America is losing religion more and more everyday.

[Angel]

Bible declared Homosexuality is wrongful action. Read my previous post about Homosexual and It has full proves. *I assured that mostly of you skipped my posts because it is too long* Therefore, we need to ban homosexual marriage at any cost.

I didn't just skipped your post but ignore it, because I don't agree with you on that part...I'm sorry

I don't see anything in the Bible that tells us we should ban homosexual marriage, all it say in the Bible about man and woman shall not marry the same sex, but still it does not say that we should ban or force homosexual that they cannot get marriage << that would be judging them and it also written that we shall not judge others....

Everyone sin every day in their lives, no one is perfect but God Himself, but God will not punish the ones who sins once in a while in their lifetime...

Muslims and homosexual will be first people to blame. Muslims are bringing their problems to our country with Israel.

There you go again by judging, Does God want you to go around blaming who fault is it? The only problem I am seeing in our courtry is where religion people keep putting the blame on homosexual people just because they fall in love with the same sex and decide to marry them, shoveling the Bible right at their face and said ' You're going to hell because you're gay ' Oh come on, that may be the reason why today religion is sweeping away is because of the too much judgment toward homosexual people, and does God want this to happen by separate the Christian and homosexual? It make it more sound like some Christian people thinks Homosexual people are evil just because they fall in love with the same sex and marry them, I don't believe that they deserved to be treat like this and God for sure would not treat them like this either.....I respect for what you believe in but don't expect me to believe in this....I believe God in my own way and I do know that God does not want me going around this country by judging others or starting a war between homosexual people just because you believe that we shall ban homosexual marriage....

I have friends who are Homosexual not once I have shovel the Bible right at their face or put a blame on them for anything, I treat them like human being like the rest of us, God would want us to love everyone the same, we respect everyone the same, We do not judge them no matter if they married the same sex... This is what God would want us to do, by spreading the words about Him , not to push others away from Him and that what I am seeing lately in this country of ours and in our Goverment too....Really really sad to see alot of people judge way too much! May God forgive them...

Homosexual people are sweeping our religious practicing and messing up our health system and at government system, too.

How's that??...Explain to me what make you think that homosexual people are messing up our health and our goverment system?

 

[bbnt]

Bible declared Homosexuality is wrongful action. Read my previous post about Homosexual and It has full proves. *I assured that mostly of you skipped my posts because it is too long* Therefore, we need to ban homosexual marriage at any cost.

I guess I will use the following quote again

but since the bible was written by man without any influence from god all that is a moot point

 

[DreamDeaf]

I have said this before and I will say this again...

The Bible is NOT the true word of God. I am sorry, go ahead and stone me, ban me, hang me, tie me up and beat me...but I will say this over and over...The Bible is NOT the true word of God.

You have to remember...

Every word we write, every word we utter, every word we sign...are of our own opinions, our own biases, our own prejudices and so forth...we have left an indeible mark on this puny earth...we have left our own footprints.

The Bible has gone through so many translations over the years..remember the written Genesis is purported to be thousands of years old, however...the written word did not appear until the Dark, Dark Ages (medieval times), and even then, it was easy to mis-translate because of the styles that changed and evoluted over the years.

Also, while they say the King James Bible is the last word in God's Word, I say ... read it, have faith, but remember...it is man's writing, man's biases, man's translations, man's opinions.

Every writer has had his own twist on what happened during the time of Jesus Christ - re-read the New Testemanent again. Read Mark, Matthew, Timothy, Peter, John...you will notice that they ALL had different styles...however...they all came out pretty much alike? Why? Probably the SAME person that translated the New Testemanent translated ALL the apostoles, WHICH was translated by another person, WHICH was translated by another person, and so on...ad nauseum.

I am not saying that you can't believe every word in the Bible...I am saying .. use it as a tool in keeping your faith. That's what it was intended, as a tool of developing and keeping your faith in your religious choice.

