America's Christian Heritage

[BreezeWood]

The Founding Fathers envisioned all religions in the public square not all religions removed from the public square.

disingenuous at best - or the gov't allowed to intrude into the churches.

who wrote the constitution clearly stated there be an absolute separation of church and state as is the doctrine of the church as its interpretation being inviolable -

or have the gov't rewrite the desert bibles and teach those instead. the religious fanatics in reverse - meriweather.

 

[Meriweather]

I have no belief of what might become of your loved ones depending on which religion they might choose. However you seem to be a devout Christian. The main tenant of Christianity is that Jesus died to save the world, and you have to believe that with every fiber of your being or suffer eternity in hell.

That is not the Catholic tenet of Christianity. Catholic teaching is hell is real, and it is described as a chosen existence apart from God. As Jews choose God in this life, I find it doubtful they will choose existing apart from God in the next.

Catholicism also points to the eternal Covenants God has with the Jewish people. John also describes Jesus as the Word of God. Jews follows the Word of God closely. Catholicism also teaches we do not know who--if anyone--is in hell. That knowledge is not for us. The knowledge we do have is that it is our duty to proclaim the Good News and those this news does not reach for any reason are in the hands of a merciful and loving God. This takes us back to each individual either chooses God or chooses to be apart from God.

Judaism specifically teaches that is not true. Encouraging either of them to embrace Judaism, of necessity, would be condemning them to hell. Of course, if you don't believe they will go to hell for denying Jesus is the savior of the world, you are denying the main tenant of Christianity. Am I missing something?

Encouraging people to discern the will of God and follow it; to seek and they shall find God; to listen to the Word of God and to follow His ways is directing them to God, not to life apart from God. Further, the study of Judaism and the study of the Bible, especially through the clear eyes of the Jewish perspective, enriches Christianity and brings awe into understanding God's plan and all the work He has done and is continuing to do, towards its fulfillment.

One has the understand the Jewish perspective of Christ. The Israelites suffered disaster upon disaster when worshiping idols. One God is drilled into their very being. They cannot fathom God's Word becoming human, or this one human, because he is also Word, being divine. Just as there are sights, smells, and sounds dogs can discern that humans cannot, Jews' spiritual training has them focused closely on God as spirit, never physical. Worship is only for God who is spirit. There is no perception past that. And, anything else is idolatry and their loyalty to God is total.

Meanwhile Christians live in awe of what God did/is still doing through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

As God judges the human heart, I have no fear on behalf of people seeking Him through another faith. My own witness remains with the Catholic faith which is the faith that dropped me into the arms of God.

 

[Meriweather]

Doubtful. I can never recall if Meri's a guy, gal, or whatever, but it always plays the innocent flower. A bobbing, dodging weasel if there ever was one. Far more artful about it than Ding, but that's no real achievement. Yes, a Catholic. A Christian. Always studying "The Bible" and calling it good. Clearly there's only one and every child should be taught all about it, early and often. "God is Love." Never mind that old, angry, violent testament. Completely ignore separation of church and state. No worries. All is peaches and cream. You just misunderstand.

I am guessing you, like my mom, see things in black and white, as always black or white. What you see as "weaseling" is merely the impossible attempt of someone who does not see black and white trying to describe the many shades of grey of what she does see. My mom, in describing her eight children (I put myself last): Trait. Trait. Trait. Trait. Trait. Trait. Trait. (These seven all quick and succinct.) Then, hesitation, sigh and a she's....different. Who knows. Maybe "weasel" would have hit a chord with her, too.

People who see in black and white are firm in seeing one way or the other. They can't seem to fathom all the other possibilities people who are stuck in shades of grey are swimming in.

 

[Grumblenuts]

I am guessing you, like my mom, see things in black and white, as always black or white.

Nope. I'm empathetic, open minded, giving, and patient. You just misunderstand.

 

[Meriweather]

Nope. I'm empathetic, open minded, giving, and patient. You just misunderstand.

Black and white statements if there ever was one.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Weasel!

 

[BULLDOG]

That is not the Catholic tenet of Christianity. Catholic teaching is hell is real, and it is described as a chosen existence apart from God. As Jews choose God in this life, I find it doubtful they will choose existing apart from God in the next.

