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Seems everyone has a story to tell. Not only are "atheists" converting, but evangelicals seem to be saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH..
Salvation was attached to belief, and in order to protect my belief I had to censor my thoughts. The book of Mark says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”. So I was careful to never even think a thought that could be considered blasphemous. This was profoundly exhausting; and while I was mostly successful at repressing my intellectual curiosity during the day, once sleep came I lost all security clearance to my own mind.
Seems everyone has a story to tell. Not only are "atheists" converting, but evangelicals seem to be saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH..
Salvation was attached to belief, and in order to protect my belief I had to censor my thoughts. The book of Mark says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”. So I was careful to never even think a thought that could be considered blasphemous. This was profoundly exhausting; and while I was mostly successful at repressing my intellectual curiosity during the day, once sleep came I lost all security clearance to my own mind.
I'm sorry that you were taught a religion of fear instead of a religion of rest. I just preached Hebrews 4 last week. Jesus is our rest--we don't have to worry about pleasing God -- because Jesus did it for us. If we trust in Christ, he will never cast us out.
I'm sorry that your experience in a "Christian" church has taught you to fear and distrust religion.
I'm sorry that you were taught a religion of fear instead of a religion of rest. I just preached Hebrews 4 last week. Jesus is our rest--we don't have to worry about pleasing God -- because Jesus did it for us. If we trust in Christ, he will never cast us out.
I'm sorry that your experience in a "Christian" church has taught you to fear and distrust religion.
You have said that all humans deserve to be killed by your god, and that only a cosmic human sacrifice can save them.
Considering that God offers forgiveness completely free and without strings, I'd say it's even better.
No strings? Really? You don't think craven submission to a mass-murdering psychopath counts as strings?
Your god operates in the same manner as a Mafia boss: he commits random acts of terror on the populace, and then offers to save people from his own wrath in exchange for money and unconditional obedience.
No strings? Really? You don't think craven submission to a mass-murdering psychopath counts as strings?
No strings. No mass-murdering psychopathic behavior, either.
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Your god operates in the same manner as a Mafia boss: he commits random acts of terror on the populace, and then offers to save people from his own wrath in exchange for money and unconditional obedience.
Actually, he judges the guilty and punishes the wicked, but it's amazing how even the most evil of criminals think the police are bad when they're on the wrong side of the law.
Ok, so you don't mind if I don't attend church then, right?
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Originally Posted by Vizio
No mass-murdering psychopathic behavior, either.
There's plenty of it in the Old Testament.
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Originally Posted by Vizio
Actually, he judges the guilty and punishes the wicked, but it's amazing how even the most evil of criminals think the police are bad when they're on the wrong side of the law.
I don't think the people killed by your god were given a fair trial. And it's funny how he had to use the Israelites to do his dirty work.
Do you think that your god used the US military to dish out his righteous wrath against the native Americans? The natives were non-believing heathens, as you know.
Ok, so you don't mind if I don't attend church then, right?
Anytime you're in south central Nebraska, message me and I'll be happy to have you visit my church on a Sunday morning. Heck, I'll show you around on a Tuesday afternoon if you'd like.
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There's plenty of it in the Old Testament.
No..there really isn't. We've been through this.
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I don't think the people killed by your god were given a fair trial. And it's funny how he had to use the Israelites to do his dirty work.
Considering he made them and he is omniscient, it was plenty fair.
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Do you think that your god used the US military to dish out his righteous wrath against the native Americans? The natives were non-believing heathens, as you know.
I would not begin to make such a statement. I know of no verse or doctrine that would suggest that God would so such a thing.
Seems everyone has a story to tell. Not only are "atheists" converting, but evangelicals seem to be saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH..
Salvation was attached to belief, and in order to protect my belief I had to censor my thoughts. The book of Mark says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”. So I was careful to never even think a thought that could be considered blasphemous. This was profoundly exhausting; and while I was mostly successful at repressing my intellectual curiosity during the day, once sleep came I lost all security clearance to my own mind.
Gee, I see you attended my childhood church too. They always talked about "good news" and "salvation" and "god is love". As a child, all I ever could make of it is that it was anything but good news, it was more like a horror story that never ended. According the bible they preached from, wide is the path to destruction and narrow is the path to salvation. The "good news" included goats and sheep as well as a very judgmental all powerful entity who didn't want to ever see you again if you didn't worship him correctly or believe exactly as you were instructed. Translation, most people you know are going to hell and will experience eternal never ending pain, suffering and agony.
How the hell is that good news ? It was beyond me as child, and now as an adult it's makes me angry that this crap is still being espoused and taught to people seeking meaning in life and who just want a little bit of understanding and hope in their lives.
There is a great energy in the universe. It is all that is and that includes us....all of us humans and all that is. We aren't separate from "it"....we ARE it. No one will be suffering eternally. It may take us many lifetimes/experiences to remember who we really are, learn our lessons and experience any karma we need to work off if we've doing terrible things to others...but I do have good news for you. In the end, we ALL win ! No one will be "lost" or cast into any horrible eternal and painful "lake of fire". Can you imagine doing that to any of your children/friends/neighbors ? And yet, we're called the "fallen" and "sinful". Makes me angry to think people have been and are in some cases being taught this crap.
Last edited by jasper1372; 04-08-2016 at 12:28 PM..
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