OT: Bible Gets A Makeover!

[artist4perry]

You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Considering it was I who started this thread, I think you should get your facts straightened out before coming into this thread to spew a bunch of garbage! First and foremost, the thread wasn't started to bash any religion. Based on the ridiculous feedback you've offered in this thread, it's quite apparent to me that you didn't even read the first post! I haven't read any posts in this thread that "bash" anyone. This thread was actually quite civil, until you decided to inject your non-sensical babbling into it! Perhaps if you're overly sensitive to religious discussions, you shouldn't read them!


John from Boston

I was not refering to what it started out like, but what it always ends up like. John, I have as much a right to my oppinion as you. When things are said like it is all an abomination and blamed for almost every ill in society, I am going to disagree. I have not been anything but civil myself. I have not been unkind to you or anyone else. I just wanted you to see things from someone elses perspective. I never said it bashed any one. Just that religion is important to me and I don't like it being trashed. That is my oppinion. You are the only one who is getting personally rude here. I was just trying to ask for some understanding.

[Voyager]

You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread.

You don't have to take it so personal. Let's use marriage as an analogy. Someone who went through a bad divorce posts a thread saying that they don't believe in marriage. They say that it sucks and that it doesn't work. Does that mean they are bashing everyone who is married? No, it just means that marriage didn't work for them. I wouldn't feel threatened in my marriage just because someone said that they think marriage sucks. They could bash it all day long and it wouldn't shake my faith in marriage at all.

Likewise, I had a bad experience with religion. It was the opposite of yours. I'd go into the details, but I won't bore you with them. The bottom line for me is that I think religion sucks and the world would be better off with it. If it works for you, than so be it. I am not bashing you.

[Michigan Girl]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Pardon me, but *I* did not start this thread......

But you know something? No matter what anybody does, one can always go to confession and get absolved. Right? So even if there is a god, he forgives me.

John, maybe you didn't start this thread. And it is not you alone bashing religion. I know you have your right to your oppinion. Maybe I am just hurting a great deal right now and I am more sensitive than normal. But it is the equivilent of talking trash about someone I love. It is personal. And no, not all religion is bad. It is people who use it for evil purposes that mess up it's intent. Look. Believe, Don't believe, it is a choice. But as you have a right to your say on the subject, my take is sadness, that you can find no good in something that was purely good, wich was the teachings of Christ.
With all due respect to all of you, if I spoke in the same manner about one of your family that you loved, would it not trouble you? Well, I see Christ and God as my family. They have always been there in my most troubled of times, and have given me more love and comfort than I have ever known.
You are free to speek as you will. But can you not see that the things you say are hurtful to ones who beleive?

BTW, My name is Sean....

Three-point stance boy is John....

[Enigma869]

I was not refering to what it started out like, but what it always ends up like. John, I have as much a right to my oppinion as you. When things are said like it is all an abomination and blamed for almost every ill in society, I am going to disagree. I have not been anything but civil myself. I have not been unkind to you or anyone else. I just wanted you to see things from someone elses perspective. I never said it bashed any one. Just that religion is important to me and I don't like it being trashed. That is my oppinion. You are the only one who is getting personally rude here. I was just trying to ask for some understanding.

Sorry...you are completely out of line, here! You may claim to be asking for "some understanding", but this isn't the thread you should be doing that in. I simply posted a VERY innocuous question about what some thought of celebrities being added to a new version of The Bible. For you to come into this thread whining, and go on to admonish me is freakin' ridiculous!

As for Voyager's comments that you apparently construed as negative...the comments he made were spot on and didn't single out any one religion. He simply said that worldwide, there have been more people killed over religious disagreements, than anything under the sun, and I agree with him. That doesn't mean that all religion is bad, and it certainly doesn't mean that all people who describe themselves as religious are bad!

One final comment...I never said that you weren't entitled to your opinion. I simply said that if you're overly sensitive to religious discussions, you probably should read them, if they bother you so much. It's a public message forum, and there is a pretty good chance that not everyone posting here is going to be praying to the same god you're praying to or voting for your candidate in the upcoming election. Such is life!


John from Boston

[artist4perry]

You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread.

You don't have to take it so personal. Let's use marriage as an analogy. Someone who went through a bad divorce posts a thread saying that they don't believe in marriage. They say that it sucks and that it doesn't work. Does that mean they are bashing everyone who is married? No, it just means that marriage didn't work for them. I wouldn't feel threatened in my marriage just because someone said that they think marriage sucks. They could bash it all day long and it wouldn't shake my faith in marriage at all.

