Posts by THE GLADIATOR

50

Why does the God of the Bible command us to love him?

by sabastious in

jw
friends

mark 12: 28-31 - 28 one of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.

noticing that jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, of all the commandments, which is the most important?.

29 the most important one, answered jesus, is this: hear, o israel: the lord our god, the lord is one.30 love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31 the second is this: love your neighbor as yourself.

THE GLADIATOR

The god of the bible appears to commands us to love him because the Jewish scribes and the church of Rome decided to portray him that way.

The Greeks and Romans had more than 300 gods, goddesses and demigods with differing dispositions. (Nothing to do with Demi-Moore by the way) Other religious traditions have different ideas of what a god should be and what he requires of us.

Perhaps we should individually decide what we expect a god to be and live accordingly. If we think a god would be violet and judgemental we are likely to become angry and treat others the way we think a god would. If we think that a god would be loving and kind, then we should strive to live that way.

A god may or may not exist. What is certain, is that we do exist and are responsible for our own actions.

50

Why does the God of the Bible command us to love him?

by sabastious in

jw
friends

mark 12: 28-31 - 28 one of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.

noticing that jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, of all the commandments, which is the most important?.

29 the most important one, answered jesus, is this: hear, o israel: the lord our god, the lord is one.30 love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31 the second is this: love your neighbor as yourself.

THE GLADIATOR

PSacramento

In other words, we not only evolve to be where we are, we must also evolve to find God and evolve to be God, but that stage is only possible with Gods' help ( as the beginning was only possible with God's help).

The first part of this I can concur with. The second part: 'that stage is only possible with Gods' help,' is something that remains a possibility for me. I rule nothing out and nothing in.

Slippery enough for you?

50

Why does the God of the Bible command us to love him?

by sabastious in

jw
friends

mark 12: 28-31 - 28 one of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.

noticing that jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, of all the commandments, which is the most important?.

29 the most important one, answered jesus, is this: hear, o israel: the lord our god, the lord is one.30 love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31 the second is this: love your neighbor as yourself.

THE GLADIATOR

The title of this thread implies that God and the Bible are the same thing.

The Bible is real. All book are real but have no authority of themselves.

As for God - the very concept of a God with the power to create this universe, compels me to assume that such a being would not command but simple Be; and his thought would automatically become action throughout the universe.

117

If God truly loved humans...why not reveal himself ? So that they could make an informed decision ?

by smiddy in

we learn from the bible that god spoke to adam ,then certain faithful ones,then after moses only the preisthood that was established,and individuals, raised as prophets,and this by the way is only a a small select group on the planet.never mind about other groups of humans.

fastforward to the era of christ ,again, god is only dealing with a small select group to advise and admonish.during the time from moses to christ he was only dealing with what became one small nation.the rest of humankind were left to their own devices.fastforward down to this 21st century we have no guidance/instruction/prophets to instruct or guide us.

( i know this is where jw`s would say but we have been preaching & teaching you god`s truths since 1879 ) all i can say their, is take your head out of the sand and look at all the changes ,corrections adjustments,re-adjustments,reversals,and failed expectations of prophecy you have published over this last century )so as to my question why hasn`t the god of the universe revealed himself to all humans of every race on all continents instead of just a small select group, if he truly was interested in the human race.

THE GLADIATOR

PSacramento

Anger seldom helps any situation and causes more problems than it solves.

As for kids, my wife was never keen and I was indifferent so - no kids. She is not the mother hen type really. It probably has a lot to do with the less that ideal parents we each had. We have a good life and enjoy a certain freedom. I guess that what you've never had you never miss.

117

If God truly loved humans...why not reveal himself ? So that they could make an informed decision ?

by smiddy in

we learn from the bible that god spoke to adam ,then certain faithful ones,then after moses only the preisthood that was established,and individuals, raised as prophets,and this by the way is only a a small select group on the planet.never mind about other groups of humans.

fastforward to the era of christ ,again, god is only dealing with a small select group to advise and admonish.during the time from moses to christ he was only dealing with what became one small nation.the rest of humankind were left to their own devices.fastforward down to this 21st century we have no guidance/instruction/prophets to instruct or guide us.

