Here's a few questions for those more spiritual TFPers. I'm not pulling the piss or supressing anyones opinions, i've just got a few questions for you, and I'm interested to see peoples responses...
Sure, I'll bite.
* Do you consider old-testament stories, like Genesis and Eden to be 100% percent truth?
No. Every group on earth, religious and otherwise has thier own creation stories, I see our ancestors from the cradle of civilization as no different. Some things from the old testament are true and verifiable, most are not.
* Do you consider that god or some divine power inspired or actually wrote the bible?
Inspired, yes, wrote, no. Furthermore, I have very little faith that what is currently in the Bible is an unaltered version of what was originally inspired. Basically, I mean that the core beliefs in the Bible are probably the same, they are too powerful to be altered without serious problems. BUT, using the bible to speak against homosexual individuals, hatred for other races and religions, etc etc. I think a certain dark power loves what is being done by so called Christians due to what has entered into the bible long after it was originally written. I mean seriously, if you want to corrupt the faithful, what better way to do it?
* Do you really believe in a heavenly reward for submitting to god in this life?
No, but the question could be phrased a little differently. What about a heavenly reward for being a decent human being. Loving one's neighbor as one's self more or less defines that. We don't know what happens after death, but is it really a bad thing to live your life helping and being kind to other humans in the hope that there is something after death? If I'm wrong, well, I made a lot of people happy, and I can meet the end of my existance with a clear conscience. If I'm right, well, that'd be pretty cool.
* Can you really rationalise how you can use a computer today, but still fully believe in an ancient and mystic tale?
Yes, these are not mutually exclusive. First of all, a story from the past being more or less true does not have any bearing on the current state of technology. Secondly, referring to 'mystic' occurances also says nothing about the physics in place to allow us to use computers. I think you are attempting to get to the point that if someone believes in these supernatural occurances, how can they believe in the physics that drives technology at the same time. (forgive me if I'm missing the point) This probably requires it's own discussion entirely, but to sum my thoughts : Mathmatics/Physics and by extension technology is just working with the rules of the universe, if we start talking about an entity that is not made up of matter and uses something other than energy, well, those rules are fairly meaningless.
Last thing @MikeyChalupa. I like. The only thing I would like to comment on is the last bit of your post. Except for the last of the four possibilities, free will can give an alternate answer. This isn't the discussion for here though, another thread sometime...
