surrender

[Robbie_James_Francis]

No, that applies to you as well as every man and woman. The fact that you don't "feel" the results of it, at least not immediately, is irrelevant.

So everyone engages in an unsubstantiated sweeping generalisation about human beings, but should stop this and give an undefined notion of 'control' over to a mystical being who cannot be sensed in any way and whose existence is not supported by any empirical, logical or scientific reasoning in order to avoid effects they don't actually know they are experiencing and whose existence is supported only by those who claim they themelves don't actually suffer them?

That's a good one...tell us the one about telepathically communicating with the Palestinian zombie carpenter who's his own father in order to remove the stain from our souls caused by a woman made from a rib eating a magic apple due to temptation from a talking snake with legs.

 

[allhart]

In reference to God's love of us and the people of the bible. Do you see God's love out of change.No, that isn't true love. His love comes before and after his pursuit of a personal relationship. For no merit of your own before or after. Does true love have spectrum? An over lap of works with a merit of dues and do not?That is to say God will love the saved in the same way. In like his love will be based more on the first than the last. Read Matthew 20 in reference to his love and generosity of his love to all.

 

[Fin12]

Because I don't belive that Zeus can or will do anything for me. If you honestly believe Zeus, or Buddha, or your next door neighbors dog is pulling the strings, then go with it and see what happens.
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Firstly that's flat out insulting, If you enter a debate expect to have people challenge your beliefs, but do not be as low as to insult another un-involved religion. In the hope that a follower of it won't be their to defend it.

Secondly we have more proof for the exhistance of the origonal buddha than that of christ, we also know that christ when travelling in the east met a buddha and discussed philosiphy with him. Care to disprove your messiah?

Thirdly it's not about believing in buddha, it's just a man giving his thoughts on life, it's up to you to decide whether they are accurate or not. It's not really about belief.

And finally. I suffered from bi-polar and Uni polar deppression as a result of my conversion to christianity (nearly committing suicide at my conditions height), it was buddhism that got me through that time, and it continious to do so, to this very day.

Define happiness. Then we can talk about whether or not buddhism has helped me.

 

[allhart]

Firstly that's flat out insulting, If you enter a debate expect to have people challenge your beliefs, but do not be as low as to insult another un-involved religion. In the hope that a follower of it won't be their to defend it.

Secondly we have more proof for the exhistance of the origonal buddha than that of christ, we also know that christ when travelling in the east met a buddha and discussed philosiphy with him. Care to disprove your messiah?

Thirdly it's not about believing in buddha, it's just a man giving his thoughts on life, it's up to you to decide whether they are accurate or not. It's not really about belief.

And finally. IO suffered from bi-polar and Uni polar deppression as a result of my conversion to christianity (nearly committing suicide at my conditions height), it was buddhism that got me through that time, and it continious to do so, to this very day.

Define happiness. Then we can talk about whether or not buddhism has helped me.

Happiness is circumstance to a moment in time. Where joy is constant and abroad in a life time.

 

[allhart]

buddhism, Is one of many that strive to reach God. In where God of the bible reaches out to us.

 

[jcook922]

People run there lives into the ground.Even to run it to the end at there own demise. Only if God could get there neutral approach to his coming along side and mentoring to there needs, but the people can't or won't give up what they seem to think control is. Even knowing they are going down. As to look at a drowning victim. To a person in attempt of rescue they have to wait outside of there reach for the victim will try to control there own way out flailing and pulling to more sporadic control of there demise. Not stopping to surrender. Only to say they give up. Why can't we see that God is a friend?

I'm fine with living the way I honestly want to than holding back and going through the motions being a person I'm not, obeying rules in a dusty book, the latter isn't living, the latter is slavery, not service.

 

[Fin12]

Happiness is circumstance to a moment in time. Where joy is constant and abroad in a life time.

And how is joy measured?

 

[katautumn]

No, that applies to you as well as every man and woman. The fact that you don't "feel" the results of it, at least not immediately, is irrelevant.

It's only irrelevant to those who wish to be condescending to non-christians. I realize that when I make a bad decision, there are consequences. I don't feel that I need to sit in a dark corner of my room and weep and beg forgiveness of an entity that has given me no reason to believe they exist beyond the perceptions and imaginations of others. My deities do not ask for groveling. It's far more important for me to make amends with those I have wronged.

And there are many mistakes I have made that I did not regret until later on. That doesn't mean I'm some dirty sinner who needs to come over to your way of thinking. Once I make my apologies and try to right my wrongs I no longer feel guilt or shame for my choices. You would think that if the Christian God was supposed to factor into all of this that the guilt would remain.

 

[allhart]

I'm fine with living the way I honestly want to than holding back and going through the motions being a person I'm not, obeying rules in a dusty book, the latter isn't living, the latter is slavery, not service.

Well, As Jesus has said his yoke is light and what ever you yoke yourself to. You enslave yourself to.Question, then why do you speak piously in evil doings.You must love the darkness (right?) more than the light of God and you proceed to enslave yourself to defeat. You hold your self to enslavement in a choice of one or the other if you like it or not. Choices are evil (sin)or divine living and as for you I hope that God's Grace doesn't run before you can realize your fate into your decision. For grace is short lived. Where judgment is infinite.I only want to point this out for my unwillingness to see you pass up a free gift of infinite love,but that takes a wiliness to "see"

 

[jcook922]

I think Zeus is a much more attractive deity all around, particularly in that he doesn't torture everyone in the world forever just for being born

And he throws lightning bolts, that's a Deity I can really get behind! Zeus 08!

I don't need or expect God to do anything for me, or even necessarily care. He can care about me if He takes such a fancy, but in the scheme of things, we aren't important as individuals.

