Post by kriste0 on Dec 9, 2006 10:58:44 GMT -6
In my opinion, there are as many paths as there are people. Before discussing what you absolutely believe is the ONLY way, please try to remember that everyone doesn't have to follow the same path or be in the exact place that you are on the path. Have consideration for those who are not at your level of education.
I have a tendency to run in the other direction when "everyone" else believes the same thing. "The way is narrow" and if everyone is doing it, it must be wrong! My beliefs are my own and I would not try to hit anyone over the head with the Bible or the Koran or any other "religion." The beliefs of others is just as strong for them as mine are for me. You cannot browbeat someone into believing as you do. You can try to answer questions if someone asks them of you, but anything other than that is boring and resembles the "militant" Muslims that believe you must become as they are or they'll kill you. If you need an example of this, just look at Iraq and the civil war going on there. It's all about different sects of the so-called same religion.
I am not downgrading Muslims in any way, shape or form. There are a few who are making the entire religion look bad to outsiders. Murder is murder, pure and simple. They will have to answer for it someday. Most Muslims are peace serving and have no wish to murder those who do not believe as they do. 'Nough said.
The moderator of this forum is totally correct that all subject matter that has been translated can be incorrect. Sometimes, transliterations occur that totally change the reader's interpretation of the whole. A classic transliteration is the term "Satan." The original Hebrew word means adversary but sounds like "sawtahn." Every single place the word Satan and adversary is used in the Bible, the same Hebrew word was used.
Satan has become a proper name instead of the noun it actually is. Why? Because the early Catholic Church needed a bug-a-boo to blame bad behavior on. The pagans, or non-Christians in the early centuries always had a scapegoat god that they could blame bad things and behaviors on. In order to get these people to become Catholic, they had to provide something similar, just as the winter solstice became a Christian holiday...to appease the masses. What it actually boils down to is the greed of the Catholic Church for power and money.
Every Bible has "the canon" as set forth by the Catholic Church in the early 300 AD period. A bunch of Bishops got together under the request of Alexander the Great and decided what books would be included in the canon. They decided that such books as the Gospels according to Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdalene and Philip were NOT to be included. Why? Because they didn't fit under what the Catholic Church power base wanted. They even smeared Mary Magdalene, making her into a prostitute, when she wasn't, contrary to what the Bible says today. Women couldn't possibly have insite into spiritual matters because they were inferior in every way. Hence, Mary's Gospel and reputation had to go!
It is a very good thing that some of the books originally struck from the canon have been found.
Basically, you must question everything you hear from the pulpit. You must search out for yourself what is correct and true. My beliefs would be considered radical by most because I question everything. I am a seeker of truth, no matter if it hurts like crazy! Most "religions" have something to offer that everyone can benefit from. I don't see Buddism as a religion personally, but it has some wise and benifical ways that I can incorporate into my own set of beliefs and ideals.
I would wish that others would be more open-minded about faith and realize that just because it's in the Bible, does not make it necessarily so. Research the words for yourself. Don't believe all that you read and hear.
Here's a revelation...how can you reconcile that Jesus died for all but that there is still a hell? If people can still go to hell then Jesus failed! Choice doesn't enter into the equation at all. Remember that the New Testament was written to and about believers of the first century...not those who don't believe or specifically to 21st century Americans. If Jesus was the atonement to reconcile man to God, then he succeeded or failed. Only one outcome is possible or logical. All the hellfire and damnation preached from the pulpits of Protestants only serve to make you ashamed, scared and repentent. That's not necessarily bad, just misleading sometimes. We are human. We WILL sin. That's why there had to be an atonement. If it only works for those that make a choice to believe it did, then Christ failed when He atoned for ALL mankind. See what I mean?
I cannot express enough the importance of finding the truth for yourselves. You have to continuously work on it. Brainwashing from the pulpit makes you into a follower of babble. Oh yeah, it sounds logical and good but is it truth? Not from my experience.
Another point...Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, right? Does that mean that God changed? Protestants are teaching that God has basically changed from his warlike stance because Christ preached love of your neighbor. Is God less than Christ? He hasn't changed a bit! He is still the God of vengence and war and He is still a jealous God. Put that one in your mouth and chew it over for awhile. God hasn't changed! Christ was the earthly manifistation, God the spiritual.
I could go on at considerable lenth about this topic but I believe I have given you plenty to consider at this point. I most certainly welcome you to try to prove me wrong. If you can, great! If you can't, well, just think about it. A good place to start is with the Interlinear Bible and not the "modern" versions. They have paraphrased way too much and taken out much of the true meaning.
