NationStates Jolt Archive

As you can tell form the thread title, my intention in this thread is simply to post random Bible verses from (what else) randombibleverses.com

After I post the verse, if you feel interested enough to comment on it, I want posts to follow a basic pattern as follows:

1. What you think it means
2. How it applies (or doesn't apply) to your life
3. (optional) apply it to a current event in the news, your home country, or somewhere else in the world.

I don't want drive-by posters to come in, scream "That can't be true!" or "The whole Bible is false!" and run back out of the thread. That helps no one.

My main quest here is to get an idea of how other people view the specifics of the Bible - I already know how I view it.

All are welcome to participate, contingent upon an understanding of the format to follow and not engaging in "horseplay."

Having established that, here is the first verse:

John 3:16... "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

A pretty common one. Yes, it was picked randomly.

teh pr0n!!!!!!1!
And he strikes again... What a strange fellow ;)

l0lzlolololol!!11 w00tw00t!!!1!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God loves us and therefore sent his son to die for us. The part about whoever believes in Him, means that we believe through words and actions (to trust and obey) so that the gift of eternal life is ours for the taking not that we deserve it, but that he gave that gift to us.

PS: http://www.bibleinfo.com
is a good source for bible information as well.

1. What you think it means
2. How it applies (or doesn't apply) to your life
3. (optional) apply it to a current event in the news, your home country, or somewhere else in the world.


John 3:16... "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

1. God sent his Son to Earth. Whoever believes he was God's Son, will not go to Hell, but to Heaven.

2. It makes me feel safe knowing that when I die I will be in Heaven.

3. Death is all around us. People should feel comfort in their dying moments.

is there any particular reason why you decided to use a quote from the new testsment? i'd have thought it'd have been better to take one from the old testament, as then the jews among us'd be more likely to take part in this thread

p\/\/n3d

"Happy they shall be, that taketh and dashest thy little ones against the stones."
--Psalm 137:9

"There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses."
--Ezekial 23:20

I feel that this is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible and has been a test for those who would call themselves "true Christians." They have taken this verse to deny all other religions validity or non-Christians a relationship with God.

Ephesians 6:5-9: "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."

Slaves (referred to as servants here) should obey their masters much in the same way Christians are to obey Jesus - unconditionally.

More quotes:
Exodus 20:17"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's."

Deuteronomy 5:21"Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's."

Numbers 31:28-47: "And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep: Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD.And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD."

Deuteronomy 20:14: "But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself"

(Disclaimer: This post is designed to provoke debate about slavery in the Bible, not to turn into religion-bashing).

I feel that this is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible and has been a test for those who would call themselves "true Christians." They have taken this verse to deny all other religions validity or non-Christians a relationship with God.
that's why i suggested going with the old testament, it's less anti-jewish, funilly enough, and it shits me that they base whether you go to hell or not on whether you believe in jesus.
our god doesn't care as much about who you believe in, but more about how you worship him and lead your life, though he does like it when you worship him in his way

Keep thy religion to thy self- George Carlin

lolololz! !!!2! pwn3d

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God loves us and therefore sent his son to die for us. The part about whoever believes in Him, means that we believe through words and actions (to trust and obey) so that the gift of eternal life is ours for the taking not that we deserve it, but that he gave that gift to us.

PS: http://www.bibleinfo.com
is a good source for bible information as well.
i think this verse can also be interpreted as indicating that hell does not exist as a place where bad people go when they die.

whoever believes in him can have eternal life, whoever doesnt PERISHES. perish is not the same as eternal life in torment. as the other famous verse says "the wages of sin are death"

Ezekiel 25:17: "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

That means for me, if you fuck with me I'll wipe the floor with you.

It's also cool to quote before you open a can of asswhoop on someone.

First off, none of the Bible is anti-Jewish, for Jesus was himself a Jew, and the Jews are Gods chosen people, unless you misinterpret it and pretend to know something about the Bible. And, as the Bible says, the only way to heaven is if you believe in Jesus. The thing that we have to do is "believe in the one he has sent."

"Happy they shall be, that taketh and dashest thy little ones against the stones."
--Psalm 137:9
That's actually an incorrect quote. The real one is "Fair Babylon, you predator, a blessing on him who repays you in kind what you have inflicted on us; a blessing on him who seizes your babies and dashes themn against the rocks!" (Psalm 137:8-9)
This quote is more an expression of lamentation for the crimes committed by Babylon against the Hebrew people than anything else. It's a call for justice, because Babylonians did the same to them. This quote really asks for the country of Babylon to also be conquered.

"There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses."
--Ezekial 23:20
Again, the quote is incorrect and out of context. "19: But she whored still more, remembering how in her youth she had played the whore in the land of Egypt; 20: she lusted for concubinage with them, whose members were like those of asses and whose organs were like those of stallions." That's a common expression we use today - "hung like a donkey," I don't see much wrong with that. Additionally, this is really a preaching against prostitution and superficiality (she only wants guys with large penises), so again, you attempt at ridicule without explanation falls flat.

Ezekiel 25:17: "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

That means for me, if you fuck with me I'll wipe the floor with you.

It's also cool to quote before you open a can of asswhoop on someone.
Pulp Fiction, what what?

I feel that this is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible and has been a test for those who would call themselves "true Christians." They have taken this verse to deny all other religions validity or non-Christians a relationship with God.

Eeeeeeeexactly.
'Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."'

John 14:6 NIV, my emphasis.

Jesus is the ONLY way into heaven. No other man, nor the sacrifices in the days of old, shall bring you the forgiveness of your sins that have thus far barred you from entrance into heaven.

