Religion, what do you think?

[jacob]

Yes. I have proof for myself, but it cannot be shown to others. Knowing that God lives is achieved on a personal level. Again, read my post about Paul's natural man and how the world cannot understand things spiritually.

I repeat for clarity--the world is physically unable to discern things spiritually. You have to receive a witness from God, by the Spirit. There is no other way.

Like Paul said, "even so the things of God knoweth no man, but [by] the Spirit of God."

You cannot receive a spiritual witness or a testimony of spiritual things unless the Spirit manifested it unto you. Just like I can't receive proof of physical things unless the spirit of science or of man has shown it to me.

 

[jacob]

How is any of that proof? All these things are written in a book, so does this validate everything that that book, and thus all books in the history of ever, says?

I have a book upstairs that says Castleford is a good place to go for a pint, but it's still not true.

You failed to understand the preamble to my little explanation there. Let me quote and bold it for you.

The proof is based on whether or not the person in question has received a witness that God lives and that the scriptures are true.

The Bible (and other scriptures) only offer validity to people who know they are true. And knowing they are true is possible if one sincerely searches for the answers. Generally this is accomplished by reading them and praying to God and asking for a witness.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[jacob]

Why don't you prove that Freddy doesn't exist? Maybe this handful of psychologically unstable people are the ones that are right, and we are all crazy. Can you prove or disprove that?

No, you can't.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[bashful crobat]

That's right - all fictitious entities and events are true until proven otherwise. God, Freddie, and the herd of sheep with pizza hats that I dreamt about last night are all real until you provide irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

Man, my horizons have been blown wide open.

 

[jacob]

And this is why Paul wrote what he did.

 

[bashful crobat]

And this is why I often find religious people laughable.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[psiclone]

He spoke to me last night. He was all "go make your bed", and I obeyed.

 

[jacob]

That's right - all fictitious entities and events are true until proven otherwise. God, Freddie, and the herd of sheep with pizza hats that I dreamt about last night are all real until you provide irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

Man, my horizons have been blown wide open.

Asking to disprove Freddy's existence is simply putting you both in my shoes. You really do know that it isn't true (or in my case, That God lives) but you won't be able to prove it.

I have proven it to myself by communicating with God, but I feel like I'm entering the context of the following scripture:

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Now before you take offense to this, realize that it isn't saying certain people are dogs or swine. It's stating that dogs and swine can't appreciate the value of a pearl, because they don't understand it. Just like many people can't appreciate or understand the pearl that is the Gospel.

What Paul did was argue that if anyone wants to know of God's existence, they must receive it from God. The scriptures aren't PROOF that God lives, they are the instructions on how to obtain said proof.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[jacob]

No, convincing yourself and receiving an answer to a prayer are entirely different. One is done by yourself, the other is done by God.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[jacob]

He's answered countless numbers of my prayers...

but frankly, after trying to discuss this topic with you and reading your responses, I wouldn't dream of sharing something so personal and precious to me.

Answers to prayers or confirmations or witnesses from the Spirit, whatever you want to call them, come in many forms and can differ from person to person. But in my case, when they have come, they are unmistakable.

And now for your bible quote!

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[QuantumMindGames]

Funny how to the people so involved in their religions, that when someone of another faith or no faith tells them their beliefs, they are astonished, and look at them as poor pathetic souls. and if an argument heats up, its always "you are wrong, i am right" on both sides.


When will people realize that it's how you look at life? its your perspective on the world, how things work and the explanation behind things otherwise unexplainable. There is no right or wrong, its what you believe. Why is no religion considered the right religion? Maybe because it's impossible to do so - since it's nothing but a belief structure.


"A building without a solid structure will fall when something comes along and gives it the right push."
This is the reason for religion, or for some people no religion. There is no right religion, period. There is no wrong religion, either. Some are considered immoral, yes. But to the people who actively pursue these faiths, it's real, and it's how the world works.


I kinda make it a personal goal to help let people realize this that are too blinded by their own perspective. It's what you believe in and how you see the world.


Oh, and I'm buddhist, and technically it's not even a religion - it's a way of life. peace and whatnot.

 

[mawk]

I liked the part when the guy used bible verses to condescend all over people

"heh james says you're dumb"

 

[Incognitus]

So I believe God to be a tangible being, made of flesh and bone--just perfected and glorified.

Being a tangible person, He dwells in a tangible place. His influence and power can be felt in all the universe, but he exists in one place at a time (like the sun, for example)

Okay. Tangible.

So does this mean that you believe that Heaven is out there, or does that mean... heaven is a place on earth?

 

[jacob]

I believe that Heaven is a place that occupies space, just as Earth does. Only Heaven is imaginably far away.