How to respond to offensive anti-God material?

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Truth

How will we know?

 

[AnonymousRain]

I don't believe the first poster is going to return. Probably because it is an odd thing that a Buddhist uncle is trying to proselytize. And especially if-when he doesn't respect other family members faith that may differ from his own.
That's very odd I'd think for a Buddhist to act that way.

As for anti-god material, I'm a Humanist. What that means is a philosophy of thought that values human dignity, values and interests. And not necessarily that those qualities require faith in a deity or god.
If you meet someone who declares they're a Humanist and yet they treat people terribly, you're not speaking with a Humanist. You're meeting with someone who is calling themselves a Humanist.

If someone's faith makes them to live as a good person who respects life, others, a lives a life that embodies the philosophy they embrace, it's a beautiful thing.
And being this is a Christian forum I'll support that remark by saying, though I am not a Christian I do believe there is enough evidence to support the existence of an itinerant rabbi named Jesus did once live and preach in the middle east. Who he was and what he did for me is in question and I'll not go into that. However, that he inspired goodness, mercy, peace, and healing within the human community and between themselves and the spirit within themselves so as to see self as holy is not a bad thing for this world to embrace.
In these times especially.

Thanks. That's about all I have to add at this point.

 

[AnonymousRain]

Is God visible?

And I don't mean the things He does, I mean He, Himself actually visible.

When anything defined as source of all that exists, or first cause, can be labeled 'god', he'd necessarily have to be innate within all that 'he' created. Therefore, yes, god is visible because that power would have to exist in all things created by a creator from itself so as to exist.

 

[Locutus]

When its someone older, you do have to remember that you must treat them as you would a father or mother. Utmost respect.

worst advice ever

what if these older people haven't earned 'utmost respect'? would you teach young people that merit isn't important, only status is? it's one thing to give basic respect to all, another altogether to give unquestioning veneration (aka, utmost respect) to people purely because they've had more birthdays. that's how despots rule, religions control, and authority figures abuse.

 

[sunsurfkdt]

Yes. Merit is unimportant. Whether you find the person grouchy and rubs you totally the wrong way , you respect them. Anyone! But even more if they are older whether you like it or not. Would Jesus, want you to exalt yourself over anyone? No, because He gives grace to the humble. When you are being humble, and giving respect, and showing love, that is fulfilling G-ds commandments perfectly. And when you walk in love you are fulfilling the greatest commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself. And respect your elders...a wise man keeps quiet, and a fool exposes his folly. Not that you or anyone is a fool, in my opinion. I don't like to look down on ppl. And have no reason to. I love ppl and I love learning about others and hearing about their life. . I mean...but even if it was an old 72 yr old serial killer and you went to prison to minister to him, I would listen respectfully, and be full of love, as much as I know how lol, and be kind, and I would try to edify him and encourage him and give him hope. That's me. I try to not , personally, focus on what people do wrong, bc I have before, and it never makes me feel very good. So I look past things. as for religion or what ever you mean, I'm not sure...well, when I was Catholic I really, really admired priests...mainly bc ...wow! That's pretty big to be celibate the rest of your life, and focus all your thoughts solely on G-d...and that is the main reason I truly admired them. Bc that's a big sacrifice. I couldn't. I mean, if G-d asked me to I'd have no choice...sorta glad He didn't..hehe but yeah I dunno...usually if youre consistently kind to people it pays off in the end. And usually, you can gain a friend .

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

[/quote]sunsurfkdt said: ↑
When its someone older, you do have to remember that you must treat them as you would a father or mother. Utmost respect.[/quote]

worst advice ever

what if these older people haven't earned 'utmost respect'? would you teach young people that merit isn't important, only status is? it's one thing to give basic respect to all, another altogether to give unquestioning veneration (aka, utmost respect) to people purely because they've had more birthdays.
that's how despots rule, religions control, and authority figures abuse.

Despots is an interesting word.
A form of that is used numerous times in the Christian NT concerning YAHWEH:

http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
Condensed Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon OR Thayer's Greek Lexicon...............

Search Wikipedia Encyclopedia:

1203. despotes perhaps from 1210 and posis (a husband); an absolute ruler ("despot"):--Lord, master.
Strong's Number G1203 matches the Greek δεσπότης (despotēs),
which occurs 10 times in 10 verses in the Greek concordance

Despot (from Greek: δεσπότης, despótēs, "lord", "master") was a senior Byzantine court title that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent.......

