Why aren't you a Christian?

[R3quiem]

Perhaps a different thread would be better for a discussion on which religion is the oldest. It's not in line with the original post.

 

[Omnichaotic]

The Rig Veda is most likely the oldest religious text still in existence...

 

[français]

Carey - The torah came about any time from 1500 BC to 1200 BC.

Now if you believe in the documentary hypothesis, the torah was not finally canonized until around 500 BC.

The first recorded religion we know of originated in the indus river valley, and was hinduism!!

Also, remember that buddhism is several centuries older then christianity. there are even some tales in kashmir that jesus lived in india for quite a time, and went there after his crucifixion. hah, that would explain why there are some similarities with buddhism. i do not hold to the view that jesus went to kashmir by any means, although i would not be all that surprised.

judaism and christiantiy all have stories that pagans, sumerians, and kemetics had. moses going down the river.. PAGAN. virgin birth.. PAGAN. crucifixion.. PAGAN. etc.

 

[Pathfinder]

Some Christians seem to think that we non-Christians are inferior to them for having rejected Jesus. Really it doesn't make us weaker or dumber or lazier, just different - so let's clear up some misconceptions.

Why aren't YOU a Christian?

Well, I'm not really anything right now. I would be Christian, but so many books have been taken out of the Bible that I don't know if I can fully trust it. Maybe the "lost books" are of value, or maybe the Bible covers everything adequately.

Plus, there are many aspects of Christianity I havn't accepted.

 

[français]

Well, I'm not really anything right now. I would be Christian, but so many books have been taken out of the Bible that I don't know if I can fully trust it. Maybe the "lost books" are of value, or maybe the Bible covers everything adequately.

Plus, there are many aspects of Christianity I haven't accepted.

Ah, I disagree with books being taken out.. Although I would not disagree with books ADDED(like esther) or addons to different books (like in malachi, isaiah, zacheriah, and mark to name a few.)

I believe that what is in the bible, for 90% of the part, is what ezra intended to be in there. but, certainly there have been some changes, even if just minor (which most seem to only be.)

 

[Apollo Celestio]

Isn't the Zorastr...I don't know the exact word, but they worshiped the sun. I think they're the oldest? "Religion" is so fun.

 

[Omnichaotic]

Zoroastrianism, founded by the prophet Zarathustra is the world's oldest established religion.

Fire, or the sun has never actually been worshiped by Zoroastrians, but used as a kind of "point of focus" to meditate on God, the eternal fire, in much the same way as Christians use crucifixes to meditate on the sufferings of Christ.

 

[GettinInTune]

Why aren't YOU a Christian?

Lack of evidence. There is no evidence to support a personal faith in an intervening god. I find it silly and sad. The personal "god concept" found in today's Abrahamic religions extracts man from his natural environment.

If there is no evidence, then why believe? I am baffled by faith in God. It is irrational and illogical. I just don't get it.

 

[Eudaimonist]

How about the Sumerian religion? According to Wikipedia:

"Many stories in Sumerian religion appear similar to stories in other Middle-Eastern religions. For example, the Biblical account of the creation of man as well as Noah's flood resemble the Sumerian tales very closely, though the Sumerian myths were written many centuries earlier than the Tanakh (Old Testament)."


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[dlamberth]

Yes there are many similarities between Buddhism and what Christ taight.

But all religions simply borrowed from The Bible and Christ.

What I found lacking in Buddhism is true Ecstatic Joy.

This is becaiue of the teaching of balance and the middle ground with emotions.

I feel Buddhism is robbing humanity of the best part of being human.

No, it is not true that all religions borrow from the Bible and Jesus. That is a completely false statement that has no bases in historical reality.

Though being a religious experience, Ecstatic Joy departs no wisdom or anything else other than good feelings and a sense of unity with All to a person. Ecstatic Joy is not the goal of Christianity nor is it even a symptom of knowing God. Ecstatic Joy is a type of mystical experience that you will find that even the mystics of Christianity push past as a distraction, and nothing more. The wisdom that comes from Christian mystics are often in line with Buddhist wisdom.

.

 

[Ramona]

I have asked that this thread be closed. Thanks for your input.

 

[Carey]

No, it is not true that all religions borrow from the Bible and Jesus. That is a completely false statement that has no bases in historical reality.

Though being a religious experience, Ecstatic Joy departs no wisdom or anything else other than good feelings and a sense of unity with All to a person. Ecstatic Joy is not the goal of Christianity nor is it even a symptom of knowing God. Ecstatic Joy is a type of mystical experience that you will find that even the mystics of Christianity push past as a distraction, and nothing more. The wisdom that comes from Christian mystics are often in line with Buddhist wisdom.

.

Ephesians 5 : 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Numbers 10 : 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts

1 Samuel 2

1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.

Ezra 6 : 22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy

Psalms 13 : 5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
16 : 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
20 : 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
64 : 10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD

Habakkuk 3 : 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

 

[dlamberth]

Ephesians 5 : 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Numbers 10 : 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts

1 Samuel 2

1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.

Ezra 6 : 22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy

Psalms 13 : 5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
16 : 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
20 : 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
64 : 10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD

Habakkuk 3 : 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

I'm not saying to NOT enjoy Ecstatic Joy. Lord only knows the depth of my own joy when I behold Him...which is pretty much everywhere I turn my eyes. But I also know that Ecstatic Joy IS NOT God. Ecstatic Joy is my own response when I see or experience the presence of God. And I know that if I want to turn my eyes towards my Beloved God that I better not get caught up in my own stuff like I've arrived or something, which includes Ecstatic Joy.
.

 

[Carey]

No, it is not true that all religions borrow from the Bible and Jesus. That is a completely false statement that has no bases in historical reality.

Though being a religious experience, Ecstatic Joy departs no wisdom or anything else other than good feelings and a sense of unity with All to a person. Ecstatic Joy is not the goal of Christianity nor is it even a symptom of knowing God. Ecstatic Joy is a type of mystical experience that you will find that even the mystics of Christianity push past as a distraction, and nothing more. The wisdom that comes from Christian mystics are often in line with Buddhist wisdom.

.

HUh ???

Epehesians 5 : 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Numbers 10 : 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts

1 Samuel 2 : 1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance

Ezra 6 : 22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy

Pslams 30 : 11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

4 : 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

30: 11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
100 : 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Luke 2 : 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people

Luke 15 : 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

 

[[serious]]

Closed at OP's request.