Two Plus Two Older Archives

Two Plus Two Older Archives (http://archives2.twoplustwo.com/index.php)
-   Science, Math, and Philosophy (http://archives2.twoplustwo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45)
-   -   To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query) (http://archives2.twoplustwo.com/showthread.php?t=316142)

Cooker 08-16-2005 02:10 AM

To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
As one who has left the Christian faith, I am curious to hear some opinions on some of the key issues that caused me to abandon it. Let me state that I have never seen or felt anything that I believe cannot be explained by the laws of physics.

I find the demand of faith without proof unreasonable and unjust. It is unreasonable in the sense that if God is all powerful he could easily supply proof to each person, so to deny us tangible proof of his existence is silly. Secondly, anyone that experiences "miracles" first hand or other supernatural phenomena are given the proof which makes it easier to believe. Therefore, to judge us on faith when some have a decided advantage is unjust.

I know that not all branches of Christianity value faith quite so highly, but once these sores and annoyances festered, I couldn't see myself staying Christian. I also feel that the God character in the bible is too unsophisticated to be believable. Many of his actions are juvenile while he simply says, "you don't understand me because I am better than you (paraphrase)" when his obviously capricious behavior is questioned which is even more juvenile and capricious.

Spaded 08-16-2005 02:21 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
The book of Job is a pretty good example of this, especially when comically expressed in an episode of south park [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

How could a just god tear this pious man's life to pieces and kill his innocent family members, all because of a bet god made with satan?

PairTheBoard 08-16-2005 02:43 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
I'm betting that while you have abandoned the old theologies because you find them untenable, you have retained something in your heart from the faith. You remain a person concerned about compassion. You continue to bear fruits of the faith in your life. To my way of thinking, theologies are dead things. They come and go. What's in your heart is alive and real. If it's a spirit of compassion, kindness, empathy, tolerance, fairness, "love", then that's where god is. In your Heart. You reveal god to us in your life whether you choose to use the word "god" or not. Why should you settle for some old theologian's archaic description of god when you already know him for who he really is within your heart. If you think Jesus knew the same thing then you're as much a Christian as anybody.

PairTheBoard

David Sklansky 08-16-2005 03:14 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"Why should you settle for some old theologian's archaic description of god when you already know him for who he really is within your heart. If you think Jesus knew the same thing then you're as much a Christian as anybody."


PairTheBoard

And if he already knew him for who he really is within his heart and he thinks Jesus DID NOT know the same thing then what is he?

usmhot 08-16-2005 04:23 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
To a certain extent I'm with you on this Cooker.
I grew up a fully practicing Irish Catholic. Even became involved in youth oriented Christian groups in my teens. Was, in fact, very devout.
Then a personal tragedy in my twenties kind of blew that all away.
Also, I did a science degree. And have always maintained a keen interest in physics, in particular.
I am now at the same point as you seem to be. I find the explanations offered by science to be far more cogent and consistent than any the various religions have offered. And, I find there is little room left for faith.

However, there are a couple of things I would say in answer to your questions.
My understanding was always that having faith without proof was far more glorifying to God than having faith only with proof. If God needed to provide us with proof then we would be mere automatons - no more interesting than toys. So, the whole freewill thing was God's gamble, so to speak, for a bigger pay-off.

Also, even at my most devout, I never believed the stories in the Bible (particularly the Old Testament) to be anything more than mere contemporary parables - designed to teach some points to the people at the time. So, a story in which God is a vengeful being was probably very effective at a time when man's sophistication included routine stonings.

Only in the New Testament do we begin to see that the message is universally one of love and forgiveness. But, unfortunately, the organised religions have twisted it to their own ends and corrupted it. (Even though I seriously doubt it will happen) when the 'judgment' comes I comfort myself with the thought that the first to be punished will be the many many priests, bishops and popes who have used God's word to manipulate ordinary people for their own greed.

PairTheBoard 08-16-2005 04:51 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
"Why should you settle for some old theologian's archaic description of god when you already know him for who he really is within your heart. If you think Jesus knew the same thing then you're as much a Christian as anybody."