 

[allhart]

And how is joy measured?

To know Joy. Is know your are blessed no matter the effects of your circumstance.To have joy in your well being come's from knowing how God is. Promises of Life after death. To be given mercy of renewal of the body and mind. To not to be living as we do forever. Joy come's from knowing everything bad or good with out God is vain. That knowing God Gains you life,hope,and a blessing that never can be taken from Gods hand. Can not be taken away by man,Satan,death. To Know God is to know true life.A purpose driven life. A life live beyond circumstance. To look at God and asking is the glass half empty of full.

 

[allhart]

And how is joy measured?

To know Joy. Is knowing your are blessed no matter the effects of your circumstance.To have joy in your well being come's from knowing how God is. Promises of Life after death. To be given mercy of renewal of the body and mind. To not to be living as we do forever. Joy come's from knowing everything bad or good with out God is vain. That knowing God Gains you life,hope,and a blessing that never can be taken from Gods hand. Can not be taken away by man,Satan,death. To Know God is to know true life.A purpose driven life. A life live beyond circumstance. To look at God and asking is the glass half empty or full.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

In reference to God's love of us and the people of the bible. Do you see God's love out of change.No, that isn't true love. His love comes before and after his pursuit of a personal relationship. For no merit of your own before or after. Does true love have spectrum? An over lap of works with a merit of dues and do not?That is to say God will love the saved in the same way. In like his love will be based more on the first than the last. Read Matthew 20 in reference to his love and generosity of his love to all.

Love is human concept. It would be nice to think there is a being that loves everyone unconditionally and equally but it's unrealistic. There are degrees and types of Love and we can't escape that fact no matter how many mythical beings we make up.

 

[allhart]

Love is human concept. It would be nice to think there is a being that loves everyone unconditionally and equally but it's unrealistic. There are degrees and types of Love and we can't escape that fact no matter how many mythical beings we make up.

Sorry you feel that way,but Jesus didn't think that way. He thought you where worth it and paid the price for you, also knowing we couldn't do it by ourselves sending us help by sending us the Holy spirit. By the way he didn't give love on merit of works good or bad. He gives us his love forwarded with Grace. We don't know how to truly love that's true.....,but that doesn't mean he doesn't.

 

[allhart]

The bible has a profound result to the reader. Just about every time you read it has a convicting pierce to the soul and some people can't or wont take life's approach into a reality of theirs lives.

 

[jcook922]

The bible has a profound result to the reader. Just about every time you read it has a convicting pierce to the soul and some people can't or wont take life's approach into a reality of theirs lives.

That or it's profound to you, and not to others.

 

[allhart]

That or it's profound to you, and not to others.

Well God's love is forward to you,but to a thug (true humility under God) I agree to disagree, but I will stand for truth no matter the position of your views of good or bad. Hope for God's Graces upon my soul and unto your.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

Sorry you feel that way,but Jesus didn't think that way. He thought you where worth it and paid the price for you, also knowing we couldn't do it by ourselves sending us help by sending us the Holy spirit. By the way he didn't give love on merit of works good or bad. He gives us his love forwarded with Grace. We don't know how to truly love that's true.....,but that doesn't mean he doesn't.

I have no interest in what fictional dead Palestinian carpenters may or may not feel about me. I'm more interested in the real, tangible Love I get from my family and friends. That's more than enough for me.

I spent years living for his love and found myself isolated from my family and friends, loathing myself, simply existing rather than living and getting nothing in return. The freedom that comes from accepting reality and life over him is probably the best thing that's happened in my life so far.

As passionate as you are about Christianity, I'm at least as passionate about my atheism and humanism. I'm free!! I'm no longer the teenager that thought his sexuality was evil and spent evenings getting brainwashed at Mass instead of getting drunk at parties like all my friends. I'm free! I can't really put in to words how beautiful it is to see the world as a humanist having been shackled in outdated mythical systems. Now I celebrate rather than mourn, live rather than cope, I'm proud not ashamed.

 

[Fin12]

To know Joy. Is knowing your are blessed no matter the effects of your circumstance.To have joy in your well being come's from knowing how God is. Promises of Life after death. To be given mercy of renewal of the body and mind. To not to be living as we do forever. Joy come's from knowing everything bad or good with out God is vain. That knowing God Gains you life,hope,and a blessing that never can be taken from Gods hand. Can not be taken away by man,Satan,death. To Know God is to know true life.A purpose driven life. A life live beyond circumstance. To look at God and asking is the glass half empty or full.

Joy you would put forward is satisfaction with the world whatever may happen.

This is achieved in buddhism by rejecting all external things in order to free yourself from the sufferring brought when they are inevitably changed or destroyed. And then also by seeing the bigger picture and understanding the universe in doing so feeling complete and no longer scared.

God doesn't give you purpose, he just gives you rules to follow and standards to meet. Once your in heaven.... ...what then? Is that the end of it.... ...just a hunt to get into a kingdom then it's all over?

Too many questions are left open ended by gods purpose... People make their own purposes in life. You are a christian you serve god. A human rights activist may serve humanity and want to promote human rights. Ultimatly we define our purpose.

 

[allhart]

I have no interest in what fictional dead Palestinian carpenters may or may not feel about me. I'm more interested in the real, tangible Love I get from my family and friends. That's more than enough for me.

God love's you any how.
Have you ever experienced in life. A desire for something like in a job to acquired high stature only to get it and that it wasn't what you imagined or anticipated.Be careful of what you as for and long with that being said God will not be mocked in the end.Lord of lord king of kings. Don't give him what he asks for God for he doesn't know what he needs.