![[Shelbyville Times-Gazette]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
Shelbyville, Tennessee ~ Wednesday, December 3, 2008
| Blogs | 
|
|
2012 and Beyond ! Or Maybe Not ?
Posted Friday, January 25, 2008, at 3:18 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
I have been catching a lot of shows and articles on the date of Dec 21 2012. The date which according to several sources the world will end either literally or as we know it.
Everything from the Mayan calender to the Hopi Indians to ancient prophecies dating back before Christ. Even the prophet Nostradamus and his latest predictions point toward this date.
With all the crazy weather and the turmoil in Israel which I still say is God's timepiece the prediction may come true.
I keep track of headlines and news stories just to keep up with the news.
My prophets come from the bible and I have read the last chapters of Revelation so I am not concerned.
I f I go before tribulation or in the middle or I get martyred for my faith I have no worries for I will come back with Jesus to reign forever and ever.
My announcement will still be posted on Feb 3 .
Be Blessed! Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Hot topics By the People or By the Judges.(82 ~ 2:17 PM, Dec 3)
I Thought I had Seen It All !
Under the Radar
The Driving Force Behind Me!
Hades, Hell, Sheol, or What?
|
![[Feed icon]](http://www.t-g.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
Fynny how you bring up Nostradamus. Considering most "christians" consider him a false prophet. I do believe you shunned his beliefs in earlier blogs. But now you believe him. WHATEVER...the world will end when it ends, you just get off on scaring people.
There has been crazy weather since the beginning of time, it was just not as well known back them. But due to mass media, every single rain drop is reported about.
If you watch the Nostradamus Movie, he clearly predicted the end of the world as 5/5/2000...I do believe he got that one wrong, even though he has gotten alot right.
Did you skip over the Scripture that states, "No man shall know the day or time when I return"?
I did not say that I believed Nostradamus or anything else except the Bible.
No man will know the day or time but we will be abel to see it by the signs.
If my scaring somebody gets them to Jesus then it is worth it.
I am Christian, and do believe in the end of times, but I don't worry about it. I want to enjoy my family, and watch my children grow up.
Supposidly, it has been the "End of Times" for as long as I have lived. Funny, I just knew we weren't going to be here after the Mellinium! All the hype turned out to be nothing.
As much as I want to "Save" people, too, I certainly won't scare them into it! There is nothing more rude than creating a bunch of stories for people to make themselves sick over.
I know there is an end. I don't want to know when it is coming. I want to live my life with no worries.
If you don't believe in what Nostradamus says then don't bring him up. and scaring people DOES NOT, and I repeat DOES NOT get people into worshipping God or believing in Jesus, you just scare them away from it for good. It does more harm than you want to realize
People don't need to turn to God in order to be ready for the end of the world or the end of their lives.
They need to do it because it makes the time until then a lot more worthwhile.
It's easy to clean house right before company comes or cram right before a test but not only does that leave a person unprepared for the unexpected,it robs that person of a lot of time when they could enjoy that learning and that lack of dirt and clutter.
Do we want to build our lives around reacting to a crisis that hasn't happened yet or do we want to focus on improving our todays?
We look so hard at the future that holds all the terrible tragedies and all the pleasures we're postponing till "someday" that we don't even see the delights available to us here and now.
Do what you have to do to make your future more secure but do it because it brings richness to the present.
Read your books.
Balance your budget.
Tune up your car.
Paint the bathroom.
Contact someone you care about.
See your doctor.
Grow a garden.
Get the pizza off the ceiling.
Put on the good underwear.
Make friends with the Creator of the universe.
Do we really need to get saved so we won't dread seeing Him-or do we want to be ready to race up to Him the first chance we get?
I guess we can witness by pointing out that there's something worse than being with God-or we can demonstrate with our lives that there's nothing better.
People don't need to turn to God in order to be ready for the end of the world or the end of their lives.
They need to do it because it makes the time until then a lot more worthwhile.
