I want to be nice to God!

[Deeje]

Jesus said "upon this rock I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".

You are claiming the gates of hell did prevail against it and a man-made cult, invented in the 19th century has the truth, while Christians for over a thousand years all belonged to a Pagan Satanic Whore.

Do you have any idea what that scripture means PaD?

While Jesus and his apostles were in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them: “Who are men saying the Son of man is?” The various answers people gave were wrong. So Jesus asked his apostles: “You, though, who do you say I am?” Simon Peter was quick with an answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus replied: “I say to you, You are Peter [Petros, ‘a stone,’ in the masculine gender], and on this rock-mass [Greek, petra, ‘a rock-mass,’ in the feminine gender] I will build my congregation.”

Peter was not the "rock" upon which Jesus built his 'church'....it was built on himself. He is the chief cornerstone. (Matthew 21:42-43)

"The gates of hell" are actually "the gates of hades". (A serious mistranslation based on Christendom's pagan belief that God punishes people forever in a fiery hell.) "Hades" is nothing more than death in the grave. Jesus was saying that not even death could prevent his congregation from flourishing.

You have it all wrong IMO.

So, holy mystics, Prophets, visionairies, monks, nuns, and Saints, who prayed incessantly, dedicated themselves to God, were meek, humble, charitable, disciplined, and wise, like Francis of Assissi, Padre Pio, Mother Teresa, Saint Faustina, Catherine of Sienna, Anthony of Padua, Saint Bennedict, Saint Jerome, and countless other holy people who said wiser things about God and spirituality, and did more heroic deeds then you ever will, all followed the "Satanic Pagan Whore".

No one is saying that individuals within the church were not trying their best.....Jesus said that the "wheat" and "weeds" would "grow together until the harvest time", when a separation would take place. The difference between the two would now be so marked, that they would not resemble one another at all at the end.

That goes to show God didn't guide and shepherd the humble prayerful people who sought his will unceasingly. But instead, a man-made cult that wasn't invented till the 19th century has the truth.

God did indeed guide his people through those awful times, few and all as they were. But in this time of the end, he would raise up a cleansed people, no longer weighed down by the shackles of false worship.

What you are saying is depressing, discouraging, and makes me sick!

I'm sorry PaD, but from what you have posted on these threads, we know that you are already sick and I would love for you to come to some peace about this God that you claim to love and yet loathe at the same time.....?
What a quandary.

Could it be that you completely misunderstand him? He is nothing like you imagine.

 

[Earthling]

I do believe, but never the less YHWH is false?

I'm not sure who you are addressing your question to, and I'm not sure what you mean by YHWH is false? What do you mean false?

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

I already quoted 5.

I simply had to go read the 5 quotes and after having done so I have no idea how anyone could sustain the idea that God "hardening the heart" was a way of saying that God simply allowed those people to do what it was in their heart to do. I am assuming that's what you meant by "I will let him?" That God is simply allowing the person to be obstinate, but not actually making them obstinate? That interpretation is just wishful thinking. In the third quote, it literally says that God "made [Sihon's] heart obstinate." It SAYS that.

I can see why you led with the first two quotes. But they also lend absolutely no support to the idea that God hardening hearts is God letting people do things He otherwise disapproves of. The first quote says he'll be merciful even to those He does harden, and the second is a reversal of the actual story of exodus and states that Pharaoh hardened his own heart - which seems at best like it was just a slight mischaracterization of the actual story, and at worst, like an attempt to absolve God for the crime of forcing someone into a compromising position, when that is clearly what is stated in the story itself.

From where I am sitting, this is DEFINITELY one of those "I'll just interpret this how I want to" subjects. Whenever I see someone doing this, I picture someone walking over hot coals saying "Ooh! Ow! Oh! Ah!" all the way across, jumping this way and that, and then when they're done with all the mental gymnastics required to get their point across, then give a sigh of relief, because its nice for them being back to comfort and denial once again.

 

[stvdv]

So, some people think I'm mean to God and rebelling against him. I don't think so!

IMHO, the meanest thing you can do to God is start claiming a book is true that says He killed people for working on the wrong day of the week, had people stoned to death for other things that aren't even illegal in most countries, committed genocide, killed women, children, and babies that haven't even sinned.

That to me sounds far more blasphemous than anything I said. Truth is, I highly doubt God did that.

