Religion and Ethics Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: floo on July 13, 2015, 02:31:36 PM
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
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http://answermejesus.com/
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
There's no cure, the older I get the sillier I get and I think it's catching.
ippy
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
If you pray to it and get ippy, I'd say it most definitely doesn't work! :D
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
If you pray to it and get ippy, I'd say it most definitely doesn't work! :D
You can never be certain B A.
ippy (For now).
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
There's no cure, the older I get the sillier I get and I think it's catching.
ippy
My first childhood has gone seamlessly into my second! ;D
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Same old thingy. We have floo and ippy mocking God again today and Mr. Nearly has God on his mind, just like I said he would.
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The depiction of the deity in the not so good book deserves to be mocked it is so ghastly.
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I hope ippy doesn't mind, when he came out with the phrase, 'god thingy' I had an idea for a new range in toy gismos.
My idea is that it would be a white shining figure about 12 inches high, which when switched on you could pray to it . Once you have made your request it would give you the thumbs up or thumbs down. At least you would get a response! ;D
Patent pending! ;D
I heard "God thingy", did somebody call?
ippy
IT WORKS! ;D
If you pray to it and get ippy, I'd say it most definitely doesn't work! :D
You can never be certain B A.
ippy (For now).
Floo might be better marketing it as a Halloween toy - press the button and get ippy, arghhh! :o
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Same old thingy. We have floo and ippy mocking God again today and Mr. Nearly has God on his mind, just like I said he would.
Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
ippy
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Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
And if he is, what then? Remember that God loves you whatever you might think of him.
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Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
And if he is, what then? Remember that God loves you whatever you might think of him.
More nonsense, you'll be so annoyed when you're dead and there's no reception party for you.
Makes as much sense as your part of this post.
ippy
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More nonsense, (in my opinion) you'll be so annoyed when you're dead and there's no reception party for you.
(In my opinion) Makes as much sense as your part of this post.
ippy
FIFY, ippy
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Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
And if he is, what then? Remember that God loves you whatever you might think of him.
The assertion treadmill is in safe hands.
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Tell me about it old timer. Ippster and his assertion that God is not there. I tend not to think about what's not there. Atheists around here can't get God off their minds. No amount of declaring He isn't there is freeing them of His place in their daily thoughts. He's there and isn't going away. You will be dealing with God in your thoughts everyday atheists. He's not done with you.
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The assertion treadmill is in safe hands.
I'd agree; ippy does seem to be enjoying that treadmill.
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Another error. I didn't mean him; I meant you.
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Like a hamster on it's wheel. Every time he jumps off he finds he hasn't gotten anywhere, God is still on his mind. He can't flee from the Almighty. Applies to that marxist too.
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More nonsense, (in my opinion) you'll be so annoyed when you're dead and there's no reception party for you.
(In my opinion) Makes as much sense as your part of this post.
ippy
FIFY, ippy
Where's the evidence Hope? You haven't got any to present and it's not likely you ever will have.
You can unstick the needle, so you say?
ippy
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Same old thingy. We have floo and ippy mocking God again today and Mr. Nearly has God on his mind, just like I said he would.
Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
ippy
Why do you spend hours talking tosh about something that's not there: hypocrite!
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Same old thingy. We have floo and ippy mocking God again today and Mr. Nearly has God on his mind, just like I said he would.
Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
ippy
Why do you spend hours talking tosh about something that's not there: hypocrite!
I have said why BA, it's something like it's at the same time, incredible and fascinating the load of old tosh people actually do take on board as wrote; it's not like there is anything credible around that would support this nonsense.
The 21st century and we've still got something equally as realistic as a belief astrology still hanging on, a large scale David Icke land.
ippy
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Woody, How can you mock something that's not there?
And if he is, what then? Remember that God loves you whatever you might think of him.
An assertion NOT backed up by the stories attributed to it in the Bible!
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I wouldn't want to be loved by that horrendous creature in the Bible. :o
I don't think it's capable of it if you look at what ridiculous antics it got up to. :( ::)
Getting stroppy when it didn't get its own way & then throwing its toys out the pram when its 'experiment' on earth, Noah etc, didn't work.
