>>the thing with that is, can you really be COMMANDED to love someone? isn't love a voluntary gesture? don't we love those who give us a reason to love them? are we supposed to love god MORE than anybody or anything else? << Daniel, you know where I stand and so does everyone else. That was a typical remark from an atheist. Regarding your question, do you not love the one who has given you life? Only those who truly dig deep down into their intellect and heart can truly appreciate what God does for them now and in the after life.
what was a typical remark from an atheist? i'm not sure what you're talking about there.. you didn't answer my question, can we be COMMANDED to love someone? and are we commanded to love God MORE than anything or anyone else? that is what i am asking you..
Thunderbolt...You keep doing the same thing over and over. You express your BELIEFS as FACTS. There is a huge difference. If you want to give your arguments any credibility at all, I suggest you try using LOGIC and REASON to express your point. I have no quarrel with your beliefs. I think our freedoms are what makes our nation great. The freedom of Religion is one of the biggies. Right up there with Speech and Press. If not for these freedoms, we couldn't even be doing this. BUT: Really; try a different tack. If you want to make a point, why don't you attempt to use a persuasive argument rather than a very closed belief? We are all patiently waiting for something that makes sense to everyone. Let me ask you one other question.....Do you believe the world would be a better place if each of us could say to ourselves: "Could it be possible?" As in the Islamic extremists who hijacked airplanes and their own religion saying "Could it be possible that we are creating evil in our pursuit of changing the minds of the infidels?" Or if Daniel and I and Axeman and others said "Could it be possible that Thunderbolt is right and we are wrong?" Or if you said "Could it be possible that I am wrong and they are right?" Or "Could it be possible that there is a God, but Jesus and the Bible are not meant to be taken literally. It is just parables and myths passed down WITH GOOD INTENT to keep certain worthwhile ideals alive from generation to generation?" "COULD IT BE POSSIBLE that organized religion is a business that pays no taxes and benefits those in charge?" To me, the big one that seems answerable only in the negative is: "Could it be possible that only if I believe in Jesus that I will be welcomed to heaven, and all those who were born into families that worshiped the wrong religion, the wrong God, even the wrong brand of Christianity (you said you had a beef with Catholicism) are doomed? That the souls born into a Muslim or Sikh or Jewish family and followed their tradition never stood a chance?" Why does God let the miserable wretches that don't believe in Jesus even have children? You my friend, need to learn about tolerance! Peace, Rs7
Point of interest. Even the Ten Commandments do NOT say "LOVE THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER". It is said to "HONOR" them. No one can command love. Not even God (if he exists) is that arrogant. The Biblical God requires Honor and Respect and Awe. But I don't remember hearing anything about Love. Or at least I don't remember it. I stopped reading that stuff as soon as I wasn't forced to.
nah, i'm pretty sure it does say somewhere to LOVE your God...it might not be part of the commandments though..
To all atheists , you can't say what anybody does is deluded. What would be your standard? You can have none because according to you, there is no objective moral law. You can judge no matter. Such is the life of the materialist. You supposedly have no authority. What I find interesting is that you expect "justice". That's almost laughable. If somebody came and hit you up side your head, you'd want justice. If somebody stole your money, you'd want justice. What a hypocrite. Who are you to say anything is "wrong"? According to you there is no Lawgiver. Nevertheless, you do know that these things are wrong, now don't you? You know that it is not unreasonable to expect justice. This being the case how do you know there is right and wrong? 'Cause God said it in His word and on your conscience, THAT'S why. It's wrong to steal, to kill, to commit adultery, to lie, etc. Our earthly penal codes reflect this. I don't see you protesting on the courthouse steps because our police officers throw people in jail. Why? Beause you know evil doers must be punished. Don't you? Alright then.
we CAN be commanded? so, even though I might not really love God, (or my wife, brother, next door neighbor) I am FORCED to....but then it wouldn't really be love would it? even if I do love God, you are saying I HAVE TO, I MUST, love him MORE than anything else? what if I don't? what if i think he's swell, but i kinda love my wife a bit more.... can i be FORCED to love him more? how? it wouldn't be REAL...
Commandment #1: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and with all thy soul. There shall be no other Gods before me. You can't come to a Gun fight with a knife.
1. (Protestant) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 1. (Catholic) I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. 1. (Hebrew) I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. http://www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.pdf