Theology and Religious Belief

[Guest]

24 minutes ago, Puck said:

that must be refreshing.
my thoughts frequently ponder the idea. sometimes constantly.
there's at least some part of my day where I either discuss it, or watch/listen to other people discuss it.
I'm well aware of where I stand on the matter, but it interests me the way other minds approach it.
it's almost impossible to avoid it or ignore it sometimes.
for instance, in sports when a player makes a play / scores I frequently notice them pointing to the sky as if they are pointing to someone. I see some of these athletes paint crosses on their face or have religious tattoos, or wear crosses as jewelry. The Titans twitter sometimes make sure to include that someone praises god for their athletic ability.  I see people pray and hold vigils for people in need.
I see people celebrate religious holidays every year. I hear people pray before eating a meal. 
I hear a Pledge of Allegiance that smuggled in One Nation "Under God", I see "In God We Trust" on my currency. The State of TN actually printed that on one of my automobile license plates. I see a court system that uses religious books to swear oaths on, I see churches and other religious buildings all over the place. I see giant steeples and crosses. there's religious items all over cemeteries.
it's the equivalent to hearing distortion except that it's visual
 

I tend not to ignore some of these things

 

For sure. We live in overwhelmingly religious communities despite our relatively open right to pursue whatever beliefs we can. The pervasiveness of Christianity, especially our particular American brand, is something that has at times weighed on me a lot, and is something I think about and see--I just try to think beyond that now, think in a way that feels productive for me and helps me not be negative, despite what I see as problematic. For this reason, it's laughable to see how persecuted some of these folks feel. 

 

An example of what you are talking about that really gets to me is when a homophobic person responds to pride events by saying something along the lines of "I don't care what you do, but I don't like having it shoved down my throat." 

 

Meanwhile, all the things that you have described--the values this individual has are pervasive everywhere, everything confirms to your norms--but for these people it is virtually impossible to see the hypocrisy in this because they perceive themselves to be the default. 

[Puck]

18 minutes ago, Bink said:

An example of what you are talking about that really gets to me is when a homophobic person responds to pride events by saying something along the lines of "I don't care what you do, but I don't like having it shoved down my throat." 

just wait till you hear how a homophobic religious person responds to LGBT+

Pride and religion , by tenet, are incompatible
actually, there's a LOT that religious people do, on a daily basis, that is incompatible with their religions

[Puck]

here's this.

it's a bit of a "No True Scotsman" fallacy

but , their are no true christians , well maybe some monastic monks or covenant nuns , but the overwhelming majority of people that claim they are, simply do not check off all the appropriate boxes.
many of them having no idea what their faith obligates them to. and having no idea about what is said the Jesus said (also, not his name). like, leaving your family behind, selling all your posessions, certain vows required, having no thought for the morrow, how he wasn't here to bring peace but a sword. there's lots of that ..... way more than "love thy neighbor" - which actually could potentially be a terrible idea as well as infringing on free will.

Free Will = Love Me or Else

many of them think that by wearing a cross around their neck, getting a tattoo of some religious iconography (both of which are disqualifiers), performing an incantation, participating in annual rituals and reciting John 3:16 is enough to get them passage through Pearly Gates.

how basic
 

[Jamalisms]

We've discussed it occasionally in the past, often just a basic belief in God. It's not a subject that lends well to meaningful internet discussion. The fact that it's truly important means that this isn't a place to discuss it. Nothing about the internet lends itself to respect, understanding, growth or an open mind.

 

Even choosing to discuss it would be best done privately, instead of with tens of people at a time.

[ManningEnvy]

 

Jeez Jamal, you were once a god if I’m not mistaken. You need to heed the words of Pastor Touched The Tard and understand.

[ManningEnvy]

 

Hey Touched The Tard, how’s your ministry going with the Christian Furries? Have you convinced anybody that there’s nothing sexually deviant about them?

[Number9]

Late to this party.  I believe there is a power greater than me.  I have seen my life change in personal ways by using that power.  It's not a magic genie that I can turn to for riches and money to just come to me.  

 

Religion is man made. They are all so flawed because they are designed to give others power over you.  

 

I believe God is everywhere.  In me, in you, animals, fish, air, water and all that is.  It's what expresses us.  We can turn to that source if and when we want to improve our life experience.   

 

[Number9]

God and Religion are not the same.  

