Which God do you serve?

:funn:

Life

It's all good even when we don't agree.

I am very tolerant of a difference of opinion, I might let what is happening in my real life sometimes influence my comments and sometimes my written word does not always convey my true feelings, for it is hard at times for me to put into written word what I truly believe and feel.

I believe we accomplish more with actions such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control hence the reference to Galatians.

And more often than not I connect with my God in places less structured than a church such as the beach, the woods, the mountains or something as simple as my back yard because much of my beliefs are interwoven with my ancestors, the Cherokee and the Scots.

Love

I love natural places too and I always love what you have to say. Thank you Minnie

I think that removing displays of Christianity from our government would make our country much greater and stronger.

Probably because I recognize that the moral worth of someone is not based on how "Christian" they claim to be (in fact the opposite is usually true IMO - especially if they want your money or vote).

I just realized that we all speak another language- it's english, but it just don't make sense to me Johnny. I'm in quirk mode, it's been a long life. Thanks for your input

I'd prefer you keep your imaginary friends to yourself.

Which wine goes best with the god you're serving and then what do you do with the leftovers?

My God

Dear God

Oh God

This thread

My God

Dear God

Oh God

This thread

BH - you come out with the most bizarre things. in a good way.

may I use this as a siggy line? I just like it!

30ashopper, there is a road to hell because God gave people freedom of will to make their own choices.

So BeautyHunter, I sense that your point in this thread is that the removal of biblical references from guns and in general, omitting the mention of "God" from goverment and politics is a bad thing. Is that the gist of it?

What would be your thought if our guns had inscriptions citing the Koran? How would you feel if the dollar and our license plates said- "trust in Allah" (or Buddah or any other name used to represent a higher power from a religion besides Christianity)?

Why do devout followers of religions like scientology get looked at as being kinda nuts but followers of Christianity are viewed as patriots?

What would be your thought if our guns had inscriptions citing the Koran? How would you feel if the dollar and our license plates said- "trust in Allah" (or Buddah or any other name used to represent a higher power from a religion besides Christianity)?

Why do devout followers of religions like scientology get looked at as being kinda nuts but followers of Christianity are viewed as patriots?

I hear ya and get ya. but I think there is a difference between the gun and the coin: referencing Jesus on a gun is christian and also makes no sense!!!!!!!!! (our leaders and soldiers did not ask for this or want it on there! it is being removed asap! why? because it is not appropriate.) on the other hand, referencing God on a coin is not necessarily christian (even though no doubt the good senators in the 50's or whenever it was when communism had them running scared - were christian and enacted law to add the words on the coin - they weren't stupid though - I think they knew to be careful with the wording). God can be anybody's God. God can be Mother Earth or Father Universe or whoever. I realize some folks may be offended by "God" on a coin, but I've never met 'em. or have I? :shock:

Why do devout followers of religions like scientology get looked at as being kinda nuts but followers of Christianity are viewed as patriots?

I think we can safely blame Tom Cruise for that one... ;-)

Seriously though, I think it just comes down to raw numbers. Once you hit a certain threshold of 'believers', a cult becomes a religion and gains legitimacy?

I have - Annie Laurie Gaylor - she pitches a FIT about everything to do w/ religion and has a weekly radio show and 13,500 members of her Freedom From Religion Foundation. :roll:

Currently suing about the inscription of the pledge of allegiance in the Capitol visitor's center.

I think we can safely blame Tom Cruise for that one... ;-)

Seriously though, I think it just comes down to raw numbers. Once you hit a certain threshold of 'believers', a cult becomes a religion?

yeah. but I LOVE science fiction. leave the Scientologists alone! ;-)

I have - Annie Laurie Gaylor - she pitches a FIT about everything to do w/ religion and has a weekly radio show and 13,500 members of her Freedom From Religion Foundation. :roll:

Currently suing about the inscription of the pledge of allegiance in the Capitol visitor's center.

you know, I may even agree with some of her stuff, but come on. get a life lady!

of course I know of these personalities in the media - but I have never known anyone who personally is offended by God on a coin or the pledge of allegiance. maybe I need to get out more.

yeah. but I LOVE science fiction. leave the Scientologists alone! ;-)

Battlefield Earth by Ron L Hubbard is one of my favorite books ever Tootsie! Actually, I rather liked the religion that Michael from Robert Heinlein's 'Stranger in a Strange Land' came up with. I could grok that my water brother!

you know, I may even agree with some of her stuff, but come on. get a life lady!

She got on my radar screen when she tried to get the Christmas tree (and other religious displays because there is one for Hannukah too) taken out of our State capitol building.

Went over like a lead balloon as it's the "angel tree" that raises money for poor kids to get gifts and warm clothes. :angry:

I certainly don't think we should be promoting a religion in public schools or venues, but we cannot ignore history, reality, or common sense in the process.

BH - you come out with the most bizarre things. in a good way.

may I use this as a siggy line? I just like it!

30ashopper, there is a road to hell because God gave people freedom of will to make their own choices.

