I Am Who I Am

If You Can't Take The Heat Then You Better Back Up!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Another Thing

Another thing you can do for GOD besides praying, readng and believing the Bible, and preaching (see below, @ the "continues") is you can use your talents for GOD. If your a good drawler, draw pictures that will draw attention to GOD. (See artakiane.com.) If your GOD @ sports... I don't know you could do anything. The reason GOD gave you talents is to rake up people to HIM. Remember the parable of the servents and their master gave em' talents? I know that's somewhere in this blog. I'll post it on comments. Anyway, the worst thing you can do is critisize yourself. You, think about what that means. GOD bless "U" all!
Hammer out.

RC Hammer

(P.S. This may not seem to... convincing or whatever to new people, but just keep looking around all over on my blog (even archives) plus come here a few other times (Christian or not) just to read what I preach. If you don't know me (cuz I get a lot of new people) then I will tell you: I'm a prophet of GOD and I study GOD and the Bible (plus politics). GOD gives me some of this stuff to say... well, HE gives everything I guess...

posted by RCHAMMER @ 7:27 PM  

104 Comments:

  • At Saturday, 15 July, 2006 , Blogger Chinagirl411 said...

    I posted a new post. Hey RC Hammer, I never new you could fly an airplane. Very interesting. I believe you to. GG ( gotta go ) Time for bed. It's like 11:00pm. Adios!

    Chinagirl411

     

  • At Saturday, 15 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    I check out you post.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 16 July, 2006 , Blogger Brad W. said...

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

     

  • At Monday, 17 July, 2006 , Blogger HANY said...

    PEACE MAN HOW R U DOING GOOD POST I WISH U ALL LUCK ADN FAITH

     

  • At Monday, 17 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Thanks you for coming to my blog. I'll keep visiting yours.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Monday, 17 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Something to think about.

    PBS has a seven-part series focusing on Faith and Reason hosted by Bill Moyers, starting on 6/23. Below is the comments from one of the guests, Colin McGinn.


    COLIN MCGINN: Well, in faith, you believe something. So you're meant to believe, for example, that God exists as a matter of faith. You're meant to believe in an existential proposition: God exists. And you believe it on faith. That is independent of evidence or argument. To anybody who's devoted to rationality, that's got to sound very strange, because it's saying: We want you to believe in something, but there is no reason to be given for that belief. You're just meant to believe it. Just the leap of faith. You're just meant to believe it. …………

    In fact, I felt the contrary. It felt to me a better world I was living in without God. I mean one of the things about God is everything you as a moral being do is under the scrutiny of this being who's gonna reward you or not as the case may be. I think it compromises people's moral sense, because they feel as if everything they do which is good, they're doing it because God will approve of them and reward them for it. And once you jettison that idea, you do what you should, because you should, because it's the right thing to do and that you don't feel that there's always some sense of self-interest involved in any moral action that you perform.
    So people get into a very strange state of mind where they believe in something, and they know that there's no reason they can give. Sometimes they'll half-heartedly give a reason which I think shows that they are still respecting the point that belief is guided by truth and justification. So they'll give some kind of argument, but very quickly when you point out what's wrong with the arguments, they'll say, "Well, you know, it would be an awful world if there were no God." Now maybe it would be an awful world if there's no God. That's not a reason to believe in God. It's just not. It'd be an awful world if all sorts of things were so. But it's not a reason to think it's so.

    http://www.pbs.org/moyers/print/faithandreason102_print.html (for the full content)

     

  • At Tuesday, 18 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Hmmm......
    Well, that's pretty... interesting.
    I agree with some of it and I don't agree with some of it. Plus, I have a few things just to comment about; Because in some of the things he really just doesn't say an opinion. Let me try to comment and debate with some of his stuff really quick...

    OK. When he said believing in GOD is independant of evidence, I disagree. I may not get some people to believe what I say, but it's prophecy; people (including Christians) don't seem to believe prophecy. Well, not all of it's prophecy... Let's start of here. There's a Bible that states evidence of GOD. Yeah, well, there's other stuff like the Bible (like the koran or something) that state there is a god named allah, or there are many gods, or boduh, and stuff like that, almost similar to are Bible stating are GOD. Well, Arceoligest are starting to deskover things like the Ark of the Covenent, Noah's Ark, and other things that were in stories of the Bible, proving that what it states in the Bible is real, making are GOD real. Plus, Scientist who study stars (can't remember their names) are starting to fing phsical evidence of there having to be a Creator and not a big bang. If you want, I'll tell you more about this but I must move on. Oh. Plus, like it or not, people are expierincing miracles and stuff arter praying and what not. Let's move on. The prophecy (like I said) will be later.

    Oh, the above goes for the rest of the sentences in that paragraph.

    The secoond paragraph, I don't know. It's a little strange, because if you read the Bible you learn all the reasins for the things to do and stuff like that. I don't know. We look to the Bible for are good things and then we learn (to do em and what there for). I hope you... understand what I said.

    Well, the 3rd and final paragraph, sort of has my critism of the first paragraph. Besides, everyone will know there's a GOD more then soon. If you don't understand, look in the more of a PROPHECY called the book of revelation. Most people already know (even santinist or evil people) they just work agaisnt HIM or want to disobey. But my biggest point is:
    There would be NO world if there was no GOD. That itself is just one reason the world wouldn't be any place (or a good place) without a GOD. Think about all thoose things that GOD does that makes it a good world (and why HE is the only way TO a world) and I bet you can think of over a trillion. That alone is SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. (Nice ending, huh?)

    GOD bless "U" all!
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Tuesday, 18 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    You are right if whatever in the Bible is true, but what makes you believe all the statements in the Bible are true? It's the 'faith', isn't it?

     

  • At Wednesday, 19 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    That's sort of hard to answer. Some people don't believe this stuff, that;s why it's hard to answer, but scientists and archeilogist are finding evidence and items and stuff that prove a ton of the statements in the Bible. If you want me to give examples, I will... but ask and recieve first. Oh, also, people are, have been, and will be, and still are finding phsical evidence and spiritual evidence that when you pray or ask GOD HE will give you what you want or heal you or basicly anything. That runs more along the lines of "Is there a GOD or not" but the thing I said about scientist and "oligist" are finding stuff that are stated in the Bible is really great proof that the Bible is right with everything and true. You can base your faith on just having faith that it's true, or you can look inti it really deep and find the answers that are faith is true. In my opinion, every REAL Christian should look deeper like that because that's what makes are faith special. Every other faith you can't go deeper to fing phsical and spiritual evidence that it's true. It sets us apart from every other religeon... because are GOD is real and true and nothing else is. Hope I answered your question. GOD bless "U" all!
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Wednesday, 19 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Thanks for your patience to explain to me. I am agnostic because I cannot accept or deny God - it’s unknown to me. I actually think it may be true that people who believe in God are blessed in that if God dwells within a person, then that individual knows whatever he/she says or does is good without any second guess because it’s from God. How many times we are absolutely certain the decisions we made are good without doubts? In this sense, God-believers already live in the heaven.

     

  • At Thursday, 20 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Anonymous 1: Your abnistic? Hmmm...
    Please explain to me why you can't accept GOD. I will try to... help you if you want. Thanks for all your comments and stuff.

    Anonymous 2: Thanks. I'll click that little arrow when I'm done looking at my comments.

    GOD bless "U" all!!!!
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 20 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Sorry, I ment abnostic.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 20 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Maybe I should have said I ‘Don’t’ instead of ‘Can’t’.

    I have problems with using ‘heaven’ as an incentive to attract believers and with any religion that claims it’s the only ‘right’ religion and others’ are just the wrong ones.

    "The world is my country, all mankind are my brothers and my religion is to do good." (Thomas Paine, Common Sense)

    Anonymous1

     

  • At Thursday, 20 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Thanks Dee. I will go to your blog every time I get a chance.

    Oh, anonymous, I really ment agnostic. Sorry again. I just have one more question and then you can explain to me why you don't acept GOD. Doesn't being agnostic mean not believing in a GOD/god what so ever. Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 20 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    No problem. I figure it’s just a typo. Besides it’s not I myself never make mistakes.

    Broadly, based on the definition from Merriam-Webster’s, agnostic: one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god.

    Surely, there are a lot of good teachings in the Bible and it’s nice to know God (supposing God exists) always loves you no matter what. But for now, I will just be agnostic- a lost lamb, maybe. Having said this, I do respect all the religions as long as they pose no negative impacts to the world.

     

  • At Friday, 21 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Hmm... so you don't believe in GOD but you do believe in GOD, or gods. Well, can I ask another question. Do you belive ALL of the teachings in the Bible? Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 21 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Information???
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 21 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I really cannot say whether or not I believe ALL the teachings in the Bible because I have not read everything in the Bible. Nevertheless, based on my experience, I have not found any thing/person/doctrine…and so on is totally good or true. In my opinion, the difference is more like the percentage of the good and bad. For example, we are not perfect; we all have good and evil thoughts, and the difference is some people have more good thoughts than evil ones. In addition, some people carry out the evil thoughts; some don’t. Similarly, Bible may have relative more good teachings, but it’s likely not ALL.

    Anonymous1

     

  • At Saturday, 22 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Well, that's why I like being a Christian; GOD forgives are sins. GOD gave HIS only son, JESUS, to suffer and die on the cross for are sins and if we ask forgiveness GOD will forgive us are sins because JESUS died for us. You may not believe in hell, but we should suffer consinquences for are sins. It's just like in court. If we do something bad, like steal a car, the judge should put us in jail. Well same with hell. The JUDGE should put us in hell for are sins. But imagion, your in jail, and then some stranger just comes and bails you out and your free. That's just what JESUS did for everyone. HE died on the cross for are sins, so when we sin we can be "bailed out" a.k.a forgiven, so we don't have to suffer hell, but have eternal life in Heaven. Please respond.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

    (P.S. Must people who I talk to (like the way I'm talking to you) curse me and say bad stuff and make threats. But your different... thanks. Oh, I will make a post similiar to some of the stuff that we're saying... well it may seem.

