Posts by Hold Me-Thrill Me

59

How the human mind processes facts and faith differently

by EdenOne in

i found this very interesting article by t. m. luhrmann in todays edition of the new york times (i've highlighted a few parts i 've found most interesting):.

it seems weird to deny them.. and yet a broad group of scholars is beginning to demonstrate that religious belief and factual belief are indeed different kinds of mental creatures.

people process evidence differently when they think with a factual mind-set rather than with a religious mind-set.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

I know. Your aim is higher than God himself but then he does not exist so there's no problem.

59

How the human mind processes facts and faith differently

by EdenOne in

i found this very interesting article by t. m. luhrmann in todays edition of the new york times (i've highlighted a few parts i 've found most interesting):.

it seems weird to deny them.. and yet a broad group of scholars is beginning to demonstrate that religious belief and factual belief are indeed different kinds of mental creatures.

people process evidence differently when they think with a factual mind-set rather than with a religious mind-set.

Cofty, There are many Christians who are maintaining their spiritual beliefs and life outside of mainstream churches. There are also Christian churches which have always been on the moderate side with the Presbyterian church in the U.S. recently deciding to perform same-sex marriages having already accepted gay and female pastors. And then there is the Catholic Church which by no means is fundamentalist in their beliefs. The CC believes in evolution, God guided evolution, but evolution nonetheless. And they surely do not take a scriptures only view of religion.

24

Impossible conversation: Jesus and Nicodemus: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

by Terry in

i am a member on new testament scholar bart ehrman's blog, and the professor is currently outlining a new book he is writing about false memory and the life of jesus.. an interesting post occurred today in which he gives an example of a very famous scripture,.

example of a false memory of jesus teaching i turn to a famous passage in the gospel of john, jesus dialogue with nicodemus (john 3:1-15).

nicodemus is said to be a jewish leader who comes up to jesus and affirms that jesus must come from god because of the great things that he said to have done.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

It could also be that Jesus used the aramaic word for "again" and Nicodemus answered accordingly. The word play in the Greek is interesting but that in itself does not mean Jesus did not say what Nicodemus understood him to be saying. Bart sometimes makes things more complicated than they are.

Just as a side note in my opinion with the current atmosphere here in the U.S. Bart may be making a mistake in his new book by including negative criticism of Abraham Lincoln. Just my opinion. I like the guy. Do not agree with him but I like him nonetheless. He is at least sincere a trait becoming more and more valuable these days.

59

How the human mind processes facts and faith differently

by EdenOne in

i found this very interesting article by t. m. luhrmann in todays edition of the new york times (i've highlighted a few parts i 've found most interesting):.

it seems weird to deny them.. and yet a broad group of scholars is beginning to demonstrate that religious belief and factual belief are indeed different kinds of mental creatures.

people process evidence differently when they think with a factual mind-set rather than with a religious mind-set.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

EdenOne, I found the following quote a good example of using the beliefs of fundamentalist Christians to paint all Christians the same color.

And yet a broad group of scholars is beginning to demonstrate that religious belief and factual belief are indeed different kinds of mental creatures. People process evidence differently when they think with a factual mind-set rather than with a religious mind-set. Even what they count as evidence is different. And they are motivated differently, based on what they conclude.

I myself believe manmade global warming is at least partly responsible for the climate changes we see. To be a Christian one does not have to leave all common sense and their brain in the trash. There are many moderate Christians and liberal Christians around but they are for the most part ignored by vitriolic atheists.

All Christians cannot be, should not be, painted with the same brush just as Christians should not paint all atheists with the same brush. We are adults and as such can find things to respect and to love about one another. We can find common ground and work together to help others or to make this world a better place.

Many Christians do just that and so do many atheists. Bart Ehrman's site requires that members give to his selected charities and this is good. We can all work together to make the world a better place rather than promote divisions which in reality will not make either religion or atheism go away. They are here to stay until death or someone other than ourselves says otherwise.

Frank

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Viviane, I figured there was a shoe coming my way. Your use of condescending insults betrays an inability to simply address what is being discussed in a manner worthy of respect.

Your gruff manner detracts from your posts and thus your arguments. Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot, pun intended.

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Viviane: The fact that, when called out on your shameful dishonest behavior, is the first think you thought of, shows that you are indeed a typical Christian. Intellectually dishonest with threats of violence as your backup.

Dear lady I did not threaten you with violence. You are inventing something in your own head. Stop inventing what is not there!

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Depressed Soul, Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray him and who among his disciples did not believe. "From the beginning" is thought to mean from the time Judas became his disciple or chosen as an Apostle. Because Jesus knew the man's heart his course was set but not because he could not change but rather because he would not change. There is a big difference.

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Viviane: I implied no such thing. You made that assumption, incorrectly and now presume to have the arrogance to falsely claim I said something I never said nor implied and have the audacity and hubris to attempt to blame me for your error.
You should be ashamed for accusing me of your error.

I enjoyed that, very entertaining. So, what's next? Are you going to pick up a shoe and throw it at me?

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Depressed Soul, yes a few individuals in the Bible were predestined but though Christ's betrayal was prophesied that does not mean that when Judas was conceived in the womb his path was sealed. He may have been chosen for his bad tendency but a whole host of other men at the time could have filled the bill.

44

God & JW can't exist without "evil"

by thedepressedsoul in

i was thinking the other day that so far jw's and god have always needed or relied on "evil" to get items done or taken care of.

almost every bible prophecy and jw teaching would not exist without "evil".. let's take the prophecy of jesus for example, it would not have been fulfilled without evil.

when you think about it, he was a needed evil in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hold Me-Thrill Me

Depressed Soul, in the Bible very few individuals are personally predestined.

Thanks for starting an interesting thread.

Frank