Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Chris land who wrote (32660)	3/17/1999 5:26:00 AM
From: epicure	Respond to of 108807

Chris, Chris- many religions beckon, how can you be sure you have the right one? Does it makes sense to you that a really omnipotent deity would go to all the bother to create the universe, a universe perhaps filled with many diverse forms of life, and our world, with its many cultures and religions, and then decided that the human creatures it created could only be saved if they believed ONE particular religion (that of course many before the birth of Christ were never exposed to, and others by virtue of their being born in other societies may never have heard of)? Does it make any sense to you that a perfect being, who would also be perfect in love (would it not) would cast its creations (presumably created in love) into everlasting torture or even limbo? I would submit to you that if there is an omnipotent being- which does not seem very likely to me- but I, of course, am rational so I'll allow the possibility, that this being is much more likely to enjoy all his creations equally. Further, that this being probably cares more about INTENT and RESULTS than belief. After all one can have fervent belief, in Christianity, or whatever, and intend to do horrible things and actually accomplish horrible things- surely this would not be in line with a truly perfect Deity. Of course the God of the old testament is not a perfect deity- imo. That God is sort of an avenging older brother (an older brother who demands lots of recompense for his services). Jesus is a kinder gentler sort of God- like Balder in the Norse pantheon. He is a better God for people who have to live TOGEHTER. The God of the old testament is great for Nomads- killing your enemy and moving on works great in a not-to-civilized world. Now, even better than Jesus (imo) is a belief that one can have a meaningful life by bringing joy to oneself and others just by being a person who tries to be a positive addition to the human race: By trying not to turn away from people in need, by trying to be kind and patient (this is a hard one Chris), by trying to respect other people (another hard one), by trying to live and not waste any of the precious life each and every one of us enjoys because it might just be finite. Reflections of an insomniac.

To: Chris land who wrote (32660)	3/17/1999 11:01:00 PM
From: nihil	Respond to of 108807

Chris, I think I see the problem here. Some people (like Thomas) have to have solid evidence of something otherwise incredible, so unless they have the opportunity to thrust their hands into the bloody wounds they won't believe. I feel confident if I had the opportunity like Thomas I would believe like him. Most of the people in the world do not believe the particular minority beliefs you appear to hold although they have had the opportunity to learn about them time and again. Who appointed you to be an evangelist? Why should anyone believe you? May I suggest that you make a serious effort to document your calling. Swear out some affidavits reporting as best as you can the contents of your conversations with God or Jesus or the Holy Ghost (subject to penalties of perjury). Take a few years off and learn Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek and Latin and do some serious scholarly work on the documents that you appear to believe are true. Demonstrate your position in the apostolic succession. Produce testimonials of people you have save from damnation. Use some of the modern makrketing techniques to make your case more convincing. And above all, don't expect any results after you have done all of the tasks that are any better than what you have obtained here. Good luck in your endeavors, a please don't come back here until you succeed in them.

To: Chris land who wrote (32660)	3/19/1999 12:55:00 AM
From: Krowbar	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

<< God has given us his word and has declared all of us to be sinful in his sight. However instead of casting all into hell where we belong he instead sent his only begotten son to die in our stead. >> You must carry a heavy burden believing this crap. I am free from this burden. Why would I want to revert to believing in mythology? Why would an all-knowing god create people that he should have known were going to be sinful? If you think that you belong in hell then so be it, but don;t try to drag me down to your level. I don't believe in make believe places. << Nobody else can save you so I urge you to put your trust in Jesus. You don't know how?...then at least start with some of the basics: >> So why do you keep trying? << Admit your a sinner in the sight of God >> No way. You can take my share. << Be willing to turn from your sin, in other words REPENT >> I am free from sin because it is a man-made-up concept that I don't accept. If you want to impose it on yourself, go ahead, but don't try to drag me down to your level. << Believe that Jesus Christ personally died for you, was buried and rose up from the dead. >> I stopped believing in Jesus and god and Santa in the third grade, and haven't seen or heard a single thing since to change my mind. << Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour. >> There is nobody to pray to. Del