| Author | Message | ||
     Sifo |
Fourtunatly science is on the ball coming up with ways to deal with AGW. Here we see the BFT (Bovine Fart Tank).  Time to pray for salvation. We are doomed. I only wish I was making this stuff up. | ||
| Bjbauer |
My wife says I need one of those fart tanks. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
YOu simply cant go capturing methane gas that way... why?... because when a cow farts it is rarely just a gas, the methane is packing a pasture patty breach loaded. And I am betting that their cry for the 'gas' comes from the remaining fecal matter giving off the residual gas, and continuing to give off gas as it changes state to harden. I bet, dollar to donut, that NONE of the enviromental whackos grew up on a farm and is familiar with the business end of a cow; outside of some laboratory model. Maybe they just dont want the competition for their brand of BS | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My big question is can more than one religion be "right". Can a Christian and a Buddhist both be "right"? Are not all things possible under God? Based upon the words of God, HE states that there is no other god but Him ("You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3) Jesus, as God in flesh stated "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Some other religions state they they are alternative paths. Perhaps they are. My money is on God being the true God in my Pascal's Wager. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. Evidence of the change in the lives of those touched by God in Christ says my money is pretty safe. Part of the design of God is for each person to exercise his or her free will in how they live their lives. This includes the inclusion of him or exclusion of him as the the central guiding force for your life. Some will reject God all together. Still others will embrace other guiding principles that include other central figures (Buddah, Allah, Vishnu, Green Energy, etc.). In order for God to preserve man's free will He can NOT provide direct evidence, for what fool would choose other given irrefutable evidence. When the sky is blue, who would choose to believe otherwise. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
Way to go Moxnix, The Truth is Eternal, It will last Forever. Jesus says "I Am the Way, The Truth, The Life,, No One comes to The Father except through Me" Thats a bold statement, I haven't heard That anywhere else. And that invitation is open to EVERYONE,, Buddist, liberal, Muslim, whatever. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Is it weird to like the smell of cows? I also like the smell of skunks. Sorry, side note. | ||
| Bjbauer |
"In order for God to preserve man's free will He can NOT provide direct evidence, for what fool would choose other given irrefutable evidence. When the sky is blue, who would choose to believe otherwise." Exactly right on. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
They will also Agree,, 'cept for the skunks & cows | ||
| Sifo |
Based upon the words of God, HE states that there is no other god but Him ("You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3) Can the Christian God be known by another name in another religion and still be the one and only God? I really have no idea. The problem with accepting God based on Pascal's wager is that you really aren't a true believer if you are just hedging your bets. (That's the proverbial "you", not anyone specific.) | ||
| Metalrabbit |
I know nothing of Pascal | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I don't think Pascal intended for his wager to be the end of the process but rather the logical argument to induce one to begin the journey of discovery. | ||
| Moxnix |
Over thousands of years, the world is different. God is known as God to us, but is known to every culture and country and civilization that believes in Him as the name they have for Him. God is the only constant. God by any name or no name is God. Creation itself proves God. Objective truth proves reality. When someone asks me to "prove" God, MY answer is, "no, you won't believe me anyway." If proof was easy, there would only be one church and one interpretation of the Bible. A correct interpretation of the Bible proves what is right and what is wrong. I do not interpret the Bible, just read it. If it says something, then I believe that something. The world changes, there is no answer for everything, not even in the Bible. On the other hand, I know God is eternal and morality is eternal. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Interesting Op-Ed from Ann Coulter: If you can find a better deal, take it. | ||
| Swampy |
I have been watching the Star Wars Episodes, I am at episode V. My question is, why didn't Yoda just go destroy Darth Vader? Why didn't Obi Wan Kenobi just go destroy Darth Vader? It was the perfect example of good and evil. Both must exist for each others existance. I saw Yoda perfectly willing to let evil prevail, for a time, until "The Force" came to fruition. It was when Luke was fighting Darth Vader, there was no reason for Luke to turn on his light sabre and attack Darth Vader, he could have chosen not to fight Darth Vader. Darth Vader knew the the force required both good and evil, and was perfectly willing to not fight also. Obi Wan Kenobi became one with the force and became a celestial being. Yoda was not worried when Obi Won Kenobi said "Luke Sky Walker is our last hope" Yoda replied "there is another..." Yoda could have stopped evil but then good would cease to exist because the force would no longer be in balance...... Right? | ||
| Moxnix |
Thanks, Ann. Amen to that. I have two "wants" that I choose for myself: To know God so well that I see things the way He does. And to live up to His rules. (Message edited by moxnix on January 09, 2010) | ||
| Ourdee |
If it says something, then I believe that something. The world changes, there is no answer for everything, not even in the Bible. Moxnix, KJV Bible Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things]. NIV A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. New American Standard Bible {Men} prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. VUL in risu faciunt panem ac vinum ut epulentur viventes et pecuniae oboedient omnia | ||
