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JJLehto ![]() Prog Reviewer ![]() Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Status: Offline Points: 34550 |
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Thanks Rob and Micah
And again I have no basis to support this claim, just my gut instinct: I'd imagine heaven is not "anything" it would be what is paradise to YOU. Likewise hell is not fiery and all that, but rather what would be to torture to YOU. |
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StyLaZyn ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: November 22 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4079 |
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The only thing that makes me question the afterlife is the existence of ghosts. |
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Epignosis ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32581 |
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Ask anyone around here and you will know I do not necessarily hold all traditional beliefs. Westerners think of God's judgment in terms of pain and torture because that is the worst thing they can think of. Middle Easterners had a very different idea of judgment. Pain may be a constituent of it, but shame and being separated from God is the ultimate penalty. Edited by Epignosis - July 23 2009 at 05:09 |
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JLocke ![]() Prog Reviewer ![]() ![]() Joined: November 18 2007 Status: Offline Points: 4900 |
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Hell, despite what many conservatives would have you believe, is NOT "Fire and Darkness" in the literal sense. For one thing, if the fire and darkness were literal, they would cancel each other out. This description was merely a way of describing what it will feel like to be cut off from God forever (which in essence is exactly what Hell is; the complete, eternal absence of God). You may not believe in God now, but His presence still fuels the world around you whether you know it or not. You have never known a world without God's presence in it, trust me. Secondly, if you go to hell for not believing in God, you are merely getting what you want, correct? If you see your life without God right now, then after you leave this world, you will simply continue that way. Heaven is for people who believe in and love God. Hell is for the opposite. Either way, you're getting your heart's true desire. The Bible says non-believers would rather 'reign in Hell than serve in Heaven' , if I remember correctly, so God merely obliges. Here we are now back on the whole free will argument. God chooses not force us to follow Him, so He gives us the choice to either accept or deny Him, and whichever path we choose, our destination is giving us exactly what we want; what we have chosen of our own free will. To me, nothing could be more just or loving. |
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hitting_singularity2 ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: June 14 2009 Location: ON, Canada Status: Offline Points: 127 |
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I have not yet read the Bible, sorry to say. Hopefully I will very soon
I have a couple questions that could be answered here however, so here they are What are your opinions on life after death? What is the best way to help humanity at the present time? (i.e. unity) |
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camilleanne ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: June 29 2009 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 403 |
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Wow...that's a bit scary.
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The planet is fine the people are f**ked.
-George Carlin- |
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JJLehto ![]() Prog Reviewer ![]() Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Status: Offline Points: 34550 |
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So in not so many words....Yes, I will go to hell. Seriously dude, you could've just said it. Been said to me MANY a time already ![]() |
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Epignosis ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32581 |
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See, therein lies the problem. How does God define good and evil? The God of the Bible (my God) is actually very clear about it. I can make up my own morality all I want, but if I break a law here, the cops will arrest and book me, and I will have to answer to the judge. God is no different...except in one respect. Being good isn't the same as being nice or unoffensive or helping people...those things may be a small part of it, but they aren't it. That's a worldly definition of "good." By God's definition, there is no one who is good, not one. I am no better than Hitler before the Judge of the World. Christians are only declared to be good because they fall at the feet of a merciful judge. That's it. We're all guilty of evil. But those who repent and ask God's forgiveness will be cleansed and changed over time into someone who will be blameless in the end (that is God's promise). |
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JJLehto ![]() Prog Reviewer ![]() Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Status: Offline Points: 34550 |
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I honestly do not know if there is an afterlife.
