I have morals and am not prejudiced. It is not my job to judge people. I have empathy and am caring. I help others.
That is how I interpret the Bible.

I talk to ya when I ain't to tired too make enough sense outa whats being said! But I feel the same way sometimes, I'd rather have it that way though than to be NOTBN. !

please that is a insult Tribo. I am no heathen... I am a infidel. Sounds more dangerous

It not that you believe in the "words" of Christ...It is that you believe he died on the cross and shed his blood for our sins.

The reason that I would not call you any names smiles is for two reasons....I heart you and your my friend...and more important I am not yours or anyones judge.

And I think I made it very clear that I believe the Bible from Genesis to Revelation every last word...and that it to me is not a myth and inspired of God.

"thow shalt have no other gods before me" one of those commandments from God that would seem to implicate the existence of other Gods!

I really believe you have good morals and hold no prejudice. I am sorry if my questions and answers sound harsh or rough to you, yet I truly seek answers.

I just find that if a bible states those who don't believe are heathens then I wonder why someone who is a member, believer, or faith giver would agree with its writings.

but again Spider indicated it doesn't say this as Tribo indicates it does state this. So here we are going back and forth wondering. I prefer that the Bible wouldn't say this to find some peace.

What is most important is you believe that such a faith helps you. All the best.

Yeppers I sure do...and it was pretty darn good.

Yes you made it very clear, but remember the question was for everyone to answer. I say more power to you if you feel great with the relationship with God you chose. Keep up the great work.

There is just a confusion of weather the bible indicates if one doesn't believe one is a heathen or not.

I have a hard time digesting some of the information, but again I may just not understand this yet. Perhaps one day I will.

You have always been nice to me and that is a good quality to admire.

Your friend John

Hey smiless, see I'm talkin to you brother, 1st, read this little riddle, 2nd, look at the name of this thread, 3rd, study the scriptures with this in mind. The bible was written not only in a different time and language than we use today, but much of it was metaphors and analogies, as to get the point across. If you will do this, I promise you will find all the answer's you can ever use in this life time. luv ya brother

Okay thank you for the information. It will be a slow process trust me. Why don't you just give me a book of riddles instead! I will get so good at it you can call me the riddler. Oh wait we don't want that Bat Man kicks his ass all the time

Actually the "process" is life long. But it is more than worth it. Don't try to do it all in one night...lol....and don't go beyond what you develop understanding of. keep me posted, I like success stories!

I actually enjoy Buddhism alot. Have a ton of books on that, but sometimes I go back to the Bible to see something. I have been nonreligous all of my life. I have only became interested in philosophy, religion, and spirituality a few years ago. I find every religion, mythology, philosophy, and belief system interesting. I wish I would have started earlier, especially philosophy. They also help me with my writing also.
I have one good thing going for me. I had over 15 years experience as a Red Cross Coordinator and been to over 27 countries helping those who are not so fortunate. So I am very culturalistic and humble to have seen so many idealogies in my lifetime. It has made me understand we may speak different languages, live different lifestyles, or even have different idealogies of religion, but in the end we are the same. We are all brothers and sisters with the same basic needs. One of them is to be accepted in society as a equal.

No, I was actually referring to the people who are officially aligned with religious organization called "Christinaity". I wasn't talking about arbitary individuals who lay claim to that title in their 'personal walk with God' and then make is an issue in their life to constantly defend it and proselytize it.

Those people are just plain sad.

I'll let these little guys give my response to that smiless:

Didn't know you had so many little friends

This is precisely my point.

Any Tom, ****, or Harry can claim to be a "Christian". But they all have different ideas of what that means.

So is there even such a thing as "Christianity - The Official Religion". Probably not.

Wiccans actually all have their own versions of Wicca too. But at least the are open about it.

If the so-called "Christians" were as open as the Wiccans to individual interpretations then "Christinaity" wouldn't be the finger-pointing monster that it is.

I mean technically I could call myself a "Christian" yet I believe that Jesus said the following:

John 12:47 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."

Therefore I don't believe that Jesus will mind at all if I personally believe that the Bible is full of demagogurey and most of it is probably untrue. Including the rumors that Jesus was born of a virgin, sent by the God of Abraham, died for anyones sins, or rose from the dead.

You might thing, "Well if you disbelieve all of that, then what's left to believe?"

Well, I believe that Jesus denounced the ancient bigoted male-chauvinistic Old Testament, and offered a new way of life. To me he's a mortal man, just like Buddha.

If people can follow Buddha and view him as a man mortal, then why can't I follow Jesus and view him as a mortal man?

Of course I can!

Who can say I'm wrong?

Another Christian?

Big deal.

Christians disagree with each other all the time!

Abra wrote:Christians disagree with each other all the time!
.
Not "all" the time, no way! reality check brother, luv ya

then what do we do with the words "infidel and swine spidey"


jesus:

Mt 7:6 Give <1325> (5632) not <3361> that which <3588> is holy <40> unto the dogs <2965>, neither <3366> cast <906> (5632) ye your <5216> pearls <3135> before <1715> swine <5519>, lest <3379> they trample <2662> (5661) them <846> under <1722> their <846> feet <4228>, and <2532> turn again <4762> (5651) and rend <4486> (5661) you <5209>.



2Co 6:15 And <1161> what <5101> concord <4857> hath Christ <5547> with <4314> Belial <955>? or <2228> what <5101> part <3310> hath he that believeth <4103> with <3326> an infidel <571>?


strongs swine - 5519 - choiros [khoy-ros]
= sine, a swine - swine = pig.



strongs,<571> infidel:apistos, - unbeleiving, faithless, unbeliever, not to be trusted, perfidious, without trust in god.

so spin these spidey??

Mr. Abra,

But you left out the rest of what he said...

John 12...

46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.


*******************

In that text, there is still a judgment for not believing... but it the Father who does the judging, not the son... etc, blah blah blah

well, still not the whole thought, but better than just picking a few words to argue with. I hate.....? see what I mean! the next word could be nothing, it could be everything it could be yogurt. this is exactly why I say again, arguing is a waste of time.