(December 4, 2023 at 9:58 am)FrustratedFool Wrote: Again, there's no ethical discussion which can't be resolved (and which ultimately boils down to) by appeal to my personal interest

Kudos for being honest about the implications of your worldview.

“Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.”  ― Jean-Paul Sartre

Why is it important to some religious people that others believe as they do?  Do they need confirmation from others?  Are they evangelical and on a mission?

What makes a person think they have to drag others into their beliefs?  Seems to me the possible reasons are all self-serving.  Doesn't seem to fit that WWJD thing.

Hi arewethereyet,

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: Why is it important to some religious people that others believe as they do?  Do they need confirmation from others?  Are they evangelical and on a mission?

Speaking for Christians, yes, all Christians have the mission to be evangelical. It’s called the Great Commission (Mt 28:16 – 20). Some explain and invite. Then it’s up to the other person. Some do get very worked up about it. Each person has to make their own decision, though.

Me? I’m just here for a good discussion about interesting stuff. Unfortunately, that’s very hard on this forum.

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: What makes a person think they have to drag others into their beliefs?  Seems to me the possible reasons are all self-serving.  Doesn't seem to fit that WWJD thing.

This is weird. That’s exactly what Jesus did. I don’t mean the dragging part.

And before we go there, yes, I know, I know. He wasn’t God. He didn’t even exist. Yes, I get it.

But if we look at the stories in the NT. It’s why he became incarnate. Why he preached. Why he accepted torture and death.

(December 3, 2023 at 7:10 pm)h4ym4n Wrote: Is yahweh a christian?

I assume that by “yahweh” you mean God. Or maybe God the Father. Either way. And by “christian” I assume you mean a person who follows Jesus Christ.

If those are what you mean, then no. Yahweh is not a Christian.

If you mean something else, let me know.

(December 4, 2023 at 8:09 pm)SimpleCaveman Wrote: Hi arewethereyet,

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: Why is it important to some religious people that others believe as they do?  Do they need confirmation from others?  Are they evangelical and on a mission?

Speaking for Christians, yes, all Christians have the mission to be evangelical. It’s called the Great Commission (Mt 28:16 – 20). Some explain and invite. Then it’s up to the other person. Some do get very worked up about it. Each person has to make their own decision, though.

Me? I’m just here for a good discussion about interesting stuff. Unfortunately, that’s very hard on this forum.

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: What makes a person think they have to drag others into their beliefs?  Seems to me the possible reasons are all self-serving.  Doesn't seem to fit that WWJD thing.

This is weird. That’s exactly what Jesus did. I don’t mean the dragging part.

And before we go there, yes, I know, I know. He wasn’t God. He didn’t even exist. Yes, I get it.

But if we look at the stories in the NT. It’s why he became incarnate. Why he preached. Why he accepted torture and death.

I have a very dear friend who is quite religious.  We have had long discussions about our differences with regard to religion and belief.  She does not feel that it's her job, or anyone else's to drag someone into religion.  Her take is that the God she believes in will reveal himself to people without her needing to convince/convert anyone.

She lives her belief.  It's organic with her.  It's just the way she is and that's okay.  And I was in a religion and decided it wasn't for me and that's okay with her.

She lives her life as what I see a Christian should be.  But both of us are more than out beliefs or non.  And we appreciate one another deeply.

I consider her to be one of the best people I know in this world.  She is simply good people but real and down to earth.  If she leads someone to religion by her example, fine.  

BTW - though rather Pentecostal now, she was raised Catholic.  I left The Church because I never bought into it.  She left because she found a way that works better for her.

Believe what you want.  We have heard it all.  Many of us were raised in religion.  You have nothing to say that hasn't been said to us over and over again.

The only convert you might get here is the Confused one - thumbs up on that big accomplishment.

BTW - you don't speak for Christians. You speak for you.

(December 4, 2023 at 8:09 pm)SimpleCaveman Wrote: Hi arewethereyet,

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: Why is it important to some religious people that others believe as they do?  Do they need confirmation from others?  Are they evangelical and on a mission?

Speaking for Christians, yes, all Christians have the mission to be evangelical. It’s called the Great Commission (Mt 28:16 – 20). Some explain and invite. Then it’s up to the other person. Some do get very worked up about it. Each person has to make their own decision, though.

Me? I’m just here for a good discussion about interesting stuff. Unfortunately, that’s very hard on this forum.

(December 4, 2023 at 7:54 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: What makes a person think they have to drag others into their beliefs?  Seems to me the possible reasons are all self-serving.  Doesn't seem to fit that WWJD thing.

This is weird. That’s exactly what Jesus did. I don’t mean the dragging part.

And before we go there, yes, I know, I know. He wasn’t God. He didn’t even exist. Yes, I get it.

But if we look at the stories in the NT. It’s why he became incarnate. Why he preached. Why he accepted torture and death.

God created everything just to kill his kid.

Amen

(December 4, 2023 at 8:36 pm)h4ym4n Wrote:

(December 4, 2023 at 8:09 pm)SimpleCaveman Wrote: Hi arewethereyet,

Speaking for Christians, yes, all Christians have the mission to be evangelical. It’s called the Great Commission (Mt 28:16 – 20). Some explain and invite. Then it’s up to the other person. Some do get very worked up about it. Each person has to make their own decision, though.

Me? I’m just here for a good discussion about interesting stuff. Unfortunately, that’s very hard on this forum.

This is weird. That’s exactly what Jesus did. I don’t mean the dragging part.

And before we go there, yes, I know, I know. He wasn’t God. He didn’t even exist. Yes, I get it.

But if we look at the stories in the NT. It’s why he became incarnate. Why he preached. Why he accepted torture and death.

God created everything just to kill his kid.

Amen

Yeah was the torturing and killing really necessary? What the fuck

Could jesus have passed quietly in his sleep of old age for our sins?

(December 4, 2023 at 8:46 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: Could jesus have passed quietly in his sleep of old age for our sins?

Nope, wouldn't have had the same impact. But why would anyone need to "die for our sins" in the first place, like how does this even actually work.