PairTheBoard

And if he already knew him for who he really is within his heart and he thinks Jesus DID NOT know the same thing then what is he?

[/ QUOTE ]

Someone worth knowing?

PairTheBoard

spaminator101 08-16-2005 08:44 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Therefore, to judge us on faith when some have a decided advantage is unjust.



[/ QUOTE ]

its not unjust as technically those who go to hell get what they deserve based on their ungodliness
it is those who are elected by god who are just treated specially in a sense.

NotReady 08-16-2005 11:24 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

I find the demand of faith without proof unreasonable and unjust. It is unreasonable in the sense that if God is all powerful he could easily supply proof to each person, so to deny us tangible proof of his existence is silly.


[/ QUOTE ]

Romans 1:
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

[ QUOTE ]

Many of his actions are juvenile while he simply says, "you don't understand me because I am better than you (paraphrase)"


[/ QUOTE ]

It's a pretty bad paraphrase. But if He is the Absolute Being, the Creator of the universe, omnipotent, omniscient and perfect, why wouldn't He say:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways"?

[ QUOTE ]

obviously capricious behavior


[/ QUOTE ]

The behavior of an adult will often seem unreasonable to a child.

NotReady 08-16-2005 11:31 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

How could a just god tear this pious man's life to pieces and kill his innocent family members, all because of a bet god made with satan?


[/ QUOTE ]

Job 38:

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
2"Who is this that darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?

Job 40:
1Then the LORD said to Job,
2"Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it."

3Then Job answered the LORD and said,
4"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5"Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more."

Job:42:

"Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
4'Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.'
5"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
6Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes."

txag007 08-18-2005 11:09 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
Let me take it point by point:

COOKER-
"I find the demand of faith without proof unreasonable and unjust. It is unreasonable in the sense that if God is all powerful he could easily supply proof to each person, so to deny us tangible proof of his existence is silly."

There is plenty of reasonable proof out there if you just know where to look, and more of it is being uncovered all the time. In fact, in 1 Thessalonians 5 we are told to "test everything". We are not instructed to believe on "blind faith" alone.

Great sources if you are interested are THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel, MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis, or the following websites: www.godandscience.org , and www.rationalchristianity.net .

COOKER-
"Secondly, anyone that experiences "miracles" first hand or other supernatural phenomena are given the proof which makes it easier to believe. Therefore, to judge us on faith when some have a decided advantage is unjust."

The miracles in the Bible were performed as catalysts for faith, but they were performed before the complete Bible was put together. Biblical miracles all occurred in front of an audience, and we have records of those miracles upon which we base our faith.

COOKER-
"I also feel that the God character in the bible is too unsophisticated to be believable."

It's funny you say that because many opponents to Christianity say the opposite; that God is too contradictory. (Is He a God of war or a God of peace?, etc.)

I hope this helps.

andyfox 08-18-2005 12:00 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"The behavior of an adult will often seem unreasonable to a child."

Especially when it is. What was reasonable about turning Lot's wife into a pillar of salt for the apparently unpardonable crime of looking behind her at the results of His wrath? He obviously relished doing it. Why would he instruct her not to look back? If I tell you don't look at that window, the first thing most people will do is try to take a peek at the window.

NotReady 08-18-2005 12:25 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

He obviously relished doing it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Where do you find this?

God's real view of those who disobey:

" Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?

andyfox 08-18-2005 12:38 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
God told Lot and his wife not to look back. Why? What was the crime in looking back? What made her "wicked" by looking back? Was it a crime worthy of a horrible, suffocating death? A logical explanation for telling them not to look back is that he was trying to entice them to do so. Perhaps to test them to see if they would obey.

For someone who preferred that the wicked would turn from their ways and live, he sure killed a lot of them before they might have repented. And a lot of them who weren't wicked. Lot's wife, for example. Or the first born sons of the Egyptians. What evil did, say, a four-year old do to the Jews to merit such punishment?

