Religion & Spirituality - 21 May 2007

Compare these statements...

"I have faith in X. I really feel that it is true."
-vs.-
"I have rationally demonstrated X. It can be proven using verifiable evidence."

Are they the same? Two paths to truths?

2007-05-21 14:12:18 · 16 answers · asked by Eleventy 6

2007-05-21 14:11:53 · 66 answers · asked by Baller#34 2

If you are not a Christian, you will burn forever.

If you disagree, say no.

I've noticed that alot of Christians dodge this question by saying, "Judge not, lest ye be judged".

This is a way of answering the question without answering it.

Say, if you don't believe in this, just say no.

If you don't say no, then we will no where you stand.

2007-05-21 14:06:45 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

The word "holy", in ancient Greek, actually meant "be different".

I've heen a Christian for 2 years now. So far, nobody has ever asked me:" Well, you are so different from the rest of us. How come?" Certainly, I know, to be honest with you, I am quite different from who I was. God has changed me. I have made progress, but the difference between us Christians and non-believers are not evident enough to attract their attention, or even attract them into our religion. Now, are you different from non-believers ? As a religion, Christianity is successful. As a way of life, is it as successful as non-believers expect it to be?

2007-05-21 14:05:09 · 14 answers · asked by Gone 4

2007-05-21 14:05:00 · 10 answers · asked by mikey s 1

About a year ago a friend and I were messing around and he said he'd sell his soul for a box of drugs and later he stole a bunch of pot from some guys shed Im just wondering if he really sold his soul im paranoid because I think that i have thought about selling my soul at one time or a few times before I became a christian and Im wondering and praying that I did not because I do feel empty...so I want to know if it is possible for it to be done by thinking it or just by saying it before I even knew who jesus christ was...please only reliable answers

2007-05-21 14:04:52 · 7 answers · asked by Brian 1

2007-05-21 14:03:48 · 8 answers · asked by mikey s 1

Are there any special actions that need to be taken?

2007-05-21 14:02:47 · 8 answers · asked by mikey s 1

Jesus apparently foretold his own 2nd coming would happen in biblical times..."Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:29-35 NAB)"

(aplogies for the copy & paste scripture, but fire with fire & all that)

Please don't give me any convenient explanations about how long a "generation" is. It's pretty clear by the fig tree reference that it was supposed to be very soon after he spoke. So was he lying then?

2007-05-21 14:02:35 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

Besides basic services what are any special services performed by the church? I.E. holidays, etc.

2007-05-21 14:00:53 · 3 answers · asked by mikey s 1

Johannes Kepler [1571-1630]
Astronomy/Laws of Planetary Motion
"I had the intention of becoming a theologian...but now I see how God is, by my endeavors, also glorified in astronomy, for 'the heavens declare the glory of God.'"
"I am a Christian...I believe... only and alone in the service of Jesus Christ...In Him is all refuge, all solace."
"Let my name perish if only the name of God the Father is thereby elevated."
"[God] is the kind Creator who brought forth nature out of nothing."
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Blaise Pascal [1623-1662]
Scientist noted for work in physics, hydrostatics, vacuums; inventor of mechanical calculator
"Jesus Christ, I have separated myself from Him:
I have fled from Him, denied Him, crucified Him.
Let me never be separated from Him.
We keep hold of Him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Total submission to Jesus Christ..."
{from a manuscript dated Monday November 23, 1654 and found in his own handwriting in his coat at his death}

"Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness engenders pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God engenders despair." [Pascal - Pensees no 527]
*Also famous for "Pascal's Wager"--a powerful defense of the Christian faith
_____________________________________________________________________________

Robert Boyle [1627-1691]
Founder of Modern Chemistry/Gas Dynamics
Governor of Missionary organization for propagating the gospel in New England
Personally financed the translation of the Bible into Irish, Turkish, and Arabic
Author of "The Christian Virtuoso" reflecting on the study of nature for Christians
Author of Christian devotional book, "Occasional Reflections"
His will after his death financed the "Boyle Lectures" which were lectures in defense of Christianity
"From a knowledge of His work, we shall know Him"
"Christ's passion, His death, His resurrection and ascension, and all of those wonderful works which He did during His stay upon earth, in order to confirm mankind in the belief of His being God as well as man."
____________________________________________________________________________

Sir Isaac Newton [1642-1727]
Mathematician, Physicist
Inventor of calculus
Law of universal gravitation
Newton's three laws of motion:
1) Law of inertia 2) Force=mass*acceleration 3) Principle of action and reaction
Published "Newton's Prophecies of Daniel"
after his study and translation of the Book of Daniel [in the Bible]
"About the time of the end, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the Prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition."

"There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history."

" This thing [a scale model of our solar system] is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer and maker; yet you, as an atheist, profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?"

