Have you been Born Again?

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: mizzou
listening to people argue about religions makes me want to gag

Just live a simple decent life

If that solves our problems then you have right to say there is no point in religion, there is a morality tale in every religion that every man should follow. However one cannot live a simple life, it's in our nature to discover and to create things, to find the truth. In other words we try to improve ourselves.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider
To be completely honest I have never in my life had anyone walk up to me at school, in a restaurant, at a movie, at a concert, at the pub, at the grocery store, on the golf course, in the bathroom, at the office, on the moon or anywhere else I didn't name and attempt to evangelize to me. I have spent my entire life except for the last one year in major metro areas with millions of people (Chicago and Orlando).

My personal experience makes me think these sort of events aren't all that common. With the amount of religious congregations in the the areas I lived (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc) you would think that in all those years someone would have "gotten" to me. Wrong. It's never happened to me.

Obviously it's happening to some amount of people because once in a blue moon I hear someone complain about having 30 seconds of their day stolen by some religious servant like I am supposed to believe they would have been making millions of dollars on Wall Street, curing cancer or aids or making peace in the Middle East of they just had those 30 seconds back.

It happened all the time where I used to live, but that was in the bible belt *shrug*

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: theman

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
and I hate it when I hear yet another atheist scream about evolution, or prayer in schools, or abortion, etc....

they only do it in response to the ridiculousness of the people who actually think we should be teaching ignorance in schools.

spontaneous explosions that defy all laws of thermodynamics? sounds like ignorance to me, hyprocrite.

When did he mention the big bang?

I believe he was talking about the policy of ignoring certain pertinent subjects in modern public school, but I could be wrong.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: Pale Rider
To be completely honest I have never in my life had anyone walk up to me at school, in a restaurant, at a movie, at a concert, at the pub, at the grocery store, on the golf course, in the bathroom, at the office, on the moon or anywhere else I didn't name and attempt to evangelize to me. I have spent my entire life except for the last one year in major metro areas with millions of people (Chicago and Orlando).

My personal experience makes me think these sort of events aren't all that common. With the amount of religious congregations in the the areas I lived (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc) you would think that in all those years someone would have "gotten" to me. Wrong. It's never happened to me.

Obviously it's happening to some amount of people because once in a blue moon I hear someone complain about having 30 seconds of their day stolen by some religious servant like I am supposed to believe they would have been making millions of dollars on Wall Street, curing cancer or aids or making peace in the Middle East of they just had those 30 seconds back.

It happened all the time where I used to live, but that was in the bible belt *shrug*

It's never happened to me. One of my coworkers has made a few clearly non confrontational comments -- trying to convince me, but that's all I've ever encountered. Ah, the blessings of living in Nevada.

 

[IGBT]

..when you count the number of times born, they're actually born again born again.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I've never been asked that. heh.

my generic response to religious questions is that I was born a Catholic, but my parents were Christmas/Easter Christians and while I believe in god, I don't presume to know which, if any, religion is the one true religion.

..who are they guys that pass around rattle snakes?? when they go to church?

 

[Nohr]

I've had church ladies in their Sunday dresses knock on my door at 9-10am on a weekend morning. I guess they think the no solicitors sign at the apartment complex entrance doesn't apply to them. I've been stopped before by a few strangers in parking lots but at least they don't wake me up.

 

[between]

 

[sandorski]

Proper response: Have you been Baptized in the Blood of Satan?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

my reply is usually something about the Antichrist only being born once

 

[Turkish]

Dude, I lived in Northwest Kansas (Almena) for a year. I am an atheist so think of all I had to go through. I was a foreign exchange student and my host parents were religious nutjubs. They were nice people other than being religious but the fact that they tried to convert me to Christianity every single hour of every single day was enough for me to not like them. Also this is a town with a population of 400 (including chickens and cows that is), you can guess how fast I were crucified for being an atheist I still tried to fit in though by going to church with the host family on sundays, but sat on the very back row playing Gameboy the whole time (that was the coolest thing back then).

