The Faith & Religion mega Thread

Originally Posted by unSpawn [url="http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/lq-suggestions-and-feedback-7/an-appeal-to-the-moderator-team-923267/#post4571944"]I hope there's more to what you aim to achieve here than just regurgitate old posts.

Actually, that points to a new article.

Originally Posted by bluegospel Actually, that points to a new article.

I made a polite suggestion and all I get in return is evasiveness. Do you really think that is a prudent move?

Originally Posted by unSpawn I made a polite suggestion and all I get in return is evasiveness. Do you really think that is a prudent move?

Quite polite, yes. To what purpose though? We've been on this merry-go-round about the propriety of discussing eternity in a section of this forum marked "general," has it been a year now, off and on?

Let's just settle it. This section is marked "General." Does that include issues of faith? Yes or no?

Originally Posted by bluegospel Actually, that points to a new article.

Cool URIs don't change.

Originally Posted by bluegospel There is blind faith, and there is seeing faith.

John 20:29 refers to blind faith.

Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

It is to easy to use the Bible itself to refute what you post. You really need to know what you are talking about before you make statements like you do.

//This thread has been assimilated by the "Rank your religiousness" thread.
Have fun!

Originally Posted by k3lt01 John 20:29 refers to blind faith. It is to easy to use the Bible itself to refute what you post. You really need to know what you are talking about before you make statements like you do.

Actually, Thomas had seen, but what he had seen was taken away. Having seen he was expected to believe still, now that what he had seen was taken from him. What we "see" of God along the way are deposits, which should give us faith, despite tangible evidence at present. "Faith is the --substance--of things hoped for. (Heb 11:1)

Thomas was upbraided not for faith (seeing), but for doubt (blindness).

John 9:39--Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Christ's remark to Thomas was for our benefit. "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe." We've never seen Christ in the flesh. I believe, having not seen. I assume you do not believe. Christ was not applauding blind faith, as you suggest, but the kind of faith that comes from having seen the mercies of God, and for such, stands firm when God seems far removed. This Christian faith is not an easy road. But when a firm Christian is buffeted with much tribulation, when God seems far removed and they can't see the road ahead, it is then that they stand by faith and see most clearly.

Originally Posted by unSpawn //This thread has been assimilated by the "Rank your religiousness" thread. Have fun!

Why am I not surprised?

Originally Posted by unSpawn //This thread has been assimilated by the "Rank your religiousness" thread.

Good idea!

Originally Posted by unSpawn Have fun!

Will do! If I can avoid getting banned.

Originally Posted by brianL If I can avoid getting banned.

By Jove, if the past 2 weeks were testament of that then one can only hope you'll at least put in some effort ;-p

Originally Posted by bluegospel Actually, Thomas had seen, but what he had seen was taken away. Having seen he was expected to believe still, now that what he had seen was taken from him. What we "see" of God along the way are deposits, which should give us faith, despite tangible evidence at present. "Faith is the --substance--of things hoped for. (Heb 11:1)

You made a statement that was factually incorrect and youa re now twisting the words of a book, you say you believe, to suit your own purpose.

Originally Posted by bluegospel Thomas was upbraided not for faith (seeing), but for doubt (blindness).

YEs, but you miss the point, again. It is written "blessed are those who have not seen yet still believe. This is Blind faith regardless of how you twist things.

Originally Posted by bluegospel John 9:39--Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Again you are twisting things.

Originally Posted by bluegospel Christ's remark to Thomas was for our benefit.

Isn't the point the existence of the Bible so everypne can benefit? Christ's remarks to Thomas were for his benefit, the fact they have been put in the Bible is supposed to be for ours.

Originally Posted by bluegospel "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe." We've never seen Christ in the flesh. I believe, having not seen. I assume you do not believe.

This gets back to the whole judgement thing. You have no right to assume anything because in assuming you are making a vaue judgement. You say you believe I accept that, I have not stated my position because I am treating this discussion as the complete mess it is and you judge me, and others, as non-believers. Let me just say Blue, you have done your service a huge misjustice.

Originally Posted by bluegospel Christ was not applauding blind faith, as you suggest, but the kind of faith that comes from having seen the mercies of God, and for such, stands firm when God seems far removed.

I haven't suggested anything of the sort. What I said was a passage in the Bible shows you sare wrong. Having not seen yet still believe means you believe with "blind faith". That is the point of the statement, nothing more nothing less.

Originally Posted by bluegospel This Christian faith is not an easy road. But when a firm Christian is buffeted with much tribulation, when God seems far removed and they can't see the road ahead, it is then that they stand by faith and see most clearly.

You are mixing your metafors. You have no idea what goes on in peoples lives, you have no idea who is and who isn't "christian", and you have no idea about the book you take bits and pieces from. Like I said above, and have said in other posts, you are doing yourself and your cause a miservice. I feel for the people you lead astray, those who find out the things you are "preaching" are not based on anything but your own misguided opinion.

If you truly believe what you say above with regards to "blind faith" then I suggest you try leading by example and let people see how a "christian" acts in times of difficulties instead of bludgening people with your beliefs on an online forum that is supposed to help people with computer problems. The evidence suggests you have no intention of being part of LQ for anything but proselyting.

3/4 atheist-(picked and clicked) .25 agnostic-(seems more scientific to me)

bluegospel

Put the Bible aside for a while. Do some research on the historical Jesus, on how the New Testament was put together, and on ideas and themes that Christianity has borrowed or stolen from other religions/mythologies.

Originally Posted by unSpawn By Jove, if the past 2 weeks were testament of that then one can only hope you'll at least put in some effort ;-p

It's my new LQ routine. I lurk (browse the forums without logging in, have a laugh at the "Mature Dating" ads), see if there's any serious questions I can answer (very rarely), then any not-so-serious (less rarely). Then log-out. Sort of hit-and-run.