Am I a Fundamentalist Christian? - Part III
My answers to another comment by Jaco on my previous answers to his questions follows.
I agree to quite a bit of your first paragraphs. I agree that people tend to believe and accept Television and mainstream media far too easy, sometimes without the slightest opposition or questioning. With regards to Barack Obama being elected above John McCain and Sarah Palin, I believe that George Bush has done irreparable damage to the Republican Party and their hope to have a member as the American President. And John McCain did not do very well at proving he'll be much different either. I don't know enough about Sarah Palin and what she said to really comment. She did look like someone that might not really know enough regarding foreign affairs and international relations. Personally I think she was used in an attempt to attract the supporters of Hillary Clinton away from the Democrats. The fact that she suggests Young Earth Creation to be taught in schools alongside the theory of Evolution, made me want to jump for joy! At last someone not too afraid to question the theory of Evolution. More interesting however was the media's reaction to it. Two (of many) interesting articles on her and Creationism in the media. If you look at the reaction against her remarks coming from the mainstream media, do you really think the media is bias towards organised religion? If this is the reaction to a politician, what do you think happens to your scientific career when you dare question Evolution and long ages? And then you'll ask be where are all the politicians and scientists that believes in a Young Earth!
I share your sentiments on the use of sport and sensational news to divert the people's attention from the real important threats of society and governments. To divert them from caring for each other, helping each other, building a healthier more loving society, as preached by Jesus Christ. I agree on the "possibility of a coming One-World totalitarian dictatorship", but definitely not that organised religion is behind it. Perhaps some denominations, like the Roman Catholic Church, especially in ancient Europe, but not Charismatic believers in Jesus Christ seeking the truth in the Bible, not the Pope or some government.
So many times are "The West" or "America" confused with true followers of Jesus Christ. "Consumerism" and a lot of the bad things said about Christians are done by Americans, Europeans and Westerners that does not even have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That hardly ever attends Church or if they do, it is only to be seen, not really because they are seeking God's Word and fellowship with other Christians.
As for "Overpopulation". What is the solution? Should we start killing people? How about we start with the ones that complains about "overpopulation"? Or does the solution lie in killing millions and millions of innocent unborn babies?
If it weren't for the unfair trade practices of "The West" and corrupt governments, there will be no shortage of food at all. How is it that America and Europe consumes many times more resources than China and India which are far more densely populated? Do you say the world is overpopulated? Even when tonnes of food are discarded or left to rot in the fields because of an unrealistic price for it? Africa is probably one of the continents with the largest number of poor and starving people, yet Africa has a whole lot more potential to produce food that is currently being produced. Who's fault is this? America = The West = Christians = Jesus Christ?
"...homosexuality, pornography, abortion and euthanasia..." are not the cause of the problems of this world. They are a symptoms of the world's disregard for the Word of God, His Book of guidelines for a prosperous life. The cause of the problems is the disregard of the Word of God. Pornography and other forms of immorality are the cause of broken marriages, single parents, disregard for the value of life and the lives of children (born and unborn).
My belief is that "...the partnership between organized (Atheism) and the Global Elite perpetuates the exploitation and suffering in all countries under their influence. I therefore also believe that fundamentalist (Atheism) poses a threat to the welfare and progress of society."
Regarding the similarities between my beliefs and those of "organised religion", does the fact that I agree with the Pope, Hendrik Verwoerd, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther and Benny Hinn that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Almighty God, automatically make me agree with all the other things they said or did?
I am sure you agree with most if not all of what Richard Dawkins says? Do you also agree that life did not start by accident on Earth, but that it was brought here by some alien life? Although he denies that this "Alien life" could be God? And all he knows about this "Alien Life" is that it was not created by a super natural God? And the "mainstream media" regards him as one of the greatest minds of modern times! Is it only me rolling on the floor laughing?
