Villages Daily Sun article by Patricia Steele on the Bible

[Taltarzac725]

There is an article in today's Villages Daily Sun about The Bible and whether people consider it the literal word of God, an interpretation of the words inspired by God, or an ancient book of fables and history.

I was wondering how TOTVers come down in these statistics?

Thanks for Patricia Steele for giving me this idea.

Personally I believe parts of the Bible are the actual words of Jesus Christ. Some of it is history; some of it is fable. And much is very open to interpretation. Jesus was the Son of God but it would be hard to get at what he actually said "word for word" as the various writers who put together The Bible had various agendas of their own and probably fudged a great deal to make sure that their point of view was not lost.

I am kind of looking at The Bible from what I know of how people act in the 21st Century.

[kittygilchrist]

The 66 books from "In the beginning God created.." to "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Not only literal, but an utterly great gift of words to mankind: the beginning and end of our planet, how to know God, how to love, how to live, and how to become eternal.

[buggyone]

There are Christian denominations that believe the Earth is 6,000 years old and that people existed on Earth at the time of dinosaurs despite all scientific evidence disproving their beliefs.

[Carpe Diem]

But the bible doesn't say that outright. That is one group's interpretation. Another group believes there could have been a "gap" of billions of years between Gen 1:1 & Gen 1:2. (Google "Gap Theory") So you can't conclude the bible is wrong because of some people's interpretation.

People count the 6,000 years from the day that Adam was made. A lot could have happened between 1:1 & 1:2 - before man was made. Isaiah 45:18 says He did not create it "without form and void." God made the earth perfect. Something happened after the original perfect creation that made it "without form and void." That time span or "gap" could have been billions of years. The catastrophe that made the earth "without form and void" could have killed the dinosaurs.

So anybody who reads this and has thought they couldn't become a Christian because they believe the earth is over 6,000 years old don't have to hold back anymore. There's room for you too!

[TheVillageChicken]

Leviticus 21.20 states that I many not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

[graciegirl]

As a Catholic I was taught not to literally interpret the Bible which we called "Sacred Scriptures". As a grown up woman with a scientific bent I continue to agree with what I was taught. Actual life suggests that literal interpretation is not valid.

I would NEVER quarrel with anything people hold sacred unless it taught to harm others and they were following those beliefs.

We can talk, and we can debate, and we can quarrel and we can zing and we can write clever things, but how others view this subject, if it differs from our beliefs, is not our business.

Most people of our generation were taught to be respectful and courteous and accepting of other's ideas and differences.

One thing this old 74 year old woman has learned in all of this living is that you WILL not change anyone's mind on religion or politics, so keep your mouth shut. That is what most of us were taught.

Please continue. But DON'T HURT each other.

Your mother has spoken. ;)

[Carpe Diem]

...

[Carpe Diem]

Re: Poor eyesight and the altar of God.

That was an old testament verse. "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4)

You always have access to the throne of grace. When you approach God - He only looks at your heart.

[Challenger]

1 John 4:8
"He that loveth not , knoweth not God for GOD IS LOVE"

Kind of says it all for me.

[Madelaine Amee]

As a Catholic I was taught not to literally interpret the Bible which we called "Sacred Scriptures". As a grown up woman with a scientific bent I continue to agree with what I was taught. Actual life suggests that literal interpretation is not valid.

I would NEVER quarrel with anything people hold sacred unless it taught to harm others and they were following those beliefs.

We can talk, and we can debate, and we can quarrel and we can zing and we can write clever things, but how others view this subject, if it differs from our beliefs, is not our business.

Most people of our generation were taught to be respectful and courteous and accepting of other's ideas and differences.

One thing this old 74 year old woman has learned in all of this living is that you WILL not change anyone's mind on religion or politics, so keep your mouth shut. That is what most of us were taught.

Please continue. But DON'T HURT each other.

Your mother has spoken. ;)

In my childhood home Politics, Religion and Money were off the table for discussion and that suits me just fine ....................:lipsrsealed:

[Carpe Diem]

1 John 4:8
"He that loveth not , knoweth not God for GOD IS LOVE"

Kind of says it all for me.

Yes.

God is light. "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5
God is life: "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:4
And GOD IS LOVE.

[Kahuna32162]

Belief is a personal choice and that choice needs to be kept personal.

[Rags123]

In my childhood home Politics, Religion and Money were off the table for discussion and that suits me just fine ....................:lipsrsealed:

You are correct.

Problem is that now they have become all woven together into one. It is quite impossible to live your life with no impact from all 3 and thus avoid discussion. Pick almost any topic in today's "political" world....most impacted or begun with religion...and funding thereof is inevitable to come up.

It is also very difficult to discuss one without blend into the others.

[jblum315]

In my childhood home Politics, Religion and Money were off the table for discussion and that suits me just fine ....................:lipsrsealed:

Same in my home

[Taltarzac725]

I remember in my bonehead English class in high school at Earl Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada the teacher Mrs. Barbara Mitchell said we could talk about anything except religion and politics. She would often talk about witchcraft though which had been a very important issue to many before the age of the Enlightenment.


And, then, there is Harry Potter. A lot of that series seems to touch on religion or at least magic.

So much of world literature involves sex, money, religion, and politics. All of which you find all throughout The Bible.

[Taltarzac725]

Jeffrey Small: The Bible: History or Myth? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-small/mythology-and-the-bible_b_898253.html)

This is an interesting article about The Bible and fables.

I often turn to Paul Tillich's writings when I find myself questioning stuff. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/41343.Paul_Tillich

[duffysmom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6dCxo7t_aE]The five major world religions - John Bellaimey - YouTube

[rubicon]

In my family we were required to debate politics and religion. the benefits are self evident. However to directly address the OP.

I hope, no pray that many more people discuss and believe what the bible teaches when one considers that:

too many people follow and believe what they hear and see on television and the movies. I can't imagine anyone would take counsel from the people who appear on "The View", "The Talk" and the number of reality shows.

As a sidebar the real problem rests with the fact that political correctness has permeated our society that we have lost the ability to have rational discussion.

When we discussed religion or politics in our family/friends we didn't believe we won with name calling being our agument we actually had to produce detailed facts as to why we held that position. Saying "your a jerk"just wouldn't pass muster.:rolleyes:

[Taltarzac725]

In my family we were required to debate politics and religion. the benefits are self evident. However to directly address the OP.

I hope, no pray that many more people discuss and believe what the bible teaches when one considers that:

too many people follow and believe what they hear and see on television and the movies. I can't imagine anyone would take counsel from the people who appear on "The View", "The Talk" and the number of reality shows.

As a sidebar the real problem rests with the fact that political correctness has permeated our society that we have lost the ability to have rational discussion.

When we discussed religion or politics in our family/friends we didn't believe we won with name calling being our agument we actually had to produce detailed facts as to why we held that position. Saying "your a jerk"just wouldn't pass muster.:rolleyes:


The argument against the person usually does not work in proper debates nor in Philosophy papers or discussions. Unfortunately, the unscrupulous use it quite a bit in my own personal experiences.

