Are you a Christian and do you believe the Bible is the word of God?

[Chris P Bacon]

Well, knock yourself out then and have a wonderful time.
I never was much of a gambler. That old saying about a
bird in the hand ... Those old sayings have been around a
while too, maybe because there's a morsel of truth in them.
That and they're not hard for a layperson to grasp the concept of.

 

[Chris P Bacon]

Maybe there's a chance I can get there after all!

 

[Lara]

Since when does the easy way out get you where you want to be?

What do you mean by "where you want to be" ? Are you talking about a specific place?

I mean...wherever Chris or wherever YOU want to be. If you're asking me where I want to be it's an Eternity in God's Kingdom of perfect peace love joy kindness beauty, etc

 

[Pink Biz]

Maybe there's a chance I can get there after all!

I had to dissect one of those critters in biology. I remain repulsed all these years later.

 

[Lara]

Lots of things in the Bible are contradictory. Some of the worse people swear that they are good Christians. Some of the worse atrocities have been committed by religious believers.

Christians admit they are sinners and in need of a Savior (Jesus)....BUT if they are "some of the worst people and swear they are good Christians" it doesn't mean they are.

This verse makes it clear "By their fruits ye shall know them" and "They will say Lord Lord and I know them not".

Christians on the other hand, while not perfect, are being polished and prepared over time for being counted worthy to enter God's Kingdom upon physical death. They will sin due to temptations, but not the same sin over and over again.
`

 

[Alligatorob]

I'd rather have "much more fun" in Eternity than here in this micro moment of time.

So would I and I can see the attraction to believing, I just don't see any evidence or real reason to believe. Wish I did.

Those many that are content with the understanding when their organic body dies, they are no more eternally, have run their life's course, and do not value the possibility of an eternal life, won't have an interest in Christianity or belief in a god, so may continue to live in this dog eat dog world as moral or immorally as they choose to.

It sure is an attractive thing to believe in, I just don't feel it though I guess. I do try to live a "moral" life, it makes me feel better and hope that others do as well. I believe are all better off treating each other well, God or no God. One of the good things religion has contributed is to make more people live moral lives. I like that, it just ain't me... I am not atheist, don't think you can prove a negative, just a skeptical agnostic.

 

[Lara]

Okay @Alligatorob , I've really enjoyed your input in this discussion and others, your fairness, and self control with all those who have different opinions. You've been polite, a gentleman, and that makes all discussions fun, heated or otherwise. No one has to "win" or have the last word or change anyone's mind. It's just fun to read what makes people think the way they do.

 

[Chris P Bacon]

Even if you’re not okay, according to the “good book”, you’ll always be just fine in my book!

 

[dseag2]

I was just answering a question, you are not an abomination by any means. Sorry I mislead you.

I am usually a very forgiving person, but if you say being gay is an abomination you are referring to me and everyone like me. If I say being a Christian woman is an abomination (which I would never do) I would be referring to you as well. You did not mislead me in any way. You responded in a very biased way.

Best to think about your response before you offend other members. I have many Southern Baptist relatives, and I respect the fact that their faith and hope helps get them through their lives, but I would never disparage them due to their beliefs just because I don't believe the same way they do.

Have a great life.

 

[JimBob1952]

TAOISM: Crap happens.
HINDUISM: This crap happened before.
CONFUCIANISM: Confucius say: crap happens.
BUDDHISM: It is only an illusion of crap happening.
ZEN: What is the sound of crap happening?
ISLAM: If Crap happens, it is the will of Allah.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES: Knock, knock: "Crap happens."
ATHEISM: There is no such thing as crap.
AGNOSTICISM: Maybe crap happens, and maybe it doesn't.
PROTESTANTISM: Crap won't happen if I work harder.
CATHOLICISM: If crap happens, I deserve it.
JUDAISM: Why does crap always happen to me?
TELEVANGELISM: Send money or crap will happen to you.

