I feel this is about punishment to come, not punishment now. God is not punishing anyone right now. But will be soon.
Some Christians and their leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Henry Blackaby believe people are being punished by god right now. They believe that natural disasters and plagues are gods way of punishing man for misdeeds. For instance, some Christians say that Aids is a punishment for homosexuals and for society allowing homosexuals. Others like Blackaby say that the Tsunami that hit south Asia was god judging the area for Chrisitan persecution. “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals, it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.†- Jerry Falwell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell "If you read the Old Testament, especially, God is very concerned how the nations treat his covenant people. The nations that persecuted, offended and killed his people, God came down and destroyed them. And he's the same God today. He's just as concerned about his people." - Henry Blackaby http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2005/1_26_2005/ne260105blackaby.shtml
Yes. God dealt with those people directly in that time. However, since Jesus there is no need for God to deal with people directly anymore. Hence, the reason why Jesus was on the earth. What was his mission? To tell anyone who would listen about his Father and what he purposes to do in the future. Yes, there are many who call themselves "Christians". Yet, their works fall way way shorter than their words. Yes, he is the same God today (not Jesus of course) and his purposes have not changed one iota. What people determine/believe what those purposes are will result in where they end up come judgment day, if people believe in him at all. It really does not matter what you and I think. It's going to happen whether people think/believe it, or not. Therefore, it is best to do your utmost to find out what the truth of the matter is in this regard. Only through, perseverance, prayer, daily reading of the scriptures and studying/meditating on them. The above paragraphs are not aimed at you personally. When I say YOU, I mean anyone who reads this. Just as "YOU" is meant to be read in the Bible. Col
The events I was talking about happened after Jesus. Obviously your beliefs are such that there is no possibility for discussion, so I won't bother. You did say something I really do like: "Therefore, it is best to do your utmost to find out what the truth of the matter is in this regard." I just see the search for the truth as a process that is continual. We have all held beliefs in our past that we felt were "true" at the time only to later have a different understanding. In my opinion to assume you know the absolute "truth" about God implies a perfect understanding of God. We are not perfect beings and have no perfect understanding of anything. I would think if you really wanted to increase your own understanding of God and your relationship with God you would continually question your beliefs, if anything to have a better understanding and a closer relationship with God.
The two I mentioned specifically, Aids and the tsunami. Both were attributed to God by Christian leaders. There are more examples in our recent history and I will dig them up if you want me to, but I think you get the point.
In what sense are you relating perfection to evolution? I don't see that evolution has an end that is perfection. Maybe perfect for the temporary evironment in a given location and time, but that is all transitory. The concept of perfection is fairly absract. In my own mind, something that might be considered an example of perfection the golden ratio, but still that is an abstract.
Yep. I see what you are saying and I thought as much. Most spiritual leaders have much to answer for and they will when the time comes.
If God does not abide in you. You can not know the truth. If you truly accept, and repent, then a light will come on. Then you will say, "That Simplyg123 sure knew what he was talking about" I know this because God abides in me, i am witness to his working. You cant say you Know he isn't real, because he doesn't abide in you, and you have not witnessed it. I have personal proof, not to mention the evidence that surrounds you today. God has shown his existence through flowers, the earth, the stars, the moon and yes even in storms. These things did not just happen by chance as many would like you to believe. They were all a part of a perfect plan. If you know science, you will know how perfect the conditions have to be for the creation of this world, and the life that lives in it.
When everyone sees things the same way and does no wrong, call it utopia if you like. The day all religions intertwine and agree with each other is another example. The day this happens is the day the world will end. Perfection is just that, you can put levels to it but I'm talking of 'absolute perfection'. Absolute perfection will never be reached as it is a defence mechanism of evolution to prevent this. Examples are new virus' and the way existing ones find ways of becoming immune to treatment, also phenomena such as the cyclones and tsunamis that are constantly thrown at us putting us a step back each time. Currently we're taking two steps forward with just one back, we call it progress. When it comes to the time where we're going too fast for ourselves we'll end up with another ice-age. Sounds radical I know but its food for thought.
great post! .. either Christianity or Islam, Buddhism or Taoism, no religion teaches its followers to hate their fellow man.. that is the most important we should be concerned of.. Either God exists or not, a hungry man knows no God.. the first and the most important thing is to feed your poor brother..
Perfect is subjective, as in, it depends on who it is perfect to. For me, a world without religion would be perfect, but to a Christian a world full of Christianity would be perfect. A Utopia to a Communist is a Communist state, a Utopia to an Anarchist is a place of Anarchism. P.S. I don't get how this relates to evoloution at all. How can evoloution reach a "perfect state" or whatever? Perfect to what or to whom? Perfect in what sense? As far as we know, evoloution may never stop and you must be some sort of god to be predicting that sort of event...
Evolution can't stop for the very reason I stated above. You don't have to be a god to predict something. Thousands of eminent scientists think the same way as I do. Evolution by its very nature is what keeps us alive, think about it.
You don't understand Christianity if you believe that statement. Christians are not perfect and the only one perfect is Jesus. We will not be perfected until we are off of the earth...
Because it proves christianity is a death cult? They have the human sacrifice of jesus, Some poor guy used as a scapegoat, Tortured and killed to relieve them of their sins, and they can only attain perfection by dying themselves. it only needs a little blood drinking and cannibalism and it would be a full blown satanic cult.... oh wait, they have that too.
Of course it is, because it says something which you can't agree with while at the same time offering you no chance of refuting it because it's entirely true. So you stick to posting only to affirm your agreement or disagreement with what someone else has said and refrain from contributing anything worthwhile or original.