How We Got To Here: Christianity Version

#302
#302
ClearwaterVol said:
My "vitriolic fit" was pointing out your fit? LMAO.

Now back to my question? I wasn't seeking to paint you into a corner. As I recall, without going back and looking at the actual post... you made a comment about how the story of Noah didn't necessarily require a global disaster, but it could have been a very local issue. This explanation is logical and alleviates a lot of the issues that I have with the story. I asked if there was a similarly simple and logical explanation for Jonah and the big fish.

Now, your answer could have been as simple as I cannot offer any explanation of Jonah's encounter with the big fish without first acknowledging that a miracle occurred. Simple, easy and I sure as hell wasn't asking for you to refute David Hume's position on miracles. Truthfully, I had never heard the localized flood theory before and I liked it. I was then trying to ascertain whether there were any other common sense type theories to explain implausible, at least to me, biblical stories. We are now on day three of you attempting to redefine the question into something you would prefer to address, but not something I am interested in rehashing with you.
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A big fish, which we know exist, doesn't necessitate a miracle. It certainly would be remarkable.

The fish could also be a literary device and allegorical.

Or, it could have been a miracle. As I said before, if the 1st miracle in the bible is true (Gen. 1:1) then all others are possible.
 
#303
#303
Roustabout said:
A big fish, which we know exist, doesn't necessitate a miracle. It certainly would be remarkable.

The fish could also be a literary device and allegorical.

Or, it could have been a miracle. As I said before, if the 1st miracle in the bible is true (Gen. 1:1) then all others are possible.
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See? Not that hard. Second explanation you raise is the one that, if I were a believer, I would probably get behind. Thanks.
 
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#305
#305
Pew has a new survey out today...like I said earlier, this is the last generation for organized religion, with a majority anyway.
Pew: Americans giving up on God, miracles | Washington Examiner
FT_16.08.23_religNones_examples.png
 
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#306
#306
VolnJC said:
Pew has a new survey out today...like I said earlier, this is the last generation for organized religion, with a majority anyway.
Pew: Americans giving up on God, miracles | Washington Examiner
FT_16.08.23_religNones_examples.png
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I kinda disagree. Throughout history, and not just biblical, times have came that tried the people of God that many thought would be the end of his followers. It hasn't stopped us yet. I'm sure as time goes on, there will be churches with a congregation for even my grandchildren. Granted this is my opinion, and I respect you have the right to yours.
 
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#307
#307
joevol33 said:
I kinda disagree. Throughout history, and not just biblical, times have came that tried the people of God that many thought would be the end of his followers. It hasn't stopped us yet. I'm sure as time goes on, there will be churches with a congregation for even my grandchildren. Granted this is my opinion, and I respect you have the right to yours.
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I don't think religion will completely disappear, but the religious will become a minority in the future.
 
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#310
#310
VolnJC said:
and honestly I don't take a lot of joy in predicting it...its kinda scary, I'm not sure if people will value life more or less without religion.
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This is just me but if you really think this life is all you have, you really should value it more.

Also in the list "Christians not doing Christian things" is a poor reason to not participate. That's like saying people get math wrong so math is stupid. It's a reason you may not want to participate in a particular denomination, church, or with certain people but not dismissing the entire religion.
 
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#312
#312
VolsSportsFan said:
This is just me but if you really think this life is all you have, you really should value it more.

Also in the list "Christians not doing Christian things" is a poor reason to not participate. That's like saying people get math wrong so math is stupid. It's a reason you may not want to participate in a particular denomination, church, or with certain people but not dismissing the entire religion.
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90% of the reasons are non sequiturs.
I was taught evolution I'm college, therefore......
 
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#313
#313
Roustabout said:
FWIW, these questions can still be asked and answered from the believer side of things.
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I don't disagree and at one point in time, I did just that. As I got older I just found that I believed less and less. Admitting to myself that I was something of an atheist was probably the hardest. The realization came in stages. At first I just disliked organized religion, then I came to realize that I didn't believe in the notion of a supreme being that gave hoot whether I worshiped it or not and finally I came to realize that I found the notion of supreme being silly and unlikely. It's just my personal belief and I don't attack believers with the spaghetti monster crap or invisible dude in the sky. I don't think believers are deserving of contempt or mockery.

To this day, I could accept the notion of a supreme being I just don't believe that any of the earthly religions have it right. I could certainly be wrong, but to thine ownself be true, right?
 
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#315
#315
ClearwaterVol said:
I don't think religion will completely disappear, but the religious will become a minority in the future.
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I don't know if it will be a minority but it will definitely "evolve" and change with the times.

For example, in 50 years the gay marriage/homosexuality issue will be a compelte non-issue for the majority of the Christian denominations and those who still oppose will be the minority.
 
#316
#316
ClearwaterVol said:
Do you doubt the statistical trends or do you anticipate something that alters the trend?
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If you look at Europe, which went secular long before the US, it has created a religious vacuum. Islam is spreading lie wildfire in Western Europe even into the indigenous population.
I would consider myself anti religious and haven't formally attended a church in 2 years. I think there is a growing # of people like me.

I think the future will see less organized Christian religion.
 
#317
#317
Roustabout said:
If you look at Europe, which went secular long before the US, it has created a religious vacuum. Islam is spreading lie wildfire in Western Europe even into the indigenous population.
I would consider myself anti religious and haven't formally attended a church in 2 years. I think there is a growing # of people like me.

I think the future will see less organized Christian religion.
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Are you saying that you believe Islam will fill the void with the growing numbers of non-religious people?

Also, you've kind of dropped a bomb as far as the anti-religious comment goes. I'd love some elaboration if your comfortable with that...
 
#318
#318
I don't miss the religion part but I sure do miss the church family I wish there were something that could replace it
 
#319
#319
VolnJC said:
I don't miss the religion part but I sure do miss the church family I wish there were something that could replace it
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there are "churches" for non believers. basically everything but the religion. they get together, sing songs, have a leader, pass a collection plate (usually for breakfast) and do whatever they can to be as close to church as they can without being church.

I am not really into cults, but if thats your thing I am sure you could find some around wherever you live.
 
#320
#320
Roustabout said:
If you look at Europe, which went secular long before the US, it has created a religious vacuum. Islam is spreading lie wildfire in Western Europe even into the indigenous population.
I would consider myself anti religious and haven't formally attended a church in 2 years. I think there is a growing # of people like me.

I think the future will see less organized Christian religion.
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lack of religion did not create a vacuum for islam. they were coming either way. the globalist were going to make sure they immigrate to all areas of the world.
 
#321
#321
LouderVol said:
there are "churches" for non believers. basically everything but the religion. they get together, sing songs, have a leader, pass a collection plate (usually for breakfast) and do whatever they can to be as close to church as they can without being church.

I am not really into cults, but if thats your thing I am sure you could find some around wherever you live.
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Well if I do join, I'm definitely bringing my own Koolaid
 
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#325
#325
did you make yourself a build-a-god from the mall. you only believe in the stuff that makes you feel good? LOL.
 
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