I’m curious about who still practices their faith.

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by cirdellin, Jul 16, 2020.

  1. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2012
    Messages:
    150,180
    Likes Received:
    62,817
    Trophy Points:
    113
    agree, the Church is not above such corruption, which I think is the point

    good people can be Christian, not all Christians are good people
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
  2. Maquiscat

    Maquiscat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2017
    Messages:
    7,915
    Likes Received:
    2,152
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    It's not the existence of such people in the church (any of them) that is telling. I agree that any organization will attract those who seek to use it for their own ends, the bigger, the more likely and more of them. It's the reaction of the leadership (not the congregation) that is the indicator of the trueness (for lack of a better term) of a Christian church. The hiding and protecting of such predators shows that they do not follow the true teachings. I do not doubt in any way that they fury Jesus showed in the temple would have looked mild had he uncovered such treatment of children by the priesthood. God doesn't hide evil, He exposes it. If they hide it, then they are not following God.
     
  3. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,682
    Likes Received:
    3,995
    Trophy Points:
    113
  4. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,682
    Likes Received:
    3,995
    Trophy Points:
    113
    When will you realize that the Bible is just a collection of stories that illustrate the real Ten Commandments found in Exodus 34:11-28 that were cooked up to give the ancient Jewish priests power and prestige over their superstitious buddies? There is no magical cosmic deity involved.
     
  5. CKW

    CKW Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2010
    Messages:
    15,298
    Likes Received:
    3,381
    Trophy Points:
    113
    We are born with a sin nature. Not sure how that is in place...and dna is simply your assumption.

    DNA doesnt decide choices. It might make some temptations harder then others, some easier. A person with a quick temper works harder to not blow up. Someone with a shy demeanor finds it harder to express their love of God to others. A disorganized person has a harder time keeping their house in order. But free will involves choices not dna..
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2020
    Maquiscat likes this.
  6. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,682
    Likes Received:
    3,995
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Buy some clues. We are discussing the biblical fairy tale and not 21st Century science.
     
  7. CKW

    CKW Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2010
    Messages:
    15,298
    Likes Received:
    3,381
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Actually I was simply responding to your post. Not sure what you are trying to say here...

    But since you bring up the validity of the Bible, it's a very accurate read on ancient history. Especially in the Old testament, many of the events, kings and kingdoms, and ancient long gone peoples have been validated by archaeology with more discoveries happening each year. Enough so, that if you are a history buff....the Bible is a great read.
     
  8. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,682
    Likes Received:
    3,995
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The Maccabees books might be historical but the other books are BS "history."
     
  9. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Perhaps Christianity is declining in the dying West (the US is only 5% of the world's population), but globally it is predicted to increase 35% by 2050, Buddism is predicted to decline from 7% to 5% of the world's population in that time. Islam is growing mainly through high birth rates and forced conversions, while Christianity has more voluntary conversions than all other religions combined, about equal to the population of Texas annually.

    I am attending a Presbyterian Church in American church (PCA), a conservative group that is one of the fastest growing denominations in the US. We're meeting outside currently.
     
  10. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Very true. As the Jewish archaeologists Nelson Glueck said, “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries.”

    https://www.hopechannel.com/au/read/the-archaeologist-nelson-glueck
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2020
  11. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    You can find those bad behaviors in any other human gathering. There are hypocrites at McDonald's, does that mean you're not going there? The church is a hospital for sinners, not a club of perfect people, there was only One of those. You can find lots of problems in Christ's group of hand picked disciples, one of them even betrayed Him.
     
  12. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Messages:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    1,329
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I was raised Baptist and abandoned it. Then I became Mormon and abandoned it. Now it seems that both are trying to live on outside the US.

    I’m told that Buddhism is the fastest growing faith in the US and Islam is the fastest growing in the world.

    I think Christianity and Islam are both highly dependent upon bad external conditions which is why Christianity is dying in the west and these conditions may prove to be the death knell for Islam as their economic conditions improve.

    I like Buddhism but frankly look at it more as a philosophy and tranquilizer than a religion.
     
  13. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    As Jesus predicted some would do in the Parable of the Sower, only a fourth of the seeds grew to a mature faith.

    I don't know about that, Buddhists are under 1% of the US population. Both it and Islam are fairly restricted to their cultures, Christianity is the most widespread faith globally. Moody Church in Chicago has members from 70 nations.

    Wealth can falsely promise what only God can deliver on, i.e. true satisfaction, security, etc. When the Titanic was struck by an iceberg, those in formal wear in top level luxury ballrooms felt nothing and had a low view of the threat, while those in the bottom level shoveling coal watching the water pour in had a true view of the danger.

    Saudi Arabia, UAE and Dubai aren't exactly impoverished.

    I agree, it gives people a place to put their religious feelings while keeping the true God at arm's length.
     
  14. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Messages:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    1,329
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Saudi Arabia is an authoritarian theocracy. The UAE is mixed in it’s economic development as one goes from Emirate to Emirate and Dubai doesn’t enforce Sharia law very much.

    Islam never had a reformation but only a schism over a succession event.

    It is coming for them but likely it will be bloody and I hope the west stays out of it.
     
  15. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Never.
     
    CKW likes this.
  16. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The Reformation brought Christianity back to it's roots, the roots of Islam are just as bloody as today. There is very little Bin Laded did that the 'prophet' didn't also do. Jesus harmed nobody.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  17. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Which is to say, it is an Islamic nation.
     
  18. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Messages:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    1,329
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes
    Islam does not allow separation of Church and state as this would be blasphemy
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  19. Paul7

    Paul7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    Messages:
    15,854
    Likes Received:
    11,608
    Trophy Points:
    113
    True, in Islam the church IS the state. I know of no Muslim nation with freedom of religion as we know it in the Judeo/Christian West.
     
  20. Connery

    Connery Newly Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2020
    Messages:
    194
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    43
    My faith reveals itself in my conduct and how I treat others and how I treat others rather than a mechanical of rituals.
     
  21. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Messages:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    1,329
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Now I’m curious about why people chose their faith and what keeps them attached.
     
  22. Chrizton

    Chrizton Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Messages:
    7,707
    Likes Received:
    3,784
    Trophy Points:
    113
    There are many ways for one to practice their faith. As the Psalms say, they that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
     
  23. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Messages:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    1,329
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Is there one faith that you feel is correct?. Both Mormons and Muslims for example are adamant they are the one true church.
     
  24. Chrizton

    Chrizton Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Messages:
    7,707
    Likes Received:
    3,784
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Not for me personally. If someone else feels more in the spirit with Christianity, LDS doctrine, or Islam, that is fine as far as I am concerned.
     
  25. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,682
    Likes Received:
    3,995
    Trophy Points:
    113
    People tend to believe what they hear first from people they trust. That is why kids copy their parents.

    edit typo
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2020

Share This Page