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Post by kkawohl on Dec 12, 2003 13:44:42 GMT -5
Religion is a set of beliefs involving symbols regarded as sacred, together with ritual practices in which members of the community engage.
Religious practices originated from a fear of God. Judaism and Islam are more closely tied to these ancient practices than Christianity which is a more modernized belief that combines a love and a fear of God which came into existence two millenium ago.We have made great advances since then in technology and our standard of living, but our religious practices have not advanced.
Atheists have fed off and ridiculed the outdated practices of believers who worship a God who supposedly created the entire universe in six days by commanding it to exist, magically performed miracles, and has spoken to and given commandments to his chosen few.
One of our main purposes in life is to prepare our soul to be received by God. Spiritual beings know that they are part of God's Master Plan, as is the universe. A oneness with the Spirit of God, by your deeds (contrary to some biblical teachings) during your lifetime, will determine your soul's destiny. Also, if you deed (pledge, give, transfer) your soul to God, you will know, as you know that God exists, that your soul will be a part of God.
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Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 12, 2003 15:02:23 GMT -5
Quote by kkawohl:
"Atheists have fed off and ridiculed the outdated practices of believers who worship a God who supposedly created the entire universe in six days by commanding it to exist, magically performed miracles, and has spoken to and given commandments to his chosen few."
My Response:
So we're supposed to change the truth of God because of atheist scoffers?
Quote by kkawohl:
"A oneness with the Spirit of God, by your deeds (contrary to some biblical teachings) during your lifetime, will determine your soul's destiny."
My Response:
This is simply your belief. If you would rather trust in your beliefs, although you admit that they are contrary to Biblical teachings, then you certainly have a right to do so.
God gave us His Word as a guiding light to avoid deception brought about by our own logic or the rantings of some mystic guru. Wise people give heed and obey the Word of God. Foolish people rely on their own experiences and beliefs.
The bottom line is: Jesus died in our place. He is The Way to God. There is no other. Good works, although certainly commanded by The Lord, cannot merit eternal life.
You see, it's not a lack of good works that keeps a person out of Heaven. Sin keeps a person out of Heaven. Only The Blood of Jesus can wash us from our sin. When we receive His Blood Sacrifice by faith as the propitiation for our sins, God no longer looks at us as sinners. He sees us through His Son, who has washed us and made us clean. We can now, enter into His Heavenly Home, having been washed clean by The Blood of The Lamb. That is why it is only through Him that a person can be saved.
He calls everyone to this great salvation, but only those who receive it, will enter in, not by good deeds, but by the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.
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Post by heathen76 on Dec 12, 2003 15:18:46 GMT -5
God gave us His Word as a guiding light to avoid deception brought about by our own logic or the rantings of some mystic guru. Wise people give heed and obey the Word of God. Foolish people rely on their own experiences and beliefs. It is your belief that the Bible is the word of God. Following it is simply following your beliefs. Again, simply a belief that you hold. Three for three! Again, simply your belief. No more valid than anyone else's. Wow! A trend! Yet further evidence that you are able to type out a list of your beliefs.
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Post by kkawohl on Dec 12, 2003 18:36:05 GMT -5
SonWorshipper,
You have been well brain-washed by the bible-thumpers, Christianized and conditioned.
Worshipping anything or anyone is not required or desired by God...but even SonWorshippers and SunWorshippers will achieve their goal of having their spirit united with God if they live righteously.
Prayers are for our benefit. We need to pray for guidance to comprehend the purpose of our existence. Through prayers and meditation, inspiration peace and tranquility can be received by our spirit. Harmony with God requires the spirit to be at peace. Our prayers should ask for inspiration and guidance from the Spirit of God to enlighten us and transform our daily lives by being honest, humble, grateful, full of love and good works.
Churches, mosques, temples and gathering places help our spirit to rejoice and come closer to the unity and peace of God.
May your spirit be at peace & then you will see the light.
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Post by marysia on Dec 12, 2003 19:47:28 GMT -5
gee, not too sure what you think SonWorshipper but -- here's to being brain-washed ; )
God bless you all this weekend - -
PLEASE REMEMBER -- no matter what your beliefs it's the holiday season so therefore many will be out "enjoying adult libations" this weekend -- you may be sober but the driver next to you may not -- PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND DRIVE OFFENSIVELY!!
God Bless you and your travels!
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Post by kkawohl on Dec 12, 2003 20:03:44 GMT -5
marysia,
"enjoying adult libations" and then driving is irresponsible, kills brain cells and sometimes also people. I suggest a zero tolerance on drinking & then driving.
