Let's argue about Religion...I don't get to do that enough!!

[Tsalagi]

I'll give you a big "AMEN" on that prayer.

T

[jungleboy]

Horty - Amen and thanks for a good prayer, GOD bless us all over the world.

T - yep we were/are different.

Patrish - we would simply say "she sure is getting big"

[Patrish]

Thanks for the wonderful prayer horty!!

And yep, you guys probably didnt get to see the birth's did ya?

[Grandpa1968]

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
GodBless

[Patrish]

[Kamenwati]

Here's a few things I've been thinking of:

1. Why do people need to be saved or seek salvation from the wrath of someone who's supposed to love them unconditionally. This makes no common sense. Love should be something that flows freely - not demanded. Yet this Jewish sky-godman admonishes his peon followers that the penalty for not loving him is that he's going kick the holy bejeez outta you forever and ever and ever and ever. Does that sound like a mentally stable parent? In fact if anyone had a neighbor who had the personality of this biblical god, they would not allow their children near such a person.

2. why do these Jewish religions (christianity and islam are jewish religions) make god out to be so stupid and childish. Seems that whenever he talks, he is like a parent who never grew up. "You ungrateful child. Did I not pick you up when you fell on the swings. Did I not buy you ice cream. Did I not shelter you in my home. You should worship me because of AAAAAALLLLLLL that I've done for you. And if you don't, first I'm going to smack the crap outta you. If that doesn't work, then I will force you to snort anthrax. If that doesn't work, then I will have you slaughtered." All this for disobedience. Go figure. That's a parent whose not wrapped too tight. The Bible god is criminally insane and seriously in need a vial of prozac.

3. The devil gets bad press. Go through the entire bible. There is not a syllable of writing showing the devil so much as wishing harm upon a hair of anyone's head. He's never even threatened anyone's life or well-being. On the other hand, god directs his people to steal from others, commit genocide, do funny rituals sprinking animal blood all over the friggin place, demands the foreskin of little boys, commits massive infanticide of the first born sons of Egyptians, commits biological terrorism against entire populations and permits and even orders "his people" to commit each and every crime against humanity - bar none. God also tortures his prisoners worst than all the cruel barbaric dictators combined.

4. Since Solomon was labeled as the wisest person God ever created, this man of the greatest wisdom had a harem of 1,000 women - almost all young virgin girls - almost all captives. In other words, Solomon was regularly raping many of these women even as their brothers, fathers and mothers were either put to sword or conscripted into slavery by him. Yet the ONLY thing that god saw amiss from this wisest of all human beings was the fact that he started talking to different gods. In other words, god's inflated ego was bruised. All his crimes against humanity are not even worth a mention..

5. The slavery in Egypt was obviously a big sham. All the so-called magic tricks that Moses came up with, the Pharoah called his own magicians and they duplicated the same thing. These Jews must have been history's richest slaves. Before the night of the angel of death to mass murder first born baby boys, the Jewish slaves were commanded to kill a baby lamb and sprinkle blood (theres those blood rituals again - apparently god LOVES blood) on each door. Now wait a minute. In order for each household to come up with a baby male lamb apiece, they must have had enormous flocks. Slaves? So when the Jews were finally let go, they asked the Pharoah for some gold and silver. When he said yes, they literally plundered the Egyptians. So here they are walking away from slavery with all these treasures AND get this, their servants and slaves. HUH??????? scratch scratch scratch scratch. You should see the description the arc of the covenant and Aaron's breast plate. Oh, the jewels and precious metals. It would make Bill Gates blush. Keep in mind, these are people who just left slavery. If that's what they call slavery, may I be the first volunteer.

Last but not least, the Sinai desert. How big is it? Not big. You could walk across it in a few days - maybe a week at the most. But these people couldn't find their way out for forty years. Did somebody destroy the map?????

[Grandpa1968]

That's exacly how Satan wants you to think of him!
And it's not 'Love me or die"...it's "If you want ETERNAL LIFE, accept the fact that My Son died to forgive you of your Sins".
If you wanna die, that's on you.
As for me and my house, we will worship the Lord.
GodBless

[Patrish]

Originally Posted by Kamenwati

Here's a few things I've been thinking of:

1. Why do people need to be saved or seek salvation from the wrath of someone who's supposed to love them unconditionally. This makes no common sense. Love should be something that flows freely - not demanded. Yet this Jewish sky-godman admonishes his peon followers that the penalty for not loving him is that he's going kick the holy bejeez outta you forever and ever and ever and ever. Does that sound like a mentally stable parent? In fact if anyone had a neighbor who had the personality of this biblical god, they would not allow their children near such a person.

You are going to pretty much take that up with Him. And I dare say I would not want to be in your shoes..if you have this in your heart.
He has created us, and therefore we are subject to Him, if we show irreverence and hate for Him, He shall return that likewise.
Why do we want salvation....because it is a reward of Peace and Love in the end..and not anything this world has to offer.
To give pride b4 God as satan did is a cause for banishment. Pride in suggesting we equal Him or demand we are givien treatment regardless of our offenses without seeking forgiveness are impurities in the heart, and cannot be close to God with sin.

