Originally posted by hblair:
No offense RAM, but didn't you just made up your own rules saying they are the "message" of Christ?
No offense taken at all hblair.
No, I dont think I'm making my own rules out of what He said. His words were those, was the new law, the one He introduced: "Love each other as I've loved you."
I dont know if it is said that way in english, but is the literal translation of the words I know in spanish.
That message was given by Jesus shortly before he died, was his last teach. I think it sums his message well, he always said that we should love God, but being each human a Son of God, loving each one of us, would also be loving God, right?.
At that time atheism was not really an issue. Today is common to find people who think there is no God. To believe is not required, not demanded. All we have to do is to respect our brothers, to love them, because by doing it we are loving God, even if we dont believe in Him.
Is what I think. Is what I believe
. YOu have different points of view, and I will never get as an offense that you disagree with me in that way.
How many hours a week do you spend studying the Bible? Do you know what it is about? Saying that you think Jesus is a swell guy and that belief will save you is a big reach my friend. Why don't you just say you don't believe in Jesus? I hope that you change your beliefs RAM, you'd make a fiery preacher
Hblair until I was 16 I went to a Jesuit School, and the 2 following years I went to another school,also religious (changed of city for 2 years because my father's work demanded it to happen).
Be sure I did study the bible (was a must in the schools I went, so I would've done it anyway), and be sure I did it with an open mind. The bible is a book full of contradictions and of stories wich are, at their best, dubvious.
My conclussions brought me to the point where I stand today: THe bible is NOT a book where to base our beliefs, at least not in a blind way -"if the bible says it, it must be that way"-. It says a lot of truth, but also describes things that I can't simply take seriously. And as I say, contradictions are rampant.
Since I was 18 or so I never opened a bible again. I dont see the sense, as I said is a book written by humans, translated by humans and modified by humans. Its reliability for me as a book of faith is very small, even when it initially could be inspired by god.
Not anymore, IMO.
About Jesus, I believe in him, in that he existed, and in his message. I dont know if the speech of the mountain (is said this way in english?) happened as described in the new testament. If it did happen ,I think that He was THE MAN I would like to know personally, to spend hours asking and learning from him. Even if he was not the Son of God, a man who says such words is a man to admire. And I think he was what he claimed to be.
Maybe I believe in a different jesus than what most christian churches describe. No, not maybe, I DO believe in a Jesus who is VERY different to what we are described by any church I know.
And no I wont make a good preacher, because most preachers seem to know most things about religion, and I am not that sure. I believe, but sometimes I wonder why do I believe. A preacher never has those doubts. At least not that I know
[ 08-07-2001: Message edited by: R4M ]
