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Post by Admin on Dec 4, 2021 21:36:38 GMT
You are correct. An idea’s popularity is not a definitive indicator of its accuracy. What is a definitive indicator of a religion’s accuracy? However, I believe you are missing my point. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that Christianity is the one and only true religion even though only 31% of the world’s population is Christian. I’d like you to tell me WHY the remaining 69% of the population has not converted to Christianity? Have they been bamboozled? Have you even considered the possibility that you have been bamboozled? No? What indicators DO show Christianity to be the one, and only, true religion? If you can’t provide any, I must fall back to the only indicator I know: its popularity. In my mind, if there were one true religion, then no less than 80% of the population would adhere to that religion. The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread The bread slicer was invented in 1928. Within five years, 80% of all bread sold in the USA was pre-sliced. Bread sales increased because it was easier than cutting your own slice. If sliced bread captured an 80% market share within five years, why does Christianity have a meager 31% market share after two millennia? Homer Simpson – Season 04, “Homer the Heretic” Absolutely nothing. There is zero proof any religion is true, so there nothing to gage its accuracy. However, I generally look at how much the believers adhere to their faith's fundamental message and sadly, the Christians as a whole have been massive failures. Certainly there are many individual Christians who rise above their hierarchy's hatred and sinfulness, but most don't. Heirarchies are for Catholics, not Christians. “There is no respect of persons with God.” |
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 2:10:54 GMT
Heirarchies are for Catholics, not Christians. “There is no respect of persons with God.” By hierarchy, I mean the leaderships, like Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker were the “hierarchy” of their Heritage USA and PTL TV network. Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and other Protestants, as well as Eastern Orthodox churches, all have traditional hierarchies with bishops who claim apostolic succession from St Peter. And Roman Catholics are Christians. Even the Baptists have the Southern Baptist Conference that can tell the local churches what do and/or become a scandal. And all churches have preachers. Not sure what that last sentence means. It means God doesn't give a shit about the size of your hat.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 2:49:11 GMT
It means God doesn't give a shit about the size of your hat. But all the churches with all their hierarchies and leadership conferences do not see it that way. Jesus gave the Keys to the Kingdom of God to Peter, the First Pope. Keep in mind I’m playing Devil’s Advocate for lively conversation. Like you, I personally don’t think any man has spiritual authority over me. You should know by now. Not all churches: Granted, of course there needs to be some sort of structure. It can't just be anarchy and chaos. But in terms of hierarchies putting any person closer to God than any other, this one has that covered as well: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_ChristSo, yeah...not all churches have these hierarchies of which you speak. The Catholic church, however, is grounded in them. At any rate, I think you're right when you say the majority will never rise above them. The indoctrination is strong in Catholicism. I mean, it starts when you're still just an infant, for crying out loud. Wackadoodle.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 3:35:01 GMT
Not all churches: Granted, of course there needs to be some sort of structure. It can't just be anarchy and chaos. But in terms of hierarchies putting any person closer to God than any other, this one has that covered as well: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_ChristSo, yeah...not all churches have these hierarchies of which you speak. The Catholic church, however, is grounded in them. At any rate, I think you're right when you say the majority will never rise above them. The indoctrination is strong in Catholicism. I mean, it starts when you're still just an infant, for crying out loud. Wackadoodle. There are still preachers and theologians from their seminaries. Frankly, you can never get away from what amounts to some else’s opinion regarding the right way to think about God. A Bible church could be totally independent, but are the people in the pews independent of the preacher who explains what his version of the Bible means to them? And as I see it, God takes care of the being close to us, we don’t have go looking for him. Maybe that’s the fruits of a spiritual journey. Kinda like Dorothy, she has the power all along to go home. That’s how I interpret the “Incarnation” which I don’t limit to just one human being. It’s right there, whatever It is. I think the point here is that Christianity is not a church, and according to the Bible, God doesn't care about golden arches, stained glass, collars, and candlesticks. If I ever had coffee with God, I'd like to ask Him how he feels about a man forgiving another man on His behalf.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 3:51:02 GMT
I think the point here is that Christianity is not a church, and according to the Bible, God doesn't care about golden arches, stained glass, collars, and candlesticks. If I ever had coffee with God, I'd like to ask Him how he feels about a man forgiving another man on His behalf. Probably not. Jesus and many Jews of his time like Rabbi Akiva thought similarly. Though, I wouldn’t know what God wants. Oh, sorry. That last sentence you didn't understand is a quote from the Bible.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 6:32:00 GMT
Oh, sorry. That last sentence you didn't understand is a quote from the Bible. You mean this: If I ever had coffee with God, I'd like to ask Him how he feels about a man forgiving another man on His behalf. Oh, yes. Jesus’ famous Sermon to the Baristas. So that’s why Evangies get all uppity if Starbucks doesn’t do the Christmas cups right. No, I mean this: Heirarchies are for Catholics, not Christians. “There is no respect of persons with God.”By hierarchy, I mean the leaderships, like Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker were the “hierarchy” of their Heritage USA and PTL TV network. Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and other Protestants, as well as Eastern Orthodox churches, all have traditional hierarchies with bishops who claim apostolic succession from St Peter. And Roman Catholics are Christians. Even the Baptists have the Southern Baptist Conference that can tell the local churches what do and/or become a scandal. And all churches have preachers. Not sure what that last sentence means.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 8:01:11 GMT
