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funjumper101

Freedom OF religion means freedom FROM religion

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It's only a matter of time, we HAVE to evolve past the backwards thinking of religious views. Question is when...

Seems, our current legislators have embraced your attitude....Bribes and extortion, are just business as usual, not criminal behavior.



Historically, bribes and extortion being business as usual in government has been the case ever since the existence of the first rudimentary governments, which is to say, for thousands of years. It's human nature to think that corruption in government is worse now than generally in the past, but that's usually not the case.

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Buddism seems to avoid creating fanatics and and missionaries pretty well, though - IMO



It does depend on your point of view and location though. The mere existence of the Dali Lama seems to scare the crap out of the Chinese government. Not that he nor the people of Tibet are particularly militant, but the Chinese government certainly used more than enough force to take it over.
quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

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Buddism seems to avoid creating fanatics and and missionaries pretty well, though - IMO



It does depend on your point of view and location though. The mere existence of the Dali Lama seems to scare the crap out of the Chinese government. Not that he nor the people of Tibet are particularly militant, but the Chinese government certainly used more than enough force to take it over.



I mean fanatics 'for' the religion, not fanatics 'against' a religion

hell, any belief that is strongly held by a group develops a fanatical sect opposing it. Human nature - it's easier to be against something than the be for someting

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Buddism seems to avoid creating fanatics and and missionaries pretty well, though - IMO



A lot of Tamil refugees would disagree.



YEAH??!! well they can bite my supple smooth ass

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Freedom of religion means that you can pursue any belief system that you want, without fear of persecution. It also means that no one religion is greater than, or lesser than, another.

I don't see Jewish believers, Hindu believers, Muslim believers, or pretty much any other religion other than the so called "christian" religions trying to force their belief systems on the rest of the US population.

The horseshit about the USA being a "christian" nation is just that, horseshit. The founders were VERY careful to ensure that this country was a secular country, not a religious one.

I don't really care if you choose to follow a path that is based upon ancient superstions and a book that has been written and rewriiten many times. Keep that to yourselves and we'll all get along just fine.

You may belive that abortion is a mortal sin. I don't. You may believe that all stores should be closed on Sundays. I don't. You may belive that homosexuality is a terrible sin and those that are homosexual should be pushed to the far margins of society. I don't.

Please keep your religion to yourselves and leave the rest of us alone.

Freedom OF religion very much means freedom FROM religion.

The last thing that this country needs is the American Taliban, aka, the "christian" right, gaining any power over this secular country. They got pretty close between 2001 and 2009 and the shambles left in their wake is quite obvious.



Are you joking? This has to be a sarcasim post!

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Buddism seems to avoid creating fanatics and and missionaries pretty well, though - IMO



A lot of Tamil refugees would disagree.



YEAH??!! well they can bite my supple smooth ass


Oh. Well then in that case I guess you are right.



I try be succinct and organized in my debates - it serves me well

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Gawd damn....reading this thread is making me embarrassed to be an Athiest!

I could care less if my money says, "in God we trust" , if some businesses choose to close on Sunday , If people choose to go to thier house of worship on saturday, sunday, or Wensday...simply doesn;t effect me!

I respect their desicion to live their life how they choose, Christainity is simply part of our history, crosses on public land don't hurt anything!

But blowing up innocent people, In the name of Allah, That is going too far!

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Are you joking? This has to be a sarcasim post!



I just wonder how many Muslims came to your door last year to tell you more about Mohammad and Allah?

As a side note, having a large "Jesus-free home" sign on my front door really helps - we got only two last year.
* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. *

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So little understanding and so much bitterness. If you want peace, (which Im guessing is the reason for this post) grow in understanding. You cant stop the world from turning man, sometimes you gotta just turn with it. Something set you off somewhere down the line... that happens. But have you even read a Gospel? Or are you just accepting anothers' interpretation of it? Be honest please.

I am a Christian. I do not seek at all to incoorperate my beliefs with our politics, or our laws... in fact, its the separtion from the ways of the world that I seek. Do you think, after atheism grows to overcome, that your going to be free from bitterness? As long as money, power, greed, and the glory of man are in the world so bitterness will be also. There is an order to the human conscience... one can literally spend their entire life fighting it.

Just relax a little. BTW, I disagree with much of your post, but one part in particular. Skyrider already brought it up. What do you think radical Islam is trying to do? Do you think they just want some space to worship? They want to kill you for not believing in Islam. Period. Your tolerance level sounds dangerously close to theirs.

I wonder what Muslims would do if you vented your angst against them like you do against Christians? I have lived in 3 different predominantly Muslim countries so what I am saying is not baseless. Still... I do find it very interesting that it usually is the atheist side of these forums who start all of the religious threads. So you accuse us of intolerance and find none in yourself?
"We didn't start the fire"

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Well, let's see, not that it affects me personally, but I know plenty of folks that can't marry.



