Christianity has its nutbags too

[Donna A 4]

to the origional poster....how the heck did u run across this site. was it by accident or did u go searching for it.

really i dont understand how people find these things online. i never run across things like that.

"I too am soooo excited!! I get goose bumps, literally, when I watch what's going on in the M.E.!!"

i think some people misunderstood what this poster was meaning. i dont think he was saying he was happy about all the killing in the middle east but what is happening there is a sign that the end times are near and the rapture is close.

[anya-D 8]

that's why I like Buddhist philosophy... *sigh*

I'm glad you called it philosophy because that is what it is. It is not a religion. Buddha himself didn't want anyone worshipping him or even doing everything exactly like he did. He didn't want to start a religion called Buddhism but was conveying a philosophy he believed to be true. (I don't agree with his philosophy but he himself didn't want people worshipping him)

Edited July 26, 2006 by anya-D

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

to the origional poster....how the heck did u run across this site. was it by accident or did u go searching for it.

really i dont understand how people find these things online. i never run across things like that.

"I too am soooo excited!! I get goose bumps, literally, when I watch what's going on in the M.E.!!"

i think some people misunderstood what this poster was meaning. i dont think he was saying he was happy about all the killing in the middle east but what is happening there is a sign that the end times are near and the rapture is close.

It was passed my way by a friend of mine on another forum.

As to what the guy is saying - how can you abstract the very real situation that is going on in the M.E. - bombing, destruction and death via a particular piece of biblical scripture?

Saying that what is going on makes him "soooo excited" and that he/she gets "goose-bumps" over it, doesn't seem to me to be something you'd say if you were particularly sympathetic to what is going on. He's either dismissing it entirely or else he's saying he doesn't care - hard to say which is worse...

This isn't theoretical - real people are dying by real bombs and real bullets. Are they not?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In the OT, women were second class citizens and slavery was accepted. We now know that those ideas are wrong and weren't anything endorsed by God.

hmmm... were they wrong? Or is modern thinking wrong? If that was wrong... how many other things were wrong?

Human logic and reason may be finite, but it doesn't negate our capacity for enlightenment.

Why weren't people enlightened back then? Why did slavery ever have to occur, if there was an all knowing and all loving god to protect ALL the people of this planet? Why was it okay back then, but not now? Hasn't the believers in god been taught the same thing since the beginning? Why did it take so long for that thinking to change?

Why didn't we have combustible engines back then? transistors? television? cellphones? hell....ELECTRICITY wasn't even discovered yet.

Jesus even says in the Gospel that many of the laws were created because of man's ignorance. For example, during the time of Moses a man was permitted to divorce, but Jesus made it clear it was not God's intention. Same with the old law of Hammurabi - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Jesus said no more - that you are to turn and give the other cheek when you are struck. (I don't want to get into the interpretation of those passages but the point is that Jesus showed example after example of how the old laws and ways no longer would cut it).

The Pharisees approached and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him.

He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"

They replied, "Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her."

But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment."

- Mark 10:2-5

[gimygirl 0]

In two words, free will.

this is where most christians always go wrong .... free will. if the wonderful god is truly omnipotent, then introducing freewill should not be necessary for happiness. if god wanted all his lovely children happy ... he would have made it so.

unfortunately, he did not want all his lovely children, created in his image, to be eternally happy. he introduced disease, death, suffering, slavery, incest, rape, murder, etc into the world he created. for those that don't live by a set of his 'rules', you are then condemned to an eternal hell for a finite number of sins.

any god's existence is so contradictory that no reasonable and freethinking person can fully accept its existence. who's really going to heaven or hell??? the christians, baptists, muslims, jews, protestants, catholics, lutherans, etc??

sorry guys .... every religion can't be right! which then makes none of them correct.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In two words, free will.

this is where most christians always go wrong .... free will. if the wonderful god is truly omnipotent, then introducing freewill should not be necessary for happiness. if god wanted all his lovely children happy ... he would have made it so.

unfortunately, he did not want all his lovely children, created in his image, to be eternally happy. he introduced disease, death, suffering, slavery, incest, rape, murder, etc into the world he created. for those that don't live by a set of his 'rules', you are then condemned to an eternal hell for a finite number of sins.

any god's existence is so contradictory that no reasonable and freethinking person can fully accept its existence. who's really going to heaven or hell??? the christians, baptists, muslims, jews, protestants, catholics, lutherans, etc??

sorry guys .... every religion can't be right! which then makes none of them correct.

