Inspired by the bible, inspired by God... *Coughs*

[Mitera Nikkou]

I'm not trying to change your mind. You can believe that the world is shaped like a hexagon if you want to. But that doesn't mean that I won't question or criticize what doesn't make sense.

What you believe is right, anyway. Just like what I believe is right. But that's because there's no such thing as right or wrong. Or, at least I don't think that there is. But I'd think that a Christian would agree based on the fact that Christian morality has changed over time, and hasn't been written in stone. And lo, Christianity is now against slavery and for women's rights! or so it says. ;p

But the end fact is that I believe he did make us, and picking apart the details will do nothing to help, really... He deserves worship in the same way an artist deserves praise for a painting. He made the universe... we had better damn well kiss ass.

I definitely disagree with you, there. Any artist who thinks they deserve praise for what they make isn't an artist. Artists should get praise and criticism alike, because people have different tastes. Artists must accept the fact that they appeal to a limited audience. That's why we have so many different religions, plus the many different sects in among many said religions.

Perhaps you just used a bad analogy, but there's one thing that's clear: independent, self-empowered, and individualistic people like myself don't kiss ass. No God is doing anything because I've snubbed my nose away from His ass, but I'd do so even if He really was around to smite people. The thing about a work of art is that it should have a life of its own, anyway.

But if there is no God, then what? Can you honestly tell me that any life without faith has hope?

You die then you dont exist... that means that all there is is this corrupt, dieing, stupid world. Yeah, sure... THATS something I want to believe.

Life is what you make of it, be it borne of faith or not. Whatever makes you feel happy and secure. Sometimes I think that none of us have any free will, but that has never stopped me from living out my life. But even if I don't find any meaning in life, I might after death. But if death turns out to be the end of the road, it's not like I'll have a consciousness to realize it. Whatever happens will happen. The fact is that we all must decide how we are to live through everything until we're no longer living.

Darnit, you made me get all serious. Curse you! *smite!* XD

Ha, ha, HAH! I have struck again! :O Besides, it was a semi-serious topic to begin with. ;p

But, just so you know, I do believe that there is more to life than what simply meets the eye. That's only due to some personal experiences, mind you. I just haven't seen any proof of any monotheistic God being a result of it. Or, at least the last time I checked, the Abrahamic religions tend to consider all ghosts of the paranormal nature to be demons and other such negative things.

Helel:

What's your religion? The Degenerates of X? ;p

[Knight Errant]

I'm not trying to change your mind. You can believe that the world is shaped like a hexagon if you want to. But that doesn't mean that I won't question or criticize what doesn't make sense.

What are you talking about? everyone knows the world is banana-shaped.

But yeah... this is why I try to avoid letting people know what I believe... because I have come to some conclusions about the world which are not shared by... anyone I know, at least. ^_^;

And I believe that all ghosts are demons... or natural phenomenon we dont understand.

You die, you go to heaven or hell. You dont float around scaring people.

I do concede they might exist... because there is much evidence out there that SOMETHING has to be going on. But human souls do not remain here once their time is up.

At least thats what I think... who knows? Maybe I will die and be surprised...

[Mitera Nikkou]

What are you talking about? everyone knows the world is banana-shaped.

How absurd! The world is a plate balancing on the head of a platypus!

because I have come to some conclusions about the world which are not shared by... anyone I know, at least. ^_^;

So you're in a sect of Christianity all your own? ;p

And I believe that all ghosts are demons... or natural phenomenon we dont understand.

That makes no sense. I can use the same logic to call you a demon.

You die, you go to heaven or hell. You dont float around scaring people.

Oh, I see. You're hung up on stereotypes. How stereotypical.

I do concede they might exist... because there is much evidence out there that SOMETHING has to be going on. But human souls do not remain here once their time is up.

My, my... You contradicted yourself. XD You're sure human souls don't dawdle, but you concede that they (or something taking on human forms) might. Just remember the Christians that have claimed how someone they knew (like a family member) had been with them during their time of need. That's a human spirit on the Earthly plain of existence right there. And I doubt a demon will help someone recover and reinforce their faith in God. ^_^;

Maybe I will die and be surprised...

That'd be awesome. It's no fun to know what's going to happen before it happens. I'd be surprised if I were to make it into Heaven, for instance. I wouldn't be surprised if I found myself in Hell, but I'm sure that I would be able to make the best of it. I'll just become a masochist and thus become immune to Hell. ^_^

How was that? I tried to not be as serious this time. You better be grateful!

[Knight Errant]

No contradiction was had.

Simply, that something is out there... I am not calling everyone who says they have seen or experienced ghostie work is lying.

But human souls do not stay here... so whatever it is it has to be something else... something not human.

That leaves:

Demons

Angels

Natural phenomenon

Coincidence

The number of people who are just makeing it up

And yes I will start my own sect... start the fires of revolution... and wade in oceans of blood.

Join me or perish.

[Selena Aninikkou]

such as claiming that the serpent in the garden of Eden was Satan, or used by Satan, when that was not the case at all

That's not from the Holy Bible; that's from Milton's Paradise Lost, which IS considered the definitive work about Satan. Not everything in Paradise Lost was actually in the Holy Bible, just like a lot of what Dante wrote in the Divine Comedy was also not in the Bible, but the RCC takes it as gospel.

[Mitera Nikkou]

Knight:

No, there could still be a contradiction. If I remember correctly, no one goes to Hell or Heaven until some of the events detailed in the book of Revelation take place. The first resurrection will be the people that will reign with Jesus in the new kingdom. Those not chosen aren't resurrected until a thousand years after the first resurrection. It's not until the second death (determined by whether or not you're in the book of life) that anyone is hurled into the lake of fire, which I'm assuming is Hell. And I assume so since the only places mentioned, that the dead come from, is death and Hades, and I doubt righteous and good people would be in any place of torment, so... It doesn't seem like we go to Heaven or Hell right away, but rather we are judged much later, whenever the events in Revelation take place. So, technically, we're still in the only place left: Earth. Assuming that we each have a spirit/soul, I think it'd be mean to be stuck in our dead bodies for a thousand-plus years. It's not like they can effect much in reality (if, indeed, anything at all), so why not allow their spirits to roam about the Earth until the time of their judgement?

Sure, people can lie, or just be delusional, but there have been miraculous recoveries reported, some accompanied by such claims.

I'll only join your sect if it is founded on, and/or can be explained by, logic.

Selena:

Well, there are certain parts in the bible that have been interpreted to refer to Satan, or what Satan had done or become. But the interpretations can certainly be argued as false.

[Selena Aninikkou]

Some on-topic humor: http://www.misterkitty.org/extras/stupi ... cs141.html

"Why, I remember back before Darwin came up with that consarned theory of his - children were well behaved and minded their elders and nobody ever caused any trouble ever, and the history of Western civilization wasn't filled with bloody conflict in the name of various versions of Jesus." - LOL