Spiritual War

[clarsct]

Just saw this in my local rag today. Seems that some preachers are now saying that prayer is like a 'hand grenade against the enemy.' Huh? Prayers ar the Lord's artillery, now? Why the smurf would an omnipotent being NEED artillery? Aren't they just admitting that their god isn't all that great?

I did find it humorous, however, that the funnies are in the same section...

[Kopji]

...

A Reading from the Book of Armaments, Chapter 4, Verses 16 to 20:

Then did he raise on high the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, saying, "Bless this, O Lord, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the people did rejoice and did feast upon the lambs and toads and tree-sloths and fruit-bats and orangutans and breakfast cereals ... Now did the Lord say, "First thou pullest the Holy Pin. Then thou must count to three. Three shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count two, excepting that thou then proceedeth to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the number of the counting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Holy Hand Grenade in the direction of thine foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it."

-- Monty Python, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Hand_Grenade_of_Antioch

[The_Fire]

Last time I heard the expression "Spiritual War" or more acurately "Spiritual Warfare" a fundie were trying to convince me that I, and every other member of that particular board whom were not of the christian faith, were possed by the Devil due to the fact that I was not christian.....

You should have heard the shreek when it were pointed out that the Devil were part of the christian pantheon and therefor had absolutely no claim to my soul since said entity didn't exist in my little corner of the world. :D

[Kopji]

Yesss. I tink dat da miltaristic verbage est possibly a clue dat dey veel powerless. Maybe hast somethink to do with der mamas.
Dey see the power and influence of violence and military might, and like a baby must have some mudder's milk. So up on the milk bandwagon they go.

Prayers might do good as a kind of tribal meditation. Like a rally before the big game. HOLYHOLYHOLYYes, very tribal. But to say prayer is a hand grenade? Ack! Meaningless and silly.
If prayer is like a weapon, it is something that unites you in action: going with you or before you - not something to be cast like a spell toward your enemies.

[arthwollipot]

I've heard the Jesuits described as "God's Shock Troops".

[clarsct]

Kopji: Awesome!

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/042906/REL_B9LA5B3I.040.shtml

The local rag went online. There are some damned gems in there...

[Nettles]

I've heard the Jesuits described as "God's Shock Troops".

St Ignatius of Loyola was an ex-soldier, and the Roman church really needed to fight Protestantism just then.

Military metaphors do seem appropriate for the Church Militant, and of course a really good metaphor could be really useful. I just wonder whether the grenade represented by prayer is a fragmentation grenade or a stun grenade ...

[The_Fire]

Kopji: Awesome!

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/042906/REL_B9LA5B3I.040.shtml

The local rag went online. There are some damned gems in there...

Yup. That would be the kooks I'm talking about......

[Ryokan]

Finally some arms for the Salvation Army!

[This Guy]

Why am I reminded of the movie Dune?;)

[JamesDillon]

St Ignatius of Loyola was an ex-soldier, and the Roman church really needed to fight Protestantism just then.

Military metaphors do seem appropriate for the Church Militant, and of course a really good metaphor could be really useful. I just wonder whether the grenade represented by prayer is a fragmentation grenade or a stun grenade ...


Just a couple of days ago I was thinking of a song I used to sing in vacation Bible school when I was very young and attended such things. At the time I didn't think anything about it, but in retrospect it's more than a little disturbing in its glorification of violence in the name of the Almighty:

I may never march in the infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery,
I may never zoom o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army,
Yes sir!

Anyone else remember singing that in your ignorant youth?

[Ausmerican]

I've heard the Jesuits described as "God's Shock Troops".
Also as "The Commandoes of Christ."

[Abdul Alhazred]

New life for an old metaphor.

If you can have "the sword of the spirit", why not more modern weapons?

[Tricky]

New life for an old metaphor.

If you can have "the sword of the spirit", why not more modern weapons?
What about the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch?

[Max560]

Why am I reminded of the movie Dune?;)


Hopefully because of some nuance in this thread, and not because you are recycling your body's moisture.

[This Guy]

Hopefully because of some nuance in this thread, and not because you are recycling your body's moisture.

Let's leave my body's moisture out of this! ;)

It's the deal with the weapons they use near the end, where they can make that noise, and blow things up. OK, I only saw the movie once, LONG ago. I forget the details lol

I'm seeing folks using something like that, except prayers are the sound :eek:

[c4ts]

Why am I reminded of the movie Dune?;)
PRAYER IS LIKE A LASGUN AGAINST THE HARKONNEN SHIELDS!

