You're the ones that come across so high and mighty and you guys are perfect about everything, meanwhile your spouting off about race and trans people and women.
--> @ShilaPolytheist-Witch: Do something about your death threats or fuck off, pussy.
If you people don't want me to judge you by what you say then don't say it.
--> @Polytheist-WitchIf you people don't want me to judge you by what you say then don't say it.Funny, I'm being judged by words I haven't said and being told to watch my words. The absurdity...
There is but one only,1 living, and true God:2 who is infinite in being and perfection,3 a most pure spirit,4 invisible,5 without body, parts,6 or passions,7 immutable,8 immense,9 eternal,10 incomprehensible,11 almighty,12 most wise,13 most holy,14 most free,15 most absolute,16 working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will,17 for His own glory;18 most loving,19 gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;20 the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him;21 and withal, most just and terrible in His judgments,22 hating all sin,23 and who will by no means clear the guilty.24God hath all life,25 glory,26 goodness,27 blessedness,28 in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made,29 nor deriving any glory from them,30 but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;31 and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleaseth.32 In His sight all things are open and manifest;33 His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature,34 so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain.35 He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands.36 To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.37In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.38 The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding: the Son is eternally begotten of the Father:39 the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.401 11 25 37Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:4, 6. 2 I Thess. 1:9; Jer. 10:10.16; John 4:24, with Luke 24:39. 73 Job 11:7, 8, 9; Job 26:14. 4 John 4:24. 5 I Tim. 1:17. 6 Deut. 4:15, 8 James 1:17; Mal. 3:6. 9 I Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23, 24. 10 Ps. 90:2; I Tim. 1:17.Acts 14:11, 15. 13 Rom. 16:27.Ps. 145:3. 12Rom. 11:36.John 5:26. 26I Tim. 6:15; Dan. 4:25, 35. 33 Heb. 4:13. 34 Rom. 11:33, 34; Ps. 147:5. 35 Acts 15:18; Ezek. 11:5.Rev. 5:12, 13, 14. 38 I John 5:7; Matt. 3:16, 17; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14. 39 John 1:14, 18. 40 John 15:26; Gal. 4:6.Gen. 17:1; Rev. 4:8. 19 I John 4:8, 16.14 Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8. 15 Ps. 115:3. 21 Heb. 11:6. 22 Neh. 9:32, 33.16 Exod. 3:14.17 Eph. 1:11. 18 Prov. 16:4; 24 Nah. 1:2, 3; Exod. 34:7.20 Exod. 34:6, 7.Acts 7:2. 27 Ps. 119:68. 28 I Tim. 6:15; Rom. 9:5. 29 Acts 17:24, 25.23 Ps. 5:5, 6. 30 Job 22:2, 3.31 Rom. 11:36. 32 Rev. 4:11; 36 Ps. 145:17; Rom. 7:12.
--> @ShilaPlease don't involve me in your mocking of other users.
Your title defines you as the SkepticalOne. You mock everyone by being Skeptical of what anyone says.
--> @ShilaYour title defines you as the SkepticalOne. You mock everyone by being Skeptical of what anyone says.SkepticalOne: My username has to do with skepticism, not cynicism. I am skeptical of all claims which cannot be substantiated through reason or evidence. If someone considers this mocking, that's not my problem.
You just said you are skeptical of all claims. That means you prejudge everyone until they convince you.
I am skeptical of all claims which cannot be substantiated through reason or evidence.
So you accept this definition of god because the Bible says so?
How do you know the Bible got it right?
I mean, why should I accept the Bible as authoritative regarding god?
I am skeptical of all claims which cannot be substantiated through reason or evidence.
How do you know the Bible got it right?Great question. Perhaps it got it wrong. But at least it is consistent and makes sense to me.One reason I believe (not the only one) in God is because the alternative is simply irrational.[...] Well, what is the alternative? That God created everything - but then left us to muddle on our own.
It is totally unreasonable and implausible that everything that exists in all of its myriads of ways simple came from nowhere and without purpose.
I mean, why should I accept the Bible as authoritative regarding god?Another good question. I think in the first place - that you are an intelligent person - that is a good reason to accept it.
Secondly, you can't beat something with nothing.
Thirdly, it will change your life. And respectfully, I think that is what you are hoping some one can provide you with.
At the end of the day though, it's not just about being smart enough to understand the gospel, or wise enough to make a good decision, it's about regeneration.
One reason I believe (not the only one) in God is because the alternative is simply irrational. It is totally unreasonable and implausible that everything that exists in all of its myriads of ways simple came from nowhere and without purpose. None of the theories that anyone has put up has really provides a satisfactory response or answer to that.This belief in God of course does not necessarily extend to believing in the God of the Bible. Of course the God of the bible is one of the few gods who actually makes the claim of making everything. Most gods in most religions are very specific in their deity status and what they represent and don't claim to be the creator of the universe.The God of the Bible also is one of the very few gods who provides a transparent and objective communication with humanity. It is one which specifically states it is his word. Not every religious book does that. Not that necessarily proves anything except I suppose he is not hiding anything.The Bible presents God in ways that are both mysterious and simplistic. It provides a purpose for the world, and a plan. It explains the problems of humanity and a solution. It doesn't pretend to be book that that is easy to read - and nor does it necessarily fit with out concepts of what God ought to be like. It answers many questions and leaves many unanswered.Respectfully, I don't see the other religious books doing this. And I don't see the other gods doing this either. Most are simply about appeasing the gods and doing their will. The biblical God has some of that - but much more as well.The Bible doesn't pretend that its heroes are perfect - save and except Jesus. No one else in the entire bible is seen as exemplary in that manner. In fact most of its heroes are downright - scumbags. David had troubles- Jacob was deceitful. Adam - the first man stuffed up the entire world and his son was the first murderer.After Jesus, Paul and Peter and James etc - none of these are portrayed as perfect. There is no pretence - it gives the book credibility.Of course there are the miracle stories and the creation and the Noah's flood. And Jesus rising from the dead. Yet the interesting about the bible is that these things are rare. They are special events. Not the norm.so my answer to your question about how can I know it got it right?Well, what is the alternative? That God created everything - but then left us to muddle on our own. To leave us without communication with him. That he made life for a purpose and then never told us about it.I suppose - he could have done that. Yet it really makes no sense that God would create and then just leave us alone.
Finally Judaism which is the original source of the Abrahamic God rejects your conclusions in the New Testament.
God reveals himself to people in prisons allllllllll the time .To have it a guess.I'd say that is the number one place where people meet and or talk to a god thing for the first time is in prison to prisoners.Whats the deal with that ?Is there a scripture that explains this ?
--> @ShilaNice.If we asked everyone that has meet the god thing where it happenedYou would have a ( Places you are most likely to meet a god thing.It would read as following.A book store 1% chance of meeting a god.A shoe store 1%On top of a mountain 6%A hospital 8%A church 18%Prison 34%Freeway. 0%But we would have a definite . The best chance of meeting a god place.
