AndyBaker

Reply to Dichotomy: Evolution & ID in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Evolution is intelligent design. There's a perfectly good reason why God chose to create the cosmos and life via a process of evolution. (Although, strictly speaking, I don't think that it was 'choice' at all. After all, by definition, an infinite Wisdom would carry out only the highest good, as in an optimum route.) Our task is to work out what that perfectly good reason might be. Due to our limited, finite perspective, in order to comprehend e

Reply to Things I'm Afraid Of, Part Two in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I've done things in the past that were traditionally masculine, but I don't think I could live like that for too long. I agree. I think that 100% masculinity is a weakness. I saw Saturday Night Fever the other night, and the lead character (Travolta’s) embodied all that is generally considered “strong”. But from a spiritual point of view his char

Reply to Psalm 23 in Religion JoeUser Forums

thanks KFC. Yes, I agree, it's a beautiful psalm. KJV's version is more concise, I must admit, and I prefer it's wording "restore my soul" etc. But GNB version is more contemporary language, and I thought it might make a nice change to hear it that way. I'm glad you liked it

Reply to Atheism and Its Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I wanted to comment to give you points and let you know that I attempted to read this but it's too out there for my wee little brain. I tried though! Your Santa one was more my level! A child-like faith is a real blessing. Spiritual simplicity, humble trust, and a warm heart is a true virtue, in my view. <TABLE cellpadding=8 widt

Reply to Atheism and Its Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I believe that it's possible to get in touch with inner wisdom and intution in order to determine whether our ladder is against the right wall I'll add here that if people attempt to get in touch with their "inner wisdom and intution", then different people will naturally come to different conclusions, (hence the existence of atheism.) But why i

Reply to Atheism and Its Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

We’re in this present physical realm for a sacred purpose, and death is just a big, fat illusion. So, too, could your hopes and faith, I humbly and respectfully submit. <

Reply to Atheism and Its Disinformation in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Couldn't we, floating along in time, be making a false assumption that reality is a one-way affair? "Eternity" might just be the absence of linear time, mightn't it? Given that, I don't think we can really do much but note the effects and make an educated guess. After all, our perceptions of the shape of the earth and the orbit of the planets and stars changed as we were a

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions III - Idol Worship in Religion JoeUser Forums

No Andy, one is definitely Mary's and the other Joseph's. Matthew's is Joseph and Luke is Mary's. It does mention Mary in Matt 1:16 as the wife of Joseph. This was his line. Notice in v7 that he came from the line of Solomon. This is David's Son. This is where the LEGAL title comes from. Now go to Luke 3:31 and you can se

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions III - Idol Worship in Religion JoeUser Forums

Com'on Andy this is not a contradiction at all. In Kings you have the King's age at 22 when he started his reign and in Chronicles it says he was 42. What we have here is a copyist's error easily made due to the small stroke that differentiates between two Hebrew letters. I looked up in many references and they all say that the 22 years is correct and the 42 was a scribal

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions III - Idol Worship in Religion JoeUser Forums

In the OT what you are referring to is "Breach for breach, eye for eye tooth for tooth as he has caused a blemish in a man so shall it be done to him again." Lev 24:20. . . . Now Christ said in Matt 5:38: "You have it heard that it has been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you that you resist not evil but whosoever shall smite you on you

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions III - Idol Worship in Religion JoeUser Forums

Jesus’ infallible knowledge might explain why . . . That was meant to read, "The fact that Jesus possesses infallible knowledge might explain why . . . " (the first one sounds terribly arrogant. I think I'm too sensitive)

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions III - Idol Worship in Religion JoeUser Forums

We do have an impressive list of names to call upon for we know they are in Heaven. For every Saint, and yes, Mary the Mother of Jesus is one (although we dont call her Saint Mary usually), are in Heaven! . . . So why would you not ask those you know to be in heaven to pray for you? . . . That is really all there is to it. No great mystery, no violation of the first a

Reply to What if there is more? in Religion JoeUser Forums

Think of it this way: Christianity is like looking through a keyhole into a room. You can see some stuff, but you don't get the whole picture. Add these other texts to what is contained in the Bible, and it's like opening the door to the room slightly. You see more of what's beyond....... I think that's great. Different insights from our world

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

I'm actually reading a book written by a Christian Arab who natural language is Arabic. . . . Maybe I can share or he can shed light on some things.....let ya know. That would be great KFC, thanx. It's good to hear different people's stories and views, I think. I recently read a book called 'Only One God' by Vijay Menon. He used to be a Sikh, bu

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

I'm sure harmony and understanding is within the human potential . . . we'll get there one day Although on second thoughts, one of the great Biblical teachings that I believe in is that things will get worse toward the end of days. We won't be here forever, and when I say things will eventually end up harmonious, maybe I'm speaking from within th

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

I wonder. Last millenium, it was the Christians. This one, it is the muslims. Is man incapable of living in peace? That's a good point. I'm optimistic though, as I'm sure harmony and understanding is within the human potential. I believe that it's a question of time, growth and a big learning curve.

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

When religions gain power, the tendency for corruption becomes too great. That is the problem with Islam today, and Christianity 500-1000 years ago I agree Dr. Today, it's a tiny minority of Muslims causing grief, compared to the vast number of good natured Muslims, (just as it was a small number of Christians causing the grief all tho

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

Hi KFC, thanks for your reply. It’s nice to hear your views, and I think this is an interesting topic. Christianity and Islam also hold great common ground Ok this one I couldn't agree with you on. First off you ha

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

however, people have already said that I can sound a bit like a record-player (does that sound like a dig at people? It wasn't a dig, and I completely agree that I sound like a record player!)

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

here's another 5. Speaking generally: (6) love one another as yourself etc. promotes spiritual growth. (7) you reap what you sow (8) "fate" plays a large part in life, in one form or another (9) there's a bigger picture (10) We can attain inner peace, regardless of external conditions, by finding refuge in "God" Some of these can be learned and proved for oneself by practical means, like cosmic laws, regardless of one's religion.

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

Ya, we'd have to disagree here cuz I don't believe that there is any common ground in all the world religions. Yes there are very nice people in all of them. I've not only met them....I was them as I have been involved in many different groups out there. Sure there is common ground. Starting with the basics, with a broad brush stroke:

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

KFC, thanks for your reply and lengthy analysis. I personally believe we can afford some breathing space from extreme scriptural fundamentalism. Fine tooth combing our Holy Books in such a way inevitably leads to clashes in opinion and contradictions. We may as well get the Qur’an out and fine tooth comb that, as I think all our Holy Books are valid and hold a wealth of wisdom. (I admit I started the close-analysis of verses in the previous post, but I can't carry it on.) I’m more inte

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

Very nice but not biblical. but it is Biblical. What are your views on the following verses, KFC? (Italics are mine) 1 John 2.2: "And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone ." John 12.32: Jesus said, "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

Little whip, that sums it up perfectly!

Reply to Catholic Misconceptions in Religion JoeUser Forums

Jesus said...I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. If so, what other way can there be? There's only one way, because there's only One God - Jesus Christ. If there's only one God, then it follows that our world religions are in touch with the same God, (i.e. Christ), only from a different perspective and cultural context. Realistically, the relig