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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 21, 2012 11:17:42 GMT -5
So Franklin Graham, aka Billy Graham II, doesn't accept that President Obama is a Christian. I would love to know why it matters. Whether President Obama is Christian, Muslim or atheist, why should it matter other than the standard "I want my President to be like me" which he clearly isn't to most people on this board anyway.
Much like the COUNTLESS republican being outed as gay that previously railed until hoarse about the sins of homosexuality, could Billy Jr be a closeted Muslim? Food for thought...
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Post by wheels on Feb 21, 2012 12:50:13 GMT -5
i don't think it matters what franklin graham accepts. it is God's place alone to judge a man's spirituality.
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Post by professorx on Feb 21, 2012 14:02:36 GMT -5
Much like the COUNTLESS republican being outed as gay that previously railed until hoarse about the sins of homosexuality, could Billy Jr be a closeted Muslim? Food for thought... So if people are outspoken they secretly want to be a part of the group they are critical of? Using the same logic, that would make most of today's far left employed, southern baptist, and heterosexual. On both extremes, there is hypocrisy to spare... |
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TNBear
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Post by TNBear on Feb 21, 2012 18:12:32 GMT -5
Ain't that the truth?
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Post by Tsavodiner on Feb 22, 2012 20:42:07 GMT -5
If his Christian opinion means so little in the scheme of things, why the 'outrage'?
Shrug it off and go read some more Camus.
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 9:10:30 GMT -5
Ts, if that is a "Christian opinion" you and all your racist bigot friends can keep that shit.
Unfortunately, it IS the predominant Christian opinion. Be afraid of and hate anything you don't understand. Get rid of anyone that doesn't look or think like you with lies and slander. I don't claim that to be exclusively Christian, but certainly predominantly the mark of religion.
And I will read more Camus. I would have thought he might be a guilty pleasure of yours, with the senseless murder of an Arab and all.
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Post by Conservator on Feb 23, 2012 11:49:34 GMT -5
Sounds like a human nature... human sin. Not exclusive to anyone in or out of religion.
Not to mention, you're kind of doing exactly what you're accusing others of...
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 14:10:56 GMT -5
Oh, I don't hate. But I do actively try to rid the world of religion in my small way. Some may call it hate. OK. Their issue, not mine. Oh, and I use verifiable truth. Religion uses "feelings". I also understand religion, having been religious. Most others haven't been irreligious since they were told that if they didn't get down on their knees and praise this ghost right now he would send their toddler asses to a forever burning pit of fire and torture.
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Post by Conservator on Feb 23, 2012 14:13:56 GMT -5
There's freaks in all walks of life. I wouldn't recommend basing your large sweeping stereo typing on your misfortune of being raising by such aforementioned freaks.
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 14:26:31 GMT -5
Oh, you're the one Xtian that is a believer because of the light and rainbow, and not the fear of hell. Open you mind. See the truth. (I know you won't but I have to try).
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Post by Tsavodiner on Feb 23, 2012 17:36:12 GMT -5
Then you've succeeded, as you do not believe.
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Police Moderator
Global Moderator
On The Job and Tangled Up In Blue
Posts: 9,821
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Post by Police Moderator on Feb 23, 2012 17:53:05 GMT -5
So you're a missionary?
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 19:54:48 GMT -5
I have answered my anti-divine calling, yes. I don't travel, but my mission is to share truth, reason, freedom, joy, insight, wisdom, when I can. There is a battle going on between fantasy and reality. Atheism is growing worldwide as Christianity, at least, if not religion at most shrinks. It's slow, but inevitable. I know in my lifetime I will not get to see a world without religion, but someday, humanity will laugh at the very idea of how long it took to emerge from the dark ages of religion.
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Post by Warkitty on Feb 23, 2012 20:29:07 GMT -5
I'm surprised you're not going door to door trying to give away the Book of Darwin.
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Bam
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Post by Bam on Feb 23, 2012 20:43:19 GMT -5
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Post by Justin Thyme on Feb 23, 2012 20:55:12 GMT -5
More like the Book of Dawkins.
Frankenchrist, pick up Neil Gaiman's American Gods and consider Gaiman's new gods. Gods do exist, it just depends on who or what you serve in your life and we all serve someone or something.
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TNBear
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Post by TNBear on Feb 23, 2012 21:01:36 GMT -5
Of course gods exist in some way. I just choose to recognize that outside of a structured religion passing the offering plate.
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 21:07:29 GMT -5
Ok, first to Bam. I do not have visions of some never seen, never heard from all seeing all knowing invisible, unprovable sky wizard. Please explain where MY instability enters the picture.
