you feel people will not take these rules seriously and need a way to enforce them. This enforcer is God.

Forgetting whether or not you believe in God, what is God's role to humans? After creating us the universe (or not) is the concept or belief in God what is needed to keep people in order? Let's say there was no God. When going against the rules of the religion how would you be punished? Jail? Community work? Parole? Fines? Or a limitless amount of pain for an infinite amount of time? (to burn in hell). Is that a much larger deterrent than something imagineable and altogether not so terrible? For a follower, is God's existance much more influential than the country's police and courts?

So to get to the original point, should the idea of God be promoted whether or not you believe in Him? Even if He IS a lie, would it be better to to have this lie promote morals or if not God, some kind of 'myth'? Whether real or not, is belief in God for the GREATER GOOD?

Two sides are - Yes, belief in the existance of God whether God exists or not has MORE benefits than lack of belief in God.

                       - No, belief in the existance of God whether God exists or not has LESS benefits than lack of belief in God.

P.S. - Don't make this an argument about religions. This is purely about the belief in God and not different religions beliefs and opinions in God. No talk on Christianity, Islam, Hinduism - as that is NOT the question.

Many equate the meaning of "violence" with "use of dangerous force" or "agression." If that is how you think, you are (I predict) likely to disagree with the assertion this debate is based on. I would consider this debate a success if the opposing sides could agree on a succinct definition of violence.

Debate formerly titled: "Violence is never justified."

JESUS CHRIST: REAL PERSON OR FICTIONAL CHARACTER?

This thread is basically created for just myself and atypician. However, you can post your arguments on the first one that I have created.

Take the term 'Xmas' sparingly, consider it not only for the term 'x-mas' but rather for other attempts to remove Christ from Christmas.

I'm going to vote no here. But first, some background

Physically placing ones hand on a Bible and swearing an oath before giving testimony in court is not required, nor was it ever legally enforceable.

Courts give those giving testimony the option of "swearing an oath" or making an affirmation to tell the truth as to the best of their knowledge. Your oath doesn't even need to include the phrase "so help me god".

Should followers of every religion be offered the opportunity to swear on their own sacred text? Why is it the Bible or nothing? However, that would require every courtroom to keep a library of holy books available.  That is simply not practical or even necessary. I to vote to eliminate swearing in on any book.

It would be easier to just take the Bible out of the courtroom all together and not have to ask for alternative holy texts.  A bookless oath is sufficient.

I have been invited to join the Rosicrucian Order.

Before doing so , I would like to know more about this non-religious order. (according to my dictionary they arent a religion)

This is what i have researched and found so far.

Earliest mention of them is made by Arnold de Villanova , an officer of the fraternity , in his "Rosary" in 1230   

The Rosicrucians have been known by many names.

The international order is known as AMORC.

It was popularized in the fifteenth century by one who bore the symbolic name of Christian Rosenkreuz (Christian of the Rosy Cross)

This information ^above,  i obtained from my Websters New Twentieth Century Dictionary published in 1947.

Below is some websites i have been looking at in my quest for knowledge regarding  The Rosicrucian Order:

http://books.google.com/books?id=Yn0IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Arnold+de+Villanova+1230&source=bl&ots=kq-p-lqRBK&sig=eGS4iBFJQfHdbmQdsEjourNoyd4&hl=en&ei=m4J2S-aCIYzq7AP1y8GmCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CB4Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Arnold%20de%20Villanova%201230&f=false

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaldus_de_Villa_Nova

http://www.angelfire.com/nb/alchemy/timeline.htm

http://www.strangelove.net/~kieser/Medieval/medicine.html

http://www.rosicrucian-order.com/principal9.html

 http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Christian_Rosenkreuz/

http://themysticlight.tripod.com/rc_christian_rosenkreuz.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosicrucian

http://www.google.com/search?q=Christian+Rosenkreuz&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-au:IE-Address&rlz=1I7MEDB_en&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=eHZ2S5-OGIrW7AOl3vGhBg&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=19&ved=0CDoQ5wIwEg

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In my unconscience consciense mind , i truly believe in "something"

I refuse to call it a god , by any name ,  purely because i dont want to offend this "something"

Ive already blasphomied and abused every god by every name in a church.(oddly my life took an amazing turn for the better)

I only know what i have learnt through experience or through what people have taught me.

Hypocracy is what ive learnt most. 

As far as this "search for the truth" , so far i have been greeted by bias fanatics that are not even truly dedicated to their religion or "god" that they boast of ,  and condemn me to hell with.

So i guess i will stop my research as of now and leave it up to you genious people here at CD to tell me the answer.

Especially as i have not a clue as to what to do.

I was baptised catholic.

Ive looked at various religions since my rebellion began in 1983.

Because i have this insanity to think , i wrote this prayer .

"Im the black sheep , all lost and broken ,To find my home , not from a token , of written words of those said spoken , will be the day i am awoken." 

My question is :

What can you tell me about about the Rosicrucian Order ?

 and

Should i accept their invitation ?

The bible is full of uplifting stories of truly holy unions. A good example is the marriage of Noah and Joan of Arc.

But the Bible is clearly against gay marriage. Sodom and Gomorrah were married and look what happened to them!

Saint Paul didn't lead the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt just so we could end up with gay marriage!

And when Moses gave the Sermon on the Mount, he DID say "blessed are the meek" -- but he WASN'T talking about gays for gosh sake!

God gave the Israelites the 10 Commandments. "God helps those who help themselves"is one of my favorites. But that doesn't mean we can help ourselves to a hot heaping helping of man on man sex! That would be just plain wrong.

The bible tells me so.

WAS IT A GOD OR SOME FORM OF SUPREME BEING THAT CREATED MANKIND OR DOES GOD NOT REALLY EXIST BUT RATHER A STORY OR IDEA CREATED FROM THE IMAGINATION OF MAN?

If everyone in the world only beleived in one religion?

Note that I did not (and will not tolerate the inclusion of) atheism.

Is believing in God truly worth it in life does it have actual benifits