What is a Christian?

[fisheyestudio]

What is a Christian?

I have been one for 25 years but I could not have given a very thorough answer to this myself until recently. From what I read here and what I hear in my world day to day I thought it might be of value for me to take the time and define what being a Christian is, according to my understanding of 66 books that I consider to be the inspired Word of God.


A Christian is simply a person who has through Faith, asked Jesus to be their savior.

Now for the rest of the story...

Each and every person who ever lives will, at least one time in their life, be convicted by God’s Spirit of the fact that they are a sinner. They will be convicted of the fact that their acts of sin cause them to be worthy of eternal death and that their very nature separates them eternally from God. With this realization also comes the realization that they are powerless to make things right and change who they are, they need Help. This help came through the ministry of Jesus. Jesus was God in flesh and He alone was able to make the sacrifice and pay the price that was required for each and every person who chooses Him, to be Justified, made not guilty, in Gods sight.

Although I did not understand all of this and certainly could not have explained it at age seven, here is what happened to me when I was convicted by God’s Spirit and asked Jesus to save me:

In the instant that I believed that Jesus could and would save me, and in Faith asked Him too, the Holy Spirit placed me (soul and spirit) into Jesus, outside of time. I was therefore “IN” Jesus when He walked on earth and kept the whole of the Mosaic Law perfectly. I was “IN” Jesus when He was beaten and nailed to a cross. I was “IN” Jesus when He died and was buried. I was “IN” Jesus when He arose from the Grave never to die again. I was “IN” Jesus when He offered His blood in the heavenly tabernacle and sat down and the right hand of the Father. I am still “IN” Him now and forever more.

Therefore, God sees me as having kept the Law perfectly. My old nature, the Old Man”, was killed and buried. The new me is now alive forever and lives in the same fleshly body until the day that I am with Christ and receive and new perfect body like the one that He received when He arose.

So in that one instant of belief through Faith, God made perfect in me everything that separated me from Him. But I was still a baby in faith. He still had to grow me up to understand and learn to function in everything that He had accomplished in and for me.

This is what it means to be “Born Again”, and without this happening in a persons life they are not a Christian.

They can go to church, to seminary, to college, to Jerusalem. They can be a teacher or a preacher. They can never kill anyone and never say a bad word about another person. They can give money, give blood, volunteer to help children learn to read. They can memorize the whole bible and call themselves a baptist or a Catholic or a Christian, but if they are not “Born Again”, Jesus will say to them, “Depart for I never Knew you.”

I apologize that Christians, myself included, have told the world that you have to do this or look like that in order to be acceptable to God. We have protested and condemned. We have annoyed and bothered. We have done so many things ,even with the best intentions, that only pushed people away from the God that we claimed to represent. What we really need to be doing is sharing the Good News that In Jesus there is hope and love and joy and forgiveness and life.

Don’t take my word for any of this. Seek after the truth and you will find it. There is nothing that compares with enjoying God through knowing intimately the heart of His son, Jesus.

Jesus blessings!
Chris Holloman

[California Joe]

A guy with a concealed carry permit and a Ned Flanders haircut.

[Ratamacue]

Now I'm just wondering man, but why are you preaching to us all? Frankly it's really starting to get on my nerves.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Something you feed to a Lion.

[American Patriot]

Isn't a fisheye when you're doing a chick doggystyle and she looks behind her shoulder at you?

[Jehuty]

^ :lol:

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Isn't a fisheye when you're doing a chick doggystyle and she looks behind her shoulder at you?
Mmm...never thought of it that way but come to think of it they can look a little Haddock like gaping mouth and yes giving you the fisheye. :)

[Salty Dog]

blah blah god is great blah blah fart.

[Trigger]

Now I'm just wondering man, but why are you preaching to us all? Frankly it's really starting to get on my nerves.

I'm just wondering, why are you reading it?
Here's a suggestion:
Every time you see his screen name as the author of a thread...don't click it.

[California Joe]

Sacreligious bastards.

[Secret Squirrel]

Each and every person who ever lives will, at least one time in their life, be convicted by God’s Spirit of the fact that they are a sinner. They will be convicted of the fact that their acts of sin cause them to be worthy of eternal death and that their very nature separates them eternally from God. With this realization also comes the realization that they are powerless to make things right and change who they are, they need Help. This help came through the ministry of Jesus. Jesus was God in flesh and He alone was able to make the sacrifice and pay the price that was required for each and every person who chooses Him, to be Justified, made not guilty, in Gods sight.