It's easy to clean house right before company comes or cram right before a test but not only does that leave a person unprepared for the unexpected,it robs that person of a lot of time when they could enjoy that learning and that lack of dirt and clutter.
Do we want to build our lives around reacting to a crisis that hasn't happened yet or do we want to focus on improving our todays?
We look so hard at the future that holds all the terrible tragedies and all the pleasures we're postponing till "someday" that we don't even see the delights available to us here and now.
Do what you have to do to make your future more secure but do it because it brings richness to the present.
Read your books.
Balance your budget.
Tune up your car.
Paint the bathroom.
Contact someone you care about.
See your doctor.
Grow a garden.
Get the pizza off the ceiling.
Put on the good underwear.
Make friends with the Creator of the universe.
Do we really need to get saved so we won't dread seeing Him-or do we want to be ready to race up to Him the first chance we get?
I guess we can witness by pointing out that there's something worse than being with God-or we can demonstrate with our lives that there's nothing better.
Er...can we get a delete/edit function?
I'd like the option of removing a post when there's a little too much quantumcat in evidence.
You know Michael I always enjoy a Chritian point of view, but I have to admit I am a little disapointed that you would even metion God and Nostradomas in the same discussion.
I was only using him because a lot of people hold stock in what he says.
I am not trying to "scare" anybody just trying to show that even the non- believers are looking at end times.
It is not just from a Christian point of view but Jewish and Muslims alike.
If people get a little scared at what is starting to unfold in the world then maybe the "Hell" that is in the Bible will get scared out of them and they will accept the Saviour of all mankind which is Jesus Christ.
Everybody quotes John 3:16 but they need to read the next 2 verses to ,for those who will not accept him they will be judged for those who put their faith in him there is no judgment.
If more churches would scare the hell out of people they would not be going there but to coin a phrase from a dear Pastor I know 'I love you, but I won't love you to hell.
Think of what you'd expect of a teacher or physician or dentist.
Would you expect your professor to never say a sentence that didn't have the word "flunk" in it?
Would it be odd if your dentist brought up how tooth decay could destroy your heart or brain but never mentioned the benefits of an attractive smile?
How about the doctor who made every possible dire prediction about breaking health rules but forgot how proper diet,exercise and wellness care could add "life to your years" as well as "years to your life"?
You'd think they were a few ants short of a picnic.
But any person in those professions who never insisted that you learn the course material,brush and floss,leave off toxic habits,etc. would be betraying those they had pledged to serve.
As part of the "priesthood of all believers",even folks who aren't clergy are as honor-bound to witness as they are to report abuse or take the car keys from an impaired driver.
It's not done to give people nightmares or make them feel miserable about themselves.
It's to give them necessary truths that will,coincidentally enough,enrich and enhance the very lives they save.
It's not done to annoy or promote oneself.
It's done out of love.
Until we get the courage to offer a verbal witness,give someone a meaningful tract,etc; maybe we can spark interest in those not yet committed by letting God reveal Himself in our lives.
Let us be so kind,so honest,so free from hate and greed and fear that they want what we have.
We owe those around us more than half-truths.
Cotton-candy sermons are a half-truth.
Fire and brimstone sermons are,too.
God's tonic has the sweetness of molasses and the bitterness of sulphur.
It is the sweet that provides the aftertaste.
He didn't call His message the Gospel (Good News) for nothing.
Well Said!
Um Michael,
Are you really that weird? You posted.
"If my scaring somebody gets them to Jesus then it is worth it."
That is the most incomprehensible you could do to someone. So lying to someone to get them to Christ is ok? Something is seriously wrong with that mentality. Sad thing is, alot of Christians do that same thing. Use fear as a motivator to a self-reliant faith of falsehoods.
I don't see where Michael mentioned lying.
If I tell a friend that ignoring the discolored bump on their beef-jerky skin is asking to die of skin cancer,I'm not lying.
I may be giving them a worst-case scenario but I'm giving them the best information I have so they can make an important decision about their lives.
What they do with what I tell them is their business.
They have the right to take their chances and assume the consequences.
