How many of you think Jesus will return to Earth in the next 50 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

I would take the bible any time over people who think they can dictate how people think and what they should believe. There are certain groups that would welcome you gladly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

That's your fear though, right? If not throwing them out, then letting them sit untouched on the shelf.

I don't understand why you care so much if someone believes in the Bible, Quaran, etc.

If it's not putting any money in your pocket, why are you so passionately against what people believe? Why do you even care? It doesn't make any sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

I would take the bible any time over people who think they can dictate how people think and what they should believe. There are certain groups that would welcome you gladly.

The cartoon poster misrepresents Angelo Lopez as anti-bible but he is a believer and a person who has no patience for extremism or religious closed minds. He is not anti-bible or anti-religion as the poster tried to display. Lopez's work is quite good.

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/18738

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/17380

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/1815

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

That's your fear though, right? If not throwing them out, then letting them sit untouched on the shelf.

I don't understand why you care so much if someone believes in the Bible, Quaran, etc.

If it's not putting any money in your pocket, why are you so passionately against what people believe? Why do you even care? It doesn't make any sense.

I don't, but apparently you do, because you spend so much time quoting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

I would take the bible any time over people who think they can dictate how people think and what they should believe. There are certain groups that would welcome you gladly.

The cartoon poster misrepresents Angelo Lopez as anti-bible but he is a believer and a person who has no patience for extremism or religious closed minds. He is not anti-bible or anti-religion as the poster tried to display. Lopez's work is quite good.

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/18738

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/17380

http://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/1815

I didn't misrepresent him. These are his words.
http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2012/05/the_face_behind_the_cartoons_a.html

Not all believers are rabid like some on these threads. He constantly struggles and even compares the church to a manipulative cult. The cartoon is still appropriate, however, as many have only used the bible as "evidence."

Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

That's your fear though, right? If not throwing them out, then letting them sit untouched on the shelf.

I don't understand why you care so much if someone believes in the Bible, Quaran, etc.

If it's not putting any money in your pocket, why are you so passionately against what people believe? Why do you even care? It doesn't make any sense.

I don't, but apparently you do, because you spend so much time quoting it.

No, you definitely care. I think you have me confused with another poster. But my original comment stands. Anyone who spends as much time as you do maligning the beliefs of others is just as bad or worse as anyone who's a bible thumper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

That's your fear though, right? If not throwing them out, then letting them sit untouched on the shelf.

I don't understand why you care so much if someone believes in the Bible, Quaran, etc.

If it's not putting any money in your pocket, why are you so passionately against what people believe? Why do you even care? It doesn't make any sense.

I don't, but apparently you do, because you spend so much time quoting it.

No, you definitely care. I think you have me confused with another poster. But my original comment stands. Anyone who spends as much time as you do maligning the beliefs of others is just as bad or worse as anyone who's a bible thumper.

Maligning = disagreeing with? Perhaps you are confused as well.

There are many disagreements on this message board, on and off the religion section. No reason why this section should be free of disagreement, unless religion is perceived as so fragile that it needs to be protected from dissent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

----
I know of many Christians who feel this way - they really love the ideals Jesus stands for. My feeling is that you can love the ideals without worshipping the man, or any man. You can admire Jesus greatly without expecting him to provide you with eternal life.

People don't need all the trappings of organized religion to hold to Jesus' simple, timeless ideals. In fact, organized religion can become corrupt, like any group devised by humans. Also, we now know that these ideals are intrinsic to human development and can be found to some extent in other animals and in human babies who have no understanding of organized religion.

The worship part seems like a vestige of the past, when humans were routinely subjugated by rulers whom they were expected to worship and to a time when we thought gods lived right out of sight in the sky above us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

----
I know of many Christians who feel this way - they really love the ideals Jesus stands for. My feeling is that you can love the ideals without worshipping the man, or any man. You can admire Jesus greatly without expecting him to provide you with eternal life.

People don't need all the trappings of organized religion to hold to Jesus' simple, timeless ideals. In fact, organized religion can become corrupt, like any group devised by humans. Also, we now know that these ideals are intrinsic to human development and can be found to some extent in other animals and in human babies who have no understanding of organized religion.