Thank you Tootsie

It doesn't bother me about the siggy line if you like that. I disagree with 30ashopper that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the bible says God is love. If what she said is true(and it didn't originate from her, I've heard it before)then nobody would put forth an effort to love. I don't believe that saying is true. Is not He going to take into account everyone's life from the perspective of love?
Just a note of precaution, it might make people feel condemned. As if God has nothing better to do than corral people into hell- it's kind of a ridiculous thought. From what I've read, God wants us most of all to be healthy and prosper.

If I love you and you see how imperfect I am, then how much more would God who says He IS love and knows more about you than I do still love you.

Of course,on the other hand, if you use this on your siggy I'm sure it would generate all kinds of comments from our sowal jokesters and its always good to laugh. :funn:

BH - you come out with the most bizarre things. in a good way.

may I use this as a siggy line? I just like it!

30ashopper, there is a road to hell because God gave people freedom of will to make their own choices.

Only if God and hell actually exist.

Douglass stated:

"I didn't state these principles were 'physical' or actioned. I stated they were part of being human. Whether you implement them is part of free will. Some things in life need neither a purpose or a reason."

I agree religion has nothing to do with this. But I disagree that there is no reason or purpose behind it. Goodness, compassion, and feelings of guilt and remorse are just chemical reactions in your brain that evolved over millenia. They promote self preservation and strong community. We have positive and negative feedback systems built-in.

This view also runs counter to the argument that religion is a negative influence, causing wars, hatred, and the like. We'd be killing each other for other reasons if we weren't doing it in the name of God. Religion is simply an off shoot of community building. We would (and some obviously do) work toward these end goals without the influence of religious beliefs.

Only if God and hell actually exist.

I agree religion has nothing to do with this. But I disagree that there is no reason or purpose behind it. Goodness, compassion, and feelings of guilt and remorse are just chemical reactions in your brain that evolved over millenia. They promote self preservation and strong community. We have positive and negative feedback systems built-in.

I don't buy into the 'chemical computer' theories as it simplifies things far too much. Indeed our brain is made up of complex chemicals and neurons and synapses that work to process information very similar to a computer.However a computer, regardless of complexity, is a device of pure logic. It is fed data, processes it and comes out with an answer or end result. As long as the data stays the same and the program is unchanged, the answer is always the same. With humans another factor comes into play...self awareness. Negative and positive feedback systems no longer hold sway as being a contrary creature, humans can make decisions outside of the normal parameters of a situation based on abstractions and concepts and even emotions. Sure, evolution has ensured much of our makeup is based on logical constructs of survival, but somewhere along the line we became something more. Consciousness and self awareness take us beyond the realm and predictability of standard systems. Moral and ethical concepts and emotions such as love are much more than a chemical reaction, they are part of our transcendence to something greater.

Bob are you truly free?
O.k. I'm being mocking in a sick kind of humorous way- haven't spoken to you in awhile
I'll see you on the umami thread

i have freedom of thought, and freedom to choose boar's head deli meat when ordering a sub at publix.

Thank you Tootsie

It doesn't bother me about the siggy line if you like that. I disagree with 30ashopper that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the bible says God is love. If what she said is true(and it didn't originate from her, I've heard it before)then nobody would put forth an effort to love. I don't believe that saying is true. Is not He going to take into account everyone's life from the perspective of love?
Just a note of precaution, it might make people feel condemned. As if God has nothing better to do than corral people into hell- it's kind of a ridiculous thought. From what I've read, God wants us most of all to be healthy and prosper.

If I love you and you see how imperfect I am, then how much more would God who says He IS love and knows more about you than I do still love you.

Of course,on the other hand, if you use this on your siggy I'm sure it would generate all kinds of comments from our sowal jokesters and its always good to laugh. :funn:

I think 30AShopper is a he. but I couldn't swear to it.

I really don't follow this conversation at all! sorry! I'm lost!!! no, I won't use the siggy - it is a classic though. wouldn't want to have people see it out of context - addressed to 30AShopper - it sorta looks like you were saying HE is going to hell.. but we know you were just responding to his statement about hell.

what/where is hell anyway?

i have freedom of thought, and freedom to choose boar's head deli meat when ordering a sub at publix.

You need to try their hot dogs, the ones that come in the plastic and are all linked together. The bratwurst is pretty good too!

hey ya'll! You'll never guess who just showed up on the other religious (gun) thread! and I just gave him "thanks".

I don't buy into the 'chemical computer' theories as it simplifies things far too much. Indeed our brain is made up of complex chemicals and neurons and synapses that work to process information very similar to a computer.However a computer, regardless of complexity, is a device of pure logic. It is fed data, processes it and comes out with an answer or end result. As long as the data stays the same and the program is unchanged, the answer is always the same. With humans another factor comes into play...self awareness. Negative and positive feedback systems no longer hold sway as being a contrary creature, humans can make decisions outside of the normal parameters of a situation based on abstractions and concepts and even emotions. Sure, evolution has ensured much of our makeup is based on logical constructs of survival, but somewhere along the line we became something more. Consciousness and self awareness take us beyond the realm and predictability of standard systems. Moral and ethical concepts and emotions such as love are much more than a chemical reaction, they are part of our transcendence to something greater.

Enter religion, the soul, and devine intervention. People used to say the earth was flat and that it was at the center of the universe, and thunder and lightning were a sign the gods were angry at you. Over time explanations for things seen first as supernatural trend toward explanations based on scientific theory and proof.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_(scientific_views)