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Post by marysia on Dec 12, 2003 21:18:22 GMT -5
marysia, "enjoying adult libations" and then driving is irresponsible, kills brain cells and sometimes also people. I suggest a zero tolerance on drinking & then driving. i totally agree! however there ARE people who do not. i work in a major downtown area and thankfully the city itself provided free taxi services and as a meeting coordinator i also recommend to the planners additional shuttle services, our property also offers rates on sleeping rooms at less than 1/5 the lowest normal rate (ride the elevator home deals), our staff will not return keys, cut people off and we offer free coffee and free soft beverages on every event that has either hosted or cash bars. i was merely pointing out (since i have about 750+ people here presently for their party) to be careful. many many people appoint a designated driver HOWEVER -- many do not. as i said -- you may be sober but the person next to you or coming up behind may not be so -- drive offensively. that means to keep an eye on the driver coming up behind and that you pkmtyolp and come up upon. don't worry only about your own driving but that of the others on the road. the comment about beliefs came into play due to the fact i am a christian and feel this is a strongly religious and fulfilling time in my life but know - as this thread IS in the debate category so there are those debateing the issue of spirituality - there are those that are more santa or nothing at all. that was the main topic of conversation - the drinking and driving was just a friday night reminder. i am going to assume you were not implying i was condoning drinking and driving - if you knew more about me you would know that is wrong. so i'll just take you post as another reminder/suggestion to people out there. have a safe and happy weekend!!
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Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 12, 2003 21:43:16 GMT -5
Hi marysia! Indeed, being brainwashed by The Word of God and His Spirit is truly a joyful and enlightening wonder!! To be honest, I wish I was even more brainwashed! Lord Jesus, please transform (brainwash) even more so our minds and heart with your Word and Spirit. In Your Precious Name we pray, amen.God bless! ;D
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Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 12, 2003 21:51:35 GMT -5
Heathen,
Your belief that my beliefs are just my beliefs is just your belief. For that matter, my belief that your beliefs that my beliefs are just your beliefs is just my belief.
Indeed, we both have beliefs. One day, when this life is over, the truth will be made to known to all. I rejoice and hasten for that day to arrive!
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Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 12, 2003 22:04:54 GMT -5
kkawohl,
The Light of the world is Jesus Christ. Everyone who has come to Him by faith has seen The Light. Now it is up to us to allow His Light to shine brightly through us and this is where obedience, prayer, meditation and good works come in.
Not that these things save us, but these things are necessary in allowing The Light of The Holy Spirit to burn brightly through us.
Yes, indeed, I am brainwashed by The Spirit of God, and by His Word. I wouldn't have it any other way. But that's not my problem. My problem is that I need more of His brainwashing and transformation. For it is only through transformation by The Holy Spirit, reformation by The Word, mixed with conformation of my obedience that I will truly experience and walk in The Light of The Lord.
This is not just a personal issue. It is the issue of every Christian who seeks to walk in The Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Praise God for His marvelous Light! The Light who is Jesus Christ!! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Kee on Dec 12, 2003 22:31:11 GMT -5
Heathen, Indeed, we both have beliefs. One day, when this life is over, the truth will be made to known to all. I rejoice and hasten for that day to arrive! We need not DIE to know God nor Truth. Seems a shame to "live" for physical DEATH...to wish and hope for it and chant for the human race's END. God is LIFE. Life is NOW. Why wait to figure that out?
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Post by babysis on Dec 12, 2003 22:32:30 GMT -5
We need not DIE to know God nor Truth. Seems a shame to "live" for physical DEATH...to wish and hope for it and chant for the human race's END. God is LIFE. Life is NOW. Why wait to figure that out? One need not be dead to meet Christ, if they are alive when Christ returns to the earth.
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Post by kkawohl on Dec 12, 2003 22:33:17 GMT -5
So be it. May you be brain-washed to your heart's content...as long as it doesn't result in fanaticism....but keep an open mind...tolerance and love will see us through.
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Post by keikikoka on Dec 12, 2003 22:35:50 GMT -5
I see.. so people who disagree with you are brainwashed?
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Post by kkawohl on Dec 12, 2003 23:03:11 GMT -5
One need not be dead to meet Christ, if they are alive when Christ returns to the earth. Until Jesus’ baptism by John at about the age of 30 he had been an obscure carpenter from Galilee. But the baptism marked the turning point in his life - he began to believe he could be the Messiah and he now had a mission. If Jesus were born now would people believe that he was God ? Jesus, Abraham, Moses, etc. are alive as spirit and they are now a part of God. They will NOT return to earth. They were messengers who interpreted their spirits interaction with the Spirit of God according to their own interpretation thereof. Messengers are insignificant and should not be deified; the message has merit but also is open to misinterpretation by the messenger, hence we have religious divergence.
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