Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian
#91
Those who accept that there is a God and follow a religion usually regard life as a test for what happens to your soul in the hereafter. Life is not supposed to be easy in such a case, All the tribulations are there by design and maybe to see who are those who are unselfish enough to help others in their distress, or how they cope with their own troubles. Like you, I know what it is like to suffer pain and worry too.
This is meant as an explanation of the thinking, not in an effort to convert you!
I will say however that if life was so easy that we had to do nothing to help or protect ourselves, it would be so boring that we would soon be topping ourselves. One only has to look at the lives of the extremely rich to see how much happiness their money brings to them.
Les
This is meant as an explanation of the thinking, not in an effort to convert you!
I will say however that if life was so easy that we had to do nothing to help or protect ourselves, it would be so boring that we would soon be topping ourselves. One only has to look at the lives of the extremely rich to see how much happiness their money brings to them.
Les
Maths and science are my beliefs, I do believe in Karma, but only because I think people bring it on themselves without knowing it.
#92
Les
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You mean we're actually all intrinsically moral beings to varying degrees, except some people want to heap the credit for their own inate abilities onto some "all-seeing" unprovable deity. Gotcha
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#98
The Kansas Board of Education approved a controversial measure yesterday that will ban all Pokemon video games, trading cards, and related merchandise because of the franchise's blatant promotion of evolution. The vote, which passed by a narrow margin after weeks of debate amongst members of the board, is being hailed as a victory by conservatives and religious groups.
Teachers will now be required to search their students at the beginning of the school day to make sure that they aren't carrying any copies of the game. Any copies that are found will be immediately and permanently confiscated, and the student may be subject to punishments ranging from a temporary suspension to outright expulsion for repeat violators.
Above left: Pokemon Red, right: Pokemon Blue, the two games that started the controversy.
Pokemon is a popular children's game that first gained popularity in the United States in 1996 with the release of the Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue roleplaying games for the Nintendo Gameboy. Players capture the "pocket monsters" and train them to fight other monsters in the game world. With enough training, a monster will eventually "evolve" into a more powerful monster.
The controversy first started when religious groups discovered the prominent role that evolution plays as a gameplay mechanic in the Pokemon games. Several prominent churches in the Topeka area started distributing pamphlets to parents warning of "the subversive content" in the Pokemon games, and then turned their eyes to the school system, which has long been a hotbed of Pokemon activity.
Soon religious groups were organizing protests outside their local school systems and flooding politicians, and especially the board of education, with angry letters demanding that Pokemon be permanently banned from the schools. Many Kansas churches also held events geared towards encouraging children to drop the game, ranging from several "Pokemon burnings" where copies of the games were thrown into large bonfires, to programs that provided students with a free Bible for every game they turned in to church authorities.
Above: Protestors from the Calvary Glorious Christ Church Militant and Triumphant Baptist Temple gather singing hymns and burning Pokemon games
Still other church groups, recognizing the addictive nature of video games, have started voluntary support groups for children where they can admit to their video game addiction and give over their life to a higher power in order to remain Pokemon free for the rest of their lives.
This isn't the first time that Kansas schools have been involved in a controversy over evolution's place in science education. The Board of Education received national attention in 2005 when they added Intelligent Design theory, an idea that many alarmed citizens likened to teaching religion in the schools, to the curriculum.
Evolution the scientific theory that living organisms adapt to their environment over time and has been subjected to rigorous testing with overwhelming amount of empirical evidence showing that it does in fact happen. Intelligent Design theorists believe that the world is only six thousand years old, that a supreme being designed the entire Universe but somehow remains outside the universe to avoid the pesky question of who designed the creator, and that rampant homosexuality amongst dinosaurs is what led to their fiery destruction at the hand of God.
The ACLU has promised to take the Board of Education to court over the decision, claiming that the state shouldn't make sweeping changes to the school system based on religious belief. It is unknown as of press time how the Board of Education will respond to another long and drawn-out court battle over the evolution issue, but Daily Gaming News will keep readers informed as the story develops.
Teachers will now be required to search their students at the beginning of the school day to make sure that they aren't carrying any copies of the game. Any copies that are found will be immediately and permanently confiscated, and the student may be subject to punishments ranging from a temporary suspension to outright expulsion for repeat violators.
