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Perhaps, God is really a Goddess...
Agreed.
Spurm, do you even believe in God?
Perhaps, God is really a Goddess...
That would be quite ironic!
Those consequences are meant to lead people to accept God as their creator and to live their lives according to His plan. Most people who convert to Christianity (or any other religion, really) do so because they feel they are missing something.How can God even hold the concept of an expectation when he already knows what is going to happen? It is almot like watching a sad movie that you know the ending to, and then being disapointed when you get there. And if all of these concepts are beyond our understanding, why would there be consequences from an all loving god when we make the wrong decisions?
As far as expectations go, I don't think it's the same as expectations in human terms. Assuming God DOES transcend time and space, and is all-knowing, how else would one describe his laws/guidelines for a Godly life to people who may not be able to grasp the concept of a God who doesn't experience "time" the way we do?
I can't speak for everyone, but I do see it. I believe life is a gift, not a right... and I am appreciative of what I've been given. So I don't mind worship, hing, sacrifice... and I don't question God's motives because I feel like it's a pretty fair tradeoff.Many times people say that if you look at the beauty of the world, you have to see an intelligent design behind it.
Well then I put forth, if you must see the beauty of the world and think that there is something behind it, must you not see the same from the beauty of god?
I can understand how that doesn't apply for everyone. It's kind of like if Person A buys a house, he knows he has to pay for it... But if Person B has lived in a house all his life, and then finds out he owes money, he's going to question it.
Thanks. Yes I do... Although I have days/weeks where I have doubts, like anyone.Agreed.
Spurm, do you even believe in God?
Seems like one of these threads (or something similar in "Live-Action Life") always happens when I'm feeling most distant and unsure.
I think God is sexless. I wouldn't mind Him being a señorita
I try to keep an open mind on the subject and do not say there isn't a god. But I also don't try to keep myself closed into a religion, because I think that man always tends to screw good things up. We're talented like that.
I've been meaning to visit a Buddist Temple because I love the philosophies, but I don't think I would pursue it as a religion.
I basically do not know at the moment. I suffer from linear thinking, and therefor have a hard time understanding a universe that does not end, nor begins but is.
Catholocism never came close to giving me an answer to that.
You're right, and that's why I try to separate Church teachings and beliefs from Biblical ones. I find that a lot of problems people have with Christianity as a religion are based on how the Church has evolved in the hands of man, and not necessarily what Christ and his apostles preached during their lifetimes.
Not sure anybody can give you an answer to that question.
Maybe I'm not understanding but I guess for me I never looked for what I would call scientific answers in religion.I basically do not know at the moment. I suffer from linear thinking, and therefor have a hard time understanding a universe that does not end, nor begins but is.
If that makes sense.
The answer is out there. It just hasn't been found yet. And I believe a based on reality should have no problem standing up to scientific questioning.
Well, most of this discussion has been philosophical in nature anyway... Not really scientific.
Philosophy could be the science of thought? I don't know.
Nah, science is usually proveable... Philosophy is just people with too much time on their hands bull ting.
Nah, science is usually proveable... Philosophy is just people with too much time on their hands bull ting.
Actually, most philosophy programs require a lot of upper division math under the premise that both areas are searching for ultimate truth.
So you approve of the lifestyle and example Jesus set for us?
Who wouldn't? I love the teachings of Jesus (with the exlusion of the son of god etc. I know you think that is hte most important part of the teachings, but I disagree) and agree that you should love your fellow man.
What problems would the world have if we all tried to live up to that standard?
I think all of you need to check out the movie "What The Bleep Do We Know?" if you haven't seen it already. It discusses many of the questions you guys are asking and tries to answer them, or at least give a new perspective, as it relates to the quantum physics world. It's not difficult and esoteric either, its very easy to follow but it will twist your mind more than you can imagine!
The Bible itself stresses the importance of believing that Christ is the Son of God. We believe it to be the inerrant and inspired Word of God and that is what qualifies it's importance.
"He who comes to me must know who I am and believe on Him that sent me".
In past posts in this thread you have mentioned something about God being a prideful God
My opinion is that the separation or wall that exists between God and you is indeed pride, but it is yours not God's. In a previoius post we established that pride is sin (Love is patient, ..., it is not proud. Corinthians). There is a part of man (and I believe it has to do with the initial rebellion by Satan against God) that resists having someone telling us what to do. We like to put up a facade of being self sufficient and independent. The ol' "I can pull myself up by my own boot straps mentality". The truth of the matter is that no one is entirely self sufficient.Originally posted by MannyIsGod : Any God that refuses to allow me eternal salvation because I did not honor him properly is a god full of pride and a god for which I have no use.
I am not trying to disuade anyone from believing what they do, but that is a supreme litmus test for me.
In the terrestrial realm, to a certain extent, we all rely on others. We all have people, supervisors, law enforcement, parents, etc., who we are under the authority of, people who make and enforce the rules. I dont feel this authority or these rules are established so that people can Lord over me (or at least they shouldn't be) They are there for the good of all under them and if we don't follow them (if we do not properly honor them) there are unpleasant consequenses.
The same is true in the celestial realm except that instead of "just another human being" setting the standards to be followed it is God. While mans rules and standards may be flawed, God's are perfect, designed to work in perfect harmony with His righteous plan for us to be united with Him in heaven. And just as in the terreatrial realm, there are unpleasant consequenses for ignoring or rebelling (not properly honoring) against the established standards.
Satan himself rebelled against the authority of God and was cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18 "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven")
There is a spiritual battle between good and evil for the mind, heart and soul of man. My suggestion, for what it's worth, is don't let pride come between you and God especially since it's yours and not His. Drop your guard for a minute and give an honest look into this possibility as it may have eternal ramifications.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.
3.Those who act like it's a virtue to render themselves irrelevant, and enjoy their view from the peanut gallery.
7.Those that are stupid.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think Manny was referring to the millions of people who worship Buda, Hindu, or one of the other monotheistic world religions.Who wouldn't? I love the teachings of Jesus (with the exlusion of the son of god etc. I know you think that is the most important part of the teachings, but I disagree) and agree that you should love your fellow man.
Joch, yes, part of the equation is my pride. But to say that there is no pride on the end of the partnership that consists of a being demanding worship, is spin and pure spin. Not amount of justification will change that. The difference is that you feel it is justified due to God creating us, and I do not feel it is justified because I see a contradiction.
Dan, I was reading today about many parrelles between Budda and Jesus. It is very interesting.
From what I read, Buddhisim and Christianity a far apart with respect to their philosophies.
I believe a big part of our differences is perspective. I have a personal relationship with God and with Jesus Christ and that is because I have responded to their desire for me to ask them and their Holy presence to reside within me. Anyone who so desires can have this perspective and it's an eye opener. It's a life changing perspective and one which I hope you someday will have.
(Just a few scriptures to try to verify the perspective gap).
24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ,[a] tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,
26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are one."
"If you meet me and forget me, you have lost nothing.
If you meet Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything".
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