New pope

[Mikefrompluto]

Just curious what's the philosophy behind the green humans? I think I know already. I just want to check my understanding of it and see if its askew

guess no one is going to tell me?

Patience. Someone will probably come along and give you an answer, but its only been an hour since you initially asked the question.

[Double-O-Scotch]

{G} humans? Natural law. Like the Druids.
{B} humans? Not going there
{U} humans? The scholars. Knowledge
{R} humans? Not going there
{W} humans? Not going there

That's my general interpretation, though.

[rarehuntertay]

Also, the first official bible wasn't around until sometime in the 400's, at the Council of Nicea, which determined which scriptures would make up the bible, and also established the divinity of Christ (up to that point He had been considered as a prophet)
Also, another good reading is the book "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong. I won't go into details here because it might start a war in here... Lol

[Double-O-Scotch]

Also, the first official bible wasn't around until sometime in the 400's, at the Council of Nicea, which determined which scriptures would make up the bible, and also established the divinity of Christ (up to that point He had been considered as a prophet)
Also, another good reading is the book "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong. I won't go into details here because it might start a war in here... Lol

The war has been raging for millennia...lol...but I get what ur saying...

[Birdbrain]

{G} humans? Natural law. Like the Druids.
{B} humans? Not going there
{U} humans? The scholars. Knowledge
{R} humans? Not going there
{W} humans? Not going there

That's my general interpretation, though.

thank you.

[NyghtHawk]

Also, the first official bible wasn't around until sometime in the 400's, at the Council of Nicea, which determined which scriptures would make up the bible, and also established the divinity of Christ (up to that point He had been considered as a prophet)
Also, another good reading is the book "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong. I won't go into details here because it might start a war in here... Lol

Thats actually not true. They did not discuss biblical canon or the divinity of Christ.

[NyghtHawk]

@Dudecore

Quoting Dawkins is like quoting someone who read the last page of a book to give you a summary. He takes things out of context and does not give you the full story nor the comprehensive information to understand the entire situation he is condemning.

What context? I've actually read the bible, it isn't out of context.

One example is the flood. The bible is clear that the people were warned. It took Noah 100 years to build it all the while telling the people what was coming. In the end the people continued in their wicked ways which is why the flood was brought to begin with.

I don't understand the concept of "wicked". That concept has changed and evolved over the years, wha could anyone doing that could possibly warrant the erasure of life? And a man built an ark for 100 years? If you say it is an allegory the Bible has a bone to pick with you. It is the literal word of god, everything in the bible happened. If and when you choose which laws you abide by you are in violation of the bible. You take it all or you take none.

God condemns evil. If you disregard that like you disregard rules from your parents there are consequences. It is no different. People can try to skew that how they like but doesn't change that fact in Christianity.

Again, I don't know what the word "evil" implies, or that god even understands the concept. And disregarding "rules" from your parents, do they know the infinite? They're people who gave birth to you, they're not all knowing or all-powerful. Parents can, and often are, wrong when it comes to matters of an individuals rights to person. Just because some million people would yield cognitive liberty to ancient mystism does not make it ok. We'd be fine today if we did or did not believe in the god of Abraham.

We don't need to get into a long debate here but my point is if you want to debate, you can't use arguments that are made without full context.

I can and will continue to do so, and I will quote the context of those statements at length if it would prove a point. Which it will not.

Dawkins absolutely takes things out of context. He

Not sure what you mean because I never said the Bible is an allegory or that I personally dont believe it all. It is a believe all or believe none. Take it or leave it.

It did take Noah appx 100 years. Give or take. Could be 75 years, irrelevant. We dont know for sure because it doesnt say but if you reference the dates given in the Bible it is approximated that its around that amount of time.

My point about parents was to make an analogy to what would be the general experience between a parent and child. You are getting into something irrelevant to the point when you say parents can be wrong. No kidding, but that wasnt the point.

Now when you talk about evil, we are talking about the Bible and God in the Bible. It absolutely shows there is a difference between good and evil. Personal opinions aside, the God of the old and new testament absolutely codemns evil.

[Langku]

Thanks for keeping things so civil in this thread guys. I have to say I appreciate double-o-scotch's perspective particularly. I do beg to differ on some harsh words about religion. I can try to use my beliefs to improve the world but it's through the unified effort of a group of people that great things are accomplished. I think religion is vilified because groups of people inevitably grow exclusive but that doesn't negate the good they do. It just makes it harder let to see.

