Gay bashing pastor will not give the benediction at the inaugural

[decocker 7,198]

It all comes down to authority and whose authority is accepted as the ultimate. We submit to God as our authority; they believe they are the ultimate authority. Until God converts them, you'll get the same type of ridiculing answer after scoffing answer. But why should we be surprised? We were once enemies of God, and suppressed the truth in our unrighteousness, too. (Romans 1)

slight correction, as an atheist - i do not believe i am the "ultimate authority"

and i don't think anyone is ridiculing, we are asking why it is okay to pick and choose certain portions of the bible to back your belief while ignoring the portions of the bible that discredit your stance.

[bsd058 296]

It's incredibly arrogant to believe that your religion is so very correct that anybody who "scoffs" at it isn't worth responding to because their hearts haven't been arrested by whatever. Absolutely ridiculous and one of the main reasons religion was always a turn off for me.

It's not meant as an insult.

But if the theology of the Bible is true, then I must accept all of it. Sorry that you feel that way, Evylin.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

slight correction, as an atheist - i do not believe i am the "ultimate authority"

and i don't think anyone is ridiculing, we are asking why it is okay to pick and choose certain portions of the bible to back your belief while ignoring the portions of the bible that discredit your stance.

Maybe it's that conservative Republican logic?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It's not meant as an insult.

But if the theology of the Bible is true, then I must accept all of it. Sorry that you feel that way, Evylin.

I didn't take it as an insult, I said it's arrogant. Nobody likes being preached at. Believe what you want to believe and live your life the way you prefer to live your life, but stop implying that the people who 'scoff' at the things you believe in simply haven't been converted yet, so they aren't worth listening or responding to.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

I'm sorry, but when I read all the Bible-y stuff about salvation and being arrested by a deity and kingdoms of darkness I can't stifle a few girlish giggles. I know y'all believe this stuff and would defend it to the eyeteeth but man, it does sound as ludicrous to me as I'm sure my non-belief in a supernatural authority sounds to you.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm sorry, but when I read all the Bible-y stuff about salvation and being arrested by a deity and kingdoms of darkness I can't stifle a few girlish giggles. I know y'all believe this stuff and would defend it to the eyeteeth but man, it does sound as ludicrous to me as I'm sure my non-belief in a supernatural authority sounds to you.

It honestly reads like a fairytale. I'll never get it. But to each their own.

[scotinmass 588]

It honestly reads like a fairytale. I'll never get it. But to each their own.

On judgement day when you are cast down to the fiery pit of hell you won't feel so big and clever!

[Danno 1,228]

:rofl: So the tidbit about Lot doesn't tell the whole story, but one sentence by Paul does. Priceless. What does the whole of the New Testament say to you? I'm sure it's not love and forgiveness by your obtuse answers. Like those you criticize, you pick and chose what you want. Of course it's ok when you do it and wrong for everyone else.

No actually I try my best to use the scripture I know as it is written and commonly understood.

Why do you conclude there is just one sentence in the scripture about Gay-sex?

Seriously there are many things I am not certain what bible contends such as the doctrine of eternal security, -Can a believe become "Lost" or is he forever a child of God no matter what sin he falls into?

But questions such as Homosexuality,fornication, lies, stealing..... to act like there is confusion is silly.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

On judgement day when you are cast down to the fiery pit of hell you won't feel so big and clever!

I look forward to hanging out with the other atheists down there. In Hell. Which sounds like a perfectly logical, believable place.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

It honestly reads like a fairytale. I'll never get it. But to each their own.

Even if it is a fairy tale, the logic I'm arguing here still holds true. You can read the Bible and not believe in a superior being yet find that much of it is quite relevant to everyday life. You can read it as philosophy, not religion.

[bsd058 296]

slight correction, as an atheist - i do not believe i am the "ultimate authority"

and i don't think anyone is ridiculing, we are asking why it is okay to pick and choose certain portions of the bible to back your belief while ignoring the portions of the bible that discredit your stance.

If you can decide for yourself what is right or wrong, then you've made yourself the ultimate authority in all things that you believe and do.

I see a lot of laughing and ridiculing. But I'm not offended. REALLY. I'm not! I understand completely!

We don't pick and choose what is right and what is wrong in the Bible. We view the whole Bible as God's inspired word. Written by men, yes, but these men were moved by the Spirit of God.

The thing is, if a debater is using portions of the Bible that they believe contradict our worldview, it is necessary to listen to a cogent answer from the one being accused of contradiction to understand why they don't view these passages as contradictions.

For instance, there are some parts of the law that Christians openly admit they must obey (not to attain righteousness, but because we submit to YHWH), like "Thou shalt not steal." Other laws that we do not obey, like, "Don't mix materials to make clothing," were made as a representation of purity that God had for the Jews. However, in the New Testament Christ fulfilled the law and became our purity. Hence why the apostles stated that we can eat what we want, and not be considered unclean (ceremonially), we can have our clothes made out of anything (since we were made clean by Christ).

So when you look for the answers yourself by reading the explanations why, you begin to understand why there are certain laws that were fulfilled by the cleansing brought about by Christ. And other laws are intrinsic on showing our love for others. Though the whole law is good, much of is was fulfilled by Christ for us.

But there are whole books written on this subject. So there's no way we could exhaust all of your questions in one thread.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

On judgement day when you are cast down to the fiery pit of hell you won't feel so big and clever!

I already have a private, air-conditioned unit reserved in atheist hell. In it I will be forced to watch never-ending repeats of the 700 Club while Nickelback tunes play incessantly. Also, Nickelback is there in person, and I am sentenced to have the terrible haircut I had in 1985. Forever!

[scotinmass 588]

Even if it is a fairy tale, the logic I'm arguing here still holds true. You can read the Bible and not believe in a superior being yet find that much of it is quite relevant to everyday life. You can read it as philosophy, not religion.

I see it as a rather boring piece of fiction but I'm going to hell with Evylin so there's no hope for me.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

No actually I try my best to use the scripture I know as it is written and commonly understood.

Why do you conclude there is just one sentence in the scripture about Gay-sex?

Seriously there are many things I am not certain what bible contends such as the doctrine of eternal security, -Can a believe become "Lost" or is he forever a child of God no matter what sin he falls into?

But questions such as Homosexuality,fornication, lies, stealing..... to act like there is confusion is silly.

It is commonly understood that Jesus preached love and forgiveness. You can find 2 sentences in the New Testament speaking about homosexuality, yet you chose to accept that and ignore 4 Gospels and Acts instead. Remove the splinter from your eye.

[bsd058 296]

I didn't take it as an insult, I said it's arrogant. Nobody likes being preached at. Believe what you want to believe and live your life the way you prefer to live your life, but stop implying that the people who 'scoff' at the things you believe in simply haven't been converted yet, so they aren't worth listening or responding to.

I wouldn't say they aren't worth it. They definitely are. I was just helping Danno, since saw a lot of people just laughing at him on here. I try to stick close to by brothers in Christ. Even if I don't know them personally.

I was just trying to tell him to not be discouraged, and not to try to force you to believe. If God wants you converted, He'll convert you. I have no doubt of that.

Much love, Evylin. Again, I mean absolutely no disrespect.