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How Christians can Make the World a Better Place
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:05:32
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »My argument is that the dinosaurs were wiped out and we can not only prove they existed but also that they had value in their lives. Well, as far as cold-blooded reptiles with pea-sized brains could 'value' their lives.
How can you prove that dinosaurs had value for their lives?
Because they existed for millions of years. The value dinosaurs had on life lay in propagation and preservation of their species. This boiled down to living, reproducing, guarding young (in some cases) rinse, repeat.
Don't believe me? Check any museum, the evidence is there. Any missing information could be undertaken by any young mind willing to tackle the problem.
Any species that doesn't value its life walks down the path to annihilation. Humans have gotten the closest and why is that? Largely religious bickering between men holding nuclear weapons. Evandis wasn't asking for an explanation of our value for dinosaurs, he was asking if they attributed value to themselves.
 Cerberus.Tikal
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By Cerberus.Tikal 2012-01-19 15:05:58
I find it hilarious that one part of a bronze-age myth is labeled as a myth, but the other part? Real. That ***totally happened.
Also, by comparison, we're not that fragile. When you take into account that the entire populous of the world would be wiped out by even the slightest diversion on a universal scale, it becomes very clear. Earth is, on average, 287 Kelvin. 0 Kelvin is -460 degrees. The human body can only maintain a temperature of 105~108 (internal temperature) degrees before it starts to cook, and 70 degrees before it again begins to die. We use tools to survive those limits, and so do animals, animals are just born with them. That's like... nothing when you consider that kelvin goes to 10^32. The point between life and death on the kelvin scale for humans is around a 15 point sweet-spot out of 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. We are infinitely small by comparison - the aspect ratio is phenomenal in all things, and it is pure arrogance to think we are something special when you consider the size, and massive variance that the universal-system we live in presents.
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye
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By Quetzalcoatl.Xueye 2012-01-19 15:06:28
I accept the idea that we do not yet know our origin.
Science has not yet provided all of the answers yet. It takes time.
But saying that "God did it" is a rather silly answer. Then who did God?
inb4MaryJoke
I know there is an explanation, but we have not found it yet. The difference between your ideas and my ideas are simple: mine are focused on finding evidence to find a fact, and divine creation are focused on ignoring evidence.
Maybe it could be God, but where's the proof? Where's the evidence?
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By zahrah 2012-01-19 15:08:23
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »I seen the OT is just gloom and doom, and a collection of stories from Hebraic, Babylonian, and Phoenician myth, so I simply disregard the OT as a whole. Said it before. I equate it with 'Aesop's Fables'.
NT, is the only collaboration of stories we should take into account when talking about Christianity. NT, other than 'Revelations', seems like more of a biography. Then again, we don't know how much has been warped to suit Papal agenda, lost in translation, etc. I do think modern Christians could have a better understanding of their own faith if the early Christian church didn't disregard apocryphal texts.
My question still stands zahrah.
Is the God of the OT not the same God in the NT? How can we throw out half the Bible when effectively the God in both are the same?
I get the part of Jesus laying down new rules and being the son of God while being God at the same time but are you saying that half the text and crucial information on the last pact between God and a group of people isn't important?
It should be cause it gives us insight into the character of God. Well, that and the book is supposed to be infallible but most biblical scholars wouldn't say that and they're made up mostly of theists.
Sorry about the delay. Busy busy today.
This is my personal outlook on it. I mean, I sway back in forth so much. I just refuse to believe that if there is a God that He would be such a vengeful and spiteful being.
I prescribe to the notion that maybe, if there was a creator, it would be more "hands-off". I think that evolution, the Big Bang, etc. could be the set in place to keep human beings questioning their existence and their place in the universe. We have evolved this brain capacity that is far removed from other creatures within the animal kingdom. If our God is an all-knowing and intelligent being and we were created in His image, why wouldn't He put in place intellectual and profound obstacles for us conquer?
Like I said before, there's just so much that has been warped in Biblical texts by man that it's for me hard to completely build a solid belief system around it.
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By Nevill 2012-01-19 15:08:27
The word value is very subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure and all that jazz?
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:08:39
I find it hilarious that one part of a bronze-age myth is labeled as a myth, but the other part? Real. That ***totally happened.
