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Author Topic:   Suggestions for God
coffee_addict
Member (Idle past 477 days)
Posts: 3645
From: Indianapolis, IN
Joined: 03-29-2004


Message 16 of 32 (154650)
10-31-2004 7:22 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by dpardo
10-29-2004 2:44 PM


Dear god:
Please send an extraterrestrial intelligent being to where I live. I believe that once some christians are aware that man is not alone that they'd stop hating me and start hating the aliens.
Thanks.
Yours truly,
Lam Nguyen
Lam Nguyen
(Future leader of the gay rights movement who will likely be shot by a homophobic christian.)
This message has been edited by Lam, 10-31-2004 07:23 PM

He's not dead. He's electroencephalographically challenged.
The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by dpardo, posted 10-29-2004 2:44 PM dpardo has replied

Replies to this message:
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Gary
Inactive Member


Message 17 of 32 (154705)
10-31-2004 11:08 PM
Reply to: Message 15 by dpardo
10-31-2004 7:07 PM


Sure the Bible says that, but there are plenty of other religions out there and the people who believe in them feel just as strongly as you do about them. Its impossible to know which one is right.
Lots of religions say that you're supposed to love your god. Among all the religions out there, there are many ways to do it and various groups worship their gods in different ways. Are you supposed to pray five times a day while facing Mecca? Just go to church every Sunday? Sacrifice a goat every month or so? If God wants us to behave in some particular way, he should make it clear, at least every few hundred years, instead of leaving us a millenia-old book that's been translated and retranslated countless times and is open to many different interpretations.
Also, if God came down and explained things better every few hundred years, we would at least have evidence of his existence. That's my problem with religion - we have nothing left but our own feelings to pick a religion, and we have to just assume our beliefs are true. Some people even falsify evidence, and other people's need for evidence creates a market for it, which is where you get people making websites and books about finding living dinosaurs and Noah's Ark and whatnot. Its how Kent Hovind makes his money.

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dpardo
Inactive Member


Message 18 of 32 (154870)
11-01-2004 12:41 PM
Reply to: Message 16 by coffee_addict
10-31-2004 7:22 PM


Hi Lam!
You wrote:
I believe that once some christians are aware that man is not alone that they'd stop hating me and start hating the aliens.
We are wrong to hate you. I think we're supposed to hate the sin but love the sinner.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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dpardo
Inactive Member


Message 19 of 32 (154875)
11-01-2004 1:11 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by NosyNed
10-30-2004 1:40 AM


Re: Wickedness punished
NosyNed writes:
Yes, I'm saying that it is not obvious enough that there is a strong correlation between wickedness and punishment. At best there is some when humans handle it. No hint that god does.
I agree with you in that I would like speedier punishment for wickedness also.
I wonder, though, if that would also negate faith.
There is that saying that says, "What comes around, goes around". I wonder if people eventually realize/believe, that people do get "punished", that they receive a recompense for their deeds. It just doesn't happen as quickly as we would like, sometimes.
Can you think of people who seem to have gone through this life unpunished for certain deeds?
I know of some cases where people don't seem to receive obvious, visible punishment but are punished mentally. I can think of many people who are miserable and unsatisfied and yet have accumulated much wealth or are considered successful. Hugh Hefner comes to mind. Surrounded by beautiful women but no real love.
Remember (in the bible) what God did to Nebuchadnezzar! That must've been something to behold.
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Daniel 4:28-37.
edit: spelling, and added the words "to behold".
This message has been edited by dpardo, 11-01-2004 02:52 PM

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The Dread Dormammu
Inactive Member


Message 20 of 32 (156744)
11-06-2004 5:39 PM
Reply to: Message 18 by dpardo
11-01-2004 12:41 PM


WOW
We are wrong to hate you. I think we're supposed to hate the sin but love the sinner.
Wow what a post! Excuse me while I go eat somthing to make sure the blood boiling rage I'm feeling isn't due to low blood sugar...
Mmm Cheerios and Ginger ale, now let's see. Nope, still furious.
This is an argument that I hear a lot from my former church and my christian frends.
One thing I would like God to do (because the christians sure as hell arn't doing it) Is explain why he forbids Homosexuality. Christians argue that God does forbid it, but I want to know why. I will not be satified unless their explanation can show legitimate harm.
This harm can not be arbitrary punishment from God i.e. "It is a sin becase God says it is" I want to know WHY God made homosexuality a sin. I will also not be satisfied by any answer that says that homosexuality is a chioce becase whether someting is a choice or not is not an explanation of why it is wrong.
I will also refuse to accept an explination that says that accepting homosexual behavior encorages more homosexual behavior. Because again this does not explain WHY IT IS HARMFULL. Let me also head off the "we will become extict argument" with 2 words "artifical insemination."
SEETHE SEETHE.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 21 of 32 (156753)
11-06-2004 5:48 PM
Reply to: Message 20 by The Dread Dormammu
11-06-2004 5:39 PM


