Are you a Christian?

[cjd]

I had a visit last week; two lovely Miss Marple types, at least 80 years old. That's unusual, they normally like to have a nice young man in a suit and tie with the old ones.

Me. "You're Jehova's Witnesses aren't you?
Mis M "Yes, don't you like us?"
Me "I think you're lovely; it's your greedy and deranged leaders I dislike. Could you please take me off your visit list"
Miss M "Yes, of course"

So in theory I get no more visits for a year.

 

[josor]

You still preaching.

Tbh, was more a tongue in cheek joke

 

[DCE]

You still preaching.

No genuine Christian can rightly shun the privileged work of proclaiming the “good news” to others. Jesus told his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

That indicated that Jesus’ disciples would be Kingdom preachers and Jesus provided fine instruction for his apostles and the 70 disciples he sent out. (Luke 6:12-16; 10:1-22)

Moreover, our Exemplar himself “went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.

Yes, Jesus was a zealous proclaimer of the good news and took steps to initiate a Kingdom-preaching organization.

After a three-and-a-half-year ministry, Jesus finished his earthly course.

But before he ascended to heaven, he gave his followers this commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:19,*20)

True Christians would, indeed, be Kingdom preachers. that's what Christians do, and it is the most important work on the earth at this time.

 

[FaerieB]

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... whatever your religion, it's a belief system ... I wish I had your blind faith as it would save me much heartache with what goes on in the world .....


as you were .... x

 

[MASSEY]

No genuine Christian can rightly shun the privileged work of proclaiming the “good news” to others.

DCE you were shunned because you were exposed as a liar. You are a sinner.

 

[josor]

 

[DCE]

DCE you were shunned because you were exposed as a liar. You are a sinner.

We were talk about true Christians, would not shun doing the preaching work commissioned by Jesus would they, if they were a true footstep follower of Jesus.

(1 Peter 2:21-25) 21*In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely. 22*He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. 23*When he was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously. 24*He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness. And “by his stripes YOU were healed.” 25*For YOU were like sheep, going astray; but now YOU have returned to the shepherd and overseer of YOUR souls.

 

[josor]

DCE, I really don't know how to take you, all the replies seem emotionless in response. Just plain copy and pasted.

There is no emotive response at all, religion to me is a very emotive subject, it shouldn't boil down to just plain copy paste answers and expect no comeback.

If the answers are more emotive then it would be more like coming from the heart.

 

[cjd]

DCE, I really don't know how to take you, all the replies seem emotionless in response. Just plain copy and paste

Don't think any further, you got him in one.

He's just a troll churning out unreferenced tripe for the JW machine. There's nothing that can be said or done that will change him so just ignore him like the rest of us.

 

[DCE]

DCE, I really don't know how to take you, all the replies seem emotionless in response. Just plain copy and pasted.

There is no emotive response at all, religion to me is a very emotive subject, it shouldn't boil down to just plain copy paste answers and expect no comeback.

If the answers are more emotive then it would be more like coming from the heart.

What do you mean by religion is a very emotive subject, in what way, the truth of God's word is not based on emotion, but logical conclusions, which with the help of holy spirit, all is revealed to those who have the right heart condition.

 

[josor]

What do you mean by religion is a very emotive subject, in what way, the truth of God's word is not based on emotion, but logical conclusions, which with the help of holy spirit, all is revealed to those who have the right heart condition.

So those that are infused by the Holy Spirit, and have the right heart condition, are basically drones? That cannot be emotive in how they act or speak?

Love for god isn't an emotion?

So what your saying is you do not love god, because how can you love god, as love is an emotional response?

According to your reply.

 

[Consistency]

Don't think any further, you got him in one.

He's just a troll churning out unreferenced tripe for the JW machine. There's nothing that can be said or done that will change him so just ignore him like the rest of us.

Unreferenced tripe from the JW machine!!!!!!!

From what I can see the quotes DCE gives are from the BIBLE. Look in your own Bible, if you do not have one I can send you one in faith, you will find the quotes there.

Instead there are several who try hard to look on different websites and find that the website has been perhaps also quoting from the Bible.

The spending of time by those that wish to destroy faith was predicting long ago and has gone on for always and will until.

 

[cjd]

Unreferenced tripe from the JW machine!!!!!!!

Yup and spotted immediately by a newbie

The spending of time by those that wish to destroy faith was predicting long ago and has gone on for always and will until.....

.....you all grow up and start thinking for yourselves.

 

[Consistency]

I wonder if I have quoted from the Watchtower!

Does it really matter?

 

[Consistency]

CJD, I do think for myself. I am who I am, I think for what I am and what I want to be and not for what many others want me to be.

There are many like me, who also think for themselves.

 

[stockdam]

CJD, I do think for myself. I am who I am, I think for what I am and what I want to be and not for what many others want me to be.

There are many like me, who also think for themselves.

Yes it's a tired old line that Christians cannot think for themselves......I wouldn't react to such childish trolling.

 

[MASSEY]

Do christians think for themselves? they stand a slim chance.

Brainwashed at birth and forced to refer to a book that has the credibility of a harry potter novel?

