About this "terrorism" crap

Thanks for the additive their Verdictis. As for my post, I was not trying to bash anyone. I am just simply stating why I believe what I believe. And Hamma, you're right. We don't know exactly what will happen when we die. But I am not willing to take a chance on the fact that if I live my life according to my rules that I am wrong and will go to hell. I am not missing out on anythign in life by believing in Christ. In fact my life has been better because of my belief in God. Yeah I still have my problems and all but it's easier for me to get through them when I know God is with me to see me through them.

 

And what if one of the other religions are correct, Verdictis? You seem to be one of the ones that follow it to the word. Someone like Manitou seems to have a more general belief in a higher power, rather than a strict adherence to the direct word of the bible. But what if Christianity is wrong? What if one of the other major religions, or even minor religions, are correct and Jesus was just a madman?

Let's put it this way, since you are so adament about Jesus. If you were born in the Middle East, instead of a christian-based region, you would be Muslim.. 98% sure.


Edit: Religious Humor Time!! http://nebbeh.8m.net/cgi-bin/i/852802332_l.jpg

 

I agree. There seems to be a highly degraded desire for open honest communication and debate. People would rather sling vitriol than discuss the issues and remain grounded - most especially with regards to politics and faith. I will admit for myself, however, that these very topics lend themselves to immensely strong feelings.When our views are attacked, it is felt as an attack on ourselves. As a result we attack the other person, instead of responding in form of discussion, we lash out. Unfortunately, discussion isn't even desired by some - they just want to bash and lash out against what they perceive as a threat to their beliefs, lifestyles, and ways of thinking.

edit: this thread has become seemingly irreversibly hijacked

 

Squirrels.

 

Man... you made me go back and look at the start of the thread -
Actually Relegion was tied into it (whew- I guess we didn't fly too far off the tangent this time.... )

Religion is strong. It is faith. It is hope. There are a few select items that we humans have that truly seperate us from the other species in the world. Our spiritual beliefs is amoung them (along with thumbs, knowledge of our own mortality, etc), and I for one am glad we are not a hive-minded species...(for the most part)

~PM~

 

Elephants bury their dead and revisit the graves. =P

 

dogs eat their own vomit

 

LOL. We can play "What if" till the end of time.

I try to, but fall short quite often. Thankfully, I have the Catholic Church to guide me along the way.

He might well have. Since I'm not in his head, I can't say for sure.

It's not *wrong*. It is the Truth.

Might as well ask me what if the world was suddenly made into a square

Prolly so. Me being raised an Muslim wouldn't invalidate the Truth of Christ anymore than it would validate Hinduism or Zorastorism or Islam

 

Feces too.

 

If this is what you have gotten from my stand Cyrus, then I have failed miserably in communicating what I know to be true. I don't believe in this nebulous "higher power", I believe in the God represented with the Bible; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Bible is the inerrant, infallible, containing no contradictions, God-breathed Word of God. It is a history Book, not a science book, but when it touches on science (which it does) it is absolutely correct.

Lest my stand has been confused to others, this is a good description for me: I am a born-again, blood-bought, Holy Spirit possessed, believer in Jesus Christ the only Son of God.

These are things I have staked my life and soul upon and will forever unshakeably believe until the day I die and go to be with Him, or He takes me away that one day when the trumpet sounds.

I hope I have cleared that up.

On the subject of terrorism, I had a thought this afternoon about why Afghanistan seems to be progressing a bit more successfully than Iraq, although it was the actual home of the Taliban and Al Qaeda both while Iraq was not. Afghanistan is basically isolated from most outside influences funneling in troops and equipment. It is surrounded by fairly USA friendly countries. Iraq, on the other hand, is bordered by Iran and Syria, quite honestly two of the most hostile, anti-USA countries in existence. Both Iraq and Afghanistan were given freedom from oppressive regimes, yet Iraq is a nasty fight still. Maybe if we would freaking isolate Iraq from Syria and Iran and keep foreign terrorists from infiltrating through these two terrorist countries, we could give the Iraqi people a real chance to choose freedom like the Afghans did. I believe at this point in time the Iraqi people and out troops are being slaughtered by terrorists sponsored by Iran and Syria. I think the current administration failed to take this into account, otherwise they would have found some way to deal with the flow of support through these two countries before we invaded.

