claypigeon

As noted in the New Testament, Jesus and His apostles/disciples preached a simple message of love and unification for all mankind through the sacrifice of One Man - Jesus. Yet, for centuries since that time, groups of "like-minded" people have abusively claimed "authority from God" to pursue their own power and wealth, calling it 'religion'.

Jesus Himself taught that His Kingdom "is not of this world" and that men should "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

To be clear - I do not know that any organized "faith/belief/religion" has exclusivity on God's truth, but that Biblical Christianity is a call to persons of faith to have a sincere relationship with their Creator through the gift given at the Cross, not to have membership in a church or religion.....

I haven't sought out anyone in this forum to 'preach' to or attack, I have condemned no 'faith', I have only tried to reason from faith, the Bible, and understanding of other documentable extra-Biblical sources. Soooooo..........

If YOUR belief system says the Bible is a 'book of fairytales', why try so desperately to discredit it with uncontextual quotes, twisting overlays, and comparing things out of historical context or of different meanings due to archaic language? So many people have tried to do these things in the last 2000 years, and the only thing they've proved is that believing Christians are not nearly as stupid as some think they are. Why continue to flog a horse that's been dead for 2 millenia?

Many will say that this commandment refers to the taking of oaths or using the Lord's name profanely. Yet it says in Exodus 20 verse 7:

"You shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain."

Could this not also apply to those who call themselves Christians and practice 'churchianity', yet never really make Jesus the Lord of their life? Wouldn't this also be taking the Lord's Name in vain (or empty uselessness)?

I believe that I have found understanding and a relationship with the Creator. How does my desire to persuade you to the same line of reasoning, and resulting comfort, make me your opponent? I wish you no harm, in fact, just the opposite. In like manner, I don't dispel others' beliefs or understandings merely because they are different, but rather because intelligent investigation through their suppositions returns me to the same base which I have already claimed.

I do not believe that all faith is blind, but rather that intelligent belief opens the door of possibility IF blind faith is required. And most of the time, God doesn't require blind faith.

Feedback?

or bacterial lifeforms with shorter reproductive cycle times?

I'm looking for actual time frames.

Pasted from Wikipedia:

"Religion is a human phenomenon that defies easy definition. It is commonly understood as a group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object (real or imagined), person (real or imagined), or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought."

Atheists have a developed system of attitudes / beliefs regarding the existence (or non-existence) of God ("Supernatural Being"). Just because their system claims that God does not exist does not place it outside the definition of religion. In fact, the evidence of the "religious" attitude of a fair number of Atheists is potently demonstrated right at this site, in their unincumbered zeal at attacking believers.

Truly, if there was no God, there would be no need to have an established belief system to deny His existence!! What say you?

Here are my answers to your "questions".

1)Conservative Christians claim to be pro-life. Why not adopt crack and AIDS kids?

A)I know 13 families in 5 churches that adopt ONLY drug/aids children.In my family, 3 infertile couples have adopted handicapped and deformed children only!

2)Conservative Christians believe in love thy neighbor.Why not go love some gay people?

A)The three homosexuals that I know only see kindness love, and respect from me, but they know my stand and avoid me.

3)Why don't conservative Christians help anyone or donate to charity,when everyone knows they are rich?

A)Nice suit.Lets see your financial statement.I support my wife and 4 kids (2 in college) and serve and give to God on 47k.

4)Why do conservative and fundamentalist Christians hate immigrants so much?

A)I'm first generation American.It took my grandpa 13 years to bring his family in legally.

5)Christians who voted for Bush, why don't you enlist to fight in Iraq?

A)Friends/Fam War Deaths 36.You?

going through questions in this category that are obviously of a nature specific to one of these and answering them with responses "don't push your religion on me"? It seems to me that the ones "pushing" here aren't the Christians, JW's, Mormons, Muslims, etc, but the ones who don't believe in God in any form. Is this "retaliation" for real world experiences? Is this evidence of an underlying desire to know God? Or is it just plain being rude and inconsiderate? Help me out here, please! Thanx.

your group behave themselves? Just about everybody shakes a finger at Christians for not keeping their own house clean, but what about everyone else? I asked a similar question a couple of nights ago, but someone 'buttoned' me for chatting, and I didn't get a very good sampling of answers. I apologize for that. I want all answerers to know I will read and consider EVERY answer, and either E a response to you through the system or comment to you when the question resolves.

Thank You

I've read through your posts, and I don't understand how you can be a minister of the Gospel and dismiss any of the promises that have been given to us by God to build our hope and faith in the Lord?

The specific answer that tripped this is when you selected a best answer that Jesus was not returning in our lifetime. If this is what you believe, you need to bail from that pulpit. We are told to be ever vigilant and ready for His return, and to NEVER say 'my Lord delayeth His coming', because this is the evidence of a slothful servant.

What say you?

experience? Seventeen years ago, I was with an outreach team in Mexico City. Our team had two missions: the first was to repair several churches that were damaged in the earthquake; the second was to take the Gospel to the street. On the morning of our first day on the streets, we had gathered in the attic of our hotel, just as we had every other day, for a time of prayer and worship. As we were worshipping, God's physical presence filled the room. It was overwhelming, awe-inspiring,and a thousand other catch phrases. But when I try to describe the actual event, the best explanation I can give is that His presence was like a warm fog that surrounded us and even penetrated us and drew us into one accord with Him. Can anybody help me to find better words?

PS The Lord blessed awesomely. Our little band of 36 led over 2000 people to the Lord in 4 days, including over 300 in one hour on the steps of the National Cathedral. I KNOW it was God.

Why do so many make the assumption that being a Christian means being brain dead? Having studied empirical evidence both for and against for over 40 years, I have found it takes considerably greater faith to adhere to Darwinistic Evolution or an anti-theistic world view.