[Nettles]

... in retrospect it's more than a little disturbing in its glorification of violence in the name of the Almighty:

I may never march in the infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery,
I may never zoom o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army,
Yes sir!

Anyone else remember singing that in your ignorant youth?

Yes, but it went, "We may never fly over Germany/We're in the King's Navy/By jove!"

The far more popular lyrics involved great, green gobs of greasy, grimy gophers' guts ...

Violence in the name of the Almighty works for me ... I've taught my elder daughter to tell the other girls at her (Christian) school all about how Chanukah is the holiday of gutting enemy elephants from beneath just so, and how Purim is the holiday of pre-emptive strikes against your enemies ...

[c4ts]

New life for an old metaphor.

If you can have "the sword of the spirit", why not more modern weapons?
Because all my ideas are tasteless, unfunny, and lead straight to terrorism. The Dirty Bomb of the Spirit, the Anthrax of the Spirit, the Jacket Lined With Explosives of the Spirit, the Box Cutter of the Spirit...

I may never march in the infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery,
I may never zoom o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army,
Yes sir!

I may never build any infantry,
Steal a refinery,
Move my artillery
I may never airstrike the enemy
But I'm in the Nod army,
Low power!

[Lamuella]

occasionally it's nice to hear a burst of "smite the unbeliever" instead of the usual "hey, god's this great guy, you know?" thing.

[c4ts]

Who wants to love one's enemies anyway? It's homosexual, and god hates that!

[ruach1]

Why am I reminded of the movie Dune?;)
Because your latent Kwisatz Haderach powers are emerging into consciousness. When you've taken the Water of Life and transmuted it, mail an application for the Million Dollar Challenge, and,with your winnings, you can move to the nearest desert and retire in peace. ;)

[kurious_kathy]

New life for an old metaphor.

If you can have "the sword of the spirit", why not more modern weapons?
Because the sword of the spirit is the word of God and is mighty in the pulling down of strongholds.http://www.sounddoctrine.net/Nick/spiritualwarfare.htm

Don't be foolish, God is watching everyone and everyone will be judged according to the way they mocked God and others.

I'm in the army now, God's gona win somehow, and if your smart you"ll give God your heart, I'm in the army now! I'm proud to be an American and a Christian soldier. Onward Christian soldier....

[JamesDillon]

Kathy,

Would you care to respond to the argument in the "God is the evilest thing that could exist" thread? So far no one who actually believes in hell has addressed the argument presented there, and I'd like to see how it might be done.

[kurious_kathy]

I will try James, but all I can say about hell is this world is the most of hell I ever want to see. Heaven will be a perfect place without any evil or sin.
The book of Revelations tells us nothing unholy will ever enter heaven.
I prefer to ponder thoughts of what heaven is going to be like.
On my own I'de never make it into heaven,Thank God for Jesus!

[Marquis de Carabas]

Don't be foolish, God is watching everyone and everyone will be judged according to the way they mocked God and others.
Does being judged for the way I mock God mean I'll be getting style points?

[Euromutt]

I just wonder whether the grenade represented by prayer is a fragmentation grenade or a stun grenade ...Well, it might be taken as an incendiary grenade (http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m14-th3.htm), but personally I'm inclined to think that the most likely candidate is colored smoke (http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m18.htm). ;)

[c4ts]

Military metaphors do seem appropriate for the Church Militant, and of course a really good metaphor could be really useful. I just wonder whether the grenade represented by prayer is a fragmentation grenade or a stun grenade ...

And will there be chunky salsa?

[ImaginalDisc]

PRAYER IS LIKE A LASGUN AGAINST THE HARKONNEN SHIELDS!


You do know what happens when a lasgun hits a shield, right?

[Curnir]

I will try James, but all I can say about hell is this world is the most of hell I ever want to see. Heaven will be a perfect place without any evil or sin.
The book of Revelations tells us nothing unholy will ever enter heaven.
I prefer to ponder thoughts of what heaven is going to be like.
On my own I'de never make it into heaven,Thank God for Jesus!

Hang on...

Why should we thank god for Jesus?

Isn't Jesus god? (according to christian trinity dogma)

Thus shouldn't the ending of the song be:

Praise Jesus!
or
Hail Jesus!

[Genesius]

Because the sword of the spirit is the word of God and is mighty in the pulling down of strongholds.http://www.sounddoctrine.net/Nick/spiritualwarfare.htm

Don't be foolish, God is watching everyone and everyone will be judged according to the way they mocked God and others.

I'm in the army now, God's gona win somehow, and if your smart you"ll give God your heart, I'm in the army now! I'm proud to be an American and a Christian soldier. Onward Christian soldier....
Just hope your opponents don't have iron chariots. Judges 1:19. . .

