(November 5, 2014 at 10:56 pm)Pickup_shonuff Wrote: I believe your confusing what Christ said (metaphorically) about those who would harm a child, with anti church propaganda.
Mark 9:42
Revelation 20:15
Luke 19:27
Romans 16:17
2 John 1:10-11
Paul repeatedly lumps idolaters (that is, people with beliefs about God(s) that are contrary to his, such as myself) with groups such as murderers and sexual "deviants"; such verses are numerous. The five above will suffice for now though they are only the tip of the iceberg concerning ideas offered in the New Testament that, if taken seriously, create (to say nothing of endorsement) the environment in which Christian theocrats may feel not merely justified, but even quite righteous in the mistreatment of others.
First of all.... You can't take all parables literally. Jesus hid much in these because; 1. He would've been in jail. And secondly, He says they are for those with "understanding".
Nothing that I say, or any human says will make any sense to you about Faith. I appreciate you asking us Christians questions, but its all about you. There are basic steps one has to take to get to that "understanding", and it doesn't involve us.
Jesus says, "the kingdom is within". You need to search heart and soul first, in order to find God. Then a whole new world of understanding opens up to you. Unfortunately for many, that path to Him is on the heels of some tragedy, or even a death bed. Because its out of our control. That's how God ultimately corrals us! Like it or not.
If you are going to use your logic to look for God be prepared to be constantly challenged and confused. The brain is last in the order of human spirituality.
But, keep this in mind; spirituality works for billions of people. And the multitudes don't lineup at an empty well. There is "something" to this God. And there are many levels of understanding and spirituality. The only limit is put on oneself. As a wise man once said, "We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything".
So, no matter what your bias is, its foolish to say, "there is no God". You only have men as your guide now. And that's a road to nothing but ego and lies!
Quis ut Deus?