They also have the right to do what they can to avoid death or disfigurement.
I don't have the right to deny them the data they need to make an informed choice if I can help it.
I could be wrong.
Michael could be wrong.
But I'd rather be mistaken while trying to give someone a chance at a longer,fuller life than make an error that never gave them the chance to look into what I said and make the choice for themselves.
This isn't "Girls who whistle will grow beards."
This is "You probably don't want to shave your legs with a chainsaw in the shower."
Falsehoods aren't necessary.
Just make the truth available and trust people to have enough sense to do the right thing on their own.
Michael didn't mention lying in this particular blog, but quantumcat it is as simple as reading through to archives to know how many times he has used old scriptures, that have been proven to him to mean contrasting things...
He knows many of the scriptures he uses simply scare people, and make them feel vulnerable.. It's ironic, both Christianity and our government use fear tactics in order to amass a following. Then, after a few years or so, people suddenly wake up and realize there is more to life than being scared into believing something...
As for 2012, just the fact that Michael brings it up, then says "no man knows the end of time" is a complete contradiction. If you really think that, then that is all your blog should have said...
That's a good point.
Another way of looking at this is that while the world gets bent out of shape over Halley's comet,Y2K and such and some religious types are worrying about the Anti-Christ and whether the Tribulation will be pre-millenial,post-millenial or whenever,those who have put their future in God's hands are ready for whatever comes at any time.
We can see scarlet and purple and think Red Hat Society and not the Bimbo of Babylon.
We don't have to have heated theological arguments based on whether Jesus saw His shadow when he exited the tomb.
We don't care if Venus is in retrograde or how the drought has affected the water signs.
We focus on plain living and figure we'll adapt to whatever happens when it happens - with God's support.
I guess that's the same smugness one gets when all the holiday fixins' are done in September.
If you've done your homework,how much does it matter what's on the pop test or when it's given?
If you have peace of mind for the next four seconds,what difference does it make what four years from now may bring?
quantumcat,
You claim that being "saved" will give you peace of mind at judgement, but how do you know you are saved? What proof is there? Because the bible says so? Well everyone knows the Bible is incomplete so that cannot be the factual knowledge to know your soul is going to be saved from hell.
The next problem is using fear as a motivator is a sin, you can ask for forgiveness and if you are saved, it is wiped clean. But when asking for forgiveness, people wouldn't keep doing the same sin over and over. If this gives people a free ride to heaven, they are sadly mistaken. That is what is so flawed about the whole Christianity thing. It makes no reasonable sense to keep doing bad things over and over and then tell people I am going to heaven because I believe and have faith! LOL it's retarded.
That's so true Evil Monkey.. And it's BEYOND me how some of these same christian's think they know which sins are supposedly worse than others... Which book in the bible is it that gives me the top 10 sins according to severity? There isn't one.. BUT of course, just have faith. Because Jesus never included action, right?...
Well everyone knows the Bible is incomplete so that cannot be the factual knowledge to know your soul is going to be saved from hell.
-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 10:04 PM
I don't know what dictionary you are using but mine says everyone is a pretty inclusive word. I know of a few million people that are very sure the Bible is complete. So you saying that everyone knows the Bible is incomplete makes you, as you called me in another blog, a liar.
Excuse me, liar wasn't a very nice thing to say. I guess you are just deceived.
For I am Weak and Thou art strong! Yes I have to pray for forgiveness. People can sin by "Thought, Word, or Deed against God and/or others. My sins are not always the same sin. "I AM HUMAN so I make mistakes, sometimes I don't know that I have done "Thought, Word, or Deed that was a sin." And not intentially doing so, I have repeated a sin.
Example: I have some relatives that do things I don't think they should be doing, and If not said OUT LOUD to them in my mind I am saying the ugliest things about them, and have talked about them and what they have done to other family members. It is wrong to JUDGE, and I know that.
But when this same realitive is always coming around when they need something; and or WANT something and you know they aren't even trying, and aren't going to change "It makes you angry".
