Are the World’s Religions Near Their End?

[Truthabounds]

I would prefer it if the atheistic group on here did not answer this question. Because I know what they think. I want to see what religionists think.

[daisya]

As this is "the hell" we're living in I for one shall be glad if the world ends and puts us all out of our misery....evil abounds despite your "god" being in charge.

[naomi24]

Il_billym, you asked me a question, which I answered, but I got no response, so I don't know if you saw it.

http://www.theanswerb...uestion1073771-1.html

[Truthabounds]

Birdie:
This is where understanding and discernment come into play.
True, we cannot say how much faith a person has. True many people say they are Christian but sometimes that is just a title. Their actions belie their words. Take for example the Mafia. They call themselves Catholics - appear to be benevolent and yet behind the scenes they can be positively wicked. Even Jesus said about the religious leaders of his day, "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying:  “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses.  Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. (Matt. 23 v 1 - 3)
So how do we, the man in the street, know just how much faith these people have in God if we cannot even trust the religious leaders?
With regard to Abraham. God had no intention of letting Abraham sacrifice Isaac. He had already promised Abraham that it was through this son that the nations would bless themselves. If Isaac was killed that would not happen. Again discernment takes its place here. This was a prophetic picture of God offering up Christ as a sacrifice for the sinful human race.
Bible reading and Bible understanding are two different things.

[naomi24]

//Bible reading and Bible understanding are two different things.//

Bible reading and making it up as you go along are also two different things. I've rarely read such claptrap!

//God had no intention of letting Abraham sacrifice Isaac.//

So why tell him to do it? It's a twisted, malicious, mind that torments people. That is one sick God you have there.

[Truthabounds]

Naomi: As I said Reading and Understanding are two different things. Not making it up - If you know your Bible as you say you do, you will know full well that Abraham was being put to the test. He proved his faith in God knowing that even if Isaac did die he would be resurrected - otherwise how could God's promise at Genesis 22 v 18 be fulfilled?
It is not a load of claptrap. It is you not having understanding.

[naomi24]

Truthabounds, So it's my lack of understanding? Well, if that's the case, I can only say I'm delighted that I don't possess your understanding. A God who deliberately puts a human being to an unnecessary and maliciously cruel test when he knows the outcome before the test begins is nothing less than a twisted, evil, psychopathic, monster. You pride yourself on your understanding of this creature, but frankly, anyone who can find the slightest justification in such an act - and deem this appalling God worthy of adoration - should, in my opinion, seriously examine his own mental stability. If you people are the good guys, as you claim to be, then Zeus help us all!! A mindset such as yours would scare the 'hell' out of me!

[jomifl]

Truthy.. How do you know what atheists think, you must be one of the last people to have the faintest clue as to what atheists think. Your mind set is so far removed from that of an atheist that you wouldn't believe one if they told you.

[Truthabounds]

If God is as evil and as maliciously cruel as you make out, we would not be here today, he could easily have got rid of all those who prefer not to know him but he chooses to allow all to live to give them the chance of coming to really know him, and not the evil malicious and cruel god that is ruling this world at this time. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life so that people like you and me could have the opportunity of living in a world without evil. But it appears that is the life you want anyway.

[Truthabounds]

As much as you hate my quoting from the Bible - it tells us that the "god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers that the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through" in that same letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote "and no wonder for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light."

[LazyGun]

Only if you accept that there is a god. Only if you accept that the bible has meanings above basic morality tales and xenophobia and fear to keep the followers in line.

Those who believe in god twist everything. Were the bible true, the evidence is that god is a sociopath - A sociopath moreover that chooses not to eliminate those who disbelieve, but who is sufficiently twisted that they would like us all to experience the joy of the "stockholm syndrome".

[jomifl]

Truth.. Now, how many gods are there apart from ' the evil malicious and cruel god that is ruling this world at this time.' Is there a list somewhere? please let us know, it would save you having to answer so many questions.

[naomi24]

Truthabounds, //If God is as evil and as maliciously cruel as you make out,//

I'm not 'making out' - that account - and more - is there in black and white!

//Jesus Christ sacrificed his life so that people like you and me could have the opportunity of living in a world without evil..//

I doubt that very much, because again, there is no reason for a supposedly omnipotent God to condemn a man to such a cruel and unnecessary death. None whatsoever! Your God can do anything he wants, can't he? But no, he doesn't do it with love and compassion - he does it with blood, brutality and threats - and that is his history! How any caring human being can admire that is completely beyond me.

//But it appears that is the life you want anyway//

It does? Tell my why I'm evil.

[mibn2cweus]

How 'kind' of Him to intentionally blind us to His 'mercy' before casting us into His lake of fire. But then I suppose it all must make perfect sense to someone who having foregone the inconvenience of acquiring a rational mind can not be condemned for having used it.

[Redheadthere]

So we still haven`t found an answer then?

[Redheadthere]

And that`s why, Sophomoric, I hardly ever bother to join in a debate on "Is there a God, or isn`t there?" Good to watch though!