Well I guess I cant argue with that first sinner part as I still have a number of years left to live but I've yet to experience this idea of "eternal death"...but honestly, if you want to believe in God thats your choice. Personally, I believe God was man-made to provide a safety blanket because people couldnt come to terms with their own mortality. It gives people comfort that theres something else other than a single life and a long dirt nap. But to each their own. I dont judge/insult people for believing in God, so please dont judge/insult me for not believing.

[Ratamacue]

Now I'm just wondering man, but why are you preaching to us all? Frankly it's really starting to get on my nerves.

I'm just wondering, why are you reading it?
Here's a suggestion:
Every time you see his screen name as the author of a thread...don't click it.

Brilliant idea, yet, who's actually going to do something of that sort?

[molly747]

Ugh! Enough with these religious threads! Nobody is interested!

[Trigger]

Ugh! Enough with these religious threads! Nobody is interested!
You were obviously interested enough to look ;)

It's not like the title was deceiving.

[molly747]

Ugh! Enough with these religious threads! Nobody is interested!
You were obviously interested enough to look ;)

It's not like the title was deceiving.

I read most of the threads anyway. These religious posts usually start flame wars.

[G1]

Something you feed to a Lion.

Haha, spot on. :)

[Fintin]

my take on the subject (http://www.thebricktestament.com/)

[memphiz]

I knew a guy named Christian once, he was a new kid when I was in grade 8, he moved from texas...so therefor his name became "texan", He was also an athiest.

[Hawaii_Light]

http://www.thebricktestament.com/

thats pretty funny.

ive lived in quite a few odd places in my short life ( Arviat Nunavut, Sointula B.C, kaunakakai Hawaii)
and ive been able to experince a couple of different religons and different levels of devotion to peoples religons.

as i grew up i was surrounded by pagan religons and i enjoyed many of there rituals (not being one myself), no we didnt dance around the fire naked chanting ;) , but among the first nations lots of ceremonies are still preformed.

when i lived in Arviat all that was taken away by missonaries who seem to say that everything is wrong except what they do.

living in hawaii is not the kinda place were u would expect to find radical christians (which are unfortunitly here and i experence them when doing a year in a christian school ( one of the worst ****ing years of my life)

all these experinces lead me to one thing.. Athesim, dont get me wrong i have many a religous friends, i just found that its not for me.

like some one said in here befor.

"if it helps you sleep at night then belive what ever you want".

[Hawaii_Light]

I knew a guy named Christian once, he was a new kid when I was in grade 8, he moved from texas...so therefor his name became "texan", He was also an athiest.

lol, one of my friends is named christian......................and he's a christian.


oh the irony. :cantbeli:

[NcDeuce]

Ugh! Enough with these religious threads! Nobody is interested!
You were obviously interested enough to look ;)

It's not like the title was deceiving.

I read most of the threads anyway. These religious posts usually start flame wars.

Scarlett O'Hara?

[shrek]

Wooohoooo, you say Christian or God and everybody's an activist or atheist. I bet you motherf..kers would find that God and pray out loud until your throats hurts when a couple of dozen Muslim ass monkeys started throwing everything they've got at you and the guy you were joking with about how he tied his boot laces twenty minutes earlier is screaming for his wife with blood gurgling out of the wounds in his neck.

You people make me sick sometimes.

The guy that started this thread has more balls than all you assmonkeys combined (those that flamed him) and I would choose him to sit beside me in the rocks with the souped-up M-4 and gear that you all cherish so much.


But then again, I guess someone's got to go to Hell right?

P.S. Wassup Trig, can you tell I'm on a tear tonight?

[shrek]

NOTE****

None of my earlier post was aimed at Trigger or anybody else that acts like they've got some sense on thse threads.

[mocking_loudly_died]

People are getting their knickers in a twist, there is nothing wrong with poking a bit of fun at the newbie, we all do it.

My lovely tirades are genuinely without malice. Now if people want to say I shag Kangaroos while chugging fosters - BRING IT ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. ;)

I'm like the president but I can spell my name - word.
:D

[Trigger]

<Loud and Clear shrek> :D

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Wooohoooo, you say Christian or God and everybody's an activist or atheist. I bet you motherf..kers would find that God and pray out loud until your throats hurts when a couple of dozen Muslim ass monkeys started throwing everything they've got at you and the guy you were joking with about how he tied his boot laces twenty minutes earlier is screaming for his wife with blood gurgling out of the wounds in his neck.

You people make me sick sometimes.