Just keep in mind - it has been translated over and over during all the centuries it has been in existence. Not every translation is perfect. And even then, the translator will have his own biases, prejuduces, opinions and POVs inserted...who can resist changing a few words here and there to fit your own beliefs?

Use the Bible as a tool, a way to perfect your faith, but do not say it is the final word of our Lord.

It isnt.

Go ahead. Stone me, bury me, slay me, but I will say this over and over.

 

[Reba]

I don't see anything in the Bible that tells us we should ban homosexual marriage, all it say in the Bible about man and woman shall not marry the same sex, but still it does not say that we should ban or force homosexual that they cannot get marriage...

Doesn't that mean the same thing?
If the Bible says that "man and woman shall not marry the same sex" , then why should we permit same-sex marriage?

 

[Cheri]

Therefore, we need to ban homosexual marriage at any cost.

What have homosexual have done to you that want them banned from the eyes of America? Forget the bible for one second and tell me another reason.


First all, Homosexual are not "killers" They are people. Therefore I am so sick and tired of hearing about how some of you wanted same sex marriage banned, It's like destroying them, which those of you are attempting to do. It's not what God wants. If some of you are really a true Christen, you wouldn't put any judgment upon anyone even homosexual.

 

[Angel]

Doesn't that mean the same thing?
If the Bible says that "man and woman shall not marry the same sex" , then why should we permit same-sex marriage?

Still it does not say ban the same-sex marriage and it not up to US to make that choice and it like starting a war agaisnt the homosexual people..
Since God gave us freewill to do things we want in our lives and to believe in Him, but He did not tell us we should go around and judge them....

I am not going to judge them or ban the same sex marriage just because you think that what God would want us to do when the Bible does not tell us we should go ahead and ban the same sex marriage, when the time comes on judgement day then let God make that choice Himself...and do you think God will want us to turn away the people who believes in Him?....if homosexual believes in God but yet, some Christian are trying to turn them away from God and that is what happening today in our country....All it takes is to believe in the Lord of God!!

Afterall, God wouldn't want Christian and Homosexual people at war just because some Christian people thinks Homosexual are not following God's way...What happen to shall not judge others? have you forgotten that?...

And beside, the government should never try or seek to ban gay marriage that is taken away their rights, what happen to American freedom and their rights?...

I am getting really tired of people judging homosexual people just because of what the Bible tells us, but I don't believe one minute that God will actually turn His back on his people who believes in Him whether or not they're homosexual....

 

[Reba]

The Bible is NOT the true word of God. I am sorry, go ahead and stone me, ban me, hang me, tie me up and beat me...but I will say this over and over...The Bible is NOT the true word of God.

I will say this over and over...the Bible IS the true word of God.

...remember the written Genesis is purported to be thousands of years old, however...the written word did not appear until the Dark, Dark Ages (medieval times)...

Even worldly people who do not believe in the Bible know that written records existed long before the Middle Ages. Have you forgotten about the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Sumarians, Romans, etc.? Or did you just mean English language? The Dead Sea Scrolls date back to about 200 B.C. and A.D. 100. The Middle Ages date from roughly from A.D. 500-1000, depending on the country.

...and even then, it was easy to mis-translate because of the styles that changed and evoluted over the years.

That is why groups of scholars do the translating. The KJV translation did not depend on just one "expert", and the scholars translated from the original Hebrew and Greek texts, to English. They didn't translate from other translations.

Every writer has had his own twist on what happened during the time of Jesus Christ - re-read the New Testemanent again. Read Mark, Matthew, Timothy, Peter, John...you will notice that they ALL had different styles...however...they all came out pretty much alike? Why?

The Bible is one story, written with different perspectives, but with one Author, and that is the Holy Spirit. Each book has the writer's personality, style and perspective, but the facts and words are from God.

Probably the SAME person that translated the New Testemanent translated ALL the apostoles...