A god who kills so often must relish in it. Perhaps he felt that he created them, so he could destroy them if they diappointed him. As for your quote, and others like it, which fly in the face of the evidence of his deeds, he doth protest too much.

NotReady 08-18-2005 12:48 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

Was it a crime worthy of a horrible, suffocating death?


[/ QUOTE ]

Where do you get this?

[ QUOTE ]

For someone who preferred that the wicked would turn from their ways and live, he sure killed a lot of them before they might have repented.


[/ QUOTE ]

Your timing is better than God's? Why don't you apply for His job?

[ QUOTE ]

What evil did, say, a four-year old do to the Jews to merit such punishment?


[/ QUOTE ]

Not all physical death is due to a particular sin.

God is patient and slow to anger. The Bible is filled with the love and mercies of God, Old and New Testament. He also is a God of righteous anger. No human deserves to live. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love. He decides the time of each person's death.

[ QUOTE ]

A god who kills so often must relish in it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Where do you get this?

David Sklansky 08-18-2005 03:47 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"No human deserves to live. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love."

It is important that everyone read this. It is the axiom that makes it impossible to beat Not Ready in some debates. Now that should not be particularly troubling to those of us who think that the statement above should not really be an axiom. It just means that there is no point in arguing with Not Ready about things where he can invoke it. People like Peter666 and maybe BluffThis, though, have a bigger problem because then won't completely admit that the axiom is a crock.

David Sklansky 08-18-2005 03:52 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"No human deserves to live. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love."

Notice by the way, that from this immediately follows the idea that there is little difference between Ghandi and Manson. They both deserve to die. Psychologically speaking, what type of person benefits most from that sort of thinking?

RxForMoreCowbell 08-18-2005 03:59 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
No human deserves to live. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love. He decides the time of each person's death.



[/ QUOTE ]

How exactly can someone "deserve" or "not deserve" to live? Doesn't worthiness imply existance? How can something which doesn't exist yet be deemed deserving or undeserving?

spaminator101 08-18-2005 04:01 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
No human deserves to live. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love. He decides the time of each person's death.


[/ QUOTE ]

amen brother

NotReady 08-18-2005 04:08 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

what type of person benefits most from that sort of thinking?


[/ QUOTE ]

This question only makes sense if my statement is the only truth in the Bible.

spaminator101 08-18-2005 04:09 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
God told Lot and his wife not to look back. Why? What was the crime in looking back? What made her "wicked" by looking back? Was it a crime worthy of a horrible, suffocating death? A logical explanation for telling them not to look back is that he was trying to entice them to do so. Perhaps to test them to see if they would obey.


[/ QUOTE ]

why exactly would God need to test them as he would already know the result of the test w/o doing it
God does not test us like that him testing us would be contradictory of his foreknown knowledge

Darryl_P 08-18-2005 06:33 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
The question of believing in God or not relies on humility to a large extent IMO. I don't mean humility relative to other men but rather to the world and the universe and whatever may or may not lie beyond.

Faith is a resignation. It's admitting that you're not in charge. Our egos make it very difficult to do but if you can get there in a truly deep and all-encompassing way then you will feel a wonderful sense of freedom because you no longer have to shoulder burdens which you are not equipped to handle. You will also realize that these burdens have been shouldered for you all along and that the authority in charge is actually on your side, unlike most human authorities you've come across.

The place you need to look for God is not outside but within yourself, and not because I say so but because you want to. It looks like you are very close to finding Him and it is up to you whether you want to complete the search.

When not-so-intelligent and not-so-articulate people refer to God in ways that feel awkward or wrong, you must excuse their imperfections and not confuse it with God being imperfect. The way you communicate with Him is very personal and with time you will find a way that will be comfortable and harmonious.

This is what I sense anyway and I think PtB has very good antennae as well.

