I never said I was humble. You are saying that. I said I have been humbled. That's quite different to being humble. I have hardly been mislead. I think you have no idea about me and about what I have learned. Now, you are the one making big claims. I have done a lot of personal study for myself. Not just in the Bible but in many other areas. Check my earlier posts. You will see I have discussed "at length" about this subject. The qualities that God shows from the Bible are "fatherlike" qualities. That's why we say "him" and only in that sense. Of course, the Bible also says that God is a spirit being. Isn't possible? Let's take one at a time shall we? Every "god" in history? Except the "true" God, all other gods proved false to its power. They were all deities that were worshipped but that did nothing for the people that worshipped them. The true God is written about extensively throughout the Bible that takes action, all in wisdom, power, justice and the predominant quality "love". The only reference I know of about December 25th is the pagan celebration of the birth of Jesus. The Bible shows largely that Jesus was not in fact born in December. The virgin mother being "Mary" was a virgin at the time when God implanted the seed for Jesus to be born as a "perfect human". Of course, the Bible also shows he had half-brothers and half-sisters after he was born. This makes Mary no longer a "virgin". Birthdays are also a Pagan celebration. You are correct about the Egyptians celebrating them way before Jesus was on the earth. These things are what "Christendom" teach and not what "true Christians" teach. The same applies for "priests" unable to marry and have sex inside the marriage. It's a pagan belief and does not originate with God or God's word. Are these things someone told me? No. This is from personal research. Col
If it is admitted semantics then why bother with it in the first place? My belief is that a supreme being most definitely may exist but there is no proof for that in my mind. So long as there is no proof, I admit simply that I do not know. I do believe that, if a supreme being does exist, it is absolutely beyond our imagining and certainly beyond the scope of the bible and every other "holy" book ever written. You certainly make me work for it! The truth is that I'm arguing general Christianity with you when you are of a very specific branch of the religion, and that isn't fair to either of us in this debate. My disbelief in organized religion applies to all religions, but many of my specific arguments are aimed at the sects of the Christian religion that I know best. Jehovah's Witnesses isn't one of them although you have definitely inspired me to read and learn more. My belief is simply that, given the many myths and religions that have been built around the single "god" concept, a belief in a single known deity is misplaced. Jesus really is just one of many character is mythological history who share many of the same qualities. I do believe that there is an undefined spiritual quality about every single one of us, and everything else found throughout the natural universe. I believe that there is a strong possibility of something after this life, but I admit that I simply have no evidence upon which to base any pointed belief in what that may be. I also believe that a single deity may exist, but I definitely don't believe that said deity, if it existed, would resemble anything that we think we know. When I debate these topics with people of your obvious intelligence, I'm always left wondering "how can someone with a clear mind and a head for deep thought actually believe this?", and when I meet someone who displays those characteristics and does believe, I'm inspired to learn more. Every time I take the time to learn more, I find the concept of Christianity (and Judaism and Islam and all of them) to be entirely laughable. I don't mean that to be insulting, I mean to say that I truly cannot comprehend how these beliefs take hold of people who, in my opinion, should know better. I was raised Protestant and most of my immediate family are very severe Christians. I witnessed the negativity that inevitably comes when people believe without questioning deeply affect many people that I know. I hated religion for a long time before I understood why but, no matter how much I read or how much I research, I can't find one single scrap of evidence to support any religion, Christianity or otherwise. I'd appreciate any links to further information and discussion concerning Jehovah's Witnesses if you happen to have any handy
I am afraid you have contradicted yourself there. You state emphatically that God does not exist, then go on to say that I am so lacking in humility that I cannot imagine how great an intelligent creator being could be??? Are you saying that the intelligent creator being is not God? Semantics.
I understand your thoughts completely and utterly. I too, for most of my life did not believe any of it, all because of what general Christianity did to people. I hated it in fact. However, then I learned the truth of the matter. Now, I see things very differently. I don't have links as such, but, to learn more about us and about what the Bible teaches on these matters. You can quite easily have a discussion with any or our people when they knock on your door. There's absolutely no harm in doing so and there is no obligation either. It's just a case of talking. Asking questions etc.. Reading up on these things help of course. However, getting to know us personally and seeing for yourself is by far the best way to determine whether what we say and do is truth or not truth. Believing in these things is completely up to you and you only. You will never be forced into an opinion. You decide what is best for you in these matters. Regards, Col
I am afraid you have contradicted yourself there. You state emphatically that God does not exist, then go on to say that I am so lacking in humility that I cannot imagine how great an intelligent creator being could be??? Are you saying that the intelligent creator being is not God? Semantics.
I have no qualms with speaking with people, but my views are my views and not many Christians appreciate them. No matter what difference there is between Jehovah's Witnesses and the average Christian, it's all bologna to me I do appreciate the intelligent debate though! You used that exact same blurb not 15 minutes ago
Sorry about that. I lost connection and must have posted it twice somehow. I am not allowed to edit it either. Oh well.
Aging does not lie? Huh? What Aging? Radioactive dating? Are you referencing some procedures or set of procedures in particular? Terms used for the age of God would have nothing to do creation since He is ageless right? Why do you know the whole universe is not 6000 years old? When I see layers upon layers of sedimentary rock, some large enough to cover parts of whole continents, with billions of dead things preserved in them, I see evidence of a catastrophic world wide flood. For fossils to be created they must be buried rapidly in mud flows that have cementing agents in them. Creatures that die on the surface are soon decayed, even the bones. Have you seen Mount St. Helens: Explosive Evidence for Catastrophe DVD? I enjoyed it.
None in particular. I have read up on many of the procedures used. I am not against the methods to date sediments of rock. Just the methods to date fossils. From a great deal of reading and research. It makes sense. I am not denying the flood at all. The flood happened after creation according to the Bible. Col
I'm curious as to how religion would be considered a "horrible" lie. There certainly is nothing worse than people in a position of authority telling people to not murder, still, covet, etc and generally be good to one another. Truly, nothing more dreadful has been cast onto society. There are a number of religions that are based on lies but very few are terrible in the society sense. Most are just terrible in the spiritual sense which doesn't affect anyone but the believer of that religion.
Which would be bad enough on it's own. You also don't seem to be familiar with the countless bloody wars (some of the worst in history) that all started with religion. Christianity and Islam in particular are the worst killers the world has ever known.
More people have been murdered in the pursuit of eradicating religion than trying to establish one. Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Lenin, the goals were to erase religion. About 4.5 million were killed due to religious wars. Mostly during the crusades which were more political than religious. Equal parts Christians and Muslims were killed. 10's of millions were killed in the 20th century alone in attempts to purge the world of all religion. Read a book. The information is out there but why research when you can just quote a drugged up hippy. Today, more people are killed by Islamists than any other religious group. They have the same goals as the above mentioned people except instead of no religion, Islam is the goal.
Hitler was a christian/Catholic. It's a myth spread by those lying paedophils in the vatican that he was an atheist.
Christianity is not a killer, Christianity condemns killing and admonishes even showing love for ones enemies. However many have killed in the name of Christianity, making them non-Christian.
Ahh the old no true Scotsman defence. regardless if you like it or not, They are Christians. In fact, I'm sure they could put the same case against you and point you to sections of the bible that actually condones and orders them to kill for thier god, Which i guess would make you the non-christian.
Such a facile argument. Is that the limit of your debating skills? Just tell people they are wrong? No wonder you are happy being brainwashed by greedy paedophile priests. It would probably be dangerous for you to attempt an original thought at this stage of your zombification.
I think you are labeling again. You have no idea what doctrine grandad belongs to. You might get a bit of a shock when you find out though. Col