Nowhere in the Gospel does it say that a homosexual cannot have a relationship with God. Your quarrel is with man, not God. There are things in the New Testament that were said becasue they fit the traditions and practices at the time. There are things that say slaves be good to your masters and masters be good to your slaves... things that say a man ought not to have long hair because at the time, the Jewish temples had no other practice...ect... ect... But, discernment is the goal of the Holy Spirit. To reveal the full truth of the promise of grace. "As sin increases, so also grace increases" I think it is safe to say that sin is running rampid in todays modern socialistic enviornment. If thats the case, then so is grace. But the sin, as others judge on you is not your homosexuality, but that you let that keep you from a relationship with God. Something to at least keep in mind.

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I'd love to see an actual atheist be able to hold a real office of power.



Of course you do. Might as well wish for an atheist Kingdom as well casue guess what... that is coming. Only it wont be as pleasent as you hope.

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I'd love for students to be able to learn about the actual universe and how life came to be on this planet.



Really? Hows that? Seem pretty sure of yourself there dont you? Microscopic bacteria floating through the galaxies finding itself encased in a ball of forming fire... strong enough to withstand the "coincidental" creation of the earth and evolving after billions of years into what we are today? Thats just one Ive heard anyway. It blows my mind that this is the actual accepted theory of many scientists today. Even though no one takes into consideration how perfectly the earth/space/the sun/the moon/water ect... ect... all comes together to produce the perfect enviornment for a force scientists have no idea about. What is Life. How would you explain that as surely as you would to students without the possiblity of being wrong? Your better off teaching theories, which if I remember right were taught in my school... but I didnt hear anything about the Gospel in science class.

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I'd love it if the US was less hung up sex and didn't think it was "dirty." Where the entire country didn't go into a flippin' panic at the fleeting glimpse of some singer's nipple.



We are a world of hypocrites. The only one who isnt a hypocrite is the one who admits he is one.

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The Christian right wing fights against all of these and more.



Once again. Please do not combine my faith with politics. If Christian politicians want to be the "right" then take your "frustration" out on their politics, not the Christian faith.
"We didn't start the fire"

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Paul, check this out. This is a pic of just a normal everyday clipping in Kuwait. I think the walls are coming down in America as far as homosexuality is concerned... unlike other places that continue to stack higher and higher with the blocks of hypocrisy... nevermind, it exceeds the 100kb size i guess... ill just type it word for word..

Gays 'kissing in public': Operatives from the Secret Service arrested six cross-dressers for committing immoral activities along Bilajat Street towards Beda roundabout. According to sources, all the cross-dressers belonged to Arab countries. They added that two of them were caught kissing in public. They were referred to the authorities for further action and a case was registered.

Just thought Id share that with you. Also, its my observation that there are more gays in Arab countries than in western countries (per capita) Again, the world is hypocrisy. If anyone judges you then they judge themselves.
"We didn't start the fire"

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Are you joking? This has to be a sarcasim post!



I just wonder how many Muslims came to your door last year to tell you more about Mohammad and Allah?

As a side note, having a large "Jesus-free home" sign on my front door really helps - we got only two last year.



I have a rottwieller, NO BODY comes to my door!

But after seeing how you feel about gun owners, to find out you want to also control the rest of the worlds way of life, comes as no surprise!

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"Just curious, what is it you are not allowed to do because of the "christian right wing"? "

For example please look up the news archrivals relating to the 2008 presidential race.
All candidates were questioned about their faith by religious leaders (Christians of course).
Or another example; Rick Warren’s (CA mega church leader) Invocation at Obama’s inaugural ceremony. Why those things had to happen???
Politicians shouldn’t need to be endorsed by religious views by religious leaders!!!

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Once again. Please do not combine my faith with politics. If Christian politicians want to be the "right" then take your "frustration" out on their politics, not the Christian faith.



Well stated.

IMO, the major factor in communication understanding between those who are anti-Christian with those of us who are is the absence or presence of the Holy Spirit.

When we become believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the HS is to always guide us to a more fulfilling relationship with Jesus. Therefore, the HS is the paramount interpreter of Scripture for Christians. We are instructed and learn to compare Scriptures for personal meaning and direction in our lives. The Holy Bible is not one book but rather a collection of 66 books.

The non-believer approaches the collected books comprising God's love letter to man as if it were a technical manual or a text book. It is just not written that way. With the HS, it is the greatest love letter you can ever read.

Explaining that simple truth is extremely difficult. I fail in my attempts to communicate truth daily.
Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

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Once again. Please do not combine my faith with politics. If Christian politicians want to be the "right" then take your "frustration" out on their politics, not the Christian faith.



