[quote]IrishSteel wrote:
Oleena wrote:
Would a woman who slept with many men before she was married be viewed as having elevated worth according to the bible? It’s a difference in expectations. For years it was said “Men are just dirt, they can’t help being horny” and yet the woman who gave into her lustful nature was considered at fault. This may not be what you interpret the bible as saying, but it is the way numerous societies before you have, which IMO holds much more significance. What does it matter what you think if the book itself can so easily be misinterpreted and hurt many people? You are 1 out of 6 billion!
You have no even answered my most basic question with an answer that I didn’t antisipate/state that someone would try to answer it with from the get-go. All of your interpretations are ones that I have seen before, and it looks like you go to a LOT of effort to shape words to mean what you see as right. Meanwhile, free will is on the tip of your tounge, but you have not answered the question of what is the point of free will if god already knew who would sin and who would not before he brought them into existance. You act as if god had no choice in bringing everyone into existance, and you will not consider that even yourself would not bring a child into the world at a point in time when you knew you wouldn’t be able to afford one. In your opinion, just the gift of life makes up for the fact that many will burn in hell. If so, why don’t you go out and father as many children as possible right now?
Yes . . . she does have the same elevated worth . . .[/quote] Prove it. Even Jesus’ earthfather was considering leaving his mother because she might have slept with someone before him. Yes, this was contextual to the times, but then so it the entire book.
[quote]Well, if you want to know what other people believe ask them - but if you ask me, you will get what I believe - that is the point of asking me the question - you get my answer. I won’t apologize if my answer doesn’t fit with your expectations or views of what other people believed - The book doesn’t hurt people, people hurt people[/quote] I like how you were all up in arms about how harmful the muslim religion is in it’s attitude towards women, and then were quiet as soon as you realized that that too was just an “interpretation” out of context by and entire society. Do you still feel that muslim women are degraded by their society? Is it their religion’s fault? Why or why not? [quote] - and yes, I am just one - but I am me and I have chosen for myself through much research and reasoning the best possible world view and I am perfectly at peace with my Christianity.
Apparently, according to you, even if my understanding of Christianity answers your questions - you don’t care, because you would rather have the views of other people which don’t answer your questions about Christianity or better yet affirm your hatred of Christianity. So as I said much earlier - you don’t really want to have an honest discussion, you only want a chance to voice your hatred of Christianity - well go for it - But I will continue to answer with my understanding of scripture - not so much for your sake, but for the sake of any one else who might mistake your warped views for the real thing . . .
I don’t shape the meanings - I read, ask questions, research, study the original languages/manuscripts and form a rational understanding of what is contained in scripture - as every person should do for themselves . . .
Yes, God had a choice on whether or not to bring every soul into existence and He chose to. I have never said any different. I would gladly bring any child into this world that God saw fit to bless me with.[/quote] So why don’t you already have a couple of them? Your argument that the gift of life is worth the risk should be enough to overcome any rational, including not being married if you aren’t.
[quote]Once again - your problem with scripture/God/Christianity boils down to the punishment - eternal damnation. The punishment is too great for the sins committed . . .[/quote] When did I ever say this? [quote] but I have explained my views on that question and the granting of life to people who will choose to do wrong . . . you willingly pass by and assume your original views and deride mine as being 1 in 6 billion . . .
so pass on and stop asking me questions since you don’t want my answers . . .[/quote]
One last question- how do you know that you picked the right god-fearing religion?