Something to think about if you claim to be christian

[Lokedogg]

I'm not a Christian. I am a believer in Christianity.
There is a big difference. If someone is, their works will show it. They won't need to tell you and hound you about what it is you should do. They won't spew profanities and follow the ways of the world. Too many pseudo-Christians feel they gain their righteousness by telling others what it is they should be doing while they themselves ignore the teachings of Christ. These people do more damage to Christianity then any secular belief system ever could. History is plagued by these hypocrites who work evil in the name of Jesus Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqhxkc9jTjY

 

[Mick-G]

^ There are also the ones that do "works/deeds" and then have to tell everyone or maybe play the martyr role, lol

 

[Lokedogg]

^ There are also the ones that do "works/deeds" and then have to tell everyone or maybe play the martyr role, lol

Another mark of a the self-righteous. Good deeds need only be known by god. The reward is in the seeds sown and that which is in heaven.

You've probably read my posts.. seen my rants, profanities and hatred? How many have you seen do this then say, " I'm a christian."

 

[Cruci]

I have no use for organized religion. I do believe in Christ as my savior, and I try to understand his teachings, the rest of the bible was written by men, sinners like everyone else, so I take it with a grain of salt.

And before some bible beater wants to criticize me for having unorthodox religious beliefs, please refer to the US Constitution, in the part about "freedom of religion." Thanks in advance.

 

[tacosupreem]

ive always thought it was half retarded for republicans to be pro life, but for the death penalty. and democrats are pro choice and against the death penalty. makes no sense

plus i dont know what to believe anymore. i've been reading to damn much about jesus and i am not liking what i am finding out.

 

[Ms.Wetback]

I have no use for organized religion. I do believe in Christ as my savior, and I try to understand his teachings, the rest of the bible was written by men, sinners like everyone else, so I take it with a grain of salt.

This is a confounding statement.

You believe in Christ as your savior but the very book that taught you Christ as the Savior you state "was written by man" and you "take it with a grain of salt"

Can't have it both ways, you either believe the Bible and then have a justification for faith in Christ or think the Bible is man-made and then have no justification for the belief in Christ other than your own man-made reasons.

I love talking to you on these issues :kiss:

i've been reading to damn much about jesus and i am not liking what i am finding out.

What have you found out that you don't like ? ? ?

 

[Cruci]

Can't have it both ways, you either believe the Bible and then have a justification for faith in Christ or think the Bible is man-made and then have no justification for the belief in Christ other than your own man-made reasons.

Some of the bible is true, some of it isn't. We have already had this discussion before hon. You are never going to get me to believe in something that I can prove wrong. Sorry.

You believe there are no errors in the bible, yet during the last thread that this was discussed in, I posted a few of the many errors that are written. Not one of the "the Bible is the infallible word of God" believers had anything to say back. If you don't believe that there are any errors in the bible, then you don't believe in science or logic (I will be more than happy to prove why if you like,) and if you believe that there is even one error, then you are the same as me, just on a far less scale.

Although I can tell you where this conversation will end up. Lets say that this is a yellow smiley face. But some verse in exodus says that it is a dill pickle. The argument will then go to "well it is a matter of faith," which it really isn't. That is a cop out by uber religious people when they haven't got a logical answer to a question. Some things can't be proven wrong. Some can. If it is proven wrong, why believe it? Because you think that you will go to hell if you don't? Hardly. Salvation is not decided on weather or not you agree with the book that was compiled by King James (well over 1000 years after Christ died) and is told to be the "absolute infallible word of God."

As for the "you cant have it both ways," I had already explained that. I CAN have it both ways, as America allows me and not anyone else, to decide what (if any) theistic beliefs to have.

 

[Ms.Wetback]

I didn't see the other thread otherwise I would have commented on it.

 

[Cruci]

I didn't see the other thread otherwise I would have commented on it.

It went to PM between us, it went back and fourth for like 8 messages total

 

[Tbizzle]

people believe what they are taught.

 

[HERO]

ive always thought it was half retarded for republicans to be pro life, but for the death penalty. and democrats are pro choice and against the death penalty. makes no sense

plus i dont know what to believe anymore. i've been reading to damn much about jesus and i am not liking what i am finding out.[/QUOTE]

same here

 

[Cruci]

plus i dont know what to believe anymore. i've been reading to damn much about jesus and i am not liking what i am finding out.

What are you finding out?

