Zone1 Atheist Evangelism

[Carl in Michigan]

Do you ever wonder why school shootings, disrespect for authority (cops), and the general cultural decay eats away at American society?

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

Not at all. The Bible tells us that Satan is the ruler of this world. The Bible also tells us that spiritual blindness and deceit are rampant in the world. My advice is to try and be apart from the world as much as possible aside from evangelizing to them. Love God, thank God for your life and blessings, obey God to demonstrate that you are his child. And, of course, love one another.

 

[TNHarley]

school shootings

mental illness

disrespect for authority (cops),

those tyrants do it to themselves.

general cultural decay

What do you mean? Like pornhub, onlyfans, ashley madison, MSM lies and deceit? Things like that?

 

[Votto]

Do you ever wonder why school shootings, disrespect for authority (cops), and the general cultural decay eats away at American society?

As Christian influence wanes decay begins to set it.

For example, Christians gave warnings for such things as institutionalizing gay marriage, and warned of a slippery slope once embraced, and now they mutilate the genitals of children with impunity, even though Trump is supposedly running the show it continues.

Now morality is dictated by the Left and enforced in government and the media and academia to be propagated to the masses.

It's a metastasis upon society.

 

[1srelluc]

That's the good thing about being agnostic, you can discern between right and wrong without the "side effects" of kowtowing to a particular religion.

 

[TNHarley]

now they mutilate the genitals of children with impunity

Jews have been doing that for over 100 years. Tranny surgery was started by a jew. Ironically that hospital was destroyed by hitler.

institutionalizing gay marriage

Israel has some of the most progressive laws for gays in the world.

--Did the promised land get taken over by the devil?

 

[Votto]

That's the good thing about being agnostic, you can discern between right and wrong without the "side effects" of kowtowing to a particular religion.

Human beings are lemmings when it comes to pretty much everything, including morality

For example, at one time slavery was seen as not ideal, but Ok because the state endorsed it.

But decades after it being illegal, the thought of it seems absurd

The same can be said of abortion. When it was illegal it was seen as immoral, but decades after it being legal it is generally seen as not ideal, but Ok, just like the slavery in the 1800's.

And you jumped on that bus without even realizing their influence over you. In fact, the very fact you are an agnostic is the secular human influence within society.

 

[TNHarley]

For example, at one time slavery was seen as not ideal, but Ok because the state endorsed it.

Your god endorsed slavery.

 

[Votto]

Your god endorsed slavery.

No, no he did not.

Any idea who Moses was?

Any idea as to what he did?

Any idea why you even have a weekend and 2 days of rest?

 

[1srelluc]

In fact, the very fact you are an agnostic is the secular human influence within society.

I don't see that as a bad thing as the merits far outweigh the "challenges".

Merits and Demerits of Secularity​

Secularity, in and of itself, is neither inherently good nor bad for society. Its impact largely depends on how it is implemented and the context in which it operates. Here are some key considerations:

Positive Aspects of Secularity:

• Religious Freedom: Secularity often goes hand in hand with religious freedom, allowing individuals to practice their faith or choose not to, without coercion or discrimination.
• Pluralism: A secular society tends to be more inclusive and diverse, fostering an environment where people of different faiths and beliefs coexist peacefully.
• Equality: Secularism promotes the idea that all citizens, regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs, should have equal rights and opportunities, fostering a sense of fairness.
• Separation of Church and State: It prevents religious institutions from exerting undue influence on government policy, maintaining the integrity of governance.
• Critical Thinking: It encourages individuals to think critically and make moral decisions based on reason, ethics, and empathy rather than blind adherence to religious doctrines.

Challenges of Secularity:

• Moral Vacuum: Some argue that the decline of religious influence in secular societies can create a moral vacuum, leading to ethical relativism or a lack of shared moral values.
• Values Debate: Secular societies often debate the source of moral values and the role of religion, ethics, and philosophy in shaping them.
• Cultural Clashes: In diverse secular societies, clashes of values and beliefs can occur, requiring mechanisms to balance individual rights with societal harmony.
• Loss of Community: In some cases, the decline of religious institutions in secular societies may lead to a loss of community and social support networks that religious communities often provide.

