[quote]Sloth wrote:
[quote]angry chicken wrote:
I think it’s safe to say that I’ve “blasphemed the holy spirit”[/quote]
I wouldn’t know.
That’s up to you to figure out. Or, not.
[/quote]
The Catholic Church offers forgiveness for blasphemy through a process known as the sacred golden arrow or something - google blasphemy. There is also much dispute about what constitutes blasphemy.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
[quote]Severiano wrote:
[quote]Sloth wrote:
[quote]thehebrewhero wrote:
Its human nature to be a free thinker.[/quote]
Or, maybe human nature is to have the illusion that one is a free thinker. That our feeling of having made a choice is only an illusion put together after the fact, to match up with subconscious processes.
Don’t let your subconscious processes make you upset with mine.
[/quote]
Sloth, what you say could be true for all of us. I’m not upset with your subconscious, I encourage you to know more about your own religion. I started by purchasing myself and my sister and mother gnostic gospels.
I just thought it was important by the very fact that the Church rejected them, the supposed word of the rest of the apostles. A true Christian would want to have those accounts. It led me to figuring out what happened to the Catharists, and that there were many different ways of being Christian before it became Peters way or the deathway. Because at one point it did.
[/quote]
Sev, do you realize what you just did there? Let me analogize.
[i]I encourage you to know more about your own country’s history. I started by purchasing myself and my sister and mother history books about the War of 1812 written by “scholars” from Mexico.
I just thought it was important by the very fact that British and American historians rejected them, the supposed word of the rest of the historians. A true history buff would want to have those accounts. It led me to figuring out what happened to the Caribbean pirates, and that the war was really between the USA and Bolivia before it became the USA vs Great Britain. Because at one point it did.[/i]
The reasons the Gnostics were considered heretics is…they…were…teaching…a…get this…[b]FALSE[/b] doctrine.
False. As in not true. As in bogus.
Why read a book about the War of 1812 being between the US and Bolivia?
Why read the gnostic gospels (looking for spiritual truth, that is) when they teach a false way of being a Christian?
[/quote]
If you ask me I don’t know that there is a correct way to be a Christian.
You can make comparisons to the war of 1812, it doesn’t change the facts of the history of the Church, or that the oldest accounts of Christ were written at earliest nearly 80-100 years after he died, and by people who didn’t know him personally.
I’d be very cautious of who is determining what is right and wrong, accurate and inaccurate when it comes do books and such that are thousands of years old. And a Church who’s history is told, re-written and re-interpreted by self appointed folks who have had a very long history of self interest and self preservation. This may be a reach and I’m more asking this as a question, but whose interest is it to control the gospels? Who has the most to gain, and who has the most to lose by what composes the bible? Doesn’t it make sense to include accounts of all the apostles so we can have the greatest breadth and depth of information about Christ and the way he lived?
Gospel of Thomas is quite interesting btw. 
Gospel of Thomas - Wikipedia If you ask me, I think it may not be controversial amongst Christians as there isn’t anything in it referring to Jesus as the Messiah.
The Gospel of Judas is an interesting account as well, I doubt many Christians feel good reading it, but in short it explains that Christ wanted himself to be martyrd, and made it Judas’ duty. But again who knows what is accurate and inaccurate when it comes to these books written by people who were all at least 100 years removed from the Christ?
[quote]thehebrewhero wrote:
Its human nature to be a free thinker. Only sheep blindly follow. At a certain age its normal to question reality and death. For me I have a hard time believing books written by men 3500 years ago which somehow gather we are created in Gods image or are the center of the universe. So all life in the universe is inferior? Not to mention creation which claims the Earth is only about 4000 years old. I have rocks in my yard older than that. Religion served its purpose in the early days by explaining the unexplainable in the dawn of man. It also gave law and order and doctrines to live by. All current regions seem to claim they know best and if you dont join their club you burn or youre not chosen. Which seems good for business since 10% is the going rate for being saved. However I feel as a grown man in a modern era Ive put away my childish concepts & ancient rituals as I have no need for them. I can be a good human being without buying into fairy tales. I choose not to dump money in a wicker basket for some dudes Cadillac payments. If I am to believe in a greater power its something more universal that encompasses the cosmos and all that live in it.
I dont need books suedo leaders or others to feel as I do or confirm my beliefs. Nor do I need silly rituals like separating dishes or not eating certain animals. I feel its unfair to assume we are the best things out there and others must perish if they dont believe as I. [/quote]
Jesus H.
