Statics tell us that 86% of the American people want God and all that He stands for in our schools, our workplaces, our court rooms, while the 14% of Americans that don't are winning this battle.

What statistics are you going by? Are they from a Christian organization? What battle? Don't know about you, but every "Christian" I did any business with screwed me out of the money that we agreed upon. I had to take a few of them to court, if "God" was in the courtroom, I wouldn't have gotten paid.

God in school? Pulease, I know of several teens in High school that were tormented by local churchgoers to the point of suicide. Yes suicide. They were denied an education because they were not in that particular church that tormenting teens and the Principal went to. What was the outcome? The accused got off and the other teens were not allowed in that school.

You can keep your morals, your standards and push them off on people in your Church. Why do you feel that your religion has a right to push your morals onto the general public? Guess what? Alot of people are sick of it, they know its a load of crap and know what to expect if they were to allow it.

Jesus didn't go into peoples homes or knock on peoples doors. He went to isolated mountain areas and places where he was invited when he spoke. Do you honestly think Jesus would say this stuff? or want to change laws? Did he do that in the bible?

Why do you people think this is what God wants? Don't you understand alot of people are sick of it? Thats why you never get what you want? Because it is unreasonably not Christ-like.

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. After a few hundred years, a man named Jerome translated the whole bible into Latin. The Latin Bible (Vulgate) was used for a 1,000 years until Latin wasn't the language of most people anymore and only a select few educated men could read it.....

so who says that what we read is even the correct thing??? It was translated by "imperfect men" that could have made the words mean whatever they wanted to. For example if you brought me something written in German, and I claimed knowledge of the German language, then I could tell you whatever I wanted to tell you and you would believe it because at that time you would have no way of proving that I was correct or incorrect.

I am so tired of hearing "It's what God wants" when you people have ABSOLUTELY no clue what he wants, unless he dials you up and tells you. Just like you have no clue if what you are reading is even the correct translations.

Once again, you are told that he delivered the translation,under inspiration. Okay, so when the bible is rewritten for the billionth time (exaggeration, yes, but it being rewritten, a great possibility)and all the scriptures change (and they will). Him "inspiring and telling" someone what to write does not mean that they got it right or words that they used even mean the same in today's age. Things change and words get new meanings.I can tell you whatever I want and that does not make it the truth. Man is imperfect and once again, can make you believe whatever they want you to. Just because one man said that God told him what to say does not make it so, like in today's world, if someone was to say "God told me to kill this person because he was evil....etc. etc." NOONE would believe him and he would be locked up. Well I can argue that "How do you know what God did or didn't tell someone?" Because you all claim that God talked to people in those days, so does he still talk to people now? Or did that just end. There were even prophets in the old days and now someone claiming to be a prophet is considered "against God" or just plain evil. You can't have it both ways, you can't say he spoke to people then and had prophets THEN, but not in this day and age.

I am just sick sick sick of hearing people say that things are "against God" and that "God would/wouldn't want this" because once again, YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HE TRULY WANTS....UNLESS HE HAS SPOKEN DIRECTLY TO YOU.

America is NOT A COUNTRY BUILT ON CHRISTIANITY...it was a country built so people could have freedom of religion. This country, much to your dismay, is not God's chosen nation, we are the least of his worries. We are not going to Hell in a hand basket. Michael likes to focus on one or two bad things and not focus on ANY GOOD that happens in the world. He is a preacher of evil(that is his obsession) and I feel bad for those that follow him (if he ever becomes a preacher, GOD FORBID) because if I had no knowledge of God or the Bible, he would have me scared to death and turned off from "Evil God" that will strike me down at any minute. He is completely insane and such a sheep.

You just used three paragraphs to do everything but address the issue. Why is it you believe that an eternal God can't even guide an accurate account of his word through a few thousand years of history? It doesn't depend on men. God's word is an extension of himself.