Again, the quote is incorrect and out of context. "19: But she whored still more, remembering how in her youth she had played the whore in the land of Egypt; 20: she lusted for concubinage with them, whose members were like those of asses and whose organs were like those of stallions." That's a common expression we use today - "hung like a donkey," I don't see much wrong with that. Additionally, this is really a preaching against prostitution and superficiality (she only wants guys with large penises), so again, you attempt at ridicule without explanation falls flat.

Although, yes, he misquoted the Bible, Scriptures do make quite a few references to sex. Even Playboy Magazine could not hold a candle to sex when compared to the Bible. Check out Song of Solomon, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and... pretty much the rest of the book. Sex is God's creation. Thus, there is nothing wrong with it. However, there are borderlines that many people step across. One of them is 'having no sex before getting married.'

Oh the joy of derailment.

1 Corinth 2:4... "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

This quite clearly says to me that however many fancy arguments we may like to put together to support or deny Christianity, ultimately we should focus on God. He doesn't need or want our 'proofs' and 'disproofs'. The most important aspect of being a Christian is your faith, and that faith should be based on a genuine trust in and love of God, not just some intellectual garble.

It also says to me that the most important part of spreading the gospel to others is the 'demonstration of the Spirit and power'- acting like a Christian. We should be noticeably different, noticeably apart, because of what Christ has done for us. This is something I've been trying very hard to cultivate in my own life- talking about faith to most of the people around me is very difficult, so I try to just behave with the grace of God, to demonstrate what faith can do.

Eeeeeeeexactly.
'Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."'

John 14:6 NIV, my emphasis.

Jesus is the ONLY way into heaven. No other man, nor the sacrifices in the days of old, shall bring you the forgiveness of your sins that have thus far barred you from entrance into heaven.
Isn't that a bit egocentric?

Another question. So the pedophile who believes in Jesus goes to Heaven while Moses and Gandhi go to hell?

Although, yes, he misquoted the Bible, Scriptures do make quite a few references to sex. Even Playboy Magazine could not hold a candle to sex when compared to the Bible. Check out Song of Solomon, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and... pretty much the rest of the book. Sex is God's creation. Thus, there is nothing wrong with it. However, there are borderlines that many people step across. One of them is 'having no sex before getting married.'
The funny part about the misquotes is that his versions are the correct ones in the King James Bible. My quotes came from the original Aramaic and Hebrew versions, before some ideologically motivated "translators" got their hands on it.

You're right about the Song of Songs (Solomon). Curious, where's your support for no sex out of marriage?

psalm 140 and 58

Isn't that a bit egocentric?

Another question. So the pedophile who believes in Jesus goes to Heaven while Moses and Gandhi go to hell?

Moses? No. He was a Jew in the time before a Savior, and doubtless had a sacrafice committed every time he sinned, thus, his sins were forgiven.

But Ghandi? Aye

Oh the joy of derailment.



This quite clearly says to me that however many fancy arguments we may like to put together to support or deny Christianity, ultimately we should focus on God. He doesn't need or want our 'proofs' and 'disproofs'. The most important aspect of being a Christian is your faith, and that faith should be based on a genuine trust in and love of God, not just some intellectual garble.

It also says to me that the most important part of spreading the gospel to others is the 'demonstration of the Spirit and power'- acting like a Christian. We should be noticeably different, noticeably apart, because of what Christ has done for us. This is something I've been trying very hard to cultivate in my own life- talking about faith to most of the people around me is very difficult, so I try to just behave with the grace of God, to demonstrate what faith can do.

Awesome! Something that I attempt to do as well.
I, however, feel led to show people faith, or at least take them away from atheism, through debate. After all, it is a gift given to me, why not use it?

Eeeeeeeexactly.
'Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."'

John 14:6 NIV, my emphasis.

Jesus is the ONLY way into heaven. No other man, nor the sacrifices in the days of old, shall bring you the forgiveness of your sins that have thus far barred you from entrance into heaven.

What you are saying, of course, is that noone else besides those who where given the oppurtunity to hear Jesus or hear of Jesus can enter heaven.
Even those who lived before Jesus. This is the fallacy of your interpatation of the verses.

Certainly, no loving God would do that to His Creation. Therefore there must be some other meaning to the words. One can assume that Christ was speaking to the people of that time, not those in the past. Therefore, there must have been some other means for the people before Christ to enter heaven. If God never leaves us alone, then the answer would be in the worlds other religions that served the same purpose as Christianity. That purpose being to help us improve our character and better understand God's purpose for humankind.

Christianity does not have sole knowledge in regards to the spiritual needs of people. It is one of many legimate religions. The need of many Christian believers to claim exclusivity to salavation, as have other religions, has been the cause of much hardship and destruction in the world. The inabliity of religious fanatics to allow people to freely choose their path to
God is in direct contridiction to the many directives of the Messengers regarding treatment of fellow human beings.

Moses? No. He was a Jew in the time before a Savior, and doubtless had a sacrafice committed every time he sinned, thus, his sins were forgiven.

But Ghandi? Aye

Where is the love that Christians are supposed to practice? Who gives you the right to decide who goes to heaven or not? If there is only one God how can you say all religions that came before Christianity are not from God?

12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

(King James Bible, Mark)

Here's a question I have. If Jesus is the only way to salvation, does this mean that all of the Jews who were unspeakably tortured in the Holocaust and the purges of Stalin go to Hell solely because they didn't accpet Jesus as their Savior?

Here's a question I have. If Jesus is the only way to salvation, does this mean that all of the Jews who were unspeakably tortured in the Holocaust and the purges of Stalin go to Hell solely because they didn't accpet Jesus as their Savior?

