How many Christians here??

[Fuzzness 2]

Regarding evolution... where is the scientific proof for creationism?

There is a lot more proof for evolution. Besides, for you christians who don't believe in evolution, why can't it be regarded as the tool God used?

[Dixie_Peach 1]

I want to share something with you guys... if you will let me.

My mom was Cherokee Indian... and my dad was Italian. My mom was not into organized religion, but my dad was Catholic.... who later decided he wanted to be Baptist.

Growing up, my mom always told us to appreciate and respect others... and the earth. When we farmed the land, we had to replenish it, etc. To be respectful of other peoples ideas, religions... even if we did not agree with them... because the beauty of it all was that we are human... AND WE HAVE A CHOICE.

Now for my dad, it was always HIS way was the ONLY way... Yes, I went to Mass, etc.... but as I got older, I did not feel like religion was for me. My dad could quote scripture... and still drink like a fish. He would beat us, and leave us bleeding... this is an honest to goodness story... and still believe that HE DID THE RIGHT THING. He would "touch" us... and not feel any remorse, wrong-doing... or regret... THESE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY I CHOSE TO LEAVE RELIGION BEHIND...

In college, for my Sociology and Psychology classes... we had to study organized religion.. so I did extensive research on many different religions... still did not have an inkling to come back to the fold so to speak.

It was only until about 2 years ago that I felt that I wanted... needed MORE.

Yes... I believe in God. I believe that He had a son whom died on the cross for my sins. Do I try to force that down someone's throat? No. Because I found that my relationship with God is PERSONAL...

I wish that for everyone in the world could just get along and realize that NO, we are never going to be all the same... and that is a GOOD thing.

I can't MAKE you believe in something or someone... YOU have to do that. And for those that do not believe in God, well... that is their right... their choice...

Do I pray to God? Absolutely.

Am I always in Church everytime the doors are open? No... Life happens... sometimes I can't go to church.

I think like others here... that all religions started out with a good purpose... a good reason.... and somewhere along the way, ####### got exploded all over it.

I want to be able to understand other people's points of view... without forcing my own onto them. Oh Lord.... here is my Rodney King moment again... and I am sure that you guys have had enough of me... so... Why can't we all just get along? Peace Out!

*hugs all VJ*

Blessings,

Lynne

[Scott & Lai 12]

apparently i was made in god's image - does that means his large toenail on the right foot is dodgy too ?

or did the devil cause that

didnt take much imagination

I reckon it proves :

I am not made in the image of a perfect being

also it proves evolution because natural selection is only a process and not a finished article

also it disproves intelligent design coz anyone looking at my toenail would not think it was designed intelligently

also - when you see how these shady priests carry on - doesnt it make you wish your kids were being looked after by a humanist ?

see the light folks - it ain't shining through a cloud

If we are made in the image of god - does that mean he has got a bottom ? what for ?

alan

When I hear this view of the image of God, I always wonder if the person really thinks that Christians believe it that way. Assuming you were being honest in your questions, that understanding of the image of God does not come from Christianity, but is more akin to the the idea of the gods in Classical Greek Mythology. The image of God in Christianity refers to such characteristics of humans (male and female) such as mind, creativity, capacity for love, will, conscience, self-awareness, imagination, memory, moral responsibility, and capacity for worship. As for our imperfections and the suffering in the world, it also needs to be understood that the Christian view is that the world we live in is not the world as God designed it, but is the result of Man's Fall. We believe all will be made new and perfect when Jesus returns at the end of time.

[Melo 1]

I am an athiest and Paul is a christian... once upon a time I did believe in god... jesus even, but then I saw daylight. I don't have a problem with what any religious person believes in; just don't try and force it on me. Paul and I have the perfect relationship, he does not try to force his beliefs on me nor do I impose mine on him; yet he discusses the bible with me and I talk of the reasons why I no longer believe. Neither of us has a problem with that.

I do know that if I had known that Paul believed in god or was a republican when we first met I would never be where I am today; all I can say is that I am glad I did not know for my Gypsy is one in a million.

[Peter Miami 0]

I am confused!

[Melo 1]

I am confused!

