I'm still not quite sure what is meant by the term "God." Who or what it is.

A quick flip through the Bible does offer some instances where a character, someone or something called "God" or "The Lord," is quoted. But it's used in so different instances, and indicates many different kinds of persons or entities. Sometimes God is friendly, sometimes destructive, sometimes completely clueless. Anyway, I'm not quite sure you could call the whole book "The Word of God." Maybe portions of it where he or it is quoted could be called the words of God, but not the whole book.

But I doubt that God, whatever that might be, actually sat down and wrote it. And as far as it being "inspired" by God, well, you know that's really not the same thing. People get things wrong all the time.

Originally posted by Prot0n
It's still just opinion. The Christian god has not been proven to exist anymore then the Egyptian god Horus or Osiris.

Not to you yet, no. But, it's a step you'd have to take. Nobody can take it for you. I'll help for those wishing it but will not impose help...that's an oxymoron. In Peter's writing, he emphasizes it is not opinion, that he himself witnessed it. Again, he's not the only one who gives testimony/witness/testament. I have a witness and testimony, but if you cannot accept the Bible as a written testament, then I cannot possibly expect you to accept my witnessing either.

Originally posted by Prot0n
You've not displayed any fact's, just personal opinion's and pre-assumption's.

Hehe, again, things not proven by you. And that's fine. I'm not going to try to force proof. Again, an oxymoron.

Originally posted by Prot0n
This pre-assume's your concept of god is the one true god, but again this can be highly debated. Crack open a history book. Take the time to learn about what civilizations came first, what their belief's were. Intellectual laziness is not a way of gaining wisdom.

One more assumption that I haven't "cracked open a history book", am intellectually lazy, and/or ignore wisdom and I shall leave you to wallow in your own musings. I'd hate to leave you in that state but see no other alternative.

Originally posted by Prot0n
I'm not sure I'm following you here. Are you admitting to not bothering looking up the hebrew words for young woman and virgin? Would you like me to do this for you so we don't have to trouble ourselve's with learning?

You're on your own friend. God be with you.

Originally posted by Enkidu
I'm still not quite sure what is meant by the term "God." Who or what it is.

Even those who know God cannot possibly encompass all that God is. The Book gives some great description and detail which helps. Don't want to go to the Book? Don't have to, you can dial him direct. Be not surprised though if He sends you to the Book to do homework. This is what happened to me.

Originally posted by Prot0n
A quick flip through the Bible does offer some instances where a character, someone or something called "God" or "The Lord," is quoted. But it's used in so different instances, and indicates many different kinds of persons or entities. Sometimes God is friendly, sometimes destructive,

But not unjustly destructive. There are many characteristics of God...just as there are many words to describe you. Yes, "God is love" but it also says "Yet He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished."

Originally posted by Prot0n
sometimes completely clueless.

I don't follow.

Originally posted by Prot0n
Anyway, I'm not quite sure you could call the whole book "The Word of God." Maybe portions of it where he or it is quoted could be called the words of God, but not the whole book.

But I doubt that God, whatever that might be, actually sat down and wrote it.

I never saw that claim in the Bible, nor by anyone who has read it.

Originally posted by Prot0n
And as far as it being "inspired" by God, well, you know that's really not the same thing. People get things wrong all the time.

Check with Him for any and all parts you're uncertain of. One way or another, you'll get your answer.

As I see it the biggest problem for all the abrahamic belief systems is its recording.
They all depend on a third party or parties writing down oral traditions. Stories repeated and the meaning more and more lost. Our own experiences would prove the corruption of oral information by “Chinese whispers” after just a few persons imparting the information.

Add to that the difficulties associated with translation of any of the texts to any of a multitude of languages and the fact that any scribe will always write with their own bias.
It has to be said that the few texts that have survived were not written at the time of the events.
Literacy was not a common thing in ancient times the powers knew the power it held. Costly education usually funded by the wealthy could be guaranteed to say what the paymaster wanted to say. There would have been no freedom of speech; you would be commissioned to write what you were told.

So basically you have an oral tradition, which could be a fairy tale, passed on by Chinese whispers for many years. This is then written down after variable periods of time in many languages, with translations into modern languages, with the pitfalls that has.

These abrahamic belief systems seem to have selected the appropriate texts and disregarded others that did not support the respective paymasters point of view.

For those that believe in god I cannot understand your defence of it. You seem to believe it is the creator of all. Following from that shouldn’t you embrace all of his creation?? If he/she/it is the creator then surely evil and Satan are your gods creation too? You may state free will is there to test us. But really what is the point of it; if ultimately your jealous god will smite you if you don’t do as your told??

