Religion & Spirituality - 28 September 2007

"Being in denial" is a highly undesirable mental condition. I'm in the process of positing a view that your beliefs may have long-term deleterious effects. Do you think that there is any validity to this argument?

The Sage's English Dictionary and Thesaurus definition of Atheist: "Someone who DENIES the existence of God" (my emphasis). Do you find it interesting that the wording of the definition itself is, by clear implication, claiming that God exists? :)

2007-09-28 11:12:37 · 35 answers · asked by Adviso 2

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8M4_IlbaZHA&mode=related&search=

2007-09-28 11:11:57 · 20 answers · asked by Sentinel 7

Atheist is in the forest-appreciating nature. Turns around to see a Grizzly bear. Mistakenly starts running. Bear chases. Looks back...bear is getting closer. Looks again and the bear swipes the atheist's legs...knocking him to the ground. As the bear raises its paw to land the deadly swipe the atheist says "GOD!" Everything freezes and the atheist finds himself standing before Jesus. "After denying me for so long..is it really appropriate to call me now? Jesus asks. The atheist thinks about it and says.."you're right...its too late to convert and accept you now..but do me a favor. Make the bear a Christian."
In the next moment the atheist is back under the bear and the bear is raising his paw...and then brings his paw down to meet his other one, bows his head and says "Father we thank you for this food...."

2007-09-28 11:11:51 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

One of the greatest criticisms Protestants make against the Catholic Church questions our practice of sacramental confession. "Why tell your sins to a priest when you can go directly to God?" they ask. Our reply? Because this sacrament is one of the greatest blessings Catholics have. A sacrament - which no other church has - providing us with absolution of sin. The wonderful Catholic sacrament of reconciliation (confession) through which we who are repentant are assured of the Lord's forgiveness by one of God's special representatives, our priests.



Where in the Bible does Jesus give priests the power to forgive sins? In John 20, verse 23, Jesus says to the disciples, "As the Father has sent me so I send you...receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained." Jesus clearly expected the successors of the disciples, the bishops and priests down through the centuries, to continue

2007-09-28 11:10:40 · 11 answers · asked by tebone0315 7

It makes me laugh.

No other topic seems to draw such an immediate and flooding reaction as a question related to religion.

Even atheists, whom you would think could care less, seem to be almost more passionate about defending their non-theism with an almost ultra-religious ferver!

It's no wonder our world is always at war.

I think it's because there's no education about religion in schools (at least in the U.S.), so there's total ignorance about common grounds and an educated discussion about differences and mutual respect of those differences. Instead, everyone huddles to their corners and reacts like vicious, rabid animals when anyone touches the "meat" near their terroritory.

For me, I'm fascinated by all religions. I think the true answers are based in science, and religion is simply how we try to make sense of the un-understandable. And I respect the rights of others to worship freely as they wish, in public, in government buildings, it's all good.

2007-09-28 11:06:24 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

Why or why not?

2007-09-28 11:05:23 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-09-28 11:05:07 · 35 answers · asked by ethandallas90 1

Can you find a balance between the two?

2007-09-28 11:03:18 · 11 answers · asked by ? 6

It certainly doesn't exist in Judaism.

2007-09-28 11:01:05 · 11 answers · asked by Gawdless Heathen 6

Athiests only!

2007-09-28 11:00:04 · 18 answers · asked by kimmyisahotbabe 5

Then how can you also believe that Satan uses people to tempt others? Wouldn't people know they were being used? If not, do they really have free-will?

2007-09-28 10:59:36 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

What religious beliefs did the following geniuses share?

Albert Einstein
Thomas Edison
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison
John Adams
Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Robert G. Ingersoll
George Bernard Shaw
Mark Twain
Bertrand Russell

2007-09-28 10:58:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Christians need to wake up, watch this short video, and please spread it to everyone you know and not for yourself, do it for Christ and to save people.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QQAj2k6KsSQ

and when you watch the above one, here's why they were doing what they were doing.

http://youtube.com/user/investigateislam

2007-09-28 10:57:32 · 7 answers · asked by H.G. 1

Theists: What quality does a living organism possess which necessitates its creation by an intelligent entity, and wouldn't its creator also possess that quality (in order to pass it on to the organism) and therefore also require a creator for *its* existence?

2007-09-28 10:55:46 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

Please explain your reaction to help me (and others) make sense of it.