WHY did it not work out.? Surely the ALL Supreme One would've known this, no!?!!?
Or can't even God see into the future??? ;) ::)
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I wouldn't want to be loved by that horrendous creature in the Bible. :o
I don't think it's capable of it if you look at what ridiculous antics it got up to. :( ::)
Getting stroppy when it didn't get its own way & then throwing its toys out the pram when its 'experiment' on earth, Noah etc, didn't work.
WHY did it not work out.? Surely the ALL Supreme One would've known this, no!?!!?
Or can't even God see into the future??? ;) ::)
Nick, if you will be one of the literalists, Christians here who read the Bible for what it is can't be accused of misrepresenting God.
An all-supreme God would know what could happen, but having decided to create non-robotic human beings, is obliged to allow that non-robotic species to make its own decisions and go its own way. However, if that free will takes that species into severe abuse, which is what appears to have happened, is it responsible of that God to allow it to continue? There are plenty of posters here who spend their time accusing God of horrendous crimes (mostly, notice, 'recorded' in a part of the documentation that was written in the 5th/6th century BC, and in thological rather than historical language), who also spends a lot of their time spitting ire at abusers.
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
Floo, the Bible is made up of a whole of literary genres. You, and others, have a habit of referencing passages from poetry, theological exposition and other genres that aren't literal in their purpose. So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
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Hope
I DO know what you're on about but it STILL begs the question WHY? Why it allowed us to F-It-Up so to speak.
Surely it knew ?!?!?!?
If so then isn't that a form of sadism & more than a little of 'I Told You So' ????
God of The Bible in ITSELF has many views of its god. These are only a few among many out in the world too.
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So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
She didn't suggest that it is all lies; she asked you if it is, in other words, posed a question.
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So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
She didn't suggest that it is all lies; she asked you if it is, in other words, posed a question.
In addition, the problem with 'literary genres', especially since Hope is using it in a modern and non relevant sense, is that even if not meant to be factually correct, they are surely aiming for some form of truth.
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
Floo, the Bible is made up of a whole of literary genres. You, and others, have a habit of referencing passages from poetry, theological exposition and other genres that aren't literal in their purpose. So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
No. Floo is only highlighting the ridiculous state of affairs that exist. Whilst you maintain that some passages are not literal, many of your Christian brothers and sisters insist that the same passages are literal. How do we come to a definitive answer on this. The answer is we can't because it is all down to the individuals interpretation - and I cannot see why yours is any more right or wrong than the next Christians interpretation.
This is, of course, due to the fact that you will jump through so many hoops to try to avoid the obvious inconsistencies plain for all to see.
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
Floo, the Bible is made up of a whole of literary genres. You, and others, have a habit of referencing passages from poetry, theological exposition and other genres that aren't literal in their purpose. So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
Hope I thought you taught English? I didn't state that as a fact, I asked you a question?
How do you pick out which bits are literally true and which bits are allegorical?
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Hope I thought you taught English? I didn't state that as a fact, I asked you a question?
In such as way as to indicate that you believe that your suggestion is true. That's what comes of beingan English teacher!!
How do you pick out which bits are literally true and which bits are allegorical?
Ever heard of literary criticism, Floo? Using this, one can work out what are historical and therefore literally true, and which aren't. Let's take Genesis as an example. In the Old Testament itself, we are told that the Jewish Scriptures were lost sometime in the 5th/6th century - probably coinciding with the Babylonian invasion - and that on the rediscovery of some of the material, the Pentateuch was rewritten after the people returned from Babylon. As there is no version that predates that time, we have to assume that that is the material that was later translated into Latin, Greek and then English and other languages.
I am not a Hebrew scholar, so I have to rely on those I know who are, and there is sufficient internal evidence to indicate that the rewritten Genesis - possibly other parts of the Pentateuch as well - is not written in the same way as books such as Kings or Chronicles which are generally deemed to be historical.
So, yes, one has to study the material, which is - of course - what Jesus taught his disciples to do and, largely, the motivation for the early 'Protestant' translators who worked to bring the material to their generation in English/German/Dutch/etc.
