Evolutionists: Why is it so important to you?

[nebula]

I believe evolution is truth, but at every turn Creationists are either trying to block the teaching of it or include the Genesis account as an alternative. I am afraid of science education being shut down anytime it is not in agreement with Genesis.

We're afraid of our religious rights being taken from us, and you are afraid of science education being taken away from you.

Interesting.

In what way do you see religious rights being taken away? The law guarantees freedom of religion.

Nativity scenes are being taken out of Christmas displays - even though it is what Christmas is about to begin with.

Teachers are not allowed to express their religion in many schools.

More and more, laws are being passed to ensure freedom from religion.

[Hawkins]

I once believed in God. I don't recall feeling any different after losing my belief. In his book titled, Losing My Religion, William Lobdell documents becoming a Born Again Christian and eventually an atheist. He stresses that his life as an atheist is far richer than his life as a Christian. Dan Barker makes the same assertion in his book, Godless. I don't believe Christians have a monopoly on happiness. Nor do I think that Barker and Lobdell's experience means that atheists lead richer lives than Christians. It does mean, however, that some people are happier without God and some happier with.

In Christianity the 'now' part only occupies a fairly small space, most of what Christianity talking about is the FUTURE, which we can hardly touch directly.

Faith and Religion

-----------------------

As long as the following question is without an answer, religions will continue to exist. The only thing actually changes is that people start to lose their self-awareness to recognise what kind of faith they possess. And the question is,

Does afterlife exist, does soul exist?

If your answer is Yes, that represents your religion as your answer is religious. If on the other hand your answer is No, that also represents your religion as your answer is also a religious one.

The more scientific answer is "I don't know". Yet unfortunately, it's not an answer you can keep till you die. If you don't make a consent choice, your sub-consciousness will pick a "no" for you.

As for those whose answer is a 'yes', they have the self-awareness about what their own faith and religion is. As for those whose answer is a 'no', they don't even have that awareness to realise that they are religious.

Religions only change forms. People jump from one side of the fence to join another bandwagon of faith. That's it.

There will be less and less people believe in God as predicted. Only those who endure shall be saved.

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[MorningGlory]

I once believed in God. I don't recall feeling any different after losing my belief. In his book titled, Losing My Religion, William Lobdell documents becoming a Born Again Christian and eventually an atheist. He stresses that his life as an atheist is far richer than his life as a Christian. Dan Barker makes the same assertion in his book, Godless. I don't believe Christians have a monopoly on happiness. Nor do I think that Barker and Lobdell's experience means that atheists lead richer lives than Christians. It does mean, however, that some people are happier without God and some happier with.

There is no 'Life' without God. Atheists are already dead.

I'd like to quote you on that, but first I'd appreciate if you could explain what you mean.

Spiritually dead. Jesus is the way, the only way, and without Him you are nothing.

Spiritually dead. Mithras is the way, the only way, and without Him you are nothing.

Or you could substitute any other number of gods names. People tend to feel strongly about their own faith, and I certainly recognized, even before you sent the explanatory statement, that this was probably your belief, but it has no impact on me. I don't grasp your intent though. Were you trying to convey something you thought I didn't know in your original quote, or were you, like Anne Coulter, just trying to be provocative?

Well, since there are no other 'gods', that statement is moot. I don't do anything like Ann Coulter, thank you, and my intent is merely to tell you the truth. Contrary to what you may have heard, Christians don't gleefully contemplate the demise of nonbelievers. It's very distressing to see or read about someone who is blind and lost. I pray that you will be delivered from this.

[nebula]

In Christianity the 'now' part only occupies a fairly small space, most of what Christianity talking about is the FUTURE, which we can hardly touch directly.

Odd that you view Christianity that way.

Christianity is very much about the here and the now. How do you walk with the Lord now. How do you live your life now.

If anyone is "living a better life" for "a better afterlife," then their motive is selfish and not out of love, which rather negates the actions.

[Guest]

.... Spiritually dead. Mithras is the way, the only way, and without Him you are nothing ....