As I explained above, true scholarly translations are never done by one person alone.

... WHICH was translated by another person, WHICH was translated by another person, and so on...ad nauseum.

Scholarly translations use the oldest original texts. Real translations do not use prior translations as source material.

Not every translation is perfect. And even then, the translator will have his own biases, prejuduces, opinions and POVs inserted...who can resist changing a few words here and there to fit your own beliefs?

If someone "translates" the Bible (or any other literary work) and "changes a few words here and there to fit your own beliefs", then that is not a true scholarly translation. Anyone who translates that way is either not professional or is dishonest.

..do not say it is the final word of our Lord.

I don't need to say it. The Lord Himself said it.
Rev. 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
II Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Go ahead. Stone me, bury me, slay me, but I will say this over and over.

Why are you so defensive? No one wants to stone, bury, or slay you.

 

[Reba]

but since the bible was written by man without any influence from god all that is a moot point

God is the Author of His Word.
Heb. 1:1-2 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

II Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..."

 

[Dennis S.]

What proof do you have, outside of your own faith, and the circular reasoning that the writing in the bible says, "The words I write here were breathed from God", that the bible "is the True Word of God?"

There isn't any. Oh, yeah, right, there's the Pope and your pastor and all those people who say so. Right.

 

[DreamDeaf]

I'm sorry, I was too busy laughing.

You're right in one retrospect, I forgot the ancient writings -

However...get this...it doesnt matter if you say they tried to follow the exact wording - NO ONE CAN.

Remember NO ONE has translated the Dead Sea Scrolls...they were only able to get a small approximate portion done...and there are many, many other scrolls that have not been translated.

Even experts in translations do state that it is only approximate, and that they COULD be wrong.

Remember - many peeps believe that the Bible was written from an MUCH older version of the Hebrew language, and many portions were lost over the years.

And also...get this, honey, even if people tries to translate EXACTLY what is being said...their own opinions, biases, prejudices, POVs still gets into the translations. NO IFS, BUTS, WHYS OR HOWS.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

 

[Reba]

What proof do you have, outside of your own faith, and the circular reasoning that the writing in the bible says, "The words I write here were breathed from God", that the bible "is the True Word of God?"

There isn't any. Oh, yeah, right, there's the Pope and your pastor and all those people who say so. Right.

I don't believe in the Pope.
I listen to my pastor, and then check what he says with my study of the Scriptures.
What is wrong with faith?
What proof do you have that I am wrong?
Prophecies of the Bible come true.

The bottom line is, there is no way I can "prove" anthing to someone whose mind and heart refuse to accept the truth. If you cannot accept God saying that He wrote the Book, then whose word will you accept? What kind of proof do you want?

 

[Reba]

I'm sorry, I was too busy laughing.

You know, it is interesting. I answer all the "bashes" against the Bible with respect. You, and other posters, criticize the Bible with mocking, anger, defensiveness, and haughtiness. I wonder why?

However...get this...it doesnt matter if you say they tried to follow the exact wording - NO ONE CAN.

What do you base that "fact" on? Do you have proof for that, or is that opinion?

Remember NO ONE has translated the Dead Sea Scrolls...they were only able to get a small approximate portion done...and there are many, many other scrolls that have not been translated.

Scholars have translated much of the scrolls. They have found nothing in them to contradict any Scriptures. My point was, your assertion that "the written word did not appear until the Dark, Dark Ages" was incorrect.

Even experts in translations do state that it is only approximate, and that they COULD be wrong.

Which "experts" said that? The translators of the KJV were very precise in their word choices, and did not use any "approximate" meanings.

Remember - many peeps believe that the Bible was written from an MUCH older version of the Hebrew language, and many portions were lost over the years.

I can't "remember" that because I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know of any "lost" portions of the Bible.

And also...get this, honey, even if people tries to translate EXACTLY what is being said...their own opinions, biases, prejudices, POVs still gets into the translations. NO IFS, BUTS, WHYS OR HOWS.

