Trump Bible grift update: Leader is in running for Education Secretary

You said Bible study should be at home.
I'm saying that's an undue burden in kids who cant get to someones home... Just like a football practice would be if parents had to make a separate trip. But they dont. Practice is at school, where the kids is already present.

Bible study should legally be the same... As long as voluntary and not during periods of instruction.

 

I know. That is why I found it odd that she insists Bible studies have to be at home.

Seems very China-like to insist that

 

Then we agree. I was saying to NOT include it in the curriculum. Just know that others should be allowed the same convenience of an after school extra curricular activity.

 

Agree.

 

If a state banned voluntary bible study at public schools seems like that would be a big deal to you. Requiring bibles in classrooms, per post #113, isn't though. Two sides of the same coin.

 

It all seems very transactional to you.

 

I find the notion of everlasting life grotesque & creepy. I find the belief in everlasting life even more grotesque & creepy, not to mention ungrateful. Believing in that would be exceedingly costly as it would greatly taint my earthly existence.

 

hardly

my point is I am very confident and happy about where I will end up when my time on this earth comes to an end and am very confident yet sad about where you nonbelievers will end up when your time is over- but it is your choice to make. However, if somehow you non believers turn out to be right and there is no True God, I went thru life happy with my Faith so it will not cost me anything. However, if I am right and there is a True God who promised me every lasting life with Him in Heaven and you are wrong, you are the ones who will spend eternity in Hell.

 

IMO Christians have a terrible track record here on earth wrt what is & what is not fun, hence, I bet hell > heaven

 

I clarified my position later. I'm not talking about a legal big deal. I agree it is a legal problem. I just meant if allowed to happen it is relatively harmless to anyone subjected to the prayer or verse.

But for clarity, I don't want any religion allowed in the actual curriculum, if for no other reason it would open up the door for religious indoctrination that I also disagree with.

Teach math and history in math and history class. Allow freedom of speech as per A1 for all citizens on campus outside of the curriculum.

I assume 99% of us here actually agree on this position.

 

I don't think people are questioning your sincerity here or at least I'm not. However, this proposition is essentially "Pascal's Wager."

To the extent it's offered as a cost/benefit analysis which should lead one to have faith, it comes across as bet-hedging. That's unpersuasive to many of us for several reasons. For one, it ignores other religions. If we were to conduct a utilitarian analysis of the costs and benefits only, the rational thing to do might be to adopt whichever religion predicts the worst punishment for non adherents.

Also, presumably god knows whose purported beliefs are sincere or part of an effort to make a deal. Many self-identified Christians have significant doubts, and the same time, I think there are people who would like to have faith but simply don't. I'm sure god would have to sort these things out, but I don't think a loving god who views lying as sinful would want or expect us to lie to god or to ourselves.

 

I am very comfortable with what I believe and what I think those who don't are facing

 

Ya, fair enough.

But if you don't believe the right thing, you might be reincarnated next as una cockaroacha, while someone else gets to be Donald Trump or Elon Musk.........pallin' around with their friend Jeff Epstein, flyin' to the islands on Jeff's plane, grabbin' peeps by their somthing-or-others, pooing on a toilet made of gold, and havin' not just three hot wives and unlimited porno girlfriends, but all dat damn money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Da money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See what I mean?

 

I do not believe in reincarnation

 

I rarely post in THFSG but will in this thread.

I also am a Christian, like Tilly and like Bill and like others. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and am born again.

As Christians we are asked by Jesus to do things differently and just one of those things is to witness . . . to the truth of the Gospels and to the changes in our lives after accepting Jesus' gift.

Are any of us perfect though? Nope. Nobody is.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Well, then, so what?

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27

Most have heard John 3:16 . . . "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

That same message is repeated in the New Testament. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Also, the Bible doesn't teach that those who live a "good life" or a "moral life" or "better than so-and-so" are spared.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that ono one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

So, then, what is required? He makes it a simple, free will, act of faith.

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Also . . . "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

I have just shared with everyone who reads this the roadmap to becoming a Christian.

It's your choice . . . and always has been. All any other Christian can ever do is share this good news . . . this great, life-changing news. I can promise you your heart will be changed and your life will be changed. Why wouldn't I or any other Christian want to share such good news?

In case anyone is wondering, there is no one, mechanical prayer. If you want a simple one, to be certain:

Dear Lord, I admit I am a sinner. The results of my sin should be death and separation from You. Instead, I accept Your death as the penalty paid for my sins and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of your great love, not based on anything I have done. Please forgive my sins. By faith I now receive You into my heart as the Son of God, my Savior, and Lord of my life. From now on, please help me live for You, with You in control. In Your name Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

I am always available through PMs to discuss this or anything further.

 

No Christian should be following the teachings of Jesus just as fire insurance. We should be doing It because the hungry need food and the hurting need love. Do I believe in eternal non physical life as a concept? Yes.

But the God I believe in is smarter than my intentions and can see right through them. He wants me to care about people, not try and win a contest for the sake of my own gain.

I make few claims on what the spiritual life will be like. I believe too many man made creations (streets, gates, houses) exist for them to be literal in a spiritual realm.

My guess is it is all way cooler than anything our brains can conceive of.

In the meantime, I pray I can just practice the true religion of James 1:27 and except the grace that Jesus offered to all of us who will accept it.

 

Bowing out of this thread after this. It's pretty obvious that I'm agnostic, but I make at least some effort to view religions and faith in a favorable light....or to at least keep my yap (reasonably) shut.

I referenced Hinduism - anyone notice the political party in India that's roped itself to religion for a while? They're a pretty reprehensible political party, if you haven't.

Over here we've got the adulterous criminal Donald Trump, who just won an election by spreading racist lies disparaging entire groups. (Do make sure not to argue, absent proof that there's widespread evidence of people eating dogs and cats). Yet he continues to pick up the Christian vote.

I think my point is made.

 

you being an agnostic is hardly surprising - you thinking you made your point is laughable