24 days later
One reason I believe (not the only one) in God is because the alternative is simply irrational. It is totally unreasonable and implausible that everything that exists in all of its myriads of ways simple came from nowhere and without purpose. None of the theories that anyone has put up has really provides a satisfactory response or answer to that.This belief in God of course does not necessarily extend to believing in the God of the Bible. Of course the God of the bible is one of the few gods who actually makes the claim of making everything. Most gods in most religions are very specific in their deity status and what they represent and don't claim to be the creator of the universe.The God of the Bible also is one of the very few gods who provides a transparent and objective communication with humanity. It is one which specifically states it is his word. Not every religious book does that. Not that necessarily proves anything except I suppose he is not hiding anything.The Bible presents God in ways that are both mysterious and simplistic. It provides a purpose for the world, and a plan. It explains the problems of humanity and a solution. It doesn't pretend to be book that that is easy to read - and nor does it necessarily fit with out concepts of what God ought to be like. It answers many questions and leaves many unanswered.Respectfully, I don't see the other religious books doing this. And I don't see the other gods doing this either. Most are simply about appeasing the gods and doing their will. The biblical God has some of that - but much more as well.The Bible doesn't pretend that its heroes are perfect - save and except Jesus. No one else in the entire bible is seen as exemplary in that manner. In fact most of its heroes are downright - scumbags. David had troubles- Jacob was deceitful. Adam - the first man stuffed up the entire world and his son was the first murderer.After Jesus, Paul and Peter and James etc - none of these are portrayed as perfect. There is no pretence - it gives the book credibility.Of course there are the miracle stories and the creation and the Noah's flood. And Jesus rising from the dead. Yet the interesting about the bible is that these things are rare. They are special events. Not the norm.so my answer to your question about how can I know it got it right?Well, what is the alternative? That God created everything - but then left us to muddle on our own. To leave us without communication with him. That he made life for a purpose and then never told us about it.I suppose - he could have done that. Yet it really makes no sense that God would create and then just leave us alone.
Here you give your reasons for accepting the God of the Bible as a compromise after comparing the Bible with other religious scriptures.But the God of the Bible is portrayed differently between the Old Testament and New Testament. So a further compromised is required.
The Bible concludes with the crucifixion ofJesus who is worshipped as God. So a third compromise is needed.
Finally Judaism which is the original source of the Abrahamic God rejects your conclusions in the New Testament. So another compromise is required.
Why do you follow such a compromised version of God?
[...] Well, what is the alternative? That God created everything - but then left us to muddle on our own.Which alternative is that? There are many definitions for god. And, I'm not sure I'm following your reasoning here - you accept the Bible because it is internally consistent (not necessarily an indication of truth) and not accepting it is irrational (I disagree - explained in more detail below).
It is totally unreasonable and implausible that everything that exists in all of its myriads of ways simple came from nowhere and without purpose.Why limit the options to the Biblical God or 'we came from nowhere'? The former is one supernatural option among thousands, and the latter does not accurately characterize the prevailing scientific theories as I understand them. Plus, there is at least one more option: "I don't know". Why do we have to settle on unfalsifiable or incomplete?
I mean, why should I accept the Bible as authoritative regarding god?Another good question. I think in the first place - that you are an intelligent person - that is a good reason to accept it.Thanks for the compliment, but my intelliengence is not in any way indicative of the truth of Biblical claims.
Secondly, you can't beat something with nothing.As pointed out above, the alternative is not necessarily 'nothing'.
Thirdly, it will change your life. And respectfully, I think that is what you are hoping some one can provide you with.There are many things which might change a life (for better or worse), but this does nothing to bolster the validity, truthfulness, or in this case, the authoritativeness of these things.
At the end of the day though, it's not just about being smart enough to understand the gospel, or wise enough to make a good decision, it's about regeneration.It is not clear to me what you mean.
Well, what is the alternative? That God created everything - but then left us to muddle on our own.Which alternative is that? There are many definitions for god. And, I'm not sure I'm following your reasoning here - you accept the Bible because it is internally consistent (not necessarily an indication of truth) and not accepting it is irrational (I disagree - explained in more detail below).I asked the question because there does not seem to be an alternative. not one that makes any sense. You can't beat something with nothing.
I don't know is not an alternative.
As pointed out above, the alternative is not necessarily 'nothing'.Well it is - until it can be articulated. It is nothing but nothing.
True, changing your life is not necessarily evidence it is truth. Yet if the changes in your life are positive and beneficial then this is consistent with it being a good thing, even if it not demonstrably true. For the truth to ring - then you would need to provide some kind of objective measuring stick to know whether it is true or not.
And I suggest this thing - this being at odds with the universe is actually - being unreconciled with God.
I am sure that none of this resonates with you - but I am simply reflecting on my own journey.