[helen lovely]

I need the final vote count on the Bible but cannot seem to locate it. Is this possible or has it been mysteriously eliminated? Thank you so much. HL

[Taltarzac725]

I need the final vote count on the Bible but cannot seem to locate it. Is this possible or has it been mysteriously eliminated? Thank you so much. HL

It is at the top. This is an open poll so we will have to see how the numbers fare.

I have had trouble with the question of God(s) in other religions being a Christian. The Great religions all seem to share many of the same things such as the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would like done to you, often they have a Great Flood wiping out evil, etc. http://www.onenessonline.com/ http://www.slideshare.net/mtnlvr7/five-major-world-religions

[helen lovely]

Amen & well said. Some of us are grounded & some just fluttering in the breeze with the best story of the day. I focus on ETERNITY & as a Catholic, believe more than ever today we need to stand firm & not worry about political correctness. As desciples of Jesus we must uphold our values of believing & trusting in the Lord beyond all else. I want to see the final tally of votes on the Bible as I was SHOCKED on the first day results. Convinced me that I will NEVER move there if I had any doubts before which I had recently. Great enlightening topic. HL

[SoccerCoach]

There are certainly many opinions. That being said, no matter how long it took to come into being. The Bible, 66 books, 40 authors and not a contradiction to be found.

[helen lovely]

Please I need to see the final vote count & hope I can get it somehow. Thanks. HL

[helen lovely]

Can't be right as they had 58 total the first hour of the first day. I believe that Talk of the Villages has somehow stopped it. All discussions are screened for appropriateness & this was an alarming representation of the faith base there. Shocked me as a senior. Bet the numbers stay stagnant & if so says a lot for free speech at The Villages. Keep me posted PLEASE.

[justjim]

With some exceptions, of course, we tend to grow up with the religion and politics of our parents. It's the same with morals and values---with exceptions----of course. When we leave the "nest" we sometimes go in a different direction from what we learned through our parents, teachers and friends who influence our lives.

In the end, it becomes an individual personal decision. "I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday". Abraham Lincoln

HL, I wouldn't take much from this poll.

[HMLRHT1]

Very nice GracieGirl, very nice.

[Barefoot]

Can't be right as they had 58 total the first hour of the first day. I believe that Talk of the Villages has somehow stopped it. All discussions are screened for appropriateness & this was an alarming representation of the faith base there. Shocked me as a senior. Bet the numbers stay stagnant & if so says a lot for free speech at The Villages. Keep me posted PLEASE.

TOTV has not "stopped the poll". I just voted.
There are 70 respondents. You can check Poll Results anytime.
I'm not sure why you are shocked as a senior at the results.
I'd think the results are fairly representative of people's viewpoints.
God is Love, as Challenger posted.

[graciegirl]

TOTV has not "stopped the poll". I just voted.
There are 70 respondents. You can check Poll Results anytime.
I'm not sure why you are shocked as a senior at the results.
I'd think the results are fairly representative of people's viewpoints.
God is Love, as Challenger posted.


Oh Bare, you said it so beautifully. Another thing that I love about the new versions of the Bible in today's language is that when read in church or anywhere they are so much more understandable. We can easily see that people haven't changed much from biblical times.

I don't quite understand Helen Lovely's post. I read an earlier post of hers on this thread and I think this last one may mean... not exactly how it ...sounds.

[Rags123]

What is the purpose of taking a poll on this ?

A poll of this subject, deemed personal by most, is for WHAT reason ?

[Taltarzac725]

What is the purpose of taking a poll on this ?

A poll of this subject, deemed personal by most, is for WHAT reason ?

The Villages Daily Sun had a poll on this. The article was a few days ago by Patricia Steele. It seems like an interesting topic. Of course, it is a personal decision about one's own view of something. Pretty much every poll is about some personal like, dislike, idea, etc.

[DONKEY10]

This poll is absurd who cares anyway. People will believe what they want to believe even if most sounds like the grimms fairy tales.

[Taltarzac725]

This poll is absurd who cares anyway. People will believe what they want to believe even if most sounds like the grimms fairy tales.

Poll: 76 percent believe in God, 38 percent do what God asks | WashingtonExaminer.com (http://washingtonexaminer.com/poll-76-percent-believe-in-god-38-percent-do-what-god-asks/article/2537977)

Maybe, maybe not.

It is interesting. Did God cause Katrinia? Did he cause Jack the Ripper to kill? Did he allow Hitler and his henchman to take over Germany?

I think a lot of people care about the question of the afterlife, ethics, etc.

[Bavarian]

The 66 books from "In the beginning God created.." to "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Not only literal, but an utterly great gift of words to mankind: the beginning and end of our planet, how to know God, how to love, how to live, and how to become eternal.

72 Books.
And when I was in Grade School and High School religion was always taught and discussed. By the Sisters of St. Joseph in Grade School and the Christian Brothers in High School.

[Taltarzac725]

72 Books.
And when I was in Grade School and High School religion was always taught and discussed. By the Sisters of St. Joseph in Grade School and the Christian Brothers in High School.

Overview of the Books of the Bible (http://christianity.about.com/od/booksofthebible/tp/Books-Of-The-Bible.htm)

There's a difference in the number of books of the Bilble among different denominations of Christianity. Catholics have 72; Protestants 66. http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/qt/Apocrypha.htm

[44Ruger]

If the bible stories make you feel good, go for it. I prefer Mark Twain.

[Taltarzac725]

If the bible stories make you feel good, go for it. I prefer Mark Twain.

There are some beautiful sections of The Bible. The Book of Proverbs Chapters 1 to 31_.From the Holy Bible - YouTube (http://youtu.be/BbR7uomoKIY)


I do like Mark Twain, however.

[rubicon]

I recorded the new HBO series "Leftovers". While watching it, it occurred to me that this science fiction thriller will certainly attract kids of all ages. That thought saddened me because from the very beginning viewers experienced gutter language, perverse sex, and drugs and very bad behavior by teenagers.

Compare that with the movie pertaining to Jesus produced by Mark Burnette and his wife Rona Downing and which movie would you prefer your children watch?

[helen lovely]

I am stunned & alarmed by these numbers. I was concerned about the youth of today not being exposed to enough Judeo-Christian doctrine to enable them to become the grounded adults we know are nurtured by such teachings. However, if this is the best we can do from the "The Greatest Generation" as described by Tom Brokaw we are facing a bleak future. There are 10 Houses of Worship in The Villages & if they were graded like schools this would be an embarrassment. Keep it going to the FINAL count.

[Bonanza]

If the bible stories make you feel good, go for it. I prefer Mark Twain.

Well, between making a choice between religion and Mark Twain,
you certainly will get in less trouble if you go the Twain way!

It's interesting that religion has caused more problems in this world than anything else.
Yes, it's true.
Think about it!

