Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

[Socrates13]

Hello,

My name is Matt and I am a

_"Free Thinker"

I do not belong to a church however I do believe in organized religion.

I am here to

_waste your time.
_amuse myself.(and you!)

When my initial post doesn't get the reaction I was hoping for, I will

_get on my high horse.

and most likely continue to lurk and smirk!


Now, for my personalized introduction...


FIRST, let me congratulate you, Landover Baptist Church, on the fine establishment you have created here! Truly there is no other like it among the entirety of the internet. For that I commend you!

When I first discovered your respected website, I was in complete awe. Never, in all my years as an internet denizen, have I encountered such a well-coordinated, active, and thoroughly vetted community of like-minded people working towards the same cause. To say I was besides myself would be an understatement.

My first reaction was to cry, then to laugh, then to deny that such a place could exist. Yet, as I continued to read more and more threads, I found that the cognitive dissonance raging inside my mind could not be quelled. The logical, calmer side of my mind told me this could not be, that there had to be an explanation for what I was reading, other than that there was true authenticity behind all these posts. Yet there it was, right in front of me, the burden of proof that continued to batter and weaken the shred of hope I clung to.

In desperation I searched, praying(ironic I know), that I would find a guiding light out of this pit of despair I had been thrown in to by my acknowledgement of the existence of this site. And then, in what seemed my darkest hour, a ray of hope shone down upon me. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Though I am explicitly forbidden from discussing its contents, as I did agree to it, I believe I can say with confidence that had it not been for this wonderful, legally binding document, my spirit would have been broken. Now though, all is clear to me, the clouds have cleared, I have seen the light.



So THANK YOU, LBC, for providing the highest quality experience I have ever encountered. No other website, individual, or event has come close to delivering such a level of sisterhood, or ever will. Yours is truly a unique one, one that I can only hope continues to provide such a fine service to the public for years to come.

[Saint Elmo]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

It's the devil what wants you to "think free" so he can put his wickedness in your open mind, son. If you want to be safe from satanic mind control, you better get some Jesus Shielding pronto.

[Socrates13]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

First, let me thank Born Again Bob for correcting my gross errors in spelling.

As for Saint Elmo, I see some flaw in your argument. Is not free will god's gift to man?

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, [Deuteronomy 30:19]

And should not free thinking be the avenue taken in order to give oneself up to God? Discouraging free thinking seems to be in opposition to the message taught by the bible.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." [2 Cor. 9:7]

[GodIsWinning]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

First, let me thank Born Again Bob for correcting my gross errors in spelling.

As for Saint Elmo, I see some flaw in your argument. Is not free will god's gift to man?

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, [Deuteronomy 30:19]

This simply tells us that suicide is wrong.

And should not free thinking be the avenue taken in order to give oneself up to God? Discouraging free thinking seems to be in opposition to the message taught by the bible.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." [2 Cor. 9:7]

Why do you think this means we should be 'free-thinking' fools? If God wanted us to stray from His teachings, why would he have given us a perfect set of instructions for life, as found in the bible.

Psalm 19:7

[BelieverInGod]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

Wow, an atheist who actually kicked around the boards and did some reading before charging in here like an idiot. I'm shocked! Truly shocked!

Hello,

My name is Matt and I am a

_"Free Thinker"

I do not belong to a church however I do believe in organized religion.

Well I'm glad that you believe organized religion exists. I guess the number of physical buildings would have been the dead give away.

I am here to

_waste your time.
_amuse myself.(and you!)

Now why would you want to waste time? According to you atheists this is all the time you get, shouldn't you be running around busily filling every second?

When my initial post doesn't get the reaction I was hoping for, I will

_get on my high horse.

and most likely continue to lurk and smirk!

Hmmm.....

Now, for my personalized introduction...


FIRST, let me congratulate you, Landover Baptist Church, on the fine establishment you have created here! Truly there is no other like it among the entirety of the internet. For that I commend you!

Thank you?

When I first discovered your respected website, I was in complete awe. Never, in all my years as an internet denizen, have I encountered such a well-coordinated, active, and thoroughly vetted community of like-minded people working towards the same cause. To say I was besides myself would be an understatement.

