What's with the Jesus skywriting?

[Buckalew11]

Yeah, couldn't possibly be things like calling others bitter.

I swear, if people actually owned up to the fact that many times it's Christians that turn Christian threads ugly, things might actually improve around here.

I've owned up to my mistake by apologizing to you. When you won't accept explanation or apologies, it sure as heck doesn't look like you WANT to improve things around here.

Christians do often turn Christians threads ugly around here. Throw out a general Christian concept and you'll get 10 different opinions, hurt feelings and the like. A lot of times, though, I also see Christians working to understand the misconceptions.
Often I see other posts stirring the pot and twisting words.

 

[jamimb]

Yeah, couldn't possibly be things like calling others bitter.

I swear, if people actually owned up to the fact that many times it's Christians that turn Christian threads ugly, things might actually improve

around here.

Cardway why must you ASSUME i was referring to non-christians being ugly. you have just simply proven my point. All I was saying was everyone's tone has not been so great around here (mine included at times)

 

[Buckalew11]

I call my paternal parent Father, but he let me grow up and lead my own life. When will god do that?

Are you asking seriously? I think God has allowed you to grow up and lead your own life. I think that's the ownderful thing about God. We all choose for ourselves. No one (not even Him) chooses for us. Sounds like you have chosen. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[cardaway]

deleted, not worth it anymore

 

[cardaway]

Cardway why must you ASSUME i was referring to non-christians being ugly. you have just simply proven my point. All I was saying was everyone's tone has not been so great around here (mine included at times)

Agreed.

 

[Buckalew11]

deleted, not worth it anymore

Well, thanks. I read your comment before you deleted it anyway. Nice to see you don't think I'm worth it.

 

[jamimb]

Agreed

.

See exactly my point I (a christian) can admit my tone might have been less than perfect at times yet you however can't and you still want to blame all the christians for any tension. Dosent make sense. I am officially apologizing for maybe offending anyone. No matter how bitter or offensive someone esle might be (no one specific) it dosent give me the right to be in return so I will try to watch my tone from now on

 

[cardaway]

Well, thanks. I read your comment before you deleted it anyway. Nice to see you don't think I'm worth it.

Your worth has nothing to do with it, just the argument in general. If I didn't respect you, I wouldn't care why you thought people were bitter.

 

[Groucho]

My advice to you is enjoy that good job and wife and child now beacuse its all you got. I have this life and the promise of joy everlasting. Which by the way I also have a wonderful spouse and children. are you trying to say that only no-believers have good lives? It is my experince that Christians lives are actually better and they are not measured by things which can be taken away. I dont want this to ever happen to you but you can always loose your job or your wife and child could die but the joy I have in my relationship with God and my home in heaven can never be taken from me.

Considering that I do not believe in an afterlife (nor a soul, for that matter), I am not the least bit concerned about missing out on anything.

We came from dust, we go to dust. (Or as Carl Sagan put it more eloquently, "we are starstuff.") I don't need to believe in judgment to try to behave like a good human. I'm more interested in making other people happy rather than some imaginary guy in the sky.

 

[Groucho]

No insult, really. Just an observation from what sounds like the tone of the posts. We're both always on any posts that relates to Christianity. I guess one reads those types of posts and really wonders what has happened between posters and Christians or the Church or something. I'm sure I can't be the only one who gets that kind of vibe.
Sorry you thought I was insulting you.

FWIW I didn't take it as an insult.

I honestly would rather help people think skeptically than engage in a pointless, heels-in-the-ground debate. Skeptical thinking is incredibly important and is almost completely ignored in school. More skeptical thinking would help save people from scammers, "alternative" medicine, astrology, scientology, physics, fearmongers, urban legends, superstitions, and yes, religion. I'm really not that concerned with the more relaxed religions - I'm bothered by the wielding of religion as a weapon, as used by terrorists/abortion clinic bombers/gaybashers, and as an excuse for willful ignorance (like evolution deniers), and as a general annoyance (in-your-face evangelizing.) Keep your religion to yourself and we'll all be much happier.

Nothing bad has happened to me from the church; why just tonight, I was at church for choir practice. I'm happy to sing Bach or Vivaldi, I'd no sooner ignore that music than ignore Greek mythology. My road to skepticism took me away from the religious side of our church but I am still good friends with many members, and with our pastor.

If just one person who reads this thread begins to question their beliefs just a little and takes the time to read a little Michael Shermer or Carl Sagan or maybe James Randi (though he's a bit more hard-edged), then it's been worth it.

 

[JoyG]

I call my paternal parent Father, but he let me grow up and lead my own life. When will god do that?

Yup.

 

[orljustin]

Are you asking seriously? I think God has allowed you to grow up and lead your own life. I think that's the ownderful thing about God. We all choose for ourselves. No one (not even Him) chooses for us. Sounds like you have chosen. Nothing wrong with that!