The guy that started this thread has more balls than all you assmonkeys combined (those that flamed him) and I would choose him to sit beside me in the rocks with the souped-up M-4 and gear that you all cherish so much.


But then again, I guess someone's got to go to Hell right?

P.S. Wassup Trig, can you tell I'm on a tear tonight?

I fail to see your point here shrek. I'm not sure what your aiming at, as I cant make sense of your post even reading it multiple times. Its clear that you take offence to people making fun of religion, but since you take offence to that why would you bash someone for not agreeing with it or not having one?

As for your comment about "who you'd want next to you with the souped-up m4 and all the gear we all cherish so much" :roll: ....I dont think at that point what religion they believe in matters, what matters most is that you have someone who can handle the task they are given and are well prepared / trained for the job.....or you can take a single christian with a concealed carry permit...whatever you choose ;)

[Trigger]

Wooohoooo, you say Christian or God and everybody's an activist or atheist. I bet you motherf..kers would find that God and pray out loud until your throats hurts when a couple of dozen Muslim ass monkeys started throwing everything they've got at you and the guy you were joking with about how he tied his boot laces twenty minutes earlier is screaming for his wife with blood gurgling out of the wounds in his neck.

You people make me sick sometimes.

The guy that started this thread has more balls than all you assmonkeys combined (those that flamed him) and I would choose him to sit beside me in the rocks with the souped-up M-4 and gear that you all cherish so much.


But then again, I guess someone's got to go to Hell right?

P.S. Wassup Trig, can you tell I'm on a tear tonight?

I fail to see your point here shrek. I'm not sure what your aiming at, as I cant make sense of your post even reading it multiple times. Its clear that you take offence to people making fun of religion, but since you take offence to that why would you bash someone for not agreeing with it or not having one?

As for your comment about "who you'd want next to you with the souped-up m4 and all the gear we all cherish so much" :roll: ....I dont think at that point what religion they believe in matters, what matters most is that you have someone who can handle the task they are given and are well prepared / trained for the job.....or you can take a single christian with a concealed carry permit...whatever you choose ;)
His point is that a bunch of people started pounding fisheye for no legitimate reason other than their own insecurity about being judged.
Maybe when you grow up you'll understand.

In the meantime, look up 'De Opresso Liber'. :slap:

[fisheyestudio]

Hey howdy hey!

This forum is truely outstanding. I want to say that I respect everyone who takes the time to read a post (or at least look at the title and make a stereotype-based assumption as to the content...hehe) and offers their comments. I see on a regular basis the same people taking a stand for fairness and the rights of any and everyone to express and honest opinion. I have respect even for those who only have negative or disparraging things to say. If you have a pulse, you have hope.

With all that being said, I hope what I wrote was informative. I have read that in serveys taken world wide the word Jesus caused a very positive response. The word Christian evoked one of the strongest negative reactions. I understand why. So much is done in the name of Jesus or Religion that totally violates the Faith that is Christianity.

Ironically, I have found myself in conflict with other Christians over the things I beleive based on the full council of the word of God. Sadly, most of them will just be offended or mad and never tell me. No problem with that here....hehe. The fearless expression of ones beliefs exhibited here is what keeps me coming back. Now the question that comes to mind is, are we brave because of the strength of our convictions or is it the relevative anonynimity of the online world that bolsters our confidence.

Just some thoughts.

Jesus blessings!

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

I got an idea trigger, how about you look up sarcasm first ;)

[Hawaii_Light]

well, when i went to a christian school there were those people who just pissed me off (all rightous, im better then you, ect.)

but there were a few, like you, who take a better approcht to these things, unfortunitly not all christians are intelligent or realistic.

i belive christianity would do alot better if all christians acted toward others with an open and realistic mind as you do .

[FRO]

Ugh! Enough with these religious threads! Nobody is interested!
You were obviously interested enough to look ;)

It's not like the title was deceiving.

Actually, I thought he meant Christians In Action. I'm reading along, a little confused, wondering when he was going to get to the good stuff (like the Special Activities Division and the SOGs and all) and then it dawned on me. What a minute . . . he really means Christian-Christians!

Totally deceived. Totally.

(Not knocking the guy or religion or anything, just trying to lighten the mood)

[duck]

Wooohoooo, you say Christian or God and everybody's an activist or atheist. I bet you motherf..kers would find that God and pray out loud until your throats hurts when a couple of dozen Muslim ass monkeys started throwing everything they've got at you and the guy you were joking with about how he tied his boot laces twenty minutes earlier is screaming for his wife with blood gurgling out of the wounds in his neck.

