Religion & Spirituality - 17 January 2007

PEOPLE LOVE TO PUT DOWN WE CHRISTANS. WHY? YOU CAN ALSO SEEK THE TRUTH...SEEK AND U SHALL FIND KNOCK AND HE SHALL ANSWER....

2007-01-17 08:02:57 · 2 answers · asked by shimmyshimmer 3

Who out there believes that you get to decide what you do and what happens to you, and who believes that God, karma, or some other higher power dictates the flow of events throughout the universe? Why?

2007-01-17 08:01:44 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

if you accept the divinity and teachings of Jesus , but doubt the historical accuracy of the Old Testament?

2007-01-17 08:01:16 · 18 answers · asked by silverleaf90210 3

there was a promise when world comes together in holy books of the past,it means End has come _ (end of old cycle prepared by God )_ then a new age a new cycle starts for maturity of all things by His new coming . does it mean it has come with a new name again ,as Always a new Name misseds by majority of the people of the world in the beginning as before and some people have found His new knowledge for world maturity as age of Father means age of maturity ,we can see maturity in advancing in material life also people want maturity in understanding .

Thanks for response
Australia

2007-01-17 08:00:22 · 5 answers · asked by draagon13 2

Somehow, it just seems so sad. The next time someone asks "Why do all you atheists post here in the Religion section???", I can't express my annoyance. I mean, sure, you can always report, but I really abhor reporting unless it's absolutely necessary.

Am I the only one?

2007-01-17 08:00:14 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-17 07:59:13 · 4 answers · asked by katiras 2

Everyone has their own opinion about tithes but I was wondering if anyone could help me find scriptures in the bible that I could read myself so I can decide for myself what to do and how to do tithes. Thanks

2007-01-17 07:55:36 · 7 answers · asked by rideabanjopicker 2

What is the importance of religion to a civilzation? What problems would a civilization have if the religion component was removed?

So far I have "The religion was very important for the civilization because religion provided a sense of security and timelessness"

2007-01-17 07:55:24 · 19 answers · asked by Will 1

Christians always seem to have this logic that non-believers = devil or devil helpers. They also seem to be more violent than these "devil helpers".

In the first crusade, Christians killed tens of thousands of people they called "infidels". The Children's Crusade (1212) caused the deaths of nearly 50,000 children. Preachers sentenced to death and executed thousands during the Inquisition (1233-1834) for heresy and witchcraft. The 17th Century Thirty Years War (Catholics v. protestants) wiped out tens of millions in Europe. In the Taiping Rebellion in China in the 1850's a Christian cult started a war that resulted in the slaughter of twenty million people. In the Holocaust six million Jews were murdered along with 5 million others.

With all this killing "in the name of God", does this mean that "devil helping" = peace?

2007-01-17 07:54:24 · 25 answers · asked by acgsk 5

Is this incorrect?

A virus has been known to adjust it's DNA to overcome the vaccines made to kill them.

Certain species have been weeded out of existance because of natural selection.

Variations of species exist now that evolved from ones formerly existing. The Wooly mammoth for example. Doesnt this make evolution more than credible?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag1WVsoFyoi14H6qog.w1s7sy6IX?qid=20070117123900AATbQZD

2007-01-17 07:54:07 · 26 answers · asked by agnosticaatheistica 2

2007-01-17 07:53:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

What is the concept you apply to life, I mean, what is it to you? The purpose, if you will. I'm speaking to those who have not claimed religion intentionally. Please don't throw religion in my face if you have a religion and read this question. I am wondering what those who don't believe in religion have to say about how existance came about and what existance is. Too many questions? If this isn't for you, then sorry- at least I applaud you for reading this question.

2007-01-17 07:52:38 · 12 answers · asked by throughthebackyards 5

Looking for more info on this subject?

2007-01-17 07:51:27 · 7 answers · asked by Wise One 2

2007-01-17 07:50:25 · 10 answers · asked by whisper wiyh wings 1

Can I get an objective view about what you know concerning different religions?

Do any seem more reasonable than others?

2007-01-17 07:48:48 · 18 answers · asked by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5

My mother was sick and the doctors said she wouldn't live, but she fought it and is now better than ever! Everyday I prayed for her to get better and to live, and because I prayed and my god exists, she lived and got better! How do you Atheists explain that miracle?


Praise Zeus!