[TheVillageChicken]

I am stunned & alarmed by these numbers. I was concerned about the youth of today not being exposed to enough Judeo-Christian doctrine to enable them to become the grounded adults we know are nurtured by such teachings. However, if this is the best we can do from the "The Greatest Generation" as described by Tom Brokaw we are facing a bleak future. There are 10 Houses of Worship in The Villages & if they were graded like schools this would be an embarrassment. Keep it going to the FINAL count.

Less than 3% of The Villages population come from the Greatest Generation as defined by Brokaw. The rest of us are from the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers.

[kittygilchrist]

All three of the options for the poll are true. Given the forced choice of selecting only one i'm voting for God.

[graciegirl]

Less than 3% of The Villages population come from the Greatest Generation as defined by Brokaw. The rest of us are from the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers.


Whoever we are. I like us.

[Taltarzac725]

All three of the options for the poll are true. Given the forced choice of selecting only one i'm voting for God.

I believe these are the same options as in The Villages Daily Sun article by Patricia Steele. I can see how a devout Christian might see all three of these as true.

I am more of a person on a quest to discover God and my relationship to this entity. This was a great refresher I listened to on the Philosophy of Religion. http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=4680

I took a number of Philosophy of Religion courses from a Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, John (Jack) Kelly who had been on the path of becoming a minister but veered for some reason. He was married to the woman who was the Law Librarian at the National Judicial College http://www.judges.org/ which is in Reno on the UNR campus. I would sometime go into the Law Library wondering how to get into doing legal research. It was set up for judges' use so I had a very hard time. http://www.unr.edu/philosophy/1-department_colloquia.html

I would sometimes chat with these judges when they were at the University of Nevada, Reno book store.

[graciegirl]

If the bible stories make you feel good, go for it. I prefer Mark Twain.


Our traditions in this country are largely Judeo Christian and they feel familiar and good to me. Many of the great orchestral musical pieces had some connection to religion. History is woven around religion and not always with a good outcome.

The people who attend church and try to follow those teachings are usually kind and good people. They certainly aren't causing most of the troubles of the world in this world of The Villages.

I am not a good example. I don't think every soul who attends religious services are perfect examples but I think they gather to be with others who are TRYING to be heading in the right direction.

I don't ever try to talk anyone into religious beliefs and I know no one personally who does. Except the quiet, kind, good ones, who never say a word about religion. They just act caring and kind and accepting and forgiving and joyful and fun.

It makes a few people wonder what stokes their engines.

[senior citizen]

I find that most people in my own life today profess to be "spiritual" rather than "religious", although we were all taught to follow our parents' religion as children. As adults, we think for ourselves and follow our own path of spirituality. So many churches, ministers, etc. are corrupt today. Manmade religions often tend to be filled with hypocrits.......sad to say.


Wars faught in the name of religion......are recorded in history. That is not God's love, nor his wish.


Spirituality/religion or just "faith", whatever one wishes to call it, should be personal and quiet.......and held within, practiced quietly. Even Jesus said to "pray in private".


Having just enjoyed a visit from our charming , loving grandchildren, I must say that "God is Love" and PURE LOVE is found within a child. The children of today are so loving, giving, kind and amazingly awesome.


Babies are a gift from God.......an innocent soul come to earth. We should all recall this innocense and wonder of childhood.
*********
Men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty billows of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, and pass themselves by.
Saint Augustine

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
Mother Teresa

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Mother Teresa

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature: trees, flowers, grass grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa

One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
Mother Teresa

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
Mother Teresa

God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.
Mother Teresa

Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.
Mother Teresa

We are all pencils in the hand of God.
To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.
Mother Teresa

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.
Saint Augustine

Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.
Saint Augustine

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
Saint Augustine

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
Saint Augustine

Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.
Saint Augustine

This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.
Saint Augustine

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
Saint Augustine

At the heart of all spirituality is a sense of wonder and surprise, the awe that accepts that it can only marvel and delight – whether at the magnificence of a landscape, the sublimity of a symphony, or the incomprehensible beauty of self-sacrificing love.
Ernest Kurtz

Grace is available for each of us every day, our spiritual daily bread but we’ve got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.
Sarah Ban Breathnach

Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes.
Martin Luther

Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than material force, that thoughts rule the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, an activity…Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom…. love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth…..true love is an act of will that often transcends ephemeral feelings of love or cathexis, it is correct to say, ‘Love is as love does’.
M. Scott Peck

If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I will not fret about the future. My success and happiness does not depend on straining to see what lurks dimly on the horizon but to do, this day, what lies clearly at hand.
Og Mandino

Must you continue to be your own cross? No matter which way God leads you, you change everything into bitterness by constantly brooding over everything. For the love of God, replace all this self-scrutiny with a pure and simple glance at God’s goodness.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal

There are things only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song.
Max Lucado

[Taltarzac725]

I find that most people in my own life today profess to be "spiritual" rather than "religious", although we were all taught to follow our parents' religion as children. As adults, we think for ourselves and follow our own path of spirituality. So many churches, ministers, etc. are corrupt today. Manmade religions often tend to be filled with hypocrits.......sad to say.


Wars faught in the name of religion......are recorded in history. That is not God's love, nor his wish.


Spirituality/religion or just "faith", whatever one wishes to call it, should be personal and quiet.......and held within, practiced quietly. Even Jesus said to "pray in private".


Having just enjoyed a visit from our charming , loving grandchildren, I must say that "God is Love" and PURE LOVE is found within a child. The children of today are so loving, giving, kind and amazingly awesome.


Babies are a gift from God.......an innocent soul come to earth. We should all recall this innocense and wonder of childhood.
*********
Men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty billows of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, and pass themselves by.
Saint Augustine

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
Mother Teresa

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Mother Teresa

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature: trees, flowers, grass grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa

One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
Mother Teresa

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
Mother Teresa

God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.
Mother Teresa

Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.
Mother Teresa

We are all pencils in the hand of God.
To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.
Mother Teresa

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.
Saint Augustine

Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.
Saint Augustine

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
Saint Augustine

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
Saint Augustine

Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.
Saint Augustine

This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.
Saint Augustine

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
Saint Augustine

At the heart of all spirituality is a sense of wonder and surprise, the awe that accepts that it can only marvel and delight – whether at the magnificence of a landscape, the sublimity of a symphony, or the incomprehensible beauty of self-sacrificing love.
Ernest Kurtz

Grace is available for each of us every day, our spiritual daily bread but we’ve got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.
Sarah Ban Breathnach

Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes.
Martin Luther

Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than material force, that thoughts rule the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, an activity…Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom…. love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth…..true love is an act of will that often transcends ephemeral feelings of love or cathexis, it is correct to say, ‘Love is as love does’.
M. Scott Peck

If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I will not fret about the future. My success and happiness does not depend on straining to see what lurks dimly on the horizon but to do, this day, what lies clearly at hand.
Og Mandino

Must you continue to be your own cross? No matter which way God leads you, you change everything into bitterness by constantly brooding over everything. For the love of God, replace all this self-scrutiny with a pure and simple glance at God’s goodness.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal

There are things only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song.
Max Lucado


I did not know Mother Teresa had such a gift of words. http://www.motherteresa.org/layout.html

[Gramps666]

Less than 3% of The Villages population come from the Greatest Generation as defined by Brokaw. The rest of us are from the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers.