You people make me sick sometimes.

The guy that started this thread has more balls than all you assmonkeys combined (those that flamed him) and I would choose him to sit beside me in the rocks with the souped-up M-4 and gear that you all cherish so much.


But then again, I guess someone's got to go to Hell right?

P.S. Wassup Trig, can you tell I'm on a tear tonight?

I fail to see your point here shrek. I'm not sure what your aiming at, as I cant make sense of your post even reading it multiple times. Its clear that you take offence to people making fun of religion, but since you take offence to that why would you bash someone for not agreeing with it or not having one?

As for your comment about "who you'd want next to you with the souped-up m4 and all the gear we all cherish so much" :roll: ....I dont think at that point what religion they believe in matters, what matters most is that you have someone who can handle the task they are given and are well prepared / trained for the job.....or you can take a single christian with a concealed carry permit...whatever you choose ;)

But does it matter to believe in something? Ever thought of all those Russian Afghanistan veterans turned contract killers? They are handling their tasks alright.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Everyone believes in something but it doesnt nessecarily have to be a "god".

[Fintin]

Everyone believes in something but it doesnt nessecarily have to be a "god".

its not a matter of belief....its easy to believe in something...to say God exists takes just as much faith to say he does not....i dont know why i quoted BC but yeah....hope someone understands this

[fisheyestudio]

I totally agree. It takes as much faith to not believe in God as it does to beleive in Him. Actually I think it takes more faith. I mean, when you drive by a beautiful log house, you dont say, "Wow, that sure is cool the way those trees grew together, and how the rocks crumbled onto some tar and made those shingles...." We look at complex things and KNOW there was intelligence behind the design. The existence of a "GOD" is really obvious if you look at just the natural world.

But...

Many of us believe what we believe because its what WE want to believe. Even if someone could prove beyond a shadow of any doubt that we were wrong, we just might still choose to believe our own thing. I have found that I went through several stages of beleif.

I used to believe what I was told to believe. I trusted certain people and just took their word for it.

At one point I just believed in what I myself had experienced.

For a long time I let my own personal morality dictate my theology. God had to fit in with the way I wanted to live so that I did not feel guilt or accountability to Him. Example, I wanted to have *** with my girlfriend, so suddenly the Bible said that it was ok in God's sight as long as we loved each other. I was really good at this(twisting the scripture) and stayed in this mode for a long time...

After much pain and searching I have come to the conclusion that there is truth that can be known and can be proven and I build my life upon that truth.


So I think we all need to continually examine our own "beliefs" on a regular basis. Do I KNOW that what I beleive is true or is it just what I want to be true and dont confuse me with the facts. Or are we just sticking our fingers in our ears and shouting LA LA LA LA LA leave me alone I dont want to think this much....hehe...that almost works.

Jesus blessings!
chris holloman

[Nawlins]

Perhaps not good persec to have your first and last name in every post. Especially when your posts are somewhat controversial around here.

Just sayin'.

[Ratamacue]

Perhaps not good persec to have your first and last name in every post. Especially when your posts are somewhat controversial around here.

Just sayin'.

God will protect him.

[ShotOver]

**** shrek, where did that come from?
Yeah, i've seen 3 people die in my lifetime, and on all three occasions they have called out for God and Jesus, before their family and friends.

I have no problem's with religion, i carry a Virgin Mary coin on my wallet at all time's for luck, and it gives me a weird feeling of never being alone.

But religion should not be brought and preached about in a bloody forum. Just not on.

[StarvingStudent47]

[quote="Fintin"]http://www.thebricktestament.com

This made the entire thread worth it.

[G1]

I totally agree. It takes as much faith to not believe in God as it does to beleive in Him. Actually I think it takes more faith.

....NO.

A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have no problem with someone having a religion of their own, but when you start preaching it by several threads and indirectly calling me blinded for not seeing the existence of said invisible god, then I object to that.

oh and shrek, go f**k yourself, you're saying I should turn religious when threatened with violence from people who show the effects of blind faith in religion? Put it the other way, when you were threatened by said asshats I would say "Where's your God now?"

[OB Kenobi]

Christianity and Islam are both offshoots of Judaism. Judaism is an offshoot of even older polytheistic mythology. The Bible has been proven wrong in hundreds of ways, the Church has been proven wrong countless times. Anyone who continues to believe in this nonsense, whether they are Christian, Jewish, or Islamic is a fool and is doing harm to all of us.