Having children torn to pieces by wild beasts for simply being immature kids, killing someone for steadying the Ark, killing kids for disrespecting parents, slaying the first born of Egypt for simply being born first, and hardening Pharaoh's heart, so that you can inflict all kinds of atrocious deadly plagues on people that had nothing to do with it, just makes me sick! Yes, God repeatedly said "I will harden Pharaoh's heart", so essentially, all of Egypt gets punished and has loved ones die because of Pharaoh doing what God wanted him to do. Yeah, that makes perfect sense! Got it!

People that want to paint God up like the most irrational mass-murdering tyrant and bigot in history, are insulting God worse than I am.

Thing is, the Catholic Church is the institution that decided which books would be in the Christian Bible. The Catholic Church is the institution that said it is the "inerrant word of God." The founder of Protestantism was a Catholic priest, and the founders of Protestantism got their Bible from the Catholic Church, so the Christian Bible is a Catholic book. Therefore, I'll never understand so many "Christians" who adore the Bible, use it as their sole rule of faith and Theology (which the Bible never says to do), while hating the institution that the Christian Bible comes from and calling it "Satanic, Pagan, Whore of Babylon" etc.

If the Catholic Church is a Satanic institution that is at enmity with God, how do you know the Catholic Church chose the correct new Testament Canon (a decision that Protestants accept to be infallible and correct), and throughout the centuries this "Satanic Church" didn't add a bunch of hogwash to it?

I still go to daily mass for reasons that have nothing to do with the Bible, but going to daily mass, you will hear more of the Bible recited than at any Protestant Church I've been to. I have read many Catholic writings, and by far, the Bible is the most toxic, irrational, embarrassing piece of literature, that I've ever read, that the Church promotes.

So, I want to be nicer to God, and pray that I could be...But it's up to God to grant the grace to be obedient to him and understand all the bloodthirsty madness, and irrational tyrannical policies that Scripture attributes to Him. I'm not at fault for having a conscience that says genocide, hardening hearts, and killing women, children, and babies is sick and wrong, and I'm not at fault for despising a piece of literature that promotes policies and behavior every fiber of my being tells me to be sick, irrational, intolerant, bigoted, inhumane, cruel, and wrong!

Since the Bible is a Catholic book, and the Catholic Church is so "Satanic, Pagan," and the "Whore of Babylon" why should I trust a book that the Catholic Church put together, declared to be the "Inerrant Word of God", and owned century after century for over 1400 years before the invention of a man-made movement called "Protestantism"?

I think I'd be a better person, by simply asking "What would @'mud do?" And letting that decide my decisions, rather than "What would Jehovah (God of the Bible) do".

I'd rather not defend the stoning of adulterers, killing people for working on the wrong day of the week, or committing genocide, and think that people who want to push a book that claims God is a bloodthirsty baby-killer, are insulting God far more than I ever have.

And yes, I want to be nicer to God! I really do! And I don't have to cherish or defend the Bible to do so!

Thing is, the first Christians were not Bible Christians. They didn't cherish the Bible or use it as their rule of life, rule of faith, rule of Theology etc. Most were illiterate, there was no Bible at the time, and even if there was, no printing press to create enough copies for the average person to own. Catholic Monks eventually were writing Bibles by hand which could take up to ten years to reproduce one. How do we know, during all those centuries, that they (or the Church hierarchy) weren't making mistakes or adding hogwash to it?? @Deeje?

Jesus took fishermen along with him. In Holland we have the saying "fisherman's latin" [don't know what it is in english]. They tend to exaggerate a lot. I met fisherman who allegedly caught fish being 1 meter, but when going into detail it maybe was 45 cm. Also they have the fisherman joke. They know they should not lie, so they spread their arms wide "this big a fish it was (1,5m)", and in the mean time spread also their hands "meaning 20 cm only.

Humans have the tendency to exaggerate. I remember a guy telling that tons of people liked his posts for example. Some people say "I am God", then I tell them "Okay cure me of kidney problem". They always reply like "Sorry bro, today is my day off. Bye". Not even "sorry ... you got me there". No they continue to believe in their story "I am God".

Considering they were fishermen and human are you still surprised that quite a lot of details are quite a bit far from the truth? I am not !

Those are the facts. And now I know these facts I read the stories from the Bible with a grain of salt.

I mean "Jesus walking on water" that is no biggie. But the story of "Jonah in the whale" seems to me just a little fear and exaggeration from fishers, don't you think so. Knowing that, it's kind of a cute story, I think. Probably there is a nice non-literal moral also in this story. And parents tell their children so many fables anyway, so why not tell them a few with Jesus. Although I think it is better not to tell children lies. They have to unlearn all the rubbish later.

