hahaha Bush says he doesn't believe in the Bible, does believe in evolution

I favor same sex marriage, and I have no issue with Muslims nor do I think anyone should basically be treated any less than anyone else. But hey, that's the "do unto others" thing in action.

It just so happens that the progressive movement is one of those I see these things from the old testament in:

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2004/06/b87308.html

Of course the civil rights movement itself (which I lived through and remember quite well:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionand...and-the-civil-rights-movement/background/335/

Then there's the whole "endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights" business, which isn't secular at all.

Communist philosophy is quite close to the scriptures, though they claim to be godless.

The whole "nation of laws" concept is based upon religion at its very core.

&c

 

Um, where to begin. 1) I don't think that in any of my posts today that I have claimed a spot above others. Please stop lying. There are plenty of things you can challenge or disagree with me about without making things up.
2) I have evil within me. Never claimed I didn't.
3) I can't fathom where you get my "disbelief"
4) Sure, if you think I'm a stereotypical hypocrite it must be true. You are the arbiter of truth in your life, you've said. Who am I to argue?
5) You can challenge my knowledge of the Bible all you want to. I asked you not to answer out of your ignorance.
6) If my faith was a front, I would not be subjecting myself to this. It's easy to just place you on "ignore" and pray for you to find whatever you're desperately searching for. But I'm hoping that somehow this helps you or someone else understand the few of us who believe in Imaginary Friends.

You're welcome. But my sarcasm meter is pegging.

 

Happy to oblige. Don't trust me. From Scripture:
We are under the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28)

not the old one(Romans 7:5-6).

under grace(Romans 6:14)

because Jesus is the end of the law(Romans 10:4)

.
Now whatever we do must glorify God(1 Cor 10:31ff)

.

I don't know anything about you, DYM. I don't know who you've talked to, been around, been taught by, been wronged by, etc. It seems as if someone or something has been horrible to you, b/c of emotion you're showing. I'm sorry about that, and I genuinely care and feel bad at the same time. I'm trying hard NOT to be someone who is condemning, irrational, argumentative, legalistic, judgemental, or anything else. If that's come across, to you or anyone else, please accept my apologies. That is not my intention or my goal.

If there's anything I hope you take from this, it's this: I don't claim to be perfect or better than anyone. I was in a place of unbelief and questioning, much like many of you seem to be. I don't pretend to think I can change your mind--only God can do that. I'm hoping that you get a small glimpse that there are many "Christians" out there that are genuinely trying to live according to the principles of the Bible--that Jesus is Lord of our lives (so we try to do what He says), that the Bible is true, and that we are tasked with telling people about Jesus. The two greatest commandments are to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

 

Someone please enlighten me on why homosexuality is the hot button issue? I mean, for both Christians (some of whom seem to think it's diabolical or an abomination or whatever) or for non-Christians who think it's the hill they're going to stand and fight on. Why not other things? Sexual immorality? Divorce? Not caring for widows and orphans?

 

Actually, for a military mind reading the stories of the conquest of Canaan are actually eye-opening.

For some, it's uncomfortable...b/c it is a form of genocide. But you also see that unless the Israelites did exactly what God told them to do (to include how many men to take, how to fight the battle, what "spoils" to take, who to take prisoner or not, etc) they were also punished, many times with death or losing the battle. God has His reasons for everything, and disobedience is disobedience.

 

Does He? How do you know? He certainly doesn't share his reasons with us. So what makes you think he has reasons? Maybe he's just throwing cosmic darts. Isn't it a little presumptuous of you to suggest that you know the mind of God well enough to know he has reasons for what he does?


barfo

 

But it's relatively new, right? I mean, let's take the marriage part out of it for a second. Aside from that (and discounting the despicable-ness of hate crimes against people of any sub-culture), has anyone legislated against homosexuality? I admit, I'm a little ignorant on this.

My take is probably a little odd on this; there's nothing that makes a homosexual different than a heterosexual (I'll just use myself as an example here for clarity) other than the mode by which they have sex. We can read the same books, work the same job, have the same hobbies, love the same basketball team, wear the same clothes, etc. The only thing different is mode of sexuality.

Since we've talked online here about this before, Minstrel, let me say that I'm trying to develop why I feel what I do about homosexual marriages. I have been trying to see what the Scripture says about it, and it's not a whole lot. But it seems as if legalization of it would fall under the category of "helping lead one astray". Since I believe the Bible (and specifically the NT) does not condone homosexuality, my vote for gay marriage would be condoning something the Bible does not.

I can't speak for all Christians on this, so please don't take it that way.

 

I don't suggest any presumption. I quoted above what He said. Maybe He is throwing cosmic darts. Why are you trying to put words in my mouth on this?

 

I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, I was trying to understand your point of view. I didn't (and still don't) see the quote you are referring to. But this is a long thread and it is entirely possible I missed the connection.

Edit: but you did say God has his reasons for everything, and that's rather at odds with saying that maybe he is throwing cosmic darts.

barfo

 

It's amazing, isn't it, that in the last century there has been a change for the first time in thousands of years of warfare to "soldier's rights" and "conventions", that were only followed by the "good guys"? The Japanese didn't abide by them, the Russians didn't abide by them, the Vietnamese didn't abide by them (though the despicable affair at My Lai is all that is remembered), the Iraqis in both wars didn't abide by them, the terrorists don't abide by them, etc., etc. etc. The US government has been at the forefront of making sure that there are codified "legal orders" (and conversely, "illegal orders"), and that disobedience of them are punished. Yet American military members are usually the only ones vilified, especially by Americans.

 

No worries, here it is again:

All I was saying was that, when asked why God does something or why He thinks a certain way, I can only honestly answer "I don't know". You guys would see through BS even if I wanted to lie or make excuses for God, which I don't (and He doesn't need). What does he require of me?