KeysrSoze 08-18-2005 07:34 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
In my opinion, the Old Testament god is so contrary because the old pantheistic gods of the region were combined when the monotheistic cult took power and co-oped them, like Akhenaten did in Egypt. Explains why one minute he's acting like Loki with his capriciousness and the next moment Thor and smiting people (using Scandinavian gods as examples, because I have little knowledge of the old Hebrew gods like Asherah and such).

sexdrugsmoney 08-18-2005 11:05 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
As one who has left the Christian faith, I am curious to hear some opinions on some of the key issues that caused me to abandon it. Let me state that I have never seen or felt anything that I believe cannot be explained by the laws of physics.

I find the demand of faith without proof unreasonable and unjust. It is unreasonable in the sense that if God is all powerful he could easily supply proof to each person, so to deny us tangible proof of his existence is silly. Secondly, anyone that experiences "miracles" first hand or other supernatural phenomena are given the proof which makes it easier to believe. Therefore, to judge us on faith when some have a decided advantage is unjust.

I know that not all branches of Christianity value faith quite so highly, but once these sores and annoyances festered, I couldn't see myself staying Christian. I also feel that the God character in the bible is too unsophisticated to be believable. Many of his actions are juvenile while he simply says, "you don't understand me because I am better than you (paraphrase)" when his obviously capricious behavior is questioned which is even more juvenile and capricious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't go to church, why?

While churches have given valuable instruction to the multitudes over the years I also believe they are very capable of making mistakes, BIG mistakes which can distort God's words.

For example: What if God was evolving?

What if God created us when he was young, and in his youthful days he was brash, but then as time went on he mellowed out?

Blasphemy!

Outrage!

The "I AM" is eternal!


... some churchfolk would say. (although many would be nicer, I can't resist a dramatic tone) [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

I see life as complex and there is no way one human can comprehend all the things in life. Together we discover and learn different things, we 'feed' off each others discoveries (not everyone is an Einstein), and strive to better ourselves ... good.

Now that life is so complex, what about the afterlife? What if that is more complex? What if it involves things that aren't present in life? What if there are dimensions? Evolving God(s)? (just examples, endless possibilities)

So what if, for example, God - the "I AM" is always eternal, existing in a form different to the one we know him as before he created the world? (what if he was just molecules before?)

Now he may again return to molecules (staying with this example) or once created he may stay in that form forever or until he chooses to evolve/de-evolve?

I don't know, and I'm not saying I believe this per se, BUT if one concedes that life is so complex one man is unable to comprehend all of it, then how much moreso would an afterlife be in complexity to understand, and the one who created it?

One can take the view that God chose to reveal what he chose to reveal and that's it.

A possible dialogue with God

Why? = Because I can.

That's unfair = Says who?

Says me! = Who are you?

I'm human. = I made you.

I don't believe you = Your loss.

Prove it = Who are you to make demands?

I'm human = Exactly.

I have a right to know = You have what I choose to give.

(I choose to end the dialogue here as it could go on forever)

Now you may not like God, you may not agree with him, but one thing you have to ask yourself is: Do you know him?

Now don't skip this part, this isn't like life where you meet someone you don't like and you choose not to associcate with him/her which generally has no consequences, because almsot all religions teach you must follow said 'God', rejecting at your own loss.

If you say you know God from what the Bible says then you do the SAME thing some of these preachers/priests in church do! You take what little information you have and treat it as the absolute final authority, and it is this practice which makes people disillusioned and turn away from God - by people professing to know everything about him from the little bit of info revealed and then put words in his mouth.

I myself prefer to keep an open mind, and only work in questions (what if? etc, etc) wheras most people is high ecclesiastical positions work in answers, and that is very bold to say the least.

You have to remember, if the Bible is true, then in 66 books you have a summary of the history of man, and God ... that is not alot, most Tax legislations heavily outweigh the Bible in terms of detailed info!

If God really chose to reveal himself in full and explain everything, it would be the biggest book in the world and nobody would read it because your life isn't long enough.

And even if you did devote your entire life to reading it, you'd more than likely not comprehend many parts (imagine Moses listening to God explain Chemistry) or remember it once you have read it.