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Hope
Is there anything in the Bible you feel should NOT be trusted & kept well away from?
It seems so with recent replies!!
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
Floo, the Bible is made up of a whole of literary genres. You, and others, have a habit of referencing passages from poetry, theological exposition and other genres that aren't literal in their purpose. So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
Who decides what's literal and what isn't?
It couldn't be someone that likes to quote out of text, a persistent offender?
Now who can I think of that could have done something like that?
ippy
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Who decides what is literal? Not somebody that would ignore important details like yourself ippster.(Perth chopper video)
Who decides? You decide for yourself but only after you read, study and take in the context ippy. NOW PLEASE READ THIS!
https://www.gci.org/bible/literal
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Hope I thought you taught English? I didn't state that as a fact, I asked you a question?
In such as way as to indicate that you believe that your suggestion is true. That's what comes of beingan English teacher!!
How do you pick out which bits are literally true and which bits are allegorical?
Ever heard of literary criticism, Floo? Using this, one can work out what are historical and therefore literally true, and which aren't. Let's take Genesis as an example. In the Old Testament itself, we are told that the Jewish Scriptures were lost sometime in the 5th/6th century - probably coinciding with the Babylonian invasion - and that on the rediscovery of some of the material, the Pentateuch was rewritten after the people returned from Babylon. As there is no version that predates that time, we have to assume that that is the material that was later translated into Latin, Greek and then English and other languages.
I am not a Hebrew scholar, so I have to rely on those I know who are, and there is sufficient internal evidence to indicate that the rewritten Genesis - possibly other parts of the Pentateuch as well - is not written in the same way as books such as Kings or Chronicles which are generally deemed to be historical.
So, yes, one has to study the material, which is - of course - what Jesus taught his disciples to do and, largely, the motivation for the early 'Protestant' translators who worked to bring the material to their generation in English/German/Dutch/etc.
Hope so you believe the virgin birth and resurrection to be true even though they are no more credible than any of the stuff in Genesis, or other bits you don't believe to be literal? Just because Jesus, if reported correctly, believed certain things to be true, doesn't mean they are!
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Hope so you believe the virgin birth and resurrection to be true even though they are no more credible than any of the stuff in Genesis, or other bits you don't believe to be literal? Just because Jesus, if reported correctly, believed certain things to be true, doesn't mean they are!
If we were talking about human beings, of course I wouldn't believe it, but since I believe in a God (a being you don't seem to believe in), the restrictions on humanity sort of go by the board.
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Hope so you believe the virgin birth and resurrection to be true even though they are no more credible than any of the stuff in Genesis, or other bits you don't believe to be literal? Just because Jesus, if reported correctly, believed certain things to be true, doesn't mean they are!
If we were talking about human beings, of course I wouldn't believe it, but since I believe in a God (a being you don't seem to believe in), the restrictions on humanity sort of go by the board.
There is no difference in believing in the deity, for which there isn't the slightest bit of credible evidence, than there is in believing in unicorns, fairies, goblins, elves etc. You are selective in your belief, overlooking the bad things attributed to it!
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But you admit you don't know if the Almighty exists floo. I would lean towards the fact that He does. Why else is He on your brain day in and day out? Why else would you constantly rage and struggle against Him? You are not a crazy white lady floo, so don't try using that excuse.
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There is no difference in believing in the deity, for which there isn't the slightest bit of credible evidence, than there is in believing in unicorns, fairies, goblins, elves etc. You are selective in your belief, overlooking the bad things attributed to it!
I would say that there is considerably more evidence for the former than for the latter. As such, I'd agree with you that unicorns, fairies, goblins, etc don't exist - though there seem to some here (who argue for the non-existence of God) who do believe in such things.
I do however, believe, that there is enough evidence to support the existence of God and the supernatural. You don't; you've clearly been through all the evidence you've been presented with and chosen to dismiss it. That's for you to decide.
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Hope so you believe the virgin birth and resurrection to be true even though they are no more credible than any of the stuff in Genesis, or other bits you don't believe to be literal? Just because Jesus, if reported correctly, believed certain things to be true, doesn't mean they are!