We would not have the terrorism situation, or the Israel-Palestine problem, or the child molestation/abuse and "faith-based" financial crimes if these religions were not treated as law, but as the mythologies that they are.

[ShotOver]

I totally agree. It takes as much faith to not believe in God as it does to beleive in Him. Actually I think it takes more faith.

....NO.

A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have no problem with someone having a religion of their own, but when you start preaching it by several threads and indirectly calling me blinded for not seeing the existence of said invisible god, then I object to that.


Good post, i've had enough of preaching. Fisheyestudio, take a hike mate.

[G1]

Christianity and Islam are both offshoots of Judaism. Judaism is an offshoot of even older polytheistic mythology. The Bible has been proven wrong in hundreds of ways, the Church has been proven wrong countless times. Anyone who continues to believe in this nonsense, whether they are Christian, Jewish, or Islamic is a fool and is doing harm to all of us.

We would not have the terrorism situation, or the Israel-Palestine problem, or the child molestation/abuse and "faith-based" financial crimes if these religions were not treated as law, but as the mythologies that they are.

If people didn't kill each other over religion, they'd kill each other over the color of their skin, ****** preferences, sock color etc. Wars and these things are often just caused by prejudice, religion is an excuse. Just IMO, not always true.

[Ian H]

I mean, when you drive by a beautiful log house, you dont say, "Wow, that sure is cool the way those trees grew together, and how the rocks crumbled onto some tar and made those shingles...." We look at complex things and KNOW there was intelligence behind the design. The existence of a "GOD" is really obvious if you look at just the natural world.


I want to comment on what you wrote here Chris. You're suggesting that when people see something special that this proves there is a god, because it could not have come about by chance. Personally I feel that this viewpoint detracts from the speciallness of the thing itself.

For an example, lets use the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci painted it deliberately, he knew what he wanted on the canvas (well wood actually) and he acted accordingly. The Mona Lisa was created, and its amazing(for the sake of argument anyway).

Now if Da Vinci had stood 30 feet from the canvas and thrown random paint colours at it, with no idea what would result, yet had still come out with the Mona Lisa, doesn't that make the fact that the M-L exists even more special, because it so easily couldn't have.

To my mind, an atheist viewpoint actually makes things feel more special and more valuable than a creationist (I use the word in its loosest sense) viewpoint.

Not having a go at you, just something to consider.

[duck]

"A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

How was your upbringing? Did your parents and others try to teach you moral values? Now what could those values be based on?

Btw, another know-it-all from the country with the highest male suicide rate in the world.

[G1]

"A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

How was your upbringing? Did your parents and others try to teach you moral values? Now what could those values be based on?

Btw, another know-it-all from the country with the highest male suicide rate in the world.

If you had left the last bit out, I might have wasted my time on you, as it is there's just no point.

[shrek]

I fail to see your point here shrek. I'm not sure what your aiming at, as I cant make sense of your post even reading it multiple times. Its clear that you take offence to people making fun of religion, but since you take offence to that why would you bash someone for not agreeing with it or not having one?

As for your comment about "who you'd want next to you with the souped-up m4 and all the gear we all cherish so much" :roll: ....I dont think at that point what religion they believe in matters, what matters most is that you have someone who can handle the task they are given and are well prepared / trained for the job.....or you can take a single christian with a concealed carry permit...whatever you choose ;)

ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð

First and foremost, my post had less to do with what people believe in and more to do with everyone attacking this guy just for ****s and giggles. I’m not sure why you didn’t see that? Second, if you had actually read my post “multiple times’ as you stated, you would have seen that I didn’t say that I wanted him next to me because he was a Christian, I said that I wanted him next to me in those rocks because he had bigger balls than all of you “children” put together. I’ll take a lightly trained man with the balls to stick his neck out over any highly trained man with the intestinal fortitude of a man like you any day. I think your avatar speaks volumes!

[shrek]

I totally agree. It takes as much faith to not believe in God as it does to beleive in Him. Actually I think it takes more faith.

....NO.

A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have no problem with someone having a religion of their own, but when you start preaching it by several threads and indirectly calling me blinded for not seeing the existence of said invisible god, then I object to that.

oh and shrek, go f**k yourself, you're saying I should turn religious when threatened with violence from people who show the effects of blind faith in religion? Put it the other way, when you were threatened by said asshats I would say "Where's your God now?"


