The Gospel

[Soapy Sam]

The Gospel is out!-
http://venganza.org/

 

[kmortis]

Well, puppies haven't worked, kittens haven't worked and recipies haven't worked...maybe religious pictures will kill this thread off?

Darat, since Bobby is offering this for free on his website, it's reasonably assumed that it's ok to post elsewhere. Besides, it's not like I could get away with claiming it for my own around here.

 

[Moochie]

...Does not compute.

What do you mean by "fairness"? Is it different from the idea of human rights, environmental awareness, religious tolerance, abolition of slavery? These are all things we have more of now than 150 years ago, thanks in large part to Enlightenment values that go hand in hand with the decline of religious engagement (genuine or otherwise).

You're obviously talking about American society. I wasn't, in particular. But have a look who are the most impoverished in your society.

And environmental awareness? Awareness, yes. Solutions? No way! Religious tolerance? I'll leave that to the religions. Abolition of slavery? What a joke! You've just changed the terminology. Think "working poor." There are probably more people enslaved today than ever before.

IMO America used to be a world leader in genuine liberation, but it seems to have lost its way.

Unfortunately, my country, Australia, is in lockstep with America.

It seems today only a few European countries actually practice a genuine Christianity by ensuring that none of their people are left behind.


M.

 

[Palimpsest]

You're obviously talking about American society. I wasn't, in particular. But have a look who are the most impoverished in your society.

Ah, maybe I was pulling a Hal Bidlack. Sincere apologies.

And environmental awareness? Awareness, yes. Solutions? No way!

That's kind of a bold claim, isn't it? Yes, things are bad and they've been getting worse, but are you saying there's been nothing done to halt or slow down environmental degradation, loss of wildlife habitat, green up the industry? Nothing, no way?

Religious tolerance? I'll leave that to the religions.

Right, well, fortunately, there are people who don't leave it to religions to play nice.

Abolition of slavery? What a joke! You've just changed the terminology. Think "working poor." There are probably more people enslaved today than ever before.

Are there? Could be. Do you have any numbers for comparison?

IMO America used to be a world leader in genuine liberation, but it seems to have lost its way.

Unfortunately, my country, Australia, is in lockstep with America.

It seems today only a few European countries actually practice a genuine Christianity by ensuring that none of their people are left behind.

"Genuine." You use that word a lot. Please, explain to me what "genuine Christianity" is. And "genuine liberation", while you're at it.

 

[ceo_esq]

...Does not compute.

What do you mean by "fairness"? Is it different from the idea of human rights, environmental awareness, religious tolerance, abolition of slavery? These are all things we have more of now than 150 years ago, thanks in large part to Enlightenment values that go hand in hand with the decline of religious engagement (genuine or otherwise).

Yet religious engagement has certainly added momentum to many of the movements you point out. And there is no question but that many of what are often referred to as Enlightenment values are developments of religious themes - think John Locke.

 

[Palimpsest]

Yet religious engagement has certainly added momentum to many of the movements you point out.

At best, religious engagement giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other. I don't question that religious people were involved in (e.g.) the Abolitionist movement. But then again, other religious people opposed it. Each group had sound Biblical reasons for their position.

And there is no question but that many of what are often referred to as Enlightenment values are developments of religious themes - think John Locke.

You'll have to be more specific here, since I've never read John Locke. it was my understanding (based mostly on reading French 18th-century writers) that the core values of the Enlightenment were elevation of logic and reason above faith and tradition, the belief that invoking supernatural beings were not necessary for ethics (personal and societal) or laws, the belief in individual rights, and the belief in an orderly universe that could eventually be completely understood. These would seem to reject the very idea of God or religion--or at least render them unnecessary.

 

[CapelDodger]

it was my understanding (based mostly on reading French 18th-century writers) that the core values of the Enlightenment were elevation of logic and reason above faith and tradition, the belief that invoking supernatural beings were not necessary for ethics (personal and societal) or laws, the belief in individual rights, and the belief in an orderly universe that could eventually be completely understood. These would seem to reject the very idea of God or religion--or at least render them unnecessary.

A very sound summation.

 

[kurious_kathy]

The Gospel is out!-
http://venganza.org/

Oh no it's not. There are many things I don't trust to believe in, but the word of God is true!

I think God is speaking all the time. The question is whether or not people are listening?

Is God Speaking?

The question is vital. Left to ourselves we are totally ignorant of God. Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? God is beyond our understanding and we need him to reveal himself to us.

Creation is one of the main ways in which he does so. The heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. The sheer size of the universe and its amazing balance, variety and beauty reveal a great deal about the God that made it. In creation God shows His stupendous power, awesome intelligence and brilliant imagination. Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what’s been made, so that men are without excuse.

