Phat writes:
The agenda? Teaching that the Bible is just another book. Also teaching that all religions and beliefs are equally valid.
I don't teach anything Phat, I simply report. And what I actually say is that all religions are equally invalid. Religions are just things created by men.
Phat writes:
The belief here is that human wisdom (ye shall be as gods...) is all that we have or ever will have. Worship focuses around communion with each other and doing as Jesus did...feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful and clothing the naked. This is good teaching except that it brings Christianity down to the level of humanism. Churches may as well be the United Way!
No Phat, there you go making stuff up again. It was the God character in the Bible that said we had gained the knowledge of the Gods.
But yes, human wisdom really is all we can ever have. There is no other source of wisdom. If there is, please explain just how you get such wisdom?
Phat writes:
In other words, humans simply need to man up and be responsible and learn to help each other and that this planet will make it if we do as Jesus taught. The agenda? That we are responsible and no God is gonna save us or bail us out. My only comment on that is that if the world fell into another war that caused mass poverty, death, and destruction, dollars will get you doughnuts that people would turn to the belief that Jesus will give us a way out. jar would preach that humans would have to pick themselves up and start over again. One side believes Jesus saves. The other side believes that humans and only humans can help (or hurt) themselves.
No Phat, again you are simply misrepresenting what I have said. Do you have ANY examples that show God or Jesus stepping in and fixing stuff?
Phat writes:
The "dogma of this cult" is that jesus was a teacher who taught us what we could become and was a human as the rest of us.
All of this wouldnt be so bad if jar and others had more respect for what the mainstream apologists and Christian leaders teach and believe. They dont have to agree with it so much as simply acknowlege that the majority of mainstream orthodox teaching supports a Divine jesus, a sacrifice on the cross, and relationship with God and others.
Instead,. mainstream belief is belittled and ridiculed. "a carney sideshow...palming the pea...misdirecting the audiences attention"....while logic, reason, and reality are preached....which seems rational on the surface until one thinks out the implications of such a religion.
But again Phat, logic, reason and reality are NOT a religion, Thank God.
Phat writes:
Reading the Bible without acknowleging God is like reading Moby Dick without believing in whales.
No Phat, that's another example of a piss poor bumper sticker. It's like reading Moby Dick without believing in wumperdoodles. Whales can be seen, tested, counted, verified, tasted, used as fuel or perfume. But there is NO equivalent God.
Phat writes:
I would argue that the Bible does have a connection and purpose. it is not simply some critical book of antiquity to be studied alongside the other beliefs.
The Gideons summarize it well in the introductory statement in every Bible they place:
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here too, Heaven is opened and the gates of Hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
Word Salad Phat. Word salad.
But religions can be a path, a guide and somewhat connected to reality at times.
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