Bible Study is Needed HERE!

David777 said:
I have a low opinion of what some members on this SF board post in religious threads but refrain from critically posting against their inputs because much comes from simplistic understandings of denominational dogma manipulatively hiding behind the nonsense of "Biblical inerrancy". A knowledgeable, educated person on specific subjects, especially those involving science and technology, cannot productively argue on subjects with those with greatly less such knowledge because the unknowledgeable often won't understand even simple arguments. Simply stated, one ought not argue with an ignorant person. Instead, make a brief statement and be done.

There are centuries of scholarly work on the Bible that anyone with a computer can in this era search to find deeper understandings of scripture. Enough to read to fill a lifetime. On the recent "I am an atheist..." thread I suggested members bother to actually read the Bible, especially using scholarly guides, instead of page after page of mostly IMO nonsense that some members herein posted. Instead of a focused discussion, it has instead been continually thread hijacked into a wide range of unrelated religious questions.

A sort of excuse to make religious input posts. A religious thread without limits, without focus, is certain to be even worse than that thread with several different discussions always going on at the same time, over several back pages, difficult to keep track of. An unproductive way to meaningfully discuss any specific, focused topic. But of course, there are some members that prefer that sort of discussion.

So NO!
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Thank God you're fabulous yourself.
 
Pepper said:
PM groups within community? No. Besides Mitch is all over the place. Fear of death is what he has. A thread about this fear is what he needs
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Thank you Pepper! That's what I thought it was all about and why I was the first to say, "Yes," here, but then backed out when talk of PM-chat began. Mitch has often told us that he can feel death approaching and like many religious people he looks to his faith for support.

I've been reading this Daily Prayer site every morning for years. It always contains some Bible passages and then a short talk about what it means. Whoever writes it has a deep knowledge of Greek and Hebrew and seems educated enough to satisfy even @David777. After reading the site daily for 20 years I still couldn't tell you what denomination he is or what his politics are -- I consider that a great thing in a pastor.

So I will stick with that site for my Bible study, but if anyone wanted to start a thread of encouraging quotes for Mitch I would love that.
 
When this was first replied upon I saw those thirsty to know more, to grow in their understanding to gather
those who felt the same. Very much like a post in another thread about "children".

For those children, myself included, I think you know what I mean when I say:

Maybe this was a test, we let it be known we were thirsty but could only be given a drink -
under certain conditions.
We mentioned to do this privately so not to ire or irritate emotions of others and once again
it was met with objections.
It became clear it was a group of children without a teacher to teach and none stepped forward.
There were those who stated they had no objections and could honor it and would keep it pleasant.
Plus an intellectual that appears to have a low opinion of thirsty children.

If this was a test I wonder who passed?
 
I believe Mitch was not, is not a religious man ever but with death on the horizon he is trying to now that he’s facing the Grim Reaper and wondering if he can manipulate his future.

A last minute conversion.
@Della
That’s why I think his intentions are more about conquering death than understanding the Bible.
 
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Pepper said:
I believe Mitch was not, is not a religious man ever but with death on the horizon he is trying to now that he’s facing the Grim Reaper and wondering if he can manipulate his future.
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According to things I remember from the past, I think you're right, Pepper. Maybe Mitch will explain further. This is just one example: (post # 456)

I am an Atheist and always have been.
 
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Rakaia said:
Knock yourselves out, I for one would just leave you to it. There's only so many threads I have an interest in or time for.
I also think it would be churlish for other atheists to mob such a thread.
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.. sure, but we're not all trying to be churlish. Some of us are interested in the conversation and wanting to join in.
The purpose of a forum is debate but people are kindly invited to shut up or leave threads all the time.
 
IrishEyes said:
When this was first replied upon I saw those thirsty to know more, to grow in their understanding to gather
those who felt the same. Very much like a post in another thread about "children".

For those children, myself included, I think you know what I mean when I say:

Maybe this was a test, we let it be known we were thirsty but could only be given a drink -
under certain conditions.
We mentioned to do this privately so not to ire or irritate emotions of others and once again
it was met with objections.
It became clear it was a group of children without a teacher to teach and none stepped forward.
There were those who stated they had no objections and could honor it and would keep it pleasant.
Plus an intellectual that appears to have a low opinion of thirsty children.

If this was a test I wonder who passed?
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This is exactly why I think a thread of this type should be kept private. The implication that "God" is somehow testing us with this thread, and some passed but others didn't? That some of us are beloved and some are not. That some are "saved" and others damned—and even among various Christian sects there are all manner of criteria for who will clear that bar.

I don't have problems with Christ, in fact He's my personal hero. But Christians who really walk the walk are few and very, very far between.

@IrishEyes, I have thought highly of you throughout our exchanges on SF and surely will again, but this post sticks in my craw.
 
StarSong said:
This is exactly why I think a thread of this type should be kept private. The implication that "God" is somehow testing us with this thread, and some passed but others didn't? That some of us are beloved and some are not. That some are "saved" and others damned—and even among various Christian sects there are all manner of criteria for who will clear that bar.

I don't have problems with Christ, in fact He's my personal hero. But Christians who really walk the walk are few and very, very far between.

@IrishEyes, I have thought highly of you throughout our exchanges on SF and surely will again, but this post sticks in my craw.
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I understand and don't blame you at all. I have no hint who would have passed if it was. I was hurt too by what people said
but I respect their right to feel as they do and will continue to do so. Others seem to have the right to speak their thoughts,
I simply stated mine as it hit me while I read through each and everyone.
 
IrishEyes said:
Maybe this was a test, we let it be known we were thirsty but could only be given a drink -
under certain conditions.
We mentioned to do this privately so not to ire or irritate emotions of others and once again
it was met with objections.
It became clear it was a group of children without a teacher to teach and none stepped forward.
There were those who stated they had no objections and could honor it and would keep it pleasant.
Plus an intellectual that appears to have a low opinion of thirsty children.

If this was a test I wonder who passed?
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I guess that would be me, and I failed the test. I really just didn't see how doing it privately would eliminate any discord, we can disagree in PMs as much as on the open forum and if it's open, then anyone can read it and maybe, just maybe, find something useful.

Anyway. I'm sorry if you felt like I was stepping on your idea Sharon. Most people seemed to agree with you, so you were probably right. I just don't think either one of us was being childish.

CallMeKate said:
According to things I remember from the past, I think you're right, Pepper. Maybe Mitch will explain further. This is just one example: (post # 456)

I am an Atheist and always have been.
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LOL. I keep falling for Mitch's start-and-stops over and over. A few months ago he asked who would read a historical biography with him. I said I would. I ordered the book from the library, started reading the driest thing ever -- and Mitch was long gone. What can I say? I love the guy. :love:
 
IrishEyes said:
Maybe this was a test, we let it be known we were thirsty but could only be given a drink -
under certain conditions.

If this was a test I wonder who passed?
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Forgive me, but I need to say this.

I gave great thought to this topic before writing my post #60 and tried to be sensitive to the forum and all members participating in this thread. I'm sad to see there is a shadow of discord already. Looking back, I feel I made the right decision, whatever the test may be.
 
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