Society & Culture - 24 October 2006

Although Hollywood would have us believe that the 'number of the beast' in the New Testament book of Revelation is written '666', this is clearly nonsense since Arabic Numerals had not been invented at the time Revelation was written. I've seen in one place that it might simply be a reference to Rome: Romulus originally being referred to as Lateinos which in Greek numbering adds us up to 666. This seems a bit too analytical to me - the guy credited with the visions was supposed to be in some kind ecstatic trance, and in that state the mind works more by association than by computation.

So when John says that people were marked with the number of the Beast what did mark or symbol did he visualise? My guess would be something from Greek or Roman numbering but I wonder if anyone knows anything definite about this. Is there any critical scholarship on the subject?

2006-10-24 04:49:37 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

If so, describe your experience to me.

2006-10-24 04:49:09 · 12 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Religion & Spirituality

Question - Is is possible to be a gay racist? My friend was asking me about this.

2006-10-24 04:48:50 · 6 answers · asked by Chocolate Kisses 3 in Other - Society & Culture

If you believe you can escape from logic, reason and rationality when it suits you or your faith you cannot have a real understanding of logic, reason and rationality can you?

2006-10-24 04:48:06 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

If you attend services in a building of some sort, what does it look like? Does the space or architecture aid in or detract from your worship experience?

2006-10-24 04:47:29 · 27 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Religion & Spirituality

If the bible really had all the answers it would be as thick as the world itself. Just as any piece of history it is subject to opinions, tall tales and ignorance at the time of writing. If you look at the bible woman is inferior to man, slaves are okay, someone can kill as many people as they want and just asked to be forgiven and its okay but then again an eye for an eye??? So when should a passage be taken literal or metaphorically and who has the right to determine which, when? Blind faith is one thing, ignorance and willing to accept anything just because of the source is another. Unless your read Hebrew you are only reading some peoples interprutation of the bible anyway. Catholics changed the bible many times. No one on this earth was there, no one here knows anything for sure. I’m a Christian but the last thing I would do is be so sure of my interpretation as to force it down other peoples throat, how the hell do I know for sure? Keep your Christian Jihad to yourself

2006-10-24 04:46:54 · 37 answers · asked by leseulun 2 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-10-24 04:46:32 · 5 answers · asked by BorgPet6of10 2 in Religion & Spirituality

I think they should wear it if they want.ironically,the bible mentions the veil as well,not to mention that no movie or pictures of the biblical times show women without something covering their hair with relatively long clothing.Why is it that we choose to modernize something that was obviously necessary back then. If we should believe the BIble, its all or nothing,you cant pick and choose what you think is literal and what you think is just figurative.Furthermore,nuns wear the same head coverings only in black and no one looks down on them.

1 Corinthians 11:5-10: "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but tthe woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."


1 Corinthians 11:13: "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God (with her head) uncovered?"

2006-10-24 04:45:17 · 7 answers · asked by Jennifer123 1 in Religion & Spirituality

what insights do you have on it?

2006-10-24 04:44:03 · 1 answers · asked by carlaerickson 5 in Religion & Spirituality

are still hanging their clothes on the railing at my door (see my question 'Am I a terrible person?'). I'm now a bit scared they are going to attack me for ruining their clothes with lilly pollen. Do I deny if asked or what?

2006-10-24 04:43:37 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Etiquette

2006-10-24 04:42:56 · 7 answers · asked by proscunio 3 in Religion & Spirituality

Perhaps he has a little problem with clarity.

2006-10-24 04:42:33 · 32 answers · asked by The Chaos Within 3 in Religion & Spirituality

you know
kjv (king James)
niv (new international)
and all the rest.

2006-10-24 04:42:07 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2006-10-24 04:42:00 · 12 answers · asked by Sinster22 1 in Other - Society & Culture

people are? I was unaware how brainwashed so many people are before I come here.

2006-10-24 04:41:43 · 7 answers · asked by . 6 in Religion & Spirituality

I cite the R&S forum as proof. All I ever hear is "Christians are stupid", "Christians are evil", "Christians are close-minded". Insert ANY race into those statements and you'd be a racist bigot. Isn't it about time we started seeing these people for what they are?

Bigotry to the core.

2006-10-24 04:41:28 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

...Have you attended in your lifetime? Even if just for a single service with a friend?

2006-10-24 04:40:56 · 13 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Religion & Spirituality

why is there so much hate for christians?some of us are really good people.

2006-10-24 04:38:53 · 31 answers · asked by supermomma 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Or any large church that looks elaborately built, like it's from medieval times? Although I'm an atheist, I'm extremely curious about observing the sermons and taking note of any of the artistic structure and designs that are inside these buildings. I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and their so called, "Kingdom Halls" are pale in comparsion, to the rich, artistic work they put into these other churches. (Just mostly large rooms) I was thinking me and a friend would just go around the city someday soon and just spend a few minutes in each of these buildings to just check them out.

2006-10-24 04:38:42 · 16 answers · asked by Daemon 4 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-10-24 04:38:32 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2006-10-24 04:38:02 · 10 answers · asked by alanc_59 5 in Other - Cultures & Groups

2006-10-24 04:37:31 · 5 answers · asked by DALIAN 1 in Other - Society & Culture

They go on and on and on, you have something to say, but they won't shut up, so you can never get your word in. People do that at my work so much that they just start interupting each other. My goodness, SO ANNOYING. I do my best not to interupt, but I get quite impatient waiting for people to shut up!!

2006-10-24 04:37:31 · 23 answers · asked by hello 6 in Etiquette

2006-10-24 04:36:35 · 60 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

And, Are you "sure" how much time you have left?

2006-10-24 04:36:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

As she loves him for who he is.

2006-10-24 04:36:34 · 6 answers · asked by theliberaloneforyou 1 in Other - Society & Culture

They banned all hoodies on all kids in bluewater shopping centre because a minority shoplifted and caused mayhem. If we take this lead with the veil, what conclusion does this lead us too? Is religion being used as an excuse to 'victimise' one type of head wear but not another?

2006-10-24 04:36:15 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2006-10-24 04:34:49 · 17 answers · asked by Agnostic Messiah 2 in Religion & Spirituality

When planning a dinner party menu, who is responsible for finding out about dietary restrictions or limitations?

Some friends and I were talking, and this discussion came up. I tried looking it up in etiquette books, and didn't get a definitive answer.

A friend related that she planned a dinner party and invited a new couple her husband met through work. It was a fairly nice affair, and she invited two other couples so they could meet the new people (who don't know anyone here in town). She fixed chicken, figuring it would be the least objectionable thing for most people to eat. One couple refused to eat it on the grounds that they are vegetarian, and another refused to eat it because it was not free-range chicken. The vegetarians also refused the potato side dish (beef stock), and the salad (cheese crumbles); they ate rolls.

Is it the responsibility of the host/ess to find out about dietary restrictions, or should the guests make it known they have special needs?

2006-10-24 04:34:48 · 12 answers · asked by Bronwen 7 in Etiquette

how do you say "pinhall camera" in spanish?

2006-10-24 04:32:42 · 3 answers · asked by jextreme_22 2 in Languages