2007-01-17 07:48:02 · 2 answers · asked by Dr. Douche 3

WAS JESUS MARRIED?

A QUICK FACT SHEET



SUGGESTIVE EVIDENCE

1. The marriage of Jesus Christ is a taboo subject because most Christians regard it as an impious suggestion. They think this way because marriage implies sexuality, and sexuality is defiled in Christian dogma. A married Christ is rejected for theological reasons, not because of historical facts which may disprove the thesis.

2. While the New Testament "appears" to be silent on the subject, it was not until late in the 2nd Century, that any Christian leader denied that Jesus Christ was married. Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria believed that a married Jesus was inconsistent with His role as the Savior of the world, not that marriage would have Him sinful, but rather, that His mission was too demanding and heavenly to allow Him the opportunity for marriage.

3. All later references in the Patristic writings show the Church Fathers following the same pattern: they deny that Jesus was married based upon the supposed silence of the Scriptures and doctrinal problems which were inconsistent with the Church's dogma (e.g. a celibate priesthood, the ritual defilement of seminal emissions, etc.).

4. There was a 2nd Century tradition among various heretical sects which taught that Jesus was married. Clement and others may have been reacting to those movements.

5. Although he didn't say one way or the other, Irenaeus' Doctrine of Recapitulation supports the notion of a married Savior. With a style similar to the Druids, Irenaeus, another 2nd Century leader, taught that Jesus Christ symbolically entered every critical stage of human existence and sanctified it. Since family life, including sexuality, is central to our lives, it seems logically consistent with the mission of a Savior to redeem and sanctify this aspect of our experience, as well.

6. In their dispute with Augustine, the Celtic Pelagians argued that the Atonement of Christ cancelled Original Sin. If Original Sin was, as Augustine argued, a sexually transmitted disease of the soul, then Christ has reversed the process and made it a transmitter of healing, health, and virtue.

7. In keeping with the Creeds of the Church, the offspring of Christ would not have represented a "divine race". The Creeds teach that Christ had two natures: one human and one divine, without mingling and without confusion. Since procreation is a human function, we can reasonably say that the children of Jesus would have been just as human as any other human being.

INDIRECT EVIDENCE

1. Jewish customs of Jesus' day required married Rabbis. Unmarried men were considered a curse to Jewish society. Jesus would not have had much credibility as a leader had He not been married. Although Jesus was a non-conformist and had many conflicts with Jewish tradition, His parents, Joseph and Mary, were not. The Bible says that they were careful to perfectly obey the laws of their people. It also says that Jesus was "subject unto them". Since Jewish culture practiced arranged marriages and early marriage, as well (a Jewish boy was marriageable at age 16), it is reasonable to assume that Jesus' parents would have performed their parental duties faithfully and arranged a bride for the young Jesus. There are 18 silent years in His life (12 - 30). The Gospel of John tells us that there were many other things which Jesus did which have not been recorded.

This point is important because it shifts the weight of presumption. Given the cultural milieu in which Jesus lived and the supporting Biblical evidence, the burden of proof lies with those who do not believe Jesus was married. They must show why Jesus and His parents would have been derelict in their civic responsibilities and not contracted a marriage.

2. According to Josephus, descendants of the House of David felt a moral obligation to perpetuate their line, never knowing which one among their descendants would be the chosen Messiah. Jesus may or may not have known who He was, but regardless, He lived as a normal person until called by the ministry of John the Baptist.





DIRECT EVIDENCE

1. Hippolytus, a Christian leader from the late 2nd Century, was followed by Origen in the 3rd Century in saying that the Song of Solomon was a prophecy of a marital union between Christ and Mary Magdalene. Although they believed Mary was symbolic of the Church, nevertheless, the notion presupposed a real, albeit a spiritual (meaning non-sexual), marriage between Mary and Jesus.

2. There are hints scattered in the Gospels of a special relationship between Jesus and Mary. If she is the same Mary of Bethany in John 11, then we can explain why Martha arose to greet Jesus and not Mary. Some scholars say she was sitting shiva according to Jewish custom. "Shiva" was when a woman was in mourning. Married women were not allowed to break-off from their mourning unless called by their husbands. In this story, Mary does not come to Jesus, until He calls her.

· At the Resurrection, when Mary meets Jesus in the Garden, there is a degree of intimacy (see the Aramaic here) which one would expect between lovers, not friends.

