I'm not interested in carrying on a lengthy discussion about this because it's a matter of belief
This is one of the fundamental contradictions that you hold.
You say that it's a matter of belief, yet you constantly ask for evidence of God and Biblical creation.
While it is true that you can choose to believe whatever you want, you need to be aware that this relativism is not without consequences.
The evidence demonstrating the Bible as -- accurate -- is abundant and readily available.
For me and many/most Christians, belief in Someone (God) does not come without evidence, and this is only wise. We would be foolish to put our faith in someone who has not proven themselves to us.
The Bible is full of revealed prophecy and archeological evidence. Never before in history have we had so much evidence.
It's only astonishing that people are so negligent of it and choose rather to follow emotions rather than evidence.
I'm not going to take on board your anxiety about conspiracies
Interesting that you should attempt to associate conspiracies with "anxiety" (fear). The irony here is that those who do not study -- and therefore do not believe in -- conspiracies are those who are afraid:
http://urlbam.com/ha/NzzzI'm not going to take on board your anxiety about ...a punishing god
A punishing God to those who live in rebellion and apathy.
A loving, kind, and merciful God towards those who know and obey Him.
The choice He leaves to you.
nor am I going to allow myself to be brainwashed to the extent that I start typing words from my leaders without thinking about them to any great degree because I believe the leaders speak holy words.
Ironically, you already are.
You -- admittedly -- have not studied the Bible, yet you hold strong opinions about it; Opinions based on the beliefs of -your- "holy" prophets.
I would remind you that Biblical prophets' words have been tested and have been shown, through evidence, to be true.
Your belief in reincarnation is baseless except for human speculation and myth. The only "evidence" is circumstantial and is demonically induced, yet you accept it because you are emotionally baffled by the ability of some to know things that they don't have any contact with.
Yet, you shameface the Bible on the same basis?
Again, contradictory beliefs, and you hold many.
I have a mind of my own and I will continue to use it.
If you have such a mind, why not study the Bible and find out what all the hoopla is about?
Logic and reason says that there is only one truth.
What philosopher said this, or did it come from the Book of Russ? I don't understand how someone who has lived for so many years and seen a bit of life can think this.
So, you believe that multiple contradictory truths can exist?
Is this a "scientific" belief?
Linda, Linda!
Those Native American prophecies were pretty cool too. You tried to find bits that you could shoehorn into congruence with Bible stories and dismissed the rest for no logical reason. Stop calling me willfully blind if you're going to do this sort of thing yourself.
Shoehorn?
You mean the entire ark and the flood account?
So why is the native ark and flood account cool but the identical Biblical one is not?
How can you call these virtually identical accounts "shoehorning"?
Oh yes, it's because you are using propagandistic words to attempt to baffle our feeble minds
Why the discrimination against the Bible, which you admittedly know nothing about? Yet you continue to parrot what you've been told, and yet you claim to have a mind of your own.
How ironic dear Linda.
Salvation is not a game. This is a very serious subject.
If you plan to take the "mark" ("biometric id") of Revelation 13, you had better hope that this 2000 year-old prophecy is dead wrong, woman.You are telling me to be tolerant, after the posts you've recently typed here.
I'm simply pointing out that you don't practice what you preach.
I have a bee in my bonnet about people not using their brains.
Case in point.
My job involves making people think.
Does your job including encouraging people to study the Bible for themselves?
No.
Your job actually involves telling people
what to think. You do work for a school system, don't you?
I would do the same to an evolutionist who simply pasted chunks of text without commentary -- though strangely, I haven't encountered that yet.
Actually, you have, and your response was a firm pat on the back. Nothing about requesting explanations.
You see Linda, you really like speaking to people who support your multiple-reality "tolerant" world view. You don't like being challenged or made to search your own soul.
I hear a lot from you about how you are right and I am wrong but you don't present any logical evidence, just personal beliefs that you try to pass off as evidence.
I have presented much evidence. I have also recommended books that contain evidence that you can read.
Have you?
No.
Why?
Because you don't want to know.
Why?
Because you are afraid that it might require you to abandon your idols.
Linda, this is not a game.
You also ignore a lot of scientific evidence that contradicts the idea of a 6,000 year old earth on which life was created all at once.
Wow. I have told you
directly many times now that I do not believe in a 6000 year old Earth. I also don't believe the Bible teaches it. I have thoroughly explained this to you before.
Have you forgotten?
Life did, however, all appear at once, and even many evolutionists acknowledge the strong evidence for this.
Cognitive dissonance theory states that you and others here won't listen to it anyway, you never have before, which is why I'm not spending so much of my time doing it here anymore.
This comment should cause you to examine your own heart, Linda.
My favourite conversations include the words why, maybe, and what if. They don't have to be frightening; on the contrary, they will open up worlds for you.
Developing a world view is not about what we like. It's about hard facts and evidence.
My world view is based on hard evidence. Yours is based on personal preference, vast speculation, ancient myth, and tightly-held emotion.
And again, you attempt to associate fear with my evidenced belief, when it is you who are afraid to face the fact that evidence abounds for Bible accuracy.
Again I say to you Linda, this is not a game.
Those who rebelliously reject God's truth will not be in His Kingdom. You need to think long and hard about what you are doing.
You also need to realize that a relationship with God brings peace and personal power. You don't believe this because you have not tried it. You have not humbled yourself and given God the sincere invitation to come into your life.
You have, instead, held onto your idols and refused to learn the very things He taught, even through He did it for your benefit.
Rebellion against God is no joke.
Please humble yourself and study the Scriptures so you too can find the evidence for it's integrity that millions around the world have known for centuries.