And I have judged other people at times by the things they say and do, I don't do it Intentionally, it is a human weakness of me. Overeating is a sin, and I am weak I do eat as much on my plate as I put on my husbands plate :( I don't mean to but it IS a weakness of mine, and I do be glad when I can get it under control; but like I said I have to pray for forgiveness and strenth to live in a way that is pleasant in Gods' sight.
All sins are to be forgiven, except Blasphemy (sp?)
I can not just ask God to forgive me for my sins and keep on sinning purposely because I BELIEVE he will forgive me just for saying it. I have to be sincere about it, and really want to change from my Evil ways. HE WILL KNOW my heart, and he will JUDGE if I should be forgiven or not.
So you saying that everyone knows the Bible is incomplete makes you, as you called me in another blog, a liar.
Excuse me, liar wasn't a very nice thing to say. I guess you are just deceived.
-- Posted by devan on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 10:21 PM
Actually, on Evil Monkey's behalf, if churches were so honest and you actually knew your history you would understand that if ANYONE is deceiving it is the church... Why NOT mention that a majority of the scriptures are missing? Why NOT mention that many scriptures were twisted, changed, and edited to mean something they didn't originally mean... Why NOT mention that perhaps, the reason tons of things don't make sense is b/c many rulers in their own respective times added words, deleted words, and OMG even CREATED new words b/c they didn't want the Bible to say that...?
Look at it this way, the Constitution was amended ALTEAST 20+ times, since the FINAL draft, actually many more times, and it is a "living, breathing, document", that has only been around for two centuries... The Bible however, has been around for MILLENIUMS, and has been amended, edited, etc THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of times, and yet somehow you think the text today, is the same text that the "divinely inspired" persons were told to write...
but ANYWAYS, all that to say this... we don't know when the world is going to end... never have known, never will know... let's get over that, and try making what little time we have left, leaving positive impacts, cleaning up our messes, and begin to start giving back more then we take away from God's creation... If we ponder the days of old, and dream of our future, the most crucial part is left out... the present. Can we focus on the present time and correcting the horrible world we have created, else the future won't even matter...
Darrick,
His way of thinking is simple, Sheeple-thought. He can't think for himself, he thinks what millions of other people are told to believe. He can't fathom that he has been led down a path of falsehood.
Devan,
You are the sheeple that has been decieved. You have never proved one point to me that anything you have stated was true. I, on the other hand, have shown documented proof that the bible has been so decimated into rubbish that you can't even imagine.
And if you feel I am a liar, I can handle that, because the everyone I know, has a brain. The everyone you know, is brainwashed. Now if you want to discuss this face to face, I am willing to do it anytime, anyday. Oh and bring a copy of your College transcripts, I would like to compare them to mine.
I'd like to referee...
your proof that says the Bible is incomplete is proof to you , my faith is proof is proof to me.
I also read the lost books and the lost gospels but I also have the Jewish text to go by which is very accurate.
I am sure man done some things he should not have and that is why my faith rides on 2 things.
Christ died and Christ lives as far as all else me and Jesus have all that worked out.
I never said 2012 was it just making a random thought but I do believe that we are the chosen generation to see the second coming.
If the Middle East signs a seven year peace agreement then we will see I guess.
The world will never end just be changed back into what God intended.
No pain
No sickness
No sin
No immorality
No death
No sorrow
No tears
No suffering
No war
Sounds like a place where I would want to be.
Not like the one now where anything goes where the hottest topics is abortions and the same sex agenda.
I pray that Jesus comes now to straighten this world out but he will in his own time.
The way to clean up the world is to clean up the hearts in it because that is where the evil lies.
I shouldn't do this but I am compelled to.
Micheal compared time frames from the Bible & Nostradamus. Nostradamus was a Soothsayer and predictor. He has been proven wrong. However, the Bible clearly states we are all born into Sin, since Adam & Eve. The above arguments are proof that God also gave "Free Will" at the time of Adam and Eve. I have had the same feelings about being "Saved" just before death. God clearly states in the Bible, that the penalty for sin IS death. The human being is the Only living creature on Earth, that shortly after we are born, we realize that someday we will die.
