Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I don't think you are confused. I like your honesty. You are a Christian and you know why, that is probable why you don't go around cramming it down everyone's threat.
Yes. I'm proud to say that I'm a Christian who doesn't go around forcing my beliefs down people's throats or saying that I'm better that them.
Some of the bible makes sense if I interpreted it according to what i observed and learned through science.
God = Universe
let there be light=bigbang
antichrist=one who uses bible as a weapon to hurt/kill
judgement day/hellfire = sun supernova, big crunch, asteroid hitting earth
Jesus Christ = man who taught us to love one another Golden Rule
Demons= bad men e.g. Hitler, Nero, other tyrants.
theres other stuff that the bible can be linked into philosphical/scientific/real people. i just dont bother listing them all.
Originally posted by Smiter
Some of the bible makes sense if I interpreted it according to what i observed and learned through science.
God = Universe
let there be light=bigbang
antichrist=one who uses bible as a weapon to hurt/kill
judgement day/hellfire = sun supernova, big crunch, asteroid hitting earth
Jesus Christ = man who taught us to love one another Golden Rule
Demons= bad men e.g. Hitler, Nero, other tyrants.theres other stuff that the bible can be linked into philosphical/scientific/real people. i just dont bother listing them all.
The same reasoning can work for Greek Mythology, Islam, Buddhism, and other Faiths.
What makes the Bible so special ?
Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
Your argument is stupid. We aren't talking about a lions mouth. We're talking about eternal damnation. Once again, you presebt your position as an absolute truth. If you're so secure in your idea of the afterlife, then why would you be affraid to stick your head in a lions mouth? Or a lions den? Once again, your scared of death just like the rest of us, but you have to subscribe to fairy tales to comfort yourself.
You are indeed entitled to your opinion - but I do believe the analogy(I made) was a just one. I have presented my argument affirmitively - which is the same way you have presented yours. There is no problem with either of us - debating in this fashion. However - only one of our opinions will prove to be the correct some day.
The love I have for God is not based on comfort - instead it is based on a true longing to get to know our Creator. If it was truly based on the superficial, then I'd be doing things a lot differently with my life right now(particularly since the past 9 years of my life - have given me few rewards, but have caused much adversity). Still - knowing that he is *loving* there is a common sense expectation - that at some point God will reward all those who love him. But to those who love him - and truly understand and respect his loving nature - the real reward will be eternal *fellowship*(friendship) with him.
Regarding my *security* - I do not feel it necessary for me to *test* God's love - by doing something *stupid* Nor do I have any desire to offend God in a tactless manner, by throwing away this gift called life - that he so graciously gave to me(and all of us). I have no fear of death - but I do have a fear of being seperated from God upon experiencing it. However, this fear is removed by the understanding that his sacrifice overcame the death, as well as his promise not to leave nor reject any of those who truly love him.
Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
You are indeed entitled to your opinion - but I do believe the analogy(I made) was a just one. I have presented my argument affirmitively - which is the same way you have presented yours. There is no problem with either of us - debating in this fashion. However - only one of our opinions will prove to be the correct some day.The love I have for God is not based on comfort - instead it is based on a true longing to get to know our Creator. If it was truly based on the superficial, then I'd be doing things a lot differently with my life right now(particularly since the past 9 years of my life - have given me few rewards, but have caused much adversity). Still - knowing that he is *loving* there is a common sense expectation - that at some point God will reward all those who love him. But to those who love him - and truly understand and respect his loving nature - the real reward will be eternal *fellowship*(friendship) with him.
Regarding my *security* - I do not feel it necessary for me to *test* God's love - by doing something *stupid* Nor do I have any desire to offend God in a tactless manner, by throwing away this gift called life - that he so graciously gave to me(and all of us). I have no fear of death - but I do have a fear of being seperated from God upon experiencing it. However, this fear is removed by the understanding that his sacrifice overcame the death, as well as his promise not to leave nor reject any of those who truly love him.
To each his own....
The question is, how do you expect the rest of us to beleive ?
Originally posted by Lord Urizen
But since Marriage has existed way before Christianity did, and since Marriage has existed as a state AND religious institution since the dawn of the United States, I don't see why Marriage should change into a religious ceremony only.In that case, Atheists can't get married. That is Further discrimination.
So how about this...we'll have....
ready ?
[b]ATHEIST GAY MARRIAGES that have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHURCH !
Oh wait....that's what us f*ggots were trying to promote before.....I don't see what the problem is then 😕 [/B]
The problem, at least in Canada, is that gays are trying to force pastors to marry them in churches. I oppose this.
Originally posted by Nellinator
Well actually, in full my stance does allow atheists to get married. It just wouldn't be a Christian marriage. They can declare themselves life partners, whatever they want. I never really fully went into the details, but I think you get the jist.The problem, at least in Canada, is that gays are trying to force pastors to marry them in churches. I oppose this.
I don't think Homosexual Men and Women should realistically expect the Churches to marry them, when the Church already has its own set of rules on the matter.
However, in United States, most of Gays just wanna get married...period. Whether it be state or church is irrelevant, we just want the same right.
Marriage means absolutely NOTHING to me now, but it may in the future.
Originally posted by Nellinator
Well actually, in full my stance does allow atheists to get married. It just wouldn't be a Christian marriage. They can declare themselves life partners, whatever they want. I never really fully went into the details, but I think you get the jist.The problem, at least in Canada, is that gays are trying to force pastors to marry them in churches. I oppose this.
The state is the primary construct behind marriage. If churches want tax exempt status (I don't know if they are in Canada) they need to reamain apolitical, meaning they follow the law of the state to the letter.
I think its fine if they choose not to marry homosexuals, but they should loose their tax exempt status if they choose not to do so.
Well fine, but you are by no means mainstream in that opinon. What I offered was a solution to the problem.
However, I would like at if religious instituions remain tax exempt, because that keeps them apolitical.
Actually I'd just prefer if there were none.
Basically, my solution fails, like yours, for the same reason.