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| Originally posted by Ken Carman,+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Ken Carman,)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I certainly wouldn't deny them the right to read the bible. I certainly would supervise them: asking what they had read and attempting to make them think through their conclusions. I would also pay a lot of attention to anyone else who was attempting to "supervise" their reading.[/b] |
Makes perfect sense. Isn't it nice when someone comes into a debate and just finishes it by stating clearly and fully the final and unarguable answers?
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| So, Mr. Vicchio, we're going to have to disagree on this one. |
And that makes sense too. Agreeing with that chap is not easy! 
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| Originally posted by Somalia,+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Somalia,)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I have the exact opposite experience. Because my father is a minister, I was required to read the Bible [...] it was one of the best things my parents did for me[/b] |
If you have faith, that's fine. To me there are so many different levels of faith. For example, there is blind faith, where you just accept everything the bible says. That takes a certain strength.
But a far *far* stronger faith would be the one you have AFTER you have questioned everything. I mean, if you could read all the modern books about what non-religious scholars believe to be a more truthful explanation of biblical events, and then STILL have faith, well it strikes me that would be the strongest faith in the world.
But you know it's funny... the bible says God doesn't want to be questioned. Surely in his wisdom he must know that people would have far stronger faith if they were able to work through any questions? Or is that, in his wisdom, he knows more than 50% wouldn't come through? At least, not with any faith left.
<!--QuoteBegin-Ken,@
I once attempted to get through the Book of Mormon. But after Nephi's brothers rebelled for the quadzillionth time, I gave up. I thought I was living in some theological version of Groundhog Day.[/quote]
Man that made me laugh my ass off! Excellent indeed!
I agree with you, Ken, that there is a lack of decent parenting around. In the UK there are fairly often national stories about children being abducted and killed... we had Jamie Bulger, the baby who was taken by *children* and tortured and beaten to near-death, left on a railway line to be hit by a train. Then there was the more recent Holly and Jessica, two school-girls abducted, raped and murdered...
So when this stuff is in the news, what's the first thing local parents do? Lock their children in? No. They notice they're out of a few things, write up a shopping-list, and send their 4 year old child to the shops!
Seriously. That happens here. The suburb I live in was recently voted in the top 20 worst places in the country. It's not really that bad, it was just a political move to get the government to spend money here, and it worked since they're spending millions to make themselves... I mean the area... look good.
It's a sick and twisted world sometimes.
<!--QuoteBegin-DonGruntless, the bible has lots of good examples of how to live?[/quote]
Are you asking me or telling me?!
Oh you're SO patronising! Would I have ANYTHING to say here if I hadn't?!
I agree that it is good for children to grow up, as you say, spiritually. My eldest step-son, aged 8, frequently wants to discuss the nature of his soul, of heaven, and the afterlife. He finds the whole subject fascinating.
When I answer his questions, I don't tell him what I believe. I ask him what his school told him (every school around here is essentially Christian) and I tell him some of the things other people believe. Not many 8 yr olds can sum up the Hindu faith... not many 80 yr olds can!
Castille,
Yes, we do need more crusaders. Those wretched heathens are getting away with so much. It's a good job we know God is *wanting* us to go and make them pay, otherwise we'd be breaking his commandments! But hey, he does it, why shouldn't we?!
~ Org.