Eudaimonist

What effect do you think this prayer would have on God's will? Do you think God might change his mind and bend the rules a bit?

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonist ]</p>

Gemma Therese

God doesn't "change His mind." We change our lives.

Gemma Therese

bonduca

Hi, Gemma. You know that since I'm an atheist I don't agree with you about any of that mortal sin business, but it's nice of you to worry. Naturally I won't pray for you, but I wish you much chocolate, which is probably a holy substance (or should be).

Haven't seen you around, hope you've been staying out of trouble.

Gemma Therese

It's nice to know you noticed my absence!

Gemma Therese

oneofshibumi

Gemma Therese,

It is my belief that the majority of the posters in the forum believed that when you referenced God you were refering to the Christian Bible. But my opinion changed when you wrote, "God doesn't "change His mind."" Since in the Christian Bible s/he does change her/his mind when considering how long her/his anger will last.

Ps.30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment."
Jer.3:12
"I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever."


Mic.7:18
"He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy."

Then he changes his mind and says the following:

Num.32:13
"And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness for forty years."

Jer.17:4
"Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever."

Mt.25:41
"Depart from me, he cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Mt.25:46
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment."

That Christian God clearly contradicts herself/himself, or it is the sign of a confused supernatural being.

The obvious question is which of the gods do you worship?

rudolk

See? That's beautiful. That's what we should all strive for. Everyone's a human being, we should try to be compassionate and help each other out. I applaud you for that idea.

I don't understand, however, why you would proscribe to a belief system whose basic tenets breed intolerance. Intolerance for other religions, intolerance for other sexual preferences, and overall, a lack of tolerance for those who believe differently than you. It's obvious that you could have come to this idea on your own, without the help of any predetermined sets of beliefs. Why can't people take this idea and base their lives around it? Why does all the other baggage need to be applied?

It confuses me to no end. That's all I've got to say.

I'll be on vacation for a week starting in 5 hours, so I won't be able to reply. I presume I'll have ample backup should Emma or anyone else wish to debate further.

-Kurt

echidna

You appear to be in a state of mild neurosis. To be in neurosis according to the medical profession is to suffer a mental or personality disturbance not attributable to any known neurological or organic dysfunction. (Of course I only quote dictionary.com, to use words arbitrarily is mistaken.)

I do care for you – for you are a human being. I don’t wish the suffering which such neurosis brings on anyone. I’d gladly sacrifice myself to help relieve your neurosis.

I hope you eventually understand.

echidna

You see Gemma, it’s sad for me that Catholicism maintains so much resentment and promotes so much division between people.

For me, many of my closest friends including my partner are Catholics & I harbour no ill will towards them whatsoever. But it does irk me when someone professes moral superiority over me, especially when their own moral institution is so tarnished and shameful.

If you were to open yourself to the possibility of goodness outside of the rigid Catholic constraints, you would realise that the world is infinitely better than you regard it today.

Queen of Swords

Originally posted by Gemma Therese:
<strong>You are in a state of mortal sin. </strong>

No, that would be Nevada. I live in Texas.

HelenM

Hi Gemma

Thanks for stopping by.

Are you still planning on being a nun?

love
Helen