Originally posted by moneyline
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I already explained this many times. You're dumber than I thought.Comment -
You've attempted to justify your inability to choose, but your explanations have been specious at best. Evidence is all around you and you choose not to believe it.
Arnold, you are a victim. Born without the ability to choose whether or not God exists in your life. I wonder -- was it nature or nuture to blame?Comment -
And you're born with an ability to know the answer to any question. In reality, someone who says he knows the answer to any question is a total moron. Congrats.Comment -
This thread, and the arrogance visible in many of the comments, should be explanation enough as to why many people stay far away from religion.
I am not certain, but I am pretty sure that berating others into an attempted submission, is not the way God would want it.
Instead of insinuating that non-believers are inferior human beings to those who tithe their income to the Church, perhaps those who follow the word of God should pray for the individuals they are disgusted with. You never know...your prayers may one day help guide them to their righteous path.Comment -
I'm sorry, Robyn, are you refering to the arrogant comments made by the non-believers or are you just ignoring them althogether in your critique of this thread? Because one might think you would've written the arrogance of those people "should be explanation enough as to why many people" choose to believe in God instead of believing in nothing.Comment -
The believe that there is a God or source or diety has been toyed with by humans since the beginning of time.The greeks and Romans were most likely laugh at these "Modern" day views.
I agree with Robin in the statement about religion being something people stay far away from.
I tell people I have a personal philosophy of life in which I try to live by. Preaching backfires! We all have are own personal reality. Orangised Religion fall short of the goalline i.m.o.Comment -
The Greeks actually believed that by buggering small children you were able to impart wisdom, or knowledge, to them ... gotta tell you the truth, I am not that concerned what they would choose to laugh at in this modern day!
And while all can have their own personal view of reality, that does not mean there is not one true God who holds them accountable for their choices and actions on this earth. Hoping it isn't so doesn't make it that way ...Comment -
Originally posted by thezbar
Organized religion is about man praising and following man and really has very little to do with the Bible or God, imo.Comment -
Originally posted by moneyline
While I agree with most of this , I just would say Karma can be a bitch and leave it at that.
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Sportsgirl, how in a non-demoninational church, such as the one I belong to, does that equate to man worshipping man? If you are referring to the Catholic church, I see what you are saying, but lumping non-denominationals into the same group is erroneous imo ...
The only man we ever worship in our church is Jesus Christ.Comment -
May I ask what church?Originally posted by moneylineComment -
New City Gospel Fellowship in Rockland County NY is my home church ...Comment -
And what is the doctrine of this church? i.e., what is it's statement in order that members are "saved."Originally posted by moneyline
I'm asking out of curiosity, not to be argumentative or challenging in any way.Comment -
Not a problem ... the website is www.newcitygospel.org ...
"Our Vision
To significantly impact the spiritual and social atmosphere of Rockland County by growing and cultivating a Christ-centered, multi-cultural community characterized by love, acceptance, forgiveness and encouragement.
* By providing transformational Christ-centered worship and instruction weekly for 1% of our county's population (presently 300,000)
* By providing educational, recreational and rehabilitation ministries that will disciple children and adults in the Word and ways of Christ.
Our Mission
New City Gospel exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ who love and serve Him with their whole heart, mind and strength."Comment -
Interesting. Thanks for sharing the Web site.
I spent considerable time studying both denominational and non-denominational faiths, and, I found only two place that I felt followed the Bible as I had read it. However, even those particular organizations still had flaws in my opinion that I didn't think coincided with the Bible - which, through reading it on my own, I determined for myself to be the true and inspired Word of God in it's entirety. I don't think one should make a particular distinction for or against the Bible without having read it completely on their own.Comment -
I agree that the Bible is where the truth comes from and also that individuals can corrupt it, if you will ... but I do find going to church and speaking with other believers very valuable when it comes to getting a deeper understanding of God's word. Without that, I think I would miss some of the meaning the Bible provides ... and I think that when I pray to God for understanding, He puts some of these people in my path to answer my prayer ...Comment -
I think people can cross our paths without having to meet them at church. Even now, we are crossing paths and who knows what we might learn from each other.
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Agreed. I enjoy going to church, but I don't think I have to go to be saved, that is for sure. I do enjoy the singing, though
Look forward to learning more from you, SG ...Comment -
All I know, I got directly from the Bible. I believe it starts here:Originally posted by moneylineAgreed. I enjoy going to church, but I don't think I have to go to be saved, that is for sure. I do enjoy the singing, though
Look forward to learning more from you, SG ...
Acts 2:38.
Oh, and I do go to church - it's just that I don't have to go very far ... it's at my house.