____________________________________________________________________________

Sir William Herschel [1738-1822]
Astronomist. Discovered Uranus, several nebulae, and binary stars.
First to accurately describe the Milky Way Galaxy
“All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more
the Truths contained in the Sacred Scriptures.”
"The undevout astronomer must be mad."
_____________________________________________________________________


Samuel Morse [1791-1872]
Inventor of the telegraph [Morse's sketch of the railway telegraph above]
"Education without religion is in danger of substituting wild theories for the simple commonsense rules of Christianity."
First message sent by the electric telegraph:
"What hath God wrought"
{This is found in the Bible; Numbers 23:23}
{The message was sent from the Supreme Court Room in the Capitol to the railway depot at Baltimore; May 24, 1844}
{In one letter, Samuel Morse wrote "What hath GOD wrought" by capitalizing and underlining "GOD" twice!}
______________________________________________________________

Michael Faraday [1791-1867]
Inventor of the electric generator and the transformer
Discovered Benzene--used to make plastics, nylon and dyes
Produced the first test tubes
Described Field Theory
*Hailed by Albert Einstein as the foundation for his own scientific discoveries*
Elder in his church for over 20 years
"Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. 'I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.'"
"A Christian finds his guide in the Word of God, and commits the keeping of his soul into the hands of God. He looks for no assurance beyond what the Word can give him, and if his mind is troubled by the cares and fears which assail him, he can go nowhere but in prayer to the throne of
grace and to Scripture."
"Since peace is alone in the gift of God; and as it is He who gives it, why should we be afraid? His unspeakable gift in His beloved Son is the ground of no doubtful hope." --[1861 letter]
"The Bible, and it alone, with nothing added to it nor taken away from it by man, is the sole and sufficient guide for each individual, at all times and in all circumstances…For faith in the divinity and work of Christ is the gift of God, and the evidence of this faith is obedience to the commandment of Christ."
____________________________________________________________________________

Matthew Maury [1806-1873]
The "Father" of oceanography
Aided in the laying of the first trans-Atlantic cable
Maury believed Psalm 8:8, which speaks of the "paths of the seas" , and he discovered "oceanic currents"
Maury described atmospheric circulation and showed that it was already described in Ecclesiastes 1:6
Maury showed Job 28:25 to be true with respect to the weight of the winds.

"The Bible is true and science is true, and therefore each, if truly read, but proves the truth of the other."
_____________________________________________________________________________

James Prescott Joule [1818-1889]
Described the First Law of Thermodynamics: The Law of Conservation of Energy
[American Biochemist Isaac Asimov said that the First Law of Thermodynamics is
"one of the most important generalizations in the history of science"]
Kinetic Theory of Gases
"Joule-Thomson" effect--the basis of refrigeration
A unit of energy [work] in physics is now called a "joule"

"It is evident that an acquaintance with natural laws means no less than
an acquaintance with the mind of God therein expressed."
"Order is manifestly maintained in the universe...governed by the sovereign will of God"
"After the knowledge of, and obedience to, the will of God, the next aim must be to know something of His attributes of wisdom, power, and goodness as evidenced by His handiwork."
_____________________________________________________________________________

James Clerk Maxwell [1831-1879]
Statistical Thermodynamics, Field equations of electricity, magnetism, light

" No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules,
for evolution necessarily implies continuous change."

"Almighty God, Who has created man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee,
and have dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy hands, that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen the reason for Thy service; so to receive Thy blessed Word, that we may believe on Him Who Thou has sent, to give us the knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All of which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ, our Lord." {prayer written by Maxwell and found amongst his notes}

Maxwell was an elder in the church he helped establish near his home.
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Louis Pasteur [1822-1895]
Father of Microbiology, developed "pasteurization"
"The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator."
"Science brings men nearer to God."
_____________________________________________________________________________

Jean-Henri Fabre [1823-1915]
Entomology, Biology
Author of 8-volume series "Souvenirs Entomologiques"
detailing the behavior and life history of many species

"Without Him, I understand nothing; without Him, all is darkness…Every period has its manias.
I regard Atheism as a mania. It is the malady of the age.
You could take my skin from me more easily than my faith in God."
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Sir Joseph Lister [1827-1912]
Father of antiseptic surgery, first to wire fractures, developed dissolving sutures
"I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity"
________________________________________________________


Lord Kelvin [William Thomson] [1824-1907]
Physicist, Laws of Thermodynamics, Absolute temperature scale, inventor
"With regard to the origin of life, science...positively affirms creative power."
"Overwhelmingly strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie around us...
the atheistic idea is so non-sensical that I cannot put it into words."
___________________________________________________________

George Washington Carver [c. 1864-1943]
agricultural chemist, inventor of over 300 products
"Without my Savior, I am nothing."
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station,
through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."
"God is going to reveal to us things he never revealed before if we put our hands in his. No books ever go into my laboratory, a thing I am to do and the way of doing it are revealed me."

