Thread: Religion and Spirituality

Here is a short video (when compared to the other one I posted), about a subject that I think a lot of us are passionate about.

I found the gentleman in this video to be somewhat childlike in his view of God, Jesus and the bible. It sounded like a layman would sound trying to talk about nuclear engineering. However this is not an uncommon way for people who have no relationship with Christ or haven't studied the Bible to see these things. The video was very interesting. I like this man and his other videos because he thinks outside the box. If he actually took the time to understand scripture he would probably be a strong witness to others.

Just like you probably only have a vague understanding of religions you don't follow. Then again, it's not hard to understand the Christian religion...

Religion is simple. People use it as a means to justify certain actions and put down others. It is merely a means of control for some, and a means of soothing the mind for others.

He made some valid points.

Originally Posted by -Lazarus-

I found the gentleman in this video to be somewhat childlike in his view of God, Jesus and the bible.

Could you cite some examples or factual inaccuracies?

Originally Posted by N-Ur-Face

Just like you probably only have a vague understanding of religions you don't follow. Then again, it's not hard to understand the Christian religion...

Religion is simple. People use it as a means to justify certain actions and put down others. It is merely a means of control for some, and a means of soothing the mind for others.

He made some valid points.

Like I said, and as you just reiterated, his view was childlike.

I think, the one thing that I get from this video is that god is something people create to help them understand things in the world that they do not understand.

An example being of how people used to think the sun revolved around the earth, but people who believed otherwise (like Copernicus) did not express their ideas because of the backlash that they would recieve from the church.

So, at the end of the day I think he makes interesting points. I can see, from what you said Laz, how he seems to be coming off as childlike. Yet, I would say that from his point of view he is talking about something that maybe he thinks is kind of silly in the first place so he has no reason to treat it in another manner.

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

Could you cite some examples or factual inaccuracies?

One example of a childlike view was his quaint story about Jesus insulting God by saying "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do", even as he sat nailed to the cross and dying. In this example Jesus didn't insult God, instead he honored God.

The Roman soldiers were casting lots for His clothes (John 19:23-24); the criminals on the crosses on either side of Him were insulting Him (Matthew 27:44); the religious leaders were making fun of Him (Matthew 27:41-43); and the crowd was speaking out against Him (Matthew 27:39). Jesus publicly forgave them, and prayed to God the Father for them. This fulfilled another Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah and also was the ultimate example of Jesus living out the message of His ministry. After all, Jesus himself said "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) and on the cross He practiced what He preached.

Shortly after Jesus' statement, apparently one of the same criminals who had insulted Jesus earlier "got it", recognized Christ's true mission and was given a place in heaven (Luke 23:39-43) as a result of his repentance.

The bottom line is that Christ's words are a living example of how no matter what your sins against God, Jesus brings salvation to anyone willing to humble himself or herself before God and accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross (John 14:6). So for someone to say smugly "Jesus insulted God by telling him what he already knew", well that just demonstrates a childlike ignorance of Christ and His message. Jesus wasn't telling God something He already knew. Jesus was reinforcing His own message by example and telling the world in the most read book ever written that forgiveness and a place in heaven can be theirs. And at least one man was saved by that example, right there on that hill where Christ died. How many others were saved because of that example after that? Too many to count I'm sure.

There are other examples I could expound on from the video but I think I have made my point. Thanks.

Another thing I want to say, and this goes for all the threads in this forum, (but I'm just going to say it here lol) is that we should try to understand one another. Don't go into a discussion(note that I say discussion not debate) trying to win or make someone look silly, but instead look at why people believe the things they do and be open minded.

Originally Posted by -Lazarus-

One example of a childlike view was his quaint story about Jesus insulting God by saying "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do", even as he sat nailed to the cross and dying. In this example Jesus didn't insult God, instead he honored God.

The Roman soldiers were casting lots for His clothes (John 19:23-24); the criminals on the crosses on either side of Him were insulting Him (Matthew 27:44); the religious leaders were making fun of Him (Matthew 27:41-43); and the crowd was speaking out against Him (Matthew 27:39). Jesus publicly forgave them, and prayed to God the Father for them. This fulfilled another Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah and also was the ultimate example of Jesus living out the message of His ministry. After all, Jesus himself said "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) and on the cross He practiced what He preached.

Shortly after Jesus' statement, apparently one of the same criminals who had insulted Jesus earlier "got it", recognized Christ's true mission and was given a place in heaven (Luke 23:39-43) as a result of his repentance.

The bottom line is that Christ's words are a living example of how no matter what your sins against God, Jesus brings salvation to anyone willing to humble himself or herself before God and accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross (John 14:6). So for someone to say smugly "Jesus insulted God by telling him what he already knew", well that just demonstrates a childlike ignorance of Christ and His message. Jesus wasn't telling God something He already knew. Jesus was reinforcing His own message by example and telling the world in the most read book ever written that forgiveness and a place in heaven can be theirs. And at least one man was saved by that example, right there on that hill where Christ died. How many others were saved because of that example after that? Too many to count I'm sure.

There are other examples I could expound on from the video but I think I have made my point. Thanks.

Do you have verifiable proof that someone was "saved"?

Originally Posted by i8pptuakamonstercam

Another thing I want to say, and this goes for all the threads in this forum, (but I'm just going to say it here lol) is that we should try to understand one another. Don't go into a discussion(note that I say discussion not debate) trying to win or make someone look silly, but instead look at why people believe the things they do and be open minded.

What if someone said that some races were superior to others. Would you be open minded to that and respect their right to think how they wish?

Or would you tell them they were full of shit?