What's your Religion?

Catholic is a pretty big branch.

haha

 

AL...

you or I are never going to convince the other, that our positions are the correct one. Never my intent anyway.

you asked a question...I did my best to try and answer. I even gave an example of "good that comes from religion" here: www.mercyministries.org

btw, happy to hear you believe and love God. for near 30 years I was "church-less" while still believing. then, something happened in my heart...I started going to church...did church-hopping for a while...and found a place I'm considering joining.

 

Jews are "religious"...

Muslims are "religious"

Buddhists are "religious"

there are others. all have different beliefs. most do believe in a deity though.

"real" Christians are those who have been water baptized and born again...real Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ...not many are very good at it...but the level one takes faith does not necessarily make him a "real Christian"

Christians believe the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

 

I understand the difference between Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. I was not referring to any religion other than Christianity when I said there are Christian denominations that believe in predestination. If you want to say those denominations are not Christian, that's fine. But I lump all Christians together. Just like I lump all Muslins together (because whether a "real" Muslim is Sunni or Shi'a or some other group isn't a fight I have any inclination to get into), I lump all Buddhists together, whether Therevada or Mahayana (had to look that one up!), and I lump Jewish people together whether reformed or not. You do it too, unless you've taken the time to understand the slight differences in practice and custom and belief between every denomination in every religion in the world.

Again though, am I to go around with a checklist based on the Nicene Creed and verify every Christian I talk to fits the criteria? And what happens when I have one who fits those criteria but also believes in predestination? Do I decide they are Christian or not? There are many beliefs someone could hold that are not specifically addressed in the Nicene Creed- but according to your own argument they would still be considered Christian because the person otherwise fits the criteria laid out in the Nicene Creed. And so it's very easy for someone to be Christian and believe to predestination.

 

very well articulated post Beth.

I could not argue with much of what you have posted (and wouldn't want to anyway)

 

Hahah thanks. Just realized I said Muslins in my post. LOL maybe they worship satin?

 

Auto correct striking again?

Actually that might be a good analogy for organized religion: best intentions but harmful for the user..

 

That's funny.

 

Enjoyed this thread (not that I read all of it, but a few of the first pages, a few in the middle and the last 5 or so).

Ya'll have been very respectfull and "tolerant" of differing views.

As a follower of Christ I agree with many of the questions given by non-believers - the apparent discrepiencies and internal pety arguments amongst christians only weaken our credibility to the world. As such I am truly sorry to read (and hear) your confusion.

Larry and a couple other members (sorry can't remember their names - and don't know how to go back thru the pages while posting) are very coherent, well versed, and seem biblically based. When you see something that appears to be contrary to other "christians" -ask these guys I don't think they will steer you to far off track! Remember we are all human and fallable - and some of us make all the right noises but still don't have the stuff. A quick example - I can sit in the garage on four wheels making car noises, but I still ain't a car!

In laymen terms, to me christianity boils down to the Relationship between me and Christ in my heart. This is then reflected to the world like a light and a mirror. Sadly the world sees the imperfections of the mirror while thinking it is the light that is imperfect; but the reality is that the me the mirror is the only imperfect part.

So anyhow kudo's to ya'll and thanks Larry and the others - I have enjoyed it!

rc

 

weird place to make a first post on a truck forum, but anyway right click the browser to open a new tab.

miracles have been know to happen, so keep at it.

 

LOL nobody ever said I was normal Actually that is what caught my attention - it is not a "normal" thread for a truck forum

hmmmm .... didn't think very hard did I? thanks for the info...

 

Thank you Royden, I've been on car forums where the average age is probably twice here...and involved in religious threads that were knock-down-drag-out...and this thread remains civil.

A testament to our youth. Gives me hope.

matter of fact, I was recently banned from a forum where I had over 13K posts...because I sent an unflattering PM to another member who constantly pushed buttons in such threads. He ran to the mods with the PM...I got the hammer.

Weak-sauce don't ya think?

1st post for many is pics of their truck or truck "build"...

Maybe we need more "faith build" threads.

Indeed they do...I'm living proof.

 

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge.html

Ill take 10 %, sound good?

 

Yeah, I have noticed that this is a fairly civil discussion. It's nice to see that even if people don't agree they can still offer some modicum of respect... Hopefully it even shows that not all of the non-believers are baby eating psychopaths. Many times I have had people be completely surprised because I (and many others) are not what they picture when they think of an agnostic or atheist.

For many people, just the fact that you admit (or recognize, I'm not trying to sound superior or harsh) that the internal squabbles and discrepancies in many religions weaken credibility is good. I know that I will not change anyone's mind in this thread, and that would never be my intention, but getting information, and having questions answered is always a worthwhile endeavour!

Hell, I was here by the 10th post... having been in some of the threads nothing that gets posted hear shocks me anymore... LMAO!

 

nope.

btw, it's not as if that site has a bias or agenda.

your mind appears to be made up...and my participation in this thread is not intended to change that.

I believe in miracles and the power of prayer. Non believers call it coincidence...so providing & proving such examples would be impossible to the mind already fixed on non belief in any deity.

 

Biased towards deductive reasoning, i would hope so. If you can repeat the miracle why not demonstrate it to them and get your million dollars? If you can't, what differentiates a miracle from coincidence, other than the word choice.

 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2002901053_pray31.html

A study by Harvard Medical School on the effects of intercessory prayer. The group that knew they were being prayed for suffered the most complications after heart surgery.

Of course I am not saying that prayer can't have a positive effect as well. Merely playing Devil's Advocate

 

god's a dick.

 

Happy to see you admit the site bias.

Some miracles can not be repeated. Some don't need repeating.

And, I don't care about the million dollars.

I already answered this. It is called belief in deity.

however, I will humor you...

coincidence = we both show up at the tire store the same day, after speaking of new tires a few months back.

miracle = we pray to God for a child with cancer, and a recent diagnosis shows the disease has gone into remission.

the 1st example is an act of 2 men and their free will...the 2nd example is beyond the controll of mortal man.

 

I thought your position was, there is no God