Religion & Spirituality - 6 October 2007

I heard this audio a couple of years ago, and have a sudden desire to listen to it again, because it really moved me. It's audio of a black man VERY passionatly preaching about how Jesus IS the Light, and Jesus IS the Way, and IS the Truth..etc etc.. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I would be ever so grateful for answers and a link, please! Thank you!!! :)

2007-10-06 16:26:39 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

doesn't the code work the same for non-English versions of the Bible? Is this proof that God favors the English language?

And why have all the events revealed in the Bible code already happened? Why can't they use it to predict the future?

2007-10-06 16:25:38 · 19 answers · asked by Pull My Finger 7

It is the most misunderstood religion and people get so freaked out about it .
because of my name people get spooked and when tell some one who is a christian what my name is I am told I half to change it or I am going to hell when I die
just because my name is Satan doesnt give people the right to judge me

2007-10-06 16:24:51 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous

Will you attend?

The Holy book would be The Holy Pasta that gives over a thousand recipies for good tasting pasta and meatballs

And for service everyone is required to bring side dishes to go with all the pasta and meatballs.

And the only requirement of faith in the Flying Spaghetti Monster is that you be a fluent Spaghetti Chef

The only punishment for not being a fluent Spaghetti Chef is eternal torture in a endless pool of million degree F tomatoe sauce.

Would you attend this church?

2007-10-06 16:22:41 · 12 answers · asked by Maurice H 6

2007-10-06 16:22:29 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

If you were God, would you want people to worship you? For what purpose? Just to make you feel like you're in charge? What kind of personality does God have if he wants to be worshipped?

2007-10-06 16:22:09 · 22 answers · asked by 1st Liberal 6

is it bringnig God's presence into the situation?

your thoughts?

2007-10-06 16:21:24 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have **NO IDEA** what freemasonry is. Could someone tell me?

2007-10-06 16:19:50 · 12 answers · asked by Mr. Dog 4

Can't beat a Sunday ;-)

2007-10-06 16:18:50 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

I know that sounds odd, but I'm curious. I understand that it's the law and I respect anyone who has to make the choice, its NOT easy, but at the same time I don't believe in abortion. OMG....am I fence sitter????

2007-10-06 16:17:02 · 36 answers · asked by ~Heathen Princess~ 7

2007-10-06 16:16:45 · 27 answers · asked by Lost. at. Sea. 7

the rapist and how many of you if you are married or were to get married would divorce your wife if she was raped and got pregnant by the rapist? I'm just curious because my husband told me that it's an option for the woman who is raped in Islam to marry the rapist. Also if a Muslim woman is raped and gets pregnant what happens to the baby? Does it go into the custody of the rapist or his family or is she allowed to get custody of it? I'm asking because I'm just curious about this and I would like to know how the child would be treated by the Muslim community if it was the product of a rape.

2007-10-06 16:16:08 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

This is long, but please read it and answer the question at the end. Thank you.

The Council of Florence, the 17th Ecumenical (and hence “infallible”) Council of the Roman Catholic Church, said the following:

It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart "into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church. (Denzinger 714).

Yet, section 841 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1993) says:

The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

In a similar way the Pope seemed to be in line with section 841 when he said,

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 1998 (VIS) - At today's Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke on the theme of The Spirit of God and the 'Seeds of Truth' in non-Christian Religions. The 'seeds of truth', said John Paul II, are 'the effect of the Spirit of truth operating outside the visible confines of the Mystical Body', the wind 'which blows where it wills'. The Holy Father explained that in all authentic religious experiences, the most characteristic manifestation is prayer. ... Every true prayer is inspired by the Holy Spirit, Who is mysteriously present in the heart of every person. Through the practice of what is good in their own religious traditions, and following the dictates of their consciences, members of other religions positively respond to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even though they may not recognize Him as their Savior. The attitude of the Church and of individual Christians with regard to other religions is characterized by sincere respect, deep kindness, and also, where it is possible and appropriate, cordial collaboration. This does not mean forgetting that Jesus Christ is the only Mediator and Savior of the human race. Nor does it imply lessening the missionary effort to which we have an obligation, in obedience to the command of the Risen Lord: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'. This attitude of respect and dialogue, concluded John Paul II, represents a due recognition of the 'seeds of the Word' and of the 'groans of the Spirit'. It also prepares the proclamation of the Gospel in awaiting the time when the Lord shows his mercy.

