Choosing a faith

ringo writes:"Paying our way" is a generational thing - our parents pay for our generation and we pay for our children's generation.

ringo writes:Everything isn't about getting a return. Reparations are about paying your bills.

ringo writes:Your father was a house-builder, wasn't he? When he was alive, you expected people to pay for the houses he built, didn't you? And after he died, did you not expect the people who owed him to still pay his estate?

What science can't do is tell us what it was that motivates people to do what they do.

Percy, addressing GDR writes:the only conclusion I've reached is that none of the world's religions have evidence, including yours. Why don't the leaders of all the sects of all the world's religions have a conference and decide what the actual truth is, then present the evidence behind their conclusions?

Phat writes:It should be a familial issue first, a local issue next, and a global issue only as an abstract concept.

Phat writes:If I lived in Saskatchewan and a school needed to be built in Toronto, I would have less obligation to directly build it.

Phat writes:Im not being held responsible for Ugandas childrens future in a monetary way nor should I be.

Phat writes:First of all, my Dad was not a Southern Cotton Baron who benefitted from cheap labor...

Phat writes:The progressive activists may well argue that I benefitted from cheap cotton clothes for my life as well as did my parents and grandparents...

Phat writes:... but this whole argument is ludicrous.

Phat writes:If you want to argue that, we middle and working-class Westerners also will end up owing Indonesian "slavery" for making our cheap clothes now!

Phat writes:It's not racist to defend the Western Capitalist way of life.

Phat writes:The problem I have with the progressive argument is that you and your "kinder gentler governments" are NOT my authority nor my judge.

Phat writes:If there were any people who owed his estate anything, their obligation was a legal matter between the business that my Dad provided and their direct benefit. I am in no way involved.

Phat writes:By getting African Americans riled up into feeling like social victims of the past, we are NOT doing that culture any service.

Phat writes:They need to work for a better future...

Phat writes:We even know some of the perpetrators but are not allowed to respond beyond that.

ringo writes:Slavery was the backbone of the economy that got you where you are.

ringo writes:The government IS your authority to collect your taxes and spend them as the nation as a whole sees fit.

ringo writes:They're riled up already, and rightly so, by the whips and the chains. I'm not trying to do their culture any "service". I'm just saying they should be given what's owed to them.

Phat writes:Thats nonsense. The Northern economy was the major economy in the time of the civil war...not the Southern economy.
To say that slavery is/was the backbone of the economy is inserting both your feets into your mouth. Show me some data.

Phat writes:Put the fire out, don't just try and charge every non slave in the world for the sins of slavery.

Phat writes:Thats the globalist socialist lie that you have bought.

Phat writes:Newsflash: IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

Phat writes:If you want to argue that, we middle and working-class Westerners also will end up owing Indonesian "slavery" for making our cheap clothes now!

ringo writes:We certainly do. How could you argue otherwise?

ringo writes:...That's why we have a federal government, so the WHOLE federation gets the same standards.

Percy writes:I'm not looking for a deity at all. In your own search, if you're not looking for a deity in the physical world then where are you looking for him? You exist in the physical world, so unless you're claiming some connection to the spiritual world the only place you can look for a deity is the physical world.

Percy writes:No one has a problem with you believing that these things are expressions of God. But if you want to show that they're actual evidence of God then you have a long ways to go. One place you could start would be by showing how they're evidence of the Christian God but not of Allah or Zeus or Vishnu or Moroni.

Percy writes:How is an analogy evidence? In any case, all the evidence we have says we evolved naturally and were not constructed. Have you considered that maybe evolution was God's means of creation? Stated another way, maybe God didn't create life in a spasm of creation but instead created abiogenesis and evolution.

Percy writes:Can we somehow break you out of this loop you're in of, "I believe this, but I have no evidence, but what I really mean is that I have no evidence that you guys accept, but I believe it is evidence, but you guys don't accept it so I can only say that this is something I believe." You don't say it all at once as I do here but string it out over a couple or few messages and then repeat it ad infinitum.

Percy writes:Apparently you understand that science has changed how people perceive gods and God. God used to move mountains, now he just moves emotions. God has retreated to realms where he can never be seen but only emoted and never evidenced.

Percy writes:If your evidence is so great then use it to convince devout Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and Jews that the Christian God is the one, right and true God. These devout believers have the same standards for evidence that you do, so it should be easy, right? No problem, right?

Percy writes:Instead of answering my question you're posing your own and answering that instead. I said nothing about looking for God behind the barn. I describe a decades long quest for evidence.
​
And the reality is far more profound than that. The reality is that millions and millions of people are seeking God everywhere all their lives and never turning up a single shred of evidence.

ringo writes:I, for one, have never rejected Christianity. I espouse Christianity much more than, say, Faith or Phat. I take the words of Jesus pretty seriously, even though He himself never existed.

Ed Taylor writes: 1. Wars and rumors of wars will increase.Joel 3:9–10 (NKJV) “Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ””Matthew 24:6–7 (NKJV) “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
2. Materialism on the rise2 Timothy 3:1–2 (NKJV) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”Revelation 3:14–19 (NKJV) ““And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
3. Lawlessness will abound2 Timothy 3:2–3 (NKJV) “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,”
4. Human Population will increase dramaticallyGenesis 6:1 (NKJV) “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,”Matthew 24:37–39 (NKJV) “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
5. Knowledge will increase dramaticallyDaniel 12:4 (NKJV) “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
6. A great falling away (apostasy) will occur2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV) “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,”1 Timothy 4:1–5 (NKJV) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
7. Increased demonic activity1 Timothy 4:1–5 (NKJV) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
8. One World Unification & GlobalismRevelation 13:4–8 (NKJV) “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”See Revelation 17 & 18
9. Increased use and legalization of drugsRevelation 9:21 (NKJV) “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
10. Sexual aberration and gender confusion
Romans 1:26–32 (NKJV) “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”2 Peter 2:12–14 (NKJV) “But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.”Jude 18–19 (NKJV) “how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.”
11. Increased Child sacrifice (abortions)2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
12. Widespread chaos and violenceGenesis 6:11–12 (NKJV) “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”Revelation 9:21 (NKJV) “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
13. God’s Word (The Bible) will be rejected2 Timothy 4:3–5 (NKJV) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”2 Peter 3:3–6 (NKJV) “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.”
14. God Himself is rejectedPsalm 2:1–3 (NKJV) “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
15. Personal selfishness will escalate2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
16. Man’s conscience will be seared and absent1 Timothy 4:1–2 (NKJV) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,”
17. Increase in religious thieves and liars2 Peter 2:3 (NKJV) “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”
18. Many antichrists and false prophets will increaseMatthew 24:5–6 (NKJV) “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”2 Peter 2:1–2 (NKJV) “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
19. Devil worship will increaseRevelation 9:20–21 (NKJV) “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
20. False claims of world peace will increase1 Thessalonians 5:1–4 (NKJV) “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”Let’s be prepared people for the days in which we live.Luke 19:13 (NKJV) “So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’”