By the way I liked your article a lot. Made a lot of sense. Common Sense. What more we need. Maybe all the lies in the Bible and Quran are only to teach us to use Common Sense and use Discrimination. Sai Baba is known to put you on the wrong foot. Just to teach you to not belief blind but use your brains. God did not give your brain for nothing. And if you give someone brains you also need to give them some exercise to use the brain.

So for me it all makes sense that God puts quite a few of these hidden "untruth" in the Bible and the Quran. If it were flawless I would really start doubting God. Imagine Pope if you were God, would you not put in a few "sneaky tricks". Don't you ever try to deceive your Tarantella? You are human afterall. Did I not read that you love to "fool your father and still love him".

Well remember "we are made in God's image". So if you do these little tricks, God's tricks will be just a bit bigger, but along the same lines.

Still confused if you look at it from this view? For me it all makes perfect sense. I love to test people. If they are smart, I love to test them with extra difficult tests. It's like in school. If we want to pass the exams we need to do the tests. That is all IMO.

 

[Earthling]

I admit I'm in a cesspool...but I don't think it has anything to do with my devotion to the spirits of the dead.

That has a lot to do with it, but there's a lot of other stuff as well. It's little to do with the stuff you go on to mention in this post, though.

I believe as Scripture says, "we are one body in Christ". When a person dies, they do not cease to be a member of the body of Christ.

What does that mean, to be "one body in Christ?"

So, i feel connected to souls in Heaven, feel they are family, and influence me.

What is a soul, and how do you know there are any in heaven? What is heaven?

God will have to convince me differently, because I have convictions that only he can change, not you, Scripture, anything, or anyone, but grace from God.

I see.

The reason i consider myself in a cesspool, is I masturbate. I don't do it daily, and I don't look at porn, but still think it's impure.

Virtually everyone your age masturbates. Even the JW's don't see that as a sin.

I also have an immoral sense of humor.

Immorality is subjective. If it bothers you stop it. Simply choose not to find those things humorous. There is the idea in the Bible that even though something is okay if a person thinks they are wrong and continues to do them then they are actually guilty even though those things are okay, and conversely, that even when a thing is not okay if a person thinks they are okay then the person is innocent even though those things are not okay. You have to think it from the heart, though, not just deceive yourself into thinking it's okay because you want it to be.

I also have a fowl mouth and listen to ungodly music.

The only "ungodly music" I have ever heard is Christian Rock. A foul mouth? That is also subjective. The English word **** (F word) literally means to throw down seed. The Greek word katabole means the exact same thing. Paul uses it at Hebrews 11:11 and Jesus uses it at John 27:24. What is a dungy idol? If your foul mouth bothers you, change.

I also blaspheme and feel like homosexuality and fornication is no worse a sin than pride, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness, and gluttony.

We all blasphemy and homosexuality and fornication are no worse a sin than pride, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness and gluttony. All sin comes from the same place.

I also lost the faith I had a month ago and don't pray much, or do many good deeds. I've become a bit lukewarm these last three weeks.

Actually, this is what caught my attention when I first came here. You posted on it then. It is actually evidence that you are on your way out of the spiritual cesspool.

So, in that sense, im in a spiritual cesspool.

You are, but not for the reasons you think.

 

[stvdv]

I admit I'm in a cesspool...but I don't think it has anything to do with my devotion to the spirits of the dead. I believe as Scripture says, "we are one body in Christ". When a person dies, they do not cease to be a member of the body of Christ.

So, i feel connected to souls in Heaven, feel they are family, and influence me.

God will have to convince me differently, because I have convictions that only he can change, not you, Scripture, anything, or anyone, but grace from God.

The reason i consider myself in a cesspool, is I masturbate. I don't do it daily, and I don't look at porn, but still think it's impure. I also have an immoral sense of humor. I also have a fowl mouth and listen to ungodly music.

I also blaspheme and feel like homosexuality and fornication is no worse a sin than pride, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness, and gluttony.

I also lost the faith I had a month ago and don't pray much, or do many good deeds. I've become a bit lukewarm these last three weeks.

So, in that sense, im in a spiritual cesspool.

I can assure you that this is normal. Spiritual life goes also with waves. Some periods in our lives we do more and feel more like doing it. Other periods we do less. I have periods I am less lazy and periods I am more lazy in my spiritual life. Sometimes I feel less connected sometimes more connected. If we do a poll "who feels 24/7 connected to God" ... guaranteed 0% [if we don't put it in the jokes section]

@PopeADope:
My Master always said "The biggest sin is that you feel guilty. Because that means you have no faith in God, that He is the one guiding you; also in times that go less optimal".