Also, by comparison, we're not that fragile. When you take into account that the entire populous of the world would be wiped out by even the slightest diversion on a universal scale, it becomes very clear. Earth is, on average, 287 Kelvin. 0 Kelvin is -460 degrees. The human body can only maintain a temperature of 105~108 (internal temperature) degrees before it starts to cook, and 70 degrees before it again begins to die. We use tools to survive those limits, and so do animals, animals are just born with them. That's like... nothing when you consider that kelvin goes to 10^32. The point between life and death on the kelvin scale for humans is around a 15 point sweet-spot out of 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. We are infinitely small by comparison - the aspect ratio is phenomenal in all things, and it is pure arrogance to think we are something special when you consider the size, and massive variance that the universal-system we live in presents. You proved yourself wrong, and me right. All of your information led to the fact that we are indeed fragile. Without external devices, we would be far less apt to survive normal operating conditions of the earth than our animal counterparts.
Cerberus.Tikal
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By Cerberus.Tikal 2012-01-19 15:09:49
I did nothing of the sort. I said by comparison, we are not. On a universal scale, we are all pathetically fragile.
 Ragnarok.Hevans
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By Ragnarok.Hevans 2012-01-19 15:11:14
I find it hilarious that one part of a bronze-age myth is labeled as a myth, but the other part? Real. That ***totally happened.
Also, by comparison, we're not that fragile. When you take into account that the entire populous of the world would be wiped out by even the slightest diversion on a universal scale, it becomes very clear. Earth is, on average, 287 Kelvin. 0 Kelvin is -460 degrees. The human body can only maintain a temperature of 105~108 (internal temperature) degrees before it starts to cook, and 70 degrees before it again begins to die. We use tools to survive those limits, and so do animals, animals are just born with them. That's like... nothing when you consider that kelvin goes to 10^32. The point between life and death on the kelvin scale for humans is around a 15 point sweet-spot out of 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. We are infinitely small by comparison - the aspect ratio is phenomenal in all things, and it is pure arrogance to think we are something special when you consider the size, and massive variance that the universal-system we live in presents.
it seems more like the whole equation is balanced just perfect for us.
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Ragnarok.Evandis
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By Ragnarok.Evandis 2012-01-19 15:11:23
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »I accept the idea that we do not yet know our origin.
Science has not yet provided all of the answers yet. It takes time.
But saying that "God did it" is a rather silly answer. Then who did God?
inb4MaryJoke
I know there is an explanation, but we have not found it yet. The difference between your ideas and my ideas are simple: mine are focused on finding evidence to find a fact, and divine creation are focused on ignoring evidence.
Maybe it could be God, but where's the proof? Where's the evidence?
It would help if you stop holding God to the standards that only humans know. We live our entire lives knowing there is a beginning and an end, so therefore something that always existed and will always exist is a concept that is hard for us to grasp.
No one had to do God, but that's not to say that God doesn't have a God, maybe there is a God universe, who the heck really knows, since none of that would be consequence to us.
To sit there and say one possible theory, a divine being is sillier than abiogenesis, is kind of insulting to your own intelligence.
For those wondering abiogenesis is a belief that organic cells can originate from inorganic materials, like rocks.
Caitsith.Sai
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By Caitsith.Sai 2012-01-19 15:11:35
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »Cool, cool. I still want your response to my post from earlier. The one about dinos or something.
You stated:
Sai said: Now, what happens if a catastrophic event occurs that wipes out all life on this planet. If there is no God, and no afterlife then all value that once existed for life is now gone, and IMO it could be argued that it never really existed in the first place.
My argument is that the dinosaurs were wiped out and we can not only prove they existed but also that they had value in their lives. Well, as far as cold-blooded reptiles with pea-sized brains could 'value' their lives.
We've got the evidence dinosaurs existed through fossils, we can piece together the life of these creatures and make discoveries that intrigue our species today. Is this not value? Though dinosaurs are long extinct the fact that we get value out of discoveries also places value on the lives of those creatures.
When a human dies in a world without God, the value of that life doesn't vanish. The body returns to the soil, providing life for invertebrates, plants, animals and many other creatures. It's a beautiful thing even if it isn't ideal for the human mind to accept and here's the kicker - we have evidence for it.
Even if the planet was completely annihilated and all life extinguished the remnants of this planet could become the building blocks of new life some time in the far future and thus we have value. Maybe some aliens billions of years from now might be made up of the same stuff that made you, me or even a sidewalk!
