11 Sep 09
Originally posted by PalynkaSome of the Bible is literal, some is not. The Book of Revelation is one of the most non-literal pieces of the Bible (along with Genesis). If you actually read the Book of Revelation, it does not come right out and tell you what I have outlined here. What I've talked about here is the commonly-held belief of "end times" events as believed by Christians. I've already done the "reading between the lines" for you.
Do you also believe that the rest of the Bible is literal (say, Genesis)? If not, why can't that be also a metaphor?
Now before you blow me off now as one lone maniac among a world of sane people, please understand that the things I believe about the Tribulation events are believed by many... it's not just me, regardless of what you might think. Visit any Christian church on Sunday where the sermon is about the Tribulation and you'll hear the same ideas time and again.
11 Sep 09
2 edits
Originally posted by SuzianneThat is definitely not true of Portuguese Catholics, nor have I seen it in other European countries. As an atheist, I have to say I'm more comfortable with the views that I see here and I often defend Catholicism in the Spirituality forum by showing its more moderate face.
Visit any Christian church on Sunday where the sermon is about the Tribulation and you'll hear the same ideas time and again.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by Suzianne...10,000,000 flies can't be wrong.
Some of the Bible is literal, some is not. The Book of Revelation is one of the most non-literal pieces of the Bible (along with Genesis). If you actually read the Book of Revelation, it does not come right out and tell you what I have outlined here. What I've talked about here is the commonly-held belief of "end times" events as believed by Christians. ...[text shortened]... where the sermon is about the Tribulation and you'll hear the same ideas time and again.
Suzi, I heard this stuff all the time in the church I grew up in. Doesn't mean it's not crazy. Especially the North American Bible Belt version of it.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by PalynkaIt's true that I hear these ideas far, far less commonly from Catholics.
That is definitely not true of Portuguese Catholics, nor have I seen it in other European countries. As an atheist, I have to say I'm more comfortable with the views that I see here and I often defend Catholicism in the Spirituality forum by showing it's more moderate face.
I wonder why that is. Seriously.
Some Protestants would probably say it's because the Roman Catholic Church is corrupt. I'm not saying I agree, just what I've heard expressed by some. It clearly can't be that simple.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by SuzianneGod bless them. It must be hard to be completely free of corruption and be the moral guidepost for all Christianity. 😞
Some Protestants would probably say it's because the Roman Catholic Church is corrupt. I'm not saying I agree, just what I've heard expressed by some. It clearly can't be that simple.
11 Sep 09
1 edit
Originally posted by darvlayIt doesn't mean it is crazy, either.
...10,000,000 flies can't be wrong.
Suzi, I heard this stuff all the time in the church I grew up in. Doesn't mean it's not crazy. Especially the North American Bible Belt version of it.
At least you can take solace in the fact that by the time it all happens, public sentiment toward Christians as a whole will be at an all-time low. It will be worse than when the Romans fed Christians to the lions in the Colisseum. You can then sing and dance and cry "Good Riddance!" all you want.
At least until Christ himself finally comes back to kick ass and take names.
Edit: Do me one favor. When you one day find yourself on the fields of Megiddo up to your waist in blood, fighting for the Anti-Christ against the Heavenly Host, try to remember me and what I talked about here. I estimate I'll probably be about three and a half years dead at that time. You will count me as one of the lucky ones to be among the first to die for what I believed in.
Yeah, hyperbole ftw. No, not really.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by SuzianneWhy will I take solace in that? I am hardly Anti-Christian.
It doesn't mean it is crazy, either.
At least you can take solace in the fact that by the time it all happens, public sentiment toward Christians as a whole will be at an all-time low. It will be worse than when the Romans fed Christians to the lions in the Colisseum. You can then sing and dance and cry "Good Riddance!" all you want.
At least until Christ himself finally comes back to kick ass and take names.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by SuzianneDon't get defensive now. it's nothing personal. I just find such sick hypocrisy in comments from Sectarian Christians on the corruption within the Catholic Church, especially from those within Evangelistic sects who have pilfered more cash in recent memory than Charlemagne did.
I wouldn't know. Sorry.
11 Sep 09
Originally posted by darvlayYes, okay, I'm defensive.
Don't get defensive now. it's nothing personal. I just find such sick hypocrisy in comments from Sectarian Christians on the corruption within the Catholic Church, especially from those within Evangelistic sects who have pilfered more cash in recent memory than Charlemagne did.
Actually, I should really work hard to develop a thick skin about it now, I guess, because it will only get worse for me, according to the scenario I believe in.
And yeah, I agree, hypocrisy is not cool.
11 Sep 09
1 edit
Originally posted by SuzianneOh it's fine. I mean, you have just generalized me to be some kind of Anti-Christian militant willing and capable of slaughtering hundreds of them in cold blood on some mythical battle field but it's okay. I have thick skin too.
Yes, okay, I'm defensive.
Actually, I should really work hard to develop a thick skin about it now, I guess, because it will only get worse for me, according to the scenario I believe in.
And yeah, I agree, hypocrisy is not cool.