It's A Sad Old Old Song You Sing Dear One

And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

Judges 2:17

With A Sad Sad Ending To It All

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Revelation 22:12-15

When You See God

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:10

Face To Face

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 5:26-29

And Shot From The Lip As You May

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isaiah 29:16

It Will All Stop Even For You Dear One On That Future Day

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

>>>>>()<<<<<

Believe

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 11:25-26

Believe

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3:7

And Be Blessed Beloved

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

Or Not

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:35-36

Love, Joe

[Hawkins]

Does afterlife exist, does soul exist?

If... your answer is No, that also represents your religion as your answer is also a religious one.

I have had this discussion several times in the past, though I have never agreed with the premise that a negative belief is a religion. I don't have much time at the moment or I would provide you an explanation; though you have probably heard the rebuttals already.

I'll have to get back to you later. You put forth some interesting points.

Whether you realise it or not, whether you like it or not. It is the simplest illustration to show you your own religious face.

Edited March 30, 2010 by Hawkins

[Guest]

Immutable

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,

whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Truth

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,

and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God, and he shall be

my son. Revelation 21:3-7

Flee The Wrath To Come

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,

and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

>>>>>()<<<<<

.... Spiritually dead. Mithras is the way, the only way, and without Him you are nothing ....

It's A Sad Old Old Song You Sing Dear One

And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. Judges 2:17....

I can assure you Joe, I don't worship Mithras.

Ah!

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect:

and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Exodus 23:13

Other gods

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,

after the rudiments of the world,

and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

worshiped

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

And True Worship

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:

for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

Believe In Him

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:

and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:35-36

And Be Blessed Beloved

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:

for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Love, Joe

[MorningGlory]

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect:

and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Exodus 23:13

I was not aware of this particular passage. Thank you Joe.

My Bible gives a slightly different reading, but it pretty much means the same thing as the passage you quoted: "Be attentive to every word of mine. You shall not invoke other gods: your lips shall not speak their names."

Yet despite this command there are a number of examples where the Bible names other gods. Why is that? One example is in 1 Kings 11:7, "He built a hill-shrine for Kemosh, the loathsome god of Moab, on the height to the east of Jerusalem, and for Molech, the loathsome god of the Ammonites." Were it not for the Bible we might not know the names of some of these gods.

These passages are pointing out the awful gods that some people worshipped at the time, Marsh. Molech was a demon god to whom the Ammonites sacrificed their children. When we are commanded to not speak their names, IMO we are being commanded not to worship them.

[nebula]

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect:

and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Exodus 23:13

I was not aware of this particular passage. Thank you Joe.

My Bible gives a slightly different reading, but it pretty much means the same thing as the passage you quoted: "Be attentive to every word of mine. You shall not invoke other gods: your lips shall not speak their names."

Yet despite this command there are a number of examples where the Bible names other gods. Why is that? One example is in 1 Kings 11:7, "He built a hill-shrine for Kemosh, the loathsome god of Moab, on the height to the east of Jerusalem, and for Molech, the loathsome god of the Ammonites." Were it not for the Bible we might not know the names of some of these gods.

Marsh, you are taking an expression and giving a literal interpretation to it.

A poor example (because I'm not that great of a creative thinker) would be like saying that being "thrown for a loop" means you were physically tossed and spun. But that's not what it means.

In the same way, "Make no mention" here is an expression referring to reverence, devotion, and worship. One can tell this by the context.

[MorningGlory]

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect:

and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Exodus 23:13

I was not aware of this particular passage. Thank you Joe.

My Bible gives a slightly different reading, but it pretty much means the same thing as the passage you quoted: "Be attentive to every word of mine. You shall not invoke other gods: your lips shall not speak their names."

Yet despite this command there are a number of examples where the Bible names other gods. Why is that? One example is in 1 Kings 11:7, "He built a hill-shrine for Kemosh, the loathsome god of Moab, on the height to the east of Jerusalem, and for Molech, the loathsome god of the Ammonites." Were it not for the Bible we might not know the names of some of these gods.

Marsh, you are taking an expression and giving a literal interpretation to it.

A poor example (because I'm not that great of a creative thinker) would be like saying that being "thrown for a loop" means you were physically tossed and spun. But that's not what it means.

In the same way, "Make no mention" here is an expression referring to reverence, devotion, and worship. One can tell this by the context.

Exactly.