What is G-O-D the a.k.a. of??

[_Buffalo]

A single "true church" is a concept foreign to first century Christianity.

[_Corpsegrinder]

During the Civil War , the yankee scourge pretty much considered Christmas a "sin".

December 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly depicting Union soldiers celebrating Christmas...

[_subgenius]

A single "true church" is a concept foreign to first century Christianity.

really? Got anything to back up that claim?

It seems that perhaps one should consider the original Apostolic Church.

[_subgenius]

During the Civil War , the yankee scourge pretty much considered Christmas a "sin".

December 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly depicting Union soldiers celebrating Christmas...

maybe you should have bothered to read/learn about Nast (the illustrator of that cover) and how he was a prominent artist for propaganda from the North. When Grant legalized Xmas (5 years after war) it was, and is, widely recognized as an effort to unite the South with the North.
Thanks for playing

[_subgenius]

"Yes, God does not have the same "market" impact as He has had in recent decades, or even maybe a couple of centuries - and some may argue that this is exactly what has been prophesied - but perhaps it is simply a public discourse on the tolerance of all religions rather than an attempt of suppression.
Then again, maybe "God" has become diluted because of the apostasy and the Baptists and Catholics have had such great resources available to muddy the water...and the Asians having been so isolated, etc...
good thing the true church is back, and the seed has taken root...."

Above by Subgenious

"True church is back"?? What "true church"? Truth is: All churches teach some "truth". Just as all dictators do some good. What both do is exist to satisfy the needs of some people. As long as those needs continue, their supporting institutions -- religious or political -- will continue to exist, or give way to competing entities. The better-way evolving. . . Sort of inevitable. We see it by the moment in science, technological & social changes (advances?) taking place all around us.

So it is with religion/church/theology. Non of which are as they were 2,500 years ago. Churches will fast-track to keep pace with education which will influence social and human relations that will continue to civilize our world. Thereby belief in God will be replaced with belief in humans to solve, correct & heal problems that have challenged humanity since day one. Prayer & fasting will be replaced with faith in applied intelligence. . . Being freed by truth.

Churches will become social centres serving their communities, with no reference to God. Ya know what? I don't think "God" will care, cuz his/her sheep will be well fed and cared for! There will be no Armageddon! The war between good and evil will be won peacefully. . .

Wow, you got some real prophetic claims going on in your post...ironic.
I recommend you study the Apostolic Church and ts teachings and then make an informed post on this topic.

JOHN STUART MILL(a famous atheist) from his essay on Theism - "Above all, the most valuable part of the effect on the character which Christianity has produced, by holding up in a divine person a standard of excellence and a model for imitation, is available even to the absolute unbeliever, and can never more be lost to humanity. For it is Christ rather than God whom Christianity has held up to believers as the pattern of perfection for humanity. It is the God incarnate more than the God of the Jews, or of nature, who, being idealized, has taken so great and salutary a hold on the modem mind. And whatever else may be taken away from us by rational criticism, Christ is still left; a unique figure, not more unlike all his precursors than all his followers, even those who had the direct benefit of his personal teaching. It is of no use to say that Christ, as exhibited in the Gospels, is not historical, and that we know not how much of what is admirable has been super-added by the tradition of his followers. The tradition of followers suffices to insert any number of marvels, and may have inserted all the miracles which he is reputed to have wrought. But who among his disciples, or among their proselytes, was capable of inventing the sayings ascribed to Jesus, or of imagining the life and character revealed in the Gospels? Certainly not the fishermen of Galilee; as certainly not St. Paul, whose character and idiosyncrasies were of a totally different sort; still less the early Christian writers, in whom nothing is more evident than that the good which was in them was all derived, as they always professed that it was derived, from the higher source."

[_Corpsegrinder]

maybe you should have bothered to read/learn about Nast (the illustrator of that cover) and how he was a prominent artist for propaganda from the North.

Don’t change the subject. Your words:

During the Civil War , the yankee scourge pretty much considered Christmas a "sin".

That’s not only wrong, but also just plain weird.

[_Roger Morrison]

SUBG... you wrote: "Wow, you got some real prophetic claims going on in your post...ironic.
I recommend you study the Apostolic Church and ts teachings and then make an informed post on this topic."

PLEASE, save me the time of "studying the Apostolic Church" and make your point, without sarcasm.
I too, among others, know that Christmas celebrations are somewhat recent events. Not engaged in by 'righteous Christians' of the past... Commerce made short work of that! (As they are of Easter.)

MY point is that our Judea-Christian religion/faith is a farce imposed by tradition based, in my seriously considered opinion upon myth, legend and fabrications!
While I don't advocate book banning, or burning, I respectfully suggest the Bible, and its likes, be read and studied for its classic fiction value; not for its so-called divine authorship nor guidance. On the other hand, Christ's Social Gospel is something with universal value. Completely separated from blood atonement, salvation and resurrection. . .

I am very aware that it will take decades, maybe centuries, of education and de-indoctrination, to rid the world of such nonsensical teachings and beliefs. However, it is started & will continue. . . In spite of Mormons & their evangelical cousins! In the province of Ontario, Canada, there is a community that is discontinuing distributing free bibles in their Elementary Schools. At one time I would not have supported that policy. Now I do. . .
Do good & be well! Roger

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Roger, what is with some of you xtians?

Why can't you use the word GOD in the thread title?

If you do use the word GOD in the thread title do you suddenly have a bad case of the runs?

All due respect, but c'mon what is with you xtians?

[_Roger Morrison]

Roger, what is with some of you xtians?

Why can't you use the word GOD in the thread title?

If you do use the word GOD in the thread title do you suddenly have a bad case of the runs?

All due respect, but c'mon what is with you xtians?

Hey Boaz, fair question. . . Guess it's simply a matter of spontaneous reaction? The word/term "God"can be used in any # of ways, with equal # of feelings.

"xtians"??? A new word, or am I just not in the loop? After intense consideration I concluded it means, one-time-Christians. Correct?

Don't know about you, or others. But me, I like the humanitarian ideas Jesus -- whether a real or fictional character -- attempted to teach society. However, I totally reject Genesis, Revelation, blood atonement, heaven, hell, resurrection and an after-life. . . All said to be according to God's word. Really???

So, with all due respect P-P, what's with You, eh?

Regards, Roger

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Roger, what is with some of you xtians?

Why can't you use the word GOD in the thread title?

If you do use the word GOD in the thread title do you suddenly have a bad case of the runs?

All due respect, but c'mon what is with you xtians?

Hey Boaz, fair question. . . Guess it's simply a matter of spontaneous reaction? The word/term "God"can be used in any # of ways, with equal # of feelings.

"xtians"??? A new word, or am I just not in the loop? After intense consideration I concluded it means, one-time-Christians. Correct?

Its the same as the shortened version of Christmas; xmas.

Don't know about you, or others. But me, I like the humanitarian ideas Jesus -- whether a real or fictional character -- attempted to teach society. However, I totally reject Genesis, Revelation, blood atonement, heaven, hell, resurrection and an after-life. . . All said to be according to God's word. Really???

that's great. Thanks for sharing. However, Jesus, real or fictional, was not the inventor of nice or compassion. Just sayin'

So, with all due respect P-P, what's with You, eh?

I believe that Jesus is a fictional character, and yes like many others before and after him taught the golden rule. As for my belief in a G-O-D? I simply do not care whether this is one or not. Belief in an afterlife or a god won't change who I am or how I conduct my life.