Congrats Phoenix! (2013, live in, baptist)

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

goolsbyjazz, you seem to be the exception rather than the rule though. I'd argue that the vast majority of religious followers do so blindly, with a closed mind. Simply look at the animus against the GLBT community from self-proclaimed religious people because "our book says they're bad". That's about as close-minded as one can get.

The Bible says we're ALL bad. All sin is equal in God's eyes. My cursing is as bad to God as stealing is, which is as bad as homosexuality is, which is as bad as adultery is, which is as bad as lying is... I dont follow God because I claim Im better than you, or more perfect. I follow God because Im the first to admit Im a horrible person, full of faults and sin, and beg forgiveness. Im willing to give up a lifestyle of selfishness and hate, to spend it being ridiculed and taunted because of my beliefs. If thats "close-minded", well, then sue me. Im happy and content.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

The Bible says we're ALL bad. All sin is equal in God's eyes. My cursing is as bad to God as stealing is, which is as bad as homosexuality is, which is as bad as adultery is, which is as bad as lying is... I dont follow God because I claim Im better than you, or more perfect. I follow God because Im the first to admit Im a horrible person, full of faults and sin, and beg forgiveness. Im willing to give up a lifestyle of selfishness and hate, to spend it being ridiculed and taunted because of my beliefs. If thats "close-minded", well, then sue me. Im happy and content.

That's fine for you. Believe whatever you want. No one's saying that you aren't entitled to your beliefs. Unfortunately, a lot of religious followers can't mind their own business and arrogantly try push their views on others. That's what leads me to believe that a place lacking in religion, such as Phoenix apparently, is a good thing. It means people are free to live as they see fit. Land of the free.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Are you seriously suggesting that the majority of crimes committed on earth come from churchgoers? lol

Sure there are some churchgoers that might commit crimes, but I dont think theyre strapping on AK's and performing drive-by shootings, or hustling kilos of cocaine, or running prostitution rings, or trafficking humans on a mass scale like non-believers are. And knowing right from wrong? Where do you think the rules stem from?

Your ignorance about Jesus' teachings is quite shocking. Im not trying to come down on you, but some things you say (like applauding lack of religion, and calling believers close-minded) are childish. Bullyish. Confrontational. Hateful. Think about that for a few.

And FYI, I'm a grown man, gave up a life of crime and hatred to follow Jesus. Why? Because living that old lifestyle was nothing but detrimental. I, too, made fun of religious people. I was downright Satanic, I wont lie. Until you know Him, you'll NEVER understand. You'll mock and hate, just as He foretold scoffers would do, and Im ok with that. You have free will, and all I can do is plant the seed. If you choose not to follow, thats your prerogative. But my friend, with all the birthing pangs erupting around the world, the end times are definitely near. I know you have to understand Scripture to see the prophecies that have come true, and are currently being fulfilled to understand, but I can assure you with 100% certainty that the world as we know it is coming to an end. And no, Im not one of those doomsday dorks who hangs out on the sidewalk with "the end is near" placards, but Im simply a humble man who believes. Prepare.

Hallelujah, Reverend BIG CATS, hallelujah.

Let's all shout amen, hail Mary, and praise the Lawd.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Yay! Lets celebrate the lack of God in Phoenix! Lets celebrate all the murder, the child abuse, the kidnappings, the human trafficking, the gangbangers, the drug abuse, the child pornography, the adultery, the rampant, fanatical debuachery, the idolatry, etc, etc, etc. You know, those sins, those things that are straight from Hell. But yeah, lets make fun of those who attend church. Makes a lot of sense.

So let us all keep praising the fact that PHX isnt religious! You think its hot here? Just wait til you see the place you're heading when you reject God. You know He exists, as the fool hath said in his heart that there is no God. Go ahead and mock me and my beliefs, thats fine with me. But if youre living your life like there's no God, you better be right, because tomorrow may fall, and if it does, where will you be?

lol

[yellowbelle]

Let's keep this about Phoenix, please.

[ScottsdaleMark]

I do think there are quite a lot of non-religious individuals in Phoenix, but at the same time, I have lived in various cities/states and have found there to still be plenty of people of faith in the Phoenix metro region and I love my church and community of believers. And sometimes being part of such a wide spectrum of beliefs forces believers to be more refined and convicted in their beliefs, and willing to stand out or be different/not of this world. Let's hope the tumult of today is but a refining fire for those who believe, and that our state and our country will preserve religious freedom and the right of expression and worship for everyone of all beliefs and religions or lack thereof.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

That's fine for you. Believe whatever you want. No one's saying that you aren't entitled to your beliefs. Unfortunately, a lot of religious followers can't mind their own business and arrogantly try push their views on others. That's what leads me to believe that a place lacking in religion, such as Phoenix apparently, is a good thing. It means people are free to live as they see fit. Land of the free.

Land of the free, is it? Let me try to erect a cross in downtown Phoenix, see just how tolerant the non-believers are. Id probably be harassed, spit on, cursed at, laughed at, punched etc. The intolerance of the non-believers has reached astronomical levels. Now, who is pushing whose views on others again? I forget.

Back on track, if people want to praise Phoenix for being Godless, thats fine. Just dont cry to me later.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

Hallelujah, Reverend BIG CATS, hallelujah.

Let's all shout amen, hail Mary, and praise the Lawd.

How very tolerant and professional of you. Thanks for your contribution to this thread.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by asufan

lol

What an incredibly insightful response. Im astounded beyond astounded!

[asufan]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

What an incredibly insightful response. Im astounded beyond astounded!

Maybe it was your preaching that we don't know this mythological creature that saved you from a life of crime, but it legit made me lol. Believe what you want but you are using religion as a crutch and to excuse your bad morals and then preaching to us that "you'd better believe in Santa or you won't get any presents"