2. why do these Jewish religions (christianity and islam are jewish religions) make god out to be so stupid and childish. Seems that whenever he talks, he is like a parent who never grew up. "You ungrateful child. Did I not pick you up when you fell on the swings. Did I not buy you ice cream. Did I not shelter you in my home. You should worship me because of AAAAAALLLLLLL that I've done for you. And if you don't, first I'm going to smack the crap outta you. If that doesn't work, then I will force you to snort anthrax. If that doesn't work, then I will have you slaughtered." All this for disobedience. Go figure. That's a parent whose not wrapped too tight. The Bible god is criminally insane and seriously in need a vial of prozac.

This appears to be the desire not to be humble....I can only warn you that is it more than worth being humble for.
BTW, God gave warnings...and that was their language...
IF they REFUSED to return to loving Him, and not turning their backs on Him, they got just punishments. IT WAS NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE NOT FOREWARNED.

3. The devil gets bad press. Go through the entire bible. There is not a syllable of writing showing the devil so much as wishing harm upon a hair of anyone's head. He's never even threatened anyone's life or well-being. On the other hand, god directs his people to steal from others, commit genocide, do funny rituals sprinking animal blood all over the friggin place, demands the foreskin of little boys, commits massive infanticide of the first born sons of Egyptians, commits biological terrorism against entire populations and permits and even orders "his people" to commit each and every crime against humanity - bar none. God also tortures his prisoners worst than all the cruel barbaric dictators combined.

Sympathy for the devil eh? YOU weren't there when he was strcuk from heaven...his pride caused him to mock God and wish to have glory upon himself...rather than humble himself b4 God. So, since pride was something unworthy of God;s presense, as God cannot be near sin..He was dispelled. What he did afterwards very much warrented his harm to others.

4. Since Solomon was labeled as the wisest person God ever created, this man of the greatest wisdom had a harem of 1,000 women - almost all young virgin girls - almost all captives. In other words, Solomon was regularly raping many of these women even as their brothers, fathers and mothers were either put to sword or conscripted into slavery by him. Yet the ONLY thing that god saw amiss from this wisest of all human beings was the fact that he started talking to different gods. In other words, god's inflated ego was bruised. All his crimes against humanity are not even worth a mention..

Solomon also multiplied to himself wives and in so doing was lead to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-3).
The book of Ecclesiastes ends with Solomon saying, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).
Wisdom begins with proper respect for God. Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Solomon received not only wisdom, but also all things that one could desire upon the earth.
1) Wealth (1 Kings 10:10-25) Silver was made as common as stones (vs.27).

2) Power (1400 chariots 1200 horsemen 1 Kings 10:26)

3) Relationships (700 wives, 300 concubines, 1 Kings 11:3)

4) Peace (1 Kings 4:24 "For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.")

5) Solomon truly "had it all."

6) 1 Kings 3:11-13 "And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."

Solomon thought that his own wisdom could save him, but this was vanity (Ecc.1:16-18).
Solomon succeeded in marriage in that God inspired Solomon to communicate the joy and love of a good marriage in the Song of Solomon.
Solomon disobeyed God in who he was authorized to marry. 1 Kings 11:1, 2 "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love."
Solomon disobeyed God by allowing these women to draw him away after idols. 1 Kings 11:4-8 " For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods."

3) Because of Solomon's disobedience to God in these matters, God divided the kingdom of Israel and took 10 tribes away from Solomon.

In other words..Solomon was given what ever he wanted..but was asked to not marry the ones who followed other gods..and he did anyway..and built them idols. Therefore his other marriages were good b4 God, according to THAT TIME ERA which is unlike the era of today.

5. The slavery in Egypt was obviously a big sham. All the so-called magic tricks that Moses came up with, the Pharoah called his own magicians and they duplicated the same thing. These Jews must have been history's richest slaves. Before the night of the angel of death to mass murder first born baby boys, the Jewish slaves were commanded to kill a baby lamb and sprinkle blood (theres those blood rituals again - apparently god LOVES blood) on each door. Now wait a minute. In order for each household to come up with a baby male lamb apiece, they must have had enormous flocks. Slaves? So when the Jews were finally let go, they asked the Pharoah for some gold and silver. When he said yes, they literally plundered the Egyptians. So here they are walking away from slavery with all these treasures AND get this, their servants and slaves. HUH??????? scratch scratch scratch scratch. You should see the description the arc of the covenant and Aaron's breast plate. Oh, the jewels and precious metals. It would make Bill Gates blush. Keep in mind, these are people who just left slavery. If that's what they call slavery, may I be the first volunteer.