That amazes me and I get value from it.
Yes, I was referring to complete annihilation. Death of the sun type event.
But even if you think that one day your atoms will be apart of something else that in no way gives value to your life or to life in general.
Value only exists in the mind and once the mind is gone the concept of value is lost.
Your atoms existed before they were you. They exist after you. You're just a spot along the way for them, but we dont add to them or take away.
Once we are gone and forgotten by the universe our having ever existed at all becomes absolutely meaningless.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:11:39
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »I accept the idea that we do not yet know our origin.
Science has not yet provided all of the answers yet. It takes time.
But saying that "God did it" is a rather silly answer. Then who did God?
inb4MaryJoke
I know there is an explanation, but we have not found it yet. The difference between your ideas and my ideas are simple: mine are focused on finding evidence to find a fact, and divine creation are focused on ignoring evidence.
Maybe it could be God, but where's the proof? Where's the evidence? I'm not one of those Christians that thinks we should abandon finding the evidence. I am all for research into this. I hold onto the fact that the ultimate origin, and the reason for our existence is because of a divine creator. If science unveils an explainable condition that would prove, in practice, our existence without that I would openly accept it. Since we are still working with hypothetical processes, and research that requires technology generations away, I will stick with my beliefs.
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Ragnarok.Evandis
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By Ragnarok.Evandis 2012-01-19 15:13:14
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »I seen the OT is just gloom and doom, and a collection of stories from Hebraic, Babylonian, and Phoenician myth, so I simply disregard the OT as a whole. Said it before. I equate it with 'Aesop's Fables'.
NT, is the only collaboration of stories we should take into account when talking about Christianity. NT, other than 'Revelations', seems like more of a biography. Then again, we don't know how much has been warped to suit Papal agenda, lost in translation, etc. I do think modern Christians could have a better understanding of their own faith if the early Christian church didn't disregard apocryphal texts.
My question still stands zahrah.
Is the God of the OT not the same God in the NT? How can we throw out half the Bible when effectively the God in both are the same?
I get the part of Jesus laying down new rules and being the son of God while being God at the same time but are you saying that half the text and crucial information on the last pact between God and a group of people isn't important?
It should be cause it gives us insight into the character of God. Well, that and the book is supposed to be infallible but most biblical scholars wouldn't say that and they're made up mostly of theists.
Sorry about the delay. Busy busy today.
This is my personal outlook on it. I mean, I sway back in forth so much. I just refuse to believe that if there is a God that He would be such a vengeful and spiteful being.
I prescribe to the notion that maybe, if there was a creator, it would be more "hands-off". I think that evolution, the Big Bang, etc. could be the set in place to keep human beings questioning their existence and their place in the universe. We have evolved this brain capacity that is far removed from other creatures within the animal kingdom. If our God is an all-knowing and intelligent being and we were created in His image, why wouldn't He put in place intellectual and profound obstacles for us conquer?
Like I said before, there's just so much that has been warped in Biblical texts by man that it's for me hard to completely build a solid belief system around it.
The Bible does sort of hint to the bolded part of your statement.
When it is said that with one language, nothing is impossible for man.
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye
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By Quetzalcoatl.Xueye 2012-01-19 15:13:48
it seems more like the whole equation is balanced just perfect for us.
Puddles form in potholes; potholes were not made just to hold puddles, though.
To sit there and say one possible theory, a divine being is sillier than abiogenesis, is kind of insulting to your own intelligence.
The theory would not be silly if there was any evidence for it. As it stands, with no evidence, it is inherently silly.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:13:50
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »I seen the OT is just gloom and doom, and a collection of stories from Hebraic, Babylonian, and Phoenician myth, so I simply disregard the OT as a whole. Said it before. I equate it with 'Aesop's Fables'.
NT, is the only collaboration of stories we should take into account when talking about Christianity. NT, other than 'Revelations', seems like more of a biography. Then again, we don't know how much has been warped to suit Papal agenda, lost in translation, etc. I do think modern Christians could have a better understanding of their own faith if the early Christian church didn't disregard apocryphal texts.
My question still stands zahrah.
Is the God of the OT not the same God in the NT? How can we throw out half the Bible when effectively the God in both are the same?