Not sure where I came across this, but it always give me a laugh.
Lately I believe religion has been the biggest blight on man kind ever.
I do believe in a higher power but I'm not evolved enough to know what it is.

The "religion has been the biggest blight on mankind ever" line has been done to death. Compared to fascism, communism, tribalism and nationalism, religion is just a minor annoyance.

Many people have in fact died in religious wars. But that was a long time ago. The Thirty Years war (1618 to 1648) was the last time Western people engaged in large-scale religious warfare. Those wars killed as many as 8 million people.

Now look at deaths under Stalin (12 to 20 million), Hitler (noncombatant deaths estimated at 12 million or more) and Mao (at least 40 million) -- with some estimates much higher for all three.

 

[Mr. Ed]

In truth I don't know anything regarding God, the Bible, Christianity or religion. What I learned growing up is not certain nor to my knowledge is or was certain for anyone else. I adopted Christianity because no other belief systems were available.

About faith, something very significant happened to me around Easter 2005. I emptied myself, let go of self, in faith that I would be all right without my secrets and hidden agenda. I became one as one is all.
Since that time I live in the present moment of time, without worry of things that may never occur. I am spontaneous I don't project to the future because the present is all that matters.

I attributed the life altering event to the saving grace of Jesus. However, I've always been curious to learn if similar occurrences happen in other types of belief systems?

Is it unusual to live the moment 24/7? I do so naturally and without effort. I wonder how people think and feel in comparison to how I understand self and life?

 

[Geezer Garage]

Good on you Mr Ed. That concept "be here now" has been around as long, and probably longer than religion in general. Regardless of which path you take to get there, It is an excellent precept to live by, and adheres to one of my equally applied rules KISS (keep it simple stupid). We humans have a tendency to over complicate almost everything. Takes a bit of work to overcome that. Mike

 

[Serenity4321]

Perhaps we all have different religions, philosophies, etc for a specific reason. It is what we need for our own development. So all religions are ok

I know it is hard to conceive some things. And I do like second chances whenever I can get one. But, reincarnation, that is far fetched and (I think) a figment of man's imagination.

I have to say I am not in favor of reincarnation but don't your think it would be a fair system? I do and that is the only reason I accept perhaps it is true...but again, no one knows for sure

Reincarnation is not found in the Bible.

Interpretations of Bible texts lead to the theory that reincarnation is possibly a truth. I do not think the Bible entirely is to be taken literally but like all great works was intended to speak to us individually. Of course that can be full of challenges and disagreements
.

 

[1955]

The "religion has been the biggest blight on mankind ever" line has been done to death.

Yeah, were good at killing people for many reasons. The "religion has been the biggest blight on mankind ever" was scribbled on my basement wall when I moved here some 20 years ago & it was new to me. I never thought much about it all until I got older and a little wiser.

Hearing the quote made me think more about the historical persecution of scientist that hindered our progress. Maybe if the people believed in the scientist instead of the church we could have avoided a lot of bloodshed.

So that's where I was coming from using that quote...

 

[David777]

It is true numbers wars in the last two millennia have been based on religion, powerful overlords manipulatively used religion within their populations as an excuse to attack and invade others. Before the Christian religion rose up, there were myriad conflicts and wars across the world where civilizations developed whether religious based or not. And before then in pre-civilization eras, some humans have forever fought for preferred land and resources especially where food and water was plentiful.

That noted there have always been people that have lived peacefully including nations. It is not religions usually to blame but rather those evil immoral leaders with willing armies and weapons that take what they want from those weaker, just like is the case with many higher animal species. Even today in remote jungle areas there are human tribes that raid their neighbors, sometimes just to steal women. And in civilized urban areas today, criminals without morals prey on the defenseless and weak wherever they can.

Man alone as intelligent Earth creatures evolved via survival of the fittest, strongest, is quite capable of evil and murder, just like many of our primate ancestors. That is really where "Original Sin" came from. That noted, it need not be if a society exerts enough pressure and reason on those that might otherwise embrace the dark side.