GOD...get this...doesn't murder, He takes back what is HIS! You havent yet got that concept.
Well, clue one..slaves were workers who did so for house and food for the Jews. Thot we did this b4.
AND the slavery in Egypt was acreditted to being brutally beaten upon daily..
HUGE DIFFERENCE.

Last but not least, the Sinai desert. How big is it? Not big. You could walk across it in a few days - maybe a week at the most. But these people couldn't find their way out for forty years. Did somebody destroy the map?????

God can give wisdom, and he make men fools.
He created several languages at the tower of babble...
AND he can make those who disobey Him wander for years...as He did so.
That was their punishment, rather than destroy them because He made a promise to Abraham.
He keeps His word...but He plays by His rules..dont like em? Find out what's behind door number one.

[Grandpa1968]

Prayer for God's Grace

May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor,
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
Amen.

- Rev. John Newton

[RobBoy]

Originally Posted by Kamenwati

Here's a few things I've been thinking of:

and what have you been thinking about?

1. Why do people need to be saved or seek salvation from the wrath of someone who's supposed to love them unconditionally. This makes no common sense. Love should be something that flows freely - not demanded. Yet this Jewish sky-godman admonishes his peon followers that the penalty for not loving him is that he's going kick the holy bejeez outta you forever and ever and ever and ever. Does that sound like a mentally stable parent? In fact if anyone had a neighbor who had the personality of this biblical god, they would not allow their children near such a person.

Actually, the love of God will be given to both the elect and the damned. For those who choose God it will be blissful. For those who, through, free will wanted to do it there way it will burn. Why is that? Because they didn't desire it, so it will burn them...

2. why do these Jewish religions (christianity and islam are jewish religions) make god out to be so stupid and childish. Seems that whenever he talks, he is like a parent who never grew up. "You ungrateful child. Did I not pick you up when you fell on the swings. Did I not buy you ice cream. Did I not shelter you in my home. You should worship me because of AAAAAALLLLLLL that I've done for you. And if you don't, first I'm going to smack the crap outta you. If that doesn't work, then I will force you to snort anthrax. If that doesn't work, then I will have you slaughtered." All this for disobedience. Go figure. That's a parent whose not wrapped too tight. The Bible god is criminally insane and seriously in need a vial of prozac.

See answer given above, it comes down to free will. Why should God force himself on people that don't want Him? That would be abusive.

3. The devil gets bad press. Go through the entire bible. There is not a syllable of writing showing the devil so much as wishing harm upon a hair of anyone's head. He's never even threatened anyone's life or well-being. On the other hand, god directs his people to steal from others, commit genocide, do funny rituals sprinking animal blood all over the friggin place, demands the foreskin of little boys, commits massive infanticide of the first born sons of Egyptians, commits biological terrorism against entire populations and permits and even orders "his people" to commit each and every crime against humanity - bar none. God also tortures his prisoners worst than all the cruel barbaric dictators combined.

If God isn't the creator of life then what you say has some validity, if he is that he is free to end that which He created. On the other hand if the devil is leading people to defy the God that created them he is leading them to sin.

4. Since Solomon was labeled as the wisest person God ever created, this man of the greatest wisdom had a harem of 1,000 women - almost all young virgin girls - almost all captives. In other words, Solomon was regularly raping many of these women even as their brothers, fathers and mothers were either put to sword or conscripted into slavery by him. Yet the ONLY thing that god saw amiss from this wisest of all human beings was the fact that he started talking to different gods. In other words, god's inflated ego was bruised. All his crimes against humanity are not even worth a mention..

On Solomon where exactly does it say that God didn't have a problem with the multiple wives? Apparently Solomon was not the wisest person, or maybe he was up until you were created... oh wise one.

5. The slavery in Egypt was obviously a big sham. All the so-called magic tricks that Moses came up with, the Pharoah called his own magicians and they duplicated the same thing. These Jews must have been history's richest slaves. Before the night of the angel of death to mass murder first born baby boys, the Jewish slaves were commanded to kill a baby lamb and sprinkle blood (theres those blood rituals again - apparently god LOVES blood) on each door. Now wait a minute. In order for each household to come up with a baby male lamb apiece, they must have had enormous flocks. Slaves? So when the Jews were finally let go, they asked the Pharoah for some gold and silver. When he said yes, they literally plundered the Egyptians. So here they are walking away from slavery with all these treasures AND get this, their servants and slaves. HUH??????? scratch scratch scratch scratch. You should see the description the arc of the covenant and Aaron's breast plate. Oh, the jewels and precious metals. It would make Bill Gates blush. Keep in mind, these are people who just left slavery. If that's what they call slavery, may I be the first volunteer.

Last but not least, the Sinai desert. How big is it? Not big. You could walk across it in a few days - maybe a week at the most. But these people couldn't find their way out for forty years. Did somebody destroy the map?????

Have you ever walked the Sinai desert? I'm guessing not, so I can't really take you word for it -- as an expert. But, be that as it may the size of it isn't why they were lost.