I'm amazed that so many people think the Bible is the source of such wonderful family values. Genesis 19:30-38 talks about Lot and the incest with his daughters. In 2 Peter 2:7-8 Lot is then called Just and Righteous. Murder, slavery, and the subjugation of women are also well established in the Bible.
Do we really need religious indoctrination to give us good moral character. Ask Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, Tony Alamo, Jim Jones, Melissa Huchaby, Marshall Appelwhite, the Burrell Mohler family, David Koresh, Dennis Rader, Joe Barron, and many others. Hitler and Stalin received the Judeo-Christian instruction. They turned out to be mass murders almost on the level of God.

[graciegirl]

I'm amazed that so many people think the Bible is the source of such wonderful family values. Genesis 19:30-38 talks about Lot and the incest with his daughters. In 2 Peter 2:7-8 Lot is then called Just and Righteous. Murder, slavery, and the subjugation of women are also well established in the Bible.
Do we really need religious indoctrination to give us good moral character. Ask Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, Tony Alamo, Jim Jones, Melissa Huchaby, Marshall Appelwhite, the Burrell Mohler family, David Koresh, Dennis Rader, Joe Barron, and many others. Hitler and Stalin received the Judeo-Christian instruction. They turned out to be mass murders almost on the level of God.


No. But other stuff isn't working very well either.


There will always be a bunch of losers, probably born without a compass of any kind.

What really HELPED with moral development is that you had a mother that would stop your nonsense with whatever it took. AND that she was with you enough to know what you were really up to.

[Taltarzac725]

No. But other stuff isn't working very well either.


There will always be a bunch of losers, probably born without a compass of any kind.

What really HELPED with moral development is that you had a mother that would stop your nonsense with whatever it took. AND that she was with you enough to know what you were really up to.

You might have something there Graciegirl. Evil, part 2: does it exist? | Clare Carlisle | Comment is free | theguardian.com (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/22/evil-does-it-exist)'

This is an interesting article on evil as being an absence of good or even in scientific terms an inability to empathize.

[Barefoot]

I am stunned & alarmed by these numbers. I was concerned about the youth of today not being exposed to enough Judeo-Christian doctrine to enable them to become the grounded adults we know are nurtured by such teachings.

I'm amazed that so many people think the Bible is the source of such wonderful family values. Genesis 19:30-38 talks about Lot and the incest with his daughters. In 2 Peter 2:7-8 Lot is then called Just and Righteous. Murder, slavery, and the subjugation of women are also well established in the Bible.

In my humble opinion, there are many different religions that encourage a tolerant and inclusive society.
Judeo-Christian doctrine may nurture some.
However good people can exist and be nurtured in many different ways.

For instance, Buddists goals are to lead a moral life, to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding.

There are over 300 million Buddists.
900 million people practice the Hinduism religion.
There are good people in every religion and every walk of life.

[senior citizen]

I did not know Mother Teresa had such a gift of words. Mother Teresa Of Calcutta Center (http://www.motherteresa.org/layout.html)




http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/838305.Mother_Teresa (http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/838305.Mother_Teresa)

Amazingly so.....simple words...yet profound

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html)

She truly lived her "religion"










　

[Taltarzac725]

In my humble opinion, there are many different religions that encourage a tolerant and inclusive society.
Judeo-Christian doctrine may nurture some.
However good people can exist and be nurtured in many different ways.

For instance, Buddists goals are to lead a moral life, to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding.

There are over 300 million Buddists.
900 million people practice the Hinduism religion.
There are good people in every religion and every walk of life.

I had a lot of Facebook and Findlaw friends from various parts of the world who had/have various religious leanings. Of course, their real personalities could be quite different from their Internet ones. But, they seemed like very good people.

The Findlaw people I got for a variety of reasons and some of these were because they did not feel that religious freedom was respected enough on Findlaw's message boards. The Facebook members from around the world are mainly from Candy Crush, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Cityville, Farmville, and other addictive games.

[TOTV Team]

Can't be right as they had 58 total the first hour of the first day. I believe that Talk of the Villages has somehow stopped it. All discussions are screened for appropriateness & this was an alarming representation of the faith base there. Shocked me as a senior. Bet the numbers stay stagnant & if so says a lot for free speech at The Villages. Keep me posted PLEASE.

We don't know what you are talking about. We are not doing anything regarding this or 'stopping it'. Please don't make false accusations.

[Taltarzac725]

We don't know what you are talking about. We are not doing anything regarding this or 'stopping it'. Please don't make false accusations.

There's now 100 votes in this poll. I hope others will vote.

[Russ_Boston]

Belief is a personal choice and that choice needs to be kept personal.


Ditto!

[Russ_Boston]

We don't know what you are talking about. We are not doing anything regarding this or 'stopping it'. Please don't make false accusations.


Thank you for standing up for the integrity of this board. Well Done!

[ron122049]

As a Catholic I was taught not to literally interpret the Bible which we called "Sacred Scriptures". As a grown up woman with a scientific bent I continue to agree with what I was taught. Actual life suggests that literal interpretation is not valid.

I would NEVER quarrel with anything people hold sacred unless it taught to harm others and they were following those beliefs.

We can talk, and we can debate, and we can quarrel and we can zing and we can write clever things, but how others view this subject, if it differs from our beliefs, is not our business.

Most people of our generation were taught to be respectful and courteous and accepting of other's ideas and differences.

One thing this old 74 year old woman has learned in all of this living is that you WILL not change anyone's mind on religion or politics, so keep your mouth shut. That is what most of us were taught.

Please continue. But DON'T HURT each other.

Your mother has spoken. ;)

Good post Gracie.

[rubicon]

I can remember a time when people expressed their pride in their religious and personal beliefs. Now the only boasting we hear are from people who desire to detail every hedonistic act they have committed with who and how many times.

Yet when someone speaks up concerning their religious beliefs they are told to keep their opinions to themselves.

It is also interesting to note that many people who do not believe openly display their contempt for those who believe while those who believe usually respond with"we will pray for you"

[buggyone]

I can remember a time when people expressed their pride in their religious and personal beliefs. Now the only boasting we hear are from people who desire to detail every hedonistic act they have committed with who and how many times.

Yet when someone speaks up concerning their religious beliefs they are told to keep their opinions to themselves.

It is also interesting to note that many people who do not believe openly display their contempt for those who believe while those who believe usually respond with"we will pray for you"

Personally, I have been taught not to boast of religious or personal beliefs. Isn't pride one of the Seven Deadly Sins? Express them, yes, but not boast of them.

