hahahahahaha.

 

No, I don't mean like that. I mean historical items, like cities, wars, people. What you list are "religious" items, since they involve miracles and that's not what I'm talking about.

Most scholars recognize the Bible as a wealth of accurate historical information, even though there are obviously a great many religious inferences.

I'm not saying that just because the Bible is historically accurate that it proves that God exists, since that would be circular. All I'm saying is that it's not the book you seem to think it is, and you've obviously never done any research yourself into it's history.

 

 

Nothing to do with pridefulness. Although, for some, that might be the reason. I won't speak for all of them.

I won't blink to talk about my faith when asked and I support my beliefs by the way I live. And I will defend my faith (apologetics) when needlessly attacked, although it seems, there are those that knowingly and purposely set up the appropriate circumstances for Christian bashing, and many times, a misconceived Christianity. Again, I'm not speaking for all.

 

You claim the bible is a historically accurate document and that I have not done any history research. Haha.

This is a good point and case of my earlier comment that I don't believe smart people who actually take the time to do a little digging can believe in the load of crap that is christianity. My guess is you have limited your "research" to your local church and maybe a few christian websites.

The bible is a great story, written by multiple people over numerous centuries. Of course it has some historical accuracy. It's the part where some loon took 2 of every animal onto a boat while the world flooded, or another guy turned wine into blood were me and lots of other people manage to separate a good story with a moral cause from reality.

 

What makes you think that your love of Jesus is what He wanted?

There are gays for Jesus, Jerry Fallwell's adultery, raped Christians that get abortion....

They believe in Jesus and call themselves Christian. Rightfully so.

Don't think that your Christianity is the only one (the battle to the contrary still rages in Ireland). And don't lump everyone who is not like you as "other."

 

All this controversy aside....

I'd ask him why did God create dinosaurs before us if we are created in his image. Did it really have to take so many millions of years for him to want us to be in existence? And are they in their own dinoheaven? They should be somewhat important as he created them first.

What good is the entire universe for us when we can't even reach even the closest of places in a reasonable amount of time?

Why is it that all of us who are actually viewing this thread now have the damn privelidge of doing so, while others halfway around the world sleep in dirt and eat insects. So when we do go to heaven, are we going to live a crappy lifestyle while they live lavishly? Seems like the Bible states heaven should be an equally happy place to be. Doesn't seem fair.

As much as I want to believe, and as much as others have tried helping me believe, I still find it very difficult to fully believe. If he truly wanted us to believe, then he better do something really amazing to change my views as wel as the rest of the world.

I'm a baptized Christian by the way..

 

Steve, I respect you, but you're really showing your ignorance here. When exactly did I claim to be a Christian? I haven't been to church in years (as if going to Church makes you a Christian), and I couldn't even name a single Christian web site. I also never said you hadn't done any historical research, only that you are ignorant of the historical legitimacy of the Bible.

You seem to pass the Bible off as a complete crock, even though most intelligent people who have done their research (including many agnostic scholars) understand the Bible is a significant historical document. That is my only point, which points to the fact that for it to have preserved its accuracy, it could not have been used as a tool by those in power. Why would they only interject "miraculous" accounts (again, differentiating from historical accounts) without changing the historical facts surrounding the story? People who only want to control live for the now; they don't think that far ahead.

 

Speaking from a Christian point of view ... God is of grace. He provided us with something we didn't deserve, everyone fell short from sin. If he wanted to let it be, every single person would end up in hell and that would be just and fair, according to Christian belief. If just one person who ever lived went to heaven, that would be an act of grace, a gift given when it wasn't deserved.

80 years of life on earth is pale and can't even begin to compare with the concept of eternity. It isn't even a wink of an eye. If you saw it from that perspective, it doesn't really matter if you spend 80 years in poverty or if you aren't as "lucky" as someone living with comforts taken as granted in the US.

If God showed up in Times Square and performed some supernatural display of power, it would do next to nothing. People would pass it off as some UFO occurrence or get excited for a few weeks and forget about it. Even if they are convinced God exists, most won't choose to follow him. Being a Christian demands surrending their destiny, dreams, their life to Christ. Just because God shows himself - it won't change people's hearts. They'll still be stubborn and want to still be their own boss and in control. Christianity isn't about just believing with your mind and attending church on Sundays, it is a constant 24/7 relationship with Christ living a lifestyle. God showing his presence won't convince people to want to do that one iota. Rather you start off with faith in Christ, then as you live, your life changes and experiences will testify with what God says in the Bible - that's how you discover him and know he is there. A physical appearance from God won't do jack. Ok, you know He is there - then what?

 

[QUOTE=VoIPA,Dec 3 2004, 10:41 PM] You seem to pass the Bible off as a complete crock, even though most intelligent people who have done their research (including many agnostic scholars) understand the Bible is a significant historical document.