No, I distrust the number of people who are willing to tell me how to conduct my life while paying them to do it and all in the name of whatever religion they are selling at the moment. If a God tells me how to conduct my life I would listen closely.
Depends on what it is we are speaking of. If God, I would say not enough knowledge of Him has been demonstrated by anyone that I should have an opinion. However, Jesus Christ is the only truth. Can that be disputed? I have a relationship with Him. Like it or leave it that can't disputed either. Now, if you would like to compare notes about Him, I can do that. Can you?
I pay my respect to the religion of my choice, which is the ultimate payment, IMO. My monetary contributions are to directly help in cases I feel is worthy at the time. I would much rather ensure a few dozen homeless get a good meal than a new stained glass window for the church.
i know some people believe that. as stated earlier in this thread: is it thou shalt not kill or thou shalt not murder? close, but different. translate, but not exactly. then translate again into a third language, but not exactly. how many degrees away from the original word are you now? the stories in the bible were oral traditions before being written down. they've been interpreted, translated, edited, translated some more, misinterpreted, and abused. all by men. as far as organized religion goes...no, that's men too in my estimation. personally, i believe god is god. men choose to worship or believe in their own ways. then they condemn and kill each other in the name of it. you want to tell me that god created the catholic church to hoarde wealth and sell indulgences? sorry, that was men. personally, it seems naive to me for anyone to actually believe that the red words in the king james version of the bible are direct quotes from jesus. people weren't sitting there writing down every word he uttered. the new testament was not written in the time of jesus life. if i remember correctly, and i'm sure ormly will correct me if i'm wrong, but the earliest books of the new testament weren't written until at least 50 to 70 years after his death. and were the four big gospels actually written by matthew mark luke and john, or were they retellings written down by others such as family members and much of that after the deaths of the attributed authors? what about the books and testaments not included in the bible? inaccurate translations? you don't believe it's possible for man to have tainted the content of the "word of god" in the last 2000 years? did god guide king james' scribes to translate things inaccurately or even totally wrong or even fill in whole thoughts? and like i said, i don't need men to interpret god for me. he does quite well presenting his case without them. or the collection of fables and control mechanisms called the bible...
i'm as entitled to participate in this conversation as you are, you condescending holier than thou smug self-righteous piece of work. my opinion is as valid as yours or anyone else's. and it serves you well normally, i'm sure, to be dismissive and arrogant, but you're not going to shake me off that easily.
:lol: Let's hope not. Okay y'all, let's lighten it up with some new Toby Mac! :-D http://youtube.com/watch?v=FNJwRGhsfJA
Then don't respond and waste others time by writing replys you that you will only twist or completely ignore. Be on your way.
Which replies have I ignored? Which replies have I "twisted", in your opinion? It seems there may be some projection going on in your mind. In any case it is not what I would call a clearly stated reply.
