I have not punched out any of the atheists that attend our church so far. So I don't think my beliefs have made me violent or warlike. They come to be supportive of their spouses, family, and children. They don't mind christianity, they just don't choose it for themselves.
I think I will print this out and share it with the congregation for prayer. Better than a black eye any day.
Did I say anything about punching atheists??? The fact that you don't go around punching people is not the issue here. There are many forms of oppression, not just outright war. There are also many forms of war, that don't involve physical violence. I also didn't mention you or what you do in particular, but you seem to take examination of a belief system personally.
Certain members of my immediate family are christian, I don't have anything against them personally, but neither would I support them in their choice of following the cult of christianity, just as I would not encourage an alcoholic family member to share a glass of wine with me.
It would be far better to print out all the information about the inconsistancies and incongruities of the christian belief system, for you fellow believers, rather than my little post. It would be far better for them to be informed about what they are actually agreeing to, in their adherence to the christian dogma, than being given the sanitised version available in most christian churches.
"No way....it's endtimes baby. You have just confirmed it for me. Digging that bunker....gathering my guns. No trespassing sign out front."
lol, such peace and tranquility. I can see now why christianity is a religion based on fear. Bunkers and guns, who are you intending to use the guns against? Maybe disspensing a little of that good old christian love, down the barrel of a gun.
As for me, I don't believe in your story book, so I've nothing to worry about at all, my mind is at peace :)
Wow you love to throw the accusations around, I am very open minded, but I have yet to see anyone show any reason why christianity is more than just another belief system, that is based on fear and guilt. In fact everything I've seen so far in this forum proves the opposite. I see the absolute narrow mindedness of people that cannot even imagine a world beyond their narrow, limiting belief system. As for common sense, how does common sense have anything to do with believing in a fictional story, that is so full of inconsistancies , incongruities, with no basis in any sort of logic.
"Dominance through threat of punishment and violence, oppressive rule, abusive government, cruelty and injustice."
You don't need a church government, you have a mad tyrant as a god, who performs all those traits for you. Your belief in this tyrant provides you with all the fear and guilt you could ever need.
It is certainly one of many possibilities that I may at some point accept christianity, but I would need to see real evidence of its veracity. This, upon my examination of this belief system, has not happened.
I have no idea what the future holds for me on my spiritual journey, so I can never say never. I can however say that from what knowledge I have now of christianity, it is very unlikely, but certainly not impossible.
The more I learn about and examin spiritual belief systems, the more I see how limiting they are, and how they do close the mind to other possibilities, so at this present time I don't adhere to any spiritual belief systems.
Do you think that there is the possibility of you leaving christianity and either taking on another or disspensing with belief systems all together??
"Do you blame christianity as the reason there is no peace? Is it the reason you choose this forum instead some other religion forum to bring your satire?"
Actually, christianity is the reason that I had no peace in the past. I choose this forum because in the past I had lots of guilt and fear issues that took lots of work to resolve. My history is with christianity, so my frame of reference is much better than with buddhism, or hinduism, etc etc.
I have buddhist and hindu and jewish friends who don't give a flying foo foo what my belief systems are or are not. They do not proselytize and are unconditional in their friendship and love. They don't try to convert me or convince me. They are at peace, they realize I am at peace, and we live and let live, together in harmony.
I concur with all of spud's clear and balanced arguments with you. I too agree that it is a good thing to examine this belief system, due to it's effect on so many people throughout the world. I don't have to remind you that many wars have been fought in the name of this religion. Christianity and peace are oxymoronic in nature.
I also agree with spud that if it is peace and warm fuzzies you are seeking, gather with other like-minded christians on the christianity support forum.
It is interesting to me that christians RARELY populate their support forum. Hmmm.....
What one needs to understand is, how does a child 'reflect' more faith to you than the 'word of God' in the Bible?
It just makes it appear that one needs some sort of 'miracle', a 'vision' (albeit others) (as portrayed in the Bible), whatever, to convince oneself of a 'belief system'?
In which case some sort of 'magic' has to happen to perform it's 'works' and where ones 'spirituality' is not heeded, but anothers dreams are?
I hope not, this sort of insight is very relevent to the topic.
I hope this child can pursue her own spiritual path without being pushed into either a christian or new age box, to satisfy people's need to label and own her talents and thoughts, and parade her around as a banner for their own cause or belief system.
I re-iterate what you said Spud, the long-term effects on that child.
Each time this happens it has a negative effect on their basic beliefs. If one has to 'shore up' any belief then I quote:-
“There is a parable at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that tells a story of two men, The first built his house on a pile of sand, and it was destroyed as soon as the storm hit. But the second is known as the wise man, for when ‘the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house…it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."
Words from their Bible, deeds are desired are they not?