05 Oct '08 14:27>1 edit
They invoke Hell to bring about submission and obedience to their God through terror.
Discuss.
Discuss.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungAt the other extreme they promise eternal life and paradise if you simply say you accept Christ with your mouth.
They invoke Hell to bring about submission and obedience to their God through terror.
Discuss.
Originally posted by Rajk999That's not true. They don't say you only have to accept Christ "with your mouth". They demand deep down devotion from the depths of your soul.
At the other extreme they promise eternal life and paradise if you simply say you accept Christ with your mouth.
Both are wrong and both are designed to draw masses of gullible weak-minded people into church so that pastors can get fat and rich. Because once they have you in church either through fear or empty promises of easy salvation, there is the constant exhortation to give and donate, not to the poor and needy but to the already rich church.
Originally posted by Rajk999Yes. It means God can read your mind and knows everything and if you don't really, really mean it, he'll know.
What exactly is deep down devotion from the depths of your soul?
Do you even understand what that means?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI dont think you really know.
Yes. It means God can read your mind and knows everything and if you don't really, really mean it, he'll know.
That's what Christians tell people when it comes to how they must accept Christ, not that they just have to say it.
It means you cannot lie when you say it, if you like that better.
Originally posted by Rajk999That is your opinion as a Christian, and if Christianity is correct, you might be too. That is not what many evangelicals have told me. They certainly haven't promised anything for accepting Christ "just with my mouth". Maybe they've said that to you.
I dont think you really know.
To truly accept Christ means you are willing to follow his commandments the chief of which is to love God and love your neighbour as yourself. And these are not just words, this is an instruction to do good works.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThe expression 'just with your mouth' is my own.
That is your opinion as a Christian, and if Christianity is correct, you might be too. That is not what many evangelicals have told me. They certainly haven't promised anything for accepting Christ "just with my mouth". Maybe they've said that to you.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThe threat of terror does not cover the usual definition of a terrorist. Although the Bush administration has distorted the definition into rather new meanings.
They invoke Hell to bring about submission and obedience to their God through terror.
Discuss.
Originally posted by Rajk999I'm curious, Raj, what in particular about your Christian faith makes you rejoice? Is there anything about your relationship with God that spontaneously brings you tears of gratitude? Is there anything that God has given you that you could not provide for yourself, for which you perpetually thank Him and bless His name?
The expression 'just with your mouth' is my own.
It means to proclaim your faith in Christ, and you will be saved.
This is what is taught in churches.
Christians dont use that expression
But if you dont follow the commandments of Christ it is 'just with their mouth' that you believe in Christ.
Originally posted by UllrTerrorists usually are freedom fighters. They resort to acts of terror because they lack the political power or military strength to achieve their aims by other means. Some brutal dictators rule by terror, but that is not usually called terrorism. The stock pile of nukes held by the US is essentially a threat of terror. But hopefully it is used as a defensive threat not an aggressive one.
No, that would make him a freedom fighter.
Originally posted by epiphinehasActually, I rejoice and thank God every day that I was able to break free of the doctrine on which I was brought up, which was very similar to yours. I grew up in a family in which we read/studied the Bible every night without fail. It was only when I left home at 22 that I was able to study the Bible for myself and it took me almost 20 years to undo the years of brainwashing. I thank God that I am now able to truly see clearly what is Christ expects of us in this life.
I'm curious, Raj, what in particular about your Christian faith makes you rejoice? Is there anything about your relationship with God that spontaneously brings you tears of gratitude? Is there anything that God has given you that you could not provide for yourself, for which you perpetually thank Him and bless His name?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThat is like saying if you are warned about a danger you are heading
They invoke Hell to bring about submission and obedience to their God through terror.
Discuss.