Regarding your question:"Could the people of Europe have been more spiritual and less materialist if their ancient pagan beliefs were not replaced by organized Christianity?" It is my belief that if they believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His message as in the Bible, they would have been a lot "more spiritual and less materialist". If they were not influenced by Dawinism and Molecules-to-Man evolution, they would realise that they were created in the Image of God, and have valued life a whole lot more. They would have realised that the Bible NEVER mentions different human races. Anyhow, their "ancient pagan" beliefs are a lot more conservative than liberal atheists, mostly because these ancient cultures came from the grand children of Noah after the Tower of Babel. These cultures spread all over the world and what they were told by Grand Dad Noah, got modified and changed generation after generation, but still kept some core values of what a healthy society should look like.
Interesting argument you make about the existence of Evil to be proof that there is no God. Perhaps I should ask, what is Evil? How do you define Evil? How do you determine if some act or some person is Evil? What is your basis for Morality? Evil can only be defined in terms of what is Good, can it not? What is your criteria for Good? On what basis do you decide murder, rape, theft, etc. is Wrong?
I believe in the Bible as the Word of God. The basis of my Morality is His Word. The reason why I think murder, rape, theft, etc. is wrong and evil, is because God said so. He knows that those are things that are not good for the children He loves. Again, what is your criteria when you decide something is good or bad?
To understand the following explanation as to why there is still Evil in this world, you need to fully understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is "foolishness" to the gentiles, according to the Bible. But I'll still give my interpretation of it for the record.
Lastly, concerning your comment:"If a husband cannot love his wife if he likes to look at or fantasize about other naked women, it implies that the majority of the married men I whom I know, don’t really love their wives." Let me rephrase, to say what I mean: A man that fantasize about any women other than his own wife, cannot even hope to have a marriage as happy as God intended for them. Any man thinking that fantasizing about other women does not damage or at least limit his relationship with his wife, must be as "brilliant" as Richard Dawkins.
ps. To the Christians out there that thinks the debate around the origins of the Universe and the debate about a thousands of years old Universe and Earth vs. a billions of years old Universe and Earth is not important, read through the "Am I a Fundamentalist Christian" posts on this blog and their comments and tell me what you think.
I agree to quite a bit of your first paragraphs. I agree that people tend to believe and accept Television and mainstream media far too easy, sometimes without the slightest opposition or questioning. With regards to Barack Obama being elected above John McCain and Sarah Palin, I believe that George Bush has done irreparable damage to the Republican Party and their hope to have a member as the American President. And John McCain did not do very well at proving he'll be much different either. I don't know enough about Sarah Palin and what she said to really comment. She did look like someone that might not really know enough regarding foreign affairs and international relations. Personally I think she was used in an attempt to attract the supporters of Hillary Clinton away from the Democrats. The fact that she suggests Young Earth Creation to be taught in schools alongside the theory of Evolution, made me want to jump for joy! At last someone not too afraid to question the theory of Evolution. More interesting however was the media's reaction to it. Two (of many) interesting articles on her and Creationism in the media. If you look at the reaction against her remarks coming from the mainstream media, do you really think the media is bias towards organised religion? If this is the reaction to a politician, what do you think happens to your scientific career when you dare question Evolution and long ages? And then you'll ask be where are all the politicians and scientists that believes in a Young Earth!
I share your sentiments on the use of sport and sensational news to divert the people's attention from the real important threats of society and governments. To divert them from caring for each other, helping each other, building a healthier more loving society, as preached by Jesus Christ. I agree on the "possibility of a coming One-World totalitarian dictatorship", but definitely not that organised religion is behind it. Perhaps some denominations, like the Roman Catholic Church, especially in ancient Europe, but not Charismatic believers in Jesus Christ seeking the truth in the Bible, not the Pope or some government.
So many times are "The West" or "America" confused with true followers of Jesus Christ. "Consumerism" and a lot of the bad things said about Christians are done by Americans, Europeans and Westerners that does not even have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That hardly ever attends Church or if they do, it is only to be seen, not really because they are seeking God's Word and fellowship with other Christians.
As for "Overpopulation". What is the solution? Should we start killing people? How about we start with the ones that complains about "overpopulation"? Or does the solution lie in killing millions and millions of innocent unborn babies?
