OK So Sick, to you a true Christian is someone who thinks that the Bible is literal, word-for-word fact. We're clear on that at least, though it means that millions of people in the world who believe in God, Jesus and the Bible -- thinking that maybe more than one interpretation of it may exist -- are wrong. Clear on that too.
And I said this where? Where did I make this so clear? As usual, you are stretchng and twisting.
In an ideal situation, probably any Christian would tell you the bible is literal truth... in an ideal situation. However, in reality anyone who has ever done a serious serious study of the bible in any form we have available today, can only say... for the most part. That of course, assumes a real relationship with the living God and Jesus Christ, to verify the experiences and truths. It's also important to know the history of bible translation and word forms, from Hebrew and Aramaic to Greek, to English.
Personally, I learn something new everytime I read it. My interpretation, which does hold generally to most common accepted interpretations, is also affected by my personal situation on a day to day basis. I think most real christians, that is, those with a real relationship with the living God and Jesus Christ, will agree with that as well. That is why it's often called 'The Living Word'. I think there is even a bible that uses that name.
Archaeologists do not assume timelines.
In regard to historical digs, civilizations, of course not. History itself provides a timeline. In regard to dinosaur bones, trilobites, whatever along those lines... I think you had better research how timelines are established for those things. It is always assumed that they are millions, perhaps hundreds of millions of years old, with no actual evidence whatsoever to verify those claims. If you want to keep arguing otherwise, I suppose that is your perogative. But it's useless because it's a well known fact that the dates of certain items are assumed, a guess, and that all other found items are measured according to that assumed criteria. Study the history of carbon dating for instance.
You are still equating evolution with atheism.
I don't recall ever mentioning atheism. stretchng and twisting again. Quit trying to fit everything into your box. There are many faithful God fearing people who are very confused about the issue I can assure you. Everyone is at a certain place in their walk with God. Russ, Bex, me, we may all claim to know God, but... more than likely, our experiences differ. We know it's the same God because of certain traits, because of the way the bible also defines him... But... someone not as far along in their walk who has been previously greatly influenced by secular teachings may still be working this out. It doesn't mean they are not saved even... it just means God has not yet revealed certain things to them. But he will. This is exactly why young people are more prone to believe secular teachings than older more mature Christians. Everything takes time, and God truly does work with us on a one to one basis, he knows our hearts, our questions, our doubts. It often takes years to work certain situations out. But you'll find, remarkably, it always happens. Once saved always saved, I am a big believer in that, from personal experience as well as the testimony of others. i didn't always believe that, it took time and experience for me to come to full understanding of that one item. People wander off, get involved with weird stuff, bad stuff even... you know what? the day always comes when Jesus is right there to right that person and bring them back to the fold. Always. once saved. always saved. but everyone is in a different place in their walk. If you love him, he knows that. Love really, the most important thing. he looks right through us like a piece of glass, he knows our hearts. If you don't love him, well he knows that also and chances are you aren't really saved even if you have been baptised 90 times. Baptism won't save anyone. Loving God saves everyone who does, baptism or not.
You seem to want to characterise me as someone who hates God and the Bible. I simply do not accept them as they are in Christianity as part of my personal belief system, though there is much to be learned from them and much truth in them. This is different from hatred and hostility. What I really have no truck with is where these beliefs are promoted in spite of the reality that looks us in the face every day.
Keep in mind, your reality may not be shared by everyone else. If you do not hate God then i would suggest you refrain from the viscious attacks on His character that you are so prone to. I can easily see that you do not know him and I always chock it up to that. The problem is, you are not aware that you don't know him.
Rocks move and shift and erode yes, but at different rates. There are some rocks that are still billions of years old ..
billions huh? and you got this information where?
My husband is not in the business of faking pictures but we both use Photoshop. Why do you think there has to be a seam in a fake photo? You can do all kinds of fantastic things digitally with photos and make them look real. You can also set your subject up however you want when photographing, in order to achieve a certain effect. Photos of anything are simply not enough proof in themselves, though they can lend weight to a larger body of evidence.
lemme try to remember.. I've got 2 years of photo and darkroom technique plus two years of studio photography at one of the best art schools on the planet, a year or so of previous employment with a well known major corporation as a professional photo retoucher, 3 years or so of experience running an award winning digital art website, and you are going to teach me?
I think you are more than just a bit out of your league here. As I said before, try it for real and see where you get. I know anyone can fake a photo Linda. I also know a really good fake is a heck of lot more involved than you seem to want to make it appear. When you have made your fake photo, please, post it here and please include all the corresponding photos that you took that day as corroborating evidence. If you could show the original on the original smartdisk or 35mm film itself that would also be most helpful.
Finally, I didn't expect to have to do this, but I'm going to explain as clearly as possible what forum and debate etiquette are about.
thanks, but I don't think you are in a position to teach etiquette.
Finally, I have been calling you SS because it is an abbreviation, no other reason. I don't understand why that is being taken as an insult but if you prefer not to be addressed in that way then all you need to do is say so.
Well.. I don't really believe you Linda. Do you abbreviate everyone elses names too? no, you don't... I don't need to say anything Linda, your insensitivity on this point speaks for itself. But you know what? if you lived near me and called me that on a daily basis... I would have broke your nose a long a time ago. Really, not kidding. To remind you daily, whenever you looked in the mirror, to respect others.