Is it right to say your religious beliefs are the only ones to be accepted? No. Be tolerant of others and compassionate toward others at the same time.

[Carpe Diem]

It doesn't say "go out and boast about your religion." Rather, it's go out and share the good news with people. If God has been good to you - it says - "tell people."

He's been good to me. And The Villages is just a small, small part of it.

[Rags123]

It doesn't say "go out and boast about your religion." Rather, it's go out and share the good news with people. If God has been good to you - it says - "tell people."

He's been good to me. And The Villages is just a small, small part of it.

The poster who mentioned PRIDE as a deadly sin was correct, ONLY in the word.

Pride as a sin is excessive belief in oneself....preoccupation with oneself.

Being proud of loving God and having a relationship with Him is actually humility at its best.

[buggyone]

The poster who mentioned PRIDE as a deadly sin was correct, ONLY in the word.

Pride as a sin is excessive belief in oneself....preoccupation with oneself.

Being proud of loving God and having a relationship with Him is actually humility at its best.

Absolutely right.

[kittygilchrist]

Absolutely right.

:agree:
Proud of God for loving me. I did nothing.

[senior citizen]

Please I need to see the final vote count & hope I can get it somehow. Thanks. HL



For what it's worth, after some hesitation, I attempted to vote yesterday (only to be told that I had already voted, which I HAD NOT).


http://chartsbin.com/view/3nr (http://chartsbin.com/view/3nr)

Major religions of the world ranked by number of members.....

Christianity still claims the largest number of adherants; followed by Islam (Muslims). Judaism seems to be a very small slice.

[CFrance]

For what it's worth, after some hesitation, I attempted to vote yesterday (only to be told that I had already voted, which I HAD NOT).


http://chartsbin.com/view/3nr (http://chartsbin.com/view/3nr)

Major religions of the world ranked by number of members.....

Christianity still claims the largest number of adherants; followed by Islam (Muslims). Judaism seems to be a very small slice.


Perhaps you have forgotten you already voted. Happens to us seniors every now and then. I just voted five minutes ago. There seems to be nothing wrong with the poll or the forum's mechanisms.

[Taltarzac725]

It doesn't say "go out and boast about your religion." Rather, it's go out and share the good news with people. If God has been good to you - it says - "tell people."

He's been good to me. And The Villages is just a small, small part of it.

The Bible Experience CDs on some of the Gospels address this quite a lot. http://youtu.be/6UMtiPosluo About humility with your faith as Jesus was often talking about people who seemed to have quite a lot of the opposite. I do not have Chapter and Verse not being that aware of The Bible. I am a learner about The Bible. https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/Humility-Trusting-All-Father

I am not much of a church goer. I did go to the Church on the Squares services on occasion. I really have not found a congregation/church. etc. that really fits here in or near the Villages.

[senior citizen]

Perhaps you have forgotten you already voted. Happens to us seniors every now and then. I just voted five minutes ago. There seems to be nothing wrong with the poll or the forum's mechanisms.


That's good to know for today.......but truly, my mind is sharp.

When I attempted to vote for the very first time the other day, a message popped up that I had already voted........which I had not. Not me.

I had hesitated to vote initially......but then decided that I would.

Not that it matters, just thought I'd mention it as that other person was concerned.

In the larger scheme of things, out of 100,000 population, if only approximately 50 voted, my one vote counts for nothing......

Also, whenever I sign on lately, NORTON informs me that there is some spyware at signup onto THE VILLAGES.COM website.........Norton is what I use for internet security. It's excellent. Oh....it calls it some kind of "malware" at sign on to TOTV.

[graciegirl]

That's good to know for today.......but truly, my mind is sharp.

When I attempted to vote for the very first time the other day, a message popped up that I had already voted........which I had not. Not me.

I had hesitated to vote initially......but then decided that I would.

Not that it matters, just thought I'd mention it as that other person was concerned.

In the larger scheme of things, out of 100,000 population, if only approximately 50 voted, my one vote counts for nothing......

Also, whenever I sign on lately, NORTON informs me that there is some spyware at signup onto THE VILLAGES.COM website.........Norton is what I use for internet security. It's excellent. Oh....it calls it some kind of "malware" at sign on to TOTV.


I find that VERY.......Umm. technically UNLIKELY...umm...To THEVILLAGES.COM? This forum is privately owned. It was purchased a couple of years ago from the original owners who did not have any ties to The Villages, the developer or anything owned by The Villages. I feel it is exactly the same now. In other words, I respectfully have to say that I think your assessment is incorrect.

[Taltarzac725]

That's good to know for today.......but truly, my mind is sharp.

When I attempted to vote for the very first time the other day, a message popped up that I had already voted........which I had not. Not me.

I had hesitated to vote initially......but then decided that I would.

Not that it matters, just thought I'd mention it as that other person was concerned.

In the larger scheme of things, out of 100,000 population, if only approximately 50 voted, my one vote counts for nothing......

Also, whenever I sign on lately, NORTON informs me that there is some spyware at signup onto THE VILLAGES.COM website.........Norton is what I use for internet security. It's excellent. Oh....it calls it some kind of "malware" at sign on to TOTV.

It might have something to do with your firewall and such.

Many TOTVers are not in the Villages yet and a lot of people I have talked to about TOTV here in the Villages were not even aware of its existence.

[senior citizen]

i find that very.......umm. Technically unlikely...umm...to thevillages.com? This forum is privately owned. It was purchased a couple of years ago from the original owners who did not have any ties to the villages, the developer or anything owned by the villages. I feel it is exactly the same now. In other words, i respectfully have to say that i think your assessment is incorrect.


Typo !!!!!!! Typo.......

I was talking on the phone re our 50th anniversary party and typing at the same time.......

I meant talk of the villages.........

I know the difference, truly.

It wasn't an assessment. It was the truth.....as far as the message saying I had already voted, when I had not.

[Taltarzac725]

Typo !!!!!!! Typo.......

I was talking on the phone re our 50th anniversary party and typing at the same time.......

I meant talk of the villages.........

I know the difference, truly.

It wasn't an assessment. It was the truth.....as far as the message saying I had already voted, when I had not.

You might have hit a wrong key and voted. I have done that on other times if I am mutli-tasking.

[Carpe Diem]

. . . I do not have Chapter and Verse not being that aware of [I]The Bible. I am a learner about The Bible. https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/Humility-Trusting-All-Father

I am not much of a church goer. I did go to the Church on the Squares services on occasion. I really have not found a congregation/church. etc. that really fits here in or near the Villages.

Taltarzac, I'm surprised that somebody that is as spiritually inquisitive and well read as you have not read much of the bible. I'm not sure how one can be a learner "about" the bible without reading (or studying) it. Isn't that contradictory? You sound pretty sharp - I'm sure you can read it for yourself. Start with John, then read through Acts and Romans. (It might be helpful to read Romans in a more contemporary translation.)