Confusion will be my epitaph!!! The song is by King Crimson from the album In The Court of The Crimson King... I have always planned to have that as my epitaph - so you are not alone Peter

[LenJayUS 0]

When I hear this view of the image of God, I always wonder if the person really thinks that Christians believe it that way. Assuming you were being honest in your questions, that understanding of the image of God does not come from Christianity, but is more akin to the the idea of the gods in Classical Greek Mythology. The image of God in Christianity refers to such characteristics of humans (male and female) such as mind, creativity, capacity for love, will, conscience, self-awareness, imagination, memory, moral responsibility, and capacity for worship. As for our imperfections and the suffering in the world, it also needs to be understood that the Christian view is that the world we live in is not the world as God designed it, but is the result of Man's Fall. We believe all will be made new and perfect when Jesus returns at the end of time.

I don't recall the bible every giving that intepretion of what god's image is... That is one thing that bugs me about it... people seem to pick and choose what to listen to in the bible.. and then it's always some off the wall intrepation of what the true meaning was suppose to be...

Usually when a duck is written about.. it's a duck.. not a Raptor. :-D

[Welshcookie 17]

Isn't the Bible an intepretion of events??

[Velvettt 0]

""I don't recall the bible every giving that intepretion of what god's image is... That is one thing that bugs me about it... people seem to pick and choose what to listen to in the bible.. and then it's always some off the wall intrepation of what the true meaning was suppose to be... ""

Could be because no one is reading it in the original Aramaic? Check your bible publishing history. The list of changes, "interpretations" and flat out errors is astounding. Also somewhat frightening considering how many people are reading it today and thinking it's accurate to the original.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Could be because no one is reading it in the original Aramaic? Check your bible publishing history. The list of changes, "interpretations" and flat out errors is astounding.

Edited February 22, 2006 by Frances

[JAYKE 0]

Could be because no one is reading it in the original Aramaic? Check your bible publishing history. The list of changes, "interpretations" and flat out errors is astounding. Also somewhat frightening considering how many people are reading it today and thinking it's accurate to the original.

To say nothing of the books that were edited/voted out.

"Revelations" only squeezed its way in by ONE vote. Imagine how different things would be today.......

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Myself, born-again Christian since 1994-10-30.

Pras, born-again Christian since 1984.

[pedroh 21]

""I don't recall the bible every giving that intepretion of what god's image is... That is one thing that bugs me about it... people seem to pick and choose what to listen to in the bible.. and then it's always some off the wall intrepation of what the true meaning was suppose to be... ""

Could be because no one is reading it in the original Aramaic? Check your bible publishing history. The list of changes, "interpretations" and flat out errors is astounding. Also somewhat frightening considering how many people are reading it today and thinking it's accurate to the original.

yep, true, true.. throughout the centuries the Bible has suffered a lot of translations, interpretations, etc. I dunno how there are people that still have to take the Bible literally, instead of trying to find the symbols and what does it really mean..

in one of my xanga sites, I got 'attacked' by an anti-miscegenation crazy dude, citing passages from Ezrah and Nehemiah about the sin of interracial marriages.. also some of his crazy friends, dixieland people, knights of the golden circle (all white supremacists) who claim to be christians as Christ himself, believe that the Bible allowed christians to have slaves, so they don't see anything wrong with slavery..

that happens when people take the Book literally

[Welshcookie 17]

yep, true, true.. throughout the centuries the Bible has suffered a lot of translations, interpretations, etc. I dunno how there are people that still have to take the Bible literally, instead of trying to find the symbols and what does it really mean..

in one of my xanga sites, I got 'attacked' by an anti-miscegenation crazy dude, citing passages from Ezrah and Nehemiah about the sin of interracial marriages.. also some of his crazy friends, dixieland people, knights of the golden circle (all white supremacists) who claim to be christians as Christ himself, believe that the Bible allowed christians to have slaves, so they don't see anything wrong with slavery..

that happens when people take the Book literally

oh my.......

[SOlcayto 0]

I wish there were more people like Dixie Peach. If there were, I probably wouldn't want to vomit everytime I hear someone start a sentence with,"Well, I'm a Christian......" Oh wait, if they were like Dixie Peach, they wouldn't do that

Dixie Peach you rock!

SOL