Quote: Originally posted by LuckyFoxTerrier on February 2, 2005
Interpretation, VisionDude, all speculation and interpretation. I just "love" how "christians" always assume THEIR interpretation is the only and "right" interpretation.
technically true (interpretationally speaking). but what i was demonstrating is the difference between knowing as much of the facts and/or information as possible in order to arrive at "A" truth. i always felt (despite my feelings about my faith), that the way that a person could arrive at the ultimate truth (in any given arena in life) are with two tools at hand ....(1) an open mind. but that "mind" could only receive "truth" if it was willing to accept it and adjust to it whether the person liked it, understood it or agreed with it. "emotions" often get in the way of truth. (2) the collection of evidence and information is PARAMOUNT. no half truths, no partial "parts" to a story, etc will suffice. the more information/evidence that is collected, the greater the chance at arriving at the truth. it is the same path that we take (or are SUPPOSE to take) in our criminal justice system when trying to arrive at a truth when a person is on trial. which is why i know so much more about other beliefs outside "christianity".
sure it is my "version" ....of course. i gather information just like you do, and i present it for the "judgement" of others. is it right? i think it is and i go to what length i need to demonstrate that there is more to be considered than what is presented. i gave more information that was recorded about the magi in the bible as i didn't "make it up". what i said about the magi was written 600 years before Christ. but remember what i said, it is aimed at christians, and not so much at you and pick4 and you "should" be cool with that. pick4 quoted the bible, and i filled in the blanks.
Pick4Master's is just as accurate as yours ......
personally, i don't think so (imo) as it was presented. it didn't include the total historocity of the dvent. anyone can build an opinion on what i call the "one scripture" rule. it is never enough to tell the whole of the story. aproblem that many would-be "interpreters suffer from. they don't know the "whole" story. be that as it may, it still remains to be "my" opinion and i respect your desire to differ.
you can't "prove" the bible, even though there are a lot of people who think they can.
personally i believe that i can thru undeniable/insurmountable evidence. without sounding like a fat headed self-righteous pig, i have gathered enough knowledge (evidence) that i believe that i can prove it in any court of law as the evidence would pre-vail. i am not afraid to do that ......afterall, i am kind known as the "prove it to me" kinda guy in here. so i better be able to back up what i "preach" (lol). but that is my contention and passion and despite that passion, i respect the fact that we don't share that.
We could take this discussion a step further and discuss the books reportedly left out of the bible, too, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which reportedly deal directly with those "occult" issues, such as reincarnation, for one. And if those were brought back into mass reading, then would we find that the "occult" wouldn't have such negative connotations with "christians" afterall?
i am much prepared in this area. you are right, not many "christians" know what they believe or why they believe it and could not defend against these assertions (which is why my "aim" is directed at them, and not at you). anyhoo, i could if you like.
There is so much more than meets the eye. And there is so much more GOOD out there than most people seem willing to embrace.
i would agree so long as the "good" that is being marketed is actually good, and not rotten apples wrapped in a nice package. that is where you and i might "differ" in trying to distinguish what is/isn't. that is why information, evidence and debate are all good tools "IF" one is even remotely concerned about a truth. i am far more interested in truth, than i am a "guess". i may have to guess to certain extent at first just because of ignorance, but i will press and press till i get as much info as i can get so that i can get at the truth of a matter. i figure that the stakes are too high in order to throw a "guess" at it and i am willing to gamble (pun-intended) on my life that it is.
My bumper sticker reads: Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open. To me, that pretty much says it all.
couldn't agree with you more. which is why i know so much about others beliefs having figured out a long time ago that "IF" i had the "truth" ....it should be able to stand up against all others. there should be a balance between defending what you believe with all your heart/strength (as it has eternal ramifications "IF" there is a God), while keeping an open mind about in order to consider ALL the evidence as it is presented throughout our lifetimes.
my favorite bumper sticker of all time (although i don't approve of the language, i LOVE the honesty/humor) ;
"jesus loves you, but everyone else thinks your an a*****e"
20/20