You are an expert at ignoring the questions and posing your own. Twice now you have done this on two of my threads . Posing your own questions in response to my initial questions do not in any way, answer or address the original - my original questions.
I apologize if I have offended you.
You didn't offend me. I was concerned for you, that you were showing your ignorance so soon after becoming a member. Attempting to answer a question with a question of your own must be something all christian are trained to do. It seemed to have come to you so natural and effortless.
I have come to this site to learn and I do not consider myself qualified to adequately respond.
But respond you did. While totally ignoring and without even attempting, the theme of my topic. you did the same here>>
#53
So my question was to learn more about your position .
My position is simply. I do not believe these scriptures in the state they have come down to us and the New Testament in particular. I don't care if or not there is a god and I don't care that Jesus believed that he was dying for my sins. I am not interested that you have a faith because it is no business of mine , I am not interested in making you an apostate or do I have any intentions of even attempting to turn you from your god. It is only that which you have - faith IN, that interests me. i.e the religious scriptures.
I am a practicing Christian, yes.
Then I hope that don't offend you as I seem to do most Christians by highlighting these unreliable, contradictory, ambiguous half stories that make up these scriptures.
Did you miss my questions?
No, I simply do not think I can answer them sufficiently for you.
You won't know until you try.
since you seem to want me to try, I will give you what my limited knowledge can offer.
Was me being born for instance, a part of " gods plan " , if so, why do I not know about it by now? Will I even know about it?
Ok. I will take this a piece at a time.
I believe your birth (like everyone's) is part of God's plan. God has an overarching plan for all of humanity to be redeemed from sin and live with him.
But can you prove that? - is my question.
Like pieces on a chessboard, we will all have unique roles to play in that ultimate plan. For example, my role is to teach and protect children from abusive parents.
And that is to be highly, highly commended. And the world should be thankful for people just like you, even those ones that are atheists .
I know my role because it lines up with my passions, my skills,
Indeed, the operative words being "my".
and what I perceive God telling me what to do.
You say what you "perceive it to be god telling you", suggesting doubt? Can you not accept that you got to where you are by, and on, your own merit and hard work? Are you telling me then that without what you perceive to be "divine intervention" you couldn't have or wouldn't have achieved your " psych major? And didn't you mention a "placebo effect" and tell us that your "
personal and emotional reasons lie in how
my faith influenced my life experiences".
#1 aletheakatharos.
And I am sure that I do not have to point out to you that religious "faith" is based on a spiritual conviction only, rather than proof. Which us back to my question of can you/Christians prove god has a plan for us all?
Was Jesus being sent to earth to suffer and die also part of gods plan?
Yes, it was mentioned immediately after Adam and Eve ate of the tree.
Ok. And what part of "the fall" mentions that god intends to send Jesus to suffer a Roman execution and die a cross? Where is it that god says _ ' for what you have done I will send my only begotten son to die a roman execution of crucifixion"?
Is every act we witness in nature good and bad all part of gods divine plan?
That is hard to answer because it ventures into theodicy. However, I believe that God works everything together to fulfill his master plan of salvation and restoration from sin.
But you have no proof of the extremely well detailed plan. And Theodicy is simply an avenue that all Christians take when they are caught cold and confronted with indefensible actions taken by their god. SEE post
#9
Was the "plan" centered on individuals and not everyone, as Jeremiah 29:11 seems to suggest?
Jeremiah 29:11 is actually addressed to the entire nation of Israel, so it is not centered on individuals.
Yes it is an address by god himself to his "treasured and chosen people , Israel" as
Deuteronomy 14:2, confirms, "For you are a holy people to YHWH your God, and God has chosen you to be his treasured people from all the nations that are on the face of the earth."
As I said before, I am not qualified [.....................] to debate you on this.
That is why you have to rely on faith alone... and what you have been told. Most Christians do not read the scriptures for themselves. They totally rely on those they believe qualified to do so, people with titles as pastor a priest or a Chaplin, to give them guidance in their daily lives and tell them what god expects of them.
They have had the scriptures read to them. In their bible studies and or classes or church, they are told which page, chapter and verse to turn to, the passage is then read out to them and then it is explained to them in a sermon, and sometimes questions are taken and quickly waived away as insignificant or irrelevant. I have witnessed this many times.
This is excusable for millions of Christians and for obvious reasons : they simply do not have the time. You have told me here
#53 _ "I have never been an atheist so I am so curious!" _ , yet you also say that "I am not qualified" to discuss or debate " this with me. And you have proven my point right there.. Christian all of your life yet know only basic religious teachings about the scriptures and that what you have been told or had explained for you. It is not your fault and I am not blaming you.
People have to keep their heads down and noses to the grind stone for a living, to keep bread on the table and roofs over heads. This in turn has created a comfortable suitable position in life and lucrative employment for some to take advantage of. If you can't accept what I say, then take on faith and accept what Jesus has to say>>
“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. "
Luke 20:46-47 New International Version
And there is Mathew
Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others".