I get the part of Jesus laying down new rules and being the son of God while being God at the same time but are you saying that half the text and crucial information on the last pact between God and a group of people isn't important?
It should be cause it gives us insight into the character of God. Well, that and the book is supposed to be infallible but most biblical scholars wouldn't say that and they're made up mostly of theists.
Sorry about the delay. Busy busy today.
This is my personal outlook on it. I mean, I sway back in forth so much. I just refuse to believe that if there is a God that He would be such a vengeful and spiteful being.
I prescribe to the notion that maybe, if there was a creator, it would be more "hands-off". I think that evolution, the Big Bang, etc. could be the set in place to keep human beings questioning their existence and their place in the universe. We have evolved this brain capacity that is far removed from other creatures within the animal kingdom. If our God is an all-knowing and intelligent being and we were created in His image, why wouldn't He put in place intellectual and profound obstacles for us conquer?
Like I said before, there's just so much that has been warped in Biblical texts by man that it's for me hard to completely build a solid belief system around it. I agree. Evolution, Big Bang, etc etc all have a place in the grand scheme of God. I know books in the Bible say the earth is 6000 years old. 6000 years in terms of a never ending being could be billions upon billions of years in the terms of man.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:15:27
I find it hilarious that one part of a bronze-age myth is labeled as a myth, but the other part? Real. That ***totally happened.
Also, by comparison, we're not that fragile. When you take into account that the entire populous of the world would be wiped out by even the slightest diversion on a universal scale, it becomes very clear. Earth is, on average, 287 Kelvin. 0 Kelvin is -460 degrees. The human body can only maintain a temperature of 105~108 (internal temperature) degrees before it starts to cook, and 70 degrees before it again begins to die. We use tools to survive those limits, and so do animals, animals are just born with them. That's like... nothing when you consider that kelvin goes to 10^32. The point between life and death on the kelvin scale for humans is around a 15 point sweet-spot out of 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. We are infinitely small by comparison - the aspect ratio is phenomenal in all things, and it is pure arrogance to think we are something special when you consider the size, and massive variance that the universal-system we live in presents.
it seems more like the whole equation is balanced just perfect for us. My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye
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By Quetzalcoatl.Xueye 2012-01-19 15:17:04
My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
The universe is pretty big. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
I say again, though: the puddle fit into the pothole.
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Cerberus.Tikal
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By Cerberus.Tikal 2012-01-19 15:17:41
Astronomical odds in an astronomically huge (To the point where infinite is questioned) universe is not that far of a stretch. It's also been shown that life may be more common than original estimates.
Arrogance is a silly thing.
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Ragnarok.Evandis
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By Ragnarok.Evandis 2012-01-19 15:18:38
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »I seen the OT is just gloom and doom, and a collection of stories from Hebraic, Babylonian, and Phoenician myth, so I simply disregard the OT as a whole. Said it before. I equate it with 'Aesop's Fables'.
NT, is the only collaboration of stories we should take into account when talking about Christianity. NT, other than 'Revelations', seems like more of a biography. Then again, we don't know how much has been warped to suit Papal agenda, lost in translation, etc. I do think modern Christians could have a better understanding of their own faith if the early Christian church didn't disregard apocryphal texts.
My question still stands zahrah.
Is the God of the OT not the same God in the NT? How can we throw out half the Bible when effectively the God in both are the same?
I get the part of Jesus laying down new rules and being the son of God while being God at the same time but are you saying that half the text and crucial information on the last pact between God and a group of people isn't important?
It should be cause it gives us insight into the character of God. Well, that and the book is supposed to be infallible but most biblical scholars wouldn't say that and they're made up mostly of theists.
Sorry about the delay. Busy busy today.
This is my personal outlook on it. I mean, I sway back in forth so much. I just refuse to believe that if there is a God that He would be such a vengeful and spiteful being.
I prescribe to the notion that maybe, if there was a creator, it would be more "hands-off". I think that evolution, the Big Bang, etc. could be the set in place to keep human beings questioning their existence and their place in the universe. We have evolved this brain capacity that is far removed from other creatures within the animal kingdom. If our God is an all-knowing and intelligent being and we were created in His image, why wouldn't He put in place intellectual and profound obstacles for us conquer?