     

  • At Saturday, 22 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

     

  • At Saturday, 22 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I don’t know if hell or heaven exists. It does not bother me either way. I have friends with different or no religious belief. I always tell my Christian friends that supposing there’s God and if someday I would be judged by the God, then I would go wherever the God tells me to - heaven or hell based on my deeds in God’s eyes. There’s no difference that we bear the outcomes of our acts in this secular world. I do understand and appreciate their and your good intention – you all want to share your joy with me and to save me from the suffering in the hell. Thank you. However, to date, I still believe ‘my religion is to do good’. Of course, whether the ‘good’ is really ‘good’ would be another topic.

    I guess there’re a couple of possibilities that some individuals do not respect your religion. (1) When one religion claims it’s the only right one; the others are just wrong. I don’t think it would be cheerfully accepted. (2) It’s not true that non-believers have no morality, but somehow Christians make people feel that way.

    Below is excerpted from WAWA Blog March 1, 2006
    http://www.wearewideawake.org/

    The Philosophy of Christ
    1. Be just: justice comes from virtue which comes from the heart.
    2. Treat people the way we want to be treated.
    3. Always work for PEACEFUL resolutions, even to the point of returning violence with COMPASSION.
    4. Consider valuable the things that have no material value.
    5. Do not judge others.
    6. Do not bear grudges.
    7. Be modest and unpretentious.
    8. Give out of true generosity, not because we expect to be repaid.
    9. Being true to one's self in more important than being loyal to one's family...those who think they know the most are the most ignorant......

    Personally, I don’t think these are only the
    philosophy of Christ. These are for any decent human beings.

    A1

     

  • At Saturday, 22 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Hmm... OK. So if someday you see proof that my GOD is a real GOD and the only GOD, then your saying that you will believe HIM and follow HIM right? Well that's good. Because I believe that there is going to be a lot of phsical and spripritual proof and other things happening soon (There already is but not to much know about it.) Well I think the proof and stuff will be revealed to EVERYONE so... you may not believe that but let me give you some advice that you should never forget. When you actually find proof of GOD being real (proof to you) then don't hesitate and go to GOD REALY REALLY FAST. OK. Remember that. But don't leave yet. Are conversation isn't yet finished. I want to ask you if you try to follow that guys "philophisys of JESUS"? Plus another question: Are you one of the individuals like you pointed out above who don't like Christianinty? I would right more but a storms coming in.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 22 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    As I have previously stated that I respect all the religions as long as they pose no negative impacts to the world. Being a Christian is not by default a nice person, but I do know there are plenty of good people no matter whether they are god-believers or not. I respect each person regardless of religion, gender, race, sexual preference…etc. To me, the only intolerable is to intentionally hurt others, emotionally, physically and/or financially.

    Those 9 principles listed above are just some of the good guidelines. They are not the only nine and should not be. I do try to follow my conscience to do good. Nevertheless, bear in mind sometimes the things we deem good/precious may not be to others. The reason I listed them above is trying to make a point that those are not just followed by god-believers only. Agnostics and atheists also have morality although not from religious basis. We do good is because it’s a right thing to do, not because we want rewards from God/gods or are afraid of being punished by God/gods.

    A1

     

  • At Sunday, 23 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    In Christianity we don't just do good things for rewards, we do it for multiple reasons. Sorry if I ever sounded like I was disrespecting you. I have another question. Could you name for me some other religeons that you think are nice and do the right thing like you like? Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 23 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    All the five world religions, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism have their teachings. Like Christianity, most of the teachings are good. I don't have any preference on any of them. If the teaching is good no matter whether it's religious or not, I will accept it. It has nothing to do with the religion itself. I have friends with different religious belief or none at all, but they are all good people in essence.

    To me, trying to do good has no bearing with wanting to go to heaven/paradise or avoiding hell after death. I could be wrong, but my impression is Christianity (in fact, all other religions) uses 'Heaven/Paradise' as an incentive for good behavior/faith and meanwhile uses 'Hell' as a fear factor. It may be true there're multiple reasons you do good, but what's your end goal? Eternal life in the heaven, isn't it? I can care less where I end up after death. I only hope the moment I die, I can say to myself, I have not intentionally hurt anyone and hopefully, I can also say I have tried helping as many people as possible within my ability.

    Again, I am not against anybody with 'good' religion. If an individual has thought through and decided to go for a certain religion, thinking it will do him/herself good and also help others w/o posing negatively impact. I think it's great for that individual and the world as a whole. Do I have to care which religious group he/she belongs to? The answer is a resounding NO.

    I will be out for 2 weeks. After I return, I will check your site again in case you have questions. Take care.

    A1

     

  • At Sunday, 23 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Buddism and Hinduisim, well, I don't know there teachings that well, but I personally do't believe there's a power within me beside the HOLY SPIRIT and I don't believe that when I die I will become a animal so I have to stay away from eating a hamburger because it's my grandma. You probably don't believe thoose parts either. I personally don't know the "teachings" I just know there philosphy. Juidiasm... it's OK. The have pretty good teachings, basicly almost the same as Christianity. But the part I really disagree with in teachings is Islam. I mean, maybe they try to teach good stuff, but if you disobey and maybe make a tiny mistake, they have very painful consicinces. Plus if you look in to it and study it, it really becomes dark and... evil. Maybe you could tell me SOME of the teachings you obey in Hinduisim, Buddism, and Islam. Thanks.

    Catholics use the saying that you do stuff (good) to get into Heaven. You do good, because it's the right thing (and many more reasons) and not to try to get to Heaven. Your suppose to do good, but if you look deep into Christianty (which Catholics don't do much in my opinion, but some do) then it tells the truth (I think... John 14:6 or John 16:4). Hell has it's own history but I won’t talk about that now. You get the point though. That's not how Christians believe to get to Heaven. Oh well. Not to much importance in a conversation like this.

    No comments in the 3rd paragraph.

    See you in 2 weeks A1. Take care too. A long with the question above (in the first paragraph) I would also like to ask if you believe that there is or could be a life after death? I would just like to tell you something (to think about) also. In the end, maybe before you die, I really would like you to make up your mind about where yo plan to go, because When you die, it's really the begining of your life, called eternity. That was really supose to be a question/answer/comment after you answer my second question, but I just said it now for reasoning. Along with the answers, give me an all-out response.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 28 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    After reading your comments, my first thought was to send you the audiotapes about the five world religions so that you can better understand other religions, not just hearsay from others. On 2nd thought, you don’t seem to have much time so I have got some basic information from the Web to share it with you.

    I start with Islam because you appear to have bad impression on it. I believe you are aware that nothing is perfect, including any religious belief. I have to emphasize again I have no preference on any religion and respect people with good faith. I think it’s a good practice to understand something you don’t know before you express your opinions. I use ‘opinion’ instead of ‘judgment’ because we stand no ground to judge others; after all we are far from flawless.

    There’s no way the following representing everything in Islam, but you should have some ideas and please let me know what you think when compared them with your beliefs.

    Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is considered an Abrahamic religion. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, next to Christianity.

    Forbidden in Islam
    •Shirk: worshiping anybody/anything other than God.
    •Treating parents badly: not obeying their orders, speaking to them in loud voice even if they have a different faith.
    •Murder, suicide.
    •Stealing.
    •Adultery, homosexuality.
    •Usury: Mortgage, credit card with interest, bank interest.
    •Gambling.
    •Treating neighbors badly even if they have a different faith.
    •Backbiting.
    •Drinking Alcohol.
    •Eating pork.

    Behavioral aspects Muslims should:
    •Love Allah, his messengers and the believers.
    •Be honest.
    •Be generous.
    •Visit the ill.
    •Help the weak.
    •Smile to others.
    •Be clean.
    •Remove dirt from the road.
    •Dress conservatively.

    http://www.islam101.com/presentations/index.htm (for full presentations)


    Remember that I am agnostic, so I don't know if there's God or life after death. I am on the raod and not every place I stay has internet connection. I will try to share the rest of the information regarding other religions if I have access to the internet.

    A1 072806

     

  • At Saturday, 29 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK, thanks. Your right, alot of the stuff in their laws is simaliar to my religeoen (not including cleaning dirt of the road and stuff like that). But I do have a few questions. I'm not sure if your native to my country (The United States of America) but hopefully you know about 911. Weren't the people who hijacked the planes Muslim and didn't they commit both murder and suicide? After you answer that question (when you get a chance) can you tell me what happens if you make a mistake and break a law of Islam. Maybe you could explain another religeon to me too after you answer my questions. Happy traveling and thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 30 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Islam has approximately 1.4 billion adherents. How many people were involved in 911? Can you say every single Christian a good person? The same can be asked to any other group. My point is there will always be a couple of bad apples that spoil the whole basket. Extremists are few in either religious or non-religious practices. However, since it’s extreme, the act usually imprints in people’s brains and most people tend to make generalization, thus have the false impression.

    As you mentioned earlier “ …If we do something bad, like steal a car, the judge should put us in jail.” Similarly, Muslim will get punished for not following the rules. The severity of the punishment varies depending how the Koran is interpreted just as what is done in other religions on their Holy books.

    BTW, I believe ‘removing dirt from the road’ is out of the concern for the clean environments. Isn’t it a right thing to do?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You have said’ …I don't believe that when I die I will become a animal so I have to stay away from eating a hamburger because it's my grandma’, which I think is referring to Buddhism. You may be right in a way, but not everyone will reincarnated as an animal in his/her next life. It has something to do with what you have done in your current life. I believe one of the reasons that Buddhists don’t eat meat is because they have put themselves in the animals’ shoes. It must be very painful to be killed. How could we make others (animals/humans) suffer just to satisfy us?

    Anyway, below is the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism. Please keep in mind it’s just a small portion of Buddhism teachings as I previously did on Islam. You should do your own research for further understanding when time allows. I have no intention to convince anybody to change their religious belief, but I think it’s a good idea to understand other religions even though you are not a believer. Don’t you think a lot of mishaps/tragedies are due to misunderstanding in the individual/national/global level?

