Actually, sitting around waiting isn't what Christians are asked to do. If we are obeying the teachings of the Christ, then we will not be part of the problems in the first place. If all religions (Christian or otherwise) demonstrated respect for the environment and for their fellow man, imagine what the world would be like? We are instructed to work at making known God's purpose for this planet and for the living creatures who inhabit it....that isn't sitting around.
The biggest polluters on the planet are Christians though. Since Christians believe that the world is going to end no matter what, why should they care if it gets messed up? The global warming naysayers in the western world are typically right wingers.
The world is not in this mess because of what Christians have done....but calling yourself a Christian whilst participating in the perpetuation of the rot is hypocrisy...is it not? Jesus condemned hypocrisy. Are we part of the problem or do we support the solution?
I've met plenty of Christians who were not Christ-like, that's for sure. However, when did Christ say to give a hoot, don't pollute?
No it isn't. God isn't out to convert the world. He is looking for citizens who will enjoy life in his kingdom....one of the things that precludes entry is rebelliousness and disobedience to his laws. I'll let you do the math on that one.
So JW's run around knocking on peoples doors just for kicks?
Jesus commanded that the "good news" about his "kingdom" be "preached in "ALL the inhabited earth for a witness to ALL the nations" before he brought an "end" to the current system of things on earth. (Matt 24:14) That puts no one outside of God's ability to educate. No one can come to Jesus as a disciple without an invitation from the Father (John 6:44) so nothing will prevent a potential "sheep" from everlasting life, no matter what culture they were raised in. And because he reads hearts and not just minds, he can see past any mental illness to the real person. Don't sell him short.
Oh, so it is commanded to preach to everyone about your religion. Sounds like a massive conversion orientated plan to me. I never got why people need religion to "be saved". What is more important to god, whether a person is a good person at heart or if they are on their knees praising him?
Making himself known doesn't mean that he drags people kicking and screaming into his kingdom. We are already told that these last days would see the good news largely preached to deaf ears. (2 Cor 4:3, 4)
Using the "days of Noah" as an example, was Jesus indicating that these billions were going to qualify for life? How many survived the flood? It wasn't that Noah didn't warn them...it was that they took no notice of the warning. (Matt 24:36-39) Whether you think the flood was real or metaphoric...we get the message.
That's great but what if you're wrong. What if Hinduism is the right religion? Won't you feel silly for expecting to go to some magical paradise and are instead reincarnated as a fish or something?
There is much detail that is not given about a lot of events in the Bible. The lack of detail does not mean that they never happened or that they can be ruled out because we cannot "prove" them using human methods. After all, if we could prove God's existence "scientifically" then we would not need "faith" which is a pre-requisite for God's people.
Faith (believing) in unproven fantastical claims amounts to nothing more than gullibility. Why would god consider gullibility a virtue?
I don't recall anyone standing over you with a big stick forcing you to believe anything. God offers his truth...no one is forced to accept it.
Wrong, men speaking on THEIR gods behalf have offered many unsubstantiated fantastical claims. You have yet to show why the unsubstantiated fantastical claims of YOUR religion should be given anymore credibility than the unsubstantiated fantastical claims of ANY other religion/belief.
The Bible does not argue with billions of years for the creation of the universe. The creative "days" were epochs of at least thousands of years each. Science agrees with the order of creation....life began in the oceans and the last creature to appear was man. We disagree about how it all happened is all. Evolutionary science is not exact, is it? It could all change tomorrow with another "discovery". Evolution does not discount the existence of a Creator in fact, yet if he was to appear tomorrow, it would change everything they believe.
The bible claims the earth existed before the sun and stars which is definitely not supported by science. Science does not say man was the last animal to "appear". The bible claims mankind was created in gods image, not that we evolved from primates. So your holy books stories do not conform to reality.
They aren't designed to impress anyone...they are designed to inform believers about what the Creator has done, and is doing.....and what he requires of them. Only those who are spiritual will be remotely interested. And even then, not many will use their spirituality in the right way.
God is actually sifting through the human race in order to populate this planet with those who care enough about him to obey his direction, and who demonstrate that they cannot be turned away by self interest.
Man has worshipped many different gods for thousands of years who all had different expectations for mankind. Why should anyone give YOUR god anymore credibility than any other god that has existed?
In Matt 24:3-14, Jesus apostles asked him for a sign when he would begin his rulership. The sign that Jesus gave to indicate that the "last days" had begun have been in evidence since 1914. (2 Tim 3:1-5) Everything that Jesus predicted has taken place just as he said. Believe it or not.
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
This is supposed to be a sign? Hey guys, when the end times come people are going to be real jerks, so watch out. Extremely vague and easily used to demonize those that don't share your beliefs. Gotta watch out for those worldly folk, they're the worst!
Ever hear the old saying....."a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still"? This is a very true statement.
No one who does not want to believe, will, no matter how much information you give them.
God is not going to provide any more "evidence" that what is already under our noses. If he is not seeing an obedient heart, he will not issue an invitation into his kingdom. By our own choices, we either qualify or disqualify ourselves for life in his "new earth". (2 Pet 3:13) It isn't rocket science really.
What evidence?! THEISTS (not god, I've never met or seen a god) have yet to provide ANY EVIDENCE to support THEIR CLAIMS. You have yet to provide either a convincing argument or evidence that YOUR god even exists. So far your argument amounts to "you just have to belief".
The Bible has a message for everyone who doubts.....
"But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. In fact, that man should not expect to receive anything from Jehovah; he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)
Why do you think presenting a verse that tries to paint mindless, unthinking belief in unproven claims as a virtue and vilifies people who demand fantastic claims be validated before belief to an atheist is a good idea? What is so great about faith? Is faith still awesome when someone has it for another god/s?
"Unsubstantiated" is a matter of definition. The Bible substantiates all that I believe and I am obligated to share those beliefs with anyone who might want to listen. Since "few" are on the road to life, it is important to find the exit ramp off the highway to death. (Matt 7:13, 14) Pointing the way is not standing there with a bazooka forcing people to detour.
We can enter the off ramp only by our own choice.
I've shown you once in this post that the bible does not reflect reality. Who said anything about bazooka's? You speak from a mindset that it is obvious that your religions claims are true. I do not share your mindset. I do not have a switch in my head I can turn on to believe any old thing someone tells me.
