Hoping that people would keep their views about religion to themselves is a tacit way of saying religion should not be spoken of in this forum. Why? People all over this board express their views on all sorts of things. Why imply that people should not speak of religion? I myself believe it's symptomatic of something akin to feeling edgy or maybe even guilty when the topic comes up. That's my belief, and maybe it's not anyone else's and that's okay on this forum.

I look at TOTV like a refrigerator. Open the door, take what you want and leave all the rest. If one sees a thread involving the Bible avoid it if it causes uneasiness to you.

God, to a believer, is not "matter." Chickens are, roosters are, eggs are, and the universe is. God is, was always and before time and worlds and always will be, um, forgive me, Supernatural.

I love the way Jews celebrate the Bible. Each synagogue has a scroll with the Torah..first 5 books..that is taken from its elaborate cabinet and paraded around the room on certain days, where congregants reverently touch it with their book, or kiss a scarf and touch the Torah with it.

The Torah has only one Deuteronomy... ;-)

[quote=graciegirl;943673]Lots of Spanish missions in California, the southwest and Mexico. Also, our Jehovah witnesses ride bikes and wear wear white shirts. They don't do that where you are from?

I believe one can be a good person without believing in God, Allah, Jesus , Mohammed, etc.

AMEN! <----- sorry, couldn't resist! :duck:

Basically, it's about everyone being free to believe whatever they want to believe, and that, in my opinion, is as it should be. The moral relativism comes in when believers in one religion, like Christianity, behave as though all other religions are beyond reproach. In other words, whatever you choose to believe, within the framework of religion, is fine. Religion is religion, it's all relative, so have respect for all religions even if it's contrary to your religion.

Yes, we agree! Not all religions are equal, or "as good as the next."

Sorry, I don't remember what that statement was. I'll go back and read it.

I agree
 

I know a good number of people who are either agnostic or atheists and they are very fine people, so I agree with you in total. Some of them I'd rather be around than some who profess to be Christians. Fortunately I do not have to judge any of these people, except to decide with whom I want to spend my time.

Look at it this way. It all depends whose team you're on.
We seem to choose to run in flocks and gather with those we have something in common with.

I hope there is a God.

And if he isn't. He isn't. But if he is?

I hope someone will leave the back door open just a crack.

Okay, very good! I have no problem with that, except for the part about "knuckle dragging simple ilk". That's not nice. :icon_wink:

We all have a choice to believe or not.
The Bible clearly states one must believe in Jesus Christ to get to heaven.
There are a lot of very nice people everywhere I go but will Jesus say that he knew them when they go on?
Remember e=MC2 - energy never dies it only changes - 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 15:52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

"Amen" to that!!!

Essentially this thread was about creation the scientific big bang theory or the Bible's version of creation. It predictably morphed into a great religious debate....and a good one at that. Essentially my occupation was about investigating people, events, etc testing ,probing , comparing......... Logical progressions evolve and when that chain is broken it signals that something is wrong the data does not compute go back look again

The universe is too vast too complex for my little mind and my instincts warn me not to be moved by emotion/feeling because they cannot be trusted.

Holy men will tell you that God created man with free will but then tell you if you do not believe their way you are wrong...but logic tells me that if I have free will whatever I chose to do is best for me. Should I be denied an alleged paradise because I exercised a right He has freely bestowed me????????????I don't know?

Scientist test their hypothesis and because of error, conceit wrongful assumption piece together a story that in a few years falls apart. And those theories which do hold up only accomplish a local validation.

Validation arising from the religious community or the scientific community to posit a theory for the creation of this magnificent thing we call the universe or to the concept of God is based on faith. Creation is a mystery and it will remain a mystery. Perhaps we should signal ET to stop by and give us his explanation:D

I find that statement interesting. At what age were you, "in the chair of unbelief?" What happened that caused you to believe? Did you have religious training as a child? I just wonder how this transformation takes place because I have never known anyone, friends or family, to change one way or the other.

Keeping quiet about the dangers ahead: In your opinion, does that also apply to food and health? There was a recent article (09-13-14) in the Daily Sun lifestyle section. The heading was: "Staying fit for Him". The subheading was: "Church groups focus on better health, overall wellness".

In this article the Rev. Marilyn Anell, director of pastoral care at New Covenant United Methodist Church, said the following: "Our body is a temple for God and it's up to us to keep it healthy by exercising and eating the right food."

My comment: Many people seem to think that lifestyle choices, like what we eat, are to be kept private. Just as with religion, they think food choices etc. should not be talked about. If you suggest a healthy lifestyle they will often say, "I'm tired of people telling me how I should eat."

If our body is a temple for God, how come I don't recall any religious people on the health board promoting a healthier lifestyle? Is it too personal?

:popcorn: :duck:

So God (Jesus) hides from us and then shows His love by condemning us to eternal misery if we happen to question his existence? Does that sound like LOVE to you? Who here would do that to their own child?

In Matthew 16:28 we are told that some individuals who were living 2000 years ago will still be alive when the Son of man returns. Where is He? Or is someone besides Mel Brooks over 2000 years old?