1st Test Quiz Questions To Comparative Religious Studies 101

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:44 pm

cville, you say the bible is fiction and i say its not//

you say its fiction because god isnt real, i refute that because you cant prove god isnt real

i say the bible is not ficition because it is an account of history that is cooroborated (sp?) by other historical documents (irregarless of whether the supernatural things occured)

that is my only dissagreement

also sorry i thought you went to uva, you sounded like friends of mine that went there and think they know everything without thinking it through (not to a backhanded compliment or anything)

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:45 pm

cvillehog wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:justice hog you are a man of law and logic.. can we as a people disprove the existance of god?

It's impossible to prove a negative.

eggsactly

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:01 pm

TincoSkin wrote:justice hog you are a man of law and logic.. can we as a people disprove the existance of god?

I don't think anyone can prove or disprove the existence of God.

As I said before, it's a matter of "faith". You either have it or you don't.

'Nuff said.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:01 pm

This is all a matter of personal opinion. I tried to stay out of it and didn't even come back and post about what I researched but the fact is that no one can solidly say whether god exists or not. No one on this board has ever seen him or been personally handed proof that god or any religion is based on 100% fact.

I believe the bible is a historical work of literature. I do not discredit everything written in it, I do however believe that like every other book out there it has been edited to give a picture that the people in charge want you to have. Things are not told 100% accurately in any book. Detials are missing, editors remove and add things.

I believe in the powers that be, I do not believe in the institution of church. The institution of church has proven itself corrupt over and over again yet people blindly follow the book they promote and the expectations they hold.

My only question is if God is so forgiving and so gracious why would he accept child molestors but not people who live without harming anyone but choose to love a person of the same sex. Your answers will all quote the bible, no doubt and the reasons it is wrong per the scriptures. I live life by my standards and I try to believe that if I follow my conscience I will be ok. I have had struggles with life, as everyone does. My family and their love gets me through and a bible would not have helped me in my time of need.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:03 pm

TincoSkin wrote:i cant belive this conversation... obviously no body can discount the existance of a higher being

Remember, the belief that there was a "higher being" I'm told was started long long long ago because people couldn't grasp the notion of "death". They didn't want to believe that death = the end; therefore, they created a belief system whereby the "afterlife" was created as a place where people go when they die.

Thus, the idea of "religion" was born.

Don't bother asking me for a "link" for this theory. I don't have one. I just heard this years and years ago so I figured I'd express it now.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:09 pm

NikiH wrote:My only question is if God is so forgiving and so gracious why would he accept child molestors but not people who live without harming anyone but choose to love a person of the same sex. Your answers will all quote the bible, no doubt and the reasons it is wrong per the scriptures. I live life by my standards and I try to believe that if I follow my conscience I will be ok. I have had struggles with life, as everyone does. My family and their love gets me through and a bible would not have helped me in my time of need.

When it comes to the Bible, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a neophyte, but doesn't it say very early in the NT that God will pretty much forgive every sin except the renunciation of God as our lord? Seems to me that everyone can get into heaven then, if they truly "believe".

Then again, I would be the first to admit if my understanding is wrong.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:26 pm

NikiH wrote:This is all a matter of personal opinion. I tried to stay out of it and didn't even come back and post about what I researched but the fact is that no one can solidly say whether god exists or not. No one on this board has ever seen him or been personally handed proof that god or any religion is based on 100% fact.

I believe the bible is a historical work of literature. I do not discredit everything written in it, I do however believe that like every other book out there it has been edited to give a picture that the people in charge want you to have. Things are not told 100% accurately in any book. Detials are missing, editors remove and add things.

I believe in the powers that be, I do not believe in the institution of church. The institution of church has proven itself corrupt over and over again yet people blindly follow the book they promote and the expectations they hold.

My only question is if God is so forgiving and so gracious why would he accept child molestors but not people who live without harming anyone but choose to love a person of the same sex. Your answers will all quote the bible, no doubt and the reasons it is wrong per the scriptures. I live life by my standards and I try to believe that if I follow my conscience I will be ok. I have had struggles with life, as everyone does. My family and their love gets me through and a bible would not have helped me in my time of need.

eggsactly

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:32 pm

Justice Hog wrote:
NikiH wrote:My only question is if God is so forgiving and so gracious why would he accept child molestors but not people who live without harming anyone but choose to love a person of the same sex. Your answers will all quote the bible, no doubt and the reasons it is wrong per the scriptures. I live life by my standards and I try to believe that if I follow my conscience I will be ok. I have had struggles with life, as everyone does. My family and their love gets me through and a bible would not have helped me in my time of need.