| Eaton_corners |
I'm glad we're using movie plots and other books along with the Bible and other religious writings because I just started rereading a very good book that I would recommend. The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel Because it was suggested that we cannot prove that there is a God, I would like to say that we can. I think there is enough evidence to show that we are a product of a creator. The real question, I think, is what do we do about it. One of my favorite authors and apologists C.S. Lewis wrote a very good book titled MIRACLES that should leave no doubt that God exists and interacts with humans. The question that religion tries to answer is how man can relate to God. Although Christianity has had some less than flattering times in history, the beginnings were founded on the teachings of the way to correct the fall of man. Once again, C.S. Lewis wrote a very good synopsis of this in his book "Mere Christianity", which purposely leaves out any denominational doctrine and concentrates on the essentials of christian teaching. In essence, Christianity was not founded on what men thought was best for themselves, or even a "feel good" explanation to ease their fear of death but, by the only way for man to be reconciled to God. I really feel like I am covering old ground that others have already been through and that the books I listed would do a much better job of explaining my position so, please as a favor to me and for the possibility of changing your life, read these books. | ||
| Nik |
The questions asked are more important than the answers. | ||
| Methed |
The 'work out your salvation' words hit me directly when I finally started reading the bible in the manner it was written--not as a couple of points for improving your life or self-esteem or whatever purpose, but just as what is written. If it goes down for you FB like it has for me, expect flack from those in the fold. Think Luther, and similarly the free-thinker behind the Golden Buell. I'm not going to prosthelytize, though it comes naturally for me, but what worth would any 'truth' be if it required coercion? What power would 'truth' have if someone had to use human logic to 'convince' someone that God is real? Maybe that's why so much of the world is caught up in the snare of relativity, or maybe it's all because of natural depravity. If you believe in something, you have your reasons, and despite what others have mentioned I do not find that the bend toward religious belief is a learned principal. To the contrary, it seems ingrained in the human psyche, or more specifically the human condition. I realize that after looking at everything from Buddhism to Islam to New Age, I've been compelled toward belief in Christ. That compulsion defies logic, because truly being a Secularist and pretty much anything else is more appealing than Christianity. Seriously, the modern form of this religion has a lot of rules and expectations. In my search, I found that the early and reformational history and theology was one in which belief was enabled in us, yet we need to choose. Geez, if that doesn't explain things?! Trying to wrap my head around that gave me a completely different change on my view of all belief systems; faith and belief are two entirely separate things. Religion is 'man's search for God' but faith is by biblical definition the inversion of that principal--it is something imparted in us as a gift; this is where all religions are separated from the man Jesus. Note I said Jesus, not Christianity. Here's a vocabulary lesson: define depravity, propitiation, and grace. Shoot, and I wasn't gonna get too deep or historic or theological... Again, I'm not trying to convince anyone because I don't believe I could if I wanted, especially after learning the aforementioned. Just sharing where I've been spiritually and am holding back on a lot of my theological and doctrinal education, believe it or not. In that spirit, I've gotta say that it's pretty incredible that nobody has soapboxed here so far--thanks all y'alls for keeping it civil. | ||
| Methed |
One other thing I'd like to mention is that I've found that not everyone with any faith, belief, or religious tendencies checks their brains at the door, especially concerning experience and science as often seems to be the assumption in this age. Really, you can apply philosophies like Occam's Razor or Pascal's Wager and likewise believe in a Creator without denying scientific theory and understanding. On that note, anyone ever noticed how science is regarded as the end-all truth, when by definition the origins of the word 'science' is the study of theories? So if you declare any scientific principal or discovery as absolute, have you crossed that aforementioned line between objectivity and subjectivity, and substitutionarily the line between logic and religion? Sorry, I guess that's more an issue of philosophy, isn't it? And now I've answered my own question with a question--crap, I've also started a sentence with a conjunction! Time to start 'MetheD's Less-Than-Serious Philosophy and Grammar Thread' (Message edited by methed on January 10, 2010) | ||
| Nik |
And now I've answered my own question with a question My point exactly! | ||
| 86129squids |
My $.02: "Jesus Is Just Allright" The Doobie Brothers Seriously, I do appreeciate this thread. Suddenly I'm reminded of the Tower of Babel, pardon me for babbling too. (Not to make light of seriousness, but's that what Jesus would do.) I try to live by Jesus' example, and my sister's as well. She just earned her Doctorate of Ministry from Asbury this past May! I'm quite proud of my sis. | ||
| Moxnix |
Re: Ecclesiastes 10:19, yep! Worldly wealth may be used wisely to gain eternal benefit by helping those in need here and now. I see nothing about worshiping mammon over God. Feasts ARE made for laughter and wine DOES make life merry. It is certainly sober advice to make a good living rather than squander one's wealth on drinking alcohol and stuffing oneself. If one gets inebriated and overeats, and I have a conversation with that person, am I speaking with the wine and effects of gluttony, or am I speaking with the unpolluted person? I read the verses before and after 10:19, then read the entire Chapter 10. I saw no instruction to have or not have feasts, to drink or not drink wine. | ||
