Do we need to fear God?

[Stann]

The first thing any observant Jew will tell you, is that not all 613 commandments are for everyone. For example, there are only seven for those who are not Jews. Some of their own rules are only for certain situations, some only for men, some only for women.

Which of the seven Noahide Laws are you in disagreement with?

• Do not profane God’s Oneness in any way.
• Do not curse your Creator.
• Do not murder.
• Do not eat a limb of a still-living animal.
• Do not steal.
• Harness and channel the human libido. (Incest, adultery, rape and homosexual relations are forbidden.)
• Establish courts of law and ensure justice in our world.

If you hold no belief in God, then no need to fret about the first two.

I believe in the natural god, not tribal ones. And the only thing that forbidding masturbation ( wasting seed ), homosexuality, sex outside of marriage / promoting monogamy, and not allowing sex except for the expressed purpose of creating life, etc., all have in common is that it produces more tribal members ( warriors ) thus making a stronger tribe. One question, was Abraham a leader ?

 

[Meriweather]

believe in the natural god, not tribal ones.

Then you believe in One God, the universal God. And you are not to profane Him in anyway. So why are you calling Him "tribal" when from the time of Noah, there was that acknowledgement of a universal God? From the time of Noah, we are told not to use God in a way that insults or demeans others. Or for that matter, in a way that we think makes us superior to others. If we believe God is universal, then we do not degrade others.

 

[Meriweather]

And the only thing that forbidding masturbation ( wasting seed ), homosexuality, sex outside of marriage / promoting monogamy, and not allowing sex except for the expressed purpose of creating life, etc., all have in common is that it produces more tribal members ( warriors ) thus making a stronger tribe.

Actually, the main purpose is to create strong families which create a strong community. It is not always about warriors, but peace as strength is the bulwark of peace, working together, and helping the less fortunate.

 

[Stann]

Then you believe in One God, the universal God. And you are not to profane Him in anyway. So why are you calling Him "tribal" when from the time of Noah, there was that acknowledgement of a universal God? From the time of Noah, we are told not to use God in a way that insults or demeans others. Or for that matter, in a way that we think makes us superior to others. If we believe God is universal, then we do not degrade others.

The natural /universal GOD has nothing to do with han myths and folklore. Has no desire or need to be worshipped. That is the domain of all the gods throughout history that mankind has created and of course, most in man's own image.

 

[Meriweather]

One question, was Abraham a leader ?

The story (or legend) behind Abraham is that he came from a family of wood carvers, or idol makers. At a young age, Abraham came to a strong belief in one, universal God. One day, as the story goes, his father left him to mind the shop and all the idols. When the father returned, he saw all the idols--except the largest smashed and destroyed. He angrily asked his son, "Who did this!?" And Abraham pointed to the one remaining idol and said, "He did."

Abraham is remembered for belief in One God, but to this day, we hold the memory of his family's heritage--many gods--because Abraham's belief became known as, "The God of Abraham." Was he a leader? He certainly went his own way. And others followed. Is that a leader?

 

[Stann]

The story (or legend) behind Abraham is that he came from a family of wood carvers, or idol makers. At a young age, Abraham came to a strong belief in one, universal God. One day, as the story goes, his father left him to mind the shop and all the idols. When the father returned, he saw all the idols--except the largest smashed and destroyed. He angrily asked his son, "Who did this!?" And Abraham pointed to the one remaining idol and said, "He did."

Abraham is remembered for belief in One God, but to this day, we hold the memory of his family's heritage--many gods--because Abraham's belief became known as, "The God of Abraham." Was he a leader? He certainly went his own way. And others followed. Is that a leader?

Now, what tribe were the followers of Abraham called ? And what religions did this religious leader inspire. Hint, there are 3 ( actually many more), but 3 well-known ones. Collectively called the Abrahamic religions.

 

[Meriweather]

The natural /universal GOD has nothing to do with han myths and folklore. Has no desire or need to be worshipped. That is the domain of all the gods throughout history that mankind has created and of course, most in man's own image.

Do you believe we should put God first? If so, then you are following the etymology of the Hebrew word for worship. It means to place first. So, technically, if you are proud of not worshiping God, make sure He stays in second place or lower so that you can 'worship' something other than God, since you don't think that placing God first in your life is all that important.

Next, there were many literary devices used to teach others, or describe, God who is indescribable. The Bible makes this clear as it goes on to teach some of God's attributes. What you call "myths" and "folklore" is a reverence of God because from the beginning, people acknowledged it was impossible for us to give a fully accurate portrayal of the Almighty.

It is not man's image, it is presenting God in a way man might understand. Our ancestors were much more on top of things--intelligent and wise--than you are crediting them. I am betting you will describe God in much the same manner. You will begin with saying mankind's portrayal of God cannot be fully accurate. And then you will begin with allegory--just as they did. Try it. See if you don't.

 

[Meriweather]

Now, what tribe were the followers of Abraham called ? And what religions did this religious leader inspire. Hint, there are 3 ( actually many more), but 3 well-known ones. Collectively called the Abrahamic religions.

And what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? It is like going into a university advanced math class and sneering at all the students because, after all, they started out in their toddler years learning to count. Is anyone born knowing, without ever having to listen to anyone or read anything. Most of build on the foundation which was handed down. Are you different in that regard?

 

[Stann]

Do you believe we should put God first? If so, then you are following the etymology of the Hebrew word for worship. It means to place first. So, technically, if you are proud of not worshiping God, make sure He stays in second place or lower so that you can 'worship' something other than God, since you don't think that placing God first in your life is all that important.

Next, there were many literary devices used to teach others, or describe, God who is indescribable. The Bible makes this clear as it goes on to teach some of God's attributes. What you call "myths" and "folklore" is a reverence of God because from the beginning, people acknowledged it was impossible for us to give a fully accurate portrayal of the Almighty.

It is not man's image, it is presenting God in a way man might understand. Our ancestors were much more on top of things--intelligent and wise--than you are crediting them. I am betting you will describe God in much the same manner. You will begin with saying mankind's portrayal of God cannot be fully accurate. And then you will begin with allegory--just as they did. Try it. See if you don't.

GOD did not create us to put him / it first. The entity often referred to as GOD is not able to be comprehended by mankind's mind. That's why men created religions, something they could comprehend and understand.

 

[Stann]

And what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? It is like going into a university advanced math class and sneering at all the students because, after all, they started out in their toddler years learning to count. Is anyone born knowing, without ever having to listen to anyone or read anything. Most of build on the foundation which was handed down. Are you different in that regard?

You seem unable or unwilling to use your mind and come to the logical conclusion about religion and belief systems.

 

[Meriweather]

GOD did not create us to put him / it first.

What should be first?

 

[Meriweather]

GOD is not able to be comprehended by mankind's mind.

Yes, I already noted this.

 

[Meriweather]

You seem unable or unwilling to use your mind and come to the logical conclusion about religion and belief systems.

Oh? What is the "logical conclusion" about religion and belief systems?

 

[Stann]

What should be first?

Mankind and it's endeavors. That's what a true, real GOD would want.

 

[Meriweather]

Mankind and it's endeavors. That's what a true, real GOD would want.

What God wants is the success of mankind. That being the case, should He offer advice (i.e. the Noahide Laws, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes)? We are given a guide to success, and our ancestors offer additional advice based on what they learned.

When you say, Mankind and their endeavors, do you mean Chinese communism should succeed; Russia's endeavors in the Ukraine should succeed, the "Woke" should succeed in mutilating children's genitals, the prisons to be emptied, and everyone able to take anything they want with no cost to themselves?

Here is the newsflash you missed: God and mankind both want mankind to succeed. What are the best steps to take for success? What comes first?

 

[Stann]

Common sense What God wants is the success of mankind. That being the case, should He offer advice (i.e. the Noahide Laws, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes)? We are given a guide to success, and our ancestors offer additional advice based on what they learned.

When you say, Mankind and their endeavors, do you mean Chinese communism should succeed; Russia's endeavors in the Ukraine should succeed, the "Woke" should succeed in mutilating children's genitals, the prisons to be emptied, and everyone able to take anything they want with no cost to themselves?

Here is the newsflash you missed: God and mankind both want mankind to succeed. What are the best steps to take for success? What comes first?

Don't be ridiculous, the current crises and cures are primitive compared to where we should be ( if religion and other primitive ideas didn't keep holding us back. ). War, famine, disease, pestilence; all these maladies should be history by now.

 

[Meriweather]

( if religion and other primitive ideas didn't keep holding us back. ). War, famine, disease, pestilence; all these maladies should be history by now.

You might consider that it is your own personal superstition that religion is to blame. The roots go much further than religion.

 

[Stann]

You might consider that it is your own personal superstition that religion is to blame. The roots go much further than religion.

Religion brings out the worst of humanity. Denying it even exists at times. The church has always been very happy to keep the public ignorant and superstitious. The serious questions are it's death knell.

 

[Blues Man]

I should've use the word nonbeliever, sorry, because I understand that one can not believe, yet also not explicitly deny the existence of God. Sometimes there's a fine line between those two types, however.



That is your opinion, so please don't state it as if it is a fact. I could say more here, but I don't want this to be too long, because I don't have a whole lot of time right now.



This is actually illogical, and based on one's own limited experience, which does not always reflect the truth.

It's illogical, because by definition God is the Creator, Supreme Being, and as such the source of truth and morality itself. In other words, no one can be "better" or more "right" than God... so for a fallible created human being to criticize God's morality is nonsensical and silly. That would be putting yourself above God, which is insane.

Again, as I said to Stann, it's like a 3 year old toddler in the middle of a tantrum waving his fist at mommy and daddy saying "you are a mean poo poo head!" ... not because the parents did anything wrong, but because the toddler isn't capable of understanding why the parent didn't let him play with a knife, or whatever the case may be.

God never promised that this world would be a bed of roses.... quite the opposite, in fact. From a Christian perspective, it is made very clear that this is a fallen, corrupted world. That doesn't mean there is no good, and it doesn't mean that God does not care.... both of those are false ideas, again, likely based on negative experiences one had in their past, and ignorance of God, and of His true nature and character.



Religion and God are two different things. I too hate religion - when it is false, empty or not in line with truth.

Here's a scripture on religion:

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

I will state whatever I want. I have seen no evidence of the existence of gods . What I see is a small weak short lived species of ape with a capacity for intellect that he doesn't really know how to use making up explanations for things they cannot understand.

It's easy to follow the evolution of the belief in gods and the invention of religion.

 

[Meriweather]

Religion brings out the worst of humanity.

Religion is not what brings out the worst in humanity. The roots of what brings out the worst in people are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth because they lead to further woes. Think about it. It's not religion.