Here you give your reasons for accepting the God of the Bible as a compromise after comparing the Bible with other religious scriptures.But the God of the Bible is portrayed differently between the Old Testament and New Testament. So a further compromised is required.No. You are incorrect. There is no compromise here whatsoever. The reasons above are not ALL of my reasons for accepting the God of the Bible. It is not a comprehensive list. They contain just some of my reasoning to explain that my reason for accepting God of the Bible as true is not limited only to the fact that the Bible itself declares it to be the case.
I also reject your notion that the God of the OT and the NT is portrayed differently. In my view the God of the OT, namely the Trinity is the same as the God of the NT, namely the Trinity. In the NT we are introduced more personally to one of the persons of the Trinity. That is not a different God, it is simply focusing our attention on one particular member of the Godhead in a particular time. In some ways this member is possibly revealed in the OT in forms - known as the pre-incarnate Christ.
The Bible concludes with the crucifixion ofJesus who is worshipped as God. So a third compromise is needed.You might need to articulate your argument a little more. The Christian understanding of Jesus is that he is FULLY GOD and FULLY MAN. He did die on a cross and he was raised from the dead. Yet God did not die. The Christ died. This was not a compromise. It was planned from before the beginning of the world. 1 Peter 2:19-20. It was not a mistake. It was not an accident. It was not a plan B. It was the plan. and it was perfectly executed - pardon the pun.
Finally Judaism which is the original source of the Abrahamic God rejects your conclusions in the New Testament. So another compromise is required.How does Judaism rejecting the conclusions of the NT bring about a compromise? Israel was prophesied to reject the messiah. This is the reason why Israel lost its temple and lost its nationhood. Historically, whenever Israel lost its temple and was invaded, it was due to it sin against God by idolatry, by evil, and by taking on false gods. When this occurred - the covenant God put in place came into effect. And Israel was devastated and became as nothing. It was only after they were judged, and then repented, that eventually they came back to the land.
The question that the Jewish nation needs to ask itself, is what was the crime against God that was so heinous that it's temple was destroyed and its people scattered around the globe - without a place to call home for over 2000 years? If it wasn't the killing of the messiah, then what other event within that generation was so significant that God would judge the nation so harshly.
Why do you follow such a compromised version of God?The answer is I don't. As far as I can tell it is you who follows a compromised god. A god who would prefer its people starve rather than eat its cows and a god who would prefer its people to starve rather than destroy the vermin of rats that live in the wharves in Mumbai. That is where compromise is happening. Your god is a turd and one who cares more for itself than for people. It is the one whose values are compromised.
-> @SkepticalOneI went looking for the truth and I did not find it. Like everyone else on the same journey, I soon discovered there many hurdles and problems - of definition of validity, of recognising it when and if I did happen to luck onto it. But I kept looking - and looking. It was only when I stopped looking - because I wasn't particularly looking for the truth as whatever I thought the truth might be. Or what others had told me the truth was and I didn't have a better idea. Finally, I stopped.It was then that truth found me. And it didn't try and prove that it was the truth and nor did it try and demonstrate that it was the truth and it did not validate itself and it didn't even task me to believe it was the truth. Yet it surprised me as to its simplicity and its complexity. To its rawness and to its maturity. To its completeness and its warmth and the immediate insight that it knew me better than I knew myself. And it didn't have an issue with me. And it was then that truth as it were "dawned on me".My journey is now quite different to that one. I am not looking for truth anymore. That is a journey that others will walk until they realise that they won't ever find it. I have a feeling most people on this site are on that journey - whether they admit it or not. They might call it something different. They might recognise it or not. Yet like many other countless sites all over the internet and countless churches, and synagogues, and temples, and mosques, and little clubs, atheistic as well, these people will keep searching, and every now and then someone will find something that they recognise as truth - for a while and then they will move on - on the same old journey.You are on that journey. that is one reason you visit this site and others probably. You might not call it a journey for truth or perhaps you do. but you haven't found what you are looking for yet - or else you wouldn't be here.All the best for your journey. you know where I am.
