Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
...Question: did this man skip a beat when he died? I get all of my information from the Bible. Occasionally, I will post someone's personal testimony to corroborate what the Bible already revealed.
In other words, you don't have a clue. Blind faith leaves a person open to great evil.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
In other words, you don't have a clue. Blind faith leaves a person open to great evil.
Hey, Shak, why do you spend so much time opposing everything that I write about the things of God (i.e., the Bible, Jesus, etc.)? Do I spend every waking moment protesting Buddhism? I am just asking a serious question. Anyhoo, carry on with the opposition, just thought I'd ask.
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
Hey, Shak, why do you spend so much time opposing everything that I write about the things of God (i.e., the Bible, Jesus, etc.)? Do I spend every waking moment protesting Buddhism? I am just asking a serious question. Anyhoo, carry on with the opposition, just thought I'd ask.
I'm trying to be you to:
1. Answer my posts.
2. Show some resect for people you do not know.
3. Talk about things that lead to discussion.
4. Ask more questions of other people.
You don’t realize this, but most of the people here are really good people. Who would stick up for you, if you gave them a reason too.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I'm trying to be you to:1. Answer my posts.
2. Show some resect for people you do not know.
3. Talk about things that lead to discussion.
4. Ask more questions of other people.You don’t realize this, but most of the people here are really good people. Who would stick up for you, if you gave them a reason too.
😄
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
The Rich Man and Lazarus (a true account of one man’s experience in Hell)Luke 16:19-31
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades,
he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said,
‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But
Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29
Abraham said to him, ‘They have
Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”Question: did this man skip a beat when he died? I get all of my information from the Bible. Occasionally, I will post someone's personal testimony to corroborate what the Bible already revealed.
I wouldn't know if he skipped a beat and the story isn't that specific to conclude if he did or didn't really, maybe time stands still when you die and what seemed to him like a nanosecond, a decade or and eon passed. Possible? Also, if we don't "skip a beat", then why all the near death or temporary death experiences where people travel through tunnels of light and lapse in time before they actually reach heaven as you have posted yourself?
What I also want to know is, why did the rich man suddnely die? I understand that the beggar was malnourished and had some sort of sickness (sores could equate bubonic plague) so his death is of no surprise, but why did the rich man die? Solely because he was rich and didn't give? If so, there would hardly be any rich people in the world, most rich people do not give to charity all they could.
That's fine that you get all your info from the Bible, but I promise you there are people who have had near death experiences and not experienced a trip to Heaven or Hell, what makes why they say more or less credible?
Originally posted by Alliance
As I said...my church raised mew to be a citizen of the community.To me, THATS what Jesus was about...and in many ways I havent changed I replaced God with philosophy and go the same results...
...its why I'm so passionate about government.
Yes, I agree - it is one of the failings of certain followers of any religion that claim their religion is the only way to achieve that positive part of life - yet philosophy can. Other religions can. Society, hopefully when healthy, can.
Originally posted by Alliance
That what Jefferson thought. He saw education as the great equilizer. Ther first University in the world with a Library at its center rather than a Chapel. That man was brilliant.Of course most of the founding fathers were Deist. I still feel strong resonances from that religion.
Indeed. I suspect that if I were ever to follow a religion (outside of Buddhism or Hinduism) then Deist would get my vote - for the way it approaches it, and simply because it fits in the closest with the way I think.
It's a shame it doesn't really get much recongition any more. The world needs less fundamentalists and more Deists.
Originally posted by Alliance
Desim faded out when the enlightenment did. I agree that it was unfortunate...but were are parts that are archaic.Modern philosophies like nationalism and facism could make good substitutes.
True, true. Of course Fascism due to publicity issues wouldn't be a good poster child for it.
I believe, at one point that Atheism attracted potential Deists as well, despite some fundamental differences.
Originally posted by Alliance
Facism is brilliant...if only it wer applied in moderation and with the gentle fist of democracy.
Yes, though like with so many other political theories/ideologies people misused it, and as a result it is tainted. Potential wasted. Whether it is ever to rise again is hard to tell. Perhaps. Though analysts seem to believe things like Communism will always have an easier time returning to power due to the affinity it has with oppresses masses.
And there are always oppressed masses somewhere.
Originally posted by Alliance
Heinlein didn't think it was a missed opportunity. His system of government was brilliant. And he wrote in one of the most conservative and anti-facist periods of modern American history.
I would agree to a point. It is fortunate he was able write without falling to the problems of censure, of course many people seem to miss potential social commentary these days.
Whether such a vision will ever become a reality is a whole other Christian - of course with every book that deals with the potential for it to be a worthy system there a dozen others demonizing it.
Originally posted by Alliance
Religion needs to be replaced with loyalty to the constitution.
One of the reasons why Marx saw religion as needing to be removed from political system. And the Romans. Things that call for loyalty to something other then the state and the people can prove detrimental to national unity.
Originally posted by Alliance
Yes. Except the Romans put in place the Imperial cult.That went over fabulously with the Christians (who were too busy sitting on their poles).
Well ancient Governments knew the value of religion as a unifying feature of the state. It so often seemed to be a balancing act. Problems only really arose when certain religions got out of step.
These days... I'm not sure what has really replaced religion in the loyalty stakes. Culture perhaps? In certain places it is state. In many western nations there seems to be a distinct lack of great philosophical movements for people to dedicate themselves to. Maybe it is just living -work, earning.