 

Take Catholicism.  I'm not picking on them because you'll find the same thing is all religions.  When you go through training to be a priest, you be come aware of the ungodly sex practices of priest and nuns.  They are against abortions, but they burry babies under the parish.  Child molestation.  No pope has admitted this is going on and explained why.

 

There are 81 popes who have been canonised as Saints.

 

Catholicism.  http:// https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&sxsrf=ALeKk03O-44AZmlasxrpCbHr5BVf-58Mcg:1625528272094&q=number+of+sex+charges+against+catholics&spell=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-qevZjM3xAhUZlGoFHXVqAo4QkeECKAB6BAgBEDA

[Number9]

King James was informed that he was in violation of the bible.  So, king james said rewrite the damn thing.  King James' Version of the Bible is the most widely used  Bible in America.

 

So, that's it.  God's instruction book?  Right now, you have people who will tell you every thing you need to know is in that book.

 

[Little Earl]

9 hours ago, Number9 said:

King James was informed that he was in violation of the bible.  So, king james said rewrite the damn thing.  King James' Version of the Bible is the most widely used  Bible in America.

 

So, that's it.  God's instruction book?  Right now, you have people who will tell you every thing you need to know is in that book.

 

 

Basically there is nothing what you said that is accurate.   They have the greek and hebrew versions of the new testament, and some very old hebrew versions of the old testament.   The translation into king james and other versions are all very close to the original, and do not contradict each other in any meaningful areas of importance.

 

And yes, everything you need to know to live a holy life and be saved are in the Bible.   

[Number9]

56 minutes ago, Little Earl said:

 

Basically there is nothing what you said that is accurate.   They have the greek and hebrew versions of the new testament, and some very old hebrew versions of the old testament.   The translation into king james and other versions are all very close to the original, and do not contradict each other in any meaningful areas of importance.

 

And yes, everything you need to know to live a holy life and be saved are in the Bible.   

That's the Bible, it's all left to your interpretation.

[Little Earl]

1 hour ago, Number9 said:

That's the Bible, it's all left to your interpretation.

 

You can say that about every large written document.   Plus anybody can interpret any way they see fit, no matter how absurd.   See Charles Manson and the song Helter Skelter.   

 

The overwhelming majority study the bible, look at context, and interpret the essentials the same.

[Number9]

I think God is much more than these books man writes.  We write books and use them to justify taking power from other people.  I believe God is as much present in me as God is present in all other people.  I believe God has always been in every thing long before man started writing books.

 

Books have a purpose.  You can gain new understandings about yourself and your relation to God.  But when you read a book and start to believe you are supposed to be God over other people, you miss God.

 

 

[NashvilleNinja]

On 6/15/2021 at 7:03 PM, chef said:

 

Cyrus?

 

 

I think Cyrus gave up debating/discussing this stuff before he ever gave up posting here altogether. Why I have no clue, but I imagine he just got tired of "tossing pearls before swine." And that's what we are here... a bunch of oinkers rooting around in our own shit thinking we're swimming around in gold like Scrooge McDuck.

 

I refuse to debate this shit with anyone anymore because the older I get the less I'm certain I know. But at the same time I am more and more certain others don't know half the shit they think they know, regardless of their certainty.

[AJClown]

Can someone explain these so-called Christian attitudes re same-sex marriage?

 

I read this story in today's Seattle Times where a so-called Christian florist's prosecution has come to an end with the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to hear the florist's petition. This article gives the entire history, but here is a shortened one. The florist had been making floral arrangements and selling them to two male partners for years. But, when they decided to legally marry in 2013, she refused to do a floral arrangement for their wedding, citing her religious (Christian) beliefs. WA state AG got involved and she was fined and has appealed court decisions against her up to the USCS.

Another story, that happened a few years ago in WA state involved a gay male teacher in a Roman Catholic school. The administration knew he was gay, knew he was living with his partner. When he legally married his partner, he was fired.

My question is: Why do these so-called Christians believe that gay marriage is wrong but don't take action against the gay person before he/she marries? If they believe sex with a person of the same sex is wrong, why do they only voice and act on that objection when the people marry? Do they believe that those very people are sexually abstinent until marriage?

Or are they just not operating on all pistons and fail to think logically?

 

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/u-s-supreme-court-hands-richland-florists-gay-wedding-case-back-to-washington-courts-2/