It is ok to disagree with Michael Bell's opinion or belief but to slander him because he believes in something that you do not makes you lesser of a person no matter what you believe in. It's ok to disagree with him and tell him why you disagree and what reasons you have for it but to call him "evil" and the like are very immature and go against the very nature of this forum . . . to discuss in a rational and civil way our similarities and differences. There are some things I disagree with him on but his opinion is just as valid as mine and so I find it best to state my opinion and if he wants to discuss it then its fine but I see no use in name calling or mud slinging just to be flaming. Just because we have a computer and anonymity does not give us the excuse to react in such a volatile way and to place judgment on someone, especially when we are accusing them of the same exact thing.

We all have different beliefs about religion and God and how it exists and we need to learn how to take the negative energy from these discussions and turn them into a positive way to make ourselves a better person. A person from a certain religion(Baptist, Mormon, etc) does not need to believe that they are the only ones who know the true way to God . . . God didn't create religion and he speaks to each and every person and knows their unique situation and will base his judgment on what he knows. It is not our place to judge but we can try and be the best person we can and hopefully that will be a model unto others. Let's focus more on our own faults and not that of others.

I agree that the bible has some translation problems , that is I why I research with the Greek and Hebrew Concordance to learn how and what the original manuscripts said.

Plus being filled with the Holy Ghost God does talk to me he talks softly but sometimes he talks loud when I do something my way and not his..

The power of the Holy Ghost is the gift that I used to reject for years because of church doctrine , but it gives you revelation to see The Kingdom of Jesus Christ here and now!

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." ~ Susan B. Anthony

and I have to also say that this country was not founded on Christian principles. That is a false statement. One of our greatest founding fathers has stated many times that this is false.

I will let Mr. Jefferson speak for himself.

"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity."

-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

"Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law."

-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814

"It is between fifty and sixty years since I read it [the Apocalypse], and I then considered it merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams."

-Thomas Jefferson, letter to General Alexander Smyth, Jan. 17, 1825

These were just a few that I found. I find it very fascinating that people think America was founded for Christian principles. May I even say, I find it laughable.

80% is missing? That I truly believe. It's like trying to use a new recipe with 80% of the ingredients not listed.

That is a very interesting fact that has grabbed my attention and opened up my curiosity.

and I have often wondered why they are not Catholics. Only makes sense that they would be, or atleast be Jewish, since their savior was Jewish and his chosen people are Jewish. You ever wonder if they have gotten it all wrong and twisted?

You can keep your morals, your standards and push them off on people in your Church. Why do you feel that your religion has a right to push your morals onto the general public? Guess what? Alot of people are sick of it, they know its a load of crap and know what to expect if they were to allow it.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sun, Dec 16, 2007, at 5:03 PM

Thats pathetic, if youre so sick of it then dont read it! Our God is slow to anger, boy its a good thing!

Real full-blooded God-given sense to make the right choice.

Which would be WHAT? Matter of fact scratch that. I dont care what you think!

If Michaels post bother you so much why do you read them?

I think the Ten Commandments cover it. I also think you just want to argue, no thanks!

You can question and observe whatever you like. I for one do believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, yours and mine!

Have a nice day!

I dont think any of his questions are deserving of an answer to be quite honest, No one will change my beliefs! Who are you or anyone else to condemn Michael. You are doing exactly what you are accusing him of yourself!

Is all sin equal? Food for thought.

"I think that it is biblical and necessary to say that some sins are more grievous in the site of God than others. This also translates into the assumption that some people are sinners to a greater degree than others. Even though Protestants may not agree with the theology behind the Roman Catholic distinction between mortal and venial sins, there are many instances in the Scriptures where degrees of sin are distinguished.

1. Christ tells Pilate that the Jewish leaders have committed a worse sin than him, saying "he who has handed me over to you has committed the greater sin" (Jn. 19:11).

2. Certain sins in the law are distinguished in a particular context as an abomination to God, implying that others are not as severe (e.g. Lev. 18:22; Duet 7:25, 23:18, Isa. 41:24) .

3. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is set apart as a more severe sin than blasphemy of the Son (Matt. 12:31)

4. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists particular sins in such a way as to single them out because of their depraved nature, separating them from others.

5. There are degrees of punishment in Hell depending on the severity of the offense (Lk. 12:47-48).

6. Christ says of the Pharisees "You strain out a gnat while you swallow a camel" (Matt. 23:24). If all sins are equal, Christ's rebuke does not make any sense.