The Bible states that "The Next Generation will not pass, when Israel becomes a state. Israel became a state in 1949. By coincidence, my date of birth IS 1949. I am 59, and my life expectancy is approximately 75 years. I used to be a greeter in a church in another state. Out of a congregation of 55, 6 people had the power to replace the preacher because he preached the truth, and that's not what they wanted to here. I Shelbyville, I've attended 1 church. I asked the pastor 1 simple question. I didn't like his answer so I quit going. My wife continued for about 1 year. She was told to DIVORCE ME. This is my experience with organized religion. I have been fired from 1 job for bringing 3 people to the Lord. I have smuggled Bibles in Saudi Arabia for 3 years. I have looked serious consequences in the face.
Here is my point: Keep your eyes on Israel. When Gog & Magog come against Israel, and the situation looks hopeless, God Will intervene, because the Israeli's are God's favorite people.
(Revelation). The beginning will be the building of the Temple in Israel. That's why there is a bitter fight between the Israelis & Muslims, for the control of the Temple site.
When Jesus comes back, the Bible clearly states, "DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES FROM HIM"
If this happens in my lifetime, I won't strike another blow to metal or reach for a wrench.
Because you are saved, and you will know it in your own heart, there will be another time in Heaven, where each and every one of us will stand before God, to be judged by him, with Jesus at his side. What have you done in your life?
Good works won't get you there, however God saw from before you were born, because it is His plan, not ours.
Remember, getting there is half the battle, because there will be rewards to be given, and also a BURNING LAKE OF FIRE. What is God going to do with you? You probably know in your heart at this minute.
My final though: KEEP YOUR EYES ON ISRAEL, and DO THE MATH. No doubt we are in the End Times. Look around you at what is happening in Shelbyville. You are looking at a SPECK in the World. Russia & China are rising up. Look at your income and the taxes you pay. Remember what Jesus did with the Tax Collectors. Our people in power today that defraud, steal, & tax, have their own Judgments to deal with.
Me, I ready to go home!
AMEN BROTHER!
I can't be "sure" of much of anything (secular or spiritual) by the world's lights.
I can't get around the sins of omission and commission that my life includes.
I can't even prove that a true idea or emotion is any more than a bunch of electrochemical reactions.
But,I try to do the best I can with what I've got.
Maybe I'd be just as well off if the only source of love I knew was oxytocin.
I know that the Bible has been reworked by Man.
I know that each person brings his or her own perceptions and interpretations to the version of Holy Writ they've been given.
But,I count on a foundational reality that predates human interference and will continue to go beyond it.
Does the Bible contain the word of God?
Newsflash: The Word cannot be contained.
Set aside all the teleological,eschatological,ontological and illogical rhetoric aside and it's still about human responsibility and how we treat one another.
We can talk exegesis,eisogesis or come-to-Jesus from sun-up to sun-down and it won't matter unless we have used our talents and free will in a caring fashion.
Can an unsaved person be ethical and compassionate without a committment to God?
I'd think so but it's easier when you have a life-affirming relationship going on that takes things past theology or dogma and myth and straight into a tangible friendship.
How do I know that the God who speaks to my heart isn't a product of brainwashing and wishful thinking?
Because the God I made up wouldn't get on my case for misapplying the blessings I've received.
He'd tell me that divine grace would express itself in how much acne and cellulite a person had.
Every bite of chocolate would remove a sin from this plain of reality and we wouldn't be expected to love the people we can't even like.
Life would be more like the material view that says nothing has significance or the magical view that says all can be manipulated.
Instead,we have a world where everything matters and we can't control half of one percent.
Oh,yes,that's the kind of world we'd all imagine.
Maybe I can't prove the reality of my faith any more than I can prove the worth of my secular ideologies.
I know they could use better confirmation than my life offers.
But,it's given me enough joy and solace and sense of purpose to get me through all the pain and frustration and boring parts.
I don't think I could believe in a "someday" salvation after I leave here.
I believe I AM saved (not will be).
It hasn't been about avoiding Hell.
It hasn't been about being blissful and prosperous every second of life.
It certainly hasn't been about "earning" salvation or being chosen for special treatment.
It's felt like coming home and becoming who I'm supposed to be.
I don't know that much about Synoptics or synapses.
This just works for me.
(Your mileage may vary.)
quantumcat: I had the same feelings years ago. The answer is YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS & GOD. No human can see your spirit. Only you know. You really are the Judge of yourself, no one else. Feel confident.
Thought: A few years ago, the medical people determined that when you die, the electrical impulses in your body cease. The medical people consider this your spirit, because of near death or death to life experiences.
Scientists have proven that an electrical impulse can travel Light Years in just a few seconds.
Both Scientists and the medical people have shut up, because they are at odds with one another.
Take this for what it's worth.
I don't think Atheist's have a problem.
The Bible speaks more about struggle than anything, mostly with yourself.
My Opinion: I'll take the High Road!
I can't stop, because I suffer intolerable headaches & can't sleep.
I commend Micheal for this Blog. If he wasn't confident, he wouldn't do it.
How to start a fire: Get a pile of wood, get 2 people on either side and have one talk politics and the other religion. The wood will be on fire in a matter of minutes.
This life is a TEST for Christians. When Jesus comes back with his Army, it WILL NOT be pretty. Like Micheal said previously, he wants to be in that Army, so do I.
I'll quit now.
Micheal: I have some things you may enjoy. PM ME at bodyguyfenderbender@yahoo.com
but ANYWAYS, all that to say this... we don't know when the world is going to end... never have known, never will know... let's get over that, and try making what little time we have left, leaving positive impacts, cleaning up our messes, and begin to start giving back more then we take away from God's creation... If we ponder the days of old, and dream of our future, the most crucial part is left out... the present. Can we focus on the present time and correcting the horrible world we have created, else the future won't even matter...
-- Posted by darrick_04 on Sun, Jan 27, 2008, at 12:03 AM
You said in another blog that we never agree on anything. I think there have been a few things that we have agreed on in the past. I definitely agree with you on what you posted above. I hope that men of good conscience can always find some common ground.
As to the first two paragraphs of your post, I am sure that you and Evil Monkey are aware that there are several modern translations of the Bible that have skipped the last two millennium of history and gone back the oldest existing texts and attempted to create more pure translations. Some people are still stuck in a King James only world but don't lump everyone into that group.
Nostradamus and the Bible do have a few things in common, sometimes their predictions are false. And two people can read the same things and interpret it completely different.
I dunno how many contradictions Nostradamus' readings contained, but I do know that "divinely inspired" book has over 300. I just don't see how anyone can turn a blind eye to the fact that MEN wrote the Bible, and it may at one time have been perfect.. It isn't perfect, anymore however, because anything man touches he adds a little of his own opinion to it. Just like everyone on these blogs... We have, for instance, one group of people on this side of the aisle, and another on this side.. What happens when both sides of the aisle get a message from god, and each write down what they think he said.. You get TWO COMPLETELY different interpretations. People, since Adam and Eve have never been perfect, so how then could they have created a perfect book, regardless of any inspiration... I know many authors who write books because of divine inspiration, and none of those people are perfect.
But like devan pointed out, I just think we need to stop focusing on the Bible, because honestly... It WAS god's word until man added his two cents. No difference than when humans were without sin, until they didn't believe what he said, and had to do things their own way.
But like devan pointed out, I just think we need to stop focusing on the Bible, because honestly... It WAS god's word until man added his two cents. No difference than when humans were without sin, until they didn't believe what he said, and had to do things their own way.
-- Posted by darrick_04 on Sun, Jan 27, 2008, at 3:19 PM
I don't think that's what I said. What I said or meant to say is that we would be better off focusing on those things we have in common instead of being in conflict over those we disagree about. That doesn't mean we won't have disagreements (about the Bible and other things) just that when we do they should be done with a good faith effort to understand the other's point of view.
