The One True Religion

[BarryMK]

I would admit that I skimmed it but really didn't notice the question being asked so now that you have brought it to my/our attention, then I will answer them as good as I can. I sort of answered at least part of your first question in another post below:.

Thanks ShaneMan. I respect your right to your beliefs athough I can't share them and if it works for you that's great. I'm just not surprised that yours is the only response.

 

[KenHigg]

makes a change

Not sure what this means

Anyway, back to the thread.

Why do people need religion to lead a "good" life? surely it should be normal for people to do that anyway. It may be that religion can enhance that (possibly)

But sometimes people get confused and think that its a black and white issue. i.e. if you are a christian (or whatever) you are a "good" person, if you're not a christian you are a bad person.
I have to say though, its only [some] christians I know that subscribe to that. Its built in to their holier-than-thou attitude.


I mentioned it because [to the outside world] it appeared that New Orleans was left to fend for itself because it was on "home soil".
The main thing is that the USA does act quickly and many hundreds of people who would have died were saved by the quick response.

Col

Your '[some]' and '[to the outside world]' type qualifiers speak volumes. And given that, I think both statements are dead on.

 

[KalelGmoon]

also on the subject of Katrina and New Orleans. I have done some research into this as well. FEMA was on the ground in New Orleans in like 12 hours. They could have been there sooner had they actually been in New Orleans when Katrina hit, but then they would have possibly been more victims . any type of humanitarian rescue effort of these proportions, # of people affected, size of the area etc etc takes time to get planned and into place. had the nat. guard and the rescuers been any close to the center of the problem, they ran the risk of becomming more victims instead of rescuers.

 

[ColinEssex]

Not sure what this means

I didn't think you would

Col

 

[Rich]

any type of humanitarian rescue effort of these proportions, # of people affected, size of the area etc etc takes time to get planned and into place. had the nat. guard and the rescuers been any close to the center of the problem, they ran the risk of becomming more victims instead of rescuers.

But the authorities there knew this hurricane was coming and I'm sure that the likes of the police were still on duty there at the time

 

[ShaneMan]

Why do people need religion to lead a "good" life? surely it should be normal for people to do that anyway. It may be that religion can enhance that (possibly)

But sometimes people get confused and think that its a black and white issue. i.e. if you are a christian (or whatever) you are a "good" person, if you're not a christian you are a bad person.
I have to say though, its only [some] christians I know that subscribe to that. Its built in to their holier-than-thou attitude.Col

Hey Col, of course I would be the one to take a stab at this. I don't think people "need religion" to lead a good life. As I stated earlier, I think religion is a big cause of problems. Probably "good" and "good life" would need to be defined. The Bible says, "no one is good, no not one." I person could run with that in a disagreeing way and say that they know plenty of "good" people, so obviously the Bible is not talking about what we consider "good." With that being said, people don't need religion to be good or do good things and "yes" I do think people should be good normally. If the Christians you ran into have painted a picture for you of they are good because they are a Christian and your not, then in my opinion they have painted the wrong picture for you. According to the teaching in the Bible a Christian is forgiven and knowing that they should live a life of gratitude and love. This gratitude of love should be expressed toward God and his neighbor. If this truly happened then I would think that would look good to someone watching them. When the Bible teaches to be kind, patient, long suffering, hope all things (never give up on someone), and etc., then I think these are good things and if practiced will make the person look good. Does Christianity have the corner on the market for this? No, but I did want to try and shed a little more light on what the Bible does teach and perhaps what it does not. Hope I've made some sense and did not over extend beyond what you wanted to hear.

 

[KalelGmoon]

But the authorities there knew this hurricane was coming and I'm sure that the likes of the police were still on duty there at the time

if I am remembering correctly, the mayor of new orleans basically told everyone to get out of the city, and I am going to assume that would mean the majority of the police and civilian security force, security guards and the like. But if you remember when the looting started, the police were involved in the looting. there is news footage of a police person loading up a shopping cart at a Wal-mart and stealing with the criminals.

would youw ant the police there when they are in as bad a shape if not worse than you are?

 

[Rich]

This gratitude of love should be expressed toward God and his neighbor

What about your own family, do they count for nothing?
Who's god's neighbour by the way, Venus?

 

[Rich]

there is news footage of a police person loading up a shopping cart at a Wal-mart and stealing with the criminals.

