LOL - we all do that anyway - free will- remember. I hope you were being sarcastic, and not robotic. DD
I agree with this post, but the point about McVeigh is a bit skewed, if McVeigh was a religious leader, and had encouraged other Christians to blow up that building then it would be comparable to what the Mullah's are doing in the Middle East. Which is why I would openly target them for preaching hate. It would force them to consider what they are preaching BEFORE they say it, if their A$$ was actually on the line and not some 15 year old kid they are convincing to strap a bomb to his body and blow up a pizza joint in Jeruselum. DD
But aren't your beliefs tailored by your experiences, and your independent thought processes? The same thought processes which can be described as free will? And, if that is the case, didn't God give all of us the ability to reason and to think for ourselves, and to therefore discover our own truths? DD
I thought you don't believe in God? My point is this: Those who believe Jesus is God and the Bible is His Word have no rational room for "interpretation", i.e. believing whatever they feel like or is trendy at the moment. The notion of religion as a moral code that evolves with the times completely defeats its purpose When you are dealing with the purported "absolute truths" related in the Bible, you can't say this bit is definitely true and that bit is, oh, just a little figurative hyperbole on the Lord's part. You can't say "Jesus was absolutely serious when He said He was God, and so were the guys relating this story to us", yet go "Nah, He didn't really mean you'll burn in actual lakes of burning sulphur.. it's just a scare tactic!" You just can't.
I disagree. The underlying reasons for morality may stay the same but moral "codes" can and should change with time. If they don't, they can become oppressive. And it doesn't leave room for growth in understanding.
I'll clarify: I'm all for moral codes changing with time. It would be unrealistic to expect otherwise. What I meant is you can't see a religion as that (an evolving, man-made moral code), then go on to say the same religion is some sort of universal truth
I think you guys are confused over this concept because it is one thing that makes Christianity different from other religions: it isn't an "evolving, man-made moral code". The entire premise of Christianity is based on a paradigm that is opposite to the traditional definition of religion (i.e. it's not about man trying to reach God, it is about God reaching out to man). That said, funny that this thread has suddenly evolved into a theological debate.
There is no such thing as a holy war. And if there is aggression by extremist Muslims based on that speech, there is nobody to blame for than their leaders who try to spark what you call "holy war".
Next time allow the people to vote for the Pope. Enough with the elitist clergy running the bastions of secrecy and power. Power to the people!
This is an interesting take because from my understanding to be saved still requires a conscious decision and due to original sin the default position is damnation. My understanding then would be that Man has to make the effort to reach God in Christianity.
people who are cheap and wont buy HDTVs are racists.. they hate the 'HUMAN RACE' and its advancements in technology.
I have always believed in God, just not religion. So, you are saying that people are believing in the bible as an absolute truth, and that even though the bible says that God gave man a free will, it doesn't mean it? Can you explain that contradiction, please? DD