    The Noble Eightfold Path

    The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to the cessation of suffering, the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths. In order to fully understand the noble truths and investigate whether they were in fact true, Buddha recommended that a certain path be followed which consists of:
    1.Right View - Realizing the Four Noble Truths
    Note: the Four Noble Truths-(1.Life means suffering;2.The origin of suffering is attachment;3.The cessation of suffering is attainable;4.The path to the cessation of suffering.)
    2.Right Intention - Commitment to mental and Ethical growth in moderation
    3.Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way
    4.Right Action - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would hurt others
    5.Right Livelihood - One's job does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly (weapon maker, drug dealer, etc.)
    6.Right Effort - One makes an effort to improve
    7.Right Mindfulness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness
    8.Right Concentration - State where one reaches enlightenment and the ego has disappeared

    A1

     

  • At Sunday, 30 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Wow, there must be alot of computers on the road. Well, the top part about Islam... some of it I could disagree with and start an argument about but that's not what we're here for. In fact I don't consider this whole thing to be an argument. Well, I don't really have to much comments except the one above, soo... I gues just explain another reliegeon to me when you have the time and chance. Happy traveling... see ya!
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 30 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Dear RC HAMMER u have inspired me 2 be more into the bible and study and u have also taught me in a way that even if u r poor
    u can live a happy life cause when u get 2 heaven (srry im not a good speller) every thing will beperfect and nothing or nobody will be judged based on clor gender or shape. Cause in heaven u r loved by everyone especillay Jesus christ!!

     

  • At Monday, 31 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Again, this is a small portion of Hinduism teachings (from the Web- same as previous two). The main idea here is to share with you some other religious beliefs, hoping you will better understand them in addition to your own. The audiotapes I have consist of 2-sided 10 tapes for each religion and the professors still think it's not comprehensive enough. Whatever I know is just superficial.


    Hinduism (3rd largest religion)

    Basic beliefs
    Themes common to the value system of Hindus are the belief in Dharma (individual ethics, duties and obligations), Samsāra (Reincarnation/rebirth), Karma ("actions", leading to a cause-and-effect relationship), and Moksha (salvation) for every soul through a variety of paths, such as Bhakti (devotional service), Karma (selfless action) and Jñāna (enlightenment, knowledge), Raja (meditation) and of course, belief in God (Īshvara). Reincarnation, or the soul's transmigration through a cycle of birth and death until it attains Mokṣha, is governed by Karma.
    The philosophy of Karma lays forth the results of free-willed actions, which leave their imprint on the soul or the self, called ātman. These actions determine the course of life and the life cycle for the soul in its subsequent life. Virtuous actions take the soul closer to the Supreme Divine and lead to a birth with higher consciousness. Evil actions hinder this recognition of the Supreme Divine, and the soul takes lower forms of worldly life.
    According to Hinduism, all existence, from vegetation to mankind, are subject to the eternal Dharma, which is the natural law. Even Heaven (Svarga Loka) and Hell (Naraka Loka) are temporary. Liberation from material existence and the cycle of birth and death to join, reach or develop a relationship with the "universal spirit", is known as Mokṣha, which is the ultimate goal of all Hindus. (Whether one seeks to join an impersonal universal spirit or develop a relationship with the Supreme in a personal form is a matter of personal choice.)
    Other principles include the Guru-shishya tradition, the divinity of the word OM, the power of mantras and manifestations of the Divine's spirit in all forms of existence . According to Hinduism, the essential spark of the Atman/Brahman is in every living being, the concept being that all living beings are divine. Another belief is that though Hindu texts mention a class of evil beings (demons, called Asuras or Rākṣasas), opposed to the celestial spirits (Devas), essential Hindu philosophy does not believe in any concept of a central Devil or Satan. This does not mean that all the evil in the world is attributed to God, but that the evil (deed or thought) is ascribed to human ignorance. Since the Hindu scriptures are essentially silent on the issue of religious conversion, the issue of whether Hindus evangelize is open to interpretations. In practice, though, almost universally, Hindus do not evangelize.

    A1

    P.S. I have a laptop with me, so if there's wireless connection, I can get on the net; otherwise, I just take a break from the advanced technology :o)

     

  • At Monday, 31 July, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    The first anonymous is my cousin Abbey, the second is A1, and the third is... a pop up guy I think.

    Abbey: Good!

    A1: Wow that's interesting... and complicated. I could make breif little comments like we have demons in Christianity but that would take along time, and besides it wouldn't go anywhere. I'm sorry I'm making you do a lot of explaining but it's leading up to something so I guess just explain Judism to me. Thanks. Happy traveling A1.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Monday, 31 July, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    No problem. I think the world would be much better if everyone can understand and be kind to each other. A lot of times, people are not well informed, causing misunderstanding, which leads to unnecessary conflicts. Agree?


    Judaism (5th largest religion)

    Religious doctrine and Principles of Faith- information is obtained from the Web like previous 3 religions mentioned above.

    Historically, Judaism has considered belief in the divine revelation and acceptance of the Written and Oral Torah as its fundamental core belief. This gave rise to many different formulations as to the specific theological beliefs inherent in the Torah and Talmud. While individual rabbis have at times agreed upon a firm formulation, generally other rabbis have disagreed, many criticizing any such attempt as minimizing acceptance of the entire Torah (Rabbi S. of Montpelier, Yad Rama, Y. Alfacher, Rosh Amanah). Along these lines, the ancient historian Josephus emphasized practices and observances rather than religious beliefs, associating apostasy with a failure to observe Jewish law, and suggesting the requirements for conversion to Judaism included circumcision and adherence to traditional customs. Notably, in the Talmud some principles of faith (e.g., the Divine origin of the Torah) are considered important enough that rejection of them can put one in the category of "apikoros" (heretic)

    Over the centuries, a number of clear formulations of Jewish principles of faith have appeared, and though they differ with respect to certain details, they demonstrate a commonality of core ideology. Of these, the one most widely considered authoritative is Maimonides' thirteen principles of faith, which assert the following:

    1. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.
    2. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like His, and that He alone is our God, who was, and is, and will be.
    3. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that there can be no (physical) comparison to Him whatsoever.
    4. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last.
    5. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him.
    6. I believe with perfect faith that all the works of the prophets are true.
    7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded him and of those who followed him.
    8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that is now in our possession is the same that was given to Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him.
    9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be any other Law from the Creator, blessed be His name.
    10. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all the deeds of human beings, and all their thoughts, as it is said: “[He] that fashioned the hearts of them all, [He] that comprehends all their actions.”
    11. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments and punishes those that transgress them.
    12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and even though he may tarry, with all this I wait every day for his coming.
    13. I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His name, and exalted be His Name for ever and ever.

    By now, you may agree, like Christianity, all the four religions 'preach' their believers to do the 'right' things. None of the religions tell its followers to hurt others. All the terrible incidents were carried out by the extremists. It's really not a good idea to lump everyone together just because of few bad apples.

    A1

     

  • At Tuesday, 01 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK, well here's a new question. You said that you don't really have a GOD or god, but you follow the good deads and preachings of that GOD or gods religeon. Well, the laws above of Juidaisim cleary are about honoring and respecting God. Are you for this or is there other teachings simaliar to the ones of my faith that just talk about doing good and not honoring GOD. I hope you understand my question... it's a little hard to understand.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Tuesday, 01 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I could be wrong, but the way you put it sounds that non God-believers have no morality, which is one of reasons that some people are not exactly for Christianity.

    Atheists or agnostics may not have guidelines from the religious holy books, but there’re for sure lots of guidelines from non-religious books, such as The Golden Rule (one of the Classical Chinese among many others). I cannot speak for others, so I only express my own opinions here. I read, I observe and I learn from the readings and from other people’s behaviors. I also learn from my interacting with others. I believe THE ONLY INTOLERABLE IS TO INTENTIONALLY HURT OTHERS EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY AND/OR FINANCIALLY. From the people’s reaction or response, I can get the idea whether or not I say or do something wrong, and then I will make the adjustment if I unintentionally hurt others so that I can avoid making the same mistakes next time. In short, I use the only intolerable rule as my supreme guideline for my acts and also use it to tell if an individual follows his/her words. Hope this answers your question.

    BTW, Buddha never claims he is a god, thus teachings from Buddhism are not considered from a god.

    A1

     

  • At Wednesday, 02 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Oh, OK. Sorry, I don't mean to make it sound like you pointed out. I don't think any good Christian does. It's just how it sounds because... well, I don't know. I guess I just have a very confidant and on target religeon... but that sort of sounds bad too. Well, I don't know. Sorry if I offended anybody. OK, A1. Here's a new question. Sort of... like 20 questions, but here it is: If you could pick a certain religeon to stick with (out of the 5 religeons you follow) what would it be?
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 03 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    As I have stated nothing is perfect; therefore, I will not pick any particular religion. Any preaching /teachings consistent with my intolerable rule (i.e. the only intolerable is to intentionally hurt others emotionally, physically and/or financially) will be my guidelines for my acts.

    If you are wondering whether I want an eternal life after death, let me repeat it again that I don't care if there exists Heaven or Hell. If there's a God/god, it's great, but I don't need an incentive or a fear factor to be a decent human being.

    I have said I don’t have preference over any religion, thus I am fine with people with different faith- a good one. Look around, do you see each individual the same or different? On one hand we are the same, but on the other hand, we are different. We were raised and grew up in a different environment/culture/value system…etc. Therefore, it’s understandable that people tend to pick a religion just like any other stuff that they feel more comfortable/suitable. Again, I use the intolerable rule as my guideline. Anybody including myself violates the rule will not be considered a decent human being no matter whether that individual has a religious belief or not.