 

[Sunny]

If you could get a clear view of Hell and eternity in it, then you would get it. But, it is choosing by faith to believe. Not knowing any of the absolutes to go on. Clearly by faith. But, the decision is yours alone. And you will experience the results of your decision for all eternity.

Or not. What did you "experience" before you were born? That's probably what we experience after we die.

All that nonsense about Hell was made up in ancient times to scare people into behaving themselves. I find it amazing that anyone in today's world actually believes it.

There is NO evidence that either Heaven or Hell exist, except that somebody made them up and wrote about them thousands of years ago. Using the word "faith" is a copout. You can say that anyone has to believe anything you tell them to believe, because that's where "faith" comes in.

I personally think that the human mind in its current state of development is not able to understand "what it's all about." We just don't know. Neither did the people who wrote the Bible. So why not just concentrate on taking measures to save the planet we are so busy destroying, keeping people fed, healthy, and alive, and trying to stop violence and hatred, right here on earth? That's the closest I come to religion.

 

[Lara]

@dseag2 You quoted me in post #258 when I was responding to someone else's question...not you. Then you went on a rant about "homosexuality being an abomination and insane and getting 2 angry reactions"...that was NOT me who said that. I've never given anyone an angry reaction in the 7 years I've been here. I have nothing against homosexuals and if I was attending a church you would be welcome.

I'm a gentle self-controlled member here in good stand and have never been banned temporarily nor permanently. You will not be able to find any angry posts from me on my profile. My previous avatar was not stilettos That was a gross exaggeration and a low blow to my Christian character...exactly what you were intentionally going for. My avatar was clean and wholesome.

I have requested @Matrix remove your post #258. I ask that you refrain from ranting when you don't know what you are talking about. And you certainly don't know me. Please refrain from shaming members...especially when unwarranted. Thank you.
`

 

[Irwin]

Or not. What did you "experience" before you were born? That's probably what we experience after we die.

All that nonsense about Hell was made up in ancient times to scare people into behaving themselves. I find it amazing that anyone in today's world actually believes it.

There is NO evidence that either Heaven or Hell exist, except that somebody made them up and wrote about them thousands of years ago. Using the word "faith" is a copout. You can say that anyone has to believe anything you tell them to believe, because that's where "faith" comes in.

I personally think that the human mind in its current state of development is not able to understand "what it's all about." We just don't know. Neither did the people who wrote the Bible. So why not just concentrate on taking measures to save the planet we are so busy destroying, keeping people fed, healthy, and alive, and trying to stop violence and hatred, right here on earth? That's the closest I come to religion.

I read that in the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, depending on your vernacular, the words heaven and hell were used to describe how people thought of you after you died. If people thought highly of you and missed you, you were in heaven. If people cursed you and were glad you were dead, you were in hell.

The New Testament changed the meaning of heaven and hell to make them actually places that you go after you die.

 

[Geezer Garage]

What do you think Iraq, and Afghanistan were? Just because we don't think it's a religious war, doesn't mean that they don't. It is still going on all over the world. Mike

Many people have in fact died in religious wars. But that was a long time ago.

 

[fancicoffee13]

@dseag2 You quoted me in post #258 when I was responding to someone else's question...not you. Then you went on a rant about "homosexuality being an abomination and insane and getting 2 angry reactions"...that was NOT me who said that. I've never given anyone an angry reaction in the 7 years I've been here. I have nothing against homosexuals and if I was attending a church you would be welcome.

I'm a gentle self-controlled member here in good stand and have never been banned temporarily nor permanently. You will not be able to find any angry posts from me on my profile. My previous avatar was not stilettos That was a gross exaggeration and a low blow to my Christian character...exactly what you were intentionally going for. My avatar was clean and wholesome.

I have requested @Matrix remove your post #258. I ask that you refrain from ranting when you don't know what you are talking about. And you certainly don't know me. Please refrain from shaming members...especially when unwarranted. Thank you.
`

I love your last or next to last sentence. I try to not be argumentative but factual at the same time.