Religious debate

[Louis VI the Fat]

Well, if God is God, he's not going anywhere, you are.

I wouldn't bet on it...


After all, why should I rule out becoming God as a career option if it has been managed before by a Palestinian carpenter*? A man's got to have ambition.


The others can stay as far as I'm concerned. We'll just have to teach Catholic children that four is one rather than three is one.

*yes he wasn't a humble carpenter but what we'd call an architect / foreman. A studied man. But that ruins the punchline.

[Centurion1]

are you gods son. because there is that little bit. if there is in fact a god and christians are in fact correct than jesus was in fact the son of god. and if he was the son of god he did not really choose it as a career no more than a prince decides to be king (barring asassination ) deus rex.

[Beskar]

God hates democracy, he is a totalitarian dictator at worst, Feudal Monarch at best.

[gaelic cowboy]

I now totally believe in God this revelation has come to me in order that he will not end the world before I get to see TopGearLive in Dublin next September. Thank you oh Cthulu

[Rhyfelwyr]

God hates democracy, he is a totalitarian dictator at worst, Feudal Monarch at best.

Indeed, there are many similarities between Christianity and Marxism. The belief that human history is determined by forces which the individual cannot control, the collectivist ethos, the struggle of the afflicted in a world which will only persecute them, and the apocalyptic battle at the end of it which results in the new heaven and earth/workers paradise.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

God hates democracy, he is a totalitarian dictator at worst, Feudal Monarch at best.

God doesn't hate democracy, he simply has no use for it with relation to himself. You don't run a househol using democracy, do you? Imagine if every parent said: "So, children, should you go to bed now?" or "Shall we decide that running in the road is a bad idea?"

Indeed, there are many similarities between Christianity and Marxism. The belief that human history is determined by forces which the individual cannot control, the collectivist ethos, the struggle of the afflicted in a world which will only persecute them, and the apocalyptic battle at the end of it which results in the new heaven and earth/workers paradise.

This is true, but Marxism is distinct in having A: always failed completely and B: being focused on this world, which never changes.

[Rhyfelwyr]

This is true, but Marxism is distinct in having A: always failed completely and B: being focused on this world, which never changes.

Another similarity is the pick-and-choose Marxists we see these days, very much like the pick-and-choose Christians they criticise so much. For example, modern Marxists completely ignore Marx's call to either genocide or assimilate potentially anti-revolutionary minorities. Just like with liberal pick-and-choose Christianity, we know have the liberal left, picking bits of Marxism and trying to piece them together with the democracy of the bourgeoisie.

At least I could respect the devotion of the old-style socialists.

[rotorgun]

I'm confused. Are we having a debate on whether we are going to have a debate, or are we debating already what we think we are debating? Here is something to consider:

# Verse 18. ”For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

# Verse 19. “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."

# Verse 20. “…the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse:”

# Verse 21. “Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imagination, and

Verse 22. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”

-Romans, Chapter 2

PS: I am no radical Christian, but I am devout, and humble in my beliefs. I judge no man, but let him to look into the mirror of his own soul. These are some fairly convincing arguments, set forth in a very legal style, arguing against atheism.

[Beskar]

God doesn't hate democracy, he simply has no use for it with relation to himself. You don't run a househol using democracy, do you? Imagine if every parent said: "So, children, should you go to bed now?" or "Shall we decide that running in the road is a bad idea?

In the House-hold, the parents make the decisions as legal guardians, also as such, the parents relationship is democratic and the children consult with their parents.

Obviously, this is describing one of those "perfect household" situations.

It was mainly a provocative statement for debate. One of the questions i always have, lets say the Christian God was real, why should you worship him? In many ways, he is like a Slave Master. He punishes those who defy him, he rewards his good servants, and wants to be worshipped. It is a rather dominating egotistical relationship. I don't intend to Godwin, but it is very similar to a Cult of Personality. Loyal supporters get rewarded, those who are not loyal end up on the short-end. I believe it even goes into if you live a veyr good life, you still end up going to hell for not worshipping him.

Then there are those institutions mainly in the catholic faith just like the Pope, which ranks people in a heirarchical structure, compared to Methodist concept of a personal God, where anyone can pray to him.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

In the House-hold, the parents make the decisions as legal guardians, also as such, the parents relationship is democratic and the children consult with their parents.

Obviously, this is describing one of those "perfect household" situations.

Well God is either a single parent, or three parents who always agree, or both; so there is no democratic consultation to take place. As regards the child/parent relationship: God is alway right and his children should always be obedient because of that. Even so, when his children are disobedient God will forgive if they will only admit to being wrong and ask for forgiveness.

It was mainly a provocative statement for debate. One of the questions i always have, lets say the Christian God was real, why should you worship him? In many ways, he is like a Slave Master. He punishes those who defy him, he rewards his good servants, and wants to be worshipped.

God is both infallable and impartial, as well as being just. He is a King, not a Slave Master. A Slave Master has his Slaves sacrifice for his benefit, God sacrifices Himself for his children/subjects.

As to why you should worship him: Counter question, why should you not? He is creator and ruler of the Universe.

It is a rather dominating egotistical relationship. I don't intend to Godwin, but it is very similar to a Cult of Personality. Loyal supporters get rewarded, those who are not loyal end up on the short-end. I believe it even goes into if you live a veyr good life, you still end up going to hell for not worshipping him.

You assmue a human viewpoint. Certainly, Personality Cults like Stalin's resemble religions, but the difference is sustantive because it is in the motivation and operation of the system. As I said, God is all powerful, infallable, and completely just. Your concept of "living a good life" does not include God, and therefore does not include His ordinances. So you apply your own standard of "good" instead of God's. Ergo, you might reach your own standard and consider tourself good, but you fall far short of God's (as does everyone).

the difference between you and a Christian would then be the recognition of the shortfall.

Additionally, you are rather fixated on the idea of hell as a "punishment". Hell, all window dressing aside, is the complete absense of God; something which no human beng suffers while alive. When you die you can go to be with God, or not, and the choice is your own.

what's to complain about, honestly?

Then there are those institutions mainly in the catholic faith just like the Pope, which ranks people in a heirarchical structure, compared to Methodist concept of a personal God, where anyone can pray to him.

Do you mean "catholic" or "Roman Catholic"?