As for Dawkins, he is simply an atheist fundamentalist. He's very similar to religious conservatives who argue from a Biblical perspective which, in my opinion, is the only system of thought as incomplete and faith based as science is. They should all lighten up and have a good laugh over the limits if their knowledge.

[Birdbrain]

Here is my view on Catholicism.

It has done some wonderful things, and helped a lot of people earthly needs wise. And there are a lot of Catholics that are realy good people. And they hold to the gospel in there sermons

Though, to me (and this is only from what I've seen) it seems they say repetitive sayings and have lots of different rituals they do. And I feel like you can't realy get up and dance in the isles if I feel like it when there singing praises. Also, I feel like its all about the rituals, because those took up most of the service

On the opposite end of the spectrum. The baptists to me seem too focused on the freedom part of it. And even though you could probably get up and dance in the isles, or shout praise during there songs. They seem too narrow sighted, and a lot of there sermons are the same thing. And they use emotions, even the hellfire brimstone ones use emotions. And it seems that is what they are all about

I could be wrong and off base though. So forgive me if I am

[Freerthanu]

First of all, I Pastor two Non-Denominational churches in NY and I love Mtg. I agree with some of the above comments and disagree with others. I really think its great we have these conversations and I applaud everyone for being so civil and open. The thread originally started about the Pope, so that is what I will comment on.

The office of Pope, in my opinion, was a mistake to begin with. One man leadership, such as kings, czars, emperors, popes, etc., has historically always led too trouble. The early church didn't function on one person leadership, they had the Apostles and the Elders to make doctrinal decisions. When a problem or schism would arise, the elders and Apostles would convene and come to a consensus among them. Paul or Peter didn't have the final say, the group did.

However, for some reason people like to have kings. Elder eventually turned into Bishop, Bishop eventually turned into Pope. Although I am the Pastor of 2 churches, I am also just an elder with other men in both churches. All major decisions and plans run through that council, and if I am out-voted, I accept it. The point is that all leadership needs accountability be it from religion to government. I need the elders to keep me check just in case I go nuts and decide to go Jim Jones on everyone. The same reason we need congress to keep our presidents from turning into dictators.

A new Pope? Well, I will just contiue to pray for the Catholic Church.

[Majriti]

Also, the first official bible wasn't around until sometime in the 400's, at the Council of Nicea, which determined which scriptures would make up the bible, and also established the divinity of Christ (up to that point He had been considered as a prophet)
Also, another good reading is the book "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong. I won't go into details here because it might start a war in here... Lol

This is wrong FYI, hate to be that guy, but the first official bible for Christians was written in Greek during the time Rome forbid the believe of Christ, they executed people for it. During the 400's or maybe even a bit sooner is when it became an open established religion.... When Rome fell to the Germanic barbarians, Romulus' death. Best way to have a regime change stick is to allow the people freedom of believe. And even at that, the Old Testament was orginally written in Arabic since u know, Jews and all

[Birdbrain]

Freerthanu. What's your view on Christianity?. Not trying to start something. Just want to hear a nutshell below from a pastor

[Freerthanu]

Birdbrain: could you narrow that question down some? Like something specific?

[Birdbrain]

Birdbrain: could you narrow that question down some? Like something specific?

some of the people on here have been saying what they belive about God. And how they view religion, and are just summing up what they belive in a few paragraphs. That's what I mean. And please don't quote scripture in your explanation. It only shuts non-believers out

[Freerthanu]

Birdbrain: It is very difficult to sum up my belief in a few paragraphs, but I will try.

I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the bible and I do my best to live up to its truths, although I stumble, fall and fail on a daily basis.  I believe in these things because of my personal relationship I have with God, through Jesus Christ. My personal sins kept me from God, but because of the sacrifice of Christ, I have access to my Father on a daily basis. Gods intent for mankind was a relationship, not a religion. To quote a famous writer " I am just a beggar showing other beggars where I found my bread."

I believe in the church as an organism, not as an organization. The church was meant to be living, loving and humble, not rigid, cold and self-righteous. Because of our inward sin nature, we have corrupted the church, not too mention every other aspect of human life. It is my goal as a Pastor to keep the church real , meaning making it about people, not about policies or .politics..