Christianity: Don't Reason, Just Obey

[Vox]

Someone needs to look up the definition of "pagan."

He's using the definition the Catholic Church uses; anyone who isn't a Christian is a pagan.

Well, he's Catholic, so more babies, and more abortions, since Catholics get 38% of all abortions performed.

http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us...tatistics/

[/quote]

Long live hypocrisy!

[Ksa]

"In your analogy, 'acceptance' would be salvation, 'graduation' would be sanctification. Not, graduation=saved."

My apologies, I forgot that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, so whatever sins you do, it's paid for. I was talking about someone who is serious in following the teachings of Jesus. I guess you're right, if you accept the word, you're saved, but, there's some verses in the Qur'an you will find very troubling with respect to your chances to go to heaven by only accepting, and not "graduating".

[ThomM]

When was the last time you've been in church to witness the pews empty? More lies from pagans!

There are more Christians then there ever were.... Because all you have to offer are maggots, and death. Choose LIFE!

There may be more Xtians than ever before - but we do not need to go to church to witness empty pews - because the population of xtians is shrinking in most western countries - and if it were not for the third world of Africa and South America - there would NOT be as many as ever. WE can see empty pews when local diocese have to close and combine churches for lack of attendance - and for lack of ministers/priests.

IT has already been widely reported that xtianity is heading toward extinction in several major western countries.

And the problem for the religion is that - in order to bring the africans into the fold - that had to include some beleifs of Voodoo among others. But the big problem is that these new third world xtians do not support the church with the money they once got from the European countries that were once staunchly xtian.

And according to research done by the Pew Research Center - not only are the Millennials far more likely to be non-religious, but they are most likely to not believe but simply go through the motions to prevent family problems - but they have NO intention of continuing with religion.

As far as choosing life - atheists do choose life - it is theists who choose a non-proven afterlife rather than living this life to the fullest.

[orangebox21]

In order to support your claim that the Bible is 'factually wrong' you take the position that: you are a man, you know there isn't a God, the Bible says all men know there is a God, therefore the Bible is factually inaccurate. The only proof you have is your word/authority.

Which is the only proof required...

If that were true you would have to 'take my word for it' that God does exist.

as it is a statement of what he does or does not believe, does or does not know. It is not declaration of the factual accuracy of the statement (that there is no god) but the factual accuracy of the statement that "all men know there is a god" He does not, in fact he knows the precise opposition to the claim.

Maybe I'm missing something but this paragraph is self-contradictive. Please clarify. The claimer would have to know the factually accuracy of his statement in order to know the factual accuracy of the claim.

The claim as constructed is unfortunately absolute -all men- It's a done deal. I would repeat his claim as my own. So now there are two men...at least, in a world where "all men know there is a god"....and that's troubling for the claim, I'd say.

An appeal to popularity doesn't solve the proof issue.

No more so than you could prove that you believed in god. Tread lightly, the floor of solipsism is thin(or maybe not).

I agree.

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Perhaps the explanation is in which Bible is used and who has the authority to interpret it.

The NT is the same. Protestants reverted to the Jewish canon for the OT. So, not much difference relating to the basis for Christian doctrine.

Think of the church hierarchy as arbiters of conflict in interpretation. No different than going to a pastor or reverend or bishop or minister or trusted televangelist. At mass, after the three readings are given, the priest delivers a homily/sermon usually in an attempt to consolidate the teachings. All are encouraged to consider the scripture on their own and not take the homily as gospel (couldn't resist). The Second Vatican Council (if I remember correctly) gives general guidance on interpretation, basically to consider who wrote it, who it was for, and something about the holy spirit. Interpretation isn't making shit up or reading into what is being taught, but an attempt to apply the teachings to your own life.

Not exactly. They teach the infallibility and openess of the canon through the papal line. So the ultimate inerrancy and authority belongs not with the scriptures but within the papacy.

Papal infalibility ends at scripture, meaning the pope cannot contradict scripture. Scripture holds supremacy. Are you getting your knowledge of Catholicism from Protestants?

Keep in mind that Catholics have been discussing this for 2000 years. Most issues today are typically limited to conflicts with emerging science and ethical issues in changing societies. You likely won't see any sudden doctrinal changes, like the emergence of the prosperity gospel, out of the Catholic church. The hierarchy at least provides some stability; whereas, with many Protestant denominations your at the mercy of the mood of the guy on the riser.

I am by no means defending the Catholic church. I am simply trying to dispel the common misconceptions that keep popping up in this thread.

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[Ryantology]

Given that I cannot see into the heart of another man I cannot prove this scripture true of my own authority.

Given that the heart is nothing more than a pump to circulate blood through the body and endoscopy has been a thing for a long time, you can indeed see into one.

On the other hand, you have the same problem. In order to support your claim that the Bible is 'factually wrong' you take the position that: you are a man, you know there isn't a God, the Bible says all men know there is a God, therefore the Bible is factually inaccurate. The only proof you have is your word/authority. Serious question here: Why should I take your word for it? Can it be proven you're not lying to me?