Likewise, I had a bad experience with religion. It was the opposite of yours. I'd go into the details, but I won't bore you with them. The bottom line for me is that I think religion sucks and the world would be better off with it. If it works for you, than so be it. I am not bashing you.

I am O.K. with that. But it is not all bad because someone had a bad experiance. For some of us it is a source of great strength. If you feel the opposite way I give you that right. But what bugs me are people who want to do away with my right because they don't beleive. I don't think that is what you are saying here, but some would take my right away if they could. That is when it get's personal.

[artist4perry]

I was not refering to what it started out like, but what it always ends up like. John, I have as much a right to my oppinion as you. When things are said like it is all an abomination and blamed for almost every ill in society, I am going to disagree. I have not been anything but civil myself. I have not been unkind to you or anyone else. I just wanted you to see things from someone elses perspective. I never said it bashed any one. Just that religion is important to me and I don't like it being trashed. That is my oppinion. You are the only one who is getting personally rude here. I was just trying to ask for some understanding.

Sorry...you are completely out of line, here! You may claim to be asking for "some understanding", but this isn't the thread you should be doing that in. I simply posted a VERY innocuous question about what some thought of celebrities being added to a new version of The Bible. For you to come into this thread whining, and go on to admonish me is freakin' ridiculous!

As for Voyager's comments that you apparently construed as negative...the comments he made were spot on and didn't single out any one religion. He simply said that worldwide, there have been more people killed over religious disagreements, than anything under the sun, and I agree with him. That doesn't mean that all religion is bad, and it certainly doesn't mean that all people who describe themselves as religious are bad!

One final comment...I never said that you weren't entitled to your opinion. I simply said that if you're overly sensitive to religious discussions, you probably should read them, if they bother you so much. It's a public message forum, and there is a pretty good chance that not everyone posting here is going to be praying to the same god you're praying to or voting for your candidate in the upcoming election. Such is life!


John from Boston

Voyager did not word it in that manner. I also made it clear I do not expect everyone to agree with me. I just wanted you to see someone elses point of view. I did not mean to get you mad. I just was trying to give you my take on religion, that it can be a good thing. John I try very hard to disagree with you without getting on your bad side. What was the purpose of the nasty comments earlier? The way that you guys were talking I took it as religious bashing. Not till this post did you make it more clear that it was not all religions you were refering to.

[Voyager]

Extremist religion is what is bad. This happens when human beings become less important than religious law, and one's value is based on his or her religious performance or lack thereof. Many religions believe that if you don't believe in their doctrines you are bound for hell. When this doctrine is taken to extremes, it makes the people in the group devalue anyone who does not believe the way they do. For example, when Al Qaeda decided that the USA was destined for hell, they decided to speed the process up and kill a bunch of Americans. This same extremist principle is in place in Christian churches when they excommunicate people who don't fit their idea of a model believer.

I was in a church who had a worship leader that was found out to be gay. He was a really nice person, but the church excommunicated him after 18 years of loyal service. The guy ended up committing suicide a few months later.

[Enigma869]

Voyager did not word it in that manner.

Really? Funny, I just re-read it (see his exact quote below), and it seems to not single out any one religion, so far as I can tell!

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

I just wanted you to see someone elses point of view.

As I've already stated, this thread was simply about a new version of The Bible that was published with celebrities in it. It wasn't about anything philosophical, at all!

I just was trying to give you my take on religion, that it can be a good thing.

Religion can be anything you want it to be. Again, that has nothing to do with this thread!

What was the purpose of the nasty comments earlier? The way that you guys were talking I took it as religious bashing.

I have absolutely no clue what you're even referring to. I made no "nasty" comments to you at all. I did say that you were completely out of line for whining in this thread about people bashing your religion, when it simply never happened!


John from Boston

[artist4perry]

Extremist religion is what is bad. This happens when human beings become less important than religious law, and one's value is based on his or her religious performance or lack thereof. Many religions believe that if you don't believe in their doctrines you are bound for hell. When this doctrine is taken to extremes, it makes the people in the group devalue anyone else who does not believe the way they do. For example, when Al Qaeda decided that the USA was destined for hell, they decided to speed the process up and kill a bunch of Americans. This same extremist principle is in place in Christian churches too when they excommunicate people who don't fit their idea of a model believer.

I was in a church who had a worship leader that was found out to be gay. He was a really nice person, but the church excommunicated him after 18 years of loyal service. The guy ended up committing suicide a few months later.

I can agree that Extremist religions are bad. Anything that would require you to hurt others in the name of God, is not a religion I can support. Not all believe in excommunication.

[artist4perry]

Voyager did not word it in that manner.