Interesting opinion. As a terp, I follow the RID guidelines that prohibit injecting my opinions, biases, and prejudices into my interpretations. It seems that if a simple terp like myself can do that, a highly educated and ethical Bible translator should be able to do that also. You make that statement very emphatically, so does that mean you have documentation to back that up?

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

And I respect your opinion likewise.

 

[DreamDeaf]

I use the Bible as a tool - I do read the Bible, and I use it as a tool in my faith. I read it daily, and I ponder on what God is trying to tell me through my faith.

The Bible is derived from Man's INTERPRETATION of God's Word.

I do believe that the events have occurred as it stated in the Bible - and I try to sift through all the words of what might or could have happened.

I do know that I cannot trust the Bible as being the last word, but do have the faith that He will not lead me astray and and that He will guide me along His path.

That's all I need, faith and the knowledge that there is a Higher Power that I can talk to, depend on and have a sense of comfort.

 

[Crazymanw00t]

I didn't just skipped your post but ignore it, because I don't agree with you on that part...I'm sorry
There you go again by judging,… The only problem I am seeing in our country is where religion people keep putting the blame on homosexual people just because they fall in love with the same sex and decide to marry them, shoveling the Bible right at their face and said ' You're going to hell because you're gay ' Oh come on. that may be the reason why today religion is sweeping away is because of the too much judgment toward homosexual people, and does God want this to happen by separate the Christian and homosexual? It make it more sound like some Christian people thinks Homosexual people are evil just because they fall in love with the same sex and marry them, I don't believe that they deserved to be treat like this and God for sure would not treat them like this either.....I respect for what you believe in but don't expect me to believe in this....I believe God in my own way and I do know that God does not want me going around this country by judging others or starting a war between homosexual people just because you believe that we shall ban homosexual marriage....

I have friends who are Homosexual not once I have shovel the Bible right at their face or put a blame on them for anything, I treat them like human being like the rest of us, God would want us to love everyone the same, we respect everyone the same, We do not judge them no matter if they married the same sex... This is what God would want us to do, by spreading the words about Him , not to push others away from Him and that what I am seeing lately in this country of ours and in our Goverment too....Really really sad to see alot of people judge way too much! May God forgive them...

How's that??...Explain to me what make you think that homosexual people are messing up our health and our government system?

That’s explain because you did not read my posts about homosexuality it explains clearly about that situation. You need to read it and you will understand what I am trying to say to you.

Obviously, you are confused what Jesus meant with Judging on others.
Sources from http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Judge
with thousands of “Judge” in the bible with explaining about what not to judge on others.


Leviticus 19:15 NIV
15 " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

Psalm 9:8 NIV
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.

Psalm 98:9 NIV
9 let them sing before the LORD ,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Mathew 7:1-2
Be Fair When You Judge Others
1"Do not judge others. Then you will not be judged. 2You will be judged in the same way you judge others. You will be measured in the same way you measure others.

John 12:48
48There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.

Romans 2
2:1-16 NIV

God's Righteous Judgment

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.

12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All verses were explaining about judging on the word of SIN on the people. We often judge on people that they are holy and others are sin. Jesus said that judgments are wrong because everyone on Earth are SINNER.

Other perfect example. So we taught them that the drugs is bad. How do you judged that the drugs is bad? Is cocaine bad for us? How come? The drugs are bad and that is fact. Same thing with our sin. SIN is evil and no question asked with that thing.

Simple answer to whole of your questions, Homosexual is SIN. God hate SIN. God will judges on SIN people and they will go straight to hell. SIN is EVIL with no questions asked. Well, be careful with my words. I said those sinners’ people who were not saved from Jesus Christ would go to hell. If you are savior by Jesus Christ with sin and you will go to heaven but you need to avoid sin thoughts and actions. If you are savior by Jesus Christ but you, still do sins and you do not avoid from the sin and you will go hell. That is not from my mouth it is from Bible.

