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The reason I don't like those kind of churches is essentially because they are full of jerks. Repented "believing" jerks who still struggle with their negative attitudes. I don't relate to those people because I don't have their particular issues, and somehow that makes me wrong or a nonbeliever in the correct God they believe in.
Nice one. I suppose Christianity - like popular music -evolves with society. My younger sis in fact 'rediscovered' the sort of crap I listen to simply because more recent popular music drove her away from radio 1 to Classic FM when she was driving. Religion has never been a Thing for us. Gradually as the UK became more Secular, we stopped having to Pretend to be religious.
Yes, Christianity constantly evolves with the times. It's so clear, yet I don't understand why they can't see it themselves.
But you know that "repentance" today is usually in the form of one emotional moment where the person becomes "born again". In reality, if there really is a positive change, then they have just reached a level where a certain nonbeliever could have already been at without religion. And they are always struggling for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, that nonbeliever never had the more bad or evil attitude at the same age that the reformed believer had in his earlier state, and he never will. Or maybe he overcame it at a very young age without religion and before he knew anything about this religion. He understood rationally what the believer needed to be told by the preacher or other church members. Yet you say that he is lost.
Reading that I really felt like an Outsider It is two people talking a language they both understand perfectly, and I don't. Except I vaguely got that the Helbent heathen of my type worked things out rationally and never had to buy into the idea of religious morality.
It isn't quite that. Few atheists even consider morality rationally until they start thinking about it. Up to then, they do what everyone else does - including Christians - use man -made law, but they just don't tell themselves that a god is handing it down.
It isn't quite that. Few atheists even consider morality rationally until they start thinking about it. Up to then, they do what everyone else does - including Christians - use man -made law,
I think that this is an excellent point. People who think about the origins of morality, and which actions comport to moral behavior, are really rare. They are probably over-represented in this particular forum when compared to the world population as a whole.
This would explain why pre-marital levels of sexual activity amongst Christians is similar to the general population. Divorce rates are similar, porn watching, crime rates too.
We all simply live our lives, we take cues from one another as to what is right or wrong, our emotions and empathy influence us as well, laws have an impact, but ultimately, very few people stop before doing something and weigh the merits based on utilitarianism, divine command, secular humanism, or any other school of morality.
Indeed. And the "Thinking Atheist" will often have to consider Why a thing is right or wrong. But I suspect that, without Theists putting us on the spot, we wou;ldn't have to think about it too deeply.
But you know that "repentance" today is usually in the form of one emotional moment where the person becomes "born again". In reality, if there really is a positive change, then they have just reached a level where a certain nonbeliever could have already been at without religion. And they are always struggling for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, that nonbeliever never had the more bad or evil attitude at the same age that the reformed believer had in his earlier state, and he never will. Or maybe he overcame it at a very young age without religion and before he knew anything about this religion. He understood rationally what the believer needed to be told by the preacher or other church members. Yet you say that he is lost.
Again, read the story of Nicodemus. He had a life-changing “moment” and became a follower of Christ. He was, as Jesus said, born again.
As far as non-believers, scripture says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The reason I don't like those kind of churches is essentially because they are full of jerks. Repented "believing" jerks who still struggle with their negative attitudes. I don't relate to those people because I don't have their particular issues, and somehow that makes me wrong or a nonbeliever in the correct God they believe in.
So choose a dfferent church or start a small group in your house, for the purpose of worship and edifcation.
Again, read the story of Nicodemus. He had a life-changing “moment” and became a follower of Christ. He was, as Jesus said, born again.
As far as non-believers, scripture says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Nice Jimmie is preaching, here, I feel obliged to point out that Nicodemus had this chat with Jesus tight after the dust -up in the Temple, which should have been the last activity before the arrest, but here it's before the start of the ministry.
I won't go through debunking all the excuses (but I will if anyone wants to make an issue of it), but given also that this is just another Jesus -sermon, none of which are hinted at in the synoptics, just as John does not hint at even the most memorable parables (1) I suggests serious thought be given to whether this isn't John's own invention, and thus, his opinion. And reflect that the 'can you see the wind?' fallacy derives from the passage.
And, as for non-believers, I am not impressed by either threats or promises by the religious.
(1) which since they are the good Samaritan and the Prodigal son, neither do Mark or Matthew, come to think of it.
Nice Jimmie is preaching, here, I feel obliged to point out that Nicodemus had this chat with Jesus tight after the dust -up in the Temple, which should have been the last activity before the arrest, but here it's before the start of the ministry.
I won't go through debunking all the excuses (but I will if anyone wants to make an issue of it), but given also that this is just another Jesus -sermon, none of which are hinted at in the synoptics, just as John does not hint at even the most memorable parables (1) I suggests serious thought be given to whether this isn't John's own invention, and thus, his opinion. And reflect that the 'can you see the wind?' fallacy derives from the passage.
And, as for non-believers, I am not impressed by either threats or promises by the religious.
(1) which since they are the good Samaritan and the Prodigal son, neither do Mark or Matthew, come to think of it.
Good point. If someone has to threaten you, then whatever they are selling is probably lousy.
The use of threats is how I know that the message being promoted is false.
Again, read the story of Nicodemus. He had a life-changing “moment” and became a follower of Christ. He was, as Jesus said, born again.
As far as non-believers, scripture says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
And frack all the ones it hardens the hearts of on purpose? It's documented it hardens hearts for the fun of it.
God gave all the info you need, right?
Or are you going to say its a choice?
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Nice one. I suppose Christianity - like popular music -evolves with society. My younger sis in fact 'rediscovered' the sort of crap I listen to simply because more recent popular music drove her away from radio 1 to Classic FM when she was driving. Religion has never been a Thing for us. Gradually as the UK became more Secular, we stopped having to Pretend to be religious.