Really? Funny, I just re-read it (see his exact quote below), and it seems to not single out any one religion, so far as I can tell!

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

I just wanted you to see someone elses point of view.

As I've already stated, this thread was simply about a new version of The Bible that was published with celebrities in it. It wasn't about anything philosophical, at all!

I just was trying to give you my take on religion, that it can be a good thing.

Religion can be anything you want it to be. Again, that has nothing to do with this thread!

What was the purpose of the nasty comments earlier? The way that you guys were talking I took it as religious bashing.

I have absolutely no clue what you're even referring to. I made no "nasty" comments to you at all. I did say that you were completely out of line for whining in this thread about people bashing your religion, when it simply never happened!


John from Boston

The nasty comments I am refering to is saying what I said was nonsensical babbling? Calling what I was writing Garbage? Not exactly nice. But all that aside. The statement about religion was said in such a way that it could refer to all religions. Maybe a misunderstanding on my part. But it was not made clear till later. So I can easily say that his statement and the one following read that way till it was explained further. I interjected some things to show that religion can do good in this world as well. The opposite of what you have seen in some instances. As for what the thread was started as, it is back to marketing and greed on the part of people who manufacture bibles. I would not buy them.

[Arkansas]

... A bible with pictures of Anglina Jolie seems wrong on EVERY level!...

So, hot chicks didn't exist back when the Bible was written?
Just because pics weren't part of the initial publishing, doesn't make them wrong.
AJ in the mix is just happenstance. If pics of women could have been included at the time the Bible was written, would they be ugly, sexy, or whatever at the time? Doesn't time interpret beauty?

I mean, should the pics then be all of our grandmas, or homely types, or of whoever may have been popular then? It's all relative, no?



later~

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

[
I mean, should the pics then be all of our grandmas, or homely types, or of whoever may have been popular then? It's all relative, no?



later~

WHOA!! Grandma and Homely don't belong in the same sentence. if you know a homely grandma, i can fix that.

organized religion can be a pain sometimes. cuz people run it and people are.......such people sometimes.

fuhhgeddaboutit. love Jesus--He loves you. that's all it really is. a personal relationship. imho. let the theologians argue about the rest of it. whatevah.

and if AJ can get someone to open the book, go for it.

[separate_wayz]

Okay my religious friends...what is your opinion of this story? A bible with pictures of Anglina Jolie seems wrong on EVERY level!

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/10/0 ... 1200696012


John from Boston

This is disturbing. I'm worried about possible blowback: Bible verses quoted in my monthly subscription to "Barely Legal".

[Lula]

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

Religion is man's own attempt to justify himself. Jesus bypassed religion and established a relationship. Man is the one who moves the goalposts.

Jesus is a defensive motherfucker though aint he? That guy for some reason is not down with my act.

You speak of goalposts. Well everytime I go to kick a field goal, there is a fuckin burst of of oncoming gale force winds slamming the ball back in my face. Like I said, JC leaves it all on the field. Dude brings it every play.

[X factor]

... A bible with pictures of Anglina Jolie seems wrong on EVERY level!...

So, hot chicks didn't exist back when the Bible was written?
Just because pics weren't part of the initial publishing, doesn't make them wrong.
AJ in the mix is just happenstance. If pics of women could have been included at the time the Bible was written, would they be ugly, sexy, or whatever at the time? Doesn't time interpret beauty?

I mean, should the pics then be all of our grandmas, or homely types, or of whoever may have been popular then? It's all relative, no?



later~

Arkansas, way to put this whole confab back into perspective!
The Lord created Angie...and she WAS good!!!!

[4everkop]

I dunno...when the medium becomes more important than the message...

It's kinda like the billboard for a local "mega church" I saw recently that had some dude jumping in the air like a pose from "Rock Star" with the caption "Church shouldn't have to bt BORING!" Really??? No, by all means, lets put in vari-lites, a million dollar sound system, jumbo tron and a rock band! Then you won't even have to feel like your at church at all!

Or...you could just enjoy the simple praise and worship and ...Oh, I dunno...think about why you're actually there??


But that's just me.

Very true, I'm all into the rock band praise and worship, but people shouldn't be coming to church JUST to be entertained by live music.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

I dunno...when the medium becomes more important than the message...

It's kinda like the billboard for a local "mega church" I saw recently that had some dude jumping in the air like a pose from "Rock Star" with the caption "Church shouldn't have to bt BORING!" Really??? No, by all means, lets put in vari-lites, a million dollar sound system, jumbo tron and a rock band! Then you won't even have to feel like your at church at all!

Or...you could just enjoy the simple praise and worship and ...Oh, I dunno...think about why you're actually there??