Now if that had been in Iraq I wouldn't have been shocked

 

[ColinEssex]

Shaney - I understand what you're saying. My interpretation of good, is not killing / robbing people etc and trying to help people if you can and just lead a normal life, pay the bills, go to work etc.

I like your comment

According to the teaching in the Bible a Christian is forgiven and knowing that they should live a life of gratitude and love.This gratitude of love should be expressed toward God and his neighbor.

you don't have to look too far around here to see that is totally ignored by so called christians

also

Does Christianity have the corner on the market for this? No,

I agree. Definately no. Too many so called christians are wallowing in self pride, they can't even see what arrogant annoying tits they are.
I would suggest more non-christians do more good than christians.
The non-christians get on and do it. The christians make such a fuss to firstly ensure everyone knows they're doing it.

Col

 

[ShaneMan]

What about your own family, do they count for nothing?
Who's god's neighbour by the way, Venus?

Rich, please start with me on twisting statements and don't reply back with your "what?" stuff either. Your a smart man and figuring out what was said is not that hard.

 

[Rich]

Rich, please start with me on twisting statements and don't reply back with your "what?" stuff either. Your a smart man and figuring out what was said is not that hard.

You haven't answered the question Shane, I still don't understand why love for your own family (which as far as I'm concerned is the highest on the pecking order list) is omitted entirely from yours.?

 

[ShaneMan]

you don't have to look too far around here to see that is totally ignored by so called christians

I agree. Definately no. Too many so called christians are wallowing in self pride, they can't even see what arrogant annoying tits they are.
I would suggest more non-christians do more good than christians.
The non-christians get on and do it. The christians make such a fuss to firstly ensure everyone knows they're doing it.

Col

Can't disagree. What the Bible teaches and what us Christians live, unfortunately, don't agree with each other much, now days. And as I said before, when we live and act the way we do, then some one watching says to themselves, "if this is what it's all about, then no thanks."

 

[jsanders]

You haven't answered the question Shane, I still don't understand why love for your own family (which as far as I'm concerned is the highest on the pecking order list) is omitted entirely from yours.?

Do you simply chose to be obtuse, or are you really as dumd as you seem?

ANSWER THE QUESTION.

 

[ShaneMan]

You haven't answered the question Shane, I still don't understand why love for your own family (which as far as I'm concerned is the highest on the pecking order list) is omitted entirely from yours.?

When I said that you are to love you neighbor as yourself, that does not mean that family is left out. It only means to look at others around you and if your in the position to do so, then take care of them as you would yourself. You feed yourself. Help feed them. You cloth yourself. Help cloth them and etc. The Bible spends a large amount of time taking to husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, children. How to love. How to treat and etc. It does not leave family out of the picture. If by what I said it gave the impression that family was left out, then my bad. Family and love for family is defineately in there. As a matter of fact with a much bigger responsiblity attached to it.

Edit: and I totally agree with you and so does the Bible. Family is highest on the pecking order.

 

[jsanders]

When I said that you are to love you neighbor as yourself, that does not mean that family is left out. It only means to look at others around you and if your in the position to do so, then take care of them as you would yourself. You feed yourself. Help feed them. You cloth yourself. Help cloth them and etc. The Bible spends a large amount of time taking to husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, children. How to love. How to treat and etc. It does not leave family out of the picture. If by what I said it gave the impression that family was left out, then my bad. Family and love for family is defineately in there. As a matter of fact with a much bigger responsiblity attached to it.

Edit: and I totally agree with you and so does the Bible. Family is highest on the pecking order.

Please Shane,
He is simply looking for ways to make all Americans look bad. I think it stems from some urgent lack of self worth.

 

[Rich]

Please Shane,
He is simply looking for ways to make all Americans look bad. I think it stems from some urgent lack of self worth.

Please don't interrupt when I'm trying to engage in sustained intercourse with another forum member

 

[Rich]

Edit: and I totally agree with you and so does the Bible. Family is highest on the pecking order.

But it's below god though, surely?

 

[ShaneMan]

But it's below god though, surely?

Of course.

 

[ShaneMan]

Please Shane,
He is simply looking for ways to make all Americans look bad. I think it stems from some urgent lack of self worth.

We'll see. I don't think this is an American thing as much as maybe trying to pull my pigtails. On the other hand, Rich and I have had some good exchanges so either way, it's OK....for now.