Like I said before, there's just so much that has been warped in Biblical texts by man that it's for me hard to completely build a solid belief system around it. I agree. Evolution, Big Bang, etc etc all have a place in the grand scheme of God. I know books in the Bible say the earth is 6000 years old. 6000 years in terms of a never ending being could be billions upon billions of years in the terms of man.
The problem with what the Bible says on the age of the Earth is that time is a concept made by man to measure the length of his life. If you were perfect and would not die, such as Adam & Eve before they sinned, why would you need to record time?
I have a problem with both theists and atheists alike subscribing to the Bible's dating of the age of the earth at 6,000 years. Yes it does appear that is what it says, but time to an everlasting being is probably much different than to us.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:18:45
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
The universe is pretty big. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
I say again, though: the puddle fit into the pothole. Agreed, but how quickly does a puddle dry up when there is no rain?
On a grander scale, isn't even the few billion years the earth has supposedly revolved around the sun seem a bit long for the 'puddle to not have dried'?
By Nevill 2012-01-19 15:19:02
Astronomical odds in an astronomically huge (To the point where infinite is questioned) universe is not that far of a stretch. It's also been shown that life may be more common than original estimates.
Arrogance is a silly thing.
Your arrogant tone astounds me.
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye
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By Quetzalcoatl.Xueye 2012-01-19 15:19:50
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
The universe is pretty big. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
I say again, though: the puddle fit into the pothole. Agreed, but how quickly does a puddle dry up when there is no rain?
On a grander scale, isn't even the few billion years the earth has supposedly revolved around the sun seem a bit long for the 'puddle to not have dried'?
I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that the Earth is not ideal for humans?
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:20:26
Astronomical odds in an astronomically huge (To the point where infinite is questioned) universe is not that far of a stretch. It's also been shown that life may be more common than original estimates.
Arrogance is a silly thing. It wasn't arrogant at all. I am not scoffing at the odds of life existing. I'm fairly certain this isn't the only planet in our boundless universe (or mulitverse) that has life on it. What makes me wonder, is how it continues to transpire.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:21:20
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
The universe is pretty big. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
I say again, though: the puddle fit into the pothole. Agreed, but how quickly does a puddle dry up when there is no rain?
On a grander scale, isn't even the few billion years the earth has supposedly revolved around the sun seem a bit long for the 'puddle to not have dried'?
I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that the Earth is not ideal for humans? I'm asking how it has stayed ideal for so long.
Cerberus.Tikal
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By Cerberus.Tikal 2012-01-19 15:21:38
Astronomical odds in an astronomically huge (To the point where infinite is questioned) universe is not that far of a stretch. It's also been shown that life may be more common than original estimates.
Arrogance is a silly thing. Your arrogant tone astounds me. I don't deny my own arrogance, but I'm not pointing out anyone being arrogant specifically. Humans are innately arrogant. It's a bias that needs to be acknowledged.
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye
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By Quetzalcoatl.Xueye 2012-01-19 15:22:05
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »My sentiment exactly. Why, even with near infinite odds (never ending universe etc etc), would so many things line up to support life for as long as it has.
The universe is pretty big. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
I say again, though: the puddle fit into the pothole. Agreed, but how quickly does a puddle dry up when there is no rain?
On a grander scale, isn't even the few billion years the earth has supposedly revolved around the sun seem a bit long for the 'puddle to not have dried'?
I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that the Earth is not ideal for humans? I'm asking how it has stayed ideal for so long.
The planet?
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:22:53
Astronomical odds in an astronomically huge (To the point where infinite is questioned) universe is not that far of a stretch. It's also been shown that life may be more common than original estimates.
Arrogance is a silly thing. Your arrogant tone astounds me. I don't deny my own arrogance, but I'm not pointing out anyone being arrogant specifically. Humans are innately arrogant. It's a bias that needs to be acknowledged. True, how can we be so *** sure that we are even capable of answering all of the questions?
By Nevill 2012-01-19 15:23:05
If you aren't calling someone arrogant, why is it even in there. Just makes no sense.
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:23:08
Quetzalcoatl.Xueye said: »The planet? yes
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By Odin.Daemun 2012-01-19 15:23:29
If you aren't calling someone arrogant, why is it even in there. Just makes no sense. Redundant statements are redundant ; )
By zahrah 2012-01-19 15:25:12
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »I seen the OT is just gloom and doom, and a collection of stories from Hebraic, Babylonian, and Phoenician myth, so I simply disregard the OT as a whole. Said it before. I equate it with 'Aesop's Fables'.