When it comes to the Bible, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a neophyte, but doesn't it say very early in the NT that God will pretty much forgive every sin except the renunciation of God as our lord? Seems to me that everyone can get into heaven then, if they truly "believe".

Then again, I would be the first to admit if my understanding is wrong.

JH,

First off, I am glad to see that you have been reading some of the scripture.

Belief alone will get you nowhere. Case in point: I believe that I can shed 20 lbs by the end of the year, but if I don't act upon that belief, I will never see the results and, come December 31, I will still be wanting to lose the weight.

I'm not sure if you've gotten to the book of John (the gospel of John) yet, but, aside from John 3:16, John states that one can become a "child of God" by believing AND receiving him. (John 1:11) Further it explains that it is not human birth, but a spiritual "birth" (or rebirth) in God.

Aside from just believing, you have to freely choose to acknowledge Him as Lord (to whom you submit) and Savior (from Judgment of sin). Admittedly, it is a life-changing decision, one that should not be taken lightly, but has great rewards as a result.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:39 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN, i was wondering, i was baptised catholic, confirmed presby, but no longer belive in a christian god as i dont agree with a path through the church as valid and i dont think that jesus was literally the son of god but i do practice, as much as any flawed man can, a life based on the vales of the ten commandments and the life of jesus. Now, my question is (and not because i belive in heaven... i am a biologist and only belive in a unifying force which we all are cycling through everything else) but my question is do christians belive that people of other faiths or people never exposed to christianity but lead exemplary lives, such as gandhi or a tribe in africa that has never seen white men or a baby that dosnt comprehend these issues go to heaven? or are they all in limbo?

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:56 pm

NikiH: You made two comments that really caught my eye:

First, you wrote:I believe in the powers that be, I do not believe in the institution of church. The institution of church has proven itself corrupt over and over again yet people blindly follow the book they promote and the expectations they hold.

Believe it or not, I agree with you, on this point. What is known as "the Church" is actually an aberration of the original "church" in Scripture. Without going into too much detail, the "Body of Christ" (or believers) have long strayed from the original format of the early church. Today we see very few Bible-like miracles/happenings (as a reference, read the book of Acts) because we are not willing (or aware of) the way the early church worked. Once the Roman Empire institutionalized "church", the true church began to stray further away from its calling.

Then, you wrote:My only question is if God is so forgiving and so gracious why would he accept child molestors but not people who live without harming anyone but choose to love a person of the same sex. Your answers will all quote the bible, no doubt and the reasons it is wrong per the scriptures. I live life by my standards and I try to believe that if I follow my conscience I will be ok. I have had struggles with life, as everyone does. My family and their love gets me through and a bible would not have helped me in my time of need.

First, I believe your "only question" is not about forgiveness but about "fairness" based on your standards.

With that in mind, if we solely judge our actions based on our standards alone, everything looks peachy keen. Once we raise the level of expectations, we realize we come up short. It's hard to accept that we are capable of living at a higher grade of life, or that we are wrong, so it is easier to fall back on our own desires, understandings, opinions, etc.

The Bible is very clear in explaining this, namely that we all (mankind) fall short of the Glory of God -- men, women, child molesters, homosexuals, et. al. The only way to redemption, is through Christ. Cost of this to you? Nothing. Redemption has already been paid in full.

Now, how can you top THAT deal?? :wink:

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:03 pm

I, for one, see no problem with what cvillehog said - if you don't BELIEVE in God, then you have to think that the bible is fiction. If you do BELIEVE in God, then you may think the bible is fact, or you may still think it is fiction, depending on whether you think all parts of it should be taken literally or not.

I choose not to believe in God, and I therefore am of the belief that the bible is just a collection of good stories. Can I prove it? Well, no. Can anybody prove to me that the bible is truth and that God exists - no. I rather feel that only God could prove to me that he/she/it is out there, and I just haven't heard the voice of God yet. Anybody could provide me with any amount of anecdotal evidence of this God, but ultimately it comes down to one thing: faith. Do you, or don't you, BELIEVE?

