|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:24 am
Socika Eltanin Sadachbia Many Christians say that the bible was "Written by God" but it was not... It is a book put together by men. It is a book of compiled notes, literature, prophecy, and laws that is said to have been "Inspired by God". It has been re-translated hundreds of times (if not thousands), and all of those translations were done by man... Even if God DID actually write the original, men would have at least messed some of it up anyway. You see how screwed up the organized religion of Christianity is... There are so many factions trying to raise their voices over the others, that the real message gets lost in the noise... So many Christians feel like every opinion they or their pastor/priest has formed is the end-all-do-all to God's Will... ...And allot of this is because so many Christians read the Bible as a History book, a Religious instruction guide, and the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Universe... There are even those who would use it as THE ONLY Textbook in schools if you would let them... Who needs algebra, let's build an ark! Anyway, you have glaring examples of how trying to take a Spiritual text as literal History all the way through can be detrimental, because history is skewed by those who win, and reading it centuries later means using personal interpretation, and NO ONE is going to get the 100% same ideas from the same material... A religious text is meant to expand on an individual's spiritual level, not to teach textbook history and sociology. Those of like mind in interpreting those texts can find encouragement with each other, but that doesn't mean that everyone else is wrong... but that is what religion has pretty much turned into. Well I agree for the most part. I'd have to correct you about reading the bible as a history book, a lot of christians don't even read it. Personally I find buddhism a lot more spiritual than reading about people living in whales, but to each their own. However, how can you trust that men got the important stuff right, what if praying is really a sin. I mean it's god plan, do you really expect him to change his whole plan just for you? And most of the praying is done on sunday his day off. Show some respect. You're right... allot of people just listen to what other people say the Bible says... It isn't the fault of the Bible, it is the fault of those people... But taking the Bible so zealously literal can lead to just as much ignorance, because if people feel they are believing the Bible word-for-word, and they are harassing others to submit to their own interpretation of the Bible, then they are subjecting those people to their own fallible and incomplete understanding. Prayer might be wrong?... Well... You do make a good point, although a rather exaggerated one, but it is something that most of the regulars have questioned in this guild... Just because Christianity has made a tradition of demonizing certain actions, and deifying certain others- Does it really mean that the tradition is the correct way to think? This point right here is the strongest argument against those people who would force other to convert if they could... The human element of organized religion makes developing your own personal faith that much more important. In allot of ways, I would have to agree with you about Budhism being more Spiritual...As it makes a point to encourage people to seek their own individual enlightenment... The tenants of the faith are pretty clear that Spiritual enlightenment is the prerogative of the individual, something that seems more of an overlooked undercurrent in many churches.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:32 am
Eltanin Sadachbia You're right... allot of people just listen to what other people say the Bible says... It isn't the fault of the Bible, it is the fault of those people... But taking the Bible so zealously literal can lead to just as much ignorance, because if people feel they are believing the Bible word-for-word, and they are harassing others to submit to their own interpretation of the Bible, then they are subjecting those people to their own fallible and incomplete understanding. Prayer might be wrong?... Well... You do make a good point, although a rather exaggerated one, but it is something that most of the regulars have questioned in this guild... Just because Christianity has made a tradition of demonizing certain actions, and deifying certain others- Does it really mean that the tradition is the correct way to think? This point right here is the strongest argument against those people who would force other to convert if they could... The human element of organized religion makes developing your own personal faith that much more important. In allot of ways, I would have to agree with you about Budhism being more Spiritual...As it makes a point to encourage people to seek their own individual enlightenment... The tenants of the faith are pretty clear that Spiritual enlightenment is the prerogative of the individual, something that seems more of an overlooked undercurrent in many churches. Agreed, so what made you chose christianity anyway?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:37 am
surprised Those poor rabbits! rofl ... And I really don't know if it Moses saw a literal burning bush, or a lava fissure, or what-ever, I wasn't there... I just referring to the, "I AM" statement. xp And part of the traditional explanation as to why God created was BECAUSE He was lonely, and we are the solution to that... If you could find a picture of one brain that contained all the universe, I think it would be a little more along the lines of what I perceive God is like. confused
