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Originally posted by chinking58It's important to remember that 'religion' includes all religions, not just christianity. The word encompasses all theists, no matter which god they believe in. It's ok to use a more specific word to describe christians, or "true believers", but false to claim they are not religious. Just because the word casts a wider net than you would like does not mean you are out from under it.
[b]I see no evidence that the definition of the word has been changed by 'common use' in a significant way. Most opposition to religion strikes at the heart of the definition and comes from those who do not believe in a god, do not practice a faith, etc.
I think that right here you are rightly suggesting that those who don't believe in a god opp ...[text shortened]... at I would like to see the body of true beleivers removed from under the group title, religious.[/b]
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemGood enough. I think we have each made our points.
It's important to remember that 'religion' includes all religions, not just christianity. The word encompasses all theists, no matter which god they believe in. It's ok to use a more specific word to describe christians, or "true believers", but false to claim they are not religious. Just because the word casts a wider net than you would like does not mean you are out from under it.
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Originally posted by FORESTNYMPHI think I know what you are saying here....but the only time I look within, is to search my heart for unconfessed sin. And even here the Lord has to help me, then I repent and ask for forgiveness. This is a lifelong battle between the "sinful nature" which we are born with vs the "new nature" which we receive when we are born again.
if you going to search with all you have and all your energy you have to look within yourself - this means your mind and heart and emotions and every fibre of your being - only each one of us knows what goes on inside our thoughts and if we can look within ourselves and really search deep in past the darkest places that we know is in there and with posit ...[text shortened]... g as you willing to allow him. hopfully someone knows what iam trying to say here ...........🙄
The problem with your message is I don't really know if you are coming from a Christian perspective or an unbeliever.
David says...
Ps 139:23-24
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(KJV)
When I searched for God in the beginning I did it with zeal, zest, like when you thirst and need water.
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Originally posted by checkbaiteri am coming as a believer - i gave my whole being to God in my early thirties - i have been baptised as a young teenager again in my twenties all because it was expected of me - when i began my own search for truth and some direction i began my search from within and as you said looking at all my unconfessed sins etc - and i feel because i made a effort to do this or this longing of making a desperate search for something this is where i found God - when i got baptised in my thirties i knew i wanted to do this - it was a choice i made not what others made for me and the experience was so amazing - it was something i wish i could explain but words wont be able to explain or express the feeling i had. It has not been easy to walk this path but i would not change this feeling i get when i look towards God for all the money and power under the sun.
I think I know what you are saying here....but the only time I look within, is to search my heart for unconfessed sin. And even here the Lord has to help me, then I repent and ask for forgiveness. This is a lifelong battle between the "sinful nature" which we are born with vs the "new nature" which we receive when we are born again.
The problem wi ...[text shortened]... searched for God in the beginning I did it with zeal, zest, like when you thirst and need water.
now i do not go to a specific church or worship a specific way as christians believe you should or any other religion, i have seen many a hypocrite and know many people who refuse to follow God as we know him because of what they see that goes on in some churches - how does one call them self believers go to a church and these are the same people you see doing everything the Bible says you maynot and then off to church they go ....blah blah blah please forgive me - oh well i am forgiven and not even an hour later they judging or doing something they should not and so its a routine they follow because they going to heaven cause they christians and they worship - so back to what i said of why i truly believe, first within - seriously repent, know that its not going to be a easy path - allow God to take over and the greatest commandment "love one another" - no church or religion is going to take you there - its between you and God - what goes on within you and how you then practise this in your life -
let me ask something else - i believe in God, i dont ONLY follow the christian way of life but i take the good from all religions - i dont judge a religion or another being - i respect the universe - i grow herbs (which some christians have told me is evil) i help my fellow man no matter what or who he is - i trust in God with all my heart and soul (and yes the same God you know from your Bible) - i read many spiritual books from all walks of life - and i try very hard to obey the commandment of loving one another as well as the other commandments that God has given - i fall - i fail - i stand up - i try again - at times i want to give up but never do - i know the Bible almost back to front and i read my Bible (yes the christian Bible) i have also read the Koran - now tell me am i going to hell as some proclaim that i am ??????? because if so what is my crime ???
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you are asken the wrong question. do you really think god in his perfection is devited.only people divite things, thats why people are hurting each other, they abusse the earth and they think because they are (smarter) they can do what they want with the animals.
it does not matter wich relegion you follow.Example in the bible they say: treat other people as you wanted be treat, the budhism says: you are another me, the moslims worship god(in every people ther is a piece of god)
if you studie all of this holy book you will noticed a code that talks about the past, future and present time. then you will discover howcomes people think divited.only by determind you will discover the real truth.