And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.You've got a pretty feeble god, there, if a little thing like iron chariots can stop him.

[c4ts]

You do know what happens when a lasgun hits a shield, right?
The Family Atomics!

And if you ship me something like a huge drum of spice I will show you how to make your prayers that powerful.

[ruach1]

You do know what happens when a lasgun hits a shield, right?
Yes.

:boxedin:

[kurious_kathy]

Does being judged for the way I mock God mean I'll be getting style points?
Don't you have any convictions about anything? If so then what are they?

[Tricky]

Don't you have any convictions about anything? If so then what are they?
Does the God described by your religion have any convictions? He murders, He rapes, He lies, He tortures. What kind of example is He setting?

[Marquis de Carabas]

Don't you have any convictions about anything? If so then what are they?
Arrested once or twice, with one indictment, but no, nary a conviction to be found.

[andyandy]

Kopji: Awesome!

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/042906/REL_B9LA5B3I.040.shtml

The local rag went online. There are some damned gems in there...

so

"the things of Satan" include promiscuous sex......

where do i sign up? :)

[SPQR]

There was a show I watched a week or two ago on Discovery Times Channel entitled God's New Army about a six year old evangelical college in either North Carolina or Virigina, I forget which.

It was one of the scariest places I have ever seen. One of the freshmen they profiled used so much military imagery in describing his religious beliefs I could not believe it.

Just an example of what it's like there; they teach young Earth creationism as science. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[LordoftheLeftHand]

Don't you have any convictions about anything? If so then what are they?

I believe in objective reality. I believe that the number of people who share a belief and the strength of their conviction is meaningless.

LLH

[atari24]

Because the sword of the spirit is the word of God and is mighty in the pulling down of strongholds.http://www.sounddoctrine.net/Nick/spiritualwarfare.htm

Don't be foolish, God is watching everyone and everyone will be judged according to the way they mocked God and others.

I'm in the army now, God's gona win somehow, and if your smart you"ll give God your heart, I'm in the army now! I'm proud to be an American and a Christian soldier. Onward Christian soldier....

That's quite a horse you're riding.

[bluess]

Well, she needs it to pull the wagon carrying all of her baggage.

[Scott Haley]

On the other hand, I read about a mainstream Protestant denomination that went through its hymnals and removed all the millitary language. No more "Onward Christian Soldiers" for them. Some love it, some hate it.

--Scott

[clarsct]

Scott: Love the name, first off, secondly, I realize that. I just saw this in my local paper and it got me to wondering a bit.

I'm still baffled on what, exactly, an omnipotent being needs with artillery. I mean, what? Now it is up to US to fight Satan and put right His wrongs? Man, what a wimpy god. Maybe I better just worship Baal....

[Scott Haley]

Yes, as I understand Christian doctrine, God, who loves us like a father loves his children, sends his children to fight Satan. Some of the children get tempted by the devil and wind up damned. God, who can do all things, could obliterate Satan right now, but chooses not to.

[jimmygun]

Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus
Carried on the fore.

Or something like that...

Arms for the Salvation Army? What about the Salvation Sleevie?

[kurious_kathy]

Yes, as I understand Christian doctrine, God, who loves us like a father loves his children, sends his children to fight Satan. Some of the children get tempted by the devil and wind up damned. God, who can do all things, could obliterate Satan right now, but chooses not to.
I often wonder why God doesn't come back right now and put an end to sin once and for all? I guess He still sees many lives that need to be tested by the enemy of our souls.
What's in your heart? Do you love things God hates, or will we choose to turn our back on sin and walk the straight and narrow?? This truely appears to be what spiritual warfare is all about if you ask me.

[Cetecea]

.snip Do you love things God hates, or will we choose to turn our back on sin and walk the straight and narrow??

Not that this is a complete list of options.

I'm sure there are a couple more...

Don't be an ass because it's the right thing to do rather than because your current idol of worship is really mean and sick.

What exactly does your god hate? Seems he/she/it finds great solace in the rape, torture and general skull fu**ing of perfectly nice people...

[Spidey13]

I often wonder why God doesn't come back right now and put an end to sin once and for all?

Where did he go?

[Marquis de Carabas]

I often wonder why God doesn't come back right now and put an end to sin once and for all?
Possibly the same reason Zeus no longer consorts with mortal women?

[Spidey13]

Possibly the same reason Zeus no longer consorts with mortal women?
He's gay?

[Marquis de Carabas]

He's gay?
Got it in one.

