The Challenge
It's a good thing that the words you posted here are not meant or implied in any way that you "pretend to know THE LIVING G'D"
Challenge accepted.
Of course, I accept. I'll kick his butt, if he has one. He is weak, feeble, cowardly and egotistic... should be a cake walk.
It's been 7 hours since his last post. I wonder...Still waiting for the challenge to start, so far, not a peep.
Maybe G'D's just doing a little stretching...Hi Troubled Man!
So glad to hear from you.
I'm just wondering: did you read the Scripture verses I posted? Or are you just waiting to see if G'D Is going to do all the work?
I'm on the sidelines watching. So are a great many others, despite the lack of interaction here. G'D IS PATIENT, but HE Won't be forever...
The challenge started the moment you responded. The ball is now in your court.
MERCY and BLESSINGS to you in the meanwhile, in THE POWERFUL NAME of JESUS, my ADVOCATE, my WISDOM, my STRENGTH. Amen.What about them?
If G'D did anything at all, I'd be shocked. So far, He has done nothing. I await, tingling.
And, what exactly am I supposed to do? I've accepted your challenge and am waiting for it.
Please don't do that. Thanks.
Glad to see you are still with us. I guess He has decided to defer on a preemptive strike for the time being. Leastwise for now...
Dearest Paradigmsearch,
I'm not sure which side of the ocean you have planted yourself upon. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me? Only if you're up to it. No pressure... just curious. I can't make you out.
BLESSINGS in THE NAME of my BELOVED L'RD JESUS... MASTER of The Universe, MAKER of All Creation, REDEEMER, FRIEND. Amen.The clocks ticking, and soon we'll be using a calendar.
I wish there was a LIKE button for this
I know Him by his deeds which are petty, selfish and egotistical, at least, according to the Bible.
Because, he has not been shown to exist other than in the imaginations of His followers. Show me your God and I will gladly believe he exists.
He murdered millions of innocent people, at least, according to the Bible.
Those who believe evangelize the religion, hence whatever they do affects my life in negative ways.
Hubs don't provide credibility and neither do beliefs in invisible friends.
Yes Dave, I know you would love to see me gone forever. Of course, I take the high road and would never wish that upon you.
Notice that I tend to be closer to the teachings of Jesus than you?Troubled man,
My Jesus wouldn't mock his brother. Please remove the stone in your eye before you try to remove the pebble in your brothers. Think about this if you will. You never explained why you feel the way you do? G'D didn't murder anyone. He can't. Evil destroys. It comes like a thief in the night. The feelings of whatever it is that makes you express annoyance, anger, sometimes hate and mostly disrespect. We who believe in the ONE and only Creator of every living thing still acknowledge you and read your work. We give you time to see that good feelings can be yours if you can take a little step forward. If I am wrong, and your way is right. Then I have nothing to lose, I won't know. I will be dead. BUT !! IF your wrong, and I am right then you will live forever and ever in suffering. Why would anyone want to be miserable, is beyond my human thinking. ShalomIf you're wrong, you have wasted your life believing in false gods.
Here's the deal. There are many religions in the world and they can't all be right. One could be right but that's a stretch. If the right one is not the one you believe, then both of us will be suffering together forever. Why would you want to be miserable?
Where have you been?
You have your work cut out for you here. And you do know that you are doomed to fail, right?
No work? I don't need to display too much effort to show the blatant ignorance is what it is? A choice action.
Fail? How can I fail to prove that. Every post that would lead afterward would prove that this particular individual willfully and blatantly chooses ignorance. I mean, if you want to get technical? The OP has already proven it.
I have alerted the media. Proceed at will.
Hey there Don W,
Hate to spoil your premise, but I actually do talk that way. It may be outdated, but I don't have to follow rules. I like speaking the way I speak. It is particular to me.
You say: (paraphrasing)
You have friends who are Christians in the 21st Century, and they don't talk sound like me. It's true. There is a struggle to reconcile Christian values to the pressures of this modern world. This Forum wasn't addressing that topic. However, I agree wholeheartedly. Being a Believer in CHRIST JESUS in the 21st Century presents all sorts of obstacles, struggles, confusion and difficulties.
You say, (sorry I'm just paraphrasing here) that what I write sounds like someone who wants to sound wise and holy... but it comes across as a caricature... phoney in other words. Well, I never said I was perfect. I never said I was wise. I wish I was holy. Unfortunately, my biggest problem is that I wear my heart out on my sleeve.
I'm glad your friends are more real to you. They should be. They're not discussing issues of importance over cyberspace. I'm even more glad you have a good rapport with them.
You ask: is the challenge actually for you? Is the holy spirit holding up a mirror, so you can learn from what you see in the reflection? Is your challenge to adapt the way you communicate your faith? To see that you don't need to try to sound authoritative, or wise, or holy. That any authority or wisdom or holiness will stem from you being authentic and describing your experience of being a Christian in a way that is meaningful for people in 2011. If so I wonder, is that a challenge you can accept?
I respond: Every day. THE HOLY SPIRIT is constantly purging me of my faults. It's too bad my style of writing seems so offensive to you. I am who I am. I won't change that unless G'D asks to me to do so. HE IS my GREATEST FRIEND and my most honest critic as well.
I look in the mirror all the time. I don't always like what I see... when I don't I drop to my knees and admit it. I'm frail. I'm very weak at times, especially when it comes to my family... always letting them get away with things most people consider harmless, wondering if I should impose my true beliefs about how they should live, act, and speak (not that I want to pass on my language style to them, but I hate hearing them use vulgarities, or slang when a proper word would have so much more significance.