If we were talking about human beings, of course I wouldn't believe it, but since I believe in a God (a being you don't seem to believe in), the restrictions on humanity sort of go by the board.
In other words, to rephrase this, it means that removing the restrictions of biology, evidentialism, rationality and so forth gives you carte blanche to believe absolutely anything.
Hardly a surprise.
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Who decides what is literal? Not somebody that would ignore important details like yourself ippster.(Perth chopper video)
Who decides? You decide for yourself but only after you read, study and take in the context ippy. NOW PLEASE READ THIS!
https://www.gci.org/bible/literal
Can't you feel the call of the wild tugging at you Woody, drawing you ever nearer to anywhere they've got trees, isn't it a part of what being a Canadian is all about?
I was going to send you a YouTube logging slot but when I put in Canadian loggers, with the amount of Canadian Logging there is being done, no wonder we're all worried about deforestation, perhaps they should prevent Canadians traveling to keep the worldwide CO2 emissions down.
ippy
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But you admit you don't know if the Almighty exists floo. I would lean towards the fact that He does. Why else is He on your brain day in and day out? Why else would you constantly rage and struggle against Him? You are not a crazy white lady floo, so don't try using that excuse.
Of course it could exist and all that is claimed for it is true, in which case I must have my asbestos clothing ready for when I am chucked into the fires of hell.
I rage and struggle against the extreme 'born again' belief, which did me no favours as a kid as it can be very abusive. >:( Some kids and vulnerable adults are no doubt suffering as I did when having that ghastly dogma thrust down their throats.
I have absolutely no problem with moderate live and let live Christians like my own children.
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Of course it could exist and all that is claimed for it is true, in which case I must have my asbestos clothing ready for when I am chucked into the fires of hell.
Well, the Bible makes it pretty clear that it is an individual who chooses to take that path. God won't throw you into them; he just won't stop you from taking that path.
I rage and struggle against the extreme 'born again' belief, which did me no favours as a kid as it can be very abusive. >:( Some kids and vulnerable adults are no doubt suffering as I did when having that ghastly dogma thrust down their throats.
Sadly, I've come across children and adults with exactly the same feelings you have who have been brought up in atheist, agnostic, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist families - in fact, in just about every type of family. That would suggest that the problem is with humanity and not God.
I have absolutely no problem with moderate live and let live Christians like my own children.
Do your ordained children never preach the Gospel?
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Of course it could exist and all that is claimed for it is true, in which case I must have my asbestos clothing ready for when I am chucked into the fires of hell.
Well, the Bible makes it pretty clear that it is an individual who chooses to take that path. God won't throw you into them; he just won't stop you from taking that path.
I rage and struggle against the extreme 'born again' belief, which did me no favours as a kid as it can be very abusive. >:( Some kids and vulnerable adults are no doubt suffering as I did when having that ghastly dogma thrust down their throats.
Sadly, I've come across children and adults with exactly the same feelings you have who have been brought up in atheist, agnostic, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist families - in fact, in just about every type of family. That would suggest that the problem is with humanity and not God.
I have absolutely no problem with moderate live and let live Christians like my own children.
Do your ordained children never preach the Gospel?
How does this god thingy of yours contact you with he, she or it's innermost thoughts, on the phone, email, loud booming voice from the sky, etc?
Give me an insight of this vivid imagination of yours.
ippy
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How does this god thingy of yours contact you with he, she or it's innermost thoughts, on the phone, email, loud booming voice from the sky, etc?
Give me an insight of this vivid imagination of yours.
ippy
Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
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Those are all examples of hearing/seeing/reading other human beings and their own
unverifiable madey-uppy fancies interpretations of what they think a god is like, does and wants, not actually a god.
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How does this god thingy of yours contact you with he, she or it's innermost thoughts, on the phone, email, loud booming voice from the sky, etc?
Give me an insight of this vivid imagination of yours.
ippy
Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
Have you always had this kind of imagination and if you do think you're on the blower to the he, she or it your god thingy, how would you know these messages are coming from directly from the big god thingy?
I suggest you don't know anymore than any of the rest of us.
