Quote :

"but from the perspective of a person who actually believes that there is one true God my post has meaning"

I believe there is only one true God. I am, in fact, utterly convinced of it.

But that doesn't mean that I know longer understand the meaning of words.

10/8/2007 11:56:14 PM

^^ Your position is certainly not unheard of. It's in line with deism and the Clockmaker God.

10/9/2007 1:01:06 AM

Quote :

"Who are you to say that's not how God works? "

It's not me, it's reality.

If God's been running stuff thus far, he's doing a piss poor job. I would wager it's far more likely that God has left us to our free will, as laid out in Genesis (i think it's in genesis somewhere at least).

Quote :

"Maybe not today. But, I for one would not exclude the possibility and I think there is scripture that suggests this scenario will play out later after Christ returns. "

It's commonly believed that Christ will return someday (it's practically the basis of Christianity), but from what I understand, not for at the minimum a thousand years after tribulation. If it ever so happens that thousands of Christians disappear leaving nothing but their clothes behind, then I guess for at least a few generations, it'll be pretty easy to swing people over to your side.

But as of now, Christians, and really all religions, have no actual proof that they're right other than gut feelings and voices in your heads. At the very least, they should try to keep themselves out of politics, esp. if they firmly believe that our futures are predestined and all the sinners will be burned in some type of fire for eternity.

10/9/2007 2:11:59 AM

Quote :

" am actually supporting the literal governing of the world by God. No worries, I don't support watered down versions of this, I mean that God Himself rules the mundane details of earthly existence essentially directly"

I'm curious how you

(or others whom hold the same belief as you,)

imagine or understand that this "direct" and "literal governing" would play out in actual reality.

would "God" be in the clouds or something?

reaching his giant white-robed arms down to literally nudge things along?

would he be employing angels as some sort of police force?

can angels walk through walls?

PLEASE EXPLAIN

10/9/2007 7:40:36 AM

If you believe God is all powerful an omnipotent then he already does control everything. I don't see what the government would have to do with it.

10/9/2007 7:56:23 AM

Quote :

"mathman: I mean that God Himself rules the mundane details of earthly existence essentially directly. Who are you to say that's not how God works? Maybe not today. "

and maybe not yesterday, or the day before that either. Or 100 years ago, or 2000, or 5000.

but Hey! Maybe Tomorrow! You never know!!!!

Quote :

"But, I for one would not exclude the possibility and I think there is scripture that suggests this scenario will play out later after Christ returns."

whats interesting, is that if you read the Gospels, the Pauline and Pastoral Epistles, the Apocalypse of John, as well as the early Church Fathers such as Origen, Polycarp and Clement of Rome... you see that this is *exactly* what the Christians 1900 years ago were saying... and they expected Christ to ride in on a cloud, with trumpets and blazing swords, fully within their lifetimes

sorry, mate, but you might want to rethink your end-game strategy




[Edited on October 9, 2007 at 3:49 PM. Reason : ]

10/9/2007 3:47:48 PM

mathman could you clear up for me where it says in the bible that smoking pot is unchristian??

I think this is just a warp view spread by leaders for population control purposes through the church. same w/ a good christian does not gamble, drink, watch porn, etc

10/9/2007 4:25:45 PM

bttt
bigun20:

Quote :

"None of us will know until Oct./Nov. probably....unless youre black...then we all know whos getting your vote."

12/18/2007 7:36:02 PM

hooksaw

the liberals are conspiring against us to steal our money and turn the US into a giant socialist hippy land

12/18/2007 7:43:38 PM

HUR: Graduated with honors from TreeTwista School of Taking Someone's Idea and Exaggerating It to Discredit It

example:

Person: I support some amount of gun control
HUR: Maybe we should cut off your hands, that way you couldn't even use your fists to defend yourself from a mugger

(note: TreeTwista has since moved on from that train of thought for the most part)

12/18/2007 7:47:18 PM

huh??

I support gun ownership but that some restriction is reasonable. Where did you get that from ^

12/18/2007 8:18:29 PM

that was just something i made up that illustrates one of your arguing tactics

kinda like how i said the govt should work on public utilities and roads and you exaggerated it into pardoning corporations

12/18/2007 8:21:00 PM

haha

yeah sometimes if i get into a topic i'll make a well thought educated post but sometimes i'm just bored at work and feel like pushing people's buttons

12/18/2007 8:30:13 PM