As I said in some previous post I write from Italy, so many ways of saying or slangs or other particular things are unknown to me, and there may be some misunderstanding, I apologize for that. Absolutely, don't worry.
Lol. If you would meet a person who is 'good' in your opinion. It doesn't matter what 'good' means, what matters is that it is your opinion based on who you 'are' (things you are identified with, education, values, ethic, moral.....) and the one would say : "I have most of it because of my belief as a Christian and in the bible" would you find it reasonable to point on bits of the scripture which are (also in your opinion) bad (in this case a bit that seemingly propagates war)? I mean that'd make absolutely no sense here. It would make sense if the one would say: I go into war because this bit of the bible justifies the war and as Christian I obey. (Btw: It is an issue found in the US administration frequently ..the so called Christians there .... the US presidents / governors stating to be Christian interpreting the bible literally and signing death penalties at the same time..lol) But a peaceful Christian would interpret this bit you have quoted as: Jesus knew in advance that he (a Jewish freak) would create trouble by demanding unconditional devotion. Consider that time and the situation there.....he actually was a rebel asking the others to ditch traditions to leave back family and to follow him a Hebrew. The sword he brings will divide, it is a form of self-awareness he has. Family and friendships. Consider one of your kids would leave your family behind following a religious 'person' and would love this person more than your family..and then you will know what Jesus meant with to bring the sword. In short. One can interpret the bible in the service of ego.....or in the service of self-awareness. I have given it up to do the former.... ..the bible itself is nothing...it is a book of stories.
I can't believe that came off your keyboard. This is another case of changing the data to fit the result, your result ! There is only one truth and the Bible isn't it! I really wish someone would explain this stuff to me! How many of these things do you really need to explain away until it dawns on you that it's just plain garbage and not worth looking at in the first place ?
It is not 'my' result. Better said it is in that way 'my' result as that what you are posting is 'your' result. I mean it is no competition to find good bits in the bible and the other one finds bad bits and then we come to a final conclusion. I do not defend the bible. I said the bible itself is nothing...it is a book of stories. This is 'my' result. I consider Buddha as somebody who lived before Jesus as a person who has the same self-awareness than Jesus has. The question is: Can a scripture as the bible lead to self-awareness or not, can it point to truth? The bible itself is nothing and much less the truth. And this answer one needs to find oneself. If it's garbage to you, then it is that way, nothing wrong with that. Why should one waste time with garbage? I refrain from proselytizing by far! This btw I mean in the service of ego. And with that I meant both ways to glorify Christianity and to ridicule it. The example with the 'one' from above I used to illustrate that Christianity obviously has enough room for peaceful Christians, although that quoted bit can be interpreted that Jesus propagated war...correct me if I am wrong. I'd say if somebody decides to read the bible, the 'result' depends on the intention. If one wants to find 'something' then the one will find it. Garbage, own value..perhaps the truth!? If it is in the service of self-awareness, own growth, why not? You know it best.
@Yen: a man said to Buddha: I want happiness. Buddha replied to him: give up "I" which is the ego, give up "want" which is desire and all you have is happiness. One Zen master was standing face to face with his disciple and asked: -What is the truth? The disciple slapped the master. Then, the master said: -Welcome master. A blind man can describe all the chemical and physical properties of the sun, but he has never seen the light.
Hi, Concept of God itself is a limit or boundary , and free will exactly implies that . Presence of God ( of-course in our beliefs ) , limits us to have free will as per religious laws. Well , that’s my interpretation.
A blind man can also read what you have posted, but that's all then. It is actually an issue of all cognitive processes, because most of us actually perceive a concept of things and not the thing itself. Also we cannot communicate the subject itself, we can only talk ABOUT it. Lol. Maybe start with an breakfast egg first. I have no own bible, but I oh well I had time to read that bit...(in my native, then I post it in my own words) I did it like I'd read a novel...no worries I try to post it as 'not my result' lol... It sounds like a typical story from that time. Benhadad the King from Syria besieged Samaria (something like Game of Thrones?, lol). The citizens of Samaria were hungry since the siege took a long time (until the prize for an ass's head were 80 silver bucks ). The king of Israel was seen outside the city wall..and a woman shouted: Help me my king!!! Then the king: If the lord does not help you how could I? What's up? She said: That other woman told me : Give your son, so we can eat today......tomorrow I'll give my son and we can eat tomorrow. So we have cooked my soon and eaten him. The other day the woman said: Now it's time to eat your son, ..........but the other woman has hidden him... The king heard this story and when climbing up the city wall he tore his clothes and all the people could see that he wore a sack beneath.......then he said something I didn't get...god do this and that where Elias Head, Son's Saphats will stand today on him!? It is a part of a story that could have happened. I mean I don't need to read such stories, but it's not garbage to me. It is just a story...
Well he is the one saying he doesn't consider it garbage. You would think if it looks like it and smells like it then maybe it might be ...
Thanks. Don't need to have something damaged to have a reason to stay out of Church......like big Churches because of their architecture, though Btw: Hindu Dharma (Major Religion on Bali)... women who just have their period must not enter any temple. For R29k: Sorry no more wine for you.
I think what you're saying makes sense to you, hence the reason you are saying it. However, we think that Gods knowledge is so far beyond our grasp that we don't even realize that S/He, in fact, does know before we even know what decisions we will make. S/He is not making our decisions, as I've stated many times earlier, but since he knows what decision we will make, we can not make any other decision . This is why S/he is not only all-powerful but he is all-knowing. The extent to his powers seems hard to grasp because we don't have that kind of knowledge and understanding (which is why it makes for fun & class discussions).
There is more than one god, the Hindu's, Muslims, and Jews and others have their gods, If we are to believe in a god, then we must determine which god you believe in, and a reason would be good too. Most are quoting the old testament jewish God, which is known to be the Creator. As I see it, if God created all things then he also created time as we know it to exist, (sun, moon and stars) Being the creator of time itself would mean that he could travel through time also. Not necessarily change the decisions we make in that period of time. I find it unusual that some peeps quote the old Jewish testament where God delt with the Jews in a way he has not delt with man in any other way. Things were much different 8000-6000 years ago and today we expect others to follow some of those old Rabbinical laws....why? When Jesus Christ came about 2000 years ago, he made a new covenant that also included the gentiles and things were changed because of that.