But religious folk typically only adhere to the scripture that suits them. Anyone who is a Christian and believer in the words of Jesus should be a pacifist and socialist, but people choose the words they want to pay attention to.
If you read in context you are kind of right. You really should give zero fucks about your own life or money. Socialism is based on monetary redistribution though. There is a sort of picture with people bringing tithes to the store house to help everyone survive fammin, but pure socialism i dont see. Charity is a better word. If we all thought about other people more than our needs we wouldnt need a specific government philosophy to govern our money, we wouod just take care of eachother naturally.
I just find it interesting how in America there are large swaths of Christians who are so hateful and petty while others are so caring and devoted to assistance. Theres hypocrisy in everything humans do, so I suppose it shouldn't surprise me, but when I see people quote Jesus and then vote for war or against healthcare it makes me wonder if they actually contemplate the teachings of Jesus.
It makes sense to me. If satan was indeed who the bible says he was pre fall then his bitterness and anger would lead to a confusing of the one true religion. Why is there 500 different versions of christianity? Because satan is the author of confusion and has free reign to confuse until christ comes back. I believe most "christians" are satans greatest tool. And that is the very reason that while i profess to be christian, i feel my time is better spent telling "christians" they are wrong, rather than judge the unbelievers. At least an athiest has an excuse for his behavior, what is ours?
very interesting post. i'll think about your words while at work today. i guess my one immediate question for you is how do know you aren't dealing with the devils obfuscation with regards to your views and your selection of your branch of the ONE true religion?
Im not sure ill ever be 100% sure. Im like 97% sure and i base it on years of historical research as well as biblical study and application to current events. The bible says of itself that the mysteries begin to reveal themselves once you are a believer. Thats a paraphrase not a quote. I've found it to make more sense than any other religion, of which ive studied many. While every religion seems to teach that you yourself must do something to reach some higher plane of spiritual enlightenment the bible itself while read in context is the only religion that actually leaves the believer completely free from obligation to do anything to earn your own salvation.
I'm basically the reverse. I am fairly confident there is no god, but not fully certain. I can't know.
Ya i use to be very similair to your views so i completely understand your views. I was passionate about my agnosticism. I guess it's cool we live in a country where we are allowed to change our views anytime.
I'd just like to emphasize that it isn't the Bible that encourages thinking illogically, but misguided religious teachers. "Come, let us reason together" comes straight from scripture.
Interestingly, I went the other direction--also at 13--basically because the universe from nothing and abiogenesis hypotheses didn't make sense. And still don't.
I think it's more fundamental than just the teachers, which is true too. It's the basic idea that we are to believe in something without evidence that can lead to faulty reasoning. But I don't think that's the case for all or even most people. We are far more complex then any quick ascertain by me could do justice.
Personally, I disagree with the assertion that belief in God is without evidence.
and this is where we differ. Not on our love for our neighbors, respect for this world or empathy towards the infirm or challenged. I read your posts frequently and agree with a great deal, and what I disagree with is at least logical so I respect your views to which I don't agree with on all topics that pertain to the world we live in.
Same. A concept which baffles me in its difficulty for so many on both sides of the aisle to grasp.
Maybe if you were "Moses, Lawgiver of Israel" I might be compelled to believe.
Learn the bible, then post.
I don't know why that struck as fucking hilarious. Eating by myself on the patio of a nice Italian restaurant in gyserville CA after a long day at work. Sipping on my wine and when I tead that I laughed out loud like some dolt.
