[Dolores de Barriga]

Re: Is this real?

Hello Randy, and welcome to the forum!

Not sure how I stumbled upon this site. I have never seen such hateful, vitriol remarks about fellow human beings all in the name of God. At first I thought this may be a satire on Christianity but what I have read, I'm beginning to think some of you are serious.

As an anthropologist who's trying to write her dissertation on this lovely group of people, let me reassure you: yes they are very real.

I actually was hoping to find a site that I could ask questions about God and some of my problems I am having.
There is a song named "You Give Love a Bad Name". Your subtitle could be "you give religion a bad name".

Well, it's also the 1700 years* of genocide, slavery, oppression of women, and similar things that give Christianity a bad name, don't you think...?

I am struggling with my faith and was reaching out for some answers and thought maybe someone here could help.

I struggle with my faith as well - not just because of how Christians today behave but because of the 1700 years of abuse of people by Christians in the name of Jesus I mentioned before. Do you think that God actually enjoys watching people killing and oppressing each other in His name?





_______________
* I'm counting since Constantine's conversion, as this was the advent of Christianity as state religion and therefore the advent of its power.

[handmaiden]

Re: Is this real?

Why do you call me sweetie? Another attempt to belittle me?
I can see I am not welcome here. I'm sorry I am a sinner and don't fit in with perfect people that never sin.

That gives you something in common with the human race.

This website has reinforced my feelings about Christianity or is it just baptists? Arrogance, mind control through intimidation, ignorant of science, hate against fellow humans because that don't measure up to your holiness.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

You people surround yourselves with other like minded people and when a "guest" has a few challenging questions, he is ridiculed and will probably be banned.

Well, most people tend to do that. And you should know that there are many unbelievers who join in this forum without getting banned.

You should focus on love and trying to reach out to lost souls. Not spewing hate and the holier than thou attitude.

We focus on the Bible and everything that it instructs. Not all of it is about love, Randyq.

Did you ever consider why you believe what you believe? My guess is because you where born, by chance, into a Christian home not Hindu, or Islam or any of the 1000's of other religions. By pure numbers, you have about a 95% chance of being wrong and going to hell.

Asking why one believes something is a dangerous first step in the journey to a carefully considered world-view. Most people don't do that.

This will probably be my last post because I'll probably be banned. I am struggling with my faith and was reaching out for some answers and thought maybe someone here could help.

My heart goes out to you regarding your struggle. The difficulty you are facing is that we at Landover Baptist can only help you by encouraging you to read the whole Bible so you can choose to accept or reject it as truth. The choice is yours. And that is the toughest part about any struggle.


Sincerely Yours,


Handmaiden

[God Loves Everyone]

Re: Is this real?

You must be hanging out with the wrong crowd, dear. Here in this community we avoid sinning, because we do not wish to go to Hell.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

"Here in this community we act like we're perfect frickin' angels who have never sinned in our lives. Also, the only reason we try not to sin is so we don't go to hell. You know, we don't care about saving people because obviously they've sinned and DESERVE to burn in hell forever. I mean, it's not like Jesus literally ate with sinners or anything. Obviously because we claim to love God that gives us the right to hate all human beings that we consider sinners. Oh, I'm sorry, 'unsaved trash.' Yeah, WE get to decide who's going to Heaven, not God. I mean really, who on this website cares about God? We only care about being better than everyone else. Obviously, we are free to interpret the Bible any way we wish to use it however the heck we want. It's not like God's word actually MEANS anything, right? It just means whatever we want it to! Ha ha ha I'm frickin' perfect you heathen! If you play Mario Kart you're going to hell, even if you love God with all your heart and devote your entire life to Him and spreading His word to everyone, because playing a racing game turns you gay, and obviously God hates gay people! That part in the Bible where it says anyone can be saved? Psh! That was just put there by the devil! Only perfect angels like us who have absolutely NO knowledge of God's love WHAT. SO. EVER. have a chance of getting into Heaven. Hey, at least we're not anything like those Pharisee guys, am I right? You know, the people who hated Jesus because He didn't agree with them? Yeah, we're not like that at all. I'm going to Heaven and you're burning in hell! HA HA YOU DESERVE IT HEATHEN!"