If you really want to surrender to Jesus then surrender. That means tell Him "Please tell me personally if I mess up, or you think it is about time to change sometimes". Then you know it is the right time. Nobody expects you to change overnight certain habits. I had an overeating habit. Slowly over ca. 20 years my Master gave baby steps to cut back on food. 20 years you see. No hurry, no judgment, no guilt needed.

Feeling guilty comes from the idea that you are not good enough right now. You are a child of God. How can you not be good right now? Impossible. Like you said in your post, God will not be happy if you call His Child "not good"

That is all you need to know right now IMO. If you really know this and understand this, you will feel much better.

 

[nPeace]

Still,
I can't defend or adore Dad who is a fascist Dictator, lady-killer, child-killer, baby-killer, mass-murderer who kills sinless people, hardens hearts, or kills people for stupid things like working on Saturday.

I will not approve of behavior i find cruel, nonsensical, bigoted, and disgusting! Sorry!

Good night!

I don't believe you have a viable, nor valid argument, which I said before.
To me, your argument is seems to be based on rebelliousness - from my perspective.

I can't judge you as to whether you are rebelling, nor on what you are rebelling against if you are, but according to scripture, many rebel against God's high moral standards... hence they rebel against God, because they love the darkness rather than light.
They are thus blinded from seeing truth. They believe lies instead.
God refuses to draw them to him, as RothschildSaxeCoburgGotha pointed out.

Here is something I think is worth considering.
You say of the God of the Bible, that he

is a fascist Dictator, lady-killer, child-killer, baby-killer, mass-murderer who kills sinless people,

Yet the same Bible says this:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

I don't even have to say where that's taken from. It's so well known.

This one verse reveals so much.
1. None of us deserve to be alive. In fact, our very existence is a gift most of us are grateful for. Some people are so grateful to be alive, they endure the harshest treatment, or suffering.

2. The God of the Bible could have wiped out the entire human race for their acts of unrighteousness - or just spared a few who tried to do right, but he didn't . He showed mercy to all - even the ones who were putting their babies in furnaces, to their gods.

3. The God of the Bible made a sacrifice that would allow sinful humans to have a relationship with him, and have a hope of a future life. He was not obligated to do this. With such power, who needs puny two foot creatures anyway. Yet, the all powerful God of the Bible considered mankind to be part of his family.

So how can one argue that the God of the Bible did things wrong? The evidences in the Bible says he is in his rights, and his actions are right. So where does your argument stand? I don't see how it could stand.

You said Moses pleaded with God, and he changed his mind.
Which account are you thinking of?
I recall the one where Abraham asked God, if he was going to destroy the righteous with the wicked, and in short the answer was an obvious, No. Genesis 18:22


I think one can argue that the Bible isn't true, and the Bible is a myth, and evolution is the answer to man's existence... etc. etc.

However, that's a choice one has to make. Either there is no God. or God is but hides himself from man, not even revealing the truth about himself - he simply doesn't care. Or God is, and he has revealed himself, and his standards to man.
I have found evidence for the latter.

I think we all have to make a decision on what we see as evidence of truth, but limping on two opinions, imo... no.
If one doesn't think they have found the truth, and is searching, then, I am all for - keep searching.

If that's you
However, your argument currently seems pretty much flawed.

 

[Earthling]

Not true. We are not an offshoot of any denomination. There were a group of men from various church backgrounds who met together to investigate the various doctrines to see if they were supported in the scriptures. One of them I believe was an SDA.

I should have rephrased that. C.T. Russell was associated with the Millerites and the Adventist Ministers George Storrs and George Stetson along with Nelson Barbour and others. The result is that many of JWs teachings were inspired by or similar to the Seventh Day Adventist.

The sources used in our literature are from the 'horses mouth', meaning that we quote from the literature of the religious institution itself so as to maintain accuracy. The same was true of our NGO status (Non Government Organization) in the UN, which from memory required membership to access their library. Once we had secured our information, we resigned. Apostates had a field day with that one.....looks like you believe them. (not surprisingly)

To qualify, organisations must show that they share the ideals of the charter, operate on a non-profit basis, "demonstrate interest in UN issues and proven ability to reach large or specialised audiences" and have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities.

The UK Guardian Tuesday October 9, 2001

They only pulled their membership a few days after the UK Guardian published the story.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I assure you that PaD has no religious beliefs even in the same ball park as I do. He has made up his mind that God is a fiend and apparently nothing will change that. He is a free agent and can choose whatever belief he likes.

