So.... did everybody get raptured yesterday? I seem to have been left behind, maybe someone could come get me please? barfo
Turns out the Heaven's Gate people were the only "true believers." If only they hadn't gotten their dates wrong and self-ejected too early ...
Funny enough, you're theory here is more biblical than these idiots that think they are prophetic Matthew:24 36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
But religious folk typically only adhere to the scripture that suits them. Anyone who is a Christian and believer in the words of Jesus should be a pacifist and socialist, but people choose the words they want to pay attention to.
If you read in context you are kind of right. You really should give zero fucks about your own life or money. Socialism is based on monetary redistribution though. There is a sort of picture with people bringing tithes to the store house to help everyone survive fammin, but pure socialism i dont see. Charity is a better word. If we all thought about other people more than our needs we wouldnt need a specific government philosophy to govern our money, we wouod just take care of eachother naturally.
I just find it interesting how in America there are large swaths of Christians who are so hateful and petty while others are so caring and devoted to assistance. Theres hypocrisy in everything humans do, so I suppose it shouldn't surprise me, but when I see people quote Jesus and then vote for war or against healthcare it makes me wonder if they actually contemplate the teachings of Jesus.
It makes sense to me. If satan was indeed who the bible says he was pre fall then his bitterness and anger would lead to a confusing of the one true religion. Why is there 500 different versions of christianity? Because satan is the author of confusion and has free reign to confuse until christ comes back. I believe most "christians" are satans greatest tool. And that is the very reason that while i profess to be christian, i feel my time is better spent telling "christians" they are wrong, rather than judge the unbelievers. At least an athiest has an excuse for his behavior, what is ours?
very interesting post. i'll think about your words while at work today. i guess my one immediate question for you is how do know you aren't dealing with the devils obfuscation with regards to your views and your selection of your branch of the ONE true religion?
http://www.newsweek.com/doomsday-conspiracy-theory-david-meade-apocalypse-october-670253 That's actually a lot more convenient for me. Phew.
Im not sure ill ever be 100% sure. Im like 97% sure and i base it on years of historical research as well as biblical study and application to current events. The bible says of itself that the mysteries begin to reveal themselves once you are a believer. Thats a paraphrase not a quote. I've found it to make more sense than any other religion, of which ive studied many. While every religion seems to teach that you yourself must do something to reach some higher plane of spiritual enlightenment the bible itself while read in context is the only religion that actually leaves the believer completely free from obligation to do anything to earn your own salvation. I think of it like this. If i do something to achieve salvation, nirvana, spiritual bliss, reincarnation, what ever you call it, then that itself could be a source of pride. The bible teaches that pride is very destructive in nature. While the bible teaches that salvation is a gift, and that once the gift is recieved, the change happens naturally, because love is a gift best shared. It all comes down to do you believe the bible or not, not someones take on the bible, but the bible itself. Read it, because it says of itself that the words contained are the power unto salvation. Then there is that 3% uncertainty, i could be a fool and maybe no one truly knows how we got here. I'm not so dumb to think i have it all figured out, or that i have answers for anyone else. In fact, the more i live, the more i realize i dont know, and it's quite humbling.
I survived September 23. Went to a seminar where I disagreed with first talk (but then I expected to) and thought the next 3 were interesting. The only thing that "ended" was my lunch reservation; as this cafe was the closest place to seminar a ton of people showed up. Those with reservations asked to have them honored by being bumped to front of line but cafe said no, so I split & had bad lunch at Peets. Dinner at August 1 Five (recommend if you are in SF). Uneventful trip on BART. Mild insomnia. Lucia upset I was out all day. In other words, nothing exceptional.
I'm basically the reverse. I am fairly confident there is no god, but not fully certain. I can't know. I have read the Old Testament but only scattered portions of the new or of other texts. I have never even felt a tinge that I was reading anything divine. So for me it's not a loss of faith, it's that I never had any I am less inclined recently to try and convince others of what I perceive to be a poor choice in following religious teachings for a couple reasons, 1) it doesn't work and 2) I love people who get great comfort and peace through their religion and I have no desire to remove those positives. The problem I mainly have with any religion is that it encourages people to think illogically. I find that to be detrimental to society. Believing in the spiritual can subvert believing in the scientific. We are a global society and great harm can follow decision making based on following what a church says. That's not to say science isn't flawed, it's performed by people with egos and blind spots and that can result in danger as well. But on an individual basis, I would rather try and convince somebody gay rights are human rights or that pollution is destroying our planet then to spend my efforts trying to convince them their god is false. This is a new approach. In large part because my fiancée is Christian and I love dearly. She also loves science and doesn't find them incompatible. I am glad the idea of god brings her joy and strength.