And it is obviously the book of Hitchens, specifically God is Not Great that needs to be required in school and handed out door to door.
American Gods (had to wiki it) is an odd piece that does not enter my scope of study. If I wanted a book of fiction with make-believe gods I would crack the bible again. Speaking of which, if ANYONE can tell me they have READ the Christian bible and are still Christian I would love to meet such a thick-headed specimen as yourself.
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Post by Justin Thyme on Feb 23, 2012 21:11:01 GMT -5
And there isn't a thing at all wrong with that, Bear. I know a lot of people who are very comfortable and satisfied with an unstructured relationship with God.
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Post by Justin Thyme on Feb 23, 2012 21:15:14 GMT -5
I've read it several times and will read it several times more. It's an amazing body of literature. When read in context it is the most inspirational text I can think of. I'm still a Christian.
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Bam
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Post by Bam on Feb 23, 2012 21:15:45 GMT -5
Wrong of me to say that to you,and I am regretful.I am sorry that you have not experience JC your heart.
Question is,have you ever prayed?
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Post by Warkitty on Feb 23, 2012 21:29:14 GMT -5
Evangelical Atheism. As bad as any recent convert, Frankenchrist has to rush out and bash everyone in an attempt to prove he/she/it is *right*
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 21:39:52 GMT -5
I have prayed. Then I realized no one was there and I could do more when I dusted off my knees and got to work.
Justin, you have mentioned "context" before. I would love to know this magical context that makes the Bible seem not so bloodthirsty, rapey, and vengeful. Along with relevant and applicable and in any way verifiable.
Now. I do NOT intend to threaten or belittle or cross too many lines here. BUT I certainly can see where something I say can be seen that way. We are dealing with points we all feel passionately about. If I cross anyone's line I PROBABLY didn't know it. Let me know if I unseasonably upset any of you. Try as I may to avoid it, I probably will though.
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Post by Frankenchrist on Feb 23, 2012 21:42:32 GMT -5
OK, just saw the WK post. If you think atheism is a religion, please study. I will stop by tomorrow to educate any that still cling to that fallacy.
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Post by Warkitty on Feb 23, 2012 22:01:16 GMT -5
You're behaving like any religious zealot ever did. However, it comes as no surprise that you fail to recognize that.
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Post by el Gusano on Feb 23, 2012 22:30:38 GMT -5
I've read it several times and will read it several times more. It's an amazing body of literature. When read in context it is the most inspirational text I can think of. I'm still a Christian. Yep. I'm reading some 12th century works from Maimonides teaching the Big Bang from the Bible, as well as other things that physics has only recently discovered. |
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Post by Tsavodiner on Feb 24, 2012 2:54:32 GMT -5
Frank, I've thought and thought about this. I've been where you are and am compelled to sympathy over whatever it was that brought you to that. It took years and years for me to understand that, while God answers prayer, sometimes the answer is simply "No". And while our journeys are all on different roads, the destination remains the same.
I found peace at last in faith in Christ. While this is anathema to you, certainly know it comes with no animus.
I wish you peace by what means it comes to you.
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osrb
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Post by osrb on Feb 24, 2012 7:54:50 GMT -5
I have answered my anti-divine calling, yes. I don't travel, but my mission is to share truth, reason, freedom, joy, insight, wisdom, when I can. There is a battle going on between fantasy and reality. Atheism is growing worldwide as Christianity, at least, if not religion at most shrinks. It's slow, but inevitable. I know in my lifetime I will not get to see a world without religion, but someday, humanity will laugh at the very idea of how long it took to emerge from the dark ages of religion. So since you are tired of people "pushing" their religion on you. you want to push your religion on them. makes sense to me. |
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BlackFox
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Stay thirsty my friends
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Post by BlackFox on Feb 24, 2012 9:34:30 GMT -5
I've tried to stay away from this thread, but I just can't.
I used to call myself an atheist, but I came to see myself truly as an agnostic. How can a person who claims to rely on evidence, rationality, and skepticism, claim with certainty that there IS no god? How can you be absolutely certain? I say you can't. It's impossible.
I don't think there is a god as portrayed in the major religious texts, but I haven't ruled it out. I'm openly awaiting any proof, and would be thrilled if I could change my mind and actually believe something as incredible as that, but so far it ain't looking good.
I used to belittle religious people, but nowadays I like to debate the subject, but try not to be a dick about it. It's what Jesus would have wanted.
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Post by el Gusano on Feb 24, 2012 10:55:49 GMT -5
Yes, BF, it's logically impossible to prove a negative.
But the Bible never tries to prove that there IS a God, it just assumes that HE IS.
And the God you are presented with: Is the the God presented in the Bible or the God presented by denominations/sects?
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