For the Christians here: Why do the heathens rage?

quote:

---

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

​

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

​

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

​

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

---

because to some degree, it is foolish, and it is childish, and a lot of people know it. i don't like paul, but he has a point and this a beautiful passage. it simply means that we don't know: we only have the first clue, but it will all be revealed later....i have a little more than the first clue. not a lot in comparison to what i don't know. but more than most christians. i've taken the time to really study the bible for what it is, and to try to figure out exactly what god is all about.and getting drive-by quoted by random fundamentalists does piss me off too. generally, they're way out of context and blatantly misunderstood. i would hardly call the insight given here on the religious side pearls.added by edit: you also have to remember that christianity has a pretty bad reputation. christians on this board are repeatedly seen in such bigotry as gay-bashing, and acting holier-than-thou. it really doesn't look when the basis of the religion is humility, and compassion, to throw around condemnations.This message has been edited by Arachnophilia, 03-22-2005 02:24 AM

thus the word "try." i've more or less come the conclusion that we as human are not able or indeed ready to comprehend exactly what god is about, to the infinite extent of his being.but that doesn't stop me from working on that. i've also come to the conclusion that alot of this percieved action is strictly within the wirings of our own brains, and god mostly stays out of it.i look at it like we as species are a child learning to walk. a child would never learn to walk if it's always pushed around in a stroller or carried by his mother. it's neccessary for god to stay out of it, for our own development. we'll get the philosophy debates later, when we mature a little more. walking first. don't get me wrong -- i'm a literalist. i just think the people who call themselves literalists are not. they're more concerned with making it literally FACTUAL, whereas i am not at all. we really haven't the first clue, have we? there's just so much more there that fundamentalists are missing. it's a real disservice to god -- blasphemy, really. we all get angry sometimes. for instance, nothing pisses me off more than justifying hatred with christianity.but no, i wouldn't say this the sort of condition that christ spoke of, even though i do see how some might see it that. i've found, as a christian, that if we talk reasonably, listen to other view points, are not condescending or hateful or judgemental, and accept that other people don't believe the same way we do -- there's no problems. as a christian, i'm tolerated by athiests, agnostics, jews, buddhists, pagans, even satanists (really, i've found them to be friendlier than christians, btw).conducting yourself in a reasonable manner, i've found, is evangelism near it's best. when we act like responsible caring people, it's a credit to our faith. disagreement is the key to discussion and knowledge. i wouldn't know anything if it weren't for getting proven wrong, or looking it up to prove someone else wrong. back then, what they were doing was actually dangerous. it could have cost them their lives, and sometimes did. has nothing to do with jews or heathens or philistines, or whatever. it just doesn't work very well if a disciple stays and fights an angry mob and gets lynched. looks bad on the religion too.

i think the first major step in my journey was realizing that the bible was simply a bunch of different peoples' opinions, revelations, and perceptions of deity, and not an actual representation of god himself, or his actions or personality.all of those takes need not be consistent, or even correct.but this is not a point that gets across easily here.

that's it.if i ever start a band, i'm calling it "rage against the heathens"

i'm a christian. i'm reasonably positive that jar is too.do you see us running an hiding?

you may or may not have noticed: i don't talk like a christian. i mean exactly what i say, and dha understood me correctly. the "try" in that post was refering to trying to understand god.i do not think being godlike, or even godhood itself is outside the realm of (eventual) human possibility. actually, i think it might be the reason we were created. i think god understands his creation. to think that god demands perfection of us is outrageous, unbiblical, and just plain blasphemous. think about what that says about god?also, to think that perfect according to the standards that god does impose is impossible is just plain wrong. even in the old testament, god is very forgiving. david is called perfect, even after his sin with bathsheba.god expects us to be what we are. if he made us flawed, he did so on purpose. our flaw is actually our beauty. it allows intelligence, morals, and above all free will. our decisions are meaningful.all god wants is for us to make good decisions.

nexttime, i'll go on about the evils of organized religion, and how their goals conflict with that. i think god's a reasonable guy, and it's us that mess things up for ourselves.are you familiar with the idea of the christian guilt complex? i might make a thread about it later.

possibly. we might be speaking of different things. this one really has nothing to do with outsiders; it's between the sinner and his god, combined with the messages preached in church.also, i'm sure EVERY christian is aware of it, because to some degree it's integral to the religion. especially fundamentalism, in my experience. people just may not be aware they're doing it.This message has been edited by Arachnophilia, 03-24-2005 12:47 AM

oooooooh i get it! duh.sorry, i completely forgot to read the cultural stereotype in there. my mistake.