It seems as though it might be a good time to go ahead with another class. I want you all to continue to ponder the details of the last class, and remember that humility has a place both before your God and, sometimes, before your fellow man. Just remember, you are not likely to change many hearts or minds if you hold contempt in your heart for your fellow human. It reminds me of something I read somewhere, I wish I could remember where…but it goes like this:
“I sought my soul
But my soul I could not see.
I sought my God
But my God eluded me.
I sought my brother
And I found all three.
There is often great wisdom in poetry.
The new lesson to follow shortly…
TheSkipper
The good Lord saw fit to put it in my heart to discuss a topic of great importance with you this evening. I’m talking about letting your faith make you lazy. I’m talking about sitting around waiting for God to give you answers when you should be out trying to find them for yourself. I’m TALKING about using your faith for a most unholy purpose…to prop your sorry ass up…to use it as a crutch.
This lesson is as valuable for those of you with faith and religion as it is for those of you holding out till you find something worth having faith in. I’m telling you right now that when you stop thinking and start following you are going to be in for some real trouble. No group of people I know is more susceptible to this problem than people with religious faith. It is no wonder to me that powerful men throughout the ages have used religion to control ‘the masses’ and get whatever it is that they want. Sometimes they want you to fight a war for them, sometimes they want you to make them rich, but no matter what they want they always make you think that you are just serving the lord. Don’t believe it!!
If you are stupid, religion will not make you smart. If you are ignorant, religion will not make you informed. If you are a SOB, religion will not make you pleasant. The only cure for these ailments is desire and hard work. If religion ever makes you feel better about yourself in spite of the afore mentioned afflictions…you are misusing it!!
Faith can be a great thing, and has proven to be just that for me. However, when you use your faith for that which it was never intended…you not only make yourself a fool, but you also make your religion look foolish. Any religion worth having requires its faithful to be strong, smart, interesting and interested. Respectable religions look for leaders…they do not feel threatened by them!!
So if you are looking for an organization where you can be accepted, and in return all you have to do is tow the party line…join the young republicans, and leave religion for those of us willing to think, lead, reform and test the boundaries.
TheSkipper
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me - Philippians 4:13
I can completely understand proselytizing, and I bear no ill will toward anyone who posts their religious beliefs here or anywhere else--the only exception being that I don't think taxpayer money should be spent promoting any particular religion.
If I really, truly, honestly, completely bought into scriptures such as Phillipians 4:13, man, I would do nothing but shout "AMEN!" and sing of God's glory, 24/7. I know, I can't sing, but if I were a believer, and if that verse in Philippians were true, I would be the world's greatest singer, and I would use that talent for the glorification of God Almighty.
End of sermon. 😛
Originally posted by geniusI know, new subject and all, but I feel so strongly about this I have to post. I've been a christian for more of my life than I've been an atheist. I know you didn't mean any harm in putting forth your idea, but I kinda take offense to you saying I must not have been a "true christian". There was a time when I had absolutely no doubts in my belief of God. I lived and breathed God and the life. My whole goal in life was to be a missionary for God. But things do change. Life experiences and new ways of thinking because of them happen.
and actually, i don't think i've ever claimed to deserve my name! i've often defended me not not being a genius...and as to mutual understandin, IMO an atheist often cannot understand christians. you cannot describe what it is like to be a christian with words. it has be be, well, felt...😛 but a christian can understand an atheist, as often christains were ...[text shortened]... o much as to beleive that there is no god. snobbish though it may sound, tis just my opinion 🙂)[/b]
There was a time in my life when all I would care to listen to was country music. Went to concerts, had my favorites, hated anything else. Now, I have to hold in my bile if I hear an accursed country music song. I can't stand it. Does that mean I wasn't a "true" country music fan?
ncrosby🙂
Originally posted by ncrosby*shrugs*
I know, new subject and all, but I feel so strongly about this I have to post. I've been a christian for more of my life than I've been an atheist. I know you didn't mean any harm in putting forth your idea, but I kinda take offense to you saying I must not have been a "true christian". There was a time when I had absolutely no doubts in my belief of ...[text shortened]... c song. I can't stand it. Does that mean I wasn't a "true" country music fan?
ncrosby🙂
tis what i beleive-i mean, the power of christ is such that, IMO, you can't escape from it. bascially...therefore, holding to that, i beleive that you were not, as i put it, a "true" christian. you didn't know the whole love of God.
i may be wrong, and i'm sorry if you don't agree with me. as i said-it's just an opinion...
Originally posted by howardgeeNewsflash! Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee ...I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I look forward to the day when people are educated enough to realise that God does not exist.
If you just go to church, then you are only wasting your own life. Fundamentalists are fundamentally flawed and unfortunately waste lots of lives.
Sorry mate, the church, and the belief in and worship of God is here to stay until the end.