Philemon 1:2Comment -
I was fortunate enough to be baptized as an adult in the Jordan River by my pastor some years ago ... it was a pretty cool experience
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So Arnold, have you become capable of making a choice when it comes to God yet? He is patiently waiting for you to do so, but His patience does not last forever (as your life doesn't) ...Comment -
"Science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind." - Albert EinsteinComment -
And you would be speaking for who exactly?Originally posted by moneylineComment -
You obviously haven't been reading my posts. I AM pretty damn close to believing. But I'm not just going to believe blindly. I have an open mind and an open heart. If he exists, he knows how to contact me.Originally posted by moneylineComment -
You are falling WAY short of your church's mission statement. Just sayin'Originally posted by moneyline
Had you been kind, accepting and loving towards me, I may have actually taken you seriously here. Next time you're in church, ask how God would feel about you attacking the physical appearence and character of someone who is actually pretty close to believing. You sir, have just cemented my belief that organized religion is full of a bunch of hypocrites and I will never want to be a part of it.Comment -
Yeah, Swede raises a very good point here.....Moneyline, what I find odd about this is that this thread was on life support, 4 days without a response, and seemingly headed towards it's ultimate demise.
Then you start it up again, basically by attempting to goad a further response out of Arnold. Why?? Again, can't it just be left alone? Is it so impossible to believe and/or understand that somebody could have a different viewpoint than yourself? Or must he be "saved"?
I just don't get it, personally. By checking out your website (impressive, by the way) and looking at the vision set forth in your church, it appears that you have done and are doing a lot of good in your life. But there is definitely something lacking here in terms of "acceptance" when it comes to what others choose to believe.
Practice what you preach I'm inclined to think.....Comment -
Thanks Stumpy. I understand that somehwere in the bible, Christians are encouraged to spread the word of God to non-believers or something like that, but I thought they were supposed to do so by showing what a loving and caring God He is, nt with scare tactics.Comment -
I would hope that the religous people that I know would just accept that I am who I am, and will probably go to hell with the other party people. Why do they continuously feel the need to tell me that I am doing no good when in reality I don't directly do anything bad. I don't kill, rape, manufacture atomic weapons, or cause anyone harm that could be thought of as a bad deed. I just don't understand why I can't be left alone by the imaginery friends industry.
The effing Johavas come over at least 3 times a year, and I swear they wait until I half in the bag and trying to get some from the old lady. Then they won't leave until I either give them some money (which I would rather die first) or tell them as rudely as I can to leave. Then there are my backwoods inlaws that even though in a month I am going to have a 16 year anniverssary, they think I am the devil and always scheming to corrupt their little house on the praire situation with my sinful behavior and continuous degenerative actions of lust toward their daughter.Comment -
Not an imaginary friend -- your Creator, whether you choose to believe in Him or not. And Swede, look at your posts in this thread. For someone who is close to believing in Him, you sure do take some pot shots at His existence along the way.
Just sayin' (or thereabouts)
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Yes, Swede, quotes like this certainly do show you are thisclose to accepting God. C'mon, who are you kidding?Originally posted by swede96Comment -
Christians very firmly believe that you are 'saved' if you accept Christ (as your savior). And so they think they're doing you the greatest favor with their pesky efforts at conversion. They have no proof, nor offer any way of experiencing personal evidence, so it is purely a belief. With other main religions, the spiritual work actually begins with the acceptance of the teacher. But 'Christ died for their sins', so all they have to do is sign on the dotted line and boom, instant 'salvation' and an instant ticket to heaven.Originally posted by Stumpage
I've invited panhandling Jehovah witnesses and Mormons into my living room, to engage in a constructive discussion, but invariably they ran off with their tails between their legs.
I love this sh*t.Comment -
Actually, you are partially correct. The spiritual work does just begin with the acceptance of Jesus and God, as with the other belief systems BUT that work is not done to earn salvation. Once you have accepted Him, you are saved. And then you follow His teachings, not to earn heaven, but because you want to do as He instructed ... because you realize He is the alpha and omega ...
Other faiths involve earning systems. Do good and you'll earn a better place. Christians do good works without trying to earn anything (hint: because you can't earn heaven)
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It is indeed a pity that purification of consciousness is overlooked in that religion. Somehow I get the idea that the sex victims of pedofile priests don't look forward to meeting up with their violators in heaven. Come to think of it, pray tell me, why would anyone be interested in that kind of heaven? Or could that be because it's the only alternative to 'eternal hellfire and damnation'? (Hint. If so, it makes perfect sense that 'heaven needn't be earned'. It's just not a very fun place to begin with, is it?).Comment -
And yet you make the assumption that someone who truly accepts the Lord can commit such atrocities. Fact is, the only person who knows if someone has truly accepted the Lord as their Savior is the Lord. Humans can pay lip service to acceptance, hold positions that would make one think they have accepted, but only the Lord knows whether they have or not. And they will be judged accordingly, as to whether or not they did accept Him while on earth.
Let that not be confused with earning heaven -- can't do it!
Forgiveness, on the other hand, is possible -- lucky for you it is, since you are a daily sinner like everyone else who walks on this earth. The Lord is the purification, but that does not mean one goes from sinning every day to being without sin. See, that ability was reserved strictly for the Lord -- living a sin-free life.
(actually, it was reserved for Adam and Eve as well, but they sort of dropped the ball on that one)Comment -
God doesn't care. If he wanted me to believe in him (why believe if he can reveal himself to me and make himself known?), he would do something about it. If anyone wants me to believe, it is Christians like you. It's an addiction, I guess.Originally posted by moneylineComment