Yet, scarcely two years later, we encounter a Papal encyclical Dominus Iesus, which reads in part,

4. The Church's constant missionary proclamation is endangered today by relativistic theories which seek to justify religious pluralism, not only de facto but also de iure (or in principle). As a consequence, it is held that certain truths have been superseded; for example, the definitive and complete character of the revelation of Jesus Christ, the nature of Christian faith as compared with that of belief in other religions, the inspired nature of the books of Sacred Scripture, the personal unity between the Eternal Word and Jesus of Nazareth, the unity of the economy of the Incarnate Word and the Holy Spirit, the unicity and salvific universality of the mystery of Jesus Christ, the universal salvific mediation of the Church, the inseparability -- while recognizing the distinction -- of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the Church, and the subsistence of the one Church of Christ in the Catholic Church.

5. As a remedy for this relativistic mentality, which is becoming ever more common, it is necessary above all to reassert the definitive and complete character of the revelation of Jesus Christ. In fact, it must be firmly believed that, in the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), the full revelation of divine truth is given: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him” (Mt 11:27); “No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has revealed him” (Jn 1:18); “For in Christ the whole fullness of divinity dwells in bodily form” (Col 2:9-10).

For this reason, the distinction between theological faith and belief in the other religions, must be firmly held. If faith is the acceptance in grace of revealed truth, which “makes it possible to penetrate the mystery in a way that allows us to understand it coherently”, then belief, in the other religions, is that sum of experience and thought that constitutes the human treasury of wisdom and religious aspiration, which man in his search for truth has conceived and acted upon in his relationship to God and the Absolute.

This distinction is not always borne in mind in current theological reflection. Thus, theological faith (the acceptance of the truth revealed by the One and Triune God) is often identified with belief in other religions, which is religious experience still in search of the absolute truth and still lacking assent to God who reveals himself. This is one of the reasons why the differences between Christianity and the other religions tend to be reduced at times to the point of disappearance.

Hence, those solutions that propose a salvific action of God beyond the unique mediation of Christ would be contrary to Christian and Catholic faith.

But, only a few months later, we get this:

GENERAL AUDIENCE

Wednesday 6 December 2000

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The theme of our General Audiences during this Great Jubilee Year has been the glory of the Trinity, and today we ask what we must do to ensure that the glory of the Trinity shines forth more fully in the world. In essence, we are called to be converted and to believe in the Gospel. We are to accept the Kingdom of God in our hearts, and to bear witness to it by word and deed. The Kingdom indicates the loving presence and activity of God in the world, and should be a source of serenity and confidence for our lives. The Gospel teaches us that those who live in accordance with the Beatitudes - the poor in spirit, the pure of heart, those who bear lovingly the sufferings of life - will enter God’s Kingdom. All who seek God with a sincere heart, including those who do not know Christ and his Church, contribute under the influence of grace to the building of this Kingdom. In the Lord’s prayer we say: "Thy Kingdom come"; may this be the hope that sustains and inspires our Christian life and work.

Do you really think Rome clarifies the issues of the gospel, or does she muddle them?

2007-10-06 16:15:49 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have prayed many years for a mate, and my mom prays so hard, too. I am now 40, and am thinking of giving myself to God, not as a nun but wearing a chastity ring and being dedicated to Him in mind and soul only by doing good deeds, and working at the same time. I realize perhaps he doesn't want me to get married, and I prayed for the wrong thing. Your thoughts or know of anyone who has gone through this.

2007-10-06 16:13:26 · 22 answers · asked by Born Valentine's Day 5

2007-10-06 16:11:42 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

Pro-life or pro-choice will suffice. Thanks.

2007-10-06 16:10:24 · 45 answers · asked by fairy*chick~ 1

Is it possible humans have been devolving since the beginning (whenever that was) up til the present.

I've always looked up to people like Michelangelo Buonarroti, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Jesus, Mahatma Gandi, Lao Tzu, Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus, Budda, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Sir Isaac Newton, Archimedes, Durante Degli Alighieri, Vincent Van Gogh.

How come we don't have modern people like them?

2007-10-06 16:03:56 · 15 answers · asked by Sean 7

Why?

