Christianity

[jayfox]

Re: what should come first.

Thanks for the reply Remote. Firstly, I would like to say that "throwaway line" was a poor choice of words. What I was trying to get the gist of was whether people are actually praying (to whatever God) during this time more than they would be normally. I'm sorry if that caused you any offense.

Firstly - where did I say I don't believe in God?

I never said you said that you said that you don't believe in God. You just had some interesting comments on religion so I was curious as to your response.

Next up - my God is quiet possibly different to your God!

Yep, possibly. Or possibly the same. Everyone is free to believe what they wish. I'm not trying to get you to believe in anything that I believe in or that you don't want to.

And Lastly - Let us not get faith in God mixed up with believing in a religion. During my 37th year I was personally going through a particularly rough episode - I asked a man of the cloth what the difference is between Religion and Spirituality. As a man of the cloth I expected him to trot out the usual Bible quotes - but - he did not - he said

"Religion is man made and its dogma and tenents are man made, passed down through generations and possibly the truth may have been changed a little but the fundamentals are usually the same - whereas - spirituality comes from within - you have been brought up in a christian faith and you know right from wrong the Ten Commandments but the true feeling that comes from your heart and soul that you know is right and gives you peace is true spirituality."

He smiled and then added " Religious people pray they won't go to hell. Spiritual people have been there and pray they won't go back!"

He sounds like a really good, down to Earth minister. That's the kind that I like too.

The next morning at breakfast I asked my father who influenced my life greatly, if he believed in God, " Son you know what I did during World War II - a mid upper gunner on a Halifax Bomber over Germany. Well on one mission after dropping our load on Berlin we turned and were heading home. Just as we could see the English channel a couple of German fighters came out of the rising sun at our kite. My job was to radio the Captain and tell him where the enemy planes were - he would then take evasive action and we would shoot at the fighter plane as it roared passed. On this occassion the Belly Gunner and I radioed the Captain at the same time - there was a fighter underneath us and fighter coming straight at me as I sat on top of our bomber. The 2 fighters had us in a sissor trap. The Captain took evasive action from the fighter underneath - this left me exposed to the fighter up top - to this day I can see his machine guns opening fire - I went to duck left but I felt a hand on my right shoulder pull me right - so I went that way. It was all over in seconds and the crackling of the Captains voice in my ear phones brought me to my senses. He asked for a damage report - I looked around my gun turrent and saw down to my left where the fighter's bullets had punctured the glass and walls of my turrent - if I had of gone left you and I would not be sitting here eating breakfast - it was a hand that pulled me right. You ask me if I believe in God - Son I have felt the hand of God".

A brilliant story. Your Dad sounds like a very interesting man.

My father only went to church for weddings, christenings or funerals - he believed he did not need a religious man to act as a go between - between him and God.

I've always said that going to church doesn't make you a Christian and there are plenty of people who go to church who aren't Christians.

My answer is yes I believe in God - but I am extremely skeptical about religions.

Fair enough. And I don't blame you. There are plenty that give you plenty to be skeptical about. It's a real shame as it takes away from the true message.

I do not wish to get into a discussion or argument over what I believe and what you believe. Let us leave it at - If what you are doing for your faith is working for you then do it, I am happy for you - rest assured what I am doing for my faith is working for me.

Take care and may your God be with you........RT

Mate, I wasn't after a debate with you and I don't even think we are that far apart anyway. It was just a question out of interest that you didn't have to answer if you didn't want to, but I'm glad you did. Thanks for the reply.

 

[marella jube]

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/fear-of-god-or-fear-of-a-difference-of-opinion-20090217-8a83.html?page=-1

 

[Disco08]

Thanks marella, very interesting reading mate.

 

[Panthera tigris FC]

Cheers for that MJ.

I was aware of the campaigns overseas and that they were pushing for one here. I wasn't aware that the EO Commission was being brought in.

 

[1eyedtiger]

The fact that the Victorian Equal Opportunity And Human Rights Commission has to be involved says a lot.

Where does religion get off? In London, some claimed to be offended by the athiest's statements. This, despite drumming their message down our throats for thousands of years (often violently) with complete ignorance to the fact that some may be offended by them.

So, how do they respond?

They have put their own message on buses, despite the fact that they may be doing exactly the same as the athiest's are, offending people!

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/02/06/christians_post_faith_messages_on_london_buses/

The athiest's never said there wasn't a god. They said there "probably" wasn't a god. How is this offensive? The christians, in the other hand, continually push their line that there is no question of god's existance.

Pushing their beliefs onto other people without question is what I find offensive.

 

[evo]

A God thats needs Bus advertisements to promote him must be pretty puny one could surmise.

 

[glantone]

A God thats needs Bus advertisements to promote him must be pretty puny one could surmise.

Times are hard for gods too – global faith recession. >


One of my favourite past times is reading church sign board messages. Just love them!
Saw this one a while back (fun to say too):
‘Down in the mouth? …time for a faith lift’

 

[jayfox]

The fact that the Victorian Equal Opportunity And Human Rights Commission has to be involved says a lot.