    A1

     

  • At Thursday, 03 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Yeah, but this may be repeating, but if you are standing in the middle of the road and say that you don't believe in trucks, a truck will still hit you. Yeah, that's a lot of repeating. OK. Forget everything that we have talked about and I'm going to give you a quiz. A Master quiz. You may have heard it before and it may take I while, but we have a ton of time. So, here's the first question, forgeting all that you said, do you consider yourself to be a good person (I was paying attention to what you were saying, it's just part of the quiz, OK.)
    Happy traveling.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 03 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I can only say I am not a bad person. I know I have all possible shortcomings of a human being, but I don't have the intention to hurt others and I try to help others within my abilities.

     

  • At Thursday, 03 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK. Here's another question. Have you ever told a lie?

     

  • At Thursday, 03 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Yes, I have. If we define lie is not fact, then there are two kinds of lie: intentional and unintentional. Intentional ones could be ‘white lie’ or ‘malicious lie’. The former is usually ‘ not to hurt someone else’s feelings ’, while the latter is to take advantage of or hurt others for his or her own benefits. Unintentional ones are the information we give or pass along, but unaware it’s not true. We LIE every day!

     

  • At Friday, 04 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    … if you are standing in the middle of the road and say that you don't believe in trucks, a truck will still hit you….

    I would like to make comments about the above statement you made.

    A truck is tangible, but not a God/god. Generally speaking, it’s harder to convince people to believe something not visible to them. Of course, you can also argue that we don’t see air, but it’s there undeniable. However, wind is due to the air flow, therefore even though we can not see it, we know the existence of the air indirectly, not just purely by faith like in God/gods. It is just not easy to believe for those who never experience the existence of God/gods.

    Do you know my point? Some people need evidence or proof of the existence. The example of air and God illustrates that.

    A1

     

  • At Friday, 04 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Well, the peoples proof that trucks are real are when they get hit by them! (Just kidding.) OK, I know we all lie, but it adds up to what I'm saying so, have you ever stole something?

     

  • At Friday, 04 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Yes, I believe I have. If we define stealing is taking something not belonging to you no matter whether it's intentional or not.


    Everybody (excluding the blind) can see trucks, but not everyone can see God. This is the main difference.

    A1

     

  • At Friday, 04 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    If all the questions will lead to the conclusion that we all are sinners, needing the salvation from God/Christ, then you don't have to ask one question at a time. I am fully aware I have made a lot of mistakes. This is why I have previously said if God exists and he/she thinks I only deserve Hell, then so be it. I bear the outcomes of my behaviors and please don't try to tell me how terrible the Hell is and to be saved by God ASAP.

    I guess you try to save a so-called 'lost soul'. Thanks for your good intention.

    A1

     

  • At Saturday, 05 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Ok, ok. Well, strike the truck thing... that was stupid anyway. I also see you have made your point. Alright, I'll stop with the questions, but how do you suppose everything came to be. I mean like, how everything was created. You may say you don't know, but... never mind. This isn't part of the "quiz", i'll stop that. This will work better anyway. Ok, well, um, just answer the question and enjoy your vacation.
    Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 05 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    What's the question? How is everything created? You are right I don't know. Life actualy would be MUCH easier for God-believers.

     

  • At Saturday, 05 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I should have said 'Life IS actually much easier for God-believers becasue of their belief/faith.'

    For them, everything is meant to be by God's will, good or bad. If so, it's much easier to find the mental comfort. I guess there're lots of ????? in the minds of atheists and agnostics.

    I am back from time-off. Thank you.

    A1

     

  • At Saturday, 05 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK. Well, I have another random question. How did you learn about all the religeons in the first place. Were you born and raised an athiest or is it different. Thank you!
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 05 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Let me put this way: among my family members, there are Christians, agnostics, atheists, and claimed Buddhists. We don't always agree with one another, but we don't fight over religion. If I want to, my parents would not be against my converting to Muslism or any other 'good' religion for this matter.

    Just like other stuff, I learn religions from reading, listening, observing along with many other possible means.

     

  • At Sunday, 06 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Oh, interesting. Man... I don't know what to say... I will ask another question in a second. You really have an interesting life though. I can't explain it anymore better then that. Kool. OK, well, it is more than a question. I didn't talk to you to change your mind for now. I talked to you to change "this". Do you think that... well, let's face it. In my religeon there are the last days. Respond to me and tell me if you will do this. In the last days, you might not believe in them or this, but I believe that someday you will get your mind changed about JESUS... spesificly in the enddays. You may not believe any of that but I do so please; tell me that if you get your mind changed, you'll go to GOD and heaven. Respond.

    Oh, I will be on the road for 3 days so don't expect an answer till 3 days. I still have more to talk about. OK. Bye!

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 06 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I really appreciate your intention trying to save a 'lost lamb,' just as my other Christian friends do.

    A1

     

  • At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Oh, man. Intense. I only read about half of it. I'll post again tomorrow when I read the other half.
    Look forward to what I have to say! I'm looking forward to what I am going to be reading!

     

  • At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Look forward to your joining our exchange :o)
    A1

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK, I'm back.

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    A1, did your other Christian friends ask you the same thing I did above. Oh, I consider you one of my friends. Respond to that however you want. but are any of your Christian friends still trying to "save" you? Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Hey Fenrir! Looking forward to what you have to say!

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    My Christian friends have not asked me the questions as you have done, but they have been trying to 'save' me for sure.

    I asked Fenrir's opinions about our comments to each other after I read the introduction in his blogspot. At first, he thought it was an advertisement. I think he has modified his introduction after reading our discussion.

    Check it out on his blog.

    Tuesday, August 08, 2006
    Prophets and Pirates

    A1

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    RC, Never mind. You have obviously visited Fenrir's blogspot and posted a comment there.

    Fenrir, we both are all ears, eager to know what you are going to say.

    A1

     

  • At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site. Keep working. Thank you.
    »

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Haha, well I'll get started then.

    I pray my friend Jennifer will forgive me, as I asked her opinion about all of this, and now my opinion is heavily influenced by hers. So I'm going to be saying a lot of the stuff she said to me. And I apologize to you, my readers, in advance, because this is going to be VERY preachy (it's just my writing style, so please bear with it and forgive me).

    Oh man, you know a ton about religion, A1. I know a bit here and there, but not in depth as you do. I'm not good at remembering the details, even after I take a whole university class of East Asian religions. :P Oh, and yes I did change my blog introduction (among other things), as some things I found on this blog impacted me in such a way that my focus has been renewed.

    Ummm, this may be a bit presumptuous, but I am going to start from the beginning, and explain three things: 1) what Christianity is; 2) why it is "right"; 3) where other religions have it "wrong."

    First of all, "right" and "wrong" are essentially necessary at this point, as the agnostic belief sees no "correct" or "incorrect" pathway to Heaven, Purgatory, Reincarnation, the Afterlife, or whatever else awaits a person after life ends. I don't mean to say that anything other than Christianity is completely wrong, but I had to use those simple words in order to keep my explanations short.

    I've been a Christian for about six years or so, and have been wandering between different denominations (Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist), looking for the path that was "closest to Jesus." Essentially I decided that since the Christian faith was divided into so many different beliefs, not one of them could be absolutely correct in understanding the best interpretation of the Bible. As is said in the comments above, nobody is perfect.
    And therein lies the fault. That "nobody" applies to "everybody" except Jesus and God. Now, all Christian denominations believe that Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are one; three in one, the Holy Trinity, etc. etc. God is simply used as a short term for all three. Of the three, Jesus and God are those that are personified - God in high mighty Godly form, Jesus in a full-God, full-Man form, and the Holy Spirit, which is more of a God-within-mankind form. And I'm getting of the point I'm trying to make, so let me back up.
    Jesus and God = perfect. Mankind = not perfect. Why? Why did God make His Son, Jesus, perfect, but mankind not perfect? Get this: we were made for perfection. So what went wrong? The problem is choice. It's a blessing and a curse. We have the ability to choose to be with God, or to choose to be apart from God. The whole point of Heaven is for us to return to perfection - which is why Heaven is for those who have chosen God. If we weren't made for perfection, than why are we so hurt and angered by the imperfection of our lives and those around us? Why did Americans care when Bill Clinton acted immorally in the White House back in 1998? Why are so many Americans angered at the disaster in Iraq, despite the fact that it has no affect on most American's lives? Or better yet - the disasters in Israel and in Sudan. So seeing that perfection is "good" and imperfection is "bad", we can deduce that if we are perfect, we will be led to a perfect God, and if we are imperfect... well, nothing short of Hell awaits us. So if we can't do anything about our own imperfection, why are we able to recognize "good" and "bad" so easily?

    Alright, that final question in the last paragraph might have left you a little confused. Let me explain: humankind has a "standard" or moral grounding with which to judge right and wrong. And many argue that this moral standard is taught by parents, friends, and the society around us. But I tell you that that argument doesn't stand very well when confronted by a well-experienced and knowledged Christian teacher. C. S. Lewis was nothing short of that title. I highly encourage both of you to read "Mere Christianity," as my argument would go on for pages trying to prove this point. So let's avoid that (this comment is way too long already) and assume that God gave us the inherant ability to recognize "good" and "bad" and we have no way to escape imperfection on our own. From an outsider's point of view, you might be thinking, "What the hell kind of god would do that?!" It's torture!

    The truth is, this "moral standard" God gave us to choose right and wrong was not given to us so that we might attempt perfection to attain Heaven. We have this "moral standard" so that we can see that we are corrupt, and choose the only way God gave us to return to perfection: the way of Jesus Christ.