My gut instinct is no. However, if there is a heaven and hell...I try to live a good life. I do not go to church and does not do "the work of Christ" and sin....(as the church feels of course). But I am not a bigot, I give change to people on the street/to a foundation/local fire station...whatever. I try to be good to everyone, I help put even when I have nothing to gain. Then I know people who go to church every sunday yet are racist, will be the first to throw you under the bus, will cut you off, that care about only themselves. I think I'm a good person...so I hope, IF there is a heaven they will think me worthy. But if not and I go to Hell........well I lived my life how I thought best. And if that's my fate so be it. So, I ask all of you. In your honest opinion, no bullsh*tting here: Would God take an Atheist, or non believer, who is good over a devout, every day Christian who is bad? (And I know "good" and "bad" are tough to explain so if needed use my statements above) |
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camilleanne ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: June 29 2009 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 403 |
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when I was still a christian I'm really scared about the fiction of hell. But I think the church is saying the truth that there is a hell below only that there are no demons or something..
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The planet is fine the people are f**ked.
-George Carlin- |
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Epignosis ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32581 |
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Psalm 139For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.1 O LORD, you have searched meand you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; 4 Before a word is on my tongue 5 You hem me in—behind and before; 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, What an amazing notion- that my God knows his creation and his design so thoroughly that my next remark or activity he is already aware of. Nothing I ever do surprises him. He knows when I will speak encouragingly and with love, and he knows when I will speak with venom and hurtfulness. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 10 even there your hand will guide me, 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; There is nowhere I can go to be away from God. This thought that begins as a terrifying idea becomes one of comfort as soon my relationship with God changes from one of enmity to one of adoption and gentle care. While I once feared God would know all my wrong deeds and despise me, I now take comfort in knowing that he is always there to correct me, and is always available every time I am tempted and tried. 13 For you created my inmost being; 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 15 My frame was not hidden from you 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. When my little son was born, the nurses had to take him to another room for a short while, and I attended him. I asked for a Bible and read him this passage, and I plan to read it to every child I have as soon as he or she is born. During the nine months we could not see our boy (though my wife could feel his movements), the Master was busy at work crafting not just an amazing physical specimen, but also every single day my son would live through- every scrape, bruise, broken bone, tear and crushed spirit is written in God's book, but so is every glory, hope, joy, dream and achievement. God is a master craftsman who completes every work. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! 18 Were I to count them, What a majestic thought, that the Creator and Overseer of the universe thinks of me (and you)! His thoughts toward us outnumber the sands on the ocean. While we so seldom think of God, he never ceases thinking of us. Whenever I am in need, I am on his mind. Whenever I am joyful, I am on his mind. Whenever I behave immorally, even then am I on his mind. Again, this constant attention would have alarmed me as someone caught up in sin, but as a child of God, I know I need his watchful eye at all times. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; God is certainly a God of love, but he is a God of holiness first, and his patience only extends so far. The psalmist here is grieved that God is slow in demonstrating his wrath and sweeping up and destroying the wicked in one swift wave of his hand. When we become holier through the cleansing of God, over time, those who speak ill of God or those who ignore his commands will hurt our hearts more, and rightfully anger us. Yet Peter writes this: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). But before we are quick to ask God to crush all evil, we must consider the final words of the psalm... 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, That should be on a Christian's lips every morning: "Lord, show me where my shortcomings are- show me what aspects of my life stink to you." But know that God will be faithful in doing this! And then we must be ready and willing to deal with it when God exposes our bad behaviors to us. |
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Logan ![]() Forum & Site Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Online Points: 38771 |
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Regarding Mathew 19, it's helpful to read all of it: http://sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/mat019.htm
The last verses from the King James version:
It is open to interpretation, and one can read the different bible versions differently, but of course it is a call on people to follow him and not just adhere to the ten commandments. It's one thing to abide by laws, it's another to really respect them and not just do no wrong, but do good and be righteous,. It may be enough to achieve everlasting life, eventually, by merely following the commandments, but those who make greater sacrifices to follow the path of Jesus shall receive much greater rewards. The last line is interesting. Many of the Earth's privileged (say with money and power) will be the last to receive God's rewards, whereas those who suffer and sacrifice to do God's will be the first to be rewarded with everlasting life and other rewards. Anyway, regarding Buddhism and Christianity, there are many similarities. Teachings tended to spread quickly in that part of the world (the silk road brought trade and ideas), and I suspect that Jesus was influenced by Buddhist teachings. My old church minister followed Buddhist teachings as well as Christian (he considered himself Christian in faith and Buddhist and Christian in philosophy). There has been a strong multi-faith movement within that church, and the idea that there are different roads to God (and one need not follow a particular religion but one must be principled -- moral and righteous). |
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Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me.