 

[Wheezer]

I have had this happen to me several times and my response generally is this:

"I prefer not to talk religion or politics at work, I find it can get a bit complicated and I can pretty much guarantee that you are not going to like my opinions, most don't."

"So let's save ourselves a bunch of headache and move on to something else, otherwise one of us will walk away frustrated and angry, and it will not be me."

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: irishScott
Lol. Once I was having lunch in the University student center, and these 2 guys from the Orthodox Christian Fellowship noticed me and asked "hey, do you mind if we talk to you about religion?". I had time to kill, ended up in a 1.5 hour religious debate of hilarious proportions. One of the guys turned out to be the son of the Dean of Engineering, but he seemed fairly accepting of my views (I'm Deist). The other guy, however, made this poorly concealed frown every time I said something anti-religious. It was priceless. I ended up dropping a few lines just to get that look and had to squelch the crap out of my laugh reflex.

Eventually they finally got that they were wasting their time and left. The guy who made the frown gave me his email and said he'd keep that email forever just in case I wanted to contact him about "bringing myself to Christ". I still have it, and I'm half tempted to wait 5 years and send him an email. If he responds, send back a "No, just checking." :laugh: :evil:

You must do it for the epic LULZ...

 

[Atomic Playboy]

SlitheryDee: Just tell him you haven't been born again, but you were hatched once, and you're not anxious to repeat the process.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
SlitheryDee: Just tell him you haven't been born again, but you were hatched once, and you're not anxious to repeat the process.

I thought the stork brought him.

 

[meltdown75]

religious lulz

 

[dennilfloss]

I was born again when, at three days old, I was baptized.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Next time, reply something like "No, I don't believe in reincarnation, I believe in Jesus."

The two notions are probably not unrelated, so the joke is really on the person who says the above.

by: Viper0329
The Catholic teaching of eternal life is a little different than what is generally perceived by people. Yes, we do believe in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. However, the doctrine of the Church is usually not clearly understood.

Before we can discuss the afterlife, we must discuss the human person. The human person is made of two co-principles: body and soul. We can't call them parts for a reason that I will explain in a second. The body is the physical matter, while the soul is the "life spirit," I guess I can say. The soul contains faculties, and it is immortal. The body, however, is, since it is matter, decays and dies. The body and soul, however, are not two equal parts. In fact, we can't describe them as parts, because one cannot exist in its fullness without the other. A soul needs a body and a body needs a soul. This sounds like a bunch of gibberish, I know, but it's a very, very important philosophical distinction.

With this distinction in mind, we can talk about death. Since a soul needs a body, and vice-versa, we believe in the resurrection of the body after death. This is the principle of Catholic/Christian after-life. Jesus Christ, after dying on the Cross, was raised from the dead and conquered sin and death. At some point, we will experience a resurrection just in the same form as Christ's, a resurrection of the body. Then, we will be judged.

Take the wish or expectation of rapid salvation, accelerated to the now, and you have born again and saved.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Just because he is saved, is a missionary, or a pastor does not make him a religious whack job. Think of it this way, it is something we Christians believe and he cares about people and wants you to be saved... or born again.

Believing in being "born again" or "having a personal relationship with Jesus Leroy Christ", who, btw, was a Jew, is NOT something most Chrisitians worldwide believe in at all, it is the primitive, bottom feeding, dog and pony show, dumbed down version of Christianity.

I know Jesus is a Jew... that's common knowledge. Being "born again" is simply having believing on and asking Jesus to save you from your sins.

I guess you're right, not all people who have the title "Christian" believe that. However, it is the most basic and only requirement to be saved and get to Heaven, according to the Bible.

Being a Christian simply means being Christ-like... and everyone has their own definition of what being Christ-like is, and that is an opinion typically formed from religion. I take my definition of Christianity from the Bible, if other people want to take their definition from man made rules and regulations (religion) then so be it.


If most Christians don't believe that (according to you), then what is it they believe?