Well stated.

IMO, the major factor in communication understanding between those who are anti-Christian with those of us who are is the absence or presence of the Holy Spirit.

When we become believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the HS is to always guide us to a more fulfilling relationship with Jesus. Therefore, the HS is the paramount interpreter of Scripture for Christians. We are instructed and learn to compare Scriptures for personal meaning and direction in our lives. The Holy Bible is not one book but rather a collection of 66 books.

The non-believer approaches the collected books comprising God's love letter to man as if it were a technical manual or a text book. It is just not written that way. With the HS, it is the greatest love letter you can ever read.

Explaining that simple truth is extremely difficult. I fail in my attempts to communicate truth daily.



I think you over-estimate the necessity of religious faith as a necessary prerequisite to seeing and deriving value out of certain religious scriptures. For but one example, a staunch atheist, but one who values personal and societal ethics, can still acknowledge many portions of the Gospel as, even if nothing else, a pretty civilized credo of ethical conduct between and among people in society.

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Well stated.

IMO, the major factor in communication understanding between those who are anti-Christian with those of us who are is the absence or presence of the Holy Spirit.

When we become believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the HS is to always guide us to a more fulfilling relationship with Jesus. Therefore, the HS is the paramount interpreter of Scripture for Christians. We are instructed and learn to compare Scriptures for personal meaning and direction in our lives. The Holy Bible is not one book but rather a collection of 66 books.

The non-believer approaches the collected books comprising God's love letter to man as if it were a technical manual or a text book. It is just not written that way. With the HS, it is the greatest love letter you can ever read.

Explaining that simple truth is extremely difficult. I fail in my attempts to communicate truth daily.



I think you over-estimate the necessity of religious faith as a necessary prerequisite to seeing and deriving value out of certain religious scriptures. For but one example, a staunch atheist, but one who values personal and societal ethics, can still acknowledge many portions of the Gospel as, even if nothing else, a pretty civilized credo of ethical conduct between and among people in society.



Maybe so, however, the fact remains that the Christians who post here become embroiled in discussion explaining over and over the most minute detail of a Scripture that seems clear to us but not to the opposing reader.

I was simply providing an understanding support to rynodigsmusic. This supportive fellowship is the primary purpose of the CSA.
Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

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the Christians who post here become embroiled in discussion explaining over and over the most minute detail of a Scripture that seems clear to us but not to the opposing reader.



That's because you've studied the subject matter to a comparatively advanced level of proficiency. Now you have to discuss it with people who have not. I have to do this all the time when I need to explain legal issues to lay clients. I have to strike a very careful balance - if I use too much technical jargon ("mumbo jumbo") or get overly-detailed, their eyes glaze over, and if I talk to them like they're clueless, they view it as condescension and (rightly) resent it; either way, I've lost my audience.

The key is to be clear, concise, direct and use terms common to both speaker and audience. Like any other, it's a skill that takes practice. (You'll recall I was coaching Ryno on exactly that in that other thread a couple days ago.)

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the Christians who post here become embroiled in discussion explaining over and over the most minute detail of a Scripture that seems clear to us but not to the opposing reader.



That's because you've studied the subject matter to a comparatively advanced level of proficiency. Now you have to discuss it with people who have not. I have to do this all the time when I need to explain legal issues to lay clients. I have to strike a very careful balance - if I use too much technical jargon ("mumbo jumbo") or get overly-detailed, their eyes glaze over, and if I talk to them like they're clueless, they view it as condescension and (rightly) resent it; either way, I've lost my audience.

The key is to be clear, concise, direct and use terms common to both speaker and audience. Like any other, it's a skill that takes practice. (You'll recall I was coaching Ryno on exactly that in that other thread a couple days ago.)



I understand what you are saying and I agree with you. Many times this forum becomes egocentric for my therapy. Probably time for another break.
Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

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I think you over-estimate the necessity of religious faith as a necessary prerequisite to seeing and deriving value out of certain religious scriptures



And... we think you greatly underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. I know I did. The whole point of the Gospel is not to teach us righteousness, but to give us righteousness. What you may not understand is the difference between the two.

What can a man do to be considered perfectly righteous before God? How many atonements would there have to be for certain sins? What type of person would I have to wait to be before I can find a relationship with God? The truth is that those in Christ are sinners, just like you, but, we dont want to be, and therefore we persevere in that truth. Others may see it as we are missing out, im okay with that believe me, because I know that what i get in return for my desire to grow in God far outweighs anything I ever got in sin.

So, continue to take what you want out of the Gospel, but just understand that it may be your "staunch atheist" (your example) who is really missing out on its true gift.
"We didn't start the fire"

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