[Tj3]

the bible is a code that needs to be deciphered their is only one correct meaning to the code of the bible, just like a combination lock only one set of numbers will open it.

Paul said that the gospel is simple:

2 Cor 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
NKJV

[lighterrr]

Paul said that the gospel is simple:

2 Cor 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
NKJV

Ohh yes lets talk about christ and his simplicity it lies within all of us.:) and you don't need the bible to find something that's en-ate and part of your basic human nature.

[Alty]

I gave an example, and all that others could do is complicate and obscure the meaning by interpretation. Whereas the meaning without interpretation is so clear that any child who can read will understand it.

You say that all written work needs interpretation. I disagree.

I will add, that with the Bible, though you will disagree, there is an interpreter give by God to believers and that is the Holy Spirit.

You gave an example yes, a very basic easily understood sentence, what you are missing is the fact that everyone, even a child, will read that sentence and view it differently.

Is the sky really blue? What if you're color blind and don't know what the color blue looks like? How can you be sure that the blue you see is the same color as the blue I see? What if you live somewhere that has winter 99% of the time, the sky won't look blue, it will look white (trust me, I live in Canada, I know).

What happens when you say that same sentence in another language, does that change the meaning of the sentence? You bet it does.

Are you starting to understand what I'm saying?

Yes, it's a simple sentence, and yet there are so many ways to interpret it. So, how can a mortal man such as yourself hope to interpret correctly the "word of God"? You can't.

But, once again, we've gotten off topic, and for once I didn't start it (yeah me!)

The topic is about religion and whether it is viewed as a cult.

I still don't understand why the fanatics have such a problem with that word, after all it's only a word, a very basic word, one that even a child can understand.

[Tj3]

ohh yes lets talk about christ and his simplicity it lies within all of us.:) and you don't need the bible to find something thats en-ate and part of your basic human nature.

Scripture is clear that it is only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour who receive the Holy Spirit.

[Tj3]

You gave an example yes, a very basic easily understood sentence, what you are missing is the fact that everyone, even a child, will read that sentence and view it differently.

Grab 10-15 kids off the street, show them the sentence, ask them what it means, and check out your theory.

I never said that people could not complicate things if they wanted to.

[Alty]

Well, there aren't that many kids in my neighborhood, but I'll ask my 6 year old daughter.

Okay, I asked her to read the sentence.

She said and I quote "Mommy, there are also clouds in the sky, so it's not all blue, it's also white, but not always, sometimes it's all blue like today, but tomorrow it's supposed to rain so the clouds will be grey and the sky won't be as blue".

Happy, or should I ask my 10 year old when he gets home?

[Synnen]

Paul said that the gospel is simple:

2 Cor 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
NKJV

Yes, but I thought I pointed out that I think Paul is a misogynistic little beast with very little thought in his head other than empowering the church, therefore empowering himself.

THEREFORE--my interpretation is that Paul was pointing out that men are better than women (the serpent deceived EVE, not that Adam didn't just go "Okay George--can I pet him and love him and squeeze him after I have the apple?"), and that MEN find simplicity in Christ because Paul's directives give them power over the women in their lives, and help them to overthrow the matriarchal societies that were in existence at the time.

See how my "interpretation" is different than yours, simply because I think Paul is a jerk and you don't?

[Synnen]

Scripture is clear that it is only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour who receive the Holy Spirit.

And there you go being superior again based on a book written by men.

[Synnen]

Well, there aren't that many kids in my neighborhood, but I'll ask my 6 year old daughter.

Okay, I asked her to read the sentence.

She said and I quote "Mommy, there are also clouds in the sky, so it's not all blue, it's also white, but not always, sometimes it's all blue like today, but tomorrow it's supposed to rain so the clouds will be grey and the sky won't be as blue".

Happy, or should I ask my 10 year old when he gets home?

Got to spread the rep, Alty, but kisses right back atcha.

[Tj3]

Well, there aren't that many kids in my neighborhood, but I'll ask my 6 year old daughter.

Okay, I asked her to read the sentence.