You both put an organization run by old men above Jehovah

 

[Earthling]

I simply had to go read the 5 quotes and after having done so I have no idea how anyone could sustain the idea that God "hardening the heart" was a way of saying that God simply allowed those people to do what it was in their heart to do. I am assuming that's what you meant by "I will let him?" That God is simply allowing the person to be obstinate, but not actually making them obstinate? That interpretation is just wishful thinking. In the third quote, it literally says that God "made [Sihon's] heart obstinate." It SAYS that.

I can see why you led with the first two quotes. But they also lend absolutely no support to the idea that God hardening hearts is God letting people do things He otherwise disapproves of. The first quote says he'll be merciful even to those He does harden, and the second is a reversal of the actual story of exodus and states that Pharaoh hardened his own heart - which seems at best like it was just a slight mischaracterization of the actual story, and at worst, like an attempt to absolve God for the crime of forcing someone into a compromising position, when that is clearly what is stated in the story itself.

From where I am sitting, this is DEFINITELY one of those "I'll just interpret this how I want to" subjects. Whenever I see someone doing this, I picture someone walking over hot coals saying "Ooh! Ow! Oh! Ah!" all the way across, jumping this way and that, and then when they're done with all the mental gymnastics required to get their point across, then give a sigh of relief, because its nice for them being back to comfort and denial once again.

Have you read this post, which deals with this problem?

 

[nPeace]

I admit I'm in a cesspool...but I don't think it has anything to do with my devotion to the spirits of the dead. I believe as Scripture says, "we are one body in Christ". When a person dies, they do not cease to be a member of the body of Christ.

So you still think there are good things in the Bible. I guess it's just a matter of understanding then, as I was saying. Study takes time, and very importantly - good teachers.

So, i feel connected to souls in Heaven, feel they are family, and influence me.

God will have to convince me differently, because I have convictions that only he can change, not you, Scripture, anything, or anyone, but grace from God.

Why do you believe this?

The reason i consider myself in a cesspool, is I masturbate. I don't do it daily, and I don't look at porn, but still think it's impure. I also have an immoral sense of humor. I also have a fowl mouth and listen to ungodly music.

I also blaspheme and feel like homosexuality and fornication is no worse a sin than pride, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness, and gluttony.

I also lost the faith I had a month ago and don't pray much, or do many good deeds. I've become a bit lukewarm these last three weeks.

So, in that sense, im in a spiritual cesspool.

It's good the conscience is still pricking you. Some persons have deliberately deadened theirs.
I think as you rightly said, God can help you, so you need to not think that he has given up on you, and keep praying.

There was a man who was helped by God, in a unique - probably won't be repeated.
However, two things stand out to me, in that account.
1. He thought he was right when he was persecuting, actually having Jesus' followers imprisoned and killed.
Hey! That's you!

2. When he realized that he was wrong he did a complete about face, and served God with zeal.
I sincerely hope... that will be you.

Acrs 7-10
The man was Saul.
Did you notice that he was actually against the very people who could help him? Yet in the end, he still accepted help from them.
Are you perhaps chasing God's people away?
They can help.

 

[stvdv]

Still,
I can't defend or adore Dad who is a fascist Dictator, lady-killer, child-killer, baby-killer, mass-murderer who kills sinless people, hardens hearts, or kills people for stupid things like working on Saturday.

I will not approve of behavior i find cruel, nonsensical, bigoted, and disgusting! Sorry!

Good night!

First a check here. I noticed that you are sometimes in "joke-mode". You say "Dad" not God. You finish with "Good night! ".

So I guess you are in a bit of "joke mode" + maybe a little seriousness also

Anyway:
I do not even accept the thought "God is a child-killer etc.etc."
I do not approve of such horrible behavior either

And I do not even say SORRY

Your OP I liked very much. Well done. Very clear and well thought. And all done on a smartphone. Man, you must be good with smartphones. How you always manage all your nice pictures added and so many OP's every day. If I manage 1 a day is already a lot for me.

Good Morning by now maybe

 

[Samantha Rinne]

I want to be more than nice to God, and I encourage persons to think of why they should consider doing so.

I'm curious though.
How would one know what being nice to God involves (...)?

Easy. Jesus himself tells us how to do it.

34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

37Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

41Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’

45Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’

Everyone you meet, as much as possible, try to be decent to them, as if meeting God. You won't always get it right.

 

[Deeje]

I should have rephrased that. C.T. Russell was associated with the Millerites and the Adventist Ministers George Storrs and George Stetson along with Nelson Barbour and others. The result is that many of JWs teachings were inspired by or similar to the Seventh Day Adventist.

