riverlass Loc: northern California

You have to remember that the bottom line on these so called "reality" shows is ENTERTAINMENT.
Please don't take any of this as "real" history. It's all about ratings and money.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

You see no reason why the US government should dictate laws that you must obey or why should the City of New York make laws that you must obey. Do you fear retribution should you break the laws of your government.

To worship God is to worship out of love because he first loved us. To worship out of fear is not love. We fear no retribution from God, why should we? And what is "acting in bad faith" mean?

Of course all humans should have compassion and provide comfort to those in despair regardless of their belief in God, just as God had intended. After all, we are created in God's image. Let me ask you, do all humans have compassion and love for each other - do we all take pity on those in despair?

To an atheist it does not matter if God exist or not. To the Christian it matters.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

Yes, but when I watch the History Channel, I would like to see some history.

venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.

Your remarks are to some degree accurate... but of course you had to add a small attack on the Christian..

ie:
those that are pious solely because they fear the retribution of their god are acting in bad faith.

I have never been in FEAR of my God, nor do I believe that if I do not do an act of kindness I will have retribution... and I would think that the majority of Christians feel the same way.

Goodness toward others comes from the heart.... Goodness of Heart can be from ANY religion, race, creed, whatever..... The Christian God tells us that we ought to be mindful of those in need..... BUT I will almost guarantee you that a person who does not have Goodness and desire to do good in their hearts,,,, will NOT do good, regardless of what they call themselves...

Mike

riverlass Loc: northern California

I understand. I agree.

Cragzop Loc: NYC

Laws of man are not metaphysical. I have seen the most "pious" of men create the most heinous atrocities all in the name of god. Remember, Socrates said "No man strives for evil." Hitler was not motivated by evil in his mind. As a christian he felt it was his obligation to wipe out those that were nonbelievers and blasphemers. Aye, there's the rub: Who's god is better? Is homosexuality, being a jew, etc., such atrocities against the will of god that they warrant extermination. As a christian i am sure you are familiar with the basic precept of hell. To me me there is nothing loving about a god who gives me "free will," let's me loose on the world, and then dooms me to an eternity of damnation.
As a parent (albeit a lousy one my ex-wife would say,) it is my responsibility, my duty as a parent to guide my children away from the burning stove despite their "free will." I would think your god would have a similar obligation, but my bet is on the fact that you believe (s)he doesn't because we have "free will." Hence the laws of man.

[/quote To an atheist it does not matter if God exist or not. To the Christian it matters.[/quote]


In your world, yes. Not in mine.

Vtorres Loc: Connecticut

If God has a wife I'm sure they don't rule equally, she must have the last word and know everything I mean, everything!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

True.

jcave Loc: Cecilia, Kentucky

In reference to the original topic, there is at least one Christian religion that believes in a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father. I offer the lyrics of a popular hymn written in 1845 by Eliza Snow:

After discussing pre-mortal existence and a sense of belonging to "a more exalted sphere" in heaven, stanza three reasons that if there is an eternal Father there must also be an eternal Mother:

I had learned to call thee Father, Through thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal Tells me I've a mother there.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Just to kind of stir things a little about the mixed up BABBLE and the teaching of FICTION in Christianity.
THE TRUE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS

According to the best information I can find, Jesus was born on the 14th of May in 6 BC. Therefore His 2,000 birthday was on 14 May 1995. Regardless of which date you choose for the birthday of Jesus it was not on December 25th or January 6th and God never intended that it would be observed and celebrated. God wants us to remember the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, which is the Good News and the purpose of His coming.
For several centuries the Christian assembly itself paid little attention to the celebration of Jesus' birth. The major Christian festival was Passover, the day of His Resurrection. Only gradually, as the church developed a calendar to commemorate the major events of the life of Jesus, did it celebrate His birth.
Because the date of Jesus' birth had been forgotten, a day had to be selected. The Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Rite churches chose January 6 while the Western church, based in Rome, chose December 25. It is known from a notice in an ancient Roman almanac that Christmas was celebrated on December 25 in Rome in AD 336. For 300 years His birthday was not celebrated so why should we celebrate it today?
It is said the "Jesus is the reason for the season" but it never was so from the beginning. Today Christmas is a celebration for the god of possessions and merchandise. Santa Clause is this god's name and you had better watch out for he is keeping a list of who is naughty and who is nice. At least that is the teaching of the followers of this god.

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

HAHAHAH...probably not. :lol: :lol:

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

Amen! :thumbup:

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

I think its because if you don't stand strong in your beliefs then exactly what do you have to believe in? especially pertaining to religion and politics. Though I don't believe in "religion", I do firmly believe in God.

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

Nice, but actually all "he" asked is that we believe in "him" and profess it. It we do, then the goodness should follow as we would aspire to be like him.......Him, of course, is Christ.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I'e always been curious as to how Christmas stays on 12/25, but Easter jumps all over the spring calendar. I've heard all the moon stories, but they don't add up for me.