When we communicate with one another we rely heavily on words. God also speaks to men through words- the words of the Bible. Nearly 4000 times in the OT alone (500 times in the first five books) you will find phrases like ‘The Lord spoke’, ‘the Lord commanded’ and ‘the Lord said’. This is why it is claimed that Scripture never had it’s origin in the words of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

In no other literature can we find scores of clear detailed prophecies made by men claiming to speak from God, and later fulfilled to the letter. The odds against this happening by chance are too vast to be taken seriously.

Then there is the Bible’s impact on people’s lives. No other book has had such a life-changing power. Millions of people, over thousands of years, have proved by personal experience that the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise simple. The percepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

After 2000 years no expert in any field has ever disproved a single statement in the Bible. The reason is this: All Scripture is God-breathed. We should therefore accept it is not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God.

This article is taken from John Blanchard’s book,” Ultimate Questions”.

 

[cyborg]

This article is taken from John Blanchard’s book,” Ultimate Questions”.

What a load of crap that was.

Do you have an original thought running through your head at all?

 

[kurious_kathy]

What a load of crap that was.

Do you have an original thought running through your head at all?

I have many of my own thoughts.
"I really like this book" by John Blanchard. You may choose to disagree with it, but I don't!

 

[cyborg]

I have many of my own thoughts.
"I really like this book" by John Blanchard. You may choose to disagree with it, but I don't!

Sure you like the book. It means you don't need to think for yourself in these threads but can instead mindlessly regurgitate oft refuted nonsense.

People here might as well be talking to these books - you are merely a conduit by which they can have a pseudo-conversation.

 

[Nex]

This is my cat. Her name is Oba-Teebie.

As you can plainly see, Oba-Teebie's not amused by people parroting unsupported assertions and religious drivel, either.

Please Kathy, think of the kitties.

 

[Freethinker]

In no other literature can we find scores of clear detailed prophecies made by men claiming to speak from God, and later fulfilled to the letter.

Name one. And don't forget, you said "...to the letter."

 

[cyborg]

Name one. And don't forget, you said "...to the letter."

She doesn't have a clue - those aren't her words, they just make her feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[jj]

Can anyone explain to me why there is any meaning in arguing about fictional content written 200 years minimum after the alleged events in question?

 

[delphi_ote]

Name one. And don't forget, you said "...to the letter."

kathy doesn't know anything about other literature. Remember, she advocates ignorance!

 

[Palimpsest]

Can anyone explain to me why there is any meaning in arguing about fictional content written 200 years minimum after the alleged events in question?

[kindergarten]She started it![/kindergarten]

 

[UrsulaV]

Can anyone explain to me why there is any meaning in arguing about fictional content written 200 years minimum after the alleged events in question?

Same reason people argue about whether Kirk or Picard was a better captain, or why the Eagles didn't just fly the damn Ring to Mordor and drop it in. It's geek fun.

 

[ChristineR]

Same reason people argue about whether Kirk or Picard was a better captain, or why the Eagles didn't just fly the damn Ring to Mordor and drop it in. It's geek fun.

Well, duh! The Eagles would have fallen under the influence of the ring and given it to Sauron.

 

[kmortis]

[quote=kurious_kathy]...snip...

Is God Speaking?

The question is vital. Left to ourselves we are totally ignorant of God. Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

...snip...[/quote]

Having transported these supplies up to the Dalles in barges propelled by Indians, he was ready to take up the final preparation for the homeward journey. It is best to let him describe these preparations in his own words. He says:

"The camp was now occupied in making the necessary preparations for our homeward journey, which, though homeward, contemplated a new route, and a great circuit to the south and southeast, and the exploration of the Great Basin between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

"Three principal objects were indicated, by report, or by maps, as being on this route, the character or existence of which I wished to ascertain, and which I assumed as landmarks, or leading points, on the projected line of return. The first of these points was the Tlamath Lake, on the tableland between the head of Fall River (this is now called by its French name, the Des Chutes River), which comes to the Columbia, and the Sacramento, which goes to the Bay of San Francisco, and from which lake a river of the same name makes its way westwardly direct to the ocean.

"This lake and river are often called Klamet, but I have chosen to write the name according to the Indian pronunciation. The position of this lake, on the line of inland communication between Oregon and California; its proximity to the demarcation boundary of latitude 42 deg.; its imputed double character of lake, or meadow, according to the season of the year; and the hostile and warlike character attributed to the Indians about it;—all make it a desirable object to visit and examine. From this lake our course was intended to be about southeast, to a reported lake called Mary's, at some days' journey in the Great Basin; and thence, still on southeast, to the reputed Buenaventura River, which has a place in so many maps, and countenanced the belief of the existence of a great river flowing from the Rocky Mountains to the Bay of San Francisco. From the Buenaventura the next point was intended to be in that section of the Rocky Mountains which includes the heads of Arkansas River, and of the opposite waters of the California Gulf; and thence down the Arkansas to Bent's Fort, and home.

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