I think he already answered this question in post #26. Yes, they would, according to him.

I think he already answered this question in post #26. Yes, they would, according to him.

Wow, that's depressing. I think I'd rather be in Hell with men like Gandhi and the Holocaust victims.

I didn't read every page, so thanks. :)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God loves us and therefore sent his son to die for us. The part about whoever believes in Him, means that we believe through words and actions (to trust and obey) so that the gift of eternal life is ours for the taking not that we deserve it, but that he gave that gift to us.

PS: http://www.bibleinfo.com
is a good source for bible information as well.

where does it say belif is entrentched in words and actions.. not just thought.

Wow, that's depressing. I think I'd rather be in Hell with men like Gandhi and the Holocaust victims.

I didn't read every page, so thanks. :)

The ideas that he expouses are not really religious or Christian for that matter. It just an example of how far Christian thought has strayed from the intent of Christ's words. The following words more closely reflect the meaning of Christ's worlds.


O SON OF SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

(Baha'u'llah)

First off, none of the Bible is anti-Jewish, for Jesus was himself a Jew, and the Jews are Gods chosen people, unless you misinterpret it and pretend to know something about the Bible. And, as the Bible says, the only way to heaven is if you believe in Jesus. The thing that we have to do is "believe in the one he has sent."

where exactly is that verse.. where it says only if you belive in jesus will you go to heaven.... even if those words are uttered christian religion is focused around the trinity

JEsus is apart of god as the father and the holy spirit are... so you could belive in god or the holy spirit and still belive in god... I dont see how if you belive in the father, and god.. that you wont go to heaven becuase you dont belive in jesus... And obviously jews dont belive in the one he has sent because they dont see jesus as the messiah. I think belif in jesus is just one path to heaven... not a nessesity for all... belif in god however, is clearly a nesessity

I wonder if belief in God is really necessary in a literal sense. Even if you don't, by doing good and helping others and living as God would desire you should theoretically go to heaven anyway, simply because your actions would confirm a kind of faith in themselves regardless of overt belief. (Existence of God permitting, as always)

What you are saying, of course, is that noone else besides those who where given the oppurtunity to hear Jesus or hear of Jesus can enter heaven.
Even those who lived before Jesus. This is the fallacy of your interpatation of the verses.

Certainly, no loving God would do that to His Creation. Therefore there must be some other meaning to the words. One can assume that Christ was speaking to the people of that time, not those in the past. Therefore, there must have been some other means for the people before Christ to enter heaven. If God never leaves us alone, then the answer would be in the worlds other religions that served the same purpose as Christianity. That purpose being to help us improve our character and better understand God's purpose for humankind.

Christianity does not have sole knowledge in regards to the spiritual needs of people. It is one of many legimate religions. The need of many Christian believers to claim exclusivity to salavation, as have other religions, has been the cause of much hardship and destruction in the world. The inabliity of religious fanatics to allow people to freely choose their path to
God is in direct contridiction to the many directives of the Messengers regarding treatment of fellow human beings.
No, not people before Jesus, because they had the ability to sacrafice in order to attain forgiveness.

But since Jesus's crucifixion, the biggest, most momentous day in the eternal war 'twixt satan and God, mankind no longer has the burden of sacrafices, and eternal forgiveness is (forgive the crude metaphor) practically as easy as opening an account at the bank.

It's so unbelievably easy to get into heaven that it's astounding that people who believe in multiple paths even exist. Hell exists because people want to go there. Hell exists because we sin. The fact that there is an alternative, even if it is only one alternative, is such a testament to a loving God that saying that He is not loving is an unbelievably appalling heresy.

Wow, that's depressing. I think I'd rather be in Hell with men like Gandhi and the Holocaust victims.

I didn't read every page, so thanks. :)

Hell is not enjoyable whatsoever, weather or not you know there are cool people there. Company is nonexistent, and your torture is slightly more than your power to withstand it, but it never, ever kills you.

Check out something that I've used before:
Hell is a place of eternal torment and fire. Beyond a fathomable human pain. A sea of fire, filled with burning people on the brink of what would be a natural death, but who never die. A total absence from God, comfort as retreated to a safer place, relief is such a painful thing because it is so close, but impossible to reach.

Imagine going to the California coast, and looking out at a clear ocean, no boats yet, because it's 7:00 AM, only the little old lady collecting shells.

Now imagine that whole ocean as a sea of fire, filled wih the stench of burning flesh and brimstone, including, instead of the few jumping fish, and awesome number of people using their last vestiges of strength to escape this eternal torment for but one fraction of a second. The constant sound of the sea washing against the shore is replaced by unimaginible amounts of screaming, people in so much pain as to simply see it would cause even the least emotional Gothic to break down in tears end never stop waking up screaming in bed for the rest of his life.

Now imagine the greatest pain you've ever experienced in your life. Couple it with the pain of even one limb being burned, then multiply it by a billion. Then add to it the fact that this pain, this torture, that you would normally withdraw from to a safer place, will never subside, no matter how much you cry, weep, confess, and curse.

A place made by God as a punishment for the rouge angel Lucifer (Satan), who some people senselessly worship. Satan is bringing as many people down to this unimaginable torture as he can by introducing sin into the world. Songs, movies, and the internet are his outlets. He has caused people to believe that hell will be a big party, full of drinking, sex, and other forms of sinful fun, even causing some to commit suicide to get there

If Christianity is the one true path to heaven, why are there multiple religions in the first place? It doesn't seem logical to condemn people to Hell just because they believe differently, because that would mean the other religions arose with the sole purpose of misleading people to Hell. It cpuldn't be Satan, because by definition he can only do so much as God would allow him, so therefore any religion engineered by Satan would have God's indirect approval.

