To believe that the God of the Bible exists, and attempt to punish him, would not only be an act of supreme stupidity, but also one of incredible bravery.
That is quite true...though the word "bravery" is usually reserved for people who are doing something at least potentially admirable. So I'd use the word "audacity." Or maybe "temerity." But "stupidity" works, as does "self-destructiveness."
"Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap."
I read that somewhere.
So, let me get this straight...
Glad to help you out.
Jesus said: "I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37)
Gary Childress wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:22 pm
...who are YOU to tell me how to address God?
I'm not the one telling you. I'm just passing on what He's already said is the right way to speak to Him.
Be honest, be frank, be whatever you really are, but be sincere, respectful and willing to be convinced. You wouldn't even find that many ordinary persons would accept less from you. God certainly is under no obligation to.
So if you can't manage it, then I honestly don't know what to tell you: there's no next step if you can't even manage that.
Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:13 pm
That is quite true...though the word "bravery" is usually reserved for people who are doing something at least potentially admirable. So I'd use the word "audacity." Or maybe "temerity." But "stupidity" works, as does "self-destructiveness."
"Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap."
I read that somewhere.
So, let me get this straight...
Glad to help you out.
Jesus said: "I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37)
Maybe we should all stop communicating, then. You included. Then there won't be any more misdirected words, errors or anything else to speak of (pun realized).
the only good thing about Christianity's illegalization of masturbation is that this rule, as silly as it is, works to encourage the church folk to mingle and be more social at the sunday afternoon cornhole barbacue party where hiphop and rock will certainly not be playing over the portable speakers Daryl set up. young christian men are curious as are we all, and when Nancy Mae wears that dress to church, a young man is more inclined to approach her if he hasn't been recently masturbating. ergo, discouraging masturbation is an evolutionarily stable strategy for the christian and serves to promote both their social solidarity and their continuation as a species.
Jesus said: "I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37)
Oh boy, sounds like God's really cracking down on the chatty Cathys and talkative Toms out there. Can you imagine being held accountable for every single word you say? It's like God's got a team of celestial stenographers following you around, jotting down every time you let out a burp or a fart. And don't even think about trying to argue your way out of it. "But God, I was just joking!" Nope, sorry, you're condemned. "But God, I was drunk!" Nope, still condemned. "But God, I didn't mean it!" Nope, sorry buddy, you should have thought before you spoke. Honestly, it's like living in a verbal minefield. One wrong word, and boom, you're toast. Talk about high stakes.
Gary Childress wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:22 pm
...who are YOU to tell me how to address God?
I'm not the one telling you. I'm just passing on what He's already said is the right way to speak to Him.
Be honest, be frank, be whatever you really are, but be sincere, respectful and willing to be convinced. You wouldn't even find that many ordinary persons would accept less from you. God certainly is under no obligation to.
So if you can't manage it, then I honestly don't know what to tell you: there's no next step if you can't even manage that.
I'm not some kind of tool who is going to drop down with a dagger against some child's throat if a voice or something I read so commands it. And if I'm not respectful, then I'm sorry, it's the best I can do. And if I'm not sufficiently convinced that the speaker is God and not some erroneous or evil source, then I'm not going to tell myself to be convinced regardless. How's that?
BigMike wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:12 pm
Can you imagine being held accountable for every single word you say?
You don't have to imagine it. It's happening, whether you recognize it or not.
And if what the Bible says has any weight, then in the Day of Judgment, you'll know.
Better, then, to weigh your words now. Maybe the internet never judges, and lets people say all kinds of things: the God of the Universe is not similarly obligated.
promethean75 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:11 pm
the only good thing about Christianity's illegalization of masturbation is that this rule, as silly as it is, works to encourage the church folk to mingle and be more social at the sunday afternoon cornhole barbacue party where hiphop and rock will certainly not be playing over the portable speakers Daryl set up. young christian men are curious as are we all, and when Nancy Mae wears that dress to church, a young man is more inclined to approach her if he hasn't been recently masturbating. ergo, discouraging masturbation is an evolutionarily stable strategy for the christian and serves to promote both their social solidarity and their continuation as a species.
Of course it was! On the other hand in today's crisis of too many people, masturbation helps to limit conceptions. We better not wait around for church doctrine to catch up!
