Christianity......what I have learned on here.

[Dibby53]

Lol, what if it weren't something quite that hyperbolic, but maybe something like he calls you a name that you didn't give him to call you, like maybe; " mighty man peach".

Mighty man peach? Well. why not? I might wonder why though.

 

[Dibby53]

Salvation isn’t just a “get out of jail free card.” Giving your life to Christ, believing in the Gospel, affects your life now. You don’t need to wait for eternity to experience the reality of the Bible and what it says. You can actually have a relationship with God, hear from God, and have Him direct your steps in this life.

I am not trying to use fear of Hell as the motivation, as real as it is, but rather I am emphasizing to you, that God is extending His hand to you. It is God’s goodness that leads men to repentance, to change their mind and actions.

Do you really wish to live life in all its vanity to no end? Surely the end is death, but what if the actions you take in this life were eternal? What if the peace you seek isn’t found in the garden but the One who formed it?

When I seriously meditate and contemplate I already experience God. I have experienced the beautiful love of God.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Mighty man peach? Well. why not? I might wonder why though.

All that I'm saying is that it might not be okay with the divine that we do things our way, and that it's probably a good idea to seek after his way to do it.

 

[Rosemaryx]

Dear God...
Please shine Your Amazing grace on @Dibby53 , and bring him to Your beloved Son who died for Dibby also...
Dear Dibby...
Many have gone before you seeking knowledge and truth , and many will come after you seeking the same things , but you are seeking in the wrong places , Jesus made it very clear there is a broad path and a narrow path but few find the narrow path...

I pray you will seek the LORD , I pray next time when you are in your garden looking at all the beautiful things that God has so kindly given you for your hands to work , that you will look up and ask God to give you understanding of who He is...

When we are spiritually dead , ( as you are ) you will seek your truth all over the place , but when you seek God and understand what Jesus has done for you , I can say you will never thirst again...

...xox...

 

[DB7]

I,m questioning Christian theology not disparaging it. Sorry if it comes across that way. Sometimes I get passionate in defending a point, especially if it is against a proposition that promotes suffering, ie. hell and damnation, the genocide of people etc.

Well Dibby53, clearly you had a sarcastic and mocking overtone to your conclusions, ...fine either way, just appreciate the impression that it left. As you stated, your conclusions were that Christianity was ridiculous based on the reasons that you gave, ...do I need to cite them again?
Either way, everyone appreciates candor and sincerity, so no problem there, ....but maybe you're right, your perceived denunciation of Christianity, doesn't necessarily mean that your an atheist either?
My argument for the existence of God may have been inappropriate, and initiated from a presumptuous and naive standpoint.
Sorry, if I wasted a post, and maybe your time?
Thanks!

 

[Alby]

Is OP gay or just a pagan? Or maybe both, I'm not sure.

 

[garee]

Hi Bill
I have some knowledge of other religions, but not as much as Christianity. I have recently read a brilliant book called " God against the gods" which charts the rise of monotheism from its first attempt in ancient Egypt ( with the cult of Amun,the solar God) through to Judaism and the eventual replacement of Christianity in the Roman Empire under Constantine and his successors. I find much tolerance in the Greek and Roman worlds under polytheism. The monotheistic religions ( Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have a tendency to intolerance and dogmatism that is lacking in polytheistic religions.

In my opinion it is the polytheistic world of Greece and Athens that is the root of western civilisation. Christianity has been grafted on top. Everything valuable we have comes, in the beginning, from that world of the gods and goddesses.

Christianity grafted???

Everything you value as it seems comes, in the beginning from that world of the gods and goddesses, a false foundation. (No faith)

The world of gods and goddesses, comes from a lack of faith that alone comes as it is written the gospel .You are simply like the unbelieving Jew tuning things upside down in order to take away the understanding of faith, the unseen eternal .

Note... (purple in parenthesis ) my added comment to keep the focus on the unseen law of faith... walking, understanding by faith just as the man healed below.

And there they preached the gospel. (the healing resurrection power of God) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:The same heard Paul speak: (The word of God) who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, (the commandment of God not Paul) Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. (a picture of salvatiuon) And when the people (unbelievers that had no faith )saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out 7-14

 

[morefaithrequired]

whilst i applaud dibby's original post for its left field perspective, i do think his doubts reflect his own struggles and past fundamentalist Christian experience. A Jungian psychologist might suggest he needs to express his shadow. we are all jekyl and hydes. We need to find a way to express our dark side in a constructive way. Thats easier said than done.

 

[pottersclay]

Why are you sorry that he came to the conclusions that he came to. He came to them of his own volition.