How about maybe all of them are somewhat right? Nobody has the corner market on truth, but that doesn't mean you can conclude that truth is therefore outside of religion. It's when some think that a religion is synonomous with truth.

It isn't an issue of happiness that we have free will. First and foremost - God is mystery. We don't know all the answers nor should any religion pretend to know all the answers. Religion should be more of a guide than a set of rules to follow.

[gimygirl 0]

Religion should be more of a guide than a set of rules to follow.

why can't your own moral compass be your guide without having fear instilled about going to an eternal hell. unfortunately, religion is not presented as 'more of a guide' ... those who follow religion just like to interpret everything.

[Alex+R 0]

Religion should be more of a guide than a set of rules to follow.

why can't your own moral compass be your guide without having fear instilled about going to an eternal hell. unfortunately, religion is not presented as 'more of a guide' ... those who follow religion just like to interpret everything.

Tell it like it is.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Religion should be more of a guide than a set of rules to follow.

why can't your own moral compass be your guide without having fear instilled about going to an eternal hell. unfortunately, religion is not presented as 'more of a guide' ... those who follow religion just like to interpret everything.

You can and you should. Ultimately, it is up to you to make the moral choices in your life. But just how your moral compass is gauged depends on what values you embrace. I think most everyone here would agree that killing is wrong. Take that further and you have certain moral truths that as a community of individuals, we can embrace. If you read nothing else but the Gospel you would not draw the conclusion that Christianity is about hellfire and damnation for not following rules. That's not the message of Jesus.

Edited July 26, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[gimygirl 0]

[CanGal 1]

I found this on the web, I think its so true.

The World is crying for a Savior and we’re not doing enough!

Nations all around the world are crying for a savior. All nations alike have their own reasons. War, famine, terrorism, and natural disasters are just a few. The crying is not so subtle. The reaching out for help has turned to anger and pointing of fingers. All the while hoping and seeking a savior. The world wants someone who will step up to the plate and create peace.

Everyone is to blame. Unbelievers reject God and his son Jesus Christ. Every encouraged act of God through his modern children is rejected and ridiculed. The world as we know it not only hates God, but hates anything pertaining to God.

Why does the world hate God? Pride is the number one answer. Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. The pride of man mirrors that of its father the devil.

Secondly, I believe the world hates God, because they do not understand him. The world is blind trying to lead the blind. This world is so corrupt, that lost people have a hard time believing anything. It is not easy to witness to someone about the power of Jesus Christ, because some where down the line, his name has been blasphemed and mocked. Look at your current TV shows and movies and you’ll soon find the name of Jesus has been slandered.

Thirdly Christians are to blame. We are one body divided and we are falling just as Revelation 3 said we would. In fact it is this generation of people who Christ said, "I will spue thee out of my mouth." He is sickened by our lack of faithfulness. We divide ourselves over the Word of God, interpretation of behaviors, and manners of life that have been clearly stated in the Word of God. All the while God’s word is plainly telling us everything we need to know.

I know some of you who are reading this are thinking to yourselves that you have been the best Christian possible. I believe we all try in our own way. However, I am reminded of the story in Luke. Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Does the attitude of the Pharisee sound familiar? We spend too much time justifying our actions by pointing at other people’s faults.

