Gateway to heaven - Page 2

email468 · #11 05-07-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armand

i know nothing of christian doctrine, but what of the ten commandments? i mean it's pretty straight forward on what you can and can't do, and i don't recall any amendments stating unless.

the ten commandments are straight out of Exodus - one of the older old testament books. Christians tend to pick and choose which of the old testament laws to adapt and which to throw out. The ten commandments are a great example of this picking and choosing.

my personal feelings on the ten commandments is whoever is claiming we should live by them and fights to have them in government buildings should at least be able to name all of them before continuing their fight

as a self-administered test, how many folks who consider themselves christian can name all ten? It is a rhetorical question and requires no real answer - just some food for thought.

Dopalicious · #12 05-07-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoseidonsNet

The parrable of the Good Samartian proves that all you need to do to get to heaven is be a good person.

Eph. 2:8-9,

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast."

armand · #13 05-07-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by email468

the ten commandments are straight out of Exodus - one of the older old testament books. Christians tend to pick and choose which of the old testament laws to adapt and which to throw out. The ten commandments are a great example of this picking and choosing.

my personal feelings on the ten commandments is whoever is claiming we should live by them and fights to have them in government buildings should at least be able to name all of them before continuing their fight

as a self-administered test, how many folks who consider themselves christian can name all ten? It is a rhetorical question and requires no real answer - just some food for thought.

i can't them all, but i know i've broke all, but one. and i think i've broken all of the seven deadly sins in the past, and currently break 3 of the 7 sins on a daily basis.

ZenMaster · #14 05-08-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by email468

the ten commandments are straight out of Exodus - one of the older old testament books. Christians tend to pick and choose which of the old testament laws to adapt and which to throw out. The ten commandments are a great example of this picking and choosing.

my personal feelings on the ten commandments is whoever is claiming we should live by them and fights to have them in government buildings should at least be able to name all of them before continuing their fight

as a self-administered test, how many folks who consider themselves christian can name all ten? It is a rhetorical question and requires no real answer - just some food for thought.

Kind of,

The New Testament was created to replace the old. In the Old Testament, the philosophy was an eye for an eye, and back then, that way of life was required for such a harsh world. The New Testament was turn the other cheek philosophy, which in turn was suited for a completely new world. There are huge differences between the old and the new, mainly the amount of miracles endured in the old.

I have long speculated on this, and I have reasoned why there were massive amounts of miracles in the Old Testament is because God had to prove he was there, humans cannot just start believing in something, and that is why it had to be done. In the new world, it is a test of faith, and that is what it comes down to.

Now for

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizzchewy

Christians here's a question:

Do you really really believe deep down that the only way to get to heaven is to KNOW that your gonna go to heaven? I mean isnt it all a little too simple for such a complicated world

It is faith that leads you to heaven. Have you ever prayed? Have you ever opened up and attempted to communicate with God? If so, have you alway done it mentally and never speak outloud in your prayers due to fear of embarrassment or lack of faith? Trust me, if you truly pray with your heart and soul, you will get a response.

Non-believers ridicule this, but it is to them that receive my pity. They do not know, they will never know, unless they cast aside pride and have humility toward the Creator.

We are all children of God, you are not just another face in the crowd, amongst the billions on this planet. You are an individual with your unique talents and persona. God said in the Bible that he knows the hairs on your head, he knows you before you were born.

Everyone, no matter if you were born wealthy in Scandinavia, or born in a tribe in Ethiopia, you are given AT LEAST 1 opportunity to follow God.

email468 · #15 05-08-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenMaster

Kind of,

The New Testament was created to replace the old. In the Old Testament, the philosophy was an eye for an eye, and back then, that way of life was required for such a harsh world. The New Testament was turn the other cheek philosophy, which in turn was suited for a completely new world. There are huge differences between the old and the new, mainly the amount of miracles endured in the old.

I have long speculated on this, and I have reasoned why there were massive amounts of miracles in the Old Testament is because God had to prove he was there, humans cannot just start believing in something, and that is why it had to be done. In the new world, it is a test of faith, and that is what it comes down to.

Now for

It is faith that leads you to heaven. Have you ever prayed? Have you ever opened up and attempted to communicate with God? If so, have you alway done it mentally and never speak outloud in your prayers due to fear of embarrassment or lack of faith? Trust me, if you truly pray with your heart and soul, you will get a response.

Non-believers ridicule this, but it is to them that receive my pity. They do not know, they will never know, unless they cast aside pride and have humility toward the Creator.

We are all children of God, you are not just another face in the crowd, amongst the billions on this planet. You are an individual with your unique talents and persona. God said in the Bible that he knows the hairs on your head, he knows you before you were born.

Everyone, no matter if you were born wealthy in Scandinavia, or born in a tribe in Ethiopia, you are given AT LEAST 1 opportunity to follow God.

To be clear, what you say may or may not be factual but it is your belief and understanding correct?

ZenMaster · #16 05-08-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by email468

To be clear, what you say may or may not be factual but it is your belief and understanding correct?

No.

I have long argued that we, humans, do not know anything. Anything. We are truly ignorant as we scurry about our daily lives, wrapped up in our sociology and reality.

I understand that we could be completely wrong on everything we know, all the laws of physics, chemistry, hell our own bodies.

Except for this.

I could be wrong on the Bible, hell, it has been modified so much that is now a loose idea from the original.

But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is a God and praying works. It is one of the very very few things that I am 100% on.

email468 · #17 05-08-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenMaster

No.

I have long argued that we, humans, do not know anything. Anything. We are truly ignorant as we scurry about our daily lives, wrapped up in our sociology and reality.

I understand that we could be completely wrong on everything we know, all the laws of physics, chemistry, hell our own bodies.

Except for this.

I could be wrong on the Bible, hell, it has been modified so much that is now a loose idea from the original.

But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is a God and praying works. It is one of the very very few things that I am 100% on.

You are free to think that way but I personally have a hard time understanding your point of view and think you are mistaken.

ZenMaster · #18 05-08-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by email468

You are free to think that way but I personally have a hard time understanding your point of view and think you are mistaken.

Enlighten me.

Is it science that distances you from God? Is it something that happened to you and you wonder why God let such things happen? Is it that you cannot fathom that God can micromanage in a sea of people?

What is it that you cannot accept that there is an architect to our universe and a force that is directly influencing our lives?

Please keep in mind that I am not trying to come off condescending, it is that I have had these questions myself and I have made peace with them and found solace, and perhaps I could be of some help to you in your quest to find tranquility.

email468 · #19 05-08-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenMaster

Enlighten me.

Is it science that distances you from God? Is it something that happened to you and you wonder why God let such things happen? Is it that you cannot fathom that God can micromanage in a sea of people?

What is it that you cannot accept that there is an architect to our universe and a force that is directly influencing our lives?

Please keep in mind that I am not trying to come off condescending, it is that I have had these questions myself and I have made peace with them and found solace, and perhaps I could be of some help to you in your quest to find tranquility.

I've read enough of your posts to know when you are being condescending (I think)

And to be honest, i think the burden of proof is on someone claiming something exists since I can't "prove" a negative.

But to answer your question directly - it is evidence. I see no evidence of an interventionist deity - in fact i see quite the opposite.

I would add that zealots certainly don't help the case for god much either.