[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

You should cut back on the American History study, and do some more Bible Study (I'm leading a study, if you'd like to follow along).

I am not American, so I have no use for American history.

I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass. I am a very busy person.

[Didymus Much]

Re: Hey There

I am not American, so I have no use for American history...

There is just so much wrong with that statement.

...I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass. I am a very busy person.

You're not too busy to come here and tell these people that they are wrong and bad. But when someone is nice enough to offer to show you where your Biblical ignorance and misconceptions imperil your eternal soul, whoops gotta run...

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: Hey There

I have had several people come to me and say "You are a nice guy. I want to learn to be like you." So I show them a Bible verse or two.

I hope you will take a moment and really think about what you've said here. This is the problem with so many "christians" today. They have been shown a few Bibles verses and think they know what God wants them to do.

WRONG.

When these people come to you and say they want to be like you, give them a KJV Bible and tell them to start at Genesis 1:1 and end at Revelation 22:21.

Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth
Posted via Mobile Device

[Octavia]

There is just so much wrong with that statement.

Like what?

You're not too busy to come here and tell these people that they are wrong and bad. But when someone is nice enough to offer to show you where your Biblical ignorance and misconceptions imperil your eternal soul, whoops gotta run...

Quite the opposite actually.

I have never once said that any of you are wrong. In fact, I said several times that I respect your beliefs. Ever since I've been here, I've heard nothing except for "You're wrong because of this" and you tell me that my beliefs are bad.

And yes, I am quite busy. I am here right now while I do homework, and while I fold laundry. Plus I'm not always busy. There are free days that I have and I will use those times to come here and discuss issues with all of you.

[Bob4God]

Re: Hey There

I have never once said that any of you are wrong. In fact, I said several times that I respect your beliefs. Ever since I've been here, I've heard nothing except for "You're wrong because of this" and you tell me that my beliefs are bad.

Have we not demonstrated with Holy Scripture where you are wrong?

If not, you have my sincerest apologies for our failure to back up our rebukes with the Bible.

However, it does appear that we have consistently provided scripture to prove our points, and yet you still persist in the sinful practice of making up your own version of GOD and the Bible.

If you feel we are rude and insulting, I am sorry.

But I think you will find that GOD's words for you are even harsher than ours:

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. - Proverbs 26:11

Why do you continue to hurt GOD by making Him belittle and dehumanize you?

Just obey the Word of GOD and you'll find yourself on His good side, along with us.

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

Have we not demonstrated with Holy Scripture where you are wrong?

No, you have not. If you had, then my views would have suddenly changed.

What I've learned over the years, ever since I was young, has stayed with me. What I was taught by my church was that we should love everyone and be kind. I have respected your beliefs and not debated against them. I have shown several verses that support my beliefs, and that is why I still have them.

Why do you continue to hurt GOD by making Him belittle and dehumanize you?

I fail to see how he is doing that. God loves us all and doesn't want to dehumanize us. All he asks is that we follow his word, and that is what I do everyday.

Just obey the Word of GOD and you'll find yourself on His good side, along with us.

I do believe that I am on his good side. He has given me many gifts and talents.

He gave me the opportunity to attend university on the other side of the country even though I don't have THAT much money, and he has given me musical talent which I use to brighten peoples days or lift their spirits.

[Bob4God]

Re: Hey There

No, you have not. If you had, then my views would have suddenly changed.

Please use the "quote" button to reference any rebuke made by us that was not supported with scripture, and the appropriate scripture will be provided.

What I've learned over the years, ever since I was young, has stayed with me. What I was taught by my church was that we should love everyone and be kind.

We are nothing if not loving and kind. Who else would spend this much time and energy to save your soul?

I have respected your beliefs and not debated against them.

You haven't been "debating against" our beliefs? Pardon, but I think you have:

I think that children can be disciplined in more effective ways than being beaten. I am a psychology major in university, and I've learned the effects of different types of discipline.

The Bible doesn't ever say "Oh yeah, by the way, that was only for Christians"

Were these not points offered in rebuttal to our statements?

Is that not debating?

Are you not lying when you say "I have respected your beliefs and not debated against them." ?

I have shown several verses that support my beliefs, and that is why I still have them.

You have shown several verses that you have taken out of context, and then ignored the corrections we have attempted to offer.

For example, Galatians 3:28

I fail to see how he is doing that. God loves us all and doesn't want to dehumanize us. All he asks is that we follow his word, and that is what I do everyday.

Please don't pretend that GOD has anything but contempt for people who openly defy His law.

2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

3Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. -Malachi 2:2-3

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. - Psalms 11:6

I do believe that I am on his good side. He has given me many gifts and talents.

Some questions you should ask yourself before assuming you are on GOD's good side:

Do you keep the Sabbath day holy? (Deuteronomy 5:13)

Do you abstain from all appearances of evil? (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Do you avoid clothes made of mixed fabric? (Deuteronomy 22:11)

Do you glorify Him with all that you do? (1 Corinthians 10:31)

These are just some of the specific guidelines that the Bible outlines for our lives.

See also:

"But MY God would NEVER..." Signs You're Worshipping a False God

He gave me the opportunity to attend university on the other side of the country even though I don't have THAT much money, and he has given me musical talent which I use to brighten peoples days or lift their spirits.

You assume GOD has given you those things. Just because something good happens in your life is no reason to automatically assume you're the center of the universe.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. - Ecclesiastes 9:11

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. - Matthew 5:45

[Dan U. Holier]

Re: Hey There

...What I was taught by my church was that we should love everyone...

