I have a question about christianity.

[craziii]

is it true that about 40% of americans believe the adam and eve story to be literal? like it actually happened? I was told this and now I am seeking confirmation.

[Elfdude]

Last I heard it was higher than that. Closer to 50%.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1571127.html

Yes, the US is a very backwards country in some respects.

[Dr Zoidberg]

It's somewhat ironic for a country that generates so much advancement in science and technology.

[Elfdude]

It's somewhat ironic for a country that generates so much advancement in science and technology.

I like to think that the quality of people in the US are as diverse as the gap between the rich and the poor here. We've got the dumbest of the dumb and the smartest of the smart. We've got the most ingenius, and the most moronic. It's a country of contrasts I suppose.

[Col. Tartleton]

I like to think that the quality of people in the US are as diverse as the gap between the rich and the poor here. We've got the dumbest of the dumb and the smartest of the smart. We've got the most ingenius, and the most moronic. It's a country of contrasts I suppose.

Which is why when people try to show statistics of the US against other countries it's BS.

Britain is the same way. It's why we Brits and Americans always look lousy on average comparisons. It's part of the Anglo culture.

No matter what we do, we inevitably will have an ignorant poor underclass and a envy of the world upper crust. It's our nature.

I feel it's funny I just read something which said 1/3 of Americans now say they're in the lower class. Which, given that there are 3 classes: upper, middle, and lower, would just mean that people finally understand where they stand and have a realistic perspective. Logically 1/3 of the people are lower class. 1/3 of the people are middle class, and 1/3 of the people are upper class. I mean let's be realistic, way more than 1/3 of the people are lower class. 1/3 might be in the lowest third of the income range, but that's not class.

[Elfdude]

No matter what we do, we inevitably will have an ignorant poor underclass and a envy of the world upper crust. It's our nature.

Haha. That really isn't true and hasn't always been true for Brits or Americans but it certainly explains your politics.

I feel it's funny I just read something which said 1/3 of Americans now say they're in the lower class. Which, given that there are 3 classes: upper, middle, and lower, would just mean that people finally understand where they stand and have a realistic perspective. Logically 1/3 of the people are lower class. 1/3 of the people are middle class, and 1/3 of the people are upper class. I mean let's be realistic, way more than 1/3 of the people are lower class. 1/3 might be in the lowest third of the income range, but that's not class.

Actually if you want to proportionalize it the majority of the US is in the lower class, there is a very narrow middle class and a tiny upper class. In england that's not quite the case with a much much better distribution of income. Which is to say with a better distribution of income we could elevate many more people into the realm of the best of the best. Those that are there are rarely there through effort of their own. I'm a great example.

[The Dude]

This actually connects to a greater point I've been making for a while: a lot of christians believe in magic. If you believe that the Bible is a factual retelling of events, then you believe in magic. The Bible is full of instances where magic is practiced in one way or another. Now a lot of the people who think this are somehow involved in government. Which means that part of the American government believes in magic.

Which is ed up.

[Dr Zoidberg]

This actually connects to a greater point I've been making for a while: a lot of christians believe in magic. If you believe that the Bible is a factual retelling of events, then you believe in magic. The Bible is full of instances where magic is practiced in one way or another. Now a lot of the people who think this are somehow involved in government. Which means that part of the American government believes in magic.

Which is ed up.

I'll go with that. You've only got to look at the divide between Mormonism and other Christian denominations in the US to see it.

"Jesus coming to America in the 1800s?" Absolutely ridiculous.

"Jesus dying and coming back alive three days later?" Now that makes sense.

[Valden]

This actually connects to a greater point I've been making for a while: a lot of christians believe in magic. If you believe that the Bible is a factual retelling of events, then you believe in magic. The Bible is full of instances where magic is practiced in one way or another. Now a lot of the people who think this are somehow involved in government. Which means that part of the American government believes in magic.

It isn't really possible for this issue to be explored beyond your assertions unless you define what you mean by magic and offer biblical examples.

[The Dude]

It isn't really possible for this issue to be explored beyond your assertions unless you define what you mean by magic and offer biblical examples.