| Moxnix |
The answer to the question is always the question itself. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
There are 315 prophesies in the OT fulfilled by Christ in the NT. ALL of the prophesies were ones that COULD NOT be manipulated by the man for fulfillment. I don't like loose ends. I tend to start with immutable constants and build from there. If God is God, then God knows all time beginning to end. If God knows all time beginning to end, then God CAN NOT be surprised. Nothing is unknown to Him. If can not be surprised, then God created man KNOWING he would fall. If God KNEW man would fall and this fall separated man from God, then God must have created a plan from the very beginning to restore this relationship. This led me to further questions. Not only did God KNOW man would fall, but God created the instrument of man's fall, the Tree of Knowledge (the exercise of free will). Before the creation of the Tree of Knowledge, God created the angels, Satan among these. Without Satan, there could be no evil and no path other than God. God created Satan KNOWING Satan would fall. In fact, Satan was a requirement for temptation of man and the first exercise of free will. Satan offered man the opportunity to be "like God", to be his OWN god. Man could choose a path of his own independent of the will of God. Large picture: God created man that MUST fall in order to fulfill the final extension of man's free will. Not only that, but God had to have created the means of restoration of the man/God relation in Christ. Knowing all time and being incapable of being surprised, God's solution wasn't after the fact. Christ existed with God before the world existed: The Word Became Flesh 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5 Only a fallen man could choose God of his free will. Only a fallen man could fully understand and appreciate completely the multiple facets of God's character. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
wow, sounds like some of you are beating that golden buell into some useful tools. I tried to get my head around some of Methed's writings ,, and there's some very good thoughts there. And I can offer a simple component that may enlighten. There are several scriptures that read "No man comes to the Son unless the Father draw him",,, No man comes the Father lest the Spirit draw him". This would show that God Himself has an intrest in You. Much of this comes at the propper timing,, usually at a time when your in a crisis, Or it could happen as a result of some you know that are praying for you and claiming your very soul for God. Whatever or however it happens its the Almighty that has the ground ready for your arrival. Like His own Word says "Behold, I Stand at the door and knock",, That would be Your Door, my friends. now we're talking about the door to you,, not necessarily your house. (Message edited by metalrabbit on January 10, 2010) | ||
| Methed |
Succinct again, FB. I was reading that thinking that very passage. I've used the fishbowl analogy for the concept of omniscience, omnipotence, etc. The guppy in the bowl knows know existence outside of the fishbowl, nor can it fathom where or whom its provision for life comes from. This also carries into concepts of time and space and how the existence of the Almighty outside of our realm--or fishbowl--means that he would not be bound by the natural laws we understand to be universal. While this idea has stemmed out of long discussions with people of science and people of faith, it is just an idea and historically attempts to fathom the divine have ended in lunacy or cults or both. It does interestingly put the Creator out of our time constraints, which is confirmed in the scripture where God describes himself as 'Alpha and Omega' and 'the same yesterday, today, and forever.' Which comes back to the Light, which was in the beginning and through Whom all things were made... | ||
| Methed |
Tangent: Is the BVT going to be made commercially available for human applications? If so, I think I just figured out an efficient way to power the Uly with sustainable bio-fuel recycled from onion rings and beer. Wonder if EBR will have an ECU program to handle something like that. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I'll welcome being shown anything in the Old or New Testaments of the Holy Scriptures that is not true, with supporting evidence. That's like saying free beer for anyone over 80 as long as they're accompanied by their parents. The questions asked are more important than the answers. True, and generally more interesting too. My recent religious reading has been the late great George Carlin's "When will Jesus bring the pork chops" Now there was a man who knew how to pose interesting questions & point out man's idiocies. Here's an apposite quote from the man; I find it discouraging - and a bit depressing - when I notice the unequal treatment afforded by the media to UFO believers on the one hand, and on the other, to those who believe in an invisible supreme being who inhabits the sky. | ||
| Aesquire |
Swampy, the reason Yoda didn't... is that ends the movie. Life isn't like that. Ever notice in the teen horror movies that when the girl finally does hit the unstoppable killer with an axe, she promptly drops it, turns away, and cries...so we can then see the killer rise to strike again? When we all know that immediate dismembering, separating the bits into piles in the yard, dousing them in gas & burning them while you stand ready with axe & extinguisher is the smart thing to do? The movie would be over. Also, all the dead teenager movies would be over in 5 minutes if just one of the little idiots was armed & smart.... but then no one would pay to see it. Now that I think about it, the girl dropping the axe & crying bit is a good analogy for U.S. terrorist policy. Sorry to digress. The point is that Lucas just did a vauge neopagan schtick to explain his magic users. It's really not great philosophy, it's just a movie. And, with rare exceptions, had bad dialog. I do love the Robot chicken bit on ep 5 when Darth does the "I am your Father" etc. Now, if we just make the BFT larger, then....cows could fly! ( you thought bird doo on your car was annoying! ) (Message edited by aesquire on January 10, 2010) |