It seems it would of been better if he meant Jesus wouldn't you agree? Rather than wrestle with ones logic.

 

[Alby]

To everyone posting in this gay pagan's thread remember:

1 Corinthians 15

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

 

[pottersclay]

I,m certainly a flawed and wounded human being......but then not many on planet earth are not. I stand as a seeker of truth and knowledge of the great mystery of existence. "Know thyself" was the great dictum written on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. That's kind of where I,m at. I seek to improve my ability to love.

God's word has been tested for centuries regardless of what you've heard the Bible has never been disproved. That is what I meant when I said it was tried. History its self testifies of God .
If you truly want to improve your ability to love my friend then ask God for a new heart the one you have now is wicked and deceitful as in all of us.

 

[pottersclay]

I don't see sin as a balance of payments. I see sin as that which obscures our true beauty in the image of God within us.
We are not in debt, but sick and in need of healing. And that healing is through God's love and our self knowledge. It is pointless being forgiven if we do not understand the nature of our pain and suffering.

Self knowledge is what keeps you hiding from God dibby.

When Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness they hid from God. That's self knowledge. Aware of once self.

 

[Adstar]

I don't see it as black and white like that. I prefer the gradual growth in knowledge rather than the "jump of faith ". A jump in faith, it seems to me, is to accept most of the propositions I start with on this thread. I like to think for myself.

I like to be guided by the Holy Spirit.. If do not think i am a God, so i do not trust that my own thinking will lead me to perfect wisdom..

 

[Dibby53]

Self knowledge is what keeps you hiding from God dibby.

When Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness they hid from God. That's self knowledge. Aware of once self.

On the contrary. It is hiding that keeps us from self knowledge. Who am I? It is the journey of a lifetime.

 

[Dibby53]

whilst i applaud dibby's original post for its left field perspective, i do think his doubts reflect his own struggles and past fundamentalist Christian experience. A Jungian psychologist might suggest he needs to express his shadow. we are all jekyl and hydes. We need to find a way to express our dark side in a constructive way. Thats easier said than done.

Of course. In asking the questions and pushing the boundaries I hope to gain something valuable. Not one person has tried to get me to clarify why I feel and think the conclusions I started the thread with. The default position seems to be that I,m wrong, deceived, a devil worshipper, hell bound, mocking, and in the grip of a pathology. I,ve explained in previous posts how I appreciate a great many of the teachings of Jesus. I do not have the absolute truth about anything......least of all something as vast as God. Don't get me wrong. Some of the people on here have been brilliant and at least attempt to try and understand me.....yourself included....and Whispered.
But an awful lot seem to be filled with rage for me even daring to question Christian dogma. While I certainly have my "shadow" as you put it, maybe they do too? Perhaps I am elucidating their own deep doubts?
I,ve come to love doubt. It is certainty that seems to divide me from people more than doubt!

A few have suggested I leave this forum and that I,m not welcome. If the majority feel this way then I will. But if people feel that there is anything of value in what I say then maybe I will stay. It could be that a more spiritually open forum would be more good for me.

However, I do enjoy the cut and thrust of debate. You guys are amazing....even my enemies lol. My belief is that there is something beautiful at the heart of each of us.....way beyond the mind stuff of beliefs. I sin every time I don't see this. Peace xx

 

[Dibby53]

I like to be guided by the Holy Spirit.. If do not think i am a God, so i do not trust that my own thinking will lead me to perfect wisdom..

Fair enough Adstar. How will you know the thoughts guided by the holy spirit?
I do not think that my thought structures will lead me to wisdom. Most of the time thoughts are completely conditioned by my past. It is my doubting of those thoughts and especially questioning everything that can eventually lead to wisdom.

 

[Dibby53]

Christianity grafted???

Everything you value as it seems comes, in the beginning from that world of the gods and goddesses, a false foundation. (No faith)

The world of gods and goddesses, comes from a lack of faith that alone comes as it is written the gospel .You are simply like the unbelieving Jew tuning things upside down in order to take away the understanding of faith, the unseen eternal .

Note... (purple in parenthesis ) my added comment to keep the focus on the unseen law of faith... walking, understanding by faith just as the man healed below.

And there they preached the gospel. (the healing resurrection power of God) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:The same heard Paul speak: (The word of God) who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, (the commandment of God not Paul) Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. (a picture of salvatiuon) And when the people (unbelievers that had no faith )saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out 7-14

If you have ever visited a museum; studied philosophy, and science; had treatment from a doctor who has taken a Hippocratic oath; been to the theatre; voted democratically and ever been in a classroom that has taught you Pythagoras's Theorem and geometry then you have used treasure bequeathed to you from the classical, pagan world of Greece.

