[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Well I don't like Cath-o-licks. They worship Mary and Jesus hates them.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Welcome, Mr. Catholic. It's nice to meet you, I think. I admit I didn't read much of your long-winded posts because frankly, I got bored, fell asleep and woke up with my face on the keyboard. I can't keep doing that.

Anyway, as a rescued former-Catholic myself, I have to say I'm curious when you say you haven't read your Bible for a few months. We know the Papists don't want you to read your Bible at all and so I see you have a bit of a rebellious streak in you. I pray Jesus used that rebellious streak to break free from the shackles of the Whore of Babylon where you're bound to worship Mary, a newer version of the Egyptian goddess Isis.

You do talk a lot and that concerns me and so I say this as a mother and as a Christian. I'm concerned that with all this introspective mumbo-jumbo you must think about yourself a lot. Perhaps you look at yourself in the mirror many hours a day as well. Please spend this time reading a KJV Bible instead and spare yourself the very frightening possibility that in looking at yourself you might find something you like. One thing leads to another, and you'll be preparing yourself to lead the homo lifestyle and pack up and move to Denmark.

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Well, Zech, I guess I could get my point across with some quotes (even if they were cherry-picked by Liberal Christians to teach others about God).

"You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?"
Matthew 5:43-47

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you."
Matthew 7:12

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

As Brother John pointed out, you aren't getting the full force of God's word when you read anything other than the KJV Bible.

But to use a couple of your examples: John 3:16 (and 17 in your case) is often cited here by fluffy bunny "christians" like it's some kind of get-out-of-hell-free card. There are two problems with that: one, they skip over the "whosoever believeth in him" part. That means if there is ANY part of Jesus' life that they DON'T believe (the virgin birth, the raising of the dead, walking on water, His literal resurrection, etc.), they are going to Hell.

And two, why don't they ever include verses 18 and 19? Hey, let's take a look!

(John 3:18-19) "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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

BAM!

That's the way Jesus works, baby! But that doesn't make a cutesy sign at a football game, or a cute little rubber wristband.



Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth

[Humongous]

Re: A cautious greeting.

well, now that's a confounded head scratcher!

Is you saying you worship Bigfoot now?

I don't know about you, but I'd take Dracula over some EVILutionist what's searchin for the missing link!

Yours in Christ

[John Creeser]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Well, Zech, I guess I could get my point across with some quotes (even if they were cherry-picked by Liberal Christians to teach others about God).

"You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?"
Matthew 5:43-47

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you."
Matthew 7:12

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

This isn't the King James version of the Bible!! What false translation are you reading from? The Fisher Price children's version?

[Redeemed Papist]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Then go and read the Bible. That worked for me on answering the question of whether Jesus and God were real.


John 3:18 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.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Try reading the rest of the books you're cherry picking from for starters.

[British_Catholic]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Well, Zech, I guess I could get my point across with some quotes (even if they were cherry-picked by Liberal Christians to teach others about God).

"You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?"
Matthew 5:43-47

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you."
Matthew 7:12

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

[British_Catholic]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Indeed, Humongous, it is, though there are quite a few Romanian-English people in the area I live.

As for worshipping Queen Elizabeth and Dracula, you made me chuckle a bit there. To be honest, like a lot of British citizens, I don't really know much about or care for the Royal Family. All I know is that Elizabeth is a famous King/Queen's great-great-great-great-great grandaughter and her relatives are also related to the rulers of old. I (and most people) 'worship' Elizabeth as much as any other man or woman on the news. We don't really have any strong feelings for them - They're just there. I wouldn't really mind especially if tomorrow the Royal Family all died (not that I'd wish anyone to die!), they're not really anything more than a bunch of famous people.

Dracula isn't a Romanian myth - In fact, the character 'Dracula' was created by an Irishman in 1897, based off of the tales of some German traders in the mid-19th century! Even though we have folk tales of 'vampires' in Romania, they're just the equivalent of people talking about Bigfoot (except in Romania people don't even go out hunting for 'vampires'!).

If you're interested, though, the character of Dracula was based on a well-known ruler in Romania, a tyrant called Vlad the Impaler who ruled in the 15th century. Despite being an evil man who did some horrible things to his enemies (clue's in the name) he's a bit like Romania's version of 'King Arthur' (except nobody really thinks of Vlad the Impaler as a hero). Like King Arthur, Vlad the Impaler fought against the Turks to keep Romania a free country, but that's about all he's respected for, and like King Arthur, not a lot is actually known about him.

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Tell me more about this "loving God" (as you put it), because I've read the KJV Bible about 12 times straight through, and that doesn't ring a bell.

Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth
Posted via Mobile Device

[British_Catholic]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Are you here to praise Jesus or not?

