Thoughts on Buddhism

[Bgood]

Buddism is cyclical, yet reality is linear. How does the Buddist reconcile this?

How is reality linear? What do you mean by that? Maybe reality is not linear at all.

[Carnavon]

All the Abrahamic religions are inherently wrong, corrupt and evil. Easten religions are FAR more superior in intellect, virtue and practice. Case closed Carnavon. Christianity is dead. Become a buddhist if you want to experience true awakening and spirituality lol. But whatever you do, put down the fucking cross and walk upright!

Hi there. Please justify your point about being wrong and evil. What is the standard and why?
You will know that Christianity is not dead and will not die -even if only a handful remains (Neither will philosophies of men die.) This is based on prophecy. Please watch world-wide developments and history- and I do not have a hang-up about end-times but developments seem to be consistent with what is prophesied (One-world government and one religion- excluding real Christians)
About intellectually superior, I am not quite sure what you mean by that and maybe you can explain. If it is about the intelligence of Christian men/woman, it is an assumption that you would be hard pressed to defend, with many highly intelligent Christians lining history and the present day. What is actually a bit funny (really) is that "highly intelligent humans" still have to learn from nature - which is supposedly a long list of random mutations. "Intelligent" scientists being defeated by chance and random changes?
But Christians actually do not rely on "superior intelligence", but truth. Superior intelligence means what? Insight into truth? Not likely.
What is also amusing is that discoveries confirm the Bible rather than disprove it. 15000 tablets (Ebla) - and not one contradiction of the Bible! Archeaology - not one contradiction - rather confirmation. Telling you something?
Maybe take up your cross?

[The Grand Nudger]

Based on prophecy? Well, in that case, it falls flat on it's face before it gets out of the gate. There is no such thing. I do agree with you though, eastern religions are equally worthless as your own. Irritates me to no end when people argue about how much better their superstitions are compared to the superstitions of others. Perhaps you could show some of these discoveries and how they are confirmations of the biblical narrative? As it stands you seem to be the sole possessor of such evidence. Spread the love, start some threads?

[Carnavon]

Based on prophecy? Well, in that case, it falls flat on it's face before it gets out of the gate. There is no such thing. I do agree with you though, eastern religions are equally worthless as your own. Irritates me to no end when people argue about how much better their superstitions are compared to the superstitions of others. Perhaps you could show some of these discoveries and how they are confirmations of the biblical narrative? As it stands you seem to be the sole possessor of such evidence. Spread the love, start some threads?

Hi Rhythm
If the impression was created that I subscribe to the position that “my religion is better than yours”, it is far removed from my intention. As mentioned in a previous post, it is not about that at all, it is about answering honest questions and trying to remove some misconceptions that exists.
I am not there to judge any person or religion; it is really about placing some arguments and facts before whosoever has an interest.

Let us take your assertion that there is no such thing as prophecy.
For prophecy to be real prophecy it should not be directly under the control of the person “fulfilling” the prophecy and secondly it should be made prior to the event (obviously).
From an objective point of view, the facts should also not be “messaged” to fit the prophecy. It is normally fairly obvious if facts are “manipulated” to fit supposed prophecy.

Let us then consider a few that you can check out for yourself and verify its authenticity.
Tyre (see here)
Jesus’ birth :
He will come while the Temple of Jerusalem is standing ( Malachi 3:1; Psalm 118:26; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 11:13; Haggai 2:7-9). Fulfilled: Matthew 21:12, etc. (Note: The Temple did not exist at certain periods in Jewish history, and it was finally destroyed in 70 A.D.)
Jesus’ crucifixion:
The precise timing of Jesus' crucifixion was also given to the Jews when God revealed to the prophet Daniel (9:24)
Price paid to hand Jesus over: The price of his betrayal will be thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:3-10.

They will divide his clothing and cast lots for them (Psalm 22:18). Fulfillment: John 19:23-24.

Israel: Independence 1948:
Ezekiel 37:21-22
and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.
Bible prophecy in respect of Egypt: Ezekiel 29:15
… I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations.
Prophecy written: Between 593-571 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: Since the time of Ezekiel about 2500 years ago

Babylon would rule Judah for 70 years
Bible prophecy: Jeremiah 25:11-12
Prophecy written: Sometime between 626-586 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: About 609 BC to 539 BC

This is just a few prophecies, and could list quite a number of others, but this should be sufficient to prove that your claim of “no such thing” is not congruent with the facts, even if you do disagree with some of the ones mentioned.