G1

Nobody said “turn religious” I said that you would find God given a situation outside of that pristine little world that you live in. I myself would not have to find God, he was right there beside me every second. And , to answer your question as to “where my God was”, I’m still here. If you were a Christian you would know that you have to believe that there is a Satan as strongly as you believe that there is a God. He was sending those pieces of feces my way. As far as your comment about “blind faith in religion” goes; well, this speaks volumes about what you see as religion. The pieces of ****e that tried to kill us every other day it seemed were following what they considered “their” religion. However, how can you follow someone or something that’s not there. They were simply fanatical lunatics that needed to be told which direction to go. So, they picked someone else’s beliefs and used them as their compass. They are not following a religion, they are simply using it to justify their actions. Also, as a Christian I, of course, believe that there is only one direction to go, one “religion” to follow.

P.S. As for f..king myself, unfortunately, my **** ain’t that long, I leave that to the U.S. Army.



PT

Sorry that you had to see people die, it ain’t fun. But since you have, I thought that you, of all people here, would have gotten my point. I need to stop assuming so much, we know where that gets us!

Shrek out

[duck]

"A human is not born with a copy of the Bible in his head. The DEFAULT for a human is being an atheist, and atheism is not a belief, atheism = ABSENCE of belief. If you come over to me saying that you just saw 10 pink elephants on the street, and you can't prove it, then am I going to say that I have a strong belief in you not seeing pink elephants, in fact a stronger one than your belief in seeing said elephants? NO, I will say that I do not believe you until you prove it and go on with my life.

If you think things are so wondrous that a fairy in the sky must have created them, then that is just your opinion. Keep in mind that you are just a human that thinks things are wondrous and complex and beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

How was your upbringing? Did your parents and others try to teach you moral values? Now what could those values be based on?

Btw, another know-it-all from the country with the highest male suicide rate in the world.

If you had left the last bit out, I might have wasted my time on you, as it is there's just no point.

No, don't do it..

[pinkeye]

jesus was a liberal, spread the word...

[G1]

As far as your comment about “blind faith in religion” goes; well, this speaks volumes about what you see as religion.


Definition of Religion:
Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
Islamic militants/extremists fit both of these definitions for having religion.

THEY are driven by THEIR religion, as you are driven by yours.


Nobody said “turn religious” I said that you would find God given a situation outside of that pristine little world that you live in.

That makes no sense. Find God but not turn religious, what are you trying to say?


I myself would not have to find God, he was right there beside me every second. And , to answer your question as to “where my God was”, I’m still here. If you were a Christian you would know that you have to believe that there is a Satan as strongly as you believe that there is a God. He was sending those pieces of feces my way.

You had an invisible friend beside you and was being accosted by demons? Ok.

[duck]

As far as your comment about “blind faith in religion” goes; well, this speaks volumes about what you see as religion.


Definition of Religion:
Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
Islamic militants/extremists fit both of these definitions for having religion.

THEY are driven by THEIR religion, as you are driven by yours.


Nobody said “turn religious” I said that you would find God given a situation outside of that pristine little world that you live in.

That makes no sense. Find God but not turn religious, what are you trying to say?


I myself would not have to find God, he was right there beside me every second. And , to answer your question as to “where my God was”, I’m still here. If you were a Christian you would know that you have to believe that there is a Satan as strongly as you believe that there is a God. He was sending those pieces of feces my way.

You had an invisible friend beside you and was being accosted by demons? Ok.

G1, I was looking at your post history and found this to be one of your favorite songs. Care to elaborate on this?

Everytime I Die

The faint blaze of the candle of my life
Slowly dying like a fire in a pouring rain
No sparks of hope inside
No shooting stars on my sky
On broken wings, no flying high...

[Chorus]
Another night, another demise...
Cadaverous wind blowing cold as ice...
I`ll let the wind blow out the light J
Cause it gets more painful every time I die

Out of strength to fight
I cannot take another night
I cannot take it no more
Lust of light slips through my fingers
Like blood on my arms
Black candle wax has buried me...

[Chorus]

[G1]

Oh no, it's not the lyrics that attract me, they're so cheesy and clichéd. :) It's just a rocking song, especially the intro I can listen to over and over again.

edit: If you want to discuss music, we can do it in the thread that you took it from, otherwise stop trying to dig up "dirt" on me, I'm not doing it to you.

[duck]

Oh no, it's not the lyrics that attract me, they're so cheesy and clichéd. :) It's just a rocking song, especially the intro I can listen to over and over again.

Good to hear. I was getting worried, remembering your origin.

[G1]

Oh no, it's not the lyrics that attract me, they're so cheesy and clichéd. :) It's just a rocking song, especially the intro I can listen to over and over again.

