Why would your loving god allow that to happen though Sandy, when all we are doing is using our brains ( wqhich if you are a believer- he bountifully gave us) to think with. If we then draw the wrong conclusions and end up Atheists/ Agnostic etc etc etc could it not be perhaps put down to faulty workmanship?
Naomi: I have told you many times the distinction between a false religion and the true religion. But you say you don't believe the Bible so what is the point? The Bible is the criteria that distinguishes between the two. You keep telling me you know the Bible, but obviously you don't.
Birdie: //Every biblical scholar of any repute knows that the bible was codified long after Jesus' death and not one of the contributing 'books' was written by someone who had actually met Jesus in the flesh.//
James who was the brother of Jesus wrote the book of James. The apostle John who was with Jesus wrote the Gospel of John, the letters of John and also the Revelation. Matthew was with Jesus and also many others. So your so-called Biblical scholars don't know what they are talking about.
Nox: I am sorry to hear that your friends' daughters wedding will be sabotaged. But this is the difference between false religion and true religion. A true christian would not stoop to such tactics, but allowing individuals their freedom to worship how they want. It would be more loving and christian to just not attend.
Elderman, why should I believe that your interpretation of the bible is the right one? There are so many branches of Christianity all claiming to 'know' the truth and to have the right interpretation - all are different - and they all think they're right - just as you do. Why shouldn't I believe any one of those interpretations - or even my own which disagrees with all of them - just as yours does?
Naomi: do what you want out of life you are answering it by what you are doing, by your actions. You cannot escape it, your actions today are going to affect your life tomorrow. Whatever you sow today you will unquestionably reap in the future. ‘You will eat from the fruitage of your way. (Gal. 6:7)
Elderman, so you're not going to tell me why I should believe your interpretation of the bible rather than anyone else's, or indeed my own. No surprise there. However, since you appear to think you know something of my life, and that I, in your estimation, am doomed because of my actions, perhaps you'd care to tell me what those are.
"A true christian would not stoop to such tactics, but allowing individuals their freedom to worship how they want. It would be more loving and christian to just not attend. "
Elderman, for once I agree with you. I have friends of a variety of religions, who would attend a Christian church for a wedding ceremony - they just would not take part in the religious ceremony, just stay quietly at the back observing, or making their own equivalent prayers to themselves. I have been to ceremonies in other religious buildings, it doesn't mean I follow that faith and I certainly wouldn't try to disrupt it. I feel so sorry for NOX's daughter - I think I'd change the date and not tell them.
Bidie:
If you prefer to believe these so-called scholars rather than the Bible, that is entirely your choice.
I have said before, and I say it again, the Bible is the Word of God and as such inspired by Holy Spirit the writers were men chosen by God. These so-called scholars are not men chosen by God, not inspired by Holy Spirit and do not know what they are talking about.
I am not inspired by Holy Spirit but before I study the Bible I pray for understanding that I may be given the correct understanding.
This world is ruled by Satan the Devil. He is the adversary of God – the one thing he doesn’t want people to do is to have complete understanding of God’s Word. 2 Cor. 4 v 4 tells us that “the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ who is the image of God, might not shine through”.
Elderman ..How do you know that the authors of the bible were 'chosen by god' is that what they said? and you believe them? What you are doing is what all christians do..interpreting the bible to suit your own prejudices and customs. You cannot expect anyone to believe that you take the bible literally, as it would be impossible to follow it and remain alive.
Elderman clearly has no idea about the concept of independent verification and uses circular logic that has spiralled to the extent that its radius is infintesimal.
"Prayers to God for guidance" are no more than seeking assurance that one's own prejudices are more than exactly that. And of course the faithful find that assurance ensuring their bigotry appears to them as the word of God.
That is exactly what happened to the those who wrote the book in the first place. They were deluded. The real fools are those who accept their word as the gospel.