    Alright - now I'm moving faster than I wanted to. Let me back some up, offer some more explanation, and take a short water break. :D

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    You might be thinking, "Well, what on earth did mankind do to get to Heaven before Jesus was sent to earth 2000 years ago?". Or you might not be thinking that. But I'm gonna answer it anyways (just because I can) :P

    In the Old Testament, God gives mankind the hope of returning to Him after death by forgiving their sins (their "imperfection") by sacrificing livestock (lambs, goats, I think maybe calfs, too, but not sure about calfs...) on an alter He gave exact specifications for. You see, for our God of Israel, nothing short of blood would suffice to forgive our sins, ever since Adam and Eve took that fruit "in order to be like God" (Genesis 3:5) and Cain killed his brother Abel and mankind has been cursed with Sin ever since. It was God's first covenant with mankind - with Moses, specifically - that enabled the forgiveness of sins. On an altar built to exact specifications, the blood of healthly livestock would be shed, and the sinner would walk away clean. Obviously, God changed this covenant later on. But God Himself hasn't changed. He never changes. To clairify this, I'm gonna take a chunk out of Hebrews chapter 8:
    "For if there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said:
    'the time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
    It will not be like the covenant I made with thier forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
    This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.
    I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts.
    I will be their God, and they will be my people.
    No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
    For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:7-12, also see Ezekiel 11:16-21)

    Did not God carry out that promise? Do we not have morality written into our hearts and minds? Has not God offered a permenant way of forgiving our sins? Jesus is that permenant way. When his blood was shed, it was blood to symbolize the forgiveness of sins eternally (as he was perfect - both fully Man and fully God) and water enough to symbolize our baptism (a requirement of this new covenant for us to enter Heaven and return to perfection). For after Jesus died, a soldier poked him with a spear to see if he was still alive, and water and blood both spilled out down the spear.

    The old covenant required blood in order to forgive the sins - but you know what? It wasn't just the blood that cleansed sins. It was the act of a man taking the life of a healthy young livestock (which was of value just as money is today) and knowing that said act would cleanse his sins. Jesus' perfect blood has been spilled - all is required of us is to believe - nay, to know that our sins were cleaned by that act. And then we are able to return to Heaven - to perfection. And this is a choice we make of the free will God was willing to risk giving us - the free will He wanted us to have, to choose to love Him, rather than having a world of robots, programmed to love him without having the choice not to.

    Hell is the alternative to choosing God. If you choose to be away from God, then it becomes an eternal choice after you die. It's that simple; Christians get their wish, and non-Christians get theirs as well. Which is why I decided its not important whether one is Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, or WHATEVER. They all believe that Jesus died for our sins. And that's all it takes.

    And all of that concludes point 1) what Christianity is.
    Man, I'm wiped out. Maybe later I'll go on to explain why it is "right" and why other religions are "wrong". You know, I think I even forgot what I wanted to say on those points. Maybe it will come back to me.

    Oh man. I help all of this stuff helps. I wrote out way too much, without really looking back and seeing how much of it applied to the many things you talked about in the comments above.

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Hmmm, so now considering that I've given you what Christianity is, I think I'll throw out my view on agnosticism. Please stop me if I become offensive - I will give it my best shot to be non-aggressive, non-offensive.

    Agnostics and athesiests have one thing in common: their theory on Creation is very... shallow. Sorry, but I can't find a better word :-(

    Let's start with a large-scale view.
    Take a look at the solar system. If everything was created from a single, huge explosion, that caused everything to expand, wouldn't you expect everything to be symmetrical and congruent? Why is our solar system so weird? We have a planet with four moons, a planet with one moon, a planet with one moon, some planets with rings, and one cold asteroid-like planet that just hangs out at the end back there, which we've called "Pluto". Why aren't they the same shape, or the same distance from the sun? They could at least be at increasing intervals from the sun... but there is absolutely no consistency in the make of our solar system.
    Now take a look at our planet. We've got forests and oceans and swamps and deserts - all kinds of terrain, which houses all kinds of wildlife and flora and fauna. If life on our planet was an accident, wouldn't our planet just be covered in fungi and algae? Why would there be a need for evolution, when our planet is simply orbiting a sun, experiencing little to no influence from outside of our atmosphere? Well, I'm no biologist, nor am I an ecologist, nor am I an astronomer, for that matter, so I can't take this point very far. But taking a look at creation - it's just too beautiful, too inconsistent, to be coincidence or accident.
    But I am human - so I do have some authority to argue this point: where does our concept of beauty come from? Why do we appreciate something as unimportant as the beauty of a forest clearing, or a mountain stream? Is this something genetic, or something society has taught us? I am inclined not to believe that - modern day society doesn't seem to take the time to "sit back and smell the roses".

    One final point I would like to make about Creation (and this is the clincher):

    Why are we cognitive to the point that we are able to question our creation? That is, why have we been able to question our origins? Why are we able to take the perspective of an outsider looking into Earth? Here's my answer: we were created to feel this way - to be cognitive to this point. Does a fish know what it is like to feel wet? I wonder. I'm no biologist, so I wouldn't know. But I wouldn't declare that a fish was created to be aware of its own wetness. Geez, I hope the example helps. I'm not very good at thinking up good examples.

    Why is Creation such a critical issue in discussing religion? God created Earth, so Christianity has an explanation for creation; wouldn't agnosticism and athiesm need an explanation to counter the Christian view in order to hold its own validity?

    From what I gather of your comments above, agnosticism takes on the premise that no religion is perfect - everything is imperfect; every religion, every god, and every human being. But I ask this question of you: by whose standards are you judging perfection? Where did you obtain these standards?

    Oh, and sorry for posting this a day late. Whenever I say "tomorrow," I usually mean, "tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after the day after tomorrow..." But technically, it is Wednesday night, cuz I haven't gone to bed yet. It's 3:03 AM on Thursday morning, which is why the post says "Thursday, August 10, 2006". I guess it depends on your perspective.

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Oh, and I feel I should apologize for one more thing. I kind of pass between hypothetical, rhetorical, and real questions without making the difference clear. I should probably specify when I'm making a rhetorical question and asking a question I really want the answer to. I can understand how a real question, when presumed to be rhetorical, can be offensive. I don't mean to offend you with my questions - I do ask a lot of 'em.

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I like to clarify the definition before any discussion to avoid misunderstanding.

    Below is the definition from Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary for atheist and agnostic, respectively.

    atheist: one who believes that there is no deity

    agnostic : a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god

    Basically, atheists deny the existence of God, whereas agnostics neither deny or accept the existence of God. I claim I am an agnostic because I don’t know enough to say whether or not there’s God. This is one of the reasons I have said it may be true that those who believe in God are blessed because it’s a ‘done’ deal- There’s no doubt, no second guess. On the contrary, I have a lot of question marks in my mind, which sometimes might not be good for my mental health.

    I also have to clarify that I don’t know much about religions as you think. The comments/beliefs regarding religion are mainly from the website. I did listen to the audiotapes of the 5 religions (total 50 2-sides tapes), but once in a while I got distracted since I was also driving at the same time. I would like to go back to review what I have learned so that I can gain more insights.

    Anyway, I think the ‘core’ issue here is whether or not you believe Creation, Evolution or whatever theories out there. If you believe Creation, you will find a lot of stuff that support that. Same can be said to all other theories. I remember one story I read. In the story, one person suspected his neighbor had stolen his tool, thus any move of his neighbor looked suspicious like behaviors of a thief. Later on, he found his tool at home and then in his eyes, his neighbor did not behave like a thief any more. Did you get my point? Our behaviors/reactions are conditioned by our beliefs/faith. For example, if you think the embryo is a life, then you will be against abortion, but if you don’t think so, then you will react differently, correct? Everything comes down to what you believe to begin with. Similarly, who defines ‘right’ and ‘wrong’? What is ‘good’? What is ‘bad’?

    I have to repeat that my intolerable rule (i.e. the only intolerable is to intentionally hurt others emotionally, physically and/or financially) is my guideline for my acts and my criteria to tell if an individual follows what he/she claims.

    Frankly, I can care less about where I am from or where I am going after death- I cannot speak for other atheists or agnostics.

    I don’t get offended as long as whoever makes the argument is not mean-spirited. Of course, it would be nice to know the rationale behind the argument just for better understanding.

    A1

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Well, I suppose you could look up "Christian" in the dictionary and get something like this: a person who believes in a good God and in Jesus, who was God's son. My whole explanation of Christianity was meant to get away from such simplistic explanations of faith. It's impossible to understand something so deep when all one knows about it is a single sentence, or a few preconceptions about what society and culture says (the media, movies, TV, books, etc. all portray a very simple, emotional view of Christianity, which is why many people find it hard to put their trust in it).

    In my argument about Creation, my attempt was to answer some of the questions (and ask some of my own) from the comments you and RCHammer made above. Creation can be a means to prove religion, albiet not a very good one - as I don't believe many of us were around when the world was created :P I believe there are better approaches to verifying religion and proving the existence of a good God.

    Similarly, who defines 'right' and 'wrong'? What is 'good'? What is 'bad'?
    Yes! Those are the questions I asked (or I beat around them, I'm not sure - but I was thinking along those lines).

    But it is apparent from your "intolerable rule" that the answer to those questions is this: you define "right" and "wrong," don't you? The point I was trying to make in my third post was this: you use your own rationality to decide what is "good" and "bad," but where do you get this rationality from? Experience? Society? Your genes? Simply because you know what "good" and "bad" is, you must have some kind of standard to measure a person's actions, to determine whether or not they were "right" or "wrong."

    And so you say that our behaviors and reactions are conditioned by our beliefs/faith - but what does that say about you? As an agnostic, you essentially pick and choose to follow your own rules. You may take some teachings from Jesus, Muhammed, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, etc. but essentially it is you who decides 'right' and 'wrong'. And for a person to believe - on his own rationality, his own knowledge - that God is probably unknowable, yet that morality is created by yourself, yet you choose to be "good" based on some kind of standard. Hmmmm... that sentence might be a little confusing... lemme see if I can put it another way...

    Your "intolerable rule" is essentially 'good', right? You use it to keep from hurting others, and to keep your own behavior positive. But why do you choose to be 'good'? Being agnostic, you could just as easily choose to be 'bad', could you not? You could make a list of cruel things that you require yourself to do each day. But would that bring you happiness? God gave us happiness, morality, and a standard of "good" and "evil" so that we could determine for ourselves what is right and wrong, and how to best live out our lives. And through this, we can discover who God is. The God that I believe in and love is a God who doesn't hide himself, but a God who wants us to discover Him, and makes Himself knowable to us. So much to the point that He even "made man in His own image" (Genesis 1:27) and wrote out things like "love," "happiness," and "how to be good" in our hearts.