So you were taught at your church to love as well hypocrites, the unforgiving, homosexuals, fornicators, the wicked, the covetous, the malicious, the envious, murderers, the deceitful, backbiters, haters of god, the despiteful, the proud, boasters, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, covenant breakers, the unmerciful, the implacable, the unrighteous, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, thieves, drunkards, reviler, extortioners, the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, whoremongers, sorcerers and liars???

What kind of church was that?

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him; Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

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

What the written word of God means to you?

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

YiC, DUH

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

You haven't been "debating against" our beliefs? Pardon, but I think you have:

Were these not points offered in rebuttal to our statements?

The second one, yes. I forgot about that one. I admit that one was a rebuttal.

The first one about the discipline of children, though, was not. That was a question asked to me and I gave my answer. I only gave that answer because you asked me what my beliefs were about that subject. There was no rebuttal there.

You have shown several verses that you have taken out of context, and then ignored the corrections we have attempted to offer.

For example, Galatians 3:28

On the contrary I think it is actually you who have been taking them out of context.

I can't say for certain what Bible is saying, nor can you. That's why there are so many different types of Christianity. Everyone has their own opinions on what different verses mean.

You assume GOD has given you those things. Just because something good happens in your life is no reason to automatically assume you're the center of the universe.

I never said that I assumed I was the center of the universe... Where on Earth did you get that idea?

Perhaps God didn't give me the opportunity to go to this university, but then again, maybe he did. Who knows, right?

As for my talent, yes, my talents were given to me by him when he created me. He gave all of you talents as well.

So you were taught at your church to love as well hypocrites, the unforgiving, homosexuals, fornicators, the wicked, the covetous, the malicious, the envious, murderers, the deceitful, backbiters, haters of god, the despiteful, the proud, boasters, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, covenant breakers, the unmerciful, the implacable, the unrighteous, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, thieves, drunkards, reviler, extortioners, the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, whoremongers, sorcerers and liars???

Both my church and the Bible have taught me to love my neighbors AND my enemies.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

James 2:8 - If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well

[Didymus Much]

Re: Hey There

...He gave all of you talents as well...

I'll share that with my neighbour, to whom He has given cystic fibrosis, and my friend's daughter, who He blessed with Down Syndrome.

Praise Him for His Heavenly Blessings!!!

Wait, what am I saying? Fuck that.

[Dan U. Holier]

Re: Hey There

...Both my church and the Bible have taught me to love my neighbors AND my enemies.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

James 2:8 - If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well

Why yes of course let's forget about Leviticus 20:23, Leviticus 26:30, Deuteronomy 32:19, Psalm 5:5, Psalm 5:6, Psalm 10:3, Psalm 11:5, Psalm 53:5, Psalm 73:20, Psalm 78:59, Psalm 106:40, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 22:14, Lamentations 2:6, Hosea 9:15, Zechariah 11:8, Malachi 1:3 etc.

Who cares about Matthew 24:51, Mark 11:26, Romans 1:26-27, Romans 1:29-31, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8 etc. that's all needless rubbish to you, right?

What kind of Christian are you? Do you think that the Holy Bible is a salad bar?

Again:

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him; Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

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

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

Why yes of course let's forget about Leviticus 20:23, Leviticus 26:30, Deuteronomy 32:19, Psalm 5:5, Psalm 5:6, Psalm 10:3, Psalm 11:5, Psalm 53:5, Psalm 73:20, Psalm 78:59, Psalm 106:40, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 22:14, Lamentations 2:6, Hosea 9:15, Zechariah 11:8, Malachi 1:3 etc.

Who cares about Matthew 24:51, Mark 11:26, Romans 1:26-27, Romans 1:29-31, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8 etc. that's all needless rubbish to you, right?

None of these tell me that I should look down upon those who do not believe.

What kind of Christian are you?

A mature Christian. One that will do as God asks and love everyone. One that will treat everyone as his equal. One that will have respect for others. One that will worship God for all he has given him.

That is the kind of Christian I am.

[John Scopes]

Re: Hey There

I have just returned from a science conference, I wish to welcome you to this place. You do indeed seem to be slightly less confused more anchored than most.

None of these tell me that I should look down upon those who do not believe.



A mature Christian. One that will do as God asks and love everyone. One that will treat everyone as his equal. One that will have respect for others. One that will worship God for all he has given him.

That is the kind of Christian I am.

[s. warnin]

Re: Hey There

So, I guess there isn't much to say other than that I am a new member here.

I am what you guys call a "Liberal Christian" but you said we, as well as atheists, are allowed to join and partake in discussions. I want to give it a shot because why not, right?

I will be sure to respect all beliefs here, and hope that mine are respected as well. Humans all think differently after all. We aren't clones.

Christianity isn't about respecting everyone's beliefs or thinking that just because we all think differently, we can just make up what God is okay with.

Look at what God says: John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"

Doesn't leave a whole lot of room for believing differently does it? Doesn't say anything about salvation by being a good person, or a nice person, or doing your best not to hurt anyone, or that we shouldn't own slaves or any of that, does it?

Many people come here with their fluffy, feel-goody ideas about God and how they can think and do whatever they want and that God's just cool with that. God specifies in His Word, exactly what He is okay with and what He isn't okay with...but in order to know that, you have to actually read God's Word. You can't call yourself a Christian if you don't have any idea what God's Word says, now can you?

Please do us all a favor and take the time to actually read what the Bible says before you bring up things that you think, or your friends say, without actually knowing the Truth.

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

I have just returned from a science conference, I wish to welcome you to this place. You do indeed seem to be slightly less confused more anchored than most.

I do believe that you are the first to actually welcome me. Pleasure to meet you!

Look at what God says: John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"

And I do believe Jesus died for our sins. If you believe that Jesus is your savior then that is your ticket to Heaven.

Bashing other peoples beliefs, on the other hand, does not get you into Heaven.