Phew... I kinda got carried away there, but that was basically this website in a nutshell. I have no idea if these people are serious or not. I hope this website is satire making fun of crazy religious people, because surely no one is this insane. Last time I checked, God wanted us to love our enemies, not tell them they have no hope of being saved in their life because they have sinned. Guess what? You guys have sinned too. Yeah. Literally every human being who ever walked the earth, except Jesus of course, has sinned. But guess what? God forgives sinners. Yeah, believe it or not, when God says He forgives sins, He's actually telling the truth. WOW! WHO KNEW GOD WASN'T LYING WHEN HE SAID STUFF WE DIDN'T LIKE? Guess what? You're not God. Shocking, I know. You may have believed you were God your entire life, but God is not controlled by how we want Him to be. This website is full of hatred, which is the exact opposite of what Christians are supposed to be like. If you claim to follow Jesus, try actually acting like Him sometime.

[Basilissa]

Re: Is this real?

"Here in this community we act like we're perfect frickin' angels who have never sinned in our lives. Also, the only reason we try not to sin is so we don't go to hell. You know, we don't care about saving people because obviously they've sinned and DESERVE to burn in hell forever.

Hi, sweetie, and to our friendly forum!

If you dislike the rules that God made for this world, fine; but please do not take that on us, we're just the messenger!

Of course we would wish to save more people, but we know that is not going to happen:

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

That's because Jesus wants 99.9% of humanity to go to Hell - after all, He didn't create it to stay empty, right?

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

I mean, it's not like Jesus literally ate with sinners or anything. Obviously because we claim to love God that gives us the right to hate all human beings that we consider sinners.

We don't hate anybody.

God does.

Psalm 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Psalm 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Psalm 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Oh, I'm sorry, 'unsaved trash.' Yeah, WE get to decide who's going to Heaven, not God. I mean really, who on this website cares about God?

True Christians™ do.

We only care about being better than everyone else. Obviously, we are free to interpret the Bible any way we wish to use it however the heck we want.

Nope, we do not interpret anything, we read it as is.

It's not like God's word actually MEANS anything, right? It just means whatever we want it to!

If that's what you think then you're going to Hell.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

That part in the Bible where it says anyone can be saved? Psh! That was just put there by the devil!

OK, now you really sparked my interest. Where in the Holy Bible does it say that?!

Because my Bible says to the contrary:

John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last time I checked, God wanted us to love our enemies,

Our - yes. His - no.

Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

This website is full of hatred, which is the exact opposite of what Christians are supposed to be like.

That's not what the Bible says.

Luke 12:49-53
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Does that sound like love&peace to all to you?

If you claim to follow Jesus, try actually acting like Him sometime.

Oh, you mean insult people and be generally mean?

[handmaiden]

Re: Is this real?

Last time I checked, God wanted us to love our enemies, not tell them they have no hope of being saved in their life because they have sinned.

Now, now, take a breath. No one at Landover Baptist would tell any person that they have no hope for Salvation. That is contrary to the text of the Bible which we encourage everyone to read and examine carefully.

Yeah, believe it or not, when God says He forgives sins, He's actually telling the truth. WOW! WHO KNEW GOD WASN'T LYING WHEN HE SAID STUFF WE DIDN'T LIKE?

Another baseless accusation--actually two of them. No Landoverian would suggest that God ever lied about anything. And we champion God's Self-Proclaimed Authority when He tells people things they don't like.


You have no idea of the abuse we receive when we courageously share things that God commands His followers to do that they might not like. People often post long run on rants using all capital letters indicating that they are shouting at us. They may also be foaming at the mouth, but that is more difficult to convey through the written word.

Guess what? You're not God. Shocking, I know. You may have believed you were God your entire life, but God is not controlled by how we want Him to be. This website is full of hatred, which is the exact opposite of what Christians are supposed to be like. If you claim to follow Jesus, try actually acting like Him sometime.

I never claimed to be God. (Jesus did and it got Him crucified, but that's all part of the Greatest Story Ever Told.)


The only thing that I have ever claimed is to have read the whole Bible and to have given equal credence to its every Word. Because that is what God asks of us.


Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

The duty of the believer is to obey.

Jeremiah 7:23
but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

In order to "act" like Jesus as you seem to suggest, I would have to do some things that are clearly wrong. I would have to announce that I am God--something you don't approve of, by the way. I would have to preach to adult males, which I am not permitted to do according to scripture.

1 Timothy 2:12
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.

I am permitted to type, however. And I can quote and defend Scripture until my fingers fall off. And that's all that we are really doing here. Any disagreements you have with what you read here should be taken up with "The Author and Finisher of our Faith". a.k.a. Jesus. That's from Hebrews 12:2, King James Version, which we recommend that you read. I made use of a different version in the quotes which I offered you, because you seem like a newbie when it comes to the Bible, and I didn't want to overwhelm you.

From here on in, you need to focus. Instead of dealing out denunciations, open a Bible and examine the verses we list and see how they fit in with the portrait of God that you have painted for yourself.