Can I change the way I speak or write? I don't know. I think I might be too old. However, you are the first person to ever comment on my linguistic style. Perhaps it comes from having studied languages as a younger person. I believe words impact. I try to use the ones I consider most reflective of what I want to articulate. I always talk the way I write.
You should hear me sing...
G'D BLESS you, Don W... and MAY HE CONTINUE to BLESS your Christian friends. They should wonderful! In YESHUA HAMASCIACH! Amen.Hi Don W,
What I mean about 'being too old' actually reflects being set in my writer's ways. I spent some trying to figure out where my linguistic applications came from..
You said: "I suspect this language stems from the historical period that your Bible was translated in, and you've consciously or subconsciously emulated it."
No... this isn't it.
When I was a child, my parents had one very special possession in the house, two sets of Encyclopedias, The World Book Encyclopedia and Popular Science. Since my father was the only working parent, and we didn't have much, those books were like a gift from G'D Himself. During my spare time, I used to sit in front of the shelf holding both set of volumes and pick one out randomly, then read and read and read for hours. I had favorates of course, Egyptology for one. Archaeology was another. When I was six I told my sister I wanted to become an Archaeologist, she told me I couldn't... that my father would never let me travel. I believed her and began searching for something else I could do.
When I was older, I began reading authors like Taylor Caldwell, C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and others of like standard. I wanted to write like they did... so badly. My sister, being twelve years older than me, was an avid reader. Though she never finished High School, I never met anyone who had read as many books as she did. Ann Rand, Caldwell, Fitzgerald, you name him/her, she read him/her. Thousands of books in her lifetime (literally). She was a book fiend... and held a high language standard, especially for me.
Her speech in Italian was always perfect. Despite having come to Canada when she was twelve, she maintained an extensive vocabulary, and a very distinguished accent. I never had that... in Italian, but I worked at building a vocabulary. The next book I tried reading with regularity was the dictionary.
Between those influences, yes, perhaps I'm stiffer than most, in my speech and writing. I will probably never be a C. S. or Tolkien. That is my dream and I will make a valiant attempt... whether I succeed or not remains to be seen.
As for my faith, you hit the truth on the nail when you said I'm passionate about it, probably more passionate about G'D and HIS HOLY WORD than any other thing on the face of this earth. Perhaps the archaic script of The King James Version Holy Bible that I first owned as a new Believer, years ago, also made an impression. But, I'm certain the expressive style of many excellent writers are ingrained in my heart. I aspire. I may never reach, but I hope to... maybe saying "I'm too old," was a cop-out.
I am not that old. However, some things are etched deeply in my soul. They yearn to be released. I can change. Seriously though, there's nothing in me that wants to... not now at least, not unless something compels me to do so.
You said: Some people do criticise you because you believe something they disagree with. And misrepresent what you believe to further justify their criticism. And then try to create rational explanations for doing so. I understand why that must be offensive and annoying.
Is this me, you're speaking about? Or others who are critisizing me?
Criticism is welcome, especially if it is creative. That's the only way to grow. I appreciated your comments. I thought about them... that proves they were valued.
You said: If you choose to disregard the opinion of a heathen such as myself, at least consider the opinions of your brethren on this thread who have offered their own advice. It may help in your efforts. Relating to your audience could be handy for those who would be fishers of men.
I don't consider you a heathen. I hope I haven't in any way made you feel as though I do. Every writer wants to relate to their audience. Hopefully, I haven't alienated everyone.
BLESSINGS to you, in THE NAME of THE AUTHOR and FINISHER of my faith, of my character (a work in progress),and of my heart, YESHUA HAMASCIACH! Amen.
EmVeeT,
"Words are powerful, the written word is profound"- Jo Goldsmith.
Shalom my sister.
Wow! Just beautiful! I truly with all my heart love your challenge! YESHUA HAMASCIACH? I hope you will please tell me where I may look up the second part of YESHUA name. I believe I have a calling too. I am living, breathing proof that there is a wonderful and forgiveing G'D. I praise him always. Wondering why the G'D instead of writing it completly out. Is it sinful to write the complete three letters? Anyway, I thank you for posting this. A hard day at work, and this really helped to get me back centered! Thanks you! Shalom
Hi Jo_Goldsmith,
I appreciate your words of encouragement.
As for your questions. As you know YESHUA is HIS Hebrew Name. (The short form at least.) The word HaMasciach (which I tend to write all in capitals) means Messiah.
G'D/L'RD...
I write HIS Name this way, not because it is a sin to do otherwise, but during a Bachelor Degree Program in Messianic Bible Studies that I took several years ago, I became so inspired by HIS AWESOME NATURE, CHARACTER, WISDOM, POWER and GRACE, that I couldn't just write out HIS Title fully anymore. HE, Knowing All things, Knows my heart and the reason I do this. The act has become habitual, and I cannot seem to write HIS Name any other way without feeling as though I've disrespected HIM.
... No one else needs to feel the need to do as I do. I don't impinge my practice on anyone else... I guess you could liken my doing so to having a more intimate name to call a best friend or someone you hold in high esteem and with whom you have a special relationship.
BLESSINGS to you in THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES! YESHUA our SHEPHERD, our RIGHTEOUSNESS, our MENTOR and FRIEND! Amen... and Shalom!
Hi Looking for Walden...
You ask: Is writing god a sin in the bible?