She said and I quote "Mommy, there are also clouds in the sky, so it's not all blue, it's also white, but not always, sometimes it's all blue like today, but tomorrow it's supposed to rain so the clouds will be grey and the sky won't be as blue".

Happy, or should I ask my 10 year old when he gets home?

You must have taught her how to interpret :confused::D

[Tj3]

Yes, but I thought I pointed out that I think Paul is a misogynistic little beast with very little thought in his head other than empowering the church, therefore empowering himself.

Since he is now in heaven with God, I suspect that he is not too concerned about your demeaning comments concerning him.

See how my "interpretation" is different than yours, simply because I think Paul is a jerk and you don't?

Since your interpretation is not found in scripture and since I go solely by what scripture does say, it is not an issue of interpretations.

I get a chuckle out of those who don't like me allowing the Bible to speak for itself and absolutely demanding that I interpret it:D.

Many people who say this no doubt would be terribly upset at anyone who told them what they must believe. :p

[Synnen]

Since he is now in heaven with God, I suspect that he is not too concerned about your demeaning comments concerning him.



Since your interpretation is not found in scripture and since I go solely by what scripture does say, it is not an issue of interpretations.

So your problem with the whole thing is that the BIBLE doesn't define Christianity as a cult, so therefore it can't be?

[Tj3]

So your problem with the whole thing is that the BIBLE doesn't define Christianity as a cult, so therefore it can't be?

Biblical Christianity does not meet the criteria for a cult.

[Alty]

You must have taught her how to interpret :confused::D

As your parents taught you. :D

She's a smart little girl, takes nothing at face value, so yes, I've taught her well. She's growing up learning to ask questions and demand answers, answers I never got in the Catholic school I attended. I found those answers on my own, but not in the bible that I grew up learning.

My only hope for my children is that they find their own path, not conform to what others say. I'm not raising sheep, I'm raising wolves. :D

[Synnen]

Biblical Christianity does not meet the criteria for a cult.

I thought that I had just shown, on the last page, that Christianity DOES meet the criteria for a cult.

If nothing else, your stubborn refusal to believe ANYTHING but what the Bible says reinforces that.

[Alty]

I thought that I had just shown, on the last page, that Christianity DOES meet the criteria for a cult.

If nothing else, your stubborn refusal to believe ANYTHING but what the Bible says reinforces that.

And I have to spread the rep. Darnit!

Something tells me that Tom didn't even read your list, or he interpreted it incorrectly. :)

[JoeCanada76]

Cult - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Tj3]

As your parents taught you. :D

My parents taught me to think for myself. That is why when someone demands that I do thing their way by adding interpretations, I do not feel obligated to defy what scripture says.

I wonder why people are so insistent that other must do things the way that they think that it must be done.

[lighterrr]

Scripture is clear that it is only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour who receive the Holy Spirit.

OK that's is your opinion & your interpretation, but it's certainly not mine

[Nestorian]

To the OP, here read this and tell me what you think...
Cult:
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. A group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.

Religion:
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. Religious rites.
8. Archaic. Strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

—Idiom9. Get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

Cult, religion as defined in the, religion definition | Dictionary.com , site.

Huh, so our own interpretation of the word, and the stigmas we associated to it are now folding in on us and proving us to be liers. How so you ask?

Think about it... You'll realise that every word that is said is nothing, and only the meaning behind it matters. Stop arguing pointless facts that are niether true nor false, and start opening your own eyes to that wisdom that we all share. The wisdom that is GOD, Spirituallity, LIfe, Life stream, Gia (is that it? ), The source, The force, or other wise. Any thing you say these to be is both true, and false. I've never ever met any one who cold convince me other wise and that I feel is because, "There is more to truth than just the facts."- Unknown

"There are many things in this world I do not understand, but it seems to me that there are many things in this world that do not understand me. So rationality is as fleeting as the thoughts that make it so..."- Nestorian, Benism.

"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."
Socrates

So believe what you will, but the moment you think you are right, is the moment you are wrong. “It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance.”
-Thomas Huxley

May peace and kindness be with you.