NT, is the only collaboration of stories we should take into account when talking about Christianity. NT, other than 'Revelations', seems like more of a biography. Then again, we don't know how much has been warped to suit Papal agenda, lost in translation, etc. I do think modern Christians could have a better understanding of their own faith if the early Christian church didn't disregard apocryphal texts.
My question still stands zahrah.
Is the God of the OT not the same God in the NT? How can we throw out half the Bible when effectively the God in both are the same?
I get the part of Jesus laying down new rules and being the son of God while being God at the same time but are you saying that half the text and crucial information on the last pact between God and a group of people isn't important?
It should be cause it gives us insight into the character of God. Well, that and the book is supposed to be infallible but most biblical scholars wouldn't say that and they're made up mostly of theists.
Sorry about the delay. Busy busy today.
This is my personal outlook on it. I mean, I sway back in forth so much. I just refuse to believe that if there is a God that He would be such a vengeful and spiteful being.
I prescribe to the notion that maybe, if there was a creator, it would be more "hands-off". I think that evolution, the Big Bang, etc. could be the set in place to keep human beings questioning their existence and their place in the universe. We have evolved this brain capacity that is far removed from other creatures within the animal kingdom. If our God is an all-knowing and intelligent being and we were created in His image, why wouldn't He put in place intellectual and profound obstacles for us conquer?
Like I said before, there's just so much that has been warped in Biblical texts by man that it's for me hard to completely build a solid belief system around it. I agree. Evolution, Big Bang, etc etc all have a place in the grand scheme of God. I know books in the Bible say the earth is 6000 years old. 6000 years in terms of a never ending being could be billions upon billions of years in the terms of man.
Yeah...I can't get behind the planet only being 6000 years old. I have thought about the expanse of time in terms of a divine sense of time too.
Kind of off topic, but this ***' place makes me LOL like nobody's business! I was watching the Ummm...Errr...That show about the Evangelical Christian family who are part of the Quiverfull movement with my sister-in-law. WTF?!? Human beings and dinosaurs living side-by-side?!? WHAT???
These are commandments in the Bible for Christians to act in our world. They were part of a lesson at my church two Sundays ago. I am not a fan of the 'if God weren't real' hypothetical situation myself, but taking that stance, let's look at the following.
Quote: James 1:27-Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Quote: Ephesians 4:32-Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Quote: Matthew 7:1-4-Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Quote: Acts 2:43-44-Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Quote: Galatians 5:22-23-But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Now, with those verses stated; I am no supporter of taking things out of context to obscure the truth of a passage, as you all know. I am not taking these things out of context to prove some hair brained, conjured truth. No, I am picking these verses as a challenge to all whom may read this that call themselves Christians. Do these things in your daily walk. If you do nothing else, do these things out of Love. Pure, unbiased, selfless love.
I think it is fairly safe to assume that theists and non theists alike can agree that if all proclaimed Christians did these simple tasks; cared for the orphaned and widowed, sold their possessions to take care of the needy, be kind and forgiving, be non-judgmental, and produce the fruits of the spirit: that each Christian would leave this world a better place than they came into it. Remove entirely the possibility of God's existence, or an eternal life. Simply look at those works, and the innate selflessness built into them. Would this world not be better?
With that said, here is my basis for the love message I have been so adamant about lately. It is also the basis in which I tie every facet of my belief and life unto.
Quote: 1 Corinthians 13-If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
This is the second covenant God created with man. It is no longer about following certain, strict rules for fear of hell. It is about a lifestyle that all thoughts and actions are derived from love. Doing things out of love for others makes those things not a sin. It is no longer the action, but the reason behind the action. 1 Corinthians goes on a few more verses to discuss love further. I think it would be good for theists and non alike to at least read up until 13:13.
I plead to you, community of FFXIAH, to hold me accountable to all things of these verses in what I do and say on here. If I am outside of the realm of these, please let me know and I will apologize and correct accordingly. I challenge all other Christians to stick to these tenants as well, and you can bet that I will (out of love) hold you accountable.
If you tl;dr, I'm sorry it wasn't worth your time. If you did read, I am open to your thoughts and criticisms.
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