(April 25, 2013 at 9:12 pm)Beardio1 Wrote:(April 25, 2013 at 5:32 pm)Tex Wrote: We are supposed to do stuff about it. It's part of our moral duty. Sitting around and having a never ending prayer circle is not my idea of Christianity. In fact, its a great way to get conquered by a neighbor. The "reliance on God" isn't about starving ourselves or others or something crazy. It's about not rejecting his governance and relying on one's self as authority.
Ergo my first statement that prayer is useless (i.e. you said we have to do something OURSELVES and even pointed out WHY prayer is useless. Ergo it's US that make a difference and God does nothing when we ask for anything.
Why you would even want to talk to a racist, homophobic, misogynistic, murderous, jealous, hateful, vengeful ghost is beyond me anyway.
(April 25, 2013 at 5:49 pm)Tex Wrote: From you're own thoughts, attitudes, values, etc., I'm sure you are =)
May I remind you, Tex, of 2 Thessalonians 3:6: ''Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.''
Looks like God will have a few things to say about you :/ I hope you've got your repenting hat on. So God is telling you who you should and shouldn't talk to? Hm, weird book to base your morality on.
(April 25, 2013 at 6:15 pm)Tex Wrote: Self mutilation has been forbidden since Christianity existed. This is shown in the declaration that Origen is heterodox and the condemnation of the Flagellatism shortly after its appearance (13th and 14th centuries).
And let's have a look also, while we're on the subject at my least favourite bit of the bible, Deuteronomy. To be exact: Deut 7:3-4 which is as follows: ''You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.''
Okay, so EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE if your daughter or son marries an atheist, God just cuts you down. Where's his forgiveness all of a sudden? And lets pick this apart. ''Giving'' your daughters or ''taking'' their daughters? They are human beings not objects. A daughter has her own mind and can choose whomsoever to marry, the idea it's up to the parents to make this life changing decision is simply ludicrous. How on EARTH can anybody trust this book?
The large majority of this is one big red herring. None of this is the subject on which I'm speaking, nor is it correct, for that matter. If you would like to make a new thread on biblical exegesis I would be happy to contribute. Now, about what you actually said about prayer:
You're assuming that the external is the only problem. We're called to do, yes, but just doing is meaningless if not done properly. Lets say I hold the door open while my university evacuates from a bomb threat. If I do this so that everyone praises me, I haven't done the deed properly. Sure, the result is the same, but intention is important. These inward dispositions for selfishness or the like also must be purged.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
