The Rebel Faction

Besides, all Christains are at least a little retarded. It's the common trend. Same goes to anyone who subscribes to a 'religion' imho.

Beff, I have to say I am a bit surprised and offended. Not so much so that I'm gonna go off on you or anything (it's not the first time I've heard Christianity ridiculed), but the fact that you lump all Christians under that one heading is disturbing.

I take pride in the fact that I am an evangelical Christian who, while not agreeing with everything they believe, ends up falling in the camp of the Southern Baptists. I also take pride in the fact that I reached my decision intellectually. If you ask those who know me (even those outside the Christian camp), most will agree that I'm in no way retarded.

While saying that, I realize that I must recognize that certain people who call themselves Christians commit acts that are by no means Christian. To me, a Christian is one who has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and shows that through his or her actions. Many people who take the title "Christian" don't fit those standards. (BTW, most true Christians agree with that standard.)

On the other hand, I also recognize that Christians make mistakes. A Christian cannot do the impossible - he or she cannot always do right. While there are different interpretations of this passage, Paul's struggle in Romans 7 indicates that sin often brings him into captivity.

It seems that throughout the thread of this conversation, Christianity is getting a bad rap simply because of the way certain individuals act. To lump all Christians in with those individuals is not only ignorant, but it is also offensive and just plain wrong.

I'll admit, there are some difficult passages in Scripture. The verses mentioned from Deuteronomy and others like them are just a few of them. However, those few verses must be interpreted in light of both the rest of Scripture and what we know about the nature of God. God is holy, just, good, and merciful, and these attributes must be balanced. The people to which Deuteronomy is referring had had over five hundred years of committing blatent offenses against God, and still he offered mercy.

God alone is a concept that some people need for God is man made and exists only as long as people believe in God.

While I don't begrudge you your personal beliefs, I would ask that you recognize that this is simply your belief, not necessarily what is true. There is a great deal of evidence - evidence that can be discussed and interpreted both scientifically and intellectually - that argues for the existance of God. However, I do not believe this is the forum for such discussions unless you wish to make it so.

We want to live our lives by how we interpret things so quit trying to push your ideal down our and each other's throats.

First of all, many Christians do not attempt to push our ideals down your throat. As for me personally, I express my opinion, I'll engage you in an intellectual debate on the subject, I'll attempt to reach you, but I'm not going to keep pushing if you tell me to stop.

Secondly, if you understood the belief system of Christianity, it might help you to understand why some Christians are overzealous in their preaching. To a Christian, the sacrifice of Christ was the greatest gift ever given to humankind. All Christians desire is that all people have a chance at redemption. Some Christians do go about their task in the wrong way, but many do not.

As an example, I was a member of the Liberty University Debate Team for two years. While on the team, I had contact with a number of non-Christians from other schools, and I guarantee you that if you asked any one of them if I ever attempted to shove my beliefs down their throats, they would say no. Most would say that I cared about them as a person first and that my witness was in my actions, not necessarily in my words, though some of us did discuss Christianity.

God doesn't get involved in humanity because we are waaaaay too messed up in the head

I'm not sure exactly how the last part of this relates to the first, but I'll try to answer it anyway. What you just described is known as Deism, the belief that God created the world and then left it to run according to natural, scientific laws. Again, if this is your personal belief then you are entitled to it. However, I once again ask you to recognized that it is a personal belief. I personally believe that God does get involved in the world and that He wishes to commune with every single person. I'm not sure what us being messed up in the head has to do with it, but if you are referring to the natural state of man as a demented creature, then it is that from which God wishes to save us.

Don't date people who differ so much in such core beliefs.

Titus, I completely agree. In fact, that's a Biblical principle. Well said.

20:38] Roastamajig: maybe if you are bad enough and God cares enough about you..He will smite you.

Not sure what she's thinking here, but that's not usually the way God works. Generally He speaks to the heart of man (or woman), quietly, wooing him (or her) rather than attempting to convert him (or her) by force.

Anyway, that's my two cents (or more) on the issue. I hope any more discussion can be civilized and intellectual, and I'll be happy to respond again on those terms. Please, though, take into account what I said about not lumping all "Christians" under one heading. Thanks.

Beff, I have to say I am a bit surprised and offended. Not so much so that I'm gonna go off on you or anything (it's not the first time I've heard Christianity ridiculed), but the fact that you lump all Christians under that one heading is disturbing.

Wes, I stopped reading your post at this point. My comment was made in jest, pardon me if the sarcasm did not translate. However; given that, I have to take note of your opening paragraph...

Christians constantly lump themselves under the same heading; Christian. Go further and I'd wager that at least 99% of them are human. These are simple facts based on observation and, as qualified with the 'imho' tag, my opinion is that all Christians are at least a little retarded... same goes for anyone who has ever owned a Geo or gone to a Spin Doctors concert.

I have no investment in this thread, I think it's totally useless and my only intention here is to see it disrupted. I don't give two flying shits about how Gue and his imaginary girlfriend get along and I don't care to see their convorsations posted on this board...

Is anyone excited about the new episode of Heroes?

Or maybe Allah. Now there was a fun version of God that's still in use some.

Invade your neighbors and spread your faith! Bwahahahahaha!

Hero's is great, though I only watch it on Fridays... Hero is my fave, but I'd think he'd be most peoples fave...

Hiro Nakamura is among the coolest characters on the show, by far. Although I quite like Peter... he is named so well to suit his 'powers' and character. I hope to see a dynamic evolve between him and his brother where-by one is swayed to the side of 'good' and the other 'evil' but everyone says I'm crazy to expect that because it's Network and Network rarely goes that deep...

Hiro Nakamura could take Jesus.