But that's just me.

Very true, I'm all into the rock band praise and worship, but people shouldn't be coming to church JUST to be entertained by live music.

why not? we entertain ourselves with all kinds of stuff. why is this different? just get there. it doesn't matter why. if it is good and it makes you happy, there ya go.

[4everkop]

yes but there is a time for everything, yes you can be entertained at church and indeed I have been. But there is a time to become serious and to reflect and see how Great God has been to you, personally. Have a great time at church but I am also saying we are constantly living for instant gratification that there needs to be a place where we can show respect to our faith when the time comes.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

yes but there is a time for everything, yes you can be entertained at church and indeed I have been. But there is a time to become serious and to reflect and see how Great God has been to you, personally. Have a great time at church but I am also saying we are constantly living for instant gratification that there needs to be a place where we can show respect to our faith when the time comes.

King David danced before the Lord.

and we are commanded to make a joyful noise.

I'm not trying to be argumentative. there is a place and time for sincere and quiet meditation. I just don't think that it is during a gathering of believers--in any location. leave the organized religion out of it, if possible, (prolly not ) and just praise the Lord and let Him love you and bless you.

sermon over--going to work for now...............bye

[Rip Rokken]

Guys I want you to put yourself in my shoes for a second. Not all religion is bad, even if you do not want to beleive it. Religion helped my mom deal with breast cancer and chemo. The pain, the shame, and the heartache.

When I am sad, my faith sustains me. It gives me comfort and peace I cannot explain, except to someone else who knows it. So when I read the horrible things you write about "religion' as though it should be all lumped together, it offends me. All I know of it is love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. Someday I want to do to some single mom what was done for me. I have not tried to convert you guys. But I cannot understand the need to bash something that means more to me than life itself. It is hurtful to me.

Hey, A4P -- I'm a Christian, too, and I'll stand with ya! I wanted to clarify my stance a bit, as there is sometimes confusion over how people use the term "religion". Traditionally it has been used as a synonym for faith in God, but people like myself and ConversationPC use it in the sense of something coming from man, and not God. So I might say, "I'm not religious at all... I'm a Christian." Just a difference in symantics is all, but you and I are coming from the same point of view.

I am very hard on "Country Club Christianity", though -- that watered down modern strain that seeks above all to keep the affluent comfortable (including the pastors) -- nothing close to what the New Testament teaches. There is a megachurch right around the corner from where I work, and their pastors constructed a special parking pad for themselves right directly outside one entrance of their new compound -- the choicest of spots t park! Now show me a pastor who takes a parking space in the back of the lot so everyone else gets the best slots and I'll consider giving him a listen...

Love ya, A4P!

[DrFU]

Sign atop a mega church outside Dallas a few year back: Pastor Larry Lea Presents: JESUS!

Giving oneself top billing ... wow ... I always expected lightening to strike that sign ...

[Rhiannon]

Sign atop a mega church outside Dallas a few year back: Pastor Larry Lea Presents: JESUS!

Giving oneself top billing ... wow ... I always expected lightening to strike that sign ...

Wow... trying to steal Jesus' thunder? Bad voojoo.

[Rip Rokken]

Sign atop a mega church outside Dallas a few year back: Pastor Larry Lea Presents: JESUS!

Giving oneself top billing ... wow ... I always expected lightening to strike that sign ...

The Bible warns that Christians will be shunned for their beliefs, but many modern megachurch pastors seek the favor of the community -- they want to be "Heroes of the Faith". They start off on the wrong footing right out of the gate.

[artist4perry]

Guys I want you to put yourself in my shoes for a second. Not all religion is bad, even if you do not want to beleive it. Religion helped my mom deal with breast cancer and chemo. The pain, the shame, and the heartache.

When I am sad, my faith sustains me. It gives me comfort and peace I cannot explain, except to someone else who knows it. So when I read the horrible things you write about "religion' as though it should be all lumped together, it offends me. All I know of it is love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. Someday I want to do to some single mom what was done for me. I have not tried to convert you guys. But I cannot understand the need to bash something that means more to me than life itself. It is hurtful to me.

Hey, A4P -- I'm a Christian, too, and I'll stand with ya! I wanted to clarify my stance a bit, as there is sometimes confusion over how people use the term "religion". Traditionally it has been used as a synonym for faith in God, but people like myself and ConversationPC use it in the sense of something coming from man, and not God. So I might say, "I'm not religious at all... I'm a Christian." Just a difference in symantics is all, but you and I are coming from the same point of view.

