I am a Christian

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Luthien
If you can't see the offense in your post it just shows how brainwashed you are. You take it for granted...

Please educate me then. Very few people in this thread have indicated that they are offended, so it appears that not everybody outside my belief system finds my words offensive. Spell it out for me, what did I say that was offensive? Was it:

- I cuss
- Christians aren't obligated to vote for a particular political party
- Christians are screwed up people
- I can't judge others
- I believe in hell and that people go there but really it's between people and God and I don't know for sure how it works
- I have had a private experience of speaking in tongues
- Other people can live their lives however they want
- I don't believe in evolution because science isn't done yet
- Past and present day Christians have done things I am ashamed of
- I am distressed by some public figures representing Christianity
- I waited to have sex
- Organized religions aren't that great
- Parents can raise their kids at home and still give them a wide view of the world
- I don't speak up about my religion at work
- America isn't a Christian nation in my opinion
- I wish I could apologize to people who've been bothered by evangelists
- Most churches/pastors try to be good stewards with money
- I don't do enough to help others

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: Luthien
Honest post but regardless it is still offensive to everyone outside your belief system and likely half the christians would say your going to hell yourself, lol. Catch them young and they will follow you forever...

What is offensive, particularly? My intent wasn't to offend by saying what I think. Nothing in my post is a conversion attempt; if it was, I would understand some people being offended.

Anyone here offended by the statement of your beliefs, simply put, is a child. Like you said, if you were running around the forums trying to convince people to convert, then I would understand if people took offense.

I would agree. She is simply stating what she believes. I am against the evangelical movement, but that is not what HotChic is doing here. Not all children raised on a certain religion stay with that religion (CA Taliban guy comes to mind). You sound like you are trying to disrupt this great conversation.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

That's getting a little bit personal, since it looks like you just insulted his fiancee a little bit. I asked a few people earlier if we could keep this off a personal level so the thread doesn't go awry, so can you please help with that too?

 

[AreaCode707]

Have to run, will be back later on. Please keep things on track, guys, and don't get all flaming. Been a REALLY good thread so far with the things you guys contributed!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

That's getting a little bit personal, since it looks like you just insulted his fiancee a little bit. I asked a few people earlier if we could keep this off a personal level so the thread doesn't go awry, so can you please help with that too?

Certainly not a slap to his fiancee ^_^ I made sure to try to keep it on the same tone as silverpig's response. Dont read it that way, thats not my intention, simply an example ^_^

 

[FoBoT]

faith vs. works, it is a long topic

the "faith only" people often confuse non-christians

 

[athithi]

You believe in 'speaking in tongues' but not evolution and that is because our scientists have been wrong before? By that same yardstick, I would argue that 'speaking in tongues' and other such religious acts have probably been disproved far more often, far more dramatically and with greater finality than just about any scientific rationale, leave alone evolution.

I am a great proponent of organized religion because I believe it helps humans come to terms with the inexplicability of awareness and answers the 'whys' of life better than anything else. I also believe that the cultural value of religions makes life interesting and enjoyable and in some ways bearable. I don't believe that there is an absolute God who micro-manages our lives or causes us to 'speak in tongues'! I don't believe any human being speaks the voice of God or Spirit - to me, that is just preposterous and, more often than not, a product of one man's urge to exercise influence over the life of another - though that may not be the case with you.

I do believe in divinity - something that exists and is greater than the individual or collective sentient. I do believe that prayer and emotional submission to a greater non-human power is sometimes the only thing that will let us handle certain crises in life. But I also believe that these beliefs are a product of my experiences, reasoning and a limitation of information processing capability and not any absolute truth that came out of nowhere (much like one of the other posters ridiculing the Universe coming out of nowhere :roll: )

 

[RedArmy]

Nice post HotChic! I'm glad to see someone take a moderate view of such a thing, especially nowadays. If more people were this open-minded and accepting I think the world would be a much better place.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Jean-Paul Sartre
God is the solitude of men. There was only me: I alone decided to commit Evil; alone, I invented Good. I am the one who cheated, I am the one who performed miracles, I am the one accusing myself today, I alone can absolve myself; me, the man.

One of my favorite quotes. Not in response to a particular point in this thread. It simply reflects, to some extent, my views on the worship of god.

Sure goes along with the "if it feels good do it" philosphy of life. I'm sure feeling that way is very empowering for a while.

Troll much?

Let me clear up your confusion with my take on the quote. It's about believing that god is a construct of man, and as such, going before god to absolve sin is pointless because of that fact. It's about taking responsibility for your actions. It has nothing to do with living a vicarious life of "if it feels good do it".

 

[Reckoner]

Thank you for apologizing for us Christians :roll:

 

[deepred98]

:thumbsup: for posting a religious thread without starting a flamewar

in light of recent religious threads its nice to see that at least some have moderate/non fanatic views

personally i believe in god and would be a christian, but i think sins should be punished and that simply believing in Christ isn't enough. Also the crazies that get national attention really portray christians and most religions in a bad light (come to think of it, media protray's most things negatively)

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: HotChic
Have to run, will be back later on. Please keep things on track, guys, and don't get all flaming. Been a REALLY good thread so far with the things you guys contributed!