7. Related to the last, Christ also talked about the "weighter things of the law" (Matt. 23:23). If all sins are equal, there is no law (or violation of that law) that is weightier than others. They are all the same weight.

So where does this folk theology come from? Well, most people would refer to Christ's comments in the Sermon on the Mount. Most particularly, reference is made to Matt. 5:27-28 as justification for this way of thinking.

"You have heard that it was said, 'you shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt. 5:27-28 27).

Is there a difference in the eyes of God between thinking about adultery and actually doing it? Absolutely. If we say anything other than this, we do damage to God's character and encourage the act based upon its premonition. The point Christ makes in Matt. 5:28 is not that lust and the actual act are equal, but that they both violate the same commandment, even if the degrees of this violation differ. This way, Christ was telling all people (particularly the religious establishment of the day) that thought they were safe because they had fulfilled the letter of the law that the law runs much deeper. The spirit of the law is what matters. Therefore, if you have ever lusted, you have broken the sixth commandment. If you have ever hated your brother, you have broken the fifth commandment (Matt. 5:22). But, again, the breaking of the principles of the commandment is the issue, not the degree to which it is broken. Think about this (another reductio), if you believe that adultery and lust are equal in the sight of God, then here are the results: Any man or woman can justify divorce based upon the fact that in Matt. 5:32 Christ condemns divorce except for marital infidelity. All they need to do is make the safe assumption that their spouse has lusted to some degree during their marriage. As well, if a man were to lust after a woman on the Internet, he might as well commit the actual act, since in God's eyes he already has. As well (I am rolling), if you have ever lusted after a girl, then you should marry her since in God's eyes you are one with her (1 Cor. 6:16).

Again, I think that this way of thinking is not only wrong biblically, but it also has repercussions that lead to a distorted worldview and a discrediting of the integrity of God.

It is true; all people are sinners. All people are sinners from birth. But not all sin is equal. I think that it is safe to say that while not all people sin to the same degree, we all share in an equally depraved nature. But for the grace of God upon us, we would all rebel as the devil."

http://reclaimingthemind.org/blog/index....

Nice comments Devan, and utterly you clearly have some basis (if you don't believe in Jesus) on what you just transcribed. But, it seems that we are not Pharisees (the people leading the flock to the slaughter) spewing forth fearmongering to bring in subjects (victims).

Most of the said are OLD LAWS, Old Testaments teachings, Once Jesus died, they were no longer valid. The first one, you know, the Jewish leaders that judged Jesus for misdoings are the ones that are more sinful. But isn't that what Michael has been doing? What did Pilate do wrong? If I remember correctly, all he did was wash his hands of it.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirt - Really how would you even describe that? Unless it would mean filling people's heart full of death, fear, despair and the "you are going to hell cause you don't believe how I do..." Then yeah, I guess that is pretty bad sin.

As for the "you strain a gnat", I think Christ is referring to the fact the pharisees are judging everyone, yet they are far from perfect as the accused. Wow, is anyone starting to see a pattern here...

As Christ is using metaphors in his teachings when refering to the Old Jewish laws. Just as Lust can be alot of things, Lust of Food, Sex, Money and Drugs. Are you saying since someone should marry drugs? Or Food? Because that is basically what you are saying since you want to take things literal.

I appreciate your detailed explanations above, but honestly I see no real merit to any of them.

Look, I am just going by what the whole Bible says, Not just picking small parts of a verse and making my whole belief system behind that one part of several verses.

Many of the comments surrounding this article are way out in left field. For one, if anyone was mistreated or ripped of by a person claiming to be a Christian, just so you know, claiming and being are too different things. Many will call out to God in the last days and He will say, I never knew you.