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Wow Fenrir. You took the words right out of my mouth. Of course you added some and took some away. I want to ask your opion on this (and don't worry A1, I'm not abbandining you). Fenrir, I see you have only been a Christian for 6 years, but have you ever heard that everyone in there lifetime will here about GOD and it will be there chose to choose where to go? Well, also have you heard that in the end times, GOD will be revealed and proved to eveyone and it will be there chose to chose to worship the beast or cling to GOD? Well, I believe that A1 will be and that time. How about you. I think it will truly be revealed and proved to A1. Sorry, that's really hard to respond to A1, but you can respond too.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    RC Hammer: Yes, I do know of what you speak of. First of all, I'd like to take this quote from Hebrews (from which I quoted above): "No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest." (Hebrews 8:11). Pretty much that entire Hebrews quote I made above applies to how it is today: Everybody will hear the name of Jesus and will have the option to accept or deny him (I am trying to speak in the present tense, but it's not working...)
    Secondly, it is true that in the end times God will be completely revealed and proven to everyone, but that will be after many people have already made their choice. I believe the end times are coming soon, but it is also impossible to know when they will happen. All we can do is watch for the signs. (Revelations)
    And yes, at that time, A1 will see and know God, but it may be too late. Or it may not. There are too many variables, and it's not a chance worth risking. Even though it’s all spelled out in Revelations, that book is very difficult to understand. To quote my friend Jennifer: “I am convinced that one has to be raised Jewish to really understand Revelations.”

    In response to a statement made earlier by A1:
    You don't really care about where you're going after you die - that's fine, I can sympathize with that. I don't dwell on the concepts of Heaven and Hell. But I am absolutely not a Christian just so that I can get into Heaven. Heaven is not a "reward" for good people, and Hell is not a "punishment" for bad people. That is what makes me so angry at Catholicism. I love Catholic people, but their theology does more harm than help.
    For Christians, Heaven the result of seeking closeness with God. Some may see it as a reward, but for those who choose to see it that way, they must be careful, because it can easily be misconstrued and used that Heaven is a reason to be a Christian. Such a way of Christianity contradicts what God intended, and leads to selfishness, whereas God commands selflessness. Heaven is no reason to be a Christian. God, or Jesus, should be the reason. The life of a Christian is like a road trip across the United States, from California to Florida. The purpose of the road trip is the journey itself; not the destination. For when you reach Florida, the road trip is over, your life is done, and there is no turning back. And the commandments of God and Jesus are like the laws of the road; ‘love your neighbor,’ ‘love your God,’ and ‘make disciples of all nations’ – just like ‘drive on the right side of the road,’ ‘stop at stop signs,’ and ‘don’t outrun the police officer’.
    But for those who choose to be close to God, Heaven is that place. For those who choose to be away from God, Hell is best defined as, "absolute separation from God."

     

  • At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Fenrir,
    It’s nice to clearly define Heaven and Hell although it’s under the assumption there exists God. If that’s the definition, there’s really no need to argue about the physical existence of either one. It surely sounds like a certain goal we try to reach.

    I agree that we tend to simplify things and I think it’s really not a good idea to do so as far as the behavior science is concerned.

    I don’t define ‘good’ and ‘bad’ or ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; however, you are right that when I state my intolerable rule, I in fact define it in a way. I am uneasy if I ‘feel’ I have done or said the ‘wrong’ thing. I think it’s ‘conscience’, but if you want to label it ‘God’, I am fine with it.

    Do you realize that when you cite the verse from Bible, you believe everything in Bible is true, correct? You have faith in it, but not everyone does.

    RC,
    I won’t be worried about being abandoned. I enjoy reading a well-laid out argument w/ or w/o direct involvement. I feel kind of funny that you both were thinking about the possibility of my eternal life.

     

  • At Friday, 11 August, 2006 , Blogger Jenna St.Hilaire said...

    Hi there,

    RC Hammer and A1, let me introduce myself: I'm Fenrir's friend Jennifer. He and I have been talking about your discussion, and he invited me to check it out. Thanks for hosting, RC!

    I've taken some time to catch up on the dialogue, and wow! What a discussion. Hope you guys don't mind if I put my two cents' in ;-)

    You've made many good points on both sides of the issue; really, Fenrir has already very well said most of what I could say. It looks to me like the actual center of this debate ultimately comes down to one thing. Fenrir began his first arguments with this: "First of all, "right" and "wrong" are essentially necessary at this point..." He was right, if this debate is to go anywhere. Here's what I mean by that.

    All humans ask certain questions: Is there a God? Where will we go when we die? Where do we come from and why are we here?

    A1, you're coming at debate from a different perspective than the rest of us. You believe, to some extent, in questioning; otherwise you wouldn't be having this discussion. But you've basically admitted that you don't believe the answers can be known.

    Fenrir, RC Hammer and I all think that such questions can be, and are, answered by a truth that is outside of ourselves.

    This difference will short-circuit the ability to have a meaningful discussion. Sure, we can all find out more about each others' questions and ideas, and that's great--but that's all. If debate is going to continue, I suggest that there will have to be agreement from here on out as to whether the purpose of this debate is question, or answer.

    With love,

    Jennifer

    P.S. A1, you're the first non-Christian I've ever heard say to a Christian "Thank you for trying to save me" ...simply accepting the concern of another person. Misguided evangelical methods have given Christians a bad name. I appreciate your not holding those things against us. Thank you.

     

  • At Friday, 11 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Wow! This is really quite fun, don't you think everybody??? It started out with A1 and me but know we have 2 more people and we're on the verge of 100 comments! They should let us do this on TV! Praise GOD for this opertonity and fun!

    Alright, when I was looking through the latest stamements, again, I could make little comments like I understand revelation alot and I'm not Jewish (if you ever need anything explained Fenrir, just ask me). My point is a lot of little staments by me won't help anything. But, man, hasn't there been alot of stuff said. I think we all have learned something new from this. But it is not time to end this conversation yet. It is so hard because we have 3 people who think totally differently then the other pesron they are talking with. Things Christians think of are totally different then what are friend A1 thinks of. We have to totally put areself in A1's shoes to make aproper stament. Before I start I would like to thank you all for making this possible and let you know that you are ALL my friends. I understand that I cannot use my tools that come with Christianity, so I will try to "make" this statement to apeal dirrectly to A1, but you others can answer too. A1, why do you think that we have an actual evil in the world? Like you said earlier, why do you think we have "bad apples". Were does the desire to do evil in your oipnion come from. I'm not talking like little things, but killing, pornagaphy, and stealing tons of money, and stuff like that?
    Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 11 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Oh, I almost forgot. A1, I really enjoyed your statement when you said I felt kind of funny over you worrying about my eternity. Well, we all care about you very much A1 and besides, we wouldn't be proper Christains without theese "little" conversations! And also, I don't know about anyone else but I have been doing some studying about Heaven and hell, and it is a very terrible place (not saying your a bad person, A1). But as Fenrir pointed out before, it's not about Heaven and hell, it's about GOD or santan. We care for you so much A1, that we want to take you to are LEADER so you can expierince ETERNAL joy forever and ever. We just care so much about you A1.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 11 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am not sure whether or not the answer about the existence of God can be known. It can or cannot. I only say I don’t know enough to say either way.

    Also, I have no intention to convince anyone to change anybody else’s belief/religion. The purpose of the discussion is more like to promote the understanding among people with different backgrounds, not to debate the existence of any deity. As RC has said that ‘we all have learned something new from this’. I do understand a little bit more about Christianity than I first started.

    I think we can put motive/result into the following 4 groups.
    1. Good motive/ Bad result
    2. Good motive/ Good result
    3. Bad motive/ Good result
    4. Bad motive/ Bad result

    All 3 of you along with my other Christian friends have been trying to ‘save’ me. I understand. It’s just like any other good stuff you would like to share with your friends and also try to warn/advise your friends away from any (possible) unpleasant event. Therefore, it’s a good motive to start with, which should be appreciated regardless of the outcome. Frankly, believing in God would not do me any harm; however, I cannot live within myself by blind acceptance. I may or may not become a Christian later. Fenrir is right saying that by then it may be too late, but I am willing to bear the outcome of my choice.

    Let’s put aside the religion for now, think about the daily incidents. How do you feel if your parents, teachers, or friends start with the sentence that you are wrong? There’s likelihood you tune out, so no matter how great the advice following the first sentence, it’s useless- the good message does not go through at all. Similarly, if you first claim your religion/philosophy is ‘good’; others are ‘wrong’, there’s a big chance the message you want to convey goes to the deaf ears most of the time. Get my point?


    I will answer these 2 questions later.
    Why do you think that we have an actual evil in the world?
    Where does the desire to do evil in your opinion come from?

     

  • At Friday, 11 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Yeah, I say we focus more on this conversation then changing peoples minds. No one else here may believe this but I believe that as long as your alive, there's a way to get to Heaven. There's never a too late. The guy on the right side of JESUS when they died on the cross, he was @ his final few minutes... to late, I think not! I'm just saying that when GOD reveals and prooves HIMSELF to A1, it won't be on lateness, it will be his choice. And I do think A1 is in a right dirrection.Now like I said, let's focus on the conversation instead of a "change" because the change comes in the end, and this very exciteing conversation isn't over yet. So I say, just procide with the question and the answers and I'll see you later.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 12 August, 2006 , Blogger Jenna St.Hilaire said...

    RC, thanks for your comment on my blog! You're welcome to drop in, read and/or comment--you're both welcome--any time.

    How do you feel if your parents, teachers, or friends start with the sentence that you are wrong? There’s likelihood you tune out, so no matter how great the advice following the first sentence, it’s useless...

    A1, I could not agree more with that statement. The "I'm right and you're wrong" preface is one of the first and most volatile of the "misguided evangelical methods" I mentioned in my postscript. Along with using “You’re going to hell if you don’t accept Jesus” as a means of persuasion.