Budha left his kingdom because he saw the suffering of the people. the question in his hart wher to strong not tot follow, thats why they say: the hart is the bridge between heaven and earth.
did you think about it what happen to Jesus when he flea from israel after the king herodes wanted to kill him? What the vatican don't want you to know is that he whent to india wher he studied whit the masters.
What about mohammed, do you think the people believed him just like that.
All of this brave examples ar the door to heaven because they had the bravenis to follow they one hart.
Originally posted by FORESTNYMPHI see where you are coming from now...I thought you meant looking within, not knowing anything about God. My apologies here. No, you are absolutely right and I commend you for it. I know there are a lot of hypocrites in churches, but I say , so what? Your walk is between you and God. Find a good church and help out some of these "hypocrites"...
i am coming as a believer - i gave my whole being to God in my early thirties - i have been baptised as a young teenager again in my twenties all because it was expected of me - when i began my own search for truth and some direction i began my search from within and as you said looking at all my unconfessed sins etc - and i feel because i made a effort ...[text shortened]... tell me am i going to hell as some proclaim that i am ??????? because if so what is my crime ???
As far as reading and studying other religions and philosophies ...more power to you!! As long as you know who God is and know His Word...That is a good way to meet others who don't know God...you can be a great witness with this kind of knowledge....in fact God may be leading you in this area, for His glory...and no way do I think you are going to hell...any one that has said that to you does not know the bible...you cannot lose your salvation if you are born again....as far as the herb...that depends, is it legal?...if you are talking what I think you are talking about, God is still your Father, but it will hinder your walk with Him...been there, done that myself....but I quit that many ,many years ago.
Now when someone says he knows the bible front to back....this raises red flags in me....I have been doing biblical study/research for 30 years...and there is still soooooo much to learn..
Originally posted by checkbaiterLOL when i said knowing the Bible back to front i actually said almost and that almost will stay almost proberly till i die :-) - and yes its because the Bible has just so much and as soon as you think you know it all you learn more - now is that not wonderful, keeps my mind growing.
I see where you are coming from now...I thought you meant looking within, not knowing anything about God. My apologies here. No, you are absolutely right and I commend you for it. I know there are a lot of hypocrites in churches, but I say , so what? Your walk is between you and God. Find a good church and help out some of these "hypocrites"...
As f ...[text shortened]... ave been doing biblical study/research for 30 years...and there is still soooooo much to learn..
oh the herbs - no iam not talking about that type - also been there got the t-shirt - i am talking natural medical herbs - lemon balm - mint - comfrey etc etc ..... oh and the other herb you talking about has loads of medical use as long as you leave the cob alone :-)
all this talk has made me feel even more positive and spiritual THANK YOU - see i never even had to go to a church - worship can happen anywhere anytime any place and in any form 😉
VIA CON DIOS CHECKBAITER (which means go with God)
First understand that God require us to be spiritual...not religious, we must worship him in spirit and truth...not religion and ritual. The messiah of the christians preached against tradition and rituals...yet his followers did the very opposite....I know he is upset because they did not do what he said....to AVOID the traditions of man...and the rudiments of this world.....Religion was formedby man around 1500 years ago....and becamea dominant force for 1260 years...then was spawned other churches and religions...yet the foundation to the resolve is....we are not to be following them at all....we are to worship God in spirit and truth only! Not in religion and creeds.....these are all man made and physical...political and beaurocratic as well.
Master Of Light
Originally posted by FORESTNYMPHIt seems that a good answer (I don't claim it to be correct) would be "none of the above". Religion is man's attempt to expain complex issues with simple answers. (The sun is Apollo riding across the sky in his chariot of fire.) Worse yet, it is normally buried in ethnicity.
iam not seeking God i know and believe that he is - i want to know how do we know which relig does one follow - how can one say if christian or islam or buddasim is the correct - i dont judge anyone or any belief - i respect all beliefs - i was just wondering how one would know - how do we know our Bible is correct - remember the islam and christian bibles are similar in many ways -
In its extreme form it fosters human misunderstanding, alienation and war rather than the very opposite that most "prohpets" (Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, etc) have tried to explain.
Spirituality is very, very different. You can be spiritual and have very spiritual intersets without manifesting a particular religion. That creates a very big problem for many people because then they are required to think for themselves.....not an undertaking for the faint of heart.
Most people just don't want to deal with that, so what was OK for Mom and Dad should be OK for me.
Your answer must depend on what you, not on the thousands who will want to tell you what to do.
Originally posted by FORESTNYMPHOk....God bless....
LOL when i said knowing the Bible back to front i actually said almost and that almost will stay almost proberly till i die :-) - and yes its because the Bible has just so much and as soon as you think you know it all you learn more - now is that not wonderful, keeps my mind growing.
oh the herbs - no iam not talking about that type - also been there ...[text shortened]... where anytime any place and in any form 😉
VIA CON DIOS CHECKBAITER (which means go with God)
Continuar con Dios .......