Good to hear. I was getting worried, remembering your origin.

HAHA :lol:

edit: would it surprise you that it's a Finnish band? ;) Btw about 90% of Finns are part of the Lutheran church, including me.

edit2: had to dig up better numbers:

Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%

[shrek]

Finding religion (even your definition) can be way different than finding God. You can be religious (per your definition) without finding God, the God that I worship and you also if you are Lutheran as you said. Finding God is so much more than just deciding that you are gonna follow someone to your death because of what it said in some scroll.

[G1]

Finding religion (even your definition) can be way different than finding God. You can be religious (per your definition) without finding God, the God that I worship and you also if you are Lutheran as you said. Finding God is so much more than just deciding that you are gonna follow someone to your death because of what it said in some scroll.

I do not worship any deities, I am merely a part of the church to humour my grandmothers (who I have huge respect for), but that will probably change sooner or later, right now it doesn't affect me too much, it's just always been so.

According to my definition (that you referred to), you have "found God" if you are religious.

Read again:

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

Not "belief in a moral code written in some scroll".

I do not understand your definitions (and a large part of your posts) because they are too vague and seem to be too anchored in personal experiences, you will either have to elaborate on your view of religion or we will have to agree to disagree.

edit: Not that we will ever convince each other either way of course, religious threads in my experience usually end with the atheists getting a good laugh and the religious people worrying about the moral decay of today's society and the opposite side going to hell.

[shrek]

I agree on the religious post thought!

What I am saying is that you have not necessarily found God if you are religious. There are hundreds of religions that worship nothing resembling a god. It is My God that I am referring to in my posts, and I do not believe that they are in any way vague, I believe that they simply do not say what you want to see. Like you said, we will have to agree to disagree because we will never get anywhere like this.

I only pray that you will someday want to go to church for reasons other than your grandmothers. If you think a lot of them, which you obviously do, then stop and think for a moment that they want you to go with them for a reason..........

Later

[G1]

I agree on the religious post thought!

What I am saying is that you have not necessarily found God if you are religious. There are hundreds of religions that worship nothing resembling a god. It is My God that I am referring to in my posts, and I do not believe that they are in any way vague, I believe that they simply do not say what you want to see. Like you said, we will have to agree to disagree because we will never get anywhere like this.

I only pray that you will someday want to go to church for reasons other than your grandmothers. If you think a lot of them, which you obviously do, then stop and think for a moment that they want you to go with them for a reason..........

Later

Fair enough.

But, what religions are you referring to that "do not resemble a god"? Islam? Judaism? Buddhism? You must realize that other religions have different perceptions of deities, that is, after all, what makes them other religions.

It's of course easy to say that they do not resemble YOUR God, but that does not make them any less religions. p-)

Looking at it objectively, a God is, surprise:
a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

I would think that most religions adhere to this principle, wouldn't you agree?

[memphiz]

Now I'm just wondering man, but why are you preaching to us all? Frankly it's really starting to get on my nerves.
Word

[Trigger]

G1 wrote:

I do not worship any deities, I am merely a part of the church to humour my grandmothers (who I have huge respect for), but that will probably change sooner or later, right now it doesn't affect me too much, it's just always been so.
Fair enough statement, but you'll have to forgive me if, based on your words, I put very little value in your knowledge of 'religion' or 'faith'.

[pinkeye]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8103/get_your_war_on.gif

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6407/war2.gif

[Trigger]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8103/get_your_war_on.gif

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6407/war2.gif
It's so difficult to believe in an 'unseen' God, but it's easy to aim the blame for our own despicable behavior at him isn't it.

[G1]

G1 wrote:

I do not worship any deities, I am merely a part of the church to humour my grandmothers (who I have huge respect for), but that will probably change sooner or later, right now it doesn't affect me too much, it's just always been so.
Fair enough statement, but you'll have to forgive me if, based on your words, I put very little value in your knowledge of 'religion' or 'faith'.

Do you mean to say that, for example, every psychiatrist has to have been mentally ill at some point or they should not speak about mental illness?

I have experience in studying religions and had much contact with them, I assure you, but I can not force myself to believe in imaginary friends no matter how much light it could shed on religious thinking. I understand how it might be a crutch and source of joy (talking about conventional religions like Christianity and Islam here) for people, but it's just a big fat lie after all.

[G1]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8103/get_your_war_on.gif[/img]

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6407/war2.gif[/img]
It's so difficult to believe in an 'unseen' God, but it's easy to aim the blame for our own despicable behavior at him isn't it.