 

[Mick-G]

Did not the Roman's rewrite alot of the Bible? Maybe iam incorrect. I personally think that you take from the Bible from what you have learned and been taught. There are some parts that would only make sense to the ppl that lived during those times. Wording has changed thu the centuries. You really have to be a history major in Christian theology to make sense of it. Anything else if pure speculation. Just as no one can come back from the dead and tell us if there is a heaven or a hell, or for that matter if there is life after death. You won't know till you get there.

 

[Thate]

Just as no one can come back from the dead and tell us if there is a heaven or a hell,

Brother, somebody already did that

 

[Cruci]

Brother, somebody already did that

He means in modern recorded time.

 

[John Benz]

Did not the Roman's rewrite alot of the Bible? Maybe iam incorrect. I personally think that you take from the Bible from what you have learned and been taught. There are some parts that would only make sense to the ppl that lived during those times. Wording has changed thu the centuries. You really have to be a history major in Christian theology to make sense of it. Anything else if pure speculation. Just as no one can come back from the dead and tell us if there is a heaven or a hell, or for that matter if there is life after death. You won't know till you get there.

The New Testament is easy to read and understand. 4 different authors write very similar, in some cases nearly word for word, accounts of Jesus' words and deeds. Everything you need is in the 4 Gospels. Jesus described a literal Heavern and Hell.

 

[Mick-G]

Brother, somebody already did that

What i am saying is that there is no actual scientific data on anyone that has come back from the dead and come back to talk about it. Take your beliefs out of the equation and then ask yourself. I am not talking about Jesus either. Also to the above^I believe i read or saw on History Channel that during Jesus time or shortly after his death the Romans completely changed many of the Bibles wordings so as to not implicate themselves as the culprits. It has been revised many times, so who knows what the real messages were. Many of the books have key words changed that only the ppl of that day knew the meanings. I can not really describe, but it was their culture of talking a certain dilect of middle eastern language. How can we know for sure when we don't have the original documents? They were burned hundreds of yrs ago. Btw, iam a Christian (raised Catholic), but havent you asked yourselves these questions?

 

[Ms.Wetback]

He means in modern recorded time.

People have done that as well.

Mick-G-you can not use scientific data to prove someone died and went to heaven or hell. I can tell you this, my husband has been documented DEAD. And was revived. So what you are saying is not true.

 

[Lokedogg]

What i am saying is that there is no actual scientific data on anyone that has come back from the dead and come back to talk about it. Take your beliefs out of the equation and then ask yourself. I am not talking about Jesus either. Also to the above^I believe i read or saw on History Channel that during Jesus time or shortly after his death the Romans completely changed many of the Bibles wordings so as to not implicate themselves as the culprits. It has been revised many times, so who knows what the real messages were. Many of the books have key words changed that only the ppl of that day knew the meanings. I can not really describe, but it was their culture of talking a certain dilect of middle eastern language. How can we know for sure when we don't have the original documents? They were burned hundreds of yrs ago. Btw, iam a Christian (raised Catholic), but havent you asked yourselves these questions?

More you should ask yourself: If you do believe in god, the omnipotent being who created all there is or ever was, that holds the power of life and death, the great 'I Am' , who makes the stars shine and rains come down, why is it so hard to believe he couldn't keep his written words true throughout what amounts to a spec in the history of eternity? You don't think he has the power to control a book?
Regardless of anything, If he can't do that, than he isn't God, so worry about something else.

 

[IRON37]

I would suggest to any Christian or person interested in it, to read a book called 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis. He begins by trying to disprove Christianity because he is an athiest. He brings up many interesting points..and looks at religion through non denominational, rational eyes to prove his points. He actually used to be an athiest, but in the process of trying to disprove Christianity was converted into a Christian. Its worth the time definately.

This last year I can honestly say Ive come alot closer to God. I finally realized my own mortality, and in a bad way. I didnt know who I was or why I was even alive anymore. I lost a good 30 pounds in 2-3 months. got maybe 3-4 hours of sleep on a good night. I was a wreck mentally & physically. I literally begged God for help even though Id never taken religion that seriously in the past. But what came over me was a feeling like Id never felt. Comfort and happiness like Id never experienced. I took it as a sign from God that he was watching, and didnt forget about me. I dont understand much about life honestly..who really does. All I know without a doubt in my mind is that everything came from something. And even though there is horrible things we go through in life it all has a balance with the good. Alot like it was planned. Everything is too perfect to be here just by fate.

 

[Ms.Wetback]

More you should ask yourself: If you do believe in god, the omnipotent being who created all there is or ever was, that holds the power of life and death, the great 'I Am' , who makes the stars shine and rains come down, why is it so hard to believe he couldn't keep his written words true throughout what amounts to a spec in the history of eternity? You don't think he has the power to control a book?
Regardless of anything, If he can't do that, than he isn't God, so worry about something else.