Re: WOW
Well, just remember that it's not all Christians that are so bigoted. The Episcopal Church recently elected an openly gay Bishop. It is causing internal problems, even the Episcopal Church has its bigots, but we've been through this over women and non-white priests and I believe that we'll win this one too.
Jesus said, "Love GOD and love others as you love yourself".
It really is as simple as that.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
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AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 22 of 32 (156758)
11-06-2004 5:53 PM
Reply to: Message 20 by The Dread Dormammu
11-06-2004 5:39 PM


T o p i c !
While saying that your suggestion is that God explain why homosexuality is a problem is on topic any answer by anyone (other than God? no even including God) would NOT be on topic.
We've had a few threads on that. Take it there, take it anywhere but not here.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 20 by The Dread Dormammu, posted 11-06-2004 5:39 PM The Dread Dormammu has not replied

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 23 of 32 (156760)
11-06-2004 5:58 PM
Reply to: Message 22 by AdminNosy
11-06-2004 5:53 PM


Re: T o p i c !
Mea Culpa. Sorry Sir.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 22 by AdminNosy, posted 11-06-2004 5:53 PM AdminNosy has replied

Replies to this message:
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AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 24 of 32 (156767)
11-06-2004 6:03 PM
Reply to: Message 23 by jar
11-06-2004 5:58 PM


Re: T o p i c !
Being a bit picky since I've seen this one drag a thread way off topic very fast. Sometimes you have to clamp down sooner than others.
This message has been edited by AdminNosy, 11-06-2004 06:03 PM

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The Dread Dormammu
Inactive Member


Message 25 of 32 (156781)
11-06-2004 6:19 PM
Reply to: Message 24 by AdminNosy
11-06-2004 6:03 PM


I apologise
Perhaps God could also explain why we have the backbones and sinuses of quadropeds.

This message is a reply to:
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Hangdawg13
Member (Idle past 751 days)
Posts: 1189
From: Texas
Joined: 05-30-2004


Message 26 of 32 (156834)
11-06-2004 7:42 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by NosyNed
10-29-2004 6:44 PM


Re: A small suggestion
Hi Ned,
I'd like to suggest to god that "what goes around comes around" should be much more clear than it is.
I wish that were the case too, but making the law of volitional responsibility ("as a man sows, so he shall reap") overtly and supernaturally enforced would completely change the nature of our lives in this world.
Just stop and think about it for a second.
If everytime you did something good for a stranger, you were blessed with an act of kindness from a stranger or blessed with 100 dollars or something else equivalent, perhaps people would soon catch on and start using God like a casino.
Also, part of what makes a deed good is that it is done selflessly with no expectation of reward. The Bible explains that parts of our lives our tests to see that we can continue to focus on what is good inspite of the bad that befalls us.
Finally, I'm not sure it is possible for God to make this law enforced here on earth without taking away a great degree of free will.
These are only my speculations, but my point is that doing what you suggest would have far reaching implications for our lives in this world. And who can weigh all the variables and know whether what you desire is truly best?
This message has been edited by Hangdawg13, 11-06-2004 07:43 PM

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 27 of 32 (156838)
11-06-2004 7:50 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by dpardo
10-29-2004 2:44 PM


Okay, my suggestions
Get the slime outa Okra.
How about some padding on elbows and shins?
Do we really need hothouse tomatoes?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by dpardo, posted 10-29-2004 2:44 PM dpardo has not replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 28 of 32 (156851)
11-06-2004 8:37 PM
Reply to: Message 26 by Hangdawg13
11-06-2004 7:42 PM


Also, part of what makes a deed good is that it is done selflessly with no expectation of reward.
You don't think cooperation can be a good thing? I mean, certainly altruism is good, but that doesn't mean that the only good deeds are altruistic ones.
Isn't it, as the saying goes, a better deed to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish? Does it stop being a good deed if you hire him to catch fish for you?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 26 by Hangdawg13, posted 11-06-2004 7:42 PM Hangdawg13 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 30 by Hangdawg13, posted 11-07-2004 11:15 PM crashfrog has replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 29 of 32 (156852)
11-06-2004 8:37 PM
Reply to: Message 26 by Hangdawg13
11-06-2004 7:42 PM


Damn, bit by the double-post bug.
This message has been edited by crashfrog, 11-06-2004 08:37 PM

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Hangdawg13
Member (Idle past 751 days)
Posts: 1189
From: Texas
Joined: 05-30-2004


Message 30 of 32 (157093)
11-07-2004 11:15 PM
Reply to: Message 28 by crashfrog
11-06-2004 8:37 PM


You don't think cooperation can be a good thing? I mean, certainly altruism is good, but that doesn't mean that the only good deeds are altruistic ones.
Isn't it, as the saying goes, a better deed to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish? Does it stop being a good deed if you hire him to catch fish for you?
That's not what I was saying. I was simply saying it is "good" for someone to do something because they know it to be good with no expectation of reward. That doesn't mean the ONLY good deeds are altruistic. But how would we understand and appreciate the good of altruism if every good deed were rewarded here on earth?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 28 by crashfrog, posted 11-06-2004 8:37 PM crashfrog has replied

Replies to this message:
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