As for the original premise of the thread: clearly, DaVinci Code is influential. Regardless of it's literary worth, it has a number of people talking about the subject. However, the DaVinci Code is no more an alternative theology than Star Wars is a historical document of the Second World War. My 2 cents

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:05 pm

TincoSkin wrote:...my question is do christians belive that people of other faiths or people never exposed to christianity but lead exemplary lives, such as gandhi or a tribe in africa that has never seen white men or a baby that dosnt comprehend these issues go to heaven? or are they all in limbo?

What is limbo? (aside from the party game)

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:07 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:Aside from just believing, you have to freely choose to acknowledge Him as Lord (to whom you submit) and Savior (from Judgment of sin). Admittedly, it is a life-changing decision, one that should not be taken lightly, but has great rewards as a result.[/color]

I understand but I gotta tell ya, I really have issues with people I call "Born Again Bible Thumpers" who tell me that the only way to get into heaven is to be "Born Again".

When think of a person being "Born Again", I think of "bible thumper", something I am not.

Yes, I do prey. When I do, I thank God for all he has bestowed upon me, both good and bad. I ask for him to help me be a better person. I also ask for God to forgive my sins. Whether that makes me one that "receives HIM", I dunno. I guess I'll find out, won't I?

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:08 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:What is limbo? (aside from the party game)

Maybe he's referring to purgatory?

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:09 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:I, for one, see no problem with what cvillehog said - if you don't BELIEVE in God, then you have to think that the bible is fiction. If you do BELIEVE in God, then you may think the bible is fact, or you may still think it is fiction, depending on whether you think all parts of it should be taken literally or not.

I choose not to believe in God, and I therefore am of the belief that the bible is just a collection of good stories. Can I prove it? Well, no. Can anybody prove to me that the bible is truth and that God exists - no. I rather feel that only God could prove to me that he/she/it is out there, and I just haven't heard the voice of God yet. Anybody could provide me with any amount of anecdotal evidence of this God, but ultimately it comes down to one thing: faith. Do you, or don't you, BELIEVE?

As for the original premise of the thread: clearly, DaVinci Code is influential. Regardless of it's literary worth, it has a number of people talking about the subject. However, the DaVinci Code is no more an alternative theology than Star Wars is a historical document of the Second World War.

im just battling semantics cuse its fun but the bible has other things in it than god. that is why is it a work of historical significance.. it was written during a specific time and those people who were alive at that time are in the bible, its not like the romans never existed. so is may have things you dont belive but it has things that are proven fact contained in it so you have to take it into account when considering our common history. it cannot be left out of our understanding of history because parts of it may not be belived. therefore, in my view, it cannot be called fiction as it is filled with historic fact.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:09 pm

now if we found the bible in an anchient library next to johnny tremain in the historical fiction section then we might be able to call it fiction but till that day it wont be

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:10 pm

Justice Hog wrote:
REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:What is limbo? (aside from the party game)[/color]

Maybe he's referring to purgatory?

yes

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:12 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:Star Wars is a historical document of the Second World War.

I knew it. :rock:

Now I can pass history class.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:14 pm

Justice Hog wrote:I understand but I gotta tell ya, I really have issues with people I call "Born Again Bible Thumpers" who tell me that the only way to get into heaven is to be "Born Again".

Again, keep reading, and you will understand where "born again" comes from. (it's in Gospel of John)

Maybe some day you'll become a "Born Again Bible Beliver" and not a "Thumper". :wink:

(Plus, I believe TCWEST has already bequeathed me with that name. :lol:

)

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:15 pm

TincoSkin wrote:
Justice Hog wrote:
REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:What is limbo? (aside from the party game)[/color]

Maybe he's referring to purgatory?

yes

TS - Is purgatory found in scripture?

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:15 pm

JansenFan wrote:
UK Skins Fan wrote:Star Wars is a historical document of the Second World War.

I knew it. Now I can pass history class.

Glad I could help!

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:16 pm

TincoSkin wrote:
UK Skins Fan wrote:I, for one, see no problem with what cvillehog said - if you don't BELIEVE in God, then you have to think that the bible is fiction. If you do BELIEVE in God, then you may think the bible is fact, or you may still think it is fiction, depending on whether you think all parts of it should be taken literally or not.