Association with members of other religions was the foundation of acquiring the truth from the scriptures. These men from different backgrounds were drawn together to find a common truth. They carefully examined all the primary doctrines in the light of scripture alone and discerned that none of them had biblical origins.
At that time, CT Russell was the spokesman for the group who were causing waves by questioning the most fundamental foundational beliefs held in common by all of Christendom's mainstream churches.

SDA's do have some beliefs in common with us, but we are poles apart on others....the Sabbath, for example. The preaching work for another. When was the last time a SDA called at your door to talk about God's Kingdom?

The UK Guardian Tuesday October 9, 2001

And of course, we are going to get the truth from a newspaper. with comments from apostates. Right.

Can I please have a motive for membership as a NGO in the UN if it was not to acquire information to provide accurate accounts for publication and to gain an understanding of their activities? Unlike certain persons, we don't take our information exclusively from biased sources. We gain the truth by getting our information from the relevant body.
What else would we have to gain, I am wondering?

You both put an organization run by old men above Jehovah

It may have slipped your mind, but Jehovah has always had an organisation run by old men and he didn't take kindly to those who bad mouthed them.......he just never had his people guided by an individual who was self taught and had no identifiable brotherhood.
Those old men taught you everything you know from the Bible, yet you insist on biting the hand that fed you.

Am I to assume that you are the faithful and discreet slave that Jesus appointed? Just wondering....?

So unless you are Jesus Christ, and can single handedly preach "the good news of the kingdom in all the inhabited earth as a witness to all the nations" I suggest you rethink your position. I don't believe that the ark is towing a dingy with a seat reserved for you.

 

[Spiderman]

Do you have any idea what that scripture means PaD?

While Jesus and his apostles were in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them: “Who are men saying the Son of man is?” The various answers people gave were wrong. So Jesus asked his apostles: “You, though, who do you say I am?” Simon Peter was quick with an answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus replied: “I say to you, You are Peter [Petros, ‘a stone,’ in the masculine gender], and on this rock-mass [Greek, petra, ‘a rock-mass,’ in the feminine gender] I will build my congregation.”

Peter was not the "rock" upon which Jesus built his 'church'....it was built on himself. He is the chief cornerstone. (Matthew 21:42-43)

"The gates of hell" are actually "the gates of hades". (A serious mistranslation based on Christendom's pagan belief that God punishes people forever in a fiery hell.) "Hades" is nothing more than death in the grave. Jesus was saying that not even death could prevent his congregation from flourishing.

You have it all wrong IMO.



No one is saying that individuals within the church were not trying their best.....Jesus said that the "wheat" and "weeds" would "grow together until the harvest time", when a separation would take place. The difference between the two would now be so marked, that they would not resemble one another at all at the end.



God did indeed guide his people through those awful times, few and all as they were. But in this time of the end, he would raise up a cleansed people, no longer weighed down by the shackles of false worship.



I'm sorry PaD, but from what you have posted on these threads, we know that you are already sick and I would love for you to come to some peace about this God that you claim to love and yet loathe at the same time.....?
What a quandary.

Could it be that you completely misunderstand him? He is nothing like you imagine.

Jesus spoke Aramaic so there was no Petros petra distinction.

You are like one of the proud, judgemental, self-righteous Religious people Jesus couldn't stand!

I admit that I have problems. But killing babies, killing women, killing children, and hardening hearts, and leaving people in confusion (when God could speak up and give understanding) is FAR more sick than anything I've done! I don't attack or harm anyone!

You say that for centuries, every Christian Church on earth was the Satanic, "Pagan, whore of Babylon" and God just left everyone, including meek, humble, courageous, charitable people who sought him night and day (Like Saint Francis of Assissi) in chronic confusion rather than give them understanding and speak up. That is more sick than anything I have ever done! I would never treat people that poorly if I had the ability to help them.

I live at Catholic Charities where the homeless are sheltered, the sick are cared for, the hungry fed three free meals aday. You claim all these people I see who pray fervently, go to daily mass, and care for the poor and needy, are all confused adherents to the "Satanic Whore of Babylon!" In other words, God just gives them the silent treatment, and leaves them in deception and confusion!

What you are promoting is thoroughly disgusting! It is far more disgusting than me pointing out bigotry, hate, and mass-murder in Scripture, and saying "That's wrong!" because it goes against my conscience and my compassion.

 

[Spiderman]

So you still think there are good things in the Bible. I guess it's just a matter of understanding then, as I was saying. Study takes time, and very importantly - good teachers.


Why do you believe this?


It's good the conscience is still pricking you. Some persons have deliberately deadened theirs.
I think as you rightly said, God can help you, so you need to not think that he has given up on you, and keep praying.

There was a man who was helped by God, in a unique - probably won't be repeated.
However, two things stand out to me, in that account.
1. He thought he was right when he was persecuting, actually having Jesus' followers imprisoned and killed.
Hey! That's you!

2. When he realized that he was wrong he did a complete about face, and served God with zeal.
I sincerely hope... that will be you.

Acrs 7-10
The man was Saul.
Did you notice that he was actually against the very people who could help him? Yet in the end, he still accepted help from them.
Are you perhaps chasing God's people away?
They can help.

Study with time and good teachers...
"Study, time, and Good teachers" are going to teach me that killing women, children, and babies is okay?
"Good teachers" are going to teach me that killing children for disrespecting their parents, stoning adulterers, killing homosexuals, killing pagans, killing someone for touching a box, burning people for not burning incense the right way, or killing people for working on the wrong day of the week, is okay, as long as you take it in it's proper context???

I don't think so!

But I like that you mentioned Saul, who became Paul. I live in the city of "Saint Paul" and go to Church at the "Cathedral of Saint Paul". I'm a big fan of his story!

But I will do what my heart, mind, conscience, morals, and ethics tells me to do when it comes to Religion. If I am going to condemn what Taliban, ISIS, and radical Muslims do...if I'm going to condemn hatred, bigotry, and violence in the Qu'ran, then I have to condemn the same behaviors when I see them in the Bible...otherwise, that makes me the epitome of a "Hypocrite"!

Regarding why I pray to the dead, there are many reasons. Every Christian Church on earth approved of such practices for over much more than a thousand years before the first Protestant Church was invented.

Also, I had some coincidences which won't make sense to you, but really make sense to and speak to me. In jail, I felt strongly the presence of and had visions of someone who was murdered in 1974. Then I found a 1974 coin. It was the only coin I saw in jail. I asked my Dad what this person's last name was, he said "It's Swedish, did you know you have Swedish on your Mom's side". I didn't know that. And the football team here is called "The Vikings". The people of Sweden were at one time Vikings. On this memorial weekend, I found a military Jacket with badges on the ground, and stumbled upon two war memorials on accident. Many other coincidences like this took place, which convinced me completely that something supernatural was involved.

Also,
I've thoroughly studied miracles like this and fulfilled prophecies, and am entirely convinced there is something supernatural going on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_Sun
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Lourdes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe

I've studied things like that, watched documentaries, read books, and been to monasteries where monks pray night and day and serve the poor, and read about many incredible Saints, read their writings, as well as miracles attributed to them, and am convinced that there is something supernatural going on with them as well.

So, my convictions cannot be altered unless God tells me differently. It seems clear he is telling me to keep many of the convictions I have!

 

[stvdv]

Study with time and good teachers...
"Study, time, and Good teachers" are going to teach me that killing women, children, and babies is okay?
"Good teachers" are going to teach me that killing children for disrespecting their parents, stoning adulterers, killing homosexuals, killing pagans, killing someone for touching a box, burning people for not burning incense the right way, or killing people for working on the wrong day of the week, is okay, as long as you take it in it's proper context???

I don't think so!

But I like that you mentioned Saul, who became Paul. I live in the city of "Saint Paul" and go to Church at the "Cathedral of Saint Paul". I'm a big fan of his story!

But I will do what my heart, mind, conscience, morals, and ethics tells me to do when it comes to Religion. If I am going to condemn what Taliban, ISIS, and radical Muslims do...if I'm going to condemn hatred, bigotry, and violence in the Qu'ran, then I have to condemn the same behaviors when I see them in the Bible...otherwise, that makes me the epitome of a "Hypocrite"!

Regarding why I pray to the dead, there are many reasons. Every Christian Church on earth approved of such practices for over much more than a thousand years before the first Protestant Church was invented.

Also, I had some coincidences which won't make sense to you, but really make sense to and speak to me. In jail, I felt strongly the presence of and had visions of someone who was murdered in 1974. Then I found a 1974 coin. It was the only coin I saw in jail. I asked my Dad what this person's last name was, he said "It's Swedish, did you know you have Swedish on your Mom's side". I didn't know that. And the football team here is called "The Vikings". The people of Sweden were at one time Vikings. On this memorial weekend, I found a military Jacket with badges on the ground, and stumbled upon two war memorials on accident. Many other coincidences like this took place, which convinced me completely that something supernatural was involved.

