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~So by way of taking a momentary break from the still waging battle, June was just sitting around her office pondering when and how she first heard of heaven and hell. Interestingly enough, she was just a little "just June" of somewhere around the age of four; possibly five. June somehow came to be told that only Christians were allowed in heaven, and she remembers having asked her mother whether a non-Christian family member would also be "allowed in" as well. The answer little June received back was "No." (From there June asked whether the family's beloved golden retriever dog could also go to heaven when he died; the answer, not surprisingly was "No.")
From the above June surmises that her nonbelieving self no doubt began to set in at the tender age of four or five, because June specifically remembers thinking that what she was told simply didn't make any sense. June knows for a fact that she pondered this bit of information for a good long while, even at a young age. She couldn't make sense of "God loves us" but that one of her family members wouldn't be going to heaven, but to hell, along with June's beloved dog...
Thus, the mini-bio of the "just June" early onset of atheism...Not that it matters. Ho hum.
Take gentle care.
This is the questioning every UR believer went through while they still believed in ET, before they came to understand UR. So simple a child can understand.
Jesus is the culmination of the spiritual template (DNA codes) built in to the evolution of the species . . . and revealed in the "spiritual fossil record" from the earliest oral traditions, and recorded legends, myths, etc. There is a clear evolution. Your familiarity with the records should enable the discernment of this "template" and the increasing sophistication of its manifestation through time.
He talked about believers in general, not just one person's opinon. When he was challenged, he admitted he has heard only one person say it, and even that seemed to have been taken out of context. Don't defend the undefendable. Read his post. I believe it is still there.
It is a perfect example of the UR mud-slinging that is going on here on daily bases.
You read, Finn . . he gave THREE versions of reactions and responses that are found in the ET view. NONE of them were assigned to ALL who are misguided enough to believe in ET. Which one is yours? Do you have a different response? What is it?
Jesus is the culmination of the spiritual template (DNA codes) built in to the evolution of the species . . . and revealed in the "spiritual fossil record" from the earliest oral traditions, and recorded legends, myths, etc. There is a clear evolution. Your familiarity with the records should enable the discernment of this "template" and the increasing sophistication of its manifestation through time.
Mystic, I'm pretty much in the same boat as Christy right now as far as where my beliefs about god are at. But, I have to tell you, your post really made me take a step back and ponder. Very interesting take on it. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ilene. I don't think I've ever said this because I don't post much, but I lurk here often and I was really happy for you when I realized that you had come out of the torment of believing in ET. Having been a believer in ET for many, many years I know personally what an incredible burden was lifted from me when I stopped believing it. So I'm grateful for you that you've come to a different understanding.
I also wanted to address what you wrote above. I know Christy has already responded that she does not agree that she has the nature of Jesus Christ, but putting that side for just a moment (hope you don't mind Christy) I'd like to ask you something:
If Christy has the nature of Christ, why is it important for her to believe in him? Jesus reportedly called himself the "way, truth and life". If Christy believes that "love/nature" is the way to "salvation" (even though her understanding of "salvation" is living in love in the here and now without concern for an after life), why is it important for her to call that way/nature/love "Jesus"?
I'm not challenging you so I hope it doesn't sound that way, but am truly interested in hearing your (and anyone else's) thoughts.
Pleroo
I am really interested in hearing a response to this myself...thanks Pleroo.
~So by way of taking a momentary break from the still waging battle, June was just sitting around her office pondering when and how she first heard of heaven and hell. Interestingly enough, she was just a little "just June" of somewhere around the age of four; possibly five. June somehow came to be told that only Christians were allowed in heaven, and she remembers having asked her mother whether a non-Christian family member would also be "allowed in" as well. The answer little June received back was "No." (From there June asked whether the family's beloved golden retriever dog could also go to heaven when he died; the answer, not surprisingly was "No.")
From the above June surmises that her nonbelieving self no doubt began to set in at the tender age of four or five, because June specifically remembers thinking that what she was told simply didn't make any sense. June knows for a fact that she pondered this bit of information for a good long while, even at a young age. She couldn't make sense of "God loves us" but that one of her family members wouldn't be going to heaven, but to hell, along with June's beloved dog...
Thus, the mini-bio of the "just June" early onset of atheism...Not that it matters. Ho hum.
Take gentle care.
Very similar genesis to my atheism . . . similar age. My beloved dog was an adorable white mutt named Gigi. What we embrace in love within our consciousness is always going to be with us . . . because our consciousness is eternal (pure energy). Only the hate and negative moments will be "refined" out (transformed by God's spiritual "fire.")
No I was not just talking about one poster. There is a movement of Christians out there - usually more Calvinist in nature, who believe they will be rejoicing and glorying along with God over the rest of humanity burning in torment. I gave you one example. Do you really want me to dig through the archives of the internet to find more examples? Check out the Phelps family. Check out posts by one "beloved57". Check out some of the posts on CARM, especially the Calvinist section. Read some sermons by Jonathan Edwards. This view is more prevalent than you think. I'm glad it is not your view. I never said it was the view of every ET believer.
I'm not going to argue about this with you all day.You are just causing a distraction. My posts stand for themselves, if you would only read them carefully.
You attributed it to those with "ET view". I asked you to define who is included in the "ET view", so here is your change to define it. Thanks.
Instead of asking just some of the ETer's, let's ask all of them.
ETer's, please score the questions using the following point scale.
0 = No
1 = Sometimes
2 = Often
3 = Yes
Do you:
1. Do you secretly wish you could light all the UR's on fire? Add an additional point if you grind your teeth while having this thought.
2. Do you find yourself thinking about bad people (UR's in particular) going to a place called Hell? Add an additional two points if you dream about it.
3. Do you store matches and gasoline cans in your house? Add three points if stored in your bedroom next to your bible.
4. Are you the first one to run outside when the firetruck passes by? Add a point if if get in your car and follow the truck.
5. Do you find yourself sitting and gazing intently into a roaring fireplace? Add an additional three points if you do this during the summer months.
Score card tally:
0 = Safe
1 - 5 = Border line
6 - 10= Unsafe
Over 10 = Check yourself into the ER, now!
You attributed it to those with "ET view". I asked you to define who is included in the "ET view", so here is your change to define it. Thanks.
ET view = belief in ET.
I said it was one of three possible views that an ET believer might take. PLEASE read my posts Finn.
Quote:
PS What you say about CARM is not true.
Again, I said check out "SOME of the posts at CARM". It depends on the particular poster. YMMV depending on how widely you read.
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