The blame is obviously being placed on "stupid" (being PC) beliefs here, not a god.

[shrek]

I have a friend that I told about an associate of mine who died and was a devout atheist. I said, "when he died he was an atheist", my friend said, "he ain't now".

Perhaps someday, when you stop being bitter about whatever it is that makes you this cynical, you will realize how true the above statement is. Also, for you to refer to my God as an "imaginary friend" tells me that what Trigger said about you is true, you are no one to be debating religion with.

The psychiatrist you referred to would have to work in mental hospitals to learn what crazy people are and what makes them tick, Trigger and I just assumed that since you went to church with you grandmothers perhaps you had paid enough attention to not consider the God that they hold so dear, an imaginary friend.

My guess is that you are much younger than we suspected and probably have to ride to church with your grandmothers due to a lack of drivers license. This helps explain things!

We'll see how you feel when you lose one of the grandmothers that you love. Where is it that you think she's going? Are you going to tell her that she's wrong?

[NcDeuce]

Ned Flanders haircut.

rofl

On a more serious note, I find it humorous yet sad that many will shun religion but when things get rough, they are lost...and find themselves running back.

I recommend reading CSM [RET] David L. Clark's, U.S. Army Special Forces, message on the mission of the Army and MG William G. Boykin's article concerning the 'message of God'. (especially for those of you interested in becoming a warrior or want to learn from a warrior's perspective. Heck, George S. Patton has a two-page prayer!

Note: No flames intended.

[G1]

My grandmothers are more what you would call self-admittedly "habitual Christians". I'm amazed that you could make two whole posts involving G1's grandmothers.

Let's just drop it here and you can leave safe in the belief that I am a bitter child with no real-life experience, who has never lost anyone dear to them.
This thread will amount to nothing, as I expected.

[ibstolidude]

A guy with a concealed carry permit and a Ned Flanders haircut.
oakely doakley, neighbor.

[pinkeye]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8103/get_your_war_on.gif

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6407/war2.gif
It's so difficult to believe in an 'unseen' God, but it's easy to aim the blame for our own despicable behavior at him isn't it.

you are definitely right. we often blame others for our own mistakes, shortcomings... the point of cartoon, however, is to blame the wackos that distort religious teachings, etc.

[fisheyestudio]

Hey howdy hey!

On the surface it really does seem silly for me to beleive that this "GOD" actually knows every hair on my head. It does seem silly that He, if He even exists, would take an active interest in my life and cause every single things that happens in it to work towards growing me into who He has destined me to be. I can't see Him. I have never heard Him speak in an audible voice. But then again, I have never seen the wind. I see the effects of the wind but maybe that is just a mass delusion...

That is an oversimplification and I hope it caused at least a chuckle. Maybe He is an imaginery friend, the great Barney in the sky, but no one can deny that the scriptures say certain things will happen and those things have happened and continue to happen. If everything was seen, then faith would not be faith.

With that said, I come back to the same thought: Do you believe what you believe just because it is the way you want things to be?

I hope with what I wrote at the very beginning of this, people who read it might be able to see past the stereo-types and see what a Christian really is. We are not a bunch of mindless hicks who believe whatever brother Bubba says from the pulpit. We are people who have honestly searched for truth, have critically evaluated the merits, and have decided to believe and have faith. Faith after all is an element of the mind and not the emotions.

If this, or any thread, has made any of us take another minute to think some things through, then it is not a waste.

May each of us come to see that the good news is GOOD news...

[Midtown]

http://www.thouck.com/uf/gallery/der.jpg[/img]

[Haiw]

G1 wrote:

I do not worship any deities, I am merely a part of the church to humour my grandmothers (who I have huge respect for), but that will probably change sooner or later, right now it doesn't affect me too much, it's just always been so.
Fair enough statement, but you'll have to forgive me if, based on your words, I put very little value in your knowledge of 'religion' or 'faith'.
Well no offense, but in my case I have to admit that whenever I was in church (burial ceremonies, that kind of stuff), I was always in a dilemma whether I should laugh or cry about what was being preached because it never made any sense to me...


We'll see how you feel when you lose one of the grandmothers that you love. Where is it that you think she's going? Are you going to tell her that she's wrong?
I've lost 3 out of 4 grandparents, one of them when I was standing next to his bed, and one of my nephews, and I can honestly say that it hasn't made me believe in god. No matter what any of my grandparents might have thought, but I don't believe they aren't going anywhere because, apart from their dead bodies, they don't exist anymore.