Chrsitianism is like a family tradition that makes people feel part of something, of a group.... that does something. It reflects the people need or search for authenticity.... it is a social integration tool, not a spiritual search.
Just ask any psychologist or sociologist....
EDIT : or psychiatrist... just kidding 😄
and well... of course there is always something spiritual, but it is very rare in my opinion.... if people sincirely were seeking spirituality they will not be so afraid of thinking outside of the bible... just to see the possibilities at least.
Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
I haven't suckled the milk of christ enough to figure out things like that.
😖 Urizen has. droolio
Originally posted by Jim Reaper
He offered me an eternity of babbling on the internet, for the price of my soul. A fair trade IMO. 👿
Hehe. I saw Goody JIA with the devil.
Originally posted by sonnet
It is not God that needs to understand it, it is you that needs to understand that God created man to worship Him an Him alone.
So much for.... free will!
And why is your God worthy if he doesn't even understand his creation? I understand the things I create, most people do - but does God? No, and apparently God doesn't even need to try and understand.
It sounds rather unpleasant. Like a tyrant. And I don't worship tyrants. When God actually provides some reason to believe he loves us like children and not as people who serve no other reason then to worship then we will have something to talk about. Until then he fails in my book.
There is nothing creater for man to do than this, because all our earthly material efforts and achievements will account to nothing in the end. But faith will, and specifically faith in God.
And as I said why have earth at all then? It is useless apparently. Nothing matters in the end.
The fact that man rebells against God because of Satan's influance does not force God to change His plan or to accommodate our disobedience.It really does not matter whether you like God or like His plan for His creation, you will still stand in judgement before Him.
Yep, your decent loving God that doesn't care what I think. What I feel. Disgusting really. Why should I love someone like that? And relationship has to be two ways, and at the moment everyone is telling me "God doesn't care what you think" "God doesn't care whether you understand of have a problem" "God just wants your worship."
Well, he isn't going to get it with that attitude. And on the remarkable chance he exists and I go to judgment I would tell him as much. And he casts me down then fine.
Because it is something that some religious people don't understand - this isn't about "rebelling for no reason" - this is about what is right in the eys of his creation which he cares about. This is about humanity. God wants to be aloof and uncaring about the oppinion of his Children then I see no reason to dedicate more love to him then people I know care. And if he can't understand that then he is not as great as you make out.
Re: Re: Re: Idols
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
....... are presently in Tartarus (a region or part of Hell)......
Tarturus is part of GREEK MYTHOLOGY and is technically a PAGAN beleif....
Why does your Bible copy Pagan mythologies ? First Zoroastrianism, then Egyptian Mythos, NOW GREEK MYTHOS ? WTF ?
Originally posted by sonnet
It is not God that needs to understand it, it is you that needs to understand that God created man to worship Him an Him alone. There is nothing creater for man to do than this, because all our earthly material efforts and achievements will account to nothing in the end. But faith will, and specifically faith in God. The fact that man rebells against God because of Satan's influance does not force God to change His plan or to accommodate our disobedience.It really does not matter whether you like God or like His plan for His creation, you will still stand in judgement before Him.
Every time that I read your posts I know and am reminded of the Scriptures that state:
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
So, yes I thank God without ceasing because every time that I receive the Word of God (through your Scripturally sound posts) I welcome it not as the word of men, but as it is truth, the Word of God. This Word works effectively in me as I continue to believe. Your posts are replete with the Word of God. The Lord Jesus states that if we abide/continue in His Word, we are His disciples indeed, and we shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make us free. We are indeed disciples of Christ and free!
Sonnet, we must continue to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We are strong, the Word of God abides in us, and we have overcome the wicked one (satan)--through Jesus Christ our Lord. Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he/she who overcomes the world, but he/she who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore, we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Finally, my sister in Christ, be strong in the Lord and in the power of the Lord's might.
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
....... are presently in Tartarus (a region or part of Hell)...
Tar·ta·rus (tär't.r-.s)
n.
Greek Mythology. The abysmal regions below Hades where the Titans were confined.
An infernal region; hell.
[Latin, from Greek Tartaros.]
In Greek mythology, the lowest depths of the underworld. It was a region of eternal darkness where the evil were punished after death for having offended the gods. Here Zeus confined the Titans, who were prevented from escaping by hundred-armed giants. Later classical authors sometimes used Tartarus interchangeably with Hades to designate the entire underworld.
Tartarus, or Tartaros (from the Greek tartarizo, meaning "shivering cold"😉 is a place in Christianity, Greek mythology, and Roman mythology. Tartarus is also a person in Greek myth.
Roman Mythology's Tartarus
In Roman mythology, Tartarus is the place where sinners are sent. Virgil describes it in the Aeneid as a gigantic place, surrounded by the flaming river Phlegethon and triple walls to prevent sinners from escaping from it. It is guarded by a hydra with fifty black gaping jaws, which sits at a screeching gate protected by columns of solid adamantine, a substance akin to diamond - so hard that nothing will cut through it. Inside, there is a castle with wide walls, and a tall iron turret. Tisiphone, one of the Erinyes who represents revenge, stands guard sleepless at the top of this turret lashing a whip. There is a pit inside which is said to extend down into the earth twice as far as the distance from the lands of the living to Olympus. At the bottom of this pit lie the Titans, the twin sons of Aloeus and many other sinners. Still more sinners are contained inside Tartarus, with punishments similar to those of Greek myth
Originally posted by sonnet
And I suppose I have to feel sorry for you being annoyed by the truth? I might just say that we are getting annoyed by people commenting on the Bible and God, something they now nothing about, using literature that are filled with lies.
In many cases, it is actually the knowledge of religion which has been a key factor in deciding to leave Christianity and move on. Many have studied religion - study and reflection which involve significant reading on religion, philosophy, religious critique - and the more they learned, the less accepting they have been of what religious authorities have traditionally taught.
Originally posted by AllianceTrue........I was once a very strict Christian and I did my research.........My father is or was raised Roman Catholic being from Italy, but yet he is very open minded...though hates protestants...... 😂
Not all, but my roomate is Catholic, and he remains ignorant of his religions past...despite my prodding.
I have two very good friends who are Christian. They've done research on their religion and disagree with many things in the bible, but still believe in god and Jesus and what they think is the overall message of their teachings (don't judge/condemn others, do what you think is right, and life is precious). They're both very open-minded and completely non-judgmental about people's beliefs, because they both think that your actions decide who you are as a person, not what you do or do not believe in.
THAT, I think, should be the proper approach to religion. Don't let it blind you or take over your life.
Originally posted by LanaNice but in the end is the fear that they could be wrong and don't want to take a chance on their eternal soul..............!!!!!!!!
I have two very good friends who are Christian. They've done research on their religion and disagree with many things in the bible, but still believe in god and Jesus and what they think is the overall message of their teachings (don't judge/condemn others, do what you think is right, and life is precious). They're both very open-minded and completely non-judgmental about people's beliefs, because they both think that your actions decide who you are as a person, not what you do or do not believe in.THAT, I think, should be the proper approach to religion. Don't let it blind you or take over your life.
As true with many that know but don't leave.........IT'S FEAR if they are wrong............
Originally posted by AllianceFear over the myth that they don't understand and will die for.........much like many past religions....they are just sheep.........in that one quote that Jesus said "People are like sheep", it is true............do a study on sheep.............they are really stupid and only follow after another .....they will even eat themselves to death..........and if one jumps off a cliff, they all will follow........
Fear over thought.