Because you found something difficult to understand, or are unaware of how it works, you made out like it's probably not true.
This is pretty much the standard JW reaction to anything that contradicts their theology.
A key reason why some atheists challenge religious beliefs
by defender of truth 193 Replies latest members adult
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sir82
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designs
The same sky guy that gave you Numbers 31:17 gives you Matthew 25:41......
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MadGiant
5 UU myths debunked
The following is an adapted excerpt from a sermon I gave entitled “Identity Crisis”. I thought it would be helpful for those exploring Unitarian Universalism to have a minister’s perspective on these very common myths about us.
If you would like more information on Unitarian Universalism please check out http://www.uua.org or watch this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wezp1W2HKlU
Blessings,
Rev. Fred L Hammondhttp://serenityhome.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/5-uu-myths-debunked/
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FlyingHighNow
Please stop speaking on behalf of the other 99% who worship the repugnant god of the bible - "the god and father of Jesus christ."
Cofty, your 99% number, you have made up for dramatic affect. You left Jehovah's Witnesses and joined the Baptist Church. You became a born again Chrisitan. That likely has a lot to do with your assertion that most Chrisitans believe as the JWs and the Baptists believe. Thankfully, your assumption is wrong. In reality, the Roman Catholic Church no longer teaches of fiery hell. The Anglican Church, The Episcopal church of the Americas and many others do not teach of this moral monster you are speaking of. From what I understand, the RC seminaries teach that the Bible is not God's word and they teach Evolution. The same is true for the Episcopal seminaries and many others.
As for God being cuddly? Come on. I read your ideas about what is wrong with God. If you are intelligent enough, and have heart enough to understand many of the qualities attributed to God are petty, abusive and violent, then why do insist that 99% have the concept of God as the petty violent one?
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cofty
In reality, the Roman Catholic Church no longer teaches of fiery hell.
So what? They still teach that those outside the RC church are eternally lost even if they have given up on literal fire.
The Anglican Church, The Episcopal church of the Americas and many others do not teach of this moral monster you are speaking of.
Yes they do. They affirm the god of the OT is the "god and father of JC".
From what I understand, the RC seminaries teach that the Bible is not God's word and they teach Evolution.
They rely on the bible & tradition & revelation. They worship a moral monster and add additional obscentities that make the Watchtower look harmless.
The same is true for the Episcopal seminaries and many others.
The Episcopal church also worship a moral monster. They also teach the "gospel" that begins by asserting that children are born in sin.
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FlyingHighNow
Cofty, when's the last time you came over to the USA and attended an Episcopal Church and their different study classes and further learning? You have no idea what you're talking about. There are both liberal and conservatives in the RC, Anglican and Episcopal Churches. For the RC, there is a healthy mix of liberal thinking priests and laity. The current pope is doing all kinds of liberal shake ups in the church.
The Episcopal Church is by far more liberal, but you may find some conservatives in any given congregation. Some individual parishes have left the Episcopal church because they think the church is too liberal in their views of the Bible, God and especially homosexuality. There are official doctrines and then there is reality. The reality is that in seminary, priests aren't taught that the Bible is NOT penned by God and they are taught evolution. Fr. Mike who was RC, but is now Episcopalian talked to us about what is actually taught in RC seminary. I've been told the same things by a few priests I know who have attended Episcopal Seminaries. The majority of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians I know do not hold the concept of a staunch, abusive God. I've mentioned before, my therapist I have seen for years now is a doctor of psychology and an RC Dominican nun. She is very evolutionist and quite universalist in her understanding of God and our universe.
It simply is not true that 99% of Christians would find a universalist God foreign.
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cofty
FHN - I don't think anybody is arguing against a wishy-washy, believe-whatever-you-want, all-you-need-is-love, goddess.
If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and if you teach children that they are sinners then we have a problem.
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FlyingHighNow
It's not a believe whatever you want deal. It's a sober realization that God likely is not the abusive concept believed for milennia. The most recent thing I've learned is that hell and the idea of a scary monster god originated in the ancient middle eastern cultures. Looking at some of the extremes that exist there today, culturally and religiously, I am not surprised.
Most people I know view sin as the imperfect or selfish things that all human beings are given to. Human weakness, selfishness, evil: you can be an athiest and recognize the harm they do. In modern times, an example of big change is that some of the major churches are embracing evolution, re evaluating the concept of sin, shedding old ideas about the roles of women, homosexuality, hell and so forth.
Jehovah's Witnesses and other cults demand that you agree with and adhere to their teachings 100 %. But even the Baptist church isn't going to throw you out or shun you because you differ with some of their official teachings.
Something important I learned at a class given by St. Andrew's Episcopal church is that the idea that the Bible is to be taken literally as penned by God is a late 1800s, Victorian era development. Early Christians did not have that idea.
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MadGiant
"It's not a believe whatever you want deal. It's a sober realization that God likely is not the abusive concept believed for milennia. The most recent thing I've learned is that hell and the idea of a scary monster god originated in the ancient middle eastern cultures. Looking at some of the extremes that exist there today, culturally and religiously, I am not surprised." - FHN
Do you have a source to backup and clarify this claim?
Where did you got this idea?
Is this your opinion or interpretation?
Is this someone else interpretation or opinion?
How do you know god is not the abusive concept believed for millennia?
Exactly which god?
I already know about the hell thing, and I agree, to some degree.
Ismael
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Viviane
Cofty, when's the last time you came over to the USA and attended an Episcopal Church and their different study classes and further learning? You have no idea what you're talking about. There are both liberal and conservatives in the RC, Anglican and Episcopal Churches. For the RC, there is a healthy mix of liberal thinking priests and laity. The current pope is doing all kinds of liberal shake ups in the church.
Or, you could just look at the website of Episcopal Church and see that he is 100% correct.
It simply is not true that 99% of Christians would find a universalist God foreign.
So, you accuse Cofty of making up numbers and then make up some of your own to prove it?
But even the Baptist church isn't going to throw you out or shun you because you differ with some of their official teachings.
To paraphrase you....you have no idea what you are talking about. When's the last time you spent time learning in small town southern and primitive Baptist churches? They most certainly do kick people out.