bexrbetter

So it's a reasonable question to ask you that the majority of churches today, regardless of denomination, aren't worth attending in your opinion? And if your answer is in the affirmative, which church or method of 'worship' (sorry for wrong term if so) is truer to the "more authentic information available"? Serious questions, no catches.

Not important to me either way but a lot of his info could easily have been obtained along the Silk Road. Money exchange rates and types of currency used in what areas, penalties to criminals, goods to be traded in and in which areas are all the sort of info travelers talk to other travelers about to this day. Many Scholars here believe that the myths of Dragons came from descriptions given to opposing armies with stuff like 'fire breathing' being archers at the head with flaming arrows and the snake like body being the army marching, many kms long.

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Look, I would answer that but I don't think anyone in the forum is interested in a climate debate.

.. or win Lotto. Correct, and many an Athiest's point. Not a problem, a minute before I die I will accept Jesus and all will be fine. But seriously, this is yet another complaint of mine about God Bother'ers; How dare you judge me, even by your own religion only God has that right. Being familiar with a book doesn't make you a God per say. Historical fact, millions have been murdered by your judgmental ilk in the name Gods. Here's some light reading .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition And btw, "lusting" is a part of nature that ends in procreation, you wouldn't be here today without lust.

Yeah, I concur. GG, same old, same old as above, you select the thugs of Jerico and yet no mention of 5 year old little Janey Smith and 6 year old Michael Jones etc etc ... stricken down with leukemia. Were they sinners GG? They can't even spell the word. Yeah, nah, there just wasn't a God at all. If God appears it's a revelation, but not verifiable of course, faith based, and it's even a bigger revelation if he doesn't which is best because that is verifiable "Look everybody, God didn't show, it's a sign. it's a sign!". But then the whole religion is based on God and Jesus not doing a thing isn't it, requires more faith that sets the true believers from the rest - as I mentioned earlier, even if there ever was a God or a Jesus, just like Elvis they have certainly left the building, so just based on that why would anyone devote themselves to it. Speaking of that, "teaching faith" is an oxymoron.

I don't rely on faith, you do, I don't go around believing there isn't a God and smiling cause there's not, I don't go around preaching there isn't a God, I simply don't CARE. Jeeeesus Christ. Oops, blasphemy, looks like another flat tyre, Friday night, peak hour traffic in the rain for me Indeed, Turbs has done well. Oh, I didn't realise there were such bonuses for being Atheist!

Well you'll be happy to know that all religions are alive and well in Athiest China. Kind of explains your previous nasty comments on China by the way, I'm serious when I say "Not very Christian of you". Very close Christian Chinese friends hold Church every Saturday. This is their aluminium extrusion company, Gospel Wings Aluminium - http://www.gospelaluminium.en.ecplaza.net/ But if you come over and try to convert anybody, you'll find yourself on the first plane out. China has 100% tolerance of (normal) religions, zero tolerance of God Bother'ers. I hazard a guess your friend was a God Botherer or carried a Bible which is illegal in some countries. Don't break the law. I think our tolerance of Multiculturism would start a whole new thread.

It is in the off topic joke section - where it should be.

How many times do you need to be told? Seriously? There's many who have expressed a very clear position statement on this topic and yet .... Again with the "Athiest have a doctrine" in the face of previous posts. I don't give a toss about Darwin or myths, we are here, we don't know why except rule number 1: Procreation. And I do my part as often as I can. Nonsense. History is documented, go read it all, not just the tidbits that suit.

You were too scared too put that into the "Atheist's knowledge" thread weren't you?

You would be wrong Mike, I am very happy to see people content with their lot, those Gospel Churches in the States blow me away for example and I hope to get to visit one day. I have already mentioned a (now dead) good Mate was a devoted Born Again, he wasn't the only friend I've ever had that was dedicated to religion and who I have been more than happy to spend time with (and stir up!). My Uncle and Aunt are Jo Ho's. Ok, they are weird and not very friendly either. I just don't like it when it's attempted to be forced on to my patch. As Pamela Anderson can attest to. If she knew.

Glad to hear you will be one of the 144,000 Mike. Me, I see it a different way. None of us have the mental capacity to understand the end, the nothingness that will come after death. You practice dying all your life every time you go to sleep when all your systems shut down except for heart, breathing and your bladder. But we wake up every time and we live with the expectation that we will wake up somewhere, somehow after we die, that part isn't crazy, it's just nature. I accept there is nothing but, of course, can't comprehend it and the best I can do is get my ashes scattered into an ocean and imagine I will travel over the globe for the rest of eternity. Or until some fish eats me and I end up as poo on the ocean floor. Yeah, yeah, yet another Bible artifact of incredible historic importance, one that could change the entire structures of every known culture, but can't be found - just add it to the long list. The list of "no proof". Even though Christians would like to believe there is some sort of underground secret society/ies to protect these numbers of mythical artifacts from the World (and the foundation of many a movie), the undeniable and historically indisputable truth is that GREED always wins, just ahead of EGO. Every one of these legendary artifacts would be priceless and that's enough to temp many men to disclosure for fortune and fame. Hasn't happened in 5000+ years apparently, bit strange when it's taken into consideration all the other important historical artifacts that have been found, traded and will continue to change hands. Or a cat. Cats don't like being kept in boxes and moved around. And they sound like high voltage.

So, why did God stop the engine, because let us not forget that God is responsible for everything ...? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. John 1 : 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Maybe God is just a bit of a shonky metallurgist, or gets stuff from China.