I am very hard on "Country Club Christianity", though -- that watered down modern strain that seeks above all to keep the affluent comfortable (including the pastors) -- nothing close to what the New Testament teaches. There is a megachurch right around the corner from where I work, and their pastors constructed a special parking pad for themselves right directly outside one entrance of their new compound -- the choicest of spots t park! Now show me a pastor who takes a parking space in the back of the lot so everyone else gets the best slots and I'll consider giving him a listen...

Love ya, A4P!

Thank you Rick. I agree about the so called men of God who have lavish homes and large overly ornate churches. You will find these are far from the teachings of Christ. And my preacher lives in a small modest home beside the church, wich is also modest. He walks to church, his car stays home! His wife works as well, she is a school teacher. No $500 dollar suit for him, his are older and very modest. A wonderful man, very kind.

[Don]

Are Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims considered Christians? You can't all be right, can you? Does God wear different clothing depending on who is knocking at the door? Is half the worlds population backing the wrong horse? I'll stick with my own interpretation of the Creator, As far I'm concerned, I've got just as much chance of everyone else when it comes to being right.

[conversationpc]

Are Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims Christians? You can't all be right, can you? Does God wear different clothing depending on who is knocking at the door? Is half the worlds population backing the wrong horse? I'll stick with my own interpretation of the Creator, As far I'm concerned, I've got just as much chance of everyone else when it comes to being right.

As I've stated here before, I am a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, I do believe he is the only way (as he stated on more than one occasion). I don't throw that in the face of people and tell them they are going to hell. That's not the way Jesus wanted it done.

Basically, what it all boils down to is this...Did Jesus actually, physically rise from the dead? If not, Christianity is useless and a farce. If it is, then he is the Son of the living God and King of kings.

[Don]

Are Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims Christians? You can't all be right, can you? Does God wear different clothing depending on who is knocking at the door? Is half the worlds population backing the wrong horse? I'll stick with my own interpretation of the Creator, As far I'm concerned, I've got just as much chance of everyone else when it comes to being right.

As I've stated here before, I am a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, I do believe he is the only way (as he stated on more than one occasion). I don't throw that in the face of people and tell them they are going to hell. That's not the way Jesus wanted it done.

Basically, what it all boils down to is this...Did Jesus actually, physically rise from the dead? If not, Christianity is useless and a farce. If it is, then he is the Son of the living God and King of kings.

That's all I wanted to know, as their are a lot of people that say they are Christians but in their world, if you are not one of them, you're damned, and they don't mind telling you. To each his own, we'll all find out in the end.

[artist4perry]

Are Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims Christians? You can't all be right, can you? Does God wear different clothing depending on who is knocking at the door? Is half the worlds population backing the wrong horse? I'll stick with my own interpretation of the Creator, As far I'm concerned, I've got just as much chance of everyone else when it comes to being right.

As I've stated here before, I am a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, I do believe he is the only way (as he stated on more than one occasion). I don't throw that in the face of people and tell them they are going to hell. That's not the way Jesus wanted it done.

Basically, what it all boils down to is this...Did Jesus actually, physically rise from the dead? If not, Christianity is useless and a farce. If it is, then he is the Son of the living God and King of kings.

That's all I wanted to know, as their are a lot of people that say they are Christians but in their world, if you are not one of them, you're damned, and they don't mind telling you. To each his own, we'll all find out in the end.

Is it O.K. Gunbot, if I like you for who you are and don't try and change you? Is it O.K. for me to believe the way I do and you still are O.K with me?

[Enigma869]

my preacher lives in a small modest home beside the church. He walks to church, his car stays home!

WHOA! How does he ever make that walk???? It must kill him to not take that car of his NEXT DOOR


John from Boston

[Don]

Are Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims Christians? You can't all be right, can you? Does God wear different clothing depending on who is knocking at the door? Is half the worlds population backing the wrong horse? I'll stick with my own interpretation of the Creator, As far I'm concerned, I've got just as much chance of everyone else when it comes to being right.

As I've stated here before, I am a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, I do believe he is the only way (as he stated on more than one occasion). I don't throw that in the face of people and tell them they are going to hell. That's not the way Jesus wanted it done.

Basically, what it all boils down to is this...Did Jesus actually, physically rise from the dead? If not, Christianity is useless and a farce. If it is, then he is the Son of the living God and King of kings.

That's all I wanted to know, as their are a lot of people that say they are Christians but in their world, if you are not one of them, you're damned, and they don't mind telling you. To each his own, we'll all find out in the end.

Is it O.K. Gunbot, if I like you for who you are and don't try and change you? Is it O.K. for me to believe the way I do and you still are O.K with me?

I treat every body the same, I'm all about equal opportunity.