Thread: Christianity

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

I don't know what other Christians believe, but I do know this: the few times I did go to church, the old Catholic priest serving mass used to say "we are all God's children." So are you now telling me he was wrong?



I recall when the HIV Virus first broke. There was one Christian minister saying that "it was God's way of punishing the gays." Huh? What the heck is being taught anyhow in some Christian churches? Certainly nothing Jesus preached.

No generalizations.

Lately you've been yawning too much, my friend. It's about time you woke up.

Originally Posted by shadowwalker

Oh, well, thanks for enlightening me on what I believe. Guess that settles the discussion part...

Well, I'd like to hear your explanation as to how it is a Christian wouldn't think an atheist is wrong. I'm all ears.

Originally Posted by JosephB

That makes zero sense. While Christians believe that atheists are God's children -- they also believe atheists are wrong. It's pretty simple -- Christians believe in God. Atheists don't. It's not about "judging."

It's exactly about judging. Christianity declares me evil simply because I don't worship their so-called God. That's their only declaration of the difference between good and evil.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

I recall when the HIV Virus first broke. There was one Christian minister saying that "it was God's way of punishing the gays." Huh? What the heck is being taught anyhow in some Christian churches? Certainly nothing Jesus preached.

Maybe you need to read Paul's new testament books. There's plenty of condemning there; with death as immediate punishment.

Plus. if I recall correctly, even biblical Jesus called on people to cease sinning. Homosexuality is a sin according to both the old & new testament.

Hit new post instead of edit

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

No generalizations.

Lately you've been yawning too much, my friend. It's about time you woke up.

Robin, I can’t be bothered. Your posts consist mostly of generalizations, finger pointing, moralistic grandstanding and pointless anecdotes. I’ll wake up when you have something interesting to say.

Later.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Really???

Really. Otherwise I wouldn't have said it.

Originally Posted by JosephB

I've been in many, many discussions with atheists and religious people of all stripes -- and I've never once heard anyone come out with anything like that -- I know I wouldn't. This really makes it sound like you're entering into the conversation with a negative attitude and preconceived ideas about what you're going to hear. Just maybe you're part of the reason the discussion doesn't go very well.

I'm just speaking from personal experience. Maybe your discussions have been civil and respectful, in which case I consider you rather fortunate in that regard. Mine haven't.

I've had some good discussions with Christians/Catholics in real life, but they have been in the far minority. On the internet, it seems, my discussions have been far less pleasing.

For example, religious chatrooms (not message boards) where users spam Scripture quotations all day long, and the moment you mention atheism, or anything contrary to what's being said, the word "Hell" gets thrown back at you so fast it makes your head spin.

Also try defending homosexuality to those who believe it to be a sin. Watch how fast they turn on you.

Originally Posted by JosephB

BTW -- Not all Christians believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible. Some believe in the contextual approach. That means the Bible is inspired by God but written by men who wrote according to their own understanding of the world at the time. So as far as some Christians are concerned -- me being one of them -- you are half-right.

Good point. I'll agree with that.

Originally Posted by Rustgold

It's exactly about judging. Christianity declares me evil simply because I don't worship their so-called God. That's their only declaration of the difference between good and evil.

Find where it says in scripture that you are “evil” simply because you don’t worship God. You said it, so the burden is on you to come up with the evidence. I’m not going to hold my breath.

You clearly have a very poor understanding of Christianity. I can't be bothered trying to set you straight and it would fall on deaf ears anyway.

That goes for this whole thread. I usually avoid these things, but I let myself get sucked into it.

I'm out.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

What's wrong with that? Who are we mere mortals to judge? Besides, ask any open-minded believer and he or she will agree we are all God's children--atheists included.

Ouch! Sorry Shadowwalker, but that pretty much proves your comment makes no sense. A debate endorsement from Robinjazz is like running for President on the NAMBLA ticket.

Two different ideas are at play here: acknowledging the right for someone to believe whatever they want and giving them the peace to do so (such as not witnessing to them), and agreeing with what they believe.

So as a Christian, you must by definition think Atheists are truly wrong. You especially can't agree with them because God told you to be accepting of others.

Originally Posted by KyleColorado

On the internet, it seems, my discussions have been far less pleasing.

I agree with that.

You seem like a reasonable guy, I could probably have a good discussion with you, but I just don't have the time or energy to get into all this. As they say, we'll have to agree to disagree.

See you on the flip side.

Originally Posted by Capulet

Ouch! Sorry Shadowwalker, but that pretty much proves your comment makes no sense. A debate endorsement from Robinjazz is like running for President on the NAMBLA ticket.

Two different ideas are at play here: acknowledging the right for someone to believe whatever they want and giving them the peace to do so (such as not witnessing to them), and agreeing with what they believe.

So as a Christian, you must by definition think Atheists are truly wrong. You especially can't agree with them because God told you to be accepting of others.

Your thinking bugs me out. First off, you call yourself a Christian but you don't believe in psychic phenomena when the New Testament itself contains tons of supernatural events.