If it weren't for the unfair trade practices of "The West" and corrupt governments, there will be no shortage of food at all. How is it that America and Europe consumes many times more resources than China and India which are far more densely populated? Do you say the world is overpopulated? Even when tonnes of food are discarded or left to rot in the fields because of an unrealistic price for it? Africa is probably one of the continents with the largest number of poor and starving people, yet Africa has a whole lot more potential to produce food that is currently being produced. Who's fault is this? America = The West = Christians = Jesus Christ?
"...homosexuality, pornography, abortion and euthanasia..." are not the cause of the problems of this world. They are a symptoms of the world's disregard for the Word of God, His Book of guidelines for a prosperous life. The cause of the problems is the disregard of the Word of God. Pornography and other forms of immorality are the cause of broken marriages, single parents, disregard for the value of life and the lives of children (born and unborn).
My belief is that "...the partnership between organized (Atheism) and the Global Elite perpetuates the exploitation and suffering in all countries under their influence. I therefore also believe that fundamentalist (Atheism) poses a threat to the welfare and progress of society."
Regarding the similarities between my beliefs and those of "organised religion", does the fact that I agree with the Pope, Hendrik Verwoerd, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther and Benny Hinn that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Almighty God, automatically make me agree with all the other things they said or did?
I am sure you agree with most if not all of what Richard Dawkins says? Do you also agree that life did not start by accident on Earth, but that it was brought here by some alien life? Although he denies that this "Alien life" could be God? And all he knows about this "Alien Life" is that it was not created by a super natural God? And the "mainstream media" regards him as one of the greatest minds of modern times! Is it only me rolling on the floor laughing?
Regarding your question:"Could the people of Europe have been more spiritual and less materialist if their ancient pagan beliefs were not replaced by organized Christianity?" It is my belief that if they believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His message as in the Bible, they would have been a lot "more spiritual and less materialist". If they were not influenced by Dawinism and Molecules-to-Man evolution, they would realise that they were created in the Image of God, and have valued life a whole lot more. They would have realised that the Bible NEVER mentions different human races. Anyhow, their "ancient pagan" beliefs are a lot more conservative than liberal atheists, mostly because these ancient cultures came from the grand children of Noah after the Tower of Babel. These cultures spread all over the world and what they were told by Grand Dad Noah, got modified and changed generation after generation, but still kept some core values of what a healthy society should look like.
Interesting argument you make about the existence of Evil to be proof that there is no God. Perhaps I should ask, what is Evil? How do you define Evil? How do you determine if some act or some person is Evil? What is your basis for Morality? Evil can only be defined in terms of what is Good, can it not? What is your criteria for Good? On what basis do you decide murder, rape, theft, etc. is Wrong?
I believe in the Bible as the Word of God. The basis of my Morality is His Word. The reason why I think murder, rape, theft, etc. is wrong and evil, is because God said so. He knows that those are things that are not good for the children He loves. Again, what is your criteria when you decide something is good or bad?
To understand the following explanation as to why there is still Evil in this world, you need to fully understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is "foolishness" to the gentiles, according to the Bible. But I'll still give my interpretation of it for the record.
- God created the Universe, Earth, Man and the Angels in Heaven, perfectly. No Evil, no Death, nobody and nothing Bad.
- God decided to give the Angels and Man a free will. Without the choice to follow and love, one cannot be a follower and one cannot love.
- Lucifer, one of the Angels, decided to rebel against God. How stupid can you be?
- Lucifer with all his followers (all angels) were cast out of heaven and were made less than Man. This by the way happened AFTER the Creation Week.
- The devil (Lucifer) then wanted to get back at God by making his most priced created being, the Children made in His Image, rebel against Him.
- Adam (Man) believed the lies of the devil and did not correct his wife, Eve. By doing so, he brought separation between God and Man (and his descendants). His actions cursed the whole Universe and brought Death into the World. How stupid can you be!!!?