Where does religion get off? In London, some claimed to be offended by the athiest's statements. This, despite drumming their message down our throats for thousands of years (often violently) with complete ignorance to the fact that some may be offended by them.

So, how do they respond?

They have put their own message on buses, despite the fact that they may be doing exactly the same as the athiest's are, offending people!

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/02/06/christians_post_faith_messages_on_london_buses/

The athiest's never said there wasn't a god. They said there "probably" wasn't a god. How is this offensive? The christians, in the other hand, continually push their line that there is no question of god's existance.

Pushing their beliefs onto other people without question is what I find offensive.

Sheesh! I reckon their all sooks. Surely there are greater things to worry about than advertisements on a few buses in London? Neither side can have too much else to worry about. Get over yourselves I reckon.

 

[Rosy]

Pushing their beliefs onto other people without question is what I find offensive.

Indeed but by far the majority of Christians I've met in my life don't do that. They appear peaceful and caring towards others but rarely, probably never, raise their beliefs or try to influence mine in any way. That's what I have a bit of an issue with on this thread. There are a couple of people who certainly don't practice, on the forum at least, what they preach. You have to question the mindset and agenda of those who do try and force their beliefs on others. Unfortunately there are some real fruitcakes in the world living under the Christian umbrella, especially those who feel it's their duty to spead their word to others.

 

[jayfox]

Indeed but by far the majority of Christians I've met in my life don't do that. They appear peaceful and caring towards others but rarely, probably never, raise their beliefs or try to influence mine in any way. That's what I have a bit of an issue with on this thread. There are a couple of people who certainly don't practice, on the forum at least, what they preach. You have to question the mindset and agenda of those who do try and force their beliefs on others. Unfortunately there are some real fruitcakes in the world living under the Christian umbrella, especially those who feel it's their duty to spead their word to others.

Am I one of the fruitcakes?

 

[evo]

Times are hard for gods too – global faith recession. >


One of my favourite past times is reading church sign board messages. Just love them!
Saw this one a while back (fun to say too):
‘Down in the mouth? …time for a faith lift’

Hehe,nice one.

I saw some beauts when driving through Colorado,Utah and Arkansas. Wish I could remember some.

 

[Panthera tigris FC]

Hehe,nice one.

I saw some beauts when driving through Colorado,Utah and Arkansas. Wish I could remember some.

I am also a fan of the boards.

Last one I saw:

"God wants to be your best friend".......scary. Back off man. ;D

Having lived in North Carolina at one stage in my life, I have seen some rippers (although the billboards tend to be better!).

 

[RemoteTiger]

Times are hard for gods too – global faith recession. >


One of my favourite past times is reading church sign board messages. Just love them!
Saw this one a while back (fun to say too):
‘Down in the mouth? …time for a faith lift’

My favourite outside a church in Chatswood NSW -

Come and work for the Church
The pay and conditions are very low
But the Superannuation is out of this world.......

 

[glantone]

I am also a fan of the boards.

Last one I saw:

"God wants to be your best friend".......scary. Back off man. ;D

Having lived in North Carolina at one stage in my life, I have seen some rippers (although the billboards tend to be better!).

Ah, yes, god’s home turf in the US…biblical billboard spotter’s paradise, I'd imagine!
Lucky buggers.

That's very funny, Remote. Good one!


I wonder and perhaps some of you biblical scholars out there can help ...... but are there any clear examples of humour in the bible? I mean, stories or events which perhaps were at the time culturally hip or edgy with a dash of humour or is the bible completely devoid of humour?

 

[Disco08]

 

[glantone]

from the top picture:

"He invites you to be a friend."
"You are my friends if you do what I command”

Geez, how many doe eyed starlets dropped their undies to big hot shot Hollywood producers after receiving that offer?

God really is the grand producer in the sky. And perhaps he really is jewish!

 

[jayfox]

I like -

"Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity"

"God does not believe in Atheists therefore Atheists do not exist"

"Read the Bible. It will scare the Hell out of you"

"Don't make me come down there" - God

 

[glantone]

jay,

here’s a website with plenty for you.
http://wilk4.com/humor/humorc18.htm

From the above website I like ‘forbidden fruits create many jams’ because basically I like jam.
But in my view the bigger conundrum is “do you floss?’ and ‘how scared of the dentist are you?’

So anyway jay, you’re a reader of the book, is there any humour in the bible?

 

[jb03]

Am I one of the fruitcakes?

Yes

 

[jayfox]

jay,

here’s a website with plenty for you.
http://wilk4.com/humor/humorc18.htm

From the above website I like ‘forbidden fruits create many jams’ because basically I like jam.
But in my view the bigger conundrum is “do you floss?’ and ‘how scared of the dentist are you?’

So anyway jay, you’re a reader of the book, is there any humour in the bible?

Sure there is. I particularly like the verse which re-tells of Noah's experience with the flood -

"Who was the greatest financer in the Bible? Noah-he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation...."