Remember, it's not fair to paint Jesus in watercolors and then bring out the acid-washed hues for us. You wouldn't want to be accused of having a double standard, would you?

Evenly Yours,

Handmaiden

[God Loves Everyone]

Re: Is this real?

I got an infraction for this post. Here is exactly what it said:
---
"Kindly check your smart mouth when addressing your True Christian betters. While this is NOT a debate site, referencing Scripture (as our dear Sister has done) to counter a godly post would lend at least some credence to your otherwise inane and childish twaddle of text. Remember your place as Unsaved Scum."
---
"True Christian betters." Ha. He actually thinks these "true Christian" people on here are better than me.
"Unsaved Scum." Well, apparently asking Jesus into my heart eight years ago, asking Him to forgive me of my sins, and committing my life to Him didn't actually count as me being saved, because a random guy on the internet said so.
"Referencing Scripture." Oh, okay. I just assumed you'd actually read the Bible before and knew what I was talking about. My mistake.

I mean, it's not like Jesus literally ate with sinners or anything.

Matthew 9:10-12

That part in the Bible where it says anyone can be saved?

John 3:16

Hey, at least we're not anything like those Pharisee guys, am I right? You know, the people who hated Jesus because He didn't agree with them? Yeah, we're not like that at all.

Matthew 23:13. Mark 7:6. Matthew 9:10-11. Luke 6:7.

Last time I checked, God wanted us to love our enemies, not tell them they have no hope of being saved in their life because they have sinned.

Matthew 5:44. Luke 6:27.

You guys have sinned too. Yeah. Literally every human being who ever walked the earth, except Jesus of course, has sinned.

Romans 3:23. Romans 5:12. 1 Kings 8:26. Psalm 51:5. Ecclesiastes 7:20. Proverbs 20:9. 1 John 1:8. 2 Chronicles 6:36. Psalm 130:3. Jeremiah 2:35. 1 John 1:10.

But guess what? God forgives sinners.

1 John 1:9. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Micah 7:18. Acts 2:38. Luke 5:20. Matthew 9:12.

This website is full of hatred, which is the exact opposite of what Christians are supposed to be like.

Proverbs 10:12. Matthew 5:43-44. Luke 6:35.

[handmaiden]

Re: Is this real?

Wow, you sure do have a knack for hand selecting the verses that back up your point of view, don't you?

When we list verses that don't support your perspective, we're hateful and trying to control God.


It's almost as if you are treating the Bible like some cobbled together collection of writings that people trot out to serve their own agendas.


Of course, the Bible has some serious verses defending Its Own Authority along with some solemn adjurations against parsing out particular portions to obey while ignoring others. I would quote them for you, but you would probably ignore those as well.


So, I am going to leave you to your delusions. Maybe you desperately need them. But if you want to hang onto them, don't allow yourself to read the Bible too carefully, okay?


Truth tends to leak, so don't open your mind or it may seep in.


Wholeheartedly Yours,


Handmaiden

[Harsha Shah]

Re: Is this real?

That part in the Bible where it says anyone can be saved?
John 3:16

Yes, I am Harsha Shah and I have been writing here for a while now. Yes. I am sorry if I am offending you but while I am teaching my schoolchildren RME I am not of the christian faith. Yes.

I am interested in your kind of christianity as I am thinking that it is very different from the christianity my friends are teaching over here. Yes, it is. I am referring to the verse from the John gospel, verse 3:16, that all my christian friends also like. Yes. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Yes. You are saying that anyone can be saved, yes? I am hoping that I am not offending you but I am thinking that I am not "anyone" as I am not a person who is believing in your Jesus.

Yes, we were discussing this verse in my RME class last spring and there is a very bright girl who is not a christian either, and she was asking everyone to read a bit further. Yes, and the children were inscpecting the chapter and in the John gospel chapter 3 verse 18, just a couple of verses ahead, they are saying "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Yes.

I am afraid that I am offending you but this is saying that I am already condemned according to the bible because I am not believing in Jesus, that is has already been done. Yes. I am asking you to explain how anyone can be saved if there are people who are already comdemned, that the decision has been made.

Yes, I am very sorry if I am offending you and if it is so it is perfectly all right if you will be neglecting my post. Yes.

[Leroy Llewelyn]

Re: Is this real?

Hello, friend Harsha Shah.

I'm new, and am slowly getting to know the wonderful people here.


I take the impression that you are of the Hindoo race? Where I live in Canada we don't get too many of the foreigner sort, I don't believe that I've ever met a Hindoo.


