Why do you believe in the bible?

Originally posted by Nellinator
Who's showing the selfless love? The person trying to spend eternity with someone in hell would not be sent. Why? Because I am strongly impressed with the idea that people in hell are extremely isolated and that there is no communion amongst the damned. Therefore, God would tell the person that he will not because there would be no point.

But that was not my point. What is love? True love is forsaking of ones self. God cannot do that, that is why Jesus died, so god could love. The god of the bible is not a loving god.

Really? If you ask me Jesus was God, forsaking his own life and suffering to bridge the gap between God and man. God died for us. He saved us from our sins. Look around the world and see all the sin, corruption and evil in the world. God's patience can only exist within the parameters of love. That sounds like love to me.
Personally I define love between humans by this:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

By necessity, God will not do all these things. God must keep a record of our wrongs, but despite this God is willing to wash away our sins because of his love. God gives of himself all the time, meeting our needs and giving us the wants that will benefit us most.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
But that was not my point. What is love? True love is forsaking of ones self. God cannot do that, that is why Jesus died, so god could love. The god of the bible is not a loving god.

Ummm..Jesus was, is, and always will be God. For as it is written "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Jesus dying had nothing to do with God's ability to *love*, seeing as how *love* was present(in abundance) before the cross. Rather - it was the be all and end all expression of his *love* for mankind, as well as a final demonstation(or proof) to us(all of his creations/children) - that he was truly a loving God(although he didn't really need to prove himself, he had already proved his love many - upon many times before this).

In response to your other question(which I believe I've already answered) A Christian who truly loved Christ - would be willing to put themselves through the same *Hell* that Christ himself went through, if it was to the benefit of their lord and saviour(although I must say - despite their willingness - I'm sure most would be extremely hesistant to do so).

Do I believe that God would put such an individual in *Hell* - well it depends on how one defines *Hell*.

It is said that for those who truly love God, the closest thing to *Hell* that they will ever experience - is being on this earth.

Now I have a question for you - how is it possible to be truly loving, if one is not capable of forsaking one's own desires, and one is only willing to abide by their own *relative* interpretations of truth?

Forget flowers and candy, a global flood is the way to go when you want to show your affection.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Forget flowers and candy, a global flood is the way to go when you want to show your affection.

Yes - it is much more loving to wash and attend to the wounds of the ailing hypocrite, instead of praise him for having received them.

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
Yes - it is much more loving to wash and attend to the wounds of the ailing hypocrite, instead of praise him for having received them.

You allude to hypocrisy a lot, how ironic and hypocritical, possible whobsock.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Babies. Children. Animals. Plantlife. "I built my sandcastle wrong, and I don't have the power and patience to fix it, so instead I'm just going to throw a tantrum and kick it down like a spoilt child."

But he did fix it with patience and love. He sent Jesus. Duh?

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Babies. Children. Animals. Plantlife. "I built my sandcastle wrong, and I don't have the power and patience to fix it, so instead I'm just going to throw a tantrum and kick it down like a spoilt child."

Actually - its more like "However much of a mess of themselves my children make after playing in the sandbox I've given them - I'll always be there to help them clean up - the things they can't clean up by themselves."

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
You allude to hypocrisy a lot, how ironic and hypocritical, possible whobsock.

Because I am aware of wounds - when they need to be tended..and not too afraid(nor too prideful) to admit when I need help attending to them.

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
But he did fix it with patience and love. He sent Jesus. Duh?

You're finally starting to get it(at least somewhat) - there may be hope for you yet..He..He..He..

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
You're finally starting to get it(at least somewhat) - there may be hope for you yet..He..He..He..

Oh I've always gotten it. I simply reject it.

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
Oh I've always gotten it. I simply reject it.

At least you're willing to admit(unlike others) that the rejection is coming from yourself. Having enough humility to do this - is always a start in the right direction.

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
At least you're willing to admit(unlike others) that the rejection is coming from yourself. Having enough humility to do this - is always a start in the right direction.

There's no need to bait me. I'm not humiliated by my descision not to take fariy tales as the indesputible intervention of an all knowing god seriously.

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
Actually - its more like "However much of a mess of themselves my children make after playing in the sandbox I've given them - I'll always be there to help them clean up - the things they can't clean up by themselves."

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
There's no need to bait me. I'm not humiliated by my descision not to take fariy tales as the indesputible intervention of an all knowing god seriously.