This is a thread about questions for religious people, not a thread for you to brandish your Militant Atheist membership card in some feeble attempt to reassure yourself you actually know better than anyone, everything.
Can we please leave this kind of nonsense and pointless bashing out of this thread.
These type of driveby, lazy, flawed posts are not what this thread is about.
[quote]thehebrewhero wrote:
Its human nature to be a free thinker. Only sheep blindly follow. At a certain age its normal to question reality and death. For me I have a hard time believing books written by men 3500 years ago which somehow gather we are created in Gods image or are the center of the universe. So all life in the universe is inferior? Not to mention creation which claims the Earth is only about 4000 years old. I have rocks in my yard older than that. Religion served its purpose in the early days by explaining the unexplainable in the dawn of man. It also gave law and order and doctrines to live by. All current regions seem to claim they know best and if you dont join their club you burn or youre not chosen. Which seems good for business since 10% is the going rate for being saved. However I feel as a grown man in a modern era Ive put away my childish concepts & ancient rituals as I have no need for them. I can be a good human being without buying into fairy tales. I choose not to dump money in a wicker basket for some dudes Cadillac payments. If I am to believe in a greater power its something more universal that encompasses the cosmos and all that live in it.
I dont need books suedo leaders or others to feel as I do or confirm my beliefs. Nor do I need silly rituals like separating dishes or not eating certain animals. I feel its unfair to assume we are the best things out there and others must perish if they dont believe as I. [/quote]
So if they are free thinkers why are there so many sheep? Can’t have it both ways if you want to make generalizations.
[quote]Severiano wrote:
Were you born into your religion?
[/quote]
There are some pretty personal questions here assuming you’re asking me.
My parents were lifelong atheists but I had a very strict upbringing. My father was extremely sick from when I was 11 and my brother left home shortly afterwards and left home. I became the man of the family but caused my mother enormous grief due to constant trouble and not giving her the honor she deserved before she got sick. When she got sick I became her full time caret whilst working from home. I tried to make up for my past behaviour and made my peace with her. I know people say this a lot but my mother was the finest woman and probably the most intelligent person I have ever known. She taught me to read and write at 18 months of age. Every cent she earned was to give me opportunities in life that she never had.
No. Certainty not once I gained a rudimentary understanding of my religion.
Firstly I don’t go to church or temple. Religion is a deeply personal matter for me and I don’t seek to join a religious community. I seek a personal relationship with The Lord. As for my children I will home school them in ancient history and ‘guide’ them on the right path, using the rod when necessary but the choice will ultimately be there’ as it is all mans’ choice.
[quote]
If you plan on waiting to give your children a choice, at what age do you think it’s appropriate? [/quote]
I honestly can’t answer that. It took me thirty years.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
What’re your thoughts on the pope commanding the west to welcome migrants?
http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=53935[/quote]
Firstly, you don’t want an answer. You’re baiting again. Secondly you would likely cause disharmony in this thread; likely your intent.
BTW these arrogant atheists are just so clever and make me feel so stupid. I must have been so much smarter for the first 30 years of my life. Obviously I must have suffered a brain injury.
@push - I may certainly be wrong but from what I understand the Hebrew word taken as meaning Messiah is mashiach which literally means one anointed by oil and or given a special relationship with God to perform a sacred task. Amongst these are kings prophets and priests. Just to name a few: Saul,Samuel, DAvid, Zedekiak, Isaiah and Cyrus the Great.
You’ve said you do not go to church or temple that you believe religion is a personal matter.
I’m not dissagreeing with you, but my question is: How do you build a better relationship and a better understanding of God and your religion without some type of guidance from a chuch or temple?
[quote]pushharder wrote:
[quote]SexMachine wrote:
@push - I may certainly be wrong but from what I understand the Hebrew word taken as meaning Messiah is mashiach which literally means one anointed by oil and or given a special relationship with God to perform a sacred task. Amounts these are kings prophets and priests. Just to name a few: Saul,Samuel, DAvid, Zedekiak, Isaiah and Cyrus the Great.[/quote]
Yes. Is there an implicit question in there somewhere?[/quote]
My understanding is that the Jewish Messianic ideas came from later obscure passages in the prophets and minor prophets. Also without trying to offend anyone I find it difficult to believe that the songs of David were actually about the Nazarite (supposedly a descendent of David).
[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
You’ve said you do not go to church or temple that you believe religion is a personal matter.