I wonder if belief in God is really necessary in a literal sense. Even if you don't, by doing good and helping others and living as God would desire you should theoretically go to heaven anyway, simply because your actions would confirm a kind of faith in themselves regardless of overt belief. (Existence of God permitting, as always)

Since I don't believe in a physical hell and I understand heaven as simply being close to the life-giving light of Creation. I would then say no you don't have to believe in God. The journey to believe is different for every individual, and should not be judge by any other individual. Hell, then is to be further away from the light or Creator.

Hell is not enjoyable whatsoever, weather or not you know there are cool people there. Company is nonexistent, and your torture is slightly more than your power to withstand it, but it never, ever kills you.

Check out something that I've used before:
Hell is a place of eternal torment and fire. Beyond a fathomable human pain. A sea of fire, filled with burning people on the brink of what would be a natural death, but who never die. A total absence from God, comfort as retreated to a safer place, relief is such a painful thing because it is so close, but impossible to reach.

Imagine going to the California coast, and looking out at a clear ocean, no boats yet, because it's 7:00 AM, only the little old lady collecting shells.

Now imagine that whole ocean as a sea of fire, filled wih the stench of burning flesh and brimstone, including, instead of the few jumping fish, and awesome number of people using their last vestiges of strength to escape this eternal torment for but one fraction of a second. The constant sound of the sea washing against the shore is replaced by unimaginible amounts of screaming, people in so much pain as to simply see it would cause even the least emotional Gothic to break down in tears end never stop waking up screaming in bed for the rest of his life.

Now imagine the greatest pain you've ever experienced in your life. Couple it with the pain of even one limb being burned, then multiply it by a billion. Then add to it the fact that this pain, this torture, that you would normally withdraw from to a safer place, will never subside, no matter how much you cry, weep, confess, and curse.

A place made by God as a punishment for the rouge angel Lucifer (Satan), who some people senselessly worship. Satan is bringing as many people down to this unimaginable torture as he can by introducing sin into the world. Songs, movies, and the internet are his outlets. He has caused people to believe that hell will be a big party, full of drinking, sex, and other forms of sinful fun, even causing some to commit suicide to get there


Been reading a bit of Dante, have you?

Since I don't believe in a physical hell and I understand heaven as simply being close to the life-giving light of Creation. I would then say no you don't have to believe in God. The journey to believe is different for every individual, and should not be judge by any other individual. Hell, then is to be further away from the light or Creator.

Actually, I've wondered if Purgatory is in fact the physical world. This would make the Creator the center of everything, like the Sun is the center of the solar system. This place has both great good and great evil, and so it is kind of a test, to see if we can live well enough to earn our reward, it being equal to the quality of life we lived.

"Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them." - Sirach 6:14-16

Sorry to switch it up on you guys...but this whole Heaven/Hell thing and who goes there is getting old.

Satan is bringing as many people down to this unimaginable torture as he can by introducing sin into the world. Songs, movies, and the internet are his outlets.

This doesn't seem like a great place to be teaching about the evils of the internet.

If Christianity is the one true path to heaven, why are there multiple religions in the first place? It doesn't seem logical to condemn people to Hell just because they believe differently, because that would mean the other religions arose with the sole purpose of misleading people to Hell. It cpuldn't be Satan, because by definition he can only do so much as God would allow him, so therefore any religion engineered by Satan would have God's indirect approval.


Ah, you have really hit upon the crux of the matter. If there is only one
God then all revealed religions have come from God and can be thought of as one religion with different Messengers sent to different groups of people at different times. Each Messenger had a Message shaped to the needs of those people's culture and situation. There are always certain spiritual laws that remain constant across cultures, and social laws that are meant for those particular times and peoples.

"Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them." - Sirach 6:14-16

Sorry to switch it up on you guys...but this whole Heaven/Hell thing and who goes there is getting old.

That looked like a genuine good message from the Bible until you read on to 'those who fear the Lord', and no, what a surprise. Seriously, how the hell does fearing God link in with having good friends?

Ah, you have really hit upon the crux of the matter. If there is only one God then all revealed religions have come from God and can be thought of as one religion with different Messengers sent to different groups of people at different times. Each Messenger had a Message shaped to the needs of those people's culture and situation. There are always certain spiritual laws that remain constant across cultures, and social laws that are meant for those particular times and peoples.

That's how I view it. All religions have some portion of the Truth, with no one being more true than the others, yet all reveal Truth in some form or another. Religion shapes itself to fit the time and place, yet still holds some kind of truth within it, so anyone at anytime can be rewarded by God, solely based upon what they do rather than what they believe, or in other words "Deed, not Creed".

Actually, I've wondered if Purgatory is in fact the physical world. This would make the Creator the center of everything, like the Sun is the center of the solar system. This place has both great good and great evil, and so it is kind of a test, to see if we can live well enough to earn our reward, it being equal to the quality of life we lived.

One can think of Purgatory that way. But, I believe that Purgatory is a concept thought up by St. Augustine and does not come from Christ.

Luke 6:42 Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye

To me it means the the fundamental christians who would beat the piss out of gay people for being gay or discriminate against them should shut the fuck up and deal with their own sins rather than draw attention away from them by making the sins of others into such a huge deal.

That looked like a genuine good message from the Bible until you read on to 'those who fear the Lord', and no, what a surprise. Seriously, how the hell does fearing God link in with having good friends?

I never understood how you can fear and love God simultaeneously. They seem to be opposites.