No one is attempting to bait you(into an argument) if that's what you mean. A compliment was actually given - regarding your willingness(and humility) to at least admit that the rejection wasn't coming from God.

The next step is getting you(and others) to realize that God is real, and that his commands are loving. But first let me ask you a question - what is it specifically about these *fairy tales* that makes you not want to believe in them?

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
Ummm..Jesus was, is, and always will be God. For as it is written "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Jesus dying had nothing to do with God's ability to *love*, seeing as how *love* was present(in abundance) before the cross. Rather - it was the be all and end all expression of his *love* for mankind, as well as a final demonstation(or proof) to us(all of his creations/children) - that he was truly a loving God(although he didn't really need to prove himself, he had already proved his love many - upon many times before this).

In response to your other question(which I believe I've already answered) A Christian who truly loved Christ - would be willing to put themselves through the same *Hell* that Christ himself went through, if it was to the benefit of their lord and saviour(although I must say - despite their willingness - I'm sure most would be extremely hesistant to do so).

Do I believe that God would put such an individual in *Hell* - well it depends on how one defines *Hell*.

It is said that for those who truly love God, the closest thing to *Hell* that they will ever experience - is being on this earth.

Now I have a question for you - how is it possible to be truly loving, if one is not capable of forsaking one's own desires, and one is only willing to abide by their own *relative* interpretations of truth?

You have not read the OT then. I also have talked to other Christians who say that Jesus was a god but not god, so, your own people don't agree with you. Your god cannot see past his own ego, so, he had his only son killed. His son is the only way to god, like a caring mother standing in the way of an angry and dangerous father.

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
No one is attempting to bait you(into an argument) if that's what you mean. A compliment was actually given - regarding your willingness(and humility) to at least admit that the rejection wasn't coming from God.

The next step is getting you(and others) to realize that God is real, and that his commands are loving. But first let me ask you a question - what is it specifically about these *fairy tales* that makes you not want to believe in them?

I have never said that god rejected people. People reject people. But people are also the ones who wrote these fairy tales and spent the next 4000 years professing them to be fact. And for the last 2000 years christians have repeatedly sought to use the words of Jesus to condemn and scare people. It's petty. It's not what Jesus taught. And organized religion as a result of the will of an all knowing god makes no sense. An all knowing god would be free of the constraints of human personality quirks. God didn't create teh universe to treat it like a kid with an ant farm. It's just silly. But that's how "god" is treated by his followers. They treat him like a confused old man that changes his mind. He goes from being an eye for an eye to floods to love and respect and peace to returning in teh form of Jesus on a horse with a sword. It's hypocritical from beginning to end. I, personally, have more respect for the possiblity of a creator by not treasting it like it's a human being with a beard in the clouds, judging us and setting us up for failure.

I don't have all the answers. But neither does any other human being, Jesus or otherwise, that profess to have them.

^ It's the “God is separate” from us syndrome. Wrong thinking leads to wrong actions.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
^ It's the “God is separate” from us syndrome. Wrong thinking leads to wrong actions.

I believe the bible due to many things.

-Genisis(metaphor) = Big Bang (our current theory) = Existence
-Funny but disgusting Incest Stories = Lot Efft his 2 daughters. Reuben Efft his Stepmother = its the jokest part of bible and this shit happens even today
-Jesus's Rule = Golden Rule = Do unto others as they will have them do unto you = respect others
-10 commandments which some people follow. = Do not kill steal or shit on each other.
-Bible is what the people, back in the days, observed and they scribbed it in the scrolls. Its also their rules that governed them. Its also their beliefs no matter how ''magical they can be''
Therefore its Believable.

Originally posted by Smiter
I believe the bible due to many things.

-Genisis(metaphor) = Big Bang (our current theory) = Existence

Originally posted by Smiter
-Funny but disgusting Incest Stories = Lot Efft his 2 daughters. Reuben Efft his Stepmother = its the jokest part of bible and this shit happens even today

Originally posted by Smiter
-Jesus's Rule = Golden Rule = Do unto others as they will have them do unto you = respect others

Originally posted by Smiter
-10 commandments which some people follow. = Do not kill steal or shit on each other.

Originally posted by Smiter
-Bible is what the people, back in the days, observed and they scribbed it in the scrolls. Its also their rules that governed them. Its also their beliefs no matter how ''magical they can be''
Therefore its Believable.