***If you want verses of those comments, please request for it. **** Because you ignored my explaining of Homosexuality

Do you want people to do all kinds of sin? God told you to turns away from sin and follow him. Do you want let other people to be blind from truth? Do you want them do the evil actions like “SIN life” which God hate them and will judge them? In addition, you are still calling them that they are judging on them. Obviously no, and that is what we are doing with homosexual, homo marriage issue, and other sin issues.

Why would people say do not judge on others, while they knew that they are doing sin actions but they do not care about it. They need to hear from bible verses to refresh their mind to say, “Oh that is wrong and I shouldn’t do that.”

I am not judging on Muslims or Homosexual will be blame and it was based on the information, articles, experiences, and discussion with people. It is not just only my judgment. I clearly told you that is my opinion and the lead information that I have.

Homosexual people charge our tax and insurance too much because of HIV/AIDs research and STD/STI research/drugs. Homosexual mixes our mind with fairness and equality in our law system. Homosexual fades and put blind about the truth from the bible. It is too much of explaining of concept of that thing. You need to read my previous post about Homosexuality and It already spoke everything of it. You just ingore it and I can't explain to you. You just don't want to believe that Homosexual is wrong. I can't blame you for that.

As you know, we have many Christian in this world and only 1/3 of Christian are true Christian. Why? They became Christian and they do not avoid do the "sin life" with their Christian life.

 

[DreamDeaf]

REBA -

I have always tried to keep from criticizing you and your opinions - but sometimes you seem to have the need to have the LAST word.

You clearly did not notice one thing...

"Scholars have translated much of the scrolls. They have found nothing in them to contradict any Scriptures. My point was, your assertion that "the written word did not appear until the Dark, Dark Ages" was incorrect."

I said... "You're right in one retrospect, I forgot the ancient writings - " BEFORE you said that.

Now, Reba - I have noticed something...and I'm not sure that I like this very much.

You seem to have a need to force your beliefs on me. I state what I feel free to say - which are my opinions from many years of reading.

I have said I believe in God ~ a Higher Power ~ and that I do have faith, and I use the Bible as a tool in keeping my faith - but I also keep in mind that nothing that has been translated for MANY years, through many different languages, through many translators. NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE can do an EXACT translation. Or do you believe that the first Bible was written in English?

As I understand, I am free to post my POV, my opinion, exercise my freedom as an adult, abiet a Deaf adult, without being severly criticized by an hearing person that feels that she MUST force me into believing that her own POV is the correct POV, therefore she is right, and I am automatically wrong?

This will be my last post on this thread for a while, as I am pretty close to blowing a gasket.

http://www.victorious.org/translat.htm
http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/bible.asp
http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/bible/bible_01.htm
http://www.cob-net.org/compare.htm
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7068.asp

 

[Vance]

Now remeber also back in the old days world war one and two and vietnam were started by guess who democrat president.

Go back to school and re-educate yourself in war history. Seem that you failed the history.

Now senior president bush is the very first republican to start a war against saddam hussian guess what no casualtly and brought the solders home within six months less taxpayer geez what way to go. Go olook it up and see how much casuality and tax mney at those other war at top compared to bush. maaaaannnn give me a break.

Wrong. Re-check your facts.

Kerry is a flip flop anyway you heard on the news live cant that be lying on live tv.why not.

Bush is a flip-flopper and VERY good at it. Don't kid yourself. Here's link: http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=118263

That is just starting. I have more links, articles and other things. It is like over 500 flip-flops. Bush made a record that no president in the future will break ever.

