re: What miracles would Jesus need to do today to show His divinity?

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What did you think it stood for?

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Apparently it stands for Shorty made a dumb comment

#hangsheadinshame

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Apparently it stands for Shorty made a dumb comment

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I laughed.
No shame necessary. We're good dude.

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I am thankful however because in some countries to believe the gospel and act on it often leads to far worse than I have ever experienced. Loss of work, being ostracized by the community, physical harm, possibly even torture and death.

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In certain parts of the USA (not just other countries) to be an atheist and outspoken about it can lead to loss of work and being ostracized by the community. You don’t see too many atheists winning public office, do you? Being a Christian is almost a prerequisite for it.

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In certain parts of the USA (not just other countries) to be an atheist and outspoken about it can lead to loss of work and being ostracized by the community. You don’t see too many atheists winning public office, do you? Being a Christian is almost a prerequisite for it.

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Wow. I don't know what to tell you. I don't have any comfort to offer and the only advice I have is to stand fast and live what you believe and man up to the consequences of your beliefs and actions. No fear.

Have you lost a job? Are you being ostracized? Do you want to go into politics? If so, press on. For all I know, depending on your platform, I might support you. Christian is not a litmus test for me in everything. Marriage. Business partner. Those are about it.

I just don't see the virtue in taking a principled stand and waste energy on worrying or complaining about the consequences. You either believe (or in your case, don't believe) or you don't (do).

In my opinion, atheism is a religion that people believe in. There's Faith, dogma, a theology of sorts and implications on living life. Honestly, to be an atheist and look askance at any other religion seems to me to be absurd. Agnosticism seems a more reasonable and tenable position.

I guess if I were you, I'd reevaluate both Christianity and agnosticism. Obviously my search rejected atheism and agnosticism and struggled through to Christianity because is makes claims to historicity and supporting evidence. It also cogently explains how badly mankind is fricked up and why. There's many more able, convincing, and erudite apologists for the Faith than I. I would see if there's anything worthwhile down that road.

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I don't have any comfort to offer and the only advice I have is to stand fast and live what you believe and man up to the consequences of your beliefs and actions.

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I don’t think you understand.

My disbelief in deities is no more important to me than your (I’m assuming) disbelief in Bigfoot. The only difference is I’m surrounded by passionate believers in deities (who often vote based on these beliefs) while you are not surrounded by Bigfoot enthusiasts.

I’m not going to fight for atheism and deal with the social and professional consequences. I do the same with politics and other things. Do I wish I could have open conversations with local believers about the big questions? Sometimes. But I find it best to just let it go.

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In my opinion, atheism is a religion that people believe in.

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Not really. It’s merely a lack of belief in deities. It (like most anything) can be made into a religion just like people used to worship the Sun. We all know the Sun is in the sky but that doesn’t make us Sun worshippers.

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I guess if I were you, I would reevaluate both Christianity and agnosticism.

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Why just those two? There are countless religions out there. The joke of it all is that 90% of people adopt the the religion of their culture or upbringing. I have been to many other countries and seen the same phenomenon in those places. It’s called religious indoctrination.

Make the Last Jedi watchable.

Convince TrillHog that rape is wrong.

Sour Grapes

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wtf... since when is 90 not around 100?

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John is dated to around 90 AD so ~60 years after Jesus' death. Even with it written 60+ years after Jesus it's not as if the Gospels, and other books of the New Testament, weren't written by people who either physically knew Jesus or associated with his disciples. James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem Church, wrote the Book of James. Peter wrote 1st Peter. The writer of Mark is attributed to a disciple of Peter. The writer of Luke and Acts is a disciple of Paul. Paul, who wrote the majority of the books personally corresponded, and spent time, with Peter and James.