For The Record...

[McBell]

I am not anti-Christian, even though some of my posts might seem that way. I grew up as a Baptist and still try to follow Jesus' teachings on morality and compassion. I am dedicated to biblical accuracy when it comes to making a point based on the Bible.

However, I can't stand when someone repeats something that is traditional in belief, but is not biblical, yet they try and argue that what they are saying is in the Bible. I will ask them to quote the chapter/verse that supports what they are saying. What usually winds up happening is that they can't find the verse (because it does not exist) so they start trying to spin things in order to make it fit.

Some people just can't accept that what they have been taught is not biblical in any shape or form. When I challenge you, I am not attacking you or your faith, I am calling into question a particular belief and I want to know why you think that way. I like for people to think for themselves instead of just repeating what their pastor/denomination/organization has carefully prepared in advance.

My personal favourite are the "Bible Only" crowd.

 

[First Baseman]

My personal favourite are the "Bible Only" crowd.

Yeah, we all know that. You do enjoy ridiculing the Bible and everything godly so much.

 

[McBell]

Yeah, we all know that. You do enjoy ridiculing the Bible and everything godly so much.

As if you have any idea what I am talking about.

Move along little boy and let the grown ups talk.

 

[LuisDantas]

Do you believe in God? Have you ever tried poking and prodding Him to see how loud His voice is?

What?

 

[Neo Deist]

Yes, I was serious. What God do you believe in that isn't a "male"?

And have you tried poking and prodding God? Please don't avoid the question.

Why do you think God is a male complete with a penis, balls and the need to shave His divine face? Where does God go to get a toothbrush? What does God wear, because I am sure there is not a Macy's or Sears catalog out in the cosmos. If anything, God is an incorporeal being that does not require oxygen, food, water, or any other essentials that are required for our existence.

The concept of God being a male comes from a culture and era that was very male chauvinistic. Women were seen as little more than property that were only good for being barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. As a matter of fact, that part of the world still has many cultures that feel that way.

Edit: what does the Bible say about women? The very nature of these verses tells you that it is a MAN made book:

Women are to be a "helper" (damn near slave) for men
Women must keep their heads covered and dress modestly
Women must not wear jewelry
Women can't have authority over men
Women can't teach men
Women should not speak at temple/church
Women that have questions should ask their husbands, and he will ask in temple/church
Women can't serve as rabbis/priests
Unmarried women could not leave the home without their father's permission
Married women could not leave the home without their husband's permission
Women could not testify in court
Women could not talk to strangers
A woman that marries and divorces then remarries another was considered an adulterous
Female children were not worth as much as male children in coin (shekels)
Daughters did not receive an inheritance, even if they were the oldest child
Women were required to be virgins until marriage, otherwise they were stoned to death

The list goes on and on.



And yes, I absolutely believe in God the creator...just not according to Genesis. Think outside of the box. God gave you intelligence...use it.

 

[Neo Deist]

My personal favourite are the "Bible Only" crowd.

Me too. I like to ask people what verse such and such says in Hebrew or Greek, and that is when I lose them. They fail to realize that their little English translation is not inerrant.

 

[First Baseman]

Why do you think God is a male complete with a penis, balls and the need to shave His divine face? Where does God go to get a toothbrush? What does God wear, because I am sure there is not a Macy's or Sears catalog out in the cosmos.

The concept of God being a male comes from a culture and era that was very male chauvinistic. Women were seen as little more than property that were only good for being barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. As a matter of fact, that part of the world still has many cultures that feel that way. If anything, God is an incorporeal being that does not require oxygen, food, water, or any other essentials that are required for our existence.

And yes, I absolutely believe in God the creator...just not according to Genesis. Think outside of the box. God gave you intelligence...use it.

I am saddened because you think you can know God through human wisdom alone. Do you believe any part of the Bible is genuinely God's word at all? Do you value Proverbs 3:5 at all?

 

[First Baseman]

What?

I wasn't asking you. I was asking our poking and prodding friend.

 

[First Baseman]

As if you have any idea what I am talking about.

Move along little boy and let the grown ups talk.

Little Boy? What, are you one of these Internet tough guys? Please.

 

[McBell]

Little Boy? What, are you one of these Internet tough guys? Please.

It is no fault of mine you reveal your inability to understand the conversation let alone keep up.

 

[LuisDantas]

I wasn't asking you. I was asking our poking and prodding friend.

That still makes no sense. Was it supposed to?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If a Christian wants to hold to something because it's tradition for them, so what? If they wish to vest trust in some particular authority, so what? It's their business, so why do you feel the need to undermine what they're doing?

If it's a religion that's imposed on non-adherents, then it's everybody's business.

 

[LuisDantas]

If it's a religion that's imposed on non-adherents, then it's everybody's business.

Yes, there is that.

As soon as people presume to judge me by their beliefs, they make it my business to judge those beliefs and decide how much respect they deserve, if any.

 

[First Baseman]

That still makes no sense. Was it supposed to?

Well, the person it was directed to understands it. That's why he refuses to answer it. Since the question wasn't directed at you it is no wonder you don't understand it.

 

[First Baseman]

It is no fault of mine you reveal your inability to understand the conversation let alone keep up.

Well, aren't we all bright eyed and bushy tailed today? You're so full of joy that you just can't stand it. Must be tough.

 

[First Baseman]

If it's a religion that's imposed on non-adherents, then it's everybody's business.

No one has imposed anything on you unless you've been to a country in which you get jailed or killed because you don't agree with their beliefs.

 

[savagewind]

While possibly true, that's also a rather judgmental attitude leading to some rather presumptuous and callous conclusions. Why do take that route? Why not leave others to their affairs, and mind one's own business?

Is the mind a powerful thing? Is there any truth to the saying, "you can be anything you want to be"? There is a movement for changing people to think everyone but the right people will be destroyed unreservedly just because they will not join the movement. Is the mind a powerful thing?

If the mind is nothing, then ok, you are right. If the mind can make things happen, then you are wrong.

 

[LuisDantas]

Well, the person it was directed to understands it. That's why he refuses to answer it. Since the question wasn't directed at you it is no wonder you don't understand it.

That is presuming quite a boatload.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

No one has imposed anything on you unless you've been to a country in which you get jailed or killed because you don't agree with their beliefs.

Would you feel the same way if you were the one having others' beliefs imposed on you?

Here's an example of what I mean: in most Canadian provinces (including mine), there are government-run, taxpayer-funded Catholic schools.

Since I live in a democratic society, it's my right - and maybe my moral duty - as a citizen and a taxpayer to hold the government to account for its actions. These actions include indoctrinating children into the Catholic faith. Therefore, it becomes my right to question whether it's good or bad to indoctrinate children into the Catholic faith. This opens the door to all sorts of questions about the justification for Catholic beliefs and whether the Catholic Church is a force for good or evil.

The alternative, i.e. to not stick my nose into the business of the Catholic Church, means not allowing citizen oversight of the government. To someone like me who demands a transparent, accountable government, this is unacceptable.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Well, the person it was directed to understands it. That's why he refuses to answer it. Since the question wasn't directed at you it is no wonder you don't understand it.

Fun fact: this forum is equipped with a private message function for when people want to have a conversation with only one person.