 

[Dibby53]

we have a guy here in dibby53 who cant deal with the truth of God's word. ive had enough of you insulting everything christian here with your effeminate style while defending sin and evil(check out god is a moral monster thread). if u wanna know why he cant deal with it, well i know why but i wont put his business out there. i will let people do their own research if they want

so u dont like the bible? thats sad to hear. now why do you still go on christian forums bashing it? give it up. go to some religion where they dont care about truth and embrace sodomy, fornication and every sin under the sun and God is not supposed to judge it He isnt allowed to or He will be called names and He is being mean and judgmental and evil for punishing it.

you are really a perfect picture of a cafeteria religionist in the modern era, i didnt think it was possible to find someone with all the stereotypes in place but here you are.

Hi Melach
" Insulting everything Christian here with my effeminate style"?? That's a new one. If you look at a lot of my previous posts I mention Jesus and his message alot. I love the figure of Jesus in the gospels....its some of his followers I,m not sure about.
I,m not anti the bible or bashing it. It is true I think it is an inspired human creation ( no one has yet shown me how God wrote it).What I,m against is some of the ways it is interpreted and used to bash other people with.

I love cafeterias. When I walk in I can take my time choosing food that I enjoy before I part with my money. I don't eat the whole menu just because it is there!

 

[Amorette]

Hey Dibby53 , before I go into what you have said. I want to tell you that it is alright to have those doubts/thinking and that I have been having those very thoughts myself. The beauty here is that beyond those doubts lies a secret treasure and once you know it , it is beautiful. I have been studying the Bible for answers and am still on this journey of searching for deeper answers but the ones that kept me scratching my head, those very ones are answered. I can feel you when you indirectly ask this question "how can the gospel be good news when most of the people are condemned?" I looked down the thread for some answers and I saw people saying stuff like - we were already condemned and that is what I believe so too but one thing that people fail to recognize is the truth that 'the good news of the gospel shall be to ALL people' , I can quote verses which go like ' God desires all men to be saved' , 'Jesus is the savior of the whole world' , 'thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven' , so if God's will is that all men be saved , then why not. So Jesus has saved the world. He is the Savior - He is not letting people's hands slip away from His when they die with the 'wrong beliefs' . I believe , after my in depth study of the Bible in a millenial age of restitution.
I had those very thoughts and you have put it together well, you have been honest and many of us aren't here I guess. It ain't easy to admit stuff and not feel judged by other Christians.
I am in no way undermining the importance of being good or walking like Christ and to preach the gospel. But I want to put forth that if you present to people the Good news in a way that appears as bad news to them then what is Gospel by definition? Is there a Heavenly dictionary that defines it. Isn't it supposed to bring joy to all people. And that is what I believe in that it is the 'good tidings of the gospel which shall be to ALL people'.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Of course. In asking the questions and pushing the boundaries I hope to gain something valuable. Not one person has tried to get me to clarify why I feel and think the conclusions I started the thread with. The default position seems to be that I,m wrong, deceived, a devil worshipper, hell bound, mocking, and in the grip of a pathology. I,ve explained in previous posts how I appreciate a great many of the teachings of Jesus. I do not have the absolute truth about anything......least of all something as vast as God. Don't get me wrong. Some of the people on here have been brilliant and at least attempt to try and understand me.....yourself included....and Whispered.
But an awful lot seem to be filled with rage for me even daring to question Christian dogma. While I certainly have my "shadow" as you put it, maybe they do too? Perhaps I am elucidating their own deep doubts?
I,ve come to love doubt. It is certainty that seems to divide me from people more than doubt!

A few have suggested I leave this forum and that I,m not welcome. If the majority feel this way then I will. But if people feel that there is anything of value in what I say then maybe I will stay. It could be that a more spiritually open forum would be more good for me.

However, I do enjoy the cut and thrust of debate. You guys are amazing....even my enemies lol. My belief is that there is something beautiful at the heart of each of us.....way beyond the mind stuff of beliefs. I sin every time I don't see this. Peace xx

I think it would be wrong to ask you to leave.
I simply assume that you came to the conclusion you wanted to come to.
I invite ya to stick around, and am not your enemy.
I can disagree with someone and not despise them, as I also enjoy the cut and thrust of debate.
I also give you props for not being offended during our exchange. We both spoke pointedly and directly, and saddly in this day it's a rare trait for someone to have enough sand to be able to endure the cut and thrust of a debate.