Creation vs. Evolution

[Midnight Star]

Circular thinking is everywhere if you really think about it. I can't prove it exists, therefore it doesn't. Therefore... see what i'm saying. Many things are taught in colleges today that challege established systems .. and in a way, rightfully so. Many of the established systems were wrong to begin with, and needed a good thumping. As I mentioned in my earlier post, not everyone that claims God or christianity is of God.

To a christian, the bible is the inspired word of God, and there can only be one - the original. Therefore, they (we) believe as the one God has given them (us) - we don't really question it, because it simply is what it is. Interestingly enough, I dont go to church that often, and no matter how "stuttery" I become in life, I always seem to autopilot back. To a christian, that is God, keeping a dear son. I am that I am - meaning simply that since my creation, I am no more, or no less than that which I was made to be. We will always find our true center, no matter what comes our way. It's not us, it's God.

So for me, it is as i've been given ... it sounds strange I know, but i've read other religious works and they just don't seem to have the sense of authority the bible has. Not as it's taught by some, or conditioned through capital gain or approval (do what we say and you shall prosper kinda thing - too many religions have gone that path), but there's just something about it that I can't deny. It's not logic per se, or intellectual thinking ... there's seems to be a breath of prophesy there - as if the inspired word of God is just that, the spirit of prophesy; prophecy being the escense of life.

What's really funny is, as all creatures growing up, I was subject to parental teachings; both internal and external. Which could augment some arguments that religion is a learned behaviour (given the spread of other belief systems in an "enclosed" area from gods to superstition). So in the beginning, let's say it's learned. As we grow older, we become more self aware and begin to question and make our own choices. In this, parental guidance has less effect as does personal experience and desire. So if I say I choose to, then God is of nil effect because were talkling personal choice and not fact. Again, back to circular reasoning which is inherently designed to only bring about one conclusion - the basis of a good argumentative speech, not understanding.

I believe in God because I know God is. I know God is because he made me; not me the flesh but me the spirit. If Buddah made me, i'd be wearing an orange robe right now (at least I think they wear orange).

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Mike.

 

[Soggy]

Which translation of the bible is the word of god?

Those Tibetan monks are pretty sure of their religion as well. But they are wrong because the bible says so.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Soggy, I should not have interjected extemporaneously here, sorry.

 

[Midnight Star]

You sure are asking me to answer for alot

The word of God is that which he has spoken, and continues to speak. It is a living word that goes beyond the written word. So to claim godliness against a written word, in a way, is to deny that God is living; it does give us a good start though. Now as to which written word is correct, I think the bible covers that in the book of Daniel ... one of my favorite books.

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Mike.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Why? Why are you Christian and not Buddhist or <insert other popular religion here>? That's the question that has been asked and not been answered.

Why am I a Christian? Several reason I guess. One reason would be the incredible amount truth I find and continue to find in the Bible. Another reason is answered prayer. Third is the personal relationship with God and the faith that has developed in part because if the first two reasons I gave.

Why do you believe that you are right and the other guys are all wrong? That's a lot of people that are wrong...by far the majority.

The majority? Well I never did go along with the majority on much of anything. I guess that's another story but I've never found the the "majority" to have a very good track record of being "right" about anything. Diving is a fantastic example of that.

Aside from that, the Bible itself tells us a great deal about how most of the world will react to the gospel, how we will appear to the world, how we will be treated by the world, why that is, what it means and how we should deal with it. IMO, this very thread contains a HUGE amount of evidence of Biblical truth.

Don't you think that if it were the one true and correct way, more people would have figured it out and gone to the 'right' religion?

No, I don't think that at all. again, the Bible itself tells us that many people turn from God and reject the gospel and it tells us why. Also, as I've said, I've never found following the crowd to be the best way to get anything right. In this matter, the Bible is very clear about the fact that the tendancy of the crowd is to go the wrong way.

 

[Soggy]

Why am I a Christian? Several reason I guess. One reason would be the incredible amount truth I find and continue to find in the Bible. Another reason is answered prayer. Third is the personal relationship with God and the faith that has developed in part because if the first two reasons I gave.

Do Buddhists not also share this experience? Have you explored different religions to determine if another one might provide more truth to you? Were you raised Christian?

 

[Cacia]

Those Tibetan monks are pretty sure of their religion as well. But they are wrong because the bible says so.

The nice thing about Buddhism is that you can be a Christian and the Dahli Lama will still deal with you and give you amazing tools to live your life.

I am a Christian but Christianity never gave me any tools. The logic just never worked for me... way too convoluted.

Buddhism clicks and rings true. So..some Christians try and kick me out...but since I am already saved, they cannot really. I have crosses and Buddhas all over my house.

I have the best world, I think. Now, I would really have a problem if I couldn't have access to the Dahli Lama or the Buddhist's works..but they don't have any requirements.

This reads a little flip, but it is true.

And then..I know a little bit about "Jews for Jesus" too.

oh..wow

Some Christians still labor under a host of misconceptions in regard to Buddhism. Yet there are many others - particularly in Buddhist countries - who realize that the Buddhist culture and tradition are worth their interest and support, not only as treasuries of mankind, but also as an actual enrichment of the Christian faith&#8230;.

 

[H2Andy]

but those billions apparently refuse to have it any other way.

God could have it another way. He is all-powerful.

surely He can come up with a better way?

there are those who believe He has

let me give you a scenario:

1911, boy is born in Borneo. never hears of Christianity. when he is 21 years old (living your average person's life, not too bad, not perfect) he dies in a typhoon.

never heard about Jesus.

Hell or no hell?

 

[Midnight Star]

Wow, Cath, it sounds like they've given quite alot of requirements.

I remember a few verses that say:

Pure religion and undefiled is this ... visit the fatherless and widow in their afflictioon ... remain unspotted from the world.

Also remember where it says, Love thy neighbor as thyself? And upon that hang all the laws and the prophets? And against that kind of love, there is no law.

Not to change the subject, but we're way off the original topic.

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Mike.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The bible is particular suspect as it's authorship is so sketchy...none of the authors knew Jesus, except maybe Paul, though that is highly debateable. Why believe a book that claims to be the teachings of someone that died between a couple decades and a couple centuries before it was written down?

You keep saying this but I disagree. I'm not a historian but I've done quit a bit of reading on this topic on both the pro and con sides and I don't find it at all hard to believe that the New Testament books were pened by the titled authors or someone very close to them.

New testament events are attested to by multiple authors and a bunch of independant eye witness accounts. There is probably more manuscript support for the New Testament than for just about any other body of ancient literature.

Paul didn't know Jesus during His earthly ministry and I don't know of any debate on the issue. Paul did know others who did know Jesus though. Of course the story of Pauls own conversion is a powerful testament in itself (Acts 9).