[kurious_kathy]

Not that this is a complete list of options.

I'm sure there are a couple more...

Don't be an ass because it's the right thing to do rather than because your current idol of worship is really mean and sick.

What exactly does your god hate? Seems he/she/it finds great solace in the rape, torture and general skull fu**ing of perfectly nice people...God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

[Marquis de Carabas]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Well, I'm not into much of that, except maybe the discord. God doesn't have anything against kicking puppies, then?

[bluess]

Well, I'm not into much of that, except maybe the discord. God doesn't have anything against kicking puppies, then?

Only if you were kicking puppies as part of your orgy.

[Freethinker]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

God had fits of rage and jealousy. Is he going to hell too?

[Cetecea]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.


So, is it immoral to kill? What is sexual immorality? What is debauchery? What about the idolatry that xtrians exhibit?

God hates factions? Really? Good thing YOU know the correct faction to wrap yourself around... Could really suck for you if you get "there" and St. Peter sais "Sorry, you must have missed the memo. The catholics were right. Down the stairs to your left please. When you pass by the hall of people having fun, generally having a good time and not hurting others, keep going. That's the atheist crowd. God loves them... They never burned anyone at the stake, never killed anyone for having different belief sytems. Your crowd on the other hand... you really screwed up."

[Genesius]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Where have I heard a rant like this before?

Ah yes. . . brings back the demented ravings of Pat Robertson, when he stated that feminism is a "socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."

Tell the truth, Kathy - you voted for Pat when he was running for President, didn't you?

[supercorgi]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

" For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus 34:14

So god hates himself? Maybe he should get some counseling.

[kurious_kathy]

So, is it immoral to kill? What is sexual immorality? What is debauchery? What about the idolatry that xtrians exhibit?

God hates factions? Really? Good thing YOU know the correct faction to wrap yourself around... Could really suck for you if you get "there" and St. Peter sais "Sorry, you must have missed the memo. The catholics were right. Down the stairs to your left please. When you pass by the hall of people having fun, generally having a good time and not hurting others, keep going. That's the atheist crowd. God loves them... They never burned anyone at the stake, never killed anyone for having different belief sytems. Your crowd on the other hand... you really screwed up."
"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,
AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
"BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." Romans 4:7-8

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but lest we forget God desires mercy for everyone. God's grace and mercy can and does cover many peoples sins. Are you in Christ? Do you have the insurance of even though you've sinned and blown it he forgives you and helps you get back up on the right road? Repentance is the beginning of healing.

The thing that really bothers me about society is where's the conviction in peoples heart to do what's right or good? True many things have been done in the name of God that are pathetic. God is not the one that blows it, we do. We are warned not to judge others or we will be judged.

God help us all have a heart thats right with eachother and God!

[Raphael]

From above:
"We are warned not to judge others or we will be judged." :rolleyes:

[kurious_kathy]

From above:
"We are warned not to judge others or we will be judged." :rolleyes:
We are told to have discernment and to be careful about how we judge others. Prophecying is no more than truth telling according to what scripture teaches us so it is perfectly good and right to share our faith with others. God help us all leave the judgement up to God. Nobody else knows our heart but He who created us.

I am reflecting on the teaching that says to the proud God humbles them, but to the humble more grace will be given. If we are justified by God's grace alone, then shouldn't we all realize being humble is a good thing?

[Ducky]

"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,
AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
"BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." Romans 4:7-8

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but lest we forget God desires mercy for everyone. God's grace and mercy can and does cover many peoples sins. Are you in Christ? Do you have the insurance of even though you've sinned and blown it he forgives you and helps you get back up on the right road? Repentance is the beginning of healing.

The thing that really bothers me about society is where's the conviction in peoples heart to do what's right or good? True many things have been done in the name of God that are pathetic. God is not the one that blows it, we do. We are warned not to judge others or we will be judged.

God help us all have a heart thats right with eachother and God!


That's a nice glass house you live in. Careful no one throws a stone back at you.

[SezMe]

God hates sin. People who choose to live a life of immorality. Scripture tells us to turn from theses things...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, ...
My bolded emphasis.

Ya wanna reconcile this for us, Kathy?

[uncy]

Have we forgotten the recent study that showed if anything prayer causes more harm than good? Perhaps the fundimentalists should pray for God to bring peace and understanding to all, then his holy hand grenade would destroy the gays, non-believers, etc...

[Cetecea]

[QUOTE=kurious_kathy;1630549The thing that really bothers me about society is where's the conviction in peoples heart to do what's right or good?
[/QUOTE]

Well, if history has any meaning at all, religion has done a pathetic job of helping people to do what's "right or good".