( i know this is where jw`s would say but we have been preaching & teaching you god`s truths since 1879 ) all i can say their, is take your head out of the sand and look at all the changes ,corrections adjustments,re-adjustments,reversals,and failed expectations of prophecy you have published over this last century )so as to my question why hasn`t the god of the universe revealed himself to all humans of every race on all continents instead of just a small select group, if he truly was interested in the human race.

THE GLADIATOR

God is welcome round my gaff any time and he doesn't even have to bring a bottle of wine.

Drinks would be on the house.

I wouldn't even ask him any awkward questions, just quietly listen while he told me all the problems the world has caused him.

After he had unloaded, I might even give him a hug - if that sort of thing is allowed?

18

Does this sound familiar?

by PSacramento in

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/woes_of_the_pharisees.

hypocrisy: they taught about god but did not love god - they did not enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor did they let others enter.

(mat.

THE GLADIATOR

Yes Nickolas - and I have very English sense of humour, which makes it difficult for people to know if I'm being serious or satirical.

People have accused me of sitting on the fence. The truth is, I am still looking for the fence.

I enjoy your posts, which you put a lot of thought and effort into.

18

Does this sound familiar?

by PSacramento in

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/woes_of_the_pharisees.

hypocrisy: they taught about god but did not love god - they did not enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor did they let others enter.

(mat.

THE GLADIATOR

I cannot know if the remarks above refer to my comments to PSacramento or not, but any any case my remarks were sincere.

54

Where do you go from here?

by still looking in

after either being a witness or studying with them, and you find out stuff that has you leave, where do you go?

i don't think they are the true religion, but i do think they teach a lot of stuff that is correct.

like the trinity being a false doctrine, no idle worship, including crosses, and hell isn't a forever torture.

THE GLADIATOR

poppers

May I say that as always, your comments ring true. I share much the same view of existence.

Endorsing your elucidation saves me a lot of typing.

18

Does this sound familiar?

by PSacramento in

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/woes_of_the_pharisees.

hypocrisy: they taught about god but did not love god - they did not enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor did they let others enter.

(mat.

THE GLADIATOR

PSacramento

Organized religion breeds hypocracy, whereas ( from my expereince) individual expressions of faith tend to breed and express humility and love.

Your comments and example have helped me to see the difference.

Your tolerance and patience has been an influence in causing me to revisit a spiritual path I had abandoned.

39

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

by AK - Jeff in

i think this brief synopsis is worth thinking about, particularly on this forum, where emotions run high, opinions are hard-won and sometimes fought for with great intensity.. on the other hand: debate is essential to thinking ability and working through one's viewpoint, and eventually owning your opinion.

the key is remembering that you are only owning an opinion - not something written in stone.. http://atheistempire.com/atheism/get_along.php.

i think deep down on both sides of the 'god debate' most people just want to live in peace.

THE GLADIATOR

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

The Christians on this forum have always treated me with kindness, to a point where I began to feel remorse for being objectionable, just to entertain myself. This has compromised the gladiator in me and compelled me to stop seeking conflict for its own sake. Of course if everyone were to go soft in the middle, many important issues would not be debated and thrashed out in front of the cheering crowd.

Getting along could become boring. That would spoil all the fun and the forum would become like a Roman arena with no gladiators, just pussycats. Personally I think that controversial matters should be debated by those that feel the need to. This helps to clarify viewpoints and can be part of a healing process for many here. No-one makes us take part, we can be spectators whenever we choose.

Each of us needs to ask our-self what our motive for posting a comment is. What are we seeking to achieve or gain? Of course our reasons can change in time as we grow and develop. We need to be aware of what may really be causing our anger or outrage. Showing empathy and respect for others can help to neutralise negative feelings that we may suffer from.