Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This was NOT a religious discussion to start with and defiantly deteriorated to not a discussion but more of an argument between some open minded Christian people and some close minded Bible thumpers. I never said or implied that folks who truly believe and follow the Bible are not living a good way of life- I just will not go that far in my spiritual lifestyle.

Your post about fortune tellers, soothsayers, clairvoyants is close to being 1/3 right - although you did leave out prophets of which history is full of who were believed by throngs and then denied by early Christians so what makes those of the Bible so much more believable - it is still words of a man.
Where did the fellow- some say it was John- who wrote Exodus change his views to be such a radical - was it in his hermit lifestyle.
Is this not the words of a prophet?

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

I didn't bother to read all the other 17 pages of posts, so forgive me if I'm restating someone else.
Moses wrote Exodus.
The Bible was originally written in languages other than English, specifically Hebrew and Greek, well a little bit of Aramaic too. The teaching of Hell is more of a religious teaching rather than of Bibilical origin. The original words used were Sheol and Gehenna, which basically meant grave or pit. Yes, your dead body sees corruption when its been buried in the ground for some time. The penalty for sin was death, not death and Heaven or death and Hell, just death, the opposite of life. From dust you came and from dust you shall return. . . no more, no less.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

[quote=paulrph1]While what you write does seem to have some validity to it and I do not understand much of what others claim, like the quote that my friend claims that Christ was just a good teacher and not a Prophet.


Wow- a common sense description of Christianity as I have ever seen or heard-In my new lifestyle of Christian like living I found and follow many of your post truly a way to believe,

it also teaches us they He will use His power not to give a demonstration for what He is but that He will use if for righteous purposes, only. His power was used to help people and not a demonstration of power.
It tells us that we are not just physical but that we have two parts to us, physical and spiritual.
It teaches us that we have a need for an atonement. That we would be lost with out it and we have no way of our spirits overcoming the flesh without the atonement.
It teaches us that mankind will rebel against righteousness and continue to do wicked things, if a plan was not put into place to correct that.
It teaches us that we cannot believe anything and everything but that we have to be selective in what we accept and the way we live.

It teaches us that there will be consequences for our actions. No, I am not referring to Heaven or Hell.
##Here is where I am not a believer of Heaven, Hell and Satin

It tells us that for us to be truly happy we will have to overcome the physical body and let the spirit rule our souls
##As I did - realized I was powerless over my selfish-self satisfying actions

It teaches us that Christ loved His followers.
It teaches us that there is a way to happiness and it is mostly in giving of ourselves.

##You have to give away what truths you have learned to keep them in your life.

there is much more that the Bible teaches us but to get that I guess one just has to read it.

##Not just read it but study it.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Nice to have you drop in- It may be the Biblical idea that death is the penalty of our sins but there again I look at every thing that lives on this planet has a life-cycle of life and then death and what besides man has sinned - here I ask the question - How do plants sin? Yes some animals do things that are considered sins but that is about it. But again this thought is nothing but a mans thoughts/words.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

I was just stating what was written, what you choose to believe is up to you.
Fruits, plants, vegetables, would certainly have to die if they are picked and eaten LOL.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

Satin or Satan? LOL I'm fairly sure satin exists, I saw a paint can in the hardware store that said "satin" finish.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

LOL- it seems my spelling can be a little off at times and my spell check can't keep up with my thoughts.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes and the same goes for everyone as far as I am concerned - we all have our own paths to walk. I'll take a good discussion over an argument any day.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

Opinions abound, but what does it accomplish? The ultimate reality is that you'll die and find out one way or another.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes - till one crosses the River themselves one will never truly know what awaits them.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

As I said to an Atheist friend of mine back in 1975: "If I live a life of trying to please God and I'm wrong, I guess I missed out on a lot of evil fun. If you're wrong and live of a life of evil fun, you're definitely screwed. I like my way better."

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

For various reasons I am working on the "Repent - Go and sin no more" program.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

No River Murray (no worry) because you'll be taking a dirt nap.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

So, if all the "good" people go to Heaven and all the "bad" people go to Hell, what happens to the Earth?

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Buy not reading the first many pages you have missed my view that both heaven and hell are derived from years of superstition and inserting words that were not in the original text to bring into the present day Christian teachings of the two imaginary/fictitious places. My personal thoughts are when one dies it is "lights out" and that's all folks.