Are you from Cashmere ore one of the Stans? I know besides the Pakistans and Afganistans there's a Hindoostan, and I think there was a Kafeereestan in a movie with Sean Connery and Michael Caine, but in that one all the Hindoos did was ride around playing polo with people's heads.


Yours in Christ,*
Leroy Llewellyn


* I understand that the Hindoos have just a boatload of heathen gods; us True Christians have only One: Jesus Christ, his Father (God the Father), and the Holy Spirit.

[Nobar King]

Re: Is this real?

There is a lot to read in this thread but I just wanted to point out that no, God does not love everybody.

[Harsha Shah]

Re: Is this real?

Hello, friend Harsha Shah.

I'm new, and am slowly getting to know the wonderful people here.

I take the impression that you are of the Hindoo race? Where I live in Canada we don't get too many of the foreigner sort, I don't believe that I've ever met a Hindoo.

Are you from Cashmere ore one of the Stans? I know besides the Pakistans and Afganistans there's a Hindoostan, and I think there was a Kafeereestan in a movie with Sean Connery and Michael Caine, but in that one all the Hindoos did was ride around playing polo with people's heads.

Yours in Christ,*
Leroy Llewellyn

* I understand that the Hindoos have just a boatload of heathen gods; us True Christians have only One: Jesus Christ, his Father (God the Father), and the Holy Spirit.

Yes, Mr. Llewellyn, this is Harsha Shah again. I am very happy to be knowing you. Yes. Yes, the people are very friendly here, especially Mr. Machine, yes.

I am afraid that I might be offending you but I am thinking that you did not make a correct guess. Yes. I am not following the Hindu faith and the Hindus have traditionally been oppressing my people. I used to be a Jainist but I am very secular now and dating a colleague who also has no religious affiliation. Yes. I am very happy. I am still following the vegetarianism and the ahimsa, the non-violence of Jainism, yes, but I am having problems with chastity. Yes, I am. Harsha is sometimes a bad girl and it is causing bad karma to me, I am afraid.

I am living in Scotland and working as a schoolteacher and volunteering for the SNP so that we'll be gaining independence. Yes.

[Basilissa]

Re: Is this real?

Matthew 9:10-12

We also fellowship with sinners. For example, right here, right now, with you.

John 3:16

Keep reading:

John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

See?

Those who are guilty of a single thing - not believing - are condemned already.

You know, that includes not only the people who have heard about Jesus and made a conscientious decision to reject Him (atheists) but also people who have died before having a chance to hear about Jesus, for example all of the Indians who lived before 1492 and all of the babies of all times who died in their infancy.

Matthew 23:13. Mark 7:6. Matthew 9:10-11. Luke 6:7.

If the Pharisees were so bad, then why would Jesus say that:

Matthew 5:17-20
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

In the last verse, Jesus acknowledges that the scribes and Pharisees are righteous people. In fact, True Christians™ are supposed to be even more righteous than the Pharisees!

Matthew 5:44. Luke 6:27.

Proverbs 10:12. Matthew 5:43-44. Luke 6:35.

Just like I said before - we are to love our enemies, but hate Jesus' enemies.

Matthew 10:34-36
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Luke 12:49-53
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Romans 3:23. Romans 5:12. 1 Kings 8:26. Psalm 51:5. Ecclesiastes 7:20. Proverbs 20:9. 1 John 1:8. 2 Chronicles 6:36. Psalm 130:3. Jeremiah 2:35. 1 John 1:10.

Sweetie, we sinned before we were Saved! After being Saved, we're incapable of sinning:

Psalm 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

1st John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

1 John 1:9. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Micah 7:18. Acts 2:38. Luke 5:20. Matthew 9:12.

Of course He does. Under the condition that they repent and reject their wicked ways and accept Jesus. Which, by default, are very few:

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This is how Jesus designed it. If He wanted more people to be Saved, then He could have designed different game rules. His world, His game rules, so repent and accept Him as your Savior before it's too late!

I hope that was helpful, sweetie.

[Romeo Rovagnati]

Re: Is this real?

If by "Is this real?" you are talking about this site, yes it is real (unfortunately). If by "Is this real?" you mean its faith, that too. However i can show you the True faith by guiding you into the <<<pagan propaganda removed>>>.

Amen.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: Is this real?

There is a lot to read in this thread but I just wanted to point out that no, God does not love everybody.

Thank you for this timely reminder, brother. Sometimes people get caught up in details that distract them from what's really important. If there's something more important than knowing how to avoid an eternal punishment that surpasses all earthly suffering, I can't imagine what it could be.