Since the Christian God is only worshiped by a minority of the world population (and in practical terms, there are about 2 billion different gods being worshiped by these 2 billion Christians), the Bible is factually incorrect. Most humans do not, in fact, know that your specific God exists.

Exactly. First you get admission into the school, and then, you start studying for the subjects. Imagine someone who studies engineering, but he's not admitted into the engineering program. Can he graduate or "be saved"? Naturally no.

Imagine if engineering school, instead of involving hard factual data or mathematical certainty, was a place where you 'graduated' by 'opening your heart' to a 'truth' that was in no way measurable or testable. We'd still be living in caves and the pinnacle of technology would be the sharpened stick.

You're criticizing the believer for doing the same thing the student does: First "acceptence", then studying (first you get admission, then you study/first you accept the teachings, then you study).

Just because you didn't get the point of whatever education you got doesn't mean that's how it is for normal people.

There is also something else you have overlooked. The person who is accepted into an engineering program presummably has a basic, if not moderate, knowledge of math, physics, language, etc. The engineering program allows the student to grow in and deepen their understanding of these subjects and how they apply specifically to engineering. In the same way the believer has a basic knowledge of Christian theology at the time of salvation. Their study then leads to a deeper understanding.

You labor under this delusion that one has to accept any of it at face value in order to 'know' it.

Not that it makes even a shred of rational sense to 'know' something that is deliberately made impossible to verify in any way.

[Cinjin]

Like El Ron said, if you want to make serious money, start a religion. Or in her case, fleece the flock of an existing religion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Meyer...d_finances

Meyer, who owns several homes and travels in a private jet (currently a Gulfstream G-IV),[8][9] has been criticized by some of her peers for living an excessive lifestyle. She responded that she doesn't have to defend her spending habits because "...there's no need for us to apologize for being blessed."[8] Meyer commented, "You can be a businessman here in St. Louis, and people think the more you have, the more wonderful it is...but if you’re a preacher, then all of a sudden it becomes a problem."[8]

In November 2003, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published a four-part special report[8] detailing Meyer's "$10 million corporate jet, her husband’s $107,000 silver-gray Mercedes sedan, her $2 million home and houses worth another $2 million for her four children," a $20 million headquarters, furnished with "$5.7 million worth of furniture, artwork, glassware, and the latest equipment and machinery," including a "$30,000 malachite round table, a $23,000 marble-topped antique commode, a $14,000 custom office bookcase, a $7,000 Stations of the Cross in Dresden porcelain, a $6,300 eagle sculpture on a pedestal, another eagle made of silver bought for $5,000, and numerous paintings purchased for $1,000 to $4,000 each," among many other expensive items – all paid for by the ministry. The articles prompted Wall Watchers[10] (a Christian nonprofit watchdog group) to call on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate Meyer and her family.

Proof positive that Christians are the dumbest god damn people on the planet.
These stupid fucking sheep will keep giving this cunt their money even though she doesn't give two shits about them or their stupid Bible.


Fucking Christards. Almost as stupid as the Muslims.

[ignoramus]

I suspect that satan is more important to these fuckers than god.

Are you kidding? Satan is their golden goose! Why else would become religious?

[Cyberman]

There's a reason xtians are referred to as a flock, ready to be fleeced. Religion is the sheep-pen. Satan is the dog.

[orangebox21]

Since the Christian God is only worshiped by a minority of the world population (and in practical terms, there are about 2 billion different gods being worshiped by these 2 billion Christians), the Bible is factually incorrect. Most humans do not, in fact, know that your specific God exists.

In order for your argument to be sound and the Bible to be factually inaccurate, it (the Bible) would have to make the claim that the majority of the world population will worship the Biblical God. Does the Bible make this claim?

Imagine if engineering school, instead of involving hard factual data or mathematical certainty, was a place where you 'graduated' by 'opening your heart' to a 'truth' that was in no way measurable or testable. We'd still be living in caves and the pinnacle of technology would be the sharpened stick.

You have made a statement here that can't live up to your own standards. You reject something that you claim is in no way measureable or testable, then go on to make a statement that is in no way measureable or testable. (that we'd still be living in caves....) Seriously though, we're back to that categorical mistake. Explanation of categorical mistake Post #35

You labor under this delusion that one has to accept any of it at face value in order to 'know' it.

I don't understand what you're getting at here. Please explain.

[Minimalist]

I wish the church were a corpse, Ronny. But there are too many shitheads who still "believe" for that to happen. You know the type. But you are dying off. And that is a good thing.

Keep wishing! You'll never see Christianity die off. NEVER!

Because you have nothing to offer! NOTHING! Just vile, putrid waste products.

"Every knee will bend.... and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father."

Here, Ronny....here's your modern congreagation! Your pervert priests chased all the young kids away by sticking their dicks up their asses...although I get that you approve of that.




The sooner you all die off the better.