Above left: Pokemon Red, right: Pokemon Blue, the two games that started the controversy.
Pokemon is a popular children's game that first gained popularity in the United States in 1996 with the release of the Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue roleplaying games for the Nintendo Gameboy. Players capture the "pocket monsters" and train them to fight other monsters in the game world. With enough training, a monster will eventually "evolve" into a more powerful monster.
The controversy first started when religious groups discovered the prominent role that evolution plays as a gameplay mechanic in the Pokemon games. Several prominent churches in the Topeka area started distributing pamphlets to parents warning of "the subversive content" in the Pokemon games, and then turned their eyes to the school system, which has long been a hotbed of Pokemon activity.
Soon religious groups were organizing protests outside their local school systems and flooding politicians, and especially the board of education, with angry letters demanding that Pokemon be permanently banned from the schools. Many Kansas churches also held events geared towards encouraging children to drop the game, ranging from several "Pokemon burnings" where copies of the games were thrown into large bonfires, to programs that provided students with a free Bible for every game they turned in to church authorities.
Above: Protestors from the Calvary Glorious Christ Church Militant and Triumphant Baptist Temple gather singing hymns and burning Pokemon games
Still other church groups, recognizing the addictive nature of video games, have started voluntary support groups for children where they can admit to their video game addiction and give over their life to a higher power in order to remain Pokemon free for the rest of their lives.
This isn't the first time that Kansas schools have been involved in a controversy over evolution's place in science education. The Board of Education received national attention in 2005 when they added Intelligent Design theory, an idea that many alarmed citizens likened to teaching religion in the schools, to the curriculum.
Evolution the scientific theory that living organisms adapt to their environment over time and has been subjected to rigorous testing with overwhelming amount of empirical evidence showing that it does in fact happen. Intelligent Design theorists believe that the world is only six thousand years old, that a supreme being designed the entire Universe but somehow remains outside the universe to avoid the pesky question of who designed the creator, and that rampant homosexuality amongst dinosaurs is what led to their fiery destruction at the hand of God.
The ACLU has promised to take the Board of Education to court over the decision, claiming that the state shouldn't make sweeping changes to the school system based on religious belief. It is unknown as of press time how the Board of Education will respond to another long and drawn-out court battle over the evolution issue, but Daily Gaming News will keep readers informed as the story develops.
#100
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So Mid-West America is different from Iran how exactly
Nintendo must be rubbing their hands
Not only are more kids elsewhere going to be buying the stuff just to see what the fuss is about, a whole state full of religious fanatics are spending there hard-earned on this crap just to protest about it by chucking it on a bonfire
Nintendo must be rubbing their hands
Not only are more kids elsewhere going to be buying the stuff just to see what the fuss is about, a whole state full of religious fanatics are spending there hard-earned on this crap just to protest about it by chucking it on a bonfire
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#106
The exact meanings in the Bible cannot be assumed in a literal manner and need careful consideration in the various translations etc. and often guidance from a more knowledgeable person.
Les
#108
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iTrader: (1)
The main problem with the Bible and Koran is that so many people have translated it,changed it (possible to benefit themselves) that the true versions have been lost.
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That would suggest you don't accept that God created the Earth in 7 days (including the day off). Correct ? Also, the age of the Earth can be calculated from the Bible using the generations starting from Adam. Results in the figure of 6000 years for the age of the planet. Your thoughts on this ?
Is the Bible somewthing we can "take what we want" from ?
Not mocking by the way, I'm just curious as to what your views are on these matters.
Andy
#111
Yes I realise that. I don't think it would mean anything sensible to "take what we want" from it for our own convenience, but since parts of it can be treated as a parable or similar, then we should be prepared to either work it out as best we can for ourselves or to accept help from an expert who may or not be right of course. I personally prefer to lead my life according to natural law and my conscience and spiritual guidance where necessary. I accept of course that we can all make mistakes or deliberately behave wrongly when tempted. Not many can say that they have not done that. If they do they are unlikely to be correct! That is the way of human nature. To avoid living a feral life, we need guidance as children from good sources and the right sort of example from our peers. If that is missing then we see people acting in an uncivilised manner.