I answer, 'no'. Writing G'D's Name is not a sin. This is a habit I acquired while I was taking a Messianic Bible Bachelor's Degree. You see, I was already so very in love with the WONDROUS SAVIOUR Who Died for me, but when I began learning about HIM from a Judaic viewpoint, well the depth of my love grew and my awe for HIS PERFECTION, HIS PURITY, HIS WISDOM, COMPASSION for humanity and EXTENSIVE GRACE grew exponentially as well.
I began writing the titles G'D and L'RD this way as a result, out of reverence for HIM, not compulsory obligation.
G'D Does Not Impose HIMSELF on us. We are living in a Dispensation called 'Grace'. This means, all HIS Expressions toward us are expressions of Infinite Mercy, Goodness and yes, Grace.
This is not something that should be trampled on though; and those who choose to mock, defame or deny HIS Name, Existence and Sovereignty will be held accountable, That account will not be something that happens, as it sometimes did in The Old Testament, where entire families were judged as a result of the known, sometimes hidden, but always conscientiously applied sins of the heart, as known only to the ONE WHO EXAMINES the heart of men and Alone can draw out the significance and intention.
I always explain more than I need to... Sorry about that. I can't help myself... there is a part of me that rejoices with every opportunity to share a measure of HIS TRUTH, no matter how small...
But, the answer to your question, is this is a personal application. No one else ever needs to do the same.
BLESSINGS to you, IN THE BELOVED NAME of my SAVIOUR, YESHUA, THE Jewish Messiah (even if most of them do not desire to acknowledge the fact!). Amen.
Dearest Double Scorpion, (May I call you DS?)
Your name suggests a sting may, at any moment, spring forth from you...
You say, "I thought the Lord, Holy Spirit and the Father were all the same person?
This is true. G'D IS FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT... or L'RD, FATHER and HOLY SPIRIT... but consider them identifyable using this analogy: body, soul, spirit...
G'D THE FATHER REIGNS Supreme. JESUS, THE SON, is now and forever will be identified by HIS INCARNATE MANIFESTATION, THE HOLY SPIRIT is that part of HIM that is just that... SPIRIT. One and the same... different manifestations.
You said: How can one talk against the Lord and be fine, but not the Holy Spirit if they are one in the same?
Scripture warns against speaking ill of THE HOLY SPIRIT. This is the unpardonable sin. There are also considerations that only G'D Can Judge when a mockery of HIM is pronounced... G'D KNOWS the heart of man; therefore, some have actually blasphemed THE HOLY SPIRIT by their words... G'D ALONE Will ultimately decide if the act perpetrated unwittingly is judged by the same standard so as to be unpardonable. Just to let you know...
G'D BLESS you, DS. Thanks for your questions.So what happens if I spit and vomit on the Holy Spirit, and then kick him in his butt, if he has one?
So, can we assume there is no challenge and you're just fooling us?
I thought you were going to present me some sort of a challenge with HIM, but all you're doing is preaching to everyone. Empty threats. So much for your challenge. Nothing but a waste of time on irrational fantasies and obsessions.
There's nothing He can do about it, either.
But, you'll never actually admit to the errors.
No, you are in charge of yourself, what you do and what you say. I can mock your G'D as much as I want and nothing will happen because your G'D is just an imaginary friend, like a seven foot rabbit in a beard.
I see no challenge, just empty words based on faith. And, since you've yet to present a challenge of any kind, you're just wasting everyone's time with preaching.
What did you ask? To read some verses? Done. Now what?
What reputation?
Yes, you are creating conflict where none was before.
Ii see nothing more than empty threats. I see no challenge.
Funny, I did not insult you but you feel the urge to insult me. So much for your empty words about not judging others.
You sure do have an overactive and paranoid imagination.
How ya been?
I'm still muddling along. “Challenges” being thrown at me left and right. My near future could indeed be interesting times...
Now you know how the rest of us feel about humanity in general.
And you still made no sense- I did give you an answer.
What I intended to get across to you with Ezek 3- is that we are supposed to warn people- and you being a Christian- To say don't tell unbelievers to accept Jesus- don't offer it because they are not listening. This puts you on the side of those that oppose Christ.
And the part about Galatians 3:26- is showing you that we are sons of God through Jesus Christ- so this clearly means that ezekiel 3 is referring to us, that have received Jesus and we are to warn the people.
Mark 15- is to shows you that JESUS told us to do this very thing, invite people to the marriage of the lamb- those that accept him will be saved.
James 1 supports the fact we are to do what God's word says.
Matt 10: warns us that if we don't tell of Jesus to a dying, rebellious world that He (JESUS) WILL DENY US. So I will now refer you to look at what God said about lukewarm Christians & I won't tell you where it is- since you know your bible.
And Moses in the wilderness obeyed God and lived- we too have to obey God and lift up the name of Jesus to save those that are perishing without him.
If not we will be over taken with no way of escape, because our only hope is that in Jesus and if we won't accept it, believe it, do what we have been told to do and obey God- than we have chosen to not dwell in his safety.
The Gospel of Jesus is so simple a child can understand it.
So really I was making sense- if you'd read to understand instead of getting mad.
So in short you are coming across as to say that we should not do as God has instructed or even follow Jesus. And the word of God is useless and should not be shared.
If we are for Jesus- and truly understand what he came to do- than by all means we will encourage them to accept Jesus their Lord.
Jesus is to be shined in the darkness and all God's warns aren't just a simple I love you, but because I love you-walk this way.If you walk this way, you will be safe and blessed- if not cursed.
*Nope, not a blind sheep, but a sheep that can see and knows the voice of God, the spirit of God. But thanks for all the encouragement- name calling really makes your point come across-huh?
God want to give people mercy and save them and forgive them- what a horrible message you have declared it to be- it seems.
And you had to say superiority- Like I am better than you actually or even think it!
Wow, you know your bible?
Hmmm..... I have been given the same chance as the rest of you, I am held to the same standards as thew word I share with you, I too have messed up and needed to repent and learn the ways of God.
I am here to let you all know that the way God loves me in Christ, is the same way he loves you all and to accept Jesus as your Lord.
So better than you- NO!
I learned obedience through what I suffered, I have learned to obey God and live- living a sinful rebellious life does lead to death-separation from God.
God does not want this- So I will not shut up!
You may not think you need the word of God- but someone out there does and there life will be saved by Jesus.
God word is truth, we keep it before our eyes, and in our hearts- so we will not sin against God. I choose to honor God with my life and in order to do this I have to let God sustain me and lead me.
Just because I choose to honor God and strive to follow him does not mean I am a zombie- you know the word of God tells us about being in one accord and it is around the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord- this is the foundation.
Without this foundation we will not stand.
By the way God's word is not crap and me using it is not crap/useless.
You read your bible?
So out of my love for God- I share his love with you-to lead you to Jesus the only one that can save you!! How mean I am... boo hoo!
A lie is a lie- and the people need not to be confused about how God loves them and sent Jesus to save them. I stand for the truth- and the truth will and does set people free.-** http://youtu.be/IeiRdR6wbv4
God bless you!
Thanks. The reason I asked was because one chased me out of a friend's house demanding that I study the bible with him. Your bible quoting made me start to wonder. As a side note, the guy was never allowed back in that house.
- Virgil Newsomeposted 12 years ago
0Troubled Man,
I'll be honest with you. I knew you would be the first to respond.
Don't give up. Time is on HIS side.
I'm cheering for you!
BLESSINGS to you, in THE NAME of THE ALPHA and OMEGA! Amen.No, you won't. You haven't yet.
- darknight444posted 12 years ago0
- darknight444posted 12 years ago0
My goodness, you believers sure do love the thought of having enemies, where none exist.
I have more fear of enemas than your imagined enemies.
I could never live my life with the constant belief I have enemies just because they don't believe in some medieval fairy tale. A very sad existence, one that could easily harbor a lot of hatred towards others.That's really funny considering you're about to tell me I have an enemy who is part of some medieval fairy tale you believe...
Right on schedule.
But, I really, really, really want to see the invisible purple rhinoceros in my garage.
Really.Wrong spirits.
Dearest SanXuary,
I appreciate your comments.
You know, I really pondered the posting of this challenge, not because I doubt G'D, but because I knew, long before I did, what would happen. However, I'm not doing this for me. If I were, I would have stopped short of the posting.
Truly, believing in the atmosphere filled with animosity is no fun. Most of the time it's hard work. Being who I believe I should be, based on the creeds of my faith is constantly being challenged. I see the flaws. I make the mistakes. I'm surrounded by half a family who believes and half that doesn't. I make a very honest attempt at doing what I believe G'D WILLS for me, for my family, for the world I influence.
You're right though. There is so much impeding the progress. Posting something like this brings out the worst in people. The immediate reaction is one of offense.
To be honest, I was equally offended by the posts I read from several individuals who enjoy being base and blaming the woes of the world on individuals who want nothing more than to help them experience the joy of relationship with G'D a very limited few will ever experience.
Hmm. I know that what I just wrote will be construed as me placing myself in that margin of the limited few... I admit I will/do; however it is only after having experienced more pain and hardship, losses and struggles than I would even wish on a beast.
Did I make a mistake posting what I posted? I don't think so. I'm still TRUSTING G'D to make something out of this, as ONLY HE CAN. I'm still praying HE WILL MAKE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN, even if only to a very select few.
BLESSINGS to you, SanXuary, through THE EMBLEM and STANDARD we were BLOOD Purchased to appreciate! in YESHUA HAMASCIACH! Amen.LOL! You're actually comparing the evangelizing of your religion to police, firefighters and bosses?
<--- coveted double laughie
Yes, you believe we're some sort of low life hiding under a rock in fear for you to come along and save and regale us with stories of Jesus parting cars on a boulevard for you.
You probably also believe that we won't consider that insane.
Yes, I know.
Yes, that's exactly what believers want. In the past, they had us burned at the stake but they can't get away with that stuff anymore.
- Virgil Newsomeposted 12 years ago0
Hi Brett,
I thought to address your comment about the way I write G'D. You may think it strange... and maybe it is peculiar. I didn't start off doing so; but after taking a Bachelor Degree in Messianic Bible Studies, I learned aspects of G'D's Character and Majesty that caused me to decide I needed to be more reverent. I began using that form of writing HIS NAME (only G'D and L'RD) that way, and have done so ever since.
It's become a natural inclination. When I don't, if I don't, I automatically go back and correct myself. You're right. G'D and L'RD are titles. Nothing more. I write HIS other Names the regular way...
This is one more peculiarity particular to me. I guess some could consider it a quirk. For me, it's showing respect... in a very small way, insignificant to anyone other than me and, knowing the intentions of my heart, HIM. ...
... just letting you know..'.
BLESSINGS to you, in THE NAME of THE MOST HIGH, MOST SOVEREIGN ROCK of SALVATION! Amen.I understand. But my understanding is that the practice of not spelling out our Lord's name came from the Pharisees who deigned that speaking Yauah's name outloud was considered blasphemy. So it was carried over to not even spelling it, lest someone half asleep accidentally said His name while reading.
I respect your intent, and you certainly don't have to change your methods on my account, but it has seemed contradictory to me to use His real name while refusing to spell out a title.
On the other hand, you're a step ahead of 95% of 'christians' who don't even know that His true name isn't actually "God" or "Lord". And for that matter, it isn't "Jesus".
--Calling all atheists--
There is no longer any need to debate religion. Religion is on the decline all by itself. Do not kick a man when he's down. Although it may benefit you to vent your frustrations that the beliefs of others are ridiculous, sleep safely in the knowledge that those beliefs will cease to exist in the near future. Education has given rise to scientific belief.
Thank the Atom! We can all get back to doing something useful with our time like developing cures for diseases and contributing back to society! Atheists are sent by the devil, yes, all of those scientists keeping us fed and alive, those malicious beings!
For those who require stats & proof of the decline just read my hub
Have a nice day everyone!"If the finding is borne out, it would be a big deal, because it would mean the reigning theory of particle physics, called the Standard Model, is incomplete. Currently the Standard Model does allow for some minor CP violation, but not at the level of 0.8 percent. To explain these results, scientists would have to alter their theory or add some new physics to the existing picture."
It would help tremendously if you took the time to understand what science was all about.
Science is nothing more than the study to understanding something that already exists. You like always missed the point sir.
sci·ence
sci·ence [s ənss]
(plural sci·ences)
n
1. study of physical world: the study of the physical and natural world and phenomena, especially by using systematic observation and experiment (often used before a noun)
2. branch of science: a particular area of study or knowledge of the physical world
the life sciences
3. systematic body of knowledge: a systematically organized body of knowledge about a particular subject
the behavioral sciences
4. something studied or performed methodically: an activity that is the object of careful study or that is carried out according to a developed method
the science of dressing for success
5. knowledge gained from science: the knowledge gained byI, also, have independently had this thought.
Let's face it, great minds think alike.
Guys (everyone), please, go and do something useful, write an interesting hub about hydroelectric dams or something, religion is dead, let the faithful die faithful for their children surely won't be
xAguasilver I sense resentment in your statements, please refrain from negativity on hubpages
I agree with your feelings though, this should be a place for debate and not ad hominem. Though the "quest for a God free society" is not unsuccessful ^^ religion truly is on the decline to extinction.Not where it counts, mainly in poor, undeveloped, uneducated countries, where Christianity is also growing. In the developed countries where logic prevails, Islam is not growing stronger at all
Also factor out all of the people that believe in Islam out of fear and you've got a very poor effort indeed.
Need stats? Here: http://philanthropy2012.hubpages.com/hu … s-A-SadistDarkNight,
1. I made an entire hub containing the facts. I am not using the media as back up for my statements, but statistics of the prevalence and change-rates of religion. In the developed countries, Islam, and all other religions are seeing a drastic and rapid decline into extinction. Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland are said to be 100% faithless within the next 30 years. in the Czech republic, 60% already are, in the Netherlands, 40%.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … zz1e9cTloW
2. Yes I can say that some arabic and African countries are poor and uneducated. No it's not racist. It has nothing to do with the peoples' race in those countries but merely the area they were born in.
3. Yes, 3rd world countries exist undoubtedly as a result of developed countries behaving atrociously. I agree. This doesn't change the fact that as a result of poor education, government control & morals, 3rd world countries see the bulk of religious people concentrated in them. There are virtually no faithless in 3rd world countries. As the 3rd world countries recuperate, you will see that they also lose their religion. Religion is a part of poverty.
So as I said, all religions, including Islam, including Christianity, are headed for the bin.
Thanks,
Philanthropy- Oh yes, I'm convinced.
To everyone else, thank you for your kind words
He's really not upsetting me though. I'm pretty secure in my beliefs.Exactly.
Really, why not? I have yet to see a thread posing this. Maybe it's just because I new, who knows, oh well.
come on it will be fun! Debating is the whole reason people come to this side of hub pages
That was exactly what I was going to say, too.
Captain Redbeard, people play games with the faith that they will win, but that's because they Know there is a chance they could based on evidence of the past.
Religion is founded on Blind Faith.
That's the same as saying religion is founded on nothing.
In any other case where someone would so blindly follow something, it would be called "insanity" and one would be given the status of "insane"False, you not being someone who is of faith can't say you know why people follow God now can you?
False. My being a human who can read statistics and words can know why people follow God now can't I ?
I am not mocking spirituality, only religion. And I am not mocking but teaching my fellow man, out of altruism, I might add.
Humanity is BUILT on science. Without science we would not have survived. Crafting is science. Crafting: an activity involving skill in making things by hand. The fact that you need to know how to craft something in the first place means you need to have an understanding of it's physical properties. The science, behind that object. You cannot craft anything without understanding the basic science behind how to do it
Now as for the following statements:
"Hygiene is not science"
hygienics
1. the branch of medical science that studies health and its preservation; hygiene.
'"Houses" is not a word..........'
"Houses" is in fact a word. It is the plural form of the noun "house" which is also a word. (this was very funny to read)
Furthermore, architecture is the science associated with creating housing*
So actually I "got 5" and you "got 0".
All science is useful. The knowledge of the atom has allowed us electricity for billions of people. Who are you, an unscientific man to say when one piece of information is more useful to society than others.
Also, I imagine that you didn't wish to say that food shelter etc was "ruining humanity"
Show you how it is dying? Look at any stats (there are lot's on my hub) of religious populations in the modern world.
"The Church of facts" is not a religion. Statements like these can only mean you're trolling? I am not religious and I am intolerant to those who are incorrect. Correctness being based on empirical evidence/logic and not somebody's word.
I have not put myself higher than those around me, you have put yourself lower by not accepting the fact that religion is dying.I didn't know about the trolling term
that's good. Look I never intended to wind anyone up. Sorry if I did that to you.
I do not buy that my tax dollars go to the betterment of man when the fools that run the world are in bed with the money makers keeping the people in the dirt. For the first time in American history we will be facing jail time/fines up to $5000 if we don't possess healthcare. That is wrong and oppression. For the government to force it's people to buy a commercial product is wrong and against everything that America is supposed to stand for.
I got the definition from my dictionary attached to word document program on my computer. It's what I use to fix the errors in my typing.
As far as the hygiene topic goes, you want to use one definition that man has made but I am trying to point out the oldest forms of what "man" defines. hygiene is not man made or science designed. We may have added to the principle by discovering it's better to brush your teeth than to let them rot out, floss in addition to brushing so on and so forth by grooming yourself in the aspect of keeping clean or healthy has always been around. From the time the first primate picked a flea from its furry back. Science has always and always will just define what already was.
Belief has always been founded on reason but reason always changes doesn’t it? I find it interesting that for the past two thousand years the teachings have Christ haven't just survived but flourished! Time changes, kingdoms have risen and fallen but the message of Christ to love you neighbor as yourself is still strong and even founded the western world! Time was split in two because of this man, not only was a faith based religion born because of him, he also influenced two other major religions. My point is this. Science will always find something that is interesting. Water on mars, a new way to build a mechanical valve, new ways to build a stronger structure but what it will never be able to do is create life. Never has and never will. We can clone life from life but create it from scratch, we haven't been able to do and will not be able to do. Even though through the scientific studies that have given us the answers to what it takes to create life, we have never been able to do it.
I will leave with this since I seem to just be causing trouble, I simply believe that Christ is the way the truth and the light. No man goes to the father except through him. You don't have to believe that, you don't even have to hear it! That's the great thing, I believe that he gave us all the free will to choose what we want to do with our lives and the opportunity to learn about him if we so choose to. pretty fair to me.
Those animals also cannot cure anything that ails them, hence they can die from that which medical science has already found cures, they cannot send themselves to the moon or a probe to Jupiter, they cannot communicate with each other round the world and create systems of information that everyone has access. The list go on and on.
In other words, your examples are pointless.
Comparing years gone by of people embracing medieval thinking, superstitions and myths due to ignorance and religions does not mean the world is changing today in which people have access to more information and knowledge than ever before.
Of course, some refuse to let go of that they embrace, however their children may very well let go in light of our changing world.
Look what unleashing the power of religions has done for us? Dangerous is a mild adjective to describe it.
No, in the name of The Fuehrer.
LOL! Truly, that is a blatantly dishonest claim and denial of reality.
Followed by another.
LOL! Hows' that for a "biting comment"? Facts are facts? Judgement Day? Going to hell?
My my my, how superior you are to the rest of us with such a saddled responsibility. I do hope you can wield that power much better than your ancestors did when they began the Inquisitions, Crusades and witch burnings, all in an effort to show us the difference between right and wrong.
Of course, it is taken as an obvious conclusion that all believers believe the very same thing about other religions that you do. That could very well be why your ancestors attempts at showing us the difference between right and wrong failed so miserably.
No, that is but one of the many such stories about Voltaire conjured up by his enemies. Here are his own words...
"What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason."
Empty threats.
- starsofeightposted 12 years ago0
Dearest Philanthropy2012,
You have not caused me to withdraw. Honestly, the upset I felt was with myself, because I realize that, during the time I allowed myself to lay down upkeep of information relating to Darwinism (something I stopped bothering with in the late 90's) perhaps a lot has been proven, from time to time. However, that wasn't what I saw. When I did make an effort to keep up with the subject, all I kept hearing were theories scored over theories, that were embraced by the Scientific communities, not because they had the potential to be validated, but because this gave science one more opportunity to shut down the case against Creationism.
But Darwinism isn't the only theory I set down. I don't believe in The Big Bang theory either. I could put all the components of a watch together in a plastic bag, and if I were mechanically inclined, I would create a machine that could shake that bag silly, night and day, 24/7, but even if I bothered, I know that I know under no circumstance would a watch result from the effort.
Perhaps my rejoinder that the species that have been attributed to the link of evolutionary progress, are not actually additonal pieces of the puzzle, but mere extinct forms of life that have gone unnoticed until recently, may have seemed jeuvenile, but I will not lay aside the idea that what I have said is possible, plausible and perhaps even truer, than any and all of the scientific community's embraced finds.
Why do I say this? Because (and only because~ for I have no super intelligence... I'm ordinary in this regard, not possessing genius of any sort, but fairing equitably in a society of 'normally informed' human beings) I BELIEVE G'D IS! HE IS!
Now, I'm not certain what it was that caused you to turn away from G'D... but I am very curious to know what heartache and pain has caused you to decide you want no part of HIM in your future.
I'm sorry you've been sorely wounded. My experience is that the wounding is very traumatic, profundity of anguish that has the ability to scar in ways the human mind cannot define or perhaps even comprehend. I've been there. Several years ago, when I lost my only sister to pancreatic cancer... She was so healthy otherwise, it took her heart hours of horrific pain to finally stop. I had to leave the hospital room, because I couldn't bear to hear the rasping of breath against her throat as she drowned in her own body fluids.
To this day, because I have a child who is severly disabled, and declining everyday, I continue to grapple with the forces of life that cause someone you love to deteriorate before your very eyes, to diminish, without recourse, simply because... I cry out to THE G'D I love, daily... praying that HE WILL BE MERCIFUL to her... she is vital. She is oh, so very intelligent! She has wit and beauty. She has an entire future waiting for her contribution to LIFE, not death...
So, I grapple. I cannot tell you how deeply, how profusely I grapple...
Still, I know G'D IS G'D! I cannot lay this down. I cannot. I will sooner stop breathing than deny HIS DEITY! HIS WISDOM to be greater and more perfect than any I could consider to possess.
I could go on, but I think I have said enough to make my point.
Sir, you are very gracious in having helped me understand you weren't making an attempt to draw me into the Darwinistic conversation as a ploy. I admit that is what I came to believe during the writing of this last post...
I will be happy to continue interacting with you. However, on the point of Darwinism, though I cannot produce evidence to make my case, let me simply state, G'D IS CREATOR, in as far as I know, believe and will ever concede. Nothing will change this opinion in me, no matter how ignorant some may try to make me sound. The point, therefore, as far as I'm concerned is established.
I will welcome your continued offer of 'links' in an effort to inform me otherwise, but I sincerely doubt any amount of humanly gathered information will change my view. Why? Simply because of the relationship I have with G'D. HE IS my Friend, my Strength, my Peace in the midst of hurricane heartaches and tornado trials. HE IS, and has been for over three decades now, my SOURCE of LIFE, my REFUGE, the VERY BLOOD that courses through my veins.
As for 'The Challenge'... yes, it is something very different. And yes, you have every right to expect me to be prepared to debate with others, if I have placed myself on such a public platform. Please though, don't mind me if I am only human and cannot withstand the onslaught of every arrow whipping in my direction!
BLESSINGS to you, Sir... (I continue to consider you a gentleman, not a lady... a fine gentleman in fact...) in THE NAME of a MASTERFUL CREATOR and WONDERFUL KINDRED SPIRIT! YESHUA HAMASCIACH! Amen.
I will Philanthropy... message you. In the meantime, if I can just keep my nose out of this Forum, I may make some headway with my more pressing work.
At least, I keep telling myself that. LOL...
BLESSINGS to you. I pray you enjoy your day, receive and give some amazing responses and will take a moment to check out the actual Challenge, considering I posted it, because I was intensely irritated by some truly dsparaging comments made on other Forums in the first place...@EmVeeT
STOP GETTING DISTRACTED!
Thank you for your time and effort to help out this old bean
Best of luck with your book(s)!
You could hub yourself a review of it
No Don, I accept evolution by understanding, not faith or magic.
Sorry, here is a good explanation of what evolution is ^^ It's basically the idea that animal populations change over times to suit their environment (or if not die) and I don't know anyone who could disagree with such a concept
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evoluti … ition.html
- That is not what happened, Don.
Not really. I understand how everything could have happened. I also understand that it could have happened in a great variety of ways, too. And, it's all based on science.
It's all science, Don. No magic required. No invisible beings needed.
No Don, logic would not say that. Sorry.
The formation of stars is a good one. We can observe how a huge cloud of gas can form a star simply due to gravity by observing millions of stars in their various states of evolution.
But Don! You must understand, as a rule of thumb, things only change species when they cease to be able to make fertile offspring with the older organism. If a monkey and a human could make fertile children together, we would be considered one species. Thus, the only real change that has to happen for a new species to evolve is to do with chromosomes.
Thus an ape can evolve directly into a human with absolutely no link in-between. All it would mean is that the ape exhibited many human characteristics, acquired an extra chromosome, had children, those children go on to breed with other apes who have an extra chromosome, and then THEIR children will have 2 more chromosomes, marking a new species, us
It's a real shame that you didn't post your own views
I suggest you give up studying evolution at this point. It's obvious you do not understand half of what you are stating about the subject. Go to your church and rely on the words of your preacher as you've always done. Don't try to understand that which you are incapable of. Bible belt Baptist, I bet.
Dearest AmyMarie,
You said: So in other words, I am supposed to listen to you, who has only done a few internet searches in a mere few hours (with a closed mind) than to scientists who have dedicated their lives to science?
You are free to believe anything or anyone you choose. I have not imposed my beliefs on you. What I have done is stated the platform that is used as the standard for American Education, as Positionally stated by the authorities that make those rules.
You seem intelligent enough to pick it up from there. You don't need my help. You have made clear what you think of G'D and The Bible. Yours, is the liberty to believe what you will, without reprecussion or mockery.
You said: Not to mention that the bible offers absolutely no proof to any of its claims.
That isn't true. However, again, it's what you have chosen to believe. I will not impinge my faith on you. And, you may think me sad, but in actuality, I'm quite happy. I don't let myself be dumbed down by what elitists present as truth for the masses, while making every effort to distract me from anything that might give me the power to think for myself.
You said: Of course, if youd rather believe god made man of dirt and a woman from his rib and that a talking snake in a garden convinced a silly woman to eat an apple thus giving god no choice but to punish mankind for all of eternity, thats your choice.