I trust you will keep an open mind and not judge before you have evaluated facts. It is not hocus pocus stuff, but real, as is the prophecy that Jesus will return. Some say soon, looking at developments in world affairs. But who is to say?

[The Grand Nudger]

Tyre is a joke, and we already have a thread on it. Search function. You didn't seriously just link me to the Apologetics Press...did you?

What Jesus? Prophecies actually have to come true, otherwise we call that "bullshit".

See above.

See above.

Hmn, didn't realize that the Isrealis had a King. Might want to pass that along to them? Unfortunately, we still have to wait for this prophecy to come true, and when it has, we'll have to wait for "never" to come before we can call it fulfilled. Bad show on the prophesizers part, wrecking his own shit so thoroughly.

Last I checked, Egpyt was still here, still a nation, still ruling.

Christ, Babylon and Judah, these are your demonstrations?

First, establish that this shit happened, then establish the dates for the prophecies. Kind of has to be prophesied in advance.

Prophecy remains complete garbage. All you've established is that you, personally, have swallowed the koolaid, and believe in hocus pocus. Don't talk to me about facts after posting a screed about your beliefs.

[Angrboda]

All the Abrahamic religions are inherently wrong, corrupt and evil. Easten religions are FAR more superior in intellect, virtue and practice. Case closed Carnavon. Christianity is dead. Become a buddhist if you want to experience true awakening and spirituality lol. But whatever you do, put down the fucking cross and walk upright!

Hi there. Please justify your point about being wrong and evil. What is the standard and why?

You've got your quote tags bollocksed up. Those aren't my words, but those of the poster .

---

Based on prophecy? ... Perhaps you could show some of these discoveries and how they are confirmations of the biblical narrative? As it stands you seem to be the sole possessor of such evidence. Spread the love, start some threads?

[Carnavon]

Tyre is a joke,

Then you would humor me with a brief summary of why you hold such a view?

Prophecies actually have to come true, otherwise we call that "bullshit".

Exactly. Making one or two prophecies where the facts are later "manipulated" to suit your prophecy is one thing. To have a phletora of prophecies that are fulfilled, is a totally different kettle of fish to an objective observer. But based on the lack of proper argument, I must come to the conclusion that your opposition is not based on fact but an emotional response.

Unfortunately, we still have to wait for this prophecy to come true, and when it has, we'll have to wait for "never" to come before we can call it fulfilled. Bad show on the prophesizers part, wrecking his own shit so thoroughly.

What we can say is that it is still true –it is undivided. It has not been broken. Thus – you cannot prove it wrong, but I can prove it is still true.

Last I checked, Egpyt was still here, still a nation, still ruling.

Last I checked, the quote was "I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations". See the difference?

Christ, Babylon and Judah, these are your demonstrations?

First, establish that this shit happened, then establish the dates for the prophecies. Kind of has to be prophesied in advance.

Prophecy remains complete garbage. All you've established is that you, personally, have swallowed the koolaid, and believe in hocus pocus. Don't talk to me about facts after posting a screed about your beliefs.

You are welcome to provide any evidence that what has been recorded in the Bible has ever been proven wrong. Never.
"The excessive skepticism shown toward the Bible by important historical schools... has been progressively discredited. Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition to the value of the Bible as a source of history.
So Rhythm my dear boy, my source is increasingly proven correct where its detractors have to submit to defeat.
Based on these facts, you are somehow supporting the wrong team - and confirming my suspicion that your retorts are not the result of in-depth study.
You could learn a thing or two from Acracadabra - he at least put forward some form of argument.

---

apophenia , my mistake. Sorry

[Carnavon]

Context is whatever one wishes for it to be. You know, when you make context arguments, have you ever considered that you'll then have to make all those different contexts non-contradictory as well? Just makes it worse. How hard is it to say "the bible is just a story". There can still be a god, there can still be a christian god, god can still be whatever you wish, but the bible is just a story. What's the "true interpretation" of the story? There is none, and it would cheapen the story if it were so. Why is it that the gods I don't believe in are always bigger than the gods other people do? Heaven forbid there be some other use, some other meaning, some less than absurd translation of a text supposedly inspired by the lord of the fucking universe. But whatever, box your own god in all you like. Make him seem more like yourself, easier to understand, shackle him to your interpretation. What's the worst that could happen?