Ok here is my rebuttal for you. Is it normal for gay men to have sex with more than 500 men? Is it normal for many homosexual people to die young? Is it normal that many homosexual have STD/STI? Is it normal for homosexual to meet some stranger for a week then they went for sexual intercourse and then never meet again? Obvious NOT! Homosexual is not right because it is very unbalanced for our sex gender relationship. Purpose of Homosexuality was just because of pleasure of intercourse and temporally of joyful. It is just simply Satan’s work and Satan's soliders. My questions are fact information from http://po55um.tripod.com/jews/normal.html and perfect website http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_fixe.htm.

I like that quote and I support 100% with that statement, "Yes. It is more serious than many other sins. It endangers the family and thus social stability." Homosexual people will be responisble for messing USA. I believe when USA will fall from being most powerful in world, and USA will start Holocaust II for Homosexual. *I know it sounds too hash but I read many information and it supported that statement*

Ok I have a rebuttal for you. Is it ok for christians to break the Ten Commandment (Adultery) repeatedly? Is it ok for priests (STRAIGHT, not homosexual) to molesting the kids? Is it ok for christians to impose their beliefs on other people and judge others when Jesus preached that no one can impose their beliefs or judge on others? Do you know that AIDS/STD rates are way higher in heterosexual than homosexuals? In other words, these statement that you posted are full of BS.

Adultery alone is more sin than 'homosexuality' (Actually homosexuality is not sin.. it is based on love but anyway. Don't believe me? Check the Ten Commandement. There isn't any homosexuality in Ten Commandments. Shocking, is it?).

Do you know that God hates divorce? So why divorce rates are way higher in christians and 'red states' than in non-christians like liberals and blue states. Hmm? Maybe that's why red states are starting to worry about morals because they have low morals and family values to start with? That is a good possibility. I must investigate on that myself in the future.

Even if some of those references were not about homosexuality, it doesn't make homosexuality acceptable to God. If God says even once in the Bible that something is a sin, then once is enough. Suppose God had said that murder was wrong only once in the Bible. Would you say, "Well, God only mentioned murder once in the Bible, so it is really OK." Of course not.

I have been trying to avoid to discuss with you about religious issues but I have to reply that one. Jesus and God had said that imposing the beliefs or judge on others was wrong. So why did these people repeatedly did that on homosexuals or single mothers hmm? The references are right there in the bible. 'Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1)' is a good start.



To general, people seem didn't really get these issues at all. Homosexuality is not sin. It is a love. God and Jesus encourages love, respect and social equality. Where did their teachings fail you? When did their teachings fail you? Oh wait, only God know when and where.

Anyway, I am done with this topic. Have a nice week.

 

[jazzy]

As you know, we have many Christian in this world and only 1/3 of Christian are true Christian. Why? They became Christian and they do not avoid do the "sin life" with their Christian life.[/QUOTE]

Jesus hanged out with the worst sinners. He mentioned about a rabbi who think high of himself and God's favorite. Is this what 1/3 "true Christians" believe they are God's favorite because they sin less than others?

Lesson from God, we are no body's special. We all are equal to God so none of us have a favorite from God whether we are less than perfect Christians. We all are same , no matter how big or little our sins are.

 

[Reba]

I said... "You're right in one retrospect, I forgot the ancient writings - " BEFORE you said that.

But you also stated, "Remember NO ONE has translated the Dead Sea Scrolls..." so that was my response to THAT statement.

You seem to have a need to force your beliefs on me.

How so? Did I say that you must believe the same things I believe? Did I make any threats?

I state what I feel free to say - which are my opinions from many years of reading.

Same here.

I have said I believe in God ~ a Higher Power ~ and that I do have faith, and I use the Bible as a tool in keeping my faith -

I never disputed or doubted your word about that. No argument at all. I made no comments about your faith.

... but I also keep in mind that nothing that has been translated for MANY years, through many different languages, through many translators.

It depends on which translation that you use. Some translations and paraphrases do not use original source texts, and some do.

... Or do you believe that the first Bible was written in English?

No. I also believe there are many good translations in many different languages. As long as they are using the oldest original source texts as a base, and are done by groups of scholars with qualified backgrounds.