- God did however decide not to destroy Man and the World immediately, but His law stated that Sin will bring Death, and since He is a God of Absolute Integrity, he does not even bend or break His own laws.
- Although Man was now cursed and Death came to this World, they still lived much better lives than we do today. Man and animal were all vegetarian and they lived very long lives. Their DNA were almost perfect still, which is why Cain could marry a close relative, probably his sister, with no bad consequence. Even Abraham married his half sister. It was only in the time of Moses and the Israelites when Man's DNA has degenerated so badly, that marrying close relatives increased the danger of inheriting the same bad gene from both parents and thus having disastrous consequences.
- But God had already made a plan to save Man from eternal death, as Man deserved from rebelling against God.
- Unfortunately things became much worse and about 2500BC, God decided to wipe out the whole Earth, except for 8 people and 1 pair of each Kind of Animal (and 7 of some "clean" animals). The rest of the world were destroyed in a World Wide Flood. The result of this world wide flood are millions and millions of dead things buried in rock layers all over the world. Together with huge canyons, bend rock formations, etc.
- About 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son, to give us an example of how He wanted us to live, to teach a few people about His Gospel and then He got crucified to die for all of Mankind's sins against God. God did not bend or break His law, He decided to pay dearly for the sins of Man and thereby saving his children from eternal death.
- When Jesus Christ was resurrected super-naturally, Death was conquered and thereby Evil as well.
- Why God allows the devil and his followers to still roam the earth between His Resurrection and His Second Coming, I do not know. I have some ideas, but those are mine. Fact is, God allows the devil to still roam the world, but one day Jesus Christ will return, and it will be the end of the devil's reign in the world.
- Because of the Law God made when the Universe was still perfect, the people that does not accept Him and still does not accept His Son as their Saviour, will still face internal death.
- I am however free to decide. I am free to decide to do Good or Bad. I am free to decide to follow Jesus Christ or reject Him. I will however carry the consequences of my decisions, because God will never as much as bend one of His laws.
Lastly, concerning your comment:"If a husband cannot love his wife if he likes to look at or fantasize about other naked women, it implies that the majority of the married men I whom I know, don’t really love their wives." Let me rephrase, to say what I mean: A man that fantasize about any women other than his own wife, cannot even hope to have a marriage as happy as God intended for them. Any man thinking that fantasizing about other women does not damage or at least limit his relationship with his wife, must be as "brilliant" as Richard Dawkins.
ps. To the Christians out there that thinks the debate around the origins of the Universe and the debate about a thousands of years old Universe and Earth vs. a billions of years old Universe and Earth is not important, read through the "Am I a Fundamentalist Christian" posts on this blog and their comments and tell me what you think.
posted by Danie Loots | 14:00
1 Comments:
The mainstream media contains a lot of propaganda for organized religion. There are regular articles about religious issues in all the main Afrikaans newspapers, e.g. Beeld and Rapport, as well as in the major Afrikaans magazines. Because they don’t support Young Earth Creationism, doesn’t mean that they don’t publish articles promoting mainstream organized religion. I don’t argue that organized religion is the power behind the push for the One-World Government, but that organized religion is used by the Global Elite (who are themselves in no way believers in the supposed truths of organized religion), to keep the people of the world in bondage. The ownership of the mainstream media is also mainly in the hands of the Global Elite. The Global Elite, or so-called Illuminati, is in control of most of the world’s governments, especially the American, British and Israeli governments, and they use their control over these governments, the ownership of the mainstream media and ecumenical religious organizations to indoctrinate people into acceptance of the One-World dictatorship.
Most of the American, European and old South African (white) cultures and governments of recent years, have been influenced to a large degree by the doctrines of orthodox Christianity. The empty consumerism which is found among most of the people of the west, is a direct result of the fact that proper spiritual values were not taught to these people. Perhaps there is an interdependent relationship between the materialism of Americans and Europeans and the Christian influence on their cultures? Perhaps the "heathen" people of India and China are more "spiritual" in some ways and less driven by excessive consumerism. Real spiritual values help people to address all the problems of the world and help them to solve these problems. Real spirituality causes a feeling of empathy and underlying oneness with all the inhabitants of the world, including plants, animals and people from different parts of the world.