The worship part seems like a vestige of the past, when humans were routinely subjugated by rulers whom they were expected to worship and to a time when we thought gods lived right out of sight in the sky above us.

It's your opinion and you are more than entitled to say 'people don't need the trappings of organized religions." That is your right, absolutely. It us also the right of any and every one to believe as they deem fit and hold ideas that befit their thought process.

You have been provided a forum to eloquently state your case and espouse your beliefs. I trust you will allow people their beliefs and worship as they see fit without denigration.

I don't see why that's too much to ask. Allow people to believe what they want which they will do anyway regardless of what you or I say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Seriously? You think anyone should take you as the final authority or any individual reference you provide as the final opinion on whether or not God exist?

Don't quit your day job, and I doubt peopke are rushing en masse to throw out bibles because of you.

That's your fear though, right? If not throwing them out, then letting them sit untouched on the shelf.

I don't understand why you care so much if someone believes in the Bible, Quaran, etc.

If it's not putting any money in your pocket, why are you so passionately against what people believe? Why do you even care? It doesn't make any sense.

I don't, but apparently you do, because you spend so much time quoting it.

No, you definitely care. I think you have me confused with another poster. But my original comment stands. Anyone who spends as much time as you do maligning the beliefs of others is just as bad or worse as anyone who's a bible thumper.

Maligning = disagreeing with? Perhaps you are confused as well.

There are many disagreements on this message board, on and off the religion section. No reason why this section should be free of disagreement, unless religion is perceived as so fragile that it needs to be protected from dissent.

LOL! I don't think God or religion is so fragile that protection is needed from you, me, or anyone else.

It's one thing to have intelligent debate and another to disparage and insult one's beliefs simply because someone finds it illogical. And that works both ways, believers and non-believers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

----
I know of many Christians who feel this way - they really love the ideals Jesus stands for. My feeling is that you can love the ideals without worshipping the man, or any man. You can admire Jesus greatly without expecting him to provide you with eternal life.

People don't need all the trappings of organized religion to hold to Jesus' simple, timeless ideals. In fact, organized religion can become corrupt, like any group devised by humans. Also, we now know that these ideals are intrinsic to human development and can be found to some extent in other animals and in human babies who have no understanding of organized religion.

The worship part seems like a vestige of the past, when humans were routinely subjugated by rulers whom they were expected to worship and to a time when we thought gods lived right out of sight in the sky above us.

It's your opinion and you are more than entitled to say 'people don't need the trappings of organized religions." That is your right, absolutely. It us also the right of any and every one to believe as they deem fit and hold ideas that befit their thought process.
-------

You have been provided a forum to eloquently state your case and espouse your beliefs. I trust you will allow people their beliefs and worship as they see fit without denigration.

I don't see why that's too much to ask. Allow people to believe what they want which they will do anyway regardless of what you or I say.

Actually, there's no way, besides asking to have posts removed, to prevent people from expressing their opinions here. No one but the moderator can "allow" or disallow it. And no one, in this country, at least, can not allow a person to practice their religion (or no religion).

But allowing an opinion also means allowing disagreement with it which is different from "denigration" - a pejorative term that can be hard to pin down, because what is disagreement to one person might be seen as denigration to another -- especially in the case of Christianity, which until recently, hasn't experienced so much open criticism from non-believers. In contrast, non-believers have, until recently, silently endured the criticism of Christians (and in some cases have been burned at the stake for it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

----
I know of many Christians who feel this way - they really love the ideals Jesus stands for. My feeling is that you can love the ideals without worshipping the man, or any man. You can admire Jesus greatly without expecting him to provide you with eternal life.

People don't need all the trappings of organized religion to hold to Jesus' simple, timeless ideals. In fact, organized religion can become corrupt, like any group devised by humans. Also, we now know that these ideals are intrinsic to human development and can be found to some extent in other animals and in human babies who have no understanding of organized religion.

The worship part seems like a vestige of the past, when humans were routinely subjugated by rulers whom they were expected to worship and to a time when we thought gods lived right out of sight in the sky above us.