I never understood how you can fear and love God simultaeneously. They seem to be opposites.

Unless He uses fear to make people love Him.

Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

One can think of Purgatory that way. But, I believe that Purgatory is a concept thought up by St. Augustine and does not come from Christ.

Actually, that's an interesting point. Many of the arguments surrounding "salvation by faith" were never said by Jesus, and much of His teachings are philisophical rather than religous. The religious aspect seems to have arisen after Him rather than conteporary to Him.

That looked like a genuine good message from the Bible until you read on to 'those who fear the Lord', and no, what a surprise. Seriously, how the hell does fearing God link in with having good friends?
Just interpret the fearing God bit as being a generally good person. Good people tend to have good friends, because a good person is the type of person you want to be friends with, if that makes sense. Basically, the bible is one giant metaphor, and should not be taken literally, especially after the gazillion times it has been translated and edited.

If Christianity is the one true path to heaven, why are there multiple religions in the first place? It doesn't seem logical to condemn people to Hell just because they believe differently, because that would mean the other religions arose with the sole purpose of misleading people to Hell. It cpuldn't be Satan, because by definition he can only do so much as God would allow him, so therefore any religion engineered by Satan would have God's indirect approval.

God does His work through Man. If we do not quell the opposing religions, then it is our fault that they exist.

Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

An instruction to evangelise surely?

Unless He uses fear to make people love Him.

But then it wouldn't be real love. It would be a kind of false love, more for your own preservation rather than actual affection. People "loved" the world's evilest dictators, but only because not doing so would result in suffering or death. (Sounds oddly similar?)

That's how I view it. All religions have some portion of the Truth, with no one being more true than the others, yet all reveal Truth in some form or another. Religion shapes itself to fit the time and place, yet still holds some kind of truth within it, so anyone at anytime can be rewarded by God, solely based upon what they do rather than what they believe, or in other words "Deed, not Creed".

Think of religion as being progesively revealed to humankind as humanity was able to understand the concepts. Just as no child starts out with higher forms of math God did not reveal His full majesty or knowledge at once.

Here is a good quote that may explain it better than I can.

Evolution indeed from its beginning in the distant past to its
completion in the distant future is nothing more than the
Revelation of God's purpose for mankind. What is being evolved
was first created by God, then infolded by God, then unfolded
to man's knowledge by God: the plan, the process and the
substance of the process are all from God. The story of the
spiritual evolution of man from his infancy to his maturity,
from Genesis to the close of the Apocalypse, is the story of
the continuous progressive Self Revelation of God to man.

(George Townshend, The Heart of the Gospel, p. 36)

It's a pretty interesting Bible quote in my opinion, because it perfectly shows the Lord can love, but he can also destroy the wrongdoer.

I never understood how you can fear and love God simultaeneously. They seem to be opposites.

NO! Nononononono!

Even you should know that it does not mean "fear" in the literal sense, but rather it means "follow and respect" more than that.

God does His work through Man. If we do not quell the opposing religions, then it is our fault that they exist.

But 100% of the time this is done through death and conquest. I don't think any religion has peacefully assimilated its followers in to Christianity. Wouldn't that be far worse than allowing them to exist. I mean, look at what the Spanish did to the Native Americans, that is definitely not righteous and just.

Think of religion as being progesively revealed to humankind as humanity was able to understand the concepts. Just as no child starts out with higher forms of math God did not reveal His full majesty or knowledge at once.

Thus, the concept that religion evolves is perfectly workable. Actually, this would bind everything in existence together, slowly revelaing themselves until we reach God fully and gradually.

It's a pretty interesting Bible quote in my opinion, because it perfectly shows the Lord can love, but he can also destroy the wrongdoer.

God has many facets, almost all of them are not understandable by a human's point of view. God has the capacity to love, but He also has the capacity to have wrath. God has a limitless grace, but also a limitless power to be wrathful. However, anger is not one of God's primary qualities. He is "slow to wrath," and loves us enough that any action that He has to take against us would sadden Him.

NO! Nononononono!
Even you should know that it does not mean "fear" in the literal sense, but rather it means "follow and respect" more than that.

Why didn't they use "respect" than?

Good people tend to have good friends, because a good person is the type of person you want to be friends with, if that makes sense. Basically, the bible is one giant metaphor, and should not be taken literally, especially after the gazillion times it has been translated and edited.

I agree with all of that but...

Just interpret the fearing God bit as being a generally good person.

No matter how metaphorical it is, that is nothing but a dangerous interprettation. Either the Bible originally called fear a good thing, in which case the word of God seems highly dangerous, or changes to it have made this dangerous connection, and those bits should be taken out.

But 100% of the time this is done through death and conquest. I don't think any religion has peacefully assimilated its followers in to Christianity. Wouldn't that be far worse than allowing them to exist. I mean, look at what the Spanish did to the Native Americans, that is definitely not righteous and just.

Not everyone who says "In the name of the Lord" is truly committing an action for God. And, actually, many people have been saved through a loving, gentle teaching of someone devoted to their soul's well-being.

An instruction to evangelise surely?
To me, it seems to be an order to look after one another.

Why didn't they use "respect" than?

How would I know? I'm only a Freshman!

Basically, we are all going on what we believe to be true. Because let's face it...none of us has any concrete proof that what we believe is THE truth. We only have our faith that it is...and the only way we are going to find out for sure is by dying ourselves and seeing with our own eyes. So what is up with all the bashing? The next person has just as much of a chance of being right as you do.

NO! Nononononono!

Even you should know that it does not mean "fear" in the literal sense, but rather it means "follow and respect" more than that.