As I understand, I am free to post my POV, my opinion, exercise my freedom as an adult, abiet a Deaf adult, without being severly criticized by an hearing person...

I never said that you had no right to post your POV. I never, never said that. Are you saying that just because I am hearing that I can't respond with other POV and information?

...that feels that she MUST force me into believing that her own POV is the correct POV, therefore she is right, and I am automatically wrong?

You don't have to believe anything that I post. But I thought it was OK to post opposing ideas and facts. That is the meaning of "debate".

If you can believe and write, "The Bible is NOT the true word of God", can I believe and write, "The Bible IS the true word of God"? That seems fair.

The topic for this thread is "America is losing religion more and more everyday", and my posts are supporting that thesis. One of the reasons that is happening is because the Bible is being devalued as the whole Word of God.

This will be my last post on this thread for a while, as I am pretty close to blowing a gasket.

I truly do not understand your anger. If you are strong and deep in your beliefs then whatever I post about my beliefs should not bother you.

 

[Reba]

Magatsu,

Is it wrong to judge people who lie, or steal, or commit adultery, or murder, or molest children?

Or is it only wrong to judge people who indulge in homosexual sex acts?

Or maybe it depends on who is doing the judging. It is OK for liberals to judge and criticize people but it is not OK for conservatives to do that.

Jesus and God had said that imposing the beliefs or judge on others was wrong.

Not exactly. Jesus said that we should examine and clean up our own hearts first. He didn't say we should never judge the actions of others. We can't judge people's hearts but we can and must judge their actions. If not, then lawlessness will rule the land.

God and Jesus encourages love, respect and social equality. Where did their teachings fail you? When did their teachings fail you?

Now, you wouldn't be judging others would you?

Don't forget, God and Jesus also commanded that we live holy. That means, do not continue doing sins.

 

[Oceanbreeze]

I have said this before and I will say this again...

The Bible is NOT the true word of God. I am sorry, go ahead and stone me, ban me, hang me, tie me up and beat me...but I will say this over and over...The Bible is NOT the true word of God.

You have to remember...

Every word we write, every word we utter, every word we sign...are of our own opinions, our own biases, our own prejudices and so forth...we have left an indeible mark on this puny earth...we have left our own footprints.

The Bible has gone through so many translations over the years..remember the written Genesis is purported to be thousands of years old, however...the written word did not appear until the Dark, Dark Ages (medieval times), and even then, it was easy to mis-translate because of the styles that changed and evoluted over the years.

Also, while they say the King James Bible is the last word in God's Word, I say ... read it, have faith, but remember...it is man's writing, man's biases, man's translations, man's opinions.

Every writer has had his own twist on what happened during the time of Jesus Christ - re-read the New Testemanent again. Read Mark, Matthew, Timothy, Peter, John...you will notice that they ALL had different styles...however...they all came out pretty much alike? Why? Probably the SAME person that translated the New Testemanent translated ALL the apostoles, WHICH was translated by another person, WHICH was translated by another person, and so on...ad nauseum.

I am not saying that you can't believe every word in the Bible...I am saying .. use it as a tool in keeping your faith. That's what it was intended, as a tool of developing and keeping your faith in your religious choice.

Just keep in mind - it has been translated over and over during all the centuries it has been in existence. Not every translation is perfect. And even then, the translator will have his own biases, prejuduces, opinions and POVs inserted...who can resist changing a few words here and there to fit your own beliefs?

LOL Actually, rather than stoning you, ect, I would that was very good I attempted to say something similiar, but fell short. You said it better, so My hat is off to you!



Use the Bible as a tool, a way to perfect your faith, but do not say it is the final word of our Lord.

It isnt.

Go ahead. Stone me, bury me, slay me, but I will say this over and over.

LOL Actually, rather than stone you, I'd rather say I tried to say something similiar, but I fell short. You said this much better than I could, so my hat is off to you!