Catholicism also points to the eternal Covenants God has with the Jewish people. John also describes Jesus as the Word of God. Jews follows the Word of God closely. Catholicism also teaches we do not know who--if anyone--is in hell. That knowledge is not for us. The knowledge we do have is that it is our duty to proclaim the Good News and those this news does not reach for any reason are in the hands of a merciful and loving God. This takes us back to each individual either chooses God or chooses to be apart from God.



Encouraging people to discern the will of God and follow it; to seek and they shall find God; to listen to the Word of God and to follow His ways is directing them to God, not to life apart from God. Further, the study of Judaism and the study of the Bible, especially through the clear eyes of the Jewish perspective, enriches Christianity and brings awe into understanding God's plan and all the work He has done and is continuing to do, towards its fulfillment.

One has the understand the Jewish perspective of Christ. The Israelites suffered disaster upon disaster when worshiping idols. One God is drilled into their very being. They cannot fathom God's Word becoming human, or this one human, because he is also Word, being divine. Just as there are sights, smells, and sounds dogs can discern that humans cannot, Jews' spiritual training has them focused closely on God as spirit, never physical. Worship is only for God who is spirit. There is no perception past that. And, anything else is idolatry and their loyalty to God is total.

Meanwhile Christians live in awe of what God did/is still doing through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

As God judges the human heart, I have no fear on behalf of people seeking Him through another faith. My own witness remains with the Catholic faith which is the faith that dropped me into the arms of God.

Christianity is based on Jesus being the one true savior sent by god. Without that one point, there is no Christianity. Judaism is vehemently opposed to that belief. You can't justify that difference. If you are Jewish, you oppose the only thing that makes Christianity a religion. You don't get that?

 

[BothWings]

 

[BreezeWood]

As God judges the human heart, I have no fear on behalf of people seeking Him through another faith.

final judgement made by the heavens is whether as jesus taught the spirit learned to sin no more - the spoken religion is not based on faith instead to accomplish the heavenly goal given all life for admittance to the everlasting.

 

[Meriweather]

Christianity is based on Jesus being the one true savior sent by god. Without that one point, there is no Christianity. Judaism is vehemently opposed to that belief. You can't justify that difference. If you are Jewish, you oppose the only thing that makes Christianity a religion. You don't get that?

Of course I get that--re-read my post perhaps. Why should it bother me--or anyone--that Jews do not accept Christianity when I understand why they do not accept it? They are certainly not the only religion that does not accept Christianity.

 

[BULLDOG]

Of course I get that--re-read my post perhaps. Why should it bother me--or anyone--that Jews do not accept Christianity when I understand why they do not accept it? They are certainly not the only religion that does not accept Christianity.

When my faith was waning, and I couldn't find the answers I needed to maintain my belief, I went to prominent religious authorities (at least prominent in this area) and presented my questions in hopes of finding answers from those more knowledgeable than I. I received logically absurd answers as goofy or worse than the silliness you are spouting. Thank you for reinforcing my confidence in my choice.

 

[cnm]

Certainly with its humanitarianism.

Gaza, Iraq, Vietnam and Afghanistan are grateful for US humanitarianism.

 

[Meriweather]

When my faith was waning, and I couldn't find the answers I needed to maintain my belief, I went to prominent religious authorities (at least prominent in this area) and presented my questions in hopes of finding answers from those more knowledgeable than I. I received logically absurd answers as goofy or worse than the silliness you are spouting. Thank you for reinforcing my confidence in my choice.

Great Saints (including Mother Teresa) had similar experiences in living in faith. Some described them as desert or dry times; Saint John of the Cross called it the dark night of the soul. Interesting that people following the Jewish religion caused you to reconsider faith in God, while faithful Jews and their story strengthens mine.

I do find it odd that you consider non-belief a choice. Growing up with atheists and living with them all my life, you are the first to describe non-belief as a choice they made. All the atheists that have been in my life do not see it as a choice they made but a diagnosis of truth within themselves.

The same goes for me. I was determined to seek and find God when I was told He is here--I had that much faith--when God manifested himself to me, I had no choice to believe or not to believe. I know. Often knowing can be a great burden. The verse where Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe" is loaded with truth. Faith is one of the greatest gifts a soul can receive, and I no longer have that great blessing of faith because I know.

Ironic, isn't it, that neither of us have faith, that we have that much in common.

 

[Grumblenuts]

I do find it odd that you consider non-belief a choice. Growing up with atheists and living with them all my life, you are the first to describe non-belief as a choice they made. All the atheists that have been in my life do not see it as a choice they made but a diagnosis of truth within themselves.

Yes, I believe BULLDOG erred when tacking the word "choice" on at the end there. One lacks belief in gods via logical deduction, not choice.

When my faith was waning, and I couldn't find the answers I needed to maintain my belief, I went to prominent religious authorities (at least prominent in this area) and presented my questions in hopes of finding answers from those more knowledgeable than I. I received logically absurd answers as goofy or worse than the silliness you are spouting.

"Logically absurd" -- BINGO, nuff said.

However, empirical evidence (not silly yabber) is what's required to overcome lack of belief in gods, ghosts, Spaghetti Monsters, or anything else.

Google Search

 

[BULLDOG]

Great Saints (including Mother Teresa) had similar experiences in living in faith. Some described them as desert or dry times; Saint John of the Cross called it the dark night of the soul. Interesting that people following the Jewish religion caused you to reconsider faith in God, while faithful Jews and their story strengthens mine.

I do find it odd that you consider non-belief a choice. Growing up with atheists and living with them all my life, you are the first to describe non-belief as a choice they made. All the atheists that have been in my life do not see it as a choice they made but a diagnosis of truth within themselves.

The same goes for me. I was determined to seek and find God when I was told He is here--I had that much faith--when God manifested himself to me, I had no choice to believe or not to believe. I know. Often knowing can be a great burden. The verse where Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe" is loaded with truth. Faith is one of the greatest gifts a soul can receive, and I no longer have that great blessing of faith because I know.

Ironic, isn't it, that neither of us have faith, that we have that much in common.

Wow. You got a lot packed in there that I never said. Judaism had nothing to do with my belief or non belief of Christianity. I did reach a point where after carefully reevaluating what I was taught as a child I could no longer accept what I once accepted as truth. Ok. My personal rout has been under the magnifying glass for a while. I've already said I wish I could again have the comfort of believing in a loving God who had my wellbeing at heart. I just no longer believe that is the case. If you have something more than platitudes and trite remarks to show me something I missed, I would love to see it.

 

[Meriweather]

Wow. You got a lot packed in there that I never said.

Exactly.

 

[BreezeWood]

Great Saints

Exactly.

have they ever chosen someone without mental disorders caused by reading the christian bible ... is there a saint that is not a christian. as jesus.

 

[hobelim]

Bears repeating..

Thanks. I agree, and if that bears repeating I think this does too.

James Madison made a point that any believer of any religion should understand: "that the government sanction of a religion was, in essence, a threat to religion. “Who does not see,” he wrote, “that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects?”

 

[BreezeWood]

Thanks. I agree, and if that bears repeating I think this does too.

James Madison made a point that any believer of any religion should understand: "that the government sanction of a religion was, in essence, a threat to religion. “Who does not see,” he wrote, “that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects?”

- or have the gov't rewrite the desert bibles and teach those instead.

the church state separation is ancient as to keep the gov't from the pulpit as the religion than the pulpit being its own religion ...

the religious fanatics simply have no moral codes than their own selfish motivations.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Why start a religion? {he asked Google}

Search Labs | AI Overview

People start religions for a variety of reasons, including the desire to provide meaning and purpose to life, create social cohesion, explain natural phenomena, or offer comfort and guidance. Some religions are also used for social control or to justify political power.

Seems to me, any of those could be given as reasons to start just about anything. Say a family, a soccer team, a school, or a government. But "for social control" and "to justify political power" are mentioned last because they're so obviously the genuine answer.

Hey, let's build a community center so we can gather, sing and dance, play games, discuss and vote on shit,.. Nah, wait, who's gonna be in charge? I hereby nominate Nate Loudmouth. He knows everything! He'll provide us with meaning and purpose to life, create social cohesion, explain natural phenomena, plus offer comfort and guidance.

Sorry, march on..