It's a wonderful thing the imagination.
ippy
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How does this god thingy of yours contact you with he, she or it's innermost thoughts, on the phone, email, loud booming voice from the sky, etc?
Give me an insight of this vivid imagination of yours.
ippy
Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
I Y O Hope and the magical, mythical and superstitious nonsense you attempt to promote is so unlikely to have any truth in it, it's only there for the gullible
ippy
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I Y O Hope ...
And in the opinion of many others, scientists included, ippy.
...and the magical, mythical and superstitious nonsense you attempt to promote is so unlikely to have any truth in it, it's only there for the gullible
No more or less so than the idea that science is the only contributory factor of our lives, ippy. You are entitled to believe that it is, but that is all it is - a scientifically unevidenced belief.
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
I Y O Hope and the magical, mythical and superstitious nonsense you attempt to promote is so unlikely to have any truth in it, it's only there for the gullible
ippy
It's not even unlikely.
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I Y O Hope ...
And in the opinion of many others, scientists included, ippy.
...and the magical, mythical and superstitious nonsense you attempt to promote is so unlikely to have any truth in it, it's only there for the gullible
No more or less so than the idea that science is the only contributory factor of our lives, ippy. You are entitled to believe that it is, but that is all it is - a scientifically unevidenced belief.
Yes and there are plenty of people with split or multiple personalities too, some of them I'm sure end up as scientists.
It's not a belief of mine that there is no such thing as your god thingy, there is as you must be aware, because you've never been able to come up with any, no credible evidence that would support this he, she or it god thingy idea of yours and that's not a belief, that's how it is.
ippy
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HOPE
''I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; ''
And how have you worked THIS one out ?
Studied ALL world major religions have we ?!!?!? NO thought not.....
0 out of 10 for effort AND achievent.
Nick
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
It is the most important, imo! Without science we would still be back in the dark ages.
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Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
The Bible was written a couple of thousand years ago and hasn't really changed in the intervening years. That doesn't sound like hearing or seeing God today so much as seeing or hearing him as he was 2,000 years ago (assuming it was him at all).
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
It is the most important, imo! Without science we would still be back in the dark ages.
Some of you still are, imo. :)
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Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
The Bible was written a couple of thousand years ago and hasn't really changed in the intervening years. That doesn't sound like hearing or seeing God today so much as seeing or hearing him as he was 2,000 years ago (assuming it was him at all).
It is about time the deity was brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century, it needs a modern update!
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The Bible was written a couple of thousand years ago and hasn't really changed in the intervening years. That doesn't sound like hearing or seeing God today so much as seeing or hearing him as he was 2,000 years ago (assuming it was him at all).
It is about time the deity was brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century, it needs a modern update!
jeremy, Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico was written at a similar distance from the present day. Does that mean it is no longer relevant? The Magna Carta was written 800 years ago; does it mean that it no longer has any relevance to us?
Floo, how would you 'update' him? Do you want to recreate him in your preferred form?
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So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
She didn't suggest that it is all lies; she asked you if it is, in other words, posed a question.
In addition, the problem with 'literary genres', especially since Hope is using it in a modern and non relevant sense, is that even if not meant to be factually correct, they are surely aiming for some form of truth.
Doesn't mean they're right. And being wrong doesn't make them liars.
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How does this god thingy of yours contact you with he, she or it's innermost thoughts, on the phone, email, loud booming voice from the sky, etc?
Give me an insight of this vivid imagination of yours.
ippy
Some of the methods you suggest do work. For instance, I get commentaries on Biblical passages by email; I discuss theology with friends on the phone; I do the same on this website: I meet up with friends to study the Bible - which is perhaps the greatest collection of material that outlines God's plans for this world; I read parallel translations, including the original Greek. I don't read Hebrew, so when there is a issue I'm not sure about, I ask people I know who do.
There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
so?
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So all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies, is it?
Floo, the Bible is made up of a whole of literary genres. You, and others, have a habit of referencing passages from poetry, theological exposition and other genres that aren't literal in their purpose. So to suggest, as you have, that "all that is written in the Bible about the deity is lies" simply highlights how poor your understanding of the Bible is - something that you quite regularly do.