And if you feel I am a liar, I can handle that, because the everyone I know, has a brain. The everyone you know, is brainwashed. Now if you want to discuss this face to face, I am willing to do it anytime, anyday. Oh and bring a copy of your College transcripts, I would like to compare them to mine.
-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sun, Jan 27, 2008, at 1:50 AM
What good would meeting face to face do. We could meet face to face everyday from now to eternity and not prove anything because we put our faith in different things. What you call documented proof is to me no proof at all. You have proof that the Bible has been added to and changed. That I believe also. You believe it has been done purely for human purposes. I believe it has been done for God's purposes. If it is to contain God's truth as I believe, then it can't be a "Wiki-Bible" - posted on the internet and open for anyone who wants to add any information they want. There has to be some authority to determine what should be left in and what should be left out. I trust the authorities who have done this. You obviously don't.
As far as being a sheeple I confess. I would rather be a sheep following the Good Shepherd that a leader leading a flock to destruction.
As far as college transcripts go I have already told you more about mine than I know about yours so that ball is in your court. I did not open that subject. You asked the question and I answered it.
Surely y'all aren't suggesting that a college edumacation is needed to have sound opinions.
Some people with impressive transcripts aren't very bright while some others who have done a semester or two in the School of Hard Knocks are pretty much on the ball.
So,let's omit the curriculum vitae shall we?
I don't care if someone is an autodidact,graduated from the Ivy League or sent off to a diploma mill for a twenty-five cent Phd.
Have they developed the habit of thinking and learning and listening to people?
The people with horse sense can get information whether they acquire it through standard academic channels and "make good grades" or not.
I agree quantumcat. You have an unusual style but it always hits the mark.
Thank you.
You're one of the more intriguing people on here plus your calm and thoughtful approach is a good counterpoint to the spirited words of some of our other posters.
I hope no one is offended if I make the comparison of a cool,sweet sherbet alongside the lively curry that is darrick_04 and Evil Monkey.
Both extremes can be very refreshing.
Sorry for delay, been working 20 hour days getting a website finished before the 1st of February.
How do you feel my assertations are extreme? It is simple, to the point and I can back up my opinions with facts and documents.
My arguments are not for the purpose of atheism nor are they for it. I am merely stating they are worshiping a book made by people stating it is the word of god, in which it really isn't.
God never said follow the Bible, Man did. People who had clearly had no business messing with the Bible, did so. It made their power more impressive. Anyone that follows the book is only doing so because they were told to follow it by their peers, pastors, preachers, priests, and popes because it gives them more POWER over you.
I mean, it is common sense. They get more money, you get the shaft and the "eternal life" promise. If you read the books of the Bible that were removed, you would see alot of information and questions being answered regarding what really happens at judgement day.
For example, in our bible, it says soothsaying is a sin. Yet, John did it, Job, Isaiah, Daniel, etc. But in the other books, it was a nornal part of the Gnostic Christians life. And today it is suppressed, why do you think that is? Do certain people fear that kind of power because their true motives would be discovered?
I am curious on your opinions.
As long as the other books do not cancel out the death and resurection of Jesus and acceptance of him gets eternal salvation then I would have no problem with them.
Let's flip this over and look at the other side. I say that all the writings that have been removed from the "Bible" are the things that man wrote. What is left is God's word to human kind. So you are right men had no business messing with the Bible. Most all of Christendom agrees on the content of the Bible if only we could get more agreement on how to interpret what we have!
Are you using soothsaying and prophecy interchangeably. They are much different in meaning from a Bible perspective.
Are you a Gnostic?
"Extreme" was not said as a criticism.
I referred to your "styles" as being at different points on a continuum.
Each of the posters brings a unique perspective and different information on a given topic.
That gives us more to think about.
I consider it a blessing that we don't all parrot the same ideas without examination.