No, you see, that would actually do very little good. Because then this would degenerate into a quote-a-thon where I would post blatant examples of magic and you would, against all reason, try to somehow prove that they are not magic. And we'd both be tremendously wasting our time. The presence of magic in the bible does not depend on us having this discussion, fortunately.

[Valden]

No, you see, that would actually do very little good. Because then this would degenerate into a quote-a-thon where I would post blatant examples of magic and you would, against all reason, try to somehow prove that they are not magic. And we'd both be tremendously wasting our time. The presence of magic in the bible does not depend on us having this discussion, fortunately.

Whatever fantasy you possess about how the discussion would take place is irrelevant; you are refusing to offer evidence for your assertions and justifying this by outrageously accusing me of acting "against all reason" when you do not even know what my position on Biblical criticism is.

[Elfdude]

Whatever fantasy you possess about how the discussion would take place is irrelevant; you are refusing to offer evidence for your assertions and justifying this by outrageously accusing me of acting "against all reason" when you do not even know what my position on Biblical criticism is.

Your opinion on the subject is well known. Let's take the most obvious example and we'll leave it to you to respond. The israelites traveled in the desert for 40 years with no food. This is magic.

[basics]

" is it true that about 40% of americans believe the adam and eve story to be literal? like it actually happened? I was told this and now I am seeking confirmation."

craziii,

Peter wrote that since the beginning, till his time, and into the future there would be mockers and so it is as we can see from these threads. The thing is that Jews can trace their lineage back to Noah and through him some all the way back to Adam. That being the case then he was as is written about him, a real man.

But let's not rest there because the " seed " of the woman, Eve, who would come in time to contend with Satan for the souls of men turns out to be Jesus of Nazareth whom some 300 prophecies were made and fulfilled because He was a real man albeit a very special One in the flesh. He believed that Adam was real enough, enough indeed to be called the second Adam in whom it was possible for man to return to God.

And so He should, because He is the Creator who formed that man out of the dust of the earth. And, out of him He made Eve, the very woman of whom it was written after being prophecied, that He should come in time to legalise, to make sure, that man in his fallen state could return to God. Of course the big argument always comes from them that don't know Him, have never experienced Him, so their claims must be correct. A bit like the evolutionary theory they hold so dear.

If Adam never existed then neither did Eve and from her nothing else in human form. Just the illusion that nothing made something of itself and here we are. How stupid is that?

[The Dude]

" is it true that about 40% of americans believe the adam and eve story to be literal? like it actually happened? I was told this and now I am seeking confirmation."

craziii,

Peter wrote that since the beginning, till his time, and into the future there would be mockers and so it is as we can see from these threads.

If Peter said there would be mockers then why are so concerned that his predictions came true? Why try to avert the mocking, when this is exactly as Peter said it would be? Isn't it good this way? Or could it be that you argue with his mockers because deep down inside you feel like what Peter said is less important than the fact others mock your magic faith?

[basics]

" If Peter said there would be mockers then why are so concerned that his predictions came true? Why try to avert the mocking, when this is exactly as Peter said it would be? Isn't it good this way? Or could it be that you argue with his mockers because deep down inside you feel like what Peter said is less important than the fact others mock your magic faith?"

The Dude,

What Peter was talking about was that these mockers were saying or asking, where is this Christ of his since the world to them was carrying on as it has always done. They couldn't see what Peter and the others with him had experienced because the prophecies had rung true and Christ had changed their lives. Today's world is just the same. Men still ask where is the evidence? The evidence is in men and women like me who have had the changes rung in our lives so that we are left in no doubt as to the future. You call it magic faith in a mocking fashion, nonetheless it is a little more than just magic especially when it can take the most worthless person and make him or her a light for Jesus Christ.

There isn't a person written of in all Scripture who came willingly to God without a certain degree of uncertainty and I include the disciples in this. They had already seen and heard the Baptist so to a certain extent preparation had already taken effect but nonetheless right up until Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost certainty was not exact. You haven't as yet received what they did therefore it is quite natural for you to have other thoughts on the matter. If you do receive the marvelous gift of God as I pray you might, then your outlook will be totally different.