Secularity's Influence on the Moral Compass of Society

The morals and values of a complex society | Specialist speaks on secular morality and the moral compass

www.integrative-psych.org

‍

 

[Votto]

I don't see that as a bad thing as the merits far outweigh the "challenges".

Merits and Demerits of Secularity​

Secularity, in and of itself, is neither inherently good nor bad for society. Its impact largely depends on how it is implemented and the context in which it operates. Here are some key considerations:

Positive Aspects of Secularity:

• Religious Freedom: Secularity often goes hand in hand with religious freedom, allowing individuals to practice their faith or choose not to, without coercion or discrimination.
• Pluralism: A secular society tends to be more inclusive and diverse, fostering an environment where people of different faiths and beliefs coexist peacefully.
• Equality: Secularism promotes the idea that all citizens, regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs, should have equal rights and opportunities, fostering a sense of fairness.
• Separation of Church and State: It prevents religious institutions from exerting undue influence on government policy, maintaining the integrity of governance.
• Critical Thinking: It encourages individuals to think critically and make moral decisions based on reason, ethics, and empathy rather than blind adherence to religious doctrines.

Challenges of Secularity:

• Moral Vacuum: Some argue that the decline of religious influence in secular societies can create a moral vacuum, leading to ethical relativism or a lack of shared moral values.
• Values Debate: Secular societies often debate the source of moral values and the role of religion, ethics, and philosophy in shaping them.
• Cultural Clashes: In diverse secular societies, clashes of values and beliefs can occur, requiring mechanisms to balance individual rights with societal harmony.
• Loss of Community: In some cases, the decline of religious institutions in secular societies may lead to a loss of community and social support networks that religious communities often provide.

Secularity's Influence on the Moral Compass of Society

The morals and values of a complex society | Specialist speaks on secular morality and the moral compass

www.integrative-psych.org

‍

Funny, the DNC is secular and I don't see any of their policies like this.

All I see is fascism and censorship and canceling people from society who are deemed not woke enough

And just look at China for God's sake.

In Europe and Canada, you can't even make jokes without threat of offending someone and winding up in jail.

Try again.

 

[TNHarley]

No, no he did not.

Yes he did. He told the isrealites to go take over a village and enslave everyone, to sell for debts. He tells how to treat them. Many more examples of it. Would you like more?

Any idea why you even have a weekend and 2 days of rest?

Henry Ford lolz

 

[1srelluc]

Funny, the DNC is secular and I don't see any of their policies like this.

All I see is fascism and censorship and canceling people from society who are deemed not woke enough

And just look at China for God's sake.

Try again.

Thing is the example cited lack the main ingredient.....Common sense.....They don't have it, I do.

As a result I don't need some hokey religion to tell me what type of life I should live.

 

[Votto]

Yes he did. He told the isrealites to go take over a village and enslave everyone, to sell for debts. He tells how to treat them. Many more examples of it. Would you like more?

Henry Ford lolz

The entire book of Exodus is dedicated to God freeing slaves from Egypt.

God allowed slavery once they escaped Egypt but it was not the same as in Egypt or in the Deep South in the 1800's.

At least acknowledge that much. Slaves in the Hebrew culture could only be slaves for 7 years, and then had to be freed. Additionally, they had a day of rest despite being a slave, something unheard of in the ancient world. Slavery was allowed for those who were down and out and had no tribe to help keep them afloat by in large.

It was the first step in humanity, that I know of, to help limit the evils of a very bad system in which most people during that time were all slaves.

And Jesus himself said that those who commit sin become a slave to it, thus recognizing slavery as a negative aspect of life.

And sorry, I don't believe those who are secular are really all that upset with slavery since today we have more slaves in the world than at any other time in history. They spend all their time pretending to be upset about slavery that happened hundreds of years ago they can do nothing about and ignore slaves right under their very noses.

You do also realize that in the US half of the nation were abolitionists in the 1800's, right? They Left simply ignores this fact and says that the mostly Christian dominated nation was all systemically racist because it was somehow endorsed by the Bible because they hate the Bible and everything it stands for and all they know how to do is lie.

 

[Votto]

Thing is the example cited lack the main ingredient.....Common sense.....They don't have it, I do.

As a result I don't need some hokey religion to tell me what type of life I should live.

Unfortunately, we do need to be taught what is right and wrong because we all do wrong, don't we.

Why do you think that is?

The thing is, the Left will cram their version of what is right and wrong down your throat as where I do not.

And if they don't get to you, they will get to your children and family and loved ones through the media and academia and all the other institutions they have taken over, and maybe even a few churches as well.

 

[TNHarley]

The entire book of Exodus is dedicated to God freeing slaves from Egypt.

Lol freeing who? "his" people. Horrible argument.
He literally commands isrealites to enslave groups of people so they can sell them to help pay their debts if they need.


Speaking of Exodus, that is dedicated to freeing slaves...

Exodus 21:2-11
​

2 “When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave declares, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out a free person,’ 6 then his master shall bring him before God. He shall be brought to the door or the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him for life.

7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt unfairly with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.

21 But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment, for the slave is the owner’s property.

Here is some more

Ephesians 6:5-9
​

Slaves and Masters​

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect

1 Timothy 6
​

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare

1 Peter 2:18-20
​

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Genesis 24:35
​

35 The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

 

[TNHarley]

Slaves in the Hebrew culture could only be slaves for 7 years, and then had to be freed. Additionally, they had a day of rest despite being a slave, something unheard of in the ancient world. Slavery was allowed for those who were down and out and had no tribe to help keep them afloat by in large.

Humanitarian slavery

 

[Votto]

Lol freeing who? "his" people. Horrible argument.
He literally commands isrealites to enslave groups of people so they can sell them to help pay their debts if they need.


Speaking of Exodus, that is dedicated to freeing slaves...

Exodus 21:2-11​

​

2 “When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave declares, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out a free person,’ 6 then his master shall bring him before God. He shall be brought to the door or the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him for life.

7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt unfairly with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.

21 But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment, for the slave is the owner’s property.

Here is some more

Ephesians 6:5-9​

​

Slaves and Masters​

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect

1 Timothy 6​

​

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare

1 Peter 2:18-20​

​

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Genesis 24:35​

​

35 The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

Your own verses you use show that the slave in question could only be a slave for about 7 years and then had a choice to make, do they want to stay or go free. Where else in the ancient world did slaves have these kinds of rights? No where that I know of. So, no, it is not the same as the typical slavery elsewhere, where slaves had no days of rest.

Admit it, it was the beginning of the reformation of a bad system, the very first on record.

It's like God giving Moses their first covenant. It was far from a perfect covenant as they had to sacrifice animals to cover their sin. Then came Christ with a better covenant, as he was the sacrifice for their sins. And even at that, Paul said this about the new covenant in 1 Corinthians 13 which was the love of Christ and his forgiveness of sin.

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

God reveals himself little by little. Baby steps, but at the end of the day, Paul still felt in the dark about a great number of things as do I.

As for how slavery was covered in the NT, you are talking about slavery under Roman rule, which is a whole different ball game.

I suppose you feel that Paul should have told them all to take up arms and murder their slave owners instead. Yea, I'm sure that would have gone well. LOL.

I am almost reminded of how Paul felt before going to his death for his faith as he was held in the deepest and darkest of dungeons. He still had hope and peace, something the world could not strip from him no matter how badly they mistreated him. Even though he was physically a slave, God had set his soul free long before.

 

[Crepitus]

Do you ever wonder why school shootings, disrespect for authority (cops), and the general cultural decay eats away at American society?

YOu kids crack me up!!

Do you really not have enough sense to know right from wrong without some all powerful being enforcing morals on you?

 

[Votto]

Humanitarian slavery

If the choice was worse than slavery, yes.

I'm not sure how knowledgeable you are about how harsh life was back then.

Again, most human beings were slaves 24/7 their entire lives back then.

The God of the Bible was the first to confront this as evil via Moses and the Sabbath.