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ORIGINAL: Rule

I comprehend evolution theory, that is all. Though inbreeding - as is the inescapable fate of populations with males with circumcised penises - does have some evolutionary advantages, increasing the chance of survival of rare beneficent mutations before they are lost to genetic drift, in my opinion the price such populations pay for their perverted practice of circumcision is far too high.

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ORIGINAL: LillyoftheVally

Its strange when you read your own thread and have absolutely no clue what people are talking about, its either a sign of my stupidity or a sign that things have gone on such a tangent it is barely comparable to the original post, I am not sure which though.

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ORIGINAL: Rule

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ORIGINAL: DarkSteven
The whole New Testament is Christian.

I do not agree. Whereas I am no expert on the Bible, having read it only once, more than twenty years ago - and a few lines some more - I easily google that Saint Paul opposed homosexual acts, which is definitely not Christian, but Jewish. He may not have distinguished between genuine homosexuals and depraved heterosexuals without a conscience, though. The latter I for want of a better description call pseudo-homosexuals. It is my impression that there were and are a lot of pseudo-homosexuals in populations who circumcise the penis of their males - and I would like a confirmation of that suspicion; but also in ancient Greece up to a certain time.

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Nowhere in the New testement does Paul or anyone else mention homosexuality for sure.  There are people who will try and teach that it does, but it's a hotly debated assumption with no proof and the burden of proof lies in another explaination.  The word used which was translated into King James doesn't mean homosexual but is a word that describes a child molester - usually of younger male boy slaves.

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ORIGINAL: CynthiaWVirginia

            (fast reply)

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Nowhere in the New testement does Paul or anyone else mention homosexuality for sure.  There are people who will try and teach that it does, but it's a hotly debated assumption with no proof and the burden of proof lies in another explaination.  The word used which was translated into King James doesn't mean homosexual but is a word that describes a child molester - usually of younger male boy slaves.

This is something I was going to ask others about.  I couldn't find any references in the Bible about homosexuality as I understand it, where love and fidelity are involved...only about males raping adult males or male children.  If someone had other references within the Bible to look up, I'd appreciate it.

I also disagree with many over abortion, as I question the time when God puts a soul into the baby's body.  Yes, He knew us before we were born, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the act of sperm meeting egg is what created the soul itself, it might have existed in a...waiting...place.  I had a lot of miscarriages before finally having my son, and I wondered if God...knowing that they wouldn't survive growing in my womb, would have put the souls in from the very moment of conception. 

I enjoy debate on these and other subjects, but not anyone ramming their doctrine down my throat.  (No, I don't swallow.)

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ORIGINAL: kdsub

What we are as people is often determined by our upbringing. If raise in a religious home you will be more likely to be religious. If raised in other circumstances you may be less likely to be religious.

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Additionally, I wonder, if a fetus does have a soul at conception or anytime before miscarriage and the fetus has not been baptised is that soul barred from Paradise? I wonder what the belief is.

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ORIGINAL: rulemylife


I would disagree completely.

I was raised in a very religious home and a very religious extended family.

Which is the reason I have a problem with religion.

When you are told you need to believe something, without any evidence of why you need to believe, it tends to turn you into a non-believer.

And I don't think my experience is unique.

I think you will find many who are atheist or agnostic have very strong religious backgrounds.

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Additionally, I wonder, if a fetus does have a soul at conception or anytime before miscarriage and the fetus has not been baptised is that soul barred from Paradise? I wonder what the belief is.

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In stating that one must be born again, Jesus referred to 2 births - the first the physical birth on Earth. Nicodemus recognized this as the first requirement, since he stated that a man cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb (John 3:4). In the very next statement he explains the two kinds of birth. "Born of water" refers to the physical birth, whereas "born of the Spirit" refers to being "born again" or the second birth. In the next verse, Jesus clarifies the statement explaining that "born of water" refers to being "born of flesh." Jesus was clear and direct. There is no mention of baptism anywhere. "Born of water" never refers to baptism in any other verse in the entire Bible. The Greek word used is "hudwr" (Strong's number G5204).1 The Greek word for baptism is "baptisma" (Strong's number G908).2 If Jesus had wanted to refer to baptism, He would have used this word. In fact, the word (or a variation of it) occurs 112 times in the New Testament.

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ORIGINAL: vincentML

John 14:6

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Seems pretty definitive. I don't know how anyone can claim to be a Christian and ignore this basic doctrine. Also, it seems very exclusionary.

I would welcome any comments from people who think otherwise.

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ORIGINAL: kdsub

I believe in God and I am a Christian...BUT Any God that would not judge someone by their actions but only by their adherence to a book written by men is not a God I would worship.

What we are as people is often determined by our upbringing. If raise in a religious home you will be more likely to be religious. If raised in other circumstances you may be less likely to be religious. All can be good people with good values religious are not.

My God would understand this even if some men could not. If there were a judgment then actions rather than piousness would be what’s important.

If there is a God and he is not kin,d understanding, and forgiving then I certainly am going to hell.

Butch

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ORIGINAL: vincentML
Additionally, I wonder, if a fetus does have a soul at conception or anytime before miscarriage and the fetus has not been baptised is that soul barred from Paradise? I wonder what the belief is.

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Perhaps some Cathloics could set me straight on this but as I understand it, even sinners get a second chance in Purgatory

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ORIGINAL: sirsholly

Purgatory was recanted by the catholic church...

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ORIGINAL: CynthiaWVirginia

When I lived in California, I had Jewish friends and I was told that a child's sins don't count as their own until after they come of age, at something like 12 or 13.  Before then, the parents are responsible to God for anything the kid did wrong...and I think afterward too (but I may be wrong) if the parents hadn't taught their child that something was sinful.  Under this, any death of children under this age would be...innocents, and their souls would go to Heaven.  (I wish someone Jewish would step up and let me know if I messed up in my thinking.)