nostatic:

I pose the following question to some "people of faith":

Do we not create God in OUR image rather than the other way around?

In a bit more detail: Would an all powerful and all knowing Creator require his creations to bow down and give worship out of fear of punishment? Would such a Creator urge his creations to kill each other in the name of the Creator? Would such a Creator be angry, jealous, demanding, spiteful or possess other negative human attributes?

Lest someone think I am an unbeliever, and attack me for my "lack of faith", I just shrug and say that my Creator is above the petty emotions of mankind and has been misinterpreted by many well meaning (and some not so well meaning) people over the years. My relationship is personal and not ruled by fear of retribution. I believe that doing what is right for my fellow travelers on this globe is its own reward.

Naah, your shirt isn't unbuttoned, and you're not standing out on the street with a can of (whatever) in your hand.

Jeez, Bob, your Creator is not the Fun Guy theirs is.

trekkor,
You are absolutely correct, the end is near. Seeing as that you will not be needing your retirement funds, 401K, etc, I will PM you with the proper account numbers to facilitate the transfer of your financial assets over to me.

Sincerely,

Tech:

Maybe not as much "fun" in some ways, but a heck of a lot more predictable, a lot less fearsome, and far more acceptable.

Bob

I am a "Christian" and have taught my son to respect others beliefs as you would expect your own beliefs respected. Golden Rule if you will.

I was raised by my father with zero tolerance for anything different. When I was younger and stupid I carried that attitude around and it cost me friendships. I promised my self to stop being like that as I got older.

A humble attittude and meekness go a long way with people when asked what you believe. A "I am right and you are wrong" attitude just pisses people off and turns them off to you.

So not all christians are egocentric.

There are enlightened individuals who see the reasoning behind Jim's statement. One must also ask themselves if it is just possible that other belief systems actually have some element that has merit. It does not mean you have to accept all that belief system offers, but just consider that there is not truly "wrong" way for people to gain "redemption" as long as they follow the one general rule: "Don't hurt each other".

Bravo. And please note I didn't say "all." I have the pleasure of knowing quite a few Christians who are amazing people. But they all exhibit the attitudes you describe above. I often drift into the "I'm right, you're wrong" arena, but try to catch myself. It is interesting to see the triggers that lead me that way, and the ways that I can try and work with it.

In one of my martial arts schools we talk a lot about humility. And it is critical...but most people have a false humility or really don't understand what it means. It is not about self-deprication, but rather about quiet confidence without hubris. One of the grand masters, when asked what a black sash meant, replied: "grace under pressure."

Sounds good to me...

that's why it's very recommended to take large doses of acid, frequently , untill the weirdness becomes second nature, if not first... i call it : "enlightenment +"

normal folks may call it fruitcake, but hell, they just ain't enlightened enough to understand...

and truth is , if you eat enough acid, yer ego is going to be pudding anyhow... :D

The cancer known as human kind will slowly burn out. This notion that we'll evolve to some supehuman stage is fantasy.

What we view as catostophic rape on the planet will heal over like a barely acknowledged scab.

We will remain a mere microscopic dot on the geologic/universal timeline.


But we might as well go out in style.....

http://gotomars.free.fr/affiche/abbott_costel2.jpg

My philosophy on the track. Once the ego takes over bad things happen. "Oh hell no!! That Miata is not going to pass me!!" or my favorite, "I have a Z-06 and nothing is as fast as me".

Humility has served me VERY well in motorsports. I have attended countless AX driving schools and a few road course driving schools. I am about to attend a Panoz school this winter and I have always had the attittude that I am there to learn not show off.

Now back on topic sorry for the sidetrack.

There are a couple of self-identified Christians like you here on Pelican who have this belief and -- to me -- represent what I was taught a Christian should be: someone who draws people to Christianity by example.

Too many people use a claim of Christianity in order to support their hate of everything and everyone different. This is especially true with the "TV Christians" Like Falwell and Robertson.

I was taught to 'hate the sin and love the sinner' and 'judge not lest ye be judged.' Not an easy path to follow. I admire and applaud those who do so.

i'll see your humility and raise you a cow.

or, even MORE frightening...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1149706869.jpg

is it a spherical cow?

yep

now bow down for my humility !.

my knee pads are at the dry cleaners. You got a pillow?

This could replace the previous scary image of Pat.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1149716849.jpg

once we get rid of the neo-conned goverment
mostly normal better times will return

global warming will take awhile
like 30-50 years to kick in
so we lose south Fla and holland

nukes are so cold war
maybe a nut or terrorest strike but no total nuke war
would NY NY realy be missed?

sorry christians but your boy ain't comming back
and as much as i WISH you would and SOON
you arenot going to heaven
nore do you get to see the world end
sorry but fairytales DONOT come true
quit your preying on your fellows
and do something USEFULL

and computers will get faster
and maybe even cheaper

but cars homes and oil will go up in the price