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Guest
Well, first of all, the bible should be kept in the ‘fiction’ section at the bookstore. If someone wants to present it as ‘non-fiction’, that is where the trouble starts.
I enjoy violent, terrible stories such as the ones in the bible or other fantasy works. One can even learn things from them, if well written (such as the strength of loyalty Samwise shows in the Lord of the Rings series). I would never try to tell my children that the stories were true…that is lying.
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LaMar
Guest
Well, mythology is in it’s own area of the bookstore. It’s neither fiction nor non-fiction. It’s part philosophy, part psychoanalysis, part foundation narrative.
The whole story of the assumption of Mary…who is going up to heaven to be her hero-king-son’s bride…that’s a retelling of Oedipus Rex. We agree on that, right? It’s not a fictional story, per se. It’s a piece of psychology. A telling of the contents of the collective unconscious, writ large.
I guess I’m not willing to completely throw this stuff out. At the same time, I don’t think anyone should take it seriously. Taking it as reality ruins it completely.
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Grendelx
Guest
I am not christain or believe in the bible, but I do have my own personal beliefs that govern my life. When I was little, my parents were christain. When my father died and Christianity did nothing to console my mother she searched for a new alternative, she became a Jehovas witness. Unfortunately for me being so young I was thrown from one religion to another as my mother quested for inner peace. When I hit my teen years my mother left it up to me to decide what I wanted to believe in.
Many years I have researched many religions and eventually led myself to the one realization, no religion is right, and no religion is wrong.
I am now 29 , these are just examples of my beliefs based on historical and scientific research.
Disclaimer: Again my personal beliefs, If I offend anyone it is not intentional and I apologize
1)I believe that unless it is scientifically proven to have happened, or exist it’s just myth.
2) I don’t believe in the bible because it was written by man, and has been altered through out history to benefit certain people. Also, people of that time lacked the scientific knowledge to explain the natural occurrences that happed around them.
(Example: A city was built at the base of a dormant volcano, the volcano becomes active and erupts destroying the city. People of that time claim it was the wrath of God.)
3) Respect others beliefs.
4) Respect others as I wanted to be respected.
5)Is there life after death? Who knows, no one has ever died and came back to tell about it.
Many years I have researched many religions and eventually led myself to the one realization, no religion is right, and no religion is wrong.
I am now 29 , these are just examples of my beliefs based on historical and scientific research.
Disclaimer: Again my personal beliefs, If I offend anyone it is not intentional and I apologize
1)I believe that unless it is scientifically proven to have happened, or exist it’s just myth.
2) I don’t believe in the bible because it was written by man, and has been altered through out history to benefit certain people. Also, people of that time lacked the scientific knowledge to explain the natural occurrences that happed around them.
(Example: A city was built at the base of a dormant volcano, the volcano becomes active and erupts destroying the city. People of that time claim it was the wrath of God.)
3) Respect others beliefs.
4) Respect others as I wanted to be respected.
5)Is there life after death? Who knows, no one has ever died and came back to tell about it.
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1234
Guest
Mary, legend has it, died in Ephesus, the shrine of the *other *virgin goddess Diana, and also Cybele, an ancient Hittite and Phoenician goddess. Read about Cyb on wiki, which describes the resurrection of her son (and consort.) I’ll skip the details.
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1234
Guest
Re the following quote:
Why did God have to create himself and then sacrifice himself to himself to change a rule, then raise himself from the dead to bring himself back to himself again to prove that he was himself to save humanity from himself?
My understanding is as follows:
The Father sacrificed the Son as a perfect offering to atone for the sins of mankind which had infinitely offended the perfection of the Triune God, who then required an infinite sacrifice of the Son to atone for the offense. This done, he, the Son, could be raised again to glory.
It still doesn’t make sense, but then (again) it’s a mystery, like much in Catholicism.
Why did God have to create himself and then sacrifice himself to himself to change a rule, then raise himself from the dead to bring himself back to himself again to prove that he was himself to save humanity from himself?
My understanding is as follows:
The Father sacrificed the Son as a perfect offering to atone for the sins of mankind which had infinitely offended the perfection of the Triune God, who then required an infinite sacrifice of the Son to atone for the offense. This done, he, the Son, could be raised again to glory.
It still doesn’t make sense, but then (again) it’s a mystery, like much in Catholicism.
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LaMar
Guest
This is really interesting. Thanks for posting it.
I don’t know much about the Mary legend (didn’t know she died in Ephesus), though the traditional Catholic icons of her are supposedly a derivation on the classical themes seen in depictions of Aphrodite and Demeter. Some of the more experimental Mary icons give her a determined glare, and almost look warlike. (Would Athenesque be the right word?)
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Armor_of_God
Guest
Once you do, come on in! There will be a seat waiting for you.
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phooney
Guest
If we don’t, will you join me?
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Schultzz
Guest
To all the posters who claim to be Atheists.
If I were you I would be very careful about hanging out on this site. Aren’t you aware of the study conducted at a major university Entitled “Non-Guilt by Association”? You are all being duped and you are not aware of it. According to another study there is a certain amount of “Christian Radiation Effect”. You are being infected by Christian beliefs and you are no doubt unaware of it! “Conversion by Osmosis”, was the title of a recent Doctoral thesis defended by its author, “A recognized and well respected, well known Atheist.” It’s insidious and so very subtle and you are all falling for it. A sign that many of you have already become “infected” is the politeness which you offer as a sign of mutual respect. Be Wary and be careful how nice you are becoming. These are symptoms of “Christian Flu”, which never completely leaves your body but works itself into your psyche and eventually your soul.
