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what your god is and how he is, then Ill gladly take a pass.
originally posted by: arpgme
Some people say that Christ is just mythology.
Even if there were Pagan Gods who died and came back to life and did miracles, does that actually compare to The Good News (Gospel) of Christ?
Which of any of these gods put an emphasis on Forgiving the world of its evil (Matthew 26:28)
and teaching others to do the same? (Matthew 6:14 / Luke 6:27-29)
Which God allowed himself to be killed and taught the lesson that even through the worse possible pain, even through death, you can still hold on to The Forgiveness that comes from The Spirit saying "Father (God), Please forgive them for they know not of what they do"? (Luke 23:34)
Which of any of these Gods controlled, not by many rules of The Law, but by a simple practical and compassionate teaching that fulfills it and all of The Prophets who taught it ? (Matthew 7:12)
There are some people who say that Jesus paid the price for our sins and now we can do whatever we want since the price has been paid and we are not forgiven. This seems to be the philosophy of "Do what thou wilt" (which is also a part of Satanic philosophy).
We are told "yes", we have received Forgiveness from God for Sins, but we are also to Forgive others or else we will NOT be forgiven.
(Matthew 6:15 / Mark 11:26)
We are told that it is The Merciful who are blessed, because it is They who will be shown Mercy (Matthew 5:7)
We are told to be Merciful so that we can be Children of our Heavenly Father who is also Merciful (Luke 6:36)
Christianity is truly based on Mercy (Forgiveness), but it is not that you can "do what thou wilt for thou art already forgiven" philosophy, but as said in Matthew 6:15 and Mark 11:26 you must first forgive in order to be Forgiven.
originally posted by: BombDefined
I was recently at a Christian conference and was trying to discuss the latter with people.
I was trying to see how Christians justified military service (i.e. ANZAC day) with the commandment 'Thou Shalt not Kill'. I am aware that the context also offers the translation of 'Thou Shalt not Murder', but basically every form of people killing people is sin, with the exceptions of accident and defence - biblically speaking. Opponents to this thinking often cite the faithful Centurion and that Jesus didn't chastise him for his conduct (Jesus dwelt with sinners, and didn't always specifically point out their sins etc.). They seem to see this as accepted by omission (despite scriptures to the contrary).
People went so far to say that the famous 10 commandments don't apply anymore, as basically we are now covered by Christ's sacrifice. While there is no punishment from not obeying (the wages of sin is death), Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Not to mention James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - It's still Gods will and there will be judgement from it. Not even getting into the sermon on the mount...
Unfortunately, modern Christianity is something that evil has a foothold in. Even from a completely non-spiritual perspective, Jesus was basically a socialist pacifist who is somehow now synonymous with Western concepts of financial greed (corrupt capitalism), materialism and militarism.
Romans 12: 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Even if there were Pagan Gods who died and came back to life and did miracles, does that actually compare to The Good News (Gospel) of Christ?
originally posted by: Ninipe
And there I was thinking the core intention of the story/myth was "love your next, like you love yourself"? Am I wrong? So, how can you love yourself, if you don't do what you want?
originally posted by: ParasuvO
a reply to: Murgatroid
You believe in some massively un-provable things... how about PROVING all of this is real...
“Nothing is as it appears to be.” ~ Robert Booth Nichols
"Do what thou wilt shall be the only law."
The truth is you're religion is destroying itself from the inside.
(3) If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, (4) he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, (5) and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. (6) But godliness with contentment is a great gain. www.biblegateway.com...
(1) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. (2) Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them. (3) They will exploit you in their greed with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. www.biblegateway.com...
(1) Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, (2) for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. www.biblegateway.com...
(3) Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. (4) And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” www.biblegateway.com...
(21) Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?'
(22) 'I tell you, not as many as seven,' Jesus said to him, 'but 70 times seven.' www.biblegateway.com...
After studying the subject for several years I am 1000% convinced of this fact.
The Conspiracy To Discredit Christ as a Myth
myth [mith] noun
1. a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.
2. stories or matter of this kind: realm of myth.
3. any invented story, idea, or concept: His account of the event is pure myth.
4. an imaginary or fictitious thing or person.
5. an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution.