You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson
How does anyone know God isn't Satan and vise versa.
Think about it, Satan is the king of temptation. God's whole plan is to tempt you with Heaven and Eternal life, never providing you with any proof, just extracting your blind soul from faith. You believe simply because not doing so is a ticket to hell. Is that the work of God or the work of Satan?
It would seem the line between good and evil is very thin. Pehaps not even straight, such that the will of good sometimes crosses the line into evil. Acceptable losses and all that. The goal justifies the means.
Would it not be Satan's greatest trick to convince people he is god?
Religion is so distorted and influenced by men that what was truth are now lies. God's will? or Satan's influence?
How do we know God isn't the kid on the ant hill with the magnifying glass, and perhaps Satan had justification for challenging God. Perhaps "The Lord" so repeated in the Bible is not Good, perhaps Satan is not Evil.
It's all a mystery shrouded in distortion. I put my faith in mystery. That one day it will be understood, or upon my death I will become one with nothingness and not exist happily ever after.
If I do go to hell, I just hope the good ol' Sanders is cooking up some fried chicken when I get there. I bet the parties in hell are da bomb.
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
The thing I don't understand... and will NEVER understand... is the arrogance of those who believe Heaven is theirs, simply because they believe it is theirs. I would tend to think that one would be humble in their beliefs... and towards God.
It's not the teachings of religion that turn me away from religion... it's mostly because of the people. I want to be more inclusive, than exclusive. And i don't believe that Heaven is one of those exclusive Country Clubs or Nightclubs where the bouncers keep you on the outside of the velvet rope. If it turns out that it IS that way... then, point me towards the Down escalator because I don't want to be a part of that crowd.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
The thing I don't understand... and will NEVER understand... is the arrogance of those who believe Heaven is theirs, simply because they believe it is theirs. I would tend to think that one would be humble in their beliefs... and towards God.
It's not the teachings of religion that turn me away from religion... it's mostly because of the people. I want to be more inclusive, than exclusive. And i don't believe that Heaven is one of those exclusive Country Clubs or Nightclubs where the bouncers keep you on the outside of the velvet rope. If it turns out that it IS that way... then, point me towards the Down escalator because I don't want to be a part of that crowd.
I totally agree. If there is a heaven and a hell, I doubt God judges it by how many times you entered a building to pray...it is what you pray for. It is really hard for me to believe that good people go to hell. I know many many good gay people, jewish people, or people who use curse words or drink a beer. Do you really think God cares that you have a beer while you watch a football game. How arogent. If there is a god, and I believe there is...then being saved won't save you. How many souls you move to the "christain world" won't save you. It is the work you do for people. It is the kidness you show.
How does anyone know God isn't Satan and vise versa.
Think about it, Satan is the king of temptation. God's whole plan is to tempt you with Heaven and Eternal life, never providing you with any proof, just extracting your blind soul from faith. You believe simply because not doing so is a ticket to hell. Is that the work of God or the work of Satan?
It would seem the line between good and evil is very thin. Pehaps not even straight, such that the will of good sometimes crosses the line into evil. Acceptable losses and all that. The goal justifies the means.
Would it not be Satan's greatest trick to convince people he is god?
Religion is so distorted and influenced by men that what was truth are now lies. God's will? or Satan's influence?
How do we know God isn't the kid on the ant hill with the magnifying glass, and perhaps Satan had justification for challenging God. Perhaps "The Lord" so repeated in the Bible is not Good, perhaps Satan is not Evil.
It's all a mystery shrouded in distortion. I put my faith in mystery. That one day it will be understood, or upon my death I will become one with nothingness and not exist happily ever after.
If I do go to hell, I just hope the good ol' Sanders is cooking up some fried chicken when I get there. I bet the parties in hell are da bomb.
I think about religion every day...and every day I think I get more confused. Maybe you have it right. Maybe there is not even 2 different beings. May there is just God, and he is everything good and bad. Maybe,He just created the world, and humans have developed what is good and bad. Who knows?
I think about religion every day...and every day I think I get more confused. Maybe you have it right. Maybe there is not even 2 different beings. May there is just God, and he is everything good and bad. Maybe,He just created the world, and humans have developed what is good and bad. Who knows?
That's my point, who knows?
Who can say that they know? Preachers claim to know and the blind follow. Usually just to scam money.
I'm technically not an Atheist because I don't deny the possibility of a creator. I'm not Agnostic because I have no faith in religion.
I typically follow darwinism in my thoughts, at least it's empiracle. Doesn't mean it's the answer to the universe either.
It's funny because a guy I work with thinks if he can disprove "Big Bang" theory that God must exist.
Well, "Big Bang" is just a theory based on only two pieces of empiracle evidence. I don't fully believe it myself. Although Fermilab has observed "Big Bang" like occurrances when smashing protons together.
I read before a theory on this board about the universe being holographic and perhaps that is the truth, our "Big Bang" was just two protons smashing together in the higher dimensional universe as predicted by string theory.
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
I totally agree. If there is a heaven and a hell, I doubt God judges it by how many times you entered a building to pray...it is what you pray for. It is really hard for me to believe that good people go to hell. I know many many good gay people, jewish people, or people who use curse words or drink a beer. Do you really think God cares that you have a beer while you watch a football game. How arogent. If there is a god, and I believe there is...then being saved won't save you. How many souls you move to the "christain world" won't save you. It is the work you do for people. It is the kidness you show.
maybe you're not speaking directly of Christianity (although it been my experience that when people here speak of "religion" they are speaking foremost about Christianity), but speaking as a Christian, please allow me to address a few of these points. First of all, i havn't been to church for a few weeks now. i just havn't felt like it or have been busy. No biggie. Although i'm not gay, i've known Christians who are. i use "curse words". ALOT. i also drink beer. Sometimes, excessively. I really enjoy Sam Adams, although lately i've really been enjoying Fat Tire. (i also really appreciate Guiness, although i find Anchor Bock to be better if drinking from a bottle). Point is, i think you are a tad unclear on just what Christianity teaches. Perhaps you've seen to much Ned Flanders.
Furthermore, you are right when you say that works are important. The bible actually states that "Faith without works is dead". It states that the "Greatest commandment" is to love one another. It also says, however, that someone who "follows all of the laws, but stumbles at one just point is just as guilty as one breaks them all". Point there is we are all guilty of messing up sometimes. The term "good people" is very, very relative.
"When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
If I had a choice of going to hell and surfing the lake of fire with Keith Richards, Jimi, and Jenna Jameson, or going to heaven to spend an eternity with wacko's like the above, George Dubya, and Cliff Richard, then I'm getting me a first class, one way ticket to Satans crib.
that sounds a lot like something bill hicks said, but not including all of those people you have listed.
"PC Load Letter?! What the fuck does that mean?"
~Michael Bolton
it's always depressing to really admire someone and then discover your respect for them was completely unwarranted
GO BUCKS!!!
humanlight, thanks for that story. that's pretty sick. i have to say, despite my problems with the catholic church and its many, many flaws, it has always seemed to be light years ahead of your average american baptist church. those people are fucked up.
No it's not. God blessed them with tax breaks and unwavering, unquestionable power over their followers, rightfully calling themselves 'sheep'.
I heard a preacher yesterday on TV tell a story how God blessed his family's trip to the cell phone store by getting them three new phones for the price of one. I wonder if he knows how silly that sounds at face value??
Remember though, it was Jesus who described his follower's as sheep, and it wasn't meant to be derogatory.
HOB 10.05.2005, E Rutherford 06.03.2006, The Gorge 07.22.2006, Lolla 08.05.2007, West Palm 06.11.2008, Tampa 06.12.2008, Columbia 06.16.2008, EV Memphis 06.20.2009, New Orleans 05.01.2010, Kansas City 05.03.2010
I heard a preacher yesterday on TV tell a story how God blessed his family's trip to the cell phone store by getting them three new phones for the price of one. I wonder if he knows how silly that sounds at face value??
Now I've got Genesis' 'Jesus He Knows Me' stuck in my head...
You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson
I heard a preacher yesterday on TV tell a story how God blessed his family's trip to the cell phone store by getting them three new phones for the price of one. I wonder if he knows how silly that sounds at face value??
Remember though, it was Jesus who described his follower's as sheep, and it wasn't meant to be derogatory.
Anyone seen Creflo Dollar on TV? Now THAT is good comedy.
'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'
maybe you're not speaking directly of Christianity (although it been my experience that when people here speak of "religion" they are speaking foremost about Christianity), but speaking as a Christian, please allow me to address a few of these points. First of all, i havn't been to church for a few weeks now. i just havn't felt like it or have been busy. No biggie. Although i'm not gay, i've known Christians who are. i use "curse words". ALOT. i also drink beer. Sometimes, excessively. I really enjoy Sam Adams, although lately i've really been enjoying Fat Tire. (i also really appreciate Guiness, although i find Anchor Bock to be better if drinking from a bottle). Point is, i think you are a tad unclear on just what Christianity teaches. Perhaps you've seen to much Ned Flanders.
Furthermore, you are right when you say that works are important. The bible actually states that "Faith without works is dead". It states that the "Greatest commandment" is to love one another. It also says, however, that someone who "follows all of the laws, but stumbles at one just point is just as guilty as one breaks them all". Point there is we are all guilty of messing up sometimes. The term "good people" is very, very relative.
Yea, I totally get what you are saying. But, at least in the rural parts of America, or the Appalacian area, there is NO tolerence taught. You are either good or bad.
Bad = people who are gay, bisexual, drinker, smoker, premarital sexer, curser, listen to rock music, dances using your hips, questioning religion.etc. Hell, listening to Pearl Jam would be a huge sin b/c there are curse words in the music. We are pretty far behind the rest of the world. Any "worldly" thing can cause any "good" person to spend eternity in hell. You must be saved in the local creek, and there are no exceptions. When I ask my husband about the bible and thier mention of the dinosaurs, he says maybe dinosaurs are not real, or never existed. He truly believes that Adam and Eve looked like people do today. Dispite the proof that people 500 years ago looked differently. It drives me crazy.
I believe I am a very very spiritual person. I try to pray daily (more for thankfulness for my life, my family, my friends, etc.) I am just trying to say, that a person who spends thier days helping people, who helps the community, who would give without ever wanting to recieve, who never gossips, who never says hurtful things can go to hell b/c they have a beer.
I guess maybe only if they are from "my neck of the woods."
I heard a preacher yesterday on TV tell a story how God blessed his family's trip to the cell phone store by getting them three new phones for the price of one. I wonder if he knows how silly that sounds at face value??
Remember though, it was Jesus who described his follower's as sheep, and it wasn't meant to be derogatory.
But yet it certainly seems to be an accurate word to use eh?
Comments
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson
I know! At least that one makes sense!
Exactly. When all these religious groups can have a mutual respect for one another, then we can accomplish something in the world.
Religions WILL cause the end of the world.
Think about it, Satan is the king of temptation. God's whole plan is to tempt you with Heaven and Eternal life, never providing you with any proof, just extracting your blind soul from faith. You believe simply because not doing so is a ticket to hell. Is that the work of God or the work of Satan?
It would seem the line between good and evil is very thin. Pehaps not even straight, such that the will of good sometimes crosses the line into evil. Acceptable losses and all that. The goal justifies the means.
Would it not be Satan's greatest trick to convince people he is god?
Religion is so distorted and influenced by men that what was truth are now lies. God's will? or Satan's influence?
How do we know God isn't the kid on the ant hill with the magnifying glass, and perhaps Satan had justification for challenging God. Perhaps "The Lord" so repeated in the Bible is not Good, perhaps Satan is not Evil.
It's all a mystery shrouded in distortion. I put my faith in mystery. That one day it will be understood, or upon my death I will become one with nothingness and not exist happily ever after.
If I do go to hell, I just hope the good ol' Sanders is cooking up some fried chicken when I get there. I bet the parties in hell are da bomb.
It's not the teachings of religion that turn me away from religion... it's mostly because of the people. I want to be more inclusive, than exclusive. And i don't believe that Heaven is one of those exclusive Country Clubs or Nightclubs where the bouncers keep you on the outside of the velvet rope. If it turns out that it IS that way... then, point me towards the Down escalator because I don't want to be a part of that crowd.
Hail, Hail!!!
I totally agree. If there is a heaven and a hell, I doubt God judges it by how many times you entered a building to pray...it is what you pray for. It is really hard for me to believe that good people go to hell. I know many many good gay people, jewish people, or people who use curse words or drink a beer. Do you really think God cares that you have a beer while you watch a football game. How arogent. If there is a god, and I believe there is...then being saved won't save you. How many souls you move to the "christain world" won't save you. It is the work you do for people. It is the kidness you show.
I think about religion every day...and every day I think I get more confused. Maybe you have it right. Maybe there is not even 2 different beings. May there is just God, and he is everything good and bad. Maybe,He just created the world, and humans have developed what is good and bad. Who knows?
That's my point, who knows?
Who can say that they know? Preachers claim to know and the blind follow. Usually just to scam money.
I'm technically not an Atheist because I don't deny the possibility of a creator. I'm not Agnostic because I have no faith in religion.
I typically follow darwinism in my thoughts, at least it's empiracle. Doesn't mean it's the answer to the universe either.
It's funny because a guy I work with thinks if he can disprove "Big Bang" theory that God must exist.
Well, "Big Bang" is just a theory based on only two pieces of empiracle evidence. I don't fully believe it myself. Although Fermilab has observed "Big Bang" like occurrances when smashing protons together.
I read before a theory on this board about the universe being holographic and perhaps that is the truth, our "Big Bang" was just two protons smashing together in the higher dimensional universe as predicted by string theory.
maybe you're not speaking directly of Christianity (although it been my experience that when people here speak of "religion" they are speaking foremost about Christianity), but speaking as a Christian, please allow me to address a few of these points. First of all, i havn't been to church for a few weeks now. i just havn't felt like it or have been busy. No biggie. Although i'm not gay, i've known Christians who are. i use "curse words". ALOT. i also drink beer. Sometimes, excessively. I really enjoy Sam Adams, although lately i've really been enjoying Fat Tire. (i also really appreciate Guiness, although i find Anchor Bock to be better if drinking from a bottle). Point is, i think you are a tad unclear on just what Christianity teaches. Perhaps you've seen to much Ned Flanders.
Furthermore, you are right when you say that works are important. The bible actually states that "Faith without works is dead". It states that the "Greatest commandment" is to love one another. It also says, however, that someone who "follows all of the laws, but stumbles at one just point is just as guilty as one breaks them all". Point there is we are all guilty of messing up sometimes. The term "good people" is very, very relative.
that sounds a lot like something bill hicks said, but not including all of those people you have listed.
~Michael Bolton
it's always depressing to really admire someone and then discover your respect for them was completely unwarranted
GO BUCKS!!!
humanlight, thanks for that story. that's pretty sick. i have to say, despite my problems with the catholic church and its many, many flaws, it has always seemed to be light years ahead of your average american baptist church. those people are fucked up.
That made me literally laugh out loud.
Gonna be quite a game this year ....
that it will. in over a hundred years, they've never played when ranked 1 and 2 and both undefeated. it's going to be huge.
assuming neither team screws up next week
I heard a preacher yesterday on TV tell a story how God blessed his family's trip to the cell phone store by getting them three new phones for the price of one. I wonder if he knows how silly that sounds at face value??
Remember though, it was Jesus who described his follower's as sheep, and it wasn't meant to be derogatory.
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson
Relax....lol
Anyone seen Creflo Dollar on TV? Now THAT is good comedy.
- the great Sir Leo Harrison
Yea, I totally get what you are saying. But, at least in the rural parts of America, or the Appalacian area, there is NO tolerence taught. You are either good or bad.
Bad = people who are gay, bisexual, drinker, smoker, premarital sexer, curser, listen to rock music, dances using your hips, questioning religion.etc. Hell, listening to Pearl Jam would be a huge sin b/c there are curse words in the music. We are pretty far behind the rest of the world. Any "worldly" thing can cause any "good" person to spend eternity in hell. You must be saved in the local creek, and there are no exceptions. When I ask my husband about the bible and thier mention of the dinosaurs, he says maybe dinosaurs are not real, or never existed. He truly believes that Adam and Eve looked like people do today. Dispite the proof that people 500 years ago looked differently. It drives me crazy.
I believe I am a very very spiritual person. I try to pray daily (more for thankfulness for my life, my family, my friends, etc.) I am just trying to say, that a person who spends thier days helping people, who helps the community, who would give without ever wanting to recieve, who never gossips, who never says hurtful things can go to hell b/c they have a beer.
I guess maybe only if they are from "my neck of the woods."
http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
Oh my, they dropped the leash.
Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!
"Make our day"