I believe in God.
I don't believe Mary was a virgin. I believe Jesus was a great man, but he wasn't the son of God.
I don't believe Mary was a virgin. I believe Jesus was a great man, but he wasn't the son of God.
Do you believe in God?
- Thread starter vsdsc
- Start date
I agree with this, I like your point here also. Actually when you look at it this way, Jesus is pretty much just the leader of a cult. A cult that for some reason still exists today.
Namreg
Banned
there is no logical reason why a creator-creature would exist in nature, at least i cannot find one. thus i don't believe in its existence.
as for religion, anyone who seriously believes in it is utterly retarded. let me rephrase that: if you believe that an organisation that has an old nazi who protects child rapists from the police as its leader has the right to judge you because it claims to have "higher" knowledge you need to check yourself into a mental institution, or better yet, jump off something really really high.
as for religion, anyone who seriously believes in it is utterly retarded. let me rephrase that: if you believe that an organisation that has an old nazi who protects child rapists from the police as its leader has the right to judge you because it claims to have "higher" knowledge you need to check yourself into a mental institution, or better yet, jump off something really really high.
Terry Sleeper
Closed Account
Which god? Let's not be so monotheistic. Judaism (and its two offshots, Christianity and Islam) is unusual in its stress upon there being only one "God". Most cultures and societies have been polytheistic.
Also, what do you mean by believe "in" God? Do you mean a belief that there IS a God (or gods)? This is not quite the same thing as saying that you believe IN God (or the gods), is it?
Sort of thing . . .
Also, what do you mean by believe "in" God? Do you mean a belief that there IS a God (or gods)? This is not quite the same thing as saying that you believe IN God (or the gods), is it?
Sort of thing . . .
Analingus
Banned
You should watch "Dogma." Explains the virgin Mary story.
Does it matter then?
I think way too many people focus on the story, the people, instead of the message that really matters.
If you believe Jesus was a great man, and his teachings sound, does it really matter if he was the Son of God or not? What about other, alleged prophets?
I think way too many people focus on the story, the people, instead of the message that really matters.
Re: Does it matter then?
Absolutely it matters if you consider yourself a Christian. The religion is based completely on this premise. God sacrificed his only son (Jesus) to forgive the sins of all followers.
If someone isn't Christian, then it is irrelevant if Jesus was God's son.
Absolutely it matters if you consider yourself a Christian. The religion is based completely on this premise. God sacrificed his only son (Jesus) to forgive the sins of all followers.
If someone isn't Christian, then it is irrelevant if Jesus was God's son.
ChefChiTown
The secret ingredient? MY BALLS
Re: Does it matter then?
I don't know what your personal religious feelings are, but I'm really glad you said that. Why? Because, that's all the more reason that God is such an unbelievable idea. It's always about the "message", which is just a nicer way of saying "God doesn't exist, but try and learn something, will ya?"
I don't know what your personal religious feelings are, but I'm really glad you said that. Why? Because, that's all the more reason that God is such an unbelievable idea. It's always about the "message", which is just a nicer way of saying "God doesn't exist, but try and learn something, will ya?"
Re: Does it matter then?
That's a great idea P.V.. And I agree with it wholeheartedly.
But I have many Christian friends. And like nearlyinvisible here, that GOD exists IS the point to Christianity. That he loves mankind SO much that he gave his son for them. That he offers that love to all that seek it. That is the calling of God. Following his 'teaching's' is secondary.
At least, that's how it was (more or less) explained to me.
That's a great idea P.V.. And I agree with it wholeheartedly.
But I have many Christian friends. And like nearlyinvisible here, that GOD exists IS the point to Christianity. That he loves mankind SO much that he gave his son for them. That he offers that love to all that seek it. That is the calling of God. Following his 'teaching's' is secondary.
At least, that's how it was (more or less) explained to me.
Wainkerr99
Closed Account
Curious - since no-one apparently "truly" believes in God, why do people say "Jesus Christ" in the most vicious way possible for every conceivable situation? And "omg?" (Which as of late has now become "omfg" as people become more brazen?)
Re: Does it matter then?
Some people actually read the Gospel and get an entirely different view. Many of themselves call themselves Christians as well. But they don't focus on whether He was the Son of God. Why?
He who believes ... everlasting eternal life ... His Son died for our sins ... etc...??? Is it really those passages that define Christianity? Yeah, they sound like a great summary.
But what if the alleged Savior actually took form for an alleged, 2nd time? And if this alleged Savior came around and started stating such again? What would most Christians say?
I consider that one of the greatest follies of Christianity, especially those who blame those of Jewish faith for His death. A lot of people like to take John 3:16, and countless other sections, as the "Christians in a nutshell."
Do you know some of the passages that make me believe in the message? I could really care less about the technical non-sense people like to debate. It's when He's on the cross, and being taunted while dying. It's when a criminal stands dumbfounded, because a man is being put to death because of mere words.
And what was wrong with those words? Nothing whatsoever, except what the people decided was against the will of their alleged God, or whatever institutions they had built around His name. There are so many lessons like that in the Gospel, among other texts.
And it's passages like those that really define Christianity. They define Christianity in a way that transcends the politics, the irrelevant sociology, the mysticism and related discredits. They define Christianity in a way that would work today as much as it did back then.
I'm not one to question the faith of other Christians, but I do take issue with only one definition. I learned a long time ago that others cannot tell me what Christianity is. In fact, I often see their insistence on what it is lead to many things that my Gospel tells me are sins.
Especially those of judgement, which Jesus repeatedly not only told, but actually showed should be left to God. The same people who discredited Jesus for hanging out with a prostitute you'll find at churches such as where Crissy and Erica go. The same people who thought a prostitute is always a prostitute and never a lady are the same that criticize that Crissy and Erica left.
There are so many lessons that we all miss regularly. That is Christianity.
One thing I do know (or strongly assume I should say), God has to have a sense of humor to survive watching our collective folly!
Is it really that simple? Is it really?
Some people actually read the Gospel and get an entirely different view. Many of themselves call themselves Christians as well. But they don't focus on whether He was the Son of God. Why?
He who believes ... everlasting eternal life ... His Son died for our sins ... etc...??? Is it really those passages that define Christianity? Yeah, they sound like a great summary.
But what if the alleged Savior actually took form for an alleged, 2nd time? And if this alleged Savior came around and started stating such again? What would most Christians say?
I consider that one of the greatest follies of Christianity, especially those who blame those of Jewish faith for His death. A lot of people like to take John 3:16, and countless other sections, as the "Christians in a nutshell."
Do you know some of the passages that make me believe in the message? I could really care less about the technical non-sense people like to debate. It's when He's on the cross, and being taunted while dying. It's when a criminal stands dumbfounded, because a man is being put to death because of mere words.
And what was wrong with those words? Nothing whatsoever, except what the people decided was against the will of their alleged God, or whatever institutions they had built around His name. There are so many lessons like that in the Gospel, among other texts.
And it's passages like those that really define Christianity. They define Christianity in a way that transcends the politics, the irrelevant sociology, the mysticism and related discredits. They define Christianity in a way that would work today as much as it did back then.
I'm not one to question the faith of other Christians, but I do take issue with only one definition. I learned a long time ago that others cannot tell me what Christianity is. In fact, I often see their insistence on what it is lead to many things that my Gospel tells me are sins.
Especially those of judgement, which Jesus repeatedly not only told, but actually showed should be left to God. The same people who discredited Jesus for hanging out with a prostitute you'll find at churches such as where Crissy and Erica go. The same people who thought a prostitute is always a prostitute and never a lady are the same that criticize that Crissy and Erica left.
There are so many lessons that we all miss regularly. That is Christianity.
I'm not so sure. Just because people interpret and misinterpret the message doesn't mean that God has not tried to send hints regularly.
One thing I do know (or strongly assume I should say), God has to have a sense of humor to survive watching our collective folly!
Re: Does it matter then?
I was not attempting to give a comprehensive definition of Christianity. Rather I was just pointing out to you that to Christians, it is essential to accept Jesus as the son of God. In post #308 you suggestged that it doesn't matter if Jesus is the son of God. Christians would disagree with you.
FWIW, I don't consider myself Christian so I have no religious agenda in correcting you on the post in question.
I was not attempting to give a comprehensive definition of Christianity. Rather I was just pointing out to you that to Christians, it is essential to accept Jesus as the son of God. In post #308 you suggestged that it doesn't matter if Jesus is the son of God. Christians would disagree with you.
FWIW, I don't consider myself Christian so I have no religious agenda in correcting you on the post in question.
Re: Does it matter then?
Furthermore, understand when people try to discredit Christianity over this alleged "technicality" (that Jesus was not the Christ), it falls on deaf ears with those same Christians. That was a very big and much larger point I was trying to make, with regards to your post, responses, etc...
There are just as many passages that define Christianity far better than the common quoted, at least to myself, but I know many others. As far as I am concerned, Jesus Christ could have been married and had kids and it doesn't bother me one bit.
That's yet another one I don't remotely consider addressing because it takes nothing away. Hell, it is still beyond comprehension to many when you start talking about Peter.
To me, Christianity is defined by unconditional love and reservation of judgement. There are so many deeper concepts to what people try to make simplistic (like "Son" and "Trinity" and "Faith" and so-forth) that I want to bang my head up against a wall.
Wait, I'm not talking about a "comprehensive definition of Christianity." I'm talking about Christians who actually do not care whether Jesus was the Son of God or not, and really do not care to debate it.
That became obvious very quickly, because you defined it in an absolute. Some (many more than you realize) could care less, and it's not what they focus on at all.
Furthermore, understand when people try to discredit Christianity over this alleged "technicality" (that Jesus was not the Christ), it falls on deaf ears with those same Christians. That was a very big and much larger point I was trying to make, with regards to your post, responses, etc...
There are just as many passages that define Christianity far better than the common quoted, at least to myself, but I know many others. As far as I am concerned, Jesus Christ could have been married and had kids and it doesn't bother me one bit.
That's yet another one I don't remotely consider addressing because it takes nothing away. Hell, it is still beyond comprehension to many when you start talking about Peter.
To me, Christianity is defined by unconditional love and reservation of judgement. There are so many deeper concepts to what people try to make simplistic (like "Son" and "Trinity" and "Faith" and so-forth) that I want to bang my head up against a wall.
ChefChiTown
The secret ingredient? MY BALLS
They're just phrases, like "son of a bitch" or "fucking A". I say "God damnit", "Jesus Christ" and "thank God" a lot, but I'm not religious at all. People use those phrases because they're commonly said and they have become part of our natural vocabulary.
Born and raised Hardcore Catholic. Did my communion and everything. I'm proud to say I consider myself Agnostic. Basically I don't know and I'm not gonna worry myself with religion or any superstitious crap. I'm just gonna be a good person let the rest take care of itself.
belief is a trivial concept in compared to faith thats derived from truth so in other words some people believe in god but still have no faith seen its much better to practice faith day to day and meditate and pray well for me it is anyway not saying my faith is for everybody just that Im a Christian and was born that way so I do my best in everything ... faith is essentially uhm what it is essentially surpasses belief in god
Jezuschrist! You are right!
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