2007-10-06 16:02:13 · 31 answers · asked by aviana_snowwolfe 3

I USE TO THINK: She was the Pop Princess of Wiccan Witchcraft. BUT NOW: After reading an essay that quoted her at http://wicca.timerift.net/horne.shtml and thinking about her book; Witch: A Magical Journey (Which I READ). I THINK SHE'S THE GILDEROY LOCKHART OF THE WICCAN AND WITCHCRAFT COMMUNITY. She's really pretty & her spells are kinda cool but she is trivializing and basically selling Witchcraft & Wicca. She was once on the Tyra Banks show trying to explain Wicca, She was talking more than The other Witches (Ones who did Good Magic and others who did Darker Magic) and Satanists. (I THINK WHY TYRA PUT SATANISTS ON THAT SHOW IS CAUSE THEY DID MAGIC, AND TYRA MADE US LOOK LIKE WEIRDOS NOT NORMAL PEOPLE!) So shout out whatever your opinion.

2007-10-06 16:02:13 · 11 answers · asked by kate5rosemary 3

I believe the Invisible Sky Man did it because it gives me all the answers even if they're stupid or wrong. Can you athiests say the same thing? Do you have ALL the answers?

2007-10-06 15:59:30 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous

Some of you say women can not be in the Ministry

So why should a woman be President??

She has PMS, Periods, and being a Mother has all kinds of

problems, and she would be just another Bill Clinton

they are married


Your thought's please on both......

2007-10-06 15:56:12 · 35 answers · asked by Gifted 7

I mean do you feel forgiven, cause I DO.

2007-10-06 15:49:18 · 33 answers · asked by Dirk Johnson 5

2007-10-06 15:45:29 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-06 15:45:06 · 10 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7

to improve your relatioship with God?

i am praying more and trying to help others. i need to start going to worship again buti am working on that right now.

2007-10-06 15:41:14 · 7 answers · asked by boo 7

Up until twenty to thirty years ago intelligence was looked up to, now it seems it's looked down on.

Are we experiencing devolution, if so why?

2007-10-06 15:41:01 · 21 answers · asked by Sean 7

Most people feel that all good people will go to heaven, most everyone wants to go to heaven, but, weho can tell me what exactly, they would be doinmjg there, what is the purpose of going to heaven?It's not just to be with God, or to party, scriptural references would be appreciated.

2007-10-06 15:40:03 · 24 answers · asked by I speak Truth 6

For various reasons, I have been off the forum for a few days here and there. First, I was sick, and could hardly stay up long enough to do the things necessary to run a home. Then family obligations hit, and of course that comes first. The last few days I just backed off because I realized I needed time to myself, and I did not want to sling out answers that were not well thought out. I have been on this sight for several months now, and it seems like it is less tolerant than when I first logged on. I have come to care for so many people here, some of whom I intend to contact by email and ask to be added to their contacts. I guess I am wondering since good manners are free, why aren't more people using them? Why do people feel so free to hit the "Report" button for questions that do not violate any guidelines? Are you a person that just can't wait to violate over a minor infraction, or do you just take a pass, if you know what I mean?

2007-10-06 15:39:48 · 15 answers · asked by One Wing Eagle Woman 6

"Scientists can't create life in a laboratory from chemical building blocks, so God must have done it!!"

Well,
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299857,00.html
and
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange

My question is simple...
Will creationists now eat their words raw, or will they cook them first?
Maybe add some spices?
Or, will they just deny ever having said such a thing?

ROTFLMMFAO

2007-10-06 15:39:27 · 20 answers · asked by elchistoso69 5

Why, in your opinion, do so many religious people grasp to such ludicrous beliefs, fantasies and yearnings? Is it insecurity? Ignorance? Fear? All of the above?
With all of the science that exists today and its reaches with answers, it seems so ridiculous that people would still believe in religious crutches and beliefs. Even with all the evidence that points to the bible being vastly falsified and made up, religious still insist n believing. Why?
I cannot, personally, imagine living my life believing in a sky faerie or other such mystical being. The natural aging and death of me, albeit it bit of a bummer, is rather a beautiful thing.
And who do the religious insist that those of us who do not believe have no morals, values and are incapable of living happy, honest, loving and caring lives?
Any comments or thoughts are welcome. ANY bible quotes will result in you being reported.

2007-10-06 15:36:36 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous