Alright, two choices to choose from:

1. An accomplished pastor of the Christian faith, who is completely balanced and is at peace both spiritually and emotionally.

2. An accomplished business man who has his own firm, top of the line cars, and all the ladies he wants because of his money and position; but does not believe in a spiritual life at all.

Which would you choose on your life long quest to achieve balance and happiness?

http://www.fast-rewind.com/kkid/beach4.jpg

Balance is key!!

Originally posted by Mouse
Alright, two choices to choose from:

1. An accomplished pastor of the Christian faith, who is completely balanced and is at peace both spiritually and emotionally.

2. An accomplished business man who has his own firm, top of the line cars, and all the ladies he wants because of his money and position; but does not believe in a spiritual life at all.

Which would you choose on your life long quest to achieve balance and happiness?

Honestly, do you think a pastor of the Christian faith is balanced?????....never...

BTW, Mouse i'm reading a very good trilogy: The Templar (correct?) Trilogy:
-"The False Pilgrims"
-"The Jerico's Trumpets"
-"The God's blood"
The writter is Nicholas Wilcox and the themes are the Grial and the lost chest in the XIV century, the nazis and the present

2

I’ve read those books a few months ago as a matter of fact, which spawned my interest in the fictional story “The DaVinci Code.” The Templar accounts are for the most part true and have been hush-hush up until recently. Intriguing none the less.

And yes, I do know that which ever religion you choose (especially Christianity), if you dedicate your life to it and live by the laws that it sets forth, that you will achieve the strongest peace that is humanly possible.

#2, unless you don't live in reality.

#2, unless you don't live in reality.

Elaborate your point and back up your argument.

I would have to say 2 because believe it or not many people in the world don't lead a spiritual life as it is...so you might as well have the money and be a accomplished person professionally.

my only point is that in this life and society money is everything. take apoll here and ask how many people would like to spend the day at church praying vs how many would like a donation of 100 grand, ten fine ladies to do as they please with, and the car of their choice.

There is much to benefit from your spirituality, but im just saying that the reality for probably the vast majority of people, it would be option 2 by a landslide.

My mother is a deacon, i respect that, but i have no desire to spend my sunday in church praying when i could be at peace with myself out motorcycling at the crack of dawn with good company and little traffic. To each his own i guess.

I see your point General, well said.

See now I’m asking myself what made our society change so fast? Sixty years ago and beyond, church and spirituality was number one in the majority of American households. Today it seems like a lost cause. Drastic change in just sixty years, but why? Media, that’s a nice part of it… but it’s a complete shift in priorities for our culture these days.

Religion focus’ on the pleasure you can get now, but mainly on the pleasure you can obtain once your body dies and your spirit lives for eternity. But in today’s culture, Americans could care less, it’s all about what can stroke me and make me happy right now? Screw tomorrow. But why? Why the drastic change in so few years?

I think today moves alot faster then 60 years ago with all the technology that has evolved...Also I think sex has alot to do with it..our society has become very free with the whole sex concept and what it actually is...

Ah sex, the act of love that is now characterized by lust at free-will. What once was a sacred act only to be shared by the one you marry, is now GIVEN to those who grasp onto your temptations through lust. That’s a whole other topic. Sex is now not as special as it used to be. Feels good, of course; but no longer special and sacred.

I guess maybe its true when they say "Times change and people change with them."

#1. Material **** does'nt make you who you are.

Originally posted by GeNeRaL
I guess maybe its true when they say "Times change and people change with them."

I think life changes but people don't...

Originally posted by PANIKO
Honestly, do you think a pastor of the Christian faith is balanced?????....never...


how d' ya figure?

I guess maybe its true when they say "Times change and people change with them."

Unfortunately that’s true and history as proved that to us time and time again. Times must change as our race evolves; but religion? Our society feels that they need to change the very base that Christianity and theology were established on in order to best fit their needs right now. Impatience, ignorance, unwillingness to sacrifice that which it takes to live by the old; but why? These are the factors that make me dislike the fluctuation in America’s morals more and more. Change is good, but when people start changing the deliverance and teachings of religion that’s where I start to get a little curious.

I'm glad you found religion mouse, but I would be the business man...hell that's what I'm shooting for. BTW, if religion was accepted as truth than nobody would sin and there would be no debate. Just because you believe it doesn't make it so. In my opinion there are far better and easier to swallow religions like Buddhism. Even Hinduism is more interesting.

would it be acceptable on an open forum to say that most of you are going to hell?

It’s not based on truth or facts, the concept is faith.

Originally posted by xDOGGx
would it be acceptable on an open forum to say that most of you are going to hell?

I'm ok with that, I've been hearing it since 3rd grade when I went to catholic school. I do have problems with the concept of faith. Thomas was there when they crucified Jesus, and even he had his doubts until Jesus let him see the wound on his side that the centurion made. Is it too much too ask just for a light taste of the proof that he gave to Thomas? The old and new testament are RIDDLED with miracles but we haven't seen one for 2,000 years. Why not? I just can't follow a religion that condemns all others to hell(especially when they all espouse good will towards men and basically the same principals as the bible) on a consept as ethereal as faith. I wish I could because most christians seem so happy, but I just can't. I honestly believe that we live, we die, and that's all she wrote.

Originally posted by nickeboy9
I think life changes but people don't...

I think that came out wrong... what i meant is people who were born say 100 years are going to live life a particular way... Looked down upon and "owned" if of african american descent, Go to church because that's what is accepted in society at the time. The change wont happen to those particular people themselves...just as time changes, the newer generation with be changed as they live their life in accordance with what is accepted of society at the time. Does this seem like a ramble or does it make sence? Like Times change, and the people that are born in these different time periods will be different or "changed" from one time period to the next. i hope thats clear, i cant seem to word it how i want it to be lol

"If you don't assume a God, life is pretty pointless." A scholar once wrote that. ...SO since you don't believe in God, salvation, and that when you die you become a wrotting corpse... isn't your life pretty dull? And you've gotta fear death right?

Originally posted by Mouse
"If you don't assume a God, life is pretty pointless." A scholar once wrote that. ...SO since you don't believe in God, salvation, and that when you die you become a wrotting corpse... isn't your life pretty dull? And you've gotta fear death right?

Nobody knows why we're here, that's why men created science, religion and philosophy. Also, the only death I fear is that of my loved ones. If I'm dead, I'm not feeling or caring about anything. If you die when you're old, like most do, then life sucks and death settles on you like a comfy blanket. I fear serious injury WAAAY more than death.

personally i think having a fear of death has nothing to do with believing in god though.

I think death would be scarier if you did beieve in God. What if you picked the wrong religion? The concept of hell is what makes death scary.

According to the Christian religion, our purpose on earth is simple. It is to serve God by constantly learning more about him and his teachings, and leading others to him while being a good example and abiding to the laws brought forth through the Christian bible. So to say that “nobody knows why we’re here” is a horrible fallacy when the Christian faith makes it very clear for it’s followers.

You're making my head hurt.

Wrong Mouse. That begs the question as to WHY do all those that the Cristian religion teaches? Was God just bored so he created us as lil ego boost for himslef? What is the PURPOSE of foloowing Christain Dogma?

“Wrong Mouse. That begs the question as to WHY do all those that the Cristian religion teaches? Was God just bored so he created us as lil ego boost for himslef? What is the PURPOSE of foloowing Christain Dogma?”

Don’t be so fast to judge; I hate being called wrong by someone who doesn’t even study in depth the topic at hand.

God created man on earth to give us free will. Free will in regards to his love. If he just sent everyone to heaven then it wouldn’t really be free will and true love because he would force all of us to go. Get it?

Therefore he gives us this short time on earth to judge for ourselves if we want to believe in him and follow him. He loves us so much that he gives us the choice rather than forcing us into one way. Rather he gives us two options rather than just one.

Yep free will that's why god doesn't keeps us from killing eachother.

Let me ask you this mouse, this pertains to what you just posted. Is God all knowing and all powerful?
BTW, you shouldn't be so quick to judge either, I am very educated about religion, not just through my going to Catholic school for 10 years, but I was a christian myself for 10 years and my boss is a pastor whom I debate with regularly and the debate ALWAYS ends with the concept of faith being the last bastion. Christians argue with faith, not logic, because they have to.

Blue dawg as a Catholic I just don't see it.

Is God all knowing and all powerful?

Yes. The bible tells us this and shows us this time and time again.

Back to the other topic:
1 Peter 2:16
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Galations 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

He gives us freedom on this earth to believe, do, and act as we please. He gives us freedom to choose whatever we want because he loves us so much.

Could god make a burrito so big that even he couldn't eat it?

We don't have freedom. It's an illusion. If God knows all, then he knew who was going to hell before he created them knowing who would make what choices, in essence creating people to go to hell. From a biological stand point we are bound by our biology, once again no freewill. Free will is just a happy myth. Gman, ironically enough is right. If God was all powerful could he make a burrito even he couldn't eat? Whether he can or can't he can't be all powerful as either choice would constitue a failure on one end or the other.

I have a question..If jesus is the son of GOD then who is God the son of??? someone or something had to make him...I find it hard to swallow that all of a sudden God (if thats even his name) who is either a species or race or form of somekind of chemical suddenly just started creating what we call earth and living things..

I gave you the exact words that are in the bible that tell you otherwise and you’re calling God a liar and claiming the bible is false. If you are so stuck on not believing and being closed minded and not looking at the scriptures on a factual standpoint, I can’t see you changing your mind anytime soon. If I can’t even bring up scriptures and have you believe them I don’t know what else to say but to move on.

#2

i'm not religious

And if you’re questioning God’s power then read Psalm 147 with emphasis on verse 5.

Originally posted by Mouse
I gave you the exact words that are in the bible that tell you otherwise and you’re calling God a liar and claiming the bible is false. If you are so stuck on not believing and being closed minded and not looking at the scriptures on a factual standpoint, I can’t see you changing your mind anytime soon. If I can’t even bring up scriptures and have you believe them I don’t know what else to say but to move on.

Agreed except that I didn't call God a liar, I simply stated that I think people created him. I think the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are some of the greatest that the world has ever known, I just don't believe in anything supernatural.

If you don't believe in God then why are you afraid to call him a liar? He's just a fictional character devised by man right? Might as well call him a liar.

That would be like calling the Easter bunny a liar. Anyway, I never said I didn't respect Christians or Christianity, just that I couldn't believe in it. The people I love best in the world are devout Christians.

Originally posted by VulgarTheClown
#2

i'm not religious

then quit sayin you're jewish as you're only defense.

nobody answered my question....

Who created god???Who is he the son of???

Tha question is too stupid to answer.

Originally posted by xDOGGx
then quit sayin you're jewish as you're only defense.

Best Post in this Thread!!!!!111

Originally posted by nickeboy9
nobody answered my question....

Who created god???Who is he the son of???

Somewhere in the Bible it says that God is the Alpha and the Omega, which means he is the beginning and the end, so he doesn't have a mom or dad.

Really and why is that...let me answer it for you...the answer is we have no clue...nobody does...nobody knows if he even exists or if he is fictional...nobody knows what happens when u die except for the dead and they obviously can't tell us...people have faith and thats great...but bottom line is nobody knows what happens in the end...

Yeah, we have to wait until verizon comes up with metaphysical roam and somebody calls us from the other side.

LMAO Blue :crazy2:

Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

I thought it was revelations, that was always my favorite part of the Bible.

Originally posted by Mouse
Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Bruce???? morgan freedman is GOD
END OF STORY!!!

Originally posted by nickeboy9
Really and why is that...let me answer it for you...the answer is we have no clue...nobody does...nobody knows if he even exists or if he is fictional...nobody knows what happens when u die except for the dead and they obviously can't tell us...people have faith and thats great...but bottom line is nobody knows what happens in the end... I believe he does exist becasue I feel his presence everyday of my life.

Thankyou Wushu. Let me retort: By faith alone.

Originally posted by Wushu
I believe he does exist becasue I feel his presence everyday of my life.

Believing and knowing are two different things if you can tell me that you are 100% sure he exists then you are the man...

I'm 100 percent sure but anything I tell you, you won't believe. You need to see a physical form of God in order to believe, but that's not what Christians base their faith on.

John 4:48
"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."


Though it’s hard for me to deal with, I have come to the realization that there are and will always be people of this nature. This thread is a perfect example.

Number one is you are not 100% sure because that is impossible..number 2 is I probablyy won't believe anything you tell me unless you are god...

I’m 100 percent confident in my beliefs, does that bug you? Does it bug you that you are not as sure as I am and that you wish you knew for a fact as well, without having to see a physical God with my own eyes?

Not at all mouse..and im not saying that I don't believe in god..but if i didn't im entitled to that...but you wouldn't think so..it seems that everything u quote or believe has to be or else!!! there are 10 million other religions and people belive in 10 million other things...bottom line is like I said before nobody knows what happens in the ned...and you can't argue that.