Then it should say that. Giving people a book that you say is the word of God, which they should follow, but failing to mention that certain phrases need to be taken differently, is a very dangerous thing to do. Unless it says somewhere in the Bible 'do not take all of this literally' some people will.

Not everyone who says "In the name of the Lord" is truly committing an action for God. And, actually, many people have been saved through a loving, gentle teaching of someone devoted to their soul's well-being.

Then it would seem that mankind is not ready to spread this message, simply because there is too big a disconnect between the deires of God and the actions of man.

Basically, we are all going on what we believe to be true. Because let's face it...none of us has any concrete proof that what we believe is THE truth. We only have our faith that it is...and the only way we are going to find out for sure is by dying ourselves and seeing with our own eyes. So what is up with all the bashing? The next person has just as much of a chance of being right as you do.
That's why I'm agnostic.

God has many facets, almost all of them are not understandable by a human's point of view. God has the capacity to love, but He also has the capacity to have wrath. God has a limitless grace, but also a limitless power to be wrathful. However, anger is not one of God's primary qualities. He is "slow to wrath," and loves us enough that any action that He has to take against us would sadden Him.

If He is God, why does He have to take a certain action?

To me, it seems to be an order to look after one another.

Christians would say that converting someone is looking after them.

Luke 6:42 Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye

To me it means the the fundamental christians who would beat the piss out of gay people for being gay or discriminate against them should shut the fuck up and deal with their own sins rather than draw attention away from them by making the sins of others into such a huge deal.

Please understand that I don't mean judge when I share this, but we really let those who so terrible misunderstand religion and God's purpose for humanity steal religion. The answer can only be to love back at those who only talk about love and don't act loving. Love is the great attraction that brings people to change. That is what Christ taught and what all other Messengers in the past have taught. So the following words are not meant to judge.

A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men.

(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 65)

Basically, we are all going on what we believe to be true. Because let's face it...none of us has any concrete proof that what we believe is THE truth. We only have our faith that it is...and the only way we are going to find out for sure is by dying ourselves and seeing with our own eyes. So what is up with all the bashing? The next person has just as much of a chance of being right as you do.

Not quite, and, even if Christianity is not the true one, then we still win!
Muslims get to heaven with 51% of their deeds being good deeds, Christians are told to do good.
Mormons can get to one level of heaven with a faith in Jesus.
Bhuddists get to heaven with good deeds.
Jews get to heaven through sacrafice, and Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrafice, who was tortured and killed for EVERY sin of ALL OF MANKIND.
The nonreligious just dissapear, with no heaven or hell.

So, why risk it? Even if Christians lose, then we still win. Ultimately, our faith lands us in heaven from whatever religious standpoint you look at.

Additionally, Christianity is unique: almost all other religions require good deeds to get you into heaven. They ask for a lifetime of work and toil in order to deserve eternal pleasure. All Christianity asks is faith, and, although sin is then excused, it then happens very little, as the Holy Spirit takes control and turns your life in a COMPLETELY new direction.

And, may I remind you that the oldest religion, that has been around since Creation: Judaism, was the very roots for Christianity. The prophecies made before Christianity came about were all fulfilled by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thus, we can safely garuntee that Christianity is just as true as Judaism.

Actually, I've wondered if Purgatory is in fact the physical world. This would make the Creator the center of everything, like the Sun is the center of the solar system. This place has both great good and great evil, and so it is kind of a test, to see if we can live well enough to earn our reward, it being equal to the quality of life we lived.

Cogito, ergo sum.
If this universe is purgatory, then our minds would not exist. We would be souls, in a temporary place of punishment, hoping that we have enough people to pray us into heaven. Purgatory, according to Catholicism, is not a test, but rather a 'waiting room,' where your eternal fate is decided. However, not by you.

With that in mind, take regards to my italicized quote. Cogito, ergo sum: I think, therefore I am.
Because we have the ability, the minds, to question our own existence, we most certainly, undeniably, exist. Now, as I said before, if this is purgatory, then our minds would not exist, they would have been left behind in the plane of Time. However, because we have the minds, the intelligence and sentience, to question our own existence, and even to wonder if we are in purgatory, we are assuredly NOT in purgatory.

Thus, the concept that religion evolves is perfectly workable. Actually, this would bind everything in existence together, slowly revelaing themselves until we reach God fully and gradually.

Then in this day when we are so troubled by all of the events around us, both physical, social, psychological surely God's voice needs to be heard again. And then each person and reach deep inside their hearts and souls and decided for themselves the truth.

O SON OF SPIRIT!
The bird seeketh its nest; the nightingale the charm of the rose; whilst those birds, the hearts of men, content with transient dust, have strayed far from their eternal nest, and with eyes turned towards the slough of heedlessness are bereft of the glory of the divine presence. Alas! How strange and pitiful; for a mere cupful, they have turned away from the billowing seas of the Most High, and remained far from the most effulgent horizon.

(Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

And, may I remind you that the oldest religion, that has been around since Creation: Judaism, was the very roots for Christianity. The prophecies made before Christianity came about were all fulfilled by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thus, we can safely garuntee that Christianity is just as true as Judaism.[/QUOTE]

I'm really sorry, but this is inaccurate. There were religions before Judaism.

QUOTE]

I'm really sorry, but this is inaccurate. There were religions before Judaism.

No, not really.

I've had this argument before, but you are wrong. Judaism is the worship of God, but no savior, right? Since the world was created by God, and Adam and Eve, the first two humans ever, worshipped Him, then Judaism was the first ever religion.

No, not really.

I've had this argument before, but you are wrong. Judaism is the worship of God, but no savior, right? Since the world was created by God, and Adam and Eve, the first two humans ever, worshipped Him, then Judaism was the first ever religion.