Hope I thought you taught English? I didn't state that as a fact, I asked you a question?
How do you pick out which bits are literally true and which bits are allegorical?
Who said they're allegorical? Maybe they're just wrong. Maybe the people who wrote the story of the flood thought it had happened, and were wrong.
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Even the most learned theologian cannot produce verifiable evidence for the existence of the deity.
Scientifically, no they can't; however, scientific knowledge isn't the only contributory aspect of our lives.
It is the most important, imo!
But not the only one
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There are many other ways of hearing and seeing God's presence.
Not really! What you mean is that there are many things which you can hear and see which you interpret as being "God's" presence.
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It is the most important, imo! Without science we would still be back in the dark ages.
Floo, whether it is the most important is open to debate. As to where we are in relation to the dark ages, that also is open to debate. If you talk to non-Westerners about the West in general, one of the subjects they bring up is the fragmented relational nature of Western society, what with our nuclear family pattern and our increasingly fragmented form of that pattern. Humans are, by definition, social creatures so this nuclearisation of relationships seem to such people as very backward. Arguably, this is the more important element of human life.
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In my opinion: Not really! What you mean is that there are many things which you can hear and see which you interpret as being "God's" presence.
FIFY, Len
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In my opinion: Not really! What you mean is that there are many things which you can hear and see which you interpret as being "God's" presence.
FIFY, Len
Yes, but incorrectly. Do you deny that you interpret these experiences as "God's" presence?
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It is the most important, imo! Without science we would still be back in the dark ages.
Floo, whether it is the most important is open to debate. As to where we are in relation to the dark ages, that also is open to debate. If you talk to non-Westerners about the West in general, one of the subjects they bring up is the fragmented relational nature of Western society, what with our nuclear family pattern and our increasingly fragmented form of that pattern. Humans are, by definition, social creatures so this nuclearisation of relationships seem to such people as very backward. Arguably, this is the more important element of human life.
I don't really understand what you are on about? I would much sooner live in the West, and the UK in particular, than in any less developed part of the world. If they find it so wonderful living in their own countries why are so many of them wanting to migrate to the West?
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I don't really understand what you are on about? I would much sooner live in the West, and the UK in particular, than in any less developed part of the world. If they find it so wonderful living in their own countries why are so many of them wanting to migrate to the West?
Well, if you can't understand what I'm on about, perhaps you have lived an extremely sheltered life. Most immigrants to this country are either economic migrants, who want to improve their economic status, or refugees from persecution. Yet the vast majority continue to live within groups of their own culture. This has to do with their relational ties and support groups, which are usually far larger than those of the average white Briton. This is often reflected in their relational language - several Asian languages have separate terms for one's father's and mother's parents, as opposed to the English way of using the term 'grandparents' and simply affixing 'paternal' or 'maternal'. That is only one of several examples that I could give; in the East, family/clan/tribal relationships are far more important than they are here. In many rural areas of the East, villages are often no more than the home of a multi-generational extended family.
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I don't really understand what you are on about? I would much sooner live in the West, and the UK in particular, than in any less developed part of the world. If they find it so wonderful living in their own countries why are so many of them wanting to migrate to the West?
Well, if you can't understand what I'm on about, perhaps you have lived an extremely sheltered life. Most immigrants to this country are either economic migrants, who want to improve their economic status, or refugees from persecution. Yet the vast majority continue to live within groups of their own culture. This has to do with their relational ties and support groups, which are usually far larger than those of the average white Briton. This is often reflected in their relational language - several Asian languages have separate terms for one's father's and mother's parents, as opposed to the English way of using the term 'grandparents' and simply affixing 'paternal' or 'maternal'. That is only one of several examples that I could give; in the East, family/clan/tribal relationships are far more important than they are here. In many rural areas of the East, villages are often no more than the home of a multi-generational extended family.
I would hate to live in that sort of family. I was happy to leave home at 19 and start married life alone with my husband. I wouldn't be thrilled if now my children are adults with their own families if they wanted to come back home to live. When I am no longer able to care for myself I am perfectly happy to go into a home rather than have my kids lumbered with me!