This just BLEW ME AWAY .................. nice Loke :kiss:

 

[bigkarch]

here is what I believe...


Romans 10:9 tells us that there are only two things needed to go to heaven and be with God.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The world we live in can be a scary place, but Romans 8:28 tells us that God is in control and reminds us that God has a plan to protect us and give our hearts peace. The plan is to have His son Jesus Christ pay the price for our mistakes, even though He did nothing wrong, so that we can have a perfect life in heaven, even though we don't deserve it.

He offers this because of His great love for you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation.

'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.' (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Many people try to 'earn God's love' through doing good things and end up frustrated, bitter or judgmental. Then there are people who believe 'since I'm saved by faith, I can do whatever I want.'

The truth is both are wrong!

We are called to love one another. We obey god out of thankfulness for all that He's done. We are not saved by good works, but IF we are saved, then we will have good works.

Jesus said 'Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.' (Matthew 7:19-21)

If you don't have a time in your life when you remember asking Jesus to come into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and changed the direction you were heading in your life, today is the day of salvation! It's not a coincidence that you're hear reading this information.

'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.' (Hebrews 3:15)

If you want to go to heaven, but you're not sure how to do that, you can call 1.800.NEED.HIM any time and someone will help walk you through the process.

If you're depressed or lonely, God does not expect you to deal with your problems alone! He has people praying for you right now that want to hear from you and walk alongside you in your journey. You can call some of them at 1.800.NEWLIFE

Psalm 143

 

[bigkarch]

no one of is humans is perfect and we will sin like crazy left and right...but dont let that influence the above....

 

[bigkarch]

bump

 

[tacosupreem]

What are you finding out?

you dont even want to know.

i took a bible history class. one that was not bias like the classes i took in my cath. high school.

There are maaaany more biblical writings out there that never got into the Bible. Only because there was an actual vote back when of what got in the bible and what didnt get into the bible. yes a frickin vote centuries ago.

some of them contain writings that jesus was a terrible fucking kid. killed 2 friends and a school master. writings on how Jesus was an illegit. child by a soldier. bunches more. There are verses where Jesus curses a fig tree cause it had no fruit. prob cause he was crazy. (that one is actually in the new test)

More things they will never teach you in church is that during Jesus's time there was a plethora of other saviors. It was a savior haven back then. everyone thought they were the messiah. other saviors that performed miracles and similar things jesus did.

the next post will say how christianity got so popular:

 

[tacosupreem]

Well, Jesus did found a successful religion, historically a good way to keep your name before the public eye. The question really is why Christianity went over so big. Considering some of the characters who've been connected with it over the past couple millennia you've got to figure the only explanation is the hand of providence. This is not a topic that lends itself to scientific inquiry, however, so let's stick to the human contribution.

Most historians give the major credit to Saul of Tarsus, better known as Paul, who converted to Christianity (although it wasn't called that yet) just a few years after the crucifixion. Paul was instrumental in taking an obscure Jewish sect, stripping away its parochial baggage, and positioning it to become a major world religion. In addition to being a tireless proselytizer, organizer, and propagandist, Paul was a creative theologian who played up the parts of Christianity with universal appeal, notably the belief in eternal life, popularly understood to mean an individual afterlife. At the Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD he also helped kibosh the idea that Christians needed to observe Jewish ritual, including (urk) circumcision, a major disincentive till then.

But it wasn't all Paul. Christianity succeeded because it showed up at the right place at the right time. The explanation usually given is that (1) the centuries-long Pax Romana that began around the time of Christ made it possible to spread ideas throughout the Mediterranean basin in a short time, (2) the old Greek and Roman pagan religions were by then completely out of gas, and (3) the imperial court was run by such a collection of cutthroats and lunatics that people were desperate for a religion promising a moral order.

All true, I guess, but none of it quite gets at the genius of the thing. There were many competing cults at the time, in particular the so-called mystery religions, that vanished with scarcely a trace. What set Christianity apart was its sophistication. It was the West's first modern religion, coupling a coherent and attractive picture of how the world worked with a commonsensical moral code. Most western religions prior to Christianity, Judaism included, were narrowly focused ethnic affairs, primarily concerned with placating a perpetually pissed-off godhead. (The Roman state religion was merely an amalgamation of such local beliefs.) Christianity, in brilliant contrast, offered the following propositions: God is good, God is universal, God wants you to live forever with him in paradise provided you ... well, exactly what you had to do to be saved was a matter of dispute. But the point was you could be saved.