Oh, for the love of... Which is it? When you pray, god does one thing or another, and at all times he is affecting your life... but now, no one chooses for you?

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

 

[Buckalew11]

Oh, for the love of... Which is it? When you pray, god does one thing or another, and at all times he is affecting your life... but now, no one chooses for you?

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

I am not sure of your questions/comments.
But I'll go for it anyway.

When I pray, yes, God does one thing or another.
Yes, I believe at all times He is affecting my life.
And no. No one chooses our beliefs but ourselves. God throws the choice out there and we have to choose to believe or not to believe. God does in no way force us to followers of Christ.

Sorry you think I am inconsistent. I have no idea what you mean though.

 

[Amity 3]

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

when it suits their concerns. they'll cite biblical references that supports their beliefs, but leave other passages in the dirt claiming they're taken out of context.

you either buy into the concept of your faith or not.

not Catholics practicing birth control but outraged by abortion.

 

[jamimb]

orljustin]Oh, for the love of... Which is it? When you pray, god does one thing or another, and at all times he is affecting your life... but now, no one chooses for you?

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

[/QUOTE]

God is in control at all times but that dosent mean that we do not have choices. I am basically in control of my childen's lives and the direction that they go but does that mean they dont make choices? Of course not their lives are full of choices. God has a plan for us all but that does not mean he dosent let us make choices along the way, he actually sometimes uses those choices (good or bad) to ultimately fulfill his purpose. think on a bigger scale. Our lives are not just about ourselves. Whether you believe in God or not you cannot deny the fact that the choices we make affect those around us.

 

[Amity 3]

Oh, for the love of... Which is it? When you pray, god does one thing or another, and at all times he is affecting your life... but now, no one chooses for you?

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

organized religion is based on one true faith: hypocrisy

 

[JoyG]

Oh, for the love of... Which is it? When you pray, god does one thing or another, and at all times he is affecting your life... but now, no one chooses for you?

Here's another reason why religion is so annoying. You guys are all Christians, and you can't even be consistent.

I made the choice to "invite" Jesus into my life. If I didn't ask, I was free to go on making whatever decisions I wanted to make, and experiencing the natural consequences of those decisions.

After choosing to become a christian, God now affects my life. How? Well I believe that "All things work together for good for those that love God..." so he's behind the scenes making sure that no matter what is happening, it's going to work out for good (either here or the afterlife).

 

[Buckalew11]

FWIW I didn't take it as an insult.

I honestly would rather help people think skeptically than engage in a pointless, heels-in-the-ground debate. Skeptical thinking is incredibly important and is almost completely ignored in school. More skeptical thinking would help save people from scammers, "alternative" medicine, astrology, scientology, physics, fearmongers, urban legends, superstitions, and yes, religion. I'm really not that concerned with the more relaxed religions - I'm bothered by the wielding of religion as a weapon, as used by terrorists/abortion clinic bombers/gaybashers, and as an excuse for willful ignorance (like evolution deniers), and as a general annoyance (in-your-face evangelizing.) Keep your religion to yourself and we'll all be much happier.

Nothing bad has happened to me from the church; why just tonight, I was at church for choir practice. I'm happy to sing Bach or Vivaldi, I'd no sooner ignore that music than ignore Greek mythology. My road to skepticism took me away from the religious side of our church but I am still good friends with many members, and with our pastor.

If just one person who reads this thread begins to question their beliefs just a little and takes the time to read a little Michael Shermer or Carl Sagan or maybe James Randi (though he's a bit more hard-edged), then it's been worth it.

Thanks for your comments. I do understand where you are coming from in your thoughts. I did forget that I read a post by you on another thread that stated that you still attend church even though you do not believe in God (probably the music thread a few days ago). I think it says a lot that you still attend and are friends with church members even though you disagree with them. Obviously, you aren't bitter at all. If you'd had a bad experience, I hardly think you'd still attend. You've seen "another" light, so to speak, and have chosen differently.
I also think it is important to ask questions and seek answers to faith questions.

 

[jamimb]

Very well said. As far as christians being hypocrites arn't you steroetyping? there are hypocrites in all walks of life but to assume that we all are is a bit unfair dont you think? To make that judgment is not right. I am sorry if you have encountered hpocritical Christians. They give the rest of us a bad name. I have my beliefs and I try my best to live by those beliefs. To do as I say. I screw up , sure I do but I'm human Don;t assume that Christians are hypocritical because they might make mistakes. I try to live out my beliefs everyday and many others do as well.

 

[jimmiej]

organized religion is based on one true faith: hypocrisy

I would think we've all been hypoctitical at one time or another, religious people & non. Amity, can you honestly say you've never said one thing in public & done another in private? Any time a person trys to reach a higher standard, such as living a holy life, there are going to be pitfalls & failures. The Bible tells Christians Satan is "roaming to & fro, seeking whom he may devour." The apostle Paul wrote about this. He asked himself (paraphrase), "Why do I do what I know is wrong?"