We as Christians have brought the world into our homes and our churches. By doing so, we have become divided over issues that are important to showing stability to the outside world. A non-Christian once asked me, “Why should I listen to you, when your people can’t even agree on what is the Word of God?” “Why should I listen to you, when your people can’t even agree on the behavior of your congregations?” “A mother inside the church you attend supported an abortion because the daughter was supposedly raped. However, when you have another girl who is sexually active have the same abortion performed you call it murder.” “All you so called Christians are alike. You mold Bible to fit what you want when you want it. If you can’t find a way, then you have the word changed.” Those were the harshest words I’ve ever heard in person regarding Christianity. Unfortunately this man is right.

We can’t honestly sit and say this man is wrong. Christ showed us in Rev. 3 this would happen. We are more concerned with ourselves than with the salvation of lost souls. We are more concerned with justifying ourselves before men than God. We will even go as far as to reject portions of God’s word in order to justify our actions. In the mean time the world calls us crazy and liars.

Do we really wonder why the world is looking for a savior? Maybe a Christian doesn’t, but the world does.

[CanGal 1]

this is where most christians always go wrong .... free will. if the wonderful god is truly omnipotent, then introducing freewill should not be necessary for happiness. if god wanted all his lovely children happy ... he would have made it so.

unfortunately, he did not want all his lovely children, created in his image, to be eternally happy. he introduced disease, death, suffering, slavery, incest, rape, murder, etc into the world he created. for those that don't live by a set of his 'rules', you are then condemned to an eternal hell for a finite number of sins.

any god's existence is so contradictory that no reasonable and freethinking person can fully accept its existence. who's really going to heaven or hell??? the christians, baptists, muslims, jews, protestants, catholics, lutherans, etc??

Gimy, I like you so I'm just commenting my oppinon on these things. The reason we were given free will from God was because he desired companionship and relationships with his creation. He didn't want an army of robots that would move on his command. He wants US to want HIM , He wants US to love him by our own choice. And oh he does want us to be happy. So very happy. He loves us all. He just wants us to accept him and his plan. Humans are the ones that screwed up we are the one that fall short of God's glory. God did not bring in sickness and suffering and all that other stuff. That was an evil being who did that. Satan brought that all about enticing us with sin thinking we can make it on our own and that we'd all be enlightened by our own understanding. Look at what it has done to the world. Thats not God's doing. He didn't set us up with rules, I dno't see them as rules at all. Guidelines for our own well being. He's God, he see's the future he knows what those things can do to us so he sets up guidelines for our own benefit, not his. Now I do believe in free will and I believe that if anyone chooses to disbelieve in Jesus they have the right to do so. But the Bible also states, though you have the right to choose that path you better be ready for the consequences that come with that choice. Every choice has a consequence good or bad. I said this before in past boards, I as a christian don't make up the rules, only God does and I try to live for him. Not because I have too and not because he is a free ticket to heaven, it's not even about that. I love him with all my heart and I desire to follow his ways because I know he has great plans for my life and I don't understand why I would ever want to reject something like that. Like incanada has said, God is love but he is also just.

Good day you all

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is not easy to witness to someone about the power of Jesus Christ, because some where down the line, his name has been blasphemed and mocked. Look at your current TV shows and movies and you’ll soon find the name of Jesus has been slandered.

Don't you think that many personalities out there that make it be known they are Christian are the one's doing more to tarnish the name of Jesus than anything? I also believe in living by example. Just what example of Christ are these people projecting? (Judgmental, intolerant, filled with hate, selfish, materialistic). Instead of wearing their religion on their sleeve their actions should be reflecting the message of the Gospel - (love, forgiveness, tolerance, charity, compassion, selflessness).

[CanGal 1]

I do agree that we have to be a living example of what we believe. We are called to tell people about Jesus but we are also called to live out what he taught us. Can't just talk the talk, also have to walk the walk.

[PlatyPius 5]

God did not bring in sickness and suffering and all that other stuff. That was an evil being who did that. Satan brought that all about enticing us with sin thinking we can make it on our own and that we'd all be enlightened by our own understanding.

But your god "knows all, created all, etc" YHVH created Satan. Ergo, YHVH created disease, famine, etc.

Edited July 27, 2006 by Cian