As for our schools, so many of our school age children are so confused about Christianity only because there are so many hypocrits in our churches and yes even on TV.. God is a merciful God, when we are humbled by His teachings. I has a personal experience involving a student making death threats on the internet toward another student. You see more and more of this on TV and close to home as opposed to Oklahoma or Colorado. Just a few weeks ago in Marshall Co, there was such a threat and a gun found in school. This is in our back door. These threats should not be taken lightly as the persons making these threats are in some way troubled and need help. If more schools offered extra classes to those wishing to attend a teaching of the Bible by a true Chistian, it could help them to reach out to these troubled students. Our kids need to be uplifted not condemed for the turmoil that makes them they way they are. God has a plan for your life, or I believe before you are ever born, and the road is layed out for you. You have choices that you make that alter this destination and you may never reach the potential God had in mind for you, but the intention was and is still there. God wants you to be productive and prosper in the world today, and Hell fire and brimstone may not work for everyone today as it did enons ago. The truth is that unless we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and believe John 3:16, then we will never see the wonderful life God has ordained for us. It does not matter what your Religous preference is, that verse applies to everyone.

When Jesus died on the cross he made the WHOLE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT a moot point...his blood washed away all those sins including but no limited to the Ten Commandments. I don't think Michael has a grip on that reality yet and neither do preachers who want to preach out of it but say "oh that and that doesn't matter because that was before Jesus"

You are right Evil Monkey, it is all very confusing. They preach brimstone and damnation from the very testaments they claim to be invalid. Gee that makes alot of sense (nonsense that is)

Devan, in a previous blog Michael HIMSELF said that we no longer have to live by the old testament, that the blood of Jesus washed those sins clean, hence the fact that we eat pork, shellfish and no longer stone our neighbors for working on Sunday or sell our daughters into slavery.

Sorry but you can't have it both ways, you can't say it was washed away and then in the next breath say that we need to live by it, if you want to, then by all means do so, and then let me know what the going price for daughters are these days.

Most of the said are OLD LAWS, Old Testaments teachingsPosted by Evil Monkey on Fri, Dec 21, 2007, at 3:22 PM

Only a couple of these references come from the Old Testament. The other eight are from the New Testament. Some reference the Old Testament teachings and since Jesus used them I would think he found merit in them. After all the Old Testament was the one Jesus read and taught from.

The Old Conenant which I like to call it is all a foreshadow of things to come.

Jesus did not change one dot or one tittle of the law , but because it could not be kept he died in our place.

Every thing is on faith and grace , but God will judge the people including me I justt jugge the demonic spirits that cause people to do what they do.

For evil spirits do exist and have control over peoples lives and choices they make.

The "Word"spoken of in John is Jesus the "Word" in the Old Covenant is the first 5 books or the Torah which details Jesus that is if the Holy Spirit shows you.

I love to read all the bible and it is what strenghtens me and leads my life if it offends some then no apoligies will be given for I have no concern about being "politically correct" just Biblically as correct as I can.

It all boils down to faith and if my faith is all for not then who will know?

I have no doubt in my eternal home and am noy afraid to die ,are you?

AGREED... yet again Evil Monkey!!!

LOVE the way they forget that only 144,000 people will be going to heaven. Who wants to bet he will be converting to judaism by this time tomorrow?

It really pains me that "true" christian don't even know what they are reading. For example, You make mention of Matt 23:23, 24... Um did you read that? Jesus is referring to actual Roman law, Not jewish law.. in verse 24, Strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel! It's an expression indicating care for little faults and a corresponding unconcern for big ones.

That one made me laugh because I see alot of that right now.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Dec 24, 2007, at 11:59 PM

Mat 23: 23, 24 - I fail to see how the Pharisees paying tithes to support the Levites has anything to do with Roman Law.

You are right there is a lot of gnat straining going on thats how this particular discussion got started. The question was is all sin equal. It seems to me if you say it is then you are the one straining out the gnat and choking on the camel.

I'm assuming you already know this but I will explain anyway. The tithe was the "tax" paid by Jews to support the Levites who were the tribe charged with religious duties which included maintaining the temple. The Pharisees were dutiful in keeping this law but were neglectful in following the "weighter things of the law" such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. So on the scale of God's judgment the sins of not being just, being unmerciful and unfaithful were greater than the sin of not paying the tithe.

Well, we finally agree on something.

Might I recommend a book. It's called "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Phillip Yancey. I think you might like it.