Every post that you leave here, leaves a residual amount of this "Christian Radiation which comes right through your monitor screen! These members are secretly praying for your conversion and “it is working”. I suggest that you invest in “Father’s Filter Film”, invented by a defrocked priest who claims that by using his product you will block this “Christian Radiation” by placing this “film” over the screen of your monitor. He claims that the longer you have “lurked” or “hung out” at these “Catholic or Christian” forums the greater percentage of “Conversion Radiation” you have already absorbed into “the aura of your soul”. You have received the invisible barcode, “777” into your senses. If you receive a private message entitled “All Are Welcome to Bingo”,
Do Not Open It. It could seriously infect you with “Spiritual Goodness.” No doubt this post will be eradicated the moment it is reported. Until then, “Have a Good Day.”
If I were you I would be very careful about hanging out on this site. Aren’t you aware of the study conducted at a major university Entitled “Non-Guilt by Association”? You are all being duped and you are not aware of it. According to another study there is a certain amount of “Christian Radiation Effect”. You are being infected by Christian beliefs and you are no doubt unaware of it! “Conversion by Osmosis”, was the title of a recent Doctoral thesis defended by its author, “A recognized and well respected, well known Atheist.” It’s insidious and so very subtle and you are all falling for it. A sign that many of you have already become “infected” is the politeness which you offer as a sign of mutual respect. Be Wary and be careful how nice you are becoming. These are symptoms of “Christian Flu”, which never completely leaves your body but works itself into your psyche and eventually your soul.
Every post that you leave here, leaves a residual amount of this "Christian Radiation which comes right through your monitor screen! These members are secretly praying for your conversion and “it is working”. I suggest that you invest in “Father’s Filter Film”, invented by a defrocked priest who claims that by using his product you will block this “Christian Radiation” by placing this “film” over the screen of your monitor. He claims that the longer you have “lurked” or “hung out” at these “Catholic or Christian” forums the greater percentage of “Conversion Radiation” you have already absorbed into “the aura of your soul”. You have received the invisible barcode, “777” into your senses. If you receive a private message entitled “All Are Welcome to Bingo”,
Do Not Open It. It could seriously infect you with “Spiritual Goodness.” No doubt this post will be eradicated the moment it is reported. Until then, “Have a Good Day.”
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phooney
Guest
Oh wow, that all sounds very reasonable, where can I purchase this film? Preferrably point me to somewhere that accepts bulk orders because I don’t want to run out. woo woo!
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Schultzz
Guest
Is “woo woo” is secret signal? What does it mean? Are you people organized?
Do you have a secret handshake too? Is “woo woo” a code?
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phooney
Guest
I can’t tell you or I’ll go to athehell
J
John-the-Seeker
Guest
Hi,
When I asked an extremely authoritive individual why we call the Bible the Bible I was told:
“The Bible is a book of instruction which, if you allow it, will enable you to Build In Belief Life Eternal. But remember, Blind Infidelity Brings Life Extinction.”
I wonder what is an Atheist and what would one who is a self confessed one be doing inquiring about religion. The greatest rebel against God has no doubts about God He just refuses to serve. He prefers Heavens Eternal Love Lost to being loved.
When I asked an extremely authoritive individual why we call the Bible the Bible I was told:
“The Bible is a book of instruction which, if you allow it, will enable you to Build In Belief Life Eternal. But remember, Blind Infidelity Brings Life Extinction.”
I wonder what is an Atheist and what would one who is a self confessed one be doing inquiring about religion. The greatest rebel against God has no doubts about God He just refuses to serve. He prefers Heavens Eternal Love Lost to being loved.
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phooney
Guest
Well, like I said, I’d have to find out if God exists first, then I could make an informed decision as to whether that God was worth worshipping or not.
No matter what side is ‘right’ it would have far reaching implications for all of us. I just think we should come to either conclusion through rational means of getting knowledge. Faith, as in belief without evidence, is not an example of such means. It’s too important a question to use faith. In the meantime, I’m just going to lack that particular belief because I can’t maintain an active negative belief about every single unevidenced claim.
No matter what side is ‘right’ it would have far reaching implications for all of us. I just think we should come to either conclusion through rational means of getting knowledge. Faith, as in belief without evidence, is not an example of such means. It’s too important a question to use faith. In the meantime, I’m just going to lack that particular belief because I can’t maintain an active negative belief about every single unevidenced claim.
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Armor_of_God
Guest
Hmmm…I’d have to think about it for a bit. What do you have to offer?If we don’t, will you join me?
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phooney
Guest
If it’s the truth, that’s the only reward I could offer.
I know it’s not as tempting as heaven, but if you only want to stick with what is comfortable, then you are going to miss out on those truths which don’t conform to whatever your preconceptions of reality are.
I know it’s not as tempting as heaven, but if you only want to stick with what is comfortable, then you are going to miss out on those truths which don’t conform to whatever your preconceptions of reality are.
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Armor_of_God
Guest
Here lies the misunderstanding. I don’t know of anyone - besides very young children - who has arrived at a strong belief in God through blind faith. It is good to honestly doubt and question and look for answers. In sincerely seeking the truth about God, most people go about it in a very rational, methodic way. They read, they ask, they test, they study, they talk to experts, they visit historical sites, they look at both sides of the story. Somewhere along the way they find sufficient evidence to believe. When this point is reached, this is called faith. The “faith without evidence” that you speak of comprises only a small portion of the average believer’s faith - what I would call “blind faith”.
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