jakee

Because its what I learnt growing up. People around me said "goddammit" and "Jesus Christ!" when I was younger, so I learnt to say it too. It has nothing to do with what the words mean, just like I learnt to say "fuck" (and I said it a lot) before I knew what that word meant. Do you think "fuck" has some mystical power? if I had grown up in ancient Greece I would say "By Zeus!" in Norway "Thors Hammer!" in the middle east "by the Prophets beard!" regardless of whether I believed them or not. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

From what sources have you built up this idea of the nature of hell? From the teachings of Christ. Any passages you can quote/ link to? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

From what sources have you built up this idea of the nature of hell? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Doesn't have to, but it is very odd that he didn't. Look back in the OT (as Br0k3n has demonstrated) the number of massacres recorded of those who didn't believe in him. Why couldn't god have simply turned up and said "Look folks, this is me, I'm real, how about a little respect?" as he would have for the Judeans. Unless you don't take that literally, in which case the OT is pretty much just the nationalistic propoganda of Israel. And remember (again) the very first commandment. If it was that important for everyone to believe, why did he not reveal himself to everyone as soon as he could? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Which made the Judean god even more pissed off (Its number one on the list of commandents)! Why were the Israelites the only people worthy of being told the truth? Why were they the only people worthy of being told how to live a good life? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Then why did he need to further reveal himself to anyone at all? Why bother handing down the 10 commandments when, as Paj says, they are written on the hearts of every man? Secondly, why is it that no-one in India, Asia, Africa, Europe or America recognised this universal power of God? It was plain to everyone, yet not one solitary man, woman or child outside of Judea was able to see it. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Why? That's his plan. Not mine. How would I know? I'm not God. So neither you nor Steve even want to hazard a guess at the reason why the creator of the entire universe only told one small tribe of people who he was and what he wanted them to do? The reason why the creator of the entire human race decided he'd done a slightly better job with one small ethnic group? You're content to just skim over a fairly important theological question with "Whatever, I dunno"? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Why? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

"Y'know, I've always wondered why our countries get so wound up over the ashes. Have you seen the urn everyones fighting about? Its a tiny thing, absolutely tiny. In fact it's only when you put it next to the rugby world cup that you realise just how small it is." Do you want to have an ideagasm?

I know the feeling You guys were fighting over the same girl? Could be, she did get around a bit now that I think about it... Do you want to have an ideagasm?

I agree they do -- in fact I see many morals are nearly universal despite the differences in religions. I wonder why? I think you can find your answer here Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Yep. Reminds me of the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. Maybe the author was becalmed on a ship? Fair enough. I don't particularly care about those superficial 'literal' contradictions in the Bible either. Its like arguing about peeling paintwork on a building who's foundations have been lain on quicksand. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

And Nostradamus foretold 9-11, when you look at it after the fact. There are millions out there who will quite happily demonstrate for you how their horoscopes have always predicted what will happen to them. Prophesies mean whatever you want them to mean. Thats why they're so popular. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Story from BBC sport website. Highlights include, " We had a number of different rules and qualifications the successful applicant had to meet. One was the ability to carry seven beers, four pies, two hot dogs and a bucket of chips in one trip. If they were looking to retrieve a serving of scones or strawberries and a cup of tea for themselves, all well and good, but it must not interrupt service to the 'Magnificent 7'." "One young lass that applied was actually an Aussie. She said she would happily do the gig in a G-string bikini and was even prepared to pretend to be a Kiwi, but she refused point-blank to pass herself off as a Pom. The hunt continues." Do you want to have an ideagasm?

I know the feeling Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Why not start everywhere? Why only one Jesus? Why only one Moses and one copy of the commandments? Why (why?) was there ever a 'chosen people?' (If you answer but one question from this post please answer that one) What is the point of only revealing your laws to one small tribe and then getting uppity 'cos the guys next door have never heard of you? As PR campaigns go it was pretty shoddy work! If you think god gets pissed off that not everyone bows the knee before him he's only got himself to blame. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Ahem - because of Rome there was a western European and Mediterrenean peace. They may have thought they controlled most of the known world, we know better. BTW, why did god send Jesus to save the people who already knew about him? Talk about preaching to the choir. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Hehe, thats a nice Hobson's choice you got going on there! I'm kinda dissapointed though, back in the day it used to be a lot of fun arguing with you Paj. You were the one guy on your side who could always be counted on to really explain your position and argue the points people brought up. Nowadays its all just fire and brimstone and "You will be judged!" I hate to say it dude but you're getting closer to chuteless every day Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Simple platitude. Everyone wants to big up their contender. What did the OT god ever do (on record) for non Jews? Did he speak to them through prophets? Did he give them advice? Did he create helpful miracles for them? Why did those who had no contact with the Jews not have a clue who he was? The God of the OT is the same as the God of the NT. There is only one God. What, then had god done for non Jews by the time of writing of the old testament? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Simple platitude. Everyone wants to big up their contender. What did the OT god ever do (on record) for non Jews? Did he speak to them through prophets? Did he give them advice? Did he create helpful miracles for them? Why did those who had no contact with the Jews not have a clue who he was? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Wouldn't that have been about a century before Jesus was born? Pretty hard to believe Tacitus was referring to Jesus. Lol, apologies! Most of my course deals in BC so I get into the habit of using it on everything Of course I meant AD. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

You have heard of 'begging the question,' right? Do you want to have an ideagasm?

I'm afraid Remsburg is wrong (if only because he is speaking in absolutes). As well as Paj's example Tacitus makes fleeting mention of a "Christus" in his Annals, (yes, thats a double 'n' so no sniggering) written around 100-110 AD. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

And this is the exact issue that most modern Christians by neccessity ignore - the judeo-christian god is a local deity. He is the god of Israel just as Zeus was the god of Greece, Amun was the god of Egypt, Odin was the god of the Norse etc. The being depicted in the OT was never intended to be the ruler of the entire universe, he is just the protector of one insignificant people sandwiched between the three great powers of the first thousand years BC. No different to any other local, limited figment of primitive imaginations. Do you want to have an ideagasm?

Lol! No he didn't. Do you want to have an ideagasm?