[Aeneas Veneratio]

" If Peter said there would be mockers then why are so concerned that his predictions came true? Why try to avert the mocking, when this is exactly as Peter said it would be? Isn't it good this way? Or could it be that you argue with his mockers because deep down inside you feel like what Peter said is less important than the fact others mock your magic faith?"

The Dude,

What Peter was talking about was that these mockers were saying or asking, where is this Christ of his since the world to them was carrying on as it has always done. They couldn't see what Peter and the others with him had experienced because the prophecies had rung true and Christ had changed their lives. Today's world is just the same. Men still ask where is the evidence? The evidence is in men and women like me who have had the changes rung in our lives so that we are left in no doubt as to the future. You call it magic faith in a mocking fashion, nonetheless it is a little more than just magic especially when it can take the most worthless person and make him or her a light for Jesus Christ.

There isn't a person written of in all Scripture who came willingly to God without a certain degree of uncertainty and I include the disciples in this. They had already seen and heard the Baptist so to a certain extent preparation had already taken effect but nonetheless right up until Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost certainty was not exact. You haven't as yet received what they did therefore it is quite natural for you to have other thoughts on the matter. If you do receive the marvelous gift of God as I pray you might, then your outlook will be totally different.

All I am capable of reading from your posts is, indoctrination and homeschooling are bad! Another thing, is Christianity a monotheistic religion or polytheistic religion? You got two gods (the god and his son) and a holy ghost...

You do realize, what we do to wannabe prophets these days? We lock them up in a mental institute and provide them with treatment.

@sumskilz: They really should alter that story to the other version then, to avoid misinterpretations.

[sumskilz]

@sumskilz: They really should alter that story to the other version then, to avoid misinterpretations.

The problem is that double entendres and cultural context don’t translate well. The moment you translate you are narrowing the interpretation to a specific view. The Christian tradition was largely built on the Septuagint which was a Greek translation. Hellenistic influence changed the position of women in society, so the Septuagint reflects a different cultural context. The New Revised Standard Version which is based on modern scholarship taking into account the Dead Sea Scrolls, translates 1:27 basically the way I have. Some translations have tsela as “side” (as in one side of), others have it as “rib”. Both are correct but they create a completely different image.

[MaximiIian]

Another thing, is Christianity a monotheistic religion or polytheistic religion? You got two gods (the god and his son) and a holy ghost...

I am a polytheist. I practise a polytheistic religion. Christianity, sir, is no polytheistic religion.
Its form of monotheism is a bit strange, but the trinity is monotheistic. The godhead is emanated in three ways; it is not considered to be three beings. And since self-identification, self-definition, and freedom of conscience are paramount--what they consider something to be in their religion is the definition that actually counts.

[basics]

" All I am capable of reading from your posts is, indoctrination and homeschooling are bad! Another thing, is Christianity a monotheistic religion or polytheistic religion? You got two gods (the god and his son) and a holy ghost... You do realize, what we do to wannabe prophets these days? We lock them up in a mental institute and provide them with treatment."

Aeneas Veneratio,

First off all I do is repeat what is written because what is written is the power of God unto salvation. Therefore it cannot be indoctrination as nothing can pierce that skull of yours unless by God Himself. The Godhead is exactly as the word implies. It means that God has three Personalities that can act independently of each other without diversifying from the core principle, which is to bring certain people to Himself, yet still be One Person. Put another way, each cannot differ from the other simply because they are One.

Now regarding the latter part, can I say that I am no prophet and have never made what would even appear to be a prophecy. As I said all that I can do is tell of what is written and its efficacy in the lives of all them that God has brought into His family and is doing whilst I write. What you are free to do is not believe but what you are incapable of doing is to talk about an experience you know nothing of. Now does that penetrate or does it not? Just for the benefit of the readers, what prophets have you had locked away?

[Aeneas Veneratio]

If Adam never existed then neither did Eve and from her nothing else in human form. Just the illusion that nothing made something of itself and here we are. How stupid is that?

Not stupid, it's called "EVOLUTION".

The Adam and Eve story is extremely male chauvinistic... Women are a "product" of men...Seriously?