What doctrines?? Stopping someone from forcing there mythical doctrines onto me and my children isn't a doctrine. And you are correct, we are all born non-believers, that should tell you that it isn't natural to believe in a God. I repeat, you have this totally arrs about face, it is your ilk going around trying to shove your doctrines down peoples throats, all I do is mock you for it, mocking isn't a doctrine - and this is appropriately in the laughter section and has given me plenty of chuckles Oh yeah, there it is again, my religion is better than those other ones - and (historically) I'll kill you to make sure you understand that.

There's a difference between footsteps and creaks. Some of our doors would pop open due to expansion/contraction/drafts, besides the many creaks, but again, that is not the same as footsteps.

I was actually sad to leave our home, I miss the 'ghosts' (for want of a better word). Dazza, A practicing White Witch (not joking) once explained to me that these were highly emotional moments that get stuck in time overlaps - oddly, mathematicians have backed up similar hypothesis in theory. Time itself is one of the greatest mysteries of all.

I was actually sad to leave our home, I miss the 'ghosts' (for want of a better word). Dazza, A practicing White Witch (not joking) once explained to me that these were highly emotional moments that get stuck in time - oddly, mathematicians have backed up similar hypothesis in theory.

So you're not going to let me smash you on the left cheek either? Not very Christian of you

You should share stories with me and my family! Grew up in Mornington at 61 Hampden St, the oldest house (huge 2 story house) in the area over 100 years old at the time (1960/70s) and happenings aplenty. Footsteps starting halfway down the stairs in the middle of the night, turning into the front hall and stopping outside of Mum and Dad's bedroom door was the most common, once or twice a week. Dad would get up sometimes. My sister and I sitting in the kitchen one evening and the back door opened and closed, footsteps clear as to the bathroom and nothing. Never any fearful feeling, in fact the house was always gave a warm friendly feeling when there although some of our friends refused to sleep overnight after a few experiences! (3 teenage boys and our teenage sister).

People who have studied those times from a historic perspective and nothing to do with Christ or religion will point out that woman who got married were refered to as "The Virgin Susan" or "The Virgin Rachelle" etc until they had their first child. Crucifixion was very real and a nasty form of death that could take anywhere from a day to weeks depending on the individuals. It wasn't unusual if for instance if Dignitaries were visiting for the unsightly crucified to be pulled down and put out of sight and would be a foundation for any resurrection story.

Read the part where I said I took people off ignore for the sake of safety discussion. But it's typical of Bible readers to only read the bits they want to rather than the lot. Mate, the only problem I have with it is how and who is at front teaching it. If it was presented via a neutral medium as a course of how and why religion is studied, I wouldn't have a problem with it but when it is taught with bias that's when I say no. Lets pretend there was a God and he did make everything, well I understand you're not pretending but allow me to. Where is it (that God) now? I am under the distinct impression that he has deserted you a long time ago, maybe off to build a new world and has a new favoured lot? Maybe they are still useless individuals who are scared of a storm ripping through their crop so slaughter a virgin in his name and he is pleased? Sounds quite conceited if you ask me. Seriously, where was the Almighty when the Nazis and Japanese were ripping through all those millions of God following innocent people? If there was ever proof that it has deserted mankind, it's right there.

Exactly my point earlier, one's man religion isn't the same as another's even under the same God and Jesus - and you'll kill each other to prove who's is better. A 'born again' christian Mate of mine used to call me "hope - less" Great guy except for the obvious fault. Facthunter, you may even know him, Laurie Dragget of BJ's Bikes and Bits in Brisbane, was there for 20 years selling Brit bike spares. Sadly his God didn't stop the Toyota Corolla that turned right illegally in front of him on his bike about 5 years ago. I often over many years stopped at a Muslims bbq street stand in Chengdu until one day he asked me what denomination I was. The reply of "none" was a bad move, while he continued to sell me the worlds best lamb skewers, he never spoke to me again. You are one very confused individual who seriously has that around backwards. I took a few people off ignore for the sake of the "improving safety" thread because that's really important stuff where no bias should be entertained, but I guess you'll be going back on now.

That's an argument that denies Agnosticism. And of course Religious Agnostics, who would otherwise be Atheists, arises from children given no choice in having it rammed down their throats from an early age and leaving some doubt or fear not to believe in something. Of course it's different in China where they don't have it rammed down their throats from childhood but surprise, surprise, they believe Dragons once existed and that ghosts do exist (serious) and other cultural beliefs because that's what they are exposed to as children.

Oh really? Prove it. The whole foundation of your belief is exactly that, belief, faith - without one iota of proof. Of course your belief is right, those others who believe in your same God or Jesus, but in a different way, aren't true believers are they. FWIW, based on Joho Witnesses believing that Jesus is not the full God per say, nor fully human per say, which if Jesus did actually exist, this would be the most accurate description of him and some other views they have, then it needs to be considered that their take on "only 144,000 selected ones" are going to the afterlife has more solid grounding than all other religions. Since the 144,000 positions were taken up by 1935, that leaves you at the bus stop with no more running tonight. Or tomorrow. But, lets say you don't subscribe to Joho's views, I mean they are another radical bunch of wankers who don't follow your doctrine (and your's is the only true doctrine of course), well according to the Bible you had better have olive skin, black hair, wear a turban occasional, your name is in the ilk of Hamad and come from one of the "Tribes", you were never going anywhere according to Revelations .... in fact Whitey, are you even recognised specifically in the Bible at all? Revelations 7;19 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; ......... There are numbers of people institutionalised for having odd beliefs in or about things, however when it's related to the bible apparently it's all ok, you are normal. Nah, you're not.