People who see themselves as nonreligious, atheist or agnostic are the most suppressed minority in the United States of America. Approximately 16% of Americans are part of this substantial minority, but they are the most despised and discriminated-against minority in that country – even more than gays, black people or Jewish people. The United States government is the most powerful government in the world today, and also the strongest arm of the Global Elite. If it was part of this government’s policies to force secular and atheist values and teachings about evolution onto their citizens, why is it almost impossible for an outspoken atheist to get elected to the American Senate or House of Representatives?
You say that the Bible never mentions different human races. Did you know that the people of Israel were known as the chosen people of the God of the Old Testament? The main theme throughout the Old Testament is the relationship between the people of Israel and their tribal god Yahweh! The racist ideology of many Zionists and followers of Christian Identity is based on this message of the Old Testament. The justification for the existence of the state of Israel, is based mainly on ideas which were propagated by people who believed in the literal Divinely inspired truth of the Old Testament.
There is a definite correlation between the overpopulation problem in the third world and the so-called "blessings" which were bestowed onto the African countries by way of western technology, colonialism and medical sciences. The western colonial powers gladly used organized Christianity’s evangelical imperative to spread the "message of Christ" to the "uncivilized world". During this time, cheap labor was used by the mining, industrial and agricultural industries, which was the main reason for the population explosion all over Africa. I don’t know how we are going to solve the problems of overpopulation or the problems of South Africa or Zimbabwe in the immediate future, but I know where we can look for the main cause of these problems.
I believe that the Global Elite has an atheist and materialist attitude, which corresponds to their quest for absolute power. They have a fascist, racist and Satanist (LaVeyan Satanist) attitude which is the opposite of proper spiritual values. They use religion to keep real knowledge about the nature of God and the purpose of their lives from people. There was a split many years ago between the Illuminati (Satanists), and the Masters of Wisdom (gnostics). The modern day Global Elite are the descendants of these Satanists. They used exoteric religion (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) in their efforts to replace proper spiritual values (many of the old pagan religions), with false religious principles based on fear.
I definitely do not agree with most of Richard Dawkins’ ideas. He’s got a cynical and materialist attitude towards any spiritual or "supernatural" belief system. I believe that he has a lot of valid complaints against orthodox religious ideas about the concept of God, but he doesn’t have any convincing arguments about which belief system should be substituted for these religious concepts. I believe that it is time for humanity to replace these oppressive religious beliefs with proper spiritual values.
The "Evil" that I mentioned in my previous comment, is the concept "Evil" as defined by fundamentalist, literalist interpretations of the Bible. This "Evil" definitely exists in the world, if you believe in literalist Christian ideas about morality. It is this concept that the atheists refer to in their argument. Personally I don’t believe in the existence of this Evil and the contrast between Good and Evil that you refer to. The bad things in the world happen because of people mistaking illusionary deceptions for that which they believe to be "real". According to some of the Gnostics of ancient times, even the Creator of the world, the Demiurge (Yahweh of the Old Testament), was under the illusion that he was the real Almighty God of the Cosmos.
I want to reiterate my previous argument about the supposed omnipotence of the theists’ God. If Lucifer rebelled against this God, and if Lucifer was created by this God, then God is indirectly responsible for the "Evil" caused by Lucifer and all the other created "sinners" in the world. To argue otherwise, is to imply that the God of the theists isn’t really as all-powerful as His followers say He is! Perhaps He is not directly responsible for "Evil", but He definitely is ultimately responsible for "Evil" and suffering in the world. Perhaps the existence of all of this "Evil" and suffering is justified by the eventual ultimate triumph of the "Good"? Perhaps when this ultimate triumph happens, the Devil will be defeated by "God" and the Devil’s influence on earth will end, but "Evil" will still continue in the depths of hell where the Devil will suffer with the rest of all the unbelievers for all eternity?!
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