Rev 6:10
and they were crying with a great voice, saying, 'Till when, O Master, the Holy and the True,
dost Thou not judge and take vengeance of our blood from those dwelling upon the land?'


Leviticus 19:
31 'Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
32' You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD.

.

 

[Locutus]

Yes. Merit is unimportant. Whether you find the person grouchy and rubs you totally the wrong way , you respect them. Anyone! But even more if they are older whether you like it or not. Would Jesus, want you to exalt yourself over anyone? No, because He gives grace to the humble. When you are being humble, and giving respect, and showing love, that is fulfilling G-ds commandments perfectly. And when you walk in love you are fulfilling the greatest commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself. And respect your elders...a wise man keeps quiet, and a fool exposes his folly. Not that you or anyone is a fool, in my opinion. I don't like to look down on ppl. And have no reason to. I love ppl and I love learning about others and hearing about their life. . I mean...but even if it was an old 72 yr old serial killer and you went to prison to minister to him, I would listen respectfully, and be full of love, as much as I know how lol, and be kind, and I would try to edify him and encourage him and give him hope. That's me. I try to not , personally, focus on what people do wrong, bc I have before, and it never makes me feel very good. So I look past things. as for religion or what ever you mean, I'm not sure...well, when I was Catholic I really, really admired priests...mainly bc ...wow! That's pretty big to be celibate the rest of your life, and focus all your thoughts solely on G-d...and that is the main reason I truly admired them. Bc that's a big sacrifice. I couldn't. I mean, if G-d asked me to I'd have no choice...sorta glad He didn't..hehe but yeah I dunno...usually if youre consistently kind to people it pays off in the end. And usually, you can gain a friend .

Like I said, it's one thing to extend basic respect to all humans (communicating with the good in them - which we all do. that's pretty much people 101), another altogether to venerate people according to birthdays. I know a couple of truly despicable, mild looking 75 year olds, and some incredibly kind and good, pierced and tattooed 20 year olds. Are you suggesting that I ought to give more respect to the vile oldster than the Christ-like 20 year old? Seriously?

We reap what we sow.

 

[sunsurfkdt]

Like I said, it's one thing to extend basic respect to all humans (communicating with the good in them - which we all do. that's pretty much people 101), another altogether to venerate people according to birthdays. I know a couple of truly despicable, mild looking 75 year olds, and some incredibly kind and good, pierced and tattooed 20 year olds. Are you suggesting that I ought to give more respect to the vile oldster than the Christ-like 20 year old? Seriously?

We reap what we sow.

Lol yes I am. Lol. Those vile guys are pretty dang funny...just bc of that reason! But! They're the ones who appreciate respect most, and when u show them respect it'll probably shock them and they'll be thinking..."hmmm I don't know...maybe I was wrong about this fella. Maybe I should listen a bit more"

 

[Locutus]

Lol yes I am. Lol. Those vile guys are pretty dang funny...just bc of that reason! But! They're the ones who appreciate respect most, and when u show them respect it'll probably shock them and they'll be thinking..."hmmm I don't know...maybe I was wrong about this fella. Maybe I should listen a bit more"

off in the end. And usually, you can gain a friend .[/QUOTE]

Pardon my boldness, but duh

This isn't about kindness, it's about extending unearned 'utmost respect'. There is a HUGE difference. Utmost respect equates to veneration. We can be KIND to a$shats without venerating them.

 

[PsychoSarah]

It takes two to tango, as the old saying goes. The best way to diffuse an argument is to not argue. As I told my mother once with a loving smile, "Even when you are wrong, you are still right." I gave here a hug, and I left it at that.

Good luck doing that when "no response" is punished. You are asked a question, you better answer.

 

[Loudmouth]

Good luck doing that when "no response" is punished. You are asked a question, you better answer.

If you are an adult, it is a bit different, or at least it should be different. My mother can't punish me anymore. It's not like she's going to chase me down with a wooden spoon in hand.

 

[faroukfarouk]

some incredibly kind and good, pierced and tattooed 20 year olds. ...

I guess that it could be said that being pierced and tattooed at the age of 20, is, for many ppl at least, almost inherent to being aged 20.

 

[Neochristian]

I'm a Christian, and I think your uncle is awesome.

 

[Neochristian]

My brother! The Father has blessed us today, because we can see that indeed, He knows everything we need before we need it. He has given us the answer. We are to pray for those who persecute us, and love our enemies.