Group Coerced Censorship

Fair enough. Actually, this is a pretty accurate description of my beliefs approximately 15 or so years ago.

Interesting to see that things changed for you. I plan to always keep an open mind about it. Maybe something will compell me to make the leap of faith in the future, and forget the fact that there's just no scientific evidence. Who knows.

As of now though, I'm too hung up on the no evidence thing.

offiss, are we in agreement that no matter who reads the bible, it will be interpreted differently? religion is about finding inner peace, no matter how it is achieved. do you really believe that Muslims are bred to kill, according to their scriptures? i would be willing to bet NO religion would condone killing. but many interpret it just that way.


As for the second part of your question Dmek, ultimatly any religion that is not of God and the bible is a religion onto themselves not just Islam, they are all heading to the same place Hell, and there is where it gets touchy, everyone believes they have the truth, but there is only one truth and one salvation plan.


Hebrews, chapter 2-"3": How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;


So as for muslims in particular? They need salvation just as much as any other false religion, Are they the most hostile religion? Yes, not all are as hostile or extreme as what we see on the news everyday, but you sure don't see other muslims coming out against these extremists keeping their house in order per say.

As for killing, there is a difference between killing and murdering, God has given authority to the gov't or whomever presides over the people to justifidly take life, as the bible says,


Romans, chapter 13-"1": Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

"2": Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

"3": For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

"4": For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

The sword in the bible is used for killing so there are certain situations where killing is acceptable to God, for instance the military as you fight for your country in a war, or the execution of a criminal, but the gov't has a tremendous resposibility not to misuse that authority, the gov't in no wise can break gods laws, example: they have the right to take life but if that right is used to murder than they will come under Gods wrath no different than any one of us.

Offiss - Just one comment.

Christianity consistently says that it is the "sure and certain hope of salvation". Thus, in acknowledging its surety and certainty of salvation, it also recognizes that is a "hope" and not a provable event.

Another one of those contradictions that makes you go "hmmmmm"

Well if you believe the feel good religion philosophy, which is not what the bible teaches, yes main stream religion is exactly that, be a good person and you will go to heaven, but that is not what the bible teaches, the bible is filled with ugly language about hell and the cosequences of sin, and that is what people don't want to hear about, so speak on them is to be persecuted by all who just want to hear that the sky is always blue, alway's say please and thank you, and there is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, when the fact is thats just not true. Hell is a real place.


Matthew-7- "13": Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

"14": Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.


Psalms-9-"17": The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.


Mark-9-"43": And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

"44": Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

"45": And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

"46": Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

"47": And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

"48": Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.



According to the bible there is only one way to avoid this end.



John-14-"6": Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


John-3-"3": Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nice post O,
THAT's my belief

Yeah you're right, it's a pretty broad statement. A summary of my beliefs:

- I don't believe there is a God, a heaven, or a hell.

- I believe that a guy named Jesus existed claiming to be the son of God, because that's been established as historical fact.

- I think a lot of the stories written in the Bible about the amazing things Jesus did, like walking on water, curing the sick, etc. are made up.

- But I do think that the teachings of Jesus, and the way he taught people to live their lives, are great ways to live your life. I'm skeptical of the existence of a higher power, and basically skeptical of believing in anything that has no scientific evidence to indicate it exists. But regardless, I'd like to live my life like Jesus because it just feels like the morally right way to live.

This is also exactly how I believe. The bible is a book of fables used to teach lessons about morality. Most of the 'western' religions are practically the same values regurgitated. Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in overall the same thing, just different prophets and different stories.

This is also exactly how I believe. The bible is a book of fables used to teach lessons about morality. Most of the 'western' religions are practically the same values regurgitated. Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in overall the same thing, just different prophets and different stories.


I believe...
The Bible
I believe that the Holy Bible is the verbally
inspired Word of God; that it is inerrant; and
that it is our sole authority for faith and practice.

God
I believe there is only one true God; eternally
existing in three Persons –
Father, Son and Holy Spirit –
each of whom possesses equally all of the divine attributes.

Jesus Christ
I believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man,
that He was born of a virgin, that He lived a sinless life,
died for sinners, rose from the dead,
ascended into heaven,
and that He will return to the earth one day.

The Holy Spirit
I believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God
and that He enlightens the minds of sinners,
and indwells, seals, comforts,
and guides believers into the truth.

Not a sermon just some thoughts.
peace
mike

And for anyone that doesn't agree with the mods, 3 months for you bitches!

That's not very nice....? BITCH

Yeah you're right, it's a pretty broad statement. A summary of my beliefs:

- I don't believe there is a God, a heaven, or a hell.

- I believe that a guy named Jesus existed claiming to be the son of God, because that's been established as historical fact.

- I think a lot of the stories written in the Bible about the amazing things Jesus did, like walking on water, curing the sick, etc. are made up.

- But I do think that the teachings of Jesus, and the way he taught people to live their lives, are great ways to live your life. I'm skeptical of the existence of a higher power, and basically skeptical of believing in anything that has no scientific evidence to indicate it exists. But regardless, I'd like to live my life like Jesus because it just feels like the morally right way to live.

Well said and I agree 100 percent.

As for the media conviction of Falwell I think it's quite the opposite. He was allowed to maintain a media presence - appearing as an "expert" on panel discussions until his death - in spite of saying bitter hateful things that would have had anyone else tarred and feathered. Compare some of the disgusting things Falwell said over his career with what got Imus canned, and you will see that Reverend Falwell was much much worse.

Falwell will go down historically as the person most responsible for fusing politics and religion, and for that I would hope he is reserved a special spot in hell if I believed in hell, which I don't.

That's not very nice....? BITCH

It's 3 months for each mod. So it's like a 2 year ban

It's 3 months for each mod. So it's like a 2 year ban

Life's tuff dude. Get over it......super mod, enjoy your 3 month vacation, you probably need it, around here?