I believe that one of the points why I am here is that I honestly don't know. I was brought up to believe in Jesus, and hope that I still do, but all around me I see evidence which challenges that claim. I don't really know who, or what to believe. Obviously I won't stoop to some pagan tree-worshipping, and I do know that Christianity is the best way to save my soul, but I also want to try to keep an objective view on the world so that I do have some sort of wisdom and knowledge, rather than using my religion to shut out other people's views and beliefs. I'd like to say that in my heart I am Christian, but I wish to explore the world more and discover what other people think of the world (whilst still trying to follow Christianity) before I fully embrace Christianity. After all, Jesus teaches compassion, and as long as I keep my heart, mind and soul pure, isn't it anything but good to learn about other people so I can be more compassionate?

To address your points, John Creeser, I do not think I am a Catholic in the traditional sense of the word, or in your interpretation of it. I was raised as a Liberal Christian more than a Catholic, and even though I was brought up in a Catholic background, I am not papist and I abhor what the Catholic Church has done to persecute other people, including the Muslims, Jews, and Protestant brothers in the United Kingdom.

As for other beliefs, I indeed believe(d) that Jesus was the only child of Mary, and I have neglected to read the Bible and realize my error, and the error of those who have taught me. I do believe fully though that Jesus and God are one and the same, and that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but also God in the flesh. I do believe that the (Catholic) church was founded by Peter. Thank you for the link to the thread, however, which does help to challenge my traditional (wrong?) beliefs about the Church.

As for being a True Christian? I don't really believe that I am. I'm a Christian in that I believe in a loving God, but I haven't got enough knowledge about the Bible to say I'm a True Christian.

[Humongous]

Re: A cautious greeting.

well, Half Romanian - Half English, that sounds like a spooky combination?

Does that mean you worship Queen Elizabeth AND Dracula?

You need to get right with Christ!

In His name,

Lori H.

[John Creeser]

Re: A cautious greeting.

First off, roman catholics are NOT Christians. Please read.

Oh, and sorry also for misreading. The term I saw around the forums was 'True Christian ™' rather than true religion. Why is there need to trademark it? I feel that being a Christian is in itself is righteous and true enough. There isn't really a need to trademark it, is there?

You answered this yourself when you said.

Thank you very much for addressing those points, Reverend. Sorry for my ignorance - I wasn't taking the words of the New Testament to disprove upon themselves. I haven't read the Bible for many months, though, and I've only got a limited knowledge of it. Even if I have strayed, I do follow the Ten Commandments fully.

We're so sick of people who just read John 3:16 and presume to call themselves a True Christian(tm). They are not

[Redeemed Papist]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Are you here to praise Jesus or not?

[British_Catholic]

Re: A cautious greeting.

Thank you very much for addressing those points, Reverend. Sorry for my ignorance - I wasn't taking the words of the New Testament to disprove upon themselves. I haven't read the Bible for many months, though, and I've only got a limited knowledge of it. Even if I have strayed, I do follow the Ten Commandments fully.

Oh, and sorry also for misreading. The term I saw around the forums was 'True Christian (tm)' rather than true religion. Why is there need to trademark it? I feel that being a Christian is in itself is righteous and true enough. There isn't really a need to trademark it, is there?

As for my notion that some of you would rather pursue a more traditional lifestyle, the main source (I hope Billy Bob Jenkins doesn't mind me quoting him) is here:

I can't believe they prohibit the teaching of iron age ideologies to little children over there. My heart goes out to British children who are deprived of the opportunity to be isolated from civilization and force fed the lucid visions of Revelation.

I got the impression that some of you were supportive of (as Billy Bob Puts it) 'isolation from civilization'.

And as for bringing up Capitalism in my post, I understand that the Bible isn't anti-Capitalist, but then again, the Bible doesn't strongly promote any political belief (at least, those parts of the Bible that I have read). Why is there need to bring up the idea of anti-socialism, for example (even if it is a poor example, as socialism is a degratory and extremely evil belief)? Why are many of you so pro-American (apart from the obvious point that most of you are American yourselves)?

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: A cautious greeting.

A few things do confuse me, however. Despite your very literal view on the Bible (something which I appreciate, as in this day and age it is far easier for people to take out their interpretation of God's words and use them to their needs or desires) many of you seem to be pro-Capitalist, going even as far to trademark the phrase 'True Religion'.

Nobody here has trademarked 'True Religion', and I see nothing in the Bible which is anti-Capitalist.

Your users have very mixed messages as well - Some would seem to rather pursue a traditional lifestyle, free from the distractions of modern life. Others embrace the technology of modern life, whilst shunning certain scientific notions.

There is nothing wrong with technology. We reject so-called 'science' which denies God.

Despite your firm Christian stance, you seem to dwell on many Old Testament scriptures and use them to reinforce your points (which I find odd, since the Old Testament is the foundation of Judaism as well as being an important part of the Christian church) rather than focusing on Jesus' teachings.

Here's a teaching of Jesus for you, Sparky:

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.

Does this sound like a license to ignore God's Law to you? The entirety of the law is in force "til heaven and earth pass". I think we can agree that heaven and earth are still here.