OOH just let me sink my teeth into this.
But God didn't stop when that division arose-(and He wasn't surprised by it either)-because at the same moment when creation walked away from Him, He began His plan to bring His creation back into a life-giving relationship with Him.
Here lety me make a better list of people admirable people okay?
Hypatia of alexandria- Often considered to be the last great greek thinker, she was the curator of the library of alexandria. Also known for her opposition to christian foundmentalism, she was martyred by Saint Cyrus.
Elizabeth I- Some would call her the greatest monarch in english history, she led england to become a first rate power and key player in european culture as under her england made some the greatest cultural and scientific discovery to date.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali- Having fled from her home land she is now one of the most articulate and well spoken modern supporters of human rights. She still continues to speak out after after extremists left her a death threat inside the dagger they buried in her friends chest in downtown copenhagen.
Take these women for role models, not the prettied up trophy wives of the bible.
It aint love
You realize that means he basically sending her to hell for being the way he made. You do know that rejecting god is the unforgivable sin, or did youread a different book?
Youth pastor letter Wrote:Quote:Yes, Yes he loves you but he still has this list of codes for you too follow or he'll burn you. What is a religion if it is not a bunch of people claiming a relationship a with divine being that has a bunch of rules for us?
I want you to know that I'm with you on religion. Undecided Yes...you read that right. I believe religion to be man's attempt at trying to figure out something bigger than himself. I think I get religion...I get as to WHY so many people embrace it...but to me...it's LIFE-LESS. I am NOT about religion, but I am about a relationship. I know...that probably sounds cheesy to you...some one liner you've probably heard me or someone else say in the past. But it's a true description of how I see GOD. I don't think GOD wants us to be about religion...I think He wants us, and has always wanted us/humanity, to be in a RELATIONSHIP with Him.
Quote:WHY?He loves me but he can't even shake my hand and look me in the eye to say it.
Because He loves us.
Quote:He love us...He loves us...He loves us. I believe there is a GOD/Creator, I believe creation got a little proud one day and said, "I don't need you God. I can handle this on my own." And God said "Ok, I wont make you be in a relationship with me." And at that moment, there came a division between God and His creation.What version of genesis did you read? or did you pull that out of the quran or something? Thats not what the bible says at all. In the version of genesis I read the division between man and god came when the fall occured. Eve did eat the fruit out of pride, she was tricked, told to follow rules she could not possibly understand and left in the with a talking snake that god knew would trick her.
But God didn't stop when that division arose-(and He wasn't surprised by it either)-because at the same moment when creation walked away from Him, He began His plan to bring His creation back into a life-giving relationship with Him.
Quote:Now that "reconciliation-plan" involved people. He chose the Hebrews to be an example to the rest of creation as to what it looks like to be in a life-giving relationship with Him.Why the fuck would a god play favorites like that if he wants to get all of man kind to follow him? To be honest sounds like a bunch of tribesman looking for a excuse to kill other people. On top of that why the hebrews? A bunch of illiterate bronze tribesmen? Why no china where people can read and write? Why in the indus valley where they already building great cities?
Quote:The guy that fucked his whole fmaily pretty much?
He chose men like Noah
Quote:, Moses,The genocidal lunatic that nearly erased an entire culture from existance.
Quote:The genocidal lunatic that did erase the existence of a entire culture.
and David
Quote: He chose women like EstherThe involuntarily chosen trophy wife? Well to give her credit she is better then the rest of the list so far.
Quote:, Deborah,A prophet with about 2 lines of dialogue.
Quote: and Bathsheba.The only thing I recall her doing of her own accord is taking a bath. The bible treats her like a object when it treats her at all.
Here lety me make a better list of people admirable people okay?
Hypatia of alexandria- Often considered to be the last great greek thinker, she was the curator of the library of alexandria. Also known for her opposition to christian foundmentalism, she was martyred by Saint Cyrus.
Elizabeth I- Some would call her the greatest monarch in english history, she led england to become a first rate power and key player in european culture as under her england made some the greatest cultural and scientific discovery to date.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali- Having fled from her home land she is now one of the most articulate and well spoken modern supporters of human rights. She still continues to speak out after after extremists left her a death threat inside the dagger they buried in her friends chest in downtown copenhagen.
Take these women for role models, not the prettied up trophy wives of the bible.