Thank you again..... are you really sure you're a "free thinker", you seem to smart to be one of those.

My first reaction was to cry, then to laugh, then to deny that such a place could exist. Yet, as I continued to read more and more threads, I found that the cognitive dissonance raging inside my mind could not be quelled. The logical, calmer side of my mind told me this could not be, that there had to be an explanation for what I was reading, other than that there was true authenticity behind all these posts. Yet there it was, right in front of me, the burden of proof that continued to batter and weaken the shred of hope I clung to.

Of course there's a logical explanation, it's called the HOLY BIBLE

In desperation I searched, praying(ironic I know), that I would find a guiding light out of this pit of despair I had been thrown in to by my acknowledgement of the existence of this site. And then, in what seemed my darkest hour, a ray of hope shone down upon me. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Though I am explicitly forbidden from discussing its contents, as I did agree to it, I believe I can say with confidence that had it not been for this wonderful, legally binding document, my spirit would have been broken. Now though, all is clear to me, the clouds have cleared, I have seen the light.

You're a praying atheist? I have to ask, do you consider yourself an atheist because of the false churches you've run into?

So THANK YOU, LBC, for providing the highest quality experience I have ever encountered. No other website, individual, or event has come close to delivering such a level of sisterhood, or ever will. Yours is truly a unique one, one that I can only hope continues to provide such a fine service to the public for years to come.

Uh...... thanks

Stick around, Jesus loves you and wants you to be one with him!

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

So, you are Matt – that is the texture of the paint in the entrance to Landover Baptist Church, so perhaps there is some hope for you.

Your flattery is impressive; your picture of 4 lezbeans, less so. This church, situated in Freehold and God’s cyberspace, is here to save souls not amuse.

God possesses a powerful arsenal of irrefutable arguments in addition to a simple promise of everlasting life for the faithful.

Free thinking is a heresy. To think freely means questioning everything. God is Everything for He is within everything. There is nothing but Damnation in questioning God.

[Socrates13]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

You're a praying atheist? I have to ask, do you consider yourself an atheist because of the false churches you've run into?

It was more a turn of phrase than literal praying!

Uh...... thanks

Would you believe me if I told you my post was edited by microscopic aliens hidden in my nostrils in order to hide certain revelations I discovered in a very specific legally binding document related to the Swedenbourgian church in America?

Why do you think this means we should be 'free-thinking' fools? If God wanted us to stray from His teachings, why would he have given us a perfect set of instructions for life, as found in the bible.

Psalm 19:7

Free thinking is a heresy. To think freely means questioning everything. God is Everything for He is within everything. There is nothing but Damnation in questioning God.

I did some heavy research trying to find versus refuting this view, but to my chagrin was unable to find anything concrete. I find it troubling to accept that a perfect God, providing perfect instructions for us to follow, would be disinclined to let us question our faith. It seems to me that questioning is in our very nature, and many examples throughout history have shown the negatives affects of suppressing this natural instinct(McCarthyism, Mormonism, etc.) Groupthink has never led to positive consequences, as far as I can see.

So why, then, would a perfect set of teachings, delivered by a perfect God, be so afraid of being tested? If perfection is indeed the name of the game, what is there to be afraid of in questioning what we are taught? Will we not find agreeable answers to our questions?

On the other hand, if free will and free thinking are to be thought of as non-existent, how do members of this community grapple with the idea of predestination and determinism?

[Nobar King]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

On the other hand, if free will and free thinking are to be thought of as non-existent, how do members of this community grapple with the idea of predestination and determinism?

I'm grappling with how I can pay my Comcast bill next month, not predator-terminism or whatever. what are you talking about?

[GodIsWinning]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

I find it troubling to accept that a perfect God, providing perfect instructions for us to follow, would be disinclined to let us question our faith. It seems to me that questioning is in our very nature, and many examples throughout history have shown the negatives affects of suppressing this natural instinct(McCarthyism, Mormonism, etc.) Groupthink has never led to positive consequences, as far as I can see.

The examples you cite wouldn't have happened if those fools had followed the word of God, to the letter.

