[quote=Cmedic57;528795]Well, have seen too many miracles in my life to deny Christ. Have a personal relationship with Him ... know He IS and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Also know that He loves you even though you do not believe in Him and choose to serve the god of this world instead. If it all depended on us... no one would be saved. You are 16 years old and I am over 60 years old. You say your "religion" has enriched your life ... but when you are as old as I am I sincerely doubt you will feel the same way as you do now ... even I have grown in knowledge and what I used to believe in has changed as I have matured in my faith and can see God more clearly. I have no doubt you have NOT studied God's word indepth as I have ... nor seen the miracles I have. If you had ... if you had seen the Truth as it has been revealed to me ... you would not say you are a satanist. I pray that you are allowed to see Him as I do... I pray that you are one of the few God has chosen to be an object of His blessing and not be one of the many who are chosen to be objects of God's wrath. I would like to be your forever friend ... but that can only happen if you humble yourself, ask Jesus to forgive you, and invite His spirit to live inside your temple (body) along with your spirit (ie. be born again) ... for only those who live for Christ can enter into His kingdom, the rest will suffer in the firey abyss and be tormented by satan and his demons for eternity. I would not wish this on my worst enemy, and like God wish that all would come to repentance and accept Christ as thier savior. I sincerely pray that your eyes be opened to the TRUTH and accept Christ as the ONLY WAY to salvation and LIVE in Him. AMEN.[/quote]
You've said some contradicting things. And some other things that werent contradictory were more of a personal opinion.
The first sentence you said you've seen too many miracles to deny Christ. First of all, that's debatable. What is a miracle to one could be nothing to another. Is a miracle whatever you want it to be? Or whatever you think it is? If so, EVERYTHING has the potential of being a miracle to someone out there. It's a matter of opinion and surely doesnt prove the existance of anything. Certain things can simply be a freak of nature, not something divine. People get "lucky" for no reason. Just as people have "bad luck" for no reason. There are coincidences. Just as there is dejavu. And even if there are miracles, there is no telling where they came from or how or why.
Could a Jew or Muslim or a witch have a miracle happen to them? They may not believe in Jesus. And in the case of the witch, who knows what sort of supernatural God or Goddess they believe in. Surely, they will think that the said "miracle" came from where their place of divinity is.
Your 3rd sentence was " know He IS and rewards those who diligently seek Him" But then you say " I pray that you are allowed to see Him" and " I pray that you are one of the few God has chosen to be an object of His blessing and not be one of the many who are chosen to be objects of God's wrath." (...nothing but God's object, huh? Not a very desirable position)
This is a problem that often comes up when speaking to Christians. They try so hard to make you believe that God gave us free will. But is God all knowing? All powerful? Can he tell the future? If so, then he already knows from the time we are born where we are going to go when we die. Which means we have no choice. Our inevitable fate has been sealed, as God saw fit.
In other words, some of us are predisposed to be “saved” and some of us simply aren’t. So, you are trying to say that we have free will…but that clearly causes some problems…not ALL of us is in God’s Plan. You can try and say something like, “He wants all of His children”. Well, that’s fine and good. But some of us have no hope. Our contract to hell has been locked and sealed before we were even born. So no, not EVERYONE can be saved. If that were true, it would all be up in the air. And God wouldn’t know for sure who was going to be saved and who wouldn’t be. And that wouldn’t make him God, would it?
"for only those who live for Christ can enter into His kingdom, the rest will suffer in the firey abyss and be tormented by satan and his demons for eternity. I would not wish this on my worst enemy" ...but he LOVES you! lol. That really sounds like what a loving parent would do, no? Our heavenly Father won't just punish us...it's severe torture for all eternity...simply for disagreeing with him. That's not sadistic and fascist at all....