I’m not dissagreeing with you, but my question is: How do you build a better relationship and a better understanding of God and your religion without some type of guidance from a chuch or temple?[/quote]
By studying the bible, obeying the law to the best of my ability and by asking God what he wants from me. Not what I want from him but what he wants from me. BTW there’s plenty of guidance to be gained from Maimonides. I’m a student of history with little faith in human kind. Besides orthodox temples are closed communities who certainly wouldn’t welcome someone ignorant of the law and Jewish custom.
@push I can see why JB never discusses Christianity. I hope I did 't piss you off. I have great respect for you, especially those DLs you pull off. Let’s just stick to politics or religion that won’t offend. PS it must really piss you off airing my opinions when such a short time ago I was about as ignorant as you can get on the subject. That’s why I try to remain humble and admit I may be wrong.
PS I’m not one of those types who claim to have read the bible when they clearly haven’t. I’ve read the OT twice in the last two months and in the past I’ve read the gospels/acts, Romans, Hebrews and as much of revelations as I could digest.
@push I can see why JB never discusses Christianity. I hope I did 't piss you off. I have great respect for you, especially those DLs you pull off. Let’s just stick to politics or religion that won’t offend. PS it must really piss you off airing my opinions when such a short time ago I was about as ignorant as you can get on the subject. That’s why I try to remain humble and admit I may be wrong.
PS I’m not one of those types who claim to have read the bible when they clearly haven’t. I’ve read the OT twice in the last two months and in the past I’ve read the gospels/acts, Romans, Hebrews and as much of revelations as I could digest.
Sex Machine , I have a question , How did you EVER come up with that name ???
[quote]pittbulll wrote:
Sex Machine , I have a question , How did you EVER come up with that name ???[/quote]
I have super high testosterone and I work out like a machine; when not recovering from injuries
[quote]SexMachine wrote:
[quote]Sloth wrote:
[quote]angry chicken wrote:
I think it’s safe to say that I’ve “blasphemed the holy spirit”[/quote]
I wouldn’t know.
That’s up to you to figure out. Or, not.
[/quote]
The Catholic Church offers forgiveness for blasphemy through a process known as the sacred golden arrow or something - google blasphemy. There is also much dispute about what constitutes blasphemy.
[/quote]
Yeah, sort of. Confession is the process, of with this prayer might be ‘assigned’ as reparation/penance. But, I don’t think Angry Chicken was actually interested in such.
[quote]SexMachine wrote:
Ask away. I’m not here to convert you; far from it. For one I’m hopelessly unqualified. I’ll leave this thread for a while and see how it turns out. Hopefully more enlightened folk will answer your questions.[/quote]
Whats the deal with heaven what do you do all day for eternitiy? Do you have clothes, use the bathroom, watch TV?
How come animals cant get in?
What about cavemen do they get a pass?
What about aliens maybe they never heard of Jesus?
Do you eat in heaven? If so what?
If you get tired of heaven can you get re-born as something?
Are you stuck with your wife for eternity in heaven or now that your “dead” can you play the field again with dead exs and single ladies?
Do you sleep in heaven or are you up 24/7 with relatives doing what?
Wouldnt heaven run out of space at some point?
Do I get to pick my house style, car ect?
How do all the angels and saints process the volume of dead? Standing in line for a few 100 years sounds like hell.
These are things as a agnostic I think about which makes the traditional theory of a afterlife seem unbelievable…
[quote]thehebrewhero wrote:
[quote]SexMachine wrote:
Ask away. I’m not here to convert you; far from it. For one I’m hopelessly unqualified. I’ll leave this thread for a while and see how it turns
out. Hopefully more enlightened folk will answer your questions.[/quote]
Whats the deal with heaven what do you do all day for eternitiy? Do you have clothes, use the bathroom, watch TV?
How come animals cant get in?
What about cavemen do they get a pass?
What about aliens maybe they never heard of Jesus?
Do you eat in heaven? If so what?
If you get tired of heaven can you get re-born as something?
Are you stuck with your wife for eternity in heaven or now that your “dead” can you play the field again with dead exs and single ladies?
Do you sleep in heaven or are you up 24/7 with relatives doing what?
Wouldnt heaven run out of space at some point?
Do I get to pick my house style, car ect?
How do all the angels and saints process the volume of dead? Standing in line for a few 100 years sounds like hell.
These are things as a agnostic I think about which makes the traditional theory of a afterlife seem unbelievable…[/quote]
Obviously these questions are rhetorical. Add a funky baseline and you’ll have the perfect Seinfeld intro.