:|

 

[cjd]

Of course Christians generally can think for themselves - or are at least capable of doing so if they can get passed their early indoctrination. It would ridiculous to say otherwise.

DCE however, can not. He has already admitted that he is not able to read or think about anything outside his approved religious beliefs. He is not ALLOWED to think for himself.

 

[bdw]

I think it was in here that we were discussing the ark? Here's Mrs Brown's take on this.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/p0LvKg5aCG0

.

 

[Consistency]

Do christians think for themselves? they stand a slim chance.

Brainwashed at birth and forced to refer to a book that has the credibility of a harry potter novel?

:|

Considering at birth a child cannot understand language and can understand little about their surroundings, how is it possible to brainwash at birth?

 

[MASSEY]

Considering at birth a child cannot understand language and can understand little about their surroundings, how is it possible to brainwash at birth?

Haha, you know what i mean.

The little buggers don't stand much of a chance do they when there parents views a forced upon them. This is where religion has massive flaws. You generally are religious if you parents are and not if your parent arent. Then the major flaw is the location you are born can play a huge part in the faith you follow.

Which is another reason consistency why you should be an athiest.

 

[cjd]

Considering at birth a child cannot understand language and can understand little about their surroundings, how is it possible to brainwash at birth?

At what age is a child baptised?

 

[Consistency]

At what age is a child baptised?

Depeds when their parents have them baptized! I think it is a vile process and needless when a child clearly cannot understand and it has no real meaning.

Baptism is for the purpose of washing away all previous sins and being born again, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour and committing oneself to him. The words are said by the baptised person before full immersion.

This bears no resemblance to a man in a robe splashing a bit of water over a child that has no understanding or awareness of what is going on apart from an annoyance that a stranger is around him and then being splashed on! The Bible does not call for these baby ceremonies at all.

 

[cjd]

This bears no resemblance to a man in a robe splashing a bit of water over a child that has no understanding or awareness of what is going on apart from an annoyance that a stranger is around him and then being splashed on! The Bible does not call for these baby ceremonies at all.

Nevertheless, it has been Christian practice to do it for centuries and is the first step in the indoctrination process.

At what age are children Confirmed?

 

[bdw]

Read all about it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_(Catholic_Church)

.

 

[FaerieB]

Desiderata ... I guess this is what I believe in ...

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy x

-- Max Ehrmann

 

[cjd]

And at what age do children take communion?

Please, don't tell me that the church doesn't indoctrinate - it gets them at birth and keeps a very firm grip on them throughout their childhood and for as long as it possibly can thereafter.

 

[bdw]

As I said, read all about it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirm...olic_Church%29

.

 

[cjd]

As I said, read all about it...
.

Thanks bdw, but I already know the answers

I'm just making the point that the Christian organisations have a well established system of indoctrination that goes from birth to death with formal ceremonies to 'celebrate' each successful step achieved and dreadful penalties for failure.

I remember a terrible incident with a kid that we'd say had 'learning difficulties' these days, who was unable to make the necessary step to heaven by accepting communion because when given the communion wafer he gleefully chewed it. (Which is apparently not something Jesus approves of.)

So he never made it it and everyone was terrified for his soul.

Bloody Catholics.

 

[DCE]

Depeds when their parents have them baptized! I think it is a vile process and needless when a child clearly cannot understand and it has no real meaning.

Baptism is for the purpose of washing away all previous sins and being born again, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour and committing oneself to him. The words are said by the baptised person before full immersion.

This bears no resemblance to a man in a robe splashing a bit of water over a child that has no understanding or awareness of what is going on apart from an annoyance that a stranger is around him and then being splashed on! The Bible does not call for these baby ceremonies at all.

To real Christians the words and example of Jesus Christ carry far more authority than the traditions of men. Real Christians follow the example of Christ closely.

They see from a study of the Holy Scriptures overwhelming evidence that (1) no baby was ever baptized by the first-century Christians; (2) Christian baptism is not for washing away sins but is a symbol of a personal dedication to God, and (3) children of believing parents, without baptism, are viewed by God as “holy.”

Babies, then, need not and should not be baptized.

Baptism is a ceremony that marks a personal commitment, a commitment that no one else can make for you and that certainly a babe-in-arms cannot make for itself.

The Biblical doctrine of water baptism, and therefore the one water baptism that God really accepts, remains the same today as it was when Jesus began it.

 

[MASSEY]

To real Christians the words and example of Jesus Christ carry far more authority than the traditions of men. Real Christians follow the example of Christ closely.

They see from a study of the Holy Scriptures overwhelming evidence that (1) no baby was ever baptized by the first-century Christians; (2) Christian baptism is not for washing away sins but is a symbol of a personal dedication to God, and (3) children of believing parents, without baptism, are viewed by God as "holy."

Babies, then, need not and should not be baptized.

Baptism is a ceremony that marks a personal commitment, a commitment that no one else can make for you and that certainly a babe-in-arms cannot make for itself.

The Biblical doctrine of water baptism, and therefore the one water baptism that God really accepts, remains the same today as it was when Jesus began it.

I agree baptism is stupid. Especially the guys who claim it washes away sins

Happy Easter DCE

 

[MASSEY]

You not going to wish me happy easter DCE..... Typical

 

[Consistency]

Enjoy your holidays - Massey!

 

[Consistency]

It depends what is meant when we say wash away sins. It is a personal dedication to God but it also gets rid of previous life and starts again.

As for the child who was disabled and chewed the communion wafer - God would know his intention and as you say - Bloody Catholics, fully agree!

 

[DCE]

It depends what is meant when we say wash away sins. It is a personal dedication to God but it also gets rid of previous life and starts again.

As for the child who was disabled and chewed the communion wafer - God would know his intention and as you say - Bloody Catholics, fully agree!

Why did Jesus get baptized?

It could not have been for the removal of sins or for a sign that he had repented of sins, because he was “guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners.” And “he committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.” A perfect man—yet Jesus was baptized!—Heb. 7:26; 1*Pet. 2:22.

The sinless man Jesus got baptized because of his desire to do his Father’s will. Explaining this, the apostle Paul applies Psalm 40:6-8 to Jesus Christ: “Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God.” (Heb. 10:4-7)

Jesus was baptized because he wanted to symbolize his dedication to do Jehovah’s will; and he proved that he had made this dedication by turning his back on carpenter work and beginning the ministry.

Jesus made this dedication as a full-grown man: “Jesus also was baptized. .*.*. Furthermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced his work, was about thirty years old.”—Luke 3:21, 23.

Christian baptism today should be performed in imitation of the example that Jesus Christ set.

Thus the significance of Jesus’ baptism adheres to the baptism of his followers today.

The baptism of a Christian serves as a symbol that one has dedicated his life to God and has vowed, like Jesus: ‘I am come to do your will, O God.’

Those who believe that water baptism washes away sins often quote Acts 2:38 as support.

This verse contains the apostle Peter’s words: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.”

Here Peter, at Pentecost, was talking to those who had sinned against Jesus. How could they gain forgiveness?

They needed to repent and to accept Jesus and his cleansing blood and show this by getting baptized in Jesus’ name.

Not that the baptismal water would itself wash away their sins; if that were the case they would have had to get rebaptized after every new sin.

But as Acts 22:16 explains: “Now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized and wash your sins away by your calling upon his name.”

How are sins washed away?

Not by the water itself but by “calling upon his name.”

So water baptism for Christians is a symbol of having repented of sins and of having accepted Jesus and of having dedicated one’s life to do Jehovah’s will faithfully, as Jesus did.

 

[cjd]

It depends what is meant when we say wash away sins.

There's no such thing as 'sin' and if there was it seems highly unlikely that a bloke could wash away another bloke's misdemeanours. It's just childish nonsense that somehow has become a meme for some adults.

 

[DCE]

There's no such thing as 'sin' and if there was it seems highly unlikely that a bloke could wash away another bloke's misdemeanours. It's just childish nonsense that somehow has become a meme for some adults.

Is this childish nonsense as well?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YLdQZma84I&feature=player_embedded

 

[MASSEY]

The sin lark is childish nonsense, even you can see that surely. It's not logical to be born with a sin.

Is this childish nonsense as well?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YLdQZma84I&feature=player_embedded

Looks like watchtower propaganda to me

Even your argument against evolution is pathectic, if life was intentionally created why do living organisms have so many faults.

You can't claim to know that we were created intentionally with no proof to back up your thoughts.

The "creator" your trying to claim exists would not make mistakes with something as insignificant as organisms on earth in comparison to everything you religious folk claim your "god " is capable of.

 

[DCE]

The sin lark is childish nonsense, even you can see that surely. It's not logical to be born with a sin.

The apostle John under inspiration wrote: "If we make the statement: 'We have no sin,' we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1*John 1:8)

Sin is a missing of the mark of perfection.

Our first parents started all of us on the road of sin and death by their disobedience to God's righteous and perfect laws.

The fact that no man continues to live forever is evidence that all men are born in sin.

For, as the apostle Paul says, "the wages sin pays is death."-Rom. 6:23.

That is why we needed the ransom sacrifice if Jesus.

(John 3:16) 16*"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

It makes perfect sense to me, Massey

 

[dagr]

The apostle John under inspiration wrote: “If we make the statement: ‘We have no sin,’ we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1*John 1:8)

But newborns can't make a statement, so they should be OK.

Sin is a missing of the mark of perfection.

Then please keep me from avoiding sin. So, everything else in this world is sinful too.

Our first parents started all of us on the road of sin and death by their disobedience to God’s righteous and perfect laws.

Just as I suspected - God is a nasty, vindictive old bugger. Just as well for all of us he doesn't actually exist.

The fact that no man continues to live forever is evidence that all men are born in sin.

For, as the apostle Paul says, “the wages sin pays is death.”—Rom. 6:23.

I'm surprised believers haven't cottoned on yet: Hell is living forever (even in heaven), not the other way round.

(John 3:16) 16*“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

It makes perfect sense to me, Massey

Strange. It makes perfect nonsense to me, unless you consider God was a sadistic racist who hated native Americans, Chinese, Australian Aboriginals, etc.