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:49 am
Socika Agreed, so what made you chose christianity anyway? Well, it is what I can identify with most. I grew up with the teachings of the Bible, and I have experienced and observed things within and because of my faith that can only be explained as supernatural... Yet, because of those experiences, I also have what allot of fundamentalist consider a heretical view... I did rebel against my upbringing for awhile as a teenager, but when I was 18, I realized that everything I had learned about other religions just brought me back to what I was brought up with when it came to the boundaries of my own abilities of acceptance... But because religion still remained a passionate subject for me, I continued to learn about other religions despite other Christians claiming it was "dangerous"... I decided that the most dangerous this is allowing the biases of fear induced misunderstanding of others beliefs was a mechanism laid in place centuries ago as a means to control the ignorant. So, when I was in my early 20's I had a personal experience that lead me to the understanding that in working to understand others' beliefs, I had broadened my own understanding of my own faith... and I haven't questioned my decision since then.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:49 am
Eltanin Sadachbia And part of the traditional explanation as to why God created was BECAUSE He was lonely, and we are the solution to that... If you could find a picture of one brain that contained all the universe, I think it would be a little more along the lines of what I perceive God is like. confused Idk, if i was a higher being I'd probobly find better way of entertaiment than a planet full of idiots fighting eachother. It's kinda like you or me wathing a colony of ants for our entire life, you'd probobly go mad after a year or less. Hmmm dark matter constitutes 83% of the universe, it is pretty much everywhere, have we found god?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:01 am
Eltanin Sadachbia Socika Agreed, so what made you chose christianity anyway? Well, it is what I can identify with most. I grew up with the teachings of the Bible, and I have experienced and observed things within and because of my faith that can only be explained as supernatural... Yet, because of those experiences, I also have what allot of fundamentalist consider a heretical view... I did rebel against my upbringing for awhile as a teenager, but when I was 18, I realized that everything I had learned about other religions just brought me back to what I was brought up with when it came to the boundaries of my own abilities of acceptance... But because religion still remained a passionate subject for me, I continued to learn about other religions despite other Christians claiming it was "dangerous"... I decided that the most dangerous this is allowing the biases of fear induced misunderstanding of others beliefs was a mechanism laid in place centuries ago as a means to control the ignorant. So, when I was in my early 20's I had a personal experience that lead me to the understanding that in working to understand others' beliefs, I had broadened my own understanding of my own faith... and I haven't questioned my decision since then. Ok, 1 last thing, how to phrase this. While you are perfectly reasnoble (at least in my opninon) You are still validating the fundementalist idiocy, by accepting the label christian. I mean they are hiding behind the majority when really they could all probobly fit onto the ark and be sent over the edge of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:04 am
Socika Idk, if i was a higher being I'd probobly find better way of entertaiment than a planet full of idiots fighting eachother. It's kinda like you or me wathing a colony of ants for our entire life, you'd probobly go mad after a year or less. Hmmm dark matter constitutes 83% of the universe, it is pretty much everywhere, have we found god? I have my own ideas as to why God is so enamored with us, but I don't suppose they are based in much but my own speculations... So, as a disclaimer, my theories as to why we are so special are just that, theories... Or guesses based upon my own limited understanding, which is in no way perfect. It is my opinion that we aren't done yet... and it wouldn't be like us having an ant farm for our whole lives, because compared to God, we are still relatively new... And if we were created in God's image with the ability to create, and decide for ourselves with methodical and deliberate thought and intent, then is it so far fetched that maybe the ability to improve ourselves might be something that imitates the image of God? Like I said though... It's a personal theory, and possible explanation of why we intrigue God so much. As to dark matter equating to God, if the universe is only 83% dark matter, then we haven't found God by my estimation. I don't think God is something that can be found with mechanical equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:15 am