Now we are stuck with trying to cut off that flow after the fact. That is like opening the door on a submarine underwater and trying to keep the water out with your hands and a blanket.

 

with big nuts

 

ROFLAMO!

 

We can't even keep illegal aliens out of our own country... how the hell are we supposed to keep terrorists out of someone elses?

 

We can dodge questions till the end of time as well.

This is exactly the blindness I speak of. I don't know if it's catholicism or christianity or both that strike such fear into their followers, but it shows. Tell me, *why* are you a christian/catholic? I'll tell you why. It's because you grew up to people telling you "believe in this god, go to this church, and follow these teachings, or you will suffer an unimaginably agonizing fate in hell for eternity. Since they probably started telling you this when you were young, it most likely scared the crap out of you. "I don't want to go to hell, and they say if I do this, I won't!" Why do they make hell out to be such a horrible place? Same reason why santa brings "bad kids" coal.

Do you recall choosing your religion? Doubt it. When my parents got married, my mom, who was not christian/catholic was told by the priest that in order to allow marriage, her duty *must* be to produce children to pledge to the catholic church. Thankfully she gave me a choice. I wasn't forced to go that bible school confirmation...stuff. Were you?

Now, I have a single question. Who are you to tell me your religion is the right one? Easy question? Let me make it harder. Do so without sounding ignorant.

 

There are a number of diplomatic tactics available to bring different foreign policy strategies into play. In my opinion making glass bowls in various unpopulated but readily observable areas is on the table, but then again, I am a little more impatient than most. Our ability to affect pressure on foreign governments is impressive. The problem comes when we waffle on the decision to act once we decide a course to take.

Our borders can be handled easily if we as the people have a will to make it an issue. We are more worried about offending someone who is here illegally than we are about the fact that they are here illegally. Political correctness is castrating this country.

 

This is a sad truth.

 

May the Peace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you always!

If you wish. When I see a non-sensical question, I usually have a non-sensical response.

Do tell. In what fashion have I expressed any fear?

This is why I am anti-assumption. I was not raised a Catholic. Till 3 years ago I had never attended a Catholic Mass. In fact, for 20+ years prior to attending my 1st Mass, I was not only anti-Catholic, but anti-organized religion on all levels.

Again, I refer you to the paragraph above

Absolutely! I pray I never ever forget it.

Lack of information usually = ignorance, to be sure.

Nope. I've gone to every class on Catholic teaching because I wanted to go. Thankful for the opportunity to go.

LOL!!! I am not saying a thing about *my religion*. In fact, I have yet to discuss a single teaching that is unique to my faith.

Already have and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to do so.

 

Kai, mind if I take a shot at this one?

We all must base our beliefs on some foundation. There is a bottom line that we all reference when we argue for what we feel is truth - our axiom if you will. For those who believe that there is a God of the Bible, they must then believe that the Bible is the sole source of truth about God because that is what it says it is. From Genesis to Revelation it makes certain claims about God in which born-again believers place their faith. It is not a blind faith as some would claim, but a reasoned, rational faith that results in a changed life - not a perfect life mind you, but a changed one. The Bible then makes certain claims through eyewitness testimony about those whom it chronicles. It is clearly taught that Jesus Christ makes a very exclusive claim when He says, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but through Me." Now, as a born-again believer I know this statement, even though it makes a very exclusionary claim, is the truth. This would tell me that Mohammed, Buddha, Mary, Jerry Falwell, David Koresh, none of them are the way to heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ can save me. So, as someone who believes in the Bible I must then believe what it says, and it makes the exclusive claim that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation - this would make true biblical Christianity the "right one" if you want to get to a true biblical heaven.

Hope that helps!

 

"CS Lewis once wrote that Christ was either the Son of God or a liar/madman. If He was a liar/madman (He wasn't!) then we aren't out anything for living the Gospel. If if He is the Son of God (and He is!) then the reward is beyond our ability to articulate."

Jesus is not the son of god in other religions... I believe that is something unique to christianity.

 

Yes, you are right Cyrus. But many other religions, Islam for one, do recognize Jesus as a great prophet, or great teacher. Funny thing is, if He is recognized to be a great prophet and/or a great teacher, what do we do with His claim to be the Son of God?