Aww, no pics of your truffles?

- M4H

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

If you deny the "do what you want" mentality, how do you justify the link to a semi-hentai site in your signature?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: joshsquall
I really don't know how people can't believe evolution exists. Here is the basic definition:
As time progresses, the frequency of genetic variations which are more suitable for the population's environment will increase, while the frequency of genetic variations which are less suitable for the population's environment will decrease.
Basically, you live longer and can produce more offspring if you are better suited for your environment. It's not a myth or even a theory. It's logic.

What you don't believe in is evolution as the origin of man. You believe that men were placed on Earth with the exact same genetics that they currently have.

The newest theory on the origin of the universe from evolutionists is that........................it came from nothing. There's some nice logic for you.

No, it isn't.

For one, biologists work with the theory of evolution. Cosmologists theorize about universal beginnings or lack thereof. The theory of evolution has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with material origins.

Second, our best theories propose that the universe does not have a beginning. That's a bit different than "coming from nothing." It seems rather that the universe didn't "come from" at all.

Also, would these magic genetic mutations which unlike most mutations were not harmful but actually benefitial result in missing links? Becuase the story has changed since I was a kid. back then it was that ever so slight changes amounted over time to larger changes. Having found no proof of this, they switched to a new theory about spontaneous genetic evolution...... So I'm just wondering if we should still have countless missing links displaying the phases of evolution or they'd be missing because the change was over a few generations.

If you understood the theory of evolution properly you would understand that the idea of "missing links" is not a problem to the validity of the theory. We observe phenomena that can be explained NO OTHER WAY than by common ancestry. We don't need to find every "missing link" to know that.

 

[Luthien]

Here is more than a hint for you hotchic since it isn't obvious to you for obvious reasons and is your very first sentence to boot and the one you missed in your list, lol, once again proving my point that you don't see the obvious.

"I believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I honestly believe the only way to heaven is repentance and a true belief in Jesus Christ."

South Park dramatization of the point: Kenny Going To Hell

Everyone before you through out all history and prehistory before Christianity existed is going to hell unless they believed your very first statement and all the generations to come. I know you don't think that is offensive which is as I said.

 

[ThePresence]

I am not Christian, I don't believe in the divinity of man, any man, but I found this a thoughtful, well-written post. :thumbsup:

 

[40sTheme]

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
WTF is with all the Christian stuff the last couple months? Hell even my mom is getting into it and she hasn't gone to church in a decade!

My thread was prompted by that video of the woman on Trading Spouses screaming and yelling about "dark sided" stuff. Sometimes it feels like a lot of people think Christians are all like that psycho woman.

Yeah, have you ever seen the movie 'Inherit the Wind'? Geez, with the way the 'Christians' are portrayed in that movie, I don't know how anyone that watched it is a Christian... it saddens me when people show clear and brutal biases against things they disagree with... unless it's funny like The Colbert Report.
I am thankful to you for making this thread. There are so many generalizations about Christianity being a cult of close-minded, stupid bigots and that really bothers me. I love hearing every side to a story. People who commit blatant sins cause sadness in my heart, but that doesn't make me hate them or try to change their lifestyles or beliefs because I know that I SIN TOO. I commit sin; noone is perfect. Also, I do not base lifestyles, ideas, beliefs, etc on just sin. I also base things on scientific or historical correctness, and I do not doubt proven scientific ideals at the time they are brought up. I do know, however, that humans will never, ever, fully understand how the Universe works because man cannot understand the full extent of God's power. Anyways, just thought I'd throw my own rant in.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Luthien
Here is more than a hint for you hotchic since it isn't obvious to you for obvious reasons and is your very first sentence to boot and the one you missed in your list, lol, once again proving my point that you don't see the obvious.

"I believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I honestly believe the only way to heaven is repentance and a true belief in Jesus Christ."

South Park dramatization of the point: Kenny Going To Hell

Everyone before you through out all history and prehistory before Christianity existed is going to hell unless they believed your very first statement and all the generations to come. I know you don't think that is offensive which is as I said.

I think the post below yours sums it up:

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I am not Christian, I don't believe in the divinity of man, any man, but I found this a thoughtful, well-written post. :thumbsup:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; HotChic shared hers, you share yours, but don't start a war when most people agree that the post is well thought out.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: joshsquall

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

If you deny the "do what you want" mentality, how do you justify the link to a semi-hentai site in your signature?

Eric Schwartz(creator of Sabrina Online)
CONTENT WARNING: - those with hyper-sensitive dispositions or little children should be warned that this comic strip may occasionally contain words, ideas, images, and other subject matter (what's left?) that may be considered objectionable to some. There shouldn't be anything here that you won't find on television, (sans cable) but if you are the type who thinks Bugs Bunny really needs to wear pants, consider yourself warned, and don't view any of the comic strips.

