I asked a question. In the past Pete has always answered. I don’t believe what he believes, but I have never insulted him. Now... let’s talk about your long history of insulting and mocking posters. A bit hypocritical trying to deflect your own faults on to me.
Pete is really good. Alway honest, always willing to give an answer.
It is understandable unfortunately though, this modern day questioning and deriding of religion.
For centuries (my upbringing too) we were told you HAD to believe in God or the consequences were dire. That you would be damned for all eternity into the pits of hell for the failure to do so.
People now have began to challenge that notion and thinking and to push back against the creed, hence us now being deemed a secular society.
I respect Pete's views, though I disagree with them. I am forever questioning if there can be a god and keep coming to the same conclusion that it just doesn't make any sense.
Personally, I see nothing wrong in Mart's question here. He is merely asking what Pete believes and is asking for an explanation. I don't think he is doing so that aggressively, or dismissively to be honest and I'm sure he'll get his answer.
This has always been a confusion to me. If you are Christian you are taught to believe that anyone who doesn't believe is going to hell, so that includes those of differing faiths, those that haven't even had the chance to be able to embrace God and what about those from a family where they have been lied to and been made to believe in something completely different? They get eternal damnation too.
I have told my daughter I don't believe in God and have given my reasoning. She too has now said she doesn't believe in God, though is totally free to change her mind and find her own path. So many do not get that luxury of free thought.
There is also the ridiculous notion that you can do good all your life, but if don't accept Jesus as your saviour you will therefore damned to hell, but that if you were a serial killer or child killer, as long as you renounce your sins and accept Jesus as your saviour (even just on your deathbed), you're going to heaven.