other people's opinions on the afterlife?

03/10/2005 01:32:04 PM · #176

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

...he did travel around for years being cast out of towns and eventually nailed to a cross. How quickly we forget.

That's one story... from a small geographical area and a single religious group that even now only represents 33% of the world. I think Len was suggesting unmistakable clarification for everyone.

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 13:35:04.

03/10/2005 01:34:10 PM · #177

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Originally posted by lenkphotos:
yeah see, He did that already. He didn't post on any message boards but he did travel around for years being cast out of towns and eventually nailed to a cross. How quickly we forget.

[quote]That's what they say, isn't it? I haven't seen any evidence of it.

I guess you've got one of those tall fences that blocks out the light.
:-0 [/quote]
Nope. I'm here to listen to him tell me why all those poor people had to die in the tsunami - many (most?) non-christians.

03/10/2005 01:34:30 PM · #178

I was kidding around earlier..making reference to all the fences previously mentioned. The Bible makes all sorts of references to people being blind to His word (ie scripture) so I don't look down on anyone for not believing...it's totally their perogative.

But like I've said in other threads, if you're going to be condescending (asking questions that you are convinced no one has a legitimate answer to in the first place) then why waste our energies? If you can't open a Bible and take the time to read and learn for yourself then why beg everyone else to do it for you?

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 13:36:35.

03/10/2005 01:39:54 PM · #179

almost every post you make on this forum is a backhanded jab at someone. Why not just contribute to the conversation? To this point, no insults had been made.

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

03/10/2005 01:41:38 PM · #180

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

Nope. I'm here to listen to him tell me why all those poor people had to die in the tsunami - many (most?) non-christians.

That's fair, from a human perspective...I wonder things like that all the time.

03/10/2005 01:41:50 PM · #181

Hopper: DId you just insult me? lol

I totally agree that it's 100% natural to question what happens in the world. But demanding that everyone else provide answers isn't the way to find a way in life.

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 13:44:41.

03/10/2005 01:47:09 PM · #182

no, i asked you a question

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

03/10/2005 01:50:41 PM · #183

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

...

But like I've said in other threads, if you're going to be condescending (asking questions that you are convinced no one has a legitimate answer to in the first place) then why waste our energies? If you can't open a Bible and take the time to read and learn for yourself then why beg everyone else to do it for you?

I've tried reading the Bible - a monotonous, almost excruciating exercise. I've heard it said that the Bible should be taken literally. Well, it's so full of allegory that that's impossible. As some christians say, you need to first believe, then it will make sense. That's kind of circular isn't it? There's nothing in that book that convinces me - some nice stories, nothing more.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 13:56:04.

dragonlady

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/10/2005 01:53:10 PM · #184

I'll take my chances, Goldberry...and make my own decisions.

03/10/2005 01:55:46 PM · #185

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

As you christians say, you need to first believe, then it will make sense.

well you're sort of right. For the Bible to have an impact in your life and your beliefs, you need the Holy Spirit. I can't explain it all to you, wish I could! But many non-believers read the Bible and become believers.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

03/10/2005 01:55:52 PM · #186

This thread is so funny. To the non-Christians, what do you care if the Christians think their god will not accept you into heaven? To the Christians, you guys are so funny, if you can believe in that stuff more power to you, as long as you donâ��t start pushing what you perceive as your godâ��s agenda on the rest of us. Some of my best friends are Christians, even if they won't let me in heaven I still like them.

03/10/2005 01:57:24 PM · #187

Actually, I started reading in order to argue against it ... but you make an excellent point. The Bible isn't to be read front to back like a normal book (having several authors, it isn't really just one book). Some is very tough to read, other books flow very nicely. Some is literal, some isn't ... and those times are usually obvious. As an athiest, I agreed with you 100%, but obviously now I see it differently ... I can't explain why in this small box, but I did want to partially agree with you ... it isn't always the easiest book to read.

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

I've tried reading the Bible - a monotonous, almost excruciating exercise. I've heard it said that the Bible should be taken literally. Well, it's so full of allegory that that's impossible. As you christians say, you need to first believe, then it will make sense. That's kind of circular isn't it? There's nothing in that book that convinces me - some nice stories, nothing more.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

03/10/2005 01:57:53 PM · #188

Originally posted by dragonlady:

I'll take my chances, Goldberry...and make my own decisions.

Um, that's cool, I don't think I implied (at least didn't mean to??) that you couldn't. I wrote that people should find their answers for themselves...that's what I meant anyway.

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 13:58:59.

dragonlady

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/10/2005 01:58:29 PM · #189

Whatever works for you is the right thing for you...as long as people don't impose their will on me, I don't care.

03/10/2005 01:59:53 PM · #190

we're just talkin :)

Originally posted by scottwilson:

03/10/2005 02:01:31 PM · #191

Originally posted by dragonlady:

Whatever works for you is the right thing for you...

Wow, I've never believed this...I've believed so many things that were bad for me, I know better not to believe that hotdogs and fries can sustain me for weeks on end.

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 14:02:55.

03/10/2005 02:01:40 PM · #192

Originally posted by dragonlady:

Whatever works for you is the right thing for you...as long as people don't impose their will on me, I don't care.

Have people been doing that to you? Seriously, I'm not being facetious. I think the standard belief is that people 'of faith' want to impose their beliefs, but I don't know any Christian or person of other faith who actually goes about doing that. I do know a lot (myself included) who will get in on these debates and be passionate. I don't think any of it is meant to be offensive - maybe blunt, but not offensive.

03/10/2005 02:02:18 PM · #193

In the 60s it was said (by some) that "God is dead". I'd further add that, if by some chance he's still around, he either just doesn't give a rat's ass, or he's hoping we blow it all up so he can start over again.

03/10/2005 02:04:01 PM · #194

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

Wasn't that Nietzsche's deal? Way before the 60's?

dragonlady

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/10/2005 02:04:53 PM · #195

Isn't that what missionaries do..? spread the faith to others...or is it impose their faith on others?

utro

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/10/2005 02:05:37 PM · #196

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

Originally posted by lenkphotos:
In the 60s it was said (by some) that "God is dead". I'd further add that, if by some chance he's still around, he either just doesn't give a rat's ass, or he's hoping we blow it all up so he can start over again.

Wasn't that Nietzsche's deal? Way before the 60's?

yes.

03/10/2005 02:05:50 PM · #197

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Originally posted by dragonlady:
Whatever works for you is the right thing for you...as long as people don't impose their will on me, I don't care.

Have people been doing that to you? Seriously, I'm not being facetious. I think the standard belief is that people 'of faith' want to impose their beliefs, but I don't know any Christian or person of other faith who actually goes about doing that. I do know a lot (myself included) who will get in on these debates and be passionate. I don't think any of it is meant to be offensive - maybe blunt, but not offensive.

But, goldberry, if you truly believed the basic christian tenet - that, unless you believe and accept etc. etc., you'll not go to heaven, - then why not impose your beliefs?? What's the risk? That you'll fail to convince me?? OTOH, you might convince me and - lo and behold - I'll enter the pearly gates alongside you.

03/10/2005 02:07:31 PM · #198

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

Yeah, but it really caught on during the rowdy, drug-crazed 60s (I was there...).