Eltanin Sadachbia Socika Idk, if i was a higher being I'd probobly find better way of entertaiment than a planet full of idiots fighting eachother. It's kinda like you or me wathing a colony of ants for our entire life, you'd probobly go mad after a year or less. Hmmm dark matter constitutes 83% of the universe, it is pretty much everywhere, have we found god? I have my own ideas as to why God is so enamored with us, but I don't suppose they are based in much but my own speculations... So, as a disclaimer, my theories as to why we are so special are just that, theories... Or guesses based upon my own limited understanding, which is in no way perfect. It is my opinion that we aren't done yet... and it wouldn't be like us having an ant farm for our whole lives, because compared to God, we are still relatively new... And if we were created in God's image with the ability to create, and decide for ourselves with methodical and deliberate thought and intent, then is it so far fetched that maybe the ability to improve ourselves might be something that imitates the image of God? Like I said though... It's a personal theory, and possible explanation of why we intrigue God so much. As to dark matter equating to God, if the universe is only 83% dark matter, then we haven't found God by my estimation. I don't think God is something that can be found with mechanical equipment. True he walks in ethirnity, but being so much more intelligent as well as omnipresent, idk how many times can you watch history repeat itself before you buy a new videotape. (and burn the old 1) Don't hold me to that 83% I got it from the first site that showed up (wiki). But they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:29 am
Socika Ok, 1 last thing, how to phrase this. While you are perfectly reasnoble (at least in my opninon) You are still validating the fundementalist idiocy, by accepting the label christian. I mean they are hiding behind the majority when really they could all probobly fit onto the ark and be sent over the edge of the world. Why does it really matter what I call myself? By accepting the term Christian, I acknowledge that I believe in Jesus. I can identify with what I have learned from the Bible better than I can from texts of other religions. It doesn't mean that I accept the beliefs of others who claim the faith blindly... In fact, I disagree with Christians more often than I disagree with those of other faiths (or lack thereof)... Do Christians in general have a bad reputation? HELL YES they do! Do they deserve that reputation? In general, they do... If I didn't accept the term Christian though, I would not have found this group, who are actually really wonderful people, because even if I do not agree with everyone, at least the people here are trying to gain more understanding... The label of Christian is just an identifier of a religious structure to which I can find others in which I can share insight and inspiration. Have I felt ashamed to call myself a Christian before? Yes I have... I have never been ashamed to say I believe in Jesus, though. I have come to realize that almost every organized religion has a sort of disconnect between the general group majority who claims the religion, and the few people who actually try to find enlightenment through the tenants of the actual faith. It isn't exclusive to Christianity, but because Christianity and Islam both have such a large following, they are the most prominent examples to the flaws in the system of organized religion... I have finally come to terms with the image that the religion of Christianity is portrayed, and decided that I don't follow the religion, I will try and live the faith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:36 am
Maybe this isn't the first time He has created and watched... The Universe is expanding... It came into being suddenly, and according to popular scientific theory, someday it will all collapse back into itself... I figure that it is likely that this has been happening for all eternity... So, quite possibly, God could be watching a whole new 'tape' every time the universe resets... LOL But that isn't really pertinent to my faith, so I haven't really thought hard about it. rolleyes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:36 am
Eltanin Sadachbia Socika Ok, 1 last thing, how to phrase this. While you are perfectly reasnoble (at least in my opninon) You are still validating the fundementalist idiocy, by accepting the label christian. I mean they are hiding behind the majority when really they could all probobly fit onto the ark and be sent over the edge of the world. Why does it really matter what I call myself? By accepting the term Christian, I acknowledge that I believe in Jesus. I can identify with what I have learned from the Bible better than I can from texts of other religions. It doesn't mean that I accept the beliefs of others who claim the faith blindly... In fact, I disagree with Christians more often than I disagree with those of other faiths (or lack thereof)... Do Christians in general have a bad reputation? HELL YES they do! Do they deserve that reputation? In general, they do... If I didn't accept the term Christian though, I would not have found this group, who are actually really wonderful people, because even if I do not agree with everyone, at least the people here are trying to gain more understanding... The label of Christian is just an identifier of a religious structure to which I can find others in which I can share insight and inspiration. Have I felt ashamed to call myself a Christian before? Yes I have... I have never been ashamed to say I believe in Jesus, though. I have come to realize that almost every organized religion has a sort of disconnect between the general group majority who claims the religion, and the few people who actually try to find enlightenment through the tenants of the actual faith. It isn't exclusive to Christianity, but because Christianity and Islam both have such a large following, they are the most prominent examples to the flaws in the system of organized religion... I have finally come to terms with the image that the religion of Christianity is portrayed, and decided that I don't follow the religion, I will try and live the faith. good point
