Does Christmas have anything to do with Christ?

[MikeSavage]

Just because one is ignorant of a thing hardly nullifies the existence of that thing.



I'm not sure what you mean. I don't believe in gods or the supernatural.

Just because one disbelieves in God the Almighty, hardly means that God isn't that one's creator and God.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

As it turns out folks, it looks like I might be wrong.
Exodus - Chapter 20 (Parshah Yitro) - Tanakh Online - Torah - Bible

It's all good. You picked one of, maybe even the best, site to use as a reference.....

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Just because one disbelieves in God the Almighty, hardly means that God isn't that one's creator and God.

Just because you believe your god to be "the one true creator" hardly nullifies the belief that others believe their gods are creator gods too......nor does it nullify my belief that none of your gods (etc) exist.

 

[Sonofason]

It's all good. You picked one of, maybe even the best, site to use as a reference.....

I'm just glad that I personally never really traveled too far down the road of idol worship. Those kinds of things that one might call idols don't really impress me all that much. But I'm sure I've got a few idols in the house. Guess it's time to burn this place down.

 

[MikeSavage]

Just because you believe your god to be "the one true creator" hardly nullifies the belief that others believe their gods are creator gods too......nor does it nullify my belief that none of your gods (etc) exist.

Your gods aren't real. Our one true God the Almighty is, and He created those who invented your gods from their own imaginations. And He is our God. Yours, and mine and nothing you say, and no rationalization of yours can change that. It is Him who will destroy you in the end, your gods can't breathe, live, create, destroy, or teach. They're NOT REAL.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

I'm just glad that I personally never really traveled too far down the road of idol worship. Those kinds of things that one might call idols don't really impress me all that much. But I'm sure I've got a few idols in the house. Guess it's time to burn this place down.

I hear ya....I think people can make the judgement call they feel they need or want to within their religion. I have no personal issue with Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza or any other religious holiday.....For the purpose of this thread I'm interested in Christmas on the basis of historicity. For me...what should be observed, how it should be observed or what sect of Christianity is better or more pure is of no importance to me. I have no dog in that fight....

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Your gods aren't real. Our one true God the Almighty is, and He created those who invented your gods from their own imaginations.

I have no gods.

And He is our God.

That's fine by me.

Yours, and mine and nothing you say, and no rationalization of yours can change that.

That's cool. But that wasn't my intent.

It is Him who will destroy you in the end

Belief is a powerful thing to the believer.

your gods can't breathe, live, create, destroy, or teach. They're NOT REAL.

I don't believe in gods....but I fail to see how your belief in your god trumps the belief in gods others may have. The 'my god is bigger and better than your god'....view seems to be childish in my view.

 

[rrosskopf]

a colon is a punctuation mark : used chiefly to direct attention to matter (as a list, explanation, quotation, or amplification) that follows.

That would be more persuasive if Hebrew had colons.

 

[ChristineES]

According to scripture, using ANYTHING as an aid to worship is idolatry and is a HUGE sin according to God the Almighty.

Did you know that some strict followers of Bible believe that even a painting, photograph of ANYTHING, etc can be called a "graven image"? That those who do believe don't have pictures, portraits, statues, etc in their homes? That would included a picture of his or her mother.

Icons, such as crosses and other things, are not the same as idols. No one I know who wears a cross, a fish, or a Star of David actually worships it. It does not aid in worship in any way, shape or form. I don't know why I bother saying this, however.

 

[MikeSavage]

I have no gods.



That's fine by me.



That's cool. But that wasn't my intent.



Belief is a powerful thing to the believer.



I don't believe in gods....but I fail to see how your belief in your god trumps the belief in gods others may have. The 'my god is bigger and better than your god'....view seems to be childish in my view.

There is no "my god is bigger than your god" view. There is but one God. No others are real. No religion is anything but false. I am no part of any religion and yet, I know the One True God, God the Almighty. There is but one and He created EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Simply because you don't adhere to or believe that, doesn't change the fact that there is One God the Almighty, Jehovah. He said that ALL religions are false, originate with Satan, and are works of the flesh. That is why He said that they will ALL be totally wiped from the surface of the Earth in the final battle, which is, by all scriptural accounts, any time now. All religions, governments, and opposers of God the Almighty are to be eliminated from Earth permanently. No changing that, and no refuting it. Disbelieving it won't change it either. You may as well worship a rock or a piece of cow dung for all the good they will do you. Same effect as worshiping a so called god of yours that isn't the one true God.

 

[savagewind]

He knows God personally.

 

[McBell]

Just because one disbelieves in God the Almighty, hardly means that God isn't that one's creator and God.

Only if your god exists in the first place.

 

[MikeSavage]

Did you know that some strict followers of Bible believe that even a painting, photograph of ANYTHING, etc can be called a "graven image"? That those who do believe don't have pictures, portraits, statues, etc in their homes? That would included a picture of his or her mother.

Icons, such as crosses and other things, are not the same as idols. No one I know who wears a cross, a fish, or a Star of David actually worships it. It does not aid in worship in any way, shape or form. I don't know why I bother saying this, however.