You know, in criminal law you can't convict someone unless the crime is "beyond a shadow of a doubt." In civil law you win if the "preponderance of evidence" is in your favor. Too many people hold back from God because they need their understanding to be beyond a shadow of a doubt. Others open the door to God if the preponderance of evidence is there. With a decision so important in its consequences, I recommend that people open the door to Him at that point, and then seek God for more understanding. "Unless a man be born again, he cannot "SEE" (or understand) the kingdom of God (the things of God)" John 3:3

At some point while you're reading it, and it makes some sense but you are still ambivalent, it's ok to say to God, "if You're really out there, I'm willing to receive you and believe you. Reveal yourself to me."

Also read Revelation 3:20, 21 & Romans 10:9 & 10

Try Fairway Church.

[Taltarzac725]

Taltarzac, I'm surprised that somebody that is as spiritually inquisitive and well read as you have not read much of the bible. I'm not sure how one can be a learner "about" the bible without reading (or studying) it. Isn't that contradictory? Start with John, then read through Acts and Romans. (It might be helpful to read Romans in a more contemporary translation.)

Try Fairway Church.

I have read a lot of The Bible and have had various snippets thrown at me at infrequent Church services and the like. I minored in Religious Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno back in (1976-1981) which required quite a lot of reading of The Bible and church service was mandatory while I was at BYU Law School. I was not there long though. These classes at UNR did not require Chapter and Verse. They discouraged learning by rote rather emphasized analysis, logic, and linking things together. There were students at UNR who seemed to have a lot of The Bible memorized. I do not.

I have listened to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and am on John now. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/story/mmindex.html I cannot recite Chapter nor Verse if you give me Quotes of The Bible as I do not go to Church weekly.

I do take Quizzes like this one when finished with a Gospel or book of The Bible:


Hi there,

There's a quiz at FunTrivia.com that you may be interested in:

'Quizzing the New Testament: John' -- Category: Religion.

You can play it by going here:

http://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?quiz=318623&ref=Taltarzac

If you sign up (free) on FunTrivia using the link above you will automatically be set as one of my friends, and we can
compare scores easily.

[justjim]

Way back when, I had a year of Bible College and I have been going to Church since I was a small boy. By any stretch, I do not consider myself a "Bible Scholar".

As you know, The Bible was not written in English in its original manuscript. Most of us "lay" scholars read many things into scripture without really studying the original manuscripts. Enough said about our lack of real understanding of scriptures.

The Bible must be read in context and the culture of those times must be taken into account. It is history and it does contain parables and fables and it was written by men and I believe inspired by God for the purpose of God revealing himself to man.

Leave the details to the true Bible Scholars. I have faith in God, but with all due respect, little faith in the way this poll was setup. It is far from being a valid poll on the worth of the Bible.

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=senior citizen;901427]Typo !!!!!!! Typo.......

I was talking on the phone re our 50th anniversary party and typing at the same time.......

I meant talk of the villages.........

I know the difference, truly.

It wasn't an assessment. It was the truth.....as far as the message saying I had already voted, when I had not.[/QUOTEo.
That wasn't a typo. A typo is when you misspell a word because you typed the wrong key, or you got the letters in the wrong order, like typing "jsut" when you meant "just."

It was a slip of the mind, that's all, and we all do it. Over a hundred people have voted without a problem. I do not believe there is a problem with the poll. And I have excellent security software on my laptop too and have never had a warning when signing on to TOTV. It's a very safe site, as long as you are careful what links in people's posts you open.

Perhaps there's a problem at your end?

[Taltarzac725]

Way back when, I had a year of Bible College and I have been going to Church since I was a small boy. By any stretch, I do not consider myself a "Bible Scholar".

As you know, The Bible was not written in English in its original manuscript. Most of us "lay" scholars read many things into scripture without really studying the original manuscripts. Enough said about our lack of real understanding of scriptures.

The Bible must be read in context and the culture of those times must be taken into account. It is history and it does contain parables and fables and it was written by men and I believe inspired by God for the purpose of God revealing himself to man.

Leave the details to the true Bible Scholars. I have faith in God, but with all due respect, little faith in the way this poll was setup. It is far from being a valid poll on the worth of the Bible.

You should try your own Bible poll. This one of mine is patterned after the one Patricia Steele wrote about in The Villages Daily Sun.

[Villages PL]

I would NEVER quarrel with anything people hold sacred unless it taught to harm others and they were following those beliefs.

Your mother has spoken. ;)


Mom, is that you?....:shrug:

I don't disagree with the law but some people claim to be harmed by certain laws that were originally enacted by people with certain religious beliefs. So they claim to be harmed by that. Is that a valid claim, in your opinion?

[CFrance]

Mom, is that you?....:shrug:

I don't disagree with the law but some people claim to be harmed by certain laws that were originally enacted by people with certain religious beliefs. So they claim to be harmed by that. Is that a valid claim, in your opinion?
Can you give an example?

[Taltarzac725]

Can you give an example?

You can see an ancient society's values in these laws.
Judaism 101: A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) (http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalek

[CFrance]

You can see an ancient society's values in these laws.
Judaism 101: A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) (http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm)
I understand those. I thought VPL was speaking of modern-day, secular laws.

[Taltarzac725]

I understand those. I thought VPL was speaking of modern-day, secular laws.

He might be. You can see which ones these might be by looking at a lot of the 613 Jewish laws or commandments. Many of these have to do with procreation, diet, slavery, sanitation, interest in money loaned , etc.

The ones about the King having too many wives or gold are interesting. Who would enforce it? A lot of the 613 Jewish laws are very secular in nature.

[kittygilchrist]

I have read a lot of The Bible and have had various snippets thrown at me at infrequent Church services and the like. I minored in Religious Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno back in (1976-1981) which required quite a lot of reading of The Bible and church service was mandatory while I was at BYU Law School. I was not there long though. These classes at UNR did not require Chapter and Verse. They discouraged learning by rote rather emphasized analysis, logic, and linking things together. There were students at UNR who seemed to have a lot of The Bible memorized. I do not.

I have listened to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and am on John now. The Story Of The Storytellers - An Overview Of The Four Gospels | From Jesus To Christ | FRONTLINE | PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/story/mmindex.html) I cannot recite Chapter nor Verse if you give me Quotes of The Bible as I do not go to Church weekly.

I do take Quizzes like this one when finished with a Gospel or book of The Bible:

[/CENTER]
Those who highly esteem their own intellect often underestimate that of their maker. 1kitty 1:1

[Tennisnut]

Those who highly esteem their own intellect often underestimate that of their maker. 1kitty 1:1

Thanks Kitty. Well said!:bowdown:

[Taltarzac725]

Those who highly esteem their own intellect often underestimate that of their maker. 1kitty 1:1

Not sure what this actually means, Kitty. I am the first one to say "I do not know" about a great deal. I wish more people would do that. There would be a lot fewer wars if people were not so stuck on some book or person as speaking for God. This applies to all of these religious books, prophets, etc.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2013/jan/08/god-unknowable-faith

An apophatic thread, a belief that the only way to conceive of God is through conceding that he is ineffable, runs throughout Christian history. Jan Van Ruysbroeck, the 14th century Augustinian and man of prayer, maintained that "God is immeasurable and incomprehensible, unattainable and unfathomable". St John of the Cross, one of the pillars of western mysticism, put it even more succinctly: "If a man wishes to be sure of the road he travels on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark."

