Protestantism

» HeadZenCards - Savages By Nature

In response to Savages By Nature posted by paper_turtle:

The mind that chooses to follow God after knowing how the Bible describes God is like the German who chooses to follow Hitler after knowing what the history books say about Hitler.

That mind has chosen to fear love.

The idea of God has nothing to do with the idea of love. In other words, fear has nothing to do with love.

I can prove that the claims made in the Bible are false, one by one.

I cannot prove that I love my wife but I don't call her a dirty name either.

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Brian Tubbs - Babies & Heaven

Here's an article by Christian pastor and scholar John MacArthur on babies and heaven.

http://www.ondoctrine.com/2mac0142.htm

» HeadZenCards - Infants

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It was savage and evil for character called the LORD GOD in the fiction called the Bible to demand that his followers kill infants and sucklings.
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It became a bad example for real human beings to read about and possibly follow.
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Later, the LORD GOD inseminates a virgin so that she can have his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. We all know what happened to him.
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Sorry that you can't really discuss these matters here because of pocketbook issues. My Dad was an aspiring preacher, so believe me when I say I understand.
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He allowed my Grandpa to teach me the Heil Hitler salute when I was 5 because the family hated Jews. Grandpa was born the same day Hitler was.
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What was said and done in the house STAYED in the house. But how do you teach that to a 5-year-old?
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Naturally, the next Saturday morning, when my Dad took me to Teppers, a Jewish establishment that sold newspapers and candy, I paid for my sweet loot and greeted the money taker with my newly taught greeting.
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"You'd better not DO that around here," I was warned.
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I became confused and related my experience to my Father. It is the one whopping I got that I can still remember today.
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So fear God and know that I understand. I hope you do some good with any new techniques that you learn at your conference.

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Migisi - Who's yer Daddy...

In response to Savages By Nature posted by paper_turtle:
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First, thanks for having this discussion with me. And for not taking what I say personally.
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I wrote: "So, basically, they create their own concept of God, right? Pick and choose what fits them, disgard the rest."
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Aren't you doing the same thing? Haven't you created your own concept of God as the ogre? How is that any different than what you accuse others of doing?
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Sure, I do the same thing. Everybody does. And so did the Bible characters who narrated their legends, and the Bible authors who wrote them down! They created their own God personna to suit their needs and character. Some imagined their God was/is real enough to see and hear.
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The POV that the Bible God is an ogre comes directly from the same Bible you read (unless we're reading very different versions). I didn't create those verses in my mind. Somebody else did. Now, I'm positive someone could counter those ogre verses with loving benevolent quotes from God in the Book. But that would mean the Bible contradicts itself about the nature of God - or that God has extreme mood swings, changes his mind, is unpredictable, or there are two (or more) different Gods.
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But its not a matter of just going through a menu of alledged facts and picking out the ones you like. Its a matter of discarding manmade doctrine,
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How does one know man-made doctrine from the God-made? When the Bible says, "the LORD GOD said", don't you believe God said it? If not, how do you decide what to believe and what to discard?
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and instead concentrating on one's presonal experience with God (by whatever name one chooses to call him).
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Curious. What relationship do you percieve to have with your God? In your mind, is God like a parent, husband, brother, sister? A best friend? Is God male or female? Does its identity change depending on your needs or mood at the moment?
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People do this with people all the time--and that's just fine. Jane thinks John is a jerk, but Mary things he's damn near perfect. They're both looking at the same person but they see something, experience something, entirely different.
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Well, frankly, I think Mary's in denial about John's shortcomings and she's created a perfect John in her mind. Just as I think some believers are in denial about the dark side of their Bible God, and have created a perfect God in their minds.
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Have you read the entire Bible from cover to cover? Have you read the entire contents of any other sacred text? Even if you had, just reading it, isn't enough to understand it.
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Yes to the Bible, several times. And is there a day which I don't quote a verse or two here? (Annoying sometimes, ay?) And yes, I have read other religious texts, but not as indepth. I'm capable of understanding what I read and study. I've never been told that I have a comprehension problem.
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.... So you can't condemn them for knowing, and approving, what they don't even know.
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Yes, people chose to remain ignorant about the God they worship. That's been my observation too. It's baffling. But I guess that's not unusual. People idolize movie stars and sports figures without knowing them too.
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But, let's look (briefly) at those who have studied the Bible, from a liberal point of view. They would tell you this whole God the baby killer thing is a non-issue.
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~I~ have studied the Bible too. It's not a non-issue to me. It goes to the Bible God's character.
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People wrote those stories about massacering innocents, not God.
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People wrote the Gospels of Jesus, Epistles, Acts, and Revelations too - not God.
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People, from a primitive culture which saw nothing wrong with what we now know is beyond reprehensible. God had nothing to do with it. Its not God's fault that foolish people ascribed his/her name to those stories. And those who have used those stories to justify their own sickness are equally deluded.
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I agree entirely with your remarks here. PRIMITIVE PEOPLE wrote it ALL. From the sound of it, I guess you don't believe "All Scripture is God-breathed.."
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What my fellow liberal Christians would tell you it that what they know about God doesn't come from a book, it comes from their relationship with him--and the God they know is no ogre.
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Where did you and they learn about the Christian God - but from the Book?

-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - Babies & Heaven

In response to Babies & Heaven posted by BrianTubbs:

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Thanks Bri. I'll read it.

-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - Babies & Heaven

In response to Babies & Heaven posted by BrianTubbs:
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Instant Heaven.
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So, will there be babies in heaven?
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Will they age or will they just stay babies for eternity?
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-- posted by pink101

» HeadZenCards - Babies & Heaven

In response to Babies & Heaven posted by BrianTubbs:

Brian, you appear to want to change the discussion from "The LORD GOD inspired his followers to utterly destroy infants and sucklings at one time: So look out, true believer, for what He may demand from you in the future" to "All babies go to heaven".

I don't blame you, but how HONEST is that?

Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Speak plainly and honestly to others.

4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

-- posted by HeadZenCards

» Migisi - Infants

In response to Infants posted by BrianTubbs:
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It would be savage and evil for a human being to justify killing an infant BEFORE that infant reaches the age of accountability.
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But AFTER the child has reached the undetermined age of awareness and mental capacity, it's not savage or evil to kill him?

-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - On the bus

In response to Babies & Heaven posted by HeadZenCards:
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Remember that guy on the bus the other morning who wouldn't stop talking - whom you silenced? I think we've silenced him in this thread.

-- posted by Migisi

» HeadZenCards - Out of the Closet

In response to On the bus posted by Migisi:

We must invite his indefensible position to come out of the closet and breath the fresh air of truth.

It would be more fun if the Warm and Fuzzy Christians tell us here about their faith in comfortable shoes and a pleasant greeting.

The Bipolar Christians are welcome also. I'd love to hear more about a Jesus who came to fight Himself with the Holy Goat or whatever, since He WAS the LORD GOD.

The "Healthy" Ego Christians stay away because they feel PERSONALLY insulted when you show them that Jesus, had he lived, was a bigger Jerk than I am.

I hope the weather where you are is as lovely as it is in the Great Northwest today!

-- posted by HeadZenCards