· The Greek word for "woman" and "wife" is the same. Translators must rely upon the context in deciding how to translate it. Sometimes, the translation is arbitrary. When Mary is referred to as a "woman" who followed Jesus, it can just as easily be translated as "wife".

4. The story of Mary with the alabaster jar anointing the feet of Jesus is cited by some scholars as the most direct witness to their marriage. It is in all four Gospels and was a story in which Jesus gave express command that it be preserved. This ceremony was an ancient one among many royal houses in the ancient world, which sealed the marital union between the king and his priestess spouse. We find it mentioned briefly in the Song of Solomon. Although we may not understand its significance, Jesus and Mary knew exactly what they were doing. To be the valid Messiah, He had to be anointed first by the Bride. They were by-passing the corrupt Jewish establishment.

There is more support for the marital status of Jesus. However, it involves a discussion of the Old Testament prophets which would be too tedious to undertake, here. It is important to realize, however, that belief in a married Jesus does not require any more faith than a resurrected Jesus. And if you know where to look, you can find just as much biblical evidence for both.


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Recommended reading: Was Jesus Married?, by William E. Phipps, Harper & Row, 1970

The Woman with the Alabaster Jar, by Margaret Starbird, Bear & Company, 1993


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The above is taken from Hierogamy & the Married Messiah which is now available. It is the most complete analysis of the "married Jesus" doctrine to date.


http://www.grailchurch.org/marriedjesus.htm

2007-01-17 07:47:35 · 10 answers · asked by Ali 5

2007-01-17 07:47:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-17 07:45:52 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

I know, B-Krak just asked a similar question

But I want to know what Creationists think about the "theory of evolution". In your own words, how do you understand it? Please let me know.

And... everyone, do you feel that a person can reasonably accept Creationism and Evolution - meaning an intelligent designer created things to adapt and progress through evolution? What do you think?

2007-01-17 07:43:55 · 18 answers · asked by Justbrowsing 1

You must prove all 4 wrong. Otherwise even 1 account of a writer statement that Jesus was seen to die will prove the Qu'ran to be completely false.

Account 1) Annals" written by Roman historian Tacitus, in Book XV, Chapter 44 we read "Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate

Account 2) Roman Historian Seutonius wrote in his work "Life of the Emperor Claudius" the following about Christians: "and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws

Account 3) Antiquities of the Jews, 93 by Flavius Josephus contain a passage known as the Testimonium Flavianum stating: "[Jesus] appeared to [the disciples] alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold."

Account 4) Julius Africanus, quoting Thallus another Roman historian, who wrote in about 52 A.D. about the miraculas happenings the day the Son of God was killed. He wrote: "On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness".

2007-01-17 07:42:39 · 18 answers · asked by ALI 1

Are you aware of the universal law that states every action has a reaction? Do you believe in free will to the extent that our choices are mostly formed by our previous experiences, heredity, nurturing, and environment (following the law)? Do you believe in free will, in the sense that your choices are *not* influenced by your DNA, upbringing, experiences or environment and are free from prior actions(against the law)?

2007-01-17 07:42:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

"Why not tell a friend to say no to jesus?" Well, why not say YES to Jesus?!?!? A relationship with Jesus is the BEST relationship anyone could ever be involved in...why would someone write this? Why would someone tell others to say NO to jesus? Do they not realize saying no to jesus is saying yes to sin, hell, satan, and on judgement day result in horror for them?!?!? What is this world coming to?!?

2007-01-17 07:41:46 · 44 answers · asked by none 2

2007-01-17 07:41:15 · 12 answers · asked by Stacey 1

If you don't belive that any type of God created the universe? Then how do you belive the universe came about. Who created atoms, and molecules, and smaller things then that. Who created your conciousness, who created your free will? Who created the diffrence between good and evil deeds? It all points back to something can not come from nothing, something had to be created by a devine action. Only seriouse answers please.

2007-01-17 07:40:50 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-17 07:39:58 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-17 07:39:43 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

What must I do to be saved?

Serious answers only, please. Adherents of the Mormon faith only, please.

2007-01-17 07:39:24 · 11 answers · asked by brainiac5 2

VIEW THESE FIRST:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z-kZW9bhIGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1JxOeHLGGk

2007-01-17 07:39:18 · 8 answers · asked by mikeygonebad07 1

2007-01-17 07:39:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous