My changing views of religion

Abraham was a wealthy man with many flocks, servants, etc. and asked his nephew Lot to pick (basically) which side of the Dead Sea valley to put his large flocks, etc, on. Abraham also made his own army to rescue Lot and could conscript one as he needed to defend his many holdings. (Genesis 13-14) He was a wealthy baron and ruled his area of influence. He with his 12 sons could have ruled a great expanse of territory. The only reason Jacob left as due to drought. We've had those Ag types in the U.S. during the Dust Bowl days also. But many returned to their lands afterwards.

Genesis 13

2And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

5And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

You do have a Bible, dont you?!!

 

I did not say they were not rich.. how much land could they possibly have had ?

Flocks and a few tents and some cattle does not require large hundreds of square miles.

Abraham and 12 sons did not rule over an empire. Abraham did not raise an "army"... he took the 318 servants that worked for him.

Even when God told Abraham what land he was to be given in the future (not the land that he currently owned) it was as far as the eye could see.

The eye can not see that far.

 

Gifted you are just being stubborn and argumentative!

I could say 'the sky is blue," and you would argue: well there are white clouds, and storm clouds, and it does get gray during those times..etc...etc...etc...

I've only enjoyed 'spinning my wheels' when I used to 'race ppl off a stop light' in my old Camaro ..ha ha

 

Really, so the sources shown and you resort to the same victim mentality.

You are just wrong, and, as usual, a petulent accusser with no proof.

 

All of that is something I am aware of - perhaps you should go back and read the post you clearly and quite deliberately skipped.

So, either Jewish History is a fallacy and an ad hominem, or you are a simple troll - too egomaniacal and mean to admit a simple point.

If you'd actually read the Bible - the first friggin chapter, you would know just how stupid your comments are. Instead, we are treated to a desperate game of grab and accuse, as you simply engage, once again, in creative writing.

 

A General 'Rhetorical' Question for the Christians reading this thread:


I've asked myself this question many times in my life:

"Is my faith in Jesus Christ the most important thing in my life?"

Is following a doctrine and dogma that a denomination authorizes or preaches; or, is following the words of Christ, His leading by the Holy Spirit, and seeking truth no matter what the consequences the TOP priorty in my life?

Am I willing to give up the approval of men for the approval of God, no matter where it make take me?

Some ppl just like 'Religion," as in the pomp and grandeur; but one can make a 'religion' out of worshipping a pencil! I dont see the words of Christ as merely a religion, but a way of life, and a philosophy of living on this earth.

So what do you value the most: religion, acceptance by a group, approval of men, the pink fuzzies of dressing up and singing a couple hymns once a week, etc.

I firmly believe that altho God has His mysteries, one can have as much of God as they want, or are willing to seek & ask of Him. "Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.." And, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for He is a rewarder of those that 'diligently' seek Him." Faith is God's currency!

It's each individual's call as to how much they want of Him....myself, I'm still hungry and seeking for 'more' in my life, for I have By No Means 'arrived' as to where He wants us to be!

But 'we all' live in a hurried, hectic age of many, many distractions (elect gadgets, Inet, 24/7 Sat/Cab TV, etc) and most likely wont get much further past where we are today, until a time of persecution comes upon us..as has prophesied to come.
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"a time of persecution ? Huh ? when + by who ? would that persecution be as arranged by your god ?


.....

 

You missed the point of the post...it was 'rhetorical,' ...and for Christians!

 

Excuse me . As a child I thought I was Christian , but just seem to have grown out of it - same as I did with tooth fairies and Santa Clause etc.

... cheers.

btw - was the prohesy / "It being prophesied " which you mentioned - also "rhetorical " ?

 

Since after closely reading your postings, I have found nothing of value as inputs to the conversation of this thread, but just the usual troll harassment, and do proclaim them as:

 

If it's an afterlife you need then I think Buddhism does the best job of providing comforting stories for the afterlife and yet doesn't spit in the face of science nor does it tell you how to live your own (*)(*)(*)(*) life.

 

Is that your cop out ?

as I;ve said One man's WHEAT is another man's crap.






.

 

Nah ! No need of an "afterlife " IMO - this one is more than enough for any soul. (wink)

 

Hey I'm with you there. That's why I'm mainly a taoist. No real need to know the mythology or believe in an afterlife. Just helpful wisdom to living in this world.

 

No such thing as a serious conversation on this thread anymore..but, only 11 more posts and it will be out of it's misery of harassment..

 

- I've heard of Taoism - think I'll take a closer look at its teachings.


Thx - cheers.

 

Your 'copout' is that you have nothing of use to say but flap your posting jaws anyway...must be an English thing..as we have 3 of you 'jolly ole trolls' on here doing the same thing! No chaff, old stick, just a statement of fact!

 

are you 100% God as well?

 

Your kidding me.

You try to make an outlandish claim that the Israelites were just defending their land when they went out on a military conquest.

I show you that it was not "their land" and never was their land prior to the Exodus and you call me argumentative.

The reason you are spinning your wheels is because you claim that one family of goat- herders (albeit a big one with 12 sons) somehow owned all the land that Israel would eventually conquer is ...

ABSOLUTE NONSENSE ..

At best they owned a very tiny portion of one of the territories that Israel would eventually conquer.

Israel were not defenders as you claim .. there were aggressors who took land from others and they slaughtered many innocents in the process.

 

what sources ? As usual you talk about sources that seem to exist only in your mind.

Your fantasies are not backed up by the evidence.

 

Can we quit the tit tat...general Christian theology recognizes that Jesus was human AND Divine. He is the Incarnation. Paul talks about it in Philippians:
Phil. 2
[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
[6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
[7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
[8] And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What is it SPECIFICALLY that you say is "unnatural" about Jesus?

 

You really need to upgrade your reading comprehension and quit accusing folks of things they never said.

You were the one that asked "What does this have to do with Abraham" ?

Now you present information on Abraham and claim that I do not know the Bible and that I am the Troll.

Glad you have finally figured out that Abraham has something to do with Jewish History.

 

2 more posts and you will be out of your 'misery!'

 

You mean you and Neutral are going to start backing up your claims with something of substance !?

Good news.

 

I say that "the sky is blue"..what say you?!!