Posts by Ticker

76

Question for Christians

by Ticker in

ok i just have a few questions ive always wanted to ask.

this is open to non christians as well.

can christians actually somehow communicate with the lord like ive heard and read so many times.

Ticker

Ok I just have a few questions Ive always wanted to ask. This is open to non christians as well.

Can christians actually somehow communicate with the Lord like Ive heard and read so many times. The watchtower GB claims to communicate with God, the Pope, Christian liberalist, and the list goes on.

Anyway all I want to know is can Christians communicate with God in anyway, and please dont answer "oh yes through prayer" because thats a one sided conversation. If that was the case I could say I communicate with my walls. I want hard actual experiences that you so often hear about how ones hear communication from God or that they feel his power in their souls. If communication is possible with God directly today as many claim, how does this happen? Are these people legit or have they brainwashed themselves into believing they communicate with God?

I often used to think that when I prayed God listened, but now im not so sure. Is prayer to God a possible mind game with yourself? I mean do we as wanting believers create in our minds the idea that God exists and listens? Or are we merely fooling ourselves as we pray on deaf ears? Does God really listen? If so why must their be so much suffering and death before he does something about it?

Im really having a hard time these last few months, and I feel im falling into the trap that ive tried to keep others out of, and that is that their is no heaven above and no hell below, its up to us to better this one sweet world. But why! WHY! would God let people suffer under the name of religion, nevermind the JW's but religion as a whole, why so much suffering for greed in the name of religion?

I keep telling myself that it is because of organized relgion not so much Christianity, but how can we no for sure when we have no proof God even exists or existed?

Ticker

9

OT vs. NT

by Ticker in

who here has had or still has problems trying to equate or harmonize the old testament with the new testament?

i do and i always have had a very hard time accepting some of the things in the old testament, etc.

incest, murder, killing of innocent people, murdering children over petty issues, men having 100's of wives, all the idols that were present in the old testament temples(cherubs and golden bowls, excetera excetera), the seemingly merciless nature of god toword many while yet forgiving others for grave sins such as adultery, or the delivering of punishment to innocent people in order to discipline the sinner(example-david's sensus of the israelite nation in which they were destroyed not him).

Ticker

the Mithras cult taught almost identical doctrines to early Christianity, and was very popular in the Northern empire. Only difference was that the lamb of god was a bull.

Very interesting Hamsterbait, I never knew their was another cult that had similar doctrines to that of early christianity. I find it interesting too in how this sort of parallels with the jewish relgious system and how its roots seem to come from pagan religion. ie.-the flood and gilgamesh, even the divine name possibly having an origin with the tribunal babylonish gods(please correct me on that one but I remember reading about it and seems to me that name had something to do with a baal God or that it was borrowed from babylonish religion by Abraham. I remember reading a lengthy book on biblical origins put out by the National Geographic society and they showed the very probable links between Abrahams religion and that of the surrounding nations in Ur.(ie. animal sacrifices, alters, incence offerings) The main difference being is that Abraham had essentially broken a mold by turning to mono-theism instead of poly-theism, the latter one being most prevalent at that time.)

Even today we see a reversion back to poly-theism in christianity with the introduction of the trinity doctrine.

I also like the point about Paul being Helenized and Romanized because maybe that was the critical point in which christianity became much more liberal and appealing to gentiles. If the apostles had been intolerant as most Jews were of gentiles I think christianity would have had a much differerent face then it does today.

Ticker

9

OT vs. NT

by Ticker in

who here has had or still has problems trying to equate or harmonize the old testament with the new testament?

i do and i always have had a very hard time accepting some of the things in the old testament, etc.

incest, murder, killing of innocent people, murdering children over petty issues, men having 100's of wives, all the idols that were present in the old testament temples(cherubs and golden bowls, excetera excetera), the seemingly merciless nature of god toword many while yet forgiving others for grave sins such as adultery, or the delivering of punishment to innocent people in order to discipline the sinner(example-david's sensus of the israelite nation in which they were destroyed not him).

Ticker

Well we got the critical viewpoint and it is very likely it could be so. Thank you Tetrapod.sapien. I wish I could back in time to investigate but unfortunately we cant but I agree reform was needed and reform came through a man callled Jesus. Much like christianity itself has had to morph it ideas in order to stay with the times.