It is very interesting how passages in the Bible relate to modern life. The Jehovah's Witnesses point it out when they come round for their 2 minute chat after we have put the world and the local town to rights anyway.
I agree also that we have to allow for differences in translations too. Bit difficult to sort that one!
Les
It is very interesting how passages in the Bible relate to modern life. The Jehovah's Witnesses point it out when they come round for their 2 minute chat after we have put the world and the local town to rights anyway.
I agree also that we have to allow for differences in translations too. Bit difficult to sort that one!
Les
Last edited by Leslie; 04 May 2007 at 11:57 AM. Reason: Thought of something else!
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Yes I realise that. I don't think it would mean anything sensible to "take what we want" from it for our own convenience, but since parts of it can be treated as a parable or similar, then we should be prepared to either work it out as best we can for ourselves or to accept help from an expert who may or not be right of course. I personally prefer to lead my life according to natural law and my conscience and spiritual guidance where necessary. I accept of course that we can all make mistakes or deliberately behave wrongly when tempted. Not many can say that they have not done that. If they do they are unlikely to be correct! That is the way of human nature. To avoid living a feral life, we need guidance as children from good sources and the right sort of example from our peers. If that is missing then we see people acting in an uncivilised manner.
It is very interesting how passages in the Bible relate to modern life. The Jehovah's Witnesses point it out when they come round for their 2 minute chat after we have put the world and the local town to rights anyway.
I agree also that we have to allow for differences in translations too. Bit difficult to sort that one!
Les
It is very interesting how passages in the Bible relate to modern life. The Jehovah's Witnesses point it out when they come round for their 2 minute chat after we have put the world and the local town to rights anyway.
I agree also that we have to allow for differences in translations too. Bit difficult to sort that one!
Les
Andy
#113
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That's all very well, but exactly what parts are supposed to be taken literally, and what are parables, metaphor etc? I don't recall seeing any subscript or legend in the bible informing us of this.
It seems quite clear that writers of the bible intended it to be 'gospel', as they had no understanding of how things really worked, and so this seemed real to them.
Geezer
It seems quite clear that writers of the bible intended it to be 'gospel', as they had no understanding of how things really worked, and so this seemed real to them.
Geezer
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That would suggest you don't accept that God created the Earth in 7 days (including the day off). Correct ? Also, the age of the Earth can be calculated from the Bible using the generations starting from Adam. Results in the figure of 6000 years for the age of the planet. Your thoughts on this ?
Is the Bible somewthing we can "take what we want" from ?
Not mocking by the way, I'm just curious as to what your views are on these matters.
Andy
Is the Bible somewthing we can "take what we want" from ?
Not mocking by the way, I'm just curious as to what your views are on these matters.
Andy
the bible shows that man has been on the earth for 6000 yrs as you mentioned but the planet has been here alot longer, as for how long the bible doesnt say exactly.
as mentioned not everything in the bible is to be taken literally (ie the 6 creative days of the earth), so to understand a certain verse or passage of scripture it is often necessary to do further research/ cross reference of the bible.
clearly i must be one of the "weird christians" that this thread has been aimed at , but it has only been by doing alot of research into the bible that i have ended up understanding it. if i knew nothing about it, and one day decided just to pick it up and read it, i would have alot of views that many on here have which is "it doesnt make much sense".
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Surely if you're saying a day is not a day, you have to specify the period you think these particular "days" refer to ?
Last edited by andythejock01wrx; 05 May 2007 at 09:04 PM.
#119
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depending on where you are reading from the bible, as i said it doesnt always mean a literal day.
IMO thats why many read someting in the bible and then draw the wrong conclusion as they havent done enough background research into it.
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It seems pretty obvious that you were out to denigrate those who are Christians with your original post. There is no way that you can try to laugh it off. It is quite unnecessary for you to make an **** of yourself with such an unpleasant and innaccurate tirade especially when no one has done a similar thing to you because of your beliefs. You might try to tell us all it was just a bit of fun but be in no doubt that it is particularly offensive. Anyone can see that rather than being meant as a joke, it was a deliberate attempt to undermine Christianity and those who follow it.
Les
Les
That's because it's all a load of bollox leslie.
IMO of course.
Take the **** out of an atheist and he will laugh.
Take the **** out of religion and you get struck down with great vengeance. !
Andy