What are atheists wrong about? Because they want proof that God exists? I wouldn't consider that wrong--maybe "skeptical" but certainly not wrong.

Without bashing me atop the head with your pricy education, could you answer this question with a simple "yes" or "no": Do you believe we are all children of God?



To be quite frank with you dude, I prefer hanging out with any cheerful atheist than hanging out any wacky minister who preaches to his congregation that the Aids Virsus is a punishment to gays. Poor folks in that church. Pray for them.

Originally Posted by Rustgold

It's exactly about judging. Christianity declares me evil simply because I don't worship their so-called God. That's their only declaration of the difference between good and evil.



Maybe you need to read Paul's new testament books. There's plenty of condemning there; with death as immediate punishment.

Plus. if I recall correctly, even biblical Jesus called on people to cease sinning. Homosexuality is a sin according to both the old & new testament.

Rustgold, you too need to wake up. You think religion is responsible for man's warring nature? Man has been killing himself long before religion came onto the scene. And even if religion hadn't appeared on the scene, man would still have found reason to kill one another. Sometime, one must be able to accept the inevitable--and the inevitable being we would kill with or without religion. So it's dumb--very dumb--to blame religion for man's ignorance and immaturity and selfishness.

Many religious people are engaged in an inner struggle to make themselves better individuals with the help of God. To make claims that religion is negative is false. Religion has helped many people turn their lives around. Maybe you find no use for it, but others have.

^ True, but it's hard to ignore religious genocide, such as The Crusades, for example.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Your thinking bugs me out. First off, you call yourself a Christian but you don't believe in psychic phenomena when the New Testament itself contains tons of supernatural events.

Of course I believe in supernatural events, just not as you describe them. One can believe in the existence of Hell, Heaven, God, and angels without having to believe grandma is spending her afterlife on Celesti-Skype with the kids and helping J-Lo win an Oscar.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

What are atheists wrong about? Because they want proof that God exists? I wouldn't consider that wrong--maybe "skeptical" but certainly not wrong.

Now, even without my "pricy education", as a literate individual I can pick up a dictionary and clearly see "atheist" as you defined it is incorrect. You are thinking of agnostic. Perhaps now that you've been enlightened you care to change your position? (This is a great opportunity for you to start making sense.)

Simple facts: Christians believe in God, atheists don't. How can you say "I believe in Christ the eternal saviour and accept Him with all my heart, but the atheists might be right and I might be bat-poop crazy."

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Without bashing me atop the head with your pricy education,

Now now my Christian fellow, don't judge or deride me because of my education.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

could you answer this question with a simple "yes" or "no": Do you believe we are all children of God?

Sure: Yes. We're all God's children.

Now please return the favour and answer with a simple yes or no: Do you believe the atheists are right and there is no God?

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

To be quite frank with you dude, I prefer hanging out with any cheerful atheist than hanging out any wacky minister who preaches to his congregation that the Aids Virsus is a punishment to gays. Poor folks in that church. Pray for them.

Don't judge that minister too hard, my Christian fellow. It's not our place, remember? He's certainly entitled to his opinion, no? And really, do you have any proof to the otherwise. God will sort it out.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Find where it says in scripture that you are “evil” simply because you don’t worship God. You said it, so the burden is on you to come up with the evidence. I’m not going to hold my breath.

You clearly have a very poor understanding of Christianity. I can't be bothered trying to set you straight and it would fall on deaf ears anyway.
That goes for this whole thread. I usually avoid these things, but I let myself get sucked into it.
I'm out.

Worship God, go to heaven. Don't worship God, face eternal hell. Isn't that the Christian belief.

And you shouldn't showcase such arrogant disrespect with your other comments.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Rustgold, you too need to wake up. You think religion is responsible for man's warring nature? Man has been killing himself long before religion came onto the scene. And even if religion hadn't appeared on the scene, man would still have found reason to kill one another.

Many religious people are engaged in an inner struggle to make themselves better individuals with the help of God. To make claims that religion is negative is false. Religion has helped many people turn their lives around. Maybe you find no use for it, but others have.

So, man do bad things, so that's a excuse for religion to do evil? Sorry, but it doesn't wash.
The three-in-one faiths based itself around and spread its wings on the sword and oppression. That's fact. Other evils in the world doesn't make religious evils good, no matter how anybody wishes to pretend otherwise.

Finally, the Christian faith declares me evil & only fit for eternal hell solely because I don't worship their so-called god. That's fact. You claim that I should accept this attitude against me. Sorry, it aren't going to happen.

And your 'wake up' comment is stupid.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Rustgold, you too need to wake up. You think religion is responsible for man's warring nature? Man has been killing himself long before religion came onto the scene.

The earliest known war occurred around 2700 B.C., the earliest known religion around 223,000 B.C.E., which means absolutely nothing to you.

And even if religion hadn't appeared on the scene, man would still have found reason to kill one another. Sometime, one must be able to accept the inevitable--and the inevitable being we would kill with or without religion. So it's dumb--very dumb--to blame religion for man's ignorance and immaturity and selfishness.

You can blame God for that. How long has he been around?