WaltP - you need to look at the way you judge my comments. My posts are opinions about the way I look at everything. That does not mean you have to discourage everything I say. I believe them as truths and there is nothing you can say or do to change that. I'm sure the other 2.1 billion Christians in this world would agree with me.
Of course you wouldn't follow something if you believed it was a lie.. no one would.
Obviously this discussion is getting nowhere.. It is an age old debate, and I doubt if it will ever be resolved..:eek:
Sure... of course they have free-will. But do they have the ability to worship and give praise to an Almighty God? There's the difference.
I think you're right, this discussion will probably never be resolved. People have many different opinions and views. I just stand up for mine, that's all.
Even if jesus existed, there are many things that refute the existence of god, and therefore jesus. How can god be omnipotent (Know everything) and free will exist at the same time? How was god created? obviously, through science and logic.. everything came from something. And how could god live infinitely? We have never discovered anything that has lived forever. And what about heaven and hell? How can people exist there forever? What exactly would you do all the time? Infinity is not a true number.. Everything that has a beginning, ultimately has an end.. Also, no one has actually found proof of a soul. Why would humans have souls, and not other animals? Why do humans get an afterlife, but no other living organism does?
Humans created their own God. Humans do not like the idea that there is no God and we are alone on this planet. Humans would truly rather believe in a lie than know the terrible truth. Think about it. Society could not and would not exist without a supreme-being that would control the people and eternally punish those that are bad. People behave, because they fear death and eternal hell. That is what keeps society inline today. Scientifically, it is not possible for a supreme being to exist... There is much more that I could say, but all of us have obviously treaded way off topic.
First off, of course you cannot prove the existence of God... that is impossible. You are correct... …
.. and the new testament does not actually prove anything, jesus may have existed.. but who's to say that he wasn't some crazy schizophrenic or something? None of his miracles have been proven, and there is not enough evidence to truly know anything about him.
Jesus did exist. If He had not existed, then that would mean His crucifixion didn't exist, Pontius Pilate and King Herod didn't exist, and His disciples didn't exist. His disciples, the ones that knew Him the most were the ones that wrote the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And if you will read them, they all share the same messages... with quotes from Jesus. They wrote about His character.. which clearly reveals that Jesus was a meek and mild man, He was not crazy or schizophrenic... Another thing, why in the world would the people follow Him if they thought He was "schizophrenic?" Could it be that they followed Him because of His Miracles? I think so.
If you believe the press... But Christianity is very close to another religion that came just before, by about 500 years, called Mythraism. And there is nothing really new in Christianity -- all it's teachings and concepts have been in other previous religions. I am not saying that JC wasn't important. What I'm pointing out is that to people that do not believe in Christianity, they have valid reasons. Whether true or not, they can claim that Christianity simply borrowed bits and pieces from other religions and made it personal to themselves and their life in that time. Since then, they had great PR.
Mythraism doesn't exist today does it? Of course not... But tell me why has Christianity made such an impact in the society? Why is it the biggest religion in the world? Jesus Christ did not "simply borrow bits and pieces from other religions." What other religion had a man lay down His life for His friends. The ultimate sacrifice? Jesus did the one thing that no religion can match. That's what seperates the Power and the Divinity in my faith from a simple belief.
#1) The were put to death because they were, in that time, troublemakers -- fighting the approved religion of that time. They were radicals. #2) I never said they didn't exist. I said there is not proof that many of the people in the bible existed. You mention 13. I'm talking about the other 2-3000 -- …
Creationism: According to Isaac Asimov, based on scientific evidence (carbon dating for one) Creationism could only be true if the world was created by a deceitful creator. The proven age of the world does not coincide with the 'stated' or 'created' age, therefore the scientifically provable data had to be manufactured and is therefore a lie. It's an interesting thought...
That my friend is also a theory. It's based on just another irrelevant thought "according to Issac Asimov." Just because he found something to be somewhat "relevant" does not mean Creationism is a "lie." Sorry.
Bible: So far has been relatively accurate historically, where the places events are mentioned. As for the individuals many (most?) have not been proven to have existed. Doesn't mean they haven't, it's just very hard to prove. Allegedly, JC has one mention outside of the Bible pointing to his existence. As for specific events surrounding his life and exploits, little to nothing has been found that I'm aware of to prove he (or most others for that matter) existed outside of the Biblical records. Not being a historian, I may be uninformed of documentation that proves otherwise.
What individuals are you trying to reveal that have not been proven to have existed? Jesus Christ is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's the centerpiece of civilation. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. So with …
keep in mind that I converted from catholicism, and I know just as much, if not more about god then all of you. I went to a catholic private school until 6th grade, and I memorized all the books of the bible as well as many scriptures and such...
*I'm 18
I don't think Duki was trying to mock you or anything... he's just trying to be nice. I should know since he's my boyfriend. ;)
Slightly off topic, but I'm somewhat curious about your point of view on something.
If only those people that know Christ can be saved, then what happens to those individuals who never get the chance to know Him. For example, let's use a remote Amazonian tribe. If they're never exposed to Him, and never have the opportunity to learn about Him, are they comdemned to eteral doom?
(Sorry, I like debating. ;))
Thanks for that question... I have always wondered about that. But what I truly and sincerely believe is that first off, it is our duty to send missionaries over to remote countries where there is no word of a God or anything else to try and teach them. Second, I believe that God's mercy, grace, and love is measureless.... I do not think He would condemn them to hell. It wasn't their fault they didn't hear the truth. But in the end, God will decide.
No, cancer hasn't just receded without a known cause... I have witnessed it several times at my own church... so why isn't it happening to other people? They believed on God to heal them and it happened... but people refuse to believe that because they have so little faith.