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:40 am
Eltanin Sadachbia Maybe this isn't the first time He has created and watched... The Universe is expanding... It came into being suddenly, and according to popular scientific theory, someday it will all collapse back into itself... I figure that it is likely that this has been happening for all eternity... So, quite possibly, God could be watching a whole new 'tape' every time the universe resets... LOL But that isn't really pertinent to my faith, so I haven't really thought hard about it. rolleyes Ya maybe this time he was in the mood for a horror movie, or a comedy, I kinda see us as the 3 stuges gone homicidal. Must say tho, you present a whole new point of view
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:50 am
Socika Eltanin Sadachbia Maybe this isn't the first time He has created and watched... The Universe is expanding... It came into being suddenly, and according to popular scientific theory, someday it will all collapse back into itself... I figure that it is likely that this has been happening for all eternity... So, quite possibly, God could be watching a whole new 'tape' every time the universe resets... LOL But that isn't really pertinent to my faith, so I haven't really thought hard about it. rolleyes Ya maybe this time he was in the mood for a horror movie, or a comedy, I kinda see us as the 3 stuges gone homicidal. Must say tho, you present a whole new point of view Well it is a whole new re-visitation of the predestination quandary... I mean if things happen over and over, yet we have free-will to decide for ourselves... Then it is quite possible God has seen all the outcomes of all of our possible decisions, yet we still have the ability to make our own choice... but this is starting to sound more like an overly philosophical multidimensional sci-fi movie... My brain is starting to hurt. LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:05 am
Socika arika-toteshi-ka Socika So not repenting for gluttony or drunkness is reason for death? Than why don't we kill fat people and drunks? And without tax collectors goverments would fail and we'd have chaos. He's coverd in blood and marching with an army... And lambs blood, of course killing animals for any reason that's always ok. Everyone spreads rummons, lies and hate, and rare repent, the worlds population right now would be about 15000 if we killed everyone who does that. It's not that he hated tax collectors, it's that back then, many were overcharging people and keeping the extra money. In Matthew 17: 24-27, tax collectors went to Peter and Jesus, and while Jesus didn't have to pay the tax, he did so out of respect, and had Peter catch a fish and there was money in it's mouth. And again in Matthew 22: 15-22, the Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus in his words, so they asked him if it right to pay taxes to Caesar, and in verse 20 Jesus asks "whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Oh and now they're not? How much did clintins hair cut cost again? Or the private jets and all the other extra expences people in the goverment make? Give to god what's his? Ok what is his? Actually I have no idea what god's doing, well he is suppose to control earth, and he's doing a lousy job, I'd say show him the door. In any decently run universe he'd have been out on his all powerfull a** a long time ago. Good point, they still are, but the bible wasn't written in the present, I just meant back then it existed too. The second part means tithing, so tithing 10% of however much money you make. It helps keep the church running and since many pastors don't have paying jobs it helps them too. And what do you mean the mess God made? He didn't make the mess, we did. God created us as choosing beings, he didn't make us robots. Imagine being married, and your spouse is tied by the ankles with a chain, so your spouse tells you s/he loves you, and cooks for you and does everything for you, but s/he's forced too because s/he's chained up. It's fake, it doesn't mean anything. Now imagine having a spouse who does those things and says they love you while being free. That's how it is with us and God, if it was forced, it would be and feel fake.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:10 am
Socika arika-toteshi-ka Socika So not repenting for gluttony or drunkness is reason for death? Than why don't we kill fat people and drunks? And without tax collectors goverments would fail and we'd have chaos. He's coverd in blood and marching with an army... And lambs blood, of course killing animals for any reason that's always ok. Everyone spreads rummons, lies and hate, and rare repent, the worlds population right now would be about 15000 if we killed everyone who does that. As for spreading rumors, lies, and hate, we live in a world full of sin. It may not seem fair right now that they get away with it, or that they seem to have perfect lives etc, but God has a plan for the tough things we go through, and they will get judged when that day comes. I think the best thing we can do is try to be good examples to others, be what we want to see in others, and be filled with LOVE!!! heart xd Well considering what a mess he's made down here I wouldn't risk heaven I'd volounteer for hell, it looks like satan is doing a better job. So you believe in Satan and God. You believe Satan does exist and you choose to blame God for all the problems in the world? All of these problems you hate stem from satan, and you'd choose hell over heaven?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