Quote: But Amy, you and I both know that PEOPLE...are messed up. Undecided We are all hurting...we always have been. And the crazy thing is...that GOD has always known this too...but yet He still chose to use people to bring about this "reconciliation-plan"...why? I don't know, but maybe it has to do with people just needing to see GOD in other people so that it makes more sense.No whats really messed up is that your saying "accept god and your problem disappear" Which is fucking horseshit, god ain't gonna get a man work so that he can eat, and sure as shit aint gonna give a lady birth control. Infact I find the whole statement of yours rather paradoxically considering that there has been more horror in history because of a belief in god then any other belief in history. I am sure anyone else with a knowledge of black history or the historical treatment of homosexuals can agree.
Quote:Eventually, at the right place, and at the right time, GOD said, "That's it,it's time for the most important part of my plan. It's time they see ME, and see WHO I AM, and HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM." And that's when GOD became His own creation, 100% man and 100% God...JESUS entered the scene. Jesus came to do what we/creation could never do...and that was to destroy the DIVISION between us and the Creator. He blew it out of the water when He died on the cross, and when He beat death three days later.What a coincidence, so did horus, mithra and dionysus. Hell I think they even tried to claim alexander was born of a virgin (a joke for the history geeks)
Quote: He proved that if He can beat death...then He can beat the death in our lives as well...the BIG death, and the LITTLE deaths we die everyday. Jesus has the power to help us, to heal us "hurting-people", and then He still chooses to use us to help point other hurting people to Him.Then why does he allow good to die horrible deaths they never deserved?
Quote:WHY?If he loves then why would he burn me in a lake of fire if I don't love him back? Mr. Pastor have you ever experienced love? I'm guessing you haven't if you believe what the god of the bible feels for you is called love. Let me tell you about love. I have a ex fiance, and we had a horrid relationship where she did terrible thing to me, but yet I love her. I stll miss her today, even though she has moved on with her life doesnt love me back. I would cut my own hands off before I tortured her, unlike your god.
Because He loves us.
Quote:He loves you Amy.
It aint love
Quote: It might annoy you to read it over and over again...but He loves youSaying it agian and agian doesnt make it true
Quote: He made you...He knows how you tick...and as crazy as it sounds Amy, I believe He's proud of you. Because I don't believe you are "walking away" or "denying your faith"...I believe that you are GROWING...growing more and more into the woman He has created you to be.So he created to blaspheme by being a atheist?
You realize that means he basically sending her to hell for being the way he made. You do know that rejecting god is the unforgivable sin, or did youread a different book?
Quote: A woman who has grown to a point of realizing that there must be something more than just "being good"...something more than just "religion". And I believe you're right...there is something more. And when I came to the point that I believe you have come to...I walked away with this...No you fucking didn't, its clear you never came close to the point she has reached, else you would have a real job. Hell the more you talk about your relationship with god the more you sound like a battered wife.
Religion sucks...the life out of you. But a RELATIONSHIP with GOD...gives life.
Quote:So that's what I'm about. I'm about figuring out more and more what this relationship with God is all about...not the religious stuff. And the reason WHY I am about this...I love how you say I'm not about religion I'm about a relationship with god when believing you have a relationship with the almighty is a center piece of the christian religion. Tell me, if your all talking to the same guy, why are there 34,000 different denomination. Not to mention the fact the christian I talk to contradict each other constantly
Quote:...is because He loves me. He loves me like no other.Just don't be late with his supper.
Quote: I know, you have every right to believe I'm just big softy who probably still believes in Santa too. :-) But seriously Amy, I'm not now, nor have I ever been, compelled to tell you something just because I was paid to or told to.No your just a professional pastor preaching a book that tells you to preach like a 100 times
Quote:I have only, and I am only now...sharing with you all of this because of ONE REASON. Because He loves me, He loves me, He loves me.Just make sure you put 2 sugar in his coffee not three, you know how mad he gets when you make mistakes.
Quote:Not because I'm a man.Got any proof he created you? I mean proof he did it not allah or krishna or glooscap.
Not because I'm an American.
Not because I'm white.
Not because I'm middle class.
Not because I'm straight
Not because I'm a "good guy", and
Not because I'm a pastor.
He loves me because I'm His creation. (Period).
And He loves you too...for the same reason.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.