Historical evidence?

Historical evidence?

DadGUMMIT!!!

I just knew you were going to do this, and this is a REALLY long thing to type... ah well:

To start with, the Bible has stronger manuscript support than any other writing in history, even Plato, Homer, Aristotle, Caesar, and Tacitus. Just as astounding is that the Bible has been almost completely unaltered since the original writing, according to scholars who have compared modern writings with the original. Also, the reliability of the Bible is supported by the reliability of its writers, who were eyewitnesses, or close associates of eyewitnesses, to the recorded events. Coupled with secular historians who attest to the places, people, customs, and events mentioned in Scripture.
Also, archeology is a powerful testimony to the chronicles of the Bible, especially the New Testament books. Repeatedly, archeological fieldwork and findings, combined with careful Biblical interpretation, affirm the accuracy of the Bible. For example, recent archeological finds have supported Biblical details surrounding the trial that led to the torment and death of Jesus at the hands of Pontius Pilate.
In addition, the Bible records predictions of things that could not have been possibly known at the time. The book of Daniel, for example, which was written around 530 BC, accurately predicts the progression of kingdoms from Babylon, to the Medo-Persian Empite, to the Greek Empire, and finally the Roman Empire. Adding a prediction of the persecution and suffering of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes with the desecration of the temple, his untimely death, and freedom fro the Jews under Judas Maccabeus (all the way in 165 BC). The statistical odds of all, or even any, of the Bibles specifically detailed prophecies could have been fulfilled through chance or a good guess.

That should be enough historical proof. And please don't come up with some cock-and-bull argument to discredit it.

No, not really.

I've had this argument before, but you are wrong. Judaism is the worship of God, but no savior, right? Since the world was created by God, and Adam and Eve, the first two humans ever, worshipped Him, then Judaism was the first ever religion.

What you are asking us to believe is that the world is about six thousand years old. And I am sorry my friend that is simply not true. It might help you in your arguments, but it is not accurate. Judaism is not the worlds first religion.

What you are asking us to believe is that the world is about six thousand years old. And I am sorry my friend that is simply not true. It might help you in your arguments, but it is not accurate. Judaism is not the worlds first religion.
Then please, tell me the world first religion.

I am not asking you to believe that the world is 6000 years old, I am asking you to believe that the fall of man occured 6000 years ago. You don't have to believe it, but please, don't go crying to God at your death: "It was my uncle! He made me read Nietzche!"

Then please, tell me the world first religion.

The name of the first religion is lost to time. Adam is not a historical figure; he represents man's quest and thrist for spiritual knowledge. I would love to stay and discuss this with you but I gotta go. Maybe, later today or tonight.

The name of the first religion is lost to time. Adam is not a historical figure; he represents man's quest and thrist for spiritual knowledge. I would love to stay and discuss this with you but I gotta go. Maybe, later today or tonight.
Yah, whatever, fine.

hmmm... Thought this thread was suppose to be on verses... not who's religion got the bigger ones...

The name of the first religion is lost to time. Adam is not a historical figure; he represents man's quest and thrist for spiritual knowledge. I would love to stay and discuss this with you but I gotta go. Maybe, later today or tonight.

Oh wait, no!
Adam IS a historical figure, he represents the first man that God created. Saying his is a metaphor is wrong. See my earlier post on the historical evidence for the Bible.

hmmm... Thought this thread was suppose to be on verses... not who's religion got the bigger ones...

When you get 100 posts, the topic tends to change.

You know what? I'm going to leave too. Do something else. Maybe XBox or the trampoline.

When you get 100 posts, the topic tends to change.

Well. Now that I'm back, let's try to bring this back on track. I appreciate all the thought that went into your posts. (85 % of them had nothing to do with the original verse or the suggested format, and 5% of them were just childish spam posts, but that's actually not a bad ratio for a religion thread.)

Ok. I'll try to get a RANDOM Bible verse from the Old Testamen, seeing as there is public demand for it.

Remember,

What you think it means
How it does or doesn't apply to you(why you do or don't agree with it.)
Optional application to current events.

Ok, here we go:

Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

I think this has something to do with Israel being surrounded by pagan nations. I encourage you to read for the correct context.

What you think it means
How it does or doesn't apply to you(why you do or don't agree with it.)
Optional application to current events.

Ok, here we go:

Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

I think this has something to do with Israel being surrounded by pagan nations. I encourage you to read for the correct context.on a historical note... I agree... but I think this can also apply to a state of mind. while God is with you and will support you, the trials and temptations set to remove you from God's grace will aways be there to face. While you are not alone, you still have to resist the snares and traps that the Devil sets in your path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Christians would say that converting someone is looking after them.
And I would call that bullshit.

[QUOTE]Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

The end of extreme nationalism is drawing to an end. The need for cooperation amoung nation becomes more apparent everyday. We are one people created by one God.

What Bahá'u'lláh is speaking of is a new relationship between God and humankind, one that is in harmony with the dawning maturity of the race. The ultimate Reality that has created and sustains the universe will forever remain beyond the reach of the human mind. Humanity's conscious relationship with it, to the extent that one has been established, has been the result of the influence of the Founders of the great religions, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and earlier figures whose names are, for the most part, lost to memory. Through responding to these impulses of the Divine, the earth's peoples have progressively developed the spiritual, intellectual, and moral capacities that have combined to civilize human character. This millennia-long, cumulative process has now reached the stage characteristic of all the decisive turning points in the evolutionary process, when previously unrealized possibilities suddenly emerge: "This is the Day", Bahá'u'lláh asserts, "in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things."13

(Baha'i International Community, 1999 Feb, Who is Writing the Future)

Well. Now that I'm back, let's try to bring this back on track. I appreciate all the thought that went into your posts. (85 % of them had nothing to do with the original verse or the suggested format, and 5% of them were just childish spam posts, but that's actually not a bad ratio for a religion thread.)

