Natsunekko wrote:LittleNipper wrote:Well, a lie is a lie. Now, what I find interesting is that some on this site have opinions. Opinions are not necessary lies. Example: My opinion is that the world was created by God. The atheist would say that there are no gods. The atheist may in fact believe that God does not exist. However, if the atheist supposes that he might be wrong because of this or that ---- but continues to say that there is not a God, then that person is not only lying to himself but is taking others along for the ride. But let's say an atheist actually believes that there can be no God. And the "Believer" believes there is a God. Both cannot be right; however, neither one is intentionally telling a falsehood. IT IS A MATTER OF OPINION. Now, I find that some do go out of their way to denigrate others that disagree with them. It seems to be a way that an individual shields himself from feelings of inferiority. He thinks that by repeating himself and acting the aggressor that others will view him as clever. But the fact is such an individual becomes rather boring after a while. And when that happens, no one will take anything he says seriously, if he ever really said anything at all.
Anyway, I do not see that Christians or Mormons or Atheists are liars. I find that they have opinions. Some of these opinions have supporting evidence and some do not. Example: Life on earth just happened or it always existed ---- is clearly a belief, as no one has ever seen life just happen. Life always finds its origins from another living thing --- life begets life. So, clearly a person must believe that life came from somewhere else or it was created in place --- or believe that at one time it was possible for life to just happen. For a person to insist that anyone who disagrees with him or who has an opposing point of view is deceitful or a liar is rather absurd. Because everyone eventually holds to some belief or other that others disagree with.
So you've abandoned your strong beliefs about the truthfulness of the Bible and are now claiming you only have an "opinion" that it's true? That doesn't sound entirely honest, considering things you've said in the past.
ETA--
My father is Jewish, and I really don't like it when you and your friends say he deserved to die in a concentration camp, even if it is just your opinion.
It is also sad that millions and millions of people will eventually end up in hell because they refused to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament is absolutely filled with reasons why the Hebrews, Israelites --- Jews died, were sickened, slaughtered, made slaves and dispersed. And in seemingly every case it was the result of the rejection of God and the turning to other gods. That never precludes that the "villains" were not eventually punished. Were the Egyptians punished? Were the Canaanites punished? Were the Philistines punished? Were the Syrians punished? Where the Babylonians punished? Where the Romans punished? Was Germany punished? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It cannot be augured that GOD allowed terrible things to happen to His "Chosen People." If God didn't allow it, then either there is no God, or it could not have ever happened. However, the Old Testament is clearly filled with reasons why the children of Israel faced one catastrophe after another. I do not know the reason your father specifically ended up in a concentration camp. Many Christians ended up in them as well. But I can say the
someone's sin was a direct or indirect cause. Just as the entire United States has suffered as a result of slavery, intemperance, immorality, abortion, redefining marriage, etc... God will not be mocked. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AND NO! Heaven forbid! I have not changed my mind concerning the fact and truthfulness of the inerrant Holy Bible. That said, there is room for some variations in the actual understanding of Scripture. I have been led to believe that the Creation story, the Flood Epic, and the establishment of the Nation of Israel are without a doubt HISTORIC FACT! I also believe that God reveals some truth poetically and prophetically (like & as). Some areas of the Bible also contain multiple meanings and types. All of which are there to force the believer and "seeker of truth/wisdom" to research the Holy Bible again and again and again. What I am saying is that because I accept this, does not make me a liar to those who do not accept this view ------ anymore than those believing the contrary are... Being right or wrong does not make one a liar. Hiding or limiting the truth and or information, denying all unknown factors because of one's "personal" values, and redefining to exclude or include seemingly unconventional/unpopular investigative thought or a people --- are all forms of falsification and spreading lies. This is why I feel the theory of evolution has seemingly taken the upper hand, and the Nazis were so persuasive. I have tried very hard to not be insulting to people's feeling but very often anything seems to really bother some people. And especially today, when free speech seems to be defined only by what is said that the government agrees to or that which doesn't hurt some individual's feelings (honest appraisals notwithstanding). I thank God for men like Bill Cosby, because he can really say some very poignant truths without being entirely falsely accused for his remarks.
Wow Subby, you just buried the needle of my irony meter!
And if what you suggest about God were true, there wouldn't be so many excuses for me to provide ---- now would there 