(points to the massive heap of dead religions that insisted on doing exactly this)

Rhythm, the truth is that if you found something to be consistent with what can be verified, you are a little foolhardy to suggest that it is not true. - and especially if contra- arguments are proven wrong time and time again. That suggests there are other motives for not wanting to accept that which is proven to be correct.
The "true" interpretation - I will agree that there may be different interpretations of an issue, all based on the same facts. What I have however found is that often people would try and justify their preconceived ideas from the content.
The correct approach is to leave preconceived ideas at the door and be courageous enough to honestly look at what is stated, and read that in the light of what else is being said on the very subject or a subject relating to it.
Even so, one can make (honest) mistakes. It does however not imply that that which is stated, is wrong. The truth is independent of the interpreter.
When one then establishes that a large number of honest assessors of an item comes to a conclusion (especially if they have studied the original language and culture), then one can safely assume that it is very close to the "truth" of what was written and interpret from that background.
That is what distinguishes most cults and "isms" - there is one central figure that is the sole source of how things should be understood. As an example, you could take the Seventh Day Adventists. They have Ellen White, that they believe is the "spirit of prophecy", even though she contradicts the Bible on a good number of occasions. Her word above anything else (even at times the Bible itself, as they have their own Bible, where the Bible has been changed to agree with their doctrine.)
If it is about "my god is bigger and better than yours", we all miss the plot. It is not about proving that at all. It is about bringing the gospel and also giving an honest answer when the opportunity arises. It just seems to me that a lot of wrong information is accepted without really questioning it ( as was the case with my initial response in this thread), for the very reason that you quote - it reinforces our own ideas.
"shackle him to your interpretation" is altogether the opposite of what is the case. If I had to "create my god" based on my ideas, he may look much different to the one that we are confronted with in the Bible. It will also mean that there are millions of gods, after the liking of every person. But the fact is that there is one truth, contrary to what relativists believe (or say they believe). And if there is such a person, I should be able to trust Him and if He reveals himself through incarnation and his Word, I should be able to trust what is written. Now objective assessment is possible and that confirms that which is stated in the Bible. Then why should I believe something that is often based on lies and is continuously proven wrong?
If there are people that would like you to believe that you are doomed - who are they to judge - see the guy on the cross next to Jesus- during the last few minutes of his life?
We are all saved by grace and if you are judged as a person , they presume the role of Christ. I trust Him to be fair in his judgement and He has revealed himself and his commandments to us, so we cannot plead ignorance. So I have nothing to brag about.
Please forgive me if at times I am a bit sarcastic. Have a great day!

[reverendjeremiah]

[The Grand Nudger]

@ Carn I initially responded to you point by point and posted it, but then I realized that your argument doesn't deserve it, so I went back and cut it down to the following-

"The bible says alot of things, and if I sift through this massive laundry list of claims, and interpret them just so, and then attach very generous dates to those claims, and then interpret history and current events in a way that might generally be said to fit those claims, and then ignore the specifics, and then igore anytime these claims turn out to be horrendously incorrect, and then claim that these things are facts by sheer weight of all of the fuzziness above....and as long as I'm not forced to even begin to demonstrate any mechanism by which all of this can be achieved beyond the blisteringly obvious contortions I've gone through to get to this point...prophecy exists"

I remain unconvinced. Perhaps you should try harder? IOW, less claiming more demonstrating. You've attached dates as though they are established facts, well, not unless you can actually establish them, that will be the stumbling block of most of your claims to prophesy. You made claims to fulfillment without establishing that anything at all has been fulfilled, I shouldn't even have to point out that you're going to have to work harder on that one. Your presentation lacks any demonstration of a mechanism by which any of this is even possible (and by "any of this", I mean simple fortune telling, because that's what we're talking about, even though you insist on giving it a grandiose name to separate it from that which your own scriptures otherwise condemn), and that's the truly damning bit. Perhaps you've simply accepted that such a mechanism exists a priori, but that doesn't really touch on anything except your own gullibility and willingness to believe.

(If all you have is "prove me wrong" you're being entirely disingenuous, you actually mean "prove us wrong again, and again, and again" and this is a bare expression of shifting the burden of proof, you're not even trying to hide it....I guess you hope to wear down the enemies of christ through repetition? Well, mission accomplished, I'm entirely uninterested.)