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Epignosis ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32581 |
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As a very short answer, I'll just say that the overriding command of Jesus is to follow him. In the Ancient Near East, this was almost always land. Matthew, for instance, was a tax collector (hated by his own people), and in Matthew chapter nine, Jesus made a beeline to him and said "Follow me." Matthew did just that. He left his booth of customs, never to return. But that very night, Jesus and other tax collectors were having a meal in Matthew's house. Literally following Jesus required leaving everything behind. We today do not have a physical presence to physically follow. We do however recognize that all we have in this world belongs to God, and we are to be faithful stewards of all things. This means we cannot place our love of possessions over Him (and note that people in the Old Testament were severely punished for doing just that, even valuing family over the Lord- see 1 Samuel 2:29). |
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Epignosis ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32581 |
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To Ivan (I didn't want to quote to avoid a large block of text):
Here are three things Jesus said, which I think sum up the issue pretty succinctly. John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Luke 6:46: "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" John 14:15- "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Knowing Christ is the only way to eternal life. You cannot follow Christ without repentance (A man cannot serve two masters). Hence, you cannot be following Christ if you are not obedient to him. So you are right to emphasize following God's commandments, but John 17:3 is how we are able to keep his commands (by knowing God- which is necessary for the first commandment anyway: "You shall have no other gods before me"). Without abiding in Jesus (following and knowing him), we cannot please God: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15:5-6) |
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StyLaZyn ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: November 22 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4079 |
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What I don't get is why Christians aren't all paupers. If Chrisitans are supposed to try to be perfect and they are required to sell all of their posessions to be perfect....what am I missing here?
Sounds very much like Buddhism as well in the sense of materialism.
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Queen By-Tor ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 13 2006 Location: Xanadu Status: Offline Points: 16111 |
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oh well then.
Send me to hell in a handbasket! Because I'm not apologizing for that either! |
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Ivan_Melgar_M ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 27 2004 Location: Peru Status: Offline Points: 19557 |
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Catholic Church is specific being gay is not a sin per se, the sin is having sex outside marriage, the exact sin for hetero or homosexuals.
Iván
Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - June 21 2009 at 02:09 |
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Queen By-Tor ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 13 2006 Location: Xanadu Status: Offline Points: 16111 |
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How about we just admit that gay people aren't sinners and be done with it
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Ivan_Melgar_M ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 27 2004 Location: Peru Status: Offline Points: 19557 |
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I forgot I'm talking with non Catholics, we believe perfection is only achieved by God, we may try, maybe achieve RELATIVE perfection, but nothing more unless you are a Saint or in state of beatitude.
Absolutely disagree, this is the version of the Catholic Bible and it's read clearly step by step::
Part One, what do you need to reach heaven:
He's telling to a specific man to leave all hios possesions, his family and follow him, that for us is a special call reserved for a few.
Yes, I do, and Jesus took care of that with his sacrifice for allm of us, so all humans through his sacrifice are entitled to salvation, not just those whio follow him
Remember Matthew 5: 19 also says:
The text is clear "The person who keeps and teaches them will be considered great in Heaven" it's transparent, if you follow and teach the Commandments, you will be called great in Heaven...point, nothing more is required.
I'm sure this won't mean a thing for you, gut the vatican II Council specified
In other words i some cases good acts and following commands of conscience is enough to be saved.
I don't doubt it, but no scripture cancels another one and Matthew 5:19 and 19:17 are clear for me..
Iván Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - June 21 2009 at 11:55 |
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stonebeard ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: May 27 2005 Location: NE Indiana Status: Offline Points: 28057 |
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I did bum it off a comic, if that's him, but it bears repeating. ![]() |
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