    What I meant by emphasizing the importance of right and wrong is that without allowing for knowable truth, the “I don’t know” becomes our catch-22. But “I don’t know” is not an argument, it’s just a state of being. We can discuss all the tangential issues we want, but if we haven’t got the foundations laid, we’re just going to talk in circles. I’m big on laying foundations, in case you all hadn’t noticed :P But don’t think I’m trying to stop a good discussion. I just like to hang out at the core of the issue, where the heat of the battle for any of our souls is fought.

    Trying to save you, A1? I hadn’t really thought of it that way. My view of Christianity makes me feel, without reference to any burning lakes of fire, a certain sadness at the idea of anyone accepting less than Christ. Buddhists search for peace, but sacrifice “affection” to find it. Muslims have some good principles, extremism excluded, but they seem to me to lack any real hope, especially for the women. Agnostics—and please don’t take this as an insult; were I not a Christian right now, my mind would have me exactly where you are, honestly—those who finally choose agnosticism seek intellectual integrity, but wind up without answers.

    First Corinthians chapter 13, from the Bible, says “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.” Faith to answer the questions, hope to make life bearable, and love—with all its ‘bliss and hell’, as one great writer put it—to win out in the end.

    A1, you’ve got some idea of the law of love with your ‘intolerable rule’. Working from that, Fenrir said in one of his posts "God gave us happiness, morality, and a standard of 'good' and 'evil' so that we could determine for ourselves what is right and wrong, and how to best live out our lives. And through this, we can discover who God is." We search for God. The Christian Bible corroborates the story of our search, and answers it—not with perfect understanding (“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face”) but with enough for now, and with a promise (“Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.”)

    So, not everybody believes in the Bible. Okay. Fair enough. It takes faith to believe in the Bible. But blind faith? Not when I see my own heart in the words on the page. Not when I watch the sun rise over Mt. Baker or set over the ocean. Not when I look into the face of someone dear to me and wonder at the perfection of its design, and not when their eyes look back at me with love. No. These things, especially love, are too—well, alive, to be just an evolved or human-spawned reality. The beauty, power, infinite detail, forgiveness, grace, loyalty, and joy, must originate from someone greater than myself. Someone greater than any human. Someone real, even if intangible.

    The Bible calls faith “the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Or, translating from the original Greek, you could put in “substance” and “evidence” for assurance and conviction. I don’t think Christianity was ever meant to be blind faith. I believe, based on the evidence at hand (the intricate technicality and artistry of creation, the testimony of other Christians and of my own experience, the Bible and its fit with reality) that God is real.

    Likewise, I believe that George Washington lived, and that oxygen helps sustain life, and that music carries an innate power that transcends notes and chords. I’ve never experienced any of those things through the five senses—I trust historical records, the designs of the universe as understood by science, and the feeling I get around a good song. Those are the same things, if you’ll notice, that convince me of my faith ;-)

    Back to the beginning. Trying to 'save' you? Fenrir just talked to me about this a little bit ago. Neither one of us would use that word. It reeks of self-righteousness and disrespect to me. But you mentioned in one of your first posts the idea that confidence in God's existence and presence could be a blessing. We think so, and that is what we'd love to share with you if we could--not out of a lack of respect for you or your thoughts, but out of joy and love in God. We've made our choices. To make, or to have made yours, is your prerogative--we honor that.

    peace,

    Jennifer

    P.S. ...And you're right, RC, as long as there's life, it's never too late :-)

     

  • At Saturday, 12 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I felt funny because you care about my eternal life more than I do. I do appreciate you all trying to share the joy you have with me. I fully understand your good motive. For you, God exists, but for me, I don’t care about whether or not God exists.

    Faith is by definition, a belief in something for which no proof of existence – this is from one of my friends, who used to be a Christian, but he claims he was born and raised Christian and left the faith after he started thinking for himself. In fact, he has shared with me his friend’s view about religion, which also reflects his thought.

    … From the moment we are born they start on us, our parents, our communities, our clergies; they tell us we "belong" to a certain religion. We are told over and over that our religion happened to be the right one and all others are wrong. "All those unfortunate ones who belong to other religions are just not going to heaven, sorry, they are just wrong people. They worship wrong gods." So we grow up convinced, without a doubt, that we, the lucky ones, are the chosen right ones. It is an instilled strong prejudice. Nobody in this vast world of ours ever comes to the logical conclusion that if every member of every religion thinks he just happened to be born in the right religion it simply means all religions are wrong ones. Our moron psychopath leaders, who enjoy war, then use this brainwashing mechanism (reinforced every week in churches, synagogues and mosques ),to make us attack each other and kill one another, like a bunch of, brainless, helpless baboons. It is god, an entity created by man, which is killing innocent people in the present situation in the Middle East. Someday in the future people are going to wise up and throw away all this junk, all the lies, all this phony religious stories, all this odd fantasies about who created us, where we came from, where we are going and according to what stupid rules we should live by. We will be freer people then, with one less prejudice, and we all will live without this ugly idiotic phenomenon called religion…

    I think Jennifer is going to re-emphasize that it's not a correct perception about the true Christianity; nonetheless, these two individuals used to be Christians, not to mention what non-Christians would think. It will take time and effort to have the misconception corrected.

    A1

     

  • At Saturday, 12 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Why do you think that we have an actual evil in the world?
    Where does the desire to do evil in your opinion come from?

    In my opinion, there’s no perfect person. The difference is the ratio of the so- called ‘good’ and ‘ bad’ within a person. For people who tend to see the goodness would say human beings are born with good nature and they later become ‘corrupted’ because of the ‘bad’ environments. Conversely, for those who tend to see the badness of the human beings would claim we are born evil and we need ‘laws and rules’ to be kept on the ‘right’ track.

    We don’t know everything, so most of time we state whatever we observe. However, since we are not perfect, we see things selectively (consciously or not), thus we may only pick things that support our beliefs without realizing everything could have multiple facets and our belief is just a part of the whole.

    Having said all the above, I have to admit I have no answers to the questions. I don’t know about a lot of things. It’s true 'I don't know' is a state of being, but I am not going to claim I know something which I am actually lack of knowledge.

    A1

     

  • At Sunday, 13 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    I feel bad posting because I haven't read half of what Jennifer wrote in her last post, but I read A1's past two posts, and I'm going to respond directly to those. I'm not ignoring Jennifer, but I am posting for A1, so I may repeat some of what Jennifer said.

    My parents raised me to believe whatever I wanted to believe. They said it was alright if I chose to be straight or gay, and they said it was alright if I chose to be Catholic or non-Christian. Eventually, I chose to be Christian out of my own research and choice, and I believe that I have ample evidence to prove God's existence. And that's what I'm trying to share with you. I'm trying to give you evidence to prove God's existence to you, but quite honestly, I feel like you're not reading my messages and you're constantly changing the subject. But it's probably just our different perspectives. It's probably like I'm speaking in German while you're speaking in Italian. We're kind of close; but no comprende. It probably seems the same to you; as if I'm not answering your questions, or evading your questions with Bible verses and whatnot. Let's see if I can open communications a little better. And let me again stress how much C. S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity would help in your understanding of lots of stuff about God and stuff.

    I really believe what you said when you said "we see things selectively (consciously or not), thus we may only pick things that support our beliefs". I could totally use your knowledge in the "Mel Gibson" post on this blog, as I tried to make that point in my argument against someone hitting on the Bible. I wish I had read this comment first; your wording is excellent and your point made.

    I would answer your questions now, but it being 2:21 AM, several hours past my bedtime, I must retire and answer them in the morning. Goodnight and God bless,

    Fenrir

     

  • At Sunday, 13 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Oh man.

    I wrote a really long post this morning and I must of forgot to press the button or something.

    When I gather my thoughts I'll write it again lol.

     

  • At Sunday, 13 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Sorry everyone, I again, took another vacation (a one day vacation). I'm glad I haven't missed to much. Man, this keeps getting better and better and it's really hard to find something... "worth saying" to say... almost. I did, however, find some things to say to A1.

    OK, I'll start with answering my/your question before I began. I believe that there is evil in the world becausse (I won't go into detail to much because once I say it, it will be pretty typical and ordainary.) I believ that we came clean intill the incedent with Adam and Eve and so on (I don't think I need to go on, because I'm all pretty sure you all understand... and I'm rushing too, like normal.

    OK, A1, I'll go to what I was going to say to you. Before you said " For you, God exists, but for me, I don’t care about whether or not God exists." Well, do you care that you exist? I mean, sure, you care about doing good things for other people but does that really matter if you don't make it to GOD. As you said earlier, you said that you don't care if you go to Heaven or hell (I'm sorry I had to use hell as a boundry... the Bible does say the fear of the LORD is the beganing of wisdom.) But what I am trying to say is, you don't care about eternity, about yourself, about forever. I mean, we all know you mean well by being a good person to everyone, but you can't be a good person if your not good to yourself. Agree? Respond. Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Sunday, 13 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I don’t usually particularly address to RC, Fenrir or Jennifer when I write my comments because I assume we will read everyone’s comments to have some general ideas. Therefore, it’s more like I express my opinions. However, I am going to address each of you here to summarize my thought of your comments. If you don’t think I grasp your main idea, please clarify. I also make my stands clearly so that we can truly communicate.

    1) RC,
    I think if possible, you would like me to become a Christian ASAP or if not, at least to be one by the end days for me to have an eternal life. Your approach is asking me questions, hoping my sense will finally be awaken.

    2) Fenrir,
    I agree with you that we don’t seem to answer each other’s questions, which somewhat reflects the way we interact with others in the daily life. Most of us eager to convey our messages and sometimes don’t pause to closely listen to what our counterpart says. It appears we talk to each other, but in reality we just get things out of our chest without really understanding each other, thus no real communication occurs.

    You believe in Jesus and God is the ‘ONLY’ way and you are trying to convince others what you believe.

    My take is we strive for perfection no matter whether we are Christians or not.

    3) Jennifer,
    You would like to share with me the joy and love of God. You have tried to give examples to show the existence of God. You also realize that you can bring a horse to water, but you cannot force it to drink although you do wish the horse would drink the water. Alas! So far the horse doesn’t even know if the water exists.

