Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site watdcsu.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watdcsu!dmcanzi From: dmcanzi@watdcsu.UUCP (David Canzi) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: Meanings of Words Message-ID: <638@watdcsu.UUCP> Date: Sat, 10-Nov-84 23:33:56 EST Article-I.D.: watdcsu.638 Posted: Sat Nov 10 23:33:56 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 12-Nov-84 10:35:31 EST References: <606@watdcsu.UUCP>, <294@qantel.UUCP> Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario Lines: 77 '> ' represents Ken Nichols > The problem with these arguments is that you are trying to make man's > definition of these words be the standard for your discussion. In my system > the standards of these words are much higher that a human standard. The point I was trying to make in my previous two postings on this subject is: ---> Man's definitions of words are *the* *only* definitions of words. <--- The above is *THE* point of this article. Below is just more of the usual Christians-vs.-non-Christians shouting match, and nothing new will be said in it. Experienced readers of net.religion may skip it, confident in the knowledge that they are not missing anything important. -------- FINAL WARNING: HIT 'Q' KEY *NOW* -------- > There is plenty of evidence given that shows the way > to be saved. It is just what you choose to believe about the validity of > this evidence that determines your destiny. I'm afraid you can't take the > faith out of Christianity. There is a degree of faith necessary to take the > first step, that of accepting the evidence. After you have taken that leap, > it becomes *very* obvious as to the truth of the evidence given. I think there is plenty of evidence that the evidence you talk about is not all that plentiful. A sizeable majority of the human race are non-Christians (and therefore damned from your point of view), and I suspect that from your point of view, the majority even of Christians are damned, because they aren't Christian enough. If the evidence was so plentiful, would there be so many people living in error? > As to justice. As I find myself tired of saying, if God's only attribute was > perfect justice, this planet wouldn't exist. The human race as a whole has > chosen to set themselves up against God. This is enough to deserve death. > God's *great*, *great* love causes Him to be patient and to give us a way of > escape, if we will only take it! The human race as a whole has made no such decision. If your statement has any truth in it at all, the decision was made individually by each person. (Such admirable unanimity. If only all humans could spontaneously agree on some other things, like nuclear disarmament, for instance.) Is it possible for people to decide to rebel, without being aware that they are rebelling? > The same is true for God's mercy. We get more mercy than we deserve for > living another day. And He gives even more than that in providing the way > to come to Him. The 'game' is not rigged, it is just so simple that it's > hard to see. Christianity is not a guessing game either. It is a free will > decision. Once you have made the choice, it becomes more and more obvious > every day that you have made the right one. I know, subjective evidence. > I'm sorry, that's the way it is. It *is* a guessing game. The Bible, as far as I can tell from looking at it, is just a book. It contains ordinary words written with commonplace ink on mundane paper. Just like the Koran. Just like the Bhagavad-Gita (did I spell that right?) Just like the Books of Bokonon. Pick one. If you guess wrong, God will demonstrate his infinite mercy by torturing you forever. > God shows His love for sinners by sending His only Son to die for us. If > that isn't love, I don't know what is. Christ took the punishment for our > sins on the cross. All we need to do is accept that fact, and ask to have > our lives put under His control. Nothing can be much of a sacrifice for an omnipotent God, who can surely send a million "only sons" to die for us with less effort than it takes me to move my eyeballs. And the result of this effort is that a way has been provided to escape from Hell. Pity there are no road signs pointing to it. Pardon me for thinking that this indicates that your God doesn't give a shit. > You see, I do believe in the love of God. "Pssst. Hey, buddy! Wanna buy a bridge?" David Canzi "THE WORLD WILL END AT MIDNIGHT. (12:30 IN NEWFOUNDLAND)"