Bye Bye Organized Religion

[smacklan]

Originally Posted by Se?or Ramos

EDIT: And I've always had a genuine curiosity of the idea that God is like our unconditionally loving father. My uconditionally loving father didn't send me to hell for fornicating before marriage and not apologizing to him... do you see where my quandry is? I just don't see why the punishment has be as swift and important as the reward? Should the reward be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (heaven) or the rainbow itself (life)?

God is indeed like that however He tells us the difference is His holy nature that prevents Him from having anything to do with sin. Mistakes and errors are made by us all and God isn't just hovering, awaiting an opportunity to punish. There is a very real punishment waiting for those who He will judge deserving of "punishment" but I firmly believe God does not want any to face His wrath and has said so. A way was made by Him to obtain cleansing from those sins enabling His spirit to dwell within us while on this earth to help, comfort and guide us until the time comes to be with Him for an eternity. It's a great promise and very real. God knows what hearts are open to Him and those that are closed forever...He will answer if sincerely sought out!

[Red Blaze]

Smacklan's right. He doesn't want anyone to die, but live for eternity. However, one has to work for it and meet God's requirements. What are they? They're in the Bible. Jesus said two main rules that create all of God's Laws. "Love God with all your Strength, Mind and Soul." and the second, "Love thy neighbor."

The "Laws" that God gave Moses are not laws today, but are principles. Guides, if you will, that help us in our every day lives.

[KevinL]

"Love thy neighbor." -----as long as they're not different then you or don't follow a different religion...

Which is whack...

[smacklan]

Originally Posted by Red Blaze

Smacklan's right. He doesn't want anyone to die, but live for eternity. However, one has to work for it and meet God's requirements. What are they? They're in the Bible. Jesus said two main rules that create all of God's Laws. "Love God with all your Strength, Mind and Soul." and the second, "Love thy neighbor."

The "Laws" that God gave Moses are not laws today, but are principles. Guides, if you will, that help us in our every day lives.

Very well put my friend and spot on!

Originally Posted by KevinL

"Love thy neighbor." -----as long as they're not different then you or don't follow a different religion...

Which is whack...

That last part was added by...? It's not in any bible I ever read

[Red Blaze]

God isn't partial. When Jesus said "Love Thy Neighbor", he doesn't include a conditional. The "KKK" take the whole thing to a whole 'nother level. They "twisted" it to their convenience. Jesus wasn't a white or "American". He was a Jew. Which that alone collapses their belief.

I'm not trying to attack them, but seriously. Jesus did not say "Hate thy black people." That would completely contradict not only what Jesus says, but what God himself says.

[Se?or Ramos]

I kind of wish I hadn't added that second part, because the first part of my post is what I really wanted noticed. I did have a question, but I'm not here to prove or disprove God. I am a mere mortal and do not have the power to do that. Thus, we have the ability to believe. I have spent much time trying to grow my spiritual side, and it just so happens to not include God. I have found happiness my own way. Why would God ignore a good deed if it was not done in his name?

[smacklan]

Originally Posted by Se?or Ramos

I kind of wish I hadn't added that second part, because the first part of my post is what I really wanted noticed. I did have a question, but I'm not here to prove or disprove God. I am a mere mortal and do not have the power to do that. Thus, we have the ability to believe. I have spent much time trying to grow my spiritual side, and it just so happens to not include God. I have found happiness my own way. Why would God ignore a good deed if it was not done in his name?

I'm glad you did...and I accept that you are content where you are, I won't try and rain on that! I appreciate you sharing your beliefs in a way that doesn't belittle mine and I hope I did the same in kind towards you with my reply

[Se?or Ramos]

Originally Posted by GSeybold

I wonder what the world would be like if the entire planet did away with organized religion. People would only be allowed to pray and worship at home, no religious based organizations were allowed. No churches, no synagogues, no mosques, no public religious halls, monuments anywhere. We all just worshiped in our homes, when we wanted and how we wanted. Oh and preaching in public banned as well.

I wonder what our world would be like then?....

The world would be angrier than it is now. The number of non-religious people that want that are a very small minority compared to the people that like things the way they are. Now, if it were made illegal to reference God or anything religious in government or politics, we might all get along a bit more. I know God is the tenant of many peoples' beliefs and morals, but it's not for everyone, and since we are all created equally, we all deserve to compromise a little for each other. It's not hard to do. Just look the other way if it's disagreeable to your beliefs.

Yes, smacklan, I did. Why can't we all just agree to disagree so happily?

[tldagent]

Amen Senor Ramos!
__________________________________

Originally Posted by Red Blaze

That would completely contradict not only what Jesus says, but what God himself says.

Sure red but the only proof we have is what was written by men who thought the world ended in Ireland. Your placing your stock in what you've read in the Bible and learned in church. While it's all good, is that what God says? Do you know that beyond a reasonable doubt? What about Sikhism and Buddhism and all the other religions out there that have different books... are they all wrong?

My point is, man has divided each other with our perceptions of a god. It's not which god you worship that matters, all the matters is that you worship MY GOD or this god or that god. Man created the idea of a god and then claimed that God spoke to him and these were the words he wrote. What about the scriptures that didn't make it into the bible? What about the political agendas and pressures during the formation of it? What about the life of Christ prior to the age of 34? What happened to all this. Not to mention the fact that Christ spoke in a language of Science... Aramaic. What about all these things?

Shall we just turn a blind eye say... my parents and their parents and their parents were taught to believe in one thing and that is what I shall believe in? What about upsetting the ancestors by questioning whether or not this is truth?

Man, in the beginning worshiped the sun. That thing in the sky that sets every evening and rises every day. Eventually humankind evolved into worshiping a different kind of god or Gods... many gods. Is everyone wrong? Who's right?

Next, which version of the bible do you believe? The one that looks the best on your night stand or the one that resonates with you the most? They all say something slightly different and are open to interpretation. Times change, people change and evolve and it amazes me that we cannot see past our noses when it comes to all these different religions.

Religions cause wars. Christians slaughtered the Muslims during the crusades and we sit here and wonder why the Muslims don't like our Christina nation. Are we that stupid of a society? We go around telling everyone else how they should live and if they don't live according to our rules we become warriors? This isn't at all like Jesus Christ, Buddha, Muhammad... None of them.

One day, one day people will realize that the God they have built edifices of separation from is the divine light that shines within every man. One day people will realize that hell is something we create for each other in our own blind ambitions and one day we'll realize that the only sin in this world is the sins we commit against each other. One day one day we'll wake up to see the light of Jesus Christ within every man. The second coming of Christ isn't a man falling out of the sky people it's the Christ consciousness awakening within..... GEESH!

Ok, I'm done. Peace!

ADDED: I had to screen shot the image because member changed avatar right away.

[KevinL]

@tldagent the last part of that was well said...