"even I have grown in knowledge and what I used to believe in has changed as I have matured in my faith and can see God more clearly. I have no doubt you have NOT studied God's word indepth as I have ... nor seen the miracles I have." Of course you've grown in knowledge and what you used to believe has changed and matured. There is nothing special about that. It's not confined to the world of religion. That goes for ALL topics. It's called maturity, wisdom, and experience. As we get older, we develope better critical thinking skills. We have more time to ponder our thoughts and beliefs. Life experience takes it's toll. ...You mention earlier my age of being 16. I'm sorry I didnt lie on this site and post a much older age. Maybe my thoughts would gain more attention and respect rather than the common belief as someone else even stated that I "am just young and am trying to rebel". Having said what I just said a few sentences ago, I'm fully aware that my thoughts will change as I age. With any luck, they will be even further reinforced! I have no doubt in my mind that is what will be the case. How would you know what I've studied? Have I read the Bible all the way through? Yes I have! Twice, actually. I can't quote it at will like some of you can, but I'm very familiar with the text, as I am with other mainstream religions and some cults. I am very proud of my knowledge. I've been in a gifted school for a few years now, and I'd wager that my I.Q. is higher than most on this site! Not to get off topic, but it's a bit insulting what dscherck said:
In all honesty, she's 16 according to her profile. I'd wager a guess she's likely just into it for the rebellion/shock value. LaVey Satanism isn't really even Satanism, it's more a hedonistic viewpoint that took the name for shock value. Real Satanists are a bit more.... covert.
Rebellion/shock value? Do I sound as though that impresses me a bit? I'm not like the rest of the moron teenagers if you couldnt tell. My vocabulary and descriptive explainations should have given that away... Have you even read what I've been saying, dscherck?
LaVey Satanism isn't real Satanism? It's the first official above ground Satanic church ever formed. Not to be confused with bogus devil worship. You'd have to have the intellect of a thumb nail to want to worship Satan in a literal way. I have no respect for devil worshipers. If you are going to worship the devil, why not worship God? You clearly are acknowledging His existance in doing so....Do not confuse these things. Devil worshipers are not very intelligent people...
LaVey chose the name for a few reasons, actually. Shock value was indeed one of them. Having worked in carnivals and circuses in his younger years, LaVey adopted some great skills on how to sell a product. How to draw a crowd. He was no idiot. He was very aware of the "shock" that came with the name. And that shouldnt be looked on as a bad thing, I might add. Why do people feel as though this discredits it or something? He was honest about his showmanship.
Secondly, the name actually perfectly describes the basic philosophy. It's a philosophy that is almost the complete opposite of christianity. Naturally, Satanism is a worthy title.
And lastly, and possibly most importantly: Satanists identify with this character that we view as fictional. He was the first rebel. Satan represents the guy that stood up against the law. Think of it as a corrupt government if you will. Satan was the adversary. The anti-hero. We relate to Him in a liberating sort of way. He was the one that challenged the rule that everyone blindly took for granted. It's a great allegory.
Sorry my friend. Mindless shock and rebellion have nothing to do with my intentions. Rather, I can truly identify with Satanism as an applicable philosophy and logical alternative to the legions of other cults/religions/beliefs out there. Satanism is in a big way based on science and psychology. I wouldnt have it any other way.
Now back to the original topic.
Cmedic57 mentions her age being over 60 years. Here is a quote from Anton LaVey:
"It is believed, by empiracle evidence, that many people who professed no belief in a deity when younger turn to "God" when they get old. Presumably, the closer they get to death, the greater their need for the comfort provided by religion". Taking this quote into consideration, and having a basic understanding of psychology, we could even go back and think again about what you said on how your faith has changed with age and grew with maturity so to speak. Is it not reasonable, logical even to assume that your age has just a little something to do with a need for comfort? Maybe you havent matured in thought at all, but instead see it from a perspective of someone who has new fears that werent their top priority or concern when younger. It's just something to think about.
Now, you might very well be right. When I grow old, I may very well turn to Christianity. But it's explainable scienficially and psychologically. And it would only be Christianity because it was the first thing I have come to know. Had I been raised some other religion, that may be what I return at an old age, if anything. This isnt God working on you. It's just common sense. You get old and you start fearing death.
And "fear" and scare tactics, something I have studied and spoken about with great detail on here, is something very common to Christianity as well as all relgion.