Kriste
I have a tendency to run in the other direction when "everyone" else believes the same thing. "The way is narrow" and if everyone is doing it, it must be wrong! My beliefs are my own and I would not try to hit anyone over the head with the Bible or the Koran or any other "religion." The beliefs of others is just as strong for them as mine are for me. You cannot browbeat someone into believing as you do. You can try to answer questions if someone asks them of you, but anything other than that is boring and resembles the "militant" Muslims that believe you must become as they are or they'll kill you. If you need an example of this, just look at Iraq and the civil war going on there. It's all about different sects of the so-called same religion.
I am not downgrading Muslims in any way, shape or form. There are a few who are making the entire religion look bad to outsiders. Murder is murder, pure and simple. They will have to answer for it someday. Most Muslims are peace serving and have no wish to murder those who do not believe as they do. 'Nough said.
The moderator of this forum is totally correct that all subject matter that has been translated can be incorrect. Sometimes, transliterations occur that totally change the reader's interpretation of the whole. A classic transliteration is the term "Satan." The original Hebrew word means adversary but sounds like "sawtahn." Every single place the word Satan and adversary is used in the Bible, the same Hebrew word was used.
Satan has become a proper name instead of the noun it actually is. Why? Because the early Catholic Church needed a bug-a-boo to blame bad behavior on. The pagans, or non-Christians in the early centuries always had a scapegoat god that they could blame bad things and behaviors on. In order to get these people to become Catholic, they had to provide something similar, just as the winter solstice became a Christian holiday...to appease the masses. What it actually boils down to is the greed of the Catholic Church for power and money.
Every Bible has "the canon" as set forth by the Catholic Church in the early 300 AD period. A bunch of Bishops got together under the request of Alexander the Great and decided what books would be included in the canon. They decided that such books as the Gospels according to Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdalene and Philip were NOT to be included. Why? Because they didn't fit under what the Catholic Church power base wanted. They even smeared Mary Magdalene, making her into a prostitute, when she wasn't, contrary to what the Bible says today. Women couldn't possibly have insite into spiritual matters because they were inferior in every way. Hence, Mary's Gospel and reputation had to go!
It is a very good thing that some of the books originally struck from the canon have been found.
Basically, you must question everything you hear from the pulpit. You must search out for yourself what is correct and true. My beliefs would be considered radical by most because I question everything. I am a seeker of truth, no matter if it hurts like crazy! Most "religions" have something to offer that everyone can benefit from. I don't see Buddism as a religion personally, but it has some wise and benifical ways that I can incorporate into my own set of beliefs and ideals.
I would wish that others would be more open-minded about faith and realize that just because it's in the Bible, does not make it necessarily so. Research the words for yourself. Don't believe all that you read and hear.
Here's a revelation...how can you reconcile that Jesus died for all but that there is still a hell? If people can still go to hell then Jesus failed! Choice doesn't enter into the equation at all. Remember that the New Testament was written to and about believers of the first century...not those who don't believe or specifically to 21st century Americans. If Jesus was the atonement to reconcile man to God, then he succeeded or failed. Only one outcome is possible or logical. All the hellfire and damnation preached from the pulpits of Protestants only serve to make you ashamed, scared and repentent. That's not necessarily bad, just misleading sometimes. We are human. We WILL sin. That's why there had to be an atonement. If it only works for those that make a choice to believe it did, then Christ failed when He atoned for ALL mankind. See what I mean?
I cannot express enough the importance of finding the truth for yourselves. You have to continuously work on it. Brainwashing from the pulpit makes you into a follower of babble. Oh yeah, it sounds logical and good but is it truth? Not from my experience.
Another point...Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, right? Does that mean that God changed? Protestants are teaching that God has basically changed from his warlike stance because Christ preached love of your neighbor. Is God less than Christ? He hasn't changed a bit! He is still the God of vengence and war and He is still a jealous God. Put that one in your mouth and chew it over for awhile. God hasn't changed! Christ was the earthly manifistation, God the spiritual.
I could go on at considerable lenth about this topic but I believe I have given you plenty to consider at this point. I most certainly welcome you to try to prove me wrong. If you can, great! If you can't, well, just think about it. A good place to start is with the Interlinear Bible and not the "modern" versions. They have paraphrased way too much and taken out much of the true meaning.
Kriste