A "healthy god debate"

[Blind_Prophet]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Blind_Prophet, most religions these days go by what we call "Soft Determinism."

whats that if i may ask?

[Timber Loftis]

http://www.alltheweb.com/search?cat=...22&_sb_lang=en

Here's a web search result.I'll resist the temptation to hit you with a "do your own searces" admonishment.

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
Could not get the FRIKKIN "url" tag to work, so have it as is.

[ 05-05-2003, 06:40 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

[Blind_Prophet]

Sorry TL didn't mean to make you go through the trouble of finding me a link. I thought you could just give me a brief explantion of your own didn't know you would go search for me a link [img]tongue.gif[/img] thanks TL.......back to reading the long article.

[Timber Loftis]

No worries. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] I didn't mean to sound harsh.

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: quote: Originally posted by John D Harris: Cerrek the problem I have with using Duet. is Paul writes that if we are to keep the LAW we must KEEP the whole Law, not bits and pieces. Christ set us free from the Law.

I understand what your saying, John. This is just one of the main passages I've heard quoted when Christians were talking about the "eeeevils" of AD&D, Harry Potter, and other such things.

To date, I've heard different preachers and Christians criticize almost every popular craze. Things I have personally heard criticized are Pokemon, AD&D, Harry Potter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Smurfs and even Cabbage Patch Dolls. The logic for the criticism was interesting, but I didn't completely agree with it.

The very first night I attended the church I now call home, one of the deacon's wives got up and addressed the dangers of AD&D. I was an avid gamer at the time, so I went up to her after the service and asked her where she got her information. "Oh, from my husband. I don't really know that much about it myself...he has looked into it far more than I have and he gave me the information I presented tonight." So I went to the husband. To make a long story short - he didn't know much about the game either.....just some misinformation he had read through a very unbiased source.

That's why I say - check things out for yourself. I have found some things I felt uncomfortable with..but only after doing my own research and reaching my own conclusions. [/QUOTE]Agreeeeeeeeeeddddd,
The best piece of advice my Dad ever gave me was: On the day of judgement it will be you and God standing there, and when God asked you "Why you believe something, if you answer the preacher told me so. God's reply will be Hmmmm I don't see any preacher here do you? It's my life and My Soul the preacher has his own to worry about. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Blind_Prophet: Ok one thing i have a problem with is when people say you have the right to choose your path be it going to heaven or hell, it is you who gets you there, but they also say god knows which choice you will make and where you will end up that sounds alot like predetermend fate to me. If he knows which path i will chose then it doesn't matter your fate is already determind. I have lots of other problems too especially with religous fantics, when they try to slip into the public school system and change things. There are more things that bother me about Orginized religon.

Your fate is not determined, just known, knowing is not doing, knowing is not making happen, knowing is being aware of the facts. God knows I will sin, God does not make me commit the sin, I do. God also know when I'll walk away form the sin, God doen't make me walk away, I do.

[WillowIX]

Originally posted by John D Harris: Your fate is not determined, just known, knowing is not doing, knowing is not making happen, knowing is being aware of the facts. God knows I will sin, God does not make me commit the sin, I do. God also know when I'll walk away form the sin, God doen't make me walk away, I do.

From your point of view. But maybe not from his.

[Mojo]

Just a small thought.... the Church, in general, is against the likes of Harry Potter because it's linked to "Black Magic" and such, yes? My point is simply, why does the church condemn *all* magic? From what I've gathered, the Church views all magic as black magic. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

This might be another thread in the making.....

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Mojo: Just a small thought.... the Church, in general, is against the likes of Harry Potter because it's linked to "Black Magic" and such, yes? My point is simply, why does the church condemn *all* magic? From what I've gathered, the Church views all magic as black magic. Please correct me if I'm wrong. This might be another thread in the making.....

That is basically true, Mojo. In general, the church considers ANY magic to be black magic. This goes back to passages from the Old Testament (one section of which I quoted earlier).

To answer a question posted shortly after that, all "magic" is considered to be powered or provided by Satan. The miracles performed by Jesus and the Apostles were just that - miracles. They differ from magic in that the power for miracles is supplied directly from God.

So what's the difference? God has specifically admonished Christians to have nothing to do with magic, at all!!!! That is because (although the results appear similar) the source of power for magic does NOT come from God.

Now I fully agree that Christians should avoid ANY type of witchcraft, spellcasting, or dealing with psychics (also mentioned in the passage from Deuteronomy that I quoted). But this admonishment is often taken to extreme interpretations by some to include anything that even mentions magic (such as Harry Potter) or has participants pretend to cast spells (AD&D).

I know that probably doesn't make a lot of sense and seems like the church is "splitting hairs". As I said, I don't completely agree with it myself..I'm just trying to explain the churches POV.

[FelixJaeger]

So really a miracle is divine magic?
Hmmn seems like a little bit of rule bending on the part of God... [img]tongue.gif[/img]
I'm kinda glad we had this discussion its been nice to discuss stuff with people who dont shove their views down my throat!
Thanks guys!