Zone1 Not a Christian

[Vastator]

I’m just pointing out that you suck too.

No one knows this better than me.

 

[Meriweather]

Some theologians say that there was 700 years of silence from God between the Old Testament and the New Testament. That means people born in that time frame never heard God speak either. Is it so unrealistic to believe that God doesn’t speak to me? Is it really that big of a deal if God doesn’t acknowledge me?

I don't know why some theologians have reached that conclusion. There is public revelation, and there is private/personal communication.

Of course it is not unrealistic to believe God doesn't speak to you or if you don't feel God's acknowledgement of you. One of the truest, most sincere statements Jesus made is, "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe." As one who has seen/heard, I can testify of the great burden that is. You are doing fine.

I also understand the determination to have an actual interaction with God, like Noah, Moses, Abraham. I became that determined due to the Little Golden Books that were read to me when I was a toddler. It takes a real stubborn person (I was born stubborn, as everyone in my family is swift to tell me). I pursued this for decades. And learned...it is more blessed to believe and walk by faith than to see/hear.

 

[Meriweather]

It seems to me if a human’s voice is capable of being heard and recognized that an all powerful being would have an even greater capacity than a mere human voice. Why can I hear the voice of humans but not a much more powerful voice?

As Elijah testifies to us in Kings, God uses a tiny whispering sound.

 

[Meriweather]

How about ME. After 27 years of active participation and earnest faith in the church, not only did I not find any physical benefits; I couldn’t find any spiritual benefits either.

The first thing that comes to mind is, Wow, you must have had a great life that you needed nothing physical nor spiritual. The second thing...If you are speaking of the first 27 years of your life, it could be the fruit has not yet ripened.

 

[Bezukhov]

No it didn't. And I believe you bought into the anti Christian lies. I pretty much KNOW that

Sure it did. Christianity, as much as Islam, was spread primarily by the sword. Well, honestly, there was a difference. Muslims went out conquering for the express purpose of spreading their evil and demonic religion. Christians on the other hand, went out a conquering for the noble aims of Greed and Avarice. Having a priest along was an afterthought. "Hey, we slaughtered a whole lot of them and took their land and stuff. Go explain to them that they need to forgive us and worship these two connected sticks".

 

[Meriweather]

The heaven and hell nonsense seems to be the most popular. It just didn’t prove to be popular in this thread. Maybe people don’t really believe that heaven and hell nonsense. They didn’t show up here to defend it. So I basically made my point.

It apparently hasn't occurred to you that many, if not most, follow Christ because he came with the assurance that the Kingdom of God is at hand--meaning within reach, right here, right now--for all. It is an eternal Kingdom meaning it extends from right now into the next life.

Most of us are so involved in this life that there is not much time to wonder or surmise about the next. God is helping us right here, right now, and there is no reason to doubt it won't be the same in the hereafter.

Why are you so wrapped up in heaven and hell?

 

[Carl in Michigan]

Sure it did. Christianity, as much as Islam, was spread primarily by the sword. Well, honestly, there was a difference. Muslims went out conquering for the express purpose of spreading their evil and demonic religion. Christians on the other hand, went out a conquering for the noble aims of Greed and Avarice. Having a priest along was an afterthought. "Hey, we slaughtered a whole lot of them and took their land and stuff. Go explain to them that they need to forgive us and worship these two connected sticks".

You have a wrong understanding of all this.

I am not Catholic and they do not represent Christianity as far as I am concerned. But they were not wrong to approve of driving back the Muslim Crusade spreading all thru Europe, and they did the world a great service keeping the Muslim hordes contained

You're allowed your uninformed opinions because you don't have to live during that time. I suggest you dig a lot more into the history of that time and what was demanded of conquered Europe.

 

[Anathema]

The first thing that comes to mind is, Wow, you must have had a great life that you needed nothing physical nor spiritual. The second thing...If you are speaking of the first 27 years of your life, it could be the fruit has not yet ripened

LOL. That’s hilarious. I needed, and still need a huge number of things, physically and spiritually. I did not get the vast majority of those things and still don’t.

I don’t believe in long-term investing. I need a short term return on the time, energy and money I invest into something. After 27 years, and getting no return on my investment (in fact losing on the investment) I was no longer willing to continue throwing good materials after a bad return.

 

[Meriweather]

A deformed person in constant pain is not something I would make, if I were a god. if someone is doing that on purpose, that would be horrendous. Don't you agree?

What I hear is that you could not possibly love anyone with special needs.
I work with special needs children. What you said I find horrific. Not only can't you love such people, you don't think anyone else can either.

 

[Meriweather]

I don’t believe in long-term investing. I need a short term return on the time, energy and money I invest into something. After 27 years, and getting no return on my investment (in fact losing on the investment) I was no longer willing to continue throwing good materials after a bad return.

Can you give a specific example?

 

[Jaxson]

Are you so broke that you cannot afford to spare some time, comfort, or compassion? For those truly in need of such things they are priceless. Maybe instead of spending life as a disgruntled human being; try being a compassionate human doing. “Crazy” idea. I know…

Are you so gullible that you'll not see that god deformed this person and put them in constant pain, and that me spending a few minutes with them doesn't absolve god for what he did to this person.

 

[Jaxson]

What I hear is that you could not possibly love anyone with special needs.
I work with special needs children. What you said I find horrific. Not only can't you love such people, you don't think anyone else can either.

I said if I were god I wouldn't make such people, not that I don't care about them. Stop making stuff up to scapegoat your god.

 

[Jaxson]

Let’s pretend for a moment that you are God. What would your creation look like?

It wouldn't have any deformed, retarded people in constant pain until they die, that's for sure. Only a sadist would do that.

 

[Jaxson]

So unless everything is perfect there can be no God? Because I’m wondering where you draw that line.

Did it ever occur to you that it’s the challenges that make life worth living? That it’s the challenges that make the good taste even sweeter.

God's power is not put forward to get certain things done, but to get them done in a certain way, and with certain results in the lives of those who do them.

No, I'm saying that God is a fuck up.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

Are you so gullible that you'll not see that god deformed this person and put them in constant pain, and that me spending a few minutes with them doesn't absolve god for what he did to this person.

Did God actually do it, or is it nature. At most you can accuse Him of not intervening in this evil world. You want to decide when God should stay out of your business

 

[Anathema]

Can you give a specific example?

It starts at the moment of conception with a genetic, non-hereditary birth defect that will be a major detriment for my entire life. The symptoms/effects of this birth defect will include: Glaucoma, Epilepsy, Cranial Calcification (calcium deposits in the brain) and a full facial birthmark. The treatment for this condition will leave me with multiple eye surgeries, an inability to deal with the cold (I was born in CT), emotional issues, a minor learning disability, and stunted growth (thanks phenobarbital). Worse, I will get to watch my two younger brothers surpass me in pretty much every physical, social, and intellectual category you can think of.

Should I go on?… because I CAN.

 

[Vastator]

Are you so gullible that you'll not see that god deformed this person and put them in constant pain, and that me spending a few minutes with them doesn't absolve god for what he did to this person.

He did?

 

[presonorek]

Why are you so wrapped up in heaven and hell?

I attended Baptist churches three times a week as a child during the 1980s. Hell fire and brimstone was the norm.

 

[Meriweather]

I said if I were god I wouldn't make such people

Couldn't stand them, hmm?

 

[onefour1]

By following Christ, your eternal existence will be much more rewarding and joyful.