h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

ing out loud!!!

Geez, that page has suckered you in, too? It's pathetic, isn't it?

Pathetic!? Well... yes I suppose so

By the way, I've never quite figured out why the represents laughter. Care to enlighten me?

Hi!

That little smiley is leaning backwards, holding it's tummy, with it's eyes screwed shut and laughing like saying ho, ho, ho!

That's what my warped right-sided brain sees, anyway ... what's your theory?

That makes sense. I was confused by the lack of a mouth and somehow saw the two "arms" as two separate mouths. An odd impression I assure you.

In addition I'd say that "mouth" looks like a nose in my view.

I kinda see what you mean ...
maybe it's a smiley wearing a dental retainer ...

Hmm... I always thought it was kinda cute... though he looks like he'll toss his cookies in a minute. Poor thing.

Sorry to be a bore but I've been away, I've read the backlog and to go back to topic again:

Amy asked:

"What are the little nuggets of information that cause the doubt from both sides? (ie, some semblence of evidence that a god of some kind exists/doesn't exist).

I'm not going to trawl out the whole scientific proof via The Bible rote again 'cos I know how we all *love* the deeply theological debates that roll around from time to time. What I'll indirectly say is this:

Earlier on in this forum I cannot remember where exactly Amy, you mentioned something about bottle-knecking populations and The Flood as depicted with Noah. And I remember actually balking at the thought that it really happened. No I want to again empahsise I don't mean 'proven by science' "really happened" but I balked I mean internally I had this little voice saying "oh come on..." and thats no disrespect by the way only another example of the agnostics dileama. All I know is that I know I don't *really* belive. I can see that other do and that is something perhaps to aspire to but it is one of those "nugget of doubt" you mentioned.

Another example. Today I saw Archbishop Carrey being interviewed on Telly by Sir David Frost. (Carrey is the Head of the Anglican Church in Britain and Frost is a Veteran BBC Interviewer.) Carrey started the interview by pointing out the signifgence of Easter for Christians as it marks the reurrection of Jesus after he died on the cross for the sins of Humanity. This, he said was the kernel of the whole thing - for him at least - that you accept Jesus died for you (or indeed me) and was born again. Acepting that is the key to acceptin Christianity. Noah and all the rest can sort of go on the back burner - this is the crucial one.

Deciding if I can accept that one is possibly going to take me some time because if everything does flow from this one truth I want to be absolutly sure of my own convictions before I enter into it. I am not an atheist but I question whether or not I do believe the Jesus really did die apparently for my sins.

(Can I be cheeky and ask how you all came to accept this. Feel free to ignore this probe.)

Clive

I'm not sure how I accepted it... I, as I've said earlier, have always gone to church and was basically raised in the church. There was never a time when the birth and sacrifice and ressurection of Christ was not preached to me. This does not mean, however, that I simply believed in it because my family did (see my previous comment about a cow and a barn). Once I was old enough to know that there were in fact other religions and ways of thinking about the world, I studied them (though not extensively, I admit), and have found nothing that definately contradicts what I know about Christ. Rather, I've found that many religions seem to be almost splits off of the Judeo-Christian tradition. At least, it seems that way to me. *shrug*

Ask ddombrow. He'll probably have something a bit more helpful to tell you.

Clive, you're right that the cross and resurrection are the important bits and anything else um... isn't. As for how I made the switch, I've sort of mentioned it: I went to Sunday School from v. young, even though my parents aren't Christians, but it was when I was about 14 that I really realised (for want of a better word) that it was true. Though I hate to use clichés, I'm afraid that "heart on fire" is the best description I have of the feeling (most people don't seem to have felt like that, but then they have their own tales to tell).

Uh-oh, looks like I'm working under pressure to say something meaningful. Hope I'm up to it .

Like Amy, I grew up in a church where the death, burial, and resurrection were regularly preached, so I suppose it's only natural that I came to belief fairly early in my life (at eleven or twelve). I have since questioned many times how much I knew then, whether I really knew all about the resurrection and all that, the trinity, etc. What I came up with as an answer to these doubts is that salvation doesn't depend on knowing or believing a whole lot. It is essential that you know your own sinful state and trust in Christ to erase that, but that is all. Obviously, you can't truthfully do this if you don't believe that Christ was the promised messiah, that he died on the cross, that he rose again; but not knowing or being in doubt isn't the same as active disbelief.

I suppose the only advice I could give to anyone is not to sit and brood over faith and doubt, because I *doubt* this will accomplish much. Neither will reading the right books, hanging about the right people, etc. The best thing to do is to try and experience faith yourself. Try to live by the teachings of Christ as best you can, and you may see your own life improve and see that this is the best way to live "Taste and see that the Lord is Good" (Ps. 34:8). Jesus himself promised to help people believe if they desire to live the right way "If anyone chooses to do God's Will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17). None of this will save you, but it may lead you to believe that you can take God's word on a few things like the resurrection, etc.

My other favorite verse on that topic (or that can be taken in that vein): "You will see me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." (somewhere in Jeremiah, I think...).

See, Ddombrow, I *told* you that you'd come up with something!

My favorite verse, also along that "vein" is: "You have not chosen me; I have chosen you. Go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15:16)

Not only was that one of my favorites, but I got it in a "Christian" fortune cookie once too.

They make Christian fortune cookies? Distributed in Christian Chinese restaurants ?

(Feel free to bring us back to reality, Clive, cause I think the thread might be degenerating again)

I tend to do that to these threads ...
Feel free to ignore me ...

Ignore Shea?! *astonished look* Never!!

I just came from Holy Thursday services. Wow ...

I love the Triduum. It really brings the whole reason for our faith home. I couldn't stop crying (which was embarrasing, seeing as how I couldn't find a tissue!), and I can't stop grinning.

*finds a box of tissues and hands one to Shea* Better?

Thanks!