I was raised Catholic, the original and still THE LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, and Catholics do not believe the dog and pony show version about "having a pesonal relationship" with Jesus Christ being the way you get into heaven.

The only way you can get into heaven as a Catholic is, first to be baptized and confirmed Catholic, and then to confess and atone for your sins to a priest at confession. Btw, confessing and atoning for your sins is also the only way to heaven for Anglicans and other long-established protestant (CHRISTIAN) sects as well, including ALL the Eastern Orthodox religions, so you really need to step out of your holy roller ghetto that all Christians are like you and take a look at the facts sometime soon.

Catholics, again, the LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, do not believe at all in a "personal relationship with JC", they believe in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but with the only personal relationship you have being that with your parish priest.

Did you really not know any of this?

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Just because he is saved, is a missionary, or a pastor does not make him a religious whack job. Think of it this way, it is something we Christians believe and he cares about people and wants you to be saved... or born again.

Believing in being "born again" or "having a personal relationship with Jesus Leroy Christ", who, btw, was a Jew, is NOT something most Chrisitians worldwide believe in at all, it is the primitive, bottom feeding, dog and pony show, dumbed down version of Christianity.

I know Jesus is a Jew... that's common knowledge. Being "born again" is simply having believing on and asking Jesus to save you from your sins.

I guess you're right, not all people who have the title "Christian" believe that. However, it is the most basic and only requirement to be saved and get to Heaven, according to the Bible.

Being a Christian simply means being Christ-like... and everyone has their own definition of what being Christ-like is, and that is an opinion typically formed from religion. I take my definition of Christianity from the Bible, if other people want to take their definition from man made rules and regulations (religion) then so be it.


If most Christians don't believe that (according to you), then what is it they believe?

I was raised Catholic, the original and still THE LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, and Catholics do not believe the dog and pony show version about "having a pesonal relationship" with Jesus Christ being the way you get into heaven.

The only way you can get into heaven as a Catholic is, first to be baptized and confirmed Catholic, and then to confess and atone for your sins to a priest at confession. Btw, confessing and atoning for your sins is also the only way to heaven for Anglicans and other long-established protestant (CHRISTIAN) sects as well, including ALL the Eastern Orthodox religions, so you really need to step out of your holy roller ghetto that all Christians are like you and take a look at the facts sometime soon.

Catholics, again, the LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, do not believe at all in a "personal relationship with JC", they believe in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but with the only personal relationship you have being that with your parish priest.

Did you really not know any of this?

..doesn't catholicism conflict with the King James interpretion of the bible?

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..doesn't catholicism conflict with the King James interpretion of the bible?

Uh, it may "conflict" with some holy roller's interpretation of the King James translation of the Bible, but please understand that the King James Bible was the "authorized version" of the Church of England, and that the Church of England does NOT believe nor teach that about being "born again" or that you get to heaven through some "personal relationship with Jesus H. Christ".

That is the deviant, dumbed-down revisionist interpretation adopted by our modern day fundies, it is their idiosyncratic take on the Bible.

Don't believe the FUD you are fed.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Just because he is saved, is a missionary, or a pastor does not make him a religious whack job. Think of it this way, it is something we Christians believe and he cares about people and wants you to be saved... or born again.

Believing in being "born again" or "having a personal relationship with Jesus Leroy Christ", who, btw, was a Jew, is NOT something most Chrisitians worldwide believe in at all, it is the primitive, bottom feeding, dog and pony show, dumbed down version of Christianity.

I know Jesus is a Jew... that's common knowledge. Being "born again" is simply having believing on and asking Jesus to save you from your sins.

I guess you're right, not all people who have the title "Christian" believe that. However, it is the most basic and only requirement to be saved and get to Heaven, according to the Bible.

Being a Christian simply means being Christ-like... and everyone has their own definition of what being Christ-like is, and that is an opinion typically formed from religion. I take my definition of Christianity from the Bible, if other people want to take their definition from man made rules and regulations (religion) then so be it.


