julianw

Now why didn't Christ put that in the Bible. A lot of troubles it would have saved.

Could you explain this please? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Certainly. The statement arose because I am an idiot. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Err... I only ask because I seem to like all the religions very much and so far it works for me.

The reverse is true as well, by which I mean, I'm absolutely astounded that any human is so arrogant as to presume that, if God exists, he or she is fully competent of understanding God's will. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Both are very true.

Well you can believe what you like but that dosnt make me religious Which I'm not by any meaningful definition of the word. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What is meaningful anyway? I have decided to redefine religious beliefs as beliefs that your life has a higher purpose and that you feel a sense of duty to mankind. I shall not rest until my defintion becomes generally accepted!!!!!!!! ShadowPaladin - You are religious. Come on, it's not a bad word...

Could you explain this please?

I think I said it to you before, if you believe your life has a purpose, I consider you religious. Your beliefs is your religion. You don't have to believe in God. What is 'God' anyway?

Yes i'm sure the irony of it being spread at the end of a sword isnt lost on anyone. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am well aware the fact that Christianity contains much corruption and evil.

Look at how many people utter his name with love every day and how his teachings influence their lives. If that's not power, what is?

Never liked organized religions much myself. As for spiritual resurrection, it is ... spiritual ... from my personal understandings. Christianity's prophet was killed yet the religion grew into life - Christ's teachings spread and his followers multiplied. I guess I would say that Christ is resurrected in people's hearts. I see no actual proof that these two prophecies are fulfilled myself. I guess I frankly just don't care that much. Neither do I care whether Jesus should be entitled Christ. 'Christ', just a name or a notion. Again, the problem is that Christ has no interest in designing a perfect system to spread his teachings. He rather decided to let men do it themselves. The church is corrupt but still only a tool for the religion of Christ. Without Christ, the church has no power. Look at history, the church and pope have lost significant power over the last millennium, Christ's power only grew.

Literally interpreting these prophecies, Jesus fulfilled none of them. But let's consider the last one first. If it is fulfilled in the literally sense, how shall we ever exert our conscience and free will again? If we are rid of all injustice and hatred, how shall we distinguish between justice and injustice, hatred and love ever again? The way I see it, there is only a state of progress in humanity or a state of stagnation or decadence. Since I am not taking these words literally, I think Jesus came pretty close. He has got 2 billion people somewhat familiar with His teachings (all that 'love thy neighbor' and 'turn the other cheek' stuff). Now Jesus won't make them all do as he said since that would take away our free will, so it's really up to us whether we work towards ridding the world of all injustice and hatred or not. As for gathering all Jews back to Israel, the state of Israel was reinstated, by two Christian nations nevertheless. As for the Third Temple, I would say that all buildings will diminish away through time. Even the grandest of them all does not last forever. What significance there is if God Himself builds something so insignificant. On the other hand, a temple of hearts could last forever. One problem with religion is that there comes a point when logic simply no longer apply any more. We could use physics and astronomy to prove that the Sun exists on paper, but all we had to do was to look up at the sky. Similarly, when it comes to religion, I believe that the Christian scholars are wasting their time trying to prove that Christ fulfilled each and single one of the prophecies. Christ being the most influential person to ever grace this earth is the single most convincing proof that He was something special. Hope all this ranting actually makes some sense.

Okay. I was interested when you said that Jesus did not fulfill the messianic prophecies. I wonder which ones you are talking about? I do know that Jesus did not fulfill many of the prophecies in the literal sense but isn't that the fundamentalists' way of thinking to literally interpret religious scriptures? Of course, if you want to talk about more interesting subjects, I am open to suggestions. For example, a story I heard is that Jesus was swimming one day and some guy who didn't know how to swim thought Jesus was walking on water... :D

Thank you.

Now now, when have you ever seen me insulting anyone? I see this more as a discussion where both of us could learn something from each other. But of course the topic of discussion between you and Muso? is much more interesting, and I am already learning much...

But the fact is that roughly 80% of this country's population describe them as Christians. Of course, not all of them read the Bible from cover to cover but this is a Christian country nonetheless. I don't know about a Christian theocracy, but the Christian influence in our national policies will remain strong for perhaps a few more centuries. Abortion rights will continue to be challenged, people will continue trying to force prayers in public schools, fundamentalists will continue waving the Bible in their hands and trying to convince everybody that everything contained in it is infallibly true. But as long as our democracy is intact and as long as the executive branch and the legislative branch of our government is democratically elected, all these things shouldn't be a problem. Every citizen has his/her right to exert influence over this country's national policies, fundamentalist or not. If you don't like how things are going with our government policies, get out and vote. This country's population also overwhelmingly favors Democrats. Republicans are just smart enough to get their butts over to the voting booth and voice their opinions.

I would discuss this with you in a friendly manner if you wish. Though seeing the interesting turn the thread has undertaken, I doubt you are still in the mood.

I have, nice eyes, but not really crackin the top ten for me Remember Real World Paris? Mallory Snyder (sp?) Michelle Alves Alessandra Ambrosio <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hotties no doubt but can they dance?

So nobody here has heard about this Indian Goddess? I thought nerds are all multicultural...

For you:

Indian beauty:

Such magnificent animals:

Too late... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Let me try to redeem myself:

I love you, Gabs. Please don't report me.

Kate Benkinsale.

See. I don't keep nude women on my desktop: X1Predator - Sorry you couldn't see them. I am a changed man now, so I guess you will have to google them yourself. It's not so hard...