They scare you into submission and obedience, and then keep you with their promises..."but IF you listen to us and believe everything without question, you will be rewarded!" That's typical brainwash. Jim Jones did the same thing. And it's exactly what you do in your final statement.
Interestingly, as I was just scrolling up to copy and paste your final sentence, I noticed the sentence before last did just what I hypothesized. You use fear, only to provoke insecurity. Then comes the reward.."But IF you.....etc.. ...everything will be ok"
"the rest will suffer in the firey abyss and be tormented by satan and his demons for eternity. I would not wish this on my worst enemy, and like God wish that all would come to repentance and accept Christ as thier savior. I sincerely pray that your eyes be opened to the TRUTH and accept Christ as the ONLY WAY to salvation and LIVE in Him. AMEN."
You've said some contradicting things. And some other things that werent contradictory were more of a personal opinion.
The first sentence you said you've seen too many miracles to deny Christ. First of all, that's debatable. What is a miracle to one could be nothing to another. Is a miracle whatever you want it to be? Or whatever you think it is? If so, EVERYTHING has the potential of being a miracle to someone out there. It's a matter of opinion and surely doesnt prove the existance of anything. Certain things can simply be a freak of nature, not something divine. People get "lucky" for no reason. Just as people have "bad luck" for no reason. There are coincidences. Just as there is dejavu. And even if there are miracles, there is no telling where they came from or how or why.
Could a Jew or Muslim or a witch have a miracle happen to them? They may not believe in Jesus. And in the case of the witch, who knows what sort of supernatural God or Goddess they believe in. Surely, they will think that the said "miracle" came from where their place of divinity is.
Your 3rd sentence was " know He IS and rewards those who diligently seek Him" But then you say " I pray that you are allowed to see Him" and " I pray that you are one of the few God has chosen to be an object of His blessing and not be one of the many who are chosen to be objects of God's wrath." (...nothing but God's object, huh? Not a very desirable position)
This is a problem that often comes up when speaking to Christians. They try so hard to make you believe that God gave us free will. But is God all knowing? All powerful? Can he tell the future? If so, then he already knows from the time we are born where we are going to go when we die. Which means we have no choice. Our inevitable fate has been sealed, as God saw fit.
In other words, some of us are predisposed to be “saved” and some of us simply aren’t. So, you are trying to say that we have free will…but that clearly causes some problems…not ALL of us is in God’s Plan. You can try and say something like, “He wants all of His children”. Well, that’s fine and good. But some of us have no hope. Our contract to hell has been locked and sealed before we were even born. So no, not EVERYONE can be saved. If that were true, it would all be up in the air. And God wouldn’t know for sure who was going to be saved and who wouldn’t be. And that wouldn’t make him God, would it?
"for only those who live for Christ can enter into His kingdom, the rest will suffer in the firey abyss and be tormented by satan and his demons for eternity. I would not wish this on my worst enemy" ...but he LOVES you! lol. That really sounds like what a loving parent would do, no? Our heavenly Father won't just punish us...it's severe torture for all eternity...simply for disagreeing with him. That's not sadistic and fascist at all....
"even I have grown in knowledge and what I used to believe in has changed as I have matured in my faith and can see God more clearly. I have no doubt you have NOT studied God's word indepth as I have ... nor seen the miracles I have." Of course you've grown in knowledge and what you used to believe has changed and matured. There is nothing special about that. It's not confined to the world of religion. That goes for ALL topics. It's called maturity, wisdom, and experience. As we get older, we develope better critical thinking skills. We have more time to ponder our thoughts and beliefs. Life experience takes it's toll. ...You mention earlier my age of being 16. I'm sorry I didnt lie on this site and post a much older age. Maybe my thoughts would gain more attention and respect rather than the common belief as someone else even stated that I "am just young and am trying to rebel". Having said what I just said a few sentences ago, I'm fully aware that my thoughts will change as I age. With any luck, they will be even further reinforced! I have no doubt in my mind that is what will be the case. How would you know what I've studied? Have I read the Bible all the way through? Yes I have! Twice, actually. I can't quote it at will like some of you can, but I'm very familiar with the text, as I am with other mainstream religions and some cults. I am very proud of my knowledge. I've been in a gifted school for a few years now, and I'd wager that my I.Q. is higher than most on this site! Not to get off topic, but it's a bit insulting what dscherck said:
In all honesty, she's 16 according to her profile. I'd wager a guess she's likely just into it for the rebellion/shock value. LaVey Satanism isn't really even Satanism, it's more a hedonistic viewpoint that took the name for shock value. Real Satanists are a bit more.... covert.
