Greetings
<< However, by simple fact that I happen not to believe in god, nor in the existence of life after one's death, nor in the validity of the writings of an old book that in fact it is easily proven (by reference as I do not claim to be an expert on such on such book), that many of the writings promote war, violence and many other less than decent activities. >>
Accepting as you have stated that you do not believe in God or an afterlife it is not up to me to attempt to convert you. I am to share the gospel and if you do not want to receive it that is your choice and I should move on according to the bible. What I will write here is not my effort to present the way of salvation to you as you have already seen that. Do what you want with the information that agrees with you in part.
You stated quite honestly that you are not an expert in the bible. As a result of not knowing in detail what it contains you are not aware that it actually supports some of what you have said, as do I.
Where you are in error is looking at the vast majority of the churches in the western hemisphere and elsewhere in the world as the example of what the bible calls the church. It is not.
I quoted already where Christ called the church of this day blind and naked and altogether miserable while it believes itself to be rich and in need of nothing.
The atrocities committed spanning a number of centuries, I have read exceeded 66 million lives lost and the wealth of those victims going to a "church" but not the church depicted in the bible. We know that history has a habit of repeating itself.
You stated << I do not need some pontifical priest to tell me how to establish, maintain and nurture a family, in fact in the Catholic religion they are totally unqualified to give marital and family advise as they themselves are precluded from getting married, so how can they possibly know to give proper advise??!! >>
Look at what you oppose (the bible) has to say on the subject of forbidding people from getting married and a couple of other items I'm sure you will recognize...
" Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; FORBIDDING TO MARRY, AND COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS...." I Timothy 4:1-3
" A bishop then must be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE..."
I Timothy 3:2
" And call no man your FATHER upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven " Matthew 23:9
(Sorry for the bold print, I'm not shouting, I can't italicize for some reason)
These are only a few of the many things that the bible teaches but the church you despise does not practise and in fact does the opposite of.
The bible does not require splendour and wealth for Christians to meet in. Christ preached on hillsides, later his followers held meetings in catacombs at the risk of their lives.
The true church of the bible is called "the body of Christ" and is comprised of people who believe the word of God and genuinely practise what it preaches. Not what an institution teaches as tradition, they are not perpetrating inquisitions accusing people of heresy then torturing a confession out of them and acquiring their possessions.
I am opposed to any church, institution or whatever that does not teach what the bible preaches and they appear to be the majority.
If you are going to strongly oppose an enemy you should study them. In this case you might find a friend to your way of thinking to a degree.
John
p.s. Of interest sake there have been "churches" that opposed the reading of the bible by their congregations and still do today. Any wonder?
p.p.s. Tax the churches? "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's"
Matthew 22:21 |