Many religions previously had had some notion of an afterlife but, as in the Greek belief in Hades, it was often thought of as some sort of astral garbage can into which souls were pitched once stripped of flesh. Christianity turned this bleak idea into the positive concept of salvation and resurrection. (In the church's earliest days it was believed the second coming would occur within the lifetimes of those then living, which made acceptance of Jesus all the more urgent.)

The idea of salvation was appealing enough in its own right but it had an equally appealing subtext: the universe makes sense, you have a central place in it, and you can, up to a point, control your own fate. (I realize we get into the free will vs. predestination argument here, but you see what I'm getting at.) The complexity and emotional power of this system of belief swept away the primitive religions that preceded it. Tellingly, Christianity made less headway against the religions of the east, which offered a world view that was equally compelling.

 

[Tbizzle]

I would suggest to any Christian or person interested in it, to read a book called 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis. He begins by trying to disprove Christianity because he is an athiest. He brings up many interesting points..and looks at religion through non denominational, rational eyes to prove his points. He actually used to be an athiest, but in the process of trying to disprove Christianity was converted into a Christian. Its worth the time definately.

This last year I can honestly say Ive come alot closer to God. I finally realized my own mortality, and in a bad way. I didnt know who I was or why I was even alive anymore. I lost a good 30 pounds in 2-3 months. got maybe 3-4 hours of sleep on a good night. I was a wreck mentally & physically. I literally begged God for help even though Id never taken religion that seriously in the past. But what came over me was a feeling like Id never felt. Comfort and happiness like Id never experienced. I took it as a sign from God that he was watching, and didnt forget about me. I dont understand much about life honestly..who really does. All I know without a doubt in my mind is that everything came from something. And even though there is horrible things we go through in life it all has a balance with the good. Alot like it was planned. Everything is too perfect to be here just by fate.

Got another great book on the logic behind religion "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. This book caused an uproar in the neo-conservative christian groups in America and Dawkins was even brought on the O'Rilley factor.

 

[Ms.Wetback]

here is what I believe...


Romans 10:9 tells us that there are only two things needed to go to heaven and be with God.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The world we live in can be a scary place, but Romans 8:28 tells us that God is in control and reminds us that God has a plan to protect us and give our hearts peace. The plan is to have His son Jesus Christ pay the price for our mistakes, even though He did nothing wrong, so that we can have a perfect life in heaven, even though we don't deserve it.

He offers this because of His great love for you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation.

'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.' (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Many people try to 'earn God's love' through doing good things and end up frustrated, bitter or judgmental. Then there are people who believe 'since I'm saved by faith, I can do whatever I want.'

The truth is both are wrong!

We are called to love one another. We obey god out of thankfulness for all that He's done. We are not saved by good works, but IF we are saved, then we will have good works.

Jesus said 'Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.' (Matthew 7:19-21)

If you don't have a time in your life when you remember asking Jesus to come into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and changed the direction you were heading in your life, today is the day of salvation! It's not a coincidence that you're hear reading this information.

'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.' (Hebrews 3:15)

If you want to go to heaven, but you're not sure how to do that, you can call 1.800.NEED.HIM any time and someone will help walk you through the process.

If you're depressed or lonely, God does not expect you to deal with your problems alone! He has people praying for you right now that want to hear from you and walk alongside you in your journey. You can call some of them at 1.800.NEWLIFE

Psalm 143

Nice BK.

 

[Thate]

Everything in college is bias bro, all left wing nutbags. Aall that you heard is pure propaganda. it is true that some stuff did get left out of the Bible, but included in the catholic Bible. Such as the book of Enoch, as it wasn't divinely inspired.

Can you post links as to where one can find such nonsense?

you dont even want to know.

i took a bible history class. one that was not bias like the classes i took in my cath. high school.

There are maaaany more biblical writings out there that never got into the Bible. Only because there was an actual vote back when of what got in the bible and what didnt get into the bible. yes a frickin vote centuries ago.

some of them contain writings that jesus was a terrible fucking kid. killed 2 friends and a school master. writings on how Jesus was an illegit. child by a soldier. bunches more. There are verses where Jesus curses a fig tree cause it had no fruit. prob cause he was crazy. (that one is actually in the new test)

More things they will never teach you in church is that during Jesus's time there was a plethora of other saviors. It was a savior haven back then. everyone thought they were the messiah. other saviors that performed miracles and similar things jesus did.

the next post will say how christianity got so popular:

 

[Thate]

that was an EXCELLENT post Iron!