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The time came when I had to find out why I believed. The Christian faith hangs or falls on one premise and one premise only. The ressurection. If Jesus of nazareth didn't raise from the dead then it is all a bunch of crap and I don't need Christianity. On the other hand, if he rose from the dead then everyone had better take a scond look at this individual. Did he or didn't he?
Originally posted by AfterInfinity
reply to post by FaceLikeTheSun
Your entire second paragraph needs to be addressed here. First off, your theology and your definition of God is off. Ever heard the phrase "God is good all the time"? God by definition is good. But you say, how could God be good and order the murder of a nation, wives and kids etc? Here's a link that get's into the details...
Which is why he created the king of evil, right? He created "Satan". Obviously, evil can only come from pure good.
God sees the big picture. He understands that things have to be done that don't make sense at the time for a greater purpose. Ever have a situation in your life that devastated you at the time but later came to realize that it was the best thing that could happen to you? Much of the OT narrative is along these lines...and interestingly enough, the Israelites ALWAYS failed to fulfill what God told them to do. In fact, I would have done the same. I can relate to you and the Israelites who disobeyed God because at the time, it would make no sense.
Yes, but this only makes sense if "God" is omniscient and NOT omnipotent. Otherwise, he could undo it all and reset it with the necessary parameters to avoid all chaos and suffering in a split second.
So why doesn't he? Why does he unleash these evils on the world when he demands that we do the exact opposite?
Originally posted by wildtimes
reply to post by cantyousee
The time came when I had to find out why I believed. The Christian faith hangs or falls on one premise and one premise only. The ressurection. If Jesus of nazareth didn't raise from the dead then it is all a bunch of crap and I don't need Christianity. On the other hand, if he rose from the dead then everyone had better take a scond look at this individual. Did he or didn't he?
That is the crux of the matter.
I've NEVER believed he did. And the Bible tales are all hearsay...and there is ample evidence that he was part of the "mystic" school; there is NO REASON to believe that he wasn't simply "seeming dead"...and because he was so hastily brought off the cross and his legs not broken (it normally takes 3 days to die on the cross) he could have been attended to by his "healing" support circle.
A "resurrected from the dead" person will not be eating or drinking or showing off his hand-holes.
He did not. Great story, but, fiction.
Originally posted by Arles Morningside
reply to post by celticdog
As a transgender myself, I think it depends on how one interprets the Bible and sees it. As a Hermeticist, it's traditional to have some kind of relationship with the Bible so I study it often and enjoy doing it and find a great deal of knowledge, wisdom and understanding that can be discovered within its many layers (as can be found in any Holy Book).
I think the real problem is people who use the Bible to mask their own personal discomfort, repulsion or whatever at such people as myself and this can be seen on all fronts and not just with folks like myself. People use religion all the time as a cover for the the unwholesome and impious things that dwell in their heart of which they project out like weapons to do so much damage to people.
You know, they say, Adam was once both male and female before God split Adam into two halves.
Originally posted by ddanielChristians use lines of scriptire to deny love to an entire subset of people (gays). Our 'Christian' nation, capable of relieving the suffering of so many fellow humans, instead uses its energy to wage war and create division. Our very society is structured in a way that encourages greed and deception!
But this is all fine. After all, we are helpless until Jesus comes back.
Originally posted by 12m8keall2c
Originally posted by ddanielChristians use lines of scriptire to deny love to an entire subset of people (gays). Our 'Christian' nation, capable of relieving the suffering of so many fellow humans, instead uses its energy to wage war and create division. Our very society is structured in a way that encourages greed and deception!
But this is all fine. After all, we are helpless until Jesus comes back.
ahhhh .. religion... that 'protective veil' used by oh-so many as a means to 'ward off' that which they either cannot understand, accept or explain in life.
there is/was a member of the boards who once said,
'Jesus taught us the way, but instead of following In His Way, We Followed Him.
it struck a chord of sort with me at the time, and has always since come to mind in these type discussions.
I, too, think "He, They, It" would be aghast at what their little petri dish has since 'cultured' to and become..
Originally posted by ddaniel
Originally posted by 12m8keall2c
there is/was a member of the boards who once said,
'Jesus taught us the way, but instead of following In His Way, We Followed Him.
This is one of the best quotes I've seen in a long time. You just summarized my thread in a sentence... Thank you!
Originally posted by temporalchameleon
That’s a nice thing to say, but you’ll never be taken seriously by the vast majority of Churchians once you actually start forming your own“inspired” ideas about the scriptures and what they mean… unless you can convince some nitwits that you’re a prophet/prophetess. (Looking at you, Joseph Smith and Ellen G. White.)
I’ve never met Jesus, but if he’s the kind of person who requires that I irrevocably submit to him and his will, than I want nothing to do with such a person. If you were in his position, would you enjoy leading a mass of people constantly looking to you for direction? Wouldn’t you rather those people, whom you saved, be truly free and able to think for themselves?
Woah! Don’t hurl those scriptural projectiles at me! I want to hear what you have to say about this, not Jesus.
Originally posted by wildtimes
The time came when I had to find out why I believed. The Christian faith hangs or falls on one premise and one premise only. The ressurection. If Jesus of nazareth didn't raise from the dead then it is all a bunch of crap and I don't need Christianity. On the other hand, if he rose from the dead then everyone had better take a scond look at this individual. Did he or didn't he?
That is the crux of the matter.
I've NEVER believed he did.
there is/was a member of the boards who once said,
'Jesus taught us the way, but instead of following In His Way, We Followed Him.
Originally posted by ddaniel
This is one of the best quotes I've seen in a long time. You just summarized my thread in a sentence... Thank you!
Originally posted by temporalchameleon
Jesus is the way to get to the Father, but is that connection meant for everyone or just his disciples?
I think it's rather presumptuous to assume we can become part of that inner circle just for the asking.It's like walking up to an old shaman and expecting him or her to reveal all the secrets of their underworld. There's no way in hell he or she would volunteer that information.
Originally posted by wildtimes
reply to post by cantyousee
The time came when I had to find out why I believed. The Christian faith hangs or falls on one premise and one premise only. The ressurection. If Jesus of nazareth didn't raise from the dead then it is all a bunch of crap and I don't need Christianity. On the other hand, if he rose from the dead then everyone had better take a scond look at this individual. Did he or didn't he?
That is the crux of the matter.
I've NEVER believed he did. And the Bible tales are all hearsay...and there is ample evidence that he was part of the "mystic" school; there is NO REASON to believe that he wasn't simply "seeming dead"...and because he was so hastily brought off the cross and his legs not broken (it normally takes 3 days to die on the cross) he could have been attended to by his "healing" support circle.
A "resurrected from the dead" person will not be eating or drinking or showing off his hand-holes.
He did not. Great story, but, fiction.
I am somewhat dismayed at how some people are quick to applaud things which can be easily proven false by a couple scriptures.
I hope you reconsider and come to God. Like him, that is my wish.
But in the event that you don't, remember that in the world to come there could have been a place for you.
Just because God is all merciful and patient doesn't mean he is gonna allow the controversy to last forever. Even as I write this the world as you know it is coming to an end. Satan is about to unleash his last spurt of evil. Like the death throws of a wild animal. Then the real Christ will come and my words will be vindicated. I implore you to look at the evidense and reconsider your position.
But if not, we want rid of all who think like of you. There is no place for you in the world to come. Come and receive him today while it is still possible.