Again, my conviction to what is "right and good" (we'll leave the definition of that for another discussion!), comes from experience of consequences for behavior, not some nefarious deity that people have hijacked to their own disgusting ends.

Paaaah...

[Raphael]

My bolded emphasis.

Ya wanna reconcile this for us, Kathy?

"Do as I say, not as I do." My dad used this on me for years.

[wolfgirl]

The thing that really bothers me about society is where's the conviction in peoples heart to do what's right or good?The thing that really bothers me about religion is where's the conviction in people's hearts to do what's right or good...except out of fear of eternal punishment or hope of eternal reward?

Pious people are all so self-righteous about "doing the right thing," but they're doing it for the wrong reasons.

At least when I help someone less fortunate than myself or donate blood or sign up for the bone marrow registry, I do it BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I don't expect to be rewarded in the next life for it. I don't expect anyone to know or care what I've done. I just do it because it needs to be done. Because we're all in this together. Because I would hope that someone would do the same for me if our situations were reversed.

[Freethinker]

The thing that really bothers me about religion is where's the conviction in people's hearts to do what's right or good...except out of fear of eternal punishment or hope of eternal reward?

Pious people are all so self-righteous about "doing the right thing," but they're doing it for the wrong reasons.

At least when I help someone less fortunate than myself or donate blood or sign up for the bone marrow registry, I do it BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I don't expect to be rewarded in the next life for it. I don't expect anyone to know or care what I've done. I just do it because it needs to be done. Because we're all in this together. Because I would hope that someone would do the same for me if our situations were reversed.

AMEN!:D

[The_Fire]

Prophecying is no more than truth telling according to what scripture teaches us so it is perfectly good and right to share our faith with others.

The bible also warns against false prophets.

Humans are flawed according to your beliefsystem.
The bible were written by humans.
Ergo: The Bible is flawed.....

[Cetecea]

==snippity==Prophecying is no more than truth telling according to what scripture teaches us so it is perfectly good and right to share our faith with others.==snip-snip


I don't even have too much of a problem with the sharing of beliefs and having a discussion about it.

You and those of your ilk feel some freaky need to justify your delusions by telling ME what I should believe!

Really, don't waste your foul breath telling me what I need to do. What I need to do is house my family, feed them, nourish them with emotional support and most importantly:

Help my children think for themselves so they don't fall into your vat of lies and hate.

You had your crappy life with the crappy outcomes for crappy decisions.

Now you have chosen to do things differently and are having better outcomes. If you need to push that off on some wierd "godhead" be my guest...

[kurious_kathy]

The thing that really bothers me about religion is where's the conviction in people's hearts to do what's right or good...except out of fear of eternal punishment or hope of eternal reward?

Pious people are all so self-righteous about "doing the right thing," but they're doing it for the wrong reasons.

At least when I help someone less fortunate than myself or donate blood or sign up for the bone marrow registry, I do it BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I don't expect to be rewarded in the next life for it. I don't expect anyone to know or care what I've done. I just do it because it needs to be done. Because we're all in this together. Because I would hope that someone would do the same for me if our situations were reversed.WF this shows me you love which is the greatest thing God asks us to do. I wish more people would get involved like youv'e expressed genuine compassion here. Nothing bad about that, I think it's wonderful.

I do wish that you wouldn't look at people who have faith in God as trying to be self righteous though. There is nothing good about the way you are interpretating that. In fact God warnes people not to be self righteous. If this is the message you are getting, let me specify it is Christ in a person that experiences God's righteousness. We want to be holy because God is holy.
It really is not of our own doing. Just an FYI.

[clarsct]

And yet, why all the 'holy hand grenades'?

Would evil exist without humanity? We are the ones who makes the evil. Us, you and me. (Unless you believe God made everything, then, of course, HE made Evil, as well. Had to, who else could? In which case, you're lobbing your 'artillery shells' at God Almighty, and you might want to reconsider....)

So who are you lobbing these things at, anyway? Hmm?

[Freethinker]

In fact God warnes people not to be self righteous.

Then he is seriously pissed at you, because you are the queen of the self-righteous.

[Ducky]

In fact God warnes people not to be self righteous.

Were you not listening to God then?

[bruto]

I will try James, but all I can say about hell is this world is the most of hell I ever want to see. Heaven will be a perfect place without any evil or sin.
The book of Revelations tells us nothing unholy will ever enter heaven.
I prefer to ponder thoughts of what heaven is going to be like.
On my own I'de never make it into heaven,Thank God for Jesus!

That is really very sad.