Yes. I most certainly do prefer to believe this. Why? Because I actually have a relationship with the G'D you don't believe in. HE's not a figment of my imagination either. Can I prove it to you? HE Can. But will HE? Only HE Knows when and if that moment will come... and that was precisely what this entire Challenge was about in fact.. not about Evolution.
You said: An omniscient god that saw this coming! Kind of unfair, considering god also created that evil talking snake. No offense but if you take this into consideration and the fact that god also drowned the entire world except for noah and a few animals, your god makes hitler look like an amateur.
My G'D is AMAZING. Albeit, HE IS PURE, HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and POWERFUL. I'll be interested to see if you will make the "'making hitler look like an amateur" statement to HIS Face, should you be judged for it one day. But my hope is you won't. My hope is you'll come to know HIM as I know HIM, and you'll realize that all the pronouncements you've made against HIM are actually lies that 'talking snake' has tethered to your brain, so you would blame G'D, hate G'D and to his delight, never come to KNOW G'D.
I've never heard of your song. This I do know though: If I were to fall out of relationship with G'D, for whatever reason... well...let me just say, I'll be glad to say 'later' to this world a minute before I would ever deny HIM... and by the assault against HIM on this thread alone, I may well have to do so, at some point in the near future.
G'D BLESS you, AmyMarie, in THE NAME of YESHUA, my STRENGTH and SHIELD in a flying arrows world...
... I'm not sure why I like you, but I do. Thanks for your comments.
Well you surely stirred the pot with this post, well done, the demons are buzzing around our resident secularist crew and the agitation is great to watch.
Loved the quote by the educationalists, and your logic is impeccable, no wonder they have all gone on the attack, you have lifted the lid off the ants nest, and they are all milling around trying to see who let in the light.
Hopefully they will not scurry back to the lower depths of the ants nest to escape the revelation.
"Essentially, what the Association says about evolution, is that this subject needs to be taught to our children, in schools beginning at the Elementary level through to University levels compromising the ethics of Science by stating that even though this can never be proven, as man, according to this theory is the product of the unknown; this postion shall not only be accepted by the Scientific community, but shall be the only one accepted by the Scientific community. "
Love it, no wonder they are in a frenzy!
God truly does work in mysterious ways, glad He sent you here to us!Apparently you didn't read what us heathens wrote. I didn't write out of anger. Im actually quite amused at the absurdity of the "research" done that I couldn't help but comment.
AmyMarie, Emile,
Please don't take the 'demon' remark as directed at you. That isn't the case. Your comments and input are welcome here. I appreciate the fact that I'm not the only female in the discussion; although, I never do like being alone on the front lines...
Since we see things so diversely, that can't be helped, but I do want you to know nobody thinks you are evil... not by a longshot.
Accept my apologies, if that remark in some way seemed directed at you... I am certain it was not...
BLESSINGS to you, both.
In JESUS' NAME.
In other words, if your brain is working, it is being controlled by invisible goblins.
No, that's not how it works. Remains of bodies decompose quickly after death. Fossilization does not occur expect under very specific conditions, which are rare.
Since there is no evidence to refute evolution, the creationists only avenue is to attack the scientists themselves by creating conspiracy theories.
Then, the creationist will turn to their holy books for advice and comfort and to rail against us all with doom and gloom.I cannot help it if you labor under delusion while trying to understand evolution. You simply cannot understand why fossils are found or not and why primate fossils are harder to find than those of the dinosaurs. It's very simple, dinosaurs have existed hundreds of millions of years whereas humans and their ancestors have only been around a fraction of that time.
The iceman mummy is over 5,000 years old and it is simply a miracle he was preserved so long because of the particular place his body was found. A shallow depression protected his body from the glaciers slowly sliding down the mountain over the 5,000+ year period. Small populations of humans and their ancestors make it almost impossible to find complete skeletons of early man, but it doesn't mean they did not exist.
The Bible is simply old tales made up by common men, as is the god it proposes to represent. You do not want to believe this and so you will use any excuse to deny facts showing the novel to be false. You do not seek truth with your research, only justification for your sad religious beliefs. I suggest you try not to use science in your posts as you harm your argument much more than help it. Seriously!LOL! You stand by a claim that evolution is not a fact right after admitting you're not trying to understand it.
Could you possibly be any more contradictory and dishonest?
Also entirely false. You will not change your beliefs or claims no matter what.
How can you say that when you don't even understand it?
Baloney. We can see where the lies are coming from.Sure, call me Randy, it happens to be my name. Once again, if you can't understand how rare it is for an ancient be human body to found in its entirety--because of scavengers, the elements, and 10's of thousands of years--then we are indeed wasting our time discussing it.
So where exactly did you learn about your god if not from preachers or the novel? Did all of your knowledge just pop into your head directly fro the deity itself? Suggestion--throw a dead animal carcass into the woods and come back a few years later and tell me how many bones you find, then imagine what would be left after only 100 years, not to mention thousands. I think even you might understand the lack of human fossils we find then.
And believe me, I have better things to do than to try and make you understand basic science. You don't wish to understand it anyway or you wouldn't use such flimsy arguments in defense of your imaginary god. Besides, I certainly have no wish to honor an ancient deity who impregnates 13 year old betrothed virgins against their will. Or, drowns 99% of the life on earth, including sinful little babies, because he screwed up the first creation. Whoops! Do over!
I was going to say, "The Thread That Never Ends...". But your posts are getting shorter. We appreciate that.
So how many "fake messiahs" and religious con men have there been in the history of the world, Don? Does this mean there is no real messiah? Using your reasoning this would indicate there is no such creature, correct?
I've been around. 