I study the Bible, I don't memorize it. A chapter and verse citation is always welcome. Even so, in the context of "Hierarchies are for Catholics, not Christians," I was avoiding the awkward comment. I don't think the Catholics on this board would appreciate not being called Christians. In Chapter 1 of Romans, Paul, who is writing to the new church among the large Jewish population in Rome, expresses who is in charge, him not the Jerusalem church whom he is at odds with at the time over who could be a Christian. Someone who converted to Judaism first or anyone...man...who wanted to join up and keep his pee-pee intact. He says: "5 Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, 6 among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy." He then goes on to talk about wickedness among the heathens or just now converted heathens who did not grow up learning to be pious Jews like Paul and that they should know the Hebrew God's Will as it is self-evident. After that, he condemns people who are passing judgement on gentiles too harshly. So the lead up to your quote: Yup. Romans 2:11 - For there is no respect of persons with God. Thanks.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 8:45:25 GMT
Yup. Romans 2:11 - For there is no respect of persons with God. Thanks. Your welcome, but the closer translation is 11 There is no partiality with God. You're using the 1604 King James version. However, "for there is no respect of persons with God" seems to say, based on the preceding verses, whether Jew or Gentile, God does not respect or show partiality to one over the other, rather than saying the people of God get no respect.  I found this on the internet: However, if it is important that you are right and I'm wrong, then please think it. You are under no "church"...including mine.  I've never said nor interpreted that to mean the people of God get no respect.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 9:07:02 GMT
I've never said nor interpreted that to mean the people of God get no respect. What do you think it means? I think it means God doesn't give a shit about the size of your hat.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 9:45:26 GMT
I think it means God doesn't give a shit about the size of your hat. Since you can't take a hat, no matter the size, with you, then probably not. "I can't bring up my kids in a church whose authority system is entirely based on the size of hats, okay? That's apparently how the Catholic church is run. The bigger the hat, the more important the guy, right? Priests have no hats, cardinals have those little red beanies, the pope has a collection of big hats...God must have a huge fucking sombrero up there in heaven! 'Look at me, I'm GOD! Look at the size of my hat, who else would I be?'" (Denis Leary)
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 10:05:02 GMT
"I can't bring up my kids in a church whose authority system is entirely based on the size of hats, okay? That's apparently how the Catholic church is run. The bigger the hat, the more important the guy, right? Priests have no hats, cardinals have those little red beanies, the pope has a collection of big hats...God must have a huge fucking sombrero up there in heaven! 'Look at me, I'm GOD! Look at the size of my hat, who else would I be?'" (Denis Leary) Ah, satire, but not really applicable to anything. Hats in the RCC are part of the vestments that hold symbolic value, but are not actually necessary. A priest or bishop can still do all his duties without them. Jews on the other hand require a hat for men. I used it as an expression. What it means is more or less what you've been agreeing with in your typical argumentative fashion.
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2021 11:07:40 GMT
I used it as an expression. What it means is more or less what you've been agreeing with in your typical argumentative fashion. You could have posted the Leary quote earlier.  You could have paid more attention.
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Post by Rodney Farber on Dec 11, 2021 0:02:34 GMT
What indicators DO show Christianity to be the one, and only, true religion? If you can’t provide any, I must fall back to the only indicator I know: its popularity. Really? If you can't find a good indicator of whether Christianity is the true religion, then you will actually rely on a BAD indicator? Do you realize how senseless that sounds?It's to be expected that things (like sliced bread) that make our lives easier will become popular. Christianity doesn't promise to make your life easier. No, I don’t. Rather than casting aspersions, please tell me the GOOD indicator. How do you know that you have picked the correct religion? Also, do you have an explanation as to why at least 69% of the world’s population does not belong to your one true religion? >Christianity doesn't promise to make your life easier.< That’s the rationalization. Christianity does “promise” a peaceful, eternal afterlife. That’s the hook. It’s a win-win for them. If you fulfill your part of the contract; they know you won’t be able to complain if they’re wrong. >As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return. <Job 7:9 – The Simpsons, S9E13, “The Joy of Sects” - I believe this was Kenneth Copeland's favorite quote
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Post by Isapop on Dec 11, 2021 1:24:31 GMT
Really? If you can't find a good indicator of whether Christianity is the true religion, then you will actually rely on a BAD indicator? Do you realize how senseless that sounds?It's to be expected that things (like sliced bread) that make our lives easier will become popular. Christianity doesn't promise to make your life easier. No, I don’t. No? Then I'll illustrate. It's early February, and a man wants to know if he can expect milder weather to come soon or to expect many more weeks of cold. He wishes he had some long-term meteorological information to rely upon, but has access to no such information. The sensible thing is to form no expectation one way or another. But instead, he decides to form an expectation by relying on whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow. That's senseless. If you've got no good indicators that Christianity should be believed, then don't believe it. But looking to a bad indicator as the way to reach an opinion is senseless.
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Post by Aj_June on Dec 11, 2021 3:41:26 GMT
With a growing portion of Americans self-identifying as atheists, agnostics, or “nones,” Mike Rubens travels to “Sin City” to try and understand what this departure from organized religion means for our society...and our souls. fb.watch/9doL31v5fi/ America's future is dark.
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