Are you one of those people? :Q

As to the other comic. Have you read it? If so, point out the hentai please. (Except is catalogue if thats what your referring to. I'm there simply for the free comics. Its what I do )

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: HotChic


I don't believe in evolution and I don't think that makes me a moron. I see that science has gone through many many iterations of fact and I doubt that evolution is the last theory that's going to come around. The most prominent scientists in the world used to believe some pretty goofy stuff, and I don't know why that trend should end with our enlightened age. I wonder if the next major iteration of scientific fact about origins will happen in my lifetime.

Evolution may not be the last theory that goes around, but being able to scrap a theory and go in a different direction is one of the cool things about science. Scientists don't just change theories for nothing though. Every time a major change has occurred it has been because something new has been learned.

That means that while the facts we have may be right, our extrapolations or "theories" based on those facts will likely end up being wrong. This is not a bad thing. If a theory serves no purpose other than to lead researchers to evidence that ultimately discredits it, then it has increased our knowledge of the world around us.

I'm not trying to say that you should believe in evolution. I don't really view scientific theories as things to be believed in at all. Quite the contrary, they're things to be looked upon with interest and no small measure of doubt. What I'm wondering is why, since you can't reliably invest yourself in the current theory of origin, you feel the need to put something else in the place it would take in your belief system?

So evolution probably isn't the answer. Why do you think creationism IS the answer?

 

[shilala]

I'm not a fan of religion, although I respect it. Too many ideas bang their heads against each other, and I tend to be the kind of guy who looks for differences rather than similarities.
I know that about myself, so I don't draw too many "I believe in" lines in the sand. I've also found that when I draw those lines, I tend to stop learning and stop growing.
Another thing I've found is that the more I learn the less I know. So I try my damnedest to keep an open mind.
I don't think that believing in Christ, God, Buddha, Allah, or anything else makes me "better than" or that non belief makes anyone "less than".
I don't think evolution and creationism conflict at all, because I feel that the Bible isn't intended or meant to be literal.
I believe it is purposely vague to incite discussion. If I'm talking about God, then I'm not talking about all the other things I talk about that probably aren't very good for me.
Somewhere along the way I found that I'd far rather feel good than be right. I don't feel good when I'm fighting, whether it's inside me or with someone else. So I do everything I can to avoid fighting.
I also found that faith is not a thought. It's an action. It's not an idea, it's a feeling.
This whole life thing is a journey. You've heard it a million times. So many times that it's cliche.
But that's what it is. It unfolds. Thing is, it unfolds whether I'm watching or not. If my eyes are closed, I miss an opportunity to learn.
It's a crying shame when I close my eyes because of a "belief".
I know now that the reason I didn't understand certain things earlier in life is because I didn't have the capacity to understand. Yet.
It's like trying to explain the color red to a blind man. He can't see until he can see.
If I close my mind because of my "beliefs", then I cannot see.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: joshsquall

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't believe in a God or any related beings. I don't see any reason to. Why should I believe in one particular being over any of the hundreds that have existed (well, said to have existed is the point really). I grew up in a church-going family, and for the most part my family is still really religious. I'm marrying a christian in a few months and her family is religious too. With the odd exception, most everyone is okay with it. I've been to different churches, and had talks with friends of different religions. Good guides to life, sure. Explanation for the universe? Eh, I don't buy it. Is there a God? I really don't know. But neither does anyone else. How did we get here? I don't know. What happens when we die? I don't know that either. Does it bother me? Nope. I'm human, I can't know everything. Why should it bother me?

And this shows the varying degrees of "Christians" as I alluded to earlier. This is a direct contradiction to the Bible. But, as I also said earlier, many Christians take the "do what you want" mentality, and thus in the end become carnal believers. Taking the redemption but being worthless in His service.

If you deny the "do what you want" mentality, how do you justify the link to a semi-hentai site in your signature?

Eric Schwartz(creator of Sabrina Online)
CONTENT WARNING: - those with hyper-sensitive dispositions or little children should be warned that this comic strip may occasionally contain words, ideas, images, and other subject matter (what's left?) that may be considered objectionable to some. There shouldn't be anything here that you won't find on television, (sans cable) but if you are the type who thinks Bugs Bunny really needs to wear pants, consider yourself warned, and don't view any of the comic strips.

Are you one of those people? :Q

As to the other comic. Have you read it? If so, point out the hentai please. (Except is catalogue if thats what your referring to. I'm there simply for the free comics. Its what I do )

You're leading others to the site, which could lead them to viewing the hentai catalog. You could be directly contributing to other's sin. Also a direct contradiction to the Bible.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: Luthien
Everyone before you through out all history and prehistory before Christianity existed is going to hell unless they believed your very first statement and all the generations to come. I know you don't think that is offensive which is as I said.

So you're offended every time someone says they're a Christian? You know what their beliefs say. You know they think you're going to hell whether they spell it out for you or not. As soon as they identify themselves as Christian you KNOW. So tell me. Are you really that uptight, or are you just trolling?

 

[Luthien]

Nice post shilala.