Sure, the concepts that would be understood would prove to work and create a frenzy of faith. But eventually an institution would step in (like the Catholic Church) and the book would have to be housed somewhere and all sorts of same problems would arise.

When dealing with maruding barbarians you have to protect such a lofty work in agrarian times (even Rome fell to the Barbarians) and if God only revealed all this info to one man it could possibly send him nuts or kill him from exhaustion, or if it was slowly revealed over an entire lifetime dissent would still be present in those around asking why God is revealing things that aren't applicable to their lives right now etc etc.

Both Judaism and Christianity teach to 'meditate' on the Bible (Judaism - Torah, Christianity - whole bible), it would seem that God would prefer us to keep some things in our heart and minds and the rest that is unanswered to trust him and believe. (faith)

Imagine you are represented to do a task you know you can win (such as play poker against unskilled opponents you have tells on) and imagine you have your wife there.

Which would you prefer:

1) You: "Honey I'm going to go take alot of money off these sucks because I know how they play and they are unskilled. Take Fred, he just got a divorce and steams alot, he used to be rock - that is play tight/premium cards - but since his divorce he is ultra loose - that means playing too many hands - and he always cold calls raises - that means he doesn't worry that the person who raised before him has a better hand than him. Also Fred will sigh through his bottom teeth when the flop doesn't hit him, the flop is the first three community cards on the table, and hit him means he catches a piece of it because of his hole cards - which are the two cards he is holding before the flop is dealt in Hold'em - the form of Poker we are playing. Then there is Jerry ..." (repeat ad nauseum)

Your Tired Wife: "Well obviously you know what you are doing and can do this, go on, I'll see you later"

2) You:"Honey, I can't beat these opponents, I've read all of Sklansky's books and they are very easy opponents, why don't you go get something to eat and I'll see you in a couple of hours"

Your trusting wife: "Ok Honey I believe in you, good luck" (with faith in her eyes)

Which scenario do you like better? The jaded/tired/"I've been bored to death by information overload" wife or the 2nd scenario of the trusting wife who has faith in you based on the little bit of info you have chosen to give her? (and half of what you said in scenario 2 was about what she was going to do while you were away, which is exactly like the Bible which focuses alot on human endevours also)

That look in your wife's eyes in scenario 2 in comparison to scenario 1. If you are God, you created the world, you created humans and in the begining when things went wrong you wanted to wipe them out ... but it was all these little bits of 'faith', the way they trust you in times that makes you happy, that makes you love them enough to want to see the best for them not only in life but also in the afterlife.

In Christianity, God often refers to the followers of Christ as "the bride" IIRC, it would seem God truly loves mankind and his followers and uses this analogy to illustrate the kind of relationship he wants with his followers, that he loves them and they love him.

From what little info we have, does God love us? I only have questions, the answer is faith perhaps?

In closing

Reason is a door which swings both ways. You can be highly skeptical (and this is good), but reason also forces you to think about the big picture, ask yourself how much you know and how much you don't know, and think (with an open mind) ... alot.

Cheers,
A very tired SDM. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Cooker 08-18-2005 11:48 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
I disagree. I think it takes a greater humility to admit to yourself that all evidence points to your life being a relatively meaningless existence created simply by chance for an insignificantly small amount of time with an insignificantly small region of spatial influence. To think that the supreme creater is watching over you and ranking every move you make seems a little arrogant.

My personal view is that there is most likely no God. I think this partly because of the highly disparate starting chances of say a person in America versus a person in Zambia to live a pleasant life. If you can live comfortably with relatively little effort it is easy to see God everywhere. If many of the people you know starve to death, I bet it isn't so easy.

Cooker 08-18-2005 11:59 PM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
I agree. I think my underlying assumptions are too orthogonal to those of NotReady and spaminator101 for any of us to make any headway against the other in an argument. Still, I think my views are more reasonable than theirs, because theirs are fiat written by someone else. However, this fiat seems more reasonable if you accept that it comes directly from God. I don't believe this, and I think the evidence for God is almost nonexistence outside the sort of "beauty of the universe stuff". However, when you get right down to it, nature is more cruel than the most vile human ever has been.

andyfox 08-19-2005 12:00 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"No human deserves to live. All have sinned. . . . No one is righteous. God could wipe out the entire human race today without compromising His justice or His love."