Those "icons" you mention are pagan symbols, and symbols of false religion. They are abhorrent to God the Almighty. If pleasing Him is your goal, using those icons is not a good idea. If not pleasing Him is your goal, then you are on the right track. Rationalizing God's word, as you are doing, means you are relying on your own understanding of scripture. The scriptures clearly admonish us AGAINST relying on our own understanding.

 

[McBell]

Just because one is ignorant of a thing hardly nullifies the existence of that thing.

Rather difficult to worship something you have no idea even exists.
So when someone celebrates their kids birthday are you claiming they are celebrating every thing else that ever happened on that day?

I say no they are not.

 

[rrosskopf]

No such grammar in the Hebrew... just you Xians who insert your own excuses to disobey
G-d.

As I recall, there was some disagreement over this between Jews and Israelites. I do know that the Muslims take it very literally, and that is why all of their art is graphic design motifs, with no likeness to anything living. Certainly the spirit of the law was to prevent the worship of idols, so presumably God isn't an idiot, and wouldn't be offended if someone wasn't a superstitious pagan, needing such a rule. I also know that there are at least four (maybe five) types of laws spoken of in the scriptures, and I don't really know the difference between them. Are we talking misdemeanor or felony? Hard and fast rule, or just a guideline? Eccleasiastic or societal? Can anyone show some light on the different types of laws mentioned in the Bible?
Sometimes we give children rules just long enough for them to grow up, and understand the deeper rules.

 

[McBell]

Your gods aren't real. Our one true God the Almighty is, and He created those who invented your gods from their own imaginations. And He is our God. Yours, and mine and nothing you say, and no rationalization of yours can change that. It is Him who will destroy you in the end, your gods can't breathe, live, create, destroy, or teach. They're NOT REAL.

I see you think your god has the biggest penis.
Good for you, or would it be him..?
To bad I am not impressed by bold empty threats.

 

[McBell]

There is no "my god is bigger than your god" view. There is but one God. No others are real. No religion is anything but false. I am no part of any religion and yet, I know the One True God, God the Almighty. There is but one and He created EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Simply because you don't adhere to or believe that, doesn't change the fact that there is One God the Almighty, Jehovah. He said that ALL religions are false, originate with Satan, and are works of the flesh. That is why He said that they will ALL be totally wiped from the surface of the Earth in the final battle, which is, by all scriptural accounts, any time now. All religions, governments, and opposers of God the Almighty are to be eliminated from Earth permanently. No changing that, and no refuting it. Disbelieving it won't change it either. You may as well worship a rock or a piece of cow dung for all the good they will do you. Same effect as worshiping a so called god of yours that isn't the one true God.

*yawn*
Interesting how I have heard Muslims say the say thing.
Of course, they claim it is Allah, not Jehovah, but that is the only difference.

 

[ChristineES]

Those "icons" you mention are pagan symbols, and symbols of false religion. They are abhorrent to God the Almighty. If pleasing Him is your goal, using those icons is not a good idea. If not pleasing Him is your goal, then you are on the right track. Rationalizing God's word, as you are doing, means you are relying on your own understanding of scripture. The scriptures clearly admonish us AGAINST relying on our own understanding.

I don't just go by my "own understanding". I've listened to, studied, etc with many different people, many different denominations, and listened to many different interpretations by many scholars. Believe it or not, that includes Jehovah's Witnesses. I've studied many different translations of the Bible, as well.
I don't know if what I believe is right or wrong, but I am not about to take just one or two people's word for it if I am right or wrong about something. Fortunate for me, I like to keep learning and studying.

 

[MikeSavage]

As I recall, there was some disagreement over this between Jews and Israelites. I do know that the Muslims take it very literally, and that is why all of their art is graphic design motifs, with no likeness to anything living. Certainly the spirit of the law was to prevent the worship of idols, so presumably God isn't an idiot, and wouldn't be offended if someone wasn't a superstitious pagan, needing such a rule. I also know that there are at least four (maybe five) types of laws spoken of in the scriptures, and I don't really know the difference between them. Are we talking misdemeanor or felony? Hard and fast rule, or just a guideline? Eccleasiastic or societal? Can anyone show some light on the different types of laws mentioned in the Bible?
Sometimes we give children rules just long enough for them to grow up, and understand the deeper rules.

The law covenant ended when Christ was murdered. No law pertains. They are for our discerning God's will and principles now, not hard and fast laws. In order to be in and stay in God's love, one must adhere to His principles and commands. One must do the entire will of God. Judaism, another false religion, totally disregards the Christian Greek scriptures (new testament) and therefore are not in God's love. It doesn't matter if a rule is a felony or misdemeanor, the effect is the same. Displeasing God the Almighty. Doing so means judgement of destruction in the final battle. It's your choice. With God, or against God. No in between. No partially adhering to God's requirements. One must remain loyal to God for Him to remain loyal to the individual. He did say ALL religions are false and prevent one from being in His love. Jesus taught us the "one true faith" as told in the scriptures. That is what we must adhere to in order to acquire and to keep salvation. Anything else prevents it. The scriptures are no less than crystal clear on this issue.

 

[savagewind]

Y
[QUOTE="MikeSavage, post: 4083806, member: 55774" One must remain loyal to God for Him to remain loyal to the individual. [/QUOTE]Really? So God is only loyal when the person is loyal? Like a mirror?
It seems to me if God's loyalty ends it isn't really loyalty. Is it?