Intelligence is a Curse

[Erinome]

Thanks for proving my point so forcefully, Aleialoura. Cheers.

That's exactly what I might say if I had just gotten

[Stucky]

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)

According to Strong’s Concordance the phrase poor in spirit describes those who are “destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford.” Several times in the Scriptures, the Lord mentions the fact that an abundance of or excessive reliance upon worldly education can actually be a hindrance to entering into the Kingdom.

In Isaiah 29:13-14 He said, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Paul, who was by most accounts the towering intellect of New Testament writers, built upon this in 1 Cor 1:18-25 when he wrote;

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

As I’ve grown older and become more reflective I’m more aware of the fact that much of man’s knowledge is flawed, just as man is flawed. And some of it is intentionally so, since some who are considered intellectuals have a bias against God and use their positions of influence to further their views. Their success in making the theory of evolution the standard for public education is one case in point, among many.

We must become as little children, The Lord admonished us (Mark 10:15), and for me that meant discarding much of what I was taught in favor of taking God at His word.

But those who refuse to allow the wisdom of this world to displace their native knowledge of God and instead pursue His word for His wisdom will receive the Kingdom as their reward. Speaking of God’s wisdom, King Solomon wrote, “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:35)

[The Grand Nudger]

If I predict the banhammer coming down on you, and it happens, will you admit that I am god (or, at least, extremely powerful)?

[Stucky]

If I predict the banhammer coming down on you, and it happens, will you admit that I am god (or, at least, extremely powerful)?

No, I will admit that this is not an open forum for discussion then as it said it was in the introduction. If that happens it just means that atheists do not tolerate dissent.

[The Grand Nudger]

Ah, I see. So you would doubt the gospel of Rhythm? I cannot tolerate blasphemy.

(You've just received your first lesson in atheism btw, not everyone who claims to be a god actually is one. Even if they can predict the future.)

[Stucky]

Ah, I see. So you would doubt the gospel of Rhythm? I cannot tolerate blasphemy.

Is that what you say to your undocumented migrant farmworkers?

[frankiej]

Ah, I see. So you would doubt the gospel of Rhythm? I cannot tolerate blasphemy.

we Rhythm fearing disciples do not take kindly to blasphemy... I say stone him! Surely it is our turn to stone some cunts. The Christians and Muslims seem to be into it... We should join the fun.

[The Grand Nudger]

It's hard to get undocumented workers all the way up here, believe it or not. Usually takes some sort of paperwork to make it halfway through the U.S.
(What was all that garbage about insults btw? It's been what, 20 minutes since you joined, please don't tell me you've been broken already, because I have a long day ahead of me.)

[frankiej]

Most people nowadays don't have the spare time when they are not herding their sheep to write down mentally insane scribblings...

[leo-rcc]

If I predict the banhammer coming down on you, and it happens, will you admit that I am god (or, at least, extremely powerful)?

No, I will admit that this is not an open forum for discussion then as it said it was in the introduction. If that happens it just means that atheists do not tolerate dissent.

It says in the rules, the one you agreed on that preaching is not allowed. If you want to argue a case for your beliefs that's fine, but throwing a lot of assertions and scripture is not the way to go about it.