This is evidently God's attitude. Since no human deserves to live, there is no problem with wiping out whomever God feels like wiping out, either in anger, or in more relaxed moments.

A god that can wipe out the entire human race without violating his concepts of justice or love is not a god worth worshipping. At least not for me. Sounds more like the devil.

andyfox 08-19-2005 12:02 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
I don't think it's a crock. I don't see how anyone reading the Bible (Old Testament anyway, I am unfamiliar with the New) could come to any other conclusion about the God found there. A mean, vindictive, angry bastard.

andyfox 08-19-2005 12:04 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
His foreknown knowledge? You mean he knew she would look back? Then why warn them not to?

spaminator101 08-19-2005 12:32 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
God's mind is a mistery to us and we can not comprehend it
perhaps he said it to make a point to us the others that he know would be efected by every word he said or that was put into the bible

andyfox 08-19-2005 12:40 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
"God's mind is a mistery to us and we can not comprehend it"

Usually only when he does bad things. Those who worship Him seem to comprehend the things they read as nice pretty clearly.

spaminator101 08-19-2005 12:45 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
so your saying God does bad things
well if thats so he wouldnt be the God of the bible now would he

PairTheBoard 08-19-2005 01:14 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]
so your saying God does bad things
well if thats so he wouldnt be the God of the bible now would he

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that's the one he's talking about.

PairTheBoard

David Sklansky 08-19-2005 01:20 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
Three posts back and forth and you seem to agree on almost everything each other says. A Mutual Admiration Society. Wouldn't it be nice if all debates turned out that way.

andyfox 08-19-2005 01:29 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
The God of the bible does bad things. Very bad things. Didn't he want to kill every living creature until talked into only killing 99.99999. .% by Noah? Hitler and Stalin never reached such a percentage.

David Sklansky 08-19-2005 01:35 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
Andy,

Many people would be worse off if they were forced to admit that their beliefs abot God were wrong. Some maybe much worse off. I do not think that applies to the majority of those who post on these forums. But there are exceptions. And I try to steer clear of them. The nice guy in me occasionally forces its way out. It should be much easier for you.

andyfox 08-19-2005 01:46 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
Sometimes the not-so-nice guy in me forces its way out.

NotReady 08-19-2005 02:21 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

A god that can wipe out the entire human race without violating his concepts of justice or love is not a god worth worshipping. At least not for me. Sounds more like the devil.


[/ QUOTE ]


His anger is based on justice, and His love is manifested by the sacrifice of His Son. If that's not for you, you have no grounds for complaint. To accuse God of being like the devil ... no, that's not for me to say.

NotReady 08-19-2005 02:24 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

A mean, vindictive, angry bastard.


[/ QUOTE ]

I once heard someone verbally curse Jesus. I don't mean he just used His name in vain. I mean he cursed Him, called him the mf word, as if He was standing there. I was so shocked I couldn't think of anything to say. But the guy really meant it, from the depth of his heart. Scary.

Oddly enough, it was at the poker table. He had just had a bad beat. For the next two hours he won almost every hand he played. That was when I felt the most sorry for him.

NotReady 08-19-2005 02:25 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

Then why warn them not to?


[/ QUOTE ]

You are so filled with rage you are descending into the absurd.

NotReady 08-19-2005 02:27 AM

Re: To Christians (not an attack, but an honest query)
 
[ QUOTE ]

Didn't he want to kill every living creature until talked into only killing 99.99999. .% by Noah?


[/ QUOTE ]

You still don't have that part right. No wonder you're so wrong on almost everything else.

Hint: If you don't own a Bible there's plenty online, it would take 5 minutes to find your mistake.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:10 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.