General Chat

Eldrick I spent most of my life with same belief system as you. I believed we were matter created by a big bang. We would enjoy our lives to some extent and then revert back to dust. Death was inevitable but a black void.

My dad's death made me question my beliefs because they held no real hope. Whereas a belief system did provide at least the possibility there was a paradise and a life for the soul after bodily death.

Four years later in 1982 (aged 36) I found the pearl without price. I know with absolute certainty that we will all be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ in that last day. And I have never doubted that I am a beloved child of God ever since.

Not too good for a debate as we both will probably cling to our beliefs. But I would be interested why you seem so confident of your belief system of having no belief (presumably apart from belief in your self).

lol

And what do you base that upon? Why not Mithras, Jove, Odin, Pikiwiki or any other god? Whats so special about yours? After all, Mithras was born of a virgin, performed miracles, was resurrected, etc etc.

I believe in science. Presumably you do as well, or you wouldnt be using a computer, go to the doctors or have a mobile phone.

When did jeesy wheezy start doing the judging? I thought it was his dad that did that :-)

But if you know for certain, fill your boots and go for it. Me, I prefer to get the most out of this life without worrying about having to go to a celestial North Korea where I have to kow tow to a malicious evil, misogynist, capricious, malevolent ghost. I'm wiling to be convinced otherwise, though. All I need is a smidgin of evidence. So far, its kind of elusive :-D

Until then, I dont subscribe to any supernatural belief system. Lifes too short for that mullarkey. And the sooner that the church gets out of my life the better. I dont want a bunch of men in frocks deciding things that affect me.

Eldrick. I base my belief on personal experience of meeting with Jesus 30 years ago. And having that belief confirmed and developed week after week after week.

Jesus leads you towards the Trinity. One God in three personalities. A mystery and very difficult to explain to anyone with doubts. As I said, the first 60% of my life I would probably have said exactly what you are saying.

But I never had inner peace. I was always wanting more and more out of this world. I would have liked to have been the rich ruler with Egyptian cotton underwear. Now I would prefer to be the beggar Lazarus, with running sores and starving. Life here is too short and too transient and I want to be with Abraham after death - like Lazarus when he died. (Luke Chapter 19 verses 19-31)

Boy! I'm going to enjoy this :-)

lol :-)

Allan me too....reminds me of something :-D

Shove up and make room for a littlen.

:-D

Blimey :-0

~~~ to all :-D

is anyone else feeling a tad nervious ? :-0


** gets on knees and prays ** :-D :-D :-D :-D

~~~~~~~Back atcha Allan. x

Abraham. Now theres a role model for you. Fits in well with with the other genocidal, homicidal, incestuous, abusive and malevolent characters from that dreadful old testament.

It's pointless conversing with someone who is so certain about something for which there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever. I dont have doubts - that would insinuate that I have a sneaky feeling there might be something in it. I don't. But like I say, I'm willing to be convinced. Just one little miracle would do it for me. It's not much to ask, is it? Maybe if he just decided that enough was enough and, say, banished cancer or childhood leukemia. I'd start going to church myself then.

I will content mysef with observing that you are a follower of one of the thousands of religions dating back to the stone age each one of which had equally certain and devout followers and most of which have died out as knowledge and science increased. As will this one - as we are seeing now.

I wish you well in your devotion but excuse me for not sharing it. I'm content with my lot in life and have no need to believe in the unbelievable :-)

Hope I don't disappoint, Eldrick. But I absolutely defend your right to believe or not believe what you want.

Christians have argued fiercely over the nature of the atonement - whether it is particular and reserved for a small elect in every generation. Or whether it is universal and everyone can go to heaven. That split whole villages 200 years ago.

And I can clearly see why you are so sceptical about two sides in a debate both claiming "it is God's will". I was convinced this morning when I saw an interview with the lady who is Bishop of Christchurch in NZ. Her words and her calm presence spoke more to me than thousands of hours of debate. It is right to have females in senior church positions imho. :-D

so we are bashing bishops today are we ;-) ;-)

Joy Hope not bashing them with a crozier :-0

I couldn't care less if they appointed ferrets.It jjust emphasises that the church has absolutely no place of authority at all in todays secular society when they condemn 50% of the human race as being inferior. Nothing more needs to be said.

If you believe devoutly in the OT then women have no place in the church. If you say they have, then you are eroding the traditions and teachings of the church for hundreds of years.

You see, christianity constantly moves the goalposts. Look at Galileo and Darwin. Now accepted as mainstream even by pope benny himself. And please don't tell me you are a creationist!

But if you really believe in Abraham, then you must be taking the OT as gospel. (pun intended). Which sort of throws your belief system down the pan if that's the case - floods, talking snakes, burning bushes and pillars of salt - please!

But I totally defend the right of anyone to believe in anything they want - even scientology and mormonism. As long as it doesnt intrude on my life, wonderful. So have women bishops by all means, just keep them in the church and all of them out of the governing body of the country. Then I'll be a happy bunny, as will millions of others.

Cant see anything wrong with it. my mum and all her sisters were Bishops :-D

When the time is appropriate Eldrick I shall repost my favourite quote re pikiwiki. In the meantime I shall ask my son what other gems he has come across in the local culture ;-)

I believe Prince Phillip is revered as a god by the natives of some small pacific island. And rightly so, IMHO :-)

As a teaser re Easter........ you know the long running saga of correspondence between a father and his son's school.

Dear Darryl,
I have received your permission slip featuring what I can only assume is a levitating rabbit about to drop an egg on Jesus.
Thank you for pre-ticking the permission box as this has saved me not only from having to make a choice, but also from having to make my own forty five degree downward stroke followed by a twenty percent longer forty five degree upward stroke. Without your guidance, I may have drawn a picture of a cactus wearing a hat by mistake.
As I trust my offspring's ability to separate fact from fantasy, I am happy for him to participate in your indoctrination process on the proviso that all references to 'Jesus' are replaced with the term 'Purportedly Magic Jew.'

Regards, David.