Rebellion/shock value? Do I sound as though that impresses me a bit? I'm not like the rest of the moron teenagers if you couldnt tell. My vocabulary and descriptive explainations should have given that away... Have you even read what I've been saying, dscherck?
LaVey Satanism isn't real Satanism? It's the first official above ground Satanic church ever formed. Not to be confused with bogus devil worship. You'd have to have the intellect of a thumb nail to want to worship Satan in a literal way. I have no respect for devil worshipers. If you are going to worship the devil, why not worship God? You clearly are acknowledging His existance in doing so....Do not confuse these things. Devil worshipers are not very intelligent people...
LaVey chose the name for a few reasons, actually. Shock value was indeed one of them. Having worked in carnivals and circuses in his younger years, LaVey adopted some great skills on how to sell a product. How to draw a crowd. He was no idiot. He was very aware of the "shock" that came with the name. And that shouldnt be looked on as a bad thing, I might add. Why do people feel as though this discredits it or something? He was honest about his showmanship.
Secondly, the name actually perfectly describes the basic philosophy. It's a philosophy that is almost the complete opposite of christianity. Naturally, Satanism is a worthy title.
And lastly, and possibly most importantly: Satanists identify with this character that we view as fictional. He was the first rebel. Satan represents the guy that stood up against the law. Think of it as a corrupt government if you will. Satan was the adversary. The anti-hero. We relate to Him in a liberating sort of way. He was the one that challenged the rule that everyone blindly took for granted. It's a great allegory.
Sorry my friend. Mindless shock and rebellion have nothing to do with my intentions. Rather, I can truly identify with Satanism as an applicable philosophy and logical alternative to the legions of other cults/religions/beliefs out there. Satanism is in a big way based on science and psychology. I wouldnt have it any other way.
Now back to the original topic.
Cmedic57 mentions her age being over 60 years. Here is a quote from Anton LaVey:
"It is believed, by empiracle evidence, that many people who professed no belief in a deity when younger turn to "God" when they get old. Presumably, the closer they get to death, the greater their need for the comfort provided by religion". Taking this quote into consideration, and having a basic understanding of psychology, we could even go back and think again about what you said on how your faith has changed with age and grew with maturity so to speak. Is it not reasonable, logical even to assume that your age has just a little something to do with a need for comfort? Maybe you havent matured in thought at all, but instead see it from a perspective of someone who has new fears that werent their top priority or concern when younger. It's just something to think about.
Now, you might very well be right. When I grow old, I may very well turn to Christianity. But it's explainable scienficially and psychologically. And it would only be Christianity because it was the first thing I have come to know. Had I been raised some other religion, that may be what I return at an old age, if anything. This isnt God working on you. It's just common sense. You get old and you start fearing death.
And "fear" and scare tactics, something I have studied and spoken about with great detail on here, is something very common to Christianity as well as all relgion.
They scare you into submission and obedience, and then keep you with their promises..."but IF you listen to us and believe everything without question, you will be rewarded!" That's typical brainwash. Jim Jones did the same thing. And it's exactly what you do in your final statement.
Interestingly, as I was just scrolling up to copy and paste your final sentence, I noticed the sentence before last did just what I hypothesized. You use fear, only to provoke insecurity. Then comes the reward.."But IF you.....etc.. ...everything will be ok"
"the rest will suffer in the firey abyss and be tormented by satan and his demons for eternity. I would not wish this on my worst enemy, and like God wish that all would come to repentance and accept Christ as thier savior. I sincerely pray that your eyes be opened to the TRUTH and accept Christ as the ONLY WAY to salvation and LIVE in Him. AMEN."