Also,
I've thoroughly studied miracles like this and fulfilled prophecies, and am entirely convinced there is something supernatural going on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_Sun
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Lourdes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe

I've studied things like that, watched documentaries, read books, and been to monasteries where monks pray night and day and serve the poor, and read about many incredible Saints, read their writings, as well as miracles attributed to them, and am convinced that there is something supernatural going on with them as well.

So, my convictions cannot be altered unless God tells me differently. It seems clear he is telling me to keep many of the convictions I have!

Thanks for sharing. This seems common sense to me. I am so surprised that some people are saying those rude things to you. Like yesterday I read someone saying "We know that you are sick" something along these lines, can be 1 or 2 characters off. I felt aghast. What an arrogance, what a belittling thing to say, the audacity to say it even. Just want to let you know, that I remember my Master say "People need to be sick to see sick things in others". Of course they are the ones sick for sure, does not mean that the one they accuse is sick. You say sometimes "strange things, like talking and having Tarantula's walking over you", but I am very pleased to see that you don't allow humans to walk over you. I believe that Tarantula's are less harmful than those people on the emotional body of us.

 

[Spiderman]

Thanks for sharing. This seems common sense to me. I am so surprised that some people are saying those rude things to you. Like yesterday I read someone saying "We know that you are sick" something along these lines, can be 1 or 2 characters off. I felt aghast. What an arrogance, what a belittling thing to say. Just want to let you know, that I remember my Master say "People need to be sick to see sick things in others". Of course they are the ones sick for sure, does not mean that the one they accuse is sick. You say sometimes "strange things, like talking and having Tarantula's walking over you", but I am very pleased to see that you don't allow humans to walk over you. I believe that Tarantula's are less harmful than those people on the emotional body of us.

Thanks!
People say i'm sick for condemning hatred, violence, mass-murder, and genocide. They defend or excuse it! They judge and condemn other faiths as being "Satanic".... and yet im the sick one!

 

[stvdv]

Thanks!
People say i'm sick for condemning hatred, violence, mass-murder, and genocide. They defend or excuse it! They judge and condemn other faiths as being "Satanic".... and yet im the sick one!

What also surprises me, is that others never say "Hey Pope how true what you point out, this genocide indeed is definitely not something to condone". I find it very refreshing to read that at least there is 1 awake here and pointing out some mistakes in the Bible.

Of course I do not imply that God or Jesus is wrong. I rather believe that "fishermen's fantasy" got a bit out of hand. Or maybe even the super power in that time added a few words to the Bible, that Jesus never said and God never ever had in mind.

 

[Trailblazer]

I think it's extremely disrespectful to God to attribute such stupidity, cruelty, insanity, nonsense, tyranny, and sick sociopathic behaviors to Yahweh.

Don't worry... None of it is true. God is good.

 

[Deeje]

Jesus spoke Aramaic so there was no Petros petra distinction.

"Hebrew: In the Christian Greek Scriptures, inspired Bible writers used the term “Hebrew” in designating the language spoken by the Jews (John 19:13, 17, 20; Acts 21:40; 22:2; Revelation 9:11; 16:16), as well as the language in which the resurrected and glorified Jesus addressed Saul of Tarsus (Acts 26:14, 15). At Ac 6:1, “Hebrew-speaking Jews” are distinguished from “Greek-speaking Jews.” While some scholars hold that the term “Hebrew” in these references should instead be rendered “Aramaic,” there is good reason to believe that the term actually applies to the Hebrew language.

When the physician Luke says that Paul spoke to the people of Jerusalem “in the Hebrew language,” Paul was addressing those whose life revolved around studying the Law of Moses in Hebrew. Also, of the great number of fragments and manuscripts comprising the Dead Sea Scrolls, the majority of Biblical and non-Biblical texts are written in Hebrew, showing that the language was in daily use. The smaller number of Aramaic fragments found shows that both languages were used. So it seems highly unlikely that when Bible writers used the word “Hebrew,” they actually meant the Aramaic or Syrian language. (Acts 21:40; 22:2; compare Acts 26:14.)

The Hebrew Scriptures earlier distinguished between “Aramaic” and “the language of the Jews” (2Kings18:26), and first-century Jewish historian Josephus, considering this passage of the Bible, speaks of “Aramaic” and “Hebrew” as distinct tongues. (Jewish Antiquities, X, 8 [i, 2]) It is true that there are some terms that are quite similar in both Aramaic and Hebrew and possibly other terms that were adopted into Hebrew from Aramaic. However, there seems to be no reason for the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures to have said Hebrew if they meant Aramaic."

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1001070673?q=jesus+spoke+aramaic&p=par