So all these others look at the thread but no takers yet. Where is all the Christians who are itching to defend the bibles synchronization between the OT and NT. Is it that difficult to defend that no one has even attempted it yet? I honestly cant seem to harmonize the two books, two different religions it seems to me and two different personalities of God. If this is so then how can the bible find credability? Please someone help.

Ticker

14

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 10 - The Hard Way to Start a Fire

by RunningMan in

this is truly one of the most ridiculous stories in the bible.

even when my kids were young, they said, "this couldn't have happened.

" as always, if you want a complete copy of the book, drop me a pm with your email address.. the hard way to start a fire.

Ticker

You know honestly Running Man I never even questioned this account until I read your post today and then my brain just went boom and started really wondering if it could be possible. Very good post really got me thinking. I started a post called OT vs NT and would really appreciate your input on my questions their as I have always had such a hard time justifying the OT. Thank you again Running Man for your great post.

Ticker

9

OT vs. NT

by Ticker in

who here has had or still has problems trying to equate or harmonize the old testament with the new testament?

i do and i always have had a very hard time accepting some of the things in the old testament, etc.

incest, murder, killing of innocent people, murdering children over petty issues, men having 100's of wives, all the idols that were present in the old testament temples(cherubs and golden bowls, excetera excetera), the seemingly merciless nature of god toword many while yet forgiving others for grave sins such as adultery, or the delivering of punishment to innocent people in order to discipline the sinner(example-david's sensus of the israelite nation in which they were destroyed not him).

Ticker

Who here has had or still has problems trying to equate or harmonize the old testament with the new testament? I do and I always have had a very hard time accepting some of the things in the old testament, etc. incest, murder, killing of innocent people, murdering children over petty issues, men having 100's of wives, all the idols that were present in the old testament temples(cherubs and golden bowls, excetera excetera), the seemingly merciless nature of God toword many while yet forgiving others for grave sins such as adultery, or the delivering of punishment to innocent people in order to discipline the sinner(example-David's sensus of the israelite nation in which they were destroyed not him).

Now we contrast that against the New Testament which focuses on God's extension of mercy and love for mankind through his son Christ Jesus. Much more tolerance is set forth and much more justified then the OT ever seemed to be.(example we all stand before the judgement seat of God to answer our own sins while the OT called for punishment upon generation after generation, whole family's dying due to one member) Its almost as if they are two totally different concepts if it wern't for the links between the plan for the redemption of mankind, I would almost swear they had not much in common. Almost like two different religions as their practices and tolerances are much different.

Do you figure that Christ could have changed the orginal Jewish religion as a measure of keeping with the times, pulling away from the rudementery animal sacrifices and such? Do you feel he had much more of a heart and compassion for people and this led to his revolutionizing teachings of love and mercy not sacrifice? Or was this somehow the plan all along?

Im really kind of having turmoil with this one because every ounce of me wants to give credential to the bible but to look at the two books from a unbiased opinion, they almost hardly have anything in common. It is almost as if Christ started a revolutionary movement or sect within the traditional Jewish system and this was further expanded on and developed through the apostles and further church fathers. This has always been a nagging doubt for me as too how people can harmonize the two books in their entirety. I would really appreciate both sides on this issue, atheist and christian. How are you Christians able to harmonize these seemingly contradictory personality traits of God so that you can put it to rest in your mind? Non biblical believers what is your take on what happened? Just another sect started by a man?

Ticker

14

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 10 - The Hard Way to Start a Fire

by RunningMan in

this is truly one of the most ridiculous stories in the bible.

even when my kids were young, they said, "this couldn't have happened.

" as always, if you want a complete copy of the book, drop me a pm with your email address.. the hard way to start a fire.

Ticker

Oh I totally agree with you Running Man about the stubble being easily ignitable and definetly can get out of control. Yah and it also would seem much easier for God to just send the old brimstone then go to this length to start a fire.

As for the grain thought I found this interesting,

And when he had set fire to the torches, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the olive orchards.“ - Judges 15:3-5 (RSV)

Now as for standing grain to be dry enough to burn, it is possible I suppose, if first that grain was either ripe from frost or else extremely mature. I dont know if they get frost in palestine but I would think leaving grain to the point of extreme ripeness would not wise as it would so easily shell out during harvest. They would be losing kernals of grain left and right, especially since they would be harvesting it by hand. I dont know for sure and correct me if im wrong, but I agree this story does seem very hard to swallow. Nice posts though I also read the other one about rightousness and it covers many issues I could never figure out, and how they could be justified as fair or rightous. Thank you Running Man.

Ticker

14

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 10 - The Hard Way to Start a Fire

by RunningMan in

this is truly one of the most ridiculous stories in the bible.

even when my kids were young, they said, "this couldn't have happened.

" as always, if you want a complete copy of the book, drop me a pm with your email address.. the hard way to start a fire.

Ticker

Im sorry guys I accidentally double posted I didnt mean to do that.

14

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 10 - The Hard Way to Start a Fire

by RunningMan in

this is truly one of the most ridiculous stories in the bible.

even when my kids were young, they said, "this couldn't have happened.

" as always, if you want a complete copy of the book, drop me a pm with your email address.. the hard way to start a fire.

Ticker

Now I am not writing this to destroy the credentials of the bible, but I am just doing so from a purely non biased stance. From my experience and I have much experience with standing grain since growing up on a farm, standing grain stalks do not burn that well as they are yet green. It is not until they are swathed down in rows and left to dry for several weeks in the heat that the stalks would become easily ignitable. Just pull a grain stalk out of the ground and take your lighter and try to burn it up, you will find that it is full of a sappy juice that without proper curing may smolder at best.

Now on the other hand I guess you could say that maybe divine intervention was present and God had allowded these circumstances to take place even against the odds. I must admit though I do have a hard time with many things in the old testament, I find it a little depressing when you read about noah and his drunkeness while putting the blame on his son(yah like his son forced the booze down his throat), Lot and his two daughters sleeping together, Solomon having hundreds of wives and it being ok in Gods eyes(never could understand that one),things like that make me wonder I guess.

14

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories - Ch. 10 - The Hard Way to Start a Fire

by RunningMan in

this is truly one of the most ridiculous stories in the bible.

even when my kids were young, they said, "this couldn't have happened.

" as always, if you want a complete copy of the book, drop me a pm with your email address.. the hard way to start a fire.

Ticker

Now I am not writing this to destroy the credentials of the bible, but I am just doing so from a purely non biased stance. From my experience and I have much experience with standing grain since growing up on a farm, standing grain stalks do not burn that well as they are yet green. It is not until they are swathed down in rows and left to dry for several weeks in the heat that the stalks would become easily ignitable. Just pull a grain stalk out of the ground and take your lighter and try to burn it up, you will find that it is full of a sappy juice that without proper curing may smolder at best.

Now on the other hand I guess you could say that maybe divine intervention was present and God had allowded these circumstances to take place even against the odds. I must admit though I do have a hard time with many things in the old testament, I find it a little depressing when you read about noah and his drunkeness while putting the blame on his son(yah like his son forced the booze down his throat), Lot and his two daughters sleeping together, Solomon having hundreds of wives and it being ok in Gods eyes(never could understand that one),things like that make me wonder I guess.

Ticker

38

Would the WTS torture the "apostates" if they could?

by greendawn in

do you think the wts would physically torture and even execute "apostates" if we all lived in a context that allowed them to do so?

much as the catholic church did in the middle ages when they had the opportunity to treat their dissenters as they wished.

already the way the gb wants apopstates treated is as vicious as can be, manifests a deeply seated maliciousness and animosity and is calculated to hurt as much as possible under the present day circumstances.

Ticker

Of course the Org. is more important then the well being of humanity. Why do you think they will in an eyeblink wipe out someone and destroy their character even after decades of loyal service due to the least bit of suspicion that one may be showing negative character toword the society. If people were really that important to the Org. they wouldnt be treated as expendable and as just another statistical number. Kids can not be as important as the Org. because to them Org is God, God is Org. Protect Org. at all costs even if it means the unjustified suffering of children being abused under a cloak of secrecy. We all know how they use to hammer on about never bringing reproach on ~~Gods~~ Orgs. name.

Ticker