Discussions such as these show that these issues can be challenging and provocative and not just a way to cure insomnia between hymns and passing around an offering plate.
quantumcat,
Those two are ticked off because they are trying to pick a fight with you. Your taking the high road, bravo.
tdc,
Actually you are wrong, I am never ticked off. This is the first time I asked him a question and that was related to me in general. So go take the high road and get off the crack. Glad you had some constructive input, really added to the conversation.
devan,
No, I don't practice any form of mystical crap, I just know what is right and what is wrong. I don't see how you can be so sure about God's word as the Bible as he has never stated that was so. Of course, Most of all Christendom is going to believe that, they are told that from the day they are born. It is so inbred from centuries of oppression and fear that they had no choice but to believe.
The question regarding to soothsaying and prophecy is actually a question you should be able to answer. They both do the same thing, but there are different ways of obtaining their own results.
Michael,
None of the books have ever refuted the claims that Jesus died and rose from the dead. Actually alot of them show alot more details into his life. You actually get to know who he was from birth to an old man.
The reason alot of the books were removed was because certain scholar deemed them too revealing about heaven, hell and earth. You will find that eternal damnation is not going to happen like the clergy want you to believe.
But people will continue to believe and that is fine with me. If they really feel fulfilled and happy about themselves, So be it.
Comment: DEAD SEA SCROLLS
I have read the other books to
I haven't read them, what are the missing books of the bible?, and where can you get them? I would like to read them for myself.
This is one source for New Testament apocrypha (from the Greek language meaing "those hidden away").
http://www.comparative-religion.com/chri...
Thanks devan.
Thank you,devan!
(Thanks to tdc,too.)
I've had the Dead Sea Scrolls,the Apocrypha and a few others at one time.
(I don't know if I could lay my hands on them now.)
What books do you have,Evil Monkey? Are these alternate texts available in our library,on the net or through an inter-library loan?
I'm not kidding when I say we ought to have some courses available here on comparative religions,how the Bible came to be,theology,philosophy,denominational histories,etc.
Too many people don't know about their own religious or political background-much less the other fellow's.
A little examination of what they believe and why could strengthen a sound faith and call into question a lesser belief system that was just "inherited".
I'd love to see some continuing education or Chautauqua type courses done here or some discussions rather like Teddy Bart's roundtable or Steve Allen's old program,"Meeting of Minds."
We may have television,the Internet,junior colleges,movies and such but that hasn't erased our need for something like the Lyceums and Mechanics' Institutes of old.
These provided cultural events,vocational instruction and entertainment to the common folk in out-of-the-way places.
We might not draw in acts like William Jennings Bryan or bluegrass icon Bill Monroe but we could do pretty well with our home team.
Instead of griping that people don't know the facts or haven't been taught critical thinking,we could give people the tools to create their own belief systems for themselves.
Would some of you be interested in attending such programs?
Would you be willing to lead them or work up curricula?
These blogs show that there would be people who would want to learn-and people who would be qualified facilitators.
I try to stay away from religious blogs not because I don't believe in God because I do believe in God. We had to come from somewhere and I do not believe in evolution.
But for the life of me I just can not believe the Bible was written by God.. I would like to think that he gave us something to live by but is the Bible really what he gave us?
God supposedly told us many things in his Bible teachings. Religion is an important factor in everything he preaches I have to wonder considering he told us so much "Why did God Fail to tell us which Religion was the correct religion to follow" "Why would he make his book so complicated, if he truly wanted us to follow it?"
All I can do is be the best person I can possibly be and hope that is enough.
The Apocrypha were the 14 books that were taken out in 1875, those are some of the best books regarding Jesus.
The Gnostic texts (around 30 of them) were pretty good because you get alot more information regarding Heaven, Hell, Earth and a TON of Jesus information about his life on Earth. 9 More texts were mentioned in the Gnostic books but haven't been located yet.
I find it all very interesting to read because it opens up alot more believable reasons for why things happened. Most of the books answer so many questions about the lives of any of the characters in the Bible.