I will get to it when I get home and have time if Shines does not beat me to it

 

I agree with you. There have been many atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion. Religion has been used in the past (and present) as an attempt to control the masses. The Catholic church is a prime example. 14th and 15th Century Popes forbid the masses to read Gods Word. The Popes told people what to believe. They never let the masses read for themselves, and allow them to have His Word revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. Martin Luther was one several who decided to revolt against the Catholic Church. He printed the Bible in the language of the common people. He wanted them to decide what they believed with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church is not the same today, as it was centuries earlier. Although, they still creep me out, there are Catholics who ACCEPT Christ. Accepting Christ is the premise that I am basing this thread upon.

I myself detest religion. Usually, it is a bastardized version of the Truth. I have a Faith, a Faith in the Word. Einstein and Max Jammer make some very interesting points. They saw what Englishadam and others are not able to see, that we as men are confined by our "frail and feeble minds", and that there is someone out there who is greater than we. The question is, who is it? If you believe what they have said, are you searching?

I am trying I still have work and commitments to attend to. I apologize for not responding in the time expected.

 

I think what he meant was God's Word does not contradict Himself/itself.

If you choose to live your life based on the evil of others who twisted and distorted Gods Word, that is your choice. Pointing a finger back at History, and saying "Hey, look at the perversions that those men committed in the name of god," may not be the best way to live in the here and now.

Man has twisted Gods Words. He has told us not to be deceived.

 

I would still like your input bud, and you can't use what Shines said as a "easy out". (honestly would like to see what you have to say)




I think we are more alike then we orginally let on !
It woulda been funner if you tried to argue though

 

God foretold of you...

Luke 21:8
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore[a] do not go after them.

 

It is not my desire to attempt to deceive anyone here. If I do not have the answer, I google it, and find that which closely coincides with what I believe. I will not take credit for others words. I would much rather quote them and let others see that I am fallible. My intentions are to only share with others what the word of God is. Now granted, I cannot answer every question with scripture. My knowledge only goes so far, but I would much rather let the word speak than to give my philosophy.

 

Wrong wrong wrong. I see plenty.

I am not an Athiest, I am an Agnostic. I desire proof.
All that you and any other Christian can offer in the way of proof is the Bible.
My mind is not so "frail and feeble" that it cannot see the inconsistencies and outright claptrap written in what passed for the Bible.
It can see that it was written after the events happened. It can see that it was translated from Aramaic through Hebrew, Greek and Latin to English. It can see that it is still being rewritten and reinterpreted to this day.
It can see that errors may have occurred in it's translation.
It can see that Roman Emperors, Popes and other "Holy Men" decided what should be included and what should be left out.
I don't deny that Jesus was a real person and had some damn fine ideas. I do doubt that he was the son of God because there is no proof. I have no faith you see, I want empirical data.
Your Bible doesn't offer this for my reasons above. Why should I take the word of an obviously flawed work over, say, The Quran or The Talmud?

Look at some of the replies on here. You Christians can't even agree among yourselves. Catholics, Baptists, Lutherians, whatever. You all have a different take on it. If it was the true word of God, you would have one interpretation and one version.

My mind is not so "frail and feeble" that I cannot question or doubt. Is yours?

 

I agree with ya, I believe all children go to heaven, until they can rightfully determine what they want, so for me id say past say 10-12

O and i believe religion is better phrased as world view, everyone has a differnt view of what their religion means to them.

 

I did not necessarily say that your mind was "frail and feeble". Einstein did. It may seem that I pointed you out, but I did say that "we as men are confined by our "frail and feeble minds"". I am no different.

Yes, I have questioned and doubted in the past, there are times that I still do. I believe that there is certainty in Gods Words. Especially the part about what His Son and He did for us. Questioning and Faith are not mutually exclusive.

 

Ok, you have your doubts. But what gives you faith and belief over those doubts? Your obviously an educated man and can see the same inconstancies as I do. How do you know that the Bible (for all its observed flaws) is the true word of God?

And don't say faith That's just wishful thinking by another name.

 

I don't mind the question. Yes, if hilter accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and asked for forgiveness for his sins, He would go to heaven. Why would that be an uncomfortable scenario? You keep looking at God like he has human thoughts. In God's eye, all sin is bad. There is no ranking of sin. I can't remember word for word the verse, but this is close.... Break one law and you have broken all laws. Who are we to tell God who he should forgive? Fact is, our time on earth is NOTHING compared to eternity. What we do on earth, even if we are saved, will be judged. If your not saved, you will go to hell. If you are saved, you will still be judged by God. But you will still enter his kingdom. God is not vengeful. He gave us the rules. Follow the rules and eternity in Heaven is yours. He made us. He owns us. Seems fair we should follow his rules right? How would you like your kids to go around telling there friends your vengful because you enforce the rules you gave them? Life on earth is our test. That is why God gave us free will. If your free will tells you to deny God, well then you go to hell. Accept God, do your best to serve him, and you will go to Heaven. I have lost nothing since I accepted Christ. In fact my life has just gotten better and better. People seem to think that if your faithful that you have to give up all your fun and be a boring person. I have more friends now than any other time in my life. And I got a wonderful wife in the process too.

 

^^^I was wondering when you would show up. Welcome

 

I disagree.. englishadam for one has not been respectful. I am sure the washing machine with a brain in it will show up soon too. I hardly call that non flaming.

 

BRAVO! Perfectly said! I agree 100%! Strong work.

 

You don't get saved by baptism. You get saved by accepting Christ as your savior. Baptism is a public acknowledgment that you have been saved and shows your dedication to Christ publicly. Baptizing a child is not valid, as the child is not aware of God yet, so they aren't proclaiming there faith in God at that time. And babies who die go straight to heaven. Your not held accountable until the age of comprehension. That goes for mentally handicapped adults. I am giving you non believers ammunition here, but it is a fact that mentally handicapped people often times have a far greater understanding of God and faith than most of us. God is touching them directly. Talk about compassionate!