It is interesting how they show their silly little show on three Christian channels. I have yet to see any channel for any faith other than Christianity…some silence. The only reason I see that people could be silencing Christians is because they are so sick and tired of hearing their propaganda. It’s like I explained to my Catholic girlfriend, how would you like it if you grew up in a Muslim country where you were inundated by people who tell you that you are not happy and you won’t be unless you accept Allah?

That was a very nice comment. I’m glad people read through these discussions.

First, “Faith is the substance hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” is Hebrews 11:1, and remains the most eloquent definition of ‘faith’ I have heard. There is a lot of literary beauty in the Bible.

“Is it really so petty that we have to identify the faults in each other in order to prove how right we are?”

I try not to identify faults with the people I’m arguing with, but faults with their arguments/reason. Unfortunately, I am not perfect and make mistakes.

Why is it so impossible to allow others to live their own belief as long as it does not cause harm to others? I constantly wonder this whenever I see persecution over any issue. I myself, am heterosexual, but have a number of homosexual friends. Sometimes, I am challenged to be at peace because increasing numbers of homosexuals create insecurities that we haven’t had to face as yet. But again, it isn’t about personal beliefs, it’s about respecting the boundaries of others without being violent or condescending. This is what change is about - growing and adapting. There’s an element of trust that hasn’t been discussed through post #52…it’s hard to “trust” someone with beliefs so very different from our own. BUT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. “Christians” are supposed to embrace that practice.

Well said! I don’t have much more to add other than, “I agree.”

It’s sad to see that I failed to incorporate self-thinking patterns in my oldest daughter, as she now falls prey to some rather dismal depressing “doom-and-gloom” internet chatter about the end of the world in 2012.

Ah, yes. Sunrise, December 21st, 2012; the end of the Mayan calender, the date of the next eschatological hype. The belief in the impending end of the world is as at least as old as the book of Daniel and continues to this day. Just about every generation thought that they were last. It’s vanity, I guess, to believe one’s self is part of an event of such great cosmological significance.

Is your oldest a teenager? Such pursuits aren’t uncommon for teenagers. Don’t consider your teaching a failure until your daughter is in her mid twenties and discovers/decides who she really is. You’ll likely be surprised at how much of your teaching she’s adopted.

Also consider buying her Norman Cohn’s The Pursuit of the Millennium. It’s a description of end times movements in 11th through 16th century Europe. It’s a topic she’d be interested, so she just may read it. But it shows that what she’s into right now it nothing new and has failed to materialize again and again and again. It also shows the disastrous consequences of being a part of such a group.

“It WOULD be a bit easier to read without the clutter of insults toward those who disagree, though.”

It is unfortunate. But such is the inevitable byproduct when such an emotionally-charged issue is debated. I try to filter those out and stick with content.

One last note regarding the bible arguing ONE god…
“…have no other gods before me because I, the Lord God, am a jealous god.” Sounds to me like he is admitting to the presence of others and wants first place. It’s in KJV in Exodus.

Yeah, the early Jews were henotheists; they believed in many gods, but worshiped one, which they considered superior to all others. In a way, it’s not different from having one supreme God and many entities who are less powerful than God, but much more than human and who compete with God for worshipers. Christians come close to this with their belief in Satan.

For Christians, it is about faith and believing…as “Faith is the substance hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (sorry, can’t cite the passage, just got caught up in the tail-chasing analysis of it in my early life).

It remains unarguable that Christians, in general, would be quite offended if a valedictorian stood up and gave credit to Odin or Zeus, or (fill in here). The same that many Catholics would be somewhat offended to hear Jehovah mentioned, and so on and so forth, if God were addressed by a name primarily from a particular religion other than theirs.

Is it really so petty that we have to identify the faults in each other in order to prove how right we are? Why is it so impossible to allow others to live their own belief as long as it does not cause harm to others? I constantly wonder this whenever I see persecution over any issue. I myself, am heterosexual, but have a number of homosexual friends. Sometimes, I am challenged to be at peace because increasing numbers of homosexuals create insecurities that we haven’t had to face as yet. But again, it isn’t about personal beliefs, it’s about respecting the boundaries of others without being violent or condescending. This is what change is about - growing and adapting. There’s an element of trust that hasn’t been discussed through post #52…it’s hard to “trust” someone with beliefs so very different from our own. BUT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. “Christians” are supposed to embrace that practice.

It’s hard to avoid stooping to insults when someone challenges our hopes of creating a world within our own values of conformity for which we can feel the most at ease.

Again, my purpose is not to offend any of you, but to thank you for offering your insights, wisdom, and learned experiences for the benefit of my personal growth. After all, that IS what I am gaining here.

I’m a full-time student and single mom with adorable children (I’ll admit to bias, yes.) at home and grown. It’s sad to see that I failed to incorporate self-thinking patterns in my oldest daughter, as she now falls prey to some rather dismal depressing “doom-and-gloom” internet chatter about the end of the world in 2012. I love her dearly, but I’m almost afraid to think what would happen if she found herself on this page! I forget the genre, but there is a song titled “You’ve got to stand for something…or you’ll fall for anything.”

Keep it running, folks. You’re all doing great. It WOULD be a bit easier to read without the clutter of insults toward those who disagree, though. Mud-slinging and name-calling simply makes it read as if the post written is left by a person who is more concerned about being the best or is unable to get past playground bullying. However, the posts suggest much more intelligence is present.

One last note regarding the bible arguing ONE god…
“…have no other gods before me because I, the Lord God, am a jealous god.” Sounds to me like he is admitting to the presence of others and wants first place. It’s in KJV in Exodus.

How dare you be so stupid and so hypocritical? If your gonna try and use God’s words than for God’s sake don’t be an idiot with them.

You are the definition of what i said i hated, so self rightious.

God doesn’t “give up” on people, people give up on people. And either way who are you to judge? What have you done that makes you so much better? What gives you the right to be a snob to your equals?

In truth your words and actions make me pity you, not look up to you.

I suppose I must admit that the main basis of Christianity is faith. I go to a Christian school (snorrre) but even with all that when it comes to the Word its just faith. I accept it and believe it and so it is, others may spice the answer up but as skeptical as it may be, that is what i personally think so thats that ha.

I may not have the best answers right now as i am going through a bad time (which means i question my faith…as always) but thats just another example of my total and complete imperfection :0

ask me in a couple of days and i’ll be normal agian

Gotta shower, bye

I’m glad you’re open to questions. Here is a simple one: Why do you believe that the Bible is the word of God? A word of caution before you answer here: your response is likely to receive harsh criticism here (from myself included, though I strive for politeness).

Kurt - “I wasn’t trying to imply that anyone comes here for the pattern, simply that it exists.”

I figured as much. I just wanted to give the reasons for engaging in the pattern a more explicit statement.

P.S. yea im a girl and darn proud ha