Originally posted by AgergYou could buy a dog......one that does not believe in God, that is. 😛
I don't believe in "God" and most likely never will, but I regret that presumably one of the best ways to meet new people, get involved in my community - and essentially stop being such a damned stranger every time I change address, the opportunity to attend a church, is off limits.
I suppose there is nothing to stop me from lying, and pretending to be just ...[text shortened]... atheists, especially the less socially empowered amongst us, are missing out a little - ah well!
Originally posted by Rajk999"I would guess that a good atheist is better than a crooked Christian:"
There are some Christians who are so only in name in the sense that they do not live the Christian lifestyle as laid out by Christ and the Apostles. There are some atheists who live more like Christ than Christians themselves. I would guess that a good atheist is better than a crooked Christian:
For if after they [Christians] have escaped the pollutio ...[text shortened]... have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:20-21 KJV)
Cynicism is what you preach Rajk. Always bashing Christians and wresting from the scriptures a perspective that feeds your self righteousness.
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Originally posted by bbarrOriginally posted by josephw
I'm an atheist but my wife was raised a Lutheran. We've found nice, accepting churches here in Seattle that are committed to equality and social justice without emphasizing blood, sin, hell, magic, etc.
"...without emphasizing blood, sin, hell, magic, etc."
If that's what you want then just turn on the TV or go to the movies, or better yet join the service and deploy to the Middle East.
The reality of blood, sin, hell and horrors are right out there in the street everyday. Unless you live in an ivory palace. While the Bible does contain some elements of blood shed the overriding theme is of the love of God for those who believe in the method and means of salvation provided by God while we were yet lost in sin.
I would hope that that is the message you're hearing in your church. If you're going to church to escape the realities of life and not to learn of the love of God while giving Him thanks for the good things you have, and are only there because the message doesn't invade your comfort zones, then you're in the wrong church.
Preaching from the Word of God isn't always going to make you feel comfortable, but is instead designed to reshape and redefine who you are. The whole purpose of preaching and teaching, if done according to the plan of God as it is revealed in His Word, is to conform you to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Galatians 4:19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
God and Christ are real. Is the preaching in your church convincing you of that? Or are you just going to church to be conformed to the image of your community? Or to some idea that makes it palatable to your own sensibilities?
Welcome back bbarr. 🙂
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Originally posted by josephwSelf righteousness is what you preach. To claim "I believe in Christ .. therefore I am righteous", is both an outright lie and self-righteous in itself.
[b]"I would guess that a good atheist is better than a crooked Christian:"
Cynicism is what you preach Rajk. Always bashing Christians and wresting from the scriptures a perspective that feeds your self righteousness.[/b]
The cold hard truth is always better that sugar coated lies.
Christ and all the Apostles spoke of crooked and evil people who claim with their mouth that they believe in God or that they know God or like in the case of modern Christians they have a personal relationship with Christ. But these are just empty words that lead to death unless they are followed up with obedience to Christ, something that you preach is not important, or worse that you automatically do once you accept Christ.
Oh .. I bash crooked Christians. The fact that you always comment and think that is something bad indicates that I have stepped on your toes.
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Originally posted by AgergThat's what pubs are for.
I don't believe in "God" and most likely never will, but I regret that presumably one of the best ways to meet new people, get involved in my community - and essentially stop being such a damned stranger every time I change address, the opportunity to attend a church, is off limits.
I suppose there is nothing to stop me from lying, and pretending to be just ...[text shortened]... atheists, especially the less socially empowered amongst us, are missing out a little - ah well!
Originally posted by yavashHe could join Islam and become a "freedom figher" for ISIS.
you don't have to believe in a God to share a religion with people and do community worship. there are religions that exist that don't require the belief in a god. Buddhism, Pagans, Druids are but a few. your expression of your spirituality may just need to take a different path.
Just imagine the close relationships he will create. They will be brothers in arms. 😵
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Originally posted by whodeyOr failing that I could volunteer at the nearest special needs school and chew the fat with other teachers about the difficulties people like you are up against.
He could join Islam and become a "freedom figher" for ISIS.
Just imagine the close relationships he will create. They will be brothers in arms. 😵
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Thanks to all for the serious responses ... there is quite a bit to think about here (I am part of a running club (as of 8 weeks ago) but I injured myself pretty badly about 4 weeks ago and will be out of action still for quite a while). As for pubs, I always feel awkward walking into these places on my own (managed to do it once but it was a struggle).
Originally posted by Rajk999"To claim "I believe in Christ .. therefore I am righteous",.."
Self righteousness is what you preach. To claim "I believe in Christ .. therefore I am righteous", is both an outright lie and self-righteous in itself.
The cold hard truth is always better that sugar coated lies.
Christ and all the Apostles spoke of crooked and evil people who claim with their mouth that they believe in God or that they know God or li ...[text shortened]... t you always comment and think that is something bad indicates that I have stepped on your toes.
You see, this is why you're such a dunderhead. I never said that, and neither has anyone else who claims to believe in Jesus in this forum. You made it up because you are a self righteous cynic who only hears the sound of his own voice. Your bias against Christians is blatantly obvious to all who bother to read your prattling.
Any beginner believer knows he isn't righteous just because he believes in Christ. Where do you get these ridiculous ideas?
Originally posted by josephwActually I gave you the short version. The long version of what you believe goes like this:
[b]"To claim "I believe in Christ .. therefore I am righteous",.."
You see, this is why you're such a dunderhead. I never said that, and neither has anyone else who claims to believe in Jesus in this forum. You made it up because you are a self righteous cynic who only hears the sound of his own voice. Your bias against Christians is blatantly obvious ...[text shortened]... he isn't righteous just because he believes in Christ. Where do you get these ridiculous ideas?[/b]
- I believe in Christ
- Christ died for my sins
- Christ and only Christ was righteous
- We are all hopeless sinners
- Christ has given me his Spirit
- I cannot sin.
- everything I do is good works
- I am now righteous because Christ is righteous.
Howzat ?