2007-05-21 14:00:21 · 38 answers · asked by NONAME 3

What if there's no heaven or hell? Would you still goto church?
I grew up hearing pastors preach about heaven and hell, sin, homosexual, abortion, etc...
If we teach about love and stop judging each others about his or her actions, maybe we can all goto heaven. What do you think?
If you believe you are going to heaven, how can you choose to go when you see yourself in it when other people are in hell?

2007-05-21 13:53:36 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

Do you still carry scars from your JW childhood? Do you feel like no one understands your pain or you can't connect with anyone about it? Do you feel almost like a victim of child abuse because of your JW upbringing?

I have been experiencing bitterness and anger for years now because of it and can't let it go. I can't find anyone like me for support. Does anyone else feel the same way? When will this pain end? Why can't I let go of my anger? It's ruining my life.

This question is for ex or non-Jehovah's Witnesses. Please do not answer if you are one, I don't want to hear your bias and uncompassionate comments.

2007-05-21 13:50:05 · 11 answers · asked by trinitybombshella 2

there is evidence that Australian Aborigines have been around for 40,000 to 60,00 years. (Carbon dating on bones found in Lake Mungo)?

2007-05-21 13:46:27 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

believe that their religion is the right and true one?
And how did you feel about that?


I have seen so many on here that are from different religions and backgrounds that it has really opened my eyes to how people have faith in their own religion.

I am not trying to be ugly or rude, I really wonder if people see how other people feel

2007-05-21 13:44:18 · 12 answers · asked by 2ndchhapteracts 5

You would think the all powerful being would be a little more definitive???
God and Jesus are very very clear in the bible in several areas any sincere prayer (selfish or unselfish) will be answered?
Yes-no-wait is not what God orJesus assured us of!!!

2007-05-21 13:39:35 · 13 answers · asked by Johnny W 2

Would he need to demonstrate some kind of supernatural magic?
Do you expect him to look like the guy in the paintings?
Will he have a halo?
Will the world be ending in Armageddon?
How will you know that he is the real Messiah?

2007-05-21 13:39:15 · 13 answers · asked by Morey000 7

According to the bible there are 8 things you have to do. The one most people know is accept Jesus as your savior. But there are others 4 contridict each other. Obviously I'm Atheist. But what do Christians think about this?

2007-05-21 13:35:57 · 22 answers · asked by honor roller 2

ive always wondered the real reason i dont eat beef

2007-05-21 13:35:06 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

Think of folks such as Plato, Aristotle, Lao Tzu and such.

Primitive in technology as compared to us, but in thought I think not.

2007-05-21 13:34:37 · 10 answers · asked by HAND 5

many on the Left find it extremely paradoxical that those in this country who follow Jesus' teachings are typically members of a political party that does not have His liberal views. How would you explain this paradox to someone on the Left so they could actually undertstand it?

2007-05-21 13:34:29 · 5 answers · asked by wyderp 4

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=A9FJuih1OFJGtsoAcxsgBgx.?qid=20070521172140AARvqao

2007-05-21 13:32:56 · 2 answers · asked by Just Julia 1

2007-05-21 13:32:16 · 31 answers · asked by goodfella 5

2007-05-21 13:32:12 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous

I was wondering this...
In the bible the first people that God created were Adam and Eve. And they were both white people. So from where did all the other races come from? Like...african-americans, asians, native American Indians, hindus, and all the other "non-white" people. Why did God create them to look different from the others? Does any one know the story behind this?
I hope I don't sound racist to anyone out there so please be nice, I was just wondering.

2007-05-21 13:31:22 · 30 answers · asked by CherryCherry 5

2007-05-21 13:30:01 · 10 answers · asked by hindsight2020612 2

You've paid your tithes, watched TBN, prayed hard and long, and the Rapture takes you.

BUT

One or two or more of you must have very, very young children, not yet conscious of their place in the world and a long way from being persuaded that their lives here are just a rehearsal for the real thing. They cannot possibly have received Jesus into their hearts enough to be raptured.

What happens? Are your kids left behind while you take off into the clouds, or are they going along with you? If your pre-conscious baby does, why not those of atheists? Does God decide which babies go and how do you know that? Or is there some get-out that means that it doesn't matter that you're raptured while the baby is still at your breast, it will meet Lord Jesus in due course anyway?

Hope this covers every option open to you.

2007-05-21 13:28:29 · 30 answers · asked by Bad Liberal 7

There is no third option.

2007-05-21 13:26:57 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous

the Eygyptian gods about 2000-3000 years, how much longer do you think we're gonna have to put up with christianity? All empires fall eventually, and I'm thinking at some point when the apocalypse just doesn't happen and their savior doesn't return, people are finally going to understand it's all wrong. How long do you think it'll take?

2007-05-21 13:23:25 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous

I mean, why must people say "God bless you" when it is entirely unnecessary? I don't need anyone's blessing, and I don't need you pushing your religion at me. Anyone feel the same? Also, why do people assume that every white person MUST be a Christian? That just isn't so!

2007-05-21 13:22:59 · 16 answers · asked by Who's sarcastic? 6