I choose not to believe in God, and I therefore am of the belief that the bible is just a collection of good stories. Can I prove it? Well, no. Can anybody prove to me that the bible is truth and that God exists - no. I rather feel that only God could prove to me that he/she/it is out there, and I just haven't heard the voice of God yet. Anybody could provide me with any amount of anecdotal evidence of this God, but ultimately it comes down to one thing: faith. Do you, or don't you, BELIEVE?

As for the original premise of the thread: clearly, DaVinci Code is influential. Regardless of it's literary worth, it has a number of people talking about the subject. However, the DaVinci Code is no more an alternative theology than Star Wars is a historical document of the Second World War.

im just battling semantics cuse its fun but the bible has other things in it than god. that is why is it a work of historical significance.. it was written during a specific time and those people who were alive at that time are in the bible, its not like the romans never existed. so is may have things you dont belive but it has things that are proven fact contained in it so you have to take it into account when considering our common history. it cannot be left out of our understanding of history because parts of it may not be belived. therefore, in my view, it cannot be called fiction as it is filled with historic fact.

So, I guess you consider Stephen Ambrose books to be non-fiction?

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:16 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:
Justice Hog wrote:
REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:What is limbo? (aside from the party game)[/color]

Maybe he's referring to purgatory?

yes

TS - Is purgatory found in scripture?

No! It's a Catholic concoction, like so many things.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:18 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:
Justice Hog wrote:
REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:What is limbo? (aside from the party game)[/color]

Maybe he's referring to purgatory?

yes

TS - Is purgatory found in scripture?

i dont know.. i think its a catholic thing, help us out... is anyone here a catholic??

purgatory aside, what do you belive about my original question?

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:18 pm

Niki -- I love you! :wink:

You wrote it all for me! Thanks!

Personally, the following Buddhist conceptmakes sense to me:

Buddhists do not believe in a god. There are several reasons for this. The Buddha, like modern sociologists and psychologists, believed that religious ideas and especially the god idea have their origins in fear. The Buddha said, "Gripped by fear people go to sacred mountains, sacred groves, sacred trees and shrines."

(As Justice Hog alluded to:) Primitive humans found themselves in a dangerous and hostile world, the fear of wild animals, of not being able to find enough food, of injury or disease, and of natural phenomena, etc.. Finding no security, they created the idea of gods in order to give them comfort in good times, courage in times of danger and consolation when things went wrong. To this day, people become more religious at times of crises... They explain that they believe in a particular god because they prayed in time of need and their prayer was answered. All this seems to support the Buddha's teaching that the god-idea is a response to fear and frustration. Buddhism teaches to try to understand fears, to lessen desires and to calmly and courageously accept the things we cannot change. Replaced fear, not with irrational belief but with rational understanding.

The second reason Buddhist did not believe in a god is because there does not seem to be any evidence to support this idea. There are numerous religions, all claiming that they alone have god's words preserved in their holy book, that they alone understand god's nature, that their god exists and that the gods of other religions do not. Some claim that god is masculine, some that she is feminine and others that it is neutral. They are all satisfied that there is ample evidence to prove the existence of their god but they laugh in disbelief at the evidence other religions use to prove the existence of another god. It is not surprising that with so many different religions spending so many centuries trying to prove the existence of their gods that still no real, concrete, substantial or irrefutable evidence has been found. Buddhists suspend judgement until such evidence is forthcoming.

The third reason the Buddha did not believe in a god is that the belief is not necessary. ... Science has very convincingly explained how the universe came into being without having to introduce the god-idea. ... There are millions of atheists, free-thinkers, and Buddhists, who live useful, happy and meaningful lives without belief in a god. ... Many, many people have overcome great disabilities and handicaps, enormous odds and difficulties through their own inner resources, through their own efforts and without belief in a god. Some claim that god is necessary in order to give man salvation. But this argument only holds good if you accept the theological concept of salvation and Buddhists do not accept such a concept... Each human being has the capacity to purify the mind, develop infinite love and compassion and perfect understanding. Buddhism shifts attention from the heavens to the heart and encourages us to find solutions to our problems through self-understanding.

And of course, there's always the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.