2007-09-28 10:53:42 · 34 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7

The Protestant movement arose due to the seen "need" for Christianity to return to the Primitive Church, and part of this was Scripture Only movement instead of Scripture AND Tradition.

My question is, how can anyone justify NOT including Tradition when it WAS the basis of the Primitive Church? One has to remember that no New Testament Scripture was written down until AT LEAST 30 years after Jesus died (and these were only Paul's Epistles... the Gospels were written starting some 60-100 years after Jesus died). New Testament Scripture wasn't even recorded to start with!

Tradition is JUST as important, for it was this Tradition which built the Primitive Church right after Jesus Christ died. Tradition is the direct revelation of God and Jesus Christ to the Apostles! Also remember, Tradition are the direct hidden teachings of the Mysteries of Christ and God and the Kingdom of Heaven, direct revelation coming from Jesus Christ to Apostle, and Apostles to disciples. The Mysteries as said by Jesus Christ, those words that the 12 yearned to but were not ready: John 16: 11-13 “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” As Paul said, most Christians are carnal, and cannot bear the truth of the Mysteries, as they are babes in Christ. There are levels of Christianity, this is a truth that no one seems to want to recognize! Some Christians are more highly developed spiritually than others. Thus, we have the Apostolic Tradition that Catholic and Orthodox modern churches are based on, which is the direct Gnosis of God and Jesus Christ. Once you have direct Gnosis, once you have found the Mystery of the Kingdom of God, you are instantly and forever changed. The Catholic and Orthodox churches are the OLDEST, and hence, the REMAINDER of the Primitive Catholic (Universal) Church, the only true Church. Hence, Tradition IS truth as much as Scripture is!

Why do Protestants not recognize or accept this as Truth, which it is?

2007-09-28 10:52:34 · 19 answers · asked by Christine S 3

Could someone please post the section in the bible where it says that the new testament has fulfilled the old testament...

Thanks guys

2007-09-28 10:51:29 · 12 answers · asked by LadyRebecca 6

Beauty is a subjective thing. I see lots of beauty in nature, and at no time does it lead me to think of a god. Why should it? Beauty speaks of beauty, of natural processes, of evolution, of matter, of stars etc No need for anything else

2007-09-28 10:50:25 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am a Christian and I do not believe in purgatory.

When Jesus was on the cross, he said to the thief, "TODAY, you will be with me in paradise".

Purgatory is another tradition made up by Catholics.

2007-09-28 10:47:44 · 26 answers · asked by Suzi♥Squirrel 4

im doing a speech and need more info on how atheists have to repsond to religions (christianity in particular) and how much other religions treat them

2007-09-28 10:47:15 · 25 answers · asked by Chad P 1

2007-09-28 10:46:17 · 12 answers · asked by Bride of Christ 6

a few years ago i received communion at the ceremony of the elect. its a special ceremony only those invited may partake.

2007-09-28 10:44:09 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

I see a lot of posts concerning images and such. My understanding is that a "graven image" is an image or idol that is worshipped. Without the worship part, isn't it just an image...and "okay"? If you think just an image is "wrong", is that scriptural based? and where, please! :-) Thanks.

Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood

2007-09-28 10:42:13 · 15 answers · asked by Greenwood 5

2007-09-28 10:41:58 · 14 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7

2007-09-28 10:40:21 · 27 answers · asked by ethandallas90 1

Our church musicians have drums, keyboard, horns and guitars. In fact, they make some the the choruses sound better than the original artist! My pastor can play a mean guitar!

2007-09-28 10:39:29 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-09-28 10:38:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-09-28 10:36:44 · 26 answers · asked by Bride of Christ 6

Purpose.

A purpose is the reason we feel, that we are here on earth. Some believe a purpose something given by a god. Some believe that we give ourselves our own purpose. I personally don't really care why I'm here; I want to shape my own destiny.

Anyways a query to different people.

To thesists; Is your purpose in your religion, or in something else in your life. Why?

To Atheists/agnostics; What is YOUR purpose, and why if not in religion?

2007-09-28 10:34:59 · 33 answers · asked by Melty Blood 3

Theist making additional comment on asking if god didnt exist how was the first human created, then she says:

'How do you know that I am not atheist???'

LOL - as if you'd find ignorance that severe outside the theist camp. Classic. Anyone want to describe the negative correlations between religion and intelligence in just about every study done?

2007-09-28 10:32:23 · 16 answers · asked by Leviathan 6