It's your opinion and you are more than entitled to say 'people don't need the trappings of organized religions." That is your right, absolutely. It us also the right of any and every one to believe as they deem fit and hold ideas that befit their thought process.
-------

You have been provided a forum to eloquently state your case and espouse your beliefs. I trust you will allow people their beliefs and worship as they see fit without denigration.

I don't see why that's too much to ask. Allow people to believe what they want which they will do anyway regardless of what you or I say.

Actually, there's no way, besides asking to have posts removed, to prevent people from expressing their opinions here. No one but the moderator can "allow" or disallow it. And no one, in this country, at least, can not allow a person to practice their religion (or no religion).

But allowing an opinion also means allowing disagreement with it which is different from "denigration" - a pejorative term that can be hard to pin down, because what is disagreement to one person might be seen as denigration to another -- especially in the case of Christianity, which until recently, hasn't experienced so much open criticism from non-believers. In contrast, non-believers have, until recently, silently endured the criticism of Christians (and in some cases have been burned at the stake for it).

So this is all about comeuppance for believers. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Because of my experiences, I have a real love/hate relationship with Christianity. I've had some wonderful moments in church where I felt really close to God. And I've had moments where church felt like some crazy manipulative cult. I struggle with my faith, but I believe in God and Jesus. I've learned, however, to be very wary about certain type of Christians. Overall though the positive things about Christianity outweigh the negative things. And I really admire Jesus. No person lives up to the ideals of Jesus. But these are still great ideals worth striving for. To love your enemy. To love your neighbor as yourself. To reach out to the poor and the marginalized. To see that each individual has intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Jesus's message is still very radical and subversive.

----
I know of many Christians who feel this way - they really love the ideals Jesus stands for. My feeling is that you can love the ideals without worshipping the man, or any man. You can admire Jesus greatly without expecting him to provide you with eternal life.

People don't need all the trappings of organized religion to hold to Jesus' simple, timeless ideals. In fact, organized religion can become corrupt, like any group devised by humans. Also, we now know that these ideals are intrinsic to human development and can be found to some extent in other animals and in human babies who have no understanding of organized religion.

The worship part seems like a vestige of the past, when humans were routinely subjugated by rulers whom they were expected to worship and to a time when we thought gods lived right out of sight in the sky above us.

It's your opinion and you are more than entitled to say 'people don't need the trappings of organized religions." That is your right, absolutely. It us also the right of any and every one to believe as they deem fit and hold ideas that befit their thought process.
-------

You have been provided a forum to eloquently state your case and espouse your beliefs. I trust you will allow people their beliefs and worship as they see fit without denigration.

I don't see why that's too much to ask. Allow people to believe what they want which they will do anyway regardless of what you or I say.

Actually, there's no way, besides asking to have posts removed, to prevent people from expressing their opinions here. No one but the moderator can "allow" or disallow it. And no one, in this country, at least, can not allow a person to practice their religion (or no religion).

But allowing an opinion also means allowing disagreement with it which is different from "denigration" - a pejorative term that can be hard to pin down, because what is disagreement to one person might be seen as denigration to another -- especially in the case of Christianity, which until recently, hasn't experienced so much open criticism from non-believers. In contrast, non-believers have, until recently, silently endured the criticism of Christians (and in some cases have been burned at the stake for it).

So this is all about comeuppance for believers. Got it.

Does it feel like comeuppance? It's simply an explanation of why a believer might not be used to dissent. Was it comeuppance when Blacks and women expected to be treated equally?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Does it feel like comeuppance? It's simply an explanation of why a believer might not be used to dissent. Was it comeuppance when Blacks and women expected to be treated equally?

Constantly nitpicking believers on DCUM isn't going to make any progress toward whatever might be your goal. Equality? Tolerance? Shaming religion? You're really spinning your wheels, my friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Does it feel like comeuppance? It's simply an explanation of why a believer might not be used to dissent. Was it comeuppance when Blacks and women expected to be treated equally?

Constantly nitpicking believers on DCUM isn't going to make any progress toward whatever might be your goal. Equality? Tolerance? Shaming religion? You're really spinning your wheels, my friend.

+1