Ok. I'll try to get a RANDOM Bible verse from the Old Testamen, seeing as there is public demand for it.

Remember,

What you think it means
How it does or doesn't apply to you(why you do or don't agree with it.)
Optional application to current events.

Ok, here we go:

Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

I think this has something to do with Israel being surrounded by pagan nations. I encourage you to read for the correct context.

"Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you;
(I think it means the writer was recording things after the obvious failure of Jehovah to rid Caanan of it's inhabitants and they were trying to reconcile fact with promise and leave their God blameless) :D

"but they shall be snares and traps unto you,and scourges in your sides,and thorns in your eyes,until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you.
(Once again,reconciling fact with promise after the incident.Can apply to me in that anything I don't deal with effectively that can gain control,will continue to plague me until I conquer it myself) :rolleyes:

Current application:If the US does not destroy the terrorists and their supporters,we will be constantly bothered with, and ultimately become sub-servient to them. :headbang:

you know... it would be interesting to open it up to all holy text... let them post some of their scriptures.

whaddya think?

you know... it would be interesting to open it up to all holy text... let them post some of their scriptures.

whaddya think?

Ok, I'll start.

O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Ok, I'll start.

O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)but what does it mean to you?

Sounds like an Idea for an Overmind.. a hive mind where your individulaity is secondary to that of Racial outlook... kinda like Horses... they don't think 'I' but We (herd)

on a social outlook, it also means that our achievements will always be overshadowed by the pettiness of man. for if everything has to be looked at with a oneness, then individual desires are to be placed asside, individual achievement also. for there is no I, but a we.

It is the "I" that is causing so much trouble in the world today. One can be an individual and think of his neighbor as his equal. This does away with racial intolerance and prejudice, which is the cause of so much difficulites today.

Please, can someone give me numbers for the shrimp quote the gay people were using? I'm a lazy bum and I can't find it :( I need it to show it to my catholic mother :D

i know they're supposed to be random, but i'd like everybody to think about this verse and tellegram me their thoughts(i won't be able to get back on the forums....)

Matthew 15:8
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

It is the "I" that is causing so much trouble in the world today. One can be an individual and think of his neighbor as his equal. This does away with racial intolerance and prejudice, which is the cause of so much difficulites today.actually no it doesn't... it will alienate those who 'think differently' after all, that is the whole concept of a Hive Mind. to remove individuality and replace it a collective conciensness.
Thing about the movie ANTZ... Z was alienated and looked down upon because he was an individual.

actually no it doesn't... it will alienate those who 'think differently' after all, that is the whole concept of a Hive Mind. to remove individuality and replace it a collective conciensness.
Thing about the movie ANTZ... Z was alienated and looked down upon because he was an individual.

I understand what you are saying. It is just that the quote has nothing to do with Hive thinking. It has to do with the onenes of humanity. We live on one earth. We are one people, diverse in thought, culture, language, history, but with similiar needs. Just as a flower garden needs many different colored and varied kinds of flowers and a song needs many different musical notes, so does the human family need diversity. It is the diversity that gives us strength.

Here's another not from the Bible verse.

Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp. Some for the lust of leadership, others through want of knowledge and understanding, have been the cause of the deprivation of the people.

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 14)

Next random verse:

1 Samuel 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

I see a lot of people with hard hearts in modern times. Pharoah (presumably Ramses II) saw all the acts of God (plagues of wrath), and yet still refused to treat the Israelites with justice.

As you can tell form the thread title, my intention in this thread is simply to post random Bible verses from (what else) randombibleverses.com

After I post the verse, if you feel interested enough to comment on it, I want posts to follow a basic pattern as follows:

1. What you think it means
2. How it applies (or doesn't apply) to your life
3. (optional) apply it to a current event in the news, your home country, or somewhere else in the world.

Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."


everybody curses G-d when things go wrong, and from a G-d knowing perspective, it doesn't make any sense. Everything that we have has been given to us, we started as naked babies, only saved by the love of our parents. Why should we expect to just be given everything.

I know that no matter how much I feel things have been 'stolen' away from me, I can't curse G-d for it. My very breath is from him, so my life, no matter how shitty, is still better then no breath at all. He gave us the spark of life, now its our objective to fulfill that spark, and move it beyond.

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

Romans 4:15
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression."

ANARCHY! ANARCHY! ANARCHY!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOt!

Galatians 4:10
"Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years."

Well ..... duh.

I think he already answered this question in post #26. Yes, they would, according to him.
But not for ever (revliations) after 1000 years in the pit they would again be judged but this time by actions

Hosea 1:8
"Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son."

And don't you forget it, Heretic!

I'm thinkin' this site is silly.

i know they're supposed to be random, but i'd like everybody to think about this verse and tellegram me their thoughts(i won't be able to get back on the forums....)

Matthew 15:8
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
ohhh I wouldent mind if a few women "honor" me with their lips as well ;) I dont care where their heart is!

"Genesis 24:37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: "

This is really not going to have much substance unless you read the context around it.

Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they are a very important element. As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 133)

O SON OF MAN!
Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Luke 22:36
And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

It's official. Jesus supports sidearms.

Luke 22:36
And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

It's official. Jesus supports sidearms.

When He comes back He may need sideaems to protect Himself from those who have interpretated the Bible for their own profit.