If most Christians don't believe that (according to you), then what is it they believe?

I was raised Catholic, the original and still THE LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, and Catholics do not believe the dog and pony show version about "having a pesonal relationship" with Jesus Christ being the way you get into heaven.

The only way you can get into heaven as a Catholic is, first to be baptized and confirmed Catholic, and then to confess and atone for your sins to a priest at confession. Btw, confessing and atoning for your sins is also the only way to heaven for Anglicans and other long-established protestant (CHRISTIAN) sects as well, including ALL the Eastern Orthodox religions, so you really need to step out of your holy roller ghetto that all Christians are like you and take a look at the facts sometime soon.

Catholics, again, the LARGEST group of Christians in the WORLD, do not believe at all in a "personal relationship with JC", they believe in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but with the only personal relationship you have being that with your parish priest.

Did you really not know any of this?

but i think catholics are encouraged to have a "personal relationship with jc" - as in trying to understand his teachings and how to live through him, but still, but not in the same vein as the born agains do.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: between

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

Originally posted by: CKent
You work at a retail store, it's not as though you'd be giving up anything stellar if you moved to a civilized part of the nation.

Well I actually run the retail store. Over the last 2 years I've pulled it back from the brink of closing and I'm very interested in its continued success. Stuff like this doesn't exactly make me happy, but I'll deal with it somehow. If only other people would help me by minding their own business...

I wonder if the local people would boycott your store if it became widely known in the community that you are an atheist/ freethinker

Hard to tell. It's easy to imagine myself beset from all sides by fundamentalist lunatics, but that's not the case. People have surprised me before with their tolerance, but I can't imagine that it would be good for business. Things like this tend to get embellished as they travel the grapevine. Person number one finds out I'm an agnostic, somewhere along the line someone doesn't know what an agnostic is so they call me an atheist, someone else thinks atheist is synonymous with Satanist and one day I get a sign posted to my door saying "Git ort av towne ye derty devel wurshperr"!

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

Originally posted by: between

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

Originally posted by: CKent
You work at a retail store, it's not as though you'd be giving up anything stellar if you moved to a civilized part of the nation.

Well I actually run the retail store. Over the last 2 years I've pulled it back from the brink of closing and I'm very interested in its continued success. Stuff like this doesn't exactly make me happy, but I'll deal with it somehow. If only other people would help me by minding their own business...

I wonder if the local people would boycott your store if it became widely known in the community that you are an atheist/ freethinker

Hard to tell. It's easy to imagine myself beset from all sides by fundamentalist lunatics, but that's not the case. People have surprised me before with their tolerance, but I can't imagine that it would be good for business. Things like this tend to get embellished as they travel the grapevine. Person number one finds out I'm an agnostic, somewhere along the line someone doesn't know what an agnostic is so they call me an atheist, someone else thinks atheist is synonymous with Satanist and one day I get a sign posted to my door saying "Git ort av towne ye derty devel wurshperr"!

reminds me of the time i was in new orleans doing community service work and we stayed at a baptist church who condemmed us to hell for being catholic ... might as well go worship the devil

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: IGBT
..doesn't catholicism conflict with the King James interpretion of the bible?

Uh, it may "conflict" with some holy roller's interpretation of the King James translation of the Bible, but please understand that the King James Bible was the "authorized version" of the Church of England, and that the Church of England does NOT believe nor teach that about being "born again" or that you get to heaven through some "personal relationship with Jesus H. Christ".

That is the deviant, dumbed-down revisionist interpretation adopted by our modern day fundies, it is their idiosyncratic take on the Bible.

Don't believe the FUD you are fed.

I'm not attacking you or your beliefs - please don't with mine.

I was thinking Protestants, not Catholics or many other Christian sects.

I believe only what is in the Bible, can you show me where in the Bible it says I must confess my sins to a priest? Why do all those versus in the Bible that talk about how to get to heaven not matter or are dumbed down? I mean, it's pretty clear... John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9.


Although, this Catholic v. Protestant might be suited for a better thread.