BigMike wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:12 pm
Can you imagine being held accountable for every single word you say?
You don't have to imagine it. It's happening, whether you recognize it or not.
And if what the Bible says has any weight, then in the Day of Judgment, you'll know.
Better, then, to weigh your words now. Maybe the internet never judges, and lets people say all kinds of things: the God of the Universe is not similarly obligated.
Oh great, now God's threatening us with some kind of divine surveillance state. "You don't have to imagine it. It's happening." Wow, talk about paranoia. Is God watching us through our webcams or something? And then there's the whole "weigh your words" thing. Like, what, we're supposed to put every sentence on a scale before we say it out loud? That sounds like a great way to get stuck in a conversation for hours. "Hold on, let me just calculate the ethical implications of that pun I was about to make." And don't even get me started on the whole "Day of Judgment" thing. That sounds like the ultimate Yelp review, but instead of a one-star rating, you get eternal damnation. And all because you said "your" instead of "you're" or something equally trivial. Talk about a harsh critic.
BigMike wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:20 pm
"Hold on, let me just calculate the ethical implications of that pun I was about to make."
Yes, "Hold on" would be very good advice, when one is being glib about God. But I can see you're not inclined to do it, so I've said all that needs to be told you on that subject. The rest is whatever you're going to do with that.
But facts don't change just because of silly talk. You're going to find that out, either sooner or later.
Gary Childress wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:15 pm
... if I'm not respectful, then I'm sorry, it's the best I can do...How's that?
Not good enough, apparently.
Well, good luck, then. I wish you the best. If your best comes at my expense, then so be it. I've pretty much had it with this shit fest that is God's world anyway. I'm telling you, if it's either hell or oblivion, I'll take oblivion, because I really don't want to hang out with God and his Christians in heaven for eternity, if Christianity is the case. I mean, I've never been in want of food, clothing, shelter or an internet connection. If that's all I can expect out of life without courting disaster and hardship, then whatever suits God is whatever suits him/her--by definition. Nothing I can do about it. I still have the palm of my hand if nothing else.
BigMike wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:20 pm
"Hold on, let me just calculate the ethical implications of that pun I was about to make."
Yes, "Hold on" would be very good advice, when one is being glib about God. But I can see you're not inclined to do it, so I've said all that needs to be told you on that subject. The rest is whatever you're going to do with that.
But facts don't change just because of silly talk. You're going to find that out, either sooner or later.
Oh no, looks like God's getting all serious on us now. "Hold on" indeed. I guess we're supposed to treat God like a delicate flower, and not make any jokes at his expense. Sorry, God, I didn't realize you were such a sensitive soul. And then there's the whole "facts don't change" thing. Sounds like God's trying to pass himself off as some kind of science teacher. "Now class, remember, gravity exists, whether or not you believe in it. Same goes for me, God." Except, you know, science has evidence to back it up. What does God have, besides a really old book? And then there's the ominous warning of finding out the truth "sooner or later." Ooh, scary. Is God gonna jump out from behind a bush and yell "gotcha!" or something? Honestly, God, lighten up. Life's too short to be so serious all the time.
BigMike wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:20 pm
"Hold on, let me just calculate the ethical implications of that pun I was about to make."
Yes, "Hold on" would be very good advice, when one is being glib about God. But I can see you're not inclined to do it, so I've said all that needs to be told you on that subject. The rest is whatever you're going to do with that.
But facts don't change just because of silly talk. You're going to find that out, either sooner or later.
Oh no, looks like God's getting all serious on us now. "Hold on" indeed. I guess we're supposed to treat God like a delicate flower, and not make any jokes at his expense. Sorry, God, I didn't realize you were such a sensitive soul. And then there's the whole "facts don't change" thing. Sounds like God's trying to pass himself off as some kind of science teacher. "Now class, remember, gravity exists, whether or not you believe in it. Same goes for me, God." Except, you know, science has evidence to back it up. What does God have, besides a really old book? And then there's the ominous warning of finding out the truth "sooner or later." Ooh, scary. Is God gonna jump out from behind a bush and yell "gotcha!" or something? Honestly, God, lighten up. Life's too short to be so serious all the time.
Maybe we should refer to God as "snowflake"? Beats me. Speaking of beating, I'm off from the computer for a while. I need a rest.