So why, then, would a perfect set of teachings, delivered by a perfect God, be so afraid of being tested? If perfection is indeed the name of the game, what is there to be afraid of in questioning what we are taught? Will we not find agreeable answers to our questions?

Who's afraid? I think you should be. All this questioning of the Lord is not helping you redeem your heathen ways. You'll just find Hell.

On the other hand, if free will and free thinking are to be thought of as non-existent, how do members of this community grapple with the idea of predestination and determinism?

Free-thinking exists and is a continuing threat to the spiritual wellbeing of folk across the world. It doesn't matter where you are going to or how you determine the best way to get there.

[Socrates13]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

I'm grappling with how I can pay my Comcast bill next month, not predator-terminism or whatever. what are you talking about?

Comcast certainly is horrible, when did it become the norm to have to pay a three figure balance just to have access to basic television, phone service, and the internet?

And I would like to correct my former post, I meant to say predestination, not predeterminism.

Fromchristians.eu

The word 'predestination' occurs several times in the Bible, but there are two main lines of thought about the understanding of this term.

• The first is predestination on the basis of foreknowledge. Predestination is the eternal decision of God, arising from love, by which he sets out a historical plan of Salvation giving every person the possibility to receive eternal Salvation. God predestined Jesus to be the only and absolute mediator between Himself and mankind.
• The second is the belief that God is sovereign and decides everything that will happen regardless of the will of man and that what God determines no man can change. Within this line of thought there are two directions of understanding: "single predestination", which some Lutherans believe in and "double predestination", which the Calvinists believe in.

From the bible: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. [Romans 8:29-30] (also taken from christians.eu)

So, if God has already determined your fate, what possible drive is there for any christian to do good? Why try to convert others, or try to spread the gospel, if all non-christians are already destined to go to hell? For that matter, why would any non-christian choose to convert knowing their fate has already been determined?

Beyond the practical matter of the afterlife, the lack of free will causes other problems, like what to do with our lives. If the choices we make are not caused by us, then why make them? Which is where determinism comes in.

Determinism, in my own words, is the idea that all events and "choices" are caused by previous choices and events. Basically, that cause-and-effect is a true force. Predestination, and the lack of free will, conflict with the idea that the choices we make will affect us later.

For me at least, its disconcerting to know that the choices I make, according to the bible, are moot. What difference can I make with my life, my spirit, if everything I will ever do has already been decided? What's the point?

Of course, I'm sure there is much room for argument and interpretation on what free will really means, but at least to me, it's not very appealing not to have it.

[Alphonse Alban]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

Could you please use the real bible, KJV 1611, these quotes from false scripture hurts my eyes.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, [Deuteronomy 30:19]

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." [2 Cor. 9:7]

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. [Romans 8:29-30]

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Thank you.


YiC,

Alphonse

[Socrates13]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

Thank you for correct my references, Alphonse. However, the meaning of the versus has not changed and my points still stand.

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

Thank you for correct my references, Alphonse. However, the meaning of the versus has not changed and my points still stand.

Hello Matthew!

I hope the following (KJV!) verse helps to make clear our preference for the KJV Bible.

(2 Timothy 2:15) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Not only is it beautiful, it's instructive, too.



Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

So why, then, would a perfect set of teachings, delivered by a perfect God, be so afraid of being tested?

God has no fear. God says you obey Him - end of story. He's got it right, you are an abomination.

On the other hand, if free will and free thinking are to be thought of as non-existent, how do members of this community grapple with the idea of predestination and determinism?

Read this and read it in the historical context and all will become obvious:

Ro:9:11: (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; )
Ro:9:12: It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Ro:9:13: As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Ro:9:14: What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Ro:9:15: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Ro:9:16: So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Ro:9:17: For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Ro:9:18: Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Ro:9:19: Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Ro:9:20: Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Ro:9:21: Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Ro:9:22: What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Ro:9:23: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Thus we see the conflict between predestination and Free Will is solved by God.

Please, never ask this question again - it is tiresome.

[Saint Elmo]

Re: Greetings! Let me introduce myself and congradulate you(LBC)

You have the free will to not sin against God, son. Otherwise you get to go to hell with the rest of sinnin lunatics.