This is practically meaningless for me as I don't believe in the existence of damnnation or sin, but were the story true... I would reject 'the Savior' on the grounds that I would forfeit my eternal life rather than have him crucified. I love Jesus more than any Christian does: Not only would I allow him to have eternal life; I would want him to have a peaceful life on earth too, whatever the cost to me. Isn't his blood therefore on the hands of anyone who accepts him as their personal savior? And am I damned for rejecting him?
Well, I think you miss the point of the whole thing. You're assuming that this earthly existence, and happiness in it, is the only thing that matters. Christianity assumes as a starting point that the earth isn't our true or ultimate home, heaven is. Jesus even chastised Peter for suggesting that he shouldn't go to Jerusalem to be crucified, since he was freely undergoing the crucifixion for the sake of the human race. Jesus was telling Peter that he really didn't understand what it meant to love Him-he only thought he did. "No greater love has man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends". If earthly happiness was the only thing that mattered, that statement would be meaningless.
Is it now a concept beyond the understanding of humankind, to bear the burden of one's own sins? Now I don't know about you, but I'm a sinner. Not a hardcore sinner mind you, but I've had my fair share of things I've done wrong. But should I punish Jesus for my mistakes? Just because he would let me do that out of his own kindness and grace? To Hell with that, I'd rather be crucified myself than have another crucified in the name of my own sins, aye?
Wow dude, wow. I never looked at it that way. Accepting Jesus and his death is accepting that violent, hate-filled actions are necessary and in a sense, good for the universe. It is accepting the blood, saying that the murder was a good thing. A "better you than me" psychology. Damn...
I don't think I'm missing the point at all. What's the point of Christianity if not to lead people to Christ? And what is more Christlike than sacrificing yourself for the good of another? Especially the most benevolent, innocent person ever... If I were here 2000 years ago and Jesus said, "Hey, I'm gonna get crucified because of you, all right?"...I'd tell him no way. Not just because that's a horrible thing to do to a person, but because I don't want to be indebted to any man for all of eternity. That's basically slavery.
Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) The Temptations People moving out, People moving in. why, because of the color of their skin run, run, run but you sho' can't hide An eye for an eye,tooth for a tooth, vote for me and I'll set you free rap on, brother, rap on The only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher and it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher segregation, determination, demonstration, intergration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation Ball of confusion, oh yeah That's what the world is today, hey The sale of pills are at an all time high young folks walking round with their heads in the sky the cities ablaze in the summertime, and oh the beat goes on evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul shooting rockets to the moon kids growing up too soon politicians say more taxes, will solve everything and the band played on So, round and around and around we go where the world's headed, nobody knows Oh, Great Googamooga, can't you hear me talking to you just a ball of confusion, oh yeah that's what the world is today, hey Fear in the air, tension everywhere unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas and the only safe place to live, is on an indian reservation and the band played on Eve of destruction, tax deduction city inspectors, bill collectors mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills hippies moving to the hills people all over the world are shouting end the war and the band played on Oh, Great Googamooga, can't you hear me talking to you just a ball of confusion, that's what the world is today, hey
quit cutting and pasting the bible. it it aint in aramaic, its been edited those who wish to control you and your money.
Jesus didn't come to die for our sins! there is no Atonement!(= *Peace and love* =)Yours Sincerely,Cat Stevens
Maybe I should read this 'Quraan' sometime. The story of Jesus makes a lot more sense if he didn't die on the cross...or if he did die on the cross but that that had nothing to do with atonement for mankind's sins. He could even die and be resurrected for all I care. It's just the notion that he saved us from anything I disagree with. My interpretation is that we're born and live our whole lives free of sin, sin being defined as separation from God. Adam and Eve's original sin was eating the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, the implication being that God does not distinguish good from evil. It's easy to see how the story plays out from there: Mankind decides everything/God isn't perfect...and suddenly everything isn't perfect.
Jesus dont make any sense . and neither does the old testament who jusus borrow most of the ideas. and the Quraan makes even less sense . And and if you bump into Jesus tell him i say hello since no 1 have seen him in the last 2006 years.
don't believe you can be "damned" for rejecting a lie. and Truth is the name "jesus" was first "imag"ined and spoken some 500, or so, years ago. it was then that the pagan "catholic/christian" whore gave the "imag"ined name of "jesus" to one head of their three-headed pagan "god" ;-(((((( now to deny, abuse, or speak evil of The Truth, well that is "damnable" ;-( to be of those who are destoying Creation(earth/air/water/creatures), that is "damnable" ;-( and now they have begun destroying "outer space" ;-( yet while there is breath(spirit) there is hope! hope that there would those who "see" the "catholic/chrisitan" pagan "jesus" for he is. "jesus" is but the "imag"ined name given to the "imag"ined son of "the god of this world", he who is "the father of lies", "d"evil spirit that rules over his wicked, evil world! and hope is alive, for The Messiah Lives, and Miracles do happen! may there be those who experience The Miracle that is "receiving a love of The Truth"! peace, in spite of the wars(spiritual and carnal) that rage....... francis
pop_terror I wish you'll do so^^ According to the Bibe and Quraan we do mistakes, we aren't angels, and when we do so, we can ask God to forgive us sincerely, and he will forgive us =), I already mentioned verses which talk about forgiveness and repentance. I read the story from the bible, There are some differences from the Qur'an version. (= *Peace and love* =)Yours Sincerely,Cat Stevens
Hi LS =) I think that because you don't know him very well =) if you know him you love him very much =) very noble man. may Allah bless him. Did you read the long message from Allah to you, I don't know, However, regarding the OT click here No, many people saw him, YOU may see him too, pray =) maybe in a dream, vision who knows, All the best, please send him my salam, thank you in advance.(= *Peace and love* =)Yours Sincerely,Cat Stevens
I don't really take the Jesus story literally. I'm not even sure if there was even a nice guy who got crucified some 2000 years ago, though there could have been...and I think the archetype of Jesus has always been with humanity. Most of his teachings, or at least the character's words, I agree with. I think Christianity would do itself and the world a great service if it did away with the idea that Jesus was 'the Savior' and focused only on his teachings. I'm experiencing that miracle on a daily basis. Funny thing is I can't even say if I know the first thing about the truth, but it's been a lovely, fruitless search. My preference is that for a thing to be 'true' the only requirement is for it to exist, and therefore everything is true. If I go to the library today I'll try to remember. There's no chance I'm becoming a Muslim, but I ought to at least know something about the Quraan. I disagree with the Bible and the Quraan on that aspect then. For an omnipotent, omniscient God to make mistakes makes no sense to me. How can God be all-powerful if any power is out of God's control? So I don't really believe in free will; to me that's part of the false notion of separation from God. I do believe in judgement in that I believe at death the illusion of separation from God/everything is gone and we literally experience whatever pain we cause others and judge ourselves accordingly.
=) God doesn't make mistakes! you lost me, or I lost you No power is out of God's control! (= *Peace and love* =)Yours Sincerely,Cat Stevens
I don't see how there can be free will if everything is in God's control, and if everything is in God's control how can there be any mistakes?
Well an omniscient being would have to exist at all times as well, so there's really no point in not praying either. If you do pray, you did pray. If God answered your prayer, he did, though perhaps not always just because you wanted him to.
!!! why if everything is God's control then there can't be free will, give example, please, which verse made me think so? mistake, Like what ? example. which verse made me think that our lives destinies are predetermined by God?(= *Peace and love* =)Yours Sincerely,Cat Stevens