[dewilson58]

Is it ??

Catholic = inspired

Lutherans = Literal

[graciegirl]

Is it ??

Catholic = inspired

Lutherans = Literal


Been both.

Not sure.

Both are nice.

[buggyone]

If you want a " real" experience, do dome looking at the Creation Museum by some guy named Ken Ham. He was able to con Bill Nye into a debate about evolution. Nye ought to be ashamed of himself for giving credence to a huckster like Ham.

At the museum, they show Adam and Eve playing with dinosaurs like Fred and Wilma Flintstone. What hokum! And the sad fact is that some " religious" people believe this poppycock.

[Taltarzac725]

If you want a " real" experience, do dome looking at the Creation Museum by some guy named Ken Ham. He was able to con Bill Nye into a debate about evolution. Nye ought to be ashamed of himself for giving credence to a huckster like Ham.

At the museum, they show Adam and Eve playing with dinosaurs like Fred and Wilma Flintstone. What hokum! And the sad fact is that some " religious" people believe this poppycock.

There are definitely a lot of problems with evolution as a theory, however, as many have pointed out in scientific/philosophical journals. What Are the Top Ten Problems with Darwinian Evolution? - Evolution News & Views (http://www.evolutionnews.org/2012/07/what_are_the_to_1062011.html)

I studied a lot of Philosophy of Science while at the University of Nevada, Reno under Professor Thomas J. Nickles. http://www.unr.edu/provost/awards-and-grants/foundation-professor-award

[buggyone]

There are definitely a lot of problems with evolution as a theory, however, as many have pointed out in scientific/philosophical journals. What Are the Top Ten Problems with Darwinian Evolution? - Evolution News & Views (http://www.evolutionnews.org/2012/07/what_are_the_to_1062011.html)

I studied a lot of Philosophy of Science while at the University of Nevada, Reno under Professor Thomas J. Nickles. Foundation Professor Award: Office of the Provost: University of Nevada, Reno (http://www.unr.edu/provost/awards-and-grants/foundation-professor-award)

The linked article is one by Casey Luskin who is referred to as "The Baghdad Bob of Creationism" and is cited in The Encylopedia of American Loons. He is not a scientist.

To Google cited sources before posting them is always a good idea.

[Taltarzac725]

The linked article is one by Casey Luskin who is referred to as "The Baghdad Bob of Creationism" and is cited in The Encylopedia of American Loons. He is not a scientist.

To Google cited sources before posting them is always a good idea.

Not sure if I would go with anything the Encylopedia of American Loons has to say. It just looks like name calling. Casey Luskin - Discovery Institute (http://www.discovery.org/p/188)

http://www.ideacenter.org/

I do think we have to look at what the people at the Discovery Institute has on Darwinian theory.

Just to be fair here is a link to the Encyclopedia of American Loons blog spot on Casey Luskin-- http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/09/246-casey-luskin.html

[Taltarzac725]

If you want a " real" experience, do dome looking at the Creation Museum by some guy named Ken Ham. He was able to con Bill Nye into a debate about evolution. Nye ought to be ashamed of himself for giving credence to a huckster like Ham.

At the museum, they show Adam and Eve playing with dinosaurs like Fred and Wilma Flintstone. What hokum! And the sad fact is that some " religious" people believe this poppycock.

Maybe, this will lead to more discussion about the theory of evolution. Objections to evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objections_to_evolution)

[Barefoot]

At the museum, they show Adam and Eve playing with dinosaurs like Fred and Wilma Flintstone. What hokum.

You mean to tell me that Adam and Eve didn't have pet dinosaurs? :eek:

[kittygilchrist]

Here are a few examples of what the Bible says about the words of God:

And God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion… over all the earth--

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth--

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path--

And the Spirit and the bride say, come, and let him that heareth say, come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[44Ruger]

Religion is a nice tool for parents to help them give reason for social rules to children. Adults should go by the laws of man that are in place to protect us all.

[senior citizen]

Religion is a nice tool for parents to help them give reason for social rules to children. Adults should go by the laws of man that are in place to protect us all.



This entire discussion reminds me of our childhood memories.....

Here is a rough translation of what my husband would often relay to me about how he felt as a child during Christmas Eve mass when they'd read the gospel of Luke, telling how "young" the earth was.........when, in actuality, he'd be thinking to himself that due to carbon dating discoveries it had to be in the billions of years old. However, if he brought it up to the Catholic Polish nuns, they'd get mad. I'm referring to circa 1950's Polish Catholic grammar school. Again, paraphrasing what he'd often mention to me.

I went to public school..........so the nuns in our weekly Cathechism classes didn't even touch on things like evolution, etc. or the age of the planet or the universe......we just memorized our cathechism.

No one read from the bible at all during cathechism classes.

However, in public school, our teachers did read one psalm, etc. each morning before the "Our Father"......they read from the Bible, King James version, I believe........

My parents always had a large Catholic bible in our home.....and I always had the modern translation of the bible in ours, after we were married in 1965. Plus later a children's bible from which I read to the kids.

Our daughter loved everything about church, mass, etc. but after she became engaged to a fellow Roman Catholic, but divorced guy, they were married by an Episcopalian priest (our daughter's best friends dad); they are raising their children in the United Church of Christ which is accepting of all people............our son, on the other hand, didn't care for church but stuck it out to confirmation..........then on his college applications wrote down that he was a "druid".........that's a joke by the way. He's a fine upstanding citizen and businessman.

I often think of the words of Khalil Gibran.........

[graciegirl]

[

I often think of the words of Khalil Gibran.........[/QUOTE]


Ah yes.;)

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

It is just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.

Every little bit helps the old woman said as she peed in the sea.

The more you drink the smarter you think you are.

If you don't pay your bills it is just exactly like stealing.

Don't wear white after Labor Day.

[nitehawk]

[

I often think of the words of Khalil Gibran.........


Ah yes.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

It is just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.

Every little bit helps the old woman said as she peed in the sea.

The more you drink the smarter you think you are.

If you don't pay your bills it is just exactly like stealing.

Don't wear white after labor day.[/QUOTE]

OH gracie you always have great words of wisdom ---thank you i am truly a great fan of yours. keep up the good work

[buggyone]

Maybe, this will lead to more discussion about the theory of evolution. Objections to evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objections_to_evolution)

There is not a theory of evolution. There IS a fact of evolution!

[Taltarzac725]

There is not a theory of evolution. There IS a fact of evolution!