    Your understanding of other religions may be partial, thus your comments about other religions may not be accurate as a whole.

    4) Let me also clarify what I have been saying in the comments so that you (especially arelas) don’t have to read the almost one-month long exchanges between RC and me.

    It does not matter to me if God exists. Therefore, there’s no need to convince me that there’s an almighty God who loves us no matter what. It’s great for those who believe in God and feel comfortable with the faith. I appreciate their good intention trying to share the 'feeling of fulfillment' with others. Nonetheless, not everyone comes out with the same mold. Let others believe what they want to believe as long as they don’t post negative impact in the world. Of course, it raises the question about who defines ‘positive/negative’ ‘god/bad’, ‘right/wrong’. However, we do have some universal belief in the golden rule. Other than that, they are more or less affected by the custom, culture, value system of a certain group and then become a ‘norm’ for that society. We really stand no ground to say it’s wrong just because it’s different from ours.

    My purpose of the discussion is to hopefully help promote the understanding of people with different backgrounds and religion is just one of them. With the perception of Christianity (or any other religion for this matter) claiming it’s the only ‘right’ religion, the hope for peace is slim. If everyone can try to understand and respect each other and not to pose his/her values to others, there may be a chance for the world peace.

    A1

    P.S.
    RC, To answer your question about 'you can't be a good person if your not good to yourself'- I never claim I am a good person; I only say I am not a bad person.

     

  • At Monday, 14 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Well, what you said about me is sort of true A1. If you could I would like you to be a Christian now but I believe that in the end days it will either be worship GOD or worship santan. In my opinion I'm just trying to prepare you for your choice.

    I wonder what everyone else has to say about what you said there "mission" or whatever was for you.

    RC Hammer

    (P.S. Oh, like Jennifer, I also want you to feel the great love of GOD!)

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    I'm sorry, I had to delete your comment but you can't swear on my blog. In my opinion, I don't think you understood what I said because what you said was nothing I said or it was close to it but the important parst were changed.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Let me sort of resay what I just said. I keep telling you everything like explanations for me not using politics and stuff like that but everytime I tell you something you don't listen and keep critsizing me for stuff I have already explained to you! Now listen or I ask you to please get of my blog!!!

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Listen, you just keep overlooking who I really am and every time I tell you otherwise you never listen and keep on going all though I allready explained it to you. I'm sorry, I just can't have a conversation with how your doing. Very sorry.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    RC,

    I don't think it's a good idea to delete someone's comments just because he/she criticizes you. I did feel arelas was a little bit harsh toward you when I read the comments, but I don't think arelas realizes that you are really young. (Maybe you can let us know how old you are.) In addition, arelas really tried to point out your weakness, which should be appreciated. You would be the one who knows whether the criticism is true or not. If it's true, improve it; if not, just ignore it.

    I understand you don't like someone swears in your blog. Nevertheless, it's impossible for us to be right all the time. As time evolves, we will become better and better with a willing to listen to and learn from others, deity or not.

    A1

     

  • At Tuesday, 15 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I dont classify the word "bullsh*t" as swearing, in Australia its a colloquialism.

    I have been far more reasonable then you give me credit for, its not my fault you are so incredibly close-minded, you never gave me a decent reason for being so politically incorrect, you just rambled incoherently.

    Perhaps I am a bit harsh, but if you want to keep perpetuating your narrow minded view of the world, people like me will always be critical of you.

    Just because you are incapable of actually forming an intelligent reply to what I just said, doesnt mean you can just delete it, and then expect everyone to forget about it.

    I'm going to just lay it all out for you.

    You are a bad writer, you make excuses about being busy, but if you were really passionate about your views, you would take the time to express them in a manner that isn't offensive.

    You obviously dont have a good grasp of politics, and I shouldn't need to refer to any examples, everyone is already aware of this.

    You aren't the least bit prophetic in any way, you just quote the bible and type God and Holy spirit in capitals alot, you need to predict things to be a prophet, not just recycle things other people have already said, and by recycle I mean churn them out so they make next to no sense.

    My comment that you deleted was completely relevant, as you had stated that anyone that didnt think the way you do, basically worshipped evil.

    You are juvenile, and you are wrong.

     

  • At Wednesday, 16 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Alright, alright, listen. I deleted it because you swore and I'm in America, not Australia. The Bible says yet your yes be a yes and your no be a no. I already said I don't usually use my politic skills and my prophecy skills on my blog, so you really haven't seen anything and I said, in the end days people will be worshiping the devil, not now. I don't when that might happen but when you read Revealtion with all the beasts and stuff it does give a clue to what I'm stating. Now, I don't think you have notice, bt I am starting to right a bit slower and the lastest few things I have done have been spelled correctlly and if I make a typo, I just say nobody's perfect. I may have made typos in this whole statement, but does it really matter as long as you know, I mean, it's not like I intentionlly spell everything wrong. OK, I don't really understand when you say that my preaching is wrong or anything. I really don't get what you say. So please, so I know what you mean about preaching, make a few posts on YOUR blog. I hope you understood what I just said. Anyway, let's ge back to what this conversation was really, kay?
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 17 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Look, Arelas, I don't understand what you mean about me being hard to understand and meaningless. You keep telling me I am and you never give any examples of how I am. I don't understand because mostly everyone else gets me but you don't and I would like to help you understand but you won't give me any examples of what I'm suppose to do or anything else. Please, help me understand you so you can understand me! Thank you. Anyway, don't do it here, here is about are conversation with A1, Fenrir, and Jenifer. We need to keep theese comments for that conversation, OK?

    Anyway, A1, I'm curios. You probably don't believe what I believe, but if it was the final day and you where getting judged by GOD, what would you say to HIM? Don't say that I don't believe that will happen, just think about it and give it your heart and see what you can come up with. Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 17 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I invited Arelas to join the discussion is because you, Fenrir, Jennifer are Christians and Arelas seems to be a non-Christian and even though Arelas is a Christian, he/she appears to take a different approach. (Sorry, Arelas, I cannot assume your gender just based on your comments.) The purpose of the discussion is not to convince others to change their beliefs rather is to exchange ideas. If during the process, someone is willing to change his/her belief for better, it's great; otherwise, we will understand people better if we read/listen to more different viewpoints, agree?

    Assuming there's such a day when I would be judged by God, I would take whatever God thinks I deserve. Let me repeat what I have said earlier- I only hope the moment I die, I can say to myself, I have not intentionally hurt anyone and hopefully, I can also say I have tried helping as many people as possible within my ability.

    A1

     

  • At Friday, 18 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    That's really hard for me to get... I mean, when you die it's your destiny. But you don't really believe that there will be a judgement day, I guess (acoriding to your religion probably). That for any Christian, though, I think is very hard to understand. But it is really interesting to any religeon what you just said.

    I wonder where the others are? Ok, well, since I don't have a question right now, we can either wait for the others or you could ask me a question or something... like that. I won't be here for a little while; I'll be back on Monday but please, continue the discussion.
    Thanks.
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 18 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Everyone espicially A1: I have been studying the Qur'an and the Bible and I found a cool discovery. However, I'm leaving in a few minutes and I won't be back till Monday, so I'll see you and tell you then.
    Bye!

    RC

     

  • At Monday, 21 August, 2006 , Blogger Fenrir said...

    Wow, a lot has happened while I was away from this blog. Give me a day to gather my thoughts and decide what to say.

     

  • At Monday, 21 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    I'm back! Hi everbody. I'm not going to make any major comments tonight, I mean, I have a comment about Muslims and Christians but I just got back from vacation and it's late anf I've been driving around all day. I'll see if I can make my Muslim-Chritsian comment tommorow, but it's very long so I'll see.

    Oh, Arelas, on my vacation, I did some thinking and argueing is not going to change any of are mines. So, I think I'm just going to have to prove to you I'm worthy of the title preacher. Agree?

    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 24 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Ok, well I was thinking. The Muslim thing doesn't really have anything to do with are conversation. Well, we did sort of talk about it way back so, just tell me if you want to here it oir not. OK?
    Hammer out.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Friday, 25 August, 2006 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    If you have time, why not share your knowledge?
    A1

     

  • At Saturday, 26 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK, but we really have to move this thing up. Alright. I'm taking all the comments and moving them all to the Isaiah 41 post. That will be where are discussion is taking, OK everybody?

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Thursday, 31 August, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    OK, I'm going to cancel the Muslim thing, just to see if we can get are conversation back on track.. This one is very far away, so let's just continue this conversation on my post "The Basics". OK? Just comment so I now that it worked. Thanks and soory for all the delays everyone.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 04 November, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    Arelas, if your still there, check out my new posts. I hope they are "beter". I'm trying hard to improve em.

    RC Hammer

     

  • At Saturday, 04 November, 2006 , Blogger RCHAMMER said...

    I have to find Fenrir and Jennifer and A1 and Arelas...

     

  • At Thursday, 28 February, 2013 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Unquestiοnably believе that which уou said.
    Yοur favorite reason seеmed to be on thе internet thе easiest
    thing to be aωarе of. I ѕау to yоu, I ԁefinitеly
    get annoyеԁ ωhile pеople think about worrіes thаt they јuѕt dо not know about.
    You manаgeԁ to hit the nаil upοn the
    top and also defined out the whole thing without hаving side-effеctѕ , people сould take a signal.

    Will prοbаbly be bаcκ
    tο get more. Thanks

    Herе is my ωeb pagе - missteenoklahoma.org

     

  • At Friday, 14 June, 2013 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Just ԁesire to say уour artiсle iѕ as astonishing.
    The clearness in your poѕt іs just cοol and i could assume you
    aге an еxpert on this subject. Well with your pеrmisѕion allοw me to
    grab youг RSЅ feed to keеρ up to
    date with forthcοming рoѕt. Thanks a millіon and please keep
    up thе enјoyable work.

    Alѕo vіsit mу blog post ... AmericasCaгdRoom Offer (http://ns2.rewali.com/)

     

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home