Personally I feel that fans of god, who try to convert the likes of myself, have something to hide. If this entity were all-powerful why would it need humble humans fighting on its behalf?? That’s like the wimpy kids in the playground standing up for the bully.

I feel that religion is root to a lot of the evil in the world. It has always has been so. Whether it’s murdering first-born children or the robbing, raping and genocide of the people of the Indus in the name of conversion or enlightenment.

If there is a god, and I do say if, I think his agents and followers have more to fear than the unbelievers, with what you have done in its, your gods name. If there is a god, he/she/it may be a thoroughly good chap. Perhaps god shouldn’t be blamed for the ills of man in its name. But then god wouldn’t be god would it??

Originally posted by Il Papa
I feel that religion is root to a lot of the evil in the world.

Oh yes, a religion that says to stay away from all evil is the root of all evil.

Originally posted by Il Papa
Perhaps god shouldn’t be blamed for the ills of man in its name. But then god wouldn’t be god would it??

God gave us the unique gift of making choices. If don't believe me, go to a restaurant and order something you want. See if God comes down and changes it.

Originally posted by Conspiracy Theorist
my first argument to support this statement is the fact that none of the books of the bible even claim to be the word of god. they are title 'The gospel according to ????'.

Who is to say that the authors of these books are not corrupt people perpetuating a lie?

[edit on 8-12-2005 by Conspiracy Theorist]

What if your wrong? Is it a chance you want to take?
God loves you anyway. Try talking to Him sometime. It might surprise you what happens. Besides, it's full of great stories, and insight into history (His Story). May he fill your house with peace and your heart with love.

This is really a most amusing thread.
Everybody quoting phrases from scriptures written after the event(s).

It is amusing that this tosh, the so called scriptures, is used in courts of law around the world for people to swear on, to testify their statement is truth. This series of unsubstantiated fables and fairy stories is but heresay.
Heresay is not admisable in most global courts but you testify your lies are the truth by swearing on books that are heresay?? This so called god moves in confusing ways, does he not??

Using any novel as the sole evidence of the existence of a character within it, is nonsense. Just because Pinochio is in a book doesnt mean he exists does it?

saint4god

Just because e.g. western establishment has evolved from the evil that was the Holy Roman Emperor (founded on slavery is that an evil??) and logically uses the fairy story that begat christianity as its foundation of law and belief doesnt make it right.

The whole abrahamic fable is nonsense and of course you cant substantiate the counter view because the abrahamic view cant be substantiated in the first place.

I am sure this god thing, IF it did exist, would be big enough to look after itself. It wouldnt need people like you ingratiating themselves and trying to convert t'others...like the church did to those native peoples in South America...murdered in your gods name.
If it, this god entity existed and allowed this sort of thing (and it aint the only time its allowed this is it?) then as a compassionate human I would want no part of it.

You stick with your abrahamic fairy tale and I will stick with my humanity.

As for swearing on a fairy tale in court, I would rather take oath on a copy of Pinochio, than heresay, anytime. But the holy roman empire wont allow it.
Stone tablets, burning bushes, necromantic worship sounds more like astory from JKRowling to me.

religion is the ultimate mindkiller but faith will set you free.. FAITH IN ALIENS

Originally posted by nephyx
religion is the ultimate mindkiller but faith will set you free.. FAITH IN ALIENS

Some days I wonder why I study, think, grow, learn, experience and work. Then, I read statements like these and understand it's to prevent saying something like what's quoted here.

[edit on 5-4-2006 by saint4God]

In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In Him was Life…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This thread still going????? Ah well, lets see

God exists for the people who want god to exist and god doesnt exist for those who dont believe - it is as simple as that.
No amount of scripture quoting or belief in alien intelligences will change this! Change comes from within yourself, from deciding what YOU believe to be true at that time, also from personal experiences and new information.
So whether or not god does exist makes no difference to the views and beliefs of the whole world. People see what they want and change when they want. But that is today - tomorrow maybe a different story.


G

Originally posted by shihulud
This thread still going????? Ah well, lets see

God exists for the people who want god to exist and god doesnt exist for those who dont believe - it is as simple as that.
No amount of scripture quoting or belief in alien intelligences will change this! Change comes from within yourself, from deciding what YOU believe to be true at that time, also from personal experiences and new information.
So whether or not god does exist makes no difference to the views and beliefs of the whole world. People see what they want and change when they want. But that is today - tomorrow maybe a different story.


G