'What religion are you?' poll discussion

blammo

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I always found it odd that the bible:
1. has no 'author' list (and yes, i know the old testament was handed to Moses on mount Sinai if you believe Leviticus)

Actually it was the 10 Commandments which were handed to Moses on Mt Sinai and don't a lot those books in the New testament have names against them?

2. Is not read in its original language to avoid misinterpretation

Many ministers/priests are trained in ancient greek and hebrew.

3. Has no editorial history

it may surprise you to discover that ancient near eastern cultures didn't record their history the same way we do.

But it's all true. of course

If you say so!

thistledome

What a waste of time to argue about religion. Those that have the required blind faith won't be convinced otherwise and those that don't have blind faith can't be persuaded to have it. If you enjoy pointless arguments I suppose this is the thread for you. Have fun!

meher

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Jesus called the Pharisees ' a brood of vipers' (Matthew 12.36) and referred to the priests as 'Blind Guides (Matthew 23:16). He referred to the Pharisees as hypocrites also in Mathew 23:14-15.

Thanks seven, I've heard bible verses since the age of 3 for 15 good years and only too familiar. But the post I referred to, plucked the verses and put it in an unholy context with a dubious interpretation. Christ didn't intend to be rude as was the poster I referred to by belittling followers of other eastern religions or philosophies. His words were framed in a way asking people to commit totally to God and not pretend to be religious whilst neglecting the crippled, lame, blind and poor. His love for people was divine and not the worldly kind. Nothing He said was suggestive that other religions or followers were hypocrites, liars or fools. If you think otherwise, sorry to say that you haven't understood the teachings of Christ.

Likewise Islam's teachings is also one of submission to God. The customs and practises mostly come from imitating the Prophet and his life, not as if Islam asks you to follow anything specifically - that's a devotion of some kind of romantic nature. But people interpret it as if everyone is supposed to be fanatical in following it. Buddhism has lots of funny stuff going onas well, mostly concocted by the clueless converts. Essentially in Buddhism every moment is fleeting, everything subejct to change; there's no permanance. Everything around us is said to be an illusion, in the sense everything we perceive as real, is filtered through our senses - which is why we have different perceptions. The change within us as person and physiologically is that, which has been interpreted as reincarnation - not as if I'd be born again or that I'd be a feline creature next.

[Deleted User]

blammo wrote: »

Actually it was the 10 Commandments which were handed to Moses on Mt Sinai and don't a lot those books in the New testament have names against them?

Many ministers/priests are trained in ancient greek and hebrew.

it may surprise you to discover that ancient near eastern cultures didn't record their history the same way we do.


If you say so!

Well.. Rabbis read hebrew. Imam's read arabic.

I say priests and ministers are lazy.

Schneaky

I am a Christian - Other! I am a Pentecostal church minister (yes, one of those happy clappy ones!) and have been interested to read this thread.
I have degrees in Chemistry and Theology (I did Greek, but not Hebrew!), and am quite happy to declare that science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

Jesus Christ summed up what the Christian (and Jewish?) faith should be about, when he said that the most important commandment is love God, and then loving other people is essential too (Matthew chapter 22, verses 37 to 40). That is what church should be about, and so I am keen to stress that Christians should be friendly (loving) and make a positive difference to the people around them. That's what Jesus did - he helped those in need in society, and encouraged his followers to do the same.

Churches are made up of people, many who have made a decision to try and live as one of Jesus' followers, but we still make mistakes. I know I do. I was asked recently, "What if you are wrong, and there is no God?" My answer was that I have lived a life that is filled with hope, and I have tried hard to love others and live a good life according to the teachings of the Bible. What have I missed out on by living that way? But if I am right, then I have a glorious future, and not just one filled with harp playing! But I don't just believe as an insurance policy. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Bible is God's word, filled with the good news of his love for humanity.

seven-day-weekend

meher wrote: »

Thanks seven, I've heard bible verses since the age of 3 for 15 good years and only too familiar. But the post I referred to, plucked the verses and put it in an unholy context with a dubious interpretation. Christ didn't intend to be rude as was the poster I referred to by belittling followers of other eastern religions or philosophies. His words were framed in a way asking people to commit totally to God and not pretend to be religious whilst neglecting the crippled, lame, blind and poor. His love for people was divine and not the worldly kind. Nothing He said was suggestive that other religions or followers were hypocrites, liars or fools. If you think otherwise, sorry to say that you haven't understood the teachings of Christ.

.

I understand both the Biblical quotes and the OP's post in the same way as you do.:)

Jesus wanted the Priests and Pharisees to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

seven-day-weekend

Schneaky wrote: »

I am a Christian - Other! I am a Pentecostal church minister (yes, one of those happy clappy ones!) and have been interested to read this thread.
I have degrees in Chemistry and Theology (I did Greek, but not Hebrew!), and am quite happy to declare that science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

Jesus Christ summed up what the Christian (and Jewish?) faith should be about, when he said that the most important commandment is love God, and then loving other people is essential too (Matthew chapter 22, verses 37 to 40). That is what church should be about, and so I am keen to stress that Christians should be friendly (loving) and make a positive difference to the people around them. That's what Jesus did - he helped those in need in society, and encouraged his followers to do the same.

Churches are made up of people, many who have made a decision to try and live as one of Jesus' followers, but we still make mistakes. I know I do. I was asked recently, "What if you are wrong, and there is no God?" My answer was that I have lived a life that is filled with hope, and I have tried hard to love others and live a good life according to the teachings of the Bible. What have I missed out on by living that way? But if I am right, then I have a glorious future, and not just one filled with harp playing! But I don't just believe as an insurance policy. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Bible is God's word, filled with the good news of his love for humanity.

As another Christian - Other, I agree absolutely with this post.

maytaurus

thistledome wrote: »

What a waste of time to argue about religion. Those that have the required blind faith won't be convinced otherwise and those that don't have blind faith can't be persuaded to have it. If you enjoy pointless arguments I suppose this is the thread for you. Have fun!

The thread is actually
'What religion are you?' poll/ discussion

and I for one, am very interested to hear peoples opinions/beliefs on this subject and have been really pleased that it hasn't had people arguing, being abusive etc, as I thought it may have done because of the subject ... :T
Also as Meher said, whatever one’s own beliefs are, there is never a need to undermine and ridicule other philosophies

Mrs_Bones

I voted other. I'm an animist pagan who chooses to follow a northern tradition path.

snowmaid

What a lovely thread! :T For once no abuse hurling and one I am pleased to be a part of.