Evolution Resources from the National Academies (http://www.nas.edu/evolution/TheoryOrFact.html)

Not really when you look at how the term is used. Look at the above linked article by the National Academies. They kind of make an assertion to authority rather than proving the Theory of Evolution. We could get completely new information to put into this mix when and if we discover life on other planets.

Stephen Hawking has an interesting discussion of life on other planets, etc. http://www.hawking.org.uk/life-in-the-universe.html

[graciegirl]

There is not a theory of evolution. There IS a fact of evolution!


Of course Evolution is a fact. When I was 12 I wrote a letter to the editor of The Columbus Dispatch on this very subject. My family was mortified.

I put it in my mind like this....Each Biblical day was a long time. Some monkeys are smarter than some people. Unlocking the human genome proves that species have evolved and are still evolving...

but I still am pretty sure that God is behind it.

People believe sincerely. You can't make a Yankee fan of a person with season tickets at Fenway Park.

[Taltarzac725]

You can't make a Yankee fan of a person with season tickets at Fenway Park.

Now, that's a fact.

[senior citizen]

.................................

[graciegirl]

Ah yes.;)

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

It is just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.

Every little bit helps the old woman said as she peed in the sea.

The more you drink the smarter you think you are.

If you don't pay your bills it is just exactly like stealing.

Don't wear white after Labor Day.




Ha! I take it you do not like the Lebanese poet?
How about this one.......on prayer.....




On Prayer
Kahlil Gibran

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?

And if it is for your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.
And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.

When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet.
Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion.

For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive:

And if you should enter into it to humble yourself you shall not be lifted:

Or even if you should enter into it to beg for the good of others you shall not be heard.

It is enough that you enter the temple invisible.

I cannot teach you how to pray in words. God listens not to your words save when He Himself utters them through your lips.
And I cannot teach you the prayer of the seas and the forests and the mountains.

But you who are born of the mountains and the forests and the seas can find their prayer in your heart,
And if you but listen in the stillness of the night you shall hear them saying in silence,
"Our God, who art our winged self, it is thy will in us that willeth.

It is thy desire in us that desireth.
It is thy urge in us that would turn our nights, which are thine, into days which are thine also.
We cannot ask thee for aught, for thou knowest our needs before they are born in us:
Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all."


[/QUOTE]
Not a thing wrong with Khalil. I like Bill better.

Bill Cosby Quotes - BrainyQuote (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/bill_cosby.html)

[CFrance]

There must be something good about Kalil Gibran, because when I asked for a book of his for my birthday, my uber conservative father took one look at it and refused to buy it. ( Of course, he also threatened to burn my Bob Dylan albums, which then took up residence in my brother's house...)

[kittygilchrist]

Not sure what this actually means, Kitty. I am the first one to say "I do not know" about a great deal. I wish more people would do that. There would be a lot fewer wars if people were not so stuck on some book or person as speaking for God. This applies to all of these religious books, prophets, etc.

God is unknowable (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2013/jan/08/god-unknowable-faith)

[CENTER]

Of course Evolution is a fact. When I was 12 I wrote a letter to the editor of The Columbus Dispatch on this very subject. My family was mortified.

I put it in my mind like this....Each Biblical day was a long time. Some monkeys are smarter than some people. Unlocking the human genome proves that species have evolved and are still evolving...

but I still am pretty sure that God is behind it.

People believe sincerely. You can't make a Yankee fan of a person with season tickets at Fenway Park.

I love you gracie. When discussing evolution, We should consider that the earth is under a curse, that there was no predation until the fall of man. I am pretty sure that Satan was behind that.

As for how many days it took to do what, we have a temporal view, while God is eternal. Job 38:4 "where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding."

Satan is called the father of lies in the Bible. He opposes and exalts himself against the knowledge of God. "The fool has said in his heart: there is no God."

[Taltarzac725]

There must be something good about Kalil Gibran, because when I asked for a book of his for my birthday, my uber conservative father took one look at it and refused to buy it. ( Of course, he also threatened to burn my Bob Dylan albums, which then took up residence in my brother's house...)

That's amusing. My Earl Wooster High School (Reno, Nevada) teacher Barbara Mitchell was interested in all kinds of topics like the abuse of power by various religious authorities and their persecution of "witches". She mentioned this book which I promptly bought. Malleus Maleficarum Index (http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/mm/) It is basically the book used as a guide to torture witches.

I had to sell most of my more expensive books that I had in Sonoma County, CA to finance all the letters I was sending in my 224 613 survivors of violent crimes access to practical information project. This "Hammer of Witches" (Maleus Maleficarum) book was one of these. http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/

Good link on witchcraft--
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/witchhistory.html

My parents did not care which books and bought with my own money. I did not think they had an idea of the kinds of books Mrs. Mitchell was getting me interested in back in high school though.

[Taltarzac725]

Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition (http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=893)

If you are interested in religious mystics, witchcraft, heretics and other related aspects of religious history look into this CD. It is from the Teaching Company. I borrowed it from the Lady Lake County Library and listened to it on CDs.

[Taltarzac725]

Religion census Muslims grow: Religion census shows Muslims numbers grow in U.S., Orlando - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-01/features/os-religion-census-muslims-grow-20120501_1_mormons-and-muslims-mormon-church-imam-tariq-rasheed)

I could not find any statistics for the religious affiliations of people in the Villages, but I was surprised to see that Roman Catholics are the biggest group population wise in the Orlando area followed by Muslims.

Seems like many people in Marion County are reluctant to give information about their religion-- http://www.homefacts.com/religions/Florida/Marion-County/The-Villages.html

I do not remember any mosques in the Villages area.

[Barefoot]

Evolution Resources from the National Academies (http://www.nas.edu/evolution/TheoryOrFact.html)

Not really when you look at how the term is used. Look at the above linked article by the National Academies. They kind of make an assertion to authority rather than proving the Theory of Evolution. We could get completely new information to put into this mix when and if we discover life on other planets.

Stephen Hawking has an interesting discussion of life on other planets, etc. Life in the Universe - Stephen Hawking (http://www.hawking.org.uk/life-in-the-universe.html)

I realize this is off topic, but the link discussing life on other planets is interesting, especially SH's third and fourth possibilities.

A third possibility is that there is a reasonable probability for life to form, and to evolve to intelligent beings, in the external transmission phase. But at that point, the system becomes unstable, and the intelligent life destroys itself. This would be a very pessimistic conclusion. I very much hope it isn't true.

I prefer a fourth possibility: there are other forms of intelligent life out there, but that we have been overlooked. There used to be a project called SETI, the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. It involved scanning the radio frequencies, to see if we could pick up signals from alien civilisations. I thought this project was worth supporting, though it was cancelled due to a lack of funds. But we should have been wary of answering back, until we have develop a bit further. Meeting a more advanced civilisation, at our present stage, might be a bit like the original inhabitants of America meeting Columbus. I don't think they were better off for it.