rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

This is where faith comes in. You either accept the Bible or you don't.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Can you imagine the size of the ark? Never mind about the fish, where did they poop? 5 months on water!!!

I find it fascinating that otherwise normal people fall for fairy tails as truths.

But don’t worry too much about this story, because there are versions of it from much older sources, just like the story of Jesus.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Fair enough. When I was a little boy, I didn’t question the Bible. I’m glad I’m not a little boy anymore.

Too bad that by the time a believer finds out the that the Bible is not true, it is too late. Oh well.

Btw, I don’t think that the Vatican even believes the Bible to be true. Otherwise why does the church protect rapist pedophile priests? Imagine the punishment for such crime! Yet they continue to pay off victims instead of firing those “priests”. Don’t you think that if these men truly believed in a god and Jesus, that their actions would be slightly different? Is it possible that they in fact have access to the “origin” of the Bible and they know that there is no punishment coming?

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Do you actually think about what you believe in?

An almighty god who is perfect would do such thing? This god sounds more like a narcissistic sociopath who lack any compassion.

You are not describing a loving god my friend. You are describing a Hitler, or a Stalin.

Yankeepapa6 Loc: New York City

You love your children your family but there are rules.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Having rules is one thing, killing your child because he doesn’t buy into your politics is another.

Would you kill your own child?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

This is totally Off Topic

Yankeepapa6 Loc: New York City

What??? You must be the village idiot. How stupid can you be???

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Not in the least! You guys believe in a supreme being that is going to do just that to most of humanity.

That is the god you people believe in. We are all gods children, is that right?

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You mentioned Noah and millions of years ago in the same sentence and you call me stupid? Thanks dude!

Unfortunately that is exactly what is going to happen to most of gods children. Our Heavenly Father is going to kill those who are not Christian. You souls will burn in hell for eternity! Or am I mistaken Christianity for another fairy tale?

Would a loving parent do such thing? You worship a monster and calling me names is not going to change that.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

There is nothing saying God is going to kill most of humanity

In any case, this has nothing to do with photography.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

What will happen to all non believers?

jcboy3

Go to the projects. Take pictures of poor people. They will inherit the Earth.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Separated from God

This is chit-chat, not photography related

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

As I feared, this has become a conversation about religion, religious differences, with a sprinkling of politics.

Now I no longer consider myself to be a Christian, and I don't want people preaching to me, but it IS Christmas. Can't we enjoy the season of goodwill and let others do so in whatever style they wish to?

It is at least in part about good will and embracing others. My wife is currently at work. They are exchanging gifts between her colleagues, which includes a Christian or two, a Muslim or two, a Jew or two, and a few that we're not sure about. It is for all however the season of good will.

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, the dance team that my wife founded did a performance on the street by my mother-in-law's house last night - I captured a few good shots, it was street lighting and other lighting can't be used, but the audience included Serbian Orthodox Christian, Lutheran, Jews, a Pagan or two, and a bunch of others, but all enjoyed the celebration and a common sense of unity. Dance was the common thread that all appreciated and wanted to talk about the customs and where they came from. Some of the origins predate Christianity, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been absorbed or are incompatible.

I haven't had chance to process images yet, the dance tradition comes from the north east of Britain, although it was a pan-European tradition with different forms. These are sword dances which involve interlinked dance figures where the dancers weave complicated interlinked patterns and at times interlink the swords into a 'lock'. Since the number of dancers can vary, the lock patterns vary, but they are always a star pattern of some kind. Three points, five points, six points, more, may appear to have religious significance to some, but they really don't, so please don't look at this and read too much into it from a religious perspective. It's a multi-cultural celebration.

So whatever your race, creed, or religion, let's celebrate it. I have no idea how to help the OP, I don't follow his belief system, but as others have said, he needs to explore his own vision and find his own inspiration. It is out there to be found. "Seek, and ye shall find": Matthew 7:7-8