What Is Your Christianity?

[J'Pol]

I know it's a poor analogy nigel. But if we give our own Children free will and they grow up and then do things which we do not approve of or are illegal, or immoral. Who is to blame, us or the person who does wrong.

I think the bottom line is that if everything was predetermined then there really wouldn't be very much point to it. People take a whole linear time approach to these questions, so to say that God knows what is going to happen only works if you assume time moves in a straight line from start to finish.

However if God lives outside of space and time, then that analogy does not work. To try to express God in terms of human understanding will inevitably fail, hence my apology for the opening analogy.

[j2k4]

Originally posted by JPaul@1 October 2003 - 13:32
I know it's a poor analogy nigel. But if we give our own Children free will and they grow up and then do things which we do not approve of or are illegal, or immoral. Who is to blame, us or the person who does wrong.

I think the bottom line is that if everything was predetermined then there really wouldn't be very much point to it. People take a whole linear time approach to these questions, so to say that God knows what is going to happen only works if you assume time moves in a straight line from start to finish.

However if God lives outside of space and time, then that analogy does not work. To try to express God in terms of human understanding will inevitably fail, hence my apology for the opening analogy.

Nicely stated, sir.

[lynx]

It seems to me that there are plenty of examples in the bible where god denies free will to mankind - the flood, sodom to name just two. I'm sure there are those here who can find more (possibly better) examples.

I don't mind if believers want to pick and choose which parts of the bible they want to accept, but since they often seem reticent to declare which bits are true and which bits aren't (or even worse adapt their acceptance depending on the topic) they shouldn't be surprised when people think their subsequent arguments lack credibility.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by lynx@1 October 2003 - 19:53
It seems to me that there are plenty of examples in the bible where god denies free will to mankind - the flood, sodom to name just two. I'm sure there are those here who can find more (possibly better) examples.

I don't mind if believers want to pick and choose which parts of the bible they want to accept, but since they often seem reticent to declare which bits are true and which bits aren't (or even worse adapt their acceptance depending on the topic) they shouldn't be surprised when people think their subsequent arguments lack credibility.

I hear what you say and fully appreciate that. However I personally take different parts of the bible in different ways. As I have stated more often than I care to remember, it is not my intention to explain my religious beliefs in great detail.

However as an example I personally do not believe that all of mankind came from Adam and Eve. I more accept the evolution theory. I take the story to be just that, a story designed to be understood by people and to explain things to them. A sort of where did we come from, on a global scale, story

However I take the new testament and the story of Jesus' life to be more literal, obviously on occasion He himself uses stories to explain things to his followers. However the essential parts like his death and resurrection I take to be literally true.

What is important to me is that Christ taught us certain things and that if we follow those things, believing that he was the Son of God then that is the path to His Kingdom in Heaven.

All he really said was be nice and don't do shitty things to each other. Oh and say hello to God once in a while.

This post has been brought to you by the word however.

These are the views of JPaul and do not necessarily represent the views of this forum

[Rat Faced]

Guy called Smith started the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) off i believe, and the Johovahs Witnesses were a break away from that church.

Great fun getting missionaries from both churches in the house at the same time....everyone should try it

Battlestar Galactica was based on the book of Mormon....... there is todays trivia.


For me;

If "God" is so perfect, then i wont insult "him" by assuming i know how "he" wishes to be worshipped, as worshipping "him" at all assumes "he" has an ego that needs to be scratched, and is therefore imperfect......

If "he" is so forgiving, then i'll just try and be as nice a guy as i can, and "he'll" forgive me any indiscressions.

If not, then to be quite honest, "he's" not the type id like to spend eternity with anyway.....




The Goddess understands this, im sure

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by Rat Faced@1 October 2003 - 22:07


If "he" is so forgiving, then i'll just try and be as nice a guy as i can, and "he'll" forgive me any indiscressions.

A humanist. I like humanists they are always easy to get along with.

I'm sure God has set a wee bit of heaven aside for them. It's not the good seats, but what can you do.

You can join in when we are leaughing at the atheists and saying to the agnostics, if you could only have taken just a wee bit on trust.

[lynx]

Originally posted by JPaul+1 October 2003 - 21:39--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (JPaul @ 1 October 2003 - 21:39)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Rat Faced@1 October 2003 - 22:07


If "he" is so forgiving, then i&#39;ll just try and be as nice a guy as i can, and "he&#39;ll" forgive me any indiscressions.

A humanist. I like humanists they are always easy to get along with.

I&#39;m sure God has set a wee bit of heaven aside for them. It&#39;s not the good seats, but what can you do.

You can join in when we are leaughing at the atheists and saying to the agnostics, if you could only have taken just a wee bit on trust. [/b][/quote]
That&#39;s a bit harsh.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by lynx+1 October 2003 - 23:11--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (lynx @ 1 October 2003 - 23:11)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by JPaul@1 October 2003 - 21:39
<!--QuoteBegin-Rat Faced

@1 October 2003 - 22:07


If "he" is so forgiving, then i&#39;ll just try and be as nice a guy as i can, and "he&#39;ll" forgive me any indiscressions.

A humanist. I like humanists they are always easy to get along with.

I&#39;m sure God has set a wee bit of heaven aside for them. It&#39;s not the good seats, but what can you do.

You can join in when we are leaughing at the atheists and saying to the agnostics, if you could only have taken just a wee bit on trust.

That&#39;s a bit harsh. [/b][/quote]
I don&#39;t believe h4r5h exists.

So you will have to prove it does. Using scientific evidence, which is totally ill-equipped to deal with the frame of reference within which this mythical h4r5h would have to exist.

[thewizeard]

Well don&#39;t get toooo comfortable in those seats&#33; According to Buddhist philosophy heaven exists. However, one is destined to stay only a short space of time(49.999 days) in heaven before one will be reborn here back on Earth on the 50th day&#33;

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by nigel123@2 October 2003 - 00:04
Well don&#39;t get toooo comfortable in those seats&#33; According to Buddhist philosophy heaven exists. However, one is destined to stay only a short space of time(49.999